How is AutoCAD for Mac different from AutoCAD? (2012)

Issue

You are familiar with AutoCAD (for Windows) and you want to know how it differs from AutoCAD for Mac.

Solution

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac and AutoCAD 2012 are based on much of the same source code; however, creating AutoCAD for Mac was much more than just porting over the Windows-based software. Instead, the program was rewritten from the ground up, resulting in a look and feel that is familiar to users of other Mac software. This commitment to writing a true native Mac application also meant some features would not be applicable to Mac OS X. The AutoCAD team carefully evaluated the entire feature set, with help from user feedback and usage data, and included those features that are important to AutoCAD users everywhere.

The AutoCAD for Mac team welcomes any feedback you have on AutoCAD 2012 for Mac. Please feel free to e-mail feedbackacadmac@autodesk.com with your comments or suggestions for improving the product.

New and Exclusive AutoCAD for Mac Features

Over time, new AutoCAD for Mac features come from one of three categories: 1) features from older versions of AutoCAD, 2) features from the current release of AutoCAD or 3) new Mac-centric features.

Features from older versions of AutoCAD now available in AutoCAD 2012 for Mac

• Network Licensing
• Plot Style Editing
• In-place reference and block editing (Refedit)
• Layer Groups / Filters
• Palette Icon Resizing
• Publish (Multi-layout consecutive printing)
• Hatch Interface enhancements

Features new to the current version (2012) of AutoCAD now available in AutoCAD 2012 for Mac

• Associative Array
• Multi-Function Grips (for more entities)
• Command Line / Dynamic Input Autocomplete
• In-canvas movable UCS (User Coordinate System)
• Perpendicular and Tangent Object Snaps
• Nudge objects with ctrl+ Arrow keys
• Group Enhancements
• 3D dynamic creation previews

Features only available in AutoCAD for Mac

• Coverflow
• Multitouch
• Visual Quickview
• Layout Visor
• Cocoa-centric collapsible and dockable Palette System

Features under consideration for potential future releases of AutoCAD for Mac

Of the AutoCAD features that have not been implemented, some are under consideration for inclusion in potential future releases and others are not for various reasons. They are provided here to offer clarity, guidance and direction.

3D Modeling & Rendering

• Model Documentation (AutoCAD 2012 Only)
• Walkthroughs, flybys, and animation
• ShowMotion
• FBX Import
• Camera creation
• Material creation, editing, and mapping
• Advanced Rendering Settings
• Geographic location
• Sun Properties and Visual Styles¹ are now found in the Properties Inspector (New visual styles must be created at the command line)

¹ New visual styles may be created with the -VISUALSTYLES command.

CAD Management

• Sheet Set Manager
• Standalone Reference Manager Application (Not to be confused with the external reference manager dialog which is included in AutoCAD for Mac)
• Migration tools
• Custom Dictionaries
• eTransmit
• User Profiles
• Workspaces
• Table style editing
• Command auto-completion may offer commands that are not currently defined.

Miscellaneous

• DCL dialogs
• CUI Import and Export
• Dynamic Block authoring ¹
• PDF & DWF Underlay
• Data Extraction Wizard
• dbConnect Manager
• Datalinks
• Point Clouds
• Express Tools (Some have already been implemented)
• Filter and Quick Select
• Hyperlink
• New layer notification
• Layer State Manager ²
• Some Layer Tools ³

¹ Dynamic blocks created in AutoCAD can be inserted and used, but not modified.
² Fundamental layer state operations can still be performed using the stAte option in the -LAYER command or using the (layerstate-xxx) AutoLISP functions.
³ Unavailable commands include: LAYCUR, LAYDEL, LAYON, LAYTHW, LAYMCH, LAYMRG, LAYWALK, LAYVPI

Features NOT under consideration for potential future releases of AutoCAD for Mac

Windows Dependencies Exist

• Creating or opening password-protected drawings
• System variables for missing features may still exist and be editable but will have no effect if the accompanying feature is not included. They have been kept to help preserve scripting compatibility.
• VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)
• Visual LISP editor
• AutoLISP routines that include Windows calls (using .NET)
• DGN underlay
• ARX applications that include MFC or .NET calls
• WMF import/export

Alternatives Exist

• DesignCenter (the equivalent in AutoCAD for Mac is the Content Palette)
• Tool palettes (the equivalent in AutoCAD for Mac is the Content Palette)
• Quick Properties palette (the AutoCAD for Mac property palette has “Essential” and “All” views)

Lack of user interest

• Digital signatures
• CAD Standards tools
• Markup Set Manager
• Action Recorder & Action Macros
• Digitizer integration
• Multiline style creation