Learn All About AutoCAD!

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AutoCAD is a popular software which you must have heard of if you ever thought of joining the design industry. Stated below are the reasons for which AutoCAD is well-known.

AutoCAD is a CAD software, i.e., Computer-aided drafting program, which is used mostly for various design processes. It can be used to draw using real-life equivalent drafting tools. With the added support of digital precision, it helps with measurements and calculation, 3D components, and data sharing. The reason for its immense popularity is also because of the diversity of the design tasks which is supported by the software. We will discuss about the most important details of the software suite along with the various uses of the software.

HISTORY OF AUTOCAD

In the 1980s AutoCAD came to notice as it was the first CAD program which was developed for PCs instead of industrial computers. As the computer hardware became more capable the company responsible for AutoCAD, Autodesk decided to make CAD more accessible to all. As AutoCAD is updated yearly with increasing new features added has become a part of dominant program in many design industries.

AUTOCAD CHARACTERISTICS

AutoCAD?s main proficiency is in 2D design. The workspace in AutoCAD is more of a drafting desk on your computer and this feature hasn?t changed since it was introduced.

The best part of AutoCAD is that it evolves with time, with 3D computer-aided design become popular AutoCAD integrated features which makes it capable to deal with 3D designs.

In both 2D and 3D design, AutoCAD provides a range of commands that help with precision, such as centering lines and marks which are automatically calculated according to design and placement, drawing dimensions help to set fixed proportions, and geometric arrays can help in quick replication of patterns.

In case of working in 3D the software provides a variety of ways to view design so that one can work on the design from various angle. No matter which dimension you work in, AutoCAD automatically saves data which might be of use for sharing and future reference.

Target User Groups

In the design market AutoCAD advertises itself as the key software, therefore, providing it a huge audience. Industries which are highly dependent on design precision use AutoCAD for its mathematical reliability. For example, architects are aeronautics depend highly on accurate measurements, components that must fit together and works on large scale to build stable structures.

AutoCAD is used by other types of engineers such as mechanical and electrical, who need the program for designing big and small projects without compromising precision. Graphic designers and city planners also use AutoCAD so as to work on every detail be it the big picture or the smallest details.

Cost of AutoCAD

There are three types of payment option available which depends on the time you intend to use it for

1. $210/month
2. $1690/annually
3. $4565/ 3 years

All the above-mentioned options allow you to access AutoCAD core 2D and 3D program along with industry-specific packages which includes AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD Plant 3D. AutoCAD mobile app can also be used.

After committing to purchase AutoCAD, you will be given access through a cloud-based subscription on the Autodesk website. This will allow you to pay a recurring cost as long as you want access.

LICENSING

There a number of types of licenses to choose from in AutoCAD. This helps in distinguishing individual users (personal commercial project) from a group of users who needs access on the same system (engineering team working on one project). AutoCAD is also used by those who wants to learn computer-aided design in a formal setting.

1. Educational: If you are a student or educator at an educational institute who has to use AutoCAD for educational purpose. (No products can be designed for sale using software under this license).

2. Single user: Here only you and the purchaser can use AutoCAD using a unique access code. This program can be installed in three devices but can be accessed only one at a time.

3. Multi-user: Here a number of authorized users can be added to the plan where each of them will have access to the program on any of the networked devices at the same time. This does not allow unauthorized usage outside the user group while also allowing work flexibility.

Therefore, if you are not certain about your need for AutoCAD you can use their 30-day trail which gives you full access to the program using which you will know if you need it. If you are a student or educator you can also have the educational license access.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

AutoCAD can run both on Windows and on MAC operating systems. Though specialized tools have special requirements make sure you will be able to use AutoCAD on windows even after getting the features.

Specialized toolsets: The parts of AutoCAD which contain industry-specific drafting tools for example AutoCAD Mechanical 3D and AutoCAD Rater Design are compatible with Windows.

3D mapping: This feature is a generalized one and help anyone designs 3D. It helps in placing the object in the world you designed. It is extremely useful for those who use AutoCAD for interior designing.

Given below are the system requirements for AutoCAD 2020:

Windows
Versions: Windows 7SP1, 8.1, or 10 (64-bit)
Processor: 2.5 GHz necessary along with 3+ GHz recommended
Memory: 8 GB necessary, 16 GB recommended
Display: 1920x1080 with true color for conventional displays, 3840x2160 required for high resolution and 4K displays
Display card: 1 GB GPU with 29 GB/S bandwidth, DirectX 11 compliant recommended
Disk space: 6 GB

Mac
Versions: Catalina v10.15, Mojave v10.14, or High Sierra v10.13
Processor: 64-bit Intel CPU (Intel Core Duo CPU required, 2GHz or faster recommended)
Memory: 4GB necessary, 8+GB recommended
Display: 1280x 800 with true color required, 2880 x 1800 with Retina Display recommended
Display card: Mac native-installed graphics card
Disk space: 3 GB

Features and Purposes of AutoCAD:

Given below are the features and purposes of AutoCAD:

2D Functions

Text settings: Helps you to create text on your design as a single or multi-line object which allows you to adjust the formatting all at once.

Data extraction: Export object metadata for use outside AutoCAD, there by allowing accurate information transfer.

Live data links: Helps to create a live link between the data in Excel spreadsheet and that of AutoCAD file.

Own parametric constraints: You can maintain your design?s specific geometry parameters which allows you to not worry about manually catering to them while working.

Centerlines and marks: It stays with every object so that when you move an object it is always aware of its center.

Revision clouds: It allows your freehand to highlight areas to wish to revise without it becoming a part of your design.

Arrays: It multiplies a selected object to create a repetitive pattern in a particular geometric pattern.

3D Functions

Solid surface and mesh modeling: It overs a multiple control over the 3D model which allows you to choose the process you need.

Light and shading control: It helps you understand how your 3D object will look like according to the various types of lights, illuminating from different angles and with different strength of shadows.

Cloud rendering: It helps you use your network capabilities to render your design without tying it with your computer for the process.

Model documentation: Like with 2D designs it offers all information required about 3D model to share, export and update.

Section planes: It helps to create planes which dissects the 3D object so as to cross view it from various angles.

Point clouds: Allows the import of data from 3D scanners to create the design from real-life objects.

COLLABORATION:

Mobile app: Allows you to access designs and files from your smartphones for making it portable.

Browser web app: It provides you a place to log into your program on any computer that has an internet connection. This helps in easy access where you do not have to carry your hardware at every place. It is also a good option for sharing files.

Multiple compatibilities of file extensions: You do not have to think about cross program compatibility as AutoCAD is compatible with a number of design file types which includes PDF and DWG.

Model references and imports: It extracts reference models to lay under your design-in-progress so that you can trace or gather inspiration from original work.

Online map and geography information: It inserts location information at designated points along with a complete link to the mapping of the area the design is meant for.