Autodesk has announced the latest version of its flagship Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) software, AutoCAD 2018. In this release, both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, gets many new features, improvements, and fixes that make CAD users more efficient and productive. In particular, Autodesk has continued to advance AutoCAD to PDF workflow data interoperability, supporting new text recognition features and more.
The users, designers and engineers will be able to:
- Create and share precise drawings with innovative productivity tools
- Saving time with simple tools to fix broken paths for externally referenced files
- Use the SHX text recognition tool to quickly convert imported PDF geometry to text objects
- Experience significant improvements in performance of AutoCAD—including in 3D navigation when zooming and panning
- Take the power of AutoCAD with them wherever they go with an easy-to-use mobile app (included with subscription to any AutoCAD product)
Users on AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT 2017 subscription license or maintenance plan, will get all updates as they become available, right in the Autodesk Desktop App. Upon accepting the update, users will be up and running with the new features immediately.
With this release, there are a host of new features that have been outlined in detail in the AutoCAD 2018 Preview Guide.
Some key updates include:
PDF Import Enhancements
With AutoCAD 2018, the SHX text recognition tool can be used to quickly convert imported PDF geometry to text and Mtext objects. The enhanced Text to Mtext tool enables the conversion of a combination of single- and multi- line text objects to a one multi-line text object, automatically inferring formatting.
External Reference Path Enhancements
Enhancements in AutoCAD 2018 help reduce the problems created by broken reference paths. Integrated tools enable users to easily replace the paths of one or more missing references with a new path.
Object Selection
In AutoCAD 2018, users can begin a selection window in one part of their drawing and then pan and zoom to another part while maintaining selection of the off-screen objects.
High-Resolution (4K) Monitor Support
AutoCAD 2018 supports high-resolution monitors to ensure the best possible viewing experience on 4K displays and higher. Commonly used user interface elements, such as the Start tab, Command line, palettes, dialog boxes, toolbars, ViewCube, pick pox, and grips, are appropriately scaled and displayed as per the Windows setting.
AutoCAD 2018 continues to improve graphics and performance while ensuring the TrustedDWG technology. The DWG format has been updated to provide improvements in the efficiency of open and save operations, especially for drawings that contain many annotative objects and viewports. Additionally, 3D solid and surface creation is now using the newest geometric modeler which has improved security and stability.
