AutoCAD - A CAD Software Application for 2D and 3D Design and Drafting

First name/version: AutoCAD Version 1.0 Release 1
Most recent name/version: AutoCAD 2011 Release 18.1

AutoCAD is a “CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting” and a product of Autodesk, Inc. It is “one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers.” AutoCAD originated from Interact, an SPL program. Marinchip Software Partners (renamed as Autodesk) again coded AutoCAD this time using C and PL/1. However, the PL/1 version became unsuccessful. While earlier versions run under UNIX and Mac OS, AutoCAD is now compatible with Microsoft Windows alone. With the release of recent AutoCAD versions, 3D modeling became improved, editing of 3D models became easier, and quality rendering became possible. AutoCAD supports AutoLISP, Visual LISP, VBA, .NET, and ObjectARX for customization and automation.

AutoCAD LT is a “lower cost version of AutoCAD with reduced capabilities.” Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT support different languages such as English, German, French, etc. It serves as an entry-level CAD package to compete with other products that have low prices. AutoCAD Freestyle is a “simplified, low-cost… application that makes it easy to create accurate, professional-looking 2D drawings and sketches.” The student version of AutoCAD is functionally identical with the full version except for DWG files of the student version. The output from the student version contains a plot stamp.

Some industry-specific CAD applications that run under the AutoCAD Platform:

• AutoCAD Electrical
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• AutoCAD Map 3D
• AutoCAD Mechanical
• AutoCAD MEP
• AutoCAD P&ID
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• AutoCAD Structural Detailing

AutoCAD supports the following file formats:

• DWG – native file format of AutoCAD
• DXF – interchange file format of AutoCAD
• DWF – for publishing CAD data.

Reference:
“AutoCAD.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 13 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD>.