AutoCAD is

a commercial software

application for 2D and 3D computer-aided

design

(CAD) and drafting available since 1982 as a desktop application and since 2010 as a mobile weband cloud-based app marketed as AutoCAD 360.
Developed and marketed by Autodesk, Inc.,[1] AutoCAD was first released in December 1982,
running onmicrocomputers with internal graphics controllers.[2] Prior to the introduction of AutoCAD,
most commercial CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or minicomputers, with each CAD
operator (user) working at a separategraphics terminal

CADD is an electronic tool that enables us to make quick and accurate drawings.
CADD has number of advantages over drawings created on a drawing board.
Electronic drawings can be modified quite easily and can be represented in a variety of formats.
CADD extends its power to yet another branch of engineering called computer aided
manufacturing (CAM).
The following are some of the important capabilities that make CADD a powerful tool.

Presentations

Flexibility in editing

Unit and accuracy levels

Storage and access for drawings

Sharing CADD drawings

History
AutoCAD was derived from a program begun in 1977 and released in 1979 [5] called Interact CAD,
also referred to in early Autodesk documents as MicroCAD, which was written prior to Autodesk's
(then Marinchip Software Partners) formation by Autodesk cofounder Mike Riddle. [6][7]

The first version by Autodesk was demonstrated at the 1982 Comdex and released that December.
[8]

The 2016 release marked the 30th major release of AutoCAD for Windows. The 2014 release

marked the fourth consecutive year of AutoCAD for Mac.

File formats and versions[edit]

The native file format of AutoCAD is .dwg. This and, to a lesser extent, its interchange file
format DXF, have become de facto, if proprietary, standards for CAD datainteroperability, particularly
for 2D drawing exchange.[citation needed] AutoCAD has included support for .dwf, a format developed and
promoted by Autodesk, for publishing CAD data.
Autodesk's logo and, respectively, AutoCAD icons have changed for several versions through the
years.

Official Name

Version Release

Date of release

Comments

AutoCAD Version 1.0

1.0

1982, December

DWG R1.0 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 1.2

1.2

1983, April

DWG R1.2 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 1.3

1.3

1983, August

DWG R1.3 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 1.4

1.4

1983, October

DWG R1.4 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 2.0

2.0

1984, October

DWG R2.05 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 2.1

2.1

1985, May

DWG R2.1 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 2.5

2.5

1986, June

DWG R2.5 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Version 2.6

2.6

1987, April

DWG R2.6 file format introduced.

Last version to run without a math

co-processor.

AutoCAD Release 9

9.0

1987, September DWG R9 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Release 10

10.0

10

1988, October

DWG R10 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Release 11

11.0

11

1990, October

DWG R11 file format introduced.

DWG R11/R12 file format

AutoCAD Release 12

12.0

12

1992, June

introduced. Last release for Apple

Macintosh till 2010.

DWG R13 file format introduced.

AutoCAD Release 13

13.0

13

1994, November

Last release for Unix, MSDOS and Windows 3.11.

AutoCAD Release 14

14.0

14

1997, February

DWG R14 file format introduced.

AutoCAD 2000

15.0

15

1999, March

DWG 2000 file format introduced.

AutoCAD 2000i

15.1

16

2000, July

AutoCAD 2002

15.2

17

2001, June

AutoCAD 2004

16.0

18

2003, March

AutoCAD 2005

16.1

19

2004, March

DWG 2004 file format introduced.

AutoCAD 2006

16.2

20

2005, March

Dynamic Block introduced.

AutoCAD 2007

17.0

21

2006, March

DWG 2007 file format introduced.

Annotative Objects introduced.

AutoCAD 2008 and higher
AutoCAD 2008

17.1

22

2007, March

(including AutoCAD LT) can

directly import and
underlay DGN V8 files.

Revisions to the user interface

AutoCAD 2009

17.2

23

2008, March

including the option of a Microsoft

Office 2007-like tabbed ribbon.

DWG 2010 file format introduced.

Parametrics introduced. Mesh 3D
solid modeling introduced. PDF
AutoCAD 2010

18.0

24

2009, March 24

underlays. Both 32-bit and 64-bit

versions of AutoCAD 2010 and
AutoCAD LT 2010 are compatible
with and supported under
Microsoft Windows 7.

Surface Modeling, Surface

Analysis and Object Transparency
introduced. October 15,
AutoCAD 2011

18.1

25

2010, March 25

2010[9] AutoCAD 2011 for Mac was

released. Are compatible with and
supported under Microsoft
Windows 7

AutoCAD 2012

18.2

26

2011, March 22

Associative Array, Model

Documentation. Support for

complex line types in DGN files is
improved in AutoCAD 2012. DGN
editing.

AutoCAD 2013

19.0

27

2012, March 27

AutoCAD 2014

19.1

28

2013, March 26

DWG 2013 file format introduced.

File Tabs, Design Feed, Reality

Capture, Autodesk Live Maps

Line smoothing (anti-aliasing),

AutoCAD 2015

20.0

29

2014, March 27

Windows 8.1 support added,

dropped Windows XP support
(incl. compatibility mode)

More comprehensive canvas,

richer design context, and
AutoCAD 2016

20.1

30

2015, March 23

intelligent new tools such as

Smart Dimensioning, Coordination
Model, and Enhanced PDFs.

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs (AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D,
AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD ecscad, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP,
AutoCAD Structural Detailing, AutoCAD Utility Design, AutoCAD P&ID and AutoCAD Plant 3D) for
discipline-specific enhancements. For example, AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural
Desktop) permits architectural designers to draw 3D objects, such as walls, doors and windows, with
more intelligent data associated with them rather than simple objects, such as lines and circles. The
data can be programmed to represent specific architectural products sold in the construction
industry, or extracted into a data file for pricing, materials estimation, and other values related to the
objects represented. Additional tools generate standard 2D drawings, such as elevations and
sections, from a 3D architectural model. Similarly, Civil Design, Civil Design 3D, and Civil Design
Professional support data-specific objects, facilitating easy standard civil engineering calculations
and representations. Civil 3D was originally developed as an AutoCAD add-on by a company in New

Hampshire called Softdesk (originally DCA). Softdesk was acquired by Autodesk, and Civil 3D was
further evolved.

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