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AutoCAD returns to Mac

There is no doubt that the Mac world is better, but always our doubts about moving were: And how do I do with AutoCAD?

Who would have believed it, then in 1994 AutoCAD R13c42b It was the last one we saw half running on the Powermacintosh. 18 years later, AutoCAD for Mac returns. Just that year it also disengaged from Linux.

What happens is that Mac instead of dying in a select niche, where it has no competition in terms of choice (Graphics), has been growing in hardware to an impressive level of acceptance. Nobody doubts Mac technology, they will doubt a couple of claptrap Which from time to time are attributed to Steve Jobs, But Apple's strategy has been to launch unbeatable products, such is the case of the Ipod, Iphone and now Ipad that with everything and its criticisms, who understand of utility know that it is a platform on which to build graphical applications and not a telephone in Size box of corn flakes.

Autocad for mac In the case of AutoDesk, despite being the largest of the CAD environment in terms of market position, with little tickles that make it competitions like Microstation, IntelliCAD, DataCAD and ArchiCAD, beyond the Civil environment has been very successful in the field of animation and industrial design in recent years. Products like Maya They are a luxury, to set an example.

On this occasion, AutoCAD is not in the position of that moment. Back when he left the line dressed in white, Apple was fighting for the ground that PowerZ and ArchiCAD wanted to win, which did continue with Mac. He did not want distractions while he was dedicated to buying Softdesk and Autoarchitect, wanting to do more than lines, topics in which Intergraph already it was powerful (not in number but in astral smoke).

And you win AutoCAD with going to Mac.

Elementary my dear Watson. Working with Mac would be better to exploit the resource than to be battling with the memory of PCs that no longer give for more. the 10 Reasons that gives AutoDesk to test AutoCAD for mac they are based on that, of there the rush that all in PC we happen to 64 bits and suddenly to Mac, because there yields more the can of Monster.

Autocad for mac

We are aware that the crisp I-mac will not reach a higher ratio in the short term than they now have with respect to PC. But you can overcome it -And already does- with mobile devices. Also, let's be aware, if a technology is going to die, it is more likely that it is a PC, which belongs to no one and not a Mac which is from Apple. Although desktop users They will not die.

So AutoDesk goes for Mac, partly because of the niche of CAD application users who have been asking for it for days and partly because of finding space with visualization / animation applications. Although he is not moving, he is surely looking to position himself with mobile devices and others Gadgets Which are in the white oven; We talk about applications for Iphone and Ipad, for which all businessesS of CAD platforms are building prototypes.

Differences and similarities

AutoCAD 2011 for Mac has almost the same functionalities as for PC. With basic differences such as:

  • The interface and the questioned Ribbon Do not come like this but are adapted to the style of Mac palettes.

Autocad for mac

  • In addition you can take advantage of all the gestural juggling of white magic mice.
  • For some strange reason the routines that came in when AutoCAD came out, that came with AutoDesk, don't come. I am referring to the management of layer groups, layer filter and sheet set, underlay, those that in those versions saved the world at the time of printing. Although they will surely come in the next one.
  • Neither comes support to import dgn, export to pdf or dwf.
  • It is obvious, they will not run Windows own adaptations, such as Visual Basic Applications, OLE Objects or Media Audio. This is a great disadvantage if you have developments worked here, but the ones built with AutoLisp (Less DCL) run, they also run most on ObjectARX.
  • It will not run on 32 bits, only 64. And it asks for 3 GB of RAM, and not to fall short they recommend 4 GB.
  • As for format support, it will last from R14, 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010. And in case someone wants to see what an egg of Brontosaurus, can do save as dxf R12. I insist, Does not read dgn.

Trial version for 30 days.

AutoDesk has arranged a free download of a 30-day version for testing. Also for educational institutions there is always the option of licenses for this purpose. Then you can buy from scratch, which goes for almost $ 4,000 or migrate a previous version paying only a transfer cost.

They are also opening the door to have it installed on two of their own machines. Like having one installation on the office PC and one on the laptop; this will like; but it seems that without needing to do checkout as with Microstation.

They also haven't said that other apps will be going for Mac, for now it's just the drawing board. But I can assure you that the following is Maya and Inventor. In particular, it seems like a magnificent step for AutoDesk, towards a niche that moves a lot of money and that I had neglected for 18 years. Mac compatible versions have already been announced: 

  • In animation: Inventor, Maya, 3ds Max, Alias, Mudbox, Sketchbook.
  • Under construction: Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP

 

As someone said in a forum, the news is also good for those who use Linux, because possibly in 18 years we will have a distribution for Ubuntu. 🙂

Here you can download the trial version.  And more information and videos here.

Will there be Microstation for Mac?

I was pleased to see a navigation prototype with an iPad in the Be Inspired. But I don't think so, although if they had tried, they would be well positioned in that niche by now.

Golgi Alvarez

Writer, researcher, specialist in Land Management Models. He has participated in the conceptualization and implementation of models such as: National Property Administration System SINAP in Honduras, Management Model of Joint Municipalities in Honduras, Integrated Cadastre-Registry Management Model in Nicaragua, Territory Administration System SAT in Colombia . Editor of the Geofumadas knowledge blog since 2007 and creator of the AulaGEO Academy that includes more than 100 courses on GIS - CAD - BIM - Digital Twins topics.

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2 Comments

  1. Right now it is impossible to insert georeferenced ECW images in Autocad for MAC. I have proposed this improvement to Autodesk. To support the idea go to this link http://bit.ly/nP3kbV And vote by pressing the + 1 button.
    More people ask for more possibilities

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