AutoCAD

Earlier versions of AutoCAD operated on a small number of elementary objects, such as circles, lines, arcs, and text, which made up more complex ones. In this capacity, AutoCAD has earned a reputation as an "electronic culman ", which remains to this day ^{[1] [2] [3]} . However, at the present stage, the capabilities of AutoCAD are very broad and far superior to the capabilities of the "electronic culman" ^[4] .

In the field of two-dimensional design, AutoCAD still allows you to use elementary graphic primitives to obtain more complex objects. In addition, the program provides very extensive possibilities for working with layers and annotative objects (sizes, text, notation). Using the external link mechanism (XRef) allows you to split the drawing into composite files, for which various developers are responsible, and dynamic blocks expand the automation capabilities of 2D design by an ordinary user without the use of programming. Starting with version 2010, AutoCAD implements support for two-dimensional parametric drawing . In version 2014, it became possible to dynamically link a drawing with real map data (GeoLocation API).

The version of AutoCAD 2014 includes a complete set of tools for complex three-dimensional modeling (solid-state, surface, and polygonal modeling are supported). AutoCAD allows you to get high-quality visualization of models using the mental ray rendering system. The program also implements control of three-dimensional printing (the simulation result can be sent to a 3D printer ) and support for point clouds (allows you to work with the results of 3D scanning ). Nevertheless, it should be noted that the lack of three-dimensional parameterization does not allow AutoCAD to directly compete with engineering CAD systems of the middle class, such as Inventor , SolidWorks and others ^[5] . AutoCAD 2012 includes Inventor Fusion, which implements direct modeling technology ^[6] .

The wide distribution of AutoCAD in the world is caused not least by the developed development and adaptation tools that allow you to customize the system to the needs of specific users and significantly expand the functionality of the base system. A large set of tools for application development makes the base version of AutoCAD a universal platform for application development ^{[7] [8]} . On the basis of AutoCAD, Autodesk and third-party manufacturers created a large number of specialized application applications such as AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Architecture, GeoniCS, Promis-e, PLANT-4D, AutoPLANT, SPDS GraphiCS, MechaniCS, GEOBRIDGE, CAD power lines, Rubius Electric Suite and others.

Dynamic Blocks

Dynamic blocks are two-dimensional parametric objects with a custom set of properties. Dynamic blocks provide the ability to store in a single block (a set of graphic primitives) several geometric implementations that differ from each other in size, relative position of parts of the block, visibility of individual elements, etc. Using dynamic blocks you can reduce the library of standard elements (one dynamic block replaces somewhat common). Also, the active use of dynamic blocks in some cases can significantly accelerate the production of working documentation ^{[9] [10]} . Dynamic blocks first appeared in AutoCAD 2006 ^[11] .

Macros

AutoCAD macros (macros) are one of the easiest customization tools available to most users. AutoCAD macros should not be confused with macros created through VBA .

Examples of macros ^[12] :

• vports -creates a viewport in sheet space;
• MENUBAR 1 - Show menu bar
• x and explode - Explode
• PURGE - clear
• LWDISPLAY - enable line weight ^[13]

Action Macros

Action Macros first appeared in AutoCAD 2009. The user executes a sequence of commands that is recorded using the Action Recorder tool.

Menu Macros

The user has the opportunity to create their own buttons, with which you can call a series of commands (macros) pre-recorded according to certain rules. Macros can include expressions written in the DIESEL and AutoLISP languages ^[14] .

DIESEL

DIESEL (Direct Interprietively Evaluated String Expression Language) is a string manipulation language with a small number of functions (28 functions in total). It allows you to create lines that should have variable text, depending on any conditions. The result is displayed as a string that AutoCAD interprets as a command. The DIESEL language is mainly used to create complex macros as an alternative to AutoLISP. This language is of particular importance for the version of AutoCAD LT, which lacks all the programming tools, with the exception of DIESEL ^[14] . This language first appeared in AutoCAD R12.

Visual LISP

Visual LISP is an AutoLISP application development environment . Sometimes called Visual LISP means AutoLISP, supplemented by ActiveX extensions. Visual LISP development environment has been built into AutoCAD since AutoCAD 2000. Previously (AutoCAD R14), it was supplied separately. The development environment contains AutoLISP and DCL, and also allows you to create applications consisting of several programs ^[7] . Despite its name, Visual LISP is not a visual programming environment.

AutoLISP

AutoLISP is a dialect of the Lisp language that provides ample opportunities for automating work in AutoCAD. AutoLISP - the oldest of the internal programming languages ​​AutoCAD, it first appeared in 1986 in AutoCAD 2.18 (intermediate version). AutoLISP implements close interaction with the command line, which contributed to its popularization among engineers working with AutoCAD.

ActiveX Extensions for AutoLISP

ActiveX extensions significantly increase the functionality of AutoLISP, add the ability to work with files, the registry, as well as communication with other applications. Additional extensions work directly with the AutoCAD object model through ActiveX features. ActiveX technology was first introduced in AutoCAD R14.

DCL

DCL (Dialog Control Language) is a dialog box development language for applications written in AutoLISP. DCL was first introduced in AutoCAD R12 and has not undergone significant changes since then. Visual programming is not used for the development of dialog boxes, and the possibilities for creating dialog boxes are significantly limited. To eliminate these shortcomings and expand the capabilities of AutoLISP, third-party developers have created alternative environments for the development of dialog boxes, such as ObjectDCL, OpenDCL and some others ^[15] .

AutoCAD VBA

AutoCAD, starting with version R14, introduced support for VBA (Visual Basic for Application). Unlike VisualLISP, VBA is a visual programming environment, however VBA applications work with AutoCAD only through ActiveX, and interaction with AutoLISP is very limited ^[7] . The advantages of VBA are more complete support for ActiveX and the ability to load DLL- libraries.

Starting with AutoCAD 2010, the VBA development environment is not included with the program. Autodesk is phasing out support for VBA in AutoCAD, giving priority to .NET. ^[16] . In AutoCAD 2014, VBA was updated to version 7.1, but, nevertheless, this development environment is still installed separately ^[17] .

ObjectARX

ObjectARX SDK is an addition to the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment and contains special libraries, header files, examples, and auxiliary tools designed to create programs that work exclusively in the AutoCAD environment. ARX ​​applications can directly access the drawing database and geometric core. You can create your own commands similar to the standard AutoCAD commands. For the first time, the ObjectARX package was implemented for AutoCAD R13, previously there existed similar packages for the purpose of ADS (for AutoCAD R11) and ARX (for AutoCAD R12) ^[7] . The version designation of ObjectARX matches the designation of AutoCAD versions for which this package is intended. Programs created for one specific version of AutoCAD are not compatible with other versions. The compatibility problem is usually solved by recompiling the program in the corresponding version of ObjectARX.

.NET

Thanks to the support of the Microsoft .NET Framework, it is possible to create applications for AutoCAD in any application development environment that supports this technology ^[18] .

COM

An undocumented ability to work with AutoCAD in all programming languages ​​that support COM technology. The most popular among developers is the Delphi programming language ^{[7] [19]} .

JavaScript

In version 2014, the ability to load and execute scripts written in JavaScript ^[20] was introduced. At the same time, the website from which the script is being loaded should be included in the list of trusted (trusted) sites defined in the corresponding system variable ^[21] .

AutoCAD is certified to work in the Microsoft Windows and OS X family of operating systems . Version 2014 supports the operating systems Windows XP (SP3), Windows 7, and Windows 8 ^[1] . Support for OS X is so far limited only to version 2013 ^[22] . The package (for Windows) includes versions for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. AutoCAD supports the use of computing resources of multiprocessor and multicore systems .

AutoCAD LT is a specialized solution for 2D drawing. It costs less than the full version of AutoCAD (about a third of the cost of the base version). AutoCAD LT completely lacks tools for three-dimensional modeling and visualization (however, it is possible to view three-dimensional models made in the basic version), software adaptation tools (such as AutoLISP and VBA, which makes it impossible to install third-party applications and add-ons that extend the basic capabilities of AutoCAD), there is no possibility of creating parametric drawings, as well as a number of other differences ^[23] . The LT version was first introduced in 1993 ^[24] .

AutoCAD 360 (formerly AutoCAD WS ) ^[25] is an Internet application based on cloud computing , as well as a program for mobile devices on Apple iOS ( iPad and iPhone ) and Android ^[26] , distributed according to the freemium business model. The company offers 3 tariff plans - free (Free) and 2 paid: Pro and Pro Plus ^[27] . The users of the free tariff plan have basic tools for viewing and editing DWG files uploaded to the Autodesk 360 online store, and the set of tools is quite limited ^[28] . For those who subscribe to paid plans, advanced features are offered: creating new drawings, additional editing tools, support for large files, increased amount of available online storage, and others. It is possible to connect AutoCAD 360 to other cloud services (in addition to Autodesk 360), but editing files from third-party sources is available only for paid tariff plans ^[27] .

AutoCAD for desktop operating systems provides the ability to directly communicate with this service (starting with version 2012).

Student versions of AutoCAD, designed exclusively for use by students and teachers for educational purposes, are available for free download from the Autodesk Education Community website ^[29] . Functionally, the student version of AutoCAD is no different from the full one, with one exception: DWG files created or edited in it have a special mark (the so-called educational flag), which will be placed on all types when printing a file (regardless of from which version - student or professional - the print is made).

• AutoCAD Architecture is a version focused on architects and contains special additional tools for architectural design and drawing, as well as a means of issuing construction documentation.
• AutoCAD Electrical is designed for designers of electrical control systems and has a high level of automation of standard tasks and the presence of extensive libraries of symbols.
• AutoCAD Civil 3D - a solution for the design of infrastructure facilities, intended for land surveyors, general plan designers and designers of linear structures. In addition to the main features, AutoCAD Civil 3D can perform such types of work as geospatial analysis to select a suitable construction site, analysis of storm drains to ensure compliance with environmental standards, budgeting and dynamic calculation of excavation volumes.
• AutoCAD MEP is focused on the design of engineering systems for civil engineering projects: plumbing and sewage systems, heating and ventilation, electricians and fire safety. Implemented the construction of a three-dimensional parametric model, obtaining drawings and specifications based on it.
• AutoCAD Map 3D is designed for professionals involved in projects in the field of transport construction, energy supply, land and water use and allows you to create, process and analyze project and GIS information.
• AutoCAD Raster Design is an image vectorization program that supports optical character recognition (OCR).
• AutoCAD Structural Detailing is a tool for the design and calculation of steel and reinforced concrete structures that supports information modeling of buildings . Basic objects are beams, columns, plates and reinforcing bars, etc.
• AutoCAD Ecscad allows electrical engineers to create electrical equipment diagrams using scripts and symbol libraries.
• AutoCAD Mechanical is designed for design in mechanical engineering and is characterized by the presence of libraries of standard components (more than 700 thousand elements), generators of components and calculation modules, automation tools for design and documentation tasks, and the possibility of collaboration.
• AutoCAD P&ID is a program for creating and editing piping and instrumentation schemes, as well as for managing them.
• AutoCAD Plant 3D - a tool for the design of technological objects. AutoCAD Plant 3D integrates AutoCAD P&ID.

In 2010, Autodesk for the first time released a free add-on for AutoCAD (for the Windows platform), designed to draw up drawings in accordance with SPDS standards, GOST 21.1101-2009 “Basic requirements for design and working documentation” and other regulatory documents ^[30] . The module creates the “SPDS” tab in the AutoCAD menu ribbon and adds to the program a set of drawing fonts corresponding to GOST 2.304-81. AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Mechanical versions 2010, 2011 (SPDS module 1.0), 2012 (SPDS module 2.0) and 2013 (SPDS module 3.0) are supported.

The main AutoCAD file format is DWG , a proprietary format originally developed by Autodesk. To exchange data with users of other CAD systems, it is proposed to use the open DXF format. It should be noted that most modern CAD systems can read files with DWG and DXF extensions, since these formats are the de facto standard in the field of two-dimensional design ^[31] . Для публикации чертежей и 3D-моделей (без возможности редактирования) используется формат DWF и DWFx, также созданные компанией Autodesk.

Кроме этого, программа поддерживает запись (посредством процедуры экспорта) файлов, формата DGN, SAT, STL , IGES , FBX и некоторых других. А также чтение (посредством процедуры импорта) файлов, формата 3DS, DGN, JT , SAT, PDF , STEP и некоторых других. Начиная с версии 2012, AutoCAD позволяет преобразовывать файлы, полученные из трёхмерных САПР (таких как Inventor , SolidWorks , CATIA , NX и т. п.) в формат DWG.

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• autodesk.com/products/autodesk-autocad/ - official site of AutoCAD (English)
• Overview of AutoCAD 2018. What's New