Autodesk today announced the release of AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac. Acknowledging the strong use of Apple’s mobile computers (laptops) in various CAD industries, the AutoCAD Mac development team spent the last year making dramatic enhancements to the software that align with expectations of Apple’s Mac customers. The company is touting this version as the ultimate Mac-native AutoCAD release.

This and host of other updated features—including extensive new PDF-based features—make the 2017 release for the Mac platform a particularly strong one.

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What’s New in the 2017 Version of AutoCAD for Mac

Last year Autodesk focused on bringing over many of the tried-and-true favorite functions from the Windows version. This year, the focus has turned back to many Mac-focused enhancements as Autodesk has long known, since the beginnings of the second era of AutoCAD on the Mac, that Mac users who want to use AutoCAD use the most famous CAD program differently.

01 – AutoCAD 2017 for Mac’s new user interface features streamlined customization of the tool palettes and much more.

In AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac the company has developed new features in largely three core areas, including: (1) user-interface and workflow enhancements, (2) PDF integration features, and (3) Mac-centric integrations and UI-UX improvements and new features.

Here are features in summaries:

• Redesigned UI — the user-interface has redesigned tool sets, smarter organization, new sizes for icons and a tabbed interface for Drawings and Modeling functions.
• Collapse Tool Panels — tool panels can be collapsed, moved, reordered and resized in real time.
• Custom Tool Panel Creation — users can create their own tool panels, loading them with the tools they use most.
• File Tabs — Autodesk 2017 for Mac now introduces a tabbed approach to managing multiple files open at once. Right-clicking on the tabs enables closing, saving, open, etc.
• New PDF Import Commands — users can import PDFs and their geometry data into the current file drawing as AutoCAD objects. This option includes the ability to bring in the PDF layers as AutoCAD layers, specify the import as an entire “block” or enable intelligent group of layers based on object layers.
• PDFIMPORT/-PDFIMPORT Command — a command line option for importing PDF geometry into the current drawing. Initial options provide choices to select an attached PDF underlay or to specify a PDF file.
• Import PDF regions — there is an option to specify a rectangular or polygonal bounder around objects in the PDF just to import.
• Multiple AutoCAD Sessions Support — now you can run multiple sessions of AutoCAD. This feature enables a side-by-side workflow when using multiple displays.
• Support for Mac Full-Screen Mode — AutoCAD 2017 for Mac supports Apple’s Full-Screen mode on modern Macs as well as Split View in the latest macOS Sierra release.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac are the first versions for the Mac to fully embrace the company’s subscription-only licensing model. In speaking with Autodesk Senior Product Line Manager, Marcus O’Brien, he said, “We don’t sell perpetual licenses anymore, we sell subscriptions.”

O’Brien stated that Autodesk can deliver more value to customers via subscription and cited recent PDF updates to the Windows version as an example.

How macOS Sierra Makes AutoCAD Better

O’Brien on a call noted that Autodesk’s Mac customers using AutoCAD do a lot of work out in the field on Apple’s Mac laptops. Laptops have by their very nature smaller screens than desktop by a wide margin. Yet, macOS Sierra boasts a unique feature in Split Screen view whereby two apps can run side-by-side.

02 – macOS Sierra supports Split View in Full Screen mode and so AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and LT version can now run in side-by-side sessions. In this image, AutoCAD is running in split view with MS Word but imagine another session of AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Product Manager, Rajeshree Dembla, described the scenario like this: “Imagine a customer who wants to be able to compare two drawings side-by-side without having to go back and fourth. He can have two AutoCAD sessions running, one on the left and one on the right and then compare the two drawings.”

macOS Sierra’s Split Screen feature makes this possible when coupled with AutoCAD 2017 for Mac’s support of multiple sessions (ie: the ability to run an application more than once simultaneously on the same computer).

Availability and More Info

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2017 for Mac are available for downloading today. You can download a free trial here. To learn more read the blog post.

Autodesk’s AutoCAD is an industry-standard for high-end CAD designing. But does that make it the right CAD tool for your construction business?

Autodesk is a juggernaut in the industrial drafting solutions market. And its products are the go-to tools for many types of professionals, including product designers, architects, and instrumentation engineers.

The company’s AutoCAD is a popular tool in the construction industry, offering features such as 3D modeling and parametric constraints. But big things have long shadows; in AutoCAD’s case it’s the $1,610 per user per year price tag. It’s a fairly expensive option, especially for small construction firms.

If you’re looking for a less expensive software option, the fact that the market is fraught with terrible AutoCAD knockoffs doesn’t help either.

So, we’ve done the research to bring you the top four AutoCAD alternatives. Read on to learn about the key capabilities and pricing of the top four AutoCAD alternatives for construction businesses.

How we selected the best AutoCAD alternatives

Products are listed in alphabetical order. To make the list, products had to meet the following criteria:

• Core AutoCAD capabilities: The product had to offer similar 2D and 3D modeling capabilities and support similar file types to AutoCAD.
• Minimum of 20 user reviews published on Capterra’s site in the last two years: Recent reviews help us analyze the pros and cons of the alternatives.
• High “likelihood to recommend” rating: The product should have an average recommendation rating of at least 8 out of 10 on Capterra.
• High “features and functionality” rating: The product must have a minimum functionality rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Capterra.

1. FreeCAD: Open source parametric 3D CAD modeler

FreeCAD comes with capabilities such as 3D parametric modeling, robot simulation, 2D drawing and sketching, and a rendering module for creating high-quality 3D images.

The tool is suitable for a wide range of uses in manufacturing and engineering industries. However, construction businesses can also use it to create floor plans or to design 3D building models.

3D modeling of a building in FreeCAD(Source)

2. SketchUp: Intuitive 3D modeling

SketchUp helps users draw 2D construction plans as well as 3D models of buildings. Along with design-related features, the tool offers features for document management with support for numerous file types (including DXF, DWG, FBX, OBJ, XSI, and VRML) and the facility to export images (including PDFs and HD animations).

3D construction plan design in SketchUp (Source)

3. SolidWorks Premium: Full-featured CAD tool

SolidWorks Premium is a good option for 3D sketchers who want CAD software for detailed design work. The tool comes with extensive design features that allow for creating 2D drawings and 3D models. The tool also supports document management (with version control) for building a repository of up-to-date designs.

3D image design in SolidWorks (Source)

4. Vectorworks Architect: Suitable for BIM modeling

Vectorworks Architect offers capabilities such as 2D drawing, 3D modeling, and building information modeling (BIM). As its name suggests, the tool is designed to help architects; it allows building 3D construction site models, drawing site blueprints, and designing digital walk-through presentations.

Designing stairs in Vectorworks (Source)

What other great CAD options are out there?

Is there a great CAD program that we’ve missed? What do you use? If you use AutoCAD, why do you prefer it? Let us know in the comments below!

The AutoCAD alternatives listed here are based on ratings from Capterra users. To expand your search, compare other CAD software on Capterra.

Note: Listed pros and cons are derived from features listed on the product website and product user reviews on Gartner Digital Markets domains (Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice). They do not represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Capterra or its affiliates.

Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.

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