AutoCAD Architecture 2010 has been out for a couple of months. Chances are good that some of you have started using it. Maybe a few of you are still trying to figure out the GUI changes and the new features. In this and the next few articles, let's have a quick look at the new features in AutoCAD Architecture 2010.
When you start AutoCAD Architecture 2010 for the first time, the first thing you will notice is that the Menus are no more. AutoCAD Architecture 2010 version is now 100 percent "ribbon oriented." But not to panic, there are ways to bring back the old familiar menus if you want to.
Some of you will see only the "express" menu being loaded. Some will get an error message saying that no menus are defined. One way to solve this is to get into the "Customize User Interface" or CUI dialog and get back the menus from the appropriate "cuix" files. I was able to get all the AutoCAD menus back, but what architecture users will look for are the Design, Document, Format, and CADD Manager menus. I found an interesting link in Autodesk Discussion Forums that will guide you. The following zip file also contains the old classic AutoCAD Architecture or "cuix" files.
Now while doing so, I renamed a few menus with the suffix "classic" because I found differences between the 2010 menus and the classic ones. The file and format menus are good examples. Also note that I got the 2010 AutoCAD menus from the "acad.cuix" file. As a user of Windows Vista 64-bit, my cuix files were located here:
Check out this red colored A icon in the top left corner. Clicking this pulldown reveals a set of basic commands that you use frequently. This menu replaces the Menu Browser, which was found in the earlier version.
Check out the two buttons I have circled in the image above. These two buttons will help you to see the recently accessed documents and the currently open documents. As the menu's name implies, all the commands available under it are application-oriented and most frequently used, such as new, open, save, export, print, and so on.
Similarly to the Microsoft Office suite, AutoCAD Architecture 2010 now uses the ribbon as the central access point for commands. The ribbon contains a number of tabs; the tabs, in turn, contains panels on which commands are grouped according to conceptual task types or selected objects. Actually, the ribbon replaces the menu bar and the toolbars as the primary command access point. Even though the ribbon could slow down some new users, I highly suggest you start using the ribbon feature. As you get accustomed to it, you will see great improvement in ease of access.
The most interesting part of the ribbon is that you can completely customize it, create new tabs, panels, and commands that best suit your work needs. In next month's article, we will explore how to customize the ribbon and modify it according to your needs.
If you feel that the ribbon occupies too much screen real estate, you can minimize it to the panel titles, and then click again to minimize to the tabs, if required. You can do this by simply clicking the small arrow button next to the last tab.
AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that is used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design and modelling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features and more. It includes features to automate tasks and increase productivity such as comparing drawings, counting, adding objects and creating tables. It also comes with seven industry-specific toolsets for electrical design, plant design, architecture layout drawings, mechanical design, 3D mapping, adding scanned images and converting raster images. AutoCAD enables users to create, edit and annotate drawings via desktop, web and mobile devices.
AutoCAD LT is powerful 2D CAD software used for precision drafting and documentation. AutoCAD includes all of the features of AutoCAD LT, plus additional features to benefit productivity such as 3D modelling and automation of repetitive processes. AutoCAD also lets you customise the user interface with APIs and add-on apps. With AutoCAD, users are able work more efficiently with seven industry-specific toolsets to enhance automation and productivity for tasks in architecture, mechanical design, electrical design, plant design, plumbing, converting raster images, geographic information systems and 3D mapping.
Autodesk provides download and installation instructions for individuals and administrators. Your available downloads appear in Autodesk Account. Find your product, select a version, platform, language and download method. For more information, visit the Autodesk Knowledge Network.
Your AutoCAD subscription gives you access to install and use the three previous versions of AutoCAD. Available downloads are listed in your Autodesk Account after subscribing. See also previous releases available for subscribers.
AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that is used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design and modelling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features and more. It includes features to automate tasks and increase productivity such as comparing drawings, counting, adding objects and creating tables. It also comes with seven industry-specific toolsets for electrical design, plant design, architecture layout drawings, mechanical design, 3D mapping, adding scanned images and converting raster images. AutoCAD enables users to create, edit and annotate drawings via desktop, web and mobile devices.\n"}]},"@type":"Question","name":"Who uses Autodesk AutoCAD?","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"Autodesk AutoCAD is used by students, architects, designers, engineers, project managers, property developers and construction professionals to create precise 2D and 3D drawings.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT? ","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"AutoCAD LT is powerful 2D CAD software used for precision drafting and documentation. AutoCAD includes all of the features of AutoCAD LT, plus additional features to benefit productivity such as 3D modelling and automation of repetitive processes. AutoCAD also lets you customise the user interface with APIs and add-on apps. With AutoCAD, users are able work more efficiently with seven industry-specific toolsets to enhance automation and productivity for tasks in architecture, mechanical design, electrical design, plant design, plumbing, converting raster images, geographic information systems and 3D mapping.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"What operating systems does Autodesk AutoCAD software run on?\u202f\u202f","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"AutoCAD can run on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. See\u202fAutoCAD system requirements (US site) for details.
\n
\nEvery Autodesk AutoCAD subscription includes AutoCAD on the web and mobile. AutoCAD on mobile can run on iOS, Android and Windows. See AutoCAD on mobile system requirements for version details. Autodesk AutoCAD on the web is supported by 64-bit Google Chrome, 64-bit Mozilla Firefox and 64-bit Microsoft Edge on Windows or Mac. See\u202fAutoCAD on web system requirements for version details.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"Can I use AutoCAD for free?","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Students and educators can get free one-year educational access to Autodesk products and services, renewable for as long as you remain eligible. Learn more (US site).\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"How do I download AutoCAD?","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"Autodesk provides download and installation instructions for individuals and administrators. Your available downloads appear in Autodesk Account. Find your product, select a version, platform, language and download method. For more information, visit the Autodesk Knowledge Network.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"Which versions of AutoCAD can I use if I subscribe to the current version? ","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"Your AutoCAD subscription gives you access to install and use the three previous versions of AutoCAD. Available downloads are listed in your Autodesk Account after subscribing. See also previous releases available for subscribers.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"Can I install Autodesk AutoCAD on multiple computers? ","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"With a subscription to Autodesk AutoCAD software, you can install it on up to three computers or other devices. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time. Please refer to the\u202fSoftware Licence Agreement (US site) for more information.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"How do I convert my AutoCAD free trial to a paid subscription? ","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"Launch your trial software and click \u2018Subscribe now\u2019 on the trial screen or buy AutoCAD here. When buying your subscription, enter the same email address and password combination that you used to sign in to your trial. Learn more about converting a trial to a paid subscription.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"How much does an AutoCAD subscription cost? ","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"The price of an annual AutoCAD subscription is\u202f\u202fand the price of a monthly AutoCAD subscription is\u202f. The price of a 3-year AutoCAD subscription is\u202f. If you have infrequent users and are interested in a pay-as-you-go option, please visit www.autodesk.co.uk/flex to learn more.\n"],"@type":"Question","name":"Does AutoCAD run on Mac?","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","text":"AutoCAD runs on Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows. AutoCAD for macOS runs natively on Apple silicon. It supports the M-series chips including M1 and M2. See\u202fAutoCAD system requirements (US Site) for more details.\n"]],"@type":"FAQPage","@context":" "} Architecture Engineering Construction Collection
The AEC Collection provides designers, engineers and contractors a set of BIM and CAD tools supported by a cloud-based common data environment that facilitates project delivery from early-stage design through to construction.
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