These same tools have now been added to AutoCAD 2012, enabling users to change viewport settings, views and visual styles by using tools that always appear in the upper-left corner of each viewport. In addition to a totally Mac interface, AutoCAD 2011 for the Mac featured new in-canvas viewport controls. Last fall, Autodesk quelled rumors when it released the first native Macintosh version of AutoCAD in nearly 20 years (see /articles/aabamx.htm). But while really big enhancements may have to wait until next year, AutoCAD 2012 provides a wealth of welcome changes. In the past, that might have meant a release relatively light on new features, much as AutoCAD 2009 offered few surprises beyond the now-familiar ribbon interface.

If the cycle continues, AutoCAD 2012 marks the last version to use the 2010 file format. The file format changed last with the release of AutoCAD 2010. Every three years, Autodesk makes changes to its DWG drawing file format, which then supports the next round of additions to its venerable flagship product.

For more than a dozen years now, AutoCAD has had a three-year development cycle. Software provides many improvements to venerable CAD program.Īutodesk recently began shipping AutoCAD 2012, the 26th major release of the world’s most popular CAD program.

Create a tool palette in autocad 2012