{{Infobox Software
| name = AutoCAD
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:AutoCAD 2006 drawing.png|250px]]
| caption = AutoCAD 2006 model.
| author =
| developer = [[Autodesk]]
| released =
| latest release version =
| latest release date =
| latest preview version =
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| platform =
| language =
| status =
| genre = [[CAD]]
| license = [[Proprietary]]
| website = [http://www.autodesk.com/autocad autodesk.com/autocad]
}}
'''AutoCAD''' is a [[computer-aided design|CAD]] [[software application]] for [[2d computer graphics|2D]] and [[3d computer graphics|3D]] [[design]] and [[technical drawing|drafting]], developed and sold by [[Autodesk]], Inc. Initially released in late 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on [[personal computer|personal computers]], and notably the [[IBM PC]]. Most CAD software at the time ran on graphics [[computer terminal|terminals]] connected to [[mainframe computer|mainframe computers]] or [[minicomputer|mini-computers]].

In earlier releases, AutoCAD used primitive entities — such as lines, polylines, circles, arcs, and text — as the foundation for more complex objects. Since the mid-1990s, AutoCAD has supported custom objects through its C++ API. Modern AutoCAD includes a full set of basic solid modeling and 3D tools, but lacks some of the more advanced capabilities of [[solid modeling]] applications.

AutoCAD supports a number of [[application programming interface]]s (APIs) for customization and automation. These include [[AutoLISP]], [[Visual LISP]], [[Visual Basic for Applications|VBA]], [[Microsoft .NET|.NET]] and [[ObjectARX]]. ObjectARX is a [[C++]] class library, which was also the base for products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields, to create products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or third-party AutoCAD-based applications.

AutoCAD's native file format, [[DWG]], and to a lesser extent, its interchange file format, [[DXF]], have become [[de facto]] standards for CAD data [[interoperability]]. AutoCAD in recent years has included support for [[DWF]], a format developed and promoted by Autodesk for publishing CAD data. In 2006, Autodesk estimated the number of active DWG files to be in excess of one billion. In the past, Autodesk has estimated the total number of DWG files in existence to be more than three billion.

AutoCAD currently runs exclusively on [[Microsoft]] desktop [[operating system]]s. Versions for [[Unix]] and [[Macintosh]] were released in the 1980s and 1990s, but these were later dropped. AutoCAD can run on an [[emulator]] or [[compatibility layer]] like [[Virtual PC]] or [[Wine (software)|Wine]], keeping in mind the performance issues that can arise when working with 3-dimensional objects or large drawings.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified (No LT), Chinese Traditional, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian (No LT), Brazilian Portuguese (No LT), Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Vietnamese. The extent of localization varies from full translation of the product to documentation only.

==AutoCAD LT==

AutoCAD LT is a "scaled down" version of AutoCAD. It costs less (approx. $900 USD versus around $4,000 USD for the full AutoCAD). It is also available for purchase at computer stores, unlike AutoCAD which has to be purchased from an official Autodesk dealer. It was developed so Autodesk could have an entry-level CAD package available to compete in that price class. Today AutoCAD LT is marketed as a CAD package for those who only need 2D functionality. Compared to the full edition of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT lacks several features. Most notably, it has no 3D modeling capabilities (though it has a full suite of 3D viewing functions for looking at 3D models created in other CAD packages) and does not include any programming interfaces, such as support for most 3rd party programs and does not support LISP programs. A full listing of differences is on the Autodesk website. AutoCAD LT originated by taking the codebase of AutoCAD and [[Comment out|commenting out]] substantial portions, which allowed AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT to be developed simultaneously.

==AutoCAD Student Versions==

AutoCAD is licensed at a significant discount over commercial retail pricing to qualifying students and teachers, with both a 14 month and perpetual license available. The student version of AutoCAD is functionally identical to the full commercial version, with one exception: DWG files created or edited by a student version have an internal bit-flag set (the "educational flag".) When such a DWG file is printed by any version of AutoCAD (commercial or student), the output will include a plot stamp / banner on all four sides.

==Vertical programs==

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs, sometimes called Desktops, for discipline-specific enhancements. AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop), for example, permits architectural designers to draw 3D objects such as walls, doors and windows, with more intelligent data associated with them, rather than simple objects such as lines and circles. The data can be programmed to represent specific architectural products sold in the construction industry, or extracted into a data file for pricing, materials estimation, and other values related to the objects represented. Additional tools allow designers to generate standard 2D drawings, such as elevations and sections, from a 3D architectural model. Similarly, Civil Design, Civil Design 3D, and Civil Design Professional allow data-specific objects to be used, allowing standard civil engineering calculations to be made and represented easily. [[AutoCAD Mechanical]], [[AutoCAD Electrical]], AutoCAD Civil 3D, and AutoCAD Map 3D are other examples of industry-specific CAD applications built on the AutoCAD platform.

==Version history==

[[Image:AutoCAD Raptor.png|thumb|400px|Screenshot of Codename AutoCAD Raptor.]]
[[Image:AutoCAD US Navy.jpg|thumb|400px|Screenshot of AutoCAD 9.0 for DOS.]]
* Version 1.0 (Release 1) - December [[1982]]
* Version 1.2 (Release 2) - April [[1983]]
* Version 1.3 (Release 3) - August [[1983]]
* Version 1.4 (Release 4) - October [[1983]]
* Version 2.0 (Release 5) - October [[1984]]
* Version 2.1 (Release 6) - May [[1985]]
* Version 2.5 (Release 7) - June [[1986]]
* Version 2.6 (Release 8) - April [[1987]]
* Release 9 - September [[1987]]
* Release 10 - October [[1988]]
* Release 11 - October [[1990]]
* Release 12 - June [[1992]] (last release for [[Apple Macintosh]])
* Release 13 - November [[1994]] (last release for [[Unix]], [[MS-DOS]] and Windows 3.11)
* Release 14 - February [[1997]]
* AutoCAD 2000 (R15.0) - March [[1999]]
* AutoCAD 2000i (R15.1)- July [[2000]]
* AutoCAD 2002 (R15.6) - June [[2001]]
* AutoCAD 2004 (R16.0) - March [[2003]]
* AutoCAD 2005 (R16.1) - March [[2004]]
* AutoCAD 2006 (R16.2) - March [[2005]]
* AutoCAD 2007 (R17.0) - March [[2006]]
* AutoCAD 2008 (R17.1) - March [[2007]]
* AutoCAD 2009 (codename: AutoCAD Raptor) - Currently in beta [http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/]

==See also==

*[[Autodesk]]
*[[CAD]]
*[[DWF]]
*[[DWG]]
*[[DXF]]
*[[EPaper (Portable Drawing)]]
*[[IGES]]
*[[DataCAD]]
*[[VectorWorks]]
*[[IntelliCAD_Technology_Consortium|IntelliCAD Technology Consortium]]
*[[SolidWorks]]
*[[Pro/ENGINEER]]
*[[QCad]]

==External links==
{{Wikibooks}}
* [http://www.autodesk.com/autocad Autodesk AutoCAD pages]
* [http://students.autodesk.com Autodesk Student Community] - Academic community and software download
* [http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/history/area51.htm AutoCAD History] by Shaan Hurley
* [http://www.augi.com Autodesk User Group International]
* [http://blogs.autodesk.com Autodesk Blogs]
* [http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/ Autodesk and AutoCAD Blog, including history]
* [http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/ Autodesk and AutoCAD Product Beta and Feedback Projects]


{{AutoCAD_related_articles}}
[[Category:Autodesk]]
[[Category:IRIX software]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:3D graphics software]]
[[Category:computer-aided design software]]
[[Category:CNC, CAD, and CAM]]

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