But, it is official, Autodesk are really beginning to LISTEN! Lynn’s presentation was excellent (as usual) and she promoted the users and how they have asked for new features in AutoCAD and Amar presented the commercial/business case in his usual erudite fashion. Now, I don’t know if you saw the Facecast yesterday presented by the lovely Lynn Allen and the equally enthusiastic Amar Hanspal, but it really gave me an insight in to how Autodesk are making sure they listen to their users. It also indicates that Autodesk are listening to their users! CAD managers can now look at a super-user/general (sometimes part-time) user model and combine full AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT accordingly. This is great news as it gives the user the choice of either full 2D/3D design (AutoCAD 2012 for Mac) or with LT, the 2D general drafting option, which some of us do prefer. So, what about AutoCAD LT2012 for the Mac? Check out the screenshots below. IT departments now have no excuse not to consider AutoCAD for Mac. And, with network licencing now available for AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, you now have full controll over the software too. So, you can have multi-OS environments in an organisation. Well, right now all we are dealing with is the DWG file format which, from what I can gather, can still be picked up AutoCAD 2012 on a Windows OS.

What about compatibility, I hear you say? I sure hope so! I sure hope that as time goes by we see more Autodesk products on the Mac too! Well, it is AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, that indicates that AutoCAD for Mac is now in the regular upgrade/new version stream at Autodesk and has a development path.

Now, let’s look at a future for these products here. Firstly, it makes the software way more accessible regardless of which proprietary OS you are using and, secondly, it makes me want to buy a Mac! 🙂 I think it is great that Autodesk have expanded their OS platform. Plus, the LT and WS versions are on the App Store! How cool is that?

Autodesk for mac 2012