Autodesk Autocad for Mac OS X
When I switched to Mac, I had to figure out how to run Windows on it, as the CAD (CAM) software I use the most wasn´t available for that platform: Autocad. It has been years since that and Autodesk never show any indications of an upcoming Mac OSX version, so i gave up on waiting and tried other solutions: Vectorworks, Sketchup, even Illustrator!… but I always missed Autocad.
But today a friend told me Autodesk sent him an email asking to complete a survey for their next generation of Autocad products for Mac OSX.
Some interesting questions appear on the survey, such as the importance of the command line, how do you plot (from model/layout), 3d capabilities and the relevance of an Autocad LT version.
Well, it seems Autocad for OSX will be available on the future… we just don´t know when.
You can take the survey here and help Autodesk shape this version.
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26 comments »
nice that they waked up but i already use a great software that has always been on the Mac ….Archicad ,anyway it is greate that they show interes.
I have a question?…can i use REVIT in MAC now..or just Autocad?….
I took the survey, and I told them that I did not see a point to move over to Macintosh unless the software can be exactly the same. If it is not, and a whole bunch of features are missing, then why is it labeled as the same piece of software.
either they make a native version on MAC OS X , or they fix the issue about licenses breaking up every 2 days on Windows (using Bootcamp)
Nice! I’m patiently waiting for the day when I can put Parallels away forever…
Then they’ll turn it into an app for the iPhone…
“…and tried other solutions: Vectorworks, Sketchup, even Illustrator….”
…and it has not crossed your mind to try an actual architectural tool?
it amazes me that you will work in paintbrush probably, but not in archicad. and i agree with the person above that said it before me….it’s always been on mac, and i believe it’s autocad’s superior anyway. but well…it’s your choise in the end, isn’t it?
I don’t understand why people continue to torture themselves running things like AutoCAD in Parallels or Fusion…. especially when boot camp allows you to run it natively, full speed, full graphics acceleration etc… I guess some people are just masochists. However, I’ll be the first one to drop boot camp and windows like a bad habit when Autodesk finally wises up and gives customers what they want/need. LONG overdue.
jason, how does that boot camp works? I really need to work on autocad and revit on a mac
Autocad on Mac OSX is a good new i’ve been waiting for
man… you guys don’t know what you’re asking for….
autocrap is the pants and you have better options to run on a MAC or PC….
Where is the survey for a Unix version of AutoCAD?
roadkill: youre right. And unfortunately it isnt about which software is the best, its about compatibility with the industry.
Right, just tried to complete the form on both Firefox 3 and Safari. Typically for Autodesk, the survey doesn’t even work. A great start, lads. If getting an online survey to work is beyond them, I wouldn’t hold your breath on the OSX port…
Dear me.
Ralph,
I completed it on both Firefox and Safari…
three zed,
which software do you use? archicad?
Can Archicad do straight up 2d drafting?
I tried to use it but they always wanted too much info. I just want to draw single lines like I can do by hand. They want wall thicknesses and heights and all that stuff. Not every project needs to be 3D modeled and rendered. I hope CAD takes out all 3D operations from all AutoCAD software. If you want 3D use Revit, ArchiCAD, Sketchup, Rhino, 3DStudio Max etc.
AutoCAD USED to work on DOS/MAC/Unix many years ago.
The when they “updated to a WINDOWS version” after a long period of R&D with Microsoft BINGO it would only work on Windows x86 computers.
Who cares? 2D CAD is DEAD & AutoCAD is WAY OVER PRICED for just a 2D drafting program ( $5000! ).
USE a BIM/2D/3D program like ArchiCAD or Vectorworks, etc. WAY better & the same price or less that first version of AutoCAD.
YES, you can do just 2D in ArchiCAD by using the “detail drawing overlay” mode if you wish…
yes, i use archicad.
and, in case you need it answered again (thank you, art2arch- you can do simple 2d.
dear lucas, there are numerous tools right there, on the same palette you picked that wall tool from. lines and polylines and so on… please, take a second look next time you start the program.
Finally! Good to know, thank you!
when Autodesk / CAD for Mac OS ???
I really think you should work on improving your interface for windows first – how about creating a simple command for copy and rotate?…
But Vector works.
lots of my friends using autocad with bootcamp or parallels,that’s really inconvenient.so plz..make it real!!
Why is this article dated 30th November 1999 at the top?
Here is the thing…
I used to work 11 years as a drawing man 15 years ago, back in 1995!
In May 2006, I wanted to make myself a rack in wood for my audio-video system.
With my own experience on AutoCAD R13, DOS version, I wanted to use my copy of this software to make my 3D plans.
Using Linux at that time, my only choice was to install an old DOS version onto a USB stick key with the AutoCAD software. So I used my old old old full DOS backup structure, and I putted it onto the USB key. Can you believe it ; DOS plus AutoCAD R13 and all it’s libraries onto a 128Mb USB key!! That was the system requirement back in these years ;-)
Bingo! I was able to boot on DOS onto the USB key and use my old finger tips to make my plan.
http://www.lepetittuxervateur.ca/pub/2006-04-30.jpg
It was fast, clean, without all those cluttering menus around the screen surface as in the Window version, AND it was efficient!
After I read this thread, I tried to download the trial version of ArchiCAD. Installed it and launched it!
I was so AFRAID of all these menus again that I simply closed it after having tried it for five minutes.
You see, some of us only need to access our old own knowledge to make simpler plans. We don’t need all these new features, and we certainly don’t need to put our living building onto GoogleEarth ;-)
So with my Mac Pro, 10G of RAM, 7Tb of hard disk space and ATI HD 4870 video card, I simply look for a simple way to run my preferred, well known software ; AutoCAD R13 for DOS!
Cause with 11 years of experience with that software, that would be the fastest way curve without any learning needed to achieve my simple project…
Regards,
.
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