AutoCAD Today & Tomorrow - A GISuser, Autodesk University Feature
Written by Glenn Letham
Thursday, 11 December 2003
(GISuser feature, Autodesk U. December, 2003) Each year I manage to attend the special roadmap to the future press event held at AU. Unfortunately an NDA prevents me from discussing what went on at that meeting, however, I did manage to sit in on a session presented by Eric Stover, Strategic Product Manager of Autodesk, titled “The Future of AutoCAD”.
Autodesk software has evolved substantially over the past 20 years, having an emphasis on drafting tools in the early 80’s (I first starting using CAD at R.10) and a focus on publishing during the 90’s. The focus of product development in the 2000’s has of course been on collaboration. Making design better, enabling better output, collaboration tools, added value… these are the areas where enhancements are coming according to Stover. He explains it as an evolution rather than a revolution.
AutoCAD Today
A simple, yet very visible way that captures the essence of the product’s evolution is to consider this… Windows Explorer is the World’s #1 DMS. Think about it… how do you manage your data files? It’s likely that you click “Start, right click, explore” and then create files, directories, move data, copy, paste, etc… Well, you are not alone! Autodesk’s 2004 products have addressed this topic with the creation of such utilities as the Project workspace and sheetset explorer, a simple UI that enables users to more efficiently accomplish data management tasks within the AutoCAD environment but more efficiently than by using Explorer. The workspace is simply that, a work environment where users can view a project specific file structure. Users can drag/drop data, query, and even right-click on files to perform valid commands… very handy. The sheetset explorer is another way of managing data in a manner that users can identify with. Users can add table objects with predefined styles and use data fields to handle and update any standard part that may be subject to change (for example… think about globally changing your company’s address in every map surround). It was mentioned that many users, from day 1, elect to disable the project workspace in favor more drawing real estate. Peculiar, particularly since the workspace is dockable and hideable! A hint, if you can’t recall how to enable the workspace to turn it back on again you need to go to the Map Options. Select Map >> Options. Then click check box “Show Workspace on startup” on the Workspace tab.
See also [PDF]
AutoCAD Tomorrow
Some of the future enhancements you’ll likely see in future AutoCAD products
drag and drop a DWF into a map view
DWF viewer running on Mac OS 10
Viewer reads back into CAD session
Smart objects
Ability to work fully in 3D
More Globalization with language support
Digital signatures
DWG file change management
Enhanced support for multi-media
Support for larger datasets
AutoCAD for 64 bit Windows
Users are reminded that following is a myth: “AutoCAD will never support my feature”! If a user really wants to help drive the direction of future releases of AutoCAD, they are requested to do some of the following: ask for features, participate in Beta programs, embrace new features, rate Autodesk, send error report details, get involved. Involved in what? A number of collaboration and support vehicles have been implemented to enable the user to interact with (for AutoCAD customers).
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(GISuser feature, Autodesk U. December, 2003) Each year I manage to attend the special roadmap to the future press event held at AU. Unfortunately an NDA prevents me from discussing what went on at that meeting, however, I did manage to sit in on a session presented by Eric Stover, Strategic Product Manager of Autodesk, titled “The Future of AutoCAD”.
Autodesk software has evolved substantially over the past 20 years, having an emphasis on drafting tools in the early 80’s (I first starting using CAD at R.10) and a focus on publishing during the 90’s. The focus of product development in the 2000’s has of course been on collaboration. Making design better, enabling better output, collaboration tools, added value… these are the areas where enhancements are coming according to Stover. He explains it as an evolution rather than a revolution. 
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