Autodesk AutoCAD 2017: Top 4 New features

Autodesk introduced AutoCAD 2017 in March 2016 aiming to help its users stay at the forefront. This latest release lets you work quicker and smarter across connected desktop and mobile solutions, create personalized design experiences, easily team up with colleagues, and stay updated with the latest features and updates. AutoCAD 2017 also includes AutoCAD 360 Pro, a mobile app that allows users use AutoCAD on the go. The latest version addresses several user functionality requests and delivers features that enhance everything from workflows to graphics processing. According to Autodesk, several AutoCAD users globally will be benefitted by several enhancements that have been added in the latest version, such as enhanced 3D printing, new features such as ‘smart centrelines’, share design views on cloud and improvements to PDF handling features.

In the updated features of the 2017 version, PDFs have been added to the supported ‘import file’ formats. As a result, users can import geometry, True Type text and raster images from a PDF file or underlay into the current drawing as AutoCAD objects. Also, the centerlines and center marks get updated accordingly when users move associated objects. Learning content and product updates are seamlessly delivered to help users get the most out of new features with Autodesk Desktop app, an application that substitutes Autodesk Application Manager. Here, users also tend to get the latest security patches and updates for all 2015, 2016, and 2017 versions of Microsoft Windows based Autodesk products. Now, let’s discuss the top 4 new features that Autodesk has included in its AutoCAD 2017 release.

Top 4 New Features in Autodesk AutoCAD 2017

Enhanced 3D printing

Utilising the new Autodesk print studio you can create a 3D print ready file and directly print it in nearly all types of 3D printers. This 3D printing tool is offered by spark technologies and is available for 64 bit machines only. To make full use of this tool, you need to go to AutoCAD 3D modelling workspace and select print studio tool from 3D print panel of output tab. If it’s the first time you are using this tool then a prompt will appear from where you can download this tool. After you’ve downloaded and installed, click on print studio again and click on watertight or closed mesh object from your drawing which you want to use for 3D printing.

Smart Centrelines and Centre marks

This new AutoCAD release lets you to easily add centre lines and centre marks to the geometry. Likewise, you need to type the command ‘Centremark’ and click on circular object to create the centre mark, you can use this command to make a centre mark on circle, arc and fillet.

Share Design Views on Cloud

Now, you can directly share files with users who don’t even have AutoCAD using A360 cloud account and all they require is a web browser for accessing shared drawing. In order to share a drawing, ensure that you’re logged into your Autodesk 360 cloud and your drawing is saved.

Co-ordination Model

In AutoCAD 2017 coordination model functionality has been improved with support for object snaps. Attach a Navisworks or BIM 360 Glue model to your AutoCAD drawing so you can view it as an underlay. Then just use the standard AutoCAD endpoint and center object snaps to snap to exact locations as you create and edit your design based on the attached models.