The Hindu : Several new features in AutoCAD 2004

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 04, 2003

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Several new features in AutoCAD 2004

By N. N. Sachitanand

BANGALORE JULY 3. The latest release of Autocad, the world's most popular Windows-based computer aided design software (it has over five million users spread across 160 countries), is slimmer, faster and tuned to facilitate collaborative and concurrent designing. As John Sanders, Vice President, Platform Technology Group of Autodesk Inc., puts it, Autodesk 2004 delivers products and services that maximise the creation and exchange of design data among project members.

AutoCAD 2004 offers new and enhanced functionality in many areas including: Speed: 24 per cent faster than AutoCAD 2002; 28 per cent faster network performance (open performance and Xref loads); improved Xref editing performance; average of 44 per cent smaller DWG files to reduce server disk space requirements by 40-60 per cent; true colour, Pantone colour support and gradient fills for high quality presentations.

Data Sharing: Improved DWF file formats for secure sharing both in publishing and viewing; automatic notification of reference changes; new tool palettes for easy access to frequently used content and commands; access to the Autodesk DesignCenter for quick and easy connection to online content; checking and notification of CAD standards to ensure compliancy; communication centre delivers opt-in notifications of product updates, extensions, news, and support information; checking and notification of digital signatures for data security.

Management: In-place Mtext editing for annotating drawings in any language; improved licence management and software inventory control including network licence check-in, check out and network licence borrowing — for more efficient, more secure usage; compatibility with industry standard tools (including SMS, Windows Advertising) for reduced installation times and implementation costs; side-by-side installation; free productivity-enhancing Express Tools; Windows 2000 and XP Certified; How-to guides.

The following products are included in the AutoCAD 2004 family of industry solutions:

General Design: AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD LT 2004

Building Industry: Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004

Infrastructure Solutions (formerly GIS Solutions): Autodesk Map Series 2004

Autodesk Civil Series 2004

Manufacturing: AutoCAD Mechanical 2004

According to Mr. Sanders, it may cost a user around Rs. 27,500 (excluding freight, handling and local taxes) for upgrading from AutoCAD 2002 to 2004.

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