About two decades ago almost every drawing produced in the world was done either in ink or with a pencil. CAD has fundamentally transformed the method of design formulation. However, in 1982, this changed due to the discovery of a software application for 2-D and 3-D computer –aided designs (CAD). AutoCAD began as a desktop application. Since 2010 it has now become a cloud- and web-based application marketed as AutoCAD 360. This software was constructed and marketed by Autodesk Inc. and was initially released in December 1982 after being bought by John Walker, Autodesk founder, a year before in its original form (Conforti 8).
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AutoCAD derives its basis from Interact CAD, a program that began in 1977 and released in 1979. It was also known as Micro CAD. The initial file format of AutoCAD is .dwg and the interexchange format is DXF. These two have now become the actual standards for CAD data interoperability. The software also includes support for its initial file format for the publication of CAD data (Burchard 9).
It exists in three main variants namely; AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD 360 and the student Version. AutoCAD 360 initially referred to as AutoCAD WS is an account-based application for mobiles and the web which enables its users to view, edit as well as share AutoCAD files using a limited feature set and drawing files that are cloud-stored. The program essentially uses a freemium model commonly known as Pro. It uses HTML 5 browser technology that can be found in such browsers as Google Chrome and Firefox. AutoCAD LT is a version of AutoCAD with less capability making it less costly. It was first marketed in November 1993 (Conforti 11).
The student version is similar to the full commercial one in many ways only that the DWG files created and edited here have an internal bit-flag. Output includes a plot stamp or a banner on the sides. The objects made cannot in any way be used for commercial purposes.
AutoCAD had proved to be quite useful to a wide range of industries over the years. Professionals such as architects, engineers, project managers among others all partake of the benefits that this Autodesk software has created.
Works cited
Conforti, Frank, and Ralph Grabowski. Micro station for AutoCAD Users: A Bi-Directional Handbook. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers, 1999. Print.
Burchard, Bill, and David Pitzer. AutoCAD 2002: Migration Manual. Albany, NY: Thomson Learning, 2002. Print.
