AutoCAD 2012

AutoCAD Editor's Review

AutoCAD 2012 is a professional, proprietary software application to enable the design of buildings and objects in both 2D and 3D, bridging the span from idea to plan. It is feature-rich, complex and requires detailed understanding from the user. It enables the creation of 3D designs and 2D parametric drawing, the creation of technical drawings from designs, the addition of finishing touches, detailing, linking annotations with other data, workflows and process management.

In this version PDF creation and integration are supported; PDFs can be used as underlays with snap-to features. There are new model documentation tools; users can generate drawings views for models created by AutoCAD and other modelling tools and the models can be updated to reflect engineering changes. 

The software can be bought boxed or downloaded in a very large file. You will need a device robust enough to run it; check out the system requirements before you download. The fully functioning version is available free of charge for 30 days; our view is that proficiency in its use may take longer to acquire and most users will need training to do the product justice. Students can be licenced at a very low cost, otherwise the professional license is around £2,735 per seat. 

There are software versions for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iOS and Android. 

Pros: The package is well organised, immensely capable and intuitive, if you are a trained user; new support for web-based collaboration. 

Cons: Most people will note the price; but this is a productivity tool for designers and modellers. 

Conclusion: AutoCAD 2012 is fantastically capable software; it has powerful and flexible features, with many add-ons. It aids productivity in design, architecture and engineering and is excellent value in aiding collaboration and management of designs from concept to planning and preparation.