Autodesk, Inc. has announced the availability of AutoCAD WS, a new free web application that uses cloud computing technology to enable AutoCAD software users to view, edit and share their AutoCAD designs and DWG files through web browsers and mobile devices. The AutoCAD WS mobile application for iOS is also now available as a free* app in the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
“Through anytime anywhere access to AutoCAD designs, the AutoCAD WS web and iOS app greatly simplifies the way designers and engineers work in the field and with multiple stakeholders,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business, in the press release. “Autodesk has a long history of making design more accessible, and AutoCAD WS is the latest example of how Autodesk is using cloud computing and mobile platforms to extend design beyond the desktop, while helping accelerate better design.”
The AutoCAD WS web application was previously available as “Project Butterfly,” a technology preview on Autodesk Labs that was used by more than 75,000 people to view, edit and share AutoCAD designs through their web browsers.
With the commercial launch of AutoCAD WS, users can upload and manage designs in their online workspace directly from their AutoCAD desktop software through a new free* plug-in now available for download, or as part of the Subscription Advantage Pack for AutoCAD 2011. The plug-in is compatible with 2011 English language versions of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and other AutoCAD products. This capability will also be integrated into the soon-to-be-released AutoCAD for Mac software.
AutoCAD WS enables AutoCAD users to conduct virtual design reviews with stakeholders across the globe, helping to avoid issues of version control and accuracy associated with design teams sharing files via email or relying on paper documentation in the field. Using an integrated service from Google Maps, AutoCAD WS also helps users to better demonstrate designs in their environments by underlaying maps in CAD drawings.
Additional AutoCAD WS functions include the following:
• Web and mobile DWG viewer provides access to AutoCAD drawings from anywhere using a web browser or mobile devices.
• Online DWG editor supports more than 100 familiar AutoCAD drawing and editing tools that are intuitive for CAD and non-CAD professionals alike.
• Built-in sharing provides the ability to generate a unique URL and invite stakeholders to view DWG files online, as well as set permission controls for how others can view, edit or download drawings and folders.
• Convenient online storage organizes DWG and DXF files, image files and other related documentation in project folders, with support for multiple file types, including DOC, JPEG, PNG and PDF.
• Real-time collaboration can enable people to work on the same DWG file simultaneously and to see changes reflected in the file as they are made.
• Design timeline captures and tracks all changes made to drawings for version control and auditing.
“AutoCAD WS has become an essential tool in our workflow because we’re able to share drawings in real-time and work from the same information, no matter where we are located,” said Luis Guillermo Natera Orozco, Director, Colectivo Triciclo. “AutoCAD WS has the potential to dramatically change and improve how we work.”
More info and download link for the free AutoCAD WS mobile app for iOS is available via Apple’s iTunes App Store here.
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
In addition to being a huge technical accomplishment, this is humungous news !!!
This is the enterprise – big time!
In addition to being a huge technical accomplishment, this is humungous news !!!
This is the enterprise – big time!
…says the guy working in Autodesk’s marketing department.
…says the guy working in Autodesk’s marketing department.
Autodesk’s solid modeling offerings don’t cut it. Most any engineering firm now uses SolidWorks, which is light years ahead of Autodesk and is infinitely easier to learn and use than ProEngineer.
And, whereas it’s nice to be able to access one’s files “anywhere anytime,” the whole concept requires uploading files (read: critical designs) to a “cloud” (read: Autodesk), where one can only cross their fingers that security from hackers is fool proof (HAAA!).
SolidWorks allows you to create special files to clients where you can have your articulated parts animated. Or the client can stop the animation and zoom, tilt, and pan. More to the point, you are sending your file to just your intended recipient; if they have lose security and it leaks after that, they have no one to blame but themselves. At least it isn’t your fault for leaking it all over the place.
And don’t blame me for hating your products, Autodesk. You have no one to blame but yourselves. I learned on AutoCAD 10. The learning curve was like a brick wall: no ability to use the program worth a darn throughout the entire tutorial (a several hundred-page book) until the very last chapter. I felt like that chick in “Aliens” who was stuck in the ventilation shaft with one of those acid-blood aliens, where she put her boot against the thing’s chest and unloaded her 9 mm into its face. I fantasized doing that with the programmers. You learn the syntax for making a circle and are learning the polygon tool and think “Oh! I bet I can do this; it ought to follow the same syntax as the circle tool!” Foolish me.
Autodesk’s solid modeling offerings don’t cut it. Most any engineering firm now uses SolidWorks, which is light years ahead of Autodesk and is infinitely easier to learn and use than ProEngineer.
And, whereas it’s nice to be able to access one’s files “anywhere anytime,” the whole concept requires uploading files (read: critical designs) to a “cloud” (read: Autodesk), where one can only cross their fingers that security from hackers is fool proof (HAAA!).
SolidWorks allows you to create special files to clients where you can have your articulated parts animated. Or the client can stop the animation and zoom, tilt, and pan. More to the point, you are sending your file to just your intended recipient; if they have lose security and it leaks after that, they have no one to blame but themselves. At least it isn’t your fault for leaking it all over the place.
And don’t blame me for hating your products, Autodesk. You have no one to blame but yourselves. I learned on AutoCAD 10. The learning curve was like a brick wall: no ability to use the program worth a darn throughout the entire tutorial (a several hundred-page book) until the very last chapter. I felt like that chick in “Aliens” who was stuck in the ventilation shaft with one of those acid-blood aliens, where she put her boot against the thing’s chest and unloaded her 9 mm into its face. I fantasized doing that with the programmers. You learn the syntax for making a circle and are learning the polygon tool and think “Oh! I bet I can do this; it ought to follow the same syntax as the circle tool!” Foolish me.
If all this applet’s you do is:
” Let you view, edit, and share DWG™ drawings through a web browser or mobile device. Now you have the freedom to work anywhere and with anyone. Store AutoCAD drawings and project files in an easy-to-access online workspace. View and edit your designs online or on your Apple® iPad™, iPhone®, or iPod touch®. Share and collaborate easily with others;”…
It is already a ground breaker! Plus, there’s no software required, and it’s free*.
Online DWG viewer—Access your AutoCAD drawings from anywhere; all you need is a web browser.
Web-based CAD—Edit drawings online using many familiar and intuitive drawing and editing tools.
CAD for Apple iOS devices—Work on AutoCAD drawings directly on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
No software required—Invite team members to review and edit DWG drawings online.
There’s a huge design and architectural market of Mac users that use MacDraft (yes you read that bright) and other software that generates, reads and edits DWG files that can now use iPads to do this – like it or not Greg L it’s a godsend to them.
If all this applet’s you do is:
” Let you view, edit, and share DWG™ drawings through a web browser or mobile device. Now you have the freedom to work anywhere and with anyone. Store AutoCAD drawings and project files in an easy-to-access online workspace. View and edit your designs online or on your Apple® iPad™, iPhone®, or iPod touch®. Share and collaborate easily with others;”…
It is already a ground breaker! Plus, there’s no software required, and it’s free*.
Online DWG viewer—Access your AutoCAD drawings from anywhere; all you need is a web browser.
Web-based CAD—Edit drawings online using many familiar and intuitive drawing and editing tools.
CAD for Apple iOS devices—Work on AutoCAD drawings directly on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
No software required—Invite team members to review and edit DWG drawings online.
There’s a huge design and architectural market of Mac users that use MacDraft (yes you read that bright) and other software that generates, reads and edits DWG files that can now use iPads to do this – like it or not Greg L it’s a godsend to them.
When you carry your work and portfolio around on the road, to meetings with clients and need to make changes, iPad beats anything for convenience and battery life.
When you carry your work and portfolio around on the road, to meetings with clients and need to make changes, iPad beats anything for convenience and battery life.
The iPad is fine, breeze. I’m pissing all over the Autodesk’s corn flakes because I had an epiphany when I had to learn and use AutoCAD when it was the only show in town. There are better solutions now.
The iPad is fine, breeze. I’m pissing all over the Autodesk’s corn flakes because I had an epiphany when I had to learn and use AutoCAD when it was the only show in town. There are better solutions now.
I know what you mean…GL, i hear you… some big companies love to flex their muscle and squeeze the crap out of their users…but if this gives cad an in on the iPad it’s very significant and important for the enterprise …
AutoCad has the CAD market over a barrel much like ms shit, microspot’s MacDraft is still a great CAD App.
Piss on man.
I know what you mean…GL, i hear you… some big companies love to flex their muscle and squeeze the crap out of their users…but if this gives cad an in on the iPad it’s very significant and important for the enterprise …
AutoCad has the CAD market over a barrel much like ms shit, microspot’s MacDraft is still a great CAD App.
Piss on man.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt…
I exported some Vectorworks drawings and was able to open them on my iPad with little trouble. It’s a little convoluted, but not much worse than importing iWork documents in iTunes.
I hoped it could allow me to view an do minor editing of drawings on-site. BUT it requires an internet connection and tap into their “cloud”.!
That said, AutoCAD WS is complete garbage.
Here’s a short list of FAIL:
Drawing and Editing are plain dreadful.
There are only 2 color modes for viewing documents: black background (it’s 2010, not 1970) and black and white (they call it ‘greyscale’). It strips color information from imported documents.
It does not support object fills, either colors or patterns, hatches, yes. Patterns are imported as black. ALL filled objects are transparent, so everything is see-thru regardless of whether it’s above or below other objects.
Again, it’s 2010 and this is a vector-based drawing application?
If THIS is the kind of effort AutoDesk is putting forth for an iOS app, then I have little doubt that the upcoming Mac version will be yet another failure, vilified and ignored by Mac users.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt…
I exported some Vectorworks drawings and was able to open them on my iPad with little trouble. It’s a little convoluted, but not much worse than importing iWork documents in iTunes.
I hoped it could allow me to view an do minor editing of drawings on-site. BUT it requires an internet connection and tap into their “cloud”.!
That said, AutoCAD WS is complete garbage.
Here’s a short list of FAIL:
Drawing and Editing are plain dreadful.
There are only 2 color modes for viewing documents: black background (it’s 2010, not 1970) and black and white (they call it ‘greyscale’). It strips color information from imported documents.
It does not support object fills, either colors or patterns, hatches, yes. Patterns are imported as black. ALL filled objects are transparent, so everything is see-thru regardless of whether it’s above or below other objects.
Again, it’s 2010 and this is a vector-based drawing application?
If THIS is the kind of effort AutoDesk is putting forth for an iOS app, then I have little doubt that the upcoming Mac version will be yet another failure, vilified and ignored by Mac users.
@ breeze
I agree, it would be a godsend… if it were usable.
The only decent applications AutoDesk sells are ones they ACQUIRED. They haven’t a clue about user-friendliness, usability or interface design. Software BY engineers FOR engineers who suffer from the malady of difficult is good, difficult is valid.
AutoCAD WS simply reinforces that mindset and AutoDesk’s inability to write decent applications.
I spoke to my rep at Nemetschek, reminding him that I suggested they write an iPhone version of Vectorworks 2 years ago. He assured me that they’re working on an iOS version of Vectorworks… unfortunately with no estimate on when it will be complete. Bummer.
@ breeze
I agree, it would be a godsend… if it were usable.
The only decent applications AutoDesk sells are ones they ACQUIRED. They haven’t a clue about user-friendliness, usability or interface design. Software BY engineers FOR engineers who suffer from the malady of difficult is good, difficult is valid.
AutoCAD WS simply reinforces that mindset and AutoDesk’s inability to write decent applications.
I spoke to my rep at Nemetschek, reminding him that I suggested they write an iPhone version of Vectorworks 2 years ago. He assured me that they’re working on an iOS version of Vectorworks… unfortunately with no estimate on when it will be complete. Bummer.
Autodesk = Adobe
nuff said…
Autodesk = Adobe
nuff said…
Mr Reeee:
You know, I noticed some of the feedback on the App store and wondered if the beefs were legit… It seems from your experience that they may well be… I like to start by giving credit and so I guess i was tainted by wishful thinking…
The app is free, so download it and get a pass to leave feedback-
Time to let Autodesk know that homey don’t buy that…
Mr Reeee:
You know, I noticed some of the feedback on the App store and wondered if the beefs were legit… It seems from your experience that they may well be… I like to start by giving credit and so I guess i was tainted by wishful thinking…
The app is free, so download it and get a pass to leave feedback-
Time to let Autodesk know that homey don’t buy that…
@breeze
Yeah, I tried it and was hoping it would work. I use a lot of different applications and have learned to adapt to the less than ideal (Illustrator). AutoCAD WS borders on unusable. I gave it a pretty scathing review in the App Store.
I’ll stick with marking up PDFs on my iPad. Or scribbling on Sheetrock and photographing it.
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@MacCAD Exactly. Except that Adobe does make some decent applications. Too bad they saw fit to acquire and KILL their competition… Freehand, GoLive, PageMaker…
@breeze
Yeah, I tried it and was hoping it would work. I use a lot of different applications and have learned to adapt to the less than ideal (Illustrator). AutoCAD WS borders on unusable. I gave it a pretty scathing review in the App Store.
I’ll stick with marking up PDFs on my iPad. Or scribbling on Sheetrock and photographing it.
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@MacCAD Exactly. Except that Adobe does make some decent applications. Too bad they saw fit to acquire and KILL their competition… Freehand, GoLive, PageMaker…
@GregL…
There have ALWAYS been better solutions besides AutoCAD!
I’ve used Vectorworks/MiniCAD since 1990.
The most galling thing about AutoDesk is their utter refusal to publish their COMPLETE file format specs (DXF, DWG, DWF), so that translating for the other 50% of the CAD market can be a misery. It’s improved over time, but is still a pain.