The Top 4 New Features of Autodesk AutoCAD 2017
A typical product cycle has three phases - development, release, and maintenance. Autodesk releases two new versions of AutoCAD every year - one in the Spring and one in the Fall - and each version contains new features, enhancements, and bug fixes to further improve your experience with the product. This year’s big release was AutoCAD 2017, which included some major updates to existing features and functionality as well as some brand-new features that could potentially revolutionize how you work with AutoCAD in the future.
1) DWG Compare
One of the most exciting new features of Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 is the DWG Compare tool. This innovative tool enables users to quickly compare two different versions of a DWG file and quickly identify any differences between them.
This can be extremely helpful for identifying discrepancies between a current version of a design and an older version, allowing for quick and easy corrections. With DWG Compare, users can easily identify which elements have been modified, added or removed, helping to streamline the design process.
In addition to identifying discrepancies, users can also utilize the tool to review specific elements in more detail. For example, they can check the properties of any modified element, such as the layer it is on or the text height. They can even view the differences in color.
The DWG Compare tool is incredibly helpful for quickly identifying modifications between two different versions of a DWG file. It saves time and effort and helps to ensure that any modifications are tracked and accounted for, leading to more accurate designs.
2) SQL Server Database Connectivity
Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 brings many new features to the design software, but one of the most exciting features is the new SQL Server Database Connectivity. This feature allows users to access data stored in a SQL Server database, which makes working with large datasets much easier.
The SQL Server Database Connectivity feature makes it possible to view, update, and manipulate data stored in a SQL Server database directly from AutoCAD. This eliminates the need to switch between different applications when working with different datasets. Additionally, this feature adds more power to AutoCAD, as it can now query and display data from multiple sources simultaneously.
The SQL Server Database Connectivity feature also allows users to insert, update, and delete records directly from AutoCAD. This makes it easy to keep the databases up-to-date and ensures accuracy when creating designs. With this feature, users can also create custom queries to generate reports quickly and accurately.
Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 has made it easier than ever to work with large datasets thanks to its new SQL Server Database Connectivity feature. With this powerful feature, users can save time and ensure accuracy when designing projects.
3) PDF Import
Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 has introduced a powerful new feature - PDF Import. This feature allows users to easily import and integrate PDF files into their AutoCAD drawings. This is a huge time-saver, as you no longer have to worry about manually transferring data from PDFs into your drawing.
The PDF Import tool allows you to select the layers and other attributes that you would like to transfer from the PDF into your drawing. You can choose to keep the original text, fonts, and colors, or you can convert them to a different format for better compatibility with AutoCAD. Additionally, you can also import linework, images, and geometry from the PDF.
The PDF Import tool is an invaluable asset for anyone who uses AutoCAD, as it makes the process of integrating external documents much faster and easier than before. This is especially useful for projects that require a high degree of accuracy and precision, as the imported information will be exactly as it appears in the source document. So if you are looking to save time and get accurate results, the PDF Import tool in Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 is a must-have.
4) Enhanced Layer Functionality
Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 has some exciting new features, and one of the most exciting is enhanced layer functionality. This feature makes it easier to create, manage, and organize layers in your drawings. Here's a closer look at what this enhanced layer functionality offers:
First, you can now create, edit, and delete layers much faster than before. You can also customize the display of layers to suit your needs. For example, you can show or hide layers based on certain criteria such as color, linetype, lineweight, etc. You can also quickly find and select layers using the new search functionality.
Second, you can now work with multiple drawing files at once. With the new Layer States Manager, you can easily toggle between different views of the same file. This allows you to quickly make changes across multiple drawings without having to manually go through each file.
Third, AutoCAD 2017 now lets you create layer groups. This makes it easier to organize related layers into one group, making them easier to manage. Layer groups can also be used as filters in your drawings, so that you can quickly select a group of layers instead of having to select each layer individually.
Finally, you can now save layer settings as templates. This makes it even easier to reuse layer settings in your drawings. You can also share these templates with other users or teams to help ensure that everyone is working with the same layer setup.
Overall, Autodesk AutoCAD 2017's enhanced layer functionality makes it easier to create, manage, and organize layers in your drawings. With this feature, you can now save time and effort when working with multiple drawings and layer settings.