AutoCAD 2006 is coming - you heard it first here

Autodesk has more new products coming soon including the next release of AutoCAD named AutoCAD 2006 and code named AutoCAD Rio.

Now before you go jumping to conclusions, I have not violated a non disclosure agreement or gone completely crazy. I have been given limited permission to discuss a few upcoming features of the next release. We are also giving limited permission to some CAD blogging customers so they can tell you about the new upcoming release in their own words.

There are some really nice new features and enhancements in AutoCAD 2006.

Just a few of the highlights:

• Annotation (Hatch & Mtext enhancements)
  We know that it’s time consuming for our users to edit hatch boundaries, set hatch origins and calculate hatch areas. And wasted time = wasted money. So we fixed that problem with improved hatch area and positioning – which makes it easier to try out different design alternatives and ideas. We also made some significant enhancements to Mtext with the addition of bullets and numbering as well as some enhancements based on customer feedback.
  
  



• Block Attribute Extraction
  We know that 72% of our customers spend hours manually counting up things like light fixtures and then entering the quantities and manufacturing information into a table. It’s not only an error prone process – it’s a bad use of time. So we fixed that problem by implementing a tool that automatically creates schedules or part lists from block or attribute information. Now, blocks contain key data like cost, manufacturer and size – and tables display information like schedule, parts list and bill of materials. No counting required!
  

  




• Dynamic Blocks
  We know how difficult block management can be with complex library menu structures. And we know block insertion (both placement and alignment) is time consuming, especially if you want to make any changes. Hey, even finding them is a problem when your typical drawing has 500 blocks with 30 different types. We addressed this issue with a block authoring tool that simplifies block management and streamlines insertion. Now, when you add a chair, for example, the table automatically gets larger to accommodate the increase. Kind of like at Thanksgiving – but without the guilt.
  

  




• Heads Up Design
  We know that our users find it distracting to keep going back and forth from their designs to the command line because it interrupts their train of thought. Split attention leads to mistakes, which is not cool – or efficient. So we addressed that problem with dynamic input and pointer input. This interface is more modern and intuitive, providing dimension and command information – without using the command line. Of course there is an option so you can still use the old command line if you prefer.
  
  

  

It is so exciting and there will be more details coming soon. I will provide links to the blogging AutoCAD 2006 beta customers as they post what they think of some of the new features and how they are using them. Some of these customers have been in full production with beta software.

Cheers,
Shaan