General -- AutoCAD Release R12

AutoCAD Release 12 drawings are compatible with AutoCAD Release 11.

The AutoCAD main menu has been eliminated. After initial configuration, AutoCAD displays the graphics screen.

The Main menu tasks have been replaced by commands. For example, the NEW command starts a new drawing, and the OPEN command opens an existing drawing.

Configuration is done with the CONFIG command.

Configuration of AutoCAD without displaying the AutoCAD screen is performed with the -r command-line argument (for example, acad -r).

The OPEN command automatically converts older AutoCAD drawings.

The pull-down menu has been enhanced:

The menu supports cascading-style submenus.

AutoCAD remembers your last menu item selection.

AutoCAD can disable menu items.

Menu files have been simplified. The AutoLISP portions of the menu are in a separate file.

The screen menu switches to the appropriate page when you enter a command. The MENUCTL system variable controls screen menu switching.

AutoCAD supports a cursor menu that contains Osnap overrides and point filters; this menu can invoke the geometry calculator. The cursor menu appears at the graphics cursor location when you use the appropriate key/-pointing-device button combination. For example, if your mouse has a third button, press the third mouse button to display the cursor menu.

The dialog-box interface has been expanded and enhanced. AutoCAD supports dialog boxes that let you easily view and change information. The information in the dialog box is grouped in logical fashion and displayed in an easy-to-read format.

AutoCAD allows you to change the contents of the status line using the MODEMACRO system variable.

The new BHATCH command was added. It allows you to easily hatch irregularly shaped areas enclosed by one or more entities. After picking a point in the enclosed area, AutoCAD automatically determines and shows you the boundary of the area. For example, you can hatch the area created by two overlapping circles.

The new BPOLY command was added. It allows you to create a Polyline that outlines the area enclosed by one or more entities. A polyline can easily be created along an irregularly shaped area completely enclosed by one or more entities.

Commands with the "DD" prefix bring up dialog boxes. For example, DDRMODES displays the Drawing Modes dialog box. Other commands such as PLOT and SAVEAS also bring up dialogs. Some commands bring up dialog boxes based on the CMDDIA and FILEDIA system variables.

These are some of the features that use dialog boxes:

• Dimensioning (DDIM)
• Plotting (PLOT)
• Hatching (BHATCH)
• Object Snap (DDOSNAP)
• File manipulation (OPEN, NEW, SAVEAS, FILES)
• Layer control (DDLMODES)
• Attribute definition (DDATTDEF)

Dimensioning enhancements include:

• Creation of basic dimensions.
• Addition of prefix or suffix to dimension text.
• Use of the DDIM command to display the status of dimensioning system variables in an organized and easy-to-read dialog box format. With this set of dialog boxes, dimensioning parameters can be made without having to remember the specific dimensioning variable names.
• Visibility of dimension text during creation and placement.

Dimensioning of nested entities is allowed.

AutoCAD can display selection grips that allow you to manipulate the selected entity. You can use grips to perform operations such as move, stretch, copy, scale, and rotate. You can also perform multiple copy operations with each mode.

Grips appear on an entity as small squares. AutoCAD places the grips at "defining" locations. For example, the grips for a circle appear at the four quadrants and at the center.

The new DDSELECT command lets you control these items:

• Entity sort order. You can specify the order in which entities are drawn.
• Noun/verb or verb/noun format for commands that require entity selection. With the noun/verb format, you select entities before you enter a command. With the verb/noun format, you enter a command before you select entities.
• Selection set creation. You can use additive entity selection or individual entity selection. Additive selection lets you select multiple groups of entities; individual selection allows only one group of entities.

Window creation for selection sets. You can use either two clicks for the window corners or press and drag the window size.

Entity selection enhancements include the following:

• The FILTER command that uses a dialog-box interface to let you filter selection sets based on entity properties such as color, layer, and location.
• The WPoly and CPoly entity selection options that let you create an irregular closed polygon for selecting entities.
• The Fence entity selection option that lets you create select entities by crossing the entity with a Polyline.
• The All selection option that selects all entities.

Linetype generation enhancements include the following:

• Polylines appear and plot with linetype patterns that flow around vertices.
• The Linetype patterns can be displayed at a single size in paper space viewports regardless of the viewport's scale factor if you set PSLTSCALE to 1.

Drawing layers can be locked. You can add entities to a locked layer; however, you cannot remove or change entities on a locked layer.

Speed performance has been improved for these commands:

• HIDE
• PAN and ZOOM

The DVIEW command uses an improved dynamic rotation interface.

The number of transparent commands has been increased.

The new CAL command is a geometry calculator.

The new ALIGN, ROTATE3D, and MIRROR3D commands let you easily move objects in 3D space.

AutoCAD can be configured to perform timed saves of your drawing. The time between saves is set by the SAVETIME system variable.

Plotting enhancements include the following:

• dialog-box interface for plotting setup.
• Previewing the plot on screen.
• Previewing and adjusting the position of a plot on the selected paper size.
• Saving a drawing's plot configuration parameters in a file.
• Saving up to 29 plotter configurations in the acad.cfg file.
• Combining printer plotters with plotters.
• Supporting up to 256 pen colors and widths.
• Saving drawing-specific information such as pen color and linetype assignments in plot configuration parameter (PCP) files.

If you use the AutoCAD network license authorization, you can plot from AutoCAD without using a network license by starting AutoCAD with the -p command-line argument (for example, acad -p).

Raster file import/export includes:

Import of common raster-format files such as PCX, TIFF, and GIF using the RASTERIN command. You can import raster images into AutoCAD and have them appear in the drawing.

Export raster images of AutoCAD drawings in several formats using the PLOT command with your plotter configured as a "Raster file export," an Autodesk-supplied plotter driver.

PostScript support lets you do the following:

Import PostScript files. The PSIN command lets you to import a PostScript file, resize the image and display a rendering of the image on a screen. Once you have a drawing that has PostScript information, you can send it to a PostScript file or printer. The output retains the PostScript information.

Control the quality of the rendered PostScript image. The -PSQUALITY system variable lets you adjust the quality of the rendered image.

Export PostScript files. The PSOUT command lets you export the current view of your drawing as a PostScript EPS file. PostScript images and fonts are retained.

Use PostScript Type 1 fonts with text. AutoCAD supports Type 1 fonts in outline form and on screen when you plot. With the COMPILE command, -AutoCAD can create SHX Shape/Font files from the PostScript PFB font files.

AutoCAD "soft-locks" external references (locks externally referenced files during loading).

The REINIT command lets you reinitialize your I/O ports, display, digitizer, and acad.pgp the AutoCAD Program Parameters file.

Enhanced digitizer support allows you to calibrate your tablet with independent X and Y axis scaling or projective scaling with the TABLET command. In projective scaling, the calibrated distance between two points on a tablet depends on both the physical distance between the two points and their location on the tablet (a limited form of rubber sheeting).

AutoCAD Render is included with AutoCAD. Render lets you create rendered images of your 3D object within AutoCAD. You can render images to an AutoCAD viewport, to full screen on a single-screen display, or to a separate window on a dual-screen setup. You can also send rendered images out to printers or files.

Region modeling is included with AutoCAD. Using closed 2D areas you can create booleaned regions similar to AME solids. Regions can be edited, can contain holes, and can be used to compute area properties and used for other analysis.

AutoCAD SQL Extension (ASE)/Autodesk SQL Interface (ASI) is included with AutoCAD. ASE supplies ADS interfaces that lets you -establish links between AutoCAD and an SQL database. You can also build ADS applications between AutoCAD and SQL databases using the Autodesk SQL Interface (ASI).

Advanced Modeling Extension R2.1 is supported by AutoCAD Release 12. Improvements in AME R2.1 from AME R1 include region modeling and improvements in these areas: solid primitive creation and handling, accuracy, performance, support for additional applications such as interference analysis, and external application support via API.

The AutoCAD programmable dialog box facility lets you create -AutoCAD Development System (ADS) or AutoLISP applications that use AutoCAD dialog boxes. For example, you can create dialog boxes that perform functions similar to the AutoCAD dialog boxes that display and change settings or select files. The code used to create an AutoCAD dialog box is platform independent.

The ADI (Autodesk Device Interface) Version 4.2 upgrade was provided primarily to facilitate optimal usage of display drivers when using the Render facility in AutoCAD. Other enhancements and bug fixes were also made.

SAGET library of extended ADS functions that allow AutoLISP programs to access ADS routines.

The PLOT command can be called from ADS and AutoLISP

New Commands -- R12

The following section describes the new commands for AutoCAD Release 12. Unless noted otherwise, coordinate input to all commands is relative to the current UCS. Commands flagged with a ` prefix can be used transparently.

`ABOUT	Displays banner and acad.msg in a dialog box
BHATCH	Boundary hatching dialog box
BPOLY	Creates a Polyline that outlines a closed boundary created by one or more entities
COMPILE	Performs a process formerly done via the Main menu and can compile PostScript PFB files
CONFIG	Starts the AutoCAD configuration process
DDATTDEF	Attribute definition dialog box
DDATTEXT	Attribute extraction dialog box
DDCHPROP	Change entity property dialog box
`DDIM	Dimension variable dialog boxes
DDINSERT	Insert block dialog box
`DDGRIPS	Grips settings dialog box
`DDOSNAP	OSNAP control dialog box
DDRENAME	Rename named objects dialog box. Allows the use of wildcard characters
`DDSELECT	Entity selection control dialog box
DDUCS	UCS control dialog box
`DDUNITS	Units of measurement control dialog box
NEW	Creates a new drawing
OPEN	Opens an existing drawing file for editing. Converts and recovers the file if necessary
PSDRAG	Controls the display of an imported PostScript image while you position it in the drawing
PSFILL	Fills a closed Polyline region with a PostScript fill pattern
PSIN	Imports a PostScript graphics file and optionally renders an image of the graphic in the drawing
PSOUT	Exports a PostScript graphics file
QSAVE	Saves current drawing prompting for a name only if the current drawing is unnamed
REINIT	Reinitializes I/O ports, digitizer, display, and the Program Parameters file (e.g. acad.pgp)
SAVEAS	Saves current drawing to a user-specified file and renames the current drawing
`TREESTAT	Displays the status of the drawing's oct-tree

In addition, all of the previously listed commands that permit general object selection support the new All, WPolygon, CPolygon, and Fence, options to select all entities in the drawing.

There are also new AutoCAD commands with the following Autodesk-supplied ADS applications:

• AutoCAD SQL Extension
• AutoCAD Render
• AutoCAD Region Modeler

The SQL commands are described in the AutoCAD SQL Extension Reference Manual, and the Render commands are described in the AutoCAD Render Reference Manual.

The Region Modeler commands and the following commands are described in the AutoCAD Extras Manual. Commands flagged with a ` prefix can be used transparently:

New commands described in the AutoCAD Extras Manual

ALIGN	Moves selected objects in 3D space
`APPLOAD	dialog-box interface to load AutoLISP and ADS applications or unload ADS applications
`CAL	Geometry calculator
DDMODIFY	dialog-box interface to view and change entity properties such as location, color, layer, linetype, and thickness
`FILTER	dialog-box interface that lets you create selection sets based on entity properties such as location, color, and layer
GIFIN	Imports GIF-format raster files
MIRROR3D	Mirrors objects about a plane in 3D
PCXIN	Imports PCX-format raster files
ROTATE3D	Rotates objects about an axis in 3D
TIFFIN	Imports TIFF-format raster files

Changed Commands -- R12

The following section describes changes to existing commands between -AutoCAD Releases 11 and 12. Unless noted otherwise, coordinate input to all commands is relative to the current UCS. (Commands flagged with a ` prefix can be used transparently.)

`APERTURE	Can be used transparently
ARRAY	The command prompt shows the defaults for rectangular/polar arrays
`ATTDISP	Can be used transparently
`BASE	Can be used transparently
`BLIPMODE	Can be used transparently
CHANGE	The command prompt lists the Elev option that lets you change an entity's elevation
CIRCLE	Sets the CIRCLERAD system variable. The command prompt shows the default radius
`COLOR/COLOUR	Can be used transparently
DBLIST	Displays hatching parameters for hatch blocks if the appropriate Xdata is present. Pauses after each screen of text
DDATTE	Improved attribute entity editing dialog box
DDEDIT	Improved text and attribute entity editing dialog box
`DDEMODES	Enhanced dialogs for color, layer control, and text style selection
`DDLMODES	Improved layer control dialog box that includes capability to filter layer names and supports locked layers
`DDRMODES	New check boxes for solid fill, quick text, and highlighting selected entities added, and axis control removed
`DELAY	Can be used transparently
`DIST	Can be used transparently
DONUT/DOUGHNUT	Sets and uses the DONUTID and DONUTOD system variables. The command prompt shows the default donut inside and outside diameter
`DRAGMODE	Can be used transparently (to be dropped in the next release)
DVIEW	Improved dynamic rotation interface. X and Y rotation combined into one screen
EXPLODE	Using entity grips, you can explode more than one item at a time. EXPLODE places the resulting entities in the Previous selection set
`FILES	Can be used transparently. Allows you to perform file-related utility functions such as renaming, deleting, and unlocking a file
`FILL	Can be used transparently
`GRID	Can be used transparently
HATCH	Stores hatching parameters in Xdata of hatch block reference
HIDE	Faster hidden line algorithm
`ID	Can be used transparently
`ISOPLANE	Can be used transparently
`LAYER	Can be used transparently. The Lock and Unlock options have been added to the command prompt
`LIMITS	Can be used transparently
`LINETYPE	Can be used transparently
LIST	Displays hatching parameters for hatch blocks if the appropriate Xdata is present. Pauses after each screen of text
`LTSCALE	Can be used transparently
`ORTHO	Can be used transparently
`OSNAP	Can be used transparently
PEDIT	Allows control of polyline linetype elaboration. The "Ltype gen" option has been added to the command line
PLOT	Dialog-box interface and new and enhanced features including: 256-color and multiple-line-width support, plot preview, multiple-plotter configurations, ADS and AutoLISP support, and improved paper handling
POLYGON	Sets POLYSIDES system variable. The command prompt shows the default number of polygon sides and inscribed or circumscribed selection
`REGENAUTO	Can be used transparently
`RSCRIPT	Can be used transparently
`SCRIPT	Can be used transparently and closes the script file when complete
`SNAP	Can be used transparently
`STATUS	Can be used transparently. Does not list Axis on/off status
`STYLE	Can be used transparently
TABLET	The Calibrate option allows input of more than two sets of points
`TIME	Can be used transparently. Indicates "Next automatic save in: nnn" if automatic saves are enabled
`UNITS	Can be used transparently
WBLOCK	All forms preserve entity handles in output
`ZOOM	Accepts point in response to initial prompt. Assumes the point is the first corner of a Window

Deleted Commands -- R12

AXIS

PRPLOT

New System Variables -- R12

This section describes the new system variables in AutoCAD Releases 12. Values for most system variables are expressed relative to the current UCS.

AUDITCTL	Controls whether AUDIT log files (ADT files) are written
CIRCLERAD	The default circle radius. If negative, the absolute value is used
CMDACTIVE	A bit code that shows the active status of commands and dialog-boxes. If nonzero, a command or dialog box is active
CMDDIA	Controls whether dialog boxes are used with the PLOT command
CMDNAMES	The active command including any transparent command
DBMOD	A bit code showing the drawing database modification status. If nonzero, the drawing database has been modified
DONUTID	The default donut inside diameter; may be zero. If negative, the absolute value is used
DONUTOD	The default donut outside diameter. Must be nonzero; if negative, the absolute value is used. If DONUTID is larger than DONUTOD, the two values are swapped by next command
DWGCODEPAGE	The current drawing code page
DWGTITLED	Indicates drawing title status. Either the drawing has a name (1) or it doesn't (0)
DWGWRITE	Controls the ability to write to the current drawing's file. If it is 0 (zero), you can edit the current drawing but you cannot update the drawing's file. If it is 1 (one), you can update the drawing's file
GRIPBLOCK	Controls the assignment of grips on entities within a block
GRIPCOLOR	The color of nonselected grips; drawn as a box outline
GRIPHOT	The color of selected grips; drawn as a filled box
GRIPS	Turns entity grips on and off. With selection set grips, you can move, stretch, rotate scale, and mirror entities
GRIPSIZE	The size of box drawn to display a grip
HPANG	The default hatch pattern angle
HPDOUBLE	The default hatch pattern doubling for "U" user-defined patterns
HPNAME	The default hatch pattern name and hatching style
HPSCALE	The default hatch pattern scale factor
HPSPACE	The default hatch pattern line spacing for "U" user-defined patterns
INSNAME	The default block name for DDINSERT or INSERT command
LOGINNAME	The user's login name
MACROTRACE	Controls tracing of macro expressions. This is a hidden variable (not listed by ordinary SETVAR ?)
MENUCTL	Controls the automatic swapping of the screen menu when a command is entered
MODEMACRO	Controls the text in AutoCAD status line. You can specify text such as the drawing name, date and time, or special modes
OFFSETDIST	The default offset distance
PICKADD	Controls how entities are added and removed from a selection set. When selecting individual entities, you can either add entities to a selection set or make the current pick the selection set
PICKAUTO	Controls automatic windowing when the Select objects: prompt appears. If Auto is not the default mode, it can be selected using the keyword Auto
PICKDRAG	Controls how a selection window is created. To specify the diagonal corners, you can either use two clicks, or click and drag
PICKFIRST	Controls how entity selection works so that you can select objects first, and then use an edit/inquiry command
PLINEGEN	Controls Polyline linetype elaboration around vertices
PLINEWID	The default polyline width
PLOTID	Changes the default plotter, based on its assigned description
PLOTTER	Changes the default plotter, based on its assigned number
POLYSIDES	The default number of sides for the POLYGON command
PSLTSCALE	Controls paper-space linetype scaling
PSPROLOG	Specifies the PostScript prolog that AutoCAD uses with the PSOUT command
PSQUALITY	Controls the rendering quality of an imported PostScript file
RE-INIT	Controls the initialization of the I/O ports, digitizer, display, plotter, and acad.pgp file
SAVEFILE	The current auto-save file
SAVENAME	The filename you save the drawing to
SAVETIME	The automatic-save time interval, in minutes
SCREENBOXES	The number of boxes in the screen menu area of the graphics area
SCREENMODE	A bit code indicating the graphics/text state of the -AutoCAD display (graphics mode and dual-screen configuration status)
SHPNAME	The default shape name
SORTENTS	A bit code that specifies classes of oct-tree traversal operations that should return entities sorted in database (entity creation) order
SYSCODEPAGE	The current system code page
TABMODE	Controls the use of Tablet mode
TREEDEPTH	A four-digit code that specifies the number of times the tree-structured spatial index may divide into branches. This affects how quickly AutoCAD searches the database
UNDOCTL	A bit code that indicates the state of the UNDO feature
UNDOMARKS	The number of marks that have been placed in the UNDO control stream by the UNDO command's Mark option
USERS1-5	Five string variables; accepts embedded spaces
XREFCTL	Controls whether external reference log files (XGL files) are written

Changed System Variables -- R12

The following section describes changes to existing system variables between -AutoCAD Releases 11 and 12. Values for most system variables are expressed relative to the current User Coordinate System.

CELTYPE	Read/write
CECOLOR	Read/write
CLAYER	Read/ Write
DIMLFAC	Allows negative numbers to specify scale factor to be used only in paper space
DIMGAP	Allows negative numbers to specify reference dimensions
DIMPOST	Read/write
DIMAPOST	Read/write
TEXTSTYLE	Read/write
VISRETAIN	Extended to allow control of an external reference layer's color and linetype

Deleted System Variables -- R12

AXISMODE

AXISUNIT

The DXF header variables corresponding to these deleted variables have also been deleted.