HyperPics: Beyond the UI:

Not many of you may remember back some 15+ years ago in the history of AutoCAD that it once did run on platforms other than Windows. It ran on Unix, Mac, and DOS along with many other platforms in its early days. Since AutoCAD Release 13, AutoCAD has been available on Windows only with the exception of one last DOS release with R13. There were a number of factors that played a role in deciding to go with Windows only for AutoCAD. That all changes today.

Today, Autodesk has announced the re-bith of AutoCAD on the Mac OS X platform with "AutoCAD for Mac". This is AutoCAD built for the Mac OS from the ground up, not just a straight port of the Windows application and all of its components. It is truely a combination of what you expect in a native Mac application and the drafting/modeling power of AutoCAD 2011. For additional information on the product go to http://www.autodesk.com/autocadformac and be sure to check out the launch video on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvVgb5-NVI). The launch video highlights some of the many Mac UI design features.

Along with AutoCAD for Mac, Autodesk has also announced AutoCAD WS for the Mac iOS platforms (iPod/iPhone/iPad). This is a mobile version of AutoCAD that allows you to ditch the paper tubes and still access your drawings on the go in a functional form factor. AutoCAD WS is not for modifying your drawings, but to allow you to view and annotate them which is more likely on the go or when hanging from a pole anyways.