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Engineering software firm Autodesk has released versions of its AutoCAD design software compatible with Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Mac computers to open up the software to new users.
The last time the firm made a version of AutoCAD for Apple computers was 16 years ago when Autodesk switched to producing Windows-only versions because of the dominance of the PC in the computing market.
Most industry analysts see the move as an acceptance that Apple products are being used more in the business environment. Apple computer sales to companies doubled in the last quarter, according to market analyst Needham and Co, and have more than triple the growth rate of PCs.
Engineers who want to use Apple Macs and AutoCADu2008have had to emulate PCs on their computers to run the software.
According to Rob McGuire, AutoCAD for Mac product manager, the Mac version of AutoCAD has all the same features and runs as fast.
He said: “We’re shooting for 100% data interoperability. There’s a lot of challenges but we’ve got a headstart on everyone else.”
The company is also making a free version of AutoCAD available for the Apple iPhone and iPad. AutoCAD WS offers users a stripped-down version of the software, so users can edit, annotate and communicate changes to CAD drawings while visiting a site.
Users access CAD models stored remotely on servers, a computing “cloud”, and the model is downloaded as it is viewed on the portable device.
Guri Stark, Autodesk vice-president AutoCAD and platform products, said: “Apple WS isn’t intended for content creation. It doesn’t have the full functionality. It does have features like co-edit sessions, so you can discuss changes with your partners, and a timeline feature to go back to older versions of models.”
McGuire added: “We are hoping that more people will explore AutoCAD and see the impact it has on the built environment.
“It’s about exposing more people to design software.”