The history of AutoCAD, the past and present of each version

In November 1982, Autodesk released the first version of AutoCAD, providing a simple line drawing function, no menu, users need to memorize the command, run in DOS operation System, the software medium is a 360K floppy disk. Because it can be freely copied, it soon became popular in the design world.

From 1982 to 1988, after nine versions of the improvements and upgrades, the AutoCAD drawing function was gradually improved, with on-screen menus, drop-down menus, and status lines. The 10th version ——R10 version introduced in 1988 has a complete graphical user interface and 2D/3D rendering capabilities, marking AutoCAD's maturity and establishing its mainstream position in the international CAD field. It is from this version that AutoCAD began to spread in China.

The R11 version introduced in 1991 adds features such as paper space and 3D solid body modeling.

The R12 version introduced in 1992 is further improved on the basis of the former. A large number of commands are changed to the dialog box mode, which is intuitive and convenient. The new pinch editing and the main —— the editing mode is well received by users. It is considered to be the most perfect version on the DOS platform.

The R13 version, introduced in 1994, was criticized for its large system resources and low implementation efficiency. It is an unsuccessful version.

In 1997, Autodesk launched the epoch-making R14 version, abandoning the traditional DOS and UNIX platforms, and targeting mature Windows operating systems, pure 32-bit code development, and comprehensive 2D/3D functions. The Windows user interface is fully compatible with the Windows multi-user multi-tasking environment, enabling data exchange and resource sharing between different applications. The development of AutoCAD has since entered the advanced stage.

The R15 version (including AutoCAD 2000/2000i/2002), which was launched in 1999-2001, continues to advance, enabling multi-document design environments, adding 2D functions such as design centers, object property management windows, and multiple layout spaces, and 3D solids. 3D functions such as volume editing and 3D dynamic viewer, and support mouse wheel real-time zooming and panning and right-click shortcut menus to bring the level of AutoCAD application to a new level.

The R16 version (including AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006), introduced in 2003-2005, improves object definition, has smaller graphics capacity, is more efficient, and no longer supports older Windows 95/98. It can only run on pure 32-bit Windows NT/2000/XP or higher. AutoCAD 2006 is the perfect version of 2D graphics with multiple enhancements (true color and gradient fill, table drawing, sheet set management, etc.) and interface improvements (including headnotes for dynamic prompts and dynamic input).

Since 2006, in light of the expansion of competitor software in the field of 3D design, Autodesk has made a determination to transplant many of its well-known 3D design software 3DS MAX to AutoCAD R17 (including AutoCAD 2007). /2008/2009): The parameterized solid body model supports pinch drag free deformation, adds advanced modeling commands such as loft, sweep (SWEEP), spiral, etc., built-in material editor with 3DS MAX and The Mentalray rendering engine, new roaming and flight functions for dynamic observation and experience of models.

In the above history, AutoCAD has evolved into a powerful drawing software for both 2D/3D.