The Word is Out... AutoCAD 2009

AutoCAD 2009 is on its way! Here’s a quick peek at some of the new functionality that AutoCAD 2009 has to offer

Microsoft Logo Certification – AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD LT 2009 have earned certification for Windows Vista; the highest level of Microsoft Logo Certification.

Modern User Interface - The default AutoCAD user interface has a new look and feel; similar to Microsoft Office 2007.

• The Menu Browser provides easy access to a variety of content, including commands and documents, from a single button in the upper left corner of the AutoCAD display.
• The Quick Access Toolbar, displayed at the top of the AutoCAD window next to the Menu Browser, includes frequently used tools and is easily customizable.
• The InfoCenter provides more flexibility when searching for help, including the ability to search for online solutions.
• The Ribbon, displayed near the top of the AutoCAD window, provides easy access to AutoCAD tools through a collection of tabs and panels.
• The Status Bar has been updated with new tools and icons!

Quick Properties – Use the new Quick Properties panel to view and modify object properties right at the cursor, when you need them, without sacrificing screen real estate.

Quick View Layouts – Easily switch between model space and layouts using this new Quick View Layouts. They provide a faster and more visual alternative to using the traditional model and layout tabs.

Quick View Drawings –Use Quick View Drawings instead of the traditional Ctrl-Tab key combination or Window menu to easily (and visually) switch between open drawings.

Tooltips – Improved tooltips throughout AutoCAD 2009 provide you with more information as you need it; including quick access to relevant topics in the AutoCAD Help system.

Action Recorder – Automate repetitive tasks by easily recording actions to replay in the future.

Layer Management – Easily manage layer properties while you work in the drawing. The new palette-style Layer Properties Manager provides easy access to layer controls while consuming minimal screen space.

Micro station DGN Support – Import and export drawings in Bentley’s MicroStation® V7 DGN as well as V8 DGN format. Also control layer visibility of attached DGN files and map properties such as color and linetype between DGN and DWG files.

DWF Support – You’ll find DWFx listed along with DWF in all DWF- related functionality including Markup, External References (DWFATTACH), Publish, and Plot. DWFx files can be easily viewed on the Windows Vista platform with no need for additional viewing software or plug-ins.

XREF support - Use grips to edit the boundary of a clipped external reference and even invert the clipping are with the simple click of a grip!

Mtext – Automatically check your spelling as you type in the Mtext editor.
Array Preview- When you preview the results of an array, you can now zoom and pan while still in preview mode.

Find and Replace - The Find and Replace functionality includes an expandable dialog box and more options. Plus, the display automatically zooms into the text as it is found.

View Shot Properties - Named views are more flexible and powerful than ever. Choose from three types of views and apply shot properties, such as transitions and motion, to the named views.

Show Motion – Use the new Show Motion functionality to find, restore and play named views.

Lighting – The new VSLIGHTINGQUALITY system variable offers more control over the lighting quality in the current view port.

Geographic Location - AutoCAD 2009 provides you with more options for defining the geographic location of a drawing, specifying the format of latitude and longitude values and controlling the visibility of the geographic marker.

View Cube – Easily restore standard viewpoints in a 3D model with a simple click on the new View Cube.

Steering Wheels – Easily navigate around- and through your 3D models using the new Steering Wheels.

e Transmit – Create transmittal sets (of the last saved version) without have to first save the current drawing. Also, automatically purge drawings when created the transmittal set.

Layout geometry – Automatically export all the geometry on a layout into modelspace of a new drawing.

Find and Replace – New options in the Find and Replace dialog box enable you to find and replace text within blocks and external references.

And More!