SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, debuted a range of new AutoCAD products built for Mac OS X Lion: AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac software. This marks the first time Autodesk has offered AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD WS for the Mac.

The new portfolio of AutoCAD products for Mac expands options for millions of users of the popular design, documentation and collaboration software. AutoCAD 2012 for Mac was built specifically for OS X Lion and helps users create stunning designs on their platform of choice. AutoCAD LT for Mac enables users to document designs, optimize workflow and collaborate with colleagues and clients. AutoCAD WS for Mac enables users to view and collaborate on DWG files through the Mac interface. In addition, AutoCAD WS users can plot DWG files to PDF or DWF formats and sync with their cloud-based AutoCAD WS account, making files accessible from their AutoCAD WS mobile app. AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac are available exclusively in the Mac App Store.

"Since the release of AutoCAD for Mac last year, customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, further validating the need for professional design and engineering software on the Mac platform," said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business. "Bringing AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD WS to the Mac shows our continued commitment to making design more accessible for an ever-greater number of people to shape the world around them."

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 software includes familiar AutoCAD capabilities, such as 2D and 3D design tools, and includes 3D free-form modeling capabilities; 3D visualization and rendering; network licensing; advanced customization of the menus; support for LISP and ObjectARX and ObjectDBX applications; and more. AutoCAD LT for Mac follows common native Mac application user interface guidelines, with a familiar Apple menu bar together with a number of workflow-based palettes. AutoCAD LT for Mac also supports native Mac OS X behavior, including Cover Flow navigation and Multi-Touch gestures.

AutoCAD LT for Mac is perfectly suited for designers, architects and engineers who prefer to work in a native Mac environment and need to create, edit or review designs, technical drawings and documentation.

Like the popular AutoCAD WS mobile app Autodesk released last September, AutoCAD WS for Mac is a simple, free* app providing basic, intuitive tools for viewing, editing and sharing designs. Through its synchronous coediting feature, users may also collaborate on designs across multiple platforms -- desktop, mobile and web.

AutoCAD LT for Mac Brings Professional Apps to Mac App Store

By delivering professional design and documentation software native for Mac OS X via the Mac App Store, Autodesk is helping professionals find design software for all their needs.

"Autodesk has done an incredible job bringing their apps to the Mac," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "AutoCAD for Mac has been a huge hit with Mac users and we're thrilled to see Autodesk offer AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD WS as Mac App Store exclusives."

With support for creating and editing files right within the DWG file format, AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LT for Mac provide easier collaboration with suppliers, customers, clients and partners, regardless of platform. Files created in previous versions of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT are easily opened in Mac versions of the products, boosting design productivity by reducing time-consuming file translation or cleanup of converted data.

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 is offered free* to students and educators through the Autodesk Education Community, where more than 25 Autodesk software products are already available for download to inspire learning and prepare students for successful careers. Autodesk appreciates the popularity of the Mac platform among students and is providing AutoCAD for Mac so they can build skills through access to the same software that design professionals use every day.

Availability

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be available worldwide on August 19, 2011. AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be available in the U.S. and Canada on August 16, 2011. Get more details and information about purchase options.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license and services agreement that accompanies the software. The software is for personal use for education purposes and is not intended for classroom or lab use.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, DWG, ObjectARX and ObjectDBX are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. Apple and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

© 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
Angela Simoes, 415-547-2388
angela.simoes@autodesk.com