Keyboard ALT + g to toggle grid overlay
Compare
AutoCAD 2021 vs previous releases
AutoCAD has a flexible subscription model, with new features available with each release and product update. If you have a perpetual licence of AutoCAD 2016 or earlier, here’s what’s changed in AutoCAD 2017, AutoCAD 2018, AutoCAD 2019, AutoCAD 2020 and AutoCAD 2021.
AutoCAD 2021
What's included:
- Access to industry-specific toolsets, including:
- Architecture
- Electrical
- Map 3D
- Mechanical design
- MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing)
- Plant 3D, including P&ID functionality
- Raster Design
- AutoCAD web app: View, create and edit AutoCAD drawings from any computer with no software installation required.*
- AutoCAD mobile app (US site): View, create and edit AutoCAD drawings via iOS and Android devices.
- Integrated workflows: Work smoothly across desktop, web and mobile devices.*
- Cloud storage connectivity: Access any DWG file in AutoCAD with Autodesk’s cloud, as well as with leading cloud storage providers.
Top new features added since 2016 include:
- Drawing history: See changes made to your drawing over time.
- Xref compare: Compare two versions of an external Xref and implement changes without leaving your current drawing.
- Blocks palette: Insert blocks efficiently from the Libraries tab on desktop or in the AutoCAD web app.
- Quick measure: Quickly display all nearby measurements including areas and perimeters in a drawing by hovering your mouse.
- Trim and extend (enhanced): The default Quick mode now automatically selects all potential boundaries.
- Purge (re-designed): Remove multiple unneeded objects with easy selection and object preview.
- DWG™ compare: Compare two versions of a drawing or Xref without leaving your current window.
- Attach/extract point cloud data: Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies.
- PDF import: Import geometry (SHX font files, fills, raster images and TrueType text) into a drawing from a PDF.
- AutoCAD any time, anywhere: Access AutoCAD from your desktop, web and mobile devices.*
- Shared views: Publish design views of your drawing in a web browser for viewing and commenting.*
- Save to web and mobile: Save drawings and their associated Xrefs from your desktop to view and edit in the AutoCAD web and mobile apps.
- New views and viewports: Easily add saved views to your layouts.
- High-resolution monitor support: View your designs on 4K- and higher-resolution displays.
- Off-screen selection: Selected objects stay in the selection set, even if you pan or zoom off screen.
- New feature highlighting: Quickly see what’s new in each release.
- Autodesk desktop app: Get alerts and install software updates without disrupting your workflow. View tutorials about new features.
Improvements since 2016
- Save in half a second: Shave one second off each save on average
- Speedy installation time: Up to 50% faster for solid state hard drives
- New dark theme: Modern blue aesthetic with contrast and sharpness improvements
- User interface: Flat-design icons and intuitive dialogue boxes and toolbars
- 2D graphics: Better stability, fidelity and performance
- 3D navigation performance: Up to 10x faster
- Save, move/copy performance boost with new 2018.dwg file format
- Autodesk App Store and 600+ exchange apps
- The TrustedDWG™ file format
Support and software access
- Technical support
- Autodesk support specialists: Schedule a call†, chat online (limited availability), or email us.
- Remote desktop assistance: Get secure, hands-on troubleshooting.†
- Online resources: Access our knowledge base for help documentation, tutorials, training videos and community support forums.
- Access to the latest software: Instantly access the newest releases and updates.
- Access previous versions: Download and use previous releases.
- Flexible term lengths: Subscribe monthly, annually or for 3 years.*
- Administrative tools: Easily manage software licences, seats and usage from your Autodesk Account.
*Not available to maintenance plan customers.
†Available to maintenance plan customers with Advanced Support.
Welcome ${RESELLERNAME} Customers
Please opt-in to receive reseller support
I agree that Autodesk may share my name and email address with ${RESELLERNAME} so that ${RESELLERNAME} may provide installation support and send me marketing communications. I understand that the Reseller will be the party responsible for how this data will be used and managed.
Email is required Entered email is invalid.
No, thanks, I don't want support from ${RESELLERNAME}
Welcome ${RESELLERNAME} Customers
Please opt-in to receive reseller support
I agree that Autodesk may share my name and email address with ${RESELLERNAME} so that ${RESELLERNAME} may provide installation support and send me marketing communications. I understand that the Reseller will be the party responsible for how this data will be used and managed.
Email is required Entered email is invalid.
