What’s new in AutoCAD 2014: System Enhancements

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Windows 8 support

As many have predicted, this version supports Windows 8. It also has touch mode on ribbon. There is nothing significant here, just now you can be sure it will work smoothly on your new computers.

Autodesk 360 Desktop Companion

If you installed AutoCAD 2014, Inventor 2014, and Showcase 2014 you will see Autodesk 360 desktop companion. You can see it in Windows Explorer.

So it means you can drag and drop any file to this folder and it will sync with your online storage. Just like Dropbox.

In Autodesk 360 help, you will only see this if you install products mentioned above. I don’t know if they will support other products as well, or you can download and install it separately.

You will also see Autodesk 360 icon in notification taskbar. If you haven’t signed in from within application, you can sign in here. So you can sign in without having to open your CAD application. Right click the icon to see contextual menu.

If you already signed in, you can see Autodesk 360 preferences in contextual menu. The options are simple: automatically start Autodesk 360 and how it should treat linked files.

I found that checking linked files capability is interesting.

Let’s say you copy a master DWG file to a folder to Autodesk 360. It will check for any linked files and will open a report dialog box. You will see this only if you choose ‘confirm before copying’ in preferences.

It searches for all reference files, fonts, plot styles, etc.

This is similar with what eTransmit does. Only it will directly copy linked files to folder of your choice with the folder structure, in Autodesk 360. Very nice, isn’t it?

Unfortunately there is no options you have in confirmation dialog, except copy or don’t copy. I expected we can choose which file it would copy, and which it won’t.

Secure Load

In AutoCAD 2013 SP 1.1. Autodesk added some security options for LISP. In AutoCAD 2014 it’s enhanced and give you more options.

In AutoCAD options>  files tab now you can define trusted location.

If you add a folder, you should make this location read only. AutoCAD will warn you if this location is not read only.

In system tab, you can see security category. There is executable file settings in this panel.

The executable file settings allows you to choose secure loading settings. You can choose to load only from trusted location or reduce the security level.

You can also set automatic loading settings.

Inventor Fusion has gone, here comes Recap

If you like to use Inventor Fusion, now it’s gone. I’m sure there is no documentation about this, but many assume that Inventor Fusion now become Fusion 360. It’s now cloud based, but still in beta stage.

There is a new software in the bundle: Autodesk ReCap. A tool to create 3D model from laser scanning and captured photo.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Solution Consultant in Datech Solutions, Tech Data Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
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