This week, we covered what’s new in AutoCAD 2015. We split it to 3 articles: interface, system and drafting and annotations. If you missed them, this article is the round up for AutoCAD 2015 new features.
The interface
As usual, interface always changes. We can immediately notice the new tab and dark theme.
There are several minor changes like cursor badge, viewport border control and ribbon galleries.
And oh, the status bar changed. The buttons are grouped to the right side. This buttons are shown as icon and can’t be reverted to text. (I feel like I have to mention this, because there are many questions about it).
Another thing that you might miss: no more classic workspace. You need to create your own classic workspace now.
Read more about AutoCAD 2015 interface here: What’s new in AutoCAD 2015: the interface.
System enhancements
AutoCAD 2015 is the first release that’s officially support Windows 8.1. It has anti aliasing support for 2D wireframe.
If you know about DGN linetype bug, now it’s been fixed in AutoCAD 2015. Now purge command also has option to purge orphaned DGN linetype.
A new application comes with AutoCAD 2015 (and all Autodesk 2015 software): Autodesk Application Manager. It’s a notification center for available updates.
The help now has “find” link, to quickly find command in AutoCAD interface.
Design feed now works with local files. You don’t need to upload to Autodesk 360 anymore to use it.
Read more about AutoCAD 2015 system enhancements here: What’s new in AutoCAD 2015: system enhancements.
Drafting and annotation tools
There is no new command for drafting. But it has a nice new selection tool: lasso selection.
There’s also new command to align your text: TEXTALIGN.
MTEXT has several refinements. Now it has autocorrect caps lock, auto bullets and numbering and minor changes to auto stacking.
The Bing map in geographic location can be captured. So you can plot it, not just for viewing like in AutoCAD 2014.
Read more about AutoCAD 2015 drafting and annotations here: What’s new in AutoCAD 2015: drafting and annotations enhancements.
More articles about AutoCAD 2015 around the web
There are many other authors published their review about AutoCAD 2015. In case I missed some features, probably you can find them on those articles. However, one thing for sure: no major new feature in AutoCAD 2015.
Well, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Many of us don’t use parametric, annotation scaling, dynamic block or Sheet Sets. Small changes will be more useful if that’s exactly what we need.
You can find links to their articles below.
- From Brian Benton: An Overview of the Features, Tools, and Changes in AutoCAD 2015
- From Ellen Finkelstein: AutoCAD 2015 is here! What’s new?
- From Melanie Perry: What’s new in AutoCAD 2015?
- From R.K. McSwain: AutoCAD 2015 in two minutes.
- From Michael Thomas: The new AutoCAD 2015 is here so why is it the best release ever?
- From Curt Moreno: Helpful Thumbnails from the Dark Side…
- From Paul Munford: An Introduction to AutoCAD 2015.
Autodesk Official Press 2015 is already released
Now that the 2015 version are released, you can pre-order Autodesk Official Press 2015 now. Many titles already listed.
Check the titles and pre-order them on our e-store here.
I see AutoDesk is trying to put in one line the layouts and the buttons and that is their reason to make the buttons as pictures, but for me this is the worst thing to do.
I agree that they have added the DGN option into PURGE. That is a good news, but in AutoCAD 2013 and 2014 it was achieved with 2 files placed on the right place.
The Lasso selection Tool is not so bad, but if you familiar with the selection options, the Lasso is not a new thing or not anything that is a must-have.
Finally, when I try to summarize, I will put a big minus to this version. Only for that you can not revert the icons to text. Only for that. AutoCAD has so many options to be customized and now they have away from this!
Thank you for sharing your opinion Jassen,
I found that the icon and the cursor badge have the most complaints from the veterans :)