• Home
  • Training Books
  • Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
  • About
    • Contributors
    • Feedback
    • Contact
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookie Policy

CADnotes

CAD Tutorials and Best Practices for professionals and students

  • Featured
  • AutoCAD
    • AutoLISP
  • Revit
    • Revit Architecture Basic
    • Revit MEP Basic Tutorial
  • Inventor
  • MicroStation
    • MicroStation Basic Tutorial
  • CADnotes on YouTube
You are here: Home / AutoCAD / What’s new in AutoCAD 2017: System Enhancement

What’s new in AutoCAD 2017: System Enhancement

April 18, 2016 by Edwin Prakoso 9 Comments

In this Article...

  • Software License Manager
  • Autodesk Desktop App
  • Migrate Custom Settings
  • Dialog Box size
  • Delete Key
  • PDF import
  • Conclusion

Autodesk has released 2017 version. Autodesk released AutoCAD 2017 at the end of March, and the suites just recently available.

Some system enhancements are quickly noticeable. And PDF import has been covered many times as the most popular new feature. We will cover them here.

In this article, we start covering the new features and enhancements in AutoCAD 2017.

autocad 2017

Software License Manager

Autodesk changed the license manager in 2017 version. When the you install AutoCAD 2017 (and other 2017 version) it will not ask for license details. No serial number or license server name is required.

The license details will be requested at the first time you run the software.

AutoCAD 2017 license manager

I suspect this is because Autodesk only sells subscription license starting this year. The new license manager should allow users to change the license type from standalone to network or vice versa and change the serial number easier. The subscription licensing option allows you to buy a monthly or quarterly subscription. It means you can purchase subscription several times in a year. You can easily change the license details without reinstalling the software.

However, it’s not ideal if you install a suite. You will need to choose license type and serial number for each product at the first time you run it. And as I own a perpetual license, I feel left out. I sense Autodesk prefer their new subscription customers than their existing perpetual customers.

You can find more information about this license manager in AutoCAD blog here.

Autodesk Desktop App

Autodesk has replaced the Autodesk Application Manager with Autodesk Desktop App. You can open it from the icon on your desktop or Windows taskbar.
You can use it without signing in. It says that we can get more value if we sign to Autodesk account. I haven’t seen the advantages yet, probably because there are no updates for 2017 version is released yet.
autodesk desktop app
The nice thing about the new desktop app, we can set shared storage for other users to get updates. Only one computer need to download the updates, and the other users can get them from a local server.
More information about Autodesk Desktop App on AutoCAD blog here.

Migrate Custom Settings

Autodesk replaced Migrate Custom Settings interface.

This interface looks modern and clearer to see what we want to migrate. There’s no new function here. It does the same thing as the old tool; Autodesk just redesigns the interface.

Migrate Custom Settings 2017

This interface is only for migrating settings from the previous release installed in your computer to AutoCAD 2017. It’s not available for export import settings to another computer.

I hope we can have options for export import settings in the future.

Dialog Box size

In 2017 version, you can resize most of the dialog boxes. It allows you to see a longer list and larger preview.

For example, the insert dialog box has bigger image preview at the right side. You can stretch to resize the dialog box to see the larger preview.

AutoCAD 2017 insert dialog box

You can also see the changes when you use ATTEDIT command. The attribute list is now extended so you can see more on one page.

Delete Key

Recent versions of AutoCAD seems to have problems with the variables that change by themselves. Autodesk added System Variable Monitor in AutoCAD 2016 to notify users when common variables are changed.

Apparently that’s not enough. In AutoCAD 2017, Autodesk added a notification when users do a noun-verb selection. When the PICKFIRST variable is set to 0, you can’t select objects and press Del key to delete objects. In AutoCAD 2017, AutoCAD will ask you if you want to turn on PICKFIRST.

Delete key

This is a simple change, but I know it would be useful for occasional and new users. I expect to see more system variables have this notification.

I’ve been wondering why recent AutoCAD versions often change the system variables. And why this issue is not fixed yet. Many AutoCAD veterans suspect that this happens because the users are using AutoLISP or Express Tools. But I’ve seen this happens in AutoCAD LT as well. AutoCAD LT has no Express Tools and it can’t use AutoLISP.

PDF import

PDF import probably is the most expected feature for years. There are many request and questions how we can convert PDF to AutoCAD drawings.

You can import PDF to AutoCAD drawing in AutoCAD 2017. The process is very simple. You can activate the command by typing PDFIMPORT or from Application Menu> Import> PDF.

You can choose from PDF overlay or external PDF file.

pdf import dialog

Don’t expect the result to be perfect. AutoCAD will only convert the drawing to simple objects. Dimensions will be lines and texts. Lines with dashed linetypes will be separate lines.

If you ever work with PDF as underlay before, you will notice that the precision is not 100% accurate. You can quickly notice this if you work with metric units. The same thing happens to the converted drawings. The drawings from PDF is perfect as a visual reference, but not for using the objects in your design. Personally, I prefer using PDF underlay for this purpose. But I expect that converting the drawing could be more convenient.

If you are interested in converting PDF to AutoCAD drawings, you need to read this AutoCAD blog post: AutoCAD 2017 PDF Import: Guidance for Working with PDF and AutoCAD DWG Data

Conclusion

Autodesk changed several things in this area. Except for the PDF import, these features are not new. But it’s good to see those improvements.

My favorite as a user is the resizeable dialog box. And as a technical support, I like the delete key notification. Many of my customers have this problem, this will help them a lot.

What I don’t like is the new software license manager. I will have a hard time installing Autodesk Suites on multiple computers with it.

What about you? What do you like the most? And what do you hate the most from the enhancements?

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 I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn. If you want to have my new articles sent to your email inbox, you can subscribe to the newsletter.

Filed Under: AutoCAD Tagged With: autocad 2017

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Eva
Eva
1 year ago

LOVED the free offer, such a nice surprise! I started my free trial recently and can only say I will 100% invest in it once the trial is over. I love all the flexibility CMS IntelliCAD offers, and the tools are super easy to work with. They have been in the market since the 1990s, so no wonder why the software is so good.

0
Reply
Ontor Hasan
Ontor Hasan
4 years ago

Thanks for this article. I want to know that. How to use Autocad 2017.

0
Reply
Rashmantu Pichvolitov
Rashmantu Pichvolitov
6 years ago

Sir, hello- AutoCAD is problem having in the attribute editing;. Making work is being a problem how as compared to 2011 enhanced attribute with new 2017?, my mice mouse would twice click its left side button and simpler attribute box would appear, now it does becomes the enhanced attribute editor style item. But I’d me like to have other way again to come back. Any thing to tell me idea you have can share with myself? Rash,

0
Reply
Luis AntonioTorres
Luis AntonioTorres
7 years ago

It is posible for autocad software,to draw from a phtograph from an object?

0
Reply
Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Reply to  Luis AntonioTorres
7 years ago

Do you want to convert a scanned drawing to AutoCAD drawing? If you do, you can try using AutoCAD Raster Design to do this. It’s a different product, you may want to try it first.
If you want to create a point cloud object (3D object) from a series of photograph, you can try 123D Catch.

0
Reply
Badmus taiwo
Badmus taiwo
7 years ago

Good morning sir
I want to know all shortcut used in autocad example like line you press L enter I want to know more

0
Reply
erick
erick
7 years ago

Good day please i need help, i did install the auto cad 2017
but i cant open it keep showing a message clock error can someone help me with this issue

-1
Reply
Arch. Raed Shehab
Arch. Raed Shehab
7 years ago

Pdf import of course is the most needed and I’m glad it came to Autocad 17, although it is not perfect, but a good progress. I have been using Autocad since 1988 and I try nearly every version. I also give training to my students in the University and engineers.

0
Reply
Brandon
Brandon
7 years ago

Even though I haven’t upgraded to 2017 yet, the ability to import pdfs is definitely the feature I’m looking forward to the most.

0
Reply
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Join Our Free Email Newsletter
  Thank you for Signing Up
Please correct the marked field(s) below.
1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

Featured

Work Better with AutoCAD | Challenge 5 – Learn the new features

Autodesk releases new AutoCAD version annually. Do you learn the new features? Many of the new features can help you to be more productive!

Recent Articles

  • Revit 2024.1 Update is Released
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: Bending Detail
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: The Dark Theme

Advertisement

New on CADnotes

  • Revit 2024.1 Update is Released
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: Bending Detail
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: The Dark Theme
  • Autodesk Build: Using Assets for Progress Tracking
  • My Home on the ACC Unified Platform

Meet the Authors

avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for

Get Connected

CADnotes on FacebookCADnotes on InstagramCADnotes on TwitterCADnotes on YouTube

© 2009 – 2023 CADnotes · Feedback · Privacy Policy · Become an affiliate

wpDiscuz