The growth of mobile access to engineering-related applications over the past few years has been impressive. Most of these new mobile engineering applications have tended to be in the HMI/SCADA category (Opto 22 and GE Intelligent Platforms have been the latest to market with new offerings in this category). Apparently, the demand for mobile versions of design engineering software has been growing at a similarly fast pace.
According to Autodesk, a provider of computer-aided design engineering software, the mobile version of its software—AutoCAD WS, which allows users to view, edit, and share AutoCAD files via mobile device—has been downloaded 12 million times since its introduction in 2010. The company also notes that the software has two million active monthly users.
In response to the high levels of interest in its mobile software, Autodesk has evolved AutoCAD WS into AutoCAD 360 to expand its cloud-based software offering.
The expansion of the AutoCAD 360 product line reportedly improves collaboration capabilities and makes it simpler to work with CAD on mobile devices and web browsers. AutoCAD 360 capabilities include:
• New Drawings Creation – In addition to uploading existing drawings, users can now start new projects from scratch within AutoCAD 360 mobile.
• Large File Size Support – The ability to work with increased file sizes allow users to open and work with more complex drawings and designs.
• Connectivity to Third Party Storage – Directly connect AutoCAD 360 with third-party storage options such as Dropbox, Box, and more.
• Block Palette – Drag and place blocks into drawings from the drawing’s block collection.
• New tools include advanced layer management, properties and attributes, drawing coordinates, additional storage space, and more.
• Priority Support – Top priority support is available for purchase to get faster responses to questions.
AutoCAD 360 mobile app plans are available in four options ranging in price from free to $4.99 per month or $49.99 or 99.99 per year depending on storage capacity and file size needs.
In addition to the mobile app, Autodesk is also introducing a new AutoCAD 360 web app beta that will allow users to access drawings from any computer to view, edit and share with others. A simplified user interface is said to improve sharing and collaboration ensuring that critical data can be accessed by anyone involved in a project regardless of expertise with design tools.
AutoCAD 360 mobile is available in English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish; AutoCAD 360 and AutoCAD 360 Pro mobile app plans are available at the iTunes App Store or Android markets, including Google Play. AutoCAD 360 web app beta is a free beta that can be accessed at www.autocad360.com.
