AutoCAD 2018 New Features

[tcorey]

Hello everyone. In case you're interested in new features of AutoCAD 2018:

http://timsc3dblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/autocad-2018-new-features.html

This is for AutoCAD only, not for Civil 3D or Map. Autodesk has made no announcements regarding the availability of those products in a 2018 version.

My favorite new feature is what they have done to help avoid broken external reference links. Relative is now the default path type and when you save a host drawing to a new folder, you get a dialog. If you press the right button, it will update the xref paths for you, automatically. This can save cost and consternation.

[caddie99]

As I remember it, C3D DOES get these new features.

[tcorey]

Yes, that's correct. What I mean to say is that these features are in all flavors of AutoCAD. The blog entry does not cover features that are Civil 3D or Map specific.

[joantopo]

I want to test the more performance in orbit (objects viewer) according to them.

[tcorey]

Yes, that's potentially a very welcome feature. Autodesk has even stated that their 3d performance in approaching that of their 2d. Wow!

[Cadguru42]

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@tcorey wrote:

Yes, that's potentially a very welcome feature. Autodesk has even stated that their 3d performance in approaching that of their 2d. Wow!

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The key question will be if Autodesk fixed the major bug with two viewports open and being far away from the origin. They didn't fix it with 2017 and it wasn't fixed in 2016 either. Not having curves display properly in a CAD program is pretty bad. Even worse when it's gone on for over two years.

[jmayo-EE]

Nothin new about being able to add the layer dropdown into the quick access toolbar or seeing icons of pdf pages either...Perhaps thier list just wasn't long enough.

[tcorey]

John, here is the PDFAttach dialog in 2017 and 2018. Is your 2017 different?

     

Regarding being able to add the Layer dropdown into Quick Access, yes,, if you know how to use the CUI, you can add the layer control. I think the difference is that now its available directly from the quickaccess toolbar dropdown, instead of having to customize through CUI.

Best regards,

Tim

[jmayo-EE]

I misunderstood the pdf thumbnail. I thought they were talking about the next dialog, see attached.

As for the layer dropdown, in 15, 16 and 17 simply go to home tab, right click on the layer dropdown and select Add To Quick Access Toolbar. No cui required. I believe this also works in 13 and 14...

[tcorey]

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@jmayo wrote:

...As for the layer dropdown, in 15, 16 and 17 simply go to home tab, right click on the layer dropdown and select Add To Quick Access Toolbar.

A hidden gem, that.

I guess the difference is that the option is now on the quick access dropdown itself.

[jmayo-EE]

I still think they needed some filler material for the press release.  😮

 🙂