AutoCAD mobile compatibility with Disto devices - Android / iOs

[hlafferty28]

Thomas, your answer to this question (post: Will the newest version of AutoCad Mobile still work with my Leica Disto?) indicated that the Leica disto will not be compatible with AutoCAD mobile on iOS.

I am evaluating the disto D2, x3, and x4. Information about compatibility is all over the place, with much of it being very dated. I reached out to Leica and they said the D2 is compatible and the the AutoCAD mobile developers in Israel were working on compatibility for the x3 an x4 last year. Leica did not mention loss of compatibility for iOS although I specifically asked.

Are you able to shed additional light on this subject?

[Thomas_Stuehle · Accepted solution]

Hello @hlafferty28 

Welcome to the AutoCAD Mobile Forum.

Yes I think I can add some information to this - stating the date of today:

Disto Devices:

• The updated list of the supported Leica Disto devices contains: D1, E7100i/D110, D2, E7500i/D510, D810 and S910 models
• X models are not supported for now.

iOs/Android

• iOs: Looking at the date of today, Disto connection on iOs devices is currently not supported. 
• Android:  If you are already on version 5.x, no functions should be removed in the upcoming releases.

Please note that future roadmap topics (related to this topic) cannot be communicated.

Did the post help you and answered your question? If yes, feel free to click on the button "Mark as Solution". Thus also other users can benefit from the information. In case you still need help please feel free to provide an update here so we as Community know how we can help you best moving forward.

Best regards,

Thomas

[hlafferty28]

Thanks for your response. This did answer my question, although the answer was not the one I would have liked. Especially given that there is no clear (at least that I could find) documentation of the compatibility of AutoCAD Mobile with the Disto. Even more frustrating is the fact that the the youTubes showing the Disto being used with AutoCAD Mobile are still online and without clear information that I could see, about the limitations of the software. As a response to a query to Leica regarding compatibility (noting both iOS and Android) I was told the instrument would work with AutoCad Mobile. It was only after the purchase of the Disto that I discovered its limitations. I wrote back to Leica and received a response that on further research, that the Disto would not work with ACAD Mobile on iOS and that they would clarify that on their website. It is pretty clear to me that the is almost no coordination between AutoDesk, Leica, and the Israeli developers who have been working on the Mobile product.

I am not sure why the decision to limit AutoCAD mobile’s integration to Android was made. True to form though, AutoDesk seems to limit the integration of its products with Apple products whether MacOS or iOS (viz. Revit or Drive which only integrates with Windows). I have repeatedly expressed my frustration about this to AutoDesk without success. Consequently last month, I finally decided to take action to make a change, dropping my subscription to Revit and began transitioning to Vectorworks. This decision was not made easily - especially given the large amount of AutoCAD history I have going back to 1985 in terms of project files, blocks, templates, etc. But the folks at Vectorworks have been accessible and responsive - something that has been missing with AutoDesk for years.

I made a change to Microstation when I went to work with another office shortly after the release of AutoCAD r12 and used it until 2004 when I switched back to AutoCAD after acquiring a number of employees who were AutoCAD users. There is definitely a learning curve to transition from one CAD program to another, since they are very complex, but in the end it will be worth it to be free of a company that seems have an apparent lack of regard for folks such as myself.

Vectorworks does not (nor does it claim to) integrate with Leica products. That is ok. At least I could find a clear answer. As other AutoDesk subscriptions come up for renewal, I plan to drop them as well. That will, of course, limit my ability to use AutoCAD Mobile in the future, but truthfully, I have never seen a practical use for this application until considering its use with the Disto. It is not practical to use for design on a telephone or iPad and if I am marking up drawings (when sitting in an airport for example) I have a laptop with me with AutoCad installed.

Henry

[Thomas_Stuehle]

Hello @hlafferty28 

thanks for your response.

I am happy that I was able to give you the needed information. 

Best regards,

Thomas

[Anonymous]

Super formuliert. Endlich mal jemand der es auf den Punkt bringt. Bis Herbst 2019 habe ich perfekt mit dem Disto im Autocad mobil APP arbeiten können (teuer gekauft und 6 Monate genutzt) und dann, ein Update und alles ist vorbei. Warum wir zurück geführt wurden ins Mittelalter ist mir völlig unklar. Danke für Ihre Nachricht.

[Anonymous]

Ich habe ein D510. Welches Gerät müsste ich kaufen, damit ich Autocad mobil App und Disto zusammen nutzen kann?

[krzysztoffilipak]

AutoCAD Mobile on iPad Air cannot see the Disto D2. I don't see any function to connect via Bluetooth. AutoCAD Mobile for iPad version 5.6.3. Please help.

[Anonymous]

You can no longer connect the Disto. This connection no longer exists since the new version. Very annoying. Even sketching is no longer possible.

[krzysztoffilipak]

It's embarrassing how Autodesk treats its customers.

[krzysztoffilipak]

And the Leica X3 or X4 also do not work together?

[krzysztoffilipak]

Can you enter the date of introducing Disto D2 on iOS?
Autodesk is acting like a child, not taking customers seriously.

[pendean]

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-mobile-forum/new-updated-2021-autocad-mobile-and-leica-disto-...

[grumpygrizzly]

I've been using my Leica Disto for several years now in my own house design/Addition service.  The Leica DistoI used the most was the E7100i.  I could take my Samsung tablet with the last version of AutoCad Mobile, go to a clients site, driw a line with my finger on the tablet, then select the line and put the Disto up against one corner and shoot to the other and it would change the length of the line I drew with my finger.

It was simple and worked great.. Then, along came an update to AutoCad Mobile that would no longer work with my Samsung Tablet.  You're pretty much forced to update when AutoDesk puts something out.  

So now I went out and bought myself a new Samsung Tablet and they've added sooo much junk to a simple program, I really can't tell how to do the simple task of taking a shot with my Disto and having it show on my tablet.  

If anyone finds a work around for this.. or a decent tutorial on using the new AutoCad MObile, I'd love to see it.  

I've been using AutoDesk products since Release 10.. Not 2010.. just 10.. I've used Revit, NavisWorks, and even taught for resellers as well as a college course.

[pendean]

>>>...I've been using AutoDesk products since Release 10.. Not 2010.. just 10.. I've used Revit, NavisWorks, and ...<<<
All of those are mature developed Desktop PC applications, AutoCADMOBILE is a developing lightweight still-in-development technology preview that's not ready for exclusive use, so the realities are not comparable.

Since it is evolving, no one out there is creating new tutorials for new monthly variants and quirks for this mobile app: explore older tutorials and give them a shot, experiment and test. Or purchase a Win10Pro based tablet, load up your desktop PC software on it, and go mobile that way.

DISTO has a good tech support for Win10Pro users and AutoCAD desktop users, lean on them to help you get the most out of their excellent gear.

HTH

[grumpygrizzly]

I just wish AutoDesk would get around to testing thier software before forcing people to get the  latest Beta version.  Offer the Beta versions to developers or volunteers.  Don't handcuff the current users that are more than satisfied with the current version they've paid a lot of money for.  

I'm sure they'd get enough users to upgrade once the program does what they intend it to do but, when you cripple a program and force the user to upgrade to the newer version, then have to go out and buy a newer computer to run that program along with all your other programs (that have to be reinstalled on the new computer) they're making people go out and look for other options.  

I'm  more than satisfied by the version of AutoCad that I've been running for a LONG time.  I've reinstalled it as my computers got upgraded and if someone sends me a drawing on a newer version, I tell them to use the save as feature and send it to me in a version for the year of software that I'm using. 

It's a great version of the AutoCad program and to tell you the truth, I haven't seen a lot of changes to any of the versions in the past years that would make me want to dump a LOT of money to upgrade or, as old as my version is, to have to buy a new seat at an even higher cost.  

[grumpygrizzly]

Based on my history with AutoDesk products, I think you need to make a slight correction to the last sentence you typed out in response to my post. DISTO "currently" has a good tech support.....

And why do I need to change operating systems to Win10 Pro? Will it work on my Samsung tablet and then allow me to use AutoCad Mobile on it?

It's easy when you work for a large company or een a software company to get the software you need every time a newer version comes out but, for the guys and gals out there trying to run their own businesses, it's a LOT of money to have to upgrade a tablet or even a laptop just because someone in your chosen software company decides to issue yet ANOTHER annual update so they can make more money or justify the price their customers are paying for a subscription.

I paid for my AutoCad Mobile, then paid for this years subscription, only to find out that my 2 year old tablet wasn't supported anymore. So, I had to fork out a couple of hundred $'s for another tablet and now, my Disto doesn't work with it either.

I'm really glad the automotive industry doesn't do that or I'd have to be taking the bus everywhere I go.

"Yes, Mr Grumpy, your 1995 Ford pickup is no longer compatible with todays fuel, you're going to have to buy a brand new pickup and then pay for an annual subscription to insure it keeps working... and then.. 5 years later.... "Umm, yes, Mr Grumpy, we've decided to quit supporting upgrades to your vehicle, you'll have to buy a new one.. So I go out and buy a new one and then it won't run on the newest type of fuel. I want my money back for the subscription I paid and their reply is "Your subscription was paid to another company and they don't warranty that any changes will actually work.."

You may be laughing but, that's what happened with my AutoCad Mobile. I bought a tablet and a Disto, then I had to figure out how to make the Disto talk to my tablet and AutoCad Mobile. Worked great for 2 years, then one day I get a message that my software has been updated and what I have won't work anymore. So, I jump on Google Play and download the new version, try to install it and... it's not compatible with my tablet... So, I have to buy a new tablet.... and now I don't even know if my Disto will work with it.. And the new AutoCad Mobile has some much garbage built into their menus, for the folks that just want to take it out and use it for as-builts, they'll be onsite a LOT longer trying to draw the locations of walls, windows, and doors, let along appliances in the kitchen or toilets in the bathroom..

So here I am, out $100 for an upgrade to AutoCad Mobile, out another $250 for a newer tablet, and still haven't figured out how to take a shot with my disto and have it make the wall I selected to that length that shows on the Disto.

Well done AutoDesk.. Well done.

[pendean]

you (and all of us) got suckered, shame on them. Now you know better.

>>>..., and still haven't figured out how to ...<<<
One more time, since you still appear to be in denial, there is nothing you can do right now: Autodesk needs to turn that module back on, you never get choice about anything with could-based apps, there are no hacks to make it all work.
This may happen today with an update, or next week, or in 3-6-12-18-24-36-48 month: you'll just have to wait and see, or go find another solution. from another vendor.

Good luck.

[zachVUPRQ]

Is the X models enabled on iOs as of today?

[krzysztoffilipak]

Autodesk deceived us. They write their legal notices and harass users.
For now, support has been restored on Android. IOS used to be supported as well, but they took away. Now when they introduce it they will call it new, idiots finished.

[krzysztoffilipak]

Instead of a clunky Autodesk application without Leica support, I had to look for an application that would help me.
I have left Audoesk with no regrets for ArcSite. https://www.arcsite.com/
Works great with Leica and creates a solid inventory, not lines.