Is it worth upgrading from AutoCAD 2024 to 2025 for 3D modeling?

[avlok936]

Hi, my name is Soniya. I'm a tube fitting expert. I’m currently using AutoCAD 2024 for 3D modeling and drafting, but I’ve noticed that Autodesk has released AutoCAD 2025. Are there significant improvements in 3D modeling features or performance that justify upgrading? If you’ve made the switch, what’s your experience?

[paullimapa]

Wow, you're almost a year late since 2025 has been out since end of March of last year.

But if you're curious if any of the new features will benefit you have a look at this link:

What's New in AutoCAD 2025:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-07450FCA-16CA-4D7A-8EA2-9CE842631D75

Compare this to What's New in AutoCAD 2024:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-3890D5F7-04CB-4F3B-97FF-7A9577D41852

[edwin.prakoso]

While AutoCAD 2025 has several useful new features, there is no new feature for 3D modeling. 

You can check AutoCAD 2025 what's new here: https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-07450FCA-16CA-4D7A-8EA2-9CE842631D75 

[tramber]

Back in 2005 or something, I asked Carol Bartz (ex Adesk CEO), in front of an audience, in Paris, myself in English with a microphone (!), how it was that AutoCAD had no new features in 3D since years and she answered it was not planned.

But it was ! 😉

And in 2007, they released some major changes and improvements. (And it's good. I must say this new modeler is a good gear and largeously expanded the possibilities.... even if the viewbases system is too buggy especially across versions.)

Almost a SATUS QUO, since, ain't it ? Soon ; from 20 years.

[Christian_Santoso]

As far as i know there were no change to enhancements in AutoCAD 2024 to 2025 in terms of 3D modeling, the only quite useful features probably with the Autodesk AI related stuff, such as smart blocks, etc. 

you can check the latest AutoCAD 2025 new features overview on this link though, 

https://www.autodesk.com/asean/products/autocad/features

So worth it or not, probably no.

little tips that i find, is that Autodesk usually make quite a "change" to something in their even number release. so you probably could wait for 2026 release

[tramber]

After 9 years with no change at all ?

No illusion for 3D next year or the other, my side 😉

2007 was not even and changed massively our program

[pendean]

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@tramber wrote:

After 9 years with no change at all ?

No illusion for 3D next year or the other, my side 😉

2007 was not even and changed massively our program

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If you need professional grade 3D, plain AutoCAD ought to be the very last program you look to for a solution: there are a couple of vertical versions that are way better, and Autodesk offers other software that are better at it all @avlok936 

[tramber]

Please, @pendean , don't think at my place, don't give me that kind of advice on what has been my job for 25 years.... I was already satisfied in my field with AutoCAD 2000. 2007 was a miracle that is STILL good enough for me, a professional.

Concerning my business, you are very wrong. Ok, I also have a Rhino Licence. If you know what I mean.

Look, what I done with Acad and some lisp in 400 hours :

https://projets.abcad.fr/bnu

(an old html page that doesn't work those days, I should look, but it wil give you an idea.)

We are four 3D drafters here. 20 years that we think about some other softwares 🤣

This is ridiculous. We never found THE software.

[pendean]

@tramber Moving a mountain of dirt with a shovel and a pickup truck is very much doable too, but is it the most efficient method? Many would think not.

Nice work BTW.

[tramber]

You talked to me as if you were a vendor 🤣

And you still talk in place of the others.

In my field and in many that feel more and more cumfortable with the idea of drawing technical sketches or masterpieces, pleased to a computer, I do say that AutoCAD 3D is possible and enough. The efficiency you are talking about is in the brains of people. No vertical product (you are talking exactly like Miss Bartz at the time) can give me satisfaction in my field (metal working + Glass + Wood, etc, from furniture to huge structures or stairs).

This is why I know that a general and programmable product as the one that passionnates us is ENOUGH.

Maybe you were looking somewhere else when @LastSoftware realesed SkecthUP. The reason why we had Acad 2007. 😋

I never talk like you do, making big consideration on mountains and pickups... 

I am desappointed. Because I thought you were an expert.

[jreidKVSUZ]

If your on a subscription you can get 2025 with free upgrade. Your 2024 will still remain on your computer.

Then you can test it out for yourself.

Hope this helps!

JRR!.

[mattdVF27J]

Give Nemeschek Vectorworks a look. IT will blow your mind how much easier and intuitive it is. Enter numerical numbers in any format and it covnerts on the fly. Inches, meters, yards decimal, it doesn't matter it will covert in real time. No paper space model space nonsense. Much faster, publishes instantly, and can model light years beyond ACAD.  It's far more expensive but you also get what you pay for. Actual advancement, not the same buggy software reworked over 30 some years. Ive come to terms with ACAD and what it can do, its just a really outdated tool IMO,