Daniel - AutoCAD WS

Posts by: Daniel

AutoCAD WS Launches Google Drive Integration

Apr 24

AutoCAD WS has always been about leveraging the huge potential of cloud computing to provide CAD users with access to their drawings wherever they are and whenever is most convenient.

With this is mind we are proud to be one of the apps included in the official launch of Google Drive. Just like AutoCAD WS, Google Drive goes beyond mere file storage giving you access to your files on the web, in your home, at the office, and on the go.

As soon as you’ve finished reading this blog post make sure you’ve signed up for Google Drive. With 5GB of free storage, you will be able to access all your files, including DWGs and DXFs, at drive.google.com.

Then head over to the Chrome Web Store and install the AutoCAD WS app which you will find here.

Google Drive also has a mobile app available for iOS and Android so your files will always be synced however you choose to access them.

You can learn more about using AutoCAD WS with Google Drive by visiting our tutorial here.

Let us know what you think about this exciting new venture and how you plan to use Google Drive by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook page.

One Year From Today

Apr 01

We are delighted to reveal some of the functionality which will be available in AutoCAD WS exactly one year from today.

That’s right, we are planning ahead and we wanted you to be the first to hear what the future holds for AutoCAD WS.

Voice-Activated Design

AutoCAD WS is proud to release its own voice-activated design assistant, Miri. Miri will understand commands like “Draw a line over there”, and “No, not there, Miri, THERE!”

Miri will use advanced AI to review your designs and let you know proactively whether you’ve created something really good or just plain awful. Miri will also be able to respond to commands like “Miri, design me a really cool house, please,” and “Miri, do you think this building needs more windows?”

Retroactive Timeline Manipulation

The new version of AutoCAD WS will finally conquer one of the major problems with design. Fixing things after construction is complete.

Using the new Retroactive Timeline, you will be able to edit the DWG for a building which has already been constructed and make changes to the design which will appear on the already-constructed building in real time. For the sake of people’s safety, it is suggested that you evacuate the building before saving your changes. Also, please note that any comments you leave on the design will appear as floating speech bubbles in the actual building so make sure you don’t write anything you don’t want others to read.

One Year from Today

We hope you have enjoyed this little glimpse into the future of AutoCAD WS and we look forward to releasing this version of the app in exactly 365 days, on April 1st 2013.

New Features In AutoCAD WS Web Version

Mar 21

In addition to the changes that have been made to the AutoCAD WS Mobile App for iOS and Android, we have also added a number of features specifically to the web version of AutoCAD WS that you can find at www.autocadws.com.

There are four features key features that have been added to the web version AutoCAD WS to reflect the way users traditionally interact with AutoCAD.

Command Line Toggle

We have added a simple button to the bottom of the screen alongside the toggle for Snap, Ortho and Line Weight. Even with the Command Line turned off, you can still type any of the usual commands that are present in AutoCAD WS to activate them as normal.

ID Point

You can now determine the in-drawing co-ordinates of any given point by typing “ID” within the web version of AutoCAD WS. Once you are prompted to select a point you can do so by clicking or by using the Snap feature to click a specific point on an object. The co-ordinates are given as an x, y, z reference relative to the origin point of the drawing.

Align

The Align function has been added to the Drawing ribbon in the web version of AutoCAD WS. It functions in the same way as the align function in AutoCAD, except that while AutoCAD WS only supports 2D objects, Align will only require two source and destination points rather than the usual three.

To align an object or objects click the Align button. You will be prompted to select all the objects you wish to align. The Align command can be performed on any shape that can be moved or scaled. You will then be prompted to identify a first source and destination point and then a second source and destination point. The objects will be aligned based on the vectors selected.

You can also trigger the Align command by typing AL or ALIGN.

Radius and Diameter Dimension

We have added two new dimension measuring options to the toolbar to allow you to determine the radius and diameter of any arc or circle. Click on the Radius or the Diameter button from the Dimension drop down list and then select the arc or circle you want to measure to add the dimension annotation to your drawing.

What would you like to see next?

We are already planning the features for inclusion in the next release of AutoCAD WS. Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page what you would like to see added next.

AutoCAD WS Update for Mobile and Web – Available Now

Feb 21

We’re thrilled to announce that the latest version of AutoCAD WS has just been released. For the web version simply log in at www.autocadws.com. You can download the latest mobile version of AutoCAD WS on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and from the Android Market for your Android phone or tablet.

This new update includes features that were suggested by our users over the past few months and we believe they represent a great step in the evolution of AutoCAD WS. As always, we look forward to hearing your feedback about the latest version of AutoCAD WS and we welcome your suggestions for additions to the next release, later this year.

3D Support

We have expanded the View Modes with the latest release of AutoCAD WS to enabling toggling between 2D and 3D views of your 3D drawings. All editing functionality is currently disabled when viewing a drawing in 3D. The 3D toolbar comes with a preset selection of 10 different angles but you can also rotate your drawing through three dimensions manually.

GPS Support

The new GPS function lets you position yourself within your design leveraging the built-in GPS functionality of your smartphone or tablet to add contextually relevant comments at precise geographic locations.

Please note that the accuracy of the AutoCAD WS GPS function is dependent on the accuracy of your device. You may have to enable the GPS function in order to get accurate information.

Plot from Mobile

With this latest release we have added the ability to plot your drawings directly from the AutoCAD WS mobile app. You can plot both 2D and 3D versions of your drawing provided they are available.

You can either plot your drawing as a PDF file and email it to any address in the world or you can send your drawing directly to any web-connected HP ePrinter.