As we wrap up an eventful 12 months, I thought it would be nice to revisit some of the important milestones over the past year.
We also want to thank you, our community of users, for embracing AutoCAD WS and engaging with us whether on Facebook, Twitter or the comments in this blog. We want to thank everyone who uploaded a drawing or took part in a poll. Your feedback is crucial to the continued development of AutoCAD WS.
So here is our AutoCAD WS review of 2010.
Project Butterfly Reborn as AutoCAD WS
Throughout its development, it was known internally as Project Butterfly. But as we got closer to the launch, Butterfly was rebranded to bring it in line with other Autodesk products.
So Project Butterfly became AutoCAD WS. Once we changed the name there was some speculation about the meaning of WS. There were several wild suggestions, but the answer has stayed a mystery.
AutoCAD WS Launched as Mobile App
We knew there was demand for a mobile version of AutoCAD, but even we were surprised by the size of that demand when we launched. Back in September AutoCAD WS was released on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The impact was huge with AutoCAD WS becoming the top app in the Productivity segment in countries throughout the world.
Since that time the app has been downloaded over 700,000 times and combined downloads for the app and its update have passed the magic 1,000,000 mark for 2010.
We Moved To New Offices
In the middle of all the excitement surround the mobile app, the AutoCAD WS team moved in to its new home overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We were proud to welcome Autodesk CEO, Carl Bass, to our offices which were designed and built using AutoCAD and AutoCAD WS.
We were also flattered when the hard work that went into designing our new workspace was acknowledged by one of the leading blogs on office design.
AutoCAD WS 1.1 Arrives
Less than three months after the AutoCAD WS mobile app was released, we were ready with a welcome update that included two major features requested by users.
Email support means that you can now open drawings that you receive as email attachments to your mobile device.
Also the update makes AutoCAD WS available even when the user is not connected to the Internet.
So, What’s Next?
Well, you’ve asked for all sorts of things. You want AutoCAD WS to support more products and you want it to be available on a range of different platforms, especially Android.
2010 has been a great year for AutoCAD WS and we guarantee that even more good things are planned for 2011.
The only thing that remains is for us to wish you all a Happy New Year!
7 Responses to AutoCAD WS – Best of 2010
Dan Riley December 30 2010
Do you see this app ever going to Android users? Not everyone is using Iphone. This looks nice to be able to use in the field.
Daniel January 5 2011
Absolutely, Dan. You are not the first person to ask about making the mobile app available for Android.
Sam January 4 2011
So, where is the Android app?
sityu January 4 2011
Android of course.
(e.g.: the samsung tab has 7″ display wich is fairly enough – and the autodesk sketchbook is doing well on android)
jbuckner January 4 2011
The email communication re: the 1.1 update indicated support for DropBox & Box.net. This is straightforward via the web client, but I expected this to mean easier ways to access dwg files via the AutoCAD WS iPad app – the app having the ability to browse DropBox, or when I click on a DWG in DropBox on my iPad, the AutoCAD WS would open with the file from DropBox.
What DropBox support was added in the update?
Daniel January 5 2011
When you click on a DWG in your Dropbox on your iPad you will get a message that says “Unable to View File”. But then when you click the “Open In…” icon in the top right of the screen, you will be able to select the AutoCAD WS app and open and upload the drawing from there. You need to be connected to the internet for this to be effective.