AutoCAD - Government Subscription

Overview AutoCAD is a leading computer-aided design (CAD) software widely used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. Empower your team with AutoCAD’s cutting-edge automation, collaboration tools, and machine-learning capabilities. AutoCAD is essential for: Drafting, annotating, and designing 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects. Automating repetitive tasks like drawing comparisons, block additions, schedule creations, and more. Customizing the workspace to boost productivity through tailored workspaces, AutoLISP, APIs, and specialized apps.

Boost your productivity with seven included toolsets

AutoCAD now offers industry-specific features and intelligent objects for architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical design, and more.

• Automate floor plans, sections, and elevations
• Draw piping, ducting, and circuiting efficiently with parts libraries
• Auto-generate annotations, layers, schedules, lists, and tables
• Utilize a rules-driven workflow to ensure compliance with industry standards

Work faster and with greater accuracy using the following AutoCAD specialized toolsets:

Architecture toolset Provides all the tools necessary to complete projects faster and expand your project pipeline. Enhance architectural design and drafting productivity by up to 61%* with time-saving features and task automation. Access a library of 8,800+ architectural components, including multilevel blocks Automatically generate floor plans, sections, elevations, and ceiling grids Quickly place walls, doors, and windows with real-world construction elements	Mechanical toolset Boost productivity by up to 55%* with industry-specific tools for mechanical engineering, including 700,000+ intelligent parts and features. With the Mechanical toolset, you can: Access a library of standards-based parts, tools, and custom content Customize object properties and create them on specific layers Automate tasks like creating bills of materials (BOMs)	Map 3D toolset This model-based GIS mapping software provides access to CAD and GIS data to support planning, design, and management. With the Map 3D toolset, you can: Directly access spatial data using Feature Data Objects (FDO) technology Edit geospatial data directly Manage infrastructure systems with Enterprise Industry Models
Electrical toolset Increase productivity by up to 95%* with electrical design features that simplify creating, modifying, and documenting electrical control systems. With the Electrical toolset, you can: Access a library of 65,000+ intelligent electrical symbols Automate wire numbering and component tagging Generate and update multiple customized reports automatically	MEP toolset Simplify HVAC and building systems with an industry-specific toolset for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) that boosts productivity by up to 85%.* With the MEP toolset, you can: Access a library of 10,500+ intelligent MEP objects Streamline your workflow with individual palettes and domain-specific ribbons Automatically update drawings, sheets, and schedules when changes occur	Plant 3D toolset Create and edit P&IDs and 3D models, and extract piping orthographics and isometrics with an industry-specific toolset for plant design. With the Plant 3D toolset, you can: Collaborate securely in a cloud-based common data environment Accelerate P&ID drafting and 3D modeling with in-context commands Automatically generate piping isometric drawings directly from the 3D model
Raster Design toolset Use raster design tools in a specialized toolset to edit scanned drawings and convert raster images to DWG™ objects. With the Raster Design toolset, you can: Access tools to enhance image editing and cleanup Edit REM objects using standard AutoCAD commands Simplify workflows with vectorization tools	Work anywhere with the web and mobile apps Experience seamless design with AutoCAD across devices. Create, view, edit, and annotate drawings with the AutoCAD mobile app or any computer using the AutoCAD web app.

Key Features of AutoCAD

Discover the latest enhancements in AutoCAD, including industry-specific toolsets, new automations, and seamless integration across devices and Autodesk products.

AutoLISP - Develop and run AutoLISP with Visual LISP IDE to automate workflows and streamline processes Smart Blocks - Automatically place blocks based on previous placements or quickly find and replace existing blocks Autodesk Assistant - Use conversational AI to quickly access AI-generated support and solutions related to AutoCAD My Insights - Accelerate project completion with helpful features, macros, and tips tailored to you Activity Insights - Track and access essential design data with detailed multi-user event logs and version history Markup Import and Markup Assist - Streamline revisions and feedback captured on paper or PDFs by comparing, reviewing, and automating updates

Push to Autodesk Docs - Publish CAD drawing sheets as PDFs directly from AutoCAD to Autodesk Docs AutoCAD anytime, anywhere - Capture, share, and review ideas on the go with a unified AutoCAD experience across desktop, web, and mobile Trace - Safely review and add feedback directly to a DWG file without altering the original drawing Specialized toolsets - Access thousands of parts and additional features with industry-specific toolsets Autodesk App Store and APIs - Customize AutoCAD with APIs to build custom automations and access 1,000+ third-party apps Conceptualize in 2D and 3D - Design with 2D drafting tools and model in 3D with realistic lighting and materials to visualize your ideas

What's New

	Smart Blocks: Search and Convert Easily search your drawings for objects to convert into instances of a newly defined block, an existing block, or a suggested block from your Block Libraries with Autodesk AI assistance. (video: 50 sec.)
	Smart Blocks: Object Detection Tech Preview Enhance design efficiency by automatically recognizing objects to convert into blocks with Autodesk AI. This feature is a technology preview and will continue to evolve and improve. (video: 42 sec.)
	Activity Insights Stay informed with access to essential design data through detailed multi-user event logs—tracking over 35 activity types including version history and file comparisons. Supports files managed on Autodesk Docs, stored locally, or hosted on third-party cloud storage.
	Markup Import from Autodesk Docs Import and connect PDF markups from Autodesk Docs directly into AutoCAD. Once synced, markups in Autodesk Docs will automatically update in a Trace layer in AutoCAD, allowing you to review and incorporate feedback without switching between applications.
	Hatch Enhance your designs with new updates to the HATCH command. Add texture to your drawings through patterns, fills, and paths—without predefined shapes or enclosed boundaries.
	Autodesk Assistant Quickly access support and solutions through the conversational interface powered by Autodesk AI. Get detailed guidance, summarized responses, and learning resources to help with your design challenges without leaving AutoCAD.
	ArcGIS® Basemaps Enhance your site plans with real-world geographical data using Esri’s ArcGIS® Basemaps. Access five Basemaps, including high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, OpenStreetMaps and Streets, along with light and dark gray monochrome map styles.

More Features 

Advanced design tools and capabilities

• AutoLISP - Streamline workflows and enforce CAD standards with automation using AutoLISP. Utilize thousands of pre-existing programs for AutoCAD-based applications. Supports LSP, FAS, and VLX file types.
• Smart Blocks: Placement - Automatically place blocks in your drawing at the correct position and scale based on prior insertions in your DWG file, reducing clicks and saving time.
• Smart Blocks: Replacement - Easily find and replace blocks with machine learning-based suggestions, recently used blocks, or manual selection.
• My Insights - Gain personalized insights based on AutoCAD usage. Insight content is designed to help complete projects faster with helpful features, macros, and tips tailored to you and your team.
• Count - Automate the counting of block or object instances within a selected area or entire drawing. Navigate, filter, and review by properties, then create fields and tables to display counts in the drawing.
• Markup Import and Markup Assist - Quickly incorporate design feedback by importing feedback from mobile devices or PDFs. AutoCAD uses Autodesk AI to detect and execute instructions in markup text, such as "MOVE," "COPY," or "DELETE" commands.
• Trace - Add design change notes and markups without altering your existing drawing in AutoCAD desktop, web, and mobile apps.
• Web functionality - AutoCAD subscribers gain additional functionality on the web, including AutoLISP API and batch plot to PDF(s).
• Apple Silicon support - AutoCAD for Mac 2025 runs natively on both Intel and Apple silicon (M-Series) machines.
• Autodesk App Store - Customize AutoCAD with Autodesk-approved extensions.

2D drafting, drawing, and annotation

• Arrays - Create and modify objects in circular or rectangular patterns, or along a path.
• Center Marks and Centerlines - Create and edit centerlines and center marks that automatically move when the associated objects are moved.
• Data Extraction - Extract information from objects, blocks, and attributes, including drawing information.
• Data linking - Enable simultaneous updates by creating a live link between a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and a table in your drawing.
• Dimensions - Automatically create dimensions. Hover the cursor over selected objects to preview before creation.
• Dynamic Blocks - Add flexibility and intelligence to block references, including changing the shape, size, or configuration.
• Fields - Use fields in text objects to display text that can be updated automatically as the field value changes.
• Layouts - Specify the size of your drawing sheet, add a title block, and display multiple views of your model.
• Leaders - Create leaders with a variety of content, including text or blocks. Easily format leader lines and define styles.
• Parametric constraints - Apply geometric and dimensional constraints to maintain relationships between drawing geometry.
• Purge - Remove multiple unneeded objects at once with easy selection and object preview.
• Revision Clouds - Draw revision clouds around new changes in a drawing to quickly identify your updates.
• Tables - Apply formulas, link to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and create tables with data and symbols. Automatically import data to tables using features like Count.
• Text settings - Create single or multiline text (mtext) as a single text object. Easily format text, columns, and boundaries.
• Views - Save views by name to easily return to a specific view for quick reference or for applying to layout viewports.

3D modeling and visualization

• 3D navigation (Orbit, ViewCube, Wheel) - Use 3D viewing and navigation tools to orbit, swivel, walk, and fly around a 3D model to showcase your design.
• Model documentation - Generate 2D drawings including base, projected, section, and detail views from 3D models.
• Point Clouds - Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies to use as a starting point for your designs.
• Rendering - Apply lighting and materials to give your 3D models a realistic appearance and communicate your designs effectively.
• Cloud rendering - Render 3D models online without consuming processing power or disk space on your local computer.
• Section planes - Create section planes to display cross-sectional views through solids, surfaces, meshes, or regions.
• Solid, surface, and mesh modeling - Create realistic 3D models of your design using a combination of solid, surface, and mesh modeling tools.
• Visual styles - Control the display of edges, lighting, and shading of your 3D model with visual styles.

Collaboration

• DGN files - Share and reuse data from DGN files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.
• DWG Compare - Compare two versions of a drawing without leaving your current window.
• Geographic location and online maps - Insert geographic location information into a drawing and display a map from an online map service.
• Model references and import - Attach Navisworks models as underlays to your drawings and import models from other applications.
• PDF files - Share and reuse data from PDF files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.
• Sheet Set Manager - View, access, manage, and plot multiple drawings as sheet sets.
• Save to web and mobile - Save drawings from your desktop to view and edit in AutoCAD on the web and on mobile, including xrefs.
• Shared Views - Publish design views of your drawing in a web browser for viewing and commenting.
• Xref Compare - Compare two versions of a drawing, including external references (xrefs).

Installation and customization

• Action Recorder - Record commands and input values that can be played back as an action macro.
• Application Programming Interface (API) - Control drawings and databases with ActiveX, VBS, AutoLISP, Visual LISP, ObjectARX, JavaScript, and .NET.
• Autodesk Access - Get alerts and install software updates without interrupting your workflow. View tutorials on new features.
• Floating windows - Display drawing windows side by side or on multiple monitors within the same instance of AutoCAD.
• CAD Standards Checker - Define and monitor CAD standards to maintain consistent styles for layers, linetypes, text, and dimensions.
• CUI Customization - Customize the user interface to improve accessibility and reduce steps for frequent tasks.
• Secure Load - Set security restrictions for running executables in AutoCAD to help protect against malicious code.
• Simplified Installer - Save time setting up AutoCAD with faster and customizable installations.
• Start Tab - The AutoCAD Start tab lets you easily access files and other helpful content directly from the home screen.
• System Variable Monitor - Monitor system variables against a preferred list of values. Notification balloons alert you to deviations.
• TrustedDWG Technology - TrustedDWG technology warns you of potential incompatibility when a file was last saved by non-Autodesk software.

Compare

Compare AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD	AutoCAD LT
Design every detail with 2D and 3D CAD software. Now includes access to industry-specific toolsets and improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile.	Create 2D drawings faster and with greater precision. Enjoy improved workflows across desktop, web, and mobile.
USE FOR: 2D drafting, drawings, and documentation 3D modeling and visualization	USE FOR: 2D drafting, drawings, and documentation
WHAT IT DOES: Create and edit 2D geometry Create and edit 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects Annotate drawings with text, dimensions, leaders, and tables Customize with add-on apps and APIs Customize the ribbon and tool palettes Extract object data to tables Attach and import data from PDF files Share and use data from DGN files, Navisworks, and Bing Maps Apply and monitor CAD standards	WHAT IT DOES: Create and edit 2D geometry Annotate drawings with text, dimensions, leaders, and tables Customize the ribbon and tool palettes Attach and import data from PDF files Share and use data from DGN files and Bing Maps
INCLUDES: Access to the Autodesk App Store AutoCAD web app AutoCAD mobile app Access specialized toolsets for architecture, mechanical design, electrical design, and more	INCLUDES: AutoCAD web app AutoCAD mobile app