AutoCAD Architecture 2009

AutoCAD Architecture—the AutoCAD software for architects.

AutoCAD Architecture is the version of AutoCAD software for architects.

Creating and sharing construction documents is much more efficient with AutoCAD Architecture's intuitive architectural drawing and design tools.

The familiar environment offers users immediate productivity gains with the flexibility to learn additional features at their own pace.

The industry-leading DWG file format makes it easy to share and communicate designs with engineers and design professionals, while integrated rendering tools bring client presentations to life.

AutoCAD Architecture software provides immediate productivity for architects familiar with AutoCAD software.

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Presentations

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See the full overview presentation and demonstration by clicking the movie icon above

See the new 2009 features presentation and demonstration by clicking the movie icon above.

Draw Efficiently and Automate Your Drafting Tasks

• User interface
• Wall enhancements
• Space enhancements
• Match properties update

Annotate Faster and Streamline Your Documentation

• Annotation scaling
• Multiline tags
• Multiline leaders

Collaborate Smoothly and Share Your Design Intent

• Windows Vista support for DWF files
• Data exchange
• Visualisation

User Interface

In AutoCAD Architecture 2009 the user interface has a sleek new look. When you look more closely, you’ll also see that it has been streamlined to give you the ability to find the tools you need faster. You get quick access to the commands you use most through the new “A” menu browser in the upper left-hand corner of your screen which you can customise to give you immediate access to the tools that you use most. In addition, more advanced tooltips have been provided for tool buttons; and solution tips are provided where errors occur in the placement of objects.

Wall Enhancements

Wall enhancements in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 also include improvements to our options when placing walls. We now have further on-the-fly options for in-place editing such as opportunities to change the justification of the wall, to flip or reverse it and to offset it from another object by selecting a face of any component, the centreline of any component and the centreline of the wall.

Endcaps have also been improved with new grips that can be used in conjunction with the AEC Modify Tools to give more predictable results in fewer steps. Cleanups have also been enhanced. Walls will now clean-up even if their baselines are at different elevations and improvements have also been made to the clean up capabilities across xrefs.

Space Enhancements

Spaces in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 now display curves as one surface when generating freeform spaces within complex forms. Also, a ‘Bound Spaces’ property has now been added to AutoCAD linework. This means that if you use linework to designate zones within a room or divides within a larger area you can choose to set this option to either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

Automatic space updating across xrefs is also improved. If linework or objects exist in an xref, reloading the changed xref will automatically update the spaces in the host file. Manual updating was required in AutoCAD Architecture 2008.

Match Properties Update

If you’re an AutoCAD user, you are probably aware of the Match Properties feature, commonly referred to as the “Paintbrush tool.” Now, in AutoCAD Architecture 2009, the “Paintbrush Tool” has been extended beyond AutoCAD entities to also work with AEC objects, such as walls, doors, and windows. The object matching paintbrush will allow users to match the style and graphic properties of one object to like objects in a drawing.

Annotation Scaling

Annotation scaling was introduced in AutoCAD 2008 products and is now linked to the AutoCAD Architecture display system. This means that as you select an annotation scale, the display configuration automatically changes according to your predefined settings.

Multiline Tags

Multiline attributes were introduced into AutoCAD 2008 but this functionality was not supported in multi-view blocks and therefore not in schedule tags. This development project has been completed in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 and together with the new grips, schedule tags now provide a wealth of positioning possibilities.

Multiline Leaders

This new feature allows you to efficiently annotate multiple objects with a single text reference. The updated annotative tools are accessible via the Design Center and include: leader, Sheet Keynote, Reference Keynote, Reference Keynote (Straight Leader), Square (Straight Leader), Text (Straight Leader).

With multiline leaders, you can create detailed construction documentation with a higher level of accuracy and precision.

Windows Vista Support for DWF Files

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 attempts to help assist data exchange by providing native DWF support for users of Windows Vista.

DWF files published to the XPS specification can be automatically opened and viewed using the XPS viewer built into Windows Vista, without the need for plug-ins or other downloads. For XP users, this same DWF support can be achieved via a download. Now users of AutoCAD Architecture can seamlessly share detail-rich information with members of their extended design team, and reduce the need to rely on costly paper-based sharing and proprietary software that might otherwise limit use and cause costly project delays due to lack of clarity or insight.

Data Exchange

Improved IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) and DGN (MicroStation) capabilities as well as the capability to export to gbXML format for use in 3rd party sustainability software applications.

Visualisation

Bring designs to life for impressive client presentations at any stage of the design with integrated rendering. The streamlined visualization capabilities are fully integrated into the AutoCAD Architecture workflow. Make your presentations stand out by visually communicating rich design information.

Integrated Rendering Environment
With AutoCAD Architecture, the inclusion of the Mental Ray rendering engine provides a single in-process rendering environment for creating highly photo-realistic renderings, based on real-world photometric indoor & outdoor lighting, procedural materials, more robust material editing, and inherent interoperability with the AutoCAD family of products.