Autodesk Announces AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT for Mac, and AutoCAD WS for Mac

Design 8.16 is finally here. Where you surprised? Wait, you haven’t heard what it is yet? Today, Autodesk is announcing the next version of AutoCAD, AutoCAD for Mac 2012. Disappointed? Well there are few more details to go with it. Autodesk is also announcing AutoCAD LT for Mac 2012.

Also, Autodesk is announcing AutoCAD WS for Mac, standalone version. Now it’s interesting. If you are a Mac user or if you want to be a Mac user then this is great news. I am wondering, how many of you guessed it? I’ll bet you might have figured on AutoCAD 2012 for Mac and maybe even thought AutoCAD LT for Mac was the topic of Design 8.16, but I’ll guess that none of you considered that a standalone version of AutoCAD WS for Mac would be a part of it. 

This announcement makes a lot of sense from Autodesk’s point of view. It’s also really great news for Mac users. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be available worldwide on August 19th, 2011. AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be available in the U.S. and Canada on August 16th, 2011. Why? Because these two products will only be available through the Mac App Store.

That last bit is disappointing to hear, but it is nice to see Autodesk try new things, like the Mac App Store as a product delivery method. Perhaps one day Uncle Carl and Cousin Steve can work it out so everyone can get AutoCAD LT for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac through the Mac App Store, but for now, it’s limited.

AutoCAD WS for Mac is a free download (for those that can download it.) AutoCAD LT for Mac is a down load on the App Store and will be priced near $900. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 will be priced just under $4000. There will be a Free Student version of AutoCAD for Mac available. For a better price guide go to Autodesk’s website. 

Since AutoCAD LT is a download, up to five machines can license it under the same username. That’s nice for those that have multiple Mac’s or Mac Books. Also, if you have a license for AutoCAD (for PC) you can choose to download the Mac version instead. Check with Autodesk’s website for exact details. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 will also feature network licensing and is available for subscription.

The majority of the AutoCAD 2012 features have been brought over to AutoCAD for Mac 2012, but still no Sheet Set support and no tools to create dynamic blocks.

Will you be updating your AutoCAD for Mac 2011 to 2012?  Will you be getting AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT for Mac now?  

I think it's great for Mac users and for Autodesk to have more products, and updated products, on the Mac platform.  As a PC user I'm jealous of the standalone AutoCAD WS version, but maybe there will be one in the works soon enough??  Autodesk is slowly expanding their Mac portfolio.  Which Autodesk product will be next?  Which one would you like to see?