CAD software to design anything—now with time-saving specialized toolsets, web and mobile apps

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on to create precise 2D and 3D drawings.

• Draft and edit 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects
• Annotate drawings with text, dimensions, leaders, and tables
• Customize with add-on apps and APIs

New Features

AutoCAD on any device

View, edit, and create drawings in AutoCAD on virtually any device–desktop, web, or mobile.

Cloud storage connectivity

Access any DWG file in AutoCAD with Autodesk’s cloud, as well as with leading cloud storage providers.

Blocks palette

Insert blocks efficiently from a most recently used list with visual galleries.

Quick measure

Display all nearby measurements in a drawing simply by hovering your mouse.

New dark theme

Reduce eye strain with contrast improvements, sharper icons, and a modern blue interface.

Enhanced DWG compare

Compare two versions of a drawing without leaving your current window.

Purge redesign

Remove multiple unneeded objects at once with easy selection and object preview.

Performance improvements

Experience improvements in speed with faster save time and 50% faster install time for solid state hard drives.

Work faster with specialized toolsets

AutoCAD now includes 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 quickly with parts libraries
• Auto-generate annotations, layers, schedules, lists, and tables
• Use a rules-driven workflow to accurately enforce industry standards

See all included toolsets:

More Features

Extended Workflows

AutoCAD web app

Create, edit, and view CAD drawings from any device through the browser.

AutoCAD mobile app

Create, edit, and view CAD drawings on your mobile device.

Save to web and mobile

Save drawings from your desktop to view and edit on the AutoCAD web and mobile apps, Xrefs included.

Shared views

Publish design views of your drawing in a web browser for viewing and commenting.

2D Drafting, Drawing, & Annotation

Text settings

Create single or multiline text (mtext) as a single text object. Format the text, columns, and boundaries.

Dimensions

Create dimensions automatically. Pass the cursor over selected objects to get a preview before you create it.

Leaders

Create leaders with a variety of content, including text or blocks. Easily format leader lines, and define styles.

Centerlines and center marks

Create and edit centerlines and center marks that automatically move when you move the associated objects.

Tables

Create tables with data and symbols in rows and columns, apply formulas, and link to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

Revision clouds

Draw revision clouds around new changes in a drawing to quickly identify your updates.

Views

Save views by name to easily return to a specific view for quick reference or for applying to layout viewports.

Layouts

Specify the size of your drawing sheet, add a title block, and display multiple views of your model.

Fields

Use fields in text objects to display text that can be updated automatically as the field value changes.

Data linking

Enable simultaneous updates by creating a live link between a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and a table in your drawing.

Data extraction

Extract information from objects, blocks, and attributes, including drawing information.

Dynamic blocks

Add flexibility and intelligence to your block references, including changing the shape, size, or configuration.

Arrays

Create and modify objects in circular or rectangular patterns, or along a path.

Parametric constraints

Apply geometric and dimensional constraints to maintain relationships between drawing geometry.

Express tools

Extend the power of AutoCAD with a collection of productivity tools.

3D modeling and visualization

Solid, surface, and mesh modeling

Create realistic 3D models of your design using a combination of solid, surface, and mesh modeling tools.

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.

Visual styles

Apply visual styles to control the display of edges, lighting, and shading of your 3D model.

Section planes

Create section planes to display cross-sectional views through solids, surfaces, meshes, or regions.

Rendering

Apply lighting and materials to give your 3D models a realistic appearance and to help communicate your designs.

Cloud rendering

Render 3D models online without consuming processing power or disk space on your local computer.

Point clouds

Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies to use as a starting point for your designs.

Model documentation

Generate 2D drawings including base, projected, section, and detail views from 3D models.

Collaboration

PDF files

Share and reuse data from PDF files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.

DGN Files

Share and reuse data from DGN files by importing, exporting, or attaching them as underlays.

DWG references

Attach DWG files to your current drawing as externally referenced files.

Image references

Attach image files to your current drawing as externally referenced files.

Sheet sets

View, access, manage, and plot multiple drawings as sheet sets.

Model references and import

Attach Navisworks models as underlays to your drawings, and import models from other applications.

Geographic location and online maps

Insert geographic location information into a drawing, and display a map in the drawing from an online map service.

Installation & customization

TrustedDWG technology

TrustedDWG™ technology alerts you to a possible incompatibility when a file was not last saved by Autodesk software.

CUI customization

Customize the user interface to improve accessibility and reduce the number of steps for frequent tasks.

Secure load

Specify security restrictions for running executables in AutoCAD to help protect against malicious executable code.

Multi-user (network) license sharing

Pool licenses on a server to reduce costs when not all licenses are in use at the same time.

System variable monitor

Monitor current system variables against a preferred list of values. Notification balloons alert you of deviations.

CAD standards checker

Define and monitor CAD standards to maintain consistent styles for layers, linetypes, text, and dimensions.

Application Programming Interface (API)

Control drawings and databases with ActiveX, VBS, AutoLisp, Visual LISP, ObjectARX, JavaScript, and .NET.

Autodesk App Store

Customize your software with Autodesk-approved extensions.

Autodesk desktop app

Get alerts and install software updates without disrupting your workflow. View tutorials about new features.

Work anywhere with included mobile and web apps

AutoCAD mobile app

View, edit, annotate, and create drawings in the field and on the go from a mobile device.

AutoCAD web app

With no install required, simply log in to view, edit, annotate, and create drawings quickly in your local web browser.

System requirements for AutoCAD 2020 including Specialized Toolsets

System requirements for AutoCAD 2020 including Specialized Toolsets (Windows)

Operating SystemMicrosoft® Windows® 7 SP1 with Update KB4019990 (64-bit only)
Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Update KB2919355 (64-bit only)
Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit only) (version 1803 or higher)
BrowserGoogle Chrome (for AutoCAD web app)
ProcessorMinimum: 2.5–2.9 GHz or faster processor
Recommended: 3+ GHz or faster processor
Multiple processors: Supported by the application
MemoryBasic: 8 GB
Recommended: 16 GB
Display ResolutionConventional Displays: 1920 x 1080 with True Color
High Resolution & 4K Displays: Resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 supported on Windows 10, 64 bit systems (with capable display card)
Display CardMinimum: 1 GB GPU with 29 GB/s Bandwidth and DirectX 11 compliant
Recommended: 4 GB GPU with 106 GB/s Bandwidth and DirectX 11 compliant
Disk Space6.0 GB
Pointing DeviceMS-Mouse compliant
.NET Framework.NET Framework Version 4.7
*DirectX11 recommended by supported OS
NetworkDeployment via Deployment Wizard.
The license server and all workstations that will run applications dependent on network licensing must run TCP/IP protocol.
Either Microsoft® or Novell TCP/IP protocol stacks are acceptable. Primary login on workstations may be Netware or Windows.
In addition to operating systems supported for the application, the license server will run on the Windows Server® 2016, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 editions.

Additional Requirements for large datasets, point clouds, and 3D modeling

Memory8 GB RAM or more
Disk Space6 GB free hard disk available, not including installation requirements
Display Card1920 x 1080 or greater True Color video display adapter; 128 MB VRAM or greater; Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater; Direct3D®-capable workstation class graphics card.
Note: 64-bit Operating Systems are recommended if you are working with large datasets, point clouds and 3D modeling and required if you are using Model Documentation or Point Clouds.

Specialized Toolsets (Windows Only)

ToolsetAdditional Requirements
AutoCAD Plant 3DDisk Space: 8GB
.NET Framework Version 4.7.2
MS SQL Server (Express, Standard, or Enterprise edition) 2008 SP1 or newer
AutoCAD Map 3DDisk Space: 16GB
Memory: 16GB
Database & FDO Requirements (see below)
AutoCAD ArchitectureDisk Space: 10GB
AutoCAD ElectricalDisk Space: 12GB
AutoCAD MEPDisk Space: 12GB
AutoCAD MechanicalNo additional requirements
AutoCAD Raster DesignNo additional requirements

AutoCAD Map 3D Additional Requirements (Windows Only)

FDO Provider Requirements
FDO ProviderCertified WithNotes
Microsoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server 2014 Standard and Enterprise Editions
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard and Enterprise Editions
Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard and Enterprise Editions
Industry Models also support the versions of Microsoft SQL Server listed on the left.
Oracle 11g Release 2Oracle 11.2.0.4.0
Oracle Express, Standard, and Enterprise Editions
Industry Models support the same Oracle versions as listed on the left.
Oracle 12c Release 1Oracle 12.1.0.2.0
Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition
Industry Models support the same Oracle versions as listed on the left.
Oracle 12c Release 2Oracle 12.2.0.1.0
Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition
Industry Models support the same Oracle versions as listed on the left.
Oracle 18cOracle 18.3
Enterprise Edition and Standard Edition 2
Industry Models support the same Oracle versions as listed on the left.
RasterDEM, JPG2K, DTED, MrSID®, ECW, PNG, ESRI® Grid, TIFF, JPEG, ESRI® ASCII
Autodesk SDF3.0
ESRI ArcSDEArcSDE 10.2This Provider requires ESRI licensed components to be installed on client system. Required components depend on the type of connection (SDE Service or Direct Connect)
ESRI ArcGISArcGIS® 10.6.1
ArcGIS 10.5
ArcGIS 10.4
This Provider requires ESRI licensed components to be installed on client system.
MySQL8.0
ODBCThe FDO ODBC provider has been tested with corresponding versions of ODBC drivers that are shipped with the relevant supported operating systems version.
OGC WMSWMS 1.3.0
OGC WFSWFS 2.0.0
SQLiteSQLite 3.6
PostgresSQLPostgreSQL 9.5 + PostGIS 2.2
ODBC DriversTested Versions
Microsoft® Access® Driver (*.mdb, *.accdb)Microsoft Access database engine 2016 (English) 16.00.4513.1000
Microsoft® Excel® Driver (*.xls, *xlsx, *.xlsm, *.xlsb)Microsoft Access database engine 2016 (English) 16.00.4513.1000
MySQL® ODBC 5.3 Driver8.00.13.00
SQL Server®10.00.14393
Oracle® in OraClient12Home118.00.00.00

Interested in our software?
Need more info?