Apple Thoughts: AutoCAD 2011 for Mac OS X and iOS

"Autodesk has announced AutoCAD 2011 for Mac. This new version of AutoCAD, software for professional design and engineering that previously ran only on the Windows platform, now runs natively on Mac OS X. Autodesk also announced that the new Mac version of AutoCAD would be accompanied by the AutoCAD WS mobile application, a new app for iPad, iPhone, and the iPod touch that will let users edit and share their AutoCAD designs remotely."

AutoCAD has not been available as a native Mac app for many years, losing an entire generation of design professionals to Windows. When released somewhere over the next three months, after being beta tested by over 5,000 users, this new version will fully support OS X and its associated hardware. In addition, a free 'portable' version (AutoCad WS) will be available for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch allowing mobile collaboration on AutoCAD drawings. OK, welcome back to the Mac, but the idea of viewing or editing -any- AutoCAD drawing on an iPhone or an iPad sounds like pure marketing - and not reality. These are HUGE complex documents, best seen on one or more HUGE monitors.