AutoCAD 2017 Gets Fall Update

Autodesk recently announced the Fall Update for its AutoCAD 2D/3D CAD and drafting software as well as its 2D drafting software AutoCAD LT 2017. Officially designated AutoCAD 2017.1, the Fall Update improves PDF imports with SHX font conversion, adds more support for high-resolution monitors and brings such functionality as a New-Feature Highlighting. The update, says Autodesk, is available specifically for subscription license or maintenance plan holders.

Because the PDF file format doesn’t recognize SHX fonts, the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update PDF file import capabilities have been enhanced with an SHX text recognition tool. Called Recognize SHX Text (PDFSHXTEXT command) and located on the Insert ribbon tab, this tool enables you to select imported PDF vectorized letters representing SHX text and convert them into AutoCAD text objects.

A new SHX text recognition tool that debuts in the AutoCAD Fall Update enables users to select imported PDF vectorized letters representing SHX text and convert then into AutoCAD text objects. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Various options are available to help you manage SHX conversions and control some settings during the conversion. Additionally, once you’ve converted your SHX text, the Convert to Mtext Express Tool will combine individual text objects into one multi-line text object. PDF import of SHX fonts currently supports English with other languages to follow, according to Autodesk.

After converting SHX text from an imported PDF file, designers can use the Convert to Mtext Express Tool introduced in the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update to combine individual text objects into a single multi-line text object. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

The Fall Update, reports Autodesk, sees AutoCAD 2017’s graphics capabilities enhanced to support higher display resolutions and pixel densities to ensure the best possible viewing experience on 4K and higher displays. Commonly used user interface elements, such as the Command Line, Layer Manager, ViewCube, Pick Box and Grips, are appropriately scaled and displayed as per your Windows setting, the company explains.

Autodesk says that AutoCAD’s New-Feature Highlighting function makes it easier for you to identify and access new and updated tools. How it works is that after you install an update, orange circles in the Help menu as well as on the Insert and Express Tools ribbon tabs show you where you’ll find new functionality. Later after you become accustomed to the new features, you can switch off New-Feature Highlighting from the Help menu.

The AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update introduces a New-Feature Highlighting function intended to make it easier for users to identify and access new and updated tools. This new functionality uses orange circles as visual indicators to indicate where to find new features. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Other enhancements in the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update include off-screen selection and improved linetype gap selection. 3D navigation performance sees “significant improvements in zoom, pan and 3D orbit operations in commonly used visual styles.” Additionally, Autodesk says its has repaired issues such as customer-reported crashes.

The new off-screen selection functionality lets you begin a selection window in one part of your drawing then pan and zoom to another part while maintaining your first selection of off-screen objects in your selection set. The newly improved linetype gap selection capability means that you can now select complex and DGN linetypes or snap to them by picking on the gaps between the geometry. This feature, adds Autodesk, works with all objects such as polylines with width and splines.

The AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update release debuts a new off-screen selection functionality. With it, selected objects stay within the selection set even if you pan or zoom them off the screen. Image courtesy of Autodesk Inc.

Subscription license or maintenance plan holders will receive the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update through their Autodesk Desktop App when logged into their Autodesk account. (Look for AutoCAD 2017.1 English Update 64-bit).

For more information about switching from a perpetual license to a subscription for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and other Autodesk products, go here.

For further details on the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update, click here.

Download the AutoCAD 2017.1 (Fall) Update/Enhancement Preview Guide.

Watch the AutoCAD 2017.1 (Fall Update) new features overview video.

Read DE‘s review of AutoCAD 2017 from contributing editor David Cohn.

See why DE‘s editors selected the AutoCAD 2017 Fall Update as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.