AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Prior to AutoCAD, most commercial CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or minicomputers, with each CAD operator (user) working at a separate graphics terminal.
In the late 1980s, Autodesk started working on a version of AutoCAD for the Microsoft Windows operating system. The first Windows version was released in December 1989. AutoCAD for Windows NT was released in June 1993. AutoCAD release 13 in 1994 was the first 32-bit version. Version 14, released in 1996, included Internet Explorer 3.0 and the TrueType font engine. Version 2000, released in March 1999, added the dwf file format and the ability to publish drawings on the Web.
The most recent version is AutoCAD 2019, released in March 2018. AutoCAD is used across a wide range of industries, by architects, project managers, engineers, graphic designers, and other professionals. It is supported by