I Need Your Input on AutoCAD for the Apple Mac OS X

Shaan Mac and PC

I now use both an Apple Mac and a PC.

At Autodesk we are always trying to stay in tune with our customers and the industries they are in as well as their needs. So what does this have to do with a Mac, the AutoCAD product team would like your feedback and opinions in a short survey to help shape the future of the next generation of AutoCAD products for the Apple Mac OS X Operating System and hardware.

(survey now closed)

Past AutoCAD on a Mac article Between the Lines: Run AutoCAD on a Mac

105 comments

marcelo says:

oh man when i heard this i couldn’t believe my eyes…. it will be so amazing to have autodesk in my mac … i am a long time pc user and just swithced to mac for obvious reasons but was kind of sketchy by the fact that i had to run autocad by vm fusion ( wich in fact works way better than in any of the other computers ive used) i am a 3d autocad architecture designer and just the idea of having all my mac’s power on my computer just gives me goosbumps…
hope to see it soon

Jo Decaesteker says:

This would be just wonderful…
I ‘have to’ use Windows for Autocad and 3D Max Design.
I would love them to come to Mac natively, as I’m in the process of planning to make the switch to Mac.
In the meantime, concerning 3D Max: 3D Max Design 2010 is now officially supported under Bootcamp, it’s stated in the documentation! This is a very good start. Thank you, Autodesk, this is a good thing!
If only Autodesk would officially support Autocad (full, please?) like that for starters…I’d be happy to dual boot my Mac for Autocad and 3D Max Design on a 64 bit Windows OS.
Mac users may ‘only’ be 3% (or whatever) in pc-world, they ARE mainly being used in the design area, including architecture.
Thanks for the survey. I sincerely hope this will become reality and not just another poll that will be classified…
Cheers!
Joe D.
architect, Belgium, Europe

iwhishtoworkinautocadonmymac says:

everybody wants it! autocad run on Os X; it’s so logical and obvious…i don’t know what they are waiting for….
3ds max as well! come on, don’t be shy!

Yes… it’s great…
the last reason to keep my pc is AutoCAD… but all other time i work with mac…
jan

Todd says:

Everytime AutoCAD crashes I send Autodesk feedback (in the AutoCAD feedback window)begging them to bring AutoCAD back to the Mac. This is the only software that keeps us on the PC platform – oh to be a fully qualified Mac business!

monica says:

finally, mac and autocad togheter, great!

Brandon says:

I keep Win XP on my Mac only so i can run AutoCAD. I blame AutoCAD every day for requiring me to waste all that space on my MacBook Pro. I use TurboCAD for Mac for viewing files, but i cant stand to work with it…. so I’m forced to keep XP.

fraz says:

Please, release even a light version of Autocad for OSX the sooner you can. It’s the one and only complain I have since I switched from win to mac. The one and only, really.

Oliver says:

Hi,
I would like to know the specs for a Mac Pro that will be capable of running AutoCad LT.
Thanks,
Oliver

Back in 2003 there was a similar survey about bringing CAD to OS X. I was jumping for joy then and I’m jumping for joy now.
OS X is not only a more creative platform where designers in print and web have worked for years, but is much more stable when it comes to protecting myself from viruses and trojans.
I use Adobe applications on a daily basis for creating everything from websites to printed brochures. There are many times need to use DWG or DXF when I’m putting together manuals or instructional material for my clients, so I need to boot CAD via VMWare to make major changes in the drawings. Or if they more complicated changes I need to send them to my Dad.
My dad is a primary example of why CAD needs to be ported to OS X. He is a retired teacher of architectural design and one of two or three certified for residential design between Thunder Bay Ontario and the Manitoba border, and uses CAD on a daily basis, now through VMWare.
Just the other day he had to create a whole new VM environment because he somehow contracted a virus that ate up his how allotted disk space. A Snapback wouldn’t work, so we figure it had been on there for a long period of time.
This could have been much worse but all the files where being stored on the MAC side so he was only down for about 4 or 6 hours to reinstall everything.
If AutoDesk was to seriously considering moving to OS X I’m certain they would see a major increase in sales.

Chris Norman says:

Important Tip: Consider the “Apple Human Interface Design”-Guide (AHIG) and stay conform to the usual practice on the platform.

Chris Norman says:

@metis:
Sorry, but your numbers are not significant, because they include PCs of Game-Kiddies, Webservers, Climate-Controllers, etc.
But important is the spreading of Desktops and Laptops in Offices and Universities. In this substantial environments you’ll find between 10 and 25 percent Macs. There is the growing market.

Please oh please. The only reason we buy windows is to support autocad. I have 3 macs and an Iphone. Every time I boot up in “Windows Mode” I cringe. Ugh. Hate it.

jhon says:

every one is correct .i dont want to put down windows .. but every one would benefit from having CAd on mac .
the only reason i too have a pc is cause of cad if it werent for that i would dumo my pc
so please BRING autodest PRODUCTS to MAC.!!!!

Manaf Abdulghani says:

come on and put together a native AutoCAD version for MAC. It’s much better looking, and has a better core system for graphics 2D/3D.

Zam Shabeer Thahir says:

Hey there
Natively supported Autocad for Mac OS X would be awesome. I use Windows through bootcamp on my mac just for autocad and find it really inconvenient.
Thanks
Best regards
Zam Shabeer Thahir

Just Another Person says:

AutoCAD for macs would be amazing!!! It is so inconvenient to switch over to my PC side everytime I need to use AutoCAD, and I can’t use any of my other programs on the mac side.

Christian Mulol says:

I will appreciate an autocad version for mac. I have started using mac for a year now and I’m thoroughly enjoying it and have my autocad run on it will be an absolute joy… I have used parallel thus far and I must admit that the mac environment is just the best, nothing wrong with windows…
Christian Mulol

Huáscar Fernández says:

Not just AutoCAD on Mac, but also on Linux. It’s the only thing that is keeping me from switching to Linux OS.

JOHN MAKILON says:

PLEASE AUTOCAD FOR MAC!!! PLEASE

ADS says:

Many architects are running mac OS at the office, since we do a lot of publishing and printing. It’s a pity we cannot use Autocad in a macos session, because it is the only software I miss since I moved to MacOS. Rhino is now being developped for mac, but Autocad is still missing in the production line i’m based on.
Using virtual machines slows the workflow, and is not very accurate with pointers.
I’m longing for a MacOS build to run Autocad directly on my mac for a few years now. Would be really a great step forward to be able to do that.

MaCa says:

Many architects I know want to buy a Mac and they can’t because AutoCAD doesn’t have a Mac version.
There are two solutions to this: either there will be a Mac version or they’ll switch software I guess…

Wendy Leal says:

AutoCAD for the Apple Mac OS X?!?!
YES PLEASE!!!!!!!
I love every aspect of my Mac and love to be using it 100% of the time

daz says:

I recently switch to MAC after more than 20 years on PC. The greatest move of my life, but I need Autocad for my work, and trought Parrallel, it’s ok, but not like running under mac OS. I remember the time they were a apple version of Autocad, and all the lab of my univertsity was running this version. Make a come back, I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one that made the switch!!!
By the way, most of MAC user buy there software, PC it’s another game!
Hope to see Autocad 2010 OS X!

Michalis says:

I feel that the way Macs are gaining ground, if Autodesk does not issue its Mac version of Autocad, it will push professionals to start using other Cad programmes. Personally I know some colleques (architects & civil engineers)who have already shifted to ArchiCad as they prefer working with Mac rather than PC.

Anthony says:

If you continue to make a product exclusively for one platform, you’re only allowing people to be dependent on something that may continue to grow too strong to have any choice in what platform they use. If you give apple a fair chance at using AutoCAD, maybe the majority of windows users will make the switch and never go back. We will never know until a version of AutoCAD makes its way into an apple computer natively.

Russ says:

please make AutoCAD available for mac that would be fantastic…
Make it so #1..

Ronita says:

Really!! Us Mac users are in desperate need of AutoCad and other AutoDesk software. What’s the use in being a designer with an OSX (expensive) computer and not have AutoCad. That’s like a peanut butter with no jelly!! Let’s get it!!

why? seriously why? you’re looking at 3~6% of the computers in the world,
significantly less than that in the business world, and there’s a very viable
method to run it on the OS at present. add in that their machines cost more
for the same hardware, and don’t have appreciable intrusion detection, and
it’s not a great business decision to use them.
I know of companies where the entire graphic design department runs on Macs.
So it doesn’t matter if IT forces PCs on everybody else. You cater to the people
who have the talent, if you have half a brain.
Apple targets the high end of the market. Not your neighborhood, apparently, but
the concern is those using AutoCAD — not PowerPoint people.
Macs don’t need intrusion detection, because they are more secure by design
than the virus vector called Windows. And plenty of PCs are pwned anyway.
Actually, it is a great business decision to use Macs. Not you would know, apparently.
Sunny Guy

R. says:

Any news on this that could be shared? I am just waiting for this to mac.

Justin Owen says:

Vote for linux or Wine support. Best yet put CAD in the browser. Autocad electric in the browser with subversion and revision control. Run it on linux servers. Inspired at lunch pull out the phone make a change. Oh the future it will be sweet.

Cole says:

Cad on Mac would be miraculous and very helpful. Probably profitable as well

Ken says:

I think this would be great, yes it is easy to run it in boot camp but i still hate relying on windows. Mac is based on creativity so why doesnt it have the most popular design program in the world

nishanth p. says:

please oh please., bring autodesk on mac., i was a windows user., and heavily dependent on autodesk platforms., like autocad., 3ds max., revit., but i switched over to a mac., because of its low efficiency in productivity., and the constant bugs., mac is a really dependable software., especially fo design professionals., which is quite a good number., so please., don force me to use other products.,

Life long Mac User says:

just so you all know AutoCAD use to be on the Mac back in AutoCAD Release 12 which came out in 1992, but they just gave up on it like the idiots they are and now it looks like they are starting to come back and realize they’re mistake

I HaTe PC’s! I Love my Mac. I just partitioned my hard drive on my Mac Book Pro to install Vista and download AutoCad. HEll on earth=Vista.I would love a Mac version of AutoCad!! I do not want to buy a PC to finish my Masters just to use a couple of PC software programs.
While you all are pondering development…, perhaps consider teaming with Adobe engineers and coming out with a more intuitive program without DOS commands. I’m seriously a little shocked by this program. I get what you are doing with the icons, but it the whole program looks a lil’ DOS.
Also, take a test drive on a Mac and then a PC. It is like driving a Mercedes or Mustang and then switching to that crap junk car that your parents helped you buy for $500 in HS. It is rusty, unreliable, and breaks down a LOT. My first Mac lived 9 years. I only recycled her because I could not upgrade the OS. Ask a PC user how many PC’s have crapped out on them.

Armn says:

being a master student of architecture in denmark i would love to see autocad on mac.
im at a school with over thousand students. the number of macs is quickly rising at the school and most fresh students are now using mac. the only drawback of using mac is viz and autocad. since viz is not on mac many will drop viz and go or rhino. since autocad is not a mac app many are choosing archicad instead.
please autodesk release these two apps on mac. almost thousand students at my school will use it. says alot about how the industry will be.

Jeff Smith says:

You only understand one part of the AutoCAD market. True there are those that live in AutoCAD and produce great works. And yes for them they use whatever computer/OS that works best to get that job done. Then there are those use those completed drawings from time to time. We need AutoCAD, but select our computer and OS based on other factors.
Sent from my MAC

Abdullateef Addajani says:

Me and my friends hopping to see all Autidesk products running on MAC.

Dan N says:

I have been asking this question for quite sometime. Mac for AutoCAD would not only increase platform stability but increase productivity helping businesses to get a better ROI out the software purchases. The ability go to Mac would have to be applied across the board and extend to all Autodesk products. With Revit, Inventor and the other parametric 3D modeling software available, the addition of the Mac option is a no brainer. I question the reluctance of Autodesk to make this option available sooner. But I guess they are still pushing the use of AutoCAD as a 3D modeler. The other issue that must be considered is file extension and file compatibility across OS platforms. Users must be able to use the information created in either with no loss of information or functionality. I guess that is the challenge.

MysticBronx says:

i would love to see autodesk´s autocad on a mac..espeacially..on snow leopard..if made for this o.s. from scratch..imagine the potencial! I´m tired of windows!
its already been said by developers that the programs or apps or 50% faster when created especifically for snow Leopard!…Hello 50% faster!!!
Finally taking the full potencial of this software!

Vaxi says:

Vaxi:
I’m an architecture student and was a PC User. I changed to Mac for a few reasons. Unfortunately there’s no Autocad for Mac and I use autocad a lot. I really don’t like to use bootcamp or fusion, just to have autocad on my mac. Just don’t want to use windows.
I guess some mac users feel the same way. We will really, really, really appreciate if Autodesk makes Autocad for Mac users. I don’t know how how hard will that be, but a lot of people will be very happy using Autocad natively on a Mac. I hope this comes true.

As a residential designer, I have used a MAC since they were introduced (yes, a long time). I have bought and used every CAD program ever made for Mac. Some good, some not so good. Mac is such a good-all-around graphics machine, I never even considered a PC. However, most engineers I coordinate work with want me to send them my AutoCAD® file, which I have to convert from VectorWorks®. I would LOVE to switch to AutoCAD® on my Macs, which would not only save me time, it would stop conversion problem issues and open other doors of possibilities such as manufacturer’s CAD files.

Megan says:

I would love to see a full working version of AutoCAD for mac. Having read some of the survey questions I think it would be a mistake to cut out some essential features, such as the command line or paper space. As a designer who uses AutoCAD everyday through Fusion in bootcamp, the paper space functionality is essential to the layout and plotting of all my documents. AutoCAD for myself would be almost useless without the ability to layout and plot in paper space.
Though most features can be accessed through icons and toolbars, I really dislike the ribbon tool bars and would like to stay away from them as much as possible. Hence the command line has become a great companion since my upgrade to 2009.

Macman says:

please! please! please!

Luke Twitchings says:

OH MY GOD GET AUTOCAD ON MAC OR I’LL FREAK

jz says:

For the very same reason that photoshop exists on both mac and pc, so should Autodesk products. I have seen many people, especially architects and designers, who are hesitant to move to mac only because of Autocad. Yes it is possible to use bootcamp and move between operating systems but then you lose the whole reason for getting a mac in the first place. Come on! Who does want to restart his/her computer only to run a different software? Especially these days when you usually have a few applications open and to restart means to go through reseting all those again…
Autocad and 3DS for mac please!!
And I think you should be able to get some support from Apple as this will substantially increase their Mac sale!!

I would LOVE to switch over to Mac. I have read too much about compatibility issues to make the switch without a native version. I can’t be without AutoCAD for work, but I hate my PC. Please make a mac version ASAP!

eric says:

I spend most of my time on a Mac and it would be great to see this available to Mac users.

Leave a Reply