The Return of AutoCAD For Mac

One of the last remaining holdouts on the Mac platform is coming back with a roar. Autodesk is releasing AutoCAD 2011 for Mac. This return ends a two-decade long wait for the top software package in the architecture and engineering industries.

Apple couldn’t be happier with this announcement. Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller said, “Apple is thrilled that Autodesk is bringing AutoCAD back to the Mac and we think it’s the perfect combination for millions of design and engineering professionals,” as quoted by Macworld.

AutoCAD 2011 for Mac will use Mac technologies and features such as cover flow, multi-touch gestures and will take advantage of the capabilities of Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse to enhance its offering.

For several years Autodesk has been polling Mac users for possibilities of a Mac version of its popular software but year after year it seemed like an empty promise. While there is no lack of replacement software on the Mac, plenty in the industries accepted no less than the real deal. AutoCAD for Mac will remove yet another reason for Mac users to run Windows on their machines.

In addition to AutoCAD for Mac, Autodesk is releasing AutoCAD WS mobile app, a free app for iOS devices initially in the US and European App Stores to view, edit, and share .dwg files on the go.

Both AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD WS should be available by October of this year.