Oh my goodness, it's that time of year again! Just where has the time gone? If your year has been like mine, you've spent it using AutoCAD 2021 to update client drawings, create custom content and deliver more online training that you thought was humanly possible. And then just like that, a new version of AutoCAD is ready for us to download and upgrade. But you might be wondering: are there any good reasons that I should upgrade? And the answer is: Yes! Yes! A thousand time, yes! Okay, maybe not a thousand, but certainly five and here are my Top 5 Reasons to Upgrade to AutoCAD 2022.
1. Count me in!
I’m very excited about this new feature. I’m frequently asked is there any quick and easy way to quantify objects within drawings and while the answer has been yes for quite some time, now, because of the new Count Command it’s quicker, easier and just plain better. Count is located on the Palettes panel of the View Tab of the Ribbon and allows AutoCAD users to quickly count the blocks or geometry in a drawing, identify blocks that are duplicated and superimposed over on another and identify blocks that have been exploded! Data gathered by Count can be exported to a dynamic table that updates as counted objects are increased or decreased. I hope you’re all as excited about Count as I am. Thanks Autodesk!
2. It is always nice to SHARE.
The all-new Share feature allows AutoCAD 2022 users to share their AutoCAD drawings easily and securely with whomever the wish to. The Share button is located on the Quick Access Toolbar in AutoCAD's desktop version and the Sharer gets to decide what level of access the Sharee is granted, either View Only or Edit. Share gives the AutoCAD user an excellent way to collaborate with their clients or colleagues even if they can be together in the same office.
3. Let’s Get Started!
I don’t know about you, but some mornings I have a hard time getting started. But I have a feeling that is all about to change thanks to AutoCAD’s new Start Window. The updated Start Window has been streamlined to allow users to easily open drawings or sheet sets and create new drawings from their available templates both using convenient drop-down windows located on the left side of the Start Window. Recently used drawings can be accessed from the center of the Start Window and any recent document can be ‘pinned’ to the Start Window to maintain easy access for as long as desired. Users can view AutoCAD-related announcements from the right side of the Start Window so they can keep up to date in the latest AutoCAD trends and updates. With so much convenience all in one place, getting started is never going to be the same again.
4. Windows All Float down here!
Have you ever wished you could be in two places at the same time? AutoCAD 2022’s Floating Windows feature gets us a little close to having that wish granted by allowing us to view and edit multiple drawings within one active AutoCAD session. To Float a Window simply click and hold on the File Tab of the drawing you wish to Float and drag it to a new location on the current monitor or even onto a second monitor. It’s kind of a big deal!
5. Push it to me straight DOC!
In a world where speed and collaboration are the names of the game, Autodesk helps us collaborate more speedily with Push to Autodesk Docs. Push to Autodesk Docs (located on the Collaborate Tab of the Ribbon) is not brand new but it has been streamlined by allowing users to publish their AutoCAD Drawings as PDF’s straight to Autodesk Docs. Saving them the need of creating the PDF’s first locally and then pushing them to Autodesk Docs. This will be a real timesaver and one I plan on sharing with my clients ASAP!
More awesomeness awaits your discovery! Log onto your Autodesk Account and begin experiencing Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2022 today!