Future AutoCAD Details

Deelip Menezes is reporting on an Autodesk employee writing about possible features in a future release of AutoCAD. These include:

-- UI changes that follows the OS [like the ribbon bar in SolidWorks 2008?]
-- MicroStation DGN V7 support [current support is for uStn V8]
-- Macro recorder [like the one already in IntelliCAD?]

Nevertheless, searching Google for "AutoCAD 2009" gets you this, and additional info.

Comments

[Mike]

Great!! I hope it never makes into the release as a main interface. Perhaps a profile option only. Ask the SW2008 users if they like it.....

Mike

[ralphg]

Autodesk has a history of keeping old user interfaces -- both GUI and at the command line -- intact, giving users the option of continuing with the familiar or switching to something different.

If AutoCAD 2009 has the Office-like ribbon UI, then I am sure the beloved GUI of 2008 and earlier will still be available through an option.

[Randall Newton]

I think Deelip or his source has their wires twisted on the subject of DGN compatibility in AutoCAD. V7 is supported now, in 2D only. The 3D features of DGN V7, as well as all of DGN V8, has proven to be a tough nut to crack. If they make any changes to DGN support in the next version of AutoCAD, it would be first to support V7 in 3D.