Ten things to know about AutoCAD 360 for Windows 8

1. It's free.

 

 

AutoCAD 360 for Windows 8 running on Windows 10 Preview

2. The free version has fewer functions, reduced file size limits, and cannot start new (blank) drawings. To get more functions, you pay Autodesk $50 or $100 a year.

3. It is meant to view and markup DWG drawing files on the go, but could also be used as a simple 2D drafting system. 

4. It operates only in Microsoft 8's metro (aka modern) mode, so cannot work in Windows 7 or earlier.

5. As a Windows 8 app, AutoCAD 360 must be downloaded from the Microsoft store at http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-ca/app/autocad-360/095a823e-3111-4507-bde9-6ac7feeb2a1e. To download from Microsoft store, a Microsoft account is required. To run the program, an Autodesk account is required.

6. It opens files from Dropbox and Autodesk's online storage, but not from the local computer.

7. It displays drawings in 2D model view, 2D layouts, 3D wireframe, and 3D solid (shaded). It must reload the drawing each time you switch between 2D and 3D modes. Its lists layer names, blocks, layout names, and properties in a side panel. 

8. It is inaccurate at displaying some AutoCAD objects (traces, solids, 3D polymeshes, vertical text, and so on), and does not display others (constraints, fills, generated drawings, and so on). Dynamic blocks do not work.

9. It can draw simple entities (like line, circle, arc, polyline, and rectangle) in several colors, add redline markups, make measurements, and perform simple 2D editing (move, copy, rotate, resize, and delete); 3D models cannot, however, be edited.

10. When exiting a drawing, all changes are saved; there is no canceling of changes. To exit a drawing, click the Windows 8 pancake button, choose App Commands, and then click the back arrow.

 

 

Comments

[Oscar L.]

It doesn't sound too good but I guess you get for what you pay.

[autocader]

I dont know why you think you have to pay, in the Windows version creating and editing is for free!

[scott]

its not free anymore by the looks of things. it was a basic program and was great cause it was free but i wouldn't pay for it

[Rafael Espinoza]

By your review I have concluded that definitively A360 does not replace the vectorial functionality of previous, well known versions of CAD. On the other hand, if you cannot start from scratch (blank dwg) then that means I still need other application to create them and A360 also???? This is totally absurd from Autodesk. Are we looking at the fall stage of AutoCAD??? What other options are available in the market??? Too many questions, too little information.

[Ralph Grabowski]

You don't need another CAD program to start a new drawing; Autodesk withdrew that function from the free version of AutoCAD 360 to force you to purchase the paid version. The workaround is to use a free CAD system like DraftSight to make the starter drawing.

AutoCAD 360 is the first step towards a full version of AutoCAD on the Web, available only on subscription. From statements made by Autodesk execs, it appears this project is at least two years behind schedule -- thankfully!