AutoCAD is an advanced design and drafting application that offers 2D and 3D design tools and can be used to design office spaces, buildings, and public spaces. It was one of the first Computer Aided Design applications to be released on personal computer and it has undergone numerous stages of evolution since its first release back in 1982. As such, it remains one of the most advanced and useful CAD packages on the market.
Extending AutoCAD
One of the benefits of AutoCAD is that it can be extended through the addition of various types of AutoCAD plugin. An AutoCAD plugin offers a means to automate certain processes, add new features that are designed for a very specific purpose, or extend the libraries of symbols and other designs that are included as part of the AutoCAD package.
Design
Some AutoCAD plugins are designed to enable the user to create their own library of symbols. An extended toolbox can provide users with the ability to make their own designs and hatch patterns. Hatch creation can be further extended with an AutoCAD plugin like GlobalCAD Hatch Manager. This enables you to create your own professional and highly detailed hatch designs so that you can incorporate them into any design and create images for any purpose.
Plugins For Specific Tasks
AutoCAD is a popular tool for landscape designers. The application itself provides many of the drafting tools that are needed but by expanding on this with an AutoCAD plugin like LandARCH you can benefit from extensive plant databases and even provide cost estimates that are created based on the drawings and designs that you create. It also includes masses of 2D and 3D libraries that enable you to create professional looking, cost effective, and accurate designs.
A Scheduling And Billing AutoCAD Plugin
Producing both schedules and bill of materials play a big part in the majority of designers' jobs. GlobalCAD Schedule is an advanced scheduling and billing AutoCAD plugin. Use dynamic spreadsheet links and combine these with your drawing data in order to create accurate and consistent estimates and invoices. You can even synchronise the data with Microsoft Excel so that you can store, manipulate, and work with the data however you like.
