AutoCAD Mechanical Changelog

What's new in AutoCAD Mechanical 2025

Apr 10, 2024

Quality improvements:
Mechanical Standards: Mechanical standards are now preserved when saving a drawing to a previous release format.
Viewports: Dimensions for chamfer now respect scaling when the viewport is created using the -VPORTS command.
Hole: Optimized preview experience for creating block with hole feature.
Hole Chart
Performing an undo in the middle of the AMOFFSET command no longer affects object snap settings.
The hole chart feature now has the capability to display the degree symbol for polar coordinates.
Centerhole: The AMCENCRHOLE command now provides more accurate hole placement.
Structure: The side view of a shaft component is now generated accurately in mechanical structure.
Construction Line: Consistent precision is now ensured with construction line commands, eliminating occasional object omissions when drawing in a zoomed-out view.
AdMigrator: Enhanced accuracy when migrating from a previous version of AutoCAD Mechanical .
Taper Symbol: The Insert Symbol textbox now has the capability to seamlessly parse GDT font.
MarkupAssist: Enhanced stability when switching modes from TRACEFRONT to TRACEBACK.
Content: Enhanced precision in evaluation of nested parts and features like keyways.
Additional enhancements
2D Graphics:
Font display improvements.
The Graphics Performance dialog box includes a new "Diagnosis" tab specifically designed to diagnose common graphics card issues.
3D Graphics: The Wireframe visual style has been added to the cross platform 3D graphics system. See the Fast shaded mode option in the Graphics Performance dialog box for more information.
File Open Performance: Improvements have been made to reduce the amount of time it takes to open 2D drawing files.
New and Changed File Formats: The ACTM and DXE file formats have been replaced by the new ACTMX and DXEX file formats.
ACTM files must be migrated to the ACTMX file format before they can be played back. New action macros recorded are stored in the ACTMX file format and are not compatible with AutoCAD 2024 and earlier releases.
DXE files can continue to be used to extract data from a drawing, but changes can't be saved back these files. Changes can only be saved to the new DXEX file format which is not compatible with AutoCAD 2024 and earlier releases.

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2023 (Mar 31, 2022)

Features:
Standards Revision Updates for Weld Symbols:
The welding symbol in AutoCAD Mechanical is updated to support the new AWS A2.4-2012 standard revision.
Auto-Increment Datum and Feature Identifiers:
The AMAUTOINCDATUMID system variable controls whether automatic incrementing is enabled for identifiers within datum and feature identifier symbols.
Feature Control Frame for Text Attachments:
Create feature control frame symbols which are associated to text within dimensions, hole, thread notes, and leaders.
Markup Import and Markup Assist:
Markup Import and Markup Assist use machine learning to identify markups and provide a way to view and insert drawing revisions with less manual effort.
Trace:
Building on the initial release of the Trace feature, you can now create traces in desktop and contribute to traces created by others.
Count:
You can now count instances of an object or blocks within a specified area.
Floating Drawing Windows:
Continued improvements to floating drawing windows are included in this release.
3D Graphics:
This release includes the new cross platform 3D graphics system, leveraging all the power of modern GPUs and multi-core CPUs to offer a smooth navigation experience for much larger drawings.
2D Graphics Display:
This release of AutoCAD includes a new graphic engine, which provides a better display effect on some high-end GPUs.
Sheet Set Manager for Autodesk Docs:
Manage sheet sets from Autodesk Docs using the new Sheet Set Manager for Web.
Drawing and Layout Tabs:
Changes to the drawing and layout tabs make it easier to tell which drawing and layout is active. Changes also make it easier to see which drawing is active on the drawing tab overflow menu.
CUTBASE:
The new CUTBASE command copies selected objects to the Clipboard, along with a specified base point, and removes them from the drawing.
Polyline Extend:
A new grip option, Extend Vertex, adds a new vertex to your polyline extending from the selected end grip. You no longer have to reverse the polyline direction.
MLEADER Enhancement:
The MLEADER command now has an option to select an existing mtext object to use for the new leader.
Quality improvements:
WBLOCK: Drawings containing a hole chart that's saved using the WBLOCK command no longer cause a crash.
Layer Object Settings: Opening the Layer Settings dialog box in a drawing that's saved from AutoCAD as a WBLOCK no longer displays a fatal error.
File Open: Opening drawings saved from Autodesk Fusion 360 no longer causes a crash.
Tool Palette: Blocks selected to be exploded and placed from the Tool Palette no longer cause a crash.
Symbol Dialog Boxes: Various AutoCAD Mechanical symbol dialog boxes can now be used without causing a crash.
Power Manipulator: Using AMMANIPULATE command in the Shaded visual style no longer causes a crash.
Compare:
The "Link to dimension style" option now doesn't affect the comparison result on symbols like Section line.
Section line is now correctly shown in the comparison results when the COMPAREPROPS system variable setting is changed.
Standard parts and features now show the correct comparison results when the COMPAREPROPS system variable setting is changed.
Snap: Snap command options such as "Reference of" and "Mid of 2 points" now work correctly.
Data Corruption: Standard parts no longer get removed and are seen correctly when opening certain corrupted Mechanical Structure drawings.
Tool Palette: Leader note part of an exploded block now gets placed to the correct location when added from a Tool Palette.
Localized Drawings: Drawings in localized languages now show correct information about the language of Drawing creation.
Welding Symbol: The U Groove and J Groove Weld Types in ANSI Standard do not show any overlapping.
Profile: The AutoCAD Mechanical profile now starts correctly after editing the AutoCAD Mechanical profile shortcut.
External File Dialog Box: External file dialog box in Structure workflow now shows no overlapping and works as expected.
Block: Blocks containing Mechanical objects when added to Favorites list in the Blocks Palette now show correct behavior.
Standard Content: U-Shapes for JIS standard now show correct dimensions.
Additional enhancements:
Insert Block: The Block Redefine dialog box provides an option to rename a block when the specified block name already exists in the drawing.
Options Dialog Box: A new task dialog prompts you to either save or discard the changes made when you attempt to close or cancel the Options dialog box.
Isolation Mode: The object selection is now maintained when you exit isolation mode.
New Drawing: Hovering over the New drop-down on the Start tab, displays a tooltip with the name of the drawing template file that will be used.
Customer Error Reporting (CER): Your email address is now automatically filled in when an error report is generated.
Multi-core Background Publishing: The publish option "Include Hyperlinks" is now supported when publishing a Multi-sheet PDF file using background publishing.

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2022 (Oct 22, 2021)

Standards Revision:
The welding symbol now supports the latest ISO (ISO 2553:2019) and JIS (JIS Z 3021:2016) standards revision.
Trace:
Trace provides a safe space to collaborate on drawing changes in the AutoCAD web and mobile apps without fear of altering the existing drawing. The analogy of trace is a virtual, collaborative tracing paper that's laid over the drawing, allowing collaborators to add feedback right in the drawing.
Count:
Quickly and accurately count the instances of objects in a drawing. You can insert a table with the count data into the current drawing.
Floating Drawing Windows:
You can now drag a drawing file tab off of the AutoCAD application window, making it a floating window.
Share Current Drawing:
Share a link to a copy of the current drawing to view or edit in the AutoCAD web app. All related DWG xrefs and images are included.
Push to Autodesk Docs:
Push to Autodesk Docs allows teams to view digital PDFs in the field for reference. Use Push to Autodesk Docs to upload AutoCAD drawings as PDFs to a specific project on Autodesk Docs.
Start Tab Redesign:
The Start Tab has been redesigned to provide a consistent welcome experience for Autodesk products.
3D Graphics Technical Preview:
This release includes a Technical Preview of a completely new cross platform 3D graphics system being developed for AutoCAD, leveraging all the power of modern GPUs and multi-core CPUs to offer a smooth navigation experience for much larger drawings than in prior releases.
Installer:
The 2022 products provide a new, faster, more reliable install and deployment experience. When installing the product, there are fewer options so that you are up and running faster. For a more customized install or deployment creation, use the Custom Install workflows in your Autodesk Account. This gives you complete control over the options you want, without needing to download the product first. With the Custom Install, you can include multiple products in a single installation, with all options, extensions, and plugins.
Other Enhancements:
External References: The nested xrefs display the correct order in the tree view. The xrefs saved in older file format are correctly saved during in-place editing.
Properties Palette: Property changes in the Properties palette no longer cause a fatal error.
Point Style: Point style works in all the localized versions in the menu bar.
Dynamic Block: Grip-editing a dynamic block shows the correct grip point location.
DWG Launcher: When drawing association is set to AutoCAD DWG Launcher, double-clicking opens the drawing in a single instance.
Detail View: AMDETAIL command creates the correct detail view without a fatal error.
Mechanical Layer: Turning the layer on and off retains the table at the expected location.
AMGDBIMPORT: AMGDBIMPORT command no longer displays a database error.
Bill of Materials: When used in the BOM, the mask file prints without any fatal error.
File Open: Opening MDT files with a Standards template no longer causes a crash.
Leader Note: Localized versions display the correct font when editing the leader note for standard parts.
Compare Import: COMPAREIMPORT command imports all selected AutoCAD Mechanical objects.
Welding Symbol:
The Brazing option correctly clears any non-applicable weld type.
When a secondary weld is selected, the Pitch value displays correctly in the JIS weld symbol.
When the weld symbol is placed on a model doc view, saving to an older file format works without a fatal error.
The controls in the Weld Symbol dialog box do not overlap.
Power Dimension:
REDO command works without getting disabled after an UNDO operation in AMPOWERDIM.
Properties of a partially deleted dimension can be changed from the Properties palette without causing the application to hang.
When the prefix field contains a space, editing a power dimension does not remove the characters from the suffix.

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2019.0.1 Hotfix (Jul 6, 2018)

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2015 (Apr 30, 2014)

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 (Mar 21, 2013)

Autodesk Synergy:
Autodesk Synergy now includes the ability to create associative section and detail views of 3D models created in AutoCAD, Autodesk® Inventor® software, and other competitive products. These section views include full control of cutting plane, section depth, part inclusion/exclusion, hatching, and annotations. Detail views include full control of shape, scale, and annotations. Combined with AutoCAD Mechanical software’s leader note capabilities and recognized features such as Holes and Extract Thread Data, these powerful tools make AutoCAD Mechanical your documentation solution for mechanical design.
Improved Power Dimension In-Place Editor:
The power dimension in-place editor in AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 now includes the ability to select multiple dimensions at once. Select dimensions, and you can insert symbols, add or modify fits and tolerances, add prefix or suffix text, and modify precision while seeing a real-time preview. With multiple diameters along a shaft selected, applying an h6 fit applies the tolerance to each dimension, based on the nominal size.
Annotation Monitor:
Use the annotation monitor in AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 to check for disassociated annotations in the model space, as well as in each paper space layout. Each disassociated annotation (such as dimension, leader note, or surface texture symbol) is flagged by an in-canvas badge, which also provides access to Delete and Reassociate commands, giving you complete feedback on the accuracy of your documentation.
Infer Constraint Integration:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 enables you to geometrically and dimensionally constrain rectangles, symmetrical lines, and centerlines in mechanical designs. Turn on Auto Constrain, and geometrical constraints are inferred automatically—while creating the objects. Once constrained, rectangles remain rectangular, and centerlines remain in the center of circles or holes.
Drafting Standards Update:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 includes enhancements to the ISO 1302-2002 surface texture symbols. These symbols now support surface indication leaders. Surface indication leaders enable these symbols to be attached to edges and remain associative to objects, but originate from a surface or face.
Updated JIS and DIN Content Libraries:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 includes updates to JIS and DIN content libraries. Enhancements to the JIS (Japanese) library include G 3350:2009 Light Gauge Steel and JIS G 3452:2010 Gas Pipe standards. The DIN (German) library includes DIN 6917:1989, DIN 6918:1990, and DIN 6918A:1990 Fasteners.

New in AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 (May 30, 2011)

Autodesk Exchange for AutoCAD Mechanical:
With connected access to getting-started videos and help content, the Autodesk Exchange brings the content you need directly to your AutoCAD Mechanical workspace.
Performance Improvements:
Many common tasks have been tuned for performance, including startup time and overall responsiveness, especially in the user interface.
Autodesk Inventor Fusion:
With Autodesk Inventor Fusion you can experience the benefits of 3D without risking inaccurate translations since you are working with real DWG. Autodesk Inventor Fusion sets a new standard for 3D modeling ease of use. It enables you to intelligently edit 3D models from almost any source, helping you experience the benefits of 3D in the native DWG format.
Model Documentation Tools:
Save time by automatically generating intelligent documentation for models created in AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor software, and other modeling software. Import a wide variety of other formats, including SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA, Rhino, and NX. Drawing views, edge display, and location are instantly updated when an engineering change is made.
Enhanced BOM Migration:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 now supports multiple templates. In addition, bill of material (BOM) setup is easier with automatic mapping of BOM properties and automatic creation of migration templates.
Autodesk Content Explorer:
The new Autodesk Content Explorer feature enables you to instantly find your design content based on file objects or text attributes. It creates an index of your data based on where you instruct it to look, helping you quickly access files, blocks, layers, linetypes, and styles, enabling you to access and insert data into DWG files.
Standards Update:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 includes updates for standards derived from the recently updated ISO standard in key areas such as dimensioning, GD&T, leaders, and parts lists (for example, 3040:2009). AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 also includes updates for DIN, JIS, and BSO, as well as other standards.