Autodesk has released AutoCAD 2023 for Mac as well as AutoCAD LT 2023 for Mac. The updated versions include many new features and capabilities.

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT have many common features. While the lower-cost AutoCAD LT includes a comprehensive 2D drafting toolset, AutoCAD 2023 offers both 2D and 3D design capabilities.

This is important to keep in mind as we go through the basic features that are provided with this latest release. Features that require 3D capabilities are attributed to AutoCAD 2023 only, while everything else is available in both AutoCAD 2023 and the AutoCAD LT (2D) version. For a more detailed comparison, check out the Autodesk’s comparison page.

Trace

Drawing changes can be discussed with Trace without fear of altering the original drawing. Trace works like a collaborative tracing paper, where everyone can add feedback directly to a drawing. This is especially helpful for remote work and collaboration between far-flung teams.

Count

You can count blocks or other selected objects in a drawing fast and accurately. In the current drawing, you can insert a table with block count information, which will update in real time as you draw and model.

Export and Import Settings

Setups can be transferred from one machine to another, making a system replacement or reload far less tedious. Among the options that can be quickly transferred are customizations of the user profile, toolbars and toolsets, command aliases, plot settings, templates and the My Properties settings for the Property palette.

Table Styles

The new Table Style Manager allows you to create and modify table styles. A table style controls the appearance of table cells and the table and can give you added benefits by customizing your work and making it easier to read.

Insert Table Dialog Box

With the new Insert Table dialog box feature, you can select table and cell styles, specify the number of rows and columns, and more when creating a new table object.

Spotlight Search

Drawings can be searched based on drawing content, such as text values, layer names, block names, author and so on. This feature will allow you to find your projects faster and more easily than ever before, especially when you can’t remember a filename or modified date.

Share Current Drawing

To view or edit a copy of a current drawing, all you need to do is simply share a link with your easy collaboration. All associated DWG files and images are included in this link, making it far easier for collaborators to work together and taking less time to get help and input when you need it most.

2D Graphics Display

On the graphical front, a new engine is included in this release of AutoCAD for Mac, which provides a better display effect on some high-end GPUs. This allows for better scaling and workspace navigation without losing detail or performance.

Save Publish List

You now have the option to save the current set of drawings as a DSD file for reuse or to load a set of drawings from a saved file when using the Publish command.

CUTBASE

Both copying objects and items to the system clipboard and placing them in drawings is more versatile with the new CUTBASE command. With CUTBASE, you CUT an object out of one drawing, specify the BASE point, and insert it into another.

Polyline Extend (AutoCAD 2023)

You can add a new vertex to your polyline as you extend the end grip with the Extend Vertex grip option. Reversing the polyline direction is no longer necessary thanks to this new feature.

MLEADER Enhancement

You can choose an existing MTEXT object to be used as the new leader when you run the MLEADER command, giving you additional flexibility and control in your designs.