As an AutoCAD user since 1989, I remember much of the history of Autodesk. Beyond program functionality (which I will cover in a future posting) let us step back and remember our CAD history and find out how we got to where we are today.

25 Moments in the History of Autodesk (and CAD).

  1. 1982: AutoCAD created. It will celebrate its 30 year anniversary and 27th release in the year 2012 with AutoCAD 2013.
  2. 1990: AutoCAD r.11 (r stands for Release) released. (the first Network version of AutoCAD).
  3. 1992: AutoCAD r.12 DOS released.
  4. 1993: AutoCAD r.12 for Windows released. (the first Windows based AutoCAD).
  5. 1993: AutoCAD LT released.
  6. 1994: AutoCAD has 1,000,000 copies sold world-wide.
  7. 1995: Autodesk ships the first version of Mechanical Desktop.
  8. 1996: AutoCAD Map released.
  9. 1997: Autodesk acquires Softdesk. This leads to the development of AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and AutoCAD Land Development Desktop.
  10. 1998: AutoCAD Architectural Desktop and AutoCAD Land Development Desktop released. Both products are based on AutoCAD r.14.
  11. 1999: AutoCAD 2000 released. An even number and the first release using the “year” for the product version.
  12. 1999: Autodesk announces 1,000,000 users of AutoCAD LT.   LT goes on to be the #1 selling product in the Autodesk portfolio.
  13. 1999: The first release of Revit. (Yes, Revit will be a teenager in 2012…)
  14. 1999: The first release of Inventor.
  15. 2000: AutoCAD Architectural Desktop passes 100,000 seats worldwide.
  16. 2001: Autodesk Subscription program introduced.
  17. 2002: Autodesk purchases Revit Technology Corporation and the first Autodesk version of Revit is released.
  18. 2003: AutoCAD 2004 released. This starts the yearly March release cycle of the AutoCAD products we see to this day.
  19. 2003: Civil 3D 2004 released.
  20. 2005: First version of Revit Structure released.
  21. 2006: First version of Revit MEP released.
  22. 2007: Autodesk purchases NavisWorks Inc.
  23. 2007: Architectural Desktop (ADT) renamed AutoCAD Architecture 2008 (ACA) and (along with other Autodesk products) the current Autodesk naming scheme was born.
  24. 2008: AutoCAD 2009 released. The introduction of the “Ribbon” interface that now virtually all Autodesk products share.
  25. 2008: AutoCAD Land Desktop 2009 released. This was the final release of Land Desktop.