Features
AutoCAD software lets you design, visualize, and document your ideas clearly and efficiently. With AutoCAD 2009, Autodesk has one goal: increasing productivity. New features accelerate tasks, allow commands to be easily found, and help rapidly train new users.

Features
Solid and Surface Modeling and Visualization
Robust modeling capabilities enable you to shape and visualize your ideas unlike ever before. The redesigned interface uses a single, easy-to-learn environment for creating both solids and surfaces. Users can now create solid objects that have faces defined by complex surfaces. Applying materials to a model is a simple task. Just drag materials from a predefined library onto any solid face or surface defined in their model.

Users can now make highly accurate, photorealistic rendered images available for any purpose. Use these images to win contracts, meet planning requirements, or study the effects of changes on the design.

User Interface
With the ribbon interface, overall drafting productivity is increased as the number of steps to reach a command is decreased. The ribbon is both customizable and expandable so that it can be optimized for each user and can meet each company™s standards.

Action Recorder
The new action recorder saves time and increases productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a professional CAD manager. Users can quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, then quickly select and play back recorded files.

Autodesk® ViewCube® and SteeringWheels
The Autodesk ViewCube is an interactive tool used to rotate and orient any solid or surface model in AutoCAD. In addition to allowing quick access to the orbit command, the new SteeringWheels™ tool allows quick access to the pan, center, and zoom commands. It is highly customizable so you can add walk through commands to help create and record a walk-through of your model.

Annotation Scaling
The addition of annotation scale in AutoCAD helps users avoid the creation and management of multiple text, leaders, hatch patterns, blocks, linetypes and multi-line leaders across multiple layers. A control on the status bar enables designers to set the current scale of a viewport or model space view. Designers can then apply that scale to each object and specify its size, placement, and appearance based on the scale set for the viewport.

Menu Browser
Reviewing and working with several files is no longer a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface allows you to browse files and examine thumbnail images and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.

Layer Dialog
The new layer dialog makes creating and editing layer properties faster and less prone to error. Changes are instantly reflected in the drawing as they are made in the dialog.

Quick View
The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, making opening the correct drawing file and layout faster and decreasing the time spent opening incorrect drawing files.