What's New in AutoCAD 2021 for Mac

Learn about new features in this release of AutoCAD 2021 for Mac release.

Updates

2021.1 Highlights

Recent Input

Repeat commands or command input using Recent Input on the shortcut menu. Right-click to display a shortcut menu.

AutoLISP Extension for VS Code Enhancements

Enhancements include project management, support for extension level debug configurations, and easier LSP file loading.

2021 Release

Highlights

AutoCAD 2021 for Mac New Features Overview (Video)

This video shows the key enhancements in this release including the command window, purge, revision cloud, break, trim, extend, and measure enhancements, and the new xref compare. An AutoLISP extension is available for VS Code that allows you to edit and debug AutoLISP source (LSP) files with AutoCAD. Dialog boxes for use with AutoLISP programs can now be defined with the Dialog Control Language (DCL). Support for Chinese has been added.

Floating Command Window

The command window can be undocked. An undocked, or floating command window can be repositioned on the screen by dragging the left or right end.

Non-Purgeable Items

The PURGE dialog box can display objects that can't be purged. Switch between viewing the list of purgeable items and non-purgeable items.

XREF Compare

You can now compare and see the changes made to the drawing file that's attached as an external reference (xref) in the current drawing.

AutoLISP Extension for Microsoft Visual Studio (VS) Code

A new AutoLISP extension was released for use with VS Code that allows you to edit and debug AutoLISP (LSP) files with AutoCAD.

DCL Support with AutoLISP

Dialog boxes for use with AutoLISP programs can now be written with the dialog control language (DCL).

Simplified Chinese

AutoCAD for Mac now supports Simplified Chinese.

Streamlined Trim and Extend

The default Quick mode selects all potential boundaries by default for the Trim and Extend commands.

Blocks Palette Enhancements

Dragging a block from the Blocks palette now uses the values for scale and rotation in the Insertion Options.

Break Objects at a Single Point

With the new BREAKATPOINT command, the Break at Point tool on the tool sets can now be repeated by pressing Enter.

Revision Cloud Enhancements

Revision clouds now include a single value for their approximate arc chord lengths, the distance between the endpoints of each arc segment.

Quick Measure Area

The Quick option of the MEASUREGEOM command now supports extracting areas and perimeters from within enclosed areas in a 2D drawing.

More Features

Add Text to a Specified Layer

Currently, AutoCAD-based products provide system variables that each control a layer override for new dimensions, hatches, centerlines, center marks, and xrefs. For example, you can specify a layer for hatches regardless of the current layer. A new system variable, TEXTLAYER, extends this capability to text and multiline text objects.

Graphics Engine

To prepare for future Mac OS changes, AutoCAD 2021 for Mac uses a new graphics engine: Metal.

AutoLISP Unicode Support

Prior to AutoCAD 2021, AutoLISP didn't fully support Unicode characters. You can learn more about the changed functions related to Unicode character support in the New and Changed AutoLISP Functions Reference (AutoLISP) topic.

Application Preference Updates

Updates include controls for lasso selection, layout background color, and trusted paths.

Miscellaneous Enhancements

Enhancements include the new system variable TEXTGAPSELECTION, support for OLE images, and a command line version for page setup, -PAGESETUP.