What's New in AutoCAD 2026

Learn about new features in this release of AutoCAD 2026. For technical details, see the release notes.

Updates

2026.1 Highlights

Smart Blocks: When converting instances to a new block, you can now assign objects within the block to Layer 0. This option is available in Search and Convert, as well as Detect and Convert. Additionally, you can now easily see where you are in the detection process.

Start tab: Access all learning content in one place by clicking on the new Learning & Insights page from the Start tab's side bar. This is a combination of the previous Learning and My Insights pages. After a few seconds of browsing the content, the orange dot notification will clear.

Multi-user Markup:

Autodesk Docs users can now share a URL of a layout or Model tab with collaborators, who can add markups to a trace in AutoCAD on the web using Autodesk Docs markup tools. This enhancement allows multiple collaborators to easily share drawings and add markups and revisions.

Revision Clouds:

• The new REVCLOUDLAYER system variable assigns new revision clouds to the specified layer, overriding the current layer.
• The new REVCLOUDSCALEMODE system variable controls the scaling of arc lengths during the creation of new revision clouds based on the current value of the DIMSCALE system variable.

Tables: The new TABLELAYER system variable assigns new tables to the specified layer, overriding the current layer.

Viewports: The new VIEWPORTLAYER system variable assigns new viewports on named layouts to the specified layer, overriding the current layer.

2026 Highlights

New Features Overview (Video)

This video shows the key enhancements in this release.

AutoCAD Foundations

New to AutoCAD or want to grow your skills? Check out our new learning series. Currently available in English only.

Connected Support Files

Support files are now connected, which means that all drawings and collaborators in an Autodesk Docs project can share one set of support files.

Activity Insights

The new What's Changed insight provides an overview of edits made between Saved activities, allowing you to efficiently continue your work.

Markup Import & Markup Assist

Improvements were made to Markup Import and Markup Assist, namely when importing markups from Autodesk Docs to AutoCAD, making it easier for drafters to incorporate revisions.

Smart Blocks: Search and Convert

In addition to identical blocks, this feature now finds text variations to further streamline repetitive tasks in AutoCAD.

Smart Blocks: Detect and Convert

In this release, Detect has improved detection capability, as well as the option to change and edit the primary instance.

Added Layer Option to CENTERLINE and CENTERMARK

In this release, we integrated the CENTERLAYER system variable into the workflows of creating new centerlines and center marks.

Additional enhancements

GDI Plot Enhancement: We improved compatibility with Windows system printers, handling custom configuration settings more effectively. This enhancement is enabled by default. Plot using your preferred Windows system printer as usual. The printer's custom settings will be used during printing and saved to a .PC3 file.

GPU Text: The selection effect of GPU text has been enhanced to improve display quality. A new option in the Graphics Performance dialog box provides better control over the display of TrueType fonts while using GPU acceleration. GPU text processing has been optimized for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew.

Note: GPU text optimization for TrueType fonts is available in DirectX 12 Advanced Mode only. Use the GRAPHICSCONFIG command to verify your device.

Changes to the FASTSHADEDMODE System Variable: We added two new visual styles with FASTSHADEDMODE support, Hidden and Conceptual. FASTSHADEDMODE improves navigation performance in large 3D models when using a visual style with (Fast) in the name.

Performance Improvements: Raster images now load asynchronously in the background during the opening of a drawing file.

Customer Satisfaction Survey: When you close AutoCAD, a customer satisfaction survey displays. The feedback collected from the survey is used to improve AutoCAD products.