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What’s New in AutoCAD 2022? Do More with New Specialized Toolsets Updates – AutoCAD Blog

What’s New in AutoCAD 2022? Do More with New Specialized Toolsets Updates – AutoCAD Blog
Wei Zhang
Written by Wei Zhang

Transformative Features of AutoCAD 2022

AutoCAD 2022 introduces seven specialized toolsets that enhance productivity by automating routine tasks. These updates are designed to save time and improve accuracy across various industries, allowing users to take full advantage of both innovative features and significant enhancements.

Revolutionary Updates in the Mechanical Toolset

The Mechanical toolset has been upgraded to align with the most recent ISO and JIS welding standards, specifically ISO 2553:2019, ISO 4063:2009, and JIS Z 3021: 2016. These revisions facilitate improved annotation capabilities, enabling designers to incorporate the latest welding standards into both new and existing documents seamlessly. Notably, compatibility with previous versions remains, allowing users to open and edit documents created in earlier AutoCAD editions without concerns.

Enhancements in the Architecture Toolset

The Architecture toolset now features around 80 new MVBlocks and block references, enriching the US Imperial and US Metric content packs available in the Design Center. This content expansion covers a wide array of categories, including furnishings, equipment, and food service. Moreover, the data properties in shared views have been improved, featuring additional attributes like Property Sets in the Extended Data tab, ensuring collaborative efforts are more informed and streamlined.

Improved Version Control for AEC Projects

The MEP toolset has received notable updates, mirroring the Architecture toolset with the newly implemented PURGEAECDATA command. This feature permits the purging of invisible data, significantly enhancing version control and allowing users greater flexibility in managing projects.

Electrical Design Advancements

For those engaged in Electrical design projects, the Electrical toolset now encompasses manufacturing content from Rockwell, complete with updated catalog data and footprint drawings. This addition facilitates both schematic designs and 3D model creation within the Inventor workflows. Furthermore, SQL catalog support for Autodesk Vault has been introduced, enriching billing of materials for projects. Users can also modify SQL server timeout settings via the AESetSqlServerTimeout variable to mitigate errors that might surface when using a VPN.

Plant 3D Toolset Enhancements

The Plant 3D toolset has undergone substantial improvements, including a redesigned user interface that simplifies isometric dimensioning. Additionally, the Iso Style Editor is now more accessible, enabling advanced configuration options. A new project comparison feature allows users to sync configurations between different projects effectively. Security remains a top priority, as updates to the Plant content runtime now utilize Python version 3.7.9, offering enhanced security compliance.

Map 3D Toolset Updates

Users can now publish FDO vector layer data to ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS Enterprise directly from AutoCAD 2022. Enhanced options for importing data include specifying coordinate systems, alongside several corrections and updates to existing coordinate systems. The extended support for FDO providers to newer versions of PostgreSQL and ESRI ArcGIS significantly benefits users by improving interoperability.

Raster Design Toolset Features

The Raster Design toolset allows users to integrate scanned documents and other image data into their AutoCAD projects effectively. Enhanced capabilities for managing bitonal, grayscale, and color raster images simplify the editing and analysis processes. This toolset also significantly enhances the ability to clean up and archive paper-based drawings, making it an invaluable resource for those requiring digital conversion.

Getting Started with AutoCAD 2022

To explore the latest features in AutoCAD 2022, users should log into their Autodesk Account and download the updated version. Those not yet subscribed can take advantage of a free 30-day trial to experience the toolsets firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the new toolsets included in AutoCAD 2022?

AutoCAD 2022 features seven specialized toolsets: Mechanical, Architecture, MEP, Electrical, Plant 3D, Map 3D, and Raster Design, all designed to automate tasks and enhance productivity.

2. How do I access the new features in AutoCAD 2022?

Users can access the new features by logging into their Autodesk Account and downloading the latest release. A 30-day free trial is also available for newcomers.

3. Are previous versions of documents compatible with the updates in AutoCAD 2022?

Yes, AutoCAD 2022 maintains compatibility with documents created in earlier versions, allowing users to open, edit, and save files without issues.

About the author

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang is a renowned figure in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) industry in Canada, with over 30 years of experience spanning his native China and Canada. As the founder of a CAD training center, Wei has been instrumental in shaping the skills of hundreds of technicians and engineers in technical drawing and CAD software applications. He is a certified developer with Autodesk, demonstrating his deep expertise and commitment to staying at the forefront of CAD technology. Wei’s passion for education and technology has not only made him a respected educator but also a key player in advancing CAD methodologies in various engineering sectors. His contributions have significantly impacted the way CAD is taught and applied in the professional world, bridging the gap between traditional drafting techniques and modern digital solutions.