AutoCAD Architecture (abbreviated as ACA) is a version of Autodesk's flagship product, AutoCAD, with tools and functions specially suited to architectural work. Architectural objects have a relationship to one another and interact with each other intelligently. For example, a window has a relationship to the wall that contains it. If you move or delete the wall, the window reacts accordingly. Objects can be represented in both 2D and 3D. In addition, intelligent architectural objects maintain dynamic links with construction documents and specifications, resulting in more accurate project deliverables. When someone deletes or modifies a door, for example, the door schedule can be automatically updated. Spaces and areas update automatically when certain elements are changed, calculations such as square footage are always up to date. AutoCAD Architecture uses the DWG file format but an object enabler is needed to access, display, and manipulate object data in applications different from AutoCAD Architecture. AutoCAD Architecture was formerly known as AutoCAD Architectural Desktop (often abbreviated ADT) but Autodesk changed its name for the 2008 edition. The change was made to better match the names of Autodesk's other discipline-specific packages, such as AutoCAD Electrical and AutoCAD Mechanical.

  IMPROVE PROJECT DELIVERY Enhance project quality and accuracy and optimize design MAINTAIN MORE CONSISTENT DATA Automate project deliverables and reduce documentation errors. RESPOND FASTER TO PROJECT CHANGES Accelerate detailed design and help streamline time-consuming tasks. Get more out of AutoCAD Civil 3D when you connect it with other Autodesk BIM solutions.  

It has modeling capabilities and a flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform. It is frequently used by video game developers, many TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios. It is also used for movie effects and movie pre-visualization. For its modeling and animation tools, the latest version of 3ds Max also features shaders (such as ambient occlusion and subsurface scattering), dynamic simulation, particle systems, radiosity, normal map creation and rendering, global illumination, a customizable user interface, new icons, and its own scripting language. Features:

• MAXScript: built-in scripting language that can be used to automate repetitive tasks, combine existing functionality in new ways, develop new tools and user interfaces, and much more
• Character Studio helps users to animate virtual characters
• Scene Explorer, a tool that provides a hierarchical view of scene data and analysis, facilitates working with more complex scenes. Scene Explorer has the ability to sort, filter, and search a scene by any object type or property (including metadata)
• DWG import
• Texture assignment/editing: creative texture and planar mapping, including tiling, mirroring, decals, angle, rotate, blur, UV stretching, and relaxation; Remove Distortion; Preserve UV; and UV template image export
• General keyframing: set key and auto key — offer support for different keyframing workflows
• Constrained animation: objects can be animated along curves with controls for alignment, banking, velocity, smoothness, and looping, and along surfaces with controls for alignment. Weight path-controlled animation between multiple curves, and animate the weight. Objects can be constrained to animate with other objects in many ways — including look at, orientation in different coordinate spaces, and linking at different points in time
• Skinning
• Skeletons and inverse kinematics (IK)
• Integrated Cloth solver
• Integration with Autodesk Vault
• Max Creation Graph

  COLLECTION INCLUDES

• Revit
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• InfraWorks 
• AutoCAD
• Advance Steel 
• AutoCAD Architecture
• AutoCAD Electrical
• AutoCAD Map 3D
• AutoCAD MEP
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• AutoCAD Raster Design 
• AutoCAD mobile app 
• Cloud storage (25 GB)
• Dynamo Studio 
• Fabrication CADmep 
• FormIt Pro 
• Insight 
• Navisworks Manage
• ReCap Pro 
• Autodesk Rendering
• Revit Live
• Robot Structural Analysis Professional 
• 3ds Max
• Structural Analysis for Revit
• Structural Bridge Design
• Vehicle Tracking 

Here’s what the collection can do for you Are you a building professional? Use a broad portfolio of interoperable BIM (Building Information Modeling) and CAD technologies to become more productive, gain more insight into all phases of building design, and increase your ability to deliver great design. Do you work in infrastructure design? Use the tools in the collection to connect vertical and horizontal BIM processes across the project lifecycle, so you can deliver more scalable, sustainable, and resilient civil infrastructure. Are you in the construction industry? The collection lets you visually explore project constructability, ultimately helping you manage your costs more effectively and better predict project outcomes. More value, more flexibility, more simplicity Access to a wide selection of essential 3D design software for the work you do Get the tools you need now and in the future, as the collection and your business evolves. Get interoperable tools for both CAD- and BIM-based workflows Connect familiar CAD-based processes for efficient design and documentation with the power of 3D model-based design workflows. Choose the individual products that you want to use Download and install what you want, whenever you like—whether it’s for occasional use, to meet requirements of a particular project or client, or to explore new workflows. Use mobile apps and take advantage of the power of the cloud View and create rich visualizations, work in the field, and store your designs.

Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Since 2010, AutoCAD was released as a mobile- and web app as well, marketed as AutoCAD 360. Auto CAD and AutoCAD LT are available for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian, Albanian (also through additional language packs). The extent of localization varies from full translation of the product to documentation only. The AutoCAD command set is localized as a part of the software localization. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD

• Layer management. Isolate and restore layer groups and specify linetypes and lineweights.Create, delete, and rename layers and layer definitions, change their properties, or add layer descriptions
• Hidden lines. The AutoCAD Mechanical toolset automatically creates hidden lines when you specify which objects overlap the others. Update geometry automatically when changes occur. Minimize manual redraws.
• 700,000+ standard parts and features. Produce accurate drawings with standard components.
• Machinery generators and calculators
•  When you need to capture more complex engineering in a drawing, machinery generators can expedite the process. Efficiently analyze designs, including shaft, spring, belt, chain, and cam generators.
• Document 3D CAD models. Use the AutoCAD Mechanical toolset to detail native Inventor part and assembly models.
• Reusable mechanical drawing detailing tools. Use intelligent drafting tools made for mechanical design.
• Custom content library and publishing. The Content Manager lets you add a part or feature to a content library
• Command preview and contextual menus. Preview fillet, chamfer, and offset commands.
• AutoCAD mobile app. Take the power of AutoCAD wherever you go.
• Smart mechanical engineering dimensions. Create dimensions using abbreviated dialog boxes.
• Support for international drafting standards. Deliver standards-based design documentation.
• Associative balloons and bills of materials. Create automated part lists and BOMs.

Design

Quickly iterate on design ideas with sculpting tools to explore form and modeling tools to create finishing features.

Engineer & simulate

Test fit and motion, perform simulations, create assemblies, make photorealistic renderings and animations. CAM

Create toolpaths to machine your components or use the 3D printing workflow to create a prototype. Collaborate & manage

Bring design teams together in a hybrid environment that harnesses the power of the cloud when necessary and uses local resources when it makes sense.

Features What’s new in InfraWorks New features in InfraWorks® preliminary design software help enhance detailed road design tasks, improve design decisions, and advance component-based bridge design and point cloud processing.

• Superelevation. Calculate and apply superelevation to any component roads in your model that have curves or spiral-curve-spirals.
• Roadside grading. Vary the slopes and the materials applied to different sections of roadside grading.
• Cross-section views. Assess superelevation, road assembly, and cut-and-fill engineering details of your road design in cross-section form.
• Terrain contours. See more detail in existing and proposed ground surfaces by displaying contours and controlling the interval.
• Manage bridge components. Create and manage bridge components and content directly in InfraWorks.
• Flood simulation. Analyze flooding projects based on multiple inflow locations and water elevation changes over time.
•  Calculate material quantities and export to a CSV file. Calculate earthwork quantities on multiple selected roads, station range, and area of interest parcel, right- of- way.
•  Build roads with components like curbs, lanes, and shoulders
• Component roads. Design roads with curbs, lanes, and shoulders. Create parametric models in Inventor and add them to the component road design.
• Parts Editor. Create custom drainage or piping parts with Inventor and export them to the Parts Editor using a free Inventor plug-in.
• Labels for component roads. View in-canvas labels of bridge and bridge component dimensions depending on your selection and view position.
• Generate features from point clouds. Extract linear features from point clouds. Export linear features, vertical features, and ground grid to AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Labels for bridges. View in-canvas labels of component roads depending on your selection and view position.

Model

• Model existing environment. Create a large-scale model by aggregating existing data including 2D CAD, GIS, raster, and 3D models.
• Automated data import and model creation. Create base models from GIS, Raster, DGN, and SketchUp.
• Photorealistic visual effects. Add dynamic sun and shadows, water, and clouds.
• Generate terrain from point clouds. Build data into your model terrain.
• View projects in context. View projects in context of existing conditions.
• Bridge design configurations. Copy bridge design configurations from one component to another, and from one bridge to another.

Design

• Ramps and center lane flows. Quickly create and edit ramps and center/left-turn lanes.
• Roundabout design. Easily convert an intersection into a roundabout style.
• Area of interest. Expand your designs of parcels, easements, and right-of-ways. Easily and accurately represent them in your InfraWorks model.
• Component-based bridge design. Edit bridge decks and girders independently of other bridge components.
• Smarter pavement drainage. Recognizes and responds to complex geometry.
• Import preliminary designs into AutoCAD Civil 3D. Migrate roads and pipe networks from InfraWorks to AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Analyze

• 2D distance and slope. Measure the distance (horizontal and vertical) and slope between two points in a model.
• Measure distances and areas. Determine the best location for design elements.
• Dynamic site analysis. Work with different data types from many sources.
• Shadow and lighting analysis. Predict how shadows may affect project designs.
• Theme palettes. Visually classify assets according to attributes.
• Bridge line girder analysis. Perform a detailed analysis in the cloud.

Collaborate

• Real-time feedback. Accelerate approvals with the Design Feed feature.
• Model publishing. Publish centrally and more securely in the cloud, then engage stakeholders via web/mobile access.
• Model network storage
• iPad app

Mechanical design and 3D CAD software Use Inventor® 3D CAD modeling software for product and mechanical design. Learn about the Inventor modeling, design, simulation, and rendering features. Product design and modeling

• Shape Generator. Create and evaluate high-performing design options in minutes.
• Parametric modeling. Create parameters as you sketch and dynamically size 3D objects. Focus on your design, not the interface.
• Assembly modeling. Put your model together in fewer steps.
• Drawing creation. Quickly create clear, accurate, detailed drawings. 

Collaboration and design automation

• 3D PDF export. Create 3D documentation rich in visual and product information that anyone can view.
• Work with non-native data. Maintain an associative link to non-native CAD data.
• Automated frame design. Quickly design and test structural frames.
• Electromechanical design. Link your Inventor and AutoCAD Electrical data.

Modeling

• Flexible modeling. Use the right modeling tool for every job with parametric, freeform, and direct modeling tools.
• Direct modeling. Use easy push/pull controls to move, rotate, resize, or scale features from imported geometries.
• Freeform modeling. Freely sculpt the shape of your design by moving points, edges, and faces.
• Mechanical concept and layout design. Open DWG™ files directly inside Inventor as the basis for your 3D model.
• Plastic parts design. Design and analyze plastic parts with purpose-built tools in Inventor.
• Sheet metal design. Design complex sheet metal products that conform to your company’s standards.

Automation

• Automated product configuration. Easily set up and deploy complex product configurations.
• Part and assembly design automation. Create reusable, configurable parts, product features, or assemblies by defining variable parameters.
• Component generators and calculators. Use built-in calculators to inform the design of common joints such as welds, clamps, and press fits.
• Automated tube and pipe design. Use a combination of automated tools and full-control design functions in Inventor to build tube and pipe runs.

Interoperability

• Cloud-based 3D design reviews. Share lightweight versions of your 3D designs in the cloud.
• Printed circuit board interoperability. Integrate your electronics and mechanical designs into a single, complete definition of your product.
• BIM interoperability. Access tools specifically created to help prepare your 3D models for use in BIM systems.
• Data management. Robust search function makes it easy to find files and quickly copy design files. Connects to Vault (included in Product Design & Manufacturing Collection).

Simulation and visualization

• Exploded views and animations. Use exploded views and animations of complex assemblies in product documentation, manuals, and assembly instructions.
• Dynamic simulation. Apply forces to evaluate the motion, speed, and acceleration of your design.
• Stress analysis. Run quick checks on parts or perform in-depth analysis of the entire product at any stage.

Features Gain more control over construction projects Navisworks® tools enable greater coordination, construction simulation, and whole-project analysis for integrated project review. Some Navisworks products include advanced simulation and validation tools. Coordination  Deeper integration between Navisworks and BIM 360 Glue provides cloud connectivity to Navisworks users BIM 360 Glue integration

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Share data and workflows with BIM 360 projects.

BIM coordination with AutoCAD

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Open Navisworks files within AutoCAD

 Clash detection in Navisworks

• Clash detection and interference checking
• MANAGE
• View clashes in context to help find and resolve conflicts.

BIM 360 shared views

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Create views and share using either Navisworks or BIM 360 Glue.

 Cloud service Clash and interference management

• MANAGE
• Communicate issues more clearly to the project team.

Dedicated clash detection tool

• MANAGE
• Detect, identify, and manage clashes more effectively.

Model review Model file and data aggregation

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Combine design and construction data in one model.

Object animation and model simulation

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Animate and interact with models.

Interoperability enhancements

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Support for many third-party applications.

Whole-team project review

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Provide equal access to explore the whole project view

NWD and DWF publishing

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Publish models in a distributable NWD or DWF file.

More streamlined collaboration

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Communicate design intent more effectively and encourage teamwork.

Measurement tools

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Face, snapping, axis locking, and quick zoom.

Redline tool

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Gain greater clarity and control when adding redlines.

Model simulation and analysis 5D project scheduling includes time and cost

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Simulate 5D construction schedules and logistics.

Photorealistic model rendering

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Develop compelling 3D animations and imagery

Object animation and model simulation

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Animate and interact with models.

Smoother interaction with quantification data

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Add quantification from an aggregated model.

Project viewing Cloud rendering

MANAGE, SIMULATE
Create renders for whole project models.

Real-time navigation

• MANAGE, SIMULATE, FREEDOM
• Explore an integrated project model as it's built.

Autodesk rendering enhancements

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Visualization tools integrate with Autodesk products.

Reality capture enhancements

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Work with enhanced point cloud integration.

Supported file formats

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Supports numerous file formats and applications.

Quantification Integrated 2D quantification (2D sheet takeoff)

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Supports 2D and 3D project measurement.

3D quantification (integrated model takeoff)

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Generate quantity workbooks.

Quantification enhancements

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Get support for 2D PDF sheets.

Quantification 2D PDF Reader

• MANAGE, SIMULATE
• Supports Adobe PDF files.

What does Revit do? Revit is software for BIM. Its powerful tools let you use the intelligent model-based process to plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. Revit supports a multidiscipline design process for collaborative design.

• Design. Model building components, analyze and simulate systems and structures, and iterate designs. Generate documentation from Revit models.
• Collaborate. Multiple project contributors can access centrally shared models. This results in better coordination, which helps reduce clashes and rework.
• Visualize. Communicate design intent more effectively to project owners and team members by using models to create high-impact 3D visuals.

One multidiscipline BIM platform Revit has features for all disciplines involved in a building project. When architects, engineers, and construction professionals work on one unified platform, the risk of data translation errors can be reduced and the design process can be more predictable. Interoperability Revit helps you work with members of an extended project team. It imports, exports, and links your data with commonly used formats, including IFC, DWG™ and DGN.  Tools created expressly for your discipline Whether you’re an architect; a mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) engineer; a structural engineer; or a construction professional, Revit offers BIM features specifically designed for you. For architects Use Revit to take an idea from conceptual design to construction documentation within a single software environment. Optimize building performance and create stunning visualizations. For structural engineers Use tools specific to structural design to create intelligent structure models in coordination with other building components. Evaluate how well they conform to building and safety regulations. For MEP engineers Design MEP building systems with greater accuracy and in better coordination with architectural and structural components, using the coordinated and consistent information inherent in the intelligent model. For construction professionals Evaluate constructability and design intent before construction begins. Gain a better understanding of the means, methods, and materials, and how they all come together. Connect teams with Collaboration for Revit Extend Revit worksharing to project teams in almost any location with this service, which lets multiple users co-author Revit models in the cloud. Increase communication, centralize efforts of distributed teams, and let entire teams take part in the BIM process. Better team communication Use real-time chat within project models. Know who’s working in the model and what they’re doing. Extended team integration Subscribe to Collaboration for Revit and receive a subscription to BIM 360 Team, an integrated, cloud-based web service that provides centralized team access to project data. Access more projects Extend your reach and participate in projects or joint venture partnerships, wherever they’re located. Better allocate team talents and resources Assign the best team members with the strongest skill sets. Let designers work on multiple projects based in different locations at the same time. Minimize in-person meetings or co-location of teams Help lower travel expenses and support greater work-life balance for team members. Visualization and rendering. Show how your product will look with visualization and rendering tools.

The Autodesk® Subassembly Composer for Autodesk® AutoCAD® Civil 3D® provides an interface for composing and modifying complex subassemblies, without a need for programming.

 Features
Autodesk Vault for design & manufacturing Vault for design and manufacturing Manage your product data and engineering processes in a single, central location. Autodesk Vault for infrastructure Vault for infrastructure Create, organize, and manage your civil infrastructure deliverables more effectively in a single central location. Autodesk Vault for non-designers Vault for non-designers Vault Office, sold separately, helps engineers and non-engineers collaborate in one central location. Shared views Share 2D or 3D views of your work with others, and get comments and feedback directly inside your product. Enhanced design experience Notable usability improvements within the CAD add-ins enhance the overall design experience Engineering efficiency Publishing the 2D PDF during the release process supports a better downstream communication to manufacturing and keeps all teams informed.

This collection includes Maya, 3ds Max, and a number of other Autodesk creative applications. Bring your imagination to life with Maya 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software. Maya helps artists tell their story with one fast, creative toolset. Use the integrated Arnold renderer to help solve your most complex rendering problems. Quickly create complex, beautiful procedural effects with instanced objects. Make high-level animation edits with a nondestructive, clip-based, nonlinear editor.
If you can dream it, you can build it in 3ds Max, the 3D software for modeling, animation, and rendering that allows you to create massive worlds in games and stunning scenes for design visualization. With tools to help shape and define, 3ds Max is modeling software for artists looking to create a range of environments and detailed characters. 3ds Max works with most major renderers, such as V-Ray, Iray, and mental ray, to create high-end scenes and striking visuals for design visualization and more. 3ds Max is used by top-tier animation and design firms to create imaginative characters and realistic scenes in games and architecture. For flexible interoperability, 3ds Max works with Autodesk Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360, and Stingray, as well as SketchUp, Unity, Unreal, and more.
Other Autodesk software components in this Collection include Motion Builder, Mudbox, Character Generator, Rendering in A360, ReCap 360 Pro, and 25GB of cloud storage.

From Inventor, to HSM, to Fusion 360, this myriad of MFG software allows you or your company to complete product lifecycles with ease, at an affordable and attainable price. If you work within the Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial machinery, Manufacturing Product design or any other related industries you will know that developing top performing products and parts has always been a detailed, engineering-intensive and all-round tough job. With all the different materials and composites available, knowing how each one will behave/work, whilst ensuring your products perform as expected and within warranty requirements requires expert knowledge, endless working hours and a first class toolset.
Thankfully, the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection enables you to shorten product development lifecycle’s and cut design and production costs using powerful simulation tools and digital prototyping workflows. This ultimate end-to-end product development set of tools, enables you to design, test, manage and manufacture your products with precision.