As posted on Between the Lines, there is an Autodesk survey you may wish to complete in an attempt to have some kind of influence over AutoCAD’s future direction. Among other things, you will be asked specific questions about these issues:
- Interoperability
- Batch Processing in AutoCAD
- Custom Linetype Creator
- Custom Hatch Creator
- Transparent Fills
You will also be asked to rank 10 possible future features:
- Batch process drawings in AutoCAD
- Draw order by layer
- Enhanced visual styles
- Visual compare two drawings
- 3D Dynamic Blocks
- Transparent hatch fills
- Convert PDF to DWG
- 3D enhancements
- Hatch Pattern Generator
- Linetype Creator
Without knowing more details, it’s hard to make a rational choice. For example, does “Enhanced visual styles” mean that AutoCAD 2007’s nearly-done 3D display overhaul will be finished off, allowing the correct display and plotting of simple conventional mechanical engineering views with hidden lines? Because that would make it important and worth me pushing it up the list. Or does it mean something more glossy but much less useful, which from my point of view would push it near the bottom? Who knows?
Never mind, I encourage you to have a go anyway. All you can do is your best based on the available information and hope it isn’t misinterpreted based on faulty assumptions. There’s a box near the end that allows you free rein to say what you like about AutoCAD’s future direction. I hope many of you use it, and I hope Autodesk doesn’t just “listen”, but acts based on what its customers say they want.