What's New in AutoCAD 2021

Learn about new features in this release of AutoCAD 2021.

Updates

2021.1 Highlights

Blocks Palette Enhancements

A number of enhancements have been made to the Blocks palette, including improved setup and control over third-party cloud providers for using blocks across devices, and a new Favorites tab.

AutoCAD Web App - Open in Desktop

If you're working in the AutoCAD web app, click Open in Desktop to open the drawing in AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT desktop. Your drawing is automatically saved and then opened in your locally installed version of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT desktop.

AutoLISP Extension for VS Code Enhancements

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

AutoCAD Help Updates

The AutoCAD Help has a new Quick References menu, the Have You Tried articles are now organized within a table of contents, and a new card format provides easier access to the learning videos.

2021 Release

Highlights

AutoCAD 2021 New Features Overview (Video)

This video shows the key enhancements in this release.

Streamlined Trim and Extend Option

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

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.

Break Objects at a Single Point

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

Quick Measure Area

The Quick option of the MEASUREGEOM command now supports measuring the area and perimeter within a space enclosed by geometric objects in the plan view of a drawing.

Drawing History (Subscription Benefit)

View the version history of drawings stored in the cloud in the new Drawing History palette, where you can compare them with the current version of your drawing.

Blocks Palette Enhancements

The Blocks palette has been enhanced to provide more convenient access to blocks anytime and anywhere.

XREF Compare

Similar to the drawing compare feature, you can now compare the changes made to a drawing file attached as an external reference (xref) in the current drawing.

Touch Enhancements

Support for gestures has been enhanced for a better touch experience.

Graphics Performance

The speed of panning and zooming in 2D has been enhanced.

Additional enhancements

Rectangle Enhancements: Dynamic tooltips have been updated to prompt for the width and height dimensions of the rectangle when specifying the second point. If instead, you want to enter a coordinate value for the second point, do one of the following:
  • Type # and then enter the X,Y value to specify an absolute coordinate.

    For example, #3.25,5.75 to specify the second point at 3.25,5.75 in the drawing.

  • Enter an X value followed by a comma and Y value to specify a relative coordinate.

    For example, 3.25,5.75 to specify the second point 3.25,5.75 units from the first point.

Security Enhancements: Using both internal testing and third-party assessments and audits, the AutoCAD Security team continues to harden AutoCAD-based products against emerging cyber threats and to maintain compliance with current standards and best practices.

Related Concepts

Related Reference