Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
• Windows Vista (Enterprise, Business, Ultimate, or Home Premium, SP2 or
later)
• Windows 7 (Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium)
If you like to be cutting edge, there are 64-bit versions of AutoCAD 2012
and AutoCAD LT 2012 that run in the 64-bit versions of XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
DWG file compatibility:
The AutoCAD DWG file format changed with AutoCAD
2010. Users of that version can open drawings created in AutoCAD 2012, but you
have to use the Save As option on the Application Menu, or the SAVEAS command,
to create DWG files for users of AutoCAD 2009 and earlier versions. You can save
as far back as Release 14, and if you need to go even further back, you can save to
the Release 12 DXF format. Visit the online help system for instructions.
Application compatibility:
If you use third-party applications with a previous
AutoCAD release, they may not work with AutoCAD 2012. AutoCAD applications
developed with the .NET or the ObjectARX (AutoCAD Runtime eXtension) inter-
faces may or may not need to be recompiled. Many LSP (AutoLISP) programs writ-
ten for the last several versions of AutoCAD should work without change.
Built-in support for VBA applications is not included in AutoCAD 2012.
You can continue to run VBA applications, but you first have to download and in-
stall the VBA installer from the Autodesk Web site. At the time this topic went to
press, the URL has not been finalized; just go to
www.autodesk.com
and enter
VBA
installer
in the Search box. There are 32- and 64-bit versions, so make sure you
download the right one for your system.
Computer system requirements:
For AutoCAD 2012, Autodesk recommends a 1.6
GHz or better Intel or AMD processor with at least 2 GB of RAM if running in Win-
dows XP, and a 3.0 GHz or better chip and 2 GB of RAM if running in Windows
Vista or Windows 7. The recommended operating system is Windows 7 (64-bit).
Multiple processors and dual core are supported. You also need a 1024 x 768 or
higher display resolution with True Color graphics, 1 GB to 2 GB of available hard
disk space, an Internet connection, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later.
Additional requirements for working in 3D:
AutoCAD recommends a 3 GHz or
better processor; 4 GB or more of RAM; a workstation-class, Direct3D-capable
graphics card with at least 128 MB of memory; and an additional 2 GB of hard disk
space beyond the 1 GB required for installation.
