Autodesk -- which specializes in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software -- has debuted a range of new AutoCAD products built for Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"): AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac software. This marks the first time Autodesk has offered AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD WS for the Mac.

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac was built specifically for Lion and enables users to document designs, optimize workflow and collaborate with colleagues and clients. AutoCAD WS for Mac enables users to view and collaborate on DWG files through the Mac interface. In addition, AutoCAD WS users can plot DWG files to PDF or DWF formats and sync with their cloud-based AutoCAD WS account, making files accessible from their AutoCAD WS mobile app. AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac are available exclusively in the Mac App Store.

“Since the release of AutoCAD for Mac last year, customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, further validating the need for professional design and engineering software on the Mac platform,” says Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business. “Bringing AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD WS to the Mac shows our continued commitment to making design more accessible for an ever-greater number of people to shape the world around them.”

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 software includes familiar AutoCAD capabilities, such as 2D and 3D design tools, and includes 3D free-form modeling capabilities; 3D visualization and rendering; network licensing; customization of the menus; support for LISP and ObjectARX and ObjectDBX applications; and more.

AutoCAD LT for Mac is designed for designers, architects and engineers who prefer to work in a native Mac environment and need to create, edit or review designs, technical drawings and documentation, says Hanspal. Like the AutoCAD WS mobile app Autodesk released last September, AutoCAD WS for Mac is a free app providing basic, intuitive tools for viewing, editing and sharing designs. Through its synchronous coediting feature, users may also collaborate on designs across multiple platforms -- desktop, mobile and web.

Files created in previous versions of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT can be opened in Mac versions of the products, AutoCAD for Mac 2012 is offered free to students and educators through the Autodesk Education Community, where more than 25 Autodesk software products are available for download.

AutoCAD for Mac 2012 and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be available worldwide on Aug 19. AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be available in the U.S. and Canada on Aug. 16. Get more details and information about purchase options here (http://macte.ch/l1Tie).