Drafting Tools
Across-the-board improvements ensure routine, time-consuming tasks won't slow you down.

Ribbon
The ribbon interface increases overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps to reach a command. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format, allowing you to quickly select commands based on the work you're doing.

Demonstration/New Features Workshop Learn about new features and enhancements in AutoCAD LT 2009 software.

The ribbon interface increases overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps to reach a command.

The new menu browser interface allows you to browse files and examine thumbnail images and provides detailed information about file size and file creator.

The new layer dialog makes creating and editing layer properties faster and less prone to error.

Menu Browser
Reviewing and working with several files is no longer a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface allows you to browse files and examine thumbnail images and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.

Layer Dialog
The new layer dialog makes creating and editing layer properties faster and less prone to error. Changes are instantly reflected in the drawing as they are made in the dialog. Manipulation of the dialog box is simplified, and columns in the dialog can be individually resized so the contents of that column or its title are not truncated. You can fix individual columns in place so that the rest of the columns can be scrolled through and referenced to a fixed column such as the layer name.

Quick Properties
The easily customizable quick properties menu increases productivity by reducing the steps to access properties information, ensuring that the information presented is optimized for you and your project.

Quick View
The quick view feature uses thumbnails instead of file names, so you can open the correct drawing file and layout faster.

DWF technology is the fastest and easiest way to communicate design information and ensure secure and efficient sharing at every stage of the project lifecycle.

Increase collaboration and the exchange of data with users of older versions of AutoCAD software.

Customers who use Adobe PDF can view and print your design files.

Text Improvements
Manipulate text efficiently by viewing, sizing, and positioning text as you type.

• Adjust text appearance as needed using familiar tools common in text-editing applications, and easily create multiline paragraphs and bulleted or numbered lists of notes with professional-quality formatting.
• Use the MTEXT editor to specify the number of columns required, and quickly flow new text between those columns as you make edits.
• Customize the space between each column of text and the edge of the paper with a simple click of the mouse.
• Adjust all of these variables to specific values using the dialog box or the new multicolumn text grips.

Annotation Scaling
Annotation scale is now automated. AutoCAD LT 2008 introduces the concept of annotation scale as an object property. Designers can set the current scale of a viewport or model space view, then apply that scale to each object and specify its size, placement, and appearance based on the scale set for the viewport.

Automate Multiple Leaders
Use the multiple leaders panel on the dashboard, with its enhanced tools, to automate the creation of multiple leaders and adjust their orientation (tail or content first) with the notes.

Create and Edit Dynamic Blocks
Save time and standardize drawings by eliminating the need to redraw repetitive standard componentsNand reduce your cumbersome block libraries in the process.

Simplify Hatching
Create multiple hatches without repetitious use of the hatch command. Easily place a hatch at your preferred origin point, and quickly calculate both individual and cumulative hatch areas.

Seamlessly Interface Design Data
Keep your attention focused on your work as you enter command information and get immediate feedback at the graphics cursor.

Dimension with Greater Ease
Give your dimensions the exact linetype you prefer without exploding and editing them. Avoid time-consuming workarounds to dimension an arc, save time by automating the creation of a jogged dimension line, and flip an individual dimension arrow from inside to outside the dimension line and back.

A single dialog box gives you access to regularly used plot controls.

With background plotting, you can continue working in the drawing editor while AutoCAD LT software plots in the background.

Data Sharing
Take advantage of fast and secure collaboration among team members, no matter where they are.

Publish Intelligent Design Data
With DWF technology you can publish intelligent design data and save time by simplifying collaboration with your design team. At 1/10th the size of other file formats, DWF is the fastest and easiest way to communicate design information and ensure secure and efficient sharing at every stage of the project lifecycle.

Read/Write to Past Versions of AutoCAD
Increase collaboration and the exchange of data with users of older versions of AutoCAD software.

Export Files in PDF format
Customers who use Adobe PDF can view and print your design files.

View and Mark Up Designs
Easily coordinate projects during the design review stage by replacing the paper process with a digital one. Review and round-tripping functionality is free* with Autodesk Design Review software. Mark up drawings with comments, sketches, dimensions, text, and stamps before sending them. Workflow is streamlined, fidelity is increased, and jobs are finished faster.

Plotting
Spend more time designing and less time plotting.

Access Frequently Used Plot Controls
A single dialog box gives you access to regularly used plot controls. View a full preview with an enhanced plot user interface that shows how your plot will look once the drawing is plotted.

Reduce Waiting Time
Spend more time drafting and less time waiting for plot jobs. With background plotting, you can continue working in the drawing editor while AutoCAD LT software plots in the background.