ACTCAD Software Updates & Fixes
If you'd like to learn more about ACTCAD software or meet our team in person, feel free to visit one of our offices. ACTCAD has a global presence in various countries.
The new versions are available to download from the ACTCAD Download Page.
ActCAD announces the maintenance release of following ActCAD 2016 versions based on most latest IntelliCAD 8.1b engine:
- ActCAD 2016 Professional 64bit
- ActCAD 2016 Professional 32bit
- ActCAD 2016 Standard 64bit
- ActCAD 2016 Standard 32bit
There are many performance improvements and bug fixes in this release. Nvidia graphic cards crash issues are resolved in this version.
The full products can be downloaded from links given on below page:
Existing customers of ActCAD 2016 can directly download the maintenance patches from below links:
IntelliCAD 6.0 was released on 5/3/2005.
New Features and Enhancements:
Several performance improvements on fatures as below:
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True Type Fonts Zoom |
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Polylines |
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Linetypes |
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Hatch Patterns |
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| LISP Performance General |
10X (1000%) |
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| Blocks Symbol table search Regen |
7X (700%) 7X (700%) |
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| Viewports Regen Model space Block display Paper space |
4X (400%) 4X (400%) 4X (400%) 3X (300%) |
Assign print style tables
The following printing features have greatly enhanced your flexibility and control over the printing process:
- Previously you could use the PenMap/Width mapping to associate colors with specific pen widths on your printer. New print style tables allow you to still specify color-based settings, but also allow you to specify pen widths, linetypes, and lineweight regardless of color.
- Print style tables (.ctb and .stb files) are stored in files; you can share the files across multiple drawing files or with other users.
- Print style tables affect numerous existing features, including: New Drawing and New Drawing Wizard; Properties and Entity Properties toolbar; Change; IntelliCAD Explorer (Layers); Drawing Settings > Entity Creation tab; Status bar; Options > Paths/Files tab; Options > Printing tab; and Print > Advanced tab.
There are also several new commands for print style tables: Print Style (printstyle), Print Styles Manager (stylesmanager), Convert Drawing Print Style Tables (convertpstyles), and Convert CTB Print Style Table (convertctb).
Manage external references
Attaching and working with external references is now easier with the new Xref Manager. You can view a detailed list of the referenced drawing, or you can view a hierarchical display that shows how drawings are nested and related to one another. Quickly attach, detach, reload, bind, open, and change the path for all external references in the current drawing.
The Xref Manager allows you to use the same external reference features as in previous versions of IntelliCAD, but in a more efficient manner.
Work with 3D solids
IntelliCAD Standard version now supports viewing and limited editing of 3D solids, including moving, rotating, and scaling. IntelliCAD Professional version still allows you to create and more completely edit 3D solids.
Use entity snaps
The existing Intersection Snap has a new Extended option, which snaps to the logical location where two entities would intersect if they were of infinite length.
The new Apparent Intersection Snap tool snaps to the intersection of two entities that are not in the same plane but seem to intersect in the current view. You can also use its Extended option, which snaps to the logical location where two entities would intersect if they were of infinite length.
Customize more options
The following features are new to the Tools > Options dialog box:
- General tab — Set the default save format. Specify how drawings are opened.
Paths/Files tab Specify search paths for print style tables. - Display tab — Use Up/Down arrows in the command history. Show or hide the Model and Layout tabs. Show or hide scroll bars.
Profiles tab Create and manage drawing environment profiles. - Printing tab — Specify headers and footers for all drawings. Assign default print style table settings for new drawings.
Save and restore drawing environment profiles
Customize the settings that control your drawing environment, and then save and restore those settings in a profile. For example, if you prefer working with custom menus and toolbars, you can save these settings as your own profile.
Profiles can be helpful if you have multiple users with different preferences, or if you are a single user who works on various projects that require unique settings. You can even export your profile and bring it with you when you work on a different computer.
Navigate model space and paper space
Use the enhanced Model/Paper Space control in the status bar to switch more efficiently between model space and paper space on either the Model tab or a Layout tab.
You can also change the display of the Model and Layout tabs in the following ways:
- Show or hide the Model and Layout tabs.
- Reorder the position of the Layout tabs.
Work in the command bar
In the command bar, you can do the following:
- Select text, and then right-click to copy, cut, and paste.
- Press Ctrl + K and Ctrl + L to move forward and backward in the command history.
- Use the Up and Down arrows to scroll the command history, if enabled by choosing Tools > Options.
Choose single IntelliCAD sessions
Use the new Single Session command (type singleton) to choose whether IntelliCAD can be started one time or multiple times simultaneously.
Use new system variables
New system variables include: APBOX, CPLOTSTYLE, CTRLMOUSE, DEFLPSTYLE, DEFPLSTYLE, DEFPLSTYLETBL, FONTALT, PSTYLEMODE, PSTYLEPOLICY, MBUTTONPAN, SAVEROUNDTRIP, and SHOWTABS.
- DCL – Dialog Control Language
- IRX – IntelliCAD Runtime Extension for C++
- TG – Teigha DGN
- TC – Teigha Civil
In addition, IntelliCAD supports familiar formats for menus, toolbars and ribbon development:
IntelliCAD Technology Consortium ITC) was formed in 1999 as an independent, member-driven, non-profit professional Organization for collaborated CAD software development.
A new IntelliCAD 2000 source code branch, however, continued independent development under the new ITC after the acquisition of Visio by Microsoft.
IntelliCAD 3 (IntelliCAD 2001) introduced complex linetypes, XREF clipping and IntelliCAD's first display and printing of ACIS 3D solids on May 22, 2001. IntelliCAD 4 followed with full ACIS 3D solid modelling. The ITC announced IntelliCAD 2001 with Truetype font handling and MTEXT; associative boundary hatching; VBA/Automation; lightweight polylines; complex linetypes with embedded shapes and text objects; xref clipping; display, limited editing, and printing of ACIS solids (if optional libraries are provided by vendor); and fly-over snapping .
In 2002, ITC releases a development guide with information on accessing the IntelliCAD source code, how to submit code for review, and development guidelines detailing proper coding structure.
In 2003, The ITC announces IntelliCAD 4 (US$249) with multiple layouts, new display engine for faster display performance, ACIS solid modeling, and better memory management.
In October 2004, the ITC announced IntelliCAD 5, which added tabbed workspaces and dwf file support. The ITC also announced a new partnership with Soldworkds.
On October 29, 2008 the first test release of the new IntelliCAD version 7 was announced at the annual ITC meeting held in Athens, Greece. Among the features it is a complete replacement of the old ITC internal entity database and old "SDS" API with newer DWGdirect and DRX APIs from the ODA. The IntelliCAD 7 architecture uses the Open Design Alliance (ODA) platform, previously known as DWGdirect, as its internal database for improved handling of .dwg files. For companies building custom applications, IntelliCAD 7 also offers the powerful DRX object oriented application programming language (API) developed by the Open Design Alliance (ODA) with custom IRX extensions specific to the IntelliCAD platform. The major enhancements in IntelliCAD 7 are:
offers many new end-user and development platform features:
- Greatly enhanced general drawing productivity: docking properties pane and command window, layer management, Drawing Explorer, enhanced menus and toolbars, real-time rendering support, and more.
- Integrated command compatibility and support for AutoCAD® DWG™ 2010 format.
- New support for custom objects, including AutoCAD® Architecture objects using the ODA platform to display and edit architectural entities such as walls, doors, windows, etc.
- Full support for DRX with extended IRX methods; support for VSTA; new online developer help, including integration with Microsoft® Visual Studio®.
- Expanded internationalization tools simplify localization in addition to the ten languages already available: single source for online help and printed manual; UNICODE support; switch languages on the fly; easier access to files for localization changes.
As of 2009, about 50 ITC members globally shared in IntelliCAD development.
In 2011, The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) announced the release of IntelliCAD 7.0b. IntelliCAD 7.0b is a maintenance release that contains numerous improvements to areas required by members and their users since the IntelliCAD 7.0a release in July.
In December, 2012, The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) announced the release of IntelliCAD 7.2a. IntelliCAD 7.2a is a maintenance release that contains more than 700 improvements and fixes to areas required by members and their users since the IntelliCAD 7.2 release in June 2012. In addition to conversion support for 2013 .dwg files, IntelliCAD Version 7.2a includes general performance enhancements and improvements to printing, entity editing, dimensions, entity snapping, and many other areas.
On 2nd October, 2015, The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) announced the release of IntelliCAD 8.1b. IntelliCAD 8.1b is a maintenance release that contains over 140 improvements and fixes since the IntelliCAD 8.1a maintenance release in September 2015. Improvements in IntelliCAD 8.1b include fixes covering the areas of selection, user interface, lofting and sweeping, and many more, as well as small additions such as a new View and Mark-Up workspace, new BCOUNT command, and several new hatch patterns.
On 1st July, 2016, The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) today announced the release of IntelliCAD 8.2.
IntelliCAD 8.2 is a major release that includes new support for exporting 3D .pdf files; more options added to existing features that export 2D .pdf files, export .bmp files, and attach underlays; new in-place multiline text editor; new support for maximizing and minimizing viewports; and various other new commands such as BCOUNT, IMAGEFRAMEMODE, FIELD, and TEXTTOFRONT. IntelliCAD 8.2 also includes improved performance when working with complex blocks, panning and zooming, exporting to .pdf files, and more.
IntelliCAD 8.2 is optionally available with the ability to open, save, create, and edit .dgn files in the native DGN format. IntelliCAD 8.2 also includes optional integration with Artisan Renderer to create photorealistic images of models quickly using a wide range of pre-set materials and lighting setups combined with the ability to create custom lights and realistic materials.
For IntelliCAD versions that include a ribbon, IntelliCAD 8.2 now includes ribbon panel expanders, ribbon versioning support, and the ability to customize the ribbon using the CUSTOMIZE command.
IntelliCAD 8.2 is supported on Microsoft® Windows® 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista®, including 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
On August 31, 2016, The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC) today announced the release of IntelliCAD 8.2a.
IntelliCAD 8.2a is a maintenance release that contains over 125 improvements and fixes since the IntelliCAD 8.2 release on July 1, 2016.
Improvements in IntelliCAD 8.2a include various fixes for working .dgn files, external references, the user interface, and many more, as well as small additions such as new RIBBON and RIBBONCLOSE commands and a new FILTERS command.
Here we need to discuss why IntelliCAD is not so popular compared to AutoCAD. Below are few important points:
- The late entry of IntelliCAD in 1999, given enough time for Autodesk to add equivalent features like MDI (multi-document interface), Design Center, and customizable UCS icon.
- In the beginning, IntelliCAD shipped incomplete, with clear gaps in regular features compared to AutoCAD like boundary hatch, shapes, etc.
- Not enough branding and advertisements as it is not a commercial establishment.
- Expect that members will popularize their own products which are based on IntelliCAD.