Small resellers sometimes still have sealed perpetual licenses. Expect to pay a premium ($1,500 - $2,500). Ensure the license is not a "Subscription" but a "Perpetual Commercial License" .
The most immediate change in 2018 was the visual overhaul.
: A major addition for Mac users, this tool allows you to convert 3D drawings into 2D representations by projecting objects onto a viewing plane and forcing their elevation to zero.
Managing vector PDF files is significantly more efficient in this release. AutoCAD 2018 for Mac introduces intelligent tools to convert flat PDF geometry into usable CAD data. autocad 2018 for mac new
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
The 2018 version (and subsequent updates like 2018.1) focused on streamlining drafting workflows and modernizing the UI for current Mac hardware.
Gone is the old, beige, Windows-like UI. AutoCAD 2018 for Mac introduces a dark mode interface (years ahead of Apple’s own system-wide dark mode) and a cleaner, palette-based layout. Toolbars, Properties, and Layers now float like native Mac panels. The Touch Bar support on MacBook Pros was a clever addition—contextual tools like Ortho, Osnap, and object properties appear right above the keyboard. The most immediate change in 2018 was the visual overhaul
TrueType fonts are automatically recognized and translated into standard AutoCAD text objects during the import phase. 3. High-Resolution Monitor and Apple Retina Support
: Users gained the ability to undock, float, and hide palettes, which is particularly useful for those alternating between single-laptop screens and dual-monitor setups.
Multi-touch trackpad gestures are smoother in this release. You can use two-finger pinch-to-zoom and two-finger pans with fluid, pixel-perfect responsiveness that matches native macOS navigation. 5. Comparison: AutoCAD 2018 for Mac vs. Windows AutoCAD 2018 for Mac introduces intelligent tools to
: For users with a MacBook Pro, AutoCAD 2018 introduced support for the Touch Bar , providing quick access to context-sensitive commands and shortcuts.
: Geometry from imported PDFs can now be converted into editable SHX text. Touch Bar Support
Upgrading from previous versions is seamless. AutoCAD 2018 introduces a migration assistant that detects custom profiles, command aliases, templates, and hatch patterns from older installations (like 2017 or 2016) and applies them automatically to the new environment. Tabbed Framework and Palettes
| Component | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | macOS Sierra v10.12 or OS X El Capitan v10.11 | macOS Mojave (10.14) or later | | Processor | Intel 64-bit CPU (Intel Core Duo) | Intel Core i5 or i7, 2 GHz or higher | | Memory (RAM) | 3 GB | 4 GB or higher | | Display Resolution | 1280 x 800 (True Color) | 2880 x 1800 (Retina Display) | | Disk Space | 3 GB of free space | 4 GB or more for larger projects | | Pointing Device | Apple Mouse, Magic Mouse or Trackpad, or compatible mouse | Same |