Key features of AutoCAD 2022

Explore the newest features in AutoCAD® 2022 software including industry-specific toolsets, new automations, and seamless connections across devices and Autodesk products.

AutoCAD office floor plan schematic displaying key features

Count

Automate counting of blocks or geometry with the COUNT command.

Trace

Safely review and add feedback directly to a DWG™ without altering the existing drawing.

Share

Send a controlled copy of your drawing to teammates and colleagues to view or edit from anywhere.

Push to Autodesk Docs

Push your CAD drawing sheets as PDFs directly to Autodesk Docs from AutoCAD.

Floating windows

Display drawing windows side by side or on multiple monitors, in the same instance of AutoCAD.

AutoCAD anytime, anywhere 

Create, edit, and view CAD drawings with a browser using the AutoCAD web app or AutoCAD mobile app. 

Drawing History

Compare past and present versions of a drawing to see the evolution of your work.

Xref Compare

Compare two versions of a drawing including external references (xrefs).

Blocks palette

View and access your blocks from AutoCAD quickly on desktop or the AutoCAD web app.

What’s new in AutoCAD 2022

New features of AutoCAD 2022

NEW

Trace

Safely review and add feedback directly to a DWG file without the risk of altering the existing drawing. Add drawing objects and annotations on a separate layer to ensure the fidelity of your original drawings. (video: 1:55 min.)

NEW

Count

Automate counting blocks or geometry with the COUNT command. Count helps you reduce errors and add data to tables more quickly than manual processes. (video: 1:37 min.)

NEW

Share

Send drawings easily. Generate a secure link to send with just one click, and share a controlled copy of your drawing that teammates and colleagues can access from anywhere. You’ll no longer need to worry about file sizes or search for files to attach. (video: 59 sec.)

NEW

Push to Autodesk Docs

Quickly make your CAD drawing sheets accessible for all your Autodesk AEC products without having to move them manually between folders. Push to Autodesk Docs publishes your CAD drawing sheets as PDFs to Autodesk Docs with one button directly from AutoCAD. (video: 1:49 min.)

NEW

Floating windows

Save time referencing drawings with floating windows. Pull away drawing windows to display side by side or on multiple monitors, in the same instance of AutoCAD. (video: 1:04 min.)

ENHANCED

Performance enhancements

Experience faster performance while plotting and navigating 3D graphics with AutoCAD 2022.

More features of AutoCAD 2022

AutoCAD 2022 vs. previous releases

AutoCAD has a flexible subscription model, with new features available with each release and product update. If you have a perpetual license of AutoCAD 2016 or earlier, here’s what’s changed in AutoCAD 2017, AutoCAD 2018, AutoCAD 2019, AutoCAD 2020, AutoCAD 2021, and AutoCAD 2022.

AutoCAD 2022

What’s included

  • AutoCAD web app: View, create, and edit AutoCAD drawings from any computer with no software install required.*
  • AutoCAD mobile app: View, create, and edit AutoCAD drawings via iOS and Android devices.
  • Integrated workflows: Work smoothly across desktop, web, and mobile devices.*
  • Cloud storage connectivity: Access any DWG file in AutoCAD with Autodesk’s cloud, as well as with leading cloud storage providers.

Top new features added since 2016 include:

  • Trace: Safely review and add feedback directly to a DWG file without altering the existing drawing.
  • Count: Automate counting blocks or geometry with the COUNT command.
  • Share: Send a controlled copy of your drawing to teammates and colleagues to access wherever they are.
  • Push to Autodesk Docs: Push your CAD drawing sheets as PDFs to Autodesk Docs from AutoCAD.
  • Drawing history: See changes made to your drawing over time.
  • Xref Compare: Compare two versions of an external xref and implement changes without leaving your current drawing.
  • Blocks palette: Insert blocks efficiently from the Libraries tab on desktop or in the AutoCAD web app.
  • Quick measure: Quickly display all nearby measurements in a drawing, including areas and perimeters, by hovering your mouse.
  • Trim and extend (enhanced): The default Quick mode now automatically selects all potential boundaries.
  • Purge (redesigned): Remove multiple unneeded objects with easy selection and object preview.
  • DWG™ Compare: Compare two versions of a drawing or xref without leaving your current window.
  • Attach/extract point cloud data: Attach point cloud files acquired by 3D laser scanners or other technologies.
  • PDF import: Import geometry (SHX font files, fills, raster images, and TrueType text) into a drawing from a PDF.
  • AutoCAD anytime, anywhere: Access AutoCAD from your desktop, web, and mobile devices.*
  • Save to web and mobile: Save drawings and their associated xrefs from your desktop to view and edit in the AutoCAD web and mobile apps.
  • New views and viewports: Easily add saved views to your layouts.
  • High-resolution monitor support: View your designs on 4K- and higher-resolution displays.
  • Off-screen selection: Selected objects stay in the selection set, even if you pan or zoom off screen.

Improvements since 2016

  • Floating windows: Pull away drawing windows to display them side by side or on multiple monitors without opening another instance of AutoCAD.
  • Save in half a second: Shave one second off each save on average.
  • Speedy install time: Up to 50% faster for solid state hard drives.
  • New dark theme: Modern blue aesthetic with contrast and sharpness improvements.
  • User interface: Flat-design icons and intuitive dialog boxes and toolbars.
  • 2D graphics: Better stability, fidelity, and performance.
  • 3D navigation performance: Up to 10x faster.
  • Save, move/copy performance boost with new 2018.dwg file format.
  • Autodesk App Store with 1,000+ AutoCAD apps.
  • The TrustedDWG® file format.

Support and software access

  • Technical support
    • Autodesk support specialists: Schedule a call,† chat online (limited availability), or email us.
    • Remote desktop assistance: Get secure, hands-on troubleshooting.†
    • Online resources: Access our knowledge base for help documentation, tutorials, training videos, and community support forums.
  • Access to the latest software: Instantly access the newest releases and updates.
  • Access previous versions: Download and use previous releases.
  • Flexible term lengths: Subscribe monthly, annually, or for 3 years.*
  • Administrative tools: Easily manage software licenses, seats, and usage from your Autodesk Account.

*Not available to maintenance plan customers.
†Available to maintenance plan customers with Advanced Support.