Upon starting AutoCAD 2011 you will immediately notice a few changes in the default settings. One is the background is now a pleasant dark blue and the old point grid is now replaced by a engineering graph paper-like grid lines.

The default modelspace background colors changed from dark gray to dark blue.

Old 2D modelspace background grey RGB 81,93,97
Old 3D modelspace background RGB 36,47,61
The new consistent background RGB 33,40,48 for both 2D and 3D modelspace.

The Layout paper color are the same as white but a slight difference in shade of grey background.

The old dot grid has been replaced by a new engineer graph paper like grid.

The UCS with the grid on will show a green line for the Y axis and a red one for the X axis.

The 3D UCS no longer has those cones on the end of the axis which always reminded me of the cones they place over a dog’s head to prevent it from licking wounds.

Cursor also has the colors matching the axis.

If you have not tried AutoCAD 2011 yet, you can download a free AutoCAD 2011 30 day full trial from http://www.autodesk.com/autocad

Cheers,
Shaan