AutoCAD WS allows the viewing, markup, and sharing of DWG files among architects, designers and engineers, as well as non-CAD professionals. AutoCAD WS is available for free on the web, on mobile devices with AutoCAD WS mobile, and as a native desktop Mac App in the Mac App Store.

Currently the developers are hard at work on the next update of the free AutoCAD WS and AutoCAD WS mobile. The new update will include many new features like new 3D viewing, GPS Integration, and Print to Plot with HP ePrint.

I got hands on with an in development build at Autodesk University 2011 with AutoCAD WS team member Shani Segev. We tested out the upcoming GPS integration feature where you can assign a location in your DWG file and then moving around you see where you are in the drawing with the location marker following. To me this would be great for site developers or large projects where you have a GPS signal on your mobile device.

Here are some screenshots of the setting of a location marker and the display of a location marker in a DWG on AutoCAD WS mobile.

From the press release :
”Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov. 28, 2011 ¾ Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) announced several new features to be added to the next release of AutoCAD WS, a free* web and mobile application that enables users to view, edit and share AutoCAD projects across desktop, web and mobile devices. AutoCAD WS users will have access to 3D interactive features, including the ability to work with 3D drawings on mobile devices. In addition, AutoCAD WS will include GPS capabilities, allowing geographic location information to be shared and saved with design projects, as well as new Plot-to-Print capabilities for immediate remote printing to any HP ePrinter, including Designjets.

So in the next update you will see these 3 big new features: 3D object viewing, GPS integration, and HP ePrint as well as the ability to export and email a PDF print of the DWG. There will be other features, fixes, and enhancements based on user feedback and research.

AutoCAD WS has over 4 million downloads. If you are not an AutoCAD WS user now don’t wait for the impending update give it a try now. http://autocadws.com

Cheers,
Shaan