AutoCAD 2007

DWG file compatibility: The previous three releases shared a common
DWG file format, but AutoCAD 2007 uses a new format. You have to use
FileSave As to create DWG files for users of AutoCAD 2006 and earlier
versions as far back as Release 14. (If you need to go even further
back, you can save to the Release 12 DXF format -- see Chapter 17
for instructions.)
Application compatibility: If you use third-party applications with a
previous version of AutoCAD, they may not work with AutoCAD 2007.
AutoCAD 2004, 2005, and 2006 applications, including those developed
with the ARX (AutoCAD Runtime eXtension) and VBA (Visual Basic for
Applications) programming interfaces, work with AutoCAD 2007; but
older ARX and VBA applications don't work.
Many LSP (AutoLISP) programs written for the last several versions of
AutoCAD work with AutoCAD 2007.
Increased computer system requirements: For AutoCAD 2007, Autodesk
recommends an 800 MHz Pentium III or better processor, at least 512MB
of RAM, 1024 x 768 or higher display resolution with True Color graphics,
750MB of available hard disk space, an Internet connection, and Microsoft
Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1 or later.
Additional requirements for working in 3D: AutoCAD recommends a
3 GHz processor; 2GB of RAM; a workstation-class, OpenGL-capable
graphics card with at least 128 MB of memory; and an additional 2GB
of hard disk space beyond the 750 MB required for installation.
We find even the recommended system requirements on the minimal side.
For example, Mark works at a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024, and Dave
works at 1600 x 1200. The figures in this book were shot at a resolution of
1024 x 768, and as you can see, things can get pretty crowded at that resolu-
tion. We also think 512MB of RAM is on the low side for productive work --
get at least a gigabyte.
Even though AutoCAD 2007 comes out a mere year after AutoCAD 2006, it
sports some substantial and impressive new features, mainly in 3D modeling.
Because AutoCAD 2007 For Dummies is designed as an introductory text, we
don't cover every in and out of 3D, but we do present some basics. Of course,
3D isn't all that's new -- how would they get you to upgrade if you work only
in 2D? Among the worthy new or improved features are
17
Chapter 1: Introducing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT