AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D design and drafting software that is published and sold by AutoDesk Inc. AutoCAD 2005 was released in March 2004 and corresponds to Release version number 16.1, available under a proprietary license. It has been widely used for 2D and 3D modelling of complex systems and their assemblies. AutoCAD is available for Windows operating systems in both 32bit and native 64bit versions.

Reason behind AutoCAD’s popularity

The AutoCAD file format DWG and DXF, to a lesser extent which is its interchange file format have become de facto standards in the CAD data interoperability. This accomplishment was made possible by the creators of the application, who ensured that the software defined the cutting edge of modeling technology available through these years. This trend has also been aided by the creation of verticals in several industries such as electrical, civil, structural detailing etc.

Workaround  to get AutoCAD 2005 working in Windows Vista

The trick is to have the program run in Windows XP compatibility mode and run as administrator. The steps are as:

  • Install AutoCAD 2005 to your Windows Vista based PC from the CD
  • Find the file acad.exe which should be in “C:\Program Files\” if you installed to the default location
  • Right click the executable and select “Properties” check “Run this program in compatibility for” and select “Windows XP”
  • Also select “Run this program as administrator” as the privilege level
  • When you start the program you will be prompted by the User Account Control to change the settings, you may authorize by clicking “Yes” and the program will launch

The reason behind this workaround is the incompatibility between Windows Vista and AutoCAD 2005 software. Another more drastic option is to partition your hard drive to accommodate Windows XP and install AutoCAD 2005 to XP. However, this work around will allow architects, engineers, designers etc to create 2D and 3D drawings of blue prints, plans and wireframes. AutoCAD supports many languages like English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Brazilian, Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Vietnamese. AutoCAD also supports a lighter version that has a smaller subset of the capabilities which also means that it supports a lower cost. It has been estimated that the number of AutoCAD generated files currently in use is somewhere near the one billion mark, again a testament to the fact that AutoCAD has become the de facto standard in the particular niche segment that it covers.