AutoCAD 2026 brings 11x faster file opens and new AI tools

Enhanced performance through improved core features, connected design, and sophisticated automation features using Autodesk AI are the focus of the new AutoCAD 2026 family of products.

AutoCAD 2026

As with any new version (and this one is already the 40th), AutoCAD brings new features and opens new workflows which should make users more productive. Since version 2019, AutoCAD license includes 8 products (e.g. AutoCAD Mechanical, Plant 3D, Map 3D, Electrical). So, any new feature applies not only to AutoCAD itself but also to all other products of the ”One AutoCAD” (AutoCAD with Specialised Toolsets) family, plus Autodesk Civil 3D (some also to AutoCAD LT, some also to the browser-based AutoCAD web app and to AutoCAD mobile app).

All AutoCAD improvements can be split into 3 segments: Enhanced Core Experience (UI, performance, evolution of legacy functions), Connected Design (collaboration, sharing design data, improving teamwork) and Insightful Automations (using Autodesk AI to automate everyday tasks, while keeping data protection and accuracy).

What’s new in the desktop version of AutoCAD?

All these features can be used in the desktop version of AutoCAD (and its product family) for Windows. The Mac version has a more limited feature set. And AutoCAD LT, the ”entry-level” AutoCAD has more limitations, while keeping 100% compatibility of the drawing files.

Performance

DWG files now open 11x faster(!) than in previous releases – it is unbelievable, but just with optimisations of the application code, Autodesk has mastered to make AutoCAD 2026 11x faster (on average) when opening 2D and 3D files! You will appreciate that especially when working with huge Plant 3D or Civil 3D projects..

But it is not only file opens, the AutoCAD application now starts 4x faster than before!

The third performance improvement is „GSF“ (Graphics System Fabric). GSF makes use of modern GPUs and multi-core CPUs to improve graphics performance, especially in large 3D drawings. The GSF support now includes the Conceptual and Hidden visual styles and 3DClip.

Collaboration

AutoCAD now supports Autodesk Docs markups, including Docs Issues. You can easily bring them in your AutoCAD and use AI to align and interpret any manual markups (add revision clouds, delete framed objects, add notes…).

Connected Support files – you can now share support files like hatch patterns, linetypes, font mappings, menus in teams, on project basis, making your connected team experience much smoother. This can be used as an option for any Docs projects.

The Mac version is limited here as it doesn’t use the Desktop Connector utility (performing the necessary cloud synchronisation).

AI, Machine Learning

The Activity Insights, a kind of journal file logging all drawing changes in your team, is extended – it can report any changes, even object-based changes, total session time, changes in the DWG size, etc. It also reports a summary what was happening in your DWG file.

Smart Blocks (2D) were available even in version 2025, but now they are extended to recognize more types of geometry. In an imported drawing geometry, it will recognise any repeated patterns and will recommend converting them into block references (new or existing blocks), making your drawing much smaller and easier to maintain. Its AI can also recognise variable texts in those patterns and can make block attributes from these texts.

You can use two tools for this conversion: Search+Convert (exact match) and Detect+Convert (AI-based fuzzy match). The fuzzy match function is available as a preview, being improved continuously (now detects +30% more matches than in 2025). But it is useful even as a pre-identification of the matches, without auto-conversions.

Still on Windows 10? Don’t forget, the support for this OS will end soon. And with the Autodesk rule “3+2”, technical support ends for version 2020 and older (resp. 2022 and older).

AutoCAD Web and Mobile

You can now use the ACA-enabler, so AEC objects from AutoCAD Architecture are fully recognised, even in 3D. You can also use Connected support files. The FIND command is now available to locate drawing texts. The popular DWG Compare functionality is also available in the web app.

Optionally you can ”download” the web app, making it available as a desktop icon.

AutoCAD Web can be now used as a multi-user markup tool (for Docs projects) – so that multiple users can markup a single DWG drawing without locking.

The web-based Sheet sets manager (for Docs projects) can now use custom linetypes, page setup overrides and extended performance.

Become effective with your new AutoCAD

The new AutoCAD family is now available in all supported language localisations. How to start using it? Download your product from your Autodesk account and install it. ARKANCE can assist you in learning its new and enhanced functions or step-up to one of the “vertical”, industry-specific AutoCAD-version included in your subscription – choose one of our online courses and e-learning material. For further information, talk to your Account Manager at ARKANCE or contact us online.

And don’t forget the updated ARKANCE add-on tools, templates and libraries we provide for our customers – you can get even more effective in your new AutoCAD 2026.