AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT
Name	AutoCAD LT
Developer	Autodesk
Released	November 1993
Latest release version	2025
Latest release date	March 2024
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, macOS
Genre	Computer-aided design
License	Proprietary software
Website	https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad-lt

AutoCAD LT. It is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application developed and marketed by Autodesk. Introduced in 1993, it provides professional drafting and detailing tools for creating precise 2D drawings and documentation. As a lighter, more cost-effective version of the full AutoCAD suite, it is widely used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals for producing technical drawings, floor plans, and schematics.

Overview

Since its initial release, the software has established itself as a cornerstone for 2D drafting within the AEC industry. It maintains full compatibility with the DWG file format, ensuring seamless collaboration with users of the full AutoCAD platform and other applications in the Autodesk ecosystem, such as Revit and AutoCAD Architecture. The program is utilized across various sectors, including MEP engineering, facility management, and product design, for creating everything from electrical diagrams to landscape design layouts. Its enduring popularity is attributed to a familiar user interface, reliable performance, and strong support within the global CAD community.

Features

The application focuses on core drafting productivity, featuring a comprehensive set of tools for creating and editing geometric shapes, hatch patterns, and annotative objects. Key functionalities include dynamic blocks, layer states, and xref (external reference) management, which allow for efficient drawing organization. It supports PDF underlay and import, facilitating work with documents from other disciplines, and includes powerful measurement tools and coordinate system input. While it lacks the 3D modeling and parametric design capabilities of its sibling, it offers robust plotting and publishing options, including support for DWF and DWFx formats for digital review.

Comparison with AutoCAD

The primary distinction lies in the absence of advanced 3D features, AutoLISP and .NET API customization, and network licensing administration tools found in the full AutoCAD software. It does not include specialized tool sets for industries like 3D mechanical design, point cloud manipulation, or GIS mapping, which are available in AutoCAD or vertical products like AutoCAD Civil 3D. Consequently, it is positioned as a solution for users whose workflow is exclusively 2D-based, offering a lower-cost entry point to the Autodesk drafting environment without the overhead of unused 3D and programming functionalities.

System requirements

For the 2025 version running on Microsoft Windows, Autodesk specifies a minimum of Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit), a 2.5–2.9 GHz processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a display with 1920x1080 resolution with True Color. On macOS, it requires macOS Ventura or newer, an Apple Silicon or Intel-based Mac, and 4 GB of VRAM. Both platforms require significant disk space for installation and a stable internet connection for initial licensing. These requirements are generally less demanding than those for the full AutoCAD suite, reflecting its streamlined focus on 2D operations.

Licensing and pricing

It is sold under a subscription model, typically offering annual or multi-year terms through the Autodesk store or authorized resellers like CAD Direct. This contrasts with the historical perpetual license model and provides users with continuous access to the latest updates and technical support. Pricing varies by region and subscription length, but it is consistently priced significantly lower than a subscription to full AutoCAD. Educational institutions and students can often access the software for free or at a steep discount through programs like Autodesk Education Community.

History

The product was launched by Autodesk in November 1993, strategically developed to compete with lower-cost 2D CAD competitors emerging at the time, such as Visio. Its creation marked a pivotal shift in Autodesk's strategy to segment the market and capture users who did not require full 3D capabilities. Major milestones include the transition to the R14 codebase in 1997, which improved stability, and the introduction of a version for macOS in 2010, expanding its reach. The shift from perpetual to subscription-based licensing, completed around 2016, aligned with Autodesk's broader move towards cloud services and recurring revenue models under then-CEO Carl Bass.

Category:Autodesk software Category:Computer-aided design software Category:1993 software