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AutoCAD Coming to iPad

Autodesk, makers of the popular 3D design and engineering software AutoCAD, announced today that they will introduce a version of AutoCAD for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The new AutoCAD WS mobile application will allow iOS users to edit and share AutoCAD files, giving mobile design and engineering professionals the ability to collaborate with clients and colleagues while on the go.

"The release of AutoCAD for Mac marks the return of professional design and engineering software to the Mac platform and an important convergence of power and design," said Autodesk senior VP Amar Hapspal, in a statement. "The combination of this new version of AutoCAD and the extension of AutoCAD to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is a big step in Autodesk's efforts to accelerate design and make design more accessible for an ever-greater number of people so they can shape the world around them."

When AutoCAD dropped Mac support in 1992, Apple was starting to lose steam and focus under a series of executives -- John Sculley, Michael Spindler, and Gil Amelio -- and the loss of the premier engineering-design software at the time took wind out of Apple's efforts to expand into the business market. So the return of AutoCAD represents a new level of acceptance and a vindication of CEO Steve Jobs' Mac OS X and iOS strategies.

The Mac version will cost $3,995, the same as the PC version, and will be released in October. After the release of this AutoCAD, the iPhone and iPad applications will be available for free worldwide.