Hanspal said that turnaround for Apple’s platforms began four years ago, with the switch to Intel chips and the launch of the iPhone. But Adobe is not yet offering native versions for other phone platforms. Users of mobile phones can also use the mobile app, provided they have a web browser on the phone that supports Adobe Flash software. It lets users edit and share AutoCAD files on mobile devices. The free app will extend AutoCAD to Apple iOS devices and will be available soon in the App Store. The version for mobile devices was built with the help of Visual Tao, an Israeli firm that Autodesk bought in December. But Hanspal says that the company’s goal is to democratize engineering and design software so that almost anyone can use it. More than 10 million people use AutoCAD already. “Both the Mac and mobile devices have become serious business platforms within the last few years.” “We are doing this because it gives consumers more choice,” Hanspal said. The Mac version costs $3,995 and will be available in North America and Europe this fall. The software takes full advantage of Mac OS X and its graphical browsing features such as Cover Flow and multitouch gestures.

The native Mac software has been tested by more than 5,000 beta users. In an interview, Autodesk executive Amar Hanspal said the company began work on the Mac conversion project about 18 months ago, mainly because of the Mac’s resurgence and its switch to Intel-based microprocessors. “The AutoCAD WS app is a bold new idea, a mobile version of industry-leading design software for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the world’s most innovative mobile devices.” “Apple is thrilled that Autodesk is bringing AutoCAD back to the Mac and we think it’s the perfect combination for millions of design and engineering professionals,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. AutoCAD is widely used by professional designers, engineers, architects and artists to create 3D computer models. And it says a lot about Apple’s gains with Mac market share as well as the growing importance of mobile devices.

It’s a victory for Apple, which has labored to get more enterprise applications on its platform.

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