AutoCAD is a drafting and design program. (CAD stands for computer-aided design.) The newest version of this software is AutoCAD 2009, which introduces features such as the following:

• The Ribbon Interface -- A customizable ribbon that facilitates working between different applications and provides a condensed visual format of command options
• The ViewCube -- An interactive program that rotates solid or surface models in AutoCAD, providing a complete 3D view
• The SteeringWheel -- A customizable tool that contains the orbit, pan, center and zoom commands
• The Action Recorder -- A feature that automates tasks, by recording tasks, text messages, and RFIs

In addition to these features, AutoCAD's new menu browser can review files and examine thumbnail sketches as well as provide file size and file creator. AutoCAD 2009 has the same DWG file format as previous versions and can open files from any software created by Autodesk, according to the vendor. AutoCAD is compatible with Windows Vista, multiple CPU systems, and third-party applications based on the Visual LISP, AutoLISP, VBA, ActiveX and ObjectARX programming languages, the vendor said.