Autodesk has just launched AutoCAD 2025, a major update for its flagship AutoCAD software. As PVcase and many other solar tools are CAD-cased, this is a big deal for us and the whole industry.

What’s new in AutoCAD 2025?

AutoCAD 2025 employs artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize workflows, making it a powerful tool for solar engineers and designers who want to boost productivity and streamline their design processes.

AutoCAD 2025 introduces several notable advancements designed to enhance design efficiency and collaboration. Its key features include:

– Smart Blocks. This feature streamlines the process of converting selected geometries into blocks by identifying and highlighting all corresponding instances of the same geometry, allowing users to convert these into a single block. This significantly simplifies management and manipulation within the design process​​.

– Activity Insights. AutoCAD 2025 provides detailed event properties with filters by DWG version, offering a comprehensive timeline of drawing versions for better project management. This feature allows users to track activities, review and revert to previous iterations, and compare different versions of a drawing directly from the AutoCAD Start Tab​​.

– Enhanced Visualization and Geographic Data Integration. The new version improves visualization capabilities and integrates real-world geographic data with support for ArcGIS Basemaps. This feature provides access to high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, street maps, and other map styles within AutoCAD​.

– Hatch Improvements. AutoCAD 2025 enhances the HATCH command, allowing users to draw hatches without relying on pre-existing boundary geometry. This flexibility facilitates the creation of filled shapes or the application of hatching along a designated path, enhancing efficiency in the design process​.

– APIs and Third-Party Apps. The software supports extensive customization through the AutoCAD API. It allows access to over a thousand third-party apps from the Autodesk app store, enabling users to tailor AutoCAD to their needs​.

– Markup Import and Markup Assist. These functionalities have been further developed to facilitate the seamless integration of drawing revisions from markup files, enhance the annotation process, and provide more control over revcloud shapes and text markups during drafting​.

AutoCAD 2025 and PVcase tools

The release of AutoCAD 2025 is a significant event, and we understand that you may have many questions about it. PVcase Ground Mound and Roof Mount will be soon compatible with AutoCAD 2025.

All PVcase products will soon support this new AutoCAD version, and you will be able to integrate new AutoCAD 2025 functionalities into your solar projects.

AutoCAD and smart solar design

AutoCAD is one of the primary software vehicles for smart solar design for several reasons.

Precise design

AutoCAD allows for the creation of precise and detailed technical drawings crucial for solar system design. Solar installations require accurate measurements, dimensions, and layouts to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

3D modeling

AutoCAD supports 3D modeling, which is beneficial for visualizing the solar system design in three dimensions. This helps designers to better understand how various components will fit together and how the system will interact with its environment.

Integration with lifecycle planning -design and simulation tools

CAD tools can integrate with other software commonly used in solar design, such as shading analysis software and simulation tools. This integration enables designers to perform comprehensive analyses and simulations to optimize the solar system’s performance.

Documentation and collaboration

AutoCAD facilitates the creation of detailed documentation, including construction drawings, electrical layouts, and equipment specifications. This documentation is essential for obtaining permits, communicating with clients and contractors, and ensuring the solar system is installed correctly.

Scalability and flexibility

AutoCAD is highly scalable and can be used for designing solar systems of various sizes and complexities, from small residential installations to large-scale commercial or utility-scale projects. Its flexibility allows designers to adapt the design to different site conditions and customer requirements.

Standardization and compliance

AutoCAD software helps ensure solar designs comply with industry standards, building codes, and regulations. Designers can use AutoCAD to incorporate best practices and design guidelines into their projects, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring compliance with local laws.

PVcase tools for smart solar engineering

PVcase Ground Mount and Roof Mount are our flagship CAD-based tools that will significantly enhance your solar design practices. They will reduce the time spent on manual tasks, increase precision and speed, decrease the possibility of human error, and make the development process more efficient and simple.