Powercadd 10 News Exclusive May 2026

AutoDesSys (makers of form•Z) has taken over development to create a "new modern PowerCADD". Focus on 2D Excellence:

Ready to see what the next generation of drafting looks like? Check the official PowerCADD Forum at AutoDesSys for the latest developer updates and beta signup details. powercadd 10 news exclusive

PowerCADD 10 includes a built-in "Legacy Vault."

For firms with 20-year-old archives, this is the killer exclusive: It batch-converts old .PCF and .GCD files (dating back to PowerCADD 2.0) into modern .DWG or native .PC10 format while preserving layer states, pen tables, and print scales —something no third-party converter could ever do cleanly. AutoDesSys (makers of form•Z) has taken over development

• Modern macOS-native UI: PowerCADD 10 adopts contemporary macOS UI conventions while preserving the familiar PowerCADD layout. Expect better dark-mode support, accessibility improvements, refined menus, and UI scaling for Retina/Apple Silicon displays.
• Native Apple Silicon support: The app runs natively on M1/M2 (and later) Macs, delivering faster file opening, smoother panning/zooming, and lower power usage than via Rosetta.
• File compatibility and upgrade path: Version 10 reads older PowerCADD documents while offering a one-way upgrade of file internals to leverage new features (layer metadata, object attributes). Export options remain wide (PDF, SVG, DXF/DWG via improved compatibility layer).
• Performance and stability: Core geometry engine rewritten in places to speed complex documents (large hatch areas, many grouped objects) and to reduce memory spikes on big drawings.
• Enhanced typography and layout: Improved OpenType support, finer kerning/leading controls, and better text flow around objects—aimed at architectural presentation drawings and annotated construction documents.
• Precision drawing tools: New snapping and inferencing options, improved coordinate entry and numerical transforms, and expanded parametric constraints for repetitive geometry.
• Hatch, fills, and gradients: Faster and more memory-efficient hatch rendering, more gradient controls (radial/linear blends), and tiling patterns with alignment overrides.
• Revised symbols/parts library: A refreshed parts palette, easier creation and editing of reusable symbols, plus better metadata for scheduling/export.
• Improved printing and PDF export: Tighter color management, ICC profile support, and more predictable PDF output for print vendors.
• Collaboration and cloud workflows: Better integration with macOS file providers (iCloud Drive, Box, Dropbox via Finder integration) and smarter file locking/auto-recovery, though there is no built-in real-time multi-user editing.
• Scripting & automation: Expanded AppleScript/Shortcuts hooks and a new (or improved) plugin API to automate repetitive tasks and generate drawings programmatically.
• Accessibility and localization: Better VoiceOver support and translations/locale fixes for several languages.