IntelliCAD

Founded in 1999,{{cite web |title=Legal Documents |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |url=https://www.intellicad.org/legal |access-date=8 December 2020}} the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium ("ITC") is the international, non-profit organizational body that develops the IntelliCAD engine and development platform for its members. The ITC also develops integrations with third-party technologies, such as the "ODA Platform" from the Open Design Alliance{{cite web|url=http://www10.aeccafe.com/nbc/articles/view_weekly.php?articleid=272935&interstitial_displayed=Yes|title=IntelliCAD 6.2 Update |year=2004|publisher=Internet Business Systems, Inc.|last=Smith|first=Susan|access-date=2009-10-20}}{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Randall |title=ITC releases IntelliCAD 10.0 to members |website=WorldCAD Access |url=https://www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2020/08/itc-releases-intellicad-100-to-members.html |access-date=28 October 2020}} which it uses for working with “.dwg”, Building information modeling (BIM), and DGN data formats.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

The ITC supports interoperability and is a founding member of the Open Design Alliance.{{cite web |title=ODA member list |url=https://www.opendesign.com/member-showcase |website=Open Design Alliance |access-date=28 October 2020}} The ITC is registered in the state of Washington in the US, and its corporate headquarters are based in Portland, Oregon, USA.

IntelliCAD's native format is .dwg and it has a set of commands similar to AutoCAD by Autodesk. IntelliCAD can also natively open and edit MicroStation DGN files by Bentley Systems.

Included in IntelliCAD functionality:{{cite web |title=CAD Platform and Development Framework |url=https://www.intellicad.org/cad-development-platform-framework |website=IntelliCAD |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=12 November 2020}}{{cite web |title=Latest .DWG Editor Extends Usability |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/latest-.dwg-editor-extends-usability/ |website=Digital Engineering 24/7 |date=April 3, 2019 |publisher=DE Editors |access-date=12 November 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Randall |title=ITC releases IntelliCAD 10.0 to members |url=https://www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2020/08/itc-releases-intellicad-100-to-members.html |website=World Access |access-date=12 November 2020}}

• Read and write binary .dwg and DGN files.
• Work with BIM files and data, and AEC entities.
• Familiar command line and user interface for creating and editing CAD drawings.
• Complex linetypes, multiline text, lightweight polylines, audit and recover, and blocks.
• File support for customizations (.CUI), menus (.MNU), scripts (.SCR) (AutoLISP macro language), hatches, fonts including TrueType fonts, raster images, digital signatures.
• Development APIs, such as LISP, COM, Visual Basic, and SDS/ADS; and also IRX which is IntelliCAD's C++ Programming API similar to ARX that allows developers to create custom entities.

IntelliCAD is available for Microsoft Windows desktops.

IntelliCAD began as an independent AM/FM/GIS (Automated Mapping/Facilities Management/Geographic Information System) software firm in La Mesa, California in the United States. One of its products, AutoCAD Data Extension, allowed multiple users to access the same AutoCAD drawing, or have a single drawing point to entities stored in other drawings.{{cite web|last=Grabowski|first=Ralph|date=2004-09-17|title=An Outside Look in at IntelliCAD|url=http://www.cadcam.com.au/cad/intellicad/Outside_look_in_at_IntelliCAD.pdf|access-date=2009-12-24|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102424/http://www.cadcam.com.au/cad/intellicad/Outside_look_in_at_IntelliCAD.pdf}}

In 1994, Softdesk, the then-largest third-party product developer for Autodesk, acquired IntelliCADD, and used the know-how to secretly develop an AutoCAD clone.{{cite web|author=J. Marsden DeLapp |title=Early History of IntelliCAD |url=http://delapp.com/cad/analysis_of_intelliCAD.php|access-date=2009-10-20}}{{cite magazine |last=Cohn|first=David|date=2 December 1997|title=A Whole New side to CAD|page=45|magazine=PC Magazine}} Autodesk had recently entered into direct competition with Cyco Software (another third-party Autodesk partner), and Softdesk was concerned that the same could happen to them. The AutoCAD-clone project was kept semi-secret under the project name "Phoenix".{{cn|date=December 2023}}

In December 1996 Autodesk announced that it would acquire Softdesk outright for $90 million in common stock. A complaint regarding the inclusive sale of IntelliCADD was filed with the US Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"). According to FTC Docket No. C-3756:{{Citation |last= |first= |date=December 1996 |title=FTC Docket No. C-3756 | newspaper= |publisher=SEC |url=http://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/9710049/autodesk-inc-softdesk-inc |access-date=}}

:In approximately June 1996, Softdesk determined that it no longer had the financial ability to support continued development and marketing of the IntelliCADD product. The head of the team that had developed the product proposed to purchase the technology and formed Boomerang Technology, Inc. ("Boomerang") for the purpose of acquiring the product, completing its development, and bringing the product to market. Boomerang negotiated with Softdesk for the purchase of the IntelliCADD product and exchanged draft purchase agreements with Softdesk. Softdesk, however, terminated those negotiations at around the time that Autodesk agreed to acquire Softdesk. Softdesk representatives previously told Boomerang that Softdesk would sell the IntelliCADD product to Boomerang if Softdesk were purchased by someone other than Autodesk, but would not sell it to Boomerang if Softdesk were purchased by Autodesk...

:After being advised by Commission staff that Autodesk's acquisition of Softdesk raised competitive concerns in the market for personal computer-based CAD engines, Softdesk resumed negotiations with Boomerang and divested and sold all of its rights in the IntelliCADD product to Boomerang pursuant to a Technology Transfer Agreement dated February 21, 1997. On that same date, Boomerang assigned and sold all of its rights to the IntelliCADD product to Visio Corporation.

By late 1996 a formal search for new venture capital was underway. Marketing director Robert Drummer was referred to John Forbes at Visio Corporation{{cite web |url=http://aecnews.blogspot.com/2007/07/visio-acquires-assets-of-boomerang.html|title=Visio Acquires Assets Of Boomerang Technology|year=1997|last=Newton|first=Randall|access-date=2009-12-24}} and "gave him the pitch". Further according to his own first-hand account,Private email sent from Robert Drummer to contributor, 2010 January.{{better source|date=December 2023}} "He (John Forbes) called back a few hours later and said that he along with Jeremy Jaech and Ted Johnson would be chartering a plane that day and would be down to take a look at a demo. They arrived in San Diego that evening." A core team of nine Softdesk/IntelliCADD developers soon moved to become employees of Visio. In March 1997 the FTC forbade "Autodesk or Softdesk from re-acquiring the IntelliCADD product or any entity that owns or controls it, without prior notice to the Commission for a 10 year period".{{cite web|url=http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/03/autodesk.shtm|title=Autodesk, Softdesk Settle FTC Charges|year=1997|last=Farrell|first=Claudia Bourne (FTC)|access-date=2009-12-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211155727/http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/03/autodesk.shtm|archive-date=2010-02-11}}{{cite web|title=Autodesk settles antitrust charge|date=1997-03-31|website=CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/autodesk-settles-antitrust-charge/|access-date=2009-12-24}} The FTC granted Visio leave to acquire Boomerang completely for $6.7 million in the same ruling that prevented Autodesk from doing so (above).{{cite web|url=http://www.redherring.com/Home/5986|title=Taking in on Autodesk |date=1998-10-31|first=Constance|last=Loizos|publisher=RedHerring |access-date=2009-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113051546/http://www.redherring.com/Home/5986|archive-date=2009-11-13|url-status=dead}}

IntelliCAD's original architect, Mike Bailey, turned and left Visio before the first release. Nevertheless, after several years of background development, "Visio IntelliCAD" (one 'D' for the product, two for name of the original company) was finally released for the first time to the public in 1998{{cite web|title=VISIO Form 10-Q for Quarter Ending 30 June 1998|year=1998|publisher=Visio Corp. |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dVgzt.7tp.htm#jgo|access-date=2009-10-20}} with a very low price compared to AutoCAD. Twelve thousand licenses of IntelliCAD were sold in the first three months before new concerns over software stability emerged.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

Visio's IntelliCAD 98 sold about 30,000 copies—far less than some expected. IntelliCAD development seemed to need more resources than Visio could grant it.{{cite web |url=http://www.autodsys.com/ICADanalysis.pdf|date=1999-04-12|title=How to Fix IntelliCAD |first=Ronald|last=Prepchuk|access-date=2009-10-20|publisher=Visio Corporation Confidential}} At this point, Visio "granted a royalty-free, perpetual license for the IntelliCAD{{Cite web |url=https://thatcadgirl.com/faq/about-intellicad-2/|title=About IntelliCAD {{!}} IntelliCAD 2015|website=That CAD Girl|date=July 9, 2015 |access-date=2020-04-26}} (2000 version) source code to The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium".{{cite web|url=http://sec.edgar-online.com/visio-corp/10-k405-annual-report-regulation-s-k-item-405/1999/12/29/Section11.aspx|title=Visio Corp SEC Filing 29 December 1999|year=1999 |publisher=SEC |access-date=2009-10-20 |via=EDGAROnline}}{{cite web|title=Visio Announces Source Code Collaboration Initiative for IntelliCAD Technology|date=1999-07-27|publisher=PR Newswire |via=Visio Corp. |url=http://www.visiocorp.info/#/pressitem/151 |access-date=2023-01-13}}

On September 15, 1999 Microsoft announced that it would acquire Visio Corporation (completed in January 2000)—a deal that evidently included Visio's IntelliCAD 98.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bricsnet+Signs+Agreement+with+Microsoft's+Visio+Division+for...-a059036744|title=Bricsnet Signs Agreement with Microsoft's Visio (..for) IntelliCAD|date=2000-01-27|publisher=BUSINESS WIRE|access-date=2009-12-24}} A new IntelliCAD 2000 source code branch, however, continued independent development under the new ITC.{{cite web|url=http://www.jackoscad.com.au/Tips/Tips.cfm?SubCatID=19&catID=15|title=IntelliCAD - The VISIO/Microsoft Years|last=JackosCAD|publisher=Reprint Visio Press Releases|access-date=2009-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014184543/http://jackoscad.com.au/Tips/Tips.cfm?SubCatID=19&catID=15|archive-date=2009-10-14|url-status=dead}}

IntelliCAD 3 (IntelliCAD 2001) introduced complex linetypes, XREF clipping and IntelliCAD's first display and printing of ACIS 3D solids on May 22, 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.drack.info/wpsmoke/intellicad/overview2001.html|title=IntelliCAD 2001 Situation Overview|date=2001-05-22|access-date=2010-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309022943/http://www.drack.info/wpsmoke/intellicad/overview2001.html|archive-date=2012-03-09|url-status=dead}} IntelliCAD 4 released with full ACIS 3D solid modelling in 2003. IntelliCAD 5 added workspaces with tabs and DWF file support in October 2004. Also in 2004, ITC announced a new partnership with SolidWorks,{{cite web|url=http://www.catiacommunity.com/feature_full.php?cpfeatureid=2692|title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Debuts IntelliCAD 5|year=2004|access-date=2010-07-06}} which added tabbed workspaces and DWF support.{{cite web|url=http://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?section=CorpNews&articleid=132065|title=IntelliCAD Technology Used to Develop Key Functionality in SolidWorks 2005 Software|date=2004-07-01|access-date=2010-07-11}}

In November 2005, IntelliCAD 6 added True Color color support (16 million colors), ADeko Raster raster image support tool, previewing thumbnails while viewing drawing files, drawing and viewing elements, and attaching WAV files as audio notes.{{Cite web |title=Compatible CAD Software for .DWG files - CMS IntelliCAD - Raster Image Support |url=https://www.intellicadms.com/11-in-detail/productivity/392-raster-image |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.intellicadms.com}}

During the 2008 ITC meeting in Athens, Greece, the first test release of IntelliCAD 7 was announced with a complete replacement of the old ITC internal database and the old "SDS" API with newer DWGdirect and DRX APIs from the ODA.{{cite web|url=http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2006/10/itc_conference_.html|title=ITC Conference: IntelliCAD 7 Demo|year=2006|access-date=2009-10-20}} In 2009, about 50 ITC members globally shared in IntelliCAD development.{{cite web|url=http://cadcam3d.blogspot.com/2008/10/intellicad-7-release-announced-by-itc.html|title=ITC announces IntelliCAD version 7|year=2008|access-date=2009-10-20}} Work continued on IntelliCAD 7 while simultaneously releasing IntelliCAD 6.1 through 6.6 over the next several years.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

The complete replacement of the old ITC internal database was released as IntelliCAD 7 in June 2011.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD® 7 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/bid/59416/IntelliCAD-Technology-Consortium-Announces-Release-of-IntelliCAD-7 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=4 November 2020}}

IntelliCAD 8 was released on June 13, 2014, for 64-bit and 32-bit versions and allowed opening, saving and creating *.dwg files of the 2014 file format. New features included layer states, search layer filters, layer transparency and window freezing, custom menu *.cui files, quick selection, 3D orbits, additional mesh capabilities, Collada (.dae) file import, MrSID MG4 compressed raster image support and more. IntelliCAD 8.0 included Teigha® Open Design Alliance (ODA) version 3.9.1 and VBA 7.1 support. The source code for advanced rendering and image processing components was made available to all ITC members.{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Randall |title=IntelliCAD ships major update of dwg-compatible development platform |url=https://gfxspeak.com/2015/08/03/intellicad-compatible-development/ |website=Graphic Speak |date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=4 November 2020}}

At the 2017 conference in Auckland, New Zealand, IntelliCAD as a native .dgn file editor was announced.{{cite web |last1=Grabowski |first1=Ralph |title=MicroStation gets some competition |website=WorldCAD Access |url=https://www.worldcadaccess.com/blog/2017/11/microstation-gets-some-competition.html |access-date=4 November 2020}} IntelliCAD 8.4 was released in July 2017 and included the ability to attach IFC files as underlays.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD® 8.4 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/topic/intellicad-8 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium}}

Released in June 2018, IntelliCAD 9 included native support for opening, editing and saving *.dwg 2018 file versions, incremental saving to increase performance, Mechanical entity support, tool palettes, and issues related to running IntelliCAD on Fall Creators 2017 Microsoft® Windows® 10 were also fixed. IntelliCAD 9 also included the ability to work with data from .rvt/.rfa files (Autodesk Revit files) and import IFC files as architectural entities.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD® 9.0 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-release-of-intellicad-9-0 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=4 November 2020}}

Released in July 2020, IntelliCAD 10 included import of Wavefront Technologies Object (.obj) files, import and export of Stereolithography (.stl) files, dynamic input, migrate user interface customizations, and clickable keywords.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 10.0 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-release-of-intellicad-10.0 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=4 November 2020}}

Released in August 2021, IntelliCAD 10.1 included significant speed enhancements, significant performance improvements, insert and work with geographic maps, restore default program settings from the operating system Start menu, create and edit tables and table styles, create and edit sheet sets, insert dynamic blocks, import .pdf files with more advanced options, import point data from .csv and .txt files, and import map files (.shp, .sdf, .sqlite files). Also included is integration with 3Dconnexion input devices for streamlining the CAD drawing experience.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 10.1 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/the-intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-intellicad-10.1 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=26 August 2021}}

Released in August 2022, IntelliCAD 11.0 emphasized viewing and vizualization tools such as a view cube, section planes, view and visual style controls, 3D walk and fly, and a 3D on-screen positioner. Other new commands and features were released, including specific additions to working with BIM and DGN files. Members received a pre-release of IntelliCAD IcAPI, which is highly compatible with AutoCAD Object ARX and allows ITC members to build applications with a single code base that runs on both platforms.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 11.0 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/the-intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-intellicad-11.0 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=5 August 2022}} Also released in 2022 was IntelliCAD 11.1, which focussed on adding new commands and abilities across several areas, including but not limited to dimensions, blocks, tables, custom paper sizes for .pc3 files, and export to IFC.{{cite web |title=ITC Releases IntelliCAD v11.1 |date=December 21, 2022 |url=https://www.tenlinks.com/news/itc-releases-intellicad-v11-1/ |publisher=Ten Links |access-date=9 January 2023}}

Released in October 2023, IntelliCAD 12.0 emphasized reporting (data extraction), super hatches, Quick Properties pane, project geometry, section plane settings, PDF presets, legacy image tile menus, and many more new commands. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files focussed on levels, AEC styles, and plane symbols for creating roofs and ceilings. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files focussed on Explorer elements such as layers, linetypes, dimension styles, blocks, and layouts.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 12.0 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/the-intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-intellicad-12.0 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=16 November 2023}}

Released in December 2023, IntelliCAD 12.1 emphasized creating and editing advanced blocks using parameters, actions, and visibility states; an enhanced attribute editor; drag and drop .dwg files as blocks to tool palettes, use print stamp setting (.pss) files, and more. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files added choosing the IFC4 or IFC4x3 schema when exporting to .ifc files, and display properties for AEC styles. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files added attaching cell library (.cel) files, using the Explorer command to work with layouts and text styles, and snapping to geometric centers.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 12.1 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/the-intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-intellicad-12.1 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=12 January 2024}}

Released in July 2024, IntelliCAD 13.0 emphasized a new Options dialog, Quick Calculator, new surface commands, lookup tables for advanced blocks, ARX application loading, an all-new LISP API, and more. IntelliCAD versions that work with BIM files included IFC validation, RVT to IFC conversion, AEC dimensions, .ifc layers, and new AEC styles. IntelliCAD versions that natively work with DGN files included BMP Out, Undelete, and Copy Nested Entities commands; parallel entity snapping; and the Explorer for views, external references, blocks, and layer filters.{{cite web |title=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium Announces Release of IntelliCAD 13.0 |url=https://www.intellicad.org/articles-and-press-releases/the-intellicad-technology-consortium-announces-intellicad-13.0 |publisher=IntelliCAD Technology Consortium |access-date=1 August 2024}}

IntelliCAD serves as the backbone for several CAD applications, including:{{Cite web |last=Vadyman |title=Best low-cost alternives for Autodesk AutoCAD in 2024 |url=https://sciengsustainability.blogspot.com/2024/06/best-low-cost-alternives-for-autodesk.html |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Science & Engineering}}

• 4M software
• ACCA software
• ActCAD
• ArCADia software
• BackToCAD CADdirect and Print2CAD
• BlueScope Steel ENDUROCADD
• {{Interlanguage link|BudCAD|uk|БудКАД}} ({{Langx|uk|БудКАД|links=}}) — Ukrainian commercial 2D and 3D CAD developed by the State Scientific-Research Institute for Automation Systems in Construction, a government-funded research institute of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.
• CAD Projekt software
• Cadian software
• Carlson software
• CMS IntelliCAD
• FRAMECAD software
• JyaCAD
• Leica IMS Map360
• MicroSurvey CAD
• Mitek Wrightsoft Right-CAD
• Progesoft ProgeCAD
• Trimble StabiCAD
• WebCAD
• Zwsoft ZWCAD

IntelliCAD is used in these industries:

• AEC
• BIM (IDEA){{cite web |last1=Lachimi |first1=Khemlani |title=IDEA Architecture 19 |url=http://www.aecbytes.com/review/2019/IDEA19.html |website=AECbytes |access-date=10 December 2020}}
• Civil/Survey{{cite web |title=Carlson Survey, CADnet, and GIS 2021 Bring New Features and Compatibility |url=https://amerisurv.com/2020/09/23/carlson-survey-cadnet-and-gis-2021-bring-new-features-and-compatibility/ |website=American Surveyor |date=September 23, 2020 |publisher=Spatial Media |access-date=10 February 2021}}
• General CAD software{{cite web |title=progeCAD 2021 Touted as Complete CAD Package |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/progecad-2021-touted-as-complete-cad-package/ |website=Digital Engineering 24/7 |date=October 13, 2020 |publisher=DE Editors |access-date=10 February 2021}}{{cite web |title=ZWSOFT ZWCAD 2021 Said to Be Faster and Smoother |url=https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/zwsoft-zwcad-2021-said-to-be-faster-and-smoother/ |website=Digital Engineering 24/7 |date=September 14, 2020 |publisher=DE Editors |access-date=10 February 2021}}
• Geospatial (Map360){{cite web |title=3D Evidence |url=https://www.xyht.com/lidarimaging/3d-evidence/ |website=xyHt |date=October 11, 2019 |publisher=xyHt Magazine |access-date=10 December 2020}}
• Interior Design
• Machine Automation{{cite web |title=FRAMECAD Structure 8.1.8 released |url=https://www.aecmag.com/technology-mainmenu-35/1326-news-framecad-structure-8-1-8-released |website=AEC Magazine |date=April 12, 2017 |access-date=10 February 2021}}
• Manufacturing
• MEP/HVAC (Fine MEP),{{cite web |last1=Lachimi |first1=Khemlani |title=FINE MEP: BIM for MEP Engineering |url=http://www.aecbytes.com/review/2020/FINE-MEP.html |website=AECbytes |access-date=10 December 2020}} (ALCAD based on CMS IntelliCAD){{cite web |title=ALCAD Software Providing Extra CAD Power To MEP/HVAC Engineers |url=https://blog.intellicadms.com/intellicad/2020/09/alcad-software-providing-extra-cad-power-to-mep-hvac-engineers.html |website=CMS IntelliCAD News |publisher=CMS IntelliCAD |access-date=10 December 2020}}

• Computer-aided design
• Comparison of CAD, CAM and CAE file viewers
• Comparison of CAD editors for AEC

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.intellicad.org/ Official website]
• [https://members.intellicad.org/members/ Members of the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium]

{{CAD software}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Intellicad}}

Category:Computer-aided design software

Category:Computer-aided engineering software