Save in DWG 2018 format

Unrivaled compatibility with the latest DWG file format

ARES Commander is using the DWG format as its native format which makes it easy to share files with other CAD software such as AutoCAD® or MicroStation®. In the previous version we released the possibility to read and modify drawings saved in the DWG 2018 format. Now, this format becomes also the default format to save your drawings.

You keep also the ability to save in previous versions of the DWG format. Other drawing formats supported include DXF, DWF, DWT, DWS and DGN (import).

Customizable Blocks

The new Custom Block Editor helps you to create smarter blocks

The Custom Block Editor is launched with the command _EDITCUSTOMBLOCK or after a double-click on a block. You can use it to modify any block reference and also make them parametric in size and shape.

The contextual ribbon includes features to combine special grips and actions such as Move, Scale, Stretch, Rotate, Pattern, or Mirror.
You may, for example, create a custom block whose size can be dynamically adjusted with a grip you can stretch.

Allow switching between different types of the same block

You can also create custom blocks with different states having elements that are hidden or shown. This allows, for example, to use only one block to show different options.

One Custom Block can replace many blocks

Combining multiple of these grips and actions allows you to create much smarter blocks. One custom block may replace ten of the blocks you currently use and would therefore significantly increase your productivity.

The Custom Block Editor includes also Constraints features to further add intelligence to Custom Blocks with geometric rules.

Merge Layers

This new command helps you to reorganize your layers

The command Merge Layer, also available from the new Layer Manager, will assist you in merging the content of selected layers into another one. This may be used, for example, when you receive a drawing and want to simplify or rename the layers as expected in your project.

Cloud Storage Palette

Create and Modify drawings in sync with Cloud Storage

The Cloud Storage Palette allows you to browse and edit locally in ARES Commander the drawings you store in Google Drive, Box, DropBox, OneDrive, Onshape and Trimble Connect.
It makes it very easy to synchronize modifications across users and devices. The file is always the latest version and your files follow you when you work from another computer or on your mobile devices.
Some recent enhancements include the possibility to add storage from ARES Commander. You may also generate a view only-link directly from this palette to share your drawing as a URL for viewing purposes. Other options include filters and file options.

Commenting Palette

Improved collaboration around the project

The Commenting Palette allows to comment on drawings synchronized by the Cloud Storage Palette. You may add a general comment to the drawing or link your comment to selected entities.

Your colleagues will see your comments and be able to answer them. It gives you an interactive and productive way to improve the collaboration around the drawing.

Push and Pull

Create or modify 3D solids in a very intuitive way

With Push and Pull you can select the face of a 3D solid or 2D entities and extrude or subtract them in 3D. You can edit 3D solids by pushing or pulling faces. Push and Pull will also extrude closed areas like a rectangle, closed polyline or circle into a 3D solid and subtract any enclosed area. Alternatively, you can Push and Pull only selected entities. Arcs or Splines are converted into meshed surfaces.

Chamfer edges of 3D solids

Modify the edges of 3D solids or adjacent surfaces

Chamfer Edges works in 3D similarly as for the Chamfer command you use in 2D. It creates a sloped transition between two surfaces or adjacent faces on a 3D solid whose distance can be customized. Alternatively, you can also round an edge with the command Fillet Edges.

PolySolid

Create 3D Solids in the shape of a wall

With PolySolid you can create 3D walls with constant height and width just like you draw polylines. Segments can, therefore, be straight or curved. PolySolids can be created by selecting points. Alternatively, you can convert existing 2D entities such as polylines, arcs or lines into 3D PolySolid entities.

Digital Signature for your drawings

Authenticate your drawings with a digital certificate*

A digital signature helps organizations sustain proof of the signer’s identity, intent, and the integrity of electronic documents. It guarantees that a file has not changed since the file was signed. Use cases include call for tenders, certifications, construction permits, and more.
*Certificates to be purchased separately

New Highlighting of entities

Entities are highlighted on mouse over

Fly over entities and you will see them highlighted in color. It helps to identify which entities to select with direct visual feedback before you click and validate the selection.

4K icons for Light Grey style

Improved support for HD screens

In ARES Commander you can use the default Dark Style or switch to the Light Grey style with the command UI Style. The Light Grey style is now supporting high-resolution screens with brand new 4K icons.

STL Import

Import STL files as 3D objects

The STL format is popular for sharing 3D drawings and in particular for 3D printing. Besides being able to export in this format, ARES Commander is now able to import STL files.

Enhanced support for 3D mouse

Enjoy working in 3D with a SpaceMouse®

The integration of the 3D Connexion SDK improves the compatibility with 3D Connexion’s SpaceMouse® range of devices.

The ARES Trinity of CAD Software

Buy ARES Commander and enjoy ARES Touch and ARES Kudo as a bonus

Use ARES Touch on Android® and iOS® smartphones and tablets to read, modify or annotate drawings on the go. ARES Kudo further adds the agility of the Cloud, synchronizing files across users and devices. With ARES Kudo you may also read, share and soon modify your DWG drawings online.  Don’t miss our video to understand how these three solutions are working together to improve your workflows:

Read and modify DWG 2018 format

ARES Commander is now able to read the new DWG format and keeps offering therefore an unrivaled compatibility

Read and modify DWG files up to the latest version of this popular format (R2018). With ARES Commander you can create or modify drawings and save them directly in DWG, up to version 2013-2017 or any previous version. Your files can therefore be further shared with other CAD software such as AutoCAD® or MicroStation®. Other file formats supported include DXF, DWF, DWT or DGN (import).

ARES Kudo – CAD in the Cloud

Modern DWG Editing directly in your Web browser

ARES Kudo runs in your Internet browser. You can read, share and modify DWG drawings online. Nothing to install, nothing to update you can use it from any computer via a simple login.

Share View-only Link

Use ARES Kudo to generate a URL where your contacts can view the latest state of your project, directly in their Internet browser

With this feature you can turn on and off a link that can be shared to view your file online, for free, without any install. The link is live updated when you modify the drawing and is therefore always up-to-date. When needed you can also close access at any time.

Redefine Base Point of a Block

Change the base point of a block in your drawing, without exploding it

The new _REDEFINEBASEPOINT command helps you to set a new base point for the blocks. The new base point will apply to the selected block but also to any previous or future insertion. This avoids for example to explode and recreate the block before replacing it.

Block Attributes Manager

Edit and reorganize Block Attributes properties within a simple dialog

The new Block Attributes Manager (BAM) lets you redefine the attributes definitions of a block in a very intuitive way. You may define if an attribute is visible or not, change the order, the invites, default values and more parameters, directly from a comprehensive dialog.

3D Solids Editing with Grips and Properties Palette

Use grips and properties palette to modify 3D solid primitives

When selecting 3D solid primitives such as a box or a cylinder you will see new grips that allow you to edit directly the dimensions of the solid. You may also give a direction with your mouse and enter a fixed value with the Quick Input. Alternatively you may change the shape by editing the variables in the properties palette.

Dynamic Custom Coordinate System (CCS)

Enable the Dynamic CCS to automatically align the coordinate system to the face you are editing

The Dynamic CCS can be turned on or off from a toggle in the bottom of the User Interface or by pressing F6. When enabled the CCS is automatically changing as you fly over a surface.

2D and 3D HELIXs

Create 2D spirals and 3D helices

The HELIX is a new entity that can be used in 2D to create spirals or in 3D to create helices. You may further use an HELIX as an extrusion path and create complex shapes such as bolt threads, circular stairs or ramps.

Annotate with MultiLeaders

Use MultiLeaders to annotate drawings with a single text and multiple arrows

MultiLeaders avoid to repeat a same text multiple times. You can use it to relate the same text with multiple arrows. The command _MULTILEADER is also associated to the command _MULTILEADERSTYLES to create and manage MultiLeader styles and keep a consistent style across your drawings.

Usability Improvements

Move entities incrementally with arrow keys, copy entities to current layer or paste content from the clipboard to the current layer

You may now select entities and move them with the arrows of your keyboard by an increment that can be adjusted in the options. This helps to adjust the position of entities in an interactive way.

While using the _COPY command you may also select to copy entities directly to the current layer instead of their original layer. Similarly the _PASTE command allows you to place the content of the clipboard to the current layer.

ARES Touch for Android® and iOS®

Fresh new UI and release of the iOS version

Create, modify, annotate and share your DWG drawings on the go! ARES Touch is the most complete solution for CAD on smartphones and tablets and it is now available for both Android and iOS. ARES Touch gets also the brand new dark User Interface introduced in ARES Commander 2017. You get ARES Touch for free¹ when you buy ARES Commander!

New “Trinity” Dark User Interface

The new Dark UI is harmonizing the user interface across all the ARES CAD software and introducing new features

The new Dark UI contributes to Graebert’s unique “Trinity” concept offering a seamless user experience across desktop, mobile and cloud. Besides the fresh and modern look and feel you will enjoy enhancements such as auto-hiding palettes, command line completion, history for undo-redo and a welcome screen.

Multifunctional Grips

Quick editing options appear when you fly over mid and end point grips

Fly over entity grips and you will discover new contextual shortcut menus offering quick editing features that can vary based on the entity type: edit the length or stretch an entity from its end point grip, change the radius of an arc, insert a vertex on a polyline or convert an arc into a polyline.

Polylines Editing Improvements

Add vertex to midpoint, convert a segment to an arc or line and more

New options in the command EDITPOLYLINE offer an increased productivity in the edition of polylines. You may convert an arc segment into a line and vice-versa, you may also add a vertex to the midpoint of a segment and change its position. Other new options include Taper and Reverse.

Relative Angles in Coordinate Input

Use the “@” prefix to enter the angle from the last given segment

You can now use the “@” prefix to enter relative angles just like you are already used to for relative distances. This unique ability simplifies significantly the coordinate input when you draw successive lines or polyline segments.

Trim and PowerTrim in Hatches and Gradients

Unrivaled flexibility to edit the shape of your hatches and gradients

You can now trim hatches and gradients with the TRIM and POWERTRIM commands. It’s never been easier to edit the shape of the areas containing hatches and gradients. Divided hatches and gradients maintain associativity and remain as one entity.

Advanced PDF to DWG conversion

New features allow to recover more information from the PDF

Besides converting or batch-processing your PDF files into DWG files, ARES Commander offers now the option to recover the layers organization and names but also to maintain the LineStyle and LineWeight of entities.

Insert Center Lines

Insert Centerlines between pairs of lines, concentric arc and polyline segments

Very popular for Mechanical design but also very helpful in other situations, the CENTERLINE command will draw a line at equidistance of the pair of entities you selected. The CENTER linestyle will be assigned by default and you can fine tune the extension of the Centerline.

Split Dimension Lines

Split Dimension lines and extension lines to avoid any overlap

Improve the readability of your annotations, when a dimension line or an extension line is overlapping another entity the command SPLITDIMENSION will help you split them with a default or manual distance without breaking the associativity.

Advanced Block Attributes Editing

New dialog for advanced editing of block attributes and properties

Select one or more block insertions and use this new dialog to edit one or more attributes but also block properties such as layer, linestyle, color, text style and more.

Dynamic Print Preview

The Print settings dialog has been redesigned to improve productivity

Enjoy a reorganized dialog for Print settings with a dynamic preview representing your drawing as it would be printed. You no longer need to switch between settings and preview to adjust your print configuration.

More XtraTools™ Commands

More power features to help you solve tedious tasks – Now also on Mac and Linux

Take a look to the XtraTools² menu or ribbon tab and you will discover many new features to manage layouts viewports, import/export dimension styles, create nice text labels, scale blocks, define draw order by color, and more.

Quick Input

Dynamic information and input boxes, right next to your cursor

Enter coordinates, angles and distances right next to your cursor. Quick Input also displays dynamic information about lengths, angles, prompts and options. The interaction with ARES Commander has never been so intuitive and fast.

Annotation Scaling

Smart scaling of annotations on layout sheets and printouts

Annotative scaling adjusts the size and scale of your dimensions, texts, hatches and blocks to the scale of each viewport. Annotations are displayed with consistent and uniform sizes across all viewports in layouts sheets.

Pattern Hatch

Improve your drawings with hatches using images or blocks – Windows® only²

Create hatches using patterns of images or blocks. Advanced options include scaling, spacing and rotation of the pattern of your choice. PatternHatch is one of the new XtraTools™ commands introduced with ARES Commander 2016.

Curved Text

New text feature to draw texts along or inside arcs – Windows only²

Create curved text entities along an arc. Some options include text formatting, offset distance and choice between convex or concave sides of the arc. You will find the CurvedText command in the new XtraTools™ menu and tab.

Drawing Tabs

Switch easily between open drawings

Drawing Tabs are now displayed at the top of the drawing window area. When flying your cursor over one tab you see a preview of the drawing and its different layouts to switch quickly to the desired view.

DGN Import

Convert DGN files into DWG entities you can modify in ARES Commander

The ImportDGN command inserts content from DGN files (V7 or V8) as a block in your drawing. The .dgn format is popular among users of MicroStation® and some other CAD software. DGN import offers you a higher interoperability with other professionals.

Head-up Display toolbar

Quick editing options available from a contextual toolbar

This new contextual toolbar appears next to your cursor when you select entities. Shortcuts include zoom to selection, change entity layer, change LineStyle or LineWidth, and the possibility to create a dimension or a block from the selection.

LayerState Manager

Create and manage configurations of layers

The new LayerState Manager allows you to create and name different scenarios for your layers to easily switch between them. You may for example hide some layers and change their color to show different aspects of the same project.

New selection methods

Quickly isolate or hide entities in your drawings – search and select entities sharing similar properties

SelectMatching allows you to find similar entities. IsolateEntities and HideEntities let you to show or hide parts of your drawing. IsolateLayers is also improved with new option to lock and fade the remaining layers.

New utility tools for blocks

New XtraTools™ commands to manage blocks faster – Windows only²

ReplaceBlock and ReplaceBlockByReference help you substitute existing blocks by others. GetBlockInfo generates a report listing the number of occurrences of each block. Other commands help you to import or redefine block attributes.

More XtraTools™ Commands

New power features to help you solve tedious tasks – Windows only²

ARES Commander 2016 introduces a new group of productivity-driven commands. Besides PatternHatch and CurvedText or the utility tools for blocks some of these features include Break Lines, Convert a single line text into a multiline one, Make LineStyles by specifying entities , and a Lisp Explorer.

Dimension Location Snap

Improve the visual impact of your annotations

When activated, this new setting lets you define an incremental distance between successive dimension lines. Radius and diameter dimension lines are also placed at specified angle intervals. Your drawings look cleaner and better organized.

Improved OLE Support (Windows only)

Insert Excel tables or other elements linked with Microsoft® Office

The PasteSelected command provides a paste link option allowing you to use the features of Microsoft Office directly in your CAD drawing to edit the content with the OpenOLE command.

Command name completion

ARES Commander helps you find keyboard commands

Search for command names and system variables by entering the first letters in the command bar and pressing the Tab key for suggestions.

ARES Touch for Android

ARES Touch: The power of ARES Commander on Android tablets (and smartphones).

Discover the first .dwg-based full CAD software for Android tablets. Its user interface is both adapted for touch and intuitive for ARES users. Files are synchronized via Dropbox or Google Drive or shared by USB. You get ARES Touch for free* when you buy ARES Commander!

LicenseToGo

The new activation dialogs make it very easy to use your license from other computers.

Use your Product Key to activate your license on another computer, eventually under a different OS (Windows, Mac OS X or Linux). You can work from any PC*! Your LicenseToGo will last for up to 5 days and you can renew it after on the same PC or another one.

PowerTrim

Trim or extend entities faster than with any other CAD Software.

Trim multiple entities in once by moving your mouse around. Just describe a path with your mouse and ARES will trim while you move. If you use the shift key you do the same but with the Extend command.

QuickModify

Draw and modify much faster by combining these frequently used commands.

Use only one command to perform and combine multiple actions on a same selection of entities: Move, Rotate, Scale and/or Copy without leaving the command.

2D Constraints

Add intelligence to your drawings and capture the design intent to facilitate further modifications.

Powered by the CDS solver from Dassault Systèmes Spatial, this new set of features will help you to define relations between entities in terms of geometry (stay parallel, perpendicular, tangent…) or dimensions (equal length, proportional, formula…). When you will further modify one element the others will adapt following these constraints.

Dynamic blocks editing

Dynamic blocks are smart blocks you can configure with options and grips.

Edit dynamic blocks inserted in a DWG drawing by other CAD software such as AutoCAD. You can use the grips to dynamically and interactively modify these “intelligent” blocks and eventually reinsert them in the drawing. Creation of new dynamic blocks is not supported yet.

OnScreen Dimensions palette

Create or click on a dimension and you will see a contextual button to activate a new floating palette.

Editing dimensions has never been so quick and easy than with ARES Commander 2015! This new contextual palette helps you to edit them directly in the drawing: formatting, styles, tolerances, prefixes or suffixes and more. Modifications can also be saved and reused.

Tables edition

Quickly edit tables right inside your drawings with a contextual toolbar.

Click inside a Table cell or launch the command EditTableCell and you will get a toolbar with all the options to insert, resize, merge or delete cells, rows and columns.

In-place text editing

Click on any multiline text (Note) and you will see a new floating dialog for editing.

The Note command (MTEXT in AutoCAD) has been improved with a new contextual dialog to define advanced formatting like on a Word processor but directly in your .dwg drawing. The new Stack dialog helps you create fractions and tolerances in your text.

More bonus tools…

DiscardDuplicates and ExplodeBlockX help you fix your drawings.

DiscardDuplicates deletes duplicate entities and lets you define advanced settings to fine tune what should be ignored (similar to OVERKILL in AutoCAD). ExplodeBlockX explodes blocks or tables and converts attributes in text (similar to BURST in AutoCAD)

Customize the Ribbon

Reorganize the User Interface to boost your productivity.

Customize the tabs and panels of the Ribbon to group the tools you need and like. You may also create your own workspaces in addition to the 2D and 3D ones we created for you. Still, one of the workspaces allows you to switch back to traditional menus and toolbars if you prefer.