Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).
The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.
PowerCADD 10: The Long-Awaited Renaissance is Here The wait is nearly over for the Mac CAD community. After years of uncertainty, PowerCADD 10
is finally entering its next major phase. Following the landmark partnership between Engineered Software AutoDesSys (the creators of
), development has been in high gear to bring this beloved 2D drafting tool into the modern era. What’s New in PowerCADD 10?
The upcoming release isn't just a patch—it’s a total rebuild designed for current hardware and workflows. Native Apple Silicon Support : PowerCADD 10 is built to run natively on M1, M2, and M3 chips , ensuring blistering performance on the latest Macs. 64-Bit Architecture
: By moving to a full 64-bit codebase, the software can finally leverage modern RAM capacities for massive, complex projects. Next-Gen DWG/DXF Translation
: A completely new translator ensures smoother collaboration with other CAD platforms, solving long-standing export/import hurdles. Modern macOS Compatibility
: Say goodbye to "Legacy" warnings. PowerCADD 10 is designed for the newest macOS versions, including Sonoma and beyond. WildTools 10.6 Integration : The industry-standard WildTools plugin
has already been updated to version 10.6 to support these advanced environments. A Partnership for the Future powercadd 10 news exclusive
The collaboration with AutoDesSys has secured PowerCADD's future, positioning it as the perfect 2D complement
to the 3D power of form•Z. Users can expect the same "drawing to delight" philosophy that made PowerCADD famous, now backed by the technical stability of a major CAD developer. How to Get Involved
Beta versions have been rolling out to existing users through a controlled release program. If you’ve been holding onto an older Mac just to keep your drafting workflow alive, it’s time to start planning your upgrade.
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.
How has the wait for PowerCADD 10 impacted your firm's hardware choices? Let us know in the comments!
PowerCADD 10 is undergoing a significant modernization, transitioning to a 64-bit architecture with native Apple Silicon support and upgraded DXF/DWG translators following a partnership between Engineered Software and AutoDesSys. The update aims to bring the classic 2D CAD platform to modern macOS environments while integrating 3D capabilities from form•Z. For more information, visit AutoDesSys. Please welcome PowerCADD - Page 2 - Forums - AutoDesSys
The development of PowerCADD 10 represents a significant revitalization for the long-standing Mac-only 2D drafting software, which faced potential discontinuation in 2021 Current Development Status Partnership and Rebirth : In late 2021, Engineered Software (the original creator) and AutoDesSys, Inc. PowerCADD 10: The Long-Awaited Renaissance is Here The
) announced a partnership to develop the next generation of the software, often referred to as PowerCADD 10. Modern Architecture
: The new version is being rebuilt from the ground up to support modern macOS operating systems, moving away from older technologies that made previous versions incompatible with systems like Catalina and Big Sur. Beta Phase
: As of late 2023, the software has been in a private beta testing phase involving select contributors, distributors, and extension developers. AutoDesSys Key Features and Improvements 3D Connectivity
: A major focus of the partnership is integrating a 3D connection between PowerCADD and the form•Z 3D design modeler , adding 3D capabilities to the product line. Enhanced 2D Precision
: The software aims to retain its classic "design board" feel while adding powerful new 2D drawing capabilities to modern standards. Plugin Compatibility : Updates have been made to the popular
plugin suite (version 10.6), including improvements to 3D threads, thicken tools, and various bug fixes to ensure it functions with the newer environment. Improved Performance
: Early release notes for the beta program highlight performance improvements in symbol drawing, updated file formats for tracking objects (UUID), and better DWG/DXF import handling. Timeline and Availability The Developer Interview: "We Listened" We were allowed
While a specific broad public release date has not been officially confirmed, the developers previously aimed for a "next summer" launch following the 2021 announcement, though they later acknowledged the transition has taken longer than expected due to the expansive nature of the product. AutoDesSys
For official updates and support, users typically look to the AutoDesSys Knowledge Base official forums for the new version or details on the integration?
We were allowed to email a list of questions to the core development team. While they would not go on the record fully, they provided a statement:
"We know we went dark. We know people lost faith. But we could not release a compromised version. PowerCADD 10 is not a cash grab. It is a love letter to the drafting community. We have rewritten the rendering pipeline. We have kept the keyboard shortcuts identical to 1989. And we have ensured that your legacy files—going back to PowerCADD 2—open perfectly. This is for the long haul."
Engineered Software confirmed a Q3 2026 public release, but a limited "Professional Beta" opens May 1st. Requirements:
In an era of subscription fatigue, Engineered Software is bucking the trend. PowerCADD 10 will be a perpetual license.