AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting. The software supports both 2D and 3D formats.The software is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc., first released in December 1982 by Autodesk in the year following the purchase of the first form of the software by Autodesk founder John Walker.utoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting. The software supports both 2D and 3D formats.