February 17, 2004 - AutoCAD 2005 and its family of products was announced by Autodesk
February 17, 2004, Autodesk announced that it is releasing AutoCAD 2005 and 2005 based family of products. This new release promises many new enhancements in the areas of drafting, standards and file management. Learn about the new features in AutoCAD 2005 in the "What's New in AutoCAD 2005" PDF document. (What's New in 2005 document updated last on 3/13/04.)

References updated for AutoCAD 2005:
AutoCAD Quick Guide Reference (PDF)
System Variables Quick Guide (PDF)
System Variables General Overview (PDF)
Environment Variables Quick Guide (PDF)
Environment Variables General Overview (PDF)
Command Quick Guide (PDF)

Additional References for AutoCAD 2005:
Icon Switches - Learn to use the new/existing Icon Switches (PDF)

Related AutoCAD 2005 web sites:
Ellen Finkelstein (Author AutoCAD Bible) - AutoCAD 2005
AUGI - AUGI World March April Issue w/ AutoCAD 2005 Preview
JTB World - AutoCAD 2005 Preview
Vizdepot - AutoCAD & ADT 2005 Preview
Dotsoft - 2005 Preview
CADxp (French Site) - AutoCAD 2005 Information
Datec - AutoCAD 2005 Information
CAD Digest (upFront. ezine) - AutoCAD 2005 Focuses on Drafting
Ten Links - Autodesk Introduces AutoCAD 2005 Family of Products
Cadalyst Magazine - AutoCAD 2005 Preview
Cadalyst Magzaine - Autodesk DWF Composer Preview
AutoCAD 2005 Special Customer Requested Features (PDF)
Autodesk - AutoCAD 2005 Preview Site
Autodesk - AutoCAD 2005 Press Release
Autodesk - To Lock or Not to Lock, software activation explained
Autodesk Blog - Between the Walls by Chris Yanchar - ADT 2005
Autodesk Blog - Between the Lines

A great big Thanks goes out to Shaan Hurley for helping to make some of these documents possible.  Check out his Blog on AutoCAD 2005 at the link above.

Background Mask command for Mtext
I have just finished a program that allows you to use all the functionality of the Background Mask for Mtext without the need to go through the Mtext editor. Click here to go to the AutoLISP Downloads page.