Short answer: Autodesk’s seven specialised toolsets — Architecture, Mechanical, Electrical, MEP, Plant 3D, Map 3D and Raster Design — are discipline-specific versions of AutoCAD with intelligent objects, libraries and automation for that field. On Windows they are included with an eligible AutoCAD subscription (Autodesk calls it “AutoCAD including specialised toolsets”); they are not available for Mac or with AutoCAD LT. Each is installed separately and shares the AutoCAD licence.
The toolsets used to be separate products (AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical and so on) with their own prices. Since 2018 Autodesk has bundled them with AutoCAD on Windows, which is good value if you know what they do and irrelevant if you do not. This guide explains each toolset, who uses it in the UK, and how AutoSoftKey’s single-toolset and all-toolsets pages fit together.
Are the toolsets included with AutoCAD?
Yes, on Windows, with an eligible AutoCAD entitlement. They are downloaded and installed separately from Autodesk Account and appear as their own applications. AutoCAD for Mac does not include them, and AutoCAD LT cannot use them. AutoSoftKey lists dedicated pages for each toolset so you can buy the entitlement for your workflow, plus an AutoCAD including all toolsets licence for multi-discipline users.
The seven toolsets and who uses them
AutoCAD Architecture
Intelligent walls, doors, windows, stairs, roofs and slabs, with sections, elevations and schedules generated from the plan. Used by architectural technologists, interior and kitchen designers and small practices that document in 2D/2.5D rather than Revit. AutoCAD Architecture toolset →
AutoCAD Electrical
Schematic and panel design for control systems: ladder diagrams, IEC symbol libraries, automatic wire numbering, PLC I/O drawings and bills of materials. Used by panel builders, machine and automation designers and building-services electrical engineers. AutoCAD Electrical toolset →
AutoCAD Mechanical
Standards-based 2D mechanical drafting with 700,000-plus standard parts to BS, ISO and DIN, associative hidden lines, power dimensioning and shaft, spring and belt calculators. Used by machine builders, fabricators and maintenance departments. AutoCAD Mechanical toolset →
AutoCAD MEP
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing building-services drafting: ducts, pipes, cable trays and conduits as connected systems, with schedules and clash checks. Used by M&E consultants and installation contractors on DWG-based projects. AutoCAD MEP toolset →
AutoCAD Plant 3D
P&ID authoring, spec-driven 3D piping, equipment and structure, with automatic isometrics and orthographic drawings. Used by process, water, energy and food-industry piping designers. AutoCAD Plant 3D toolset →
AutoCAD Map 3D
GIS inside AutoCAD: coordinate systems including British National Grid, FDO connections to shapefiles and databases, attributes and topology. Used by utilities, local authorities and surveyors; Civil 3D includes it. AutoCAD Map 3D toolset →
AutoCAD Raster Design
Clean-up, editing and vectorisation of scanned drawings and imagery, with OCR and georeferenced raster support. Used by anyone digitising a drawing archive. AutoCAD Raster Design toolset →
Quick chooser by discipline
| Your work | Toolset | Alternative to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Building plans, sections, schedules in DWG | Architecture | Revit for full BIM |
| Control panels, wiring schematics, PLC I/O | Electrical | — |
| Machine and fabrication drawings in 2D | Mechanical | Inventor for 3D |
| Ductwork, pipework, electrical services in buildings | MEP | Revit for BIM MEP |
| Process piping and P&IDs | Plant 3D | — |
| Mapping, GIS data, asset records | Map 3D | Civil 3D (includes Map 3D) |
| Scanned drawings and aerial imagery | Raster Design | ReCap Pro for point clouds |
| Two or more of the above | All toolsets | AEC or PDM Collection |
Single toolset or all toolsets?
If your work sits inside one discipline, buy that toolset’s page — each is a 3-year licence from £39. If you switch between two or more disciplines, or you are a freelancer taking whatever comes in, the all-toolsets licence from £99 covers every workflow on one entitlement. Practices that also need Revit, Civil 3D or Navisworks should look at the AEC Collection, which includes AutoCAD with all toolsets alongside them.
Things people get wrong about toolsets
- They are not separate seats. Installing a toolset does not give you a second licence; it is the same AutoCAD entitlement in a discipline-specific interface.
- They are Windows-only. Mac users get AutoCAD for Mac without toolsets.
- They are not BIM. Architecture and MEP add intelligent objects to drafting; coordinated multi-discipline BIM is Revit’s job.
- Plain AutoCAD can open toolset drawings. Object enablers let it display and plot them, but editing the intelligent objects needs the toolset.
Choose your toolset
Every toolset is available as a 3-year licence for Windows, with your licence details and installation guidance sent by email.
AutoCAD toolsets FAQs
Is AutoCAD Electrical included in AutoCAD?
On Windows, yes — with an eligible AutoCAD entitlement the Electrical toolset is downloaded and installed separately from Autodesk Account.
Is AutoCAD MEP included in AutoCAD?
Yes, on Windows, in the same way as the other six toolsets.
Can I use the toolsets with AutoCAD LT?
No. AutoCAD LT does not support toolsets.
Do the toolsets work on a Mac?
No. They are Windows-only.
What is the difference between AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD?
Architecture adds intelligent building objects (walls, doors, windows), display configurations and automatic schedules to the standard AutoCAD drafting tools.
How many toolsets can I install?
All seven, from one AutoCAD entitlement, on a Windows machine with enough disk space.