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Annotation Settings in AutoCAD 2008

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:18:24 GMT

Recently I made some recommendations for setting system variables relating to annotative objects in our standard drawing template (for AutoCAD 2008). Here they are with an explanation as to why.

Automatic Scaling of Blocks, Images or XREFs

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:18:21 GMT

When Autodesk released AutoCAD 2007 I noticed that when I inserted a block or XREF it would sometimes scale up or down in a way I didn't expect. After a little digging in the help file I found these system variables: INSUNITS, INSUNITSDEFSOURCE, & INSUNITSDEFTARGET.

Right-Click Editing: Tables

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:18:21 GMT

Excel-like formulas for AutoCAD tables.

Selection Sets

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:33:50 GMT

Previously I wrote about using AutoLISP to create selection sets. While these are great, especially for use in scripts and macros, they are kind of clunky to use if you need a quick selection set. Here are a few quick and easy ways to create selection sets.

Paste Excel Data into AutoCAD 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:31:12 GMT

An easy way to get Excel data into an AutoCAD table.

Sheet Set Manager Invalid Characters

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:30:21 GMT

Sheet Set Manager doesn't like some characters such as commas, quotation marks, slashes, etc. This article describes how to add those characters to Sheet Set Manager fields.

Writing Scripts

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:28:33 GMT

One of my favorite things about using AutoCAD is the ability to write and run scripts to help me do repetitive tasks quickly. A script is a series of commands (just like you type into the command line) that you can save in a text file and run on any drawing whenever you need it. Since it is saved in a text file, you can easily share it with colleagues who might need to use it. I have a library of scripts for repetitive tasks we do at work on a regular basis. Here is how to get started writing a script.

Design Communication

Mon, 26 May 2008 09:43:39 GMT

In today's market place it is essential that project design teams / individuals communicate and collaborate efficiently, effectively and with flexibility. Time constraints are tight and users need the ability to review and alter designs quickly and accurately.

ACA_db 2 released for AutoCAD Architecture 2009

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:12:23 GMT

AutoCAD Architecture with more BIM functionality by enabling database connectivity.

Understanding BIM Stages

Sat, 03 May 2008 04:51:47 GMT

Many industry discussions affectionately expand on BIM's far-reaching deliverables: seamless collaboration, construction sequencing, shareable databases and fully integrated project delivery. While all these possibilities are foreseen today and are becoming more readily accessible as we speak (type), it is important to understand the deployment road ahead. Such an understanding will help us focus on the task at hand, better allocate available resources and prepare for the BIM-flavoured future.

The Lazy Drafter: Lisp to Open Windows Explorer to Any Location

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:38 GMT

"This is an addition to a time saver I posted awhile back to open Explorer from within AutoCAD to the folder where the drawing is saved. This lisp can be altered direct users to a system resource folder where ever it may be. This one is going to a mapped drive where vendor equipment blocks may be located. The back slash means something in lisp. You will have to fool lisp by using a double backslash in the path you are directing users to. "

Excellent Review of Revit Architecture 2009

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:30:17 GMT

"..sparked off a very interesting discussion on the AECbytes blog about what is a BIM application and what is not, and what is the nature of "true BIM," if there is such a thing at all. It is a discussion very relevant also to Revit-being one of the leading BIM solutions available today-and we will come back to it later on in this review. Let us first explore the various avenues along which Revit Architecture has progressed in this 2009 release."

Alibre Reacts to Synchonous Technology

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:30:17 GMT

Greg Milliken, CEO of Alibre, reacts to the "breakthrough" Synchronous Technology by Siemens.

CAD Application Development: Revit 2009 API: The AddIn Manager

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:51:52 GMT

The Add In Manager application is itself a Revit External Command, and is accessed (after installation) on the Tools + External Tools menu: The AddIn Manager shows you what external commands have been registered with Revit, as well as giving you the ability to Load a new command at Runtime (NO MORE EXITING OUT!) and Saving changes to your REVIT.INI file.

AutoCAD 2009 - Vista Startup Times

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:59:08 GMT

.."I've now tested startup times of various AutoCAD releases under Vista. Here are the results, alongside the XP results for ease of comparison"..

AutoCAD 2008 Layer Isolate Settings Tip ...

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:51:02 GMT

The Layer Isolate feature has been around since at least the Bonus collection back in R14. In AutoCAD 2008 they kick it up a notch by adding a Settings feature whereby you can opt to either turn Off the layers you don't select to isolate, or Lock them . which kicks in the new A2008 Fade control feature.

Heidi Hewett's Blog: AutoCAD 2009. A closer look at Quick Properties

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:39:41 GMT

The new Quick Properties functionality in AutoCAD 2009 enables you to view and modify object properties for selected objects. Now, if you're like me, you're thinking "How is this any different (or better) than the Properties window that we've had since AutoCAD 2000"? Well, it *is* similar, but you can customize Quick Properties so it only displays only the properties that you really care about. The simplified list makes it easier for you to locate the property you want to edit.

Revit MEP: Autodesk Revit Worksharing

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:39:38 GMT

From an Autodesk White Paper Autodesk Revit Worksharing distributes the power of the Revit parametric building modeling environment across the project team. Worksharing allows the team to choose the best way to collaborate and interact based on their workflow and the project requirements.

extensions4revit

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:38:33 GMT

On January 15 2008, Autodesk completed the acquisition of Robobat who develops these Extensions. To find out more about this acquisition read the press release. All Extensions for Revit Structure formerly developed by Robobat, both fee and free, are now available through the Autodesk Subscription Program.

Inside the System: Space Creation - Part 2

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:38:07 GMT

we'll be talking about over the coming weeks and months regarding Volumes in your Revit Models, and how to define them properly. Once defined, they are the cornerstone of an accurate Analytical Model, which in turn is the cornerstone of accurate Building Performance Analysis.

Revit 2009 API: VSTA: Here Comes the Neighborhood

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:46:28 GMT

..."Revit 2009 introduces Microsoft VSTA - that's Visual Studio Tools for Applications - the next generation follow-on to VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)."..

EULA, EULA, EULA!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:58:14 GMT

A comparison of licensing for AutoCAD and Microstation.

Crisis in the Community?

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:44:06 GMT

SolidWorks users are questioning the value of upgrades. SolidWorks 2008's revamped interface is getting mixed reviews from long time users.

OpenDCL 4.1 Released!

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:49:39 GMT

OpenDCL officially get 64-bit support.

Outside The Box: VC Build Hook utility for Visual Studio 2008

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:49:39 GMT

he new Visual Studio 2008 has been released, and to celebrate, I've updated VC Build Hook. The updated utility allows you to use the new IDE while still building with older versions of the build tools. Why is this necessary? If you build your AutoCAD 2007/2008 ObjectARX application with the Visual C/C++ 9.0 tools, AutoCAD will display a warning message about an incompatible module when you try to load it. You can use VC Build Hook to target all previous AutoCAD versions from a single Visual Studio 2008 solution (if you have the correct version of Visual C/C++ installed alongside Visual Studio 2008).