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Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 16, No. 27)
1 Aug, 2011 By: Cadalyst StaffThis Week's Software Tips
Hot Tip Harry Has a Nose for Code
When it comes to CAD code, Hot Tip Harry knows a good tip when he sees it! Use the "Submit Tip" button below to send us your LISP routines. If we publish your tip, you'll earn a $25 gift card you can use to purchase a T-shirt or other prizes in the Cadalyst Store.
Measure Near-to-Perpendicular Distance
Designer Terry Priest sends us a LISP routine to use in AutoCAD — and it's one of our shortest ever. "Load the routine, then type DN to start it. It measures the distance between one point and a second point that's perpendicular to the first." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Standard Implementation with Tool Palettes
Frequent tipster Danny Korem likes to create a standard implementation format in AutoCAD. He does so by using tool palettes. "This method delivers the goods better than many others, and it is much easier than writing, installing, loading, and using code." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Select Objects with the Filter Tool
Engineering technician Hayden Clarke sends us an AutoCAD tip that can help you make object selections more efficiently. "Filter (Fi) is a very useful tool that could potentially improve the efficiency of any job, but not all users are aware of it. Some of my coworkers have used AutoCAD since it was first released, but have never used this command — and in some cases, have never even heard of it." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Video Tip: Draping Google Earth Image in MicroStation v8i
On his Spect01 blog, Lawrence Eaton has posted a Bentley MicroStation tutorial video explaining how to create a surface from a Google Earth image, then convert it to a mesh and drape the same image over it.
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Review Cadalyst's Tip Submission Guidelines, then Submit Your Tip for your favorite CAD software. If we publish your tip, you'll earn a gift card you can use to purchase a T-shirt or other prizes in the Cadalyst Store. Please remember to submit only code and other tips that are your original work (or provide the original source so we can include proper credit) and to tell us which software version you use.
By submitting code, you grant Cadalyst the right to print and distribute your code in print, digitally, and by other means. Cadalyst and individual authors retain all rights to the code; published code is not to be used for commercial purposes.
Got Feedback? To share feedback about one of today's tips, navigate to the tip using the link provided above, then click Comment. The Comment tool is available to registered users of Cadalyst's CAD Tips site.
Tips & Tools Weekly software tips for AutoCAD are reviewed by Cadalyst staff and the Tip Patrol before publication. Use all tips at your own discretion, please. We're sorry, but editors and Tip Patrol members cannot provide assistance with technical problems; please refer to Cadalyst's Hot Tip Harry-Help discussion forum for assistance with AutoLISP and other AutoCAD customization questions.
Sincere thanks to our volunteer Tip Patrol members: Brian Benton, Don Boyer,
Mitchell Hirschklau, R.K. McSwain, and Billy Wooten.
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Resources
Updated Shape Extraction for AutoCAD Now Available
Visitors to the Autodesk Labs site can download an updated preview of the Shape Extraction for AutoCAD plug-in. The intelligent point cloud shape extraction solution enables users to import, load, and extract shape and geometry information from point cloud data in AutoCAD. The updated preview will operate until February 1, 2012, and is compatible with the AutoCAD 2012 family of software.
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Deals & Freebies
CIMdata Publishes Exploration of Finite-Element Meshing with SpaceClaim
CIMdata, a product lifecycle management (PLM) consulting and research firm, has published a free paper detailing the use of SpaceClaim Engineer as a tool to prepare CAD model geometry for finite-element meshing prior to analysis. "Overcoming the Barriers Imposed by Geometry" explores the issues that CAE analysts face due to the burden of poor quality and over-detailed geometric models in their attempts to produce timely simulation results.
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Opportunities & Honors
ASCON Announces Winners of 9th Annual KOMPAS-3D Modeling Contest
ASCON, a developer and integrator of CAD solutions, has announced the winners of its 9th KOMPAS-3D Modeling Contest. The winners were awarded prizes from ASCON and its event partners, including ARBYTE, NVIDIA, Cybercom, and Softkey. ASCON's web site hosts a gallery of the winning submissions from this year's contest and previous years.
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Mark Your Calendar
BIM Spectrum
August 17, 2011
11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET
Rand Worldwide's IMAGINiT Technologies division will host a free virtual event that will explore how building information modeling (BIM) models are used by those who are involved in creating and managing buildings. Read more
IMAGINiT Technologies' Singapore BIM Seminars
August 19–24, 2011
Singapore
Ken Yost, an IMAGINiT Technologies expert based in the United States, will be sharing his insights on building information modeling (BIM) at two complimentary seminars. Yost will demonstrate how Autodesk products combined with a strategic implementation can enable BIM adoption throughout an entire organization. Read more
CIMdata PLM Certificate Program — Amsterdam
October 24–28, 2011
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The CIMdata PLM Certificate Program prepares PLM (product lifecycle management) professionals at several levels to address the challenges inherent in PLM implementations. Read more
For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com. Are you hosting an event that you would like to include in our calendar? Submit details at least two weeks in advance to news@cadalyst.com.
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What's New at Cadalyst.com
Tech Trends: CAD It Yourself
DIYers are moving out of the garage and into view of companies offering sophisticated tools and services that fuel creativity. Read more
First Look Review: HP Designjet T2300 eMFP
Web-connected wide-format device produces top-quality prints, scans, and copies with ease. Read more
Recommended Reading for Better Presentations
Become a more concise — and less boring — technical presenter with these killer tips. Read more
A CAD Manager's Letter to IT
Educate your IT department about what you really need to do your job right. Read more
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AutoCAD Tips!
Autodesk Technical Evangelist Lynn Allen guides you through a different AutoCAD feature in every edition of her popular "Circles and Lines" tutorial series. For even more AutoCAD how-to, check out Lynn's quick tips in the Cadalyst Video Gallery. Subscribe to Cadalyst's Tips & Tricks Tuesdays free e-newsletter and we'll notify you every time a new video tip is available. All exclusively from Cadalyst! |
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