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Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 17, No. 13)
16 Apr, 2012 By: Cadalyst StaffThis Week's Software Tips
All-in-One CAD Tip #1:
AutoCAD, Civil 3D, CAD Management
Sponsored by the new HP Z1 All-in-One Workstation, Cadalyst introduces a series of all-in-one tips for CAD users and managers. Today, host Curt Moreno shares a tip about the AutoCAD ribbon, a shortcut for Civil 3D, and some advice for CAD managers. View the video.
What's Your Secret?
Do you have any tips for using AutoCAD — or any other CAD software tool — more effectively and efficiently? Send them to us! 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. Use the "Submit Tip" button below to send us your tip today!
Manage System Variable Settings
Frequent tipster Danny Korem shares his method of managing system variable settings in AutoCAD. "We are familiar with different kinds of parameters saved within files (DWG, DWG) and saved within the system. Some examples are layers and their properties, styles of all kinds, layouts including intelligent title blocks, and so forth." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Turn Off PEdit Polyline Prompt
Tipster R. Clayton Harrison shares a system variable tip that will save you a step when editing polylines in AutoCAD. "I was looking for a LISP routine that would join two or more regular lines without the annoying prompt, 'Object selected is not a polyline. Do you want to turn it into one?'" View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Store Your Block Library in Tool Palettes
Tipster Mike Demers suggests that users manage their AutoCAD block libraries with tool palettes. "Use tool palettes to store your block library. With tool palettes you can quickly redefine your blocks in the drawing." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
Scale by Reference
Angelina Roskam, a CAD technician, describes different methods for using AutoCAD's Scale command. "I often encounter drawings from others that are not drawn to scale, and the same can happen when you insert a PDF or other reference into a drawing. The Scale command is a simple way to save time and convert the drawing or reference to the correct scale so it is workable and accurate." View the complete tip and post your feedback.
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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 in the latest version of AutoCAD by Contributing Editor Brian Benton. Use all tips at your own discretion, please. We're sorry, but Cadalyst staff cannot provide assistance with technical problems. Please refer to Cadalyst's LinkedIn and Facebook communities for assistance with AutoLISP and other AutoCAD customization questions.
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Resources
Bentley Publishes 2011 Annual Report Online
Bentley Systems has released its 2011 Annual Report, which compiles the company's performance highlights in digital format. The report includes information about revenue growth, investments, and the Bentley product portfolio. It also addresses accelerated revenues in Asian markets, which provided 19% of total revenues in 2011, with revenues from China doubling in the past two years.
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Opportunities & Honors
Autodesk Issues Call for Proposals for Autodesk University 2012
On April 24, Autodesk will begin accepting class proposals for Autodesk University 2012. Suggested topics include: design leadership and advanced technology; techniques and processes that help BIM and CAD managers improve efficiency; new capabilities and features in Autodesk design suites; and visualization and animation techniques for the film and game industry.
Dimension Reveals Winners of 2012 Extreme Redesign Contest
Dimension, a Stratasys brand, has announced the 2012 winners of its Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge, which recognizes student-made product designs, redesigns of an existing product, and original works of art or architecture. The winners were awarded $2,500 scholarships in the categories of middle and high school engineering, college engineering, and art and architecture.
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Mark Your Calendar
SpaceClaim on the Shop Floor: Tricks for Integrating 2D and 3D Data
April 18, 2012
11:30 a.m. ET
In this webinar from SpaceClaim, attendees will learn how to make a sheet metal flat pattern from an imported CAD concept. Read more
PlanetPTC Live Orlando 2012
Jun 3–6, 2012
Orlando, Florida
PlanetPTC Live, PTC's annual conference, will provide networking opportunities for those involved in design, manufacturing, and product lifecycle management. 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
CADspeed Blog Post:
How Much RAM Should You Buy for a CAD Workstation?
Start with the minimum RAM recommendation for your primary software, then get a feel for how much more memory you'll get with incremental spending. Read more
PTC Introduces Modular Product Design Creo App and Windchill Mobile
Creo 2.0 includes updated versions of the nine original apps in the Creo family, plus a new tool for building 3D-based product assemblies, while Windchill expands to iOS devices. Read more
The World of AutoCAD Programming Platforms, Part 1
VBA remains an option, but its days appear numbered. Check out the other choices available for AutoCAD customization. Read more
Clear Out Junk Files with Wise Disk Cleaner
This free utility will help you remove all those old system files and temporary Internet files cluttering up your computers. Read more
Autodesk 360 Moves AutoCAD 2013 to the Cloud
Whether you plan on using it or not, you need to explore Autodesk's new cloud solution — it will change the way we use AutoCAD. Read more
Video: AutoCAD Tip – Fix Gaps and Off-Angled Lines with AutoConstrain
Join Lynn Allen as she shares this means of cleaning up your drawings with AutoConstrain. 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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