CAD Tech News (#60)
1 Mar, 2017 By: Cadalyst Staff▶ Generating Sketchy Lines in Revit Views
This Pluralsight video tutorial shows how to adjust line quality for a hand-drawn look.
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▶ Carry Out Mass Project Path Updates for AutoCAD Electrical Project Files
Whenever AutoCAD Electrical is upgraded, the default symbol library paths must be updated on all past project files — a this time-consuming process. This tutorial demonstrates using a LISP routine to make this task easier.
By Stan Wile
For years, I have asked for a better way to update the library and icon menu paths saved in AutoCAD Electrical project files.
The problem is that each year, the default paths change because the year number in the path changes. After the previous release has been uninstalled, all past project files no longer work. The symbols can no longer be found unless the Project Properties are opened and all paths are updated by pressing the Default button on all four headings. (Pressing Default reads in the new environment file defaults and updates the paths.)
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This can become a real time sink, since every project file needs to be updated individually. And even then, it's a process since the Default button needs to be pressed on all four path types. I have been requesting a Default All button, but that still means each project file needs to be loaded and then edited.
Fortunately, I happened upon a LISP routine that is far better than my original request: It can update all project file library and icon paths in a selected folder and all subfolders.
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Stan Wile is an application engineer with IMAGINiT Technologies.
▶ SOLIDWORKS World 2017, Part 2: What to Expect from SOLIDWORKS 2018
Event report: In addition to modeling and user interface enhancements, Dassault Systèmes plans to launch applications for CAM, project and process management, and nonlinear simulation this year.
By Cyrena Respini-Irwin
One of the chief attractions at the annual SOLIDWORKS World conference is the opportunity to preview new features and enhancements that will become available when the new version of the software portfolio is released in the fall. As usual, there are many updates planned for the SOLIDWORKS application itself, but this year some of the biggest announcements were related to the company's promotion of "ecosystems" — comprehensive solution sets focused on particular processes.
Expanding Ecosystems
According to Kishore Boyalakuntla, senior director of product portfolio management and SOLIDWORKS brand user experience leader, "SOLIDWORKS ecosystems take the complex interactions between several disciplines such as design (MCAD and ECAD), manufacturing, service, quality, supply chain, marketing, inventory, and end customers into account to deliver best-in-class and easy-to-use process solutions impacting business outcomes for our end customers."
These ecosystems may comprise partner solutions as well as Dassault Systèmes offerings; for example, SOLIDWORKS MCAD, Electrical, and PCB software applications and Xively's IoT platform come together to complete the IoT ecosystem, enabling design and operation of smart devices.
Smart manufacturing. This concept is not a new one for Dassault Systèmes. The design-to-manufacturing (DTM) ecosystem, Boyalakuntla pointed out, has been under creation for several years, beginning with the launch of SOLIDWORKS MBD, followed by Costing and Inspection, and now, SOLIDWORKS CAM. "With this combination, you can do smart manufacturing inside your company, and everything is managed by PDM Professional — which is exactly the way it should be," said Boyalakuntla.
Mike Buchli, senior SOLIDWORKS product and portfolio manager, explained the value of the ecosystem this way: "When you look at great, successful manufacturing companies today, there's one thing that is very apparent between those, and that is the ability to reuse data from start to finish throughout the process." The 2.5-axis milling and turning CAM solution is powered by CAMWorks. It will allow users to program in part and assembly environments, and it will also be able to work with configurations of components. Knowledge-based machining capabilities will enable standardization of machining strategies across organizations. Read more »
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Cyrena Respini-Irwin is Cadalyst's editor in chief.
Get More from Your AutoCAD Command Line with AutoComplete
Do you have your INPUTSEARCHOPTIONS dialog configured in a way that works for you? In this video from Cadalyst and Lynn Allen, you'll learn how to customize AutoComplete for maximum productivity. Watch the video »
Introducing the Advanced Mates in SOLIDWORKS
In this quick tutorial, viewers will get an overview of some SOLIDWORKS mate types and see where to find them in the software. Watch the video »
Understanding Curtain Wall Restraints in Autodesk Revit
This tutorial introduces the properties and parameters that govern how the Revit curtain wall works. Watch the video »
How to Choose Workstation Components That Can Handle CAD
Which processor, memory, and GPU will support your CAD software — and your users — most effectively? Learn how to make smart choices when specifying your next purchase. Read more »
New Cadalyst Tip Sheet Covers Input Devices for CAD
Seventh entry in Cadalyst Pro Tips series is available now, with no registration required. Read more »
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