Editor's Window

Cadalyst continues to enhance and update its wide variety of Web resources for industry professionals.

Our editorial team has been busy making changes to Cadalyst's Web site that will make it easier for you to search for and use the wide variety of resources we have available. I thought I'd take this opportunity to outline some of the exciting changes we're either in the process of making or have already made, so that you know what information is out there to make your job easier and more productive.

Amy Stankiewicz

First, we've made it easier for readers in the manufacturing field to locate content related to 3D design. Go to http://manufacturing.cadalyst.com and click on the 3D Design button in the left-hand navigation to link to the latest 3D software reviews, tutorials, columns, and other articles. Our AEC readers can find equivalent 3D coverage using the BIM button in the left-hand navigation on http://aec.cadalyst.com.

Civil engineering is a growing area of interest among Cadalyst readers. We're responding by making it easier for you to locate the variety of coverage we have available on this topic. Soon you'll be able to visit Cadalyst's AEC and GIS Web sites and access a new Civil Engineering button in the left-hand navigation to retrieve content that is updated often. When this new link is available, be sure to bookmark the page and check back often.

Cadalyst's CAD Management expert, Robert Green, writes the popular "CAD Manager Q&A" in every edition of his twice-monthly CAD Manager's News-letter. Now you can link directly to his extensive archive of Q&A topics. Just go to our CAD Management site (http://management.cadalyst.com) and click on the CAD Manager's Q&A button in the left-hand navigation.

Be sure to visit Cadalyst's new CAD Video Gallery (http://video.cadalyst.com) for exclusive CAD software tips, how-to's, and more! Now playing is a video about Autodesk Inventor 2008 highlights. Inventor's Design Acceleration tools make creating many parts and assemblies much easier.

In addition, keep your eyes open for new features that we're adding to our popular Get the Code! site (http://cadalyst.com/code) . During the coming months, we'll introduce more and better options for searching and browsing our archives of LISP and VBA code for AutoCAD customization. No one has more downloadable LISP than Cadalyst, and soon you'll be able to find it more easily than ever.

Speaking of code, AutoCAD users looking to learn more about AutoLISP, VBA, and Object-ARX programming should check out Cadalyst's newest e-mail newsletter, Harry's Code Class: Tips for Programmers. Develop your programming prowess every month with AutoCAD expert Bill Kramer, author of Cadalyst's popular "Hot Tip Harry" column. Like all Cadalyst newsletters, it's free. Register at www.cadalyst.com/newsletters.

I'd also like to remind you about Cadalyst's new online PlanRoom. Hosted by Ideal Scanners & Systems, PlanRoom provides CAD users with a secure way to access confidential project plans, specifications, and large-format drawings using an Internet Web browser. In addition to free signup, PlanRoom users will benefit from time-saving management tools designed to facilitate project collaboration, shorten bid times, and mitigate expensive overnight delivery. Visit http://planroom.cadalyst.com to learn more.

I'm always anxious to hear from readers about our ongoing Web-based enhancements, so feel free to drop me a line any time to comment on our existing resources or suggest new tools that can help you advance your day-to-day work. I look forward to hearing from you!

Amy Stankiewicz
Editor-In-Chief, Cadalyst
amy.stankiewicz@cadalyst.com