Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 11, No. 11)
26 Mar, 2006Editor's note: Welcome to Cadalyst's new Tips & Tools Weekly e-newsletter. Previously known as Newsline, Tips & Tools Weekly offers a fresh take on design and content, including expanded software tips as well as new productivity and training resources; deals and freebies; opportunities; a calendar of industry events; and a round-up of the past week's new CAD products. For the latest CAD news and new products delivered daily to your desktop, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What's New at Cadalyst.com Cadalyst Labs' benchmark test has been updated an is now available online. The C2006 Cadalyst Systems Benchmark is designed to work with AutoCAD 2006, as well as older versions back to R2000. Cadalyst Daily Update: For all the latest news and new products, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Plus, every issue includes a feature you won’t find anywhere else -- hardware and CAD software reviews, success stories, AutoCAD tips and much more! Here’s a sample of what you missed in the past week:
Cadalyst’s sister publication, GPS World, just launched Survey & Construction, a free e-mail newsletter offering timely analysis on the use of global positioning technologies in the survey and construction industries. Click here to subscribe. |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resources Grainger Expands Catalog Offerings Digital Design Communication White Paper Product Information White Paper |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This Week's Software Tips Following last week's tip about resetting osnaps, several readers wrote with additional options. Here we present a few of our favorites. Steven Matchett's tip encompasses the feedback of several readers (and he sent a bonus tip along with it): Once you set up your osnaps the way you like them, exit the dialog box and type in OSMODE to get the number for that combination of settings (4143, for example). Then just write a short LISP routine or create a button to reset your osnap settings. This approach is also great if you have to work on someone else's station: All you have to do is remember the command and number. (defun c:oo () Also, a followup on ellipses from a few months ago, when some people were trying to get a "good" polyline ellipse: When you set the PELLIPSE system variable to 1, AutoCAD automatically draws an ellipse as a polyline. Sue Boyle writes: I use this frequently to reset my environment, mostly because I can't tell what has changed it in the first place and have given up trying to track down the culprit(s). The values are mine and any personal values can be substituted. Not only that, but any environmental problems can be addressed here, including BLIPMODE, SNAPMODE, GRIDMODE, coords and so forth. I just type "re" (I use quick keys), but this could easily be assigned to a toolbar button. (defun c:reset () James Hutchinson offers another solution: A smoother way is not to have any snaps set at all. Use the function keys set via the Accelerator (in the menu file) as shown below. Use any setting you like. LISP expressions can also be assigned to the function keys. ***ACCELERATORS ["F1"]'zoom p Send us your tip or shortcut for your favorite CAD software. If we publish it, we'll send you a “Cadalyst: CAD the Way You Want It” t-shirt. |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opportunities & Honors GITA Call for Papers Deadline Nearing CMSC Call for Papers |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Books & Training AutoCAD 2007 Preview Collaborative GIS Book to be Released Customizable Online Book Sheet-Metal Training Book Available |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Week's New CAD and Related Products For all the latest new products, delivered daily to your desktop, subscribe to Cadalyst Daily e-newsletter. Here are last week’s highlights: AutoCAD 2007 Now Shipping: AutoCAD 2007, which was announced by Autodesk on March 1, began shipping on March 23. Autodesk increased the price of AutoCAD effective with this release. The suggested retail price is $3,995, up from $3,750, which has been the SRP since Release 12 in 1993. AutoCAD LT remains at $899. Pricing for other products in the 2007 family will be available when they ship. AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 are available from resellers and from Autodesk’s online store. General Software: 3D_Evolution Visualization: VTour AEC: ZiPCAD Pro v3.1 MCAD: FiberSIM 5.1 MCAD: CFdesign v8 MCAD: SpinFire Professional v8 MCAD: Radioss v5 MCAD: MEDUSA4 v2.1 MCAD: aesthetica v2.2 CAM: TopSolid'Cam 2006 CAM: GibbsCAM 2006 CAE: COMSOL Multiphysics v3.2a PLM: ENOVIA v5 |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Your Calendar Cadalyst's complete list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web site. AUGI Manufacturing Conference Adobe AEC Forum Adobe AEC Forum Digital Manufacturing AUGI CAD Camp International Forum on DFMA |