Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 11, No. 17)
7 May, 2006What's New at Cadalyst.com
Cadalyst Discussion Forums Have a New Look — and a new URL
Cadalyst's CAD Manager, CAD Questions and Hot Tip Harry Discussion Forums have moved to a new location. Visit today to update your bookmarks, check out the new look and find out what's on the minds of other CAD professionals.
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:
- Taming the File Flood: Avionics manufacturer uses PLM to tap into the vast resources of its own company files, saving millions
- Enlisting in Apple Boot Camp: Experts from Autodesk, auto-des-sys and Nemetschek discuss the realities of running Windows-based CAD on a Mac
- First Look Review -- Intuos3 12x12 Tablet: Wacom's pressure-sensitive drawing and design tool earns high marks
- First Look Review: Shade 8.5: Capable 3D graphics toolkit for designers, illustrators and architects comes in Windows and Mac versions.
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Resources
Live Blog: Architecture of Sustainability Conference
Organizers of the Architecture of Sustainability conference
invite readers to follow daily Web postings about the conference
and to share comments and observations on the conference
blog site. Sponsored by the AIA Committee on Design
and AIA Committee on the Environment, the conference is
taking place May 4-7, 2006, in Washington, D.C., and Shepherdstown,
West Virginia.
VectorWorks Users Can Directly Import Google 3D
Warehouse Models
Nemetschek North America reports that its VectorWorks
Design Series is compatible with content in the new Google
3D Warehouse, allowing users of VectorWorks Architect,
Landmark, Spotlight and Designer v12 immediate access
to the SketchUp-format 3D content that users anywhere
can upload to the digital warehouse. According to the
company, thousands of SKP models are available free for
VectorWorks and other users to import directly into their
designs.
Online Library for Industrial Suppliers
ThomasNet has launched an enhanced online
library, including an updated press room that provides
free white papers, information on industrial market trends
and news that the company says will help its users compete
more effectively online. One white paper highlights the
results of a recent ThomasNet-Google study that looks
at the online habits of industrial buyers. Also featured
is a daily industrial blog with a biweekly newsletter.
Maplesoft Launches Podcast Series
Maplesoft, a provider of engineering software, has made
available a podcast
series called MapleCasts. The series includes technical
tips for Maplesoft products as well as interviews with
notable personalities. The 20-minute biweekly MapleCasts
follow a variety show format. Episode 1, "In the Beginning" --
about the early days of MapleSoft and Maple software development
challenges -- is available for download in iTunes, MP3
and streaming formats.
Geospatial Technology Surveys Launched
GITA
(Geospatial Information & Technology
Association) has begun collecting data for its eighth
annual Geospatial Technology Report, which focuses on
the complexity, direction and completeness of GIS projects
around the world. Users with active GIS implementations
are invited to complete the online survey;
the deadline is June 2. Organizations that complete the
survey will receive a free copy of the report.
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This Week's Software Tips
Yet Another Approach to Quick-Load LISP Routines
Responding
to recent tips about quick-loading seldom-used LISP routines
into AutoCAD using file
drag-and-drop and keyboard shortcuts, Steve
Weichel sends a third option:
"For a 'button guy' like me, there is only one way to go. I create buttons for LISPS I seldom use. First, this keeps all my LISP routines in one directory of my choice. It also helps me remember which routines I have because they are always on my screen.
"Create a folder for all your LISP routines. If you place the folder on a network, anyone in your office can use the LISP routines. Next I create a button on a toolbar and place a macro into that button. This is nice because I can create my own symbol for the button and, better yet, if other people use it in a network setting, they can make a symbol of their choice as well. Don’t forget to add that directory to your search path so AutoCAD will see it. Here is an example:
^C^C(load "c:/dalmatian/dfi2004/sclcircl") sclcircl
"With this macro, the command is not only loaded but the command is started all in one click of the mouse! Granted, it loads the routine every time you click the button, but with today’s computers it happens in the blink of an eye."
More About Updating Multiple Titleblocks
Following
up about last
week's advice about updating multiple titleblocks, Randy
Fisher writes, "To update multiple titleblocks,
open any one of the layouts, select the titleblock using
SSX and use
Attout to save selection set P, following the prompts. Import this tab-delimited file into Excel and make corrections. Then save as a delimited text file and use Attin to export it back into the drawing.
One caution is that Excel can format numbers for you;
scale ratios can become decimals and leading or trailing
zeros can be dropped."
On the same subject, V. J. Franke writes, "Along the thread of titleblocks, xrefs or blocks, we use a titleblock DWG for each project. Therefore, project information has to be entered only once and can be easily updated for all sheets. (Yes, title blocks are in paper space). Each titleblock also has a separate block of attributes for the standard text of the titleblock, which can be inserted in the final DWG (over the xref'd title DWG) for specific sheet information. (This block is used in the project and each individual DWG)." In simple terms, it goes like this:
- A standard DWG holds the "block," logo and so forth, including the attribute block, so project information can be entered.
- Each project titleblock is created by adding project-specific information to the standard DWG.
- Project drawing sheets can xref the titleblock. (You can use multiple paper space layouts as necessary in each DWG).
- Individual sheet information is entered in the attribute block that's inserted in the DWG.
"This approach seems this gives us the best of both worlds. We are a subconsultant (electrical engineers), so we often have a client's titleblock to use. It takes only a few minutes to create the attribute block and doing so simplifies life from then on."
Benjamin R. Young writes, "Ivanhoe Tejeda is on the right track with titleblocks in paper space, but it's much easier to just create a DWT with all the layers, states and borders set up in paper space already. I agree with Matthew Samario that Xrefing in titleblocks is not the way to go. I keep the borders of the titleblocks in paper space in my DWT file, then copy and paste the titleblock from model space into paper space. This way I can be have virtually any paper size and scale I need with about 30 seconds worth of work. Being a building systems contractor, I don’t have the luxury of using the same paper size for every project I do, so this comes in handy when you have to insert your drawings into an architect’s drawing set.
"I am lucky in that I use a CAD add-on package called SprinkCAD [for fire sprinkler system design] that updates information in the titleblock for me, so I keep the titleblock in paper space until I’m finished drawing, as it won’t update the blocks in paper space. Any small changes that come later can be edited in by hand with ease."
Don Boyer writes regarding the question of editing attributes for large numbers of files: "I'm not a programmer so I use a [general-purpose batch-scripting tool for AutoCAD] called Hurricane for AutoCAD. It allows me to create scripts that I can apply to any number of drawings -- and it does a whole lot more than edit attributes."
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Bill Karkula sends
a tidy little tip that sounds as fun to use as it is
practical.
"Ever want to zoom extents and then back out just a little? I programmed a quick button to do that. It works great!"
^C^C_z;e;z;.9x;
Excellent Additions to Your LISP Collection
Whether
you drag-and-drop, type or click to load your LISP, you'll
want to add at least a few of these handy routines to your collection,
generously provided by Derek Beals. Click
here to download the ZIP file.
ARC-LENGTH.LSP draws an arc at the length and radius you input at the Command line.
MATCH-ANGLE.LSP rotates an object to match the angle of another. (The rotated object must be at zero degrees.)
MULTIPLE-POST-INSERTIONS.LSP works something like the Divide with Block command, Beals says, but is based on two points, which could be anywhere on a line, not necessarily the end points. It splits the distance between two objects depending on the maximum distance between the objects. For example, Beals explains, "We have a maximum design for our posts at 60" on center, so I can pick the two points and input the maximum distance of 60". [The routine] divides by that many then rounds up and copies the selected object that many times."
ROTATED-COPY.LSP is "really cool," Beals comments. It copies and rotates based on a base point/angle, at different angles, "unlike rotated array."
NEW LISP TEMPLATE.LSP: Beals says he and a buddy use this template when creating a new LISP routine. "The template includes all these cool little non-LISP functions we have come up with, so we don't have to physically load them every time -- functions such as Tangent, Squaring a number, Fixx (opposite of fix), and probably my favorite non-LISP function, Getarc."
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.
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Deals & Freebies
Free Web Player for 3D Content Sharing
Caligari, a producer of 3D modeling and animation software,
announced the release of truePlay, a free
web player for sharing interactive 3D objects, scenes
and worlds. truePlay reportedly allows participants to open,
enter and interact with 3D scenes sent to them via download
or e-mail and also works online so multiple participants
can join the same 3D space in real-time. Applications include
design engineering, education, biomedicine, design and illustration,
and games development.
Free Plugin for 3ds Max
EON Reality, a provider of interactive visual content management
software, has released EON
Raptor, a free plugin that enables users to display and
interact with 3ds max content in real-time using intuitive
controls. The software reportedly allows simple interactive
behaviors to be authored rapidly without leaving 3ds max. The
completed application can be published to a Web page for viewing
with a browser, exported to a stand-alone file for viewing
with the free EON Viewer application or exported to EON Professional
for further editing.
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Opportunities & Honors
Winners Announced in FIRST Robotics Championship
At the FIRST
Robotics Competition Championship at the Georgia Dome in
Atlanta in late April, the winning team was an alliance of
student teams that included the ThunderChickens of Utica Community
Schools, Sterling Heights, Michigan; Northern Knights of
Loyola High School, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and RoboWizards
of McKee Vocational High School, Staten Island, New York.
The high-school-level competition drew more than 1,130 teams
from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Israel,
Mexico and the United Kingdom and culminated a series of
regional competitions held over the past several weeks. It
was founded by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter,
to inspire young people's interest and participation in science
and technology. Click
here to read the full report.
San Jose Civic Center Wins Award
Technology
consulting firm Shen Milsom & Wilke earned
a top award for its work at the San
Jose Civic Center in the fourth annual ARCHI-TECH AV
Awards, sponsored jointly by the International Communications
Industries Association and ARCHI-TECH magazine.
The competition honors the creative and effective integration
of technology into design projects. The winners were chosen
from more than 45 international entrants representing commercial,
institutional and governmental building design.
3D Environment Competition
e-on software is sponsoring the Vue
3D Environment Competition. The contest is open to
all Vue users. Creators of the winning images will have
their entries displayed online and will receive prizes
in association with 3D World magazine and Cornucopia3D.
Five leading figures in the world of 3D graphics will serve
as judges. Submissions will be accepted from May 15 through
June 15, and winners will be announced on July 1.
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Books & Training
Russian AutoCAD Books
Two Russian-language
AutoCAD books are available from BHV-Petersburg Publishing
House. AutoLISP and Visual LISP Inside AutoCAD (960
pages), by N. Poleshchuk and P. Loskutov, discusses programming
in AutoLISP language and its Visual LISP extension as well
as how to use AutoCAD 2005-2006 object model, ActiveX techniques
and reactors. AutoCAD: Application Development, Tuning
and Customization (992 pages), by N. Poleshchuk, covers
tuning and customizing AutoCAD 2005-2006 as well as modern
programming tools applicable to AutoCAD. Each book is accompanied by a CD with
examples. Both are available from Russian online booksellers.
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The Week's New CAD and Related Products
Hardware: PHANTOM Omni
SensAble Technologies releases a haptic device for 'virtual
clay modeling' using the company's FreeForm software. Read
more
General Software: I-View CAD v2
Alias releases update of 3D pipe modeling application
with new productivity features. Read
more
General Software: DFS
Adenium Systems' document fulfillment system integrates
with Meridian Systems' Prolog software. Read
more
Visualization: Hexagon v2
3D modeler upgrade is DAZ's first software release following
its acquisition of Eovia. Read
more
Visualization: Gelato Pro v2
NVIDIA releases GPU-accelerated software for high-performance
rendering. Read
more
AEC: SmartPlant 3D v6.1
Intergraph's plant design and engineering software now
supports Oracle and Microsoft database platforms. Read
more
Facilities Management: TRIRIGA v9
Updated enterprise workplace management application suite
helps organizations manage and optimize the workplace. Read
more
GIS: IMAGINE Easytrace
Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging releases add-on to
IMAGINE Essentials for capturing vector information from
a digital source. Read
more
MCAD: VX CAD/CAM
VX releases software to turn digital images into 3D models. Read
more
MCAD: FreeForm v9
SensAble Technologies releases updated version its 3D
organic modeling software. Read
more
MCAD: FeatureMILL3D 2007
Delcam updates machining software with increased calculation
speeds for 3D toolpaths and improved surface finishes. Read
more
MCAD: TopSolid'Progress 2006
Missler Software introduces a CAD module for tool design. Read
more
CAE: LMS SCADAS Mobile and LMS Test.Xpress
LMS releases new solutions for noise and vibration testing
and engineering. Read
more
CAE: Femap v9.2
UGS updates finite-element modeling software with improved
assembly handling capabilities. Read
more
CAE: STAR-Design v4.04
CD-adapco upgrades its computational fluid dynamics software
for product design evaluations. Read
more
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Mark Your Calendar
Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web site.
Accelerate Your Ideas
Various dates and locations
Autodesk series of events
will introduce and demonstrate its manufacturing solutions,
including Autodesk Inventor v11, AutoCAD Electrical 2007,
AutoCAD Mechanical and Autodesk’s
Data Management solutions. Read
more
Large-Format Document Management
Various dates
IDEAL offers webinars every Tuesday and Thursday
on large-format scanning and document-management problems.
An interactive question and answer session is included. Read
more
Transforming
Product Development for Small & Medium Business
May 17, 2006, 12 p.m. ET
The Product Development Company
will host a webcast designed to educate small and medium
businesses on how to transform product development to drive
growth and lower costs. Read
more
QA/QC for GIS Data
June 5-6 and June 14-15, 2006
ESRI Learning Center, Redlands,
California
ESRI’s
instructor-led classes help users stay current on software
and learn new skills to help optimize the GIS workflow. Read
more
Interior Motives Design Conference 2006
June 6-8, 2006
London, United Kingdom
Organized by Interior Motives magazine, this
second Interior Motives Design Conference is designed for
designers and experts from the world of car design and
automotive technology to share ideas and developments. Read
more
Data Production and Editing Techniques
June 7-9, 2006
ESRI Learning Center, Redlands, California
ESRI’s
instructor-led classes help you stay current on software
and learn new skills that will optimize your GIS workflow. Read
more
AUGI CAD Camp
June 8, 2006
Marina Village Conference Center
San Diego, California
This is an official Autodesk User
Group International (AUGI) learning and networking event
designed to help you gain knowledge and skills you can
apply immediately to solve existing challenges and make
you more productive. Read
more
Working with ArcGIS Network Analyst
June 8-9, 2006
ESRI Learning Center, Redlands, California
ESRI’s
instructor-led classes help you stay current on software
and learn new skills that will optimize your GIS workflow. Read
more
2006 NAFEMS UK Conference
June 14-15, 2006
Cheshire, United Kingdom
NAFEMS, the International Association
for the Engineering Analysis Community, will hold its 2006
UK conference for the analysis and simulation industries
covering FEA (finite-element analysis), CFD (computational
fluid dynamics) and associated technologies. The two-day
event will focus on the future challenges in all aspects
of engineering simulation. Read
more
Introduction to the Multiuser Geodatabase
June 29-30, 2006
ESRI Learning Center, Redlands, California
ESRI’s
instructor-led classes help you stay current on software
and learn new skills that will optimize your GIS workflow. Read
more
Rapid Manufacturing 1st International Conference
July 5-6, 2006
Loughborough University, United Kingdom
Conference will
feature industrial applications and academic research currently
used in rapid manufacturing -- the use of additive layer
manufacturing techniques for end-use parts. Read
more
