Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 11, No. 18)
14 May, 2006What's New at Cadalyst.com
Cadalyst's New Job Search Now Live!
If you're in the market for a new job – or if you just
want to see what's out there – Cadalyst.com offers a new
online Job Search that will help. Powered by Indeed, this
new search tool offers a state-by-state list of CAD-related
job openings, or you can customize a search to find your
own list of U.S. job openings based on the keywords and
locations you specify. Check it out today! Use the Job
Search button on Cadalyst's Management, Manufacturing,
AEC or GIS Web site or click
here for a direct link.
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
what you missed in the past week:
- Q&A: Design Turns Green, Part 2: In anticipation of an upcoming PBS series, Cameron Sinclair, founder of Architecture for Humanity, tells us sustainability is a matter of survival.
- Making Money with PLM — Literally: Product lifecycle management helps Royal Canadian Mint pare down and speed up coin production.
- Wide-Format Devices Revisited: Following up Cadalyst's recent round-up of printers and scanners, we look at the latest from Epson and Vidar.
- First Look Review: DesignCAD 3D Max v16: IMSI offers a wide range of consumer-level solids-modeling capabilities in a small package for a reasonable price.
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Resources
Hotfix for AutoCAD LT Conflict with Security Software
Autodesk issued a Hotfix to
cure a fatal crash that can occur when AutoCAD LT 2007
is launched on a system that has certain security applications
installed, including Norman (not Norton) Antivirus, Spy
Sweeper, Print Audit, CyberArmour and Spyware Doctor. The
crash may or may not be accompanied by the message "Fatal
Error: Unhandled Access Violation." Users should first
check the Read me page before running the Hotfix. The only
way to remove the Hotfix is to uninstall and reinstall
AutoCAD LT 2007.
Product Lifecycle Management E-zine
John
Stark & Associates publishes a free e-zine, 2PLM,
covering issues related to product lifecycle management.
The current issue includes a "PLM State of the Art
Report," "PLM in the Food Industry," "Eleven
Revenue-Increasing Benefits of PLM," "The Evolving
Definition of PLM," "Product Development Innovation
Summit" and PLM news. Subscription details are included
at the bottom of each issue.
Free Updated White Paper Summary: Top 10 PLM Pitfalls
Softech
has made available an updated version of its white paper
summary "Top
10 PLM Pitfalls to Avoid." Building on the list
released late last year, the company collected more user
input and validation, providing the latest insights in
the updated version. The paper was cowritten by John Stark,
a PLM industry expert, who says the No. 1 pitfall is not
including executive education as a top priority in PLM
program planning.
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This Week's Software Tips
More About Quick-Loading Seldom-Used LISP Routines
Several
readers followed up Steve
Weichel’s tip about a button macro for quick-loading
seldom-used LISP routines in AutoCAD. You can prevent
the button from loading the LISP routine every time using
this modification – highlighted in red – that will
check to see if the command already exists and, if not,
will only then load the LISP file. You can use this
type of modification on other LISP button macros and
pull-down menu options as well.
^C^C (if (not C:SCLCIRCL)(load "c:/dalmatian/dfi2004/sclcircl") ) sclcircl
Billy Wooten has given up taking extra steps to quick-load seldom-used routines. He writes: "I have well over a hundred programs that I placed in my ACAD2006DOC.LSPfile. With the speed of today's computers, they all load automatically, no problem. Any of these routines is called up by its one- or two- letter name. I suggest placing them in the -DOC.LSP one at a time to avoid any conflicts."
Match the Scale of Another Object
After we ran last
week's MATCH-ANGLE.LSP routine from Derek
Beals that rotates an object to match the angle
of another (requiring that the rotated object must be
at zero degrees), John Rodewald wrote
to ask if Beals might have another version that would
match the scale of another object. Beals generously took
on the challenge and created MATCH-SCALE.LSP (click
here to download the ZIP file) – a routine that
does just that, allowing the user to specify the reference
points. The included DWG file includes a little instruction
manual, Beals notes. A big thank you to Derek Beals for
all the great programming!
Export Uniformly Sized Raster Images from AutoCAD
Cliff Middleton sends
this useful utility for exporting uniformly sized raster
images from AutoCAD. (Click
here to download SSZ.LSP.) "We use it for creating
images for engineering documentation," he notes. It
sets the screen size in pixels. The default size is
640 x 480. To change this default, change the SCRWIDTH
and SCRHEIGHT variables in the LISP code.
Automatic Layer Changes in AutoCAD
Thank you to Corey L.
Sorensen for this tip that changes the layer to the correct
one needed without changing it manually by adding a macro
in front of the command macro. He sends a few examples
using different commands:
- Linear Dimension Macro. Set up Linear Dimension command to change any layer to the dimension layer (DIM).
^C^C-Layer;s;DIM;;^C^C_dimlinear
- Line Command Macro. Set up Line command to change if the layer is currently set to the dimension layer (DIM). If not currently set to the dimension layer, it will remain the current layer.
^C^C(if (= (getvar "CLAYER") "DIM")(command "layer" "s" "0" ""));^C^C_line
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 Image-Rendering Software for NVIDIA Users
NVIDIA has expanded its offerings to include two new versions
of its Gelato GPU-accelerated
software for rendering images for digital content creation.
A free download, Gelato 2.0 reportedly can be used by anyone
who uses NVIDIA hardware to create high-quality images. Gelato
Pro 2.0 ($1,500) offers advanced production-grade rendering
functionality and comprehensive support. Both versions include
advanced rendering features and plugins for Autodesk’s
Maya and 3ds max software. NVIDIA is a provider of graphics-processing
products.
MEDUSA4 Personal Now Available for Linux
Software vendor CAD Schroer Group announced that a
free personal-use version of MEDUSA4 CAD
software is now available on Linux. The free version was
previously available only for Windows 2000 and XP. Now home
users can request a six-month renewable license for Linux
as well. MEDUSA4 Personal for Linux is restricted to noncommercial
use. Small technical differences from the commercial version
include a different sheet format, watermarked print output,
and the ability to import from, but not export to, DXF/DWG
format.
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Opportunities & Honors
Call for Papers: MWH Soft User Conference
Organizers announced a call
for papers for this year's MWH Soft International User
Conference. The event, to take place October 2-3, 2006,
in Ontario, Canada, provides an interactive forum for exploring
the state of the art in water and wastewater infrastructure
geoengineering; facilitating on-going cooperation and exchange
of technological innovations and proven solutions, and
discussing the issues, regulatory activities and technological
challenges that face the geoenvironmental community. MWH
Soft is a provider of technical and infrastructure software.
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Books & Training
Two Training Manuals for VectorWorks Released
VectorWorks developer Nemetschek North America announced
that two new training
manuals for VectorWorks 12 are available from ArchonCAD.
The manuals have been reworked for version 12 to facilitate
a smoother introduction to VectorWorks and VectorWorks Architect. Essential
VectorWorks 12 ($99.50) is an exercise-based manual
and VectorWorks Architect Tutorial 12 ($99.50) leads
the learner through a real project.
AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor Courses
iKnowledge Solutions announced it is offering nine new
courses ($495 each) that are specific to AutoCAD 2007,
Autodesk Inventor 10 and Autodesk Inventor 11. The new
Internet-based systems enable users to pre- and postassess
their skills in addition to learning through defined objectives,
in-depth lessons and real-world projects, and all offer
audio and visual components. Users can purchase the courses
from local AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor resellers.
New Autodesk Inventor 11 Book
CADCIM Technologies has released Autodesk
Inventor 11 for Designers (736 pages). Sham Tickoo,
Purdue University Calumet, and CADCIM Technologies authored
the textbook for both novice and advanced users. The 15 chapters
cover concepts and commands, real-world projects and examples
and changes and enhancements specific to Inventor 11. Buyers
will receive free technical support, customizable PowerPoint
presentations of every chapter, drawing files of all the illustrations,
examples, and exercises and an instructor’s guide.
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The Week's New CAD and Related Products
Hardware: MFP (Multifunctional Printer)
GEI
Wide Format Solutions and Canon create a system for AEC,
GIS and CAD wide-format color applications. Read
more
Hardware: Oce TCS300, TCS500 and CS9065
Oce
introduces color printing systems for CAD, GIS and outdoor
durable graphics. Read
more
General Software: Bluebeam Conversion Server v2
Firms
can automatically convert CAD and Windows files to PDF,
DWF and other file formats. Read
more
General Software: IntelliCAD v6.2
Updated
version of CAD application development software includes
features that support more colors and organize color collections. Read
more
AEC: IMAGINiT Builder 3D
Software is designed
for smaller-scale construction projects, including residential,
light commercial and interior design. Read
more
AEC: PlantWAVE
9Sq launches software for
automatically generating piping general arrangement drawings. Read
more
MCAD: SUI v3 for Astroid 6000
Spatial
Freedom releases a spatial user interface for use with
its spatial controller and Solid Edge. Read
more
MCAD: Teamcenter and eQube
UGS and eQ
Technologic add PLM reporting and analytics capabilities
to UGS PLM software. Read
more
MCAD: MultiSTEEL and MultiREBAR
Steel
and concrete software from MultiSUITE now AutoCAD 2007-compatible. Read
more
CAE: AutoTURN 5.1
Transoft Solutions adds
new libraries to vehicle maneuver and swept path analysis
software. Read
more
CAM: SmartCAM v13
SmartCAMcnc releases
updated versions of its milling and machining applications. Read
more
CAM: SURFCAM Velocity II
Surfware ships
release with RapidRough technology for roughing through
a prefinishing operation. Read
more
CAM: RhinoCAM v1.2
MecSoft releases second
service pack for its CAM software. Read
more
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Mark Your Calendar
Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web site.
SolidExperts Company Kickoff
May 19-24, 2006
Various Florida locations
The SolidExperts, a reseller
of SolidWorks products in Florida, will hold its company
launch celebration on May 19-24, 2006, in Fort Lauderdale,
Orlando and Tampa. Local
manufacturers and engineers are invited to meet The SolidExperts
team, view the newest SolidWorks technology and tour the
company's new corporate offices and training facilities. Read
more
Southern Nevada ArcGIS User Group
June 5, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada
ArcGIS user groups are focused on
providing a forum for ESRI users to share their experiences
with each other, exchange best practices and learn about
new technology. Topics range from entry-level to advanced.Read
more
San Luis Obispo ArcGIS User Group Meeting
June 7, 2006
San Luis Obispo, California
ArcGIS user groups are focused
on providing a forum for ESRI users to share experiences,
exchange best practices and learn about new technology.
Topics range from entry-level to advanced. Read
more
Northern Nevada ArcGIS User Group Meeting
June 8, 2006
Reno, Nevada
ArcGIS user groups are focused on providing
a forum for ESRI users to share their experiences with
each other, exchange best practices and learn about new
technology. Topics range from entry-level to advanced. Read
more
BE Conference Europe 2006
June 11-15, 2006
Hilton Prague, Czech Republic
The BE (Bentley Empowered)
Conference is an annual gathering of Bentley software users
and their managers who want to sharpen their skills and
expand their knowledge. At BE Conference Europe, attendees
will find courses from professional trainers, practices
from their peers and technology updates from developers. Read
more
GIS in Cyber Security
June 22, 2006
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
At the GIS in Cyber
Security breakfast, attendees will learn how GIS is uniquely
positioned to model the cascading effects of cyber threats
and attacks, and to support an overall cybersecurity approach. Read
more
VisMasters Design Visualization Conference
August 4, 2006
Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
The VisMasters
Design Visualization Conference is a one-day event focused
on the business, art and technology of design visualization.
Designed for professional visualization artists, architects,
designers and students, the conference includes a full
day of sessions, vendor showcase, user group events, networking
opportunities, reception, industry awards ceremony and
VisMasters after party. Read
more
daratechMVP2006:
Mock-up, Visualization & 3D
Publishing
September 14-15, 2006
Novi, Michigan
daratechMVP focuses on digital mock-up,
visualization and 3D publishing for discrete manufacturing
and process plant design. Read
more
PLM Road Map 2006
September 27-28, 2006
The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Michigan
PLM Road Map 2006
is a strategic conference focused on the critical tradeoffs
that shape product development. Attendees are invited to
explore the progress, opportunities and roadblocks leading-edge
end-users are confronting. Read
more
