Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 11, No. 19)
21 May, 2006What's New at Cadalyst.com
Cadalyst's New Job Search Now Live!
Our 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. 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
a sample of what you missed recently:
- First Look Review: Chronos for AutoCAD: Comprehensive software logs time spent in drawings and tracks layer changes, inserts, dimensions and more
- Review: Dell Precision 380 Workstation: System delivers solid performance and expandability at a good price
- Small Manufacturers, Big File-Exchange Issues: New Kubotek USA survey finds job shops endure pressure, high financial burdens to meet clients' interoperability demands
- Can AfterCAD InSite Democratize CAD? New collaboration platform lets users view, mark up AutoCAD files via an Internet browser
- Ready to Roll: GIS-based Rapid Responder puts key information in the hands of those who need it in a crisis
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Resources
New Web Site for AutoCAD Users
Mike Good has launched CAD
Corner, a Web site he says is designed to make life
a little easier for AutoCAD users. CAD Corner offers
free downloadable LISP routines, blocks, details, text
styles or hatch patterns. Visitors can upload their own
items to share. The site also includes an AutoCAD forum
for AutoCAD tips, tricks and tutorials.
Degree Program for Interior Planning with AutoCAD
Art Institutes International Minnesota is introducing
an associate's degree program in Interior
Planning with AutoCAD. The program aims to develop
an entry-level drafter, focusing on building construction.
Students will learn basics such as lettering, line work
and drafting principles, as well as how to use codes specifications
and reference materials. Training is also devoted to learning
computer-aided drafting. The Art Institutes International
Minnesota is one of The Art Institutes, with 32 educational
institutions located throughout North
America.
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This Week's Software Tips
Final Word On Quick-Loading Seldom-Used LISP Routines?Following up on one tip last week about quick-loading seldom-used LISP routines in AutoCAD, R.K. McSwain advises, "Actually, you should avoid modifying the ACAD200?DOC.LSP file. Upgrades, reinstalls and repairs can overwrite this file with the program default file."
Steve Ashton adds: "Autodesk has provided the Autoload function for loading seldom-used routines. Create a file called ACADDOC.LSP containing a line similar to the example below for each program, and AutoCAD will load them if needed when you type the shortcut. A full description is available in AutoCAD Help .
(autoload "c:/cad/lisp/mend" '("mn"))
More About Automatic Layer Changes in AutoCAD
A few readers sent follow-up information about last week's tip from Corey L. Sorensen that automatically changes the layer to the one needed by adding a macro in front of the command macro.
Steve Weichel adds this note: "I have used that macro for years and found that we can refine it further to make it more user friendly. Take a look at the macro we use."
^C^C_osmode;531;-layer;m;dmns;;-dimstyle;;dfimodel;
graphscr _dimlinear
"We don't change the layer using "s," but rather we use "m" for "make." This not only sets the layer current but also creates it if it doesn't yet exist. Not only do we set the layer, but we turn on the osnaps we prefer and change to the correct dimstyle. You can also set the linetype and color if you prefer."
Here is another example he uses for text with a leader. "In this case, we change the Dimensions style and layer and set our ortho to Off. Again, we use "m" rather than "s" to change the layer."
^C^C-dimstyle;;dfimodelctr;-layer;m;dmns;;leader;
'ortho;off;\\;;;
This last example is setting the layer and text style to be used.
^C^C-layer;m;dmns;;dtext;s;hcad;
Don Lorenzi writes that you can make automatic layers even better by adding the following to the end of your macro, and it will return you to your previous layer:
\\\;^C^C(setvar "clayer" xxx)
If you are on a drawing layer and want to add a dimension then continue with your drawing, your macro would be the following, which will put your dimension on the DIM layer and return you to your previous layer.
^C^C-Layer;s;DIM;;^C^C_dimlinear\\\\;^C^C(setvar "clayer" xxx)
The number of back slashes you use depends on the command that precedes, Lorenzi says. Dimlinear needs four, while Dimaligned only needs three. While using this for Wipeout, the number of back slashes depends on how many points you want to select for the Wipeout box. The following gives you six points to select for your Wipeout box and then places you back on your previous layer:
^C^C(setq xxx (getvar "clayer"));-layer;set;WIPEOUT;;
^C^C_wipeout \\\\\\;^C^C(setvar "clayer" xxx)
Finally, Lorenzi explains, if you don't have a layer set up for dimensions, you can go a step further with the following code. It creates a layer called Dimensions with the color blue and a continuous linetype, asks for points for an aligned dimension, places your dimension on that layer, and then returns you to your previous layer. Variables can be changed to match your standards -- layer name, color and so forth.
^C^C(setq xxx (getvar "clayer"));^C^C(if(= nil (tblsearch "LAYER""DIMENSIONS"))(command"layer""n""DIMENSIONS"
"Color""5""DIMENSIONS""Ltype""CONTINUOUS""DIMENSIONS"""));
-layer;set;DIMENSIONS;;_dimaligned \\\;^C^C(setvar
"clayer" xxx)
Steve Connolley says, "I used to edit my toolbar buttons with a macro to switch to the correct layer for that command -- for example, Dimensions layer for dimensioning, Text layer for annotation. But recently I've started to use tool palletes for my most commonly used buttons. Try putting your most commonly used commands on to a tool pallete -- for example, Linear Dimension -- and edit its properties for layer, color, etc. This way, when you use the command, if the layer doesn't exist, AutoCAD will create it with your specified colors and so forth. If it does exist, AutoCAD will put it on the correct layer, but not switch from the one you're working on."
Correction: Export Uniformly Sized Raster Images from AutoCAD
Technical difficulties last week resulted in a bad link to Cliff Middleton's LISP routine for exporting uniformly sized raster images from AutoCAD. (Click here to download SSZ.TXT, then change file extension to LSP before use.) "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. Cadalyst apologizes for any inconvenience to readers.
Perfecting Aspect Ratios in Imported Images
Cadalyst thanks George Cox, who sends this handy tip to use when importing images into AutoCAD. "If you bring in an image to trace in AutoCAD, such as a scan of an original hand drawing, the image rarely has a perfect aspect ratio. If you align or scale to a reference scale in x, you might find y to be slightly out of scale. As there is no way to correct this in an imported image, turn the image into a wblock. Then you can adjust the wblock properties until the y scaling is correct."See and Control Layout Position and Size While in Model Space
Jean Cosyn sends this tip that he says is very helpful for working with large road plans or even in architecture. "It allows me to really see and align multiple drawings and mulitple layouts.
"First, use your usual layouts (with frames and title blocks) or create them at the proper size. Frames can be rectangles or any other shapes (such as a rectangle minus a smaller rectangle in a corner for the title block) depending on your final layout appearance, which can differ from one country to another, or from one customer to another. Then, create a layer named No-plot (or similar in your layer structure) with properties that ensure nonplotting. (Check the box on the right in Layer Properties). Make it current.
"On your final layout tabs, draw a polyline following exactly your frame or multiple frames. Use the Cut command, select your no-plot polyline(s), then switch to model space. There, you paste your no-plot polyline(s) and you can scale them to reach the wanted scale ratio.
"You can then move them to frame your model the way you want. You can duplicate them, align them and so forth. The benefit is that you can see in model space the exact position of your layout frames. They can even overlap and appear inside the model; this is no problem because it will not be printed.
"Finally, go back to your Layout tab, double-click in your model frame and use the Zoom command (with osnap) to zoom exactly on the corners of your model space frames. Now you have perfect coherence between your layouts and your model tabs."
SolidWorks Tips
SolidWorks training developer SolidProfessor sends
the following tips this week for Tips & Tools Weekly readers:
- Edge Flange Feature: Enhance your sheet metal design using the Edge Flange Feature in SolidWorks 2006.
- Blocks: A primer on using blocks in SolidWorks.
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 CAD Downloads
Boldly displaying the
slogan, "Free is Good," FreeCADapps.com offers
CAD shareware, freeware and free trial software. Currently
available for free download are more than 5,300 files related
to AutoCAD, Rhino, SolidWorks, 3ds Max, SketchUp and others.
User ratings are displayed for each freebie. The site's Evaluation
Center offers hundreds of software titles that users can
test before purchasing. Visitors can register to receive
a monthly e-mail list of new software added to the site.
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The Week's New CAD and Related Products
Hardware: Leica ScanStation
Leica Geosystems
introduces a 3D laser scanner with full FOV. Read
more
Hardware: VG2021m Display
ViewSonic introduces
LCD with slim bezel design and integrated multimedia speakers. Read
more
General Software: Brava! and Net-It
IGC
announces annotation, redaction support for Microsoft XPS
format. Read
more
Visualization:
Security & Information
People v1
ArchVision releases 3D RPC library of individuals
dressed in security attire. Read
more
Visualization: AC3D v6
Inivis releases
updated 3D modeler for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating
systems. Read
more
AEC: e-SPECS v3.1
InterSpec updates specifications-management
application. Read
more
AEC: Affinity for ArchiCAD
Trelligence
and Graphisoft integrate software for streamlined planning
and design processes. Read
more
AEC: FM:Interact
FM:Systems' workplace
management software supports AutoCAD 2007. Read
more
GIS: InfoSWMM RAM
MWH Soft releases extension
for comprehensive overland urban flood modeling. Read
more
MCAD: ReadySketch
VX integrates parametric
sketcher library in VX CAD/CAM to produce 3D models from
predefined 2D sketches. Read
more
MCAD: MeshCAD
SYCODE introduces mesh editing
and modeling plug-in for Rhino. Read
more
CAE: SimulationX v2
ITI Dresden introduces
tool for physical system simulation. Read
more
Training: i.get.it Desktop
iKnowledge
Solutions introduces learning system for i.get.it tutorial
users with limited Internet access. Read
more
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Mark Your Calendar
Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web site.
AutoCAD Tips and Tricks
June 1, 2006
Tampa, Florida
Avatech Solutions invites design professionals
to a free event presented by Lynn Allen, Cadalyst columnist
and Autodesk worldwide technical evangelist. Read
more
Technology Trends in GIS and Printing
June 7, 2006, New York City
June 21, 2006, Detroit, Michigan
June 27, 2006, Boston,
Massachusetts
June 28, 2006, St.
Louis, Missouri
Hardware developer Oce
is hosting this series of seminars on new technology trends
in GIS and printing. Read
more
Geospatial Research and Technology Seminar
June 11, 2006
Prague, Czech Republic
Part of BE Conference Europe 2006,
this is a full-day, free event designed for all who use
geospatial solutions to map, engineer, build, operate or
maintain infrastructure. Read
more
A/E
Project Management Fundamentals
Virtual Seminar
June 12, 14, 26 and 28, 2006
This four-part virtual seminar
(2 p.m. ET) by ZweigWhite is designed to cover everything
a new A/E project manager needs to know. Read
more
Inland Empire ArchGIS User Group Meeting
June 15, 2006
Temecula, California
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum
for ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices
and learn about new technology. Read
more
2nd
Annual Emerging Technologies, New Product Development & Marketing
Innovations 2006
June 18-22, 2006
San Diego, California
This interactive MindXchange hosted
by Frost & Sullivan
examines and delivers real-world insights and case histories
from seasoned product teams and emerging technology professionals. Read
more
Collaborative Technologies Conference
June 19-22, 2006
Boston, Massachusetts
Conference program is designed to
provide insight to help IT and business leaders develop
and implement a collaboration strategy. Read
more
Maui ArchGIS User Group Meeting
June 19, 2006
Wailuku, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for
ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices
and learn about new technology. Read
more
Oahu ArchGIS User Group Meeting
June 21, 2006
Honolulu, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for
ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices
and learn about new technology. Read
more
Hawaii Island ArchGIS User Group
June 23, 2006
Hilo, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI
users to share experiences, exchange best practices and
learn about new technology. Read
more
Kauai ArchGIS User Group Meeting
June 26, 2006
Lihue, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI
users to share experiences, exchange best practices and
learn about new technology. Read
more
AUGI CAD Camp -- Hawaii
June 29, 2006
Honolulu, Hawaii
Spec Systems hosts this AUGI (Autodesk
User Group International) learning and networking event.
Choose from 15 intense Autodesk product classes designed
to provide productivity techniques you can apply immediately. Read
more