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Manager, CAD Questions, Hot Tip Harry and the NEW
BIM FORUM for the AEC community. Check
them out today to find the CAD advice you need and see what your
peers are saying about their software, their jobs and more. 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: - Inventing
the American Dream: With help from ID Group, an inventor goes
on television and turns his bicycle concept into reality in just
three weeks
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This Week's Software Tips Follow Up: Shortcut to Windows
Explorer from AutoCAD
Robert Somppi adds
a bit more clarification to the feedback regarding
the recent
tips about opening Windows Explorer from
inside AutoCAD: I'm using Architectural Desktop
3.3 and both the commands, Explore and Explorer,
work. Explore, which is the command I suggested
using, and you published in the June 12 issue,
opens Windows Explorer at the folder where the
current drawing resides -- I think that was the
intent of the [original LISP] routine .
Explorer opens it at My Documents. I tried both
in AutoCAD 2006 with the same results. "There are a number of ways to open Explorer
for browsing. My favorite is to right-click on the Start button, but
again that is getting away from the original tip of opening Explorer
at the folder where your current drawing resides." Update Popular Mirror and
Zoom
Alex Borodulin, president
of NYacad, a company that specializes in structural and steel detailing
service and structural drafting, sent in these tips that improve
on two popular AutoCAD commands. Quick Mirror improves one of
the most frequently used AutoCAD commands, Mirror, by increasing
its performance 2X to 5X. Find information about
video, installation and how to use the program on the NYacad Web
site, then click
here and locate the download QUICKMIRROR.EXE.
To set up, include the two files QUICKMIRROR.LSP and
QUICKMIRROR.DVB (found under the C:\HA-1 QuickMirror directory) in AutoCAD's
Startup Suite. Next, start AutoCAD and enter Q1 at the Command prompt
or use shortcuts 7, 8, 7-, 8-, 7I, 8I. Zoom-Extents-Window speeds
navigation in AutoCAD by combining the Zoom Extents and Zoom Window
commands. Find information about
video, installation and how to use the program on the NYacad Web
site, then download the
program ZIP file.
To begin, include the two files, ZOOMEXTENTS_WINDOW.LSP
and ZOOMEXTENTS_WINDOW.DVB, in AutoCAD's Startup Suite. Start AutoCAD
and enter Q or use shortcuts 7, 8, 7-, 8-, 7I, 8I. Explode All Groups
in a Drawing
Julio Monge shares this AutoLISP code that explodes all the
groups in a drawing. (defun
c:xagroups ()
(vl-load-com)
(setq acaddoc (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))
;;active drawing
(setq groups (vla-get-groups acaddoc)) ;;;Groups Collection
(vlax-for each groups
(vla-delete each) ;;;Explodes all
groups in drawing
) ;_ end of vlax-for
(princ)
) ;_ end of defun
Ease Customizing Chaos
If you're tired of customizing AutoCAD via the CUI, Kevin
Sawyer offers a way you can use the MNU interface. After Sawyer
migrated to the new CUI in AutoCAD 2006, he maintained the original
copy of his MNU file. He explains, "Now whenever I need to make
additions or enhancements, I make these in the old, familiar ASCII
format in Windows Notepad. I can do all my usual cutting and pasting,
find and replace, and I can set up all my user-defined icons and help
strings at the same time. Once finished, I simply use the CUI Transfer
tab, which converts the MNU file to a CUI file where I can drag-and-drop
into my current main or partial CUI as required. When complete, simply
delete the temporary CUI file but keep the MNU for next time. Ahhhh!
Bliss." This Week's SolidWorks
Tips
SolidWorks training developer SolidProfessor sends
the following tips this week for Tips & Tools Weekly readers: - Vent
Feature: Shows how to use the Vent
Feature that was added in SolidWorks 2006.
- Closed
Corners: Shows the new capabilities
of the Closed Corner feature.
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 Geospatial Technology
Survey Deadline Extended
GITA (Geospatial Information & Technology Association)
announced that the number of survey participants
in its annual Geospatial
Technology Report has broken last year's record. Just weeks
after the survey launch, GITA collected responses from more than 320
users of geospatial technology. Because of the overwhelming response,
the deadline for participation in the survey has been extended to June
30. The 2006 Geospatial Technology Report, the eighth in a
series, will contain detailed information on the complexity, direction
and completeness of GIS (geographic information systems) projects being
implemented at infrastructure-based organizations around the world.
Users who complete
the survey by June 30 will receive a free copy of the report, a
$399 value. Microdesk Awards
Scholarship for Engineering Academic Excellence
The Los Angeles Chapter of CELSOC (Consulting
Engineers and Land Surveyors of California) presented
the first annual Microdesk Scholarship
for Engineering Academic Excellence at its annual
awards banquet last week. The $5,000 scholarship
was awarded to Brett Grunert, a senior at California
State University-Northridge majoring in civil
engineering. Grunert is carrying a 3.89 grade
point average, serves as president of the ASCE
student chapter and is a member of Tau Beta Pi,
American Institute of Steel Construction and
the American Concrete Institute. Microdesk is
a technical consulting firm focusing on software
solutions, applications integration and development,
training, CAD management, IT services and CAD
service/support. > Back
to Top |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Books & Training 3D Modeling and Rendering Courseware
Luxology announced that its modo 201 Signature Courseware is
now available from 3DGarage.com. The 3D modeling, painting and rendering
software includes 15 hours of video-based projects that demonstrate
modo's capabilities, ranging from navigation, surfacing, painting and
rendering to specialized techniques such as architectural lighting,
text creation and skyscraper reflections. For a limited time the materials
are priced at $179. The courseware is delivered on two DVD ROMs and
includes a free bonus CD containing 45 royalty-free high-resolution
textures and reference images. Luxology develops 3D content creation
software. |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Week's New CAD and Related Products General Software:
!SlingShot Max 2007
Productivity-enhancing software extension adds more than 60
new commands. Read
more General Software:
Generative Design Technology
Genometri offers tool to easily create multiple CAD design
iterations. Read
more AEC: SpellCheckerPlus
Axiom's latest releases able to process multiple MicroStation
design files. Read
more AEC: Newforma Project
Center
New software from Newforma manages complex information for
building and infrastructure projects. Read
more AEC/GIS: ProjectWise
v8 XM
Bentley ships new release to manage, find and share CAD and
geospatial content. Read
more GIS: InfoWater VCM
MWH Soft solution offers infrastructure criticality and vulnerability
assessment for water distribution systems. Read
more GIS: GeoRSS, GPS
and MIDAS Plugins
Cadcorp announces three free tools to enable GIS users to
incorporate geographically referenced XML data. Read
more MCAD: Teamcenter
2005
PLM upgrade from UGS includes embedded software management
for mechatronics. Read
more MCAD: FactoryCAD
v11.0 and FactoryFLOW
New versions of UGS 3D digital plant design offerings designed
to optimize material flow. Read
more MCAD: Autodesk Inventor
11 DWF Extension
New tool enhances DWF publishing, security and design review
capabilities for subscription customers. Read
more MCAD: SolidWorks
2007
Updated professional and educational versions now available. Read
more CAE: COSMOS 2007
Analysis software validates how designs will perform in actual
use. Read
more CAE: LMS Virtual.Lab
Rev 6
New release delivers unified modeling environment for multidisciplinary
performance simulation. Read
more CAE: SimEnterprise
New MSC.Software application allows users to more easily share
simulation design data across the enterprise. Read
more |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Your Calendar Cadalyst'scomplete
list of upcoming industry events is always available on our Web
site. Webcast: How to Overcome the Top Five Challenges
in Electro-Mechanical Product Development
June 28, 2006
2 p.m ET
PTC will host a Webcast designed to help businesses overcome the top
five challenges in electro-mechanical product development. Read
more 2006 MSC.Software VPD Conference
July 17-19, 2006
Huntington Beach, California
Discover how other industry leaders are improving communication and collaboration
in their product design and manufacturing processes to accelerate time-
and right-to-market. Read
more V-STARS User Group Meeting
July 18, 2006
Orlando, Florida
Geodetic Systems will host a V-STARS User Group meeting at the CMSC (Coordinate
Metrology Systems Conference) 2006. Read
more Z-DAC 2006: Zuken Customer to Customer Conferences
September 11-13, 2006 (San Antonio, Texas)
October 24-26, 2006 (Ulm, Germany)
Z-DAC 2006 for manufacturers includes the introduction of third party
training for the engineer and designer level as well as a management
networking event for middle and C-level management. Read
more CAD Manager's Forum
September 14, 2006
London, United Kingdom
EatyourCAD is sponsoring this forum for CAD managers to meet, debate
and exchange ideas with peers. Read
more Ecobuild Federal and AEC Science & Technology
(AEC-ST) Federal 2006
December 5-7, 2006
Washington, D.C.
Ecobuild Federal and AEC-ST Federal is an annual event that covers green
building, sustainable design, renewable energy, environmental planning
processes and information collaboration strategies for commercial, industrial,
institutional and residential construction. Read
more |
