This Week's Software Tips Copy Nested Objects
Honei Hooper wrote to offer this AutoCAD tip: "The Ncopy command can be used to easily copy an object or part of an object from an xref into your current drawing without having to open the xref. Just type Ncopy, and you will be prompted to select the nested objects you wish to copy. Select the object(s) or pieces of an object you wish to copy and hit Enter. You will then be prompted for a base point and you then can insert the object(s) wherever you need it on your drawing. Please note that this does not create a new block from the copied object(s)." NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This is an Express Tools command that saves a lot of time. Right-clicking on this xref shows a drop-down menu that provides an option to open the xref (provided the multiple document interface is set). Thanks, Honei! Dynamic Construction Notes
Ron Brees sent "Control Construction Notes with Sheet Set Manager," a PDF tutorial for AutoCAD 2006 and later versions to control construction notes dynamically from one location without using an external reference. NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
The Sheet Set Manager is one of the best additions to AutoCAD since paper space. The ability to add to and control notes for drawings of particular sheet sets is an excellent alternative to using xrefs to accomplish the same task. This procedure is more than just a tip. It should be considered for a tutorial addition to the next release of AutoCAD. Note: Follow-up tips have not been tested by the Cadalyst Tip Patrol. Follow-Up: Bullet Lists in Revit
Regarding the Revit tip published in the August 25Tips & Tools Weekly, and the related problem mentioned in the September 8 edition, Autodesk acknowledged that "the Control-Shift-L is actually a Windows function that is only partially implemented in Revit." However, Tip Patroller Billy Wooten found this workaround: Create the bullet list in the AutoCAD Mtext editor, highlight and copy it to the Windows Clipboard, then paste it into the Revit text editor. When highlighting in the AutoCAD text editor, only the text will highlight. This is not a problem; continue with the procedure. Follow-Up: Rotate View in Paper Space
Dusan Vrbanec sent the following method, which he uses in AutoCAD 2006, in response to our September 15 issue: Enter the Mvsetup command in paper space, and you can Align and Rotate the model space without affecting your UCS in model space. No AutoLISP required. MicroStation Tip: Working with Text Files
You can import a text file or view a text file in MicroStation. Read more
Today's MicroStation tip courtesy of The Envision Group. Submit Your Tip for your favorite CAD software. If we publish your tip, we'll send you a Cadalyst T-shirt, and each month Cadalyst editors will randomly select one published tip and send a $100 gift card to its author. Please remember:
- Submit only code and other tips that are your original work (or provide the original source so we can include proper credit).
- Tell us which software version you use.
By submitting code, you grant Cadalyst the right to print and distribute your code in print, digitally, and by other means. Cadalyst and individual authors retain all rights to the code; published code is not to be used for commercial purposes.Tips & Tools Weekly software tips for AutoCAD are reviewed by Cadalyst staff and the Tip Patrol before publication. Use all tips at your own discretion, please, and watch later editions of this newsletter for updates and corrections. We're sorry, but editors and Tip Patrol members cannot provide assistance with technical problems; please refer to Cadalyst's Hot Tip Harry-Help discussion forum. Sincere thanks to our volunteer Tip Patrol members: Brian Benton, Don Boyer,
Mitchell Hirschklau, R.K. McSwain, Kevin Sawyer, and Billy Wooten.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resources New Whitepaper: AutoCAD–SharePoint Integration
CADnection has published "CADnection = AutoCAD and SharePoint Working Together," a whitepaper now available in Cadalyst's Whitepaper Library free to those who register. The paper provides an overview of the CADnection solution, its features, and implementation considerations. Interior Design and Specification Portal
USG launched USG Design Studio, an interactive specification tool kit. Available on the company's Web site, USG Design Studio provides architects and designers with resources needed to design, compare, change, select, and specify products and systems for interiors. Read more New ISO/IEC Standard Published
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released ISO/IEC 26514, a new suite of standards developed to address the needs of user documentation designers and developers. Three further standards are being developed that will address the needs of managers; acquirers and suppliers; and testers and assessors of software user documentation. Read more First Trace Offers Free EDM Tips
First Trace published a new whitepaper, "The 5 Pillars of Engineering Document Management." The new whitepaper describes the five pillars of advanced EDM (engineering document management) to consider when evaluating EDM products, including the basic functional areas required to implement a successful EDM solution. Read more
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Week's New CAD and Related Products Hardware: Metric CadCARD
Slide charts from Autograph Technical Services include Metric ISO Sheet Series A and B and ANSI and Architectural Series with metric conversions. Read more General Software: Design for Supply and Spend Analysis Solution
Endeca Technologies released two new solutions for engineering and sourcing professionals within discrete manufacturing companies. Read more General Software: Bluebeam PDF Revu v6.5
Bluebeam Software provides users in any industry with a tool for PDF editing and streamlining communication. Read more General Software: Document3D 2008 Service Pack 1
QuadriSpace release includes upgrades in ease-of-use, 3D performance, and publishing capabilities. Read more Visualization: Eye-Sys v2
IDV software enables ease and control in the development of visualization systems. Read more GIS: Munsys Google Earth and Google Maps Tools
Tools are designed to streamline the overlay of spatial data stored in Oracle into layers in Google Earth and Google Maps. Read more CAD: Vectorworks 2009
New product line from Nemetschek North America designed to provide advanced 2D and 3D capabilities up to five times faster. Read more MCAD: Service Pack 1 for Graphite v8
Ashlar-Vellum update improves DWG/DXF translation, PDF smart-data export, support for AutoCAD DWG/DXF 2008, and more. Read more MCAD: GEM v1
Generative 3D design tool from ParaCloud reportedly can populate mesh components over design models, resulting in complex 3D models. Read more CAE: Isight for Abaqus
New product from Dassault Systemes' SIMULIA is an add-on for Abaqus FEA software. Read more CAE: NEi Fusion v1.4
NEi Software's engineering simulation package combines 3D parametric solid modeling with Nastran FEA solvers. Read more CAM: ESPRIT 2009
Latest version from DP Technology focuses on both short-term customer needs and long-term direction of the metal-working community. Read more PLM: Deep Server Enterprise Edition
Right Hemisphere software enables users to take advantage of new SAP PLM v7 solution's 3D-ready visualization capabilities. Read more PLM: 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager v54 and Profile Geometry Manager v54
Solutions from Siemens PLM Software are designed to enable users to produce and modify their designs efficiently and improve productivity. Read more
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Your Calendar Webinar: Implementing Security for ArcGIS Server 9.3 Java Solutions
September 25, 2008
9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. PDT
ESRI will host this online, live training seminar that will demonstrate how to set security options for GIS services and Web applications for ArcGIS Server 9.3 for the Java platform. Read more 2008 International CMII Conference
October 5-8, 2008
Orlando, Florida
Aras will host the Institute for Configuration Management's 2008 International CMII Conference, a global event for configuration management and business-process improvement professionals. Read more European Aerospace Summit: Simulation in the Aerospace Industry
October 7-8, 2008
Toulouse, France
The summit will address the technical and business aspects of simulation in the aerospace industry, describe current and future simulation technologies, and showcase innovative applications and best-practices. Hosted by MSC.Software. Read more Webinar: CAD/CAE Model Clean-Up
October 15, 2008
10 a.m. PDT
This Webinar, sponsored by Anark, will discuss new research and survey results related to problems with preparing CAD geometry for CAE applications. Read more 2008 CADWorx User Conference
October 20-22, 2008
Houston, Texas
Hosted by COADE, the conference includes 54 educational sessions on CADWorkx Plant, P&ID, steel, equipment, ISOGEN, data management, interoperability with CAESAR II, and PVElite. Read more 3D Systems World Conference
October 20-23, 2008
Charlotte, North Carolina
3D Systems will kick off its World Conference by unveiling and demonstrating its next generation of products related to 3D printing, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering product lines. Read more GITA 2009 Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference
April 19-22, 2009
Tampa, Florida
GITA's four-day event will feature more than 100 sessions, half-day seminars, and an extensive products and services exhibition in addition to preconference Knowledge Immersion seminars, user forums, panel discussions, networking socials, and a products and services exhibition. Read more For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com.
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