cadalyst
Management

Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 10)

15 Mar, 2009


This Week's Software Tips

Leonid Nemirovsky is a long-time and frequent contributor of tips to Cadalyst. You've probably noticed at least one of his tips in nearly every edition of this newsletter. Today's edition includes four tips, and every one comes from Len! Cadalyst editor Nancy Johnson recalls a time several years ago -- when we called this newsletter Newsline -- that it wasn't unusual for us to receive but one contributed tip a week -- and that tip usually came from Mr. Nemirovsky. Len is also a frequent participant in Cadalyst Discussion Forums and Hot Tip Harry tips. For lots more Len tips, visit his Better Than Nothing AutoLISP web site. Thanks for all you do, Len!

Change Named Views Quickly
This first tip from Leonid Nemirovsky provides a very simple means of switching between named views. "If you have named views in your drawing, there is another way to quickly navigate between them rather than using the traditional command V (View)." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

3D Orbit, One Piece at a Time
Here, Len outlines how to view single 3D objects in a complicated drawing. "In this case, just highlight a desirable part with grips and use Orbit to view just that selected piece." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Copy or Move with Grips
Len also sent us a way to quickly move or copy objects with grips. "If you use this trick on Leader, you can create an Mleader of some sort. Just highlight the leader with grips, make the pointing end hot, type C for copy, then X when done." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Get Data on Unusual Shapes
Last but not least, Len shares a tip for getting length and other data on objects that are not easily measured. "To get the ellipse length or perimeter, initiate the Boundary command, select the ellipse, and AutoCAD will give you a notice that the pline can't be created and will offer to create a region instead. Accept it and highlight it (last) with grips." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Submit Your Tip

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. To share feedback about one of today's tips, locate the tip using the link provided, then click Comment. The Comment tool is available to registered users of Cadalyst'sCAD Tips site. 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.

Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Resources

Avatech Presents Autodesk 2010 Webcast Series
Avatech Solutions announces a series of more than 50 free webcasts to explore Autodesk 2010 software, covering manufacturing, building, and infrastructure products. Topics include AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Autodesk Ecotect Analysis, and Navisworks.

New Whitepapers Outline Benefits of 3D Scanning
Two new whitepapers are now available on Cadalyst's Whitepaper Library, free to those who register: "Mobile, Handheld 3D Scanners Enable New Applications: 3 Case Studies" and "3D Scanners: Selection Criteria for Common Applications" by Z Corporation.


Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deals & Freebies

ASCON Offers Savings on CAD Software
ASCON is offering a new flexible pricing policy, including software for rent, cross updates, and CAD trade-in offers. CAD users can also download light or demo versions of KOMPAS for 3D solid modeling, 2D drafting, and design and receive a 25% discount for purchasing KOMPAS-3D or KOMPAS-Graphic within one month after demo use.

Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities & Honors

Call for Nominations: 2009 Be Inspired Awards
This year, Bentley Systems has renamed its Be Awards to Be Inspired Awards and extended its awards nominations deadline to May 15, 2009. The awards honor the extraordinary work of Bentley users improving and sustaining the world’s infrastructure. All nominees will be featured in Bentley's The Year in Infrastructure 2009 publication.

Massive Insight Call for Beta Testers
Massive Software, developer of the Academy Award-winning animation system, announced the introduction of Massive Insight and issued a call for entries for an exclusive beta testing program. Massive Insight utilizes artificial intelligence-driven agents that use natural senses, such as vision and hearing, to accurately simulate real-world behavior, and can be used to simulate the movement of any object or creature.

CAPINC Wins SolidWorks Customer Satisfaction Award
SolidWorks recognized software reseller Computer-Aided Products for the highest level of customer satisfaction in North America for 2008. The award was based on customer survey data and other areas of technical support competence. The company also won this award in 2006.

Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Books & Training

Preapproved AIA Requirement Courses Now Available
To help architects earn the continuing education units required to maintain membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Microdesk is partnering with Autodesk and Google to deliver more than 22 AIA-approved classes, including AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, Autodesk Navisworks, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Google SketchUp, and Google Earth Pro. Contact the company for details.

Online Learning Program for Autodesk Users
Synergis Engineering Design Solutions recently launched e-Learning, a web-based learning system that gives design engineers access to the latest training videos, tutorials, and demos for Autodesk software.

Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mark Your Calendar

Meeting the Challenges of the Downturn without Sacrificing the Future
March 31-April 1, 2009
Troy, Michigan
This workshop will show participants how to apply Toyota's competitive advantage to develop immediate cost reduction approaches that can be used for any product and in any industry. Read more

URISA 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition
September 29-October 2, 2009
Anaheim, California
URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association) features management and policy discussions of IT/GIS issues affecting urban and regional governments, as well as preconference workshops, and keynote and plenary addresses. Read more

ESRI Survey and Engineering GIS Summit
July 11-14, 2009
San Diego, CA
During this four-day summit, discover how to enhance your core business practices and expand your capabilities with the technology that is shaping the future of geospatial data management and analysis. Read more

For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com.


Back to Top

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What's New at Cadalyst.com

CAD Manager Survey Update, Part 2
Even when business is bad, take a proactive approach to make sure you're using your staffing and resources to their maximum potential. Read more

Data-Exchange Tools Can Save Time, Money, and Headache
Understand why you need a multi-CAD interoperability solution and how to select the right one for your office. Read more

Looking for "Hot Tip Harry?"
Hot Tip Harry's latest AutoCAD customization tips are now posted online at Cadalyst's CAD Tips site. Harry's posting tips all the time now, and you can find the latest ones by checking the Recently Posted list, along with the latest tips from Tips & Tools Weekly. You can also find out about the latest tips from Harry himself (aka Cadalyst's Bill Kramer) by hanging out on Harry's Tip Jar Discussion Forum. Look for the posts labeled "Hot Tips!" for regular updates.

Brand new, Cadalyst and Hot Tip Harry also introduce his new Programming Concepts Discussion Forum. Keep tabs and chime in to exchange AutoCAD programming expertise and advice.