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Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 12)

29 Mar, 2009


This Week's Software Tips

Disappearing Toolbars and Profiles
Bill Rasch reminds AutoCAD users how to get your toolbars to come and go as needed. He uses this tip in AutoCAD 2007. "When you use Clean Screen (Ctrl+0), your toolbars disappear. Repeat the process to get them to reappear again." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

 

Open DWG File with Right Click in Windows
Frequent tipster Leonid Nemirovsky sent us instructions on setting up an alternate method to starting AutoCAD. Start by opening Windows Explorer.  Highlight any AutoCAD drawing file in a folder. View the complete tip and post your feedback.

To Plot Stamp or Not To Plot Stamp
Shawn Evjen sent us a LISP routine to solve the problem of users forgetting to turn on the plot stamp. "We were having issues with people turning off the plot stamp on drawings. In most cases, this was just an oversight after printing marketing material and forgetting to check the box on the next print." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Replace Nonexistent Fonts
Eli Kay sent us a routine to replace missing SHP files when you don't have a font used in an AutoCAD file. "During the life of your project, you get to merge a consultant's drawings with yours via Insert command." 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.

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Resources

Scanners4CAD Offers Large-Format Scanner News and Reviews
Soft Cover's Scanners4CAD web site provides news, reviews, tips, and training to users of large-format scanners. Tips for buying a scanner as well as a product comparison chart are available to help users make informed decisions. Current article topics include LED lights and buying American.

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Deals & Freebies

Discounts Offered on progeCAD 2009
Between March 25 and May 15, 2009, iCADsales.com is offering a 15% discount on upgrades to progeCAD 2009. As an added bonus, all new licenses of progeCAD purchased before the end of March will also receive a 20% discount.

10% Discount on Popular 3D Printing Material from Shapeways
Shapeways is now offering its most popular 3D printing material at a 10% discount. White, Strong, and Flexible is the strongest, most heat-resistant material the company offers.

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Opportunities & Honors

Call for Submissions: KOMPAS-3D Modeling Contest 2009
ASCON announced a call for submissions for its KOMPAS-3D modeling contest. Users of KOMPAS-3D Parametric are invited to share results of their work in KOMPAS software. Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2009.

Be a Presenter at DSCC 2009
Do you have a story to share of how product lifecycle management software has transformed your business? Consider presenting a session during the Dassault Systemes Customer Conference, October 6-7, 2009. ENOVIA, DELMIA, CATIA, 3DVIA, and/or SIMULIA customers are invited to submit a presentation for review by April 17, 2009.

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Books & Training

Authors Publish New Vectorworks Tutorials
Nemetschek North America announced that Vectorworks tutorials from Jonathan Pickup and Tamsin Slatter are now available for purchase. These tutorials focus on Vectorworks Landmark and Architect, and are based on version 2009 but can be used successfully with prior versions of Vectorworks.

On-Campus University Program Supports Construction Professionals
Meridian Systems' On Campus program is an online university training program for Prolog software. The program is designed to foster the next generation of construction professionals by offering access to the technology behind the methods and concepts taught in class.

Partnership Provides Free CAD Training Outreach
Wiley Publishing is partnering with Engineered Efficiency to support the company's free, recently launched CAD training outreach. The free classes range from learning Civil 3D core concepts, styles creation, and data management to process-based advanced design classes in transportation, hydrology, survey, and more.

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Mark Your Calendar

COFES 2009: Slipstreaming Innovation into the Mainstream
April 16-19, 2009 
Scottsdale, Arizona
The gathering brings together a community of engineering software vendors, developers, resellers, analysts, and software users for an open discussion about the future of the industry. Read more

Greener by Design 2009
May 19-20, 2009
San Francisco, California
Greener by Design 2009 gives you the tools, insight, and inspiration to improve your company's bottom line through product innovation and green design techniques that work even during tough economic times. 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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What's New at Cadalyst.com

CAD Manager's Journey into 3D, Part 1
The majority of companies today still face the transition to 3D CAD, so prepare now to lead the way. Read more

Photoshop CS4 (First Look Review)
The depth, flexibility, and speed of this latest release make it a powerful tool for a range of design and engineering applications. 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.