Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 19)

17 May, 2009

This Week's Software Tips

Text Tips, Part 2! This week's edition brings the second installment of AutoCAD text tips from Tips & Tools Weekly readers.

Use Tool Palettes for Preset Text Styles
Shawn Crites uses tool palettes to standardize his text styles. "One of the things that has helped me with text insertion into drawings is tool palettes. I have a tab named Text." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Edit Multiple Grips
Nicholas Thompson tells us of a way to edit multiple grips at the same time. "You can change more than one entity at a time using grips. Highlight the entities you want to move so their grips are shown." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Move Objects to Specific Coordinates
Robert Zipprich sends us his method for moving objects to specific coordinates. "I like using Dynamic Input, but there are times when I want to move things to a specific set of coordinates." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Orient Text for Improved Readability
Patrick Albert explains his methods for making sure all text in a drawing is orientated properly. "In our company, we receive different files from different firms, which we collate to from our base plan. Whenever we open these files, their text orientations differ from one another." View the complete and post your feedback.

And More Tips!
Following are this week's reminders, tidbits, and miscellaneous updates from the Cadalyst Tip Patrol.

Text Color. For drawings that contain images, use a bold font and set the color to 255. This results in text that is legible over aerial photographs and other images.

Dtext Clarification. Last week we ran a small tip, Text Case Shortcut: “Select your text and press Ctrl+Shift+U to convert selected text to uppercase. Ctrl+Shift+L for lowercase. This works with dtext and mtext.”

Reader Kent Elrod sent a clarification: "There is no entity in AutoCAD called dtext -- it is either mtext or it is text. Dtext ... is now aliased to start the Text command."

The Cadalyst Tip Patrol confirms Kent's comment. Kent’s follow-up prompted Tip Patrol member Brian Benton to post “What do you call single-line text?” on Cadalyst’s CAD Questions Discussion Forum, which led to some interesting feedback and a few AutoCAD history lessons. Check it out!

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.

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

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. 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 for assistance with AutoLISP and other AutoCAD customization questions.

Sincere thanks to our volunteer Tip Patrol members: Brian Benton, Don Boyer,
Mitchell Hirschklau, RK McSwain, Kevin Sawyer, and Billy Wooten.

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Resources

New CIMdata Whitepaper Examines Economics of PLM
CIMdata released a new whitepaper, "ECAD-MCAD Collaboration Solutions." This paper describes product offerings from PTC and Mentor Graphics that help companies develop electro-mechanical designs regardless of industry sector.

IMAGINiT Technologies Supports Autodesk Assistance Program
IMAGINiT Technologies will be offering a variety of services and education programs to its design and engineering customers in support of the Autodesk Assistance Program. Qualifying participants will receive online training, instructor interaction, and copies of course materials.

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Opportunities & Honors

Oce Printer Receives Best Emerging Technology Award
Oce's wide-format Oce ColorWave 600 printer has received the award for best emerging technology from EDP, the independent European association for the digital print industry.

Vectorworks User Designs Home of the Decade
Nemetschek North America congratulated architect Nathan Kipnis for designing the reader's choice Home of the Decade, presented by Natural Home Magazine. The winning project is a vacation home in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. "Vectorworks allowed me to very precisely model the home to fully envision the sun's path during various times of the year, both inside and out," says Kipnis.

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Books & Training

Lattice Technology Publishes Lean Manufacturing E-Book
Lattice Technology released the first two chapters of the new book Improving Lean Manufacturing Through 3D Data by Hiroshi Toriya. The book covers a range of case studies from Japanese manufacturers, along with recent survey data, to build an understanding of how manufacturing can be enhanced using 3D data in downstream processes.

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Mark Your Calendar

Autodesk Imagine Virtual Event
May 19, 2009
Without having to leave the office, attendees of Autodesk Imagine Virtual Event will learn how Autodesk 2010 software enables them to visualize, simulate, and analyze ideas to the fullest extent. Read more

Sneak Peak: QuadriSpace 2009
May 20, 2009
10 a.m. CT
Join QuadriSpace to learn all about the upcoming QuadriSpace 2009 products, designed to help companies reuse 3D CAD models for product communications and documentation. Read more

Webinar: Managing Digital Images
May 22, 2009
12 p.m. ET
Join Newforma to explore how software for project information management supports a more integrated practice by streamlining digital image management. Read more

Anark Adobe Webinar: Create, Author, Publish, and Consume
May 28, 2009
10 a.m. PT
Anark will host a joint webcast with Adobe to demonstrate how the Anark Core Platform, coupled with Adobe Acrobat and Adobe LiveCycle, makes it secure to share product design data between OEMs and suppliers. 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

First Look: HP Officejet 7000 Wide Format Printer
Low-cost, B-size inkjet printer is an excellent choice for small CAD, engineering, and DCC offices .Read more

First Look: Autodesk Inventor 2010
New Shrinkwrap feature and improved plastics and sheet-metal design tools are tied up in a nice ribbon.Read more

1-2-3 Revit: BIM and Autodesk Inventor (Tutorial)
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Avatech Tricks: Tightening Your Designs with the Belt Generator (Tutorial)
This easy-to-use tool in Autodesk Inventor is sure to become one of your favorites as you complete your digital prototype.Read more

CAD Manager's Journey into 3D, Part 4
Readers respond to the survey numbers with disbelief and share reasons for not making the transition. Read more

Low-Cost Training Resources (CAD Manager's Toolbox)
Job seekers can improve their skill sets, often at no charge. Read more