Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 21)

7 Jun, 2009

This Week's Software Tips

Surprise! AutoCAD Text Tips, Part 4
When we mentioned that last week's batch of text tips was the last, we were wrong! Below you will find the fourth (and truly final) batch of text-related tips for AutoCAD. Thank you again to readers for your overwhelming response on this topic. Keep your eyes open for ribbon tips -- coming soon.

Text Calculator for AutoCAD
Gopal Ramesh sent us a routine he uses to perform basic arithmetic functions in AutoCAD. "This command, Txtcalc, allows you to perform addition and subtraction with AutoCAD text and dimension entities." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Align Text Objects
Gopal Ramesh also sent us a routine that will align text objects with one another. "This command is useful for aligning a set of text entities, horizontally or vertically, in line with a reference text." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Center Text in a Box or Circle
Gopal Ramesh shared a routine that will help you move text to the center of an object. "This command is for quickly placing a text object exactly at the center of a box or a circle, irrespective of text's insertion point." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Adjust Spacing of Text Lines
Gopal Ramesh sent this routine for quickly adjusting the spacing between a set of text lines. "You also can use this command to change the order of lines by selecting them in that order, without adjusting line spacing." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Specify Proper Size for Plotting
Glenn White sent these AutoLISP routines. "The routines allow you to place text in model space, layout, or inside a viewport, and it is scaled correctly for any given plotted height." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

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, R.K. McSwain, Kevin Sawyer, and Billy Wooten.

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Resources

New Web Site for Everything AutoCAD
Autodesk alerts Tips & Tools Weekly readers to AutoCAD Exchange, a central location for everything AutoCAD. The site is a gateway to tips, tutorials, discussion forums, blogs, CAD management resources, and much more.

PTC Augments Resources for SMBs
Check out the latest content on PTC's Resource Center for Small and Medium Businesses, which includes tips on how to improve collaboration, reduce production scrap amounts, and increase virtual prototypes. The Resource Center also provides access to articles, reports, and webcasts.

Autodesk Updates AREA
Autodesk has launched a new version of AREA -- the company's online community for digital entertainment and visualization technology users. This version provides a more customizable user experience and makes it faster and easier to find and share content.

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Deals & Freebies

Free CityEngine 2009 Trial
Procedural is offering a free 30-day trial of CityEngine 2009 for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. The software delivers new tools for urban design and modeling on a citywide scale.

Special Pricing Offered for Korrigo for AutoCAD LT
To celebrate the product launch, First Trace is offering special 90-day pricing for Korrigo for AutoCAD LT. Korrigo gives users key document-control functionality such as check in, check out, and search capabilities accessible from within AutoCAD LT or Windows Explorer.

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Opportunities & Honors

HP Hosts Self-Sufficient Cities Design Contest
HP, together with the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, announced the International Architecture Contest, aimed at emerging and professional architects and designers. Under the theme "Self-Sufficient Cities," the contest emphasizes the importance of innovation for future environments. Designs will be accepted through September 28, 2009.

LightWork Announces Image Contest Winner
LightWork Design announced the winner of the first LightWorks Image Competition of 2009. The winning entry came from Aaron Smithey, an architectural renderer from Scottsdale, Arizona. He uses FormZ software from AutoDesSys with its integrated LightWorks rendering engine.

Oce Announces Green Reprographer of the Year
Blair Graphics, a California-based innovator in the reprographics industry, was selected as the winner of Oce's Green Reprographer of the Year Award. The company adheres to a number of green practices to reduce its impact on the environment.

IEEE CCNC 2010 Extends Call For Papers
The IEEE Communications Society has extended the Call for Papers deadline to June 15, 2009, for the 7th Annual IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference. The conference's theme is "Empowering the Connected Consumer."

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Books & Training

Vectorworks Spotlight Guide Released
Nemetschek North America is now offering Light Plot Deconstructed, a companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight. The tutorial is the debut work of Gregg Hillmar, a scenic and lighting designer and Vectorworks user.

Mastering Revit 2009 book by Paul F. Aubin

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Mark Your Calendar

Packaging Industry Webcast Series
Through October 6, 2009
MSC.Software is hosting a webinar series on how consumer packaged goods manufacturers are using simulation-driven development to drive more innovative, functional, and sustainable designs at less cost. Read more

June Webinars: Wide-Format Scanning
Through June 23, 2009
This month's webinars from Contex Americas include tips on large-format scanning and working with large-format, scanned drawings. Read more

What's New in Revit MEP 2010?
June 11, 2009
San Jose, California
Join Ideate to learn more about the new features and benefits in Autodesk Revit MEP 2010. Read more

East Bay Civil 3D User Group
June 16, 2009
Oakland, California
In this presentation on AutoCAD Civil 3D, Ideate will outline the various options for sharing project data and the pros and cons of each method. 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

Sign on the Digital Line
Expedited workflows and significant cost savings are motivating AEC firms to adopt digital signature technology. Read more

3D Printer Buyer's Guide
This new resource from Z Corp., available now in Cadalyst’s Whitepaper Library, describes how tough economic times make a powerful argument for investing in 3D printing. The paper explains how such investments can yield long-term strategic value -- enhancing design and speeding time to market – and conserve money now by raising throughput and reducing labor needs. This paper covers how 3D printer products differ; terminology; and how to quantify costs. Free to users who register.