This Week's Software Tips Search for Xrefs
Mick Noble sent this AutoCAD tip, which answers the question: Ever wondered which drawings contained what xrefs? "Using Design Center, you can search drives or specific folders for drawings containing a particular file name (xref). Type 'adcenter' to activate the Design Center dialog box." View the full tip Archive a Drawing Set
Marta Quinlan says that if you need to make an archive set of drawings, use the Sheet Set Manager. "Click on the name of the sheet set and then right-click and choose the archive option. AutoCAD gathers the data and drawings used in the entire sheet set."View the complete tip Set Delete and Double-Click
David Drane found that he had lost the ability to double-click and delete objects. "I have been running some third-party LISP routines to assist me in repetitious utilities and found that double-clicking and the delete key no longer worked. After sifting through lots and lots of variables, I found that two needed changing." View the complete tip Rotate Viewport
Here is an AutoCAD routine that Clark Johnson created by reworking the Rotate View in Paperspace LISP routine that was written by Swaraj Baral and published in the September 15, 2008, Tips and Tools Weekly. "I modified the program to shorten the code by using the getangle command for the rotation so the user can either pick an angle or enter the value." View the complete tip Copy and Paste Images and Clipboard Viewer
Frequent tip contributor Leonid Nemirovsky sent us two tips that work in both AutoCAD and MicroStation. If you have raster images attached to your drawings, you cannot bind them as you can xref drawings. Here's a trick to use in these cases. View the first tip. Len also sent this tip for storing selected objects in a file on your clipboard viewer and using them as needed to paste into your drawings. View the second 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 ERDAS Opens Webinar Archives
ERDAS has opened its vault of archived webinars. Created for potential and existing customers, each ERDAS webinar includes a presentation, demonstration, and customer interaction with the presenter. Launched in 2008, the series includes such topics as working with vectors, distributing geospatial data, and creating maps.
Forum for CAD-GIS Users
GIS Corner is a new online forum for those who use CAD and GIS technologies. Tagged "The Meeting Place for GIS Users," the site includes subsections for ESRI software, MapInfo, AutoCAD, and MicroStation. The forum is hosted by Daniel Johns, who uses ESRI's software at a water/wastewater utility company.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deals & Freebies Tell Cadalyst About Your Favorite Free Software
Cadalyst editors want to hear about all the free software tools that help you get your job done. Whether for sketching, CAD, file sharing, or any other part of the design workflow, we'd like to know which products you use and why you like them.
E-mail the editors
the details about your favorite free (or almost free) tools, where to get them, and why you would recommend them to others. We'll randomly select five participants to receive a Cadalyst t-shirt, and a few could even see their names appear in the free software cover story of Cadalyst's March/April edition. Free Support for SCALE-RT Extended
Cosateq is extending its free trial offer for SCALE-RT. Customers using the trial version of the Linux-based real-time simulation software can evaluate the software package and use the free technical support through March 31.
CAD Schroer Offers Free Trial of STHENO/PRO Advanced v3.1.1
The trial drafting package from CAD Schroer now includes Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire v4 and 64-bit support, multipaper space AutoCAD drawing conversion, the Smart Drafting tool, Move-by-Grid tool, and support for raster images inside imported drawings. Back to Top |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opportunities & Honors Vote for the 2008 Inventor of the Year
Voting is now open for the Autodesk Inventor of the Year 2008 award. Visit the Manufacturing Community web site and vote in support of your favorite Inventor of the Month, which are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation.
LightWork Design Announces 4th Quarter Image Competition Results
LightWork Design announced the winner of the latest LightWorks Image Competition. The winning entry came from Flavio Adriani, a 3D illustrator based in Brazil, who uses trueSpace software with an integrated LightWorks rendering engine.
FARO Wins Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award
FARO, a provider of portable 3D measurement and imaging technology, won the Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award from the National Center for Advanced Technologies. The team created a system that reduces the in-process and final inspection stages for drive shafts.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Week's New CAD and Related Products General Software: Acrobat Import and Export Plug-Ins
SYCODE's eight CAD file important and export plug-ins for Adobe Acrobat come with an installer and step-by-step tutorial. Read more General Software: PhotoModeler V6.3
With this new release from Eos Systems, users can generate 3D measurements and 3D point sets using a standard digital camera. Read more AEC: Kinnosa V4.1
Kinnosa's SOA and open-data repository enables the management of engineering files produced by CAD tools from Autodesk, SolidWorks, and Bentley Systems. Read more Collaboration: Quadrispace 2008 SP3
This Quadrispace service pack update includes support for publishing 3D PDF documents with embedded large models. Read more Collaboration: Adobe Technical Communications Suite 2
Using the Adobe suite, technical communicators can create documentation, training materials, and web-enabled user assistance. Read more MCAD: DWG and DFX File Import for SpaceClaim
SYCODE's add-ins give SpaceClaim the ability to read polyface mesh, polygon mesh, and 3D face objects in DWG/DXF files. Read more MCAD: LightTools V6.2
Optical Research Associates' illumination design and analysis software includes new features that facilitate the design of LEDs, displays, and luminaires. Read more CAE: MagNet, ElecNet, and ThermNet
Infolytica's new releases include improvements to the transient electromagnetic fields solvers and the validation and error-checking mechanisms. Read more Back to Top |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Your Calendar 2009 Northeast American Society of Engineering Education Conference
April 3-4, 2009
Bridgeport, Connecticut
The theme of the 2009 conference is "Engineering in the New Global Economy." Topics include: chemical, biological, civil, and electrical engineering. Read more Open Design Alliance World Conference 2009
April 27-29, 2009
Leiden, The Netherlands
The first two days of the conference will include an exploration of industry topics and ODA technology, with presentations by ODA member companies and technical staff. Read more PLM Road Map 2009
September 22-23, 2009
Plymouth, Michigan
Attendees will learn about the issues confronting end users in design and engineering. Presentations will cover mechatronics and keys to driving a successful transformation. 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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