Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 7)

This Week's Software Tips

Paste in Xref Files
Sonny Borsody-Nagy sent us a tip on how he quickly inserts xref files into a new drawing. He creates a master drawing where he develops his xrefs and uses the xrefs from this master drawing to create his assembly and subassembly drawings. It's easier to copy all this information into the new drawing rather than inserting individual xrefs. View the complete tip.

Treedepth
Harry Katchadoorian's tip provides alternate settings for the way AutoCAD processes spatial data. "I have been using AutoCAD since v14 to create GIS maps for the city of Fontana. I have found a very useful, but simple, command that allows us to take a layered drawing and reorder the layers using the Draw Order icons." View the complete tip.

Use Multiple Command and Open AutoCAD with DST File
Leonid Nemirovsky sent us a tip showing how to use a command over and over again. "If you need to repeat a command many times, at the command prompt, type Multiple, then specify, for example, Fillet. Then supply input as usual for the Fillet command and select as many lines that you need to Fillet." View the complete tip. Len also sent us a trick for opening AutoCAD. "If you have a sheet set created for a project, you can find that file using Windows Explorer. Double-click on it to start up AutoCAD and activate the selected sheet set." View the complete tip.

Find Area of Nonclosing Objects
Danny McClung says the easiest way to find the area of an arc is to draw a line from endpoint to endpoint, join the line to the arc with the pedit command, and list the arc for the area. Just remember to undo back to remove the line. View the complete tip.

Scroll Wheel and Optimized Align
Here are two tips contributed by Alex Borodulin. Scroll wheel in AutoCAD and Internet shows how to make text more readable. Optimized Align is AutoLISP coding that provides faster performance of the AutoCAD align command. Check out these and other tips at Alex's Nyacad web site.

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.

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.

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Resources

Transoft Solutions Launches Roundabout Microsite
Transoft Solutions, developers of software for the architectural and engineering communities, has launched a microsite dedicated to roundabout design. Designroundabouts.com provides a general understanding of modern roundabouts as well as various aspects and advantages of their design. Visitors can browse roundabout facts, trivia, the advantages of roundabouts, case studies, and weekly updated video content.

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Deals & Freebies

Alibre Launches Buy One, Give One Initiative
Alibre announced a "Buy One - Give One" program that enables customers to give a second seat of Alibre Design to a designated recipient for every license they purchase for their own use. Alibre hopes to benefit designers and engineers worldwide who may not be able to afford a license of professional 3D CAD because of unemployment or other circumstances. Alibre will contribute 101 seats of Alibre Design to qualified and deserving candidates.

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Opportunities & Honors

Ashlar-Vellum Launches Program for Entrepreneurs
Ashlar-Vellum introduced Reach for Your Dream, a new promotion to encourage entrepreneurial spirit among those who have been caught in the current economic downturn. With proof of unemployment, recent graduation, or the recent establishment of a new business, Ashlar-Vellum is offering a three-month trial license to Cobalt, the company's flagship 3D modeling program with a courtesy license to Graphite, its 2D/3D precision drafting program.

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Books & Training

Roland University 2009 Features 3D, Inkjet, and More
Roland DGA Corporation announced the 2009 Roland University workshop schedule of the company's most popular classes. Throughout 2009, Roland University will offer workshops taught by top industry professionals at the company's training facilities. During these two-day workshops, participants will learn all about the benefits of Subtractive Rapid Prototyping and how to produce functional prototypes made from a wide assortment of materials.

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The Week's New CAD and Related Products

General Software: Arena Winter '09
Arena Solutions release is designed to simplify how product information is shared across organizations and throughout the supply chain. Read more

General Software: Pixform Pro II
Reverse engineering software from Roland DGA is for its LPX DS series of 3D laser scanners. Read more

General Software: DoubleCAD XT
Based on IMSI/Design's CAD code, DoubleCAD XT reportedly works like AutoCAD LT. Read more

Hardware: Remix
MAINGEAR Computers' newest generation of workstation is optimized for photo, graphics, and video enthusiasts. Read more

Hardware: Cubix Secure Visualization Blade
High-resolution graphics performance at the remote desktop reportedly can exceed 200 frames. Read more

AEC: EE ProPack Hydro for AutoCAD Civil 3D
Software from Engineered Efficiency is designed to make hydraulics and hydrology analysis easier with Civil 3D. Read more

AEC: InnoCielo ImandrA v3
BlueCielo ECM Solutions' improved user interface is based on Microsoft .NET technology. Read more

MCAD: FreeForm v10
SensAble Technologies added new features for faster design iteration and preparation of intricate models. Read more

MCAD: Alibre Translate
New product adds an extensive set of import and export filters to the Alibre Design product line. Read more

CAM: NC-Checker
Delcam program provides in-process performance verification of commonly used machine tools. Read more

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Mark Your Calendar

Webinar: Learn Carlson PointCloud
February 26, 2009
12 noon EST
Learn how to go from field scan to finished plat as you tour the features of Carlson PointCloud. Attendees will see how to create TIN surfaces, 3D views, and Profiles, and calculate volumes. Read more

Plumbing System Design Course
March 30 - April 3, 2009
Madison, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin, Department of Engineering Professional Development, will offer this practical, fundamental course, which covers basic theory of wastes and vents, storm water, water piping systems; selection of water heaters, pumps, interceptors, piping, and much more. Read more

6th Annual RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition
April 15-16, 2009
Boston, Massachusetts
The emphasis of RoboBusiness is on what technologies and applications are emerging with the greatest opportunity to be commercially successful. Highlighting the event are numerous opportunities to meet, network with industry thought-leaders and make contacts that will facilitate new business ventures. Read more

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