Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 13, No. 33)

This Week's Software Tips

Congratulations August Drawing Winner
Kathleen Clevenger won the August drawing for a $100 gift card. Submit your tip (see guidelines below) for your favorite CAD software. Kathleen's tip, Easy Client-Specific AutoCAD Settings, was published in the August 4 edition. 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.

MultiClouds
Alex Borodulin shared this tip for using objects to add revision clouds (Revcloud command), making this procedure faster and performance easier. When prompted, specify a start point or [Arc length/Object/Style] <Object>. Press Enter or type O, then select a single Object on the screen. To download a program related to this tip, visit this NYacad Web site. Thanks, Alex!

Multiline Attributes
John L. Loudermilk wrote to say, "Since multiline attributes behave much like mtext, I've replaced standard block attributes with multiline attributes for two distinct advantages: I can adjust the width of a multiline attribute (to fit as required), and I can mask a multiline attribute (to hide objects under attribute)."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This feature is new in AutoCAD 2008. For more information, check out this blog entry from JTB World.

Maximum Layers
Brent Daley offered this tip: "When you get a lot of xrefs into your drawing, your layer list can populate with well over a thousand layers. Then your layers can get mixed up in your pull-down list. The MAXSORT system variable sets the maximum number of items sorted in a list. The initial value is 1,000. If you find you are having a problem with your layers being out of whack, bump this number up to 5,000."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
The maximum for the MAXSORT system variable is 32,767. A value this high shouldn't be a problem for today's high-speed computers. With drawings becoming more and more complex, this is a good reminder. Thanks, Brent!

Note: These follow-up tips have not been tested by the Cadalyst Tip Patrol.

Follow-up: Bullet Lists in Revit
Several readers notified us about a glitch in the tip regarding making bullet lists in Revit in the August 25 edition. Some pointed out that the tip works fine while you are in the text, but as soon as you click outside the text, your bullets disappear. We haven't forgotten; the Tip Patrol is still looking for a fix for this. If you know how to avert this problem, please share the secret with us and we'll pass it on.

MicroStation Tip: Preferences in a Pop-up Menu
Oscar Albornoz, vice-president for technology, Axiom International, shared this easy way to add your MicroStation v8 XM workspace preferences to a pop-up menu:

1. Select Workspace / Preferences from MicroStation's Main Menu bar.
2. Select the Input category along the left side.
3. Click on the Reset Pop-up Menu option list and select Click.
4. Press the OK button.

Now try it out! Move the mouse anywhere inside any view and press the Reset button. The pop-up menu now includes the Pop-up Menu Options. Select to open the Preferences dialog box.

Axiom offers many MicroStation Tips on its MicroStationTips.com 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, and watch later editions of this newsletter for updates and corrections. 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

First Trace Adds New Resource Web Pages
First Trace has recently added a number of new Web pages and online resources to its Web site. The complete First Trace White Paper Series is now available to all site visitors for free downloading. KinnosaONE product family Data Sheets are also available along with a number of data sheets and at-a-glance comparisons between Kinnosa and other document management solutions.

IntelliCAD.net Online Community Launched
Deelip Menezes, SYCODE's founder and CEO, has launched IntelliCAD.net, a social network for IntelliCAD users. IntelliCAD.net has forums, a network blog, member groups, photos and videos, and information about events such as user meetings and trade shows. Read more

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Deals & Freebies

Carlson Software Offers Deal on New Data Collectors
Carlson Software is offering a trade-in program to help introduce its all new Carlson Surveyor+ data collector. Users can trade in their old data collectors on the Surveyor+, which has been completely ruggedized with an IP67 water- and dust-resistant Ingress rating. The handheld computer is encased in a magnesium housing and upgraded with more RAM, increased operating speed, and up to 1 GB of memory with the option to expand.

Rebate on AutoCAD LT 2009
As part of its Efficiency Stimulus Program, Autodesk is offering a $200 rebate on the purchase of AutoCAD LT 2009. The rebate offer is available only to commercial customers in the United States who purchase by October 17, 2008. There is a five-seat limit and other restrictions apply; see the program description on Autodesk's Web site.

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Opportunities & Honors

Dewberry Wins ESRI's SAG Award
Fairfax, Virginia-based consulting firm Dewberry was awarded the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award from ESRI. Selected from more than 100,000 ESRI user sites worldwide, Dewberry was recognized because of its technological contribution to floodplain mapping, GeoFIRM. The geodatabase was built around ESRI's ArcGIS software and allows Dewberry specialists to automate the digital flood insurance rate map process.

Entries Sought in 3D Design Contest
Shapeways, in conjunction with Dutch Design Week, is sponsoring the "Every Day Design" contest in which participants are asked to present a unique new design of an everyday object. The contest ends September 21, 2008. The winner's model will be printed out and exhibited at Dutch Design Week, then shipped to the winner after the conference. The winner will also receive $250 worth of 3D printing from Shapeways!

CRP Technology to Present Award-Winning Paper
CRP Technology reports it has been given a best paper award by the organizers of the Society of Plastics Engineers' Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition. CRP will present the paper, a case study titled "Rapid manufacturing and continued development of highly stressed fibre-reinforced plastic parts: Motorbike dash assembly made by Windform XT and SLS technology, " on September 18 at ACCE in Detroit.

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Books & Training

Robotics Classroom Curriculum
Innovation First and Autodesk have released a new curriculum that is now included in the VEX Robotics Design System Classroom Lab Kits ($199). Based on Autodesk Inventor software, the curriculum is designed to encourage students and educators to explore the world of robotics by bringing real-world experience and hands-on learning to STEM teaching and lessons. Read more

Online Civil 3D Training
Engineered Efficiency's EE CivilAccess Civil 3D training program reportedly provides clients with unlimited access to more than 80 hours of live, instructor-led training each month. Clients also have unlimited 24-7 access to recordings of the classes via the Internet. Included with the training is the company's EE ProPack, an add-on that extends the out-of-the-box functionality of AutoCAD Civil 3D. Read more

Propane Council Adds Online Courses for Architects
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has added three new continuing education courses to its online curriculum to educate architects and design professionals about the safe, efficient use of propane as a preferred energy source. The new courses are "Green Building with Propane," "Community Propane Systems," and "Hydronics and Propane." PERC is registered with AIA/CES as a provider of continuing education content.

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The Week's New CAD and Related Products

General Software: PDF Portfolio Layouts for Acrobat v9 Pro and Pro Extended
New and updated releases from Adobe add five new layouts as well as additional functionality to a few existing layouts. Read more

General Software: RxView and RxHighlight v10
Viewer products from Rasterex Software are now compatible with AutoCAD 2009. Read more

Visualization: IDX Renditioner Express for Google SketchUp v6
Software from IMSI/Design can be used for unlimited commercial or personal use, and plugs directly into the Google SketchUp interface. Read more

AEC: LandARCH 2009
Landscape design software from GlobalCAD includes 2D/3D design libraries, cost estimating and bill of material tools, custom hatch patterns, and more. Read more

AEC: GuidSIGN v5
Transoft Solutions' CAD-based WYDIWYG tool reportedly can deliver cutter-ready signs designed to standard. Read more

GIS: ArcGIS Online Map Service
ESRI's new map service includes i-cubed's Nationwide Prime one-meter-or better-resolution imagery for the continental United States. Read more

MCAD: ICP CAD Connector
ICP Solution's connector is designed to integrate the Aras Innovator enterprise PLM solution and Siemens PLM Solutions Solid Edge 3D and 2D software products. Read more

MCAD: KOMPAS-3D v10
A range of add-ons and libraries in Ascon Group's new release includes additional features such as photo rendering, animation, and more. Read more

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Mark Your Calendar

ArcGIS 9.3 Seminars: Improving an Entire GIS Workflow
September 9 - November 13, 2008
Various U.S. Cities
These all-day seminars will allow GIS professionals and managers to get together and explore how ArcGIS 9.3 provides a comprehensive system that enhances an organization's operations. Read more

SolidWorks 2009 Midwest Premiere Events
October 1-8, 2008
Various Upper Midwest Cities
Graphics Systems will host these events focusing on the release of SolidWorks 2009. The free seminars will also highlight several additional products that increase productivity and product quality for companies that design their own products. Read more

Mapping for a Sustainable Future Workshops
October 6 - November 26, 2008
London and Birmingham, United Kingdom
Presented by Training4GIS, these one-day workshops will focus on how mapping can successfully be applied within sustainable planning and development. Three separate workshops will be offered: Carbon Mapping, 3D Mapping, and Flood Mapping. Read more

SolidWorks 2009 Launch Events
October 8-16, 2008
Various California Cities
Sponsored by 3-D CADWARE, these events will let participants discover new tools for designing better product; learn to handle large, complex assemblies; network with fellow designers and engineers; and more. Read more

Spatial 3D Insiders' Summit
October 13-14, 2008
Boulder, Colorado
The annual summit enables the Spatial user and prospect community to gain in-depth knowledge of Spatial components and have direct exchange with Spatial developers and executive management team. Read more

PLM Summit North America 2008
October 13-14, 2008
St. Augustine, Florida
This three-day gathering of cross-industry professionals will include keynote conference sessions and interactive workshops run by leading solution providers covering the length and breadth of the PLM spectrum. Read more

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