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Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 27)

19 Jul, 2009 By: various


This Week's Software Tips

Call for Tips: Xrefs and Sheet Sets
It's summertime and you tipsters are taking a break -- and the Cadalyst Tip Patrol is getting low on tips! We want your favorite tips related to xrefs, sheet sets, or any other favorite AutoCAD topic. If we publish your tip, you'll receive a Cadalyst t-shirt, and you'll be entered in a random monthly drawing for $100. Submit your tip soon to increase your chance of winning!

Customize Your Keys
Leonid Nemirovsky (visit his Better Than Nothing AutoLISP web site) sends us a tip on customizing your keyboard to better run AutoCAD. "Here is a tip for expanding the capabilities of a regular keyboard," he says. "If you do not use (or can give up) the numbers from your keyboard's number keypad, you can assign hot key commands (and/or LISP routines or macros) and Shift key functions directly to the numeric keypad." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Send CTB File to Simplify Plotting
Tipster James Bainbridge sends us a tip he uses to ensure others can plot his files correctly. "When exchanging CAD files with other firms for coordination and data exchange, I find it a useful and time-saving idea to include our CTB file along with the drawings," he says. "That way they can just drop the CTB file into their search path location and our files are instantly added to the publish list for plotting." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Convert DWG to PDF
Milton R. Fitzgerald, Jr. sends instructions for converting an AutoCAD DWG file into a PDF file. "In the past this was a problem if you didn’t have a third-party application. Since AutoCAD 2008, the process has been much easier. All you really need to do is to plot your drawings, just like you are going to a printer, except use the correct driver." View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Submit Your 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.

 

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, and Billy Wooten.

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Resources

EOS Releases Tooling Whitepaper
EOS Electro Optical Systems, a manufacturer of laser-sintering systems, released a whitepaper examining the benefits of using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to create tooling inserts. Optimized Mould Temperature Control Procedure Using DMLS (PDF) combines descriptions of molding innovations with documented field results taken from injection-molding projects that use tooling manufactured with DMLS.

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Deals & Freebies

COADE Extends Early-Bird Discount for User Conference
COADE announced that the company has extended its early-bird discount for the COADE User Conference, scheduled for September 28-30, 2009, in Houston, Texas. Those registering by the August 1, 2009, deadline will receive a $200 discount off of the regular fee.

RapidEye Releases Free Demonstration Product Tests
RapidEye, a geospatial solutions provider, has released a selection of 16 demonstration products generated by the RapidEye system. Samples of the RapidEye Standard Image Products show a variety of applications around the world including agricultural, forestry, and urban areas.

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Mastering Revit 2009 book by Paul F. Aubin

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Opportunities & Honors

Cadsoft Named a Constructech Hottest 50 Company
Cadsoft, a developer of building information modeling (BIM) design software, has been named one of Constructech’s 50 Hottest for 2009.Constructech 50 Hottest for 2009 is Constructech magazine's listing of the most influential construction technology providers with a strong and ongoing market presence as determined by the publication's editorial staff and advisory board.

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Books & Training

CADCIM Technologies Releases Autodesk 3ds Max Textbook
CADCIM Technologies, a CAD/CAM textbook provider, released Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010: A Tutorial Approach ($29) by Sham Tickoo. The tutorial-based textbook emphasizes the latest 3D modeling and animation techniques of the software and includes progressive examples, illustrations, and exercises.

AutoCAD 2010 and Revit Book Series Available Through SDC Publications
Author Daniel Stine released a series of textbooks on AutoCAD 2010 and Revit Architecture 2010. The books are available through SDC Publications, a CAD, CAM, FEA, and engineering graphics textbooks provider. Book topics include commercial and residential design in AutoCAD and Revit. Each textbook is bundled with a CD containing base files as well as videos that demonstrate particular subjects.

ASCENT Updates Training Guides for Autodesk 2010
ASCENT, the courseware division of RAND Worldwide, released updated training guides titled AutoCAD 2010 3D Drawing and Modeling and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 Survey Fundamentals – Field to Finish. The guides provide users with a foundation in 3D fundamentals and explore the main features of AutoCAD's advanced 3D work space.

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Expert CAD Manager book by Robert Green

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Mark Your Calendar

Revit MEP Hands-on Test Drive

July 22, 2009
Portland, Oregon
Ideate is hosting a free Revit MEP test drive, designed as a first look at this program. If you are considering moving to Revit, this is your chance for a hands-on experience with the software. Read more

Workshop: Implementing AutoCAD Civil 3D 101

July 22, 2009
Portland, Oregon
In this seminar, Ideate's civil engineers will share their best practices for implementing Civil 3D within an organization. Read more

Test Drive: Transportation with AutoCAD Civil 3D

June 28, 2009
San Jose, California
Join Ideate's civil engineering team as they walk attendees through a hands-on
exercise to design a road that has been completed using the corridor model in Civil 3D. 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

Revit Architecture 2010 (Cadalyst Labs Review)
Look beyond the controversial ribbon interface and you'll find some great improvements, including gradient backgrounds, local file creation, conceptual design tools, and a flexible API. Read more

CAD Management in a Continuing Recession, Part 1
Learn how to protect your job in the current economic downturn. Read more

Configuration Tips for Windows Vista 64 (CAD Manager's Toolbox)
The right system architecture, RAM, and graphics card make the difference in 64-bit operating systems. Read more

Solid Edge Tutorial: Learn Synchronous Technology at Your Own Pace
Choose the proper template in Solid Edge to complete existing designs in the mode they began as you transition to Synchronous Technology. Read more

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About the Author: various


More News and Resources from Cadalyst Partners

For Mold Designers! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the mold design professional. Sponsored by Siemens NX.  Visit the Equipped Mold Designer here!


For Architects! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the building design professional. Sponsored by HP.  Visit the Equipped Architect here!