Tips & Tools Weekly (Vol. 21, No. 2)

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This Week's Software Tips

Video Tip: Add Your Own Panel to the AutoCAD Ribbon Creating your own panel filled with your favorite AutoCAD commands is easy. Join Lynn Allen as she shows you how to make your own custom panel for the AutoCAD ribbon, complete with your most frequently used commands. Then be prepared to race through AutoCAD at maximum speed! Watch the video

AutoCAD Tip: Add Colors To Dimensions
Tipster Ramakrishna Acharya explains how to use variable commands to make changes to your dimension style without going through the dialog boxes. View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Inventor Tip: Move All Selected Layout Views Simultaneously
With this simple tip from Alex Kaplan, there's no need to move your Inventor layout views individually. View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Inventor Tip: Find Overridden Dimensions
Have you ever worked on an Inventor drawing that someone else overrode dimensions on? This tip from David Gaskill will show you a quick way to find these dimensions. View the complete tip and post your feedback.

Review Cadalyst's Tip Submission Guidelines, then Submit Your Tip for your favorite CAD software. Be sure to tell us which software version you use. If we publish your original, previously unpublished tip, you can earn a gift card (learn more about prizes here). Please submit only tips or code that are your original work. By submitting code, you grant Cadalyst the right to print and distribute your tip in print, digitally, and by other means. Cadalyst and individual authors retain all rights to submitted tips.

By submitting code, you agree that your code can be reused as-is or modified by other users in conjunction with AutoCAD or other software programs to gain efficiencies in that software for professional or personal use, and that your code can be shared freely among users. Users do not have the right to republish code in any manner or format (such as on a blog web site or in a printed document) for personal or commercial gain without written permission from Cadalyst and the original author.

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 in the latest version of AutoCAD by Contributing Editor R.K. McSwain. Use all tips at your own discretion, please. We're sorry, but Cadalyst staff cannot provide assistance with technical problems. Please refer to Cadalyst's LinkedIn and Facebook communities for assistance with AutoLISP and other AutoCAD customization questions.

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Resources

ClearEdge3D Publishes On-Demand BIM Webinar
ClearEdge3D has made a recent building information modeling (BIM) webinar available free to those who register. "As-Built Hospital BIM: Case Studies in Best-Practice Scan-to-Model Workflows" covers common mistakes firms make when bidding, laser scanning tips, hidden challenges in hospital as-builts, and best-practice project management tactics.

Novedge Provides Library of On-Demand Webinars
Anyone can watch any of Novedge's previously recorded webinars, for free, without registering. The collection includes more than 180 technical webinars for 3D designers and artists.

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Deals & Freebies

MecSoft Offers Free Demo Version of VisualCAD/CAM 2016
MecSoft, a developer of CAD/CAM software solutions, is offering those who register a free demonstration version of its newly released VisualCAD/CAM 2016. The standalone CNC programming software comprises VisualCAM and the VisualCAD base CAD platform. The 2016 version includes enhancements to geometry construction and design functions in VisualCAD. MecSoft continues to provide VisualCAD as a free design tool.

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Opportunities & Honors

Autodesk Seeks Feedback on Project VUE for Navisworks Until March 31
Interested parties can join the Autodesk Labs Project VUE Viewing for Navisworks, a free technology preview of a Navisworks file reader that helps users import Intergraph Smart and Intergraph SmartPlant 3D models into Navisworks. The team will decide to graduate or retire the technology based on the feedback they receive at labs.nw.vue@autodesk.com or in the forum on the Autodesk Labs site.

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New Products

3D Printing: Synthesis Mobile
The Synthesis Company has released Synthesis Mobile for automated 3D solids drawings creation for 3D printing. The software, which is available for iOS and Android mobile devices, uses a mobile device configuration interface and a thin-client drawing generation program, to create new customized drawings in 3D solid models suitable for 3D printing. A rendered image of the custom drawing is created for display on the mobile device.

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What’s New at Cadalyst.com

Webinar: SOLIDWORKS 2016, Realistic 3D CAD without Compromise
SOLIDWORKS 2016 brings a new user interface, new tools and new design workflow enhancements. Join us on Thursday, January 21, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT and watch the experts demonstrate new functionality and learn how to push the limits of your 3D design experience while meeting deadlines. You'll learn how to optimize your experience with the right hardware. One lucky attendee will win a HP Z Z34c 34-inch Ultra Wide Curved Display ($999 value), sponsored by Insight. Presented by Cadalyst, and sponsored by HP and AMD.Read more

Configuration Considerations for Modern Mobile Workstations
A mobile machine provides benefits that desktop models can't offer — but only if it's configured correctly. Read more

Choose the Best Keyboard for CAD
The right design and features can boost comfort and productivity for heavy computer users. Read more