Between the Lines

Experiment with Rendered Lighting in AutoCAD 2010

I have been experimenting with rendering on AutoCAD 2010 lately as it can be fun creating eye candy and thought I would share one experiment result.

In this experiment  I created a faux Las Vegas utra lounge design in 3D with AutoCAD 2010. For my custom light pipe floor lamps I created some vertical tubes made of plastic with a translucent helical orange plastic tube along the length then a base, lamp shade and a light illuminating from the top.  I was also kicking around the idea of the lamp shades shaped like mushrooms just to be even more Las Vegas or Alice in Wonder’ish.

 

Note: When rendering an intensely lit scene in presentation quality, it can raise the office temperature with your computer working hard to calculate all the lighting. ;-)

 

What was an interesting result to me was the spiral reflection patterns on the marble floor.

 

As Matt Murphy would say “wicked cool”.

Cheers,
Shaan

Import X,Y Coordinates from Excel into AutoCAD

I am currently on vacation but wanted to share a great AutoCAD Tip from my friend the AutoCAD Trainer Guy Michael Beal. Michael always has great tips and clear instructions in his monthly “Michael’s Corner” available on the web as well as a monthly newsletter.

The following tip is from Michael’s Corner May 2009.

Prerequisite: The X and Y values need to be in a single cell in the format of X,Y for this to work. If X and Y have their own column, you will need to make the necessary adjustments to get them to X,Y format.

Instructions to Create a Drawing with X,Y Coordinates from Excel

1. In Excel, highlight and Copy the column of X,Y coordinates to be used to generate the drawing.
2. Open Windows Notepad (Start All ProgramsAccessoriesNotepad).
3. Before pasting the coordinates, type LINE as the first word in the file (this will launch the Line command when the script is run), then press [Enter].
4. Now Paste the column of coordinates into the file and you should see something like that shown in the figure.
5. Close and save the .SCR file (remember where you're saving it).
6. In AutoCAD, launch the SCRIPT command, then navigate to where you saved your file in the previous step, then select it and click Open. AutoCAD will launch the Line command then, beginning at the first set of coordinates entered, will draw line segments from one point to the next.

You may also want to consider…

• Replacing the LINE command with the PLINE command.
• Adding the word CLOSE as the last word in the script to have the linework close back to the start point.
• Dragging the .SCR file out of Windows Explorer and dropping it into the drawing window.

Do you have an AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture,AutoCAD Mechanical, or AutoCAD MEP tips, tricks, or resources you would .like to share with the thousands of readers of this Between the Lines blog?  Send me your favorite tips, tricks and resources

New Autodesk Beta Website

New and exciting changes have been introduced to Autodesk’s Beta Program where we invite customers to test and provide feedback on pre—release product so that we ship the highest quality of product possible.

The Autodesk MyFeedback Beta platform was retired by May 31st, 2009 at which  point the new Autodesk Community officially came to life at http://beta.autodesk.com.

Autodesk beta participation has grown considerably since we started our online beta communities in 1999.  I joined Autodesk in 1998 on the Beta Team back when we still shipped CD and printed guides. I had been an Autodesk customer and involved in multiple Autodesk betas. I knew I could make a difference for customers and loved a good challenge. We went from a small email lists and doing a couple products to well over 30,000 participants in over 140 countries using over 60 Autodesk products. It is time to upsize again to a new Autodesk Beta Community.

Make sure to sign up for the new Autodesk Feedback Community site before the busy beta release season in the fall. The sign up takes only a few minutes to enter the information about your Autodesk product use and hardware you intend to use to test the pre-release beta software. We need you to provide the critical customer feedback which is vital to shape the future of all Autodesk products.

http://beta.autodesk.com –> New User Signup

Cheers,
Shaan

Sabbatical Ho!

Starting Monday June 15th I will be enjoying my sabbatical (extended vacation) until July 26^th.  Woo Hoo!

I will be doing home projects, enjoying the family, hiking, camping, and photographing the beautiful Utah, Nevada, and Arizona landscape. I will continue blogging and Twitter but will try to reduce the frequency of posts and enjoy some time off.

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD Reference Manager “Refman”

How can you update and re-path AutoCAD drawing reference files such as other drawing files, fonts, or plot configuration files after a path has changed?

Reference Manager is the answer. In AutoCAD 2004 the Reference Manager was added and it is included with other AutoCAD based products like AutoCAD Architecture, and AutoCAD Mechanical. The tool is easy to add drawings and see where reference files were found or not..You can search, select all, invert selections, edit selected paths and even use find and replace paths in batch. The Reference Manager can run outside of AutoCAD and without AutoCAD running.

You can locate the Reference Manager from the Windows Start Menu > Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 200x > Reference Manager

 

Cheers,
Shaan

Change the AutoCAD Zoom Speed with ZOOMFACTOR

Have you ever felt like the middle mouse wheel zoom is too fast or too slow in AutoCAD? It can depend on the scale of the drawing and objects you are working on, or perhaps even your mood. This speed of the zoom in and out is controlled by a system variable named ZOOMFACTOR. The default of the system variable ZOOMFACTOR is 60. You type ZOOMFACTOR at the AutoCAD command line and then changing the value. My preference is 40 so that I am not zooming in too fast of increments.

This is another one of those little settings that allow you to make AutoCAD more tailored to your use whether you like warp speed zooms or turtle slow zooming with the mouse wheel.

You can also set someone else's ZOOMFACTOR to 3 just for fun or torment but be sure after watching them struggle to set it back. More Office AutoCAD Pranks

Another related system variable is ZOOMWHEEL which can change the direction of the mouse wheel zoom to match another product such as Autodesk Inventor. Change the Direction of the Middle Mouse Wheel Zoom in AutoCAD

Online AutoCAD 2010 documentation:

• AutoCAD Help
• Command Reference

Cheers,
Shaan

The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 6 Mayor May Not

You need a mid-week laugh, so thanks to the AutoCAD Exchange there is a new episode of the TeknoChronicles of Z posted.

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=humor

The TeknoChronicles of Z - Episode 6: Mayor May Not

Also

Check out the AutoCAD Exchange for more great humor and networking with fellow AutoCAD users.

Cheers,
Shaan

Job-seeking Architects, Engineers, and Designers in the Bay Area - Autodesk Assistance Program Networking Event

Meet, greet, and learn

Join Autodesk and Ideate for Autodesk Assistance Program networking event at the Autodesk Gallery at One Market. In partnership with Ideate, Autodesk is hosting a networking event for job-seeking architects, engineers, and designers in the Bay Area. Meet potential employers in your field, network with peers, and learn more about how you can benefit from the Autodesk Assistance Program.

Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 6 PM.–8 PM
Location: One Market, second floor

Autodesk Gallery at One Market Map

Please RSVP to Angela Simoes at angela.simoes@autodesk.com.

Calling India & Turkey

On June 15th I will be taking a 6 week sabbatical. With so many United Airlines frequent flier miles to use before the end of the year since I no longer fly them I am looking for ideas.

INDIA:
I know I have a large readership from India so please post your suggestions in the comments on locations and why that location. Are their local Autodesk customer groups and students there that I can also meet with as I love talking with students and also customers from all parts of the world. Yes shocking I get time off and still take work with me.

I want to do short backpacking trips around on the cheap but the main purpose of getting off the beaten path seeing the true country, people, and the nature and wildlife like snakes and scorpions and birds most never see. I want to capture some great memorable photos as well as meeting the people and sharing in their cultures and food and making more friends and making India look simply amazing in photographs each with a story..

I was thinking perhaps Delhi,Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad or . What are your thoughts?

Shukriya,
Shaan

TURKEY: 
I am also considering a trip in Istanbul Turkey to see my friends from the Daily AutoCAD Blog Erhan, Orhan, and Can.

çok teşekkür ederim
Shaan

Autodesk Dragonfly Exports to AutoCAD 2D & 3D .DWG as well as Revit .RVT

The new Autodesk Labs project named Autodesk Project Dragonfly has been gaining a great deal of chatter in the social networks as well as the web and traditional press. It is a really cool free web based application allowing almost anyone to design their house, space or just reorganize a space. It is as simple as drag and drop. You can assign dimensions and when completed share with others on the site or export to a JPEG, 2D or 3D .DWG file or a Revit .RVT file.

You first sign up for free at http://dragonfly.autodesk.com

I could have started using an existing design shared on the site or from scratch as I ended up choosing.

I started by simply dragging in some floors and then shape and get them to the right dimensions. Selecting the wall allows me to see the dimensions and change them.

Once you get the rooms all set you can then go crazy dragging in content from plants, flooring and rugs, doors and windows,  to furniture, to cabinets and more off the palettes.

Here is my 5 minute creation. Note I am not a interior designer or architect. :-) You can select the View in 3D option and even work in the 3D view mode.

 

I grabbed one of the more complete designs from the public gallery to show what exporting to DWG results in.

 

 

You can also export to a JPEG raster image of a Autodesk Revit .RVT file.

Give Autodesk Project Dragonfly a try to re-organize your ofice, your house, or even a future dream office. Nothing to install, free, and downright fun. To use a line from an GEICO insurance companies popular television ads “So easy, a caveman could do it”.

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD’s OVERKILL Command Reduces Object Duplications in the Drawing File

In the course of creating drawings you are bound to create a few objects on top of each other and this can be even more common when exchanging files with others. The AutoCAD Express Tool command OVERKILL will help you remove all the unwanted duplicate geometry. Back in the plotter days having redundant lines could cause the plotter to waste ink plotting one abject on top of another but the same could be true today with devices or perhaps even CNC cutting.

Note: You must have installed the AutoCAD Express Tools when you installed your AutoCAD. OVERKILL is an Express Tool.

From the AutoCAD Commandline: OVERKILL
From the AutoCAD Toolbar and ribbon: Located on the Express pull down or ribbon panel under Modify “delete duplicate objects”.

You are presented with some options for OVERKILL. Before using any command that removes, exploded objects you should test it on a drawing as well as make sure you understand the option which are detailed in the AutoCAD Express Tools Help.

The results of OVERKILL on my drawing:

2 duplicate(s) deleted.
2 object(s) deleted.

Cheers,
Shaan

Autodesk Sustainable Design Survey

The Autodesk Simulation User Experience Team would appreciate your feedback on the relative importance of different types of energy analysis data during the early conceptual design phase of a project. 

Who Should Participate?
Architects, Designers, Energy Analysts, Mechanical Engineers focusing on HVAC, and those who are doing design work with a focus on sustainability.

Please forward this survey to any colleagues in these roles who may be interested.

Sustainable Design Survey link
Survey will be active: June 1 – 8, 2009.

Thank you,
Autodesk Simulation User Experience Team

AUGI AutoCAD Wish List Top Ten Cycle One February 2009

I want to thank AUGI’s President Mark Kiker, the dedicated and hard working AUGI AutoCAD Wish List volunteer Brenda Richardson, and the AUGI membership for another great cycle of nomination and voting for the AutoCAD Wish List. While I cannot provide details on future development publicly, I can say you will be pleased at our listening and knocking more items off the Wish List. You, the user of our products are vital to defining the direction and future functionality of our products.  We at Autodesk sincerely appreciate your helping shape the future of Autodesk products!

1. Transparency of Objects Submitted by Brian Fryhover
2. Plot All Layout Tabs Without Using Publish Submitted by Candice LePorte
3. Fade Colors of XREF Submitted by Girish Gohil
4. Add More Parameters and Constraints to Dynamic Blocks Submitted by James Hitt
5. Turn Off Objects Regardless of Layer Submitted by John Semanko
6. Double Click in a Viewport to Exit Viewport Submitted by Karl Goulding
7. Multiple XCLIP of XREF Submitted by Laura Smagin
8. Intersection Snap on Solids Submitted by Forrest Hoffnar
9. Select Like Objects Submitted by Dave Fox
10. Change Properties Across Multiple Sheet Submitted by Gary Murphy
11. Send Shaan on a free trip to visit Hawaii CAD Camp with Yoshi Honda, Brazil, India, Kuwait, China, Turkey, Japan, Singapore, and Down Under to meet with AUGI members and give free refreshments and share AutoCAD Tips and Tricks.

OK so I added number 11 myself but the remaining 10 are great wish list items for AutoCAD.

Detailed Voting List for 2009 Cycle One http://www.augi.com/autocad/results.asp?cycle=ACAD010

AUGI membership is free and there are many many benefits to the membership. Get involved and network, Share and Learn. Don't just sit on the sidelines, make a difference.

Your Wish, Is Our Command!

Shaan Hurley
Autodesk Platform Technology Evangelist

AutoCAD 2010 Language Packs

I wanted to point out an important detail in my blog post AutoCAD 2010 Language Packs German and French Available

You can only install within language families currently. This means that customers in the Americas are not able to download a Japanese language pack and customers in Japan are not able to download Traditional Chinese. Currently there is no EMEA European subscription customer support for language packs.

Language Families:

Americas
English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese

Japan
English, Japanese

Chinese and Korean Asian Markets
English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD for the Mac

I have in the past posted about AutoCAD on the Apple Mac platform.

• AutoCAD on the Mac Survey
• I Need Your Input on AutoCAD for the Apple Mac OS X

• Run AutoCAD on a Mac

I even posted a survey for feedback which was pummeled with hits in the tens of thousands in only a few days. We appreciate all the great feedback and are considering each and every response. We at Autodesk are growing more and more Mac platform products and who knows, perhaps add AutoCAD to the list.In any case this is not a gratuitous Mac post to get hits instead I am looking for something.

Back in the 1980’s Autodesk actually had an AutoCAD R11/R12 for the Mac.

I have only been a Mac user for a few months but wanted to see if any fellow AutoCAD longtime users and history buffs might have a rare AutoCAD R11/R12 for the Mac or at least some screenshots. I will give a reward to the person who has the best set of images or a boxed product so I can add to my unofficial AutoCAD History web archive and images.

• AutoCAD Release History
• Old AutoCAD Release Gallery

So do you have an old AutoCAD R11/R12 Mac laying around or some images and screenshots, email me at shaan@autodesk.com

Cheers,
Shaan (now both Mac and PC user)