Between the Lines

AutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD WS for iOS Devices Announced by Autodesk

AutoCAD natively on the Mac is no longer a myth or urban legend like bigfoot, UFOs, and unicorns.

AutoCAD returns to the Mac after an ~16 year absence.  Customers have made the request, Autodesk listened and responded with a native Mac AutoCAD named (appropriately) AutoCAD for Mac.

Yes, a native Mac 2D & 3D  AutoCAD application utilizing the Mac experience, but still being the tried and true AutoCAD. Now AutoCAD users have a choice of two great platforms Windows and Mac to get their native AutoCAD DWG. You also have much of your customization you rely on such as LISP and Scripts.

From the native Mac User Interface elements such as Menubar to the integration of Cover flow support in Finder to visually scroll through your DWG file previews, multi-touch gestures, making use of the trackpad (love it), search Help and you get a pointer to the location of the command in the Menubar, and even searching for DWG files using Spotlight this is Mac.

This is a Mac experience and AutoCAD 2011 combined, not some Windows application just ported without consideration of the workflow, environment, and Mac user expectations.

  

This project was no simple project, we had to work with14 millions lines of code with technology dependencies to be more platform agnostic. The AutoCAD for Mac was a complete re-write and not a simple port or a LT version. We used the native Aqua User Interface standards on all non-custom interface elements and the underlying code is Cocoa for the Mac OSX and iOS platforms.

Our team had to immerse in the Mac world and learn from the Mac experts worldwide to make sure we understood what they would want and need as well as keeping the power of AutoCAD. It is not everyday you expect to see hardcore programmers in black turtleneck shirts and denim pants, but I am sure it happened. There was a delicate balance that took a great deal of work to accomplish. I am sure it will be an ongoing process as we begin to add more and more features for parity between platforms yet keep the individual character and UI experience unique.

Having mentioned the uniqueness of each platform, the challenges and work involved, there is also one more powerful component and that is AutoCAD. Chances are if you have used AutoCAD, you can use the AutoCAD for Mac with very little training or changes. It saves the same DWG as the Windows versions, so you can have people in a mixed platform working on the same DWG files. It also jhas LISP, a command line, UCS, Osnaps, constraints, parametrics, surfaces, meshes, solids, rendering, Visual Styles, rendering, ViewCube navigation, and more just as you would expect of AutoCAD.

When will it ship? In the fall 2010 and after successful completion of the pre-release beta testing by thousands of Mac using customers and students. It will hopefully be ready for students in Fall classes and needing a free student version of native AutoCAD for Mac from the Autodesk Student Community http://students.autodesk.com. There will be a non educational version as well including a trial download.

AutoCAD WS extends AutoCAD DWG to Apple iOS based devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and of course the iPad. This is like the Autodesk Labs Project Butterfly but on my Apple hardware. I have to say this is really nice to be able to edit and view DWG files on both my iPhone and iPad. http://butterfly.autodesk.com/mobile/

Where to find more information?

http://www.autodesk.com/autocadformac

http://butterfly.autodesk.com/mobile/

Autodesk's YouTube Video Channel

Press Release

AutoCAD Exchange http://autocad.autodesk.com

AutoCAD Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/AutoCAD.3D

Cheers,
Shaan
(both a Mac & Windows user)

Display Plot Style in AutoCAD Layout

I received the following question today while in my hotel room in LA and wanted to write a blog post with images to make the solution more clear, and perhaps assist others with the same question.

“My background in paper space is white with color lines, I want to change the color lines to black lines, I did once but is impossible to remember how I did it.”

What we want to do is change the Layouts Plot Style to black and white which is “monochrome”, and then select the option to show the Layout with the applied plot Style just as it will plot.

A Layout is essentially what you plot as a large preview, think of it as a piece of paper. Here we see the drawing with a white Layout background just like paper and the color layer based lines. The only thing not shown is the plot style you may apply to the Layout. In this case we want the color line work that will use the monochrome Plot Style to show as Monochrome in the Layout.

Use the Page Setup Manager. I used the PAGESETUP command at the AutoCAD command line or you can right-click on the Layout tab and select Page Setup Manager.

Now select your layout then select Modify.

Now in the Page Setup dialog in the upper right change the plot style to monochrome and be sure to select the option to "display plot style" as that will make your layout display the monochrome.

Select OK and you are done.

Cheers,
Shaan

New Autodesk Product Support Pages

Visit the new AutoCAD Support, Revit, Inventor and other pages. They are available in English now, with additional languages coming.

Documentation: How-To, Help Files, Tutorials, New Features, Getting Started, etc.

Troubleshooting: Product Support content, workarounds, product use strategies and known solutions to typical issues

AutoCAD Support Page: http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-support

Don’t forget the RSS Feed for Support and Updates: Product Support, Updates & Service Packs

AutoCAD Sneak Peek in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle

If you are located in the San Francisco, Sacramento or Seattle areas, you have a rare opportunity to test drive some new features in AutoCAD and contribute your feedback to future releases.

The AutoCAD User Experience team, in conjunction with Ideate, Inc. would like to invite you to join them for a sneak peek and test drive of a future version of AutoCAD. Members of the AutoCAD team will be there to introduce you to new and enhanced AutoCAD features.

Interested in attending an event in San Francisco, Sacramento or Seattle?

Here’s what Autodesk is looking for:

• Day to day users of AutoCAD or LT
• Users proficient in 2D drafting
• Users interested in or proficient in 3D modeling
• All levels – beginning to advanced

In a casual focus group style, the AutoCAD team wants to let you try out some in-progress features and get your input as they solidify their ideas for an upcoming release. They’ll include time at the end of the session for general feedback and they’ll be happy to discuss any issues or wish list items with you at that time. Your input is critical in shaping the future of AutoCAD and the AutoCAD team depends on and values your ideas.

These full-day events are being held between September 15 - September 24, 2010.

To sign up, please take this brief survey. Seats are limited and we can't guarantee a spot to everyone who fills out the survey; we’ll confirm your event registration by email.

Click Here to Take the Survey

Help Shape the Future of Autodesk Products!

Thanks Bill for the BTL Blog's 7th Year Birthday Wishes in Chocolate

Australian Bill Adams (http://blads.blogspot.com/) and @blads on Twitter wished this Between the Lines blog a happy 7th year in a most remarkable way. He recreated my Canon 5D mkii camera in chocolate.

http://blads.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-birthday.html

Thanks Bill, you made my week!

Working With AutoCAD Sub Objects in 2D

This is a guest post by Edwin Prakoso (http://cad-notes.com/) @cad_notes on Twitter.

If you work intensively in AutoCAD 3D modeling, you probably already familiar with sub object. You can modify objects quickly and easily using vertexes. Gizmo in AutoCAD is very helpful. It is very easy to create 3D models in AutoCAD now. But have you used sub objects in 2D drawing?

If you are not familiar with sub object, we can use vertices, edges, faces, and solid history. If we work in 2D, we can only use vertices and edges.

But there are still many things we can do with it. Especially in AutoCAD 2011, Autodesk has implemented some nice enhancement here.

Selecting Sub Object

First thing first: how can we select subobject? For vertex, it is very straight forward. Select your object, then you can see the vertices in that object. Click the vertex to select it. We can only select a vertex at a time.

To select edges, you need to hold [ctrl] then click which edge you want to select. You can select more than one edges at a time.

Using Sub Object Selection Filter

If you are working on many subobject selections, then you probably want to use subobject selection filter. You can activate this filter and quickly select multiple edges without holding [ctrl]. You can find it in contextual menu: right click your mouse, and choose which subobject you want to filter.

Working with Vertex

Let us start with vertex. Vertex has many options we can use for modifying objects. Who knows, you probably will like it.

Stretching Vertex

The most obvious usage of vertex is to stretch it. You can lengthen a line; you can change a circle radius, etc. It’s very simple.

Now let us see the input options we can use when we select a line.

1. The default field that will be active is the extension length. If you type 5 then [enter], your line will be lengthen by 5 units.

2. If you press [tab], then your active field will move to another field. If this one is active, you can define the total length here.

3. You can also define the rotation angle, relative to previous angle.

4. And sure, you can define the angle from 0 degree of your current UCS.

Quite nice isn’t it? But remember, you need to have dynamic input active to use it. Probably there are not only 4 reasons to love dynamic input!

Using the Vertex Context Menu

This trick exists more than a decade. I remember I first use it in AutoCAD R.14. After you select the base point, then try to right click.

Let’s focus on the (1) part now. You can modify your objects, and use the vertex as base point right away. You can move, rotate, scale, or mirror your objects right away.

Now let us see the (2) part. These tools will move/copy the vertex (but not the whole object). You can define the base point, or you can simply copy the vertex. You can use it to offset a circle quickly with different offset distance.

Working with Vertex: Enhancements in 2011

Now if you are already using AutoCAD 2011, we can see more usage of this vertex. Polylines mid vertex has several more options.

Now you do not need to activate PEDIT and can add vertex quickly, and even convert the segment to arch! Well, you can also convert an arch segment to line by the way...

But the most fun of the vertex enhancement is for hatches.

Stretch will simply move the hatch from original position. See the other three options! You can define the origin, angle, and scale on the fly!

Working with Edges

What about edges? You can modify the edges without having to modify the whole object. In the sample below, you can create a parallelogram from a rectangle. Simply move the edge.

You can also scale the edge.

Is there any other way you use the subobjects that we may miss?
And which subobject you use the most, and why do you like it?

You will find this tip and more on Edwin’s CAD-Notes website, http://cad-notes.com/

If you would like to submit a guest post please Email Me for details.

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011 Update 1 Available for Download

The Update 1 (aka Service Pack) to AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011 are now available for download. This update addresses several defects and issues reported by customers, product support, and Customer Error Reporting “CER” data.

AutoCAD 2011 Update 1.1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL15569492

AutoCAD LT 2011 Update 1.1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL15569738

Please review the ReadMe document prior to installation.

Best Regards,
Shaan

UPDATE August 26th, 2010 ` AutoCAD 2011 Update 1 Removed from Download

On August 23, 2010, Autodesk released Update 1 for AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011. Unfortunately, Update 1 introduced an issue when conducting certain operations that may cause AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT to shut down.  This issue affects a small number of users. We have removed Update 1 and will reintroduce it in the near future when the issue has been resolved. For customers who have already installed Update 1, a hot fix will be posted shortly. Please be assured that Autodesk is wholly committed to the quality of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, and regrets this error. 

UPDATE August 27th, 2010-  AutoCAD 2011 Update 1 Update Hotfix Released
Here is the hotfix for the Update 1 and a updated Update 1 to be released soon.
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL15629571

UPDATE September 7th, 2010-  AutoCAD 2011 Update 1.1 Released

AutoCAD 2011 Update 1.1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL15569492

AutoCAD LT 2011 Update 1.1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL15569738

Autodesk DWF Writer 64-bit Version Released

Volker Joseph announced the new 64bit 2D DWF Writer on the Beyond the Paper Blog. We have had several requests for this so that people can create/print a DWF from several applications on the 64bit platform.

blog post Autodesk DWF Writer for 2D: 64-bit Version Released! 

download link download Autodesk DWF Writer for 2D (64-bit)

Autodesk Labs Project Snap Will Make Life Easier for DWG files

This is a perfect post for a Monday morning. Each day the number of DWG, RVT, and IAM files grows perhaps by hundreds of thousand, perhaps millions. The effort to locate a specific file of yours becomes more challenging as the number grows within your computer or network. Autodesk Labs Project Snap helps you instantly find your files without the need to implement some large document management system.

You can search based on the files metadata or any text in the drawing files and return a aggregated search result.

This Technology Preview is free and all we ask is you provide some feedback on the project so we can improve it and perhaps graduate it someday as a real Autodesk product for use by customers worldwide.

YouTube video overview of Autodesk Labs Project Snap Link
Video of the latest Update Link

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/snap/

Cheers,
Shaan

7 Year Birthday for Between the Lines Blog

On this day in 2003, Between the Lines blog was born.

August 21, 2003 Getting the feel for this Blog.

Millions of page views, thousands of daily unique RSS feed readers, 2072 posts later and Between the Lines blog is still rolling.

Thank you to everyone for reading and contributing to this blog over the years. If there is something I can do to improve or make your experience more entertaining or educational please let me know with an email.

Thank You
Shaan

Only 100 Days Until Autodesk University 2010

We are leaving the triple digits in the countdown, and registration is growing near.
http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=event2010

AutoCAD Command Aliases

This is a guest post by Michael Beall (www.autocadtrainerguy.com).

For all you veteran AutoCAD users out there who like to TYPE most of your commands (and want to type C to launch Copy), this is for you.

How to Modify Your Command Aliases

1.. On the Manage tab >Customization panel, click Edit Aliases to open the file ACAD.PGP in the Windows Notepad.

2.. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the acad.pgp file where you will see a paragraph beginning with “-- User Defined Command Aliases ––”.

MEMO: With a new release of AutoCAD coming out each year, this note basically states that if you want your custom aliases to be migrated to the next version (if you still own that computer), make your edits below that paragraph because that’s what will be automatically appended to the next version’s alias list.

3.. Put your cursor after the text that reads “DO NOT REMOVE”, then press [Enter] a couple times.

4.. Use the following context for your aliases:

C, *COPY

Which breaks down as…

The character(s) you want to type at the command line to launch the command
Comma (very important, won’t work without it)
Tab (or however many spaces you want; Tab makes ‘em line up)
Asterisk (very important, won’t work without this either)
Full name of the command

Here are a few examples that I have added to my own acad.pgp

GOLD STAR TIP: For commands that start with the same letter, use a single character for the command you use most often (such as Copy), and a double character for the other one (such as Circle). Don’t move your finger, just hit the character more often for the lesser used commands. [Yes, you will remember.]

5.. Close and Save your ACAD.PGP, then read on ...

Initializing the ACAD.PGP File

Here’s how to force AutoCAD to look at ACAD.PGP now that you have made these changes.

How to Make Your Aliases Take Effect Now

1.. At the command line, enter REINIT to open the Re-initialization dialog box.

2.. Check the box for ‘PGP File’, then click OK.

3.. Test your new alias(es). Have a nice day!

You will find this tip and a couple hundred other insights in The AutoCAD Workbench, available from Michael’s website, www.autocadtrainerguy.com

If you would like to submit a guest post please Email Me for details.

Attention US College Students! Autodesk Dorm Design Contest

With Colleges and Universities getting ready to get back to a full steam, check out the Autodesk Dorm Design Contest for a chance to win a back to school shopping spree at Target. This is for US residents.

You get to use the free web based Autodesk Homestyler to make your dream dorm a reality, or just to learn how easy Autodesk Homestyler to use to design 2D and 3D home layouts.

Give it a go.

-Shaan

AutoCAD Freestyle Updated, Now Includes Sketching

I am catching up on email and other tasks after a week of travel and discovered some cool AutoCAD Freestyle news, and had to give it a try as I am so easily distracted.

I just confirmed there is a new trial version of AutoCAD Freestyle that adds a Sketch Overlay features with options for pen, pencil, brushes, and airbrush to add even more creativity and splash to your drawings. You can give the new trial a run through now. For those customers that already purchased AutoCAD Freestyle you should receive notice of an update in the future or download the new trial and install with your serial number.

Here is a Sketch Overlay example from my testing.

For those not aware of AutoCAD Freestyle.

AutoCAD Freestyle is a low price high-precision drawing tool for the Do It Yourself “DIY” and home improvement crowd. It is so easy, you can recommend it to your friends & relatives without a concern about them requiring big budget and needing to learn a CAD system to be productive.

For more AutoCAD Freestyle info go to : http://www.autodesk.com/autocadfreestyle

Cheers,
Shaan

Busy Week on The East Coast

I spent this week visiting a wide variety of Autodesk customers from Chicago to Virginia, and DC, to New Jersey. It is always a pleasure and learning experience to speak directly with customers in their offices about what is going well, and more importantly what is not. The discussion is to find out how we can support them by providing solutions to the unique challenges they face, whether it is adding new features, changing something, fixing something, or providing some training resources. It is not only a pleasure but a vital part of our commitment to our customers to continually improve and innovate. Autodesk is committed to listening to our millions of customers around the world in multiple ways.

• In person visits.
• Autodesk Customer and Product Support
• At events like Autodesk University, AUGI CAD Camps, partner events like the upcoming Tech Tour by CADDMicrosystems in Washington DC on August 26 featuring Autodesk’s Lynn Allen  http://bit.ly/bO1bCc
• Product communities like the AutoCAD Exchange
• In Autodesk Beta Programs and previews at http://beta.autodesk.com
• Autodesk Usability Studies
• In the Autodesk Discussion Groups Visit the Discussion Groups
• In the AUGI Discussion Forums http://www.augi.com
• In the Autodesk Subscription Center
• Product Feedback Forms.
• Through your Autodesk partner
• On Twitter through many Autodesk and Autodesk Product team member accounts such as @autocad, @autodesk or me @mrcadman
• On the Autodesk Blogs http://blogs.autodesk.com
• In email surveys
• On the Autodesk Facebook pages like the AutoCAD Facebook Fan Page
• And many many more ways.

Get involved and shape the future of Autodesk solutions. If you need more ways to connect with Autodesk just ask me.

Cheers,
Shaan

Donnie Gladfelter is the AutoCAD Expert of the Week on the Autodesk Exchange

Go ask your burning AutoCAD question to the AutoCAD Exchange Expert of the Week, Donnie Gladfelter from August 9 to August 13, 2010.

Ask a Question

Donnie is from Richmond, Virginia and highly respected in the CAD community. He may be best known for his The CAD Geek Blog (www.thecadgeek.com) and as @thecadgeek on Twitter but recently  published a new book AutoCAD 2011: No Experience Required.

Donnie is currently working as a consultant/trainer while pursuing full-time employment. If you have an opening and are looking for someone of great professionalism, impeccable skills, wide range of experience, dresses for any situation complete with a tie, and an all around great person, Donnie could be your future star employee.

His real name may be Donnie, but he will always be Travis to me. –Shaan

Please visit www.TheCADGeek.com

If you are interested in showing off you AutoCAD Skills and Knowledge please consider being a week long expert on the AutoCAD Exchange. It is a great experience and exposure. Apply to be an Expert
Cheers,
Shaan

Follow Us on Twitter

Many times following a path leads to meeting new people, seeing new things, learning things, or perhaps a wild bear or rabid chipmunk. Twitter has become a great pathway to follow what others are thinking, doing, seeing, their opinions, or what their inner voices are saying publicly in 140 characters or less.

• Video: Twitter in Plain English
• Video: Twitter Search in Plain English
• Video: Zombies in Plain English

Twitter can be entertaining, educational, but also distracting if you do not manage your time like anything else in the information age. I would classify it as EduTainment as I almost always find something funny, entertaining, off the wall,or learn something valuable all in a 15 minute Twitter reading session.  If you learn to use it in moderation, it can be not only fun, but a way to learn great things and meet new people. I know I have ran into many of the people I follow on Twitter and it was like running into an old friend but you forgot their face but you do know they ate at Dairy Queen last night and are a wicked mechanical engineer sharing cool tips to make you more productive or better yet what not to do by learning from their mistakes.

Many times you will know the latest breaking news in the world of technology or Autodesk software before anyone else or perhaps how others are harnessing the power of a technology to do cool things. Sometimes you may also follow someone that goes on vacation and you end up resenting their fun tweets about that beautiful lake setting or sunset on the beach without a care in the world. Hopefully the person does not tweet “hey I am on vacation and left my awesome stereo and super computers at home and nobody is there and my burglar alarm service is broken…”.

During events like Autodesk University (117 days away) the Twitter users are always in the know on what is going on, and where to meetup. I even gave away some cool prizes to people that followed me on Twitter and called it “Hide & Geek”. I plan on doing that again this year as well as giving out other goodies to those that follow me throughout the year.

For those that use Twitter please consider following us from Autodesk. There are a ton of Autodesk’ers on Twitter as well as product teams below are a few of  from my Twitter list.

• http://www.twitter.com/autodesk the official Autodesk Twitter account
• http://www.twitter.com/autocad the official AutoCAD Twitter account.
• http://www.twitter.com/lynn_allen
• http://www.twitter.com/katemorrical
• http://www.twitter.com/mrcadman
• http://www.twitter.com/heidihewett
• http://twitter.com/AutodeskU Autodesk University
• http://twitter.com/AutodeskPR Autodesk PR
• http://twitter.com/ACADExchange AutoCAD Exchange
• http://twitter.com/AutodeskAEC Autodesk AEC
• http://twitter.com/Autodesk_MEAutodesk Media and Entertainment
• http://twitter.com/adskmfg Autodesk Manufacturing
• http://twitter.com/scottsh115 Scott Sheppard of Autodesk Labs

You can download a larger list of some of Twitter accounts I follow. The quick list is in no particular order nor the entire 1000+ Twitter accounts I follow. The first part is Autodesk accounts on Twitter and then non-Autodesk CAD related accounts. Download Shaanstwitterlist

While following me on the trail does not necessarily guarantee you wont get lost, or run into that mad bear on the trail, I hope it is an entertaining and educational journey.

Are you on Twitter? Post your Twitter name in the comments to this blog post, and tell me what you tweet about.

Cheers,
Shaan

Finally Supporting Mobile Devices, A Mini-Me Between the Lines

After hearing from Curt Moreno @wkfd on how he wired up a mobile device view of his blog Kung Fu Drafter (http://www.kungfudrafter.com/), I followed suit. Now if you visit this Between the Lines blog from a mobile device like an iPhone you will be automagically directed to a smaller mobile version of this blog complete with links to Twitter, AutoCAD Facebook Fan page, and my photos feeds.

Below is a view of what the blog looks like on my iPhone 4. The mobile view is pretty easy to navigate on a smaller screen. Although not 100% perfect, this solution does make it much easier for the many reading this blog from their mobile devices.

Cheers,
Shaan