Between the Lines

Jay Leno's Green Garage

See Jay Leno's solar and wind system for his car garage in the embedded video below or at www.jaylenosgarage.com. I got the rare opportunity to visit with Jay and his team a couple weeks ago in his secret car collection buildings and it was unbelievable to say the least.

I recently provided some AutoCAD 2009 upgrade training to Jay's team who use Autodesk products like AutoCAD and even Autosketch in the designing one off replacement parts for Jay's world class car collection when Jay breaks them. I got to reverse engineer a Model T Ford bearing cap in 3D while there. I met some of the worlds most experienced and knowledgeable engineers, car lovers, and top notch fabricators in his shop. This is also where I met the legendary Eddie Paul who is a legend in metal fabrication and designing cars for the movies, mechanical sharks, new types of motors and just about everything else using AutoCAD 2009 and 3ds Max and soon Autodesk Inventor.

I even got a slick ride back to my hotel in Jay's hydrogen cell powered GM SUV which runs on hydrogen. I would love to have a hydrogen powered vehicle but with only 40 of them made so far they run about 1 million dollars so the price needs to come down to an affordable level.
One funny thing I found out is Jay is a happy mouse clicker on a computer "click" "click" "click" "click" when only one click was needed. He is a very down to earth guy off camera and like myself he does not sleep much and is always going.

    

Cheers,
Shaan

Pin Your Most Frequent Drawings in AutoCAD 2009

Now in AutoCAD 2009 you have the ability to pin items most used such as standard or detail DWG files. This can make the Recent Documents menu much more helpful. I cant tell you how many times I have spent looking for the same base file or document when by pinning the file I would have saved time having to search because it was off the most recent files menu. You can also set the Recent Documents to show a preview of the file as well.

 

Cheers,
Shaan

Scale List Cleanup Utility for AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD 2009

Updated version of the Scale List Cleanup Utility April 26th 2008
This Scale List Cleanup Utility repairs a problem with files that contain excess scales. This utility will soon be posted live to the Autodesk support site http://support.autodesk.com as it has completed beta testing with customers on http://myfeedback.autodesk.com

This tool was developed in response to your customer feedback.
Thank you.

• Download CleanupScales.html
• Download Scale_List_Cleanup_Utility_32bit.exe
• Download Scale_List_Cleanup_Utility_64bit.exe

Description of Problem

When a file contains excess scales, performance may be negatively affected. Eventually, the file may become unusable. To use the file, some scales must be removed. This utility repairs affected files by removing excess scales.

NOTE: Nested external references (xrefs) may produce excess scales. To correct this problem, install AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1 or corresponding service packs for AutoCAD-based products. The Scale List Cleanup Utility repairs files affected before the necessary service pack was installed.

---

Affected Products

• AutoCAD^® 2008-based products, including DWG TrueView™ 2008
• AutoCAD^® 2009-based products, including DWG TrueView 2009

---

Installation Instructions

To install the Scale List Cleanup Utility

This utility has to be installed in the AutoCAD 2008 or AutoCAD 2009 installation folders.

You must have administrative privileges on your Microsoft^® Windows^® operating system to complete installation.

1. Based on your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit), download the appropriate self-extracting executable file.
2. Select a folder.
3. Extract files to the selected folder.
4. Navigate to the folder and copy CleanupScales.exe, CleanupScalesRes.dll, and CleanupScales.html to the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.
   NOTE: To run this utility you must launch CleanupScales.exe from the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.

---

Repair Affected Files

To repair affected files

1. Close all affected files. Open affected files will not be repaired.
2. Launch the Scale List Cleanup Utility from the installation folder of your AutoCAD-based product.
3. Under Files to Clean, select affected files.
4. If desired, select Maintain Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects.
   NOTE: This option allows you to maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects when they are viewed in AutoCAD 2007 or earlier releases and corresponds to the SAVEFIDELITY system variable. Annotative objects may have multiple scale representations. When you select this option, annotative objects are decomposed and scale representations are saved (in an anonymous block) to separate layers, which are named based on their original layer and appended with a number.
5. Under New Scale List, in the drop-down list, select a scale list template.
   NOTE: Each scale list template contains a different scale list. When you run this utility, unused scales are deleted from files and the scale list from the selected template is applied.
6. If desired, change the scale list threshold.
   NOTE: The scale list threshold determines the minimum number of scales a file must contain in order to be repaired. The default scale list threshold is 50. Files that contain fewer scales than the scale list threshold will not be repaired. To change the scale list threshold, on the New scale list panel, enter a number in the Scale List Threshold field.
7. Click OK. Repaired files are saved in the same format last saved in.

Cheers,
Shaan

Technorati Tags: AutoCAD,AutoCAD 2008,AutoCAD 2009,AutoCAD Scalelist,AutoCAD Scales,DWG TrueView

Happy Birthday Autodesk - April 26th, 1982

A HUGE Thank You to John, Duff, and Dan for giving us Autodesk and AutoCAD. For many of us it not only changed an industry but also changed many lives,
While there was a product named Microcad purchased by Autodesk before AutoCAD, it did not become AutoCAD although some incorrectly thought it did.

Cheers,
Shaan

Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD 2007, AutoCAD 2008, and AutoCAD 2009

The updated and very very popular Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD has been updated for AutoCAD 2009 so that it now runs on three AutoCAD versions. There have also been a few updates by the developer Thomas Inzinga:

• Support for the new AutoCAD 2009 Geographic Location object
• Numerous bug fixes.

The Google Earth Extension is a great way to get your designs into Google Earth or reference Google Earth in AutoCAD.

"Using the simple wizard-driven interface, you can publish your 3D models from AutoCAD or select AutoCAD-based products directly into Google Earth™. The technology preview is available for 2007, 2008, and 2009 versions."

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

In AutoCAD 2009 I created a 3D model of the Autodesk Civic Center Offices and published them to Google Earth using this extension.

 
View in Google Earth View in Google Maps

Google Map view showing the real-world location buildings in a satellite photo map.

View Larger Map

 

PS: Happy Earthday!
This is not a guilt motivated post by me just because I ran my chainsaw for 2 hours last night trimming my trees and roses after watching a new reality show Axe Men and just had to use my chainsaw. I guess it is a guy thing...

 

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD 2009 Tutorial Videos Published on YouTube

These 13 video tutorials for AutoCAD 2009 features were recorded by my coworker Heidi Hewett.

1. AutoCAD 2009 Demo Introduction
2. AutoCAD 2009 Demo - part 2- Quick Access Toolbar
3. AutoCAD 2009 Demo - part 3 - Menu Browser
4. AutoCAD 2009 Demo - Part 4 - Ribbon
5. AutoCAD 2009 Demo - part 5 - Status Bar
6. AutoCAD 2009 Demo - part 6 - Quick Properties
7. AutoCAD 2009 - part 7 - QuickView layout
8. AutoCAD 2009 - part 8 - QuickView Drawings
9. AutoCAD 2009 - part 9 - ToolTips
10. AutoCAD 2009 - part 10 - Action Recorder
11. AutoCAD 2009 - part 11 - Working with Layers
12. AutoCAD 2009 - part 12 - ShowMotion
13. AutoCAD 2009 - part 13 - Navigation in 3D

Thank You Heidi.
-Shaan

Technorati Tags: AutoCAD 2009,AutoCAD 2009 Demo,AutoCAD 2009 Video,Youtube,AutoCAD 2009 ToolTips,AutoCAD 2009 QuickView Drawings,AutoCAD 2009 QuickView layout,AutoCAD 2009 Quick Properties,AutoCAD 2009 Status Bar,AutoCAD 2009 Ribbon,AutoCAD 2009 Menu Browser,AutoCAD 2009 Quick Access Toolbar,AutoCAD 2009 Navigation in 3D,Heidi Hewett

AutoCAD LispWiki

David Harrington pointed me to this wiki that describes itself as "a wiki code repository for AutoCAD specific VBA, AutoLISP, VisualLISP, and ObjectARX source code."

This appears to be a nice start and resource to bookmark and see how it grows with helpful routines and code shared by the community.

http://lispwiki.com

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD Wish List Ballot Results for February 2008

AUGI (Autodesk Users Groups International) has now posted the results of the February 2008 wish list voting cycle for AutoCAD. There are some good ones in there and we appreciate all the submissions. Everyone should get involved in AUGI as it is free, many benefits, tens of thousands of your peers, and you get to enter your wish list items and vote on them in 3 cycles a year. The top ten voted wishes for the year are presented to Autodesk at Autodesk University to work on them. We at Autodesk also grab from the other wish list submissions as well.
The key to success is making sure the customers are heard and we do our very best to implement all the wishes into the products we can.

<drum roll>
Top Ten voted AutoCAD Wish Item AUGI members were:

1. Samuel Flores
2. Paul Westhelle
3. Chris Lindner
4. Clinton Campbell
5. Paul Eyden
6. Michael Shick
7. Yair Yes
8. Brad Sanada
9. Chris Payne
10. Steven Hill

Thank you AUGI,
                          Your Wish is Our Command! </drum roll>

 

AutoCAD Wish List Ballot Results February 2008

"Presented below are the Top 10 wishes from the AutoCAD Wish List, February 2008 voting cycle:

1. Convert PDF to DWG Submitted by Samuel Flores
2. Solid Hatch Opacity Setting Submitted by Paul Westhelle
3. Lock the Scale of a Viewport While Allowing Panning Submitted by Chris Lindner
4. Command to Send all Hatches to Back Submitted by Clinton Campbell
5. Compare Two Drawings Submitted by Paul Eyden
6. Text Wrap in Dimensions Submitted by Michael Shick
7. Lock Drawing order of Specific Objects Submitted by Yair Yes
8. Autocreate Dynamic Blocks from Existing Blocks Submitted by Brad Sanada
9. Attach and Overlay Options for Images Submitted by Chris Payne
10. Option to Print to Multiple Devices or Formats at One Time Submitted by Steven Hill

You can continue to submit new wishes to the AutoCAD Wish List by filling out the AutoCAD Wish List Submission Form.

To see the results from all past voting cycles, visit the AutoCAD Wish List Voting Results page."

Now I have to do my last minute packing as I am headed down to Burbank California to provide some training and warped humor to some very well known people from Hollywood in less than an hour. I like to pack at the last minute, not sure why but it always seems to end up like that.

Cheers,
Shaan

New AutoCAD 2009 Training for Subscription Customers

I logged into the Autodesk Subscription web site today and noticed 8 hours 20 minutes of training and exercises are already available for Autodesk AutoCAD 2009 Subscription customers.

Transitioning from AutoCAD 2008 

Navigating the AutoCAD Interface  Beginner 0:50
In this lesson you navigate the AutoCAD user interface. You begin by learning about the Quick Access toolbar and the commands that it makes available. Next you discover Ribbon panels and status bar controls, and finally you modify the appearance of interface elements. 

Menu Browser  Beginner 0:40
In this lesson you learn to use the Menu Browser to perform common tasks in AutoCAD such as opening and closing drawings, accessing commands, setting options, and exiting AutoCAD. 

Quick View  Beginner 0:45
In this lesson, you learn about the Quick View status bar controls and how to use them to navigate drawing views and layouts. 

Quick Properties  Beginner 0:35 
In this lesson you adjust object properties on several different types of objects. You begin by learning about the Quick Properties panel, how to access it and how to control its visibility and behavior. You then use the Quick Properties panel to quickly change object properties. 

Layer Properties Manager  Beginner 0:35 
In this lesson, you manage layer properties and perform other tasks while the layer properties manager dialog box is open and available. You learn that the behavior of the Layer Properties Manager is modeless, so that it allows you to perform operations in the drawing while it is open. 

Action Macros  Beginner 0:50 
In this lesson, you use the Action Recorder to create action macros to improve productivity. First, you learn about action macros and the purpose they serve. Then you learn about the creation and editing procedures that are necessary for the successful implementation of action macros. 

Customizing the UI  Beginner 1:15 
In this lesson, you customize aspects of the user interface in AutoCAD. You begin by learning how to customize the Ribbon panels and tabs. You then learn to customize the Quick Properties palettes by changing which properties are displayed and then how to enable Quick Properties for other objects. You learn how to create search tags, or keywords for commands to be used in the Menu Browser search tool. Finally, you learn to customize the Quick Access toolbar and add menu tags to commands. 

View Cube  Beginner 0:45 
In this lesson you use the ViewCube to navigate a 3D design environment. You begin by learning about its options and functionality, and then you use the command to navigate your design environment. 

Steering Wheels  Beginner 0:45 
In this lesson, you explore the SteeringWheels view control and its options to navigate 2D and 3D design environments. 

ShowMotion  Beginner 0:40 
In this lesson, you learn how to use ShowMotion to create and view presentation views. 

Using DWFx  Beginner 0:40 
In this lesson you utilize the DWFx format to exchange digital design data. First you learn about the DWFx format and how it differs from DWF, and then you learn about your options for creating, sharing, and creating markups. 

 

Technorati Tags: AutoCAD 2009,AutoCAD Training,AutoCAD 2009 Training,AutoCAD Subscription,Autodesk Subscription,Autodesk,ShowMotion,SteeringWheel,ViewCube,Quick Properties,Action Recorder,Layer Properties Manager,Quick View,Menu Browser,Navigating the AutoCAD Interface,DWFx

Where to Find AutoCAD Service Packs

AutoCAD Service Packs are located on the Autodesk web site at http://support.autodesk.com and then select your product then the menu Updates & Service Packs. You can also get alerts to new updates in the AutoCAD InfoCenter.

Here are the AutoCAD Service Packs and Updates currently available.

AutoCAD© 2008

• Updated BIN file for Autodesk Product Manager Utility
• Hotfix - Linetype display
• Hotfix - Redundant License Server
• Certified Hardware XML Database Update
• Hotfix – Secondary User Windows Start menu launch error
• Hotfix - Raster Error
• AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2008
• AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1
• AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2008
• Hotfix - DWF Package Not Viewable in Autodesk Design Review 2008
• Hotfix – AutoCAD Online PDF’s Update (Czech only)
• Hotfix - Hungarian Layout Switching
• Hotfix - Vista Group Policy Objects
• Hotfix - Inventor DWG Files Opened in AutoCAD 2008 may not Display Annotations
• Hotfix - Live Update
• Hotfix - Autodesk© idrop 64-bit
• Hotfix – AutoCAD Users Guide Online PDF Update (German only)
• Hotfix - Unable to Use or ADD DWG Files to ADMS 2008
• AutoCAD©/AutoCAD©LT 2008 Online Help File Update - Japanese only
• Hotfix - Autodesk Activation Update

AutoCAD© 2007

• Hotfix - AnswerWorks
• Updated BIN file for Autodesk Product Manager Utility
• Certified Hardware XML Database Update
• Hotfix - Image Manipulations Improvement
• Hotfix - Issues with DWF Generation from AutoCAD Integration with Compass 5
• Hotfix - Layout Switching (Hungarian only)
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series—Structure 3
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series—Structure 4
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series—Building 9.0
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series—Building 9.1
• Hotfix - Unable to Use or ADD DWG Files to ADMS 2008
• Autodesk Network License Manager Update
• Hotfix - Deployment Error with Internet Explorer
• Hotfix - OLE Error
• Hotfix - Closing Drawings
• Hotfix - Crash When Using Find and Replace (Polish Only)
• Hotfix - Plotting to Raster Files Performance Improvement
• Hotfix - Regenerating Drawings Containing Text
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 1 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series
• AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 1
• Hotfix - Crash When Attaching .tif and .cal Images
• Hotfix - Main Help Update (French Only)
• Hotfix - Cut and Paste
• Updated Help Files (Czech only)
• Hotfix - Fatal Error During Save
• SAMreport-Lite Update
• Hotfix - New Features Workshop Update
• Hotfix - Autodesk Activation Update

AutoCAD© 2006

• Hotfix - AnswerWorks
• Updated BIN file for Autodesk Product Manager Utility
• Hotfix - Issues with DWF Generation from AutoCAD Integration with Compass 5
• Hotfix - Deployment Error with Internet Explorer
• Hotfix - Autodesk Register Today
• Hotfix - Ereg.dll
• Hotfix - Autodesk Activation Update
• Hotfix - Autodesk 2006 OE
• Updated Help Files (Czech only)
• AutoCAD 2006 Service Pack 1 for Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series 8.x
• Autodesk Security Update
• AutoCAD 2006 Service Pack 1
• Customize User Interface (CUI) Update

AutoCAD© 2005

• Hotfix - AnswerWorks
• Hotfix - Autodesk 2005 OE
• Autodesk Security Update
• Fix for Service Pack 1 Not Being Recognized by Network Installation Wizard (Hungarian Only)
• Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series 2 Service Pack 1
• Slow Launch with a Large Number of Fonts
• Spelling Checker Update
• Units Toggle for the Plot and Page Setup Dialog Boxes
• AutoCAD 2005 Service Pack 1
• Updated acadres.dll to resolve wrong translation on the SSGET lisp (Czech Only)

AutoCAD© 2004

• Hotfix - AnswerWorks
• Hotfix - Autodesk 2004 OE
• Selecting multiline text that uses TrueType© fonts slows performance
• AutoCAD Sometimes Fails During Use of 3D Orbit
• Updated Hungarian acadres.dll to Resolve Toolbar Customisation Error
• Updated Czech acadres.dll to Resolve Toolbar Customisation Error
• Update to Resolve Group Policy Object (GPO) Installation Issue on Computer Running Windows© 2000
• AutoCAD© 2004 Service Pack 1a
• hpgdi8.hdi Service Pack 1 Update
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch
• Fatal Error When Accessing Help From the Express Tools System Variable (SYSVDLG)
• Updated UserData.dll File to Resolve Configuration Path Error
• Update to Resolve Publish to Web Issue
• Unicon.reg File: Application Error Resolution
• Update to Resolve Error when Updating Autodesk Product Through Communication Center
• Script Error with Registration and Authorization for Login Names with Accented or Double-Byte Character

AutoCAD© 2002

• License Manager RTS Update
• File to resolve error after Norton AntiVirus™ 2003 is installed
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Hungarian)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Support Assistance
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Czech)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Polish)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Russian)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (French)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (German)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Spanish)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (Italian)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (English Locked)
• AutoCAD© 2002 Service Pack 1 (English Unlocked)
• IGES and STEP Translators for AutoCAD© 2002
• Fix for image editing problem in Autodesk© CAD Overlay 2002 installed on Italian products (Italian)
• Repair for blank Look In list box (U.S. English and International English)
• Polish Help Update Patch
• Drawing Template Update for use with Chinese files

AutoCAD© 2000i

• License Manager RTS Update
• File to resolve error after Norton AntiVirus™ 2003 is installed
• Fix for image editing problem in Autodesk© CAD Overlay© 2000i installed on Hungarian products (Hungarian)
• AutoCAD© 2000i Passive FTP Mode
• AutoCAD© 2000i Service Pack 2 (English Unlocked)
• AutoCAD© 2000i Service Pack 2 (English Locked)
• AutoCAD© 2000i Service Pack 2 (Czech)
• AutoCAD© 2000i Service Pack 2 (Hungarian)
• AutoCAD© 2000i Service Pack 2 (Polish)

AutoCAD© 2000

• (Portuguese) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Portuguese) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (Italian) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (German) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (French) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (Spanish) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (French) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack (German)
• (Czech) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Italian) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Spanish) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• AutoCAD© 3D graphics system update (English locked and unlocked)
• Update to acblock.arx file in initial release of AutoCAD 2000 iX
• AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack 2 (Unlocked)
• AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack 2 (Locked)
• (Hungarian) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Czech) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (Polish) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Russian) AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack
• (Hungarian) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (Russian) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (English) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• (Polish) AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch
• Fatal Error starting the Network version of AutoCAD on Windows 2000 Professional
• AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack (English Locked)
• AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack (English Unlocked)
• MODEMACRO.ARX

AutoCAD© Release 14

• Bonus Tool GETSEL Update
• ArcText.arx Update
• Popup.arx
• ATTREDEF Update
• Romans2 Font
• Render.arx
• Simplex2 Font
• ASE Update Utility for French and German versions of Release 14
• AutoCAD 14.01 DWG Revision Patch (Locked version)
• Read Only Patch for AutoCAD Release 14.01 accessing Unix Servers
• Fatal Error starting the Network version of AutoCAD on Windows 2000 Professional
• Render/ASE Update Utility
• Bonus TEXTMASK command returns "misplaced dot" *Cancel*.
• Using AutoCAD R14.0 and R14.01 on Dual Processor Systems
• AutoCAD 14.01 DWG Revision Patch (Unlocked version)
• Digifix14 - Removes Multiple Sessions Using Digitizer
• Using SATFIXER.ARX
• AutoCAD Network Setup Wizard Patch
• Updated “Pack & Go” Utility

Cheers,
Shaan

The AutoCAD Guys Video

Happy Monday!

AutoCAD Product Managers Eric "Captain Hawaii" Stover and Doug Cochran discuss and show some AutoCAD 2009 features.

 

Stay tuned for more videos.
Shaan

 

Technorati Tags: AutoCAD 2009,AutoCAD,Autodesk AutoCAD,AutoCAD Ribbon,Eric Stover,Doug Cochran,The AutoCAD Guys,AutoCAD QuickView,AutoCAD ShowMotion,AutoCAD Action Recorder,AutoCAD ViewCube,AutoCAD 2009 Video,AutoCAD Youtube

AutoCAD 2009 - SnagIt Window Capture Tip

I have used the screen capture programs SnagIt and Camtasia from my friends at TechSmith for over 10 years now. Screen capturing is an excellent way to communicate something without just relying on words or excellent documenting a process. With the newer software applications being developed these days some like AutoCAD 2009 using XAML are using application frameworks that can be tricky to capture.

 

When trying to capture or record a single full application window that is using application frames you might find yourself with a small portion of what you wanted to capture or just screen capturing the full desktop and then editing items like the system task menu out which neither are fun.

 

The trick is it run the application in a minimized window just under full size then select the bottom left corner for the Window capture select.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Shaan

AutoCAD Google Earth Extension Updated for AutoCAD 2009

Updated Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD Now Available

Steelhead Riverbed and 2007 DWG Update Status

Nice post on the updated Autodesk statement regarding changed DWG format and impact on Riverbed WAN acceleration problem.

ID: TS1082827Potential for reduced write performance for Riverbed WAN links when working with AutoCAD 2007 DWG files

Issue
There is a potential for reduced write performance to Riverbed WAN links when you are working with AutoCAD 2007 DWG files.

Solution
In March 2006, Autodesk changed the DWG file format for AutoCAD 2007 to make it more compact and improve performance for AutoCAD users. Autodesk’s customers widely welcomed this change and almost all AutoCAD users have enjoyed improved performance.

However, Autodesk and Riverbed have recently received reports that some customers using some WAN acceleration appliances, including Riverbed’s Steelhead appliances, have experienced noticeable reductions in write performance when working with files saved in the AutoCAD 2007 “DWG” format. One of the side effects of the DWG format changes is that when users perform a complete save from within AutoCAD (as opposed to an “incremental” save), virtually every byte of the file gets changed – even if zero changes were made to the file itself. The net effect is that writes that would normally affect only “warm” data are actually “cold”, due to the reordering of the data in the file.

1. 
   Users of Riverbed or other affected WAN acceleration solutions can implement the following immediate workarounds that improve write productivity.
2. 
   Using a feature in AutoCAD called “Incremental Save Percentage” (ISP), and setting it to 50
   Using a version of the DWG format other than the AutoCAD 2007 DWG format

The performance and productivity of our customers is a key consideration for Autodesk and Riverbed. For this reason, our engineering teams are working together to devise workarounds and are examining potential longer-term solutions. Given Riverbed’s experience in WAN acceleration technology, our joint work may also provide solutions for customers of other WAN acceleration or deduplication technologies, who might be experiencing similar issues with write performance. We will provide information on those developments at a later date.
In the meantime, customers should contact Autodesk or Riverbed customer support with any questions, or visit www.autodesk.com/support.

Guri Stark VP, AutoCAD & Platform Solutions Autodesk, Inc.
Alan Saldich VP Product Marketing & Alliances Riverbed Technology

Posting from Todd: Steel Head and the 2007 Drawing Format

 

Regards,
Shaan

AutoCAD 2009 New, Changed, Removed Commands and System Variables

New Commands

Command	Description
ACTRECORD	Starts the Action Recorder.
ACTSTOP	Stops the Action Recorder and provides the option of saving the recorded actions to an action macro file.
-ACTSTOP	Stops the Action Recorder and provides the option of saving the recorded actions to an action macro file.
ACTUSERINPUT	Inserts a request for user input into an action macro.
ACTUSERMESSAGE	Inserts a message that will be viewed during playback.
-ACTUSERMESSAGE	Inserts a user message into an action macro.
ALLPLAY	Plays all named views in current drawing.
BACKGROUND	Sets up the background for your view.
CLASSICLAYER	Manages layer and layer properties.
DASHBOARD	Opens the Dashboard window. Routed to the RIBBON command
-DGNEXPORT	Creates one or more DGN files from the current drawing.
-DGNIMPORT	Imports the data from a DGN file into a new DWG file.
DGNLAYERS	Controls the display of layers in a DGN underlay.
DGNMAPPING	Allows users to create and edit user-defined DGN mapping setups.
DWFFORMAT	Sets the default DWF format to the selected format to DWF or DWFx for the PUBLISH, 3DDWF, and EXPORT commands.
EDITSHOT	Opens the Edit View dialog box with the Shot Properties tab active.
EXPORTLAYOUT	Exports all visible objects from current layout to the model space of a new drawing.
HIDEPALETTES	Hides currently displayed palettes (including the command line).
IMPRESSION	Gives a CAD drawing a hand-drawn look by exporting it for rendering in Autodesk Impression.
LAYERCLOSE	Closes Layer Properties Manager.
NAVSMOTION	Displays the ShowMotion interface.
NAVSMOTIONCLOSE	Closes the ShowMotion interface.
NAVSWHEEL	Displays the SteeringWheel.
NAVVCUBE	Controls the visibility and display properties of the ViewCube.
NEWSHOT	Creates a named view with motion that is played back when viewed with ShowMotion.
QVDRAWING	Displays open drawings and layouts in a drawing in preview images.
QVDRAWINGCLOSE	Closes preview images of open drawings and layouts in a drawing.
QVLAYOUT	Displays preview images of model space and layouts in a drawing.
QVLAYOUTCLOSE	Closes preview images of model space and layouts in a drawing.
RIBBON	Opens the Ribbon window.
RIBBONCLOSE	Closes the Ribbon window.
SEQUENCEPLAY	Plays the named views in one view category.
SHOWPALETTES	Restores the display of hidden palettes.
VIEWGO	Restores a named view.
VIEWPLAY	Plays the animation associated with a named view.

Changed Commands

Changed Command

Description
DASHBOARDCLOSE	Closes the Dashboard window. Routed to the RIBBONCLOSE command.
DGNATTACH	Attaches a DGN underlay to the current drawing.
-DGNATTACH	Attaches a DGN underlay to the current drawing.
DGNEXPORT	Creates one or more DGN files from the current drawing.
DGNIMPORT	Imports the data from a DGN file into a new DWG file.
GEOPGRAPHICLOCATION	Specifies the geographic location information for a drawing file.
LAYER	Manages layers and layer properties.
NEWVIEW	Creates a named view without motion.
QUICKCUI	Displays the Customize User Interface dialog box in a collapsed state.
VPLAYER	Sets layer visibility within viewports.

The First AutoCAD 2009 Books

These books/courseware are written by industry experts and the same courseware used by Autodesk Training Centers (ATC) around the world. These new books/courseware will be available worldwide in about 7-10 days from www.autodesk.com/store

AutoCAD 2009:  Transitioning from AutoCAD 2008 (English)

Using hands-on exercises, students learn about the productivity changes from AutoCAD^® 2008 to AutoCAD^® 2009. Students learn how to efficiently navigate the new ribbon tabs and panels and use the Menu Browser and Quick Access toolbar. This courseware teaches students how the interface works and how to customize it to their specific work style. Students also explore how to create custom action macros using the Action Recorder, which helps save time by automating daily routines. Additionally, students use the ViewCube and the Steering Wheel navigation tools to simplify the navigation of 2D and 3D space. Students learn how to create dynamic presentations by adding camera effects to drawing views using ShowMotion, and finally, students receive an overview of how to use the DWFx file format for sharing designs with the rest of the world.

Course Duration: 1 day.
(160 pages. Includes a 30-day trial of the software).

AutoCAD 2009 / AutoCAD LT 2009: Essentials (English)

Students learn the features, commands, and techniques for creating, editing, and printing drawings with AutoCAD^® 2009 and AutoCAD LT^® 2009. Using hands-on exercises, students explore how to create 2D production drawings.  This Essentials book can also prepare you to take the AutoCAD 2009 Certification Exams.

Course Duration: 3 days
(Volume 1 ~ 340 pages; Volume 2 ~ 250 pages Includes a 30-day trial of the software).

AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD LT Discussion Forums

     Join a great community of yours peers in solving issues and learning new tips and tricks, as well as make some great friends and sometimes watch the humor and egos (TT) at play <g>. The dynamics of discussion forums is usually about someone having a problem motivating them to post so looking at a forum does not give a complete picture of any product as most that are not having problems or questions don't post in the forums unless they are willing to help others.

     You can use your web browser or a newsreader (NNTP) to read and post. There are also some really great forums at http://www.augi.com.

http://discussion.autodesk.com/

AutoCAD 2009  Web Browser  News Reader
AutoCAD 2008  Web Browser  News Reader
AutoCAD 2007  Web Browser  News Reader

Dynamic Blocks        Web Browser  News Reader
Printing and Plotting Web Browser  News Reader

Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Issues 
Web Browser News Reader

AutoCAD LT  Web Browser  News Reader

Autodesk Impression  Web Browser  News Reader

Autodesk DWG TrueView 2009 Now Available for Free as a Download - Now Including Measure Objects

http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview

"Use the free* DWG TrueView™ to accurately view, plot, and publish authentic DWG™ and DWF™ files. And now, DWG TrueView™ incorporates all the functionality of DWG TrueConvert™. This means you can translate any AutoCAD® or AutoCAD-based drawing file for compatibility."

New Features in DWG TrueView Raptor Beta 4

• Enhanced UI with the addition of Ribbon Navigation
• Measure objects with these new commands: Distance, Area, List, Locate Point, Region/Mass properties, and Object Snaps
• Navigate drawings in 2D and 3D with SteeringWheel
• Enhanced 3D view selection with ViewCube
• Restore views and play new "animated" views with ShowMotion

System Requirement and Features of DWG TrueView
Frequently Asked Questions About DWG

All that is required is completing the download form. The file download is a whopping 193MB but to be able to have much of the functionality of AutoCAD for viewing, plotting, and file conversion it takes that much. So for free you get 100% DWG and the AutoCAD core you can rely and trust for those that don't need a full CAD to view or convert DWG files but want full data and visual fidelity and compatibility.

Cheers,
Shaan

Google Alerts for AutoCAD 2009