Edwin Prakoso’s blog CAD notes http://cad-notes.com/ published a list of the the his blogs most popular posts from 2009 to 2012.
Check it out, perhaps something on his most popular list is something you have been searching for.
http://cad-notes.com/2012/05/cad-notes-most-popular-articles-2009-2012/
In an effort to continue to improve the quality of our products we are releasing a free update that resolves compatibility issues that have been reported while using the software on the latest versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and Mac OS X Lion. It also resolves problems reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems.
I wanted to share a link to a nice blog post by Kate Morrical on the benefits of Autodesk 360 to customization with AutoCAD 2013. Your customization can follow you to different machines and locations.
Guest posting by AutoCAD QA Team member Rohit Arora on the AutoCAD 2013 Content Explorer and Autodesk 360, a pact made in heavens (Cloud actually)!
In this “Tips and Tricks” write-up, I’m going to show the self-professed ‘Hackers and Tinkerers’ out there, the benefits of the newly released Autodesk 360 Sync service in AutoCAD 2013, when used in conjunction with the ‘Content Explorer’. Although the ‘Content Explorer’ was released last year, some people may not have taken a serious look at it. Well, after reading this tip, you may want to leverage these two features for your workflow.
1. In order to use this tip, please ensure you have an Autodesk login. Then sign in (or register) by clicking on the ‘Sign In’ button, on the top right corner in AutoCAD.
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2. Now open ‘Content Explorer’ by clicking on Explore button under Plugin Ribbon tab or type CONTENTEXPLORER at command prompt. By default you should see two local folders listed under ‘Content Service (Localhost)’: Downloaded Content & Sample. Here, you could also search for content on the Autodesk’s Seek service.
3. Type ONLINEFOLDER in the Command line. If you are successfully logged to Autodesk 360, you should get result as a folder path:
· C:\Users\<user login id>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Autodesk Sync\Cloud\<login.name>
4. Copy-clip this path, shown within quotes, from the Command line editor.
5. In the Content Explorer palette, click on “Add Watched Folder…” button at the bottom.
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6. Under ‘Select Watched Folder’, click on any of the presented folders, say Documents, click OK.
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7. In the next window ‘Edit Watched Folder’, you can edit the Local Path and paste the Autodesk Sync folder you had copied in Step 4. Add a Description and click OK to exit.
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8. Now in Content Explorer palette, you should see a new folder named as your login for Autodesk 360 service. (e.g. ‘john.doe’). Done!
9. Now you have access to all the goodness of Drawings and Entities inside the drawings from within Content Explorer, all indexed and searchable!! Whoa!
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10. Doing this allows you to drop Blocks/Layers/Dim-Styles, etc. from your Autodesk 360 drawings into your current drawing. Since all your content is synced to the Autodesk 360 documents, it’s always ready for sharing and collaboration. Off course, if you log out, then you lose this ability, so don’t!
11. So here are a few pointers: Store your office’s CAD standards, Block library or drawing templates in Autodesk 360, and use them anywhere, anytime; all indexed and searchable. If you explore further, Autodesk 360 allows you to access all (drawing) files via the web, and mobile devices using AutoCAD WS.
About the author: An architect turned technology professional; Rohit brings in 15 plus years of experience as an AutoCAD user, and the expertise of a CAD and IT Manager to Autodesk, while currently working as the AutoCAD Software QA Engineer.
Thank you for the guest post Rohit.
This AutoCAD 2013 Preview Guide document covers many of the new features and enhancements of the new release of AutoCAD.
A few years ago I posted AutoCAD Free Bonus Tool Drawing Tabs "MDITabs" which when loaded in AutoCAD 2010-2012 provided a horizontal drawing tab for each open drawing file. This AutoCAD Bonus Tool was very popular among AutoCAD users working with multiple drawings open. Now with the launch of the new AutoCAD 2013 and the new Autodesk Exchange App Store there is a new version of the Drawing Tabs app compatible with AutoCAD 2013, and yes it is still FREE.
The new Drawing Tabs App for AutoCAD 2013 in the Autodesk Exchange App Store
Here you see the new AutoCAD 2013 with the Drawing Tabs App loaded and showing tabs for open drawings.
When you right-click context menu on the drawing tab you get options:
There will be a growing selection of apps for Autodesk products and I would encourage you to explore the Autodesk Exchange App Store.
Cheers,
Shaan
The AutoCAD 2013 products for both Windows and Mac have been announced and now available as a free full version 30 day trial download, free to students on the Student Community and to Autodesk Subscription customers. There are many people wanting to test and kick the tires of the new release of AutoCAD so the downloads might be quite busy initially.
Download AutoCAD 2013 for Windows http://www.autodesk.com/autocad/ selecting the trial link option http://usa.autodesk.com/autocad/trial/
Download AutoCAD 2013 for Mac http://www.autodesk.com/AutoCADforMac
Students & Faculty Get it at the Autodesk Education Community http://students.autodesk.com/
Autodesk Subscription customers get it at the Autodesk Subscription site http://subscription.autodesk.com/
For those looking for AutoCAD LT 2013: www.autodesk.com/acadlt & http://usa.autodesk.com/autocad-lt/trial/
Cheers,
Shaan
The system requirements for AutoCAD 2013 are pretty much the same as the last two releases with the exception of no longer officially supporting Windows Vista (not blocked on install just not supported.) Remember system requirements are not a one size fits all as there are a number of factors that affect how much resources your system may require. The factors can be from the complexity of your drawings, 2D or 3D, visual styles. These requirements are also the lowest suggested system optimal requirements, so use it as a suggested baseline.
Operating System:
Hardware:
Misc.
Operating System:
Hardware:
Cheers,
Shaan
Cadalyst Magazine has published an overview article by Robert Green of the soon to be released AutoCAD 2013.
You will now start hearing more about the impending AutoCAD 2013 release. Autodesk PR has given the OK to discuss the release publicly now.
I have been testing AutoCAD 2013 (codename Jaws) for awhile now now and have some of my favorite new enhancements which I will describe in future posts.
Lynn Allen has stared with a brief overview of a few of the AutoCAD 2013 features:
AutoCAD 2013 is approaching the Finish Line
Yes, in the not too distant future the 27th release of AutoCAD will be available to everyone.
Cheers,
Shaan
Are you an AutoCAD® power user with an interest in becoming even more productive? Would you like to automate or extend the capabilities of AutoCAD, but are new to computer programming? If so, then this guide is designed for you.
“My First Plug-in” is a self-paced tutorial guide for a smooth introduction to the programming world. This is a “one-stop shop” learning path for users who know Autodesk products but are absolutely new to programming and are thinking about taking the plunge. In this guide, you will be working with the AutoCAD .NET Application Programming Interface (API) and the Visual Basic .NET programming language to create a ‘plug-in’ – a module that loads into AutoCAD to extend its functionality. Once you have finished this tutorial, you will understand the basics of .NET programming and how they are applied to AutoCAD.
http://www.autodesk.com/myfirstautocadplugin
There are many resources available on the web for you to learn about the AutoCAD .NET API. However, these resources tend to be designed for people who already know programming. This guide is different: it assumes no previous programming knowledge and yet helps you build your first plug-in quickly, without swamping you with details. You’ll have a working application within an hour of starting this material, irrespective of your current level of programming expertise.
Check Out Kean’s Blog post: http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2012/02/my-first-autocad-plug-in.html
This weekend many noticed the newest version of AutoCAD WS Mobile went live for both Android and iOS mobile and tablet devices. If you have never installed AutoCAD WS Mobile and need free mobile 2D & 3D DWG file viewing this is a perfect time to check it out in the Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace.
Download AutoCAD WS for iPhone & iPad
Download AutoCAD WS for Android
Both Android and Apple iOS versions of AutoCAD WS Mobile are getting the big new features announced at Autodesk University in December.
AutoCAD WS Mobile 1.4 iPhone & iPad showing 3D DWG
AutoCAD WS Mobile 1.4 Android based Samsung Galaxy SII showing 3D DWG
More AutoCAD WS Mobile Resources:
Join the millions of AutoCAD WS users!
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.
You can locate the Reference Manager from the Windows Start Menu > Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 20xx > Reference Manager
(C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012 - English\AdRefMan.exe)
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. There is no need to launch AutoCAD as this tool runs stand alone.
You can load a great deal of drawings into the Reference Manager to make sure you have all the reference files required.
I can isolate the problem reference files and in this case it is a plot style. I can click on it and enter a new path or even browse for the new path.
I can click on the problem reference and enter a new path or even browse for the new path.
Cheers,
Shaan
It only takes three lines and two circles to form a heart for a ultra geek heart valentine. I found nice examples of constructing hearts through geometry (http://www.mathematische-basteleien.de/heart.htm). I am going to use the simple method 2 in AutoCAD for my valentine heart creation but you could use almost any vector drawing software.
You can use my steps below or watch my quick little video showing me creating the heart.Download Heart.MP4
This is one of those updated features in AutoCAD 2012 that people may not be aware of. You can import several non-Autodesk 3D formats into AutoCAD 2012 including .3DM files from Rhino.
Command line: IMPORT
Ribbon: Insert tab > Import panel > Import
Menu: File > Import
Here are the formats the IMPORT command will import:
AutoCAD provides the ability to assign how things plot/print such as lineweight, color, dithering etc. using a feature named Plot Styles. You have the choice to use the default color-dependent or named plot styles, but your drawing can only be one or the other.
It can be debated as to which is better but I will leave that for you to decide which works best for you and the people you exchange DWG files with. About 95% use CTB most likely because that is not only the default but the way they have always done it. If you want to share your reasons for using one plot style method over the other please feel free to post a comment to this blog post.
AutoCAD comes with drawing templates for both CTB and STB drawings. If you need to convert an existing drawing from one to the other you can use the following commands at the AutoCAD commandline.
To Convert Drawing Plot Style Modes:
To convert a CTB mode drawing to STB mode or a STB mode drawing to CTB mode use the command CONVERTPSTYLES.
To Convert Drawing Plot Style File such as Shaan.ctb to Shaan.stb:
To Convert a CTB Plot Style file use CONVERTCTB. Dont let the name fool you, CONVERTCTB will work to convert a CTB to STB to a STB to CTB.
More on the two plot styles:
The majority of AutoCAD users are using the default plot style of color based plot styles also known as color-dependent plot styles (CTB). CTB plot styles has been the default since the early days of AutoCAD supporting plotting/printing. It comes from the days when we had pen plotters and there was 255 numbered pens available which correlated to the physical pens. With a CTB plot style table you can specify the color, lineweight, linetype, screening, and so on that objects of a specific color will have when plotted.
With AutoCAD 2000 came the style based plot styles or named plot styles (STB) option was added allowing you to assign plot styles including color, lineweights, screening to an object regardless of colors or layer set to the object. Some users mention the benefits of STB are less pen styles to manage or they can have project phased styles.
AutoCAD Online Help on Plot Styles Use a Page Setup to Specify Plot Settings
Some visual flashback on the evolution of color in AutoCAD
Here is the early AutoCAD ACI colors.
The AutoCAD Color Wheel.
The current True Color Wheel with 16.7 millions colors. Luckily we do not create 16.7 million pens in the CTB plot style dialog!
Cheers,
Shaan
In the past I had exhausted extra creative energy by seeing how far I could take polylines and hatches within AutoCAD. In one extreme case I recreated the Mayan calendar using polylines and hatch fills.
The Aztec / Mayan Calendar in DWG 2012
I even placed the source DWG for your use in tracking time to the end of the world in about a year.
QR Codes are taking over the world!
QR Codes are a simple graphics like a bar code that are encoded with information such as text, URL, or more.
Check out my latest creation to be used at Autodesk University and selfish promotion of this Between the Lines blog in a QR Code.
A pseudo city in the process of being textured.
But wait, look from the top and you see they are actually QR Codes that can be read by a QR Code app on your smartphone.
Here is a screenshot showing the multiple QR Codes I created using polylines, hatches and then also as 3D solids.
How did I do it?
I created a QR Code using the website http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/ and exported it as PDF.
In the past couple of releases of AutoCAD we have been able to use Osnap to snap to the points in a PDF underlay. So I simply snap the geometry of the QR code from the PDF underlay to create my base QR Code linework.
PDF Underlay of the QR Code PDF.
I would suggest sending the draw order of the PDF to back and fading it 50% so that you can clearly see your lines work drawn on top and have “Enable Snap” active..
Here you can see the PDF with the linework on to on the left as well as just the linework on the right.
Now you can use the linework and hatch it to fill in the QR Code and also use it to create a 3D QR Code but that’s a bit extreme and not too much value unless you too have energy to work off and enjoy drawing in AutoCAD. I hope you enjoyed this fun way to show practical use of the snap to PDF in AutoCAD.
I wonder if QR Codes will be the equivalent of ancient hieroglyphics when found in the distant future by archeologist and they try to interpret the meanings.
Make sure to have a QR Code reading app at Autodesk University as there will be many everywhere. I will have them on my slides in my classes where an URL is shown so that people can grab the url in a snap without having to write out the URL. I suggest the free AT&T QR Code reader from AT&T for both Android and iPhone versions as it seems to read more of the abstract QR Codes like someone knitting or shaving the small graphic into their hair. If anyone has other recommendations let me know but I have tried about five so far.
Update on my own Android experience so far after 3 weeks. Long story short my Android Samsung Galaxy S2 is now relegated to being only a glorified plastic phone and some email while my iPhone is for everything. I am trying to give the Android smartphone a fair try just as I did when I left my beloved Blackberry for my iPhone, but it has been difficult at best for battery life, user experience, security, stability, and poor app quality experiences. Love my iPhone but would give it up for the next better thing that comes along, but don’t think the wild wild west of the Android platform is ready to be pulled out of the oven just yet.
Cheers,
Shaan
It has always been a pleasure to publish a guest post from someone in the community. It helps the guest author get more visibility among peers as well as shares some valuable knowledge with the readers of the Between the Lines blog, a win – win for everyone in my book.
This guest post is by Paul Munford (The CAD Setter Out). Paul is also the author of the CADAROO cartoon “Half CAD Tech, Half Ninja” featured on another great CAD blog Kung Fu Drafter by Curt Moreno. 
I’m a big fan of the new plot to PDF feature that came out with AutoCAD 2010. The PDF’s AutoCAD creates are small and include benefits such as searchable text and Layers…
But what if you don’t want to include your Layer table in your PDF plots?
Continue reading "How to turn off layers in your AutoCAD PDF Plots" »
An update (service pack) for AutoCAD 2011 for Mac has just been released after a very lengthy beta test cycle. After installing this update AutoCAD 2011 for Mac will support the Apple OS X Lion release as well a address several reported issues.
Download & Info: AutoCAD 2011 for Mac Update 3
Make sure to read the Readme document as there are important details such as update 3 not including the previous updates 1 & 2 so you must first install those updates if you have not already done so.
I just updated my AutoCAD History page on my blog to show even more products, dates, and codenames.
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/autocad-release-history.html
Release History
This site includes detailed command and system variables that have changed with each release and even some screen shots of old release material.
Autodesk and AutoCAD History Image Gallery
AutoCAD Release History
AutoCAD for Mac Releases:
AutoCAD WS
AutoCAD Architecture “ACA”
AutoCAD Mechanical "ACM"
DWG File History
The first six bytes of a DWG file identify its version. In a DXF file, the AutoCAD version number is specified in the header section. The DXF system variable is $ACADVER.
Cheers,
Shaan
Recently I was pointed to a Yahoo video interview which featured Roderick Romero of Romero Studios who is a designer and builder of high-end tree houses or as he referred to them as “Human Nests”. The tree houses are not the stereotypical tree house you remember as a kid. These designs and constructions are a blend of art, creativity, sculpture, sustainable materials, design, and skillful craftsmanship.
The Yahoo SecondAct series - Real stories celebrating life, passion, and reinvention. Feature interview of Roderick Romero designing tree houses as unique sculptures using AutoCAD http://yhoo.it/pjtulb
It was not only great to see the designs and process in the video interview, but also that Roderick had never envisioned tree houses as a career but it just happened to this musician.
I contacted Roderick and his wife Anisa about their business Romero Studios, their projects, and also how AutoCAD helped him in these unique projects. The projects are each a unique design and he uses AutoCAD for the conceptual and layout design, client proposals, and then later for the material take offs.
From Roderick
“Here is our latest project for a Treehouse in East Hampton. The project goes from conceptual and then his wide Anisa take them into a AutoCAD design.”
“Here's the Lake Spectacle design for the beams, joist and decking and a few photos of the complete project.”
More creations from Roderick’s website portfolio.
These are really amazing and some famous people have a tree house from Roderick like Sting, Donna Karan, and actor Val Kilmer. I cannot help but look at Roderick’s creations and then reflect at how poorly all the tree houses I ever built (assorted scraps of cardboard and plywood) were in comparison. I need to step it up someday and get a Romero Studios tree house complete for my home office complete solar powered with Wi-Fi,satellite tv, sound system, gaming system, small fridge, computer work area, spherical skylight, a stream below to fish from the tree house, a mounted spud gun for repelling attackers of my hideout, a retractable swing and stairs, and of course a hammock or perch. I would call it “Geek Nest”.
Contact Information if you want your tree house / human nest:
Roderick and Anisa Romero of Romero Studios
http://romerostudios.com/
Questions for comments to the post:
Did you fall into a career like Roderick did? Something you did not plan for but some how ended up there. Some are truly blessed to take a hobby or passion and convert it to their life's career and also share it as a partner with their significant other.
The AutoCAD product team is organizing a happy hour for the San Francisco Bay Area customers at The Gallery at One Market on Tuesday, Oct 4th, 2011.
The goal for this event is to provide an informal setting for customers to convey their ideas and wishes for the product, talk about the great work they are doing with AutoCAD and network with fellow AutoCAD users in the area.
So if you are in the Bay Area and use AutoCAD mark your calendar and RSVP below for a great time with the AutoCAD Team as well the amazing exhibits in the Autodesk Gallery including the Project Photofly Photo booth.
The Eventbrite invitation for the event:
http://autocadatthegallery.eventbrite.com
Get a Sneak Peek at Upcoming AutoCAD Features!
The AutoCAD User Experience Team is hosting its annual AutoCAD Sneak Peek events in late September and early October. These are free half-day events held in a few different locations, and they’re a great way to get hands-on experience with in-progress features and give your suggestions and feedback directly to the team designing those features. This year the team is running two events that focus on different functionality. To sign up, click one of the survey links below.
Web & Mobile Sneak Peek
This sneak peek highlights features for people who work on AutoCAD from multiple computers or different locations -- such as using different workstations, or switching between the office, home, or working out in the field. CAD Managers and day-to-day AutoCAD users of all levels are welcome to attend.
Locations & Dates:
San Francisco California September 22, 2011
San Jose California September 28, 2011
Denver Colorado October 4-5, 2011
Sign Up for the Web & Mobile Sneak Peek Here
Model Documentation Sneak Peek
This sneak peek is geared toward people in the Mechanical/Manufacturing industry who use AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, or/and Inventor, and who create and annotate model views (such as section, detail, and projected views) of 3D models (mechanical parts, components).
Locations & Dates:
San Francisco California September 23, 2011
Portland Oregon September 29-30, 2011
Fullerton California September 29-30, 2011