Between the Lines

Updated Express Tools

I have posted the updated files for the AutoCAD 2004 Express Tools ALIASEDIT & SYSVDLG to include the AutoCAD 2004 commands and system variables. Also posted is an AutoCAD 2004 verison of the Express Tool DBView. Click Here Cheers, -Shaan PS: I know there is some work going on with the frame of this blog for a few view related issues. If you cannot see the page the links go to for the short term, please right click on the... Read more →

List of System Variables and Commands for AutoCAD

I have been keeping track of all public system variables and commands for AutoCAD since R12. Click Here Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Merge Multiple DWF Files Into One

I hear the request to be able to merge multiple DWF files into one quite often. In the downloadable DWF Toolkit there is sample code to do this. We have compiled this for those that would like to download and try it. Click Here to download the 1Mb file DWF “Merge Files” sample application is attached. All you need to do is unzip this package and make sure all the files stay in the same directory. To use MergeFiles, just... Read more →

DWFwriter 2 Alpha Download

Printing from MS Word 2003 to the new DWFwriter 2 printer driver The new version of the DWFwriter driver for Windows is much more optimized than the release 1. DWFwriter Alpha: Click Here On install you nwill get a message about the driver not being signed by Microsoft, ignore that message as the driver under development is not signed yet and you can ignore and continue the installation. After installation the DWFwriter will show in your Windows System printers. Please... Read more →

The Next Autodesk Express Viewer Beta Link

If you would like to get the AEV Beta Product: Click Here Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Nice Article on DWF by Lynn

My friend and fellow Autodesker Lynn Allen posted a great article on autodesk.com on "Why We Need DWF". You may find this article helpful. Click Here Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Welcome!

The new subscription site has launched. I hope you are enjoying it and find it a real benefit especially with the web support option. I will be updating this blog as often as I am able. If you have a topic you would like to have discussed regarding AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Beta Testing or other, please feel free to email me and mention Blog in the subject line. Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Shhhh Dont tell Anyone, You Can Print to DWF in Windows Applications ;-)

Are you aware that the DWFWriter available for Autodesk Revit after being installed acts as a standard Windows System Printer? DWFwriter is a certified Microsoft® Windows® system printer driver. What does that mean, well you could print to DWF from almost any application on your machine. Of course this is not supported but works fairly well especially for CAD. Click Here to download and try it. Remember this is not supported but imagine the shock of some when they receive... Read more →

Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2004 Service Pack 2

The ADT 2004 Servie Pack 2 has just been released. This contains the AutoCAD 2004 Service Pack 1a. For more info see the readme. Click Here The ADT Service Pack Download Site Click Here Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

AutoCAD 2004 Extension Beta

Extensions are modular enhancements to Autodesk® software products and are available only to subcription members. They provide new functionality, are fully compatible with the base product, and are easy to learn. http://www.autodesk.com/extensions Contrary to some of the rumors out there, extensions are still being delivered for AutoCAD. There is a AutoCAD 2004 extension now in beta and as a subsciption customer you are invited to enroll. This beta does require that you install the recently released AutoCAD 2004 Service Pack... Read more →

Autodesk Express Viewer Beta

The Autodesk Express Viewer is getting more and more robust. DWF is far more better than a PDF and is more designed specifically for your design data. In addition the DW6 format allows for benefits than PDF such as: * Viewer Size * Speed * Smaller File Size * Higher Resolution More information on DWF http://www.autodesk.com/DWF If you would like to participate in this beta, please feel free to enroll before the beta is completed. http://betaprograms.autodesk.com/betaweb.htm Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Interested in Beta Testing the Next Release of Autodesk Inventor?

We are now accepting pre-enrollment for the autodesk Inventor 8 beta program. For more information go to: http://betaprograms.autodesk.com/betaweb.htm Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Newly Released Service Pack 1a for AutoCAD and LT 2004

The following is from a post by Shawn Gilmour in the public discussion groups: “As you may know service pack 1 for AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004 encountered a problem with an omitted file required for the HP DesignJet Windows system printer driver. Based on your feedback we were able to quickly react to this issue and post a fix within 24 hours for service pack 1. We have now posted service pack 1a that includes the omitted file... Read more →

DWF!

In case you may not be aware there are few exciting press releases from today and yesterday. Autodesk Announces DWF 6 for Mac OS X Users and Developers Autodesk Announces Agreement with Océ to Support DWF Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Free Data Recovery Software for Hard Drives and Digital Storage Media

The price is good. :-) Free Data Recovery Software for Hard Drives and Digital Storage Media http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/030909/057304.html http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/uk/download.htm Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

3DS Max 6 Coming Soon

The beta has been great with quite a few enhancements. This is no sales pitch just my comments after playing around with it for some time. The Mental Ray renderer is simply stunning. Perhaps I will place a rendering up here after the weekend. Here is a link to the PDF on features: http://www.discreet.com/docs/products/3dsmax/3dsmax6_techspec.pdf Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

Where AutoCAD is developed

This is where I work, in San Rafael California. My office is shown in the lower right corner and that is where most AutoCAD development takes place as well. Read more →

What is a blog

From blogger.com Q: What does "blog" mean? A: "Blog" is short for Web log. Q: What is a blog? A: A blog is similar to an online journal. It is composed of short, frequently updated posts arranged chronologically. Q: Why use a blog? A: People use blogs for many reasons. Some provide links to other content or commentary about other web sites. Others use blogs as diaries or as a place to share news, photos, poetry, short essays and project... Read more →

.NET is pretty cool

I have started doing some web pages based on .Net from Microsoft using both Macromedia Dreamweaver and Microsoft Web Matrix Reloaded. The power of what you can do with .NET based ASPX pages is very cool. Soon the entire web site of http://betaprograms.autodesk.com will be based on .NET. For the current time I will be getting used to this and creating content a little at a time. I have a developer in Scotland that is working on a .NET based... Read more →

Quite a few eBetas and more coming

Autodesk Beta Programs has posted a few open enrollment beta programs called eBetas. Of course it must be considered these are unsupported and unreleased products. They will also require that you accept a non-disclosure agreement. Posted enrollments: * AutoCAD Electrical * AutoCAD Mechnical * Mechanical Desktop * Autodesk Express Viewer 4 and soon to be released for enrollment: * Autodesk Inventor 8 The links and details are provided on the eBeta page of Autodesk Beta Programs http://betaprograms.autodesk.com/betaweb.htm Have a great... Read more →

Great AutoCAD Web Resources

Here are some very helpful AutoCAD related sites: http://www.cadpanel.com/ http://jtbworld.com/?/autocad2004tips.htm http://www.hyperpics.com/ http://ellenfinkelstein.com/autoCAD.html The AutoCAD online Knowledge Base can answer most technical issues. http://support.autodesk.com The Autodesk Discussion Groups full of very helpful fellow AutoCAD users. Click Here And of course my unofficial AutoCAD History Site: Click Here Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

I hope you like the new photo

Heidi and Bill came over yesterday and took a new photo of me. The old caffeine freaked looking one is now gone. Thank you for all of the feedback. Cheers, -Shaan Read more →

New AutoCAD & LT 2004 SP1a

We have invited thousands so far and have no stop ships reports in the past few days. This new Service Pack 1a will install on a non updated AutoCAD 2004 & LT as well as over the initial installed SP1. This will also install over an AutoCAD 2004 & LT original released SP1 with the hot fix released early last Friday announced on the Knowledge Base. The first SP1 was recalled due to a missing driver which has now been... Read more →