Wednesday, February 20, 2008
CAD Tip of the Week: Tool Palette Setup
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CAD Tip of the Week: Select Similar
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Monday, September 24, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: CHSPACE Express Tool
Monday, September 17, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: The _trash Directory
Topic: Use a _trash directory to perform the 'Recycle Bin' function for network project directories.
Monday, September 10, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: eTransmit for Client CDs
Topic: Use eTransmit to save time creating project record drawing directories and client CDs.
Following is a detailed description of how to use eTransmit for creating a set of record drawings and a CD for distribution outside the office. It is a follow-up from a recent post that described how to use eTransmit for making project progress snapshots.
Suppose that a project record drawing set needs to have a unique title block, different from the current working drawings, and once created a copy transmitted to the architect on CD or electronically via FTP.
(click on the image to see a larger version)
(click on the image to see a larger version)
If do not see WinZip in the Windows Explorer right-click context menu or require assistance to create a CD, contact the HelpDesk for support.
Following is a detailed description of how to use eTransmit for creating a set of record drawings and a CD for distribution outside the office. It is a follow-up from a recent post that described how to use eTransmit for making project progress snapshots.
Suppose that a project record drawing set needs to have a unique title block, different from the current working drawings, and once created a copy transmitted to the architect on CD or electronically via FTP.
- First, make a directory called 'Record Drawings' either at the same level or one level below the CAD directory, as dictated by the project filing scheme.
- Next, call up one of the current working drawings and make an eTransmit package containing all of the working drawings as described in this CAD Tip.
- Note that 'working drawings' refers only to drawings which are plotted as part of the contract documents. For example M.01, M1.1, E0.1, E1.1 etc. are working drawings, while by definition all the other files in the CAD directory and below are not.
- Be sure that you do not explicitly include xref drawings. The eTransmit process will include one copy and one copy only of any needed xref, font or other support file in the package, provided the instructions in the referenced CAD Tip are followed.
- Per the referenced CAD Tip, in the 'Transmittal Settings' dialogue box click the 'Set default plotter to 'none'' and 'Include fonts' options, and DO NOT check the 'Bind external references' box.
- Save this eTransmit package in the 'Record Drawings' directory:
(click on the image to see a larger version)- Now from Windows Explorer, right-click this zip file just created and select 'WinZip', then from the flyout menu select 'Extract to here'.
- Doing so re-creates the required directory structure, and unpacks the working drawings and support files, but with a couple of very notable differences:
- Only the minimal number of required xrefs and support files populate the new directory structure, and
- All the paths of the working drawings have been 'relativized', so that they're no longer hardcoded to our network.
- The zip file at this point may be deleted.
- Replace the title block xref in 'Record Drawings' with the a copy containing the 'Record Drawing' identification date and stamp.
- Now a CD may easily be created from this directory structure by simply dragging and dropping the root directory (i.e. 'Record Drawings') to a blank disc.
- Use FileZilla or Internet Explorer to transmit files to remote FTP sites.
- All files may now be opened on the CD or within the FTP directory without the recipient experiencing nuisance 'missing xref' errors.
(click on the image to see a larger version)If do not see WinZip in the Windows Explorer right-click context menu or require assistance to create a CD, contact the HelpDesk for support.
Monday, September 03, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: Job Links
Topic: How to use, create and maintain job name shortcuts.
When performing many file operations using AutoCAD, the following dialog box is presented, with the last directory where the file operation was successfully performed as the contents:
(click on the image to see a larger version)
When performing many file operations using AutoCAD, the following dialog box is presented, with the last directory where the file operation was successfully performed as the contents:
(click on the image to see a larger version)If the default contents are incorrect, then it becomes necessary to browse to the correct directory. As an alternate to browsing using job numbers, click the 'Joblinks' folder icon in the upper left-hand corner of the dialog box.
(click on the image to see a larger version)
The directory shown in the above image will become the contents of the dialog box.
Click the general category of the job, say for example 'Educational':
(click on the image to see a larger version)
A list of job name shortcuts is displayed, which may be used to navigate to the desired directory.
Please note that the shortcuts are user-maintained, meaning that shortcuts needed for new jobs won't be added unless someone working on the job does it! So if a shortcut you need is missing, copy an existing one by right-clicking it and selecting 'Copy' from the context menu. Right-click again, and select 'Paste' from the context menu.
The new shortcut will appear similarly to as follows:
(click on the image to see a larger version)
Single-click and change the name, then...
(click on the image to see a larger version)
...right-click the filename, select 'Properties' from the context menu, and change the target directory in the dialog box:
(click on the image to see a larger version)
Note that in the above example a partial job name is included after the job number. This is an optional practice; by far the majority of our job directories are identified using only the job number.
When a job has been closed-out for some length of time, the shortcut to it may be archived by dragging it to the 'Archive' folder, at the top of the job name list. Note that this does NOT archive the job, only the shortcut.
(click on the image to see a larger version)The directory shown in the above image will become the contents of the dialog box.
Click the general category of the job, say for example 'Educational':
(click on the image to see a larger version)A list of job name shortcuts is displayed, which may be used to navigate to the desired directory.
Please note that the shortcuts are user-maintained, meaning that shortcuts needed for new jobs won't be added unless someone working on the job does it! So if a shortcut you need is missing, copy an existing one by right-clicking it and selecting 'Copy' from the context menu. Right-click again, and select 'Paste' from the context menu.
The new shortcut will appear similarly to as follows:
(click on the image to see a larger version)Single-click and change the name, then...
(click on the image to see a larger version)...right-click the filename, select 'Properties' from the context menu, and change the target directory in the dialog box:
(click on the image to see a larger version)Note that in the above example a partial job name is included after the job number. This is an optional practice; by far the majority of our job directories are identified using only the job number.
When a job has been closed-out for some length of time, the shortcut to it may be archived by dragging it to the 'Archive' folder, at the top of the job name list. Note that this does NOT archive the job, only the shortcut.
Labels: CAD Tips
Monday, August 27, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: Drawing Tabs
Topic: If your workstation does not display individual tabs for each open AutoCAD drawing, follow this procedure to install the AcadXtabs add-on.
Does the top of your AutoCAD drawing window, when multiple drawings are open, show tabs for each drawing and look something like this:
If not, type 'ARX' then 'L' (for load) at the command line. In the dialog box...
...scroll to the bottom of the list and select 'AcadXTabs16.arx'. Click the 'Open' button, and you will be returned to the command prompt. Now open another drawing, and you should see the tabs.
Does the top of your AutoCAD drawing window, when multiple drawings are open, show tabs for each drawing and look something like this:
If not, type 'ARX' then 'L' (for load) at the command line. In the dialog box...
...scroll to the bottom of the list and select 'AcadXTabs16.arx'. Click the 'Open' button, and you will be returned to the command prompt. Now open another drawing, and you should see the tabs.
Monday, August 20, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: Where to Find Help
Topic: For help or questions related to our internal AutoCAD customizations and office-specific procedures, please refer to the following resources.
1. HEI AutoCAD Help
For a printable quick-reference card of HEI AutoCAD customization macros and hotkeys, do either of the following:
2. Contact CAD Support
Contact the CAD Support team via e-mail preferably or by telephone if the issue is critical. If e-mail is a workable solution, type 'CAD Support' in the 'To' field for general requests, or e-mail the appropriate person directly for discipline-specific issues.
3. Check AutoCAD Discussion Resources
If you're having an issue with the Autodesk core application, it's more than likely someone else in the world has previously had the same issue. So be sure to do two or three relevant keyword searches in the proper AutoCAD discussion board to check for obvious solutions.
4. Contact the Guru
The Guru's been getting swamped lately with help requests, so please try CAD Support first. If unresolvable by CAD Support, then CAD Support will conference-in the Guru.
Note that RealVNC Server can accommodate two concurrent remote clients, so there is no need for anyone to disconnect.
If the issue is critical and no one from CAD Support is available, then call the Guru at x400. Be prepared to affirmatively answer the question 'Have you tried contacting CAD Support?'.
5. Autodesk Support Center
Use the following resource for escalating AutoCAD software issues which cannot be resolved by the previous steps.
1. HEI AutoCAD Help
For a printable quick-reference card of HEI AutoCAD customization macros and hotkeys, do either of the following:
- Click the browser shortcut located on the task bar which displays the 'AutoCAD HEI Help Files' tooltip:
- Or cut-and-paste the path C:\ABS2006\Help\hei_acadhelp.html to a Windows Explorer 'Address' bar.
2. Contact CAD Support
Contact the CAD Support team via e-mail preferably or by telephone if the issue is critical. If e-mail is a workable solution, type 'CAD Support' in the 'To' field for general requests, or e-mail the appropriate person directly for discipline-specific issues.
- Melinda Herrin (Education Group, Mechanical) x378
- Jared Robillard (Hospital Group, Mechanical) x383
- Trevor Welch (Electrical Group) x423
- Justin Albrecht (Telecom Group) x492
3. Check AutoCAD Discussion Resources
If you're having an issue with the Autodesk core application, it's more than likely someone else in the world has previously had the same issue. So be sure to do two or three relevant keyword searches in the proper AutoCAD discussion board to check for obvious solutions.
4. Contact the Guru
The Guru's been getting swamped lately with help requests, so please try CAD Support first. If unresolvable by CAD Support, then CAD Support will conference-in the Guru.
Note that RealVNC Server can accommodate two concurrent remote clients, so there is no need for anyone to disconnect.
If the issue is critical and no one from CAD Support is available, then call the Guru at x400. Be prepared to affirmatively answer the question 'Have you tried contacting CAD Support?'.
5. Autodesk Support Center
Use the following resource for escalating AutoCAD software issues which cannot be resolved by the previous steps.
- The CAD Support team members have access to the online Autodesk Support Center, and can submit requests for assistance that will be resolved by Autodesk Technical Specialists, usually within 48 hours.
- Please note that Autodesk cannot write, provide assistance in writing, troubleshoot, or answer any questions about writing or troubleshooting any of our 'custom solutions', where custom solutions include menus, scripts, and macro code.
- In addition to the CAD Support team members, users with special requirements (e.g. Revit MEP) may access the Autodesk Support Center for online tutorials. If you require access to the online training materials, contact CAD Support to create your account.
Labels: CAD Tips
