Lynn Allen's Blog

Tune in for my first AutoCAD 2014 webcast tomorrow morning!

My first official AutoCAD 2014 webcast is tomorrow morning at 11am PDT.  Novedge has been kind enough to sponsor it and it's free of charge!  If you want to hear all about the new features in AutoCAD 2014 - then tune in for sure!  I want to see you there!  (virtually of course)

Sign up Today!

My AutoCAD 2014 Tips and Tricks booklet is here!

Finally...hot off the press...is my AutoCAD 2014 Tips and Tricks booklet!  This labor of love has all the new features inside of AutoCAD 2014 (as well as the new features from AutoCAD 2013).  Check it out!  Print as many as you like - delight your coworkers - frame it and put it in your living room (your significant other will love that).

Download ACAD2014_TipsnTricks_web

 

If you really intend on printing it out - you might prefer to download the high res (and much larger) version:

Download ACAD2014_TipsnTricks_final

Enjoy everyone!  A big thanks to Heidi Hewett for her usual help with my booklet (and making sure I get all the info correct!)

 

 

 

 

AutoCAD Hatching Tips

It seems that nearly all applications have at least some crosshatching in their drawing files - so hatching tips should come in handy for nearly everyone.  Check out my latest Cadalyst Magazine video tip that just might save you some valuable time in your hatching!  (Or at least I hope so!)

 

P.S.  I am not responsible for the extremely unflattering pose that appears when I embed this video!

P.S.S.  And yes...that is a picture of a cow behind me...

 

Drumroll please...AutoCAD 2014 has arrived!

Do you get as excited as I do when a new release of AutoCAD comes out?  Or are you wondering what else they could possibly add to the program?  Well there have been quite a few great features added into AutoCAD 2014.  Everything from huge enhancements to Geographic Locations to the cool new interactive Design Feed which will make it easier for you to collaborate with others on your drawings. 

Of course there are my favorite everyday command improvements such as the ability to easily change the direction while drawing an arc (just use the control key!).  Or how about new DIMCONTINUEMODE system variable that when set to 1 automatically uses the same dimension style when you use DIMCONTINUE or DIMBASELINE.

I know what you're thinking...Hoorah!  There are even more system variables in AutoCAD 2014!

And how about this - finally the default behavior for inserting blocks with attributes is to display the dialog box.  Woo-Hoo!

There is much, much, more to AutoCAD 2014 (including the added bonus of the super cool RECAP software program).  Don't take my word for it - download the trial version (for free) today!

 

Don't miss the Revit Technology Conference!

I've heard all about it...I've wanted to go for years ...and (finally)  this year I am thrilled to get a chance to participate in the North American Revit Technology Conference.  And I simply don't see why you shouldn't be joining me!

The North American Revit Technology Conference is in beautiful Vancouver, Canada at the perfect time of year - July 11 through July 13.  The weather will be great, the view will be amazing and all that great Revit and BIM content is just the icing on the conference cake!  Held Thursday through Saturday (your employer gives a couple of days, you give a couple of days) - you'll be surrounded by all the great BIM minds - just think of all the questions you'll get answered!

At the Revit Technology Conference you'll have a chance to learn best practices and some incredible tips and tricks from the industry's top Revit experts.  Rumor has it over 400 papers were submitted for this year's event - so we are all in for some amazing presentations! 

And let's not get started about the networking!  Where else are you going to get a chance to hang out with so many of your peers, who are facing the same challenges, and helping you find your way to the BIM light? You will meet people at RTC you will stay in touch with for many years to come (I've heard all about that from so many past attendees).

So if you use Revit - promise me you'll sign up today. I want to see you there!  I'll even buy you a  (free) drink at the reception! 

 

 

Grant your AutoCAD Objects a Super Power! (make them invisible)

So if you could pick any super power - what would it be?  I vote for invisibility (although it's probably best not to be able to hear what peoplea re REALLY saying about you!).  While I can't grant you this awesome super power - I can certainly show you how to make your AutoCAD objects invisible!

For years we have been using Layers to control the visibility of objects.  We've skillfilly learned to be nice and organized when it comes to which objects land on which layer.  But what if we could just simply select objects and make them invisible?  Well for all of you on AutoCAD 2011 or higher - you have this great super power you can choose to bestow on your AutoCAD objects.

 

Enjoy the Cadalyst video tip!

One reader did note that at some point during this video it appears as though I actually have cow ears - hysterical!

Stuck on Autodesk BIM360 Glue (especially for Construction!)

I'm quite sure I'm not the first to coin such a cheesy BIM360 Glue phrase (nor the last) but I must admit I really love spreading the news about this great cloud and mobile application.  Since I seem to have been inundated with presenting at Construction conferences lately - BIM360 Glue has been an obvious topic for me to cover.

Despite what the various BIM Gods might say - not everyone knows what to do with a BIM model (shocking I know!).  This holds particularly true in the construction industry and absolutely true if you're out in the field in the construction industry.  That is where super friendly BIM360 Glue comes in.  The 'One click to BIM" literally takes you from an email to the model in one simple step.

BIM360 Glue stores the multi-discipline BIM model in the cloud - for easy access from anywhere - to all members of the project team.  Let's face it - One up-to-date model that everyone is referencing is a very good thing in the Construction industry. Bad coordination and conflicts can gobble up revenue - BIM360 Glue helps resolve both before construction even begins.One single source of truth -  BIM360 Glue can (and will) save money - plain and simple!

  And like it or not - the building industry often uses a myriad of different software programs and file formats throughout the project lifecycle. No problem as BIM360 Glue supports over 50 different file formats!

And of course there is an App for that!  If you're in the field - the BIM360 Glue Mobile App will give you quick and easy access to models and object data (both online and offline).  It's easy-to-use touch screen interaction means that even the non-BIM savvy workers can sort it out!  And for you who are already onboard with the awesome BIM360 Glue mobile app - I hope you downloaded the latest version (released just last week) which adds some amazing great new features (check out the cool video below!).

 

The Cloud is the perfect place for BIM models.  The Cloud is speedy at processing data (for even the largest of BIM models) and the Cloud provides easy access for all the team members.  And the cloud is secure (well the Autodesk 360 Cloud is certainly secure!). That is why Autodesk BIM360 Glue is a great solution for the Construction industry!

(All that said...it isn't just for the Construction Industry - I just have construction on the brain right now.)

So what if you're using Navisworks?  Not a problem as BIM360 Glue integrates well with (and complements quite nicely) Navisworks!  (Be sure to leave that 4D and 5D up to Navisworks though!)

Give your contractor a break...introduce him to BIM360 Glue!

Using Transparency inside of AutoCAD

Transparency was on the AutoCAD wish list for many years before it was finally added into AutoCAD 2011.  Transparency actually became an additional object property - much like color, linetype, etc that could be assigned to any object as well as any layer!  Then it's simply a matter of setting the transparency level - anywhere from 0 to 90 (obviously you wouldn't want the value to go all the way to 100 - because that would make it invisible!)

 Note;  In order to display Transparencies - you need to have the Transparency toggle on!

Check out my latest Cadalyst video to learn all about Transparencies!

(and Yes, I am in mourning over the Super Bowl)

[Acronym] Virtual Event: Explore the Best in Government Digital Design

Join me - and other technical presenters for a day of learning and celebration at the Acronym CAD Awards on February 6.

You'll find presentations on BIM, CLOUD and Infrastucture as it relates to the public sector. You'll even find my 60 AutoCAD Tips in 60 Minutes presentation on the day's agenda.  So be sure to sign up for the (free) Acronym CAD Awards!

I hope to (virtually) see you there!

Easily combine layers together in AutoCAD with LAYMRG

Have you ever wanted to combine multiple layers into one?  And wouldn't it just be the icing on the cake if those pesky extra layers were deleted along the way?  LAYMRG to the rescue!

Check out my latest Cadalyst video on the LAYMRG command (which of course started out as an Express Tool and grew up to become a real AutoCAD command).  All the greatest commands seem to have started as as Express Tools! 

My - I look pretty sad!  (maybe that's because there aren't any puppies in this video!)