Lynn Allen's Blog

AutoCAD 2013 is approaching the Finish Line

It's always so exciting when the next release of AutoCAD arrives - I feel like a kid at Christmas as I unwrap all the new shiny features.  I thought I'd share a general overview of some of the new features you'll be seeing in AutoCAD 2013.  More to come of course!

Command Line:
You Command Line fans will love the new modern enhancements to the UI.  Now you can control the color and transparency of the command line.  Float the undocked command line (which defaults to a single row) above the AutoCAD drawing window. You'll notice that the semi-transparent prompt history (displays up to 50 lines) doesn’t affect the drawing area. 

Array Enhancements:
AutoCAD 2012 really knocked it out of the park with the new Associative Arrays.  AutoCAD 2013 will take them a bit further by showing objects in a pattern faster, and with more handy grips.




Hatching:
The Hatch Editor ribbon tab now allows you to select more than one hatch object at a time.

In-Canvas Property Preview
Dynamical check out object properties as you select them (including transparency)!  Get the right property value every time!

Point Clouds
Point Clouds can now be easily attached and managed from the External Reference Manager.  The Attach Point Cloud dialog box now provides a preview and more detailed information.



A new bounding box appears when you select a point cloud (making it easier to visualize its position in 3D space).  The new Point Cloud ribbon tab also appears with all the necessary Point Cloud tools. 

If intensity data is included, you can use the analysis tools to view point intensity with different color schemes.
(And now you can clip a point cloud!)

PressPull
Now you can press/pull multiple objects at one time! You can also select 2D and 3D curves (not just inside a bounded area).

Surface Curve Extraction

Use the new Extract Isolines tool (Surface ribbon tab) to quickly extract isoline curves from an existing surface or face of a solid.

You can change the direction of the isolines, select a chain or draw a spline on the curved surface.

Import Inventor Files

In AutoCAD 2013 you can import Inventor models (hoorah!)

Model Documentation
Be far, my favorite feature in AutoCAD 2012 was the new Model Documentation tools. Thankfully, AutoCAD 2013 adds in Detail Views and Section Views! 

You can also select the objects you want to include in your model documentation (no longer limited to ALL the objects).

Associative Annotations
Now the dimensions added to the drawing views (with the model documentation tools) are associative and smart!  If you change the design - these annotations do a much better job of updating (love this!).

Strike-through Text
Now available for Mtext, Mleaders, Dimensions and Tables!

Bring Leaders to the Front
Leaders are now included with the TextToFront tool

Wipeouts display but don't Plot
With the new WIPEOUTFRAME system variable.

Reverse Polyline Widths
Use the new PLINEREVERSEWIDTHS setvar when using the REVERSE tool to ensure the results you want.

Offset Preview
Hooray for a Preview of your offset results!

 

An AutoCAD Hip Tip on Printing your Layer List

It seems like last summer I was complaining that we didn't really get much of a summer - and now that it's winter I'm wondering where all the storms are (but not complaining!).  Our weather here in Northern California seems to be completely confused.

Last week Cadalyst released another of my video tips on how to print out your layer list (something that is not inherently obvious in AutoCAD).  Watch this video to see how you can export your layer list to Excel from within the Layer Properties Manager or to Word from the command line interface of the Layer command
(-Layer).

Essentially - you simply highlight the layers you wish to export from the Layer Properties Manager, and then Ctrl+C to copy them to the clipboard (no Copy option in the right click menu).  Then paste your layers into an empty Excel file.  Voila!

A reader, Dan Murphy, also sent me an email reminding me about an AutoLISP routine that is also quite useful for printing layers (Thank you Dan!).  LAYERHTM.LSP can be found at DOTSOFT.  It's free of charge (unless you choose to make a small donation).  There are two LISP routines posted - one for AutoCAD 2007 onward, and one for those on releases before that.  You can find quite a few free AutoCAD tools on DotSoft - be sure to check them out!

 

An AutoCAD Hip Tip on Speeding up the Break Command

2012 is off and running and so is Autodesk!  So many exciting things going on - I think 2012 is going to be a great year.

I thought I'd kick off the weekend with a handy AutoCAD tip!

An AutoCAD Hip Tip on the Break Command

We often use the BREAK command to karate chop an object (break it in the same spot twice). The AutoCAD ribbon takes an extra step to do this (and we hate extra steps - don't we?). Check out my video that shows you the super speedy means of doing this as well as how to add this handy tool to the ribbon!

Note:  If you have your OSNAPS on - you could get a gap.  Be sure to turn your OSNAPS off to get this to work properly! (should have mentioned this in the video)

This tool allows you to select the object to break at the exact location you also want to break it at  - saving you an extra step (and those extra steps all add up - don't they?).

So go ahead and try it - and kill two birds with one stone.  (come to think of it - that is really a terrible phrase!  Poor birds!).

Enjoy your weekend...

 

An AutoCAD Hip Tip on a Secret Dimensioning Command

The temperature has been in the 60's here in Northern California and my roses don't know whether they should be blooming or going to sleep.  Our goats just love the rosebuds (caviar for a goat!) so I'm not complaining...and incidentally - either are the goats! 

A Top Secret AutoCAD Dimensioning Command

Nearly all designs need dimensions in their final drawings - so I have a top secret dimensioning command to share with you.  It's no longer on the ribbon - so you just might not know about it!

How would you get the dimension shown below?

Dimaligned?  If you used Dimaligned you'd probably end up with part of the second extension line lying on top of the far right edge of the part. Then you'd have to edit that extension line...

You just want to dimension the length of this part that happens to lie at an angle - that's where DIMROTATED can really help you out.  DIMROTATED let's you select the angle for the dimension line first - and then you cna choose where the two extension lines should go - it's a fabulous command!  Check out the video below and I'll show you exactly how it works.

Why it fell out of favor with the AutoCAD Ribbon gods - I'll never know!  Check it out - it might just save you some time the next time you're faced with the dreaded task of dimensioning!

Recording your own Technical Demos

My work days in 2012, so far, have been filled with recording various technical videos.  When you spend so much time making videos - you become either friends or enemies with your recording software!  Though the relationship was a bit tumultuous at first - we've fast become good friends (inseparable actually). Sure there are the occasional fights (with the software usually winning while I cower in defeat).  But all in all - I stand by my recording software - Camtasia by Techsmith.

No I don't get anything for promoting Camtasia...I just thought I'd offer up a shout out to my good software buddy of four years now - especially after all we've been through!  I am constantly asked what software I use to create my videos - so now you know.

Why should YOU record technical videos?

I record videos to share technical tips with the world (primarily on AutoCAD).  Why would you want to record videos?  Have you ever been asked the same technical question multiple times?  Do you find yourself showing the same techniques to your coworkers over and over again?  I believe that if you find yourself demoing the same technical process more than 3 times- it's time to put it in a video!  Record it once - share it forever.  That is MUCH better than spending your time demoing the same technique over and over.  Besides - you have much better things to do!

If you're a CAD manager - I think video recordings are a must (if for no other reason than to maintain sanity!).  Are you rolling out a new standard or new process?  Maybe you've loaded the latest release of a software product and want to offer up some helpful hints.  Maybe you find your users have some bad habits you want to try to correct - or maybe you just want to make your coworker's life a little easier by sharing some helpful hints.  All the above are a reason to create technical videos.

Besides - if you start creating technical videos for your team - you'll look like a star!  You might just discover you have amazing technical insight to share.  Maybe you'll become a Technical Evangelist too!

Now I won't lie to you - you'll need to be patient as you learn to fully use the recording software.  The key to software like Camtasia is in the editing - not just the recording.  I can actually edit out the ums and mistakes where needed.  I can goof and pick right back up where I left off (and believe me - there is plenty of goofing that occurs).  I can edit out the barking from my white, fluffy, dog - or the occasional curse word that occurs when the software misbehaves.  Oh if you only knew what went on behind those videos!

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try!  You can download Camtasia for free for 30 days (that's what I did at first).  So what have you got to lose?  This might just launch you up the ladder at work - now wouldn't that be nice?

 

 

A Happy New Year Tip on Translating Layers in AutoCAD

Happy New Year everyone!  As Autodesk is kind enough to give us a week off during the holidays - it seems to be taking some time for me to get ramped back up and running!  I didn't go anywhere during the holidays - I just stayed home and enjoyed some family time.  I hope that all of you had a nice holiday season and are ready for 2012!

A Happy New Year Tip on Translating Layers

Most of us have to abide by some type of standard in our AutoCAD drawings, and those standards nearly always involve layers.  If you've ever needed to change a vast number of layer names or properties in your AutoCAD drawings you know how time consuming it can be!  Many releases ago the LAYTRANS command was added into AutoCAD - but I find that so few people really know about it.

Before executing LAYTRANS - you'll need to have a drawing with the correct layers and layer properties.  You will be mapping the layers in the current drawing to this drawing.

LAYTRANS can be found on the Manage tab of the ribbon (Layer Translator)

The layers from your current drawing will appear on the left side of the Layer Translator dialog.

Pick "Load" and select the drawing file with the correct layers - those layers will load into the dialog as seen below.

now you simply map the layers in your current drawing to the layers in the drawing with the correct layers and properties.  The results of the Mappings will appear in the dialog. When all the layers are mapped a simple Translate will make quick work of the changes.

If you have several drawings with the same mapping - you'll want to Save this file in the dialog (it will create a .DWS file).  Then the next time you enter LAYTRANS you will Load up the DWS file and the mapping will happen instantly (hoorah!).

Using LAYTRANS is much easier than making the changes manually in the Layer dialog box.  Give it a try - it might just save you so much time you can go home early!  (alright...that rarely happens).

Happy New Year!

 

 

A Holiday Tip: Creating Blocks with Multiple Insertion Points in AutoCAD

Happy Holidays Everyone!

As you're getting ready for the upcoming holidays - here's a holiday video tip that almost all of you AutoCADders can use!

Multiple insertion points in certain AutoCAD blocks could really come in handy!  You can change the insertion point of any block on the fly (by keying in "B" for Basepoint when inserting) but if you're consistently switching between multiple insertion point of a specific block - why not hard code that into the block definition?

The process may sound tricky - but I promise you it is actually a piece of cake!  Take a look at my latest Cadalyst video to see just how easy it is!

Incidentally - after you've added multiple insertion points to your block - use the Control key to cycle through each of those insertion points while inserting.

Put a little Razzle Dazzle into your blocks with multiple insertion points...your coworkers will think you are a star! (of course...you already are...)

 

Join me for 15 AutoCAD Tips in 15 Minutes

Hi Everyone out there in the Blogosphere!  Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning at 10:00 PDT for a free AutoCAD Facecast.  I'll be showing 15 AutoCAD Tips in 15 Minutes and then sticking around to answer your AutoCAD questions (please don't ask me any I don't know the answer to!). 

This will be my second Facecast - I love these because they are low key and casual.  Looking forward to seeing you there!  Well actually - I guess I won't be "seeing" you there...

AU 2011 is over - on to the Holiday Season!

Wow - what a whirlwind of a week in Las Vegas with Autodesk University!  I won't deny that the week wore me out (anyone else?).  Between the classes, General Session, the new Freshman Orientation, the AU Feedback lunch, AUGI meeting, Exhibit Hall, yadda yadda - I felt like I was running a marathon all week!

For me, the highlight of AU is seeing all of my good friends from AUs past.  Some of them are users, some are speakers, some old friends and some new.  I was fortunate to enjoy a final dinner the last night of AU with some of my very best friends and colleagues.

From left to right:  Joseph Wurcher (the King of all things AU - we had to doctor his eyes because he looked like he was sleeping), Peter Jamtgaard (AUGI), Kate Morrical, AutoCAD LT Technical Product Manager, who kindly worked with me on the AutoCAD track for AU, the recently engaged Robert Bell (who worked on the Programming and Customization track for AU), Yours Truly, Yoshi Honda (former AUGI president and close family friend), Scott McFarlane (former AUGI and we go way back), the famous dave espinosa-aguilar (good friend who always wins the Speaker awards - darn him!), and John Kraft in the shocking pink shirt who also worked very hard on AU and was clearly exhausted!  Sadly - Robert Green is missing as he had to leave early to catch his plane back to Atlanta.

Not everyone could make it to Autodesk University this year - including my favorite Brazilian evangelist, Luciana Klein, who was celebrating 10 years of her blog.  I missed her adorable enthusiasm this year but was able to take a picture with her anyway. Thank you Antonio!

I LOVED (and I mean loved) meeting so many great people at Autodesk University this year.  A great big thanks to everyone who introduced themselves to me, who attended my classes, and for making AU the great event that it is!

If you missed out on the fun of AU live - be sure to check out AU Virtual (it's free!).  I hope to see you all at AU 2012!  Be sure to check out the General Session (I'm at the verrrrrrrrrrrry end).
 

Autodesk University is knocking at the door!

AU is right around the corner (it's just so hard to believe!).  Over 8000 people have signed up for AU 2011 in Las Vegas  (which I am thrilled to report!).  I think it's going to be one of the best AU's ever!  For those of you who are new to AU - I suggest you watch my AU Primer video before you go (below).  Here you'll find info on what to do before you go to AU along with some insider information that should really come in handy.   

 

You'll also want to download the AU Show Guide.

Can't go to the live AU Las Vegas event?  No problem - join us for AU Virtual.  This absolutely FREE event will give you a good taste of what it's like to participate in the live event.  You can sign up to watch classes you've chosen from a very extensive list (over 200 to choose from!) and then watch them from the comfort of your desk. Sign up for AU Virtual today!

One way or another...I hope to see you at AU 2011!  (even if it's just "virtually")

 

 

 

AU Showguide