Lynn Allen's Blog

Blogging from Fort Lauderdale

Had a great time presentating in Philly  (Hi Troy!) and another today in Boca Raton...and I'm now blogging from the Fort Lauderdale airport waiting for my next flight to Tampa (the whirlwind tour continues!).  The internet connection here at the airport is shakey at best (although it's free which is very nice)...so we'll see if I'm able to actually post this (I'll be cranky if I can't!).  So far I've survived a week without American Idol (do they make patches for that?) but I did catch Kat and Taylor on Larry King Live...(so I got a mini-fix).

So here's a Hip Tip on Tracking your Drawing Time:

If you need to keep track of your billable hours while drawing you might find the Express Tool EDITTIME comes in handy.  EDITTIME even permits you to tell AutoCAD to time out if there is a specific period of inactivity...(like an unexpected phone call...or perhaps a nap?)

Command: EDITTIME
EditTime settings: Status=OFF Timeout=10 min.
Active=8.2500 hr.
Enter an option [Reset/Timeout/ON/OFF]:

This handy tool keeps track each time you go into the drawing.  You don't need to turn it on each time you re-enter the file (just the first time) and you can set the timeout period to suit your needs.

You'll find that this Express tool works much better than it's core AutoCAD command equivalent, the age-old TIME command. 

I'm off to catch my flight!  Happy AutoCADding!

A beautiful weekend in NYC

I trust you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend (you Americans)...I had the good fortune to enjoy a great 3-day weekend in New York City.  I took in a couple of plays (saw Julia Roberts in Three Days of Rain) and enjoyed the NYC hustle and bustle. The weather was perfect (and I love those warm balmy nights).  I managed to catch a nasty cold late last week but even that couldn't bring me down in such a magical town.

Tomorrow I'm taking the train to Philly for another AutoCAD 2007 presentation.  I've been asked to include all of you in an Autodesk Data Management Survey.  Here is your chance to contribute to future Autodesk product development!  There are only 5 questions (surely you can find time for that!)

Working with Drawings Survey

We want to hear from you!

The Soul Patrol Takes It!

Taylor Hicks wins American Idol and you Techies predicted he would win!  Pat yourselves on the back for predicting the winner of American Idol last night (although your votes were extremely close)..Taylor is such an all around nice guy you just have to be happy about the outcome...

Now for a confession - I wasn't able to watch the finale last night (although TIVO has me covered)...I was attending another benefit in the city for the Rafael House in San Francisco.  A wonderful organization that helps families in need.  Definitely a good reason to miss the finale (don't you think?).

And now I'm off to New York for two events for Microsol Resources...such an early flight (hoping to catch a few winks on the plane).  Be sure to join me if you're in the neighborhood! 

AutoCAD Techies Vote for American Idol Winner!

The votes are pouring in!  I still think Taylor is going to win but I, personally, hope it goes to Kat...I just love her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the whole Dad crying deal just melts my heart. 

Here is a break-down so far (I see Kat is ahead by a note)...

Quickie AutoCAD Tip for remembering the Axis Colors:

I was sent a very clever tip this morning from Philip Schlickenmaier for remembering the colors of the X,Y,Z crosshairs - the true color designation of RGB (Red Green Blue) just happens to correspond with the X,Y,Z axis colors...and I'm guessing this is intentional (but, hey, I didn't get the memo!).  Thank you Philip!

Don't forget to place your vote! 

AutoCAD Gurus American Idol Survey

An American Idol AutoCAD Tip!

Okay...I admit it...I'm hooked on American Idol.  My TIVO knows of my addiction, as do my dog and cat, and now all of you do (acknowledgement is the first step to recovery).  I'm certainly going to be glued to my television tonight as Kat and Taylor go head to head in their last chance at the American Idol crown.  Will it be the sweet, doe-eyed brunette with the beautiful melodic voice or the Soulful silver haired Taylor who is always so much fun to watch.  I like them both (but I predict Taylor, who has never been in the bottom 2, will win).  Of course I predicted Chris Daughtry was going to win all along and clearly that's not going to happen (were you as shocked as I was when he was voted off?).  All I know is that tonight I will thoroughly enjoy my American Idol IV drip...

So I think us AutoCAD junkies should have our own American Idol survey!  So if you'd like to vote for who you who think is going to win American Idol...Select the link below:

American Idol Survey

Let's just see how accurate we techies are at predicting a winner...

Now on to the AutoCAD Tip...

An AutoCAD Hip Tip for Easier 3D Drawing:

There is a new tab in the OPTIONS dialog called 3D Modeling.  This tab contains several options that can truly make a difference to a newbie 3D user (in fact you veterans might find them useful as well).  I've modified my OPTIONS to include two extra boosts of help while drawing in 3D.  Here they are:

Show Z axis in crosshairs is a must for working in 3D.  This makes it so much easier to tell which direction you are drawing in as seen below.

Red is X, Green is Y and Z is blue (remember this as it comes in very handy!).  The shorter axes indicate a negative direction (also very helpful). Need help with the color association - how about 'Red X" marks the spot, "Y aren't there more Green M & M's in every bag?" and "The deep blue "Z'.  Okay - these are painful at best but if it helps - who cares!

While you're getting used to the color designations you might find it useful to label these axes (another option above).  Personally, this is a little too much information for me (and with those great color/axis hints above who needs more!)  : )

Last but not least is the Show labels for Dynamic UCS.  Since AutoCAD 2007 makes it easy to move from one UCS to another just by selecting the face of an existing object (love, love that!) - you might find the additional X,Y,Z labels come in handy to ensure you have your direction lined up properly.  Just one more tool you can choose to use.

I'm off to get ready to watch American Idol - I wish both contestants the best of luck!

AutoCAD 2007 Tips and Tricks Booklet!

Ahhh...the blog neglect continues!  This week has been such an incredible whirlwind of travel and presentations I found no time to blog to my faithful readers (and oh...did I hear about it!).  The Washington DC government event was great (I did a late in the day keynote on AutoCAD 2007) held in the Ronald Reagan Building International Trade Center.  I got up early (and we are talking early!) the next morning to catch a flight to Dallas for the AUGI CAD Camp.  I arrived just in time for my lunchtime prezo (also on AutoCAD 2007)...there's nothing like presenting while everyone is chewing!  If you get a chance to visit a local CAD Camp I strongly suggest it - everyone who goes just raves about it.  I always use the opportunity to sit in a class or two myself to learn some cool new things.  A great big thanks to Doug and the DC CADD gang for all their help (and being the best airport chauffer anyone could ask for!).  I arrived at the San Francisco Airport exactly 24 hours after I woke up that morning  with my contact lenses stuck to my eyes looking pretty darned crumpled (it wasn't pretty)...ohhh - the glamorous life of traveling!

So the time has come to download the new AutoCAD 2007 Tips and Tricks booklet!  Here's your chance to catch up on all the cool new features in AutoCAD 2007 (and 2006)...and it's free - don't we all just love free?  If you catch me at a presentation you can get the real thing...I must have signed a few dozen of them yesterday at CAD Camp...(they were just trying to make me feel important).

Download ACAD2007_Tips_n_Tricks_.pdf

It's also posted underneath Publications to the left...have a fabulous weekend!  I'm off to catch the DaVinci Code!

A Belated Mother's Day Hip Tip:

I trust you all treated your mothers with kindness over the weekend.  My family enjoyed a wonderful brunch in the wine country (Napa) at Domaine Chandon.  Such a beautiful day to be outside with the ones we love.  We laughed so hard at one point we almost cried (I'm sure the Champagne had nothing to do with that)...I've attached a picture of the insane Allen clan at the end of today's posting...

I'm off to Washington DC for the Autodesk Government User Conference (AGUC) in the morning so here's a tip before I run and pack...

AutoCAD Hip Tip for redefining your blocks:

If you double click on an existing block you'll end up in the REFEDIT command (assuming there are no attributes in your block).  This command makes it fairly easy to update an existing block definition - but have you tried the BEDIT command?  Sure this command was added to AutoCAD 2006 to help you create the new Dynamic Blocks - but it works just as well with plain old vanilla blocks!  Simply select one of the blocks of the block definition you want to modify, and select Block Editor from the right click menu or select the icon from the Standard toolbar. 

Once in the Block Editor - don't let the Block Authoring palettes intimidate you - just close those babies up if you don't plan on using them!  Go ahead and modify the block to your liking (no need to explode the block - that's already sorted out for you!).  After modifying your block simply select "Close Block Editor" from the toolbar.  AutoCAD will notify you how many block instances will be modified and then save your changes to the block definition - that simple!  No need to remember the original insertion point, layer, or anything.

And now to the Mother's Day photo...

From left to right...My mom, my son Joshua, my daughter Ashley and Yours Truly.

Getting Ready for AU 2006!

We've been working hard this week on the slate of classes for AU 2006!  This year we had over 1000 submissions for classes (and we can only take about a third of them).  We've carefully poured over all the proposals, hoping to find just the right combination of fabulous courses to offer up for this year's event.  If you haven't attended an Autodesk University in the past - save your pennies, have a car wash of bake sale, do whatever it takes to save the money to attend.  If you only get to attend one conference a year - this is the one!  A good time is always had by all, the energy is amazing and you'll get a chance to learn about topics you can't find anywhere else on the planet...(yes - I am the official AU cheerleader!)

I've had three emails this week asking where to find information on CAD Management.  I also suggest going to the one and only Robert Green - also a CADALYST columnist for many years.  He also teaches some of our most popular CAD Management courses at AU.  Robert Green is definitely our go-to guy (we even used him to help us select this year's AU courses on CAD Management!).  And NO - he doesn't know I'm giving him this great big kudo and he didn't pay me (but I think he should buy me a drink next time I see him - don't you?).

Tonight I am seeing Martin Short in the city (San Francisco).  I hear the reviews for his one-man show were not so good (ugh - I hope the reviews were wrong).  Tomorrow night I am going to a charity event for the Ritter Center.  This great organization serves our local community helping individuals and families in need (I'm sure you all have similar organizations in your neighborhood).  Have a fabulous weekend and I'll check back in with everyone on Monday!

Two Mid Week AutoCAD Tips

I had a great time at the ASAUG User Group meeting last night and the AutoCAD 2007 launch.  The crowd enjoyed a day of Autodesk solutions for the building industry including Autodesk Revit.  And then it was a crazy mad dash to the airport to catch the red-eye! 

Do you live in New York City or Philly?

I'll be doing a presentation at the end of the month in NYC and Philadelphia - Click here if you'd like to join me!  By then I should have my new AutoCAD Tips and Tricks booklet finished and ready to hand out. 

AutoCAD Tip for viewing and plotting drawing files even though you don't have AutoCAD!

Do you have that one guy in the office who uses AutoCAD LT just to open, zoom around  and print drawing files?  Save yourself some dinero and download the new (and incredibly free) AutoCAD DWG TrueView.  TrueView lets you view and print DWF and DWG files. 

And if you've already downloaded the free viewer I have a little tip for you.  On occasion if you've zoomed in real close you might get the message "Already zoomed in as far as possible".  No worries, simply switch between the model and layout tabs once to force a regeneration and you'll be good to go!

to close...I have a nice picture of a Hawaiian sunset I took from my hotel room window...so very lovely...Aloha!

A Cinco de Mayo Tip!

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! I am quite fortunate to be in Hawaii presenting at the AEC Conferences 2006 conference.  Last night I did two presentations on AutoCAD 2007 and a good time was had by all (or at least by me!).   Monday is our official Hawaii launch of our 2007 product line and then I'll be flying back to the Mainland on the red-eye.   Don't expect any posting this weekend as I plan on basking in the sun and catching up on some R & R (do you blame me?).

Cinco de Mayo AutoCAD tip on translating layers:

Have you ever brought a Microstation drawing over to AutoCAD only to find that you needed to change all the layer names?  It's such a hassle doing them one at a time in the Layer dialog box.  If you find yourself changing the layer names from one layer convention to another than be sure to check out the LAYTRANS command in AutoCAD.  Or perhaps you find yourself constantly changing the properties of layers from one to another...LAYTRANS to the rescue!

The method is simple.  LAYTRANS loads the current layer names into the left side of the dialog.  You set up the desired layer names by selecting "New" and assigning the appropriate properties.  Then it's as simple as mapping the layers on the left to the ones on the right.

The real power here is the ability to save this setup for future use (a .DWS file).  You do the work once - you use it over and over for quick translation.  If your goal is to do this procedure only once - then you might as well use the Layer command.  But if you find yourself tediously being faced with this scenario often - you're going to love the LAYTRANS command.

This command has been around for many, many releases so just about all of you have access to it - give it a go and you might find yourself with a little more time to enjoy that margarita! 

I leave you with one of my favorite Shaan Hurley photos which is incredibly appropriate for today!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!