Lynn Allen's Blog

Kick up the I.Q. of Your AutoCAD Dimensions!

Do your designs ever change?  If the answer is “no”…then move along to someone else’s blog.  If the answer is “yes!”  (which I’m pretty sure is ALL of you) – then you’ll probably want to hang out here a little bit longer and learn more about parametric dimensions (assuming you haven’t already discovered these priceless little gems yourself).

For most of AutoCAD’s long life – we’ve been adding dimensions to our drawings that are driven by the geometry selected.  We change the objects – the dimensions update (ideally).  

These standard dimensions are all well and fine – and have worked for us for years.  But In the meantime -  most of the newer design software products that entered the world (such as Revit or Inventor) were blessed with much smarter parametric dimensions.  These dimensions were so clever, you could change the geometry simply by changing the dimension value (insert sound of the angels here!).

I won’t lie…I was jealous.  I had Dimension Envy.

And then the AutoCAD Heavens opened up and bestowed upon us -  Parametric Dimensions.  It was a truly momentous day!

Using these nifty smarter dimensions meant we could change our minds about our designs as many times as we wanted.  A simple double click on the dimension allowed us to change the value – which in turn modified the AutoCAD geometry (insert sound of the angels yet again!).

So check out my Cadalyst video – and see for yourself how easy it is to use Parametric dimensions, as opposed to those boring, standard dimensions of yesteryear!

 

Note:  You’ll never have Dimension Envy again.

Just Checking In...(and Happy Memorial Day)

My good pal dave espinosa-aguiilar mentioned that a few of you out there were concerned about my post last week on Kicking Up the IQ of AutoCAD Objects.  I promise you all - I was just trying to be funny...there were no hidden messages in there at all.

Clearly it was much funnier in my head than it was on the blog (that happens at times).  But rest assured all is well! 

And Happy Memorial Day everyone!  I hope you are enjoying the long weekend (those of you who are in the US).

Join me for the official Autodesk webcast on AutoCAD 2013!

I know that many of you were a tad disappointed at launch when I didn’t show off the new features in AutoCAD 2013.  We were aiming high and wanted to focus on other awesome topics such as Autodesk 360.  But we listened – and now I am holding an official Autodesk webcast on AutoCAD 2013 on Tuesday, June 5, 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern. 

Sign up HERE

I’ll be covering nearly all the cool new features inside of AutoCAD 2013 – so join me for sure!  Register today – I look forward to seeing you there!  (well…to be fair – I can’t really see you over the internet – but I’m sure you will look great!). 

So join me - it just won't be the same without you.

Kick up the IQ of your AutoCAD objects

I’m not going to lie…I don’t want to do any more work than I absolutely have to.  The ultimate punishment for me – having to do things over again!  Smart objects ultimately mean less work for me in the long run – and that makes me a happy AutoCAD user.  Capiche? 

So here’s the deal…you’ll have to do more upfront work on your drawings – but the payoff is big!  Especially if you work someplace where it feels like your designs are always on a spinner – never knowing for sure where upper management is going to have them land.  More importantly – if you are often churning out similar designs – adding in parametrics will make quick work for you (something to consider if you’re getting paid by the hour).

Geometric Constraints sound scary – but they most certainly are not!  They work quite similarly to object snaps (and we are all pros at object snaps) – except that they stick around after the fact.  They don’t just run home and leave you after one drink – they’re in it for the long haul...

(note to self:  call therapist)

You can apply geometric constraints manually to straighten up (fix) geometry as you go. For example, you drew two lines that were supposed to be perpendicular but you were a bad shot.  Add in a perpendicular constraint to straighten those bad boys out and they'll be fixed in no time!

You can also apply geometric constraints to geometry that needs to maintain a relationship with other objects (it’s a cheater). 

(note to self:  call therapist today!)

For example, you have multiple circles in a drawing that should always be the same size.  You can add in an “=” equal constraint to all the circles and they promise to always maintain equal diameters.  Whatever you do to one will affect the others (just like real life).  This saves time in the long run and that’s always a good thing!

So check out my Cadalyst video to learn more about adding geometric constraints into your life – they might just make that Design Spinner a little easier to deal with.

 

 

P.S.  everything’s fine...

Hitting the Road with AutoCAD 2013

I have been fortunate to participate in some great Autodesk launch events this year.  Some of my presentations have been focused on the new features inside of AutoCAD 2013 - and some have been focused on highler level topics such as Embracing the Cloud (Autodesk 360).  All in all I've met some fantastic Autodesk product users (nice meeting you all!).

I kicked off my first official AutoCAD 2013 event with my good friends at DDSCAD in Fort Lauderdale.  They always pick the coolest venues - in this case it was at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame..  The folks at Digital Drafting Systems are pros at bringing out the crowds (and just wonderful to work with).  It was the perfect way to kick off my launch events.

 Now let's skip to my last event!  That would have been in Seoul, Korea.  Though it was a bit of a challenge demoing with the Korean version of the software (practice makes perfect!).  Four hours of presenting in Seoul was a record, I believe, but it was followed up with dinner at a Korean Barbeque so how could I possible complain?  They even had a live band right in the middle of my presentations! Great fun.

Below is a picture of two wonderful customers from Seoul who were on the live Panel with me.  Both have been to Autodesk University and are AutoCAD and Revit pros.  Seungkyu has his own popular blog in Seoul and is just such good fun to be around!

A great big thank you to everyone who's been so hospitable along the way!  Be sure to check out my upcoming Autodesk Launch events (maybe I'll get to see you!).