Lynn Allen's Blog

Top Secret In-Place Attribute Editing in AutoCAD!

You are probably aware that you can double-click on a block with attributes to edit it...but there are just SOOO many steps involved when all you want to do is a quick modification to the attribute value.  Wouldn't you just like to get straight to the point?

Check out my Cadalyst video and learn the secret!

 

Happy September everyone!

 

The Amazing Revit Technology Conferences

For those of you who have made the move to BIM - you'll find the Revit Technology Conference an invaluable event to attend.  RTC is more than just a conference for you and your fellow Revit users - it's a conference about all things BIM.  


RTC is a conference run by users for users (not run by Autodesk as you might expect) .  The classes are taught by gurus in the industry who can truly help advance your BIM expertise because they've been through the process themselves.  They understand your challenges - and will teach you the skills to excel in building your business with BIM.  If you are a BIM manager you will learn tips for the perfect execution plan - if you are a Revit user you'll learn tips that will put you on the road to becoming a Revit expert.

And I love that there is no pretense at RTC - they work hard to make sure everyone fits in.  Networking is highly promoted at the event with plenty of opportunities to make connections with others in your industry. The conference events are stellar - the exhibition hall is always buzzing with amazing BIM solutions - and the classes are high level so that everyone can benefit.

So there's my plug for RTC - a conference not to be missed for sure.  As for me - I LOVE attending RTC because I know I will always leave the conference knowing much more than I did when I entered it - and with dozens of new industry connections.

RTC is so popular - they have expanded to 4 events per year throughout the world.  RTC Asia is right around the corner (September 10-12) in Singapore - the deadline to sign up is just a short time away.

Or if you'd prefer, there is RTC North America, RTC Australasia and RTC Europe (also right around the corner in Budapest!)

 

 

Live AutoCAD Tips and Tricks session via Periscope

Join me at 10:00 PDT Monday, August 3 for a free (live) AutoCAD Tips and Tricks session.  This session will be transmitted via Periscope - a live streaming video app for iOS and Android (recently acquired by Twitter).

If you're in your office and can't use your phone - not to fear.  We will send out a URL via Twitter (are you folloiwng me @Lynn_Allen or @AutoCAD?).  The video will be available for 24 hours after the event as well.

Check out this new technology and learn some AutoCAD Tips to use at work!

Embed an Image File into AutoCAD

If you've ever inserted an image file into AutoCAD - then you discovered (probably the hard way) that the image file tags along as a reference and doesn't actually make it's way into the drawing file.  That means (and this is probably where you discovered this fact) that whenever you send your drawing file to someone - you'll have to send the image file along with it!

Check out my latest Cadalyst tip that shows you how to embed an Image file into an AutoCAD drawing file (so you don't have to worry about that pesky referenced image!

 

And another big thank you to Greg for sharing his tip!  Check out his blog - AutoCAD Tips for more amazing tips from Greg Battin! 

 

My Top Ten Tips for AutoCAD 2016 *Dell Precision Guide)

For the past couple of years Autodesk has teamed with Dell to produce a Precision Guide to help our customers with their AutoCAD software and hardware decisions.  Contained therein are my Top Ten Tips for AutoCAD 2016 if you'd like to take a look!  

Thank you Dell for pulling this together!

The Fastest Way to Set your AutoCAD Object Snaps!

If there is one thing in AutoCAD we can't live without - it's object snaps!  We choose our object snap settings based on what we're doing at any given time (ideally not needing to change the settings very often).  While hanging with the fabulous Autodesk Product Support folks in Lake Oswego - Volker Cocco brought up his speedy means of switching to his favorite osnap settings without the tedium of going through the status bar.

 Check out my Cadalyst Video for more details!

Setting OSMODE directly can be a very powerful tool in your AutoCAD arsenal! 

 

My AutoCAD 2016 Tips and Tricks Booklet is finally here!

Are you wondering about the top new features in AutoCAD 2016?  Have you been asking yourself about the new system variables - or pondering the time savers?  My AutoCAD 2016 Tips and Tricks booklet is hot off the press - all you have to do is download it!  (does it sound like a CAD drug?)  

Check it out for yourself:

They make a great Father's Day present! (Dad already has so many ties...)

Speak at Autodesk University - Embrace your inner Expert!

Do you find yourself helping others learn Autodesk software around the office?  Is there a feature or technology you feel you know better than the average user?  Or perhaps some techniques and tips you've learned the hard way and you'd love to share with others...if so - submit to become a presenter at Autodesk University!

There's no harm in submitting one (or more) proposals...and I can guarantee that you won't be presenting at this year's AU if you don't submit!  After all - the content committee isn't psychic.

Submit a proposal today and I might just be sitting in your class in December!

 

Get to the right Plan view in AutoCAD every time!

For those of you who work in 3D (which is probably less than half of you) - you know how the PLAN command loves to do a ZOOM Extents when switching to the PLAN view. Super annoying.  Often I just want the PLAN view of my current display without the extraneous extra step of zooming back in - that's where EXPLAN comes into play.

Check out my Cadalyst video and learn how easy it is to use EXPLAN!

 Why do I always look less than glamorous when it is still?  Geez... (but enjoy!)

AutoCAD Hacked! - Part 2

Well, I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer than necessary. As Lynn is returning from her vacation, rested and rejuvenated, I'd like to finish up my guest posts on AutoCAD security. Again, my appreciation and thanks go to Lynn for the opportunity. - Dieter Schlaepfer

---------------------------------

The war for your privacy, identity, intellectual property, and online security is definitely escalating! The most common and easiest method that cyber-criminals use is to fool people into clicking a link or opening an attachment in email. Some of these can be very convincing that they're legitimate.

However, certain cyber-criminals and organizations focus on your AutoCAD environment. Your first line of defense is to be aware of their methods and know what features and best practices can help you defeat these attacks.

 

Here’s what our software and test engineers did for AutoCAD 2016:

• Analyzed the code and reduced or eliminated vulnerabilities to malformed data.
• Updated the CAD Manager Control utility so that several system variables can be locked (LEGACYCODESEARCH, SECURELOAD, and TRUSTEDPATHS).
• Provided a way to prevent the common vulnerability that allowed AutoLISP and other executable code from being automatically loaded from the Start In folder. (LEGACYCODESEARCH)
• Improved the accessibility to trusted paths and other security settings through an upgraded Security Options dialog box. When you restrict the folders from which executable code can run, it’s less likely that malicious code can execute secretly.
• Added support for attaching digital signatures to AutoLISP and related files. Adding a digital signature to an application provides you with a way of verifying whether the application has been replaced or modified. Any changes will invalidate the digital signature, and will alert you when you try to use it.
• Updated a variety of other vulnerabilities. With genuine, non-cracked products, you remain current with Autodesk’s countermeasures against cyber-crime.
• Removed the ability to add passwords to drawing files. Instead, we recommend that you purchase an encryption product that meets current industry standards and is updated as needed. As of April 2015, many security experts recommend a 2048-bit RSA asymmetric key length as a minimum (a 4096-bit key length for internet transactions) along with a 128-bit AES symmetric key length as a minimum (a 256-bit key length for classified information).

Even if you don’t have AutoCAD 2016 yet, you can still be aware of the growing security threats and take precautionary measures. Don't put it off!

Like you, I truly wish that these threats would go away, but we need to accept the fact that they will continue to escalate as will our efforts to combat them.