DWG files - which version of AutoCAD?

Scenario:
You have been sent a dwg to work on and must send it back in the same format it was received, but you do not know which version of AutoCAD it was last saved in.

Solution:
- Right-click on the DWG and Open With Notepad
- Read the first 6 characters and match them to the following versions:

AC1027 - AutoCAD 2013, 2014, 2015
AC1024 - AutoCAD 2010, 2011, 2012
AC1021 - AutoCAD 2007, 2008, 2009
AC1018 - AutoCAD 2004, 2005, 2006
AC1015 - AutoCAD 2000, 2001, 2002
AC1014 - AutoCAD Release 14
AC1013 - AutoCAD Release 13
AC1009 - AutoCAD Release 11, 12
AC1006 - AutoCAD Release 10
AC1004 - AutoCAD Release 9
AC1003 - AutoCAD 2.6
AC1002 - AutoCAD 2.5

You can now save back to the nearest format.

SC

AutoCAD 2014 ViewCube hotfix

There is a hotfix available for issues with the viewcube appearing on the output when plotting to PDF/DWF.

This applies to all versions of AutoCAD including Mechanical and Electrical.

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-mechanical/downloads/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-autocad-viewcube-hotfix.html

Inserting Inventor DWG views into AutoCAD

When you open an Inventor DWG in AutoCAD, it opens in Layout view.  If you would like to work on it in Model space, you can do so with the DDINSERT command.

1) Open the Inventor DWG in AutoCAD.  It will open in Layout view.

2) From Model space, type DDINSERT.  The Inventor drawing should automatically be selected.

3) Choose which view from the drawing you would like to insert from the drop-down Name menu.

4) Adjust your insertion and scale settings

Inserting drawings into older Autodek software

On a day to day basis on the support Help desk at Microconcepts we get a fair few people asking how they can transfer or save their Inventor files in older versions of software. For example using Inventor 2013 and you need to open the drawing in AutoCAD 2012. 

From the Inventor idw, we can go to 'Save Copy As' via the 'Save As' tool in the Inventor home button. Now making sure you've selected the correct file format. If you move the cursor over to 'Options' on the bottom right hand corner of the 'Save Copy As' window and left click. 

Within Options you will be presented with pull down box options. Select the box under file 'File Version' in here you can select the software format you need that pre-dates the Software you are running. 

Mapping AutoCAD Block Attributes into Vault

In Vault, when you want to map properties from an Inventor file into Vault, it is a simple case of selecting that file at the mapping stage and choosing from the list of properties which are then populated in the Import Properties dialogue.

With AutoCAD block attributes, it's not so straightforward.  For these, you have to index them first on the ADMS console, which effectively requires access to your Vault server.

On the ADMS Console, go to Tools > Index Block Attributes

Create a New entry and give it the exact name of your AutoCAD block.  Here we are entering "Title1-1" which contains no link to any AutoCAD file - it is just a reference for now.

Adding an index for a block called "Title1-1"

Once you have the index in place, Vault will then be able to extract attributes from any AutoCAD file with a block which has that name, as properties.

On the Vault client, go to Tools > Administration > Vault Settings > Behaviours tab > Properties button

From here, either edit or create a new property and ensure it has an association.  It doesn't have to have the same name as the block but for clarity we have done so in this instance:

At the Import Properties stage, when you select the AutoCAD file containing the block, this window will now become populated with the attributes contained within.

AutoCAD Electrical 2014 Service Pack 1

The first Service Pack for AutoCAD Electrical 2014 is now available for download:


 ACE2014SP1_32bit.exe (exe - 33858Kb)
 ACE2014SP1_64bit.exe (exe - 44248Kb)


Some issues addressed are as follows:

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

As a result of detailed information from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting Utility, a number of problems were identified and fixed. This service pack also includes problems fixed by Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 Service Pack 1. Updates have been made in the following commands and features:

Project Manager

• Occasional crashes while working with Project Manager.

OLE

• Occasional crashes or program hangs when performing copy and paste or plot operations with drawings that contain OLE objects.

General Service Pack Updates

This service pack also includes Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 Service Pack 1. The following defects have been addressed by AutoCAD Electrical 2014 Service Pack 1:

Cross Reference

• Symbol mapping option of the table style cross referencing does not work unless the library is listed first in the Project Properties.

Catalog Lookup

• Catalog data shifts some of the columns when do the Catalog Lookup for some special database.
• Catalog lookup locks up when switch from a table have more columns to a table have less columns.

Insert/Edit Components/Footprints

• Insert Panel from Schematic list may fail in some Localization version.
• DESC1, DESC2 and DESC3 are not copied to multi-pole when insert child poles.

Ladder

• Set Line reference values with sheet number template does not update to match the drawing sheet number during creation of new drawing.

Project Tools

• Project_wide update always save drawings in 2013 format.
• Component Update From Catalog does not work well to update the Weblink and Pinlist.

Tagging

• Fails to recognize duplication of tag when working with multiple drawings.

Terminal Strip Editor

• Cannot sort by all column headers in Terminal Strip Editor.
• Poor performance when editing the Terminal Strip that contains lots of terminals.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2014 Service Pack 1

The first Service Pack for AutoCAD Mechanical 2014 is now available for download:

 ACM2014SP1_32bit.exe (exe - 31293Kb)
 ACM2014SP1_64bit.exe (exe - 43921Kb)


Some issues addressed are as follows:

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

As a result of detailed information from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting Utility, a number of problems were identified and fixed. This service pack also includes problems fixed by Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 Service Pack 1. Updates have been made in the following commands and features:

Shaft

• Crashes in shaft calculations.

Centerline

• In some drawings, grip edit of centerlines can result in crash.

Surface Texture

• Crashes when adding leaders to surface texture symbols in Windows 8.

General Service Pack Updates

This service pack also includes Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 Service Pack 1. The following defects have been addressed by AutoCAD Mechanical 2014 Service Pack 1:

XREF Binding

• Some xref drawings cannot be binded.
• Performance issue when binding large xref drawings one at a time.

Partlist

• Partlist items from drawings saved in AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 version cannot be updated.

Content

• Description of some External Thread Ends is not correct.
• Description of hole in hole chart is not translated in the German version of AutoCAD Mechanical 2014.

Shaft

• Side view of DIN 5480 profile is not shown correctly in the drawing.

Hatch

• Block attributes are removed after deleting hatches and disabling AM_6 layer.

STEP and IGES

• IGESIN/IGESOUT and STEPIN/STEPOUT commands are not available in vanilla AutoCAD profile.

General

• In some drawings, AMCONVDWG does not yeild correct results in layer conversion.

Removing the 2500 object limit on the Ribbon in AutoCAD

If you've ever had an issue changing object properties from the ribbon, and you are working with a VERY large drawing - you've probably run into the 2500 object limit set by the AutoCAD development team.

2500 objects selected?  No problem.... but if you have 2501 objects selected?  Then everything goes wrong.

Dieter Schlaepfer (Autodesk) came up with a means of surpassing the 2500 object limit by setting the RIBBONCONTEXTSELLIM system variable. This (hard to remember) system variable can be set as high as 32767.

Note:  For performance reasons, the number of objects that can be changed at one time from the ribbon property controls is limited to 2500 by default.

If you're running into object limits with the standard Properties or Quick Properties command - take a look at the PROPOBJLIMIT system variable.  Same default, same limits apply here.

Posted by Andy (Application Engineer)

AutoCAD DWG Viewers

This is a very common request and need. People receive a DWG file and do not have AutoCAD to open the file. There are only a two that are actually 100% DWG from Autodesk and totally free.

Two Great Free 2D & 3D DWG Viewing Options:

Autodesk DWG TrueView (Windows Desktop): 

You can download the DWG TrueView. DWG TrueView is under the hood the the same exact code as AutoCAD. You can view, measure, plot with plot styles, and also convert files. It is a full Windows desktop application that you must download and install.



Get the free Autodesk DWG TrueView http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview

AutoCAD 360 (Cloud Based): 

This is where the power of the cloud is great. With AutoCAD 360 there is nothing to install on you desktop, just go to https://www.autocad360.com/ and then view, markup, and collaborate on the DWG file. You can control the people you invite to view it can do in the DWG and even save it as other file types or versions of DWG. You can even use the mobile version apps on Apple and Android platforms and view and markup your DWG files, even offline when you are in the field.



Check out AutoCAD 360 https://www.autocad360.com/

Posted By Andy (Application Engineer)

Certain Express Tools do not Function in AutoCAD Electrical 2013

This is apparently a known issue in AutoCAD Electrical 2013, whereby some of the Express Tools files are not loaded and maintained on starting AutoCAD Electrical.

 

This means that certain tools, such as Text to MText do not function.
However there is a fix:

• Start AutoCAD Electrical
• Type appload at the commandline
• Click on Contents under Startup Suite
• Hit Add in the Startup Suite dialog
• Browse to C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Acade 2013\Express
• Using CTRL select the following files - sysvdlg.arx, ctextapp.arx, dimsio.arx, leaderex.arx and mocoro.arx
• Click Open
• Now close all dialogs and check the Express Tools which were not working (i.e. Text to MText)
• You can always double check by closing AutoCAD Electrical 2013 and restart to ensure it maintains these files

Turn Off AutoCAD Tray Notifcations

AutoCAD usefully prompts to let you know once a Plot or Publish has completed, but some people find this a distraction.

If you want to turn these prompts off, then simply type traynotify at the command line, then change the default value 1 to a 0.

Micro Concepts Ltd add 'Brand New' training courses to their portfolio

Micro Concepts Ltd are proud to announce that they can now offer the following training courses:

• An Introduction to 3ds Max Design
• AutoCAD Electrical - Piping & Instrumentation Design
• AutoCAD Electrical - Routing & Design
• Sketchbook Designer
• Autodesk Suites Workflows

Click on the links above or look at our website to see in detail what these courses cover.

Micro Concepts Ltd are also now very proud to announce that we are offering Personal Development courses:

• Communication Skills
• Presenting Skilfully
• Training The Trainer

For more information about Personal Development courses or any other courses we have to offer please contact training@microconcepts.co.uk.

Square Fillet Corners in AutoCAD

The AutoCAD Fillet command can be used for adding Fillets at a chosen Radius, however it can also be used to add Square corners. To do this you can change the Radius to 0, or usefully hold the Shift Key whilst selecting the relevant lines you want the Square corner between.

The Hitchhikers Guide to AutoCAD

If you are new to AutoCAD, need a quick refresher or want to find out what it is all about, then the article below from Autodesk may be of use.

Welcome to The Hitchhikers Guide to AutoCAD - your guide to the basic 42 commands you need to create 2D drawings using modern AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

This guide is a great place to get started if you just completed your initial training, or to refresh your memory if you only use AutoCAD occasionally. As you can see from the illustration, the 42 commands are grouped together according to types of activity. In addition, these groups are arranged sequentially to follow a typical workflow.

 

LABS - DesignScript for AutoCAD 2013

DesignScript is a unique language. It is intended to help designers build and analyse complex geometric models that would be difficult to model with interactive techniques. This type of exploratory design is best served by a scripting language that is designed for exploratory programming. Additionally DesignScript is intended to be used by designers with little previous programming experience. It is much less rigid than conventional programming languages, and it is completely integrated into the host geometry application (currently 64-bit AutoCAD).

DesignScript introduces the distinction between a generative description of a design (as a script) and the resulting generated model. The designer no longer directly models the resulting design: instead he develops a script whose execution generates the model. This enables a completely different kind of design model to be created. The design process is also different. An apparently minor edit to the script could have a profound effect on the generated model, and this enables the exploration of a vast array of alternatives, with much less effort than manual interactive modelling.

The free technology preview of DesignScript application includes:

• the language,
• an IDE (interactive development environment) for editing, debugging and executing scripts,
• a geometry library to generate geometry, initially within AutoCAD,
• analysis and simulation tools.

Availability:

The technology preview will operate until March 31, 2013.

You can find the download on Autodesk Labs at:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/designscript

Send AutoCAD Hatch Patterns to the back of the Display Order

If you have a complex drawing with multiple layers of geometry and Hatch Patterns, it can be difficult to pick the right item with so many things on top of each other. So to make things simpler you can send Hatch Patterns to the back in the Display Order. Simply type hatchtoback to send all Hatch Patterns to the back of the Display Order.

AutoCAD Joystick Control

A different way of navigating AutoCAD, but instead of panning you could use Joystick. To do this simply press CTRL and hold the Mouse Wheel down, you will be taken into Joystick mode.

AutoCAD 2013 SP 1.1 is Go

In our last Technical Bulletin we were advising people to not install AutoCAD Service Pack 1, until Autodesk had corrected an issue in the patch.

 

You can apply this update to AutoCAD 2013 (with or without SP1) running on all supported operating systems and languages. Consult the readme file for installation instructions and more details on the primary issues resolved by this update. Be sure to install the correct update (32-bit or 64-bit) for your software and operating system.

 

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD 2013 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD 2013 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites.

• AutoCAD Design Suite 2013
• Autodesk Building Design Suite 2013
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2013
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2013
• Autodesk Plant Design Suite 2013
• Autodesk Product Design Suite 2013

To download the new AutoCAD 2013 SP 1.1 click here.

 

To get an idea of what has been fixed in AutoCAD SP 1.1, please read the Autodesk service pack readme here.

AutoCAD Dimension Rotate

There may come a time when you want to add a Rotated (Angled) Dimension, for instance you might draw an ISO Projected View or perhaps staggered geometry.

To create Rotated Dimension follow the steps below:

• Create your geometry in a drawing, then type dimrotated at the command line
• You will be prompted for an Angle to display the dimension, i.e. 45 degrees

• Then simply pick the Start and End point of the Dimension, then drag and click to position

Locate and Clear Overridden AutoCAD Dimensions

There are times in AutoCAD where we come across a dimension that has been Overridden, there may be a real reason behind this. But more often than not, it has been done for speed, which is not helpful when you want to make something from this drawing.

To find and correct Overridden Dimensions in a drawing follow the steps below:

• Firstly this is an AutoCAD Express Tool, which are free, but do require you to tick the option during install. Open your drawing, then type dimreassoc at the command line, you will be prompted to Select Objects, drag a selection box over all Dimensions on the drawing.