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.

Support of .NET Framework 4.5 and Vault 2013

Microsoft recently released the version .NET Framework 4.5.

At this stage Vault 2013 (Server and Client) and all previous releases of Vault are not supported with .NET Framework 4.5. Installing .NET Framework 4.5 is done at your own risk!

Autodesk have already received reports of Vault not working properly after installing .NET Framework 4.5.

This is an extract from the Cracking the Vault, Manufacturing Community Blog

Vault Office Addin Not Appearing After Installing DL19837065

After installing DL19837065 (link no longer available as it has been unpublished), you may notice that the Vault 2013 addin for Microsoft Office applications either stops working (the icons are greyed out) or you may get an error similar to this when trying to run them.

Could not load file or assembly
'Autodesk.DataManagement.Client.Framework.Vault.Forms, version=17.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=aa20f34aedd220e1' or one of its dependencies. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.

Autodesk have re-released a fix for this issue that includes additional fixes in DL20133057.

So uninstall DL19837065 and install the newer Hotfix.

This is an extract from the Cracking the Vault, Manufacturing Community Blog

Project Hydra for Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics/Mechanical 2013

Project Hydra is a free technology preview that is compatible with Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics 2013 and Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 2013 software.

The features of the Project Hydra technology preview include:

• Improvements to the Parametric Design Studies (PDS) feature
  Some improvements to the previously released (in Technology Preview Project Scout) PDS include the ability to export results as a CSV file and the support for CAD additions such as bolts/joints as well as remote loads and boundary conditions.
  
• Import temperatures from Autodesk CFD
  Temperatures from Autodesk CFD can be imported to linear, thermal, and MES analyses. Both steady-state and transient Autodesk CFD results can be imported as appropriate. To use this feature go to the respective Thermal tab in the Setup->Parameters dialog and choose "Simulation CFD file" as the "Source of Temperature."
  
• New fast Subspace with AMG solution of dynamics analyses
  For larger dynamics (modal, natural frequency) analyses with relatively small numbers of needed frequencies, a faster solution option is available: Subspace-AMG. The dynamics analysis solver will automatically switch between this new solver and the pre-existing one depending on the size of the model and the number of frequencies requested.
  
• Inquire results by part
  A new capability that allows the user to inquire the displayed result of any analysis on a per part basis has been added.
  
• Improvements to the Drop Test Wizard (DTW) feature
  The DTW from Project Scout has also been improved in Project Hydra.
  
• Rerelease of the GPU-enabled AMG Solver (AMG-MF)
  The Project Scout AMG Solver (AMG-MF) is being rereleased in this Tech Preview. This solver is faster than the original AMG solver for a class of well-conditioned and bulky models. Additionally, this solver can utilize a supported NVIDIA video card if requested.

Availability:

The technology preview will operate until April 1, 2013.

You can find the download on Autodesk Labs a:

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

123D Catch for iPhone Released

Autodesk launched the new free Autodesk 123D Catch app for iPhone on the App Store. Complementing the iPad, desktop and web app versions, the app lets users take photos from their camera on iPhone and upload them to the cloud where the photos are converted into a 3D model.

The Autodesk 123D Catch app for iPhone and iPad allows users to capture the world around them in 3D anytime, anywhere. The app features a capture window that includes familiar iOS camera controls to help manage focus and exposure while taking the photos. Users can then review the photo thumbnails before submitting them to the Cloud where the photos are transformed into a 3D model. The Autodesk 123D apps tap into Autodesk’s rich 3D design software heritage for professionals yet are easy enough for everyone to experiment and enjoy the creative process and make their designs real.

The connected workflow between the Autodesk 123D family allows captures made in the 123D Catch app to later be fabricated as a 3D printed object, or to be used as the foundation for further 3D modeling and 3D animation. To enhance the workflow, Autodesk has implemented new editing tools in the Autodesk 123D Catch web app that make it simpler to prepare catches for 3D printing. The new editing capabilities helps users to seal up holes within 3D models, smooth out surfaces, delete portions of the model they don’t want to print and create a flat surface as a stable base for 3D printing. Currently users can also access the My Corner feature to access files across 123D apps, including 123D, 123D Catch, 123D Make, and 123D Sculpt.

The Autodesk 123D Catch app is exclusively available for iPhone and iPad through the App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore. The Autodesk 123D Catch web app can be found at http://www.123Dapp.com/catch.

3ds Max Design Interface Colour Scheme

Like us, you may want to change the appearance of 3ds Max Design to make things clearer to work with.

If this is something of interest, please follow the steps below:

• First go to the Customize menu > Custom UI and Defaults Switcher...

Tea Break Video - 3ds Max Design

This video was recently released by Autodesk showing some of the best work created by Autodesk customers in post production using Autodesk products like Flame, Smoke, Maya, 3ds Max and Softimage.

We thought we would share this to inspire those of you who were wondering what you can use 3ds Max Design inside your Product Design Suite for.

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.