28 Mar 2013

Attach a detail view boundary to its parent view

When you place a detail view, the boundary definition is not attached to the parent view. You can redefine the view by moving the boundary definition.

In the following image, the attached view definition moves with the model geometry when the model geometry is resized.

 
You can attach the boundary definition to a vertex in the parent view to associate it with a specific location.
  1. Right-click the detail view definition, and then select Attach.
  2. Select the attachment vertex.
NoteThe attached detail view definition cannot be moved and maintains its association to the specified vertex if the model file is updated.
 
TipTo redefine the attachment vertex the view definition, follow the same procedure used to create the initial attachment and select a new vertex.
 
You can remove the attachment of a detail view boundary to its parent view, so you can redefine the view.
  1. Right-click the detail view boundary definition, and then select Attach.
  2. Click anywhere in blank space within the drawing.
 
Posted By Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

27 Mar 2013

Inventor Templates - Slow performance

Have you noticed a performance issue on creating new files in Inventor? Do you often wait an extraordinary long period of time waiting for the new file dialog to appear? Do you see extra folders appearing in the Create New File dialog that shouldn't be there?
If you do where are your template files located? Are they in a folder directly off of a top level network mapped drive? P:\Templates for example.
If they are move the folder to a level lower e.g. P:\Inventor\Templates and repoint your template setting.
This stops Inventor searching the whole top level directory structure when the New File dialog is called.

26 Mar 2013

Not Your Father’s Autodesk

What follows is an interesting article by Chris Bradshaw, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk

 
Our new brand made its public debut today at this year’s TED held in Long Beach, Calif., where thinkers from around the world gathered to brainstorm and spread ideas. We could not think of a better place to unveil Autodesk’s new look than the premier conference about technology, entertainment and design.

Autodesk_logo_screen_color_black_medium

The new Autodesk is not just a surface change, but a reflection of how we are evolving our business.
For the past 30 years, Autodesk has played a pivotal role in the design and creation of things. We started out as the desktop-based CAD company, then become a leader in 3D design and engineer software. Our products have been involved in hundreds of iconic projects like the Shanghai Tower, New York’s Freedom Tower, the redesign of the Ford Mustang, and memorable blockbuster movies, including the last 18 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects.

The proliferation of cloud and mobile technologies is dramatically changing the way design is done, and who is doing the designing. To help our customers capitalize on this change, Autodesk began transforming our business a few years ago. We introduced cloud-and mobile-based software that puts powerful new design tools in our professional customer’s hands, enabling them to connect with each other and explore new ideas to improve people’s lives - by making better products, buildings, roads and bridges, and creating more engaging art, experiences and movies.

These tools are also more accessible than ever to teams of all sizes and budgets. For example, we recently began offering Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max, our award-winning 3D animation software for 90-day rental in North America, Australia and New Zealand. We’re offering teams of all sizes greater control of their software usage during critical project phases. Our other cloud-based services, like Autodesk PLM 360, Autodesk Simulation 360, Autodesk BIM 360 Glue, and the forthcoming Autodesk Fusion 360, are also available on a term-based subscription basis. More than 15 million professional customers have accessed our cloud products since their introduction in September 2011.

We’ve also invested in new markets like personal fabrication and digital art, which attract millions of new customers every month who use Autodesk design apps and products to unleash their creativity and imagine, design and create whatever they want.

Today more than 100 million designers, engineers, architects, creative artists, students and hobbyists use Autodesk software, cloud services and mobile apps.

The visual change is the most significant branding update in the company’s 30 year history, but since 1982, we’ve made subtle changes to things like color and imagery, eventually moving from the original calipers icon (a tool used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object) to the use of the Autodesk name. Our new visual identity includes a logomark with the Autodesk name for the first time in more than a decade. A talented team of Autodesk designers created the new branding and found their inspiration in origami. The style beautifully shows the convergence of art and science, form and function, aptly representing the Autodesk software portfolio.

This is just the beginning of the new Autodesk, and we’re excited to have you along for the ride.

25 Mar 2013

Designed In Inventor


urbee, jim kor, kor ecologic, hybrid vehicle, 3d printed

Nothing says “Welcome to the Future” like a 3D-printed runabout vehicle with a hybrid engine, three wheels, speeds of up to 68 mph, and capacity to carry up to 1,200 lbs. The Urbee 2 is the result of Jim Kor’s dream for a modern, sustainable vehicle that will someday revolutionize the way that we commute.

The exterior’s lightweight construction of ABS plastic allows for a minimum amount of drag and fuel required to operate the car, and it’s stronger and more easily manipulated than steel. Able to hold two passengers, the Urbee could very well be the next big thing in urban transportation.

Read more:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/4oqNzw/inhabitat.com/the-urbee-2-a-3d-printed-hybrid-car-that-is-light-strong-and-nearing-production/

Posted By Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

22 Mar 2013

Technical Learning Academy 2013

tla_2013_banner_780

Remember to save the following dates in your diary

This year's Technical Learning Academy dates are as Follows:

2nd May 2013 Bristol (Renishaw Plc)

9th May 2013 Cambridge (IWM Duxford)

23rd May 2013 High Wycombe (Academy Conference & Training Centre)

Watch the Micro Concepts Ltd website for more information.

Posted By Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

19 Mar 2013

Whats Next For Inventor

Sorry about the censored image but we are under embargo until 26th March before we can show the new logo... but you'll see the new logo when you click on the link anyway


Want to know what's next for Inventor? Check out the webcast this Tuesday, March 26th to learn about the Autodesk's next-generation design and engineering products - including a demonstration of new industry workflows that span the desktop and the cloud.

http://www.autodesk.com/webcast


Posted By Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

18 Mar 2013

Showcase tips and tricks: Saving and Sharing Material library




This tips and tricks will help you understand the steps involved in saving and sharing your Showcase material library with co-workers.

Follow the link below to see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT5LkAN050E&feature=youtu.be

11 Mar 2013

Autodesk Labs



Dont forget to check out Autodesk Labs for technology previews and cool add ons to Autodesk products

http://labs.autodesk.com/

Posted by Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

7 Mar 2013

AutoCAD requests to Autodesk servers blocked by proxy servers

Issue

You are using AutoCAD 2012-2013 and notice that some requests to Autodesk servers are being denied.
AutoCAD requests to Autodesk servers can be blocked by proxy servers. The following components can be affected when proxies block requests to Autodesk servers:
  • Welcome Screen (AutoCAD 2013 only)
  • Online Help (AutoCAD 2012 and 2013)
  • Sign in to Autodesk (Single sign-in to Autodesk Servers e.g. Autodesk 360, Subscription Center, etc)
  • Sign in to Autodesk 360
  • Autodesk Sync
  • Content Explorer: Accessing SEEK from the Content Explorer AutoCAD plug-in

Solution

If your network uses proxy servers to access the Internet, one of the following methods should help avoid internet access issues for AutoCAD components:
Exception Rules:
If you are experiencing issue accessing Autodesk servers through a proxy, adding an exception to the Internet Explorer proxy settings to allow the following domains to bypass the proxy server should help:
*.autodesk.com
*.google-analytics.com
*.cloudfront.net

Note: Please make sure your network is setup to route requests directly to the these domains without routing through the proxy servers.



Authenticated Proxies:To use the above mentioned AutoCAD Online components through proxy servers with Authentication enabled, you should enable http (port 80) and https (port 443) access to the following domains in the proxy without Proxy Authentication (i.e. Access for “All users” or Anonymous access through the proxy):

*.autodesk.com
*.google-analytics.com
*.cloudfront.net

Transparent proxies:
An intercepting proxy (also known as a forced proxy or transparent proxy) combines a proxy server with a gateway or router (commonly with NAT capabilities). Connections made by client browsers through the gateway are diverted to the proxy without client-side configuration (or, often, knowledge). Connections may also be diverted from a SOCKS server or other circuit-level proxies.
Transparent proxies will not prevent access to Autodesk Server components.

To see the full Knowledge base article please follow the link below:
Posted by Andy Roe (Application Engineer)

4 Mar 2013

Autodesk Releases 123D Creature, A Tool To Design, Paint, And Print Your Own 3D Monsters

photo

As a fan of monsters and 3D printing, in that order, I was intrigued by Autodesk’s new iOS app, 123D Creature. Aimed at beginning 3D modelers, the app allows you to build cute (or scary) monsters right on your screen by pinching, grabbing, and rotating a lump of virtual clay hanging on a skeleton.
The $7.99 app ($1.99 for a limited time) is the latest in Autodesk’s line of free 3D apps. The company sells much more expensive and complex 3D solutions like Maya and 3ds max but these 123D apps are designed to allow users with little experience to build objects, paint them virtually, and output mesh files that can be used on 3D printers. You can even order 3D prints of your creations right from the app.
Given the perceived difficulty of 3D modeling, these are an interesting way for Autodesk to sneak their tools into the hands of younger designers who could go on to use the company’s more lucrative tools.
How does it work? Fairly well, to be honest.
I tried the app briefly today and was able to design a pointy-headed little man and print him on my home Makerbot. Sadly his arms didn’t quite make it through the print process but his tiny legs and pin head look just fine. I’m no 3D artist, to be sure, so it was fun to be able to make a cute little being and then pump him out of my extruder in a few minutes. Not only does this give 3D novices the chance to experiment with 3D design, it makes folks with 3D printers happy because of the seamless system for making and outputting mesh files for quick prints.

Posted by Andy Roe (Application Engineer)