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.

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.

Persistent Autodesk 2013 Sync Error in the System Tray

Published date: 2012-Jun-04
ID: DL19683742

Applies to:

• AutoCAD 2013
• AutoCAD Architecture 2013
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013
• AutoCAD Design Suite Premium 2013
• AutoCAD Design Suite Standard 2013
• AutoCAD Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• AutoCAD Electrical 2013
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2013
• AutoCAD MEP 2013
• Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium 2013
• Autodesk Building Design Suite Standard 2013
• Autodesk Building Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite Premium 2013
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite Standard 2013
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Premium 2013
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Standard 2013
• Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• Autodesk Inventor 2013
• Autodesk Inventor Professional 2013
• Autodesk Plant Design Suite Premium 2013
• Autodesk Plant Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• Autodesk Product Design Suite Premium 2013
• Autodesk Product Design Suite Standard 2013
• Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2013
• Autodesk Showcase 2013

Download from:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=19683742&linkID=9242539

Details:

This hotfix is for users that have a persistent Autodesk Sync error in their System Tray. Persistent errors can occur when uploading settings or files through publish and save to Autodesk 360. Errors can also happen if you choose to automatically copy to the cloud.

Change AutoCAD Text Case

If you have mistakenly typed a piece of Text with different Case types, don't delete and retype the information. Simply use the AutoCAD tcase command to change Text Case (Works on any type of Text). 

• First type your Text.

• Then type tcase at the command line, you will be prompted to select the piece of Text, if not already selected. After which the TCASE - change text case dialogue will appear as below, where you can select the type of Case you want to have.

• AutoCAD will then take care of the Case change for you.

DWG Convert

AutoCAD 2012 includes a useful tool, DWG Convert, which enables you to translate AutoCAD DWG files to any of the following DWG versions: R14, 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010. This is for a single file, or multiples, making it useful for batch conversion of older files to the latest release.

To access the DWG Convert tool, simply go to the Application Menu (Red A, top left corner) > Save As > DWG Convert. In the DWG Convert dialogue box, you can specify the DWG files to be converted, save the list for future use, create new lists and open/append existing lists.

Workspaces

Workspaces are sets of menus, toolbars, palettes and ribbon control panels that are grouped and organised so that you can work in a custom, task-oriented drawing environment.

When you use a Workspace, only the menus, toolbars and palettes that are relevant to a task are displayed. In addition, a Workspace may automatically display the ribbon or a special palette with task-specific control panels.

You can easily switch between Workspaces. The following task-based Workspaces are already defined in the product:

• 2D Drafting & Annotation
• 3D Modelling
• AutoCAD Classic

For example, when you create 3D models, you can use the 3D Modelling Workspace that contains only 3D-related toolbars, menus, and palettes. Interface items that you do not need for 3D modelling are hidden, maximising the screen area available for your work.

To change Workspaces either select from the drop down at the top or the list at the bottom:

Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD Electrical 2012 Released

Service Pack 1 is now available for AutoCAD 2012 and can be downloaded directly from the link below:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=17800098&linkID=9240738
 
This Service Pack resolves a number of issues which are detailed in the ReadMe document along with installation instructions. Please make sure you read this important document before carrying out the service pack installation.

Service Pack 1 is available for 32bit and 64bit installations and is a 12Mb or 16Mb download.

Modify the Recently Opened Projects List

The AutoCAD Electrical Project Manager displays a list of recently opened Projects so you can easily select another Project to open without having to browse for it.

Overview of the LISTBOX_DEF Catalog Database Table

This optional table can be included in the Catalog Database file. It allows you to predefine filtering of the Catalog entries on the Parts Catalog dialogue box. AutoCAD Electrical normally shows all the entries for the selected Catalog Lookup table.

Filtering values can be defined differently for each Catalog Lookup table. The first field defines the Catalog Lookup table name. The next fields follow the same format and order as the Catalog Lookup table structure. Leave the field blank if you do not want to filter the records based on the values in that field. Access automatically handles the last field, which is the record number.

1. When the Parts Catalog dialogue box displays, the program checks to see if the component already has a Catalog defined.
2. If no Catalog is defined, the program checks the _LISTBOX_DEF table for a record with a TABLENAME value that matches the table name for the component.
3. If a TABLENAME match is found, the program filters the records displayed in the Parts Catalog dialogue box using the non-blank values from the _LISTBOX_DEF record.

For example, when you first insert a relay coil symbol and open the Parts Catalog dialogue box, you want the CR Catalog table display to default to Allen-Bradley part numbers for TYPE P relays. Use a copy of Microsoft Access to open the Catalog Lookup file, and select table _LISTBOX_DEF. Insert a record with these field values: TABLENAME = CR, MANUFACTURER = AB, and TYPE = TYPE P. The text you enter must exactly match existing field values in the target table. Save and Exit. Now, when you insert a relay coil and select Catalog Lookup, the dialogue box opens with these filters predefined.

Use Wildcard to Stop Electrical pre filtering Manufacturers

The new Catalog Lookup in AutoCAD Electrical 2011 allows you to filter and search by any field, Manufacturer, Type, Style etc. However there is a large performance overhead with this, so the Catalog Lookup is pre-filtered on opening to prevent all the records having to be loaded (the pushbutton component table has just under 100000 records for example). If you are editing the component and it already has Catalog information applied then it will filter using this information. It will filter on the Manufacturer and the fourth and fifth fields in the table (which are different for each component type).

Import Wire Types

If you require extra Wire Types from an existing drawing in the drawing you are currently working on, then there might be an easier way of creating these.

• Select Create/Edit Wire Types on the Schematic TAB, this will show the Wire Types that you currently have available in the open drawing. Click the Import button.