Here is a great informational video about Autodesk University 2011.

I have a couple of posts on the various MDI drawing tabs add-ons for AutoCAD, the first was in 2007 (updated in 2010), and another from this year regarding the compatibility of the Autodesk version with AutoCAD 2012.

I have been using the version from www.caelink.com with no problems for a while now.

Here is a quick tip regarding layouts. Use Designcenter (command:ADC) to easily copy complete layouts from one drawing to another. By complete layout, I mean the layout, any geometry in the layout and the page setup.

You might even create several differently sized layouts with various title blocks, borders, etc. and keep them in a standard drawing that you can access using Designcenter.

It's getting close to that time of year again. Yes, I'm talking about Autodesk University 2011. The first classes are about 4-1/2 weeks away, so there is still plenty of time to register. As the image on the left indicates, I'm fortunate enough to be attending myself this year.

There are over 650 classes from which to choose, covering a wide variety of topics. If traveling is not an option for you, consider AU Virtual, which is free to all AU members and includes 250 classes in multiple languages.

If you are on twitter, keep an eye on the conversation with the #AU2011 tag. If you are already signed up, make sure to check your class schedule every now and then for changes. During the conference, consider taking one of the many Autodesk Certification exams for FREE. Certifications are offered for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Inventor, Revit Arch, 3DS Max, Maya, Moldflow, and Alias. Check the link above for more info.

You can also find more info at the AU Facebook page, and you can RSVP while you are there on the event page. Last but not least, check out the AU videos on Youtube.

The new BLEND command in AutoCAD 2012 creates a tangent spline in between two entities. This can save you a lot of time compared to manually working the Spline command. You can pick lines, arcs, open splines/polylines, or elliptical arcs. After you pick the first entity, and hover the cursor over the second one, a preview of the new spline will be shown.

Before you select the first entity, one option is CONtinuity. Type in CON and then you can select from Tangent or Smooth. Tangent will create a degree 3 spline with tangency continuity to the selected objects at their endpoints. Smooth will create a 5 degree spline with curvature continuity to the selected objects at their endpoints.

As expected, the new spline entity will be created using the current properties (layer, color, etc). Are you already using this? Is this new to you? No need for it? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Simple Linetype Definition

The AutoCAD linetype syntax is pretty simple. Referring back to Part 1, recall the linetype definition that I copied, edited, and named MY-DASHED.



Looking at the definition, the first item is an asterisk, followed by the name of the linetype, then a short description, and finally an ASCII representation of the linetype. This last part is totally up to you, just get it as close as you can. Look at some of the other linetypes as a reference.

So where do AutoCAD linetypes come from? When you start up AutoCAD and start drawing some geometry and decide to change the linetype to something other than Continuous, where did they come from? How did they get there? How can you change them or add more?

To start with, there are two types of linetypes, simple and complex; both are stored in the DWG file. Simple linetypes are composed of line segments and spaces (or gaps) only. Examples include the HIDDEN, DASHDOT, and PHANTOM linetypes, as shown below. Simple linetypes are fully contained in the DWG file. If you send a DWG file to someone else, you do not have to send any external files along also in order for the simple linetypes to display correctly.

Get a Sneak Peek at Upcoming AutoCAD Features!

The AutoCAD User Experience Team is hosting its annual AutoCAD Sneak Peek events in late September. These are free half-day events held in a few different locations, and they’re a great way to get hands-on experience with in-progress features and give your suggestions and feedback directly to the team designing those features. This year the team is running two events that focus on different functionality. To sign up, click one of the survey links below.

Web & Mobile Sneak Peek

This sneak peek highlights features for people who work on AutoCAD from multiple computers or different locations -- such as using different workstations, or switching between the office, home, or working out in the field.  CAD Managers and day-to-day AutoCAD users of all levels are welcome to attend.

Locations & Dates: San Francisco (Sept 22), San Jose, CA (Sept 28), and Denver (Oct 4-5)

Sign Up for the Web & Mobile Sneak Peek Here

Model Documentation Sneak Peek

This sneak peek is geared toward people in the Mechanical/Manufacturing industry who use AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, or/and  Inventor , and who create and annotate model views (such as section, detail, and projected  views) of 3D models (mechanical parts, components).

Locations & Dates: San Francisco (Sept 23), Portland/Lake Oswego (Sept 29-30), and Fullerton, CA (Sept 29-30)

Sign Up for the Model Documentation Sneak Peek Here

If you have questions or want to learn more about the events before signing up, contact Shari Nemerovski,
shari.nemerovski@autodesk.com.

Do you have the need to import GIS data, typically ESRI SHP files*, into Civil 3D? Are you still doing it the old way with map queries? Take a look at this tutorial over at Civil 3D for Beginners titled Quick and Dirty GIS Surface Import.

It explains how to import an ESRI SHP file directly into Civil 3D as a Surface. This will save you a lot of time compared to the old method. Even though the article mentions version 2012, it also works in version 2011.

There are actually quite a few good articles to explore while you are over there. Have fun.

*Otherwise known as shape files, but not to be confused with AutoCAD shape files that are typically used in linetypes.

Although there are some great tools out there for dumping your layer list to Excel, such as the one from Dotsoft, if you are not particular about the look of the output, there is a fast way to do this using only AutoCAD and Excel.

1. Open your layer manager
2. Click on any layer, then press CTRL+A. This will select all of the layers.
3. Press CTRL+C to copy this to the clipboard.
4. Open Excel, click in cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

This works with both the old style model layer manager and the new palette based layer manager on AutoCAD for Windows (use LAYERDLGMODE to control). I do not know if this will work on AutoCAD for Mac.