Happy Christmas & Happy New Year

I would just like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I hope 2012 has been a good year for your all and 2013 will be equally as good if not better. 

Which Autodesk Products Currently Run on Windows 8

Windows 8 now being released Autodesk have released a link to let you guys the users now what products are currently supported on Windows 8.

The following Autodesk products have been tested and Autodesk have confirmed as working correctly on Microsoft Windows 8 operating system.

• Autodesk 3ds Max 2013
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2013
• Autodesk Maya 2013
• Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013
• Autodesk Mudbox 2013
• Autodesk Softimage 2013
• Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2013

If you want to find out a little bit more please click on the following link for more details: Windows 8 Support For Autodesk Products

Autodesk FormIt

Autodesk today have released a new free app to download from iTunes Autodesk FormIt, its only currently available for the iPad. If your Lucky enough to be at AU2012 you should find out more.

I

Autodesk® FormIt mobile app helps you capture building design concepts digitally anytime, anywhere ideas strike. Use real-world site information to help create forms in context and support early design decisions with real building data. Experience a continuous Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow by synchronizing designs in the cloud for further refinement using Autodesk® Revit® software products and other applications. 

Express design ideas with easy-to-use tools:

• Create forms quickly from a gallery of shapes
• Directly manipulate forms using gestures for easy model changes
• Save designs to the cloud and share with others

Easy access to site information:

• Set project location in a searchable maps interface 
• Import satellite image of your site
• Design directly in the context of your proposed building location

Make early design decisions:

• Explore the effects of the sun using the location-aware Shadow Study tool
• Start early program analysis by tracking gross building floor area ratio while you design

Experience a more continuous BIM workflow:

• Store and share designs in the cloud using Autodesk® 360 cloud services
• Easily transfer designs to desktop applications via RVT or SAT file formats
• Explore design ideas and add detail to early design forms using award-winning BIM technology

iPad Screenshoots:

Check out this short YouTube Clip:

To find out more about this please checkout the website link: http://autodeskformit.com/ 

Setting Up A Starting View in Revit

Specify the Starting View for your Revit Model

Revit does a lot of wonderful things but one thing I don't like is the default starting view. When you start up your project it just opens on the last view you saved and closed it down on, which can be anything. For example you saved it last when you were in Level 1 plan; it will reopen in that view.

Revit does allow you to specify a view to open as the starting view every time you or someone opens up that project. To do this you need to do the following:

1. Open the model. NOTE: You need to have open the model you are going to apply this to.
2. From the Ribbon click Manage (Tab) > Manage Project (Panel) >  Starting View.

To find out the rest please click on the following link: Revit Starting View

BIM 360 Glue Mobile App (Update Release)

If you read my blog post beCADsmart - BIM 360 Glue Blog Post 9th October you would of seen BIM 360 Glue has been released for Mobile devices.

Autodesk have now released an update, to find out more read Beyond Design Blog.

What's New?

• Measure distances with a simple measurement tool
• View brighter images with improved rendering graphics
• Get easy access to help from any screen
• Open Navisworks models using "Open In" from apps that support that feature by signing in with your Autodesk ID

You can download the latest version for your iPad from iTunes: Autodesk® BIM 360 Glue

Service Pack SP1 For AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013

Autodesk have released Service Pack SP1 for AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013 and its now available for download on Autodesk website: Service Pack SP1 for ASD 2013

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. Updates have been made in the following commands and features:

• 3D Navigation Tools 
• 3D Modelling 
• Autodesk 360
• CUI (Customize User Interface)
• Design Centre
• DGN Support
• Dimensions
• Hatch
• InfoCenter
• Inquiry
• Plot
• Point Cloud
• Express Tools

General Updates - AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013 Update 1 provides fixes for defects in the following areas:

AutoCAD Structural Detailing - Reinforcement

• Adding the viewports generated as blocks to the drawing.
• The reinforcement tables definition after database modification.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing - Steel

• The structure transfer between AutoCAD Structural Detailing Steel and Autodesk® Robot™ Structural Analysis Professional.
• Incorrect displaying AutoCAD Structural Detailing objects saved as ACIS objects.
• Incorrect result of modification in base and endplate connections.
• Incorrect value of levels displayed in description of elevation marks.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing - all modules

• Impossibility to select and change the colour of layer, line type or line weight in the existing objects in case of ribbon menu of AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013.

How much of my MEMORY RAM is my drawing really using?

I came across this great blog post this morning from Being Civil, How much of my MEMORY RAM is my drawing really using?

Being Civil posted a quick tip on how to check the amount of RAM your drawing is using alsone with the complete statistics of the drawing.

Check out how My Drawing Memory RAM

You can also follow Being Civil on Twitter @BeingCivil

How to remove Autodesk Products from a Windows System

Have you had an issue with your Autodesk product when you attempted to install or un-install it from your windows system? Now you are unable to install or reinstall an Autodesk product on your system.

Solution

In these cases, it is strongly recommended that you clean your system by un-installing all Autodesk products and supporting applications (add-ins, utilities, enablers, etc.) before attempting to reinstall the software.

To find out how to do this and for more information, check out the Autodesk Service & Support page: Service & Support

Autodesk® BIM 360 Glue

The Autodesk® BIM 360™ Glue mobile app enables BIM 360 Glue users to more securely access Building Information Modelling (BIM) projects from anywhere, at any time. Building, infrastructure, design, and construction professionals can access and intuitively explore multi-disciplinary models online or offline, access all saved views, and review.

Easy access to up-to-date, multi-discipline BIM 360 Glue projects

• “One-click to BIM” access from email notifications to a precise model view
• Navigate through saved views and access intelligent object properties
• Secure, authenticated, anywhere access to BIM 360 Glue projects

Intuitive exploration of multi-discipline BIM projects in the field

• Navigate using intuitive gesture-based pan, zoom and orbit
• Walk through the model with gravity-assisted navigation optimized for BIM
• View project model details with immersive, gyroscope-enabled look-around

Integrated with your BIM ecosystem

• Coordinate over 50 design file formats in BIM 360 Glue for mobile access
• Publish Navisworks models to BIM 360 Glue for access in the field
• Access large project models and data—online or offline

For more information and to download click Here

Creating a new Drawing or Model (AutoCAD/Revit)

When start a drawing in AutoCAD or a model in Revit it makes good practises to follow a few simple rules to help cut any errors. 

1. It's best practices to set up a template drawing or model with the relevant standard elements you are going to need all the time such as dimension styles, texts styles, etc.
2. Always start a new drawing or new model from your template. 
3. Choose the correct template, for example if you are in the UK we use Metric not Imperial.
4. Never start a new drawing or model by using a completed drawing or model, then deleting everything out you don't need. There is a good chance the drawing could be corrupted in some way.
5. In AutoCAD mate sure your draw in the model space NOT paperspace and make sure you draw to the correct scale. 
6. Manage all your objects within your drawing or model, make sure you put everything on the correct layers.  
7. Don't bring in things you don'd need like blocks (AutoCAD), families (Revit), its just going to increase the file size. 
8. Don't have drawings or models linked in your don't need, unload them or remove them all together. 
9. Clean your drawing or model regularly by purging and auditing. 

AutoCAD - Layout and Model (Tab)

The Layout and Model Tabs are missing, how do I get them back?

To switch the Layout and Model Tabs back on you need to go into your Options menu. If you type OP, then press Enter into the command line or click Applications Menu (BIG A) > Options.

Select the Display Tab and under Layout Elements tick Display Layout and Model tabs, then click OK.

Revit LT 2013

Autodesk released Revit LT earlier this month, its built on the Revit platform but not all the features. You can buy it as a stand-alone product or also with AutoCAD Revit LT Suite 2013.

Autodesk says the AutoCAD Suite enables you to:

• Ease the transition to BIM
• Create higher-quality construction documentation
• Design and communicate ideas more clearly
• Exchange designs with stakeholders using Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD software products
• render in theclour using Revit LT with Autodesk 360 Rendering, available throught Autodesk Subscription

Some benefits of Revit LT:

• Work more efficiently with a, Coordinated Model

• Design and Visualize in 3D

• Create Photo-realistic Rendering in the cloud

• Enhance Documentation Quality

• Automatically Generate Schedules

• Verify Material Quantities

• Get up to Speed Quickly with an Extensive Content Library

• Improve Accuracy with intelligent Components

• Exchange Designs with Autodesk Revit Software Users

• Deliver Designs in the DWG File Format

Find out more here

Compare Autodesk Revit LT and Autodesk Revit


Looking for a Reseller in the UK click Here.

Alternatively call CADline 01565 752415

Revit Tooltips

Revit Tooltips

It provides you’re the user information about a tool or item in the drawing window you’re hovering over. In some cases it shows an image or even a short video clip.

When you hoover over a tool on the Ribbon it provides you with a short description of the tool. If you leave the cursor over the ribbon tool longer, additional information displays, and sometimes an image or short video clip demonstrating how to use the tool.

Find out more Revit Tooltips

Revit Midlands User Group (RMUG)

Meeting 1

11th October 2012

@

Archial

Walker Building

58 Oxford Street

Birmingham

B5 5NR

Registration is Now Open!

Log-on to

www.rmug.org.uk

For more details

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Hotfix 2 Now Released

In a continuing effort to provide high quality products, Autodesk has released AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Hotfix 2 which fixes or addresses a variety of issues discovered by customers and by Autodesk's internal testing team.

It also includes the updates contained in Hotfix 1 for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013.

To learn more and download the Hotfix please click on link below:

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Hotfix 2

AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2012 - Service Pack SP4 Now Available

If you still running ASD you might wont to consider installing Service Pack SP4.

This update may be applied to any licensed copy of AutoCAD Structural Detailing® 2012 software installed as a stand-alone product or as part of a suite, with or without installed Service Packs 1, 2 and 3. This update includes Service Pack 1, 2 and 3 so you do not need to install them prior to installing Service Pack 4.

After installing Service Pack 4 it is strongly recommended that you install ASD 2012_HF1 and ASD 2012_HF2 which are the supplement fixes available for AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2012. 

For ASD Service Pack SP4: Click Here

ASD 2012 HF1: Click Here

ASD 2012 HF2: Click Here

Autodesk Exchange – Apps (Smart Browser for Revit)

The Autodesk Exchange App store is a good location to go for program apps for a wide range of programs like AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor and many more.

Autodesk Exchange App Store

tools4revit have written a nice little app for Revit called Smart Browser which is a quick way to find your Revit Families. If you would like to know more and read a review please click Here

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 Hotfix 1

Hotfix number 1 is here for AutoCAD Civils 3D 2013 which resolves an issue with Survey Figures Property Dialog and  an issue when opening an AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 drawing in Navisworks Manage 2013 with AutoCAD Civil 2013 Object Enabler installed.

To find out more information and to download the hotfixs please click Here

Controlling the Contextual Ribbon Tab in Revit

Did you know you can adjust how the Contextual Ribbon Tab works when you select objects?

Well if you want to know a little more about this click here and I will explain more.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 Service Pack 2

If your currently running AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 you might want to know that Service Pack 2 is now available.  

In a continuing effort to provide high quality products, Autodesk has released AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 Service Pack 2, which fixes or addresses a variety of issues discovered by customers and by Autodesk's internal testing team.

This Service Pack includes all previous hotfixes and service packs for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012. It also includes the fixes included in AutoCAD 2012 Service Pack 2 and AutoCAD Map 3D 2012 Service Pack 2.

Read more & To Download Update

Bridge Modeler for AutoCAD Civil 3D Will Graduate to Autodesk Subscription Center

The Bridge Modeller for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 technology preview focused on 2 workflows: (1) Purpose-built workflow for modelling bridge road, barriers, piers, abutments, and bearings for bridge types and (2) the ability to extract strings along a bridge and create Civil 3D alignments which can be then used to display key bridge elements onto Civil 3D profiles. The technology preview will cease operation on July 1.

Read more...

AutoCAD - Missing Dialog Box

Has your dialog box gone missing or no longer appearing on screen?

Its a common issue but very easy to fix. 

It’s the system variable called FILEDIA which has changed.

If you do the following:

Type FILEDIA into the command line it should say the following Enter new value for FILEDIA <0>: change this to 1 and the dialog boxes should now appear on screen again.

In simple terms:

0 Does not display dialog boxes. 

The default setting is 1 Displays dialog boxes.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013 - System Requirements

If you are looking to run AutoCAD Structural Detailing you might want to see what spec of machine you will need. Below is the standard spec Autodesk recommend you have to run ASD on a 32bit and 64bit machine.

For 32-Bit AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013

• Microsoft® Windows® 7 Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional or Home Premium edition, Microsoft® Windows Vista® (SP2) Enterprise, Business, Ultimate, or Home Premium edition, or Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Home edition (SP3 or later)
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz or greater with SSE2 technology
• For Windows XP: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core processor, 1.6 GHz or greater with SSE2 technology
• 3 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
• 6 GB free disk space for default install, 6 GB hard disk space available after installation
• Video card 1,280 x 1,024 true color
• Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7.0 (or later)
• Microsoft Mouse-compliant pointing device
• DVD drive (for installation only)

For 64-Bit AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2013

• Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition or Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, Ultimate, or Home Premium edition (SP2 or later)
• AMD Athlon™ 64 with SSE2 technology, AMD Opteron™ with SSE2 technology, Intel® Xeon® with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology, or Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)
• 6 GB free disk space for default install, 6 GB hard disk space available after installation
• Video card 1,280 x 1,024 true color
• Internet Explorer 7.0 (or later)
• Microsoft Mouse-compliant pointing device
• DVD drive (for installation only)

Please note information has been taken from Autodesk website for more details see the following link.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing

AutoCAD Civil 3D - UK & Ireland Country Kit

Now that AutoCAD Civil 3D has been out for a week or two and I am sure that some of you have already installed it and trying out all the new features.

As each country has its own country kit its key when you install AutoCAD Civil 2013 you install the correct UKIE content, but not to worry if you haven’t you can still go back and add it in later. 

Autodesk’s Jack Strongitharm has put a link to AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013 UK & Ireland Country Kit and also some short videos on What is a Country Kit


Here is a link to Jack's Blog From The Ground Up
 

AutoCAD Cursor Problems

Are you experience that the cursor in AutoCAD®, AutoCAD® Map 3D® or AutoCAD® Civil 3D® is slow or jerky?

I came across some solutions posted on the AutoCAD Service & Support page, click on the following link for more information: Cursor Slow or Jerky

General Notes Using Schedules in Revit

Check out how to create General Notes Using Schedules in Revit.

Click Here

Twitter in AutoCAD

 ACADtweet

Ok so if you are using AutoCAD and also use Twitter. Then why not do both through AutoCAD its self? 

On the Autodesk Exchange you can now download a App which will allow you to send and read Twitter messages directly from the AutoCAD command line.

To find out a more and download the app click here.

Change Text Style Script - AutoCAD

He is how to create a script to change the text style in AutoCAD.

1. Open Notepad
2. So the Text styles dialog box does open you will need to type -STYLE into the command line.
3. Now following the command line:  

Enter name of text style or [?] <Annotative>: (ENTER THE TEXT STYLE NAME HERE) Standard

Specify full font name or font filename (TTF or SHX) <romans.shx>: (ENTER THE FONT NAME HERE) Arial
Specify height of text or [Annotative] <0.0000>: (ENTER THE TEXT HEIGHT HERE) 2.5
Specify width factor <0.5000>: (ENTER THE TEXT WIDTH FACTOR HERE) 1

Specify obliquing angle <0>: (ENTER THE TEXT STYLE NAME HERE) 0
Display text backwards? [Yes/No] <No>: (ENTER YES OR NO TO DISPLAY TEXT BACKWARDS HERE) n
Display text upside-down? [Yes/No] <No>: (ENTER  YES OR NO TO DISPLAY TEXT UPSIDE-DOWN HERE) n
Press F2 in AutoCAD so the Text Window opens, select and copy of the text into Notepad. So it should read as follows:


-STYLE
Standard
Arial
0
1
0
n
n

Note: If you add a few enters after the last n you will see it will start the command again, so just watch your enters.
Now hit save as and name your script i.e Style_Text.scr.  Note to run it as a script you must put .scr at the end.


To run the script in AutoCAD now type SCR into the command line, go the location where you saved the script select it and click Open. It should now change your Text Style to "Standard" as current.

AutoCAD - Rotate on Paste

This is a tip I came across a good few years ago but still a good one.

Did you know that when you copy a objects by base point in AutoCAD then paste it back in you can type 'R' (rotate) and it will ask you to rotate the object on insertion.

• Copy object by base point Ctrl+Shift+C
• Now look at the command line it will "Specify insertion point:" type R.
• You will then be asked to "Specify rotation angle <0>:".
• Now all you need to do is place the object and it will be rotated on placement. 

AutoCAD 2013 File Format Change

Normally every 3 years Autodesk change the DWG file format to allow them to add enhancements and functionality to variety of features for all AutoCAD related products.

So this means the newest release AutoCAD 2013 its changed, but you can still down save back to earlier versions.

Scaling Text in AutoCAD

I was going through some stuff the other day and came across loads of useful tips for AutoCAD the other day. So I thought I would share it with you.

Scaling All Text At Once

Did you know you can scale or change the height of text all at the same time?

If you didn't well you can.

Type “SCALETEXT” into the command line.

Select objects: (select all the text for scaling)

Enter a base point option for scaling [Existing/Left/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC/MR/BL/BC/BR] <Existing>: (just press enter to keep existing insertion point for each selected text)

Specify new model height or [Paper height/Match object/Scale factor] <2.5>: (choose the height required)

Try it out and see how well it works for you.

You shouldnt need to use this if your using Annotative text in AutoCAD as it rescales for you if you need to change the scale of a view.

AutoCAD 2013 Comparison Matrix

The release of the latest version of AutoCAD 2013 is fast approaching, why not take a look at AutoCAD Comparison Matrix on the following link: 

AutoCAD Comparison Matrix

AutoCAD WS v1.4 is Here!!!

Autodesk have now released the latest version of the AutoCAD WS v1.4.

• 3D Support - Your now able to toggle between 2D and 3D view of your 3D drawings.
• GPS Functionality - The new GPS function lets you position yourself with your design leveraging the built-in GPS functionality.
• Plot from Mobile - Allows you to now plot your drawings directly from the AutoCAD WS mobile app.

Find out more on the AutoCAD WS  Blog.

AutoCAD 2013 - Coming Soon!!!

AutoCAD is coming soon and to give you a little taster Allen Lynn has blogged what sort of things are to come.

Check out her blog lynn.blogs.com

Revit Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Back in December I posted how to export your keyboard short-cut keys. Click following Link

So you don't have to create your own I have put one together at the following link RST 2012 Keyboard Short-Cuts. Just sign up to the CADline community website (its totally free) and then download and print it off, then just pop it next to your computer.

CADline Community

CADline Community is a site set up and updated by Application Engineers at CADline who are one of the Platinum Awarded Autodesk Partners supplying innovative design technology and associated consultancy, integration and professional services covering Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Process and Plant and Structural Analysis.

The CADline Community site covers everything from AutoCAD LT to all the Revit platforms, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Inventor and many more.

The great thing about it is its free all you need to do is sign up. You get weekly updated Blogs, a forums, FAQ's, White Paper, tips and tricks Videos. If you have a support contract you can download extentions Apps for free.

So check it out today CADline Community

Splitting Schedules in Revit

This is a great tip from a colleague of mine.

If you are putting schedules onto a drawing and your having problems fitting them onto a drawing why not split them down onto multiple sheets.

To found out how click on the following Splitting Schedules.

Creating a Script to Print

Ok so if you want to print off a drawing very quickly why not create a script which will do all the steps for you.

To start off open notepad. Note you need to remember that every space you leave AutoCAD will read so if you have finished a line hit enter to start the next.

First all you need to make sure you are in paper space or on a layout tab, so the first line you need to type TILEMODE 0.

So the script will look somethine like this.

TILEMODE 0
-plot
y

drawing sheet
a1 dwf
dwf6 ePlot

ISO full bleed A1 (594.00 x 841.00 MM)
millimeters
landscape
n
extents
1:1
center
y
giff full size mono.ctb
y
n
n
n

n
y

Please note where I put (giff full size mono.ctb)you need to put the ctb your are going to use.

Now you have put all this into notepad hit save. I have called mine dwf A1.scr, you need to have .scr at the end otherwise it wont work.

Open up AutoCAD if its not already open and type CUI enter. The CUI dialog box will open.
At the bottom left hand side under commands section there will be an icon that will create a new command, hit that and it should start to create a new command.

Give you command a name (i.e. A1 DWF), and a description so if other users will use it they know what it does. 
Ok so for the important bit under Macro, this where AutoCAD will run the command from.
You must always start a command with ^C^C this will escape from any other command before it starts this one.
We then type _script: so I will look for a script, then "the scripts location and name". Its important you have "" at the start and end.

So it should look something like this:

^C^C_script;"//mafp01/mabst1/Design Centre/Support Files/Script/dwf A1.scr"

Now thats done create a image for your icon, then simply add it to a current toolbar/ribbon or create a new one. Unless you have company toolbars/ribbons already i would create one for all your tools.

I hope this was useful, please feel free to leave your feedback.

Thanks.

Level Generator for Revit Architecture

Another tool for your Revit Architecture users is released onto Autodesk Labs this month.

Level Generator

Did you know Autodesk also have labs.blogs.

Filtering Intermediate/Reference Levels

If you need to create extra levels but don want to show them in a view, you can simply filter them out.

To find out more click Here

Autodesk Mobile Apps

You may of seen the Autodesk mobile apps, well you can now find them all on one handy webpage.

Autodesk Mobile Apps

Spell Check X-Ref's in AutoCAD

You can spell check all the text in your drawing even within the X-Ref's but first you need to change a setting so its possible to check the X-Ref's too.

For how click Here

Split Sections in Revit

Did you know that you can split a section in Revit?

Well you can to found out more click Here

Viewing DWG's & DWF's without AutoCAD

Ok so you issue your drawings over to a client in either DWG or DWF format, but they don't have AutoCAD. Well send them a link to Autodesk's free viewing software such a Design Review and DWG TrueView.

Click Here to find out a little more.

Background Color in Revit

I think we all know you can change the background colour in AutoCAD, but did you know you can also do it in Revit. Although you can only change it from white to black.

Ok so Here's How

Extra Pages Adding To Blog

Hi,

You should see extra pages added to my blog now with links at the top of the page. I have added some very useful links to other sites/blogs which I regularly visit. You can find some great information on Revit Structure, AutoCAD Civils 3D and AutoCAD Structural Detailing.

Autodesk Excellence in Infrastructure Competition

www.infrastructure-excellence.com is hosting the inaugural competition showcasing Excellence in Infrastructure.

The winner will be given $25,000 in prizes by their generous competition sponsors.

For more details click on the Infrastructure Excellence link above.