Important notice to installing CAD (and not only CAD) applications.

Many OS add-ons and also the automatic updates of the Windows operating system (Windows Update, Microsoft Update service) require to perform a restart of the system after the installation (update) is finished. In this way, the changed files (mostly DLL libraries) can be loaded and integrated into the running system.

This necessary restart can be postponed and it usually occurs naturally with the everyday power-off and power-on cycle of your computer. But many users do not switch off their computers at all - they just put them into sleep mode (hibernate). And so the postponed restart can be delayed even by several days.

There are some risks hidden in this routine - you'll postpone possibly urgent security fixes for your OS and there is one more problem. If you install other applications on such "not yet updated" system - e.g. CAD software - the next restart may render non-consistent versions of system libraries and the application may behave in a non-standard way.

Therefore always make sure that your system is not in the postponed-reset mode before you install a new software. When you are prompted to restart, do so and perform the restart as soon as possible. Do not hide the restart reminder dialog, do not stop the update service.

AutoPDF - Automatic publishing of PDF file on every save of the DWG drawing

The Xanadu AutoPDF application can automatically update (save/publish) a file in the PDF publishing format with every save of the DWG drawing. You can set the target folder for published DWFs and optionally also upload them automatically to a FTP or iProject server.

AutoPDF can help in company document management - makes your design data available both for the members of your design team and non-CAD users.

The AutoPDF utility (reactor) can be downloaded from www.xanadu.cz/download, see description in the accompanying documentation and the AutoPDF command.


From the AutoPDF.txt:

On every SAVE/QSAVE/END of your DWG drawing AutoPDF saves/publishes a copy of your drawing to a PDF file. Old version of the PDF file is rewritten with the updated copy. You can setup the target folder for your PDF file and optionally upload it to a FTP or iPROJECT server.
The AutoPDF command can be used to disable/re-enable the auto-publishing functionality (ON/OFF options).
The 'noQS' toggle sets whether the _QSAVE (Ctrl+S) command also publishes PDF or not.
The 'Folder' option sets the target folder/subfolder name.
The 'FolderType' suboption specifies how the 'Folder' name is used - the 'Absolute' setting just uses the 'Folder' name as the target, the default 'Drawing' option saves the PDF copy with the DWG file, 'Current' saves the DWF in the AutoCAD current (Start-In) folder.
The 'Layout' option specifies which layout is published. The default 'Current' means the current layout when the drawing was saved (= mostly Model), 'Model' means "always publish the Model tab".
The 'Upload' option lets you automatically upload the published PDF to a FTP server or your iPROJECT server.
The option 'Now' performs the PDF publishing on demand (not on save) - even when the reactor is switched Off. You can e.g. call "AutoPDF Now" in your menu macros for final plotting.
The 'Status' option lists current AutoPDF settings.

How to explode block attributes keeping their text?

If you explode (EXPLODE) a block with atttributes, the attribute values change back to their AttDef names (tags). Usually, you need to keep their original values - i.e. the filled-in text of the attribute.

In these cases you can use the BURST command from Express Tools. It explodes a block retaining the readable attribute values.

AutoCAD with updates (Update/SP, Bonus Pack).

To identify AutoCADu 2009 with installed updates (Update 1 or 2, Service Pack) and extension packs like the "Subscription Bonus Packs" you can use the dialog "About AutoCAD".

Run the command ABOUT (Help > About AutoCAD), click the "Product information" button and in the field "Product update" (SP) you can see e.g.:

• "AutoCAD 2009 - English" (the original version)
• "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 2" (Update 1 - SP1 applied)
• "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 2.1" (Update 1 applied, Bonus Pack 1 installed)
• "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 3" (Update 2 - SP2 applied)
• "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 3.1" (Update 2 applied, Bonus Pack 2 installed)
  

You can also use the _VERNUM system variable - the "Update 1" level will show "C.111.0", the "Update 1" plus Bonus Pack will return _VERNUM=C.112.0, the "Update 2" reports _VERNUM=C.608.0 and with the "Bonus Pack 2" then _VERNUM=C.662.0.

AutoCAD compatible with Windows Vista?

The following CAD applications are compatible with the operating system Microsoft Windows Vista: AutoCAD 2009 (Vista logo certified; and the 2009-family), AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD LT 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, AutoCAD Mechanical 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, Revit 2008, Inventor 2008 SP1 and other Autodesk software from the 2008-family.

AutoCADu 2008 (and 2009) compatibility applies for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business and Enterprise.
For AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Autodesk has released Service Pack 2 which makes them compatible with the 32-bit version of Windows Vista.

How to uninstall a specific AutoCAD or Inventor Service Pack?

You can use the standard function "Programs and functions" (Add/Remove programs) in Windows Control panels to uninstall a specific Service Pack of an Autodesk CAD application.
Use the option "Show updates" and select the requested Service Pack to remove. Then click the Uninstall button or use the context menu.
In older Inventor versions you had to uninstall and reinstall the main CAD application.

Array along a path.

To create an array of elements/blocks along a given path (e.g. chairs around an oval table) you can use the standard commands DIVIDE / MEASURE with the options Block and Align. This way they work like the command ARRAY applied on a curve.

In some cases you will need to first create an auxiliar offset curve to the original linework with the OFFSET command.
In detail:
Use the "MEASURE" command if you need to array the blocks at a distance from one and other which you enter as part of the process. If you wanted to divide the path into a number of segments, and then array the blocks at the points at which the path divides, then use "DIVIDE". It works in the same way, only you choose the number of segments to split the path into as opposed to the length of each segment.

1. Create the block, the thing you want to array (the BLOCK command)
2. Draw the path, for example, an ellipse.
3. Use the command: MEASURE
4. Select the object which forms the path
5. Type "b" (for block) enter
6. Type the name of the block you want to array enter
7. Type or leave "y" in to align the block against the object enter
8. Type the desired length of segment enter
9. Done.
   

(detail by "idiosyn85")