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Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin ResortOrlando, Florida

11/30/2005 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am Room:Pelican 1 (Swan)

AutoCAD® 2006: The Most Compelling Features for Educators

If you teach AutoCAD in a high school or college, then this class is for you. With the release of AutoCAD 2006, most educators are implementing this software in their curriculums for fall 2005 or spring 2006. In this class, you'll learn about the most compelling features to present in your classes. Learn to use features and commands such as improved tables and fields, data extraction enhancements, new hatching objects, using and simple customization of Tool Palettes, drawing annotation improvements, Dynamic Blocks, Interface Locking, polar and object tracking, workspaces, DWF enhancements and publishing, an overview of Sheet Sets, and much more, as time permits! We'll explore the new features from both a technical and pedagogical point of view.

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About the Speaker:

J.C. Malitzke - Moraine Valley Community College

J.C. Malitzke is professor of Mechanical Drafting and Design, and serves as the department chair of the Computer Integrated Technologies Department at Moraine Valley Community College in Chicago. He also manages and teaches for the Premier Authorized Autodesk Training Center at Moraine Valley. He was a founding member of the Autodesk Training Center Executive Committee, which consults with Autodesk on training matters. He is a recipient of two National Science Foundation grants and several educator awards. This is his 12th year presenting at Autodesk University. He holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Industrial Technology from Illinois State University.

AutoCAD 2006®, Most Compelling Features for Educators!

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We will explore AutoCAD 2006’s compelling features from the educator’s point of view!

AutoCAD 2006 will again change the paradigm for the way we draft, design or engineer. In this session, we will look at new tips and techniques for AutoCAD 2006 as well as some oldies but goodies.

First and foremost, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD 2006 are DWG compatible and can be loaded on your computer together.

Let’s start of with a few oldies but goodies….

XLINE (Been around for a long time!)

A helpful trick is to create construction geometry with XLINES that are perpendicular to an object.

XLINE t ha t is Perpend ic u la r t o an ob jec t

The Interface look and feel of AutoCAD.

The new user or the experienced user always needs a short review of the interface. In AutoCAD 2006 changes to the interface impact us all. Demonstrate the layout of the screen, the palettes, toolbars, and the menu structure and especially take time with the new Dynamic Input.

AutoCAD 2006®, Most Compelling Features for Educators

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Dynamic input is the new tool for heads-up design. It is the interface between AutoCAD and the user

Dynamic input offers the user "heads-up" design by allowing you to input command information on screen at the cursor location,

Many of the commands will be attached to the cursor. Some time is need for discussion and demonstration when using the new dynamic input interface. Some simple rules are: Do NOT turn off this feature! It really saves time when drawing!

Example: To draw a line 5 units in the X direction and 5 units in the Y direction you type 5,5 NOT @5,5. The new dynamic input interface defaults to relative movements! Likewise, type 3<30 instead of @3<30 for 3 units at an angle of 30 degrees. You do need to type #3,3 instead of 3,3 for absolute input.

The [TAB] key can lock a distance or angle, try it!


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What are you looking at?

When you are introducing AutoCAD to new users or seasoned veterans you usually look at the interface. When the experienced user is updating his or her skills to the latest release you usually go over the interface first. The second topic you should look at is viewing your drawing. What are the tools we really need to learn?

Roll the mouse wheel away from you. Roll the mouse wheel towards you. Hold the mouse wheel down to and pan your drawing. Double click quickly the mouse wheel to zoom extents. Now try holding down the [CTRL] key with your left hand while holding down the mouse wheel. You are in Joy Stick mode. Pan your drawing and see what happens. Stay close to your pick and you pan slowly, Move you cursor away from the center of the pick and your drawing pans faster!

Intellimouse covers most of the entire zoom and pan commands. If you do not have a wheel mouse for scrolling, buy one!

Set your VTOPTION variable options for the new view transitions delay.


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Using the zoom fly-out can help in viewing your drawing, but time should only be spent on learning the new ZOOM Object tool. The ZOOM Object tool should really be customized on to the Standard Toolbar replacing the real-time zoom and pan commands. The real-time zoom and pan tools are superseded by the mouse wheel!

The Zoom Toolbar is a cool tool to use. But only if you really need to use it. Use the mouse wheel!

The View menus have many tools you can use. Using this menu takes time. Use the mouse wheel whenever possible.


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When was the last time you taught the creation of named views? If you are going to use Sheet Sets, views can play an important role in the creation and usage of sheets. Also, if you have a very large drawing, you can save time by creating named views. Just restore the view you need instead of zooming and panning your drawing.

Running Osnaps, Osnap overrides, Tracking/TT, TK, and other methods for input.

When we first learned how to drawing lines and circles, we learned the use of direct distance entry. This method is the simplest method to draw lines. Just pick a point, move your cursor and type in our distance. But what do we learn next. Many learn the absolute, relative and polar coordinate systems. NO!

We should look at the use of the basic Osnaps, then tracking! (3,3 @3,3 #3,3 @3<30 and 3,30) should be taught last.

Set up the running Osnaps that most users always use.

Use the FROM Osnap modifier. Use Temporary track point to draw from an existing point in your drawing. DO NOT create construction geometry to find a specific point in space. (By right clicking, you get the Snap Overrides menu pick. You do not always need to [SHIFT] right click for your Osnaps!


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TK is more versatile. When you need to position an object in relationship to other objects, type TK BEFORE you place your first point. In the example below, you start the circle command and type TK, select the intersection of the two lines and move your cursor vertically up. Type 2 and press enter, then move your cursor to the left and type 2, press enter twice. Enter the value for the circle radius or diameter. You have created a circle from the intersection of the two lines 2 units up and two units to the left!

The use of the FROM OSNAP modifier can be used also to accomplish the same task. Give it a try.


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Tracking

Learn Otrack and Polar tracking also. I always tell my users to keep these tracking tools on all the time.

The example below is using Otrack with running Osnaps on. It is then quite easy to copy circles to the midpoint locations as needed. Notice the two tracking lines for midpoint circle placement.

Tracking is a way for you to locate a point relative to another point in space. Tracking has been improved because of its graphical front end. We can see exactly what is happening when we are using any of the varieties of tracking. Tracking consists of the following:

o Tracking Paths –Extension and Alignment o Tracking Points o Temporary Tracking Point o Object Tracking o Polar Tracking o Tracking Tool Tips o TRACKPATH system variable o Status bar changes

A system variable TRACKPATH is used to display the length or the tracking path. Think of the tracking path as a temporary construction vector showing direction. The default setting is 0. Set the TRACKPATH to 1 to reduce the length of the tracking path. Many beginners set the TRACKPATH to 1. 0 Displays full screen object snap tracking path 1 Displays object snap tracking path only between the alignment point and from point to cursor location 2 Does not display polar tracking path 3 Does not display polar or object snap tracking paths The drawing below had a change order to punch in four new holes and to punch in the two new slots. Using object tracking, extension, center, endpoint and midpoint running Osnaps it should take only 30 seconds or less to create the changes. Give this a try!


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After you have taught running Osnaps, Osnap overrides, Tracking/TT, TK, and other methods for input it is time to teach absolute, relative and polar movements!

Forget a command or system variable name?

Type the first letter(s) of the command or system variable and press the [TAB] key. You will cycle through the commands and system variable names!

Text styles, TEXT, MTEXT, Dimensioning in paper space, FIELDS, TABLES and Attribute Extraction Discuss with your users what text is and how to create different styles of text. Do NOT use the standard styles in AutoCAD ever!

Always create you own text styles.

TEXT=DTEXT. MTEXT for paragraphs, text imports, cut and pastes and greater customization for the use of text.

FIELDS should be used whenever possible also!


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TEXT usage for one line at a time. Show your users how easy it is to create text and how to double click to edit Text. In the example below is a simple string of text created. If you double click on the string you get the new editing box.

The MTEXT editor is frameless. The user has many new tools and the ability to pan and zoom in the drawing when the MTEXT editor is present. Time should be spent teaching as many of the features as possible of the MTEXT editor!

When editing MTEXT, select the text and right click. Show all the different options for editing MTEXT. Bullets are one example.


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Background Masks

Another example is the use of background masks in MTEXT.

Background in Dimensions

One new feature is to cut/copy and paste from a word document into AutoCAD. Just launch Microsoft Word and open a document. Cut/copy and paste you document to the clipboard. Paste the contents into the MTEXT editor. Notice that all the bullets from Microsoft Word appear in AutoCAD.


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Symbols are available from the context sensitive menu in MTEXT.

Set the MTJIGSTRING system variable. Set the preview to whatever you want! This changes the preview in MTEXT. CODY is my dog’s name.

Set the system variable TASKBAR to 1. You now have all your drawings listed at the bottom of your screen.

Associative Dimensioning (a great setting! Use it!)

True associative dimensioning was introduced in AutoCAD 2002. Dimaso is replaced by DIMASSOC. Forget about Defpoints. We now dimension to an object. The dimensions are now attached to the object and not to a


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definition point. This works in both model space and paper space. Use your grips to stretch a rectangle and watch your dimensions change. We could not do this in previous releases of AutoCAD. Dimensioning in Paper Space. Transpatial References or Transpatial dimensioning. If you have been applying your dimensions in Model space you now can dimension in Paper Space. Give it a try! DIMASSOC is a new system variable. The settings are: 2 enables associative dimensioning 1 creates non-associative dimensioning 0 creates exploded dimensions Also, you can set this variable in OPTIONS. Use the DIMREGEN command to force an update of all associative dimensions in the current drawing. Use the DIMREASSOCIATE command to associate a non-associative dimension to an object or object snap points on geometry.

Use the DIMDISASSOCIATE command to remove any associations for a set of dimensions.

Dimensioning enhancement in AutoCAD 2006

The following are new AutoCAD 2006 enhancements.

Arc Length Dimension, Jogged Radius Dimension, Fixed Length Extension Lines, Vary dimension linetypes, Flip Dimension Arrow and Initial Length Symbol. Check out the new Dimension Dialog box settings for these need features.


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Fields

The use of Fields in AutoCAD can really change the way we user AutoCAD. We should spend time learning many of the different permutations of this feature. Fields are place holders for text. Fields are import in the fact that they might change during the lifetime of a drawing. As the drawing changes, the field could automatically update. Field data can include drawing properties such as author or date, system variables, object properties and sheet set date. Custom fields can be created at the sheet level and the sheet set level.

Fields can also be cells in Tables, block attributes, MTEXT and drawing title blocks.

Fields in tables.


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Fields in MEXT strings.

Fields in title blocks. The SHEET TITLE is a field. Use Fields for all title block information. You should re-design all of your title blocks using fields! Notice the custom fields created for this title block. (Drawing By, Drawing title, Drawing Number, etc.)

Another simple use for fields that we can teach is the creation of a simple plot stamp. Use standard fields and a custom field for a plot stamp in the lower left corner of your sheet. The plot stamp WILL preview when you plot.

Fields for area calculations

One simple trick I use for introducing fields is linking a field to an area of an object in model space. I then use another trick to copy and paste the field code to paper space.


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Fields for Layouts

When we create a viewport and scale the viewport, we need to lock the scale. We can use the Display Viewport locked function or we can set a dynamic field attached to the viewport. If we rescale the view in the viewport the field updates!

Tables

Table are can now be a standard part of a drawing. You do not have to draw every line to create a table. Tables use text and fields for each cell. Use the Table command!

You can create custom tables. Create unique rows and columns as shown. Each row and column can be modified.

Table lists from Sheet Sets any be created on the fly!


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Cut and Past from Excel to create a table. In AutoCAD, use Edit>Paste Special>AutoCAD Entities!

New to AutoCAD 2006 you can extract attributes directly to a table. Delete some of the blocks with attributes in your drawing and the table will update showing the changes.

By extracting data directly to an AutoCAD Table you also get an notification bubble when the table need updating.


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You can also extract data from a whole sheet set.

Hatching in AutoCAD 2006 Boundary hatching in AutoCAD has improved functionality. Hatch Edit and Boundary Hatch Fill dialog boxes have new controls. New to AutoCAD is the ability to pre-assign the draworder of hatch objects to create hatches that are above or below the boundary geometry. The new Hatch Origin can also be set so hatches do not bleed together. Separate hatches can be used instead of having one large pattern across a drawing.


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You can also trim your hatch. Just use the trim command and press return before you select the hatch pattern.

In previous releases of AutoCAD, when hatching you must have closed and bounded geometry. Not anymore. AutoCAD 2000/2006 lets the user set a gap tolerance.

Select the Advanced tab and set the Gap Tolerance to the size of the opening or just slightly larger! Your hatch works!

Use HATCHEDIT for separating hatches.


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Use the new Hatch Origin setting and reset the hatch scale to get the needed drawing readability.

The –HATCH command

Many times we do not need to hatch the total area of a drawing. Using the old drafting term “conventional practice” we only need to hatch just part of the area needed. Type –HATCH, select W for draw boundary, follow the prompts and pick your points.


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Presentation Drawings

True color and gradient fills have been added to AutoCAD for hatching. True Color provides WYSIWYG on the screen and eventually when you plot. The gradient options give the design enhanced capabilities to create presentation quality output.

Gradient Fills are controlled by a Gradient tab on the BHATCH/HATCH dialog box. When you want to create a Boundary Hatch, gradients fill are available from the AutoCAD Color Index, defined by Hue, Saturation and Luminance (HSL), by 256 colors RGB or by color books such as Pantone.

An example of a drawing using a solid filled hatch with gradient fills.


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Tool Palettes Organization at its best! Keep your blocks, images, tables, custom hatches, your favorite commands on Tool Palettes. Tool Palettes in AutoCAD 2006 has been enhanced again. You can add AutoCAD commands, drag and drop content from Design Center or the Web onto a Tool Palette such as hatch patterns, Xrefs, blocks, images and hatch gradients. In AutoCAD 2006, you can add text and separator bars for tool palette grouping. When you drag and drop content from a drawing onto a Tool Palette, you create a tool by example. The properties of the content that is dragged and dropped onto the Tool Palette is maintained! You also have the ability to set individual properties to each Tool Palette object. Just right click and set the properties. A good example is a block that may have a different scale factor! Tool Palettes can be transparent as well as docked. In AutoCAD, you can create Tool Palette groups. These groups help in the organization of design content. Right click in the Tool Palette. Set Auto-hide, transparency or View Options. You can delete or rename a Tool Palette. You can create a new Tool Palettes!

Learn how to create new Tool Palettes. Review all the various options with tool palettes.


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Once you select Customize, you can populate a Tool Palette with important content. Tool Palette groups can also be created.

In this example, Design Center is used to drag to the Tool Palette.


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Blocks, hatch patterns, images and web content onto the tool palette. The example below has transparency set to -75%.

Design Center was been with us in the previous releases of AutoCAD. Some new improvements to the Palette are a more streamlined, XP’ish look and feel. The ability to use DC Online to find various symbol libraries via the Web is also added.

Use DC Online for importing content via the Autodesk Web site. Also, Google to sites the have AutoCAD i-drop technology for block insertion directly onto your drawing or directly on to your Tool Palettes.

The Edits Commands, Layers and the Quick Calculator

Many of the editing commands in AutoCAD 2006 have been enhanced. You need to spend time looking over the following commands: the new JOIN command, COPY, Recent Displacement Value, STRETCH, ROTATE and SCALE, OFFSET, TRIM and EXTEND, RECTANGLE, FILLET and CHAMFER.


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Multiple Redo/Undo

You can redo and Undo multiple commands. A history is remembered in lists for both Redo and Undo. New drop down menus have been provided for us.

Maximize Viewport

Use the icon at the bottom of your screen to maximize your viewports!

Layers

The layer dialog has been improved. Right click in the dialog as shown and create layer groups. Just drag and drop layers into your new groups.


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The new Geometric calculator

The new geometric calculator is designed to improve your design focus. You do not need a calculator next to you when you work. If you are a user of the old CAL command, you can use this calculator.

The new calculator is used to perform mathematical and trigonometric calculations and unit conversions. You can define Calculator variables and store information in memory.

You can also use the calculator when editing in the Properties Palette.


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Blocks, Dynamic Blocks, External References and Hyperlinks

New for AutoCAD 2006 is the use of Dynamic blocks.

Dynamic blocks are blocks that can change their appearance when you grip-edit them or when you change their custom properties. Regular blocks are made dynamic by using the BEDIT command and by adding parameters and actions to the block definition in the new BEDIT Command-Block Editor.

The advantages for using Dynamic blocks are the streamlining of your existing Block Libraries into singular blocks with varying parameters and actions and for nested block solutions. You can increase your productivity by using the new automatic alignment feature, the ability to cycle the insertion point and use in place editing techniques.

There is a sample folder of dynamic blocks included in the installation of AutoCAD 2006.

Have your users review the different permutations of dynamic blocks.

Once you have understood the various concepts of dynamic blocks, use the new BEDIT command to edit blocks or create or edit dynamic blocks.


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(NOTE: When creating dynamic blocks for the first time, use YOUR existing blocks to work from. Do not start by creating NEW BLOCKS. Get a good understanding of how Dynamic blocks work and then start on creating new ones!)

External Reference Improvements

An Xref notification icon is displayed in the communications area when an Xref is attached to a drawing. The Xref notification icon provides the user with a visual clue about the status of Xrefs. If an Xref gets modified and saved by another person, an alert balloon will appear.

The XOPEN command gives you the ability to open an Xref that is currently in your drawing. A separate window opens for you to work with the Xref for modifications or changes. Once you save this drawing the notification balloon should appear to all users that have checked out the Xref. (Note: You can use the XOPEN command for Xref editing and the REFEDIT command for block editing).

In-Place Reference Editing

How would you like to edit a block that is in your drawing with out exploding it? With the feature of In-Place reference editing, you can! What XOPEN is to Xrefs, REFEDIT is to blocks. Also, BEDIT is to blocks! You can:

o Edit geometry in assemblies and layouts o Edit portions or all of a block o Copy geometry from other references o Use dimming feature o XEDIT turns off refediting.


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Hyperlinks Use a hyperlink in you drawing to navigate to a Web site, another drawing, a Word document or and Excel spreadsheet.

If the Hyperlink in typed wrong or has the wrong URL, you select and right click on the Hyperlink attached area and edit the Hyperlink.

Options, Workspaces and Personal Scripts


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Setting your OPTIONS and saving your profile

Profiles store drawing or system environment settings. Settings that relate to the drawing have the blue drawing symbol next to the setting in the OPTIONS dialog box. You can create profiles for different users or projects and share profiles by importing and exporting profile files. Important OPTION settings are: Plotter locations, Plot styles locations, PMP file locations, Autosave path locations. Set these locally or on a network drive.

The second group of options to set is for your templates. This is very important so your users can crate a new drawing with YOUR standard template drawing. The QNEW setting is for creating a new drawing from the default template settings for QNEW. Just type QNEW at the command prompt and the default template launches.

Right Click Enter Customization

You can turn on time sensitive Right Click option in the options dialog box. A quick right click brings back ENTER. A delayed right click (pause) opens the shortcut pop-up menu. Set time in milliseconds.


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Security Setting the Security option for a password or digital signature can be to your advantage or disadvantage. If you wanted your users to turn in a drawing that had a password attached to the drawing file, this would lock the file so only the people that know the password can open it. However, passwords do have drawbacks. What happens if you forget the password? YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK! No backdoors here!

Interface Locking Can now lock toolbars and palettes


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Display Visual Effects Set the highlight of an object when you hover over a specific object. Window and crossing have new colors. Area selection, selection preview and zoom transitions have new visual cue for the user.

Continue to select ALL the OPTIONS dialog box tabs and make the settings changes that are important to your and you users. Export these setting as your profile. Your users can then recall their profile as needed.

Personal Profiles and Scripts (Part1) You the User,, you the CAD Manager. You are both! (Well at times! ☺). You need to create a common profile for yourself or company. I have my users also create a profile for themselves. (review what was discussed above in regards to OPTIONS settings). Go to Tools>Options.


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Set UNIQUE paths for each Files tab. Do this for ALL OF THE TABS! I have one for my school and my personal one for me! Create a script for resetting you system variables. (Part 2) Do Part 1 first. (The following is from Shaan Hurley’s web site). Go on-line and download the following from Shaan Hurley’s website. His website for this file is http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2005/05/updated_system_.html Special thanks to Shaan Hurley at Autodesk for his blog site. (Check out this really cool site for AutoCAD tips, tricks and techniques!)

Updated System Variable Dialog Express Tool for AutoCAD 2006

The System Variable Editor is a tool included in the AutoCAD Express Tools which are an option when Installing AutoCAD 2006. Lee Ambrosius has graciously updated the data file for the AutoCAD 2006 system variables because we had for some reason missed updating it when we released AutoCAD 2006. I have written previously on the System Variable Editor and its nice features. Download sysvdlg.dat Place the sysvdlg.dat file in the \Express directory such as the location for my install of AutoCAD 2006: C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2006\Express\

Express menu: Tools System Variable Editor Command line: SYSVDLG Thank you Lee!


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Then go to Express>System Variable Editor to create a SCR file. You will launch a personal script to set all system variables. Do PART 1 and PART 2 at your school. With a custom profile and a custom script file your users can maintain a well organized drawing environment. This is a manual way to keep your CAD stations set to a classroom standard!

Select the Save All button to save your variables to a script file (*.scr)

Type SCRIPT at the command line and select your script file. This will reset all your system variables.


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This is an example of the script file that was created.

Run the script file to re-set the system variables when they get corrupted or when you want to reset you computer. Also, import your profile. These two files keep your system organized!

Workspaces

Workspaces are your menus, toolbars, palettes that are organized so that you can work in your custom drawing environment. It’s how your AutoCAD screen drawing layout environment looks!

Workspaces are not the same as profiles. Think of Workspaces as what you want on and what you want off in regards to the appearance of your AutoCAD screen.

Set up your AutoCAD with the toolbars you need, the palettes you need, etc and save your workspace. Use the Workspaces toolbar to save your workspace.

By keeping an updated Profile, Workspace and personal script file, you will keep your CAD station well organized!

Templates


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Templates are your key to good drawing management. You as the user/CAD Manager must create a standard template file for your users to use. (DO NOT have your users create their own templates). YOU create template files and have your users use YOUR standard! (Note: template file creation by your users is done in advanced classes or CAD management classes. Your users can modify your template file, but only with permission from your).

Template files in AutoCAD 2006 store all the tools for drawing creation. Show your users the location of your templates and how to use them. Set OPTIONS for template file location.

Template files should include the following minimum settings: Layers, colors, linetypes, blocks, layouts/sheets, Page Setups, text styles, dimensions styles, tables styles, title blocks, Xrefs.

Plotting and Publishing - DWF’s and Markups Publishing DWF’s and Sheet Sets in AutoCAD 2006

Publishing drawings in AutoCAD 2006 is improved over AutoCAD 2004/2005. Publishing drawings allows you to put together a collection of you drawings and plot them directly to you plotter or printer (for batch plotting usage) or to publish to a DWF (Design Web Format) file. Using the PUBLISH command, you can create a digital set of drawings saved to one DWF file or in a Multi-Sheet DWF file! You can use the new and improved DWF Viewer to view a single DWF file or a Multi-Sheet DWF file.

New to AutoCAD 2006 is the ability to Publish Sheet Sets. From the Sheet Set Manager, you can easily publish an entire Sheet Set, subsets of the Sheet Set, or publish a single sheet. Publishing ALL the sheets in the Sheet Set Manager at one time is so much quicker than using the Publish dialog box.

When you publish from the Sheet Set Manager, you can publish a Multi sheet DWF file, or you can publish a paper set of your drawings directly to your plotter named in the page setup that is associated with each drawing sheet. If you do not have an associated page setup attached to each drawing you do have the ability to publish your sheets using a page setup that is saved in the page setup overrides DWT file associated with the Sheet Set. By using a page setup override, the current page setup assigned to the drawing is overridden.

When you open the Publish dialog box from the Sheet Set Manager, the Publish dialog box lists the sheets you selected in the Sheet Set. You can then modify the Sheet Set for publishing.


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Type PUBLISH at the command prompt in AutoCAD. Select the Add Sheets button and select the drawings a folder as shown below. Press the Select button after you have selected all the drawing you want to publish.

Notice the Layout names and any Page setups that are assigned. (There is NO Page setups listed). Click on the DWF File radio button to turn it on and click off the Layout tabs as shown below.

Select the Publish Options button.


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Select the options as shown below. Do not assign a password or phrase in the appropriate area. Click O.K. when done. Select the Publish button to publish the drawings to the file.

NOTE: When publishing is complete you will get a Publishing Complete dialog box that will appear. It may find errors! If so, you need to go back and check your drawings for proper layout names, pages setups and how Xref’s are being attached.

To view the DWF file you created; Go to, Windows Start\All Programs\Autodesk\Autodesk DWF Viewer or DWF Composer. Open the DWF file. Select the Next Sheet arrow as shown on the next page to cycle through your published sheets!

DWF’s and Markups

When you create a DWF file for Multi sheet DWF file you can use the Markup tool for revisions or for grading drawings. Publish a drawing to a DWF file as shown above. Then launch the DWF Composer program. (This is NOT the DWF viewer program that is free. You must purchase DWF Composer)


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New 3D features Here are just a couple of newer features for 3D in AutoCAD. You should add these features to your 3D classes.

New system variable

OSNAPZ

When set to a value of 1, specifies that object snaps ignore the Z-value of the object snap location and use the Z-value of the elevation set for the current UCS. This can also can be set from Options dialog> Drafting Tab.

Shaded Viewport Plotting and 3D View Representation

You can plot your 3D objects in a viewport to your plotter by using the Shaded Viewport Plotting feature. This feature provides WYSIWYG hardcopy output of shaded and rendered viewports. You could have 2D viewports and 3D viewports! Select the viewport and right click. Set to Rendered (See below).

Below is a plot preview of the 3D object!


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When viewing and object in 3D, you can set Obscured lines, Halo gap percentage, Face intersections and Hide precision. (See below).

Once you have made these settings, HIDE the view and your view reflects the settings. (See below).


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3D Osnap

A new system variable OSNAPZ can be set to a value of 1 which specifies that object snaps ignore the Z-value of the object snap location and use the Z-value of the elevation set for the current UCS. This setting can also be found in the Options dialog, Drafting Tab setting location.


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Backgrounds

Backgrounds have been enhanced for 2D AND 3D in a model space view. Go to OPTIONS>System>select the Current 3D Graphics Display Properties button. Turn on Render Options and Enable Backgrounds. Type BACKGROUND and set your background.


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CUI instead of MNU, MNS and MNC For AutoCAD 2006, the new ACAD>CUI file replace the ACAD.mnu/mns/mnc files. The ACAD.MNR file is still used.

You need to spend a little time reviewing how these files work with your users.

There are two tabs you work with. The Ccustomize Tab creates, renames or removes UI components.

The transfer Tab transfer existing MNU-based menus to the new CUI-based format. Old MNS/MNC file should transfer to the new CUI format when loaded. You use the CUI command to menuload in your custom CUI files.

The old MENU and MENULOAD commands still work. However, it is recommended that you use the new CUI command.

Remember, never customize the ACAD.CUI file. Create you own CUI files and menuload them into your session.

Use the new CUI editor to do this!

The MAIN Customization file vs the Enterprise Customization file in AutoCAD 2006

The Main Customization (CUI) file replaces the ACAD.MNU, ACAD.MNS and ACAD.MNC files. This file is an XML-based file that stores customization data. You modify this file through the CUI dialog box. The Main customization file is a writable CUI file that defines most of the user interface including the drop down menus, toolbars, keyboard accelerators, etc. The ACAD.CUI file which is the default file is automatically loaded when you start AutoCAD.

An enterprise CUI file stores customization information that is shared by many users but is controlled by a CAD manager. It usually resides on network sharable drive. The CAD Manager can control all aspects of the menu customization process from one location. One simple way to start this process is to create an Enterprise CUI file by creating an Enterprise CUI file from an existing CUI file. By copying the main customization file (ACAD.CUI


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file), you start with a file that contains all of the interface elements your users can access the file but they cannot modify the file.

The Sheet Set Manager

New improvement for AutoCAD 2006:

• Refresh sheet status • Open multiple selected sheets simultaneously • Open sheets as read-only • Display status icons for locked or missing • Rename associated dwg’s to match sheet name • Import sheets from multiple drawings • Previous button on the Rename and Renumber Sheet dialog • Create folder to correspond with new subset • Preview image of callout and label blocks • Sort view list by view category or sheet name

The Sheet Set Manager a review!

The Sheet Set Manager organizes your drawings in a logical structured order for each project. A Sheet Set is a deliverable communication project information item. Your Sheet Set is organized by the layouts you create in each drawing. So, a layout in a drawing = a sheet. The Sheet Set manager organizes the sheets. You create Sheet Sets that are grouped based on each projects content. Sub groups can also be created. The SSM can quickly open, view, sort, delete, manage, number, link, organize, publish, archive drawing projects and has the ability to add drawings/sheets to the Sheet Set manager.

1. You organize your projects in a folder structure that all can access.

2. You can create sub groups of your sheets in a project.


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3. You import existing layouts from existing drawings or new drawings to create the Sheet Sets.

4. You can assign custom Sheet Set properties.

5. Use utilize Fields for custom look and feel throughout all sheets in the Sheet Set.

6. You can automate title blocks.

7. You can automate each sheet by using Fields in blocks used in each sheet.

8. You can create Sheet List Tables that use Fields to list all sheets in the Sheet Set and apply to the Title Page.

9. You can create Archive sets.

10. You can create e-transmittal sets.

11. You use default, create new or import page setups for plotting or publishing.

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Think about this……in the future will be opening drawings or open Sheet Sets?

Creating a Sheet Set

The following is an example for creating a sheet set of drawings organized in two folders.

Go to file and create a new Sheet Set.


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Select the appropriate radio buttons to create a new Sheet Set.

This is a simple example of organizing your templates so users can access just what they need to crate a new drawing.

Select the templates you need!

Confirm your selection. And Finish.


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Your Sheet Set is saved as a DST file in the folder you specified. Double click on a sheet to launch.

A simple Sheet Set I created in AutoCAD 2005 was that of my templates for my users. My users would go to the file menu and select Open Sheet Set. They would select My Templates. They would then double click on the appropriate template. When it was time to save their drawings, they would save to their home directory.

Web site for more information

Check out the Autodesk web site for white papers on productivity gains, AutoCAD 2006 features, Installation and other topics. (www.autodesk.com/autocad) Also, check out these web sites for more information and articles on AutoCAD 2006.

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/

http://www.autodesk.com/lynnallen

http://www.tenlinks.com (sign up go get their daily newsletter)

Hope you had a great time!

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