HyperPics: Beyond the UI

What to Help Make AutoCAD Even Better?

I have been participating on many different levels over the years that revolve around improving AutoCAD.  Autodesk is always looking for customer feedback in the form of beta testers and even quick surveys.  Even at events like AU they try to set up times and meetings to talk to their customers about things that could be improved to help your work flow.

When I first started participating I thought it was just simply a way for Autodesk to make their customers feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, but if you look at the latest releases of AutoCAD.  The product speaks for itself and all of the many customer asked for enhancements that come directly out of things like the AUGI Wish list and feedback from its customers.

So get out there and make a New Year resolution (its not too late yet) and contribute to the tool that you use on a daily basis.

Hardware Survey
AutoCAD Survey

In the Denver area... Autodesk is conducting a research project on AutoCAD 2006.
Click to enroll

Have more time that you would like to give back in the form of feedback.... then why not sign up to be a beta participant.  Signup at the My Feedback site that is hosted by Autodesk.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Latest Issue of AUGI World Covers AutoCAD 2006

The latest issue of AUGI World is starting to hit the streets.  This issue covers AutoCAD 2006 and some of the main features in the release.

There are 4 articles in total that cover the new release.
What's New in AutoCAD 2006?
A Closer Look at the Custom User Interface (CUI)
Dynamic Blocks, A New Tool in the Toolbox
Quick Calculator (QuickCalc)

There are many other great articles in the issue, too.

The publication can be viewed online in PDF format:
Low Resolution (4.4 MB)
High Resolution (29.3 MB)

You need to be a member of AUGI to read the article, but membership is free.

Sincerely,
  Lee

What's New in AutoCAD 2006 - Online

I have finished putting the rest of my draft information online for AutoCAD 2006.  The content has been broken out into several different categories to make it easier to view and find content.  The content can be located on my website under the AutoCAD section.

What's New in AutoCAD 2006

Sincerely,
  Lee

40,000+ vistors since the start

Today my blog has crossed the 40,000 visitor mark since it first went live just about a year ago.  How time flies and thanks to everyone that has stopped by, and has sent me feedback on the content.  Hope this year you will find some new and exciting content on this blog that will be helpful in your everyday use of AutoCAD and technology.

Sincerely,
  Lee

More on What's New in AutoCAD 2006

Due to the size of my "What's New in AutoCAD 2006?" document I have decided it is best to release it in an HTML file format rather than a PDF like I have done in the past.  If you would like to purchase a copy of the PDF you can do so within the next couple of days.  The 60+ page PDF will be available for two different prices of $5.00 USD for the PDF which can't be printed and $10.00 USD for the ability to print.  The content of the PDF and the web site will be exactly the same, but the PDF will of course be much better and can be read off-line much easier.  Below are three links to the content that I have available on the site now.

What's Now New Can Be Good Too
Environment Tools
Heads-up Design Changes

The main page can be found here:
What's New in AutoCAD 2006

Sincerely,
  Lee

Manchester Trip

I just got back from my trip to Manchester, New Hampshire today so I guess now it is time to sift through the e-mails and get some more content in motion for AutoCAD 2006.  This was a last minute trip and was worth every minute if time out while I was out there, even though the Merrimack was distracting at times during training.  The Merrimack was flowing very gently outside of the window and it was sunny both days while I was out there.  Pure torture, I have to say.  I got out there late Monday night and was in training all of Tuesday\Wednesday.

The software package that I learned about is called Evolution and is a Content Management System (CMS).  I have worked on a similar software package in the past called Object Publisher, which was used to manage part/model number content instead of publication content.  I like getting into this type of work as it is really fun and exciting.  The technology around content management systems is constantly evolving and changing.  I guess, get back to working on my AutoCAD 2006 content now after a couple days of fun, but didn’t get any sun.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Heading to New Hampshire

I will be heading to New Hampshire for the next couple of days for some training.  This will be the first time that I will be up in that part of the country, but unfortunately I will be flying at night so I won't be able to see much.  I will post when I can while I am out there or once I get back.

Sincerely,
  Lee

What's Changed in the ActiveX API? - AutoCAD 2004/2005

One of the readers of this blog asked if I had a list of changes in the ActiveX API for AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD 2005, just like I have provided for AutoCAD 2006.  Which my response was, "Yes I do".  It was a listing that I pulled together for my class that I taught at AU last year called "What's New in the ActiveX API?".  The class covered changes that dated back to AutoCAD 2004 and 2005.  So for those users of AutoCAD that are looking to upgrade this time around, here is a list of changes to the ActiveX API that you might be of interest to you.

Changes to the API for AutoCAD 2004
New Collections
AcadFileDependencies

New Classes
AcadAcCmColor
AcadFileDependency
AcadSummaryInfo
AcadSecurityParams

New Enumerators
AcColorMethod
AcGradientPatternType
AcHatchObjectType
AcShadePlot
AcadSecurityParamsConstants
AcadSecurityParamsType

Class Changes
AcadApplication
    Property - HWND

AcadDocument
    Property - FileDependencies
    Property - SummaryInfo

AcadExternalReference
    Property - EffectiveName

AcadHatch
    Property - GradientAngle
    Property - GradientCentered
    Property - GradientColor1
    Property - GradientColor2
    Property - GradientName
    Property - HatchObjectType

AcadLWPolyline
    Property - Length

AcadMtext
    Property - LineSpacingDistance

AcadMtext
    Property - RemoveHiddenLines (Removed)
    Property - ShadePlot (Replaces RemoveHiddelLines)

AcadPreferencesFiles
    Property - ColorBookPath
    Property - ToolPalettePath
    Property - LicenseServer (Removed)
    Property - ObjectARXPath (Removed)

AcadPreferencesOpenSave
    Property - SaveAsType (Constant values for AcSaveAsType changed)

AcadPreferencesUser
    Property - SCMTimeMode
    Property - SCMTimeValue

Changed Enumerators
AcSaveAsType
    ac2000_dwg
    ac2000_dxf
    ac2000_Template
    ac2004_dwg
    ac2004_dxf
    ac2004_Template
    acR18_dwg
    acR18_dxf
    acR18_Template
    acNative (value has changed to be the same as ac2004_dwg)

AcViewportScale
    acVp1and1_2in_1ft

Changes to the API for AutoCAD 2005
New Collections
N/A

New Classes
AcadOle
AcadSortentsTable
AcadTable
AcadTableStyle

New Enumerators
AcCellAlignment
AcCellEdgeMask
AcCellType
AcGridLineype
AcRowType
AcSelectType
AcTableDirection
AcTableStyleOverrides
AcOlePlotQuality
AcOleType
AcRotationAngle

Changed Collections
AcadLayers >> IAcadLayers2

Class Changes
AcadLayers
    Method - GenerateUsageData

Changed Classes
AcadLayer >> IAcadLayer2
AcadBlock >> IAcadBlock2
AcadModelSpace >> IAcadModelSpace2
AcadMText >> IAcadMText2
AcadPaperSpace >> IAcadPaperSpace2
AcadPreferencesFile >> IAcadPreferencesFile2
AcadPreferencesOutput >> IAcadPreferencesOutput2
AcadPViewport >> IAcadPViewport2
AcadText >> IAcadText2
AcadView >> IAcadView2

Class Changes
AcadDocument
    Event - BeginDocClose

AcadBlock
    Method - AddTable

AcadLayer
    Property - Description

AcadModelSpace
    Method - AddTable

AcadMText
    Property - BackgroundFill
    Method - FieldCode

AcadPaperSpace
    Method - AddTable

AcadPreferencesFile
    Property - PageSetupOverridesTemplateFile
    Property - PlotLogFilePath
    Property - QNewTemplatePath

AcadPreferencesOutput
    Property - AutomaticPlotLog
    Property - ContinuousPlotLog

AcadPViewport
    Property - HasSheetView
    Property - LabelBlockId
    Property - ModelView
    Property - SheetView
    Method - SyncModelView

AcadText
    Method - FieldCode

AcadView
    Property - CategoryName
    Property - HasVpAssociation
    Property - LayerState
    Property - LayoutId

Changed Enumerators
AcEntityName
    acTable

Sincerely,
  Lee

Fields get some new muscle in AutoCAD 2006

Fields which were first introduced in AutoCAD 2005 have gotten a little more muscle with AutoCAD 2006.  With the introduction of Dynamic Blocks and Formulas for Tables there were bound to be some improvements in this area.  Below is a summary of the new Fields that are now available in AutoCAD 2006 over what was already available in AutoCAD 2005.

BlockPlaceholder
A place holder for a value that is populated with the corresponding property after the block has been inserted into a drawing.  The Block Reference properties that are available are: Block Unit, Color, Layer, Linetype, Linetype scale, Lineweight, Name, Object name, Plot style, Position, Rotation, Scale X, Scale Y, Scale Z and Unit Factor.

CurrentSheetCategory
Returns the category property for the sheet.

CurrentSheetIssuePurpose
Returns the purpose property for the sheet.

CurrentSheetRevisionNumber
Returns the revision number property for the sheet.

CurrentSheetSetProjectMilestone
Returns the project milestone property for the sheet set.

CurrentSheetSetProjectName
Returns the project name property for the sheet set.

CurrentSheetSetProjectNumber
Returns the project number property for the sheet set.

CurrentSheetSetProjectPhase
Returns the project phase property for the sheet set.

Formula
A formula in a field is similar to that in MS Excel.  You are able to do mathematic operations (add, subtract, multiply…), Sum, Count, Average and reference other Cell values.

Sincerely,
  Lee

What's Changed in the ActiveX API? - AutoCAD 2006

I have compiled a list of all the changes to the ActiveX API that I could find in the latest Beta of AutoCAD 2006 that I have.  I will publish a final copy of ther changes once AutoCAD 2006 has started shipping to customers.  Below is a high level view of the changes though.  I will post some specifics over the next couple of days/weeks, but make note that some of these items are open to change yet since they are based on a Beta version of the software.

New Classes
AcadDimArcLength
AcadDimRadialLarge
AcadDynamicBlockReferenceProperty

New Enumerators
AcBlockScaling
AcDimArcLengthSymbol
AcDynamicBlockReferencePropertyUnitsType
AcMLineJustification

Changed Classes
AcadAttribute >> IAcadAttribute2
AcadAttributeReference >> IAcadAttributeReference2
AcadBlock >> IAcadBlock3
AcadBlockReference >> IAcadBlockReference2
AcadExternalReference >> IAcadExternalReference2
AcadHatch >> IAcadHatch2
AcadMInsertBlock >> IAcadMInsertBlock2
AcadMLine >> IAcadMLine2
AcadModelSpace >> IAcadModelSpace3
AcadPaperSpace >> IAcadPaperSpace3
AcadTable >> IAcadTable2
AcadUtility >> IAcadUtility2

Changed Enumerators
AcEntityName
AcViewportScale

Sincerely,
  Lee