HyperPics: Beyond the UI

Autodesk Listens to the Voices of its Customers

Still have a few choice things that you would like to say about AutoCAD even after the newest release of 2006?  Maybe you have one of the best ideas and you are waiting for it to be added to a future release.  Both of these are valid reasons that you might want to think about getting involved in the beta programs that Autodesk puts together around each release of its software.

Don't have lots of time to spare?  That's Ok... you give what time you can.  Each person that participates in the beta programs have different reasons for being part of it.  Some just want to get ahead start on learning the ins and outs of the migration process so they have a small learning curve once the final product ships.  Some really get heavily involved with the software because they have a passion for technology and for the products that they use on a daily basis.

So will you be part of AutoCAD 2007 (or whatever the next version is called) before it ships?  Autodesk values feedback from its customers, both good and bad alike.  So get involved today with surveys, usability studies and beta testing.  It is also a great way to network with others in the industry as well, I have met many great people through this experience.

Sign up at the My Feedback Portal by clicking this link.

Sincerely,
  Lee

AutoCAD 2006 - Command Quick Guide and Database Online

I have completed the latest set of updates to the Command Quick Guide PDF document and the online chart of commands in AutoCAD 2006.  The PDF document is for the most part an exact duplication of the web page.  This go around includes a much more complete listing of Bonus/Express Tools dating all the way back to AutoCAD R14 up through 2006.  The Express Tools are rather fragmented and only represent for the most part the ones that were shipped with an AutoCAD release and not as part of the Express Tools that could be purchased seperately for install under AutoCAD 2000 - 2002.  If there is something missing just let me know and I will get it added or changed.  Hope you enjoy...

Online Command Reference for AutoCAD R12 through 2006

Sincerely,
  Lee

AutoCAD Drawing Thumbnails with Shading?

Starting with AutoCAD 2005 you could use the Shademode command to set how the thumbnail was generated when you previewed the drawing in one of the dialog boxes that supported a Preview window.  Some of these dialog boxes include, but not limited to Open and Save.  This is a great extra touch when using Windows Explorer or Design Center to drag 'n drop blocks into a drawing. 

The Preview window only functions this way with AutoCAD 2005 or higher.  If you were to view the same drawing in the Preview window in an earlier version of AutoCAD it wouldn't display shaded.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Can't Get Enough AutoCAD Information?

CADopolis has created a site with links to many of the blogs that are focused around AutoCAD.  Many of the links are to some of the sites that I read on a regular basis to get a perspective of what is going on in the industry and to pick up some helpful hints.

AutoCAD Blogging Sites
CADopolis Home Page

Sincerely,
  Lee

FedEx at the Door and Subscription Copy in My Hand

Rrrrrr... with a knock on the door it was the FedEx guy with a package.

It was my subscription copy of AutoCAD 2006.  Not thinking much of it I opened it and what was inside was different from last year's AutoCAD 2005 bundle.  Last year, my copy of AutoCAD 2005 only came with a Case, and no book or a box.  (Boxes are cool to display until you get too many of them, but I miss having one though.)

I was happy to see that it came with a small book this go around entitled "Getting Started".  The Getting Started book is about 178 pages in size and full color.  Also located at the very back of the book is an AutoCAD 2006 Reference Card.  On the inside of the case, came a card to order a full printed copy of one of the following books:

AutoCAD Customization Guide
AutoCAD Network Administration Guide
AutoCAD ActiveX & VBA Developer's Guide
AutoCAD User's Guide

Kudos to Autodesk for including some of these small, but helpful items with the subscription program.

Sincerely,
  Lee