HyperPics: Beyond the UI

Adding the Layout Name via Fields to a Title Block

From time to time I have had users asking how to place the layout name in their title block because they don't use Sheet Sets, or they want to added it to a multiline text (Mtext) object to use as part of a plot stamp.  The layout name can be obtained using the System Variable field type with the system variable name CTAB.  CTAB holds the current layout tab name, whether it is a model or paper space layout.  This very question just came up again recently by Heidi Hewett.  I shared my solution with Heidi and she has posted a blog article on this very topic called Good Question: Layout names and fields.  Thanks to Heidi for creating the posting, and sharing all here other wonderful information on sheet sets and fields through her blog.  Heidi's blog is AutoCAD Insider: Taking CAD concepts to the next level.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Autodesk Design Review is Now Free

Have you stayed away from using Autodesk Design Review for your extended team because of the cost?  Well in the world of DWF and collaboration things just got a little bit better.  Autodesk is now offering Autodesk Design Review for free which allows you to view DWG, DEXF, and DWF files from AutoCAD 2007 for the low cost of FREE, yes I typed FREE. Autodesk Design Review offers many benefits over just being able to open DWG and DXF files, like Markups and viewing animated assembly instructions.  To learn more about this exciting offer, head on over the Shaan Hurley's blog Between the Lines.

Sincerely,
  Lee

(Time Machine * AU) + AUGI = AU Handouts

Okay so there really is no time machine to my knowledge, but that doesn't mean you can't get your hands on the AU handouts from past years.  However, until that day happens when we can step back in time, you can revisit your favorite AU classes that you might have missed or lost the handouts for by downloading the handouts from the AUGI website. On the AUGI website you can get your hands on the AU handouts from 2000 up through 2005, nope sorry no 2006 this year.  The handouts can be located on the Autodesk University Course Handouts page on the AUGI website.

Note: You will need to be a member of AUGI to access the website and the handouts, but membership is free though.

UPDATE (3/27/07): I was just recently tagged by Joseph at Autodesk that I forgot to mention that the handouts from AU 2006 are avilable on the Autodesk Univeristy website for download.  If you attended AU 2006, feel free to download the handouts to the classes that you missed or look them up on the CD that you should have received last year.

Sincerely,
  Lee