Ab's AutodeskBuildingSystems

Wow, Long Time No Post, eh?

2011-01-04T21:25:00.003-06:00

Yeah, that's what I said!
I have not given up on my blog...it's just so hard to post these days.
As a progress report, we are shifting into Revit - MEP 2011.
I'm excited and challenged.
There is a possibility that we may update our ABS 07 to A-MEP 2011, but that is purely speculation (and hope) at this time.

So I debate about posting items here for both R-MEP and A-MEP.

What do you all think?

{ Or does anyone read this any more? }

AU recoup time

2009-12-04T22:06:00.002-06:00

I survived another great run of classes at AU 2009 this year!
A big shout out to some of my favorite speakers: Todd Shackelford ( http://cadshack.blogspot.com ), David Butts, and Robert Green. Great job guys!

My only complaint...where the heck was the Dr Pepper?! I finally found it over at the Luxor. It was worth the walk ;)

Perhaps I'll post some cool info from my classes!

Thank you again to all who made AU 2009 happen this year!!!

Who's Ready?

2009-11-21T16:51:00.002-06:00

Who's ready for AU 2009??!!

I'm pumped.
Been keeping up w/ AU 2009 info on Twitter.
Look for the #AU2009 tag and you can stay in the loop as well!

From Twitter: @AU_Online :
Some Pre-AU Reading - The AU Show Guide: http://bit.ly/4Q2Sgd | #AU2009

Only one more work week to go!

AU Update & TweetUp Scheduled!

2009-11-06T19:06:00.003-06:00

AU 09 approaches!

ATTENTION TWITTER PEOPLE:
Per an email from Shaan Hurley: There will be a Twitter Tweetup event on the exhibit hall floor Tuesday night Dec 1, 2009 at 7PM (Las Vegas Time) in the AUGI area.

Follow Shaan at @mrcadman for more fun spur of the moment Twitter stuff during AU. Also if he gets people to donate $2000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (http://ww5.komen.org/) AND he gets over 2000 followers to his Twitter account, he will shave his head at AU for the good cause!

Now who doesn't want to see that??!!!

So let's see what we can all do to help him out! :D

Only 25 more days until AU!

AU Virtual & Subscription

2009-10-29T18:53:00.004-05:00

For those of you who can't go to Autodesk University in person and you're on subscription they are offering FREE Autodesk University Virtual Premier passes.

Autodesk University Virtual Premier Passes

You will need to have your Subscription number handy.

For those of you who don't know what AU-Virtual is check out more info here:

Autodesk University Virtual

Twitter CAD People

2009-10-29T18:48:00.002-05:00

For those of you who are on Twitter, you may be interested in following these people:

@Lynn_Allen Lynn Allen of Autodesk http://lynn.blogs.com/

@mrcadman Shaan Hurley of Autodesk & AUGI

@AU_Online Info/Updates for Autodesk University

@AUGI AUGI (Autodesk Users Group International)

Wipeout Blocks

2009-09-14T09:55:00.002-05:00

It's been a bit.
Thought I might post a couple tid bits on wipeout blocks for ya.

Wipeout Block:
When working on wipeout blocks you need to be very aware of draw order.
If you do not set your draw order correctly they will not do what you want them to do.
Draw a closed polyline.
Type "wipeout" at the command line.
At the command line type "p" for polyline.
It will then ask you to "select a closed polyline".
Click on the closed polyline you created.
It will then ask "Erase polyline" choose "yes".
Immediately it has been converted to a wipeout block.
You will most likely need to manipulate the draw order of things for it to hide properly.
Also you will want to double check this when you get into and out of the drawing.
You can place wipeout blocks into an xref and they will work through that.
Again, you will need to watch the display order in order for them to work correctly.

Wipeout Block Frames:
If you want to completely hide the frame that is around the wipeout block this is the process you will need to use.
Keep in mind if you turn off the frame you will not be able to move/select/edit it.
When you run this command it will manipulate all the wipeout blocks on the drawing (and xref'ed into the drawing).
Type "wipeout" at the command line.
Type "F" for frames.
To turn them off type "off".
To turn them back on type "on".
It will blink and process the entire drawing.
This could take a bit of time.

AU 09

2009-08-21T10:48:00.001-05:00

Open registration for AU 09 has begun!

Get in there and get signed up!

If you are a Revit MEP person, I highly suggest Todd Shackelford's #MP322-1 Implementing Autodesk Revit MEP: A to Z class!

Todd Shadkelford is the "author" of the "Cad Shack" blog, which rocks!

Creating Automatic Gap on Crossed Lines

2009-08-21T10:42:00.002-05:00

This is for our basic lines/arcs/circles friends out there.
Sometimes we have to isometric or schematic sketches and need to use ye old lines/arcs/circles commands. When they cross I'd like to have a standard gap created so that from drafter to drafter they will look the same.

Thanks to a fantastic person on the Autodesk Discussion Groups (Big shout out of thanks to Mep09Developer !!!!) I now have a snappy little tool to do this.

First I will give the lisp code, and then I will tell you how I pushed it into a button/drop down in the cui.

Enjoy!!

Lisp file (Again....huge thanks to Mep09Developer!!!):

;;; C:GAPLINE - creates gaps at line intersections so that one of the lines remains unchanged
;;; From http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=739827&tstart=0
;;; By "Mep09Developer" on 08-10-09

(defun C:GL (/ gap intpt gapent circle)
(prompt "GAP LINE")
(while 'T
(setq gap 4
intpt (osnap (getpoint "\nSpecify intersection point: ") "INT")
);setq
(if intpt
(progn
(setq gapent (car (entsel "\nPick entity to gap: ")))
(setvar "CMDECHO" 0)
(command "CIRCLE" intpt gap)
(command "TRIM" (setq circle (entlast)) "" (list gapent intpt) "")
(command "ERASE" circle "")
(setvar "CMDECHO" 1)
(prompt "\n")
);progn
);if
);while
(princ)
)

Info to get it onto a drop-down or button in the cui, use "/" for the file path name, the file name for the lisp was called "GapLine2":

^C^C(load "[file location]/Support/GapLine2");(C:GL);

AU 09 Sign-ups Open!

2009-08-12T12:43:00.004-05:00

The sign ups for Autodesk University 2009 are Officially Open for Early Registration!
(If you have an AU account, you can early register)

Autodesk University 2009 (AU!) Link

I'm signed up and excited to be taking a bunch of Revit MEP classes.

Who knows...perhaps I'll begin posting about Revit MEP in the upcoming year?! :D

ABS Snaps vs Osnaps with Duct and Pipe Commands

2009-08-06T11:49:00.004-05:00

Anyone get annoyed that the ABS snaps don't come on automatically when you start your duct or pipe command? Anyone also run into the issue where you have your osnaps on and they override the ABS snaps and your duct or pipe is not actually connected?

Try this fun tip: It does work for the 2010 A-MEP software!! :D

Ok, I have a way that I have "forced" this on the duct and pipe commands on the palettes.
You'll have to check for your version of the software to find out for sure what the command is for turning on/off the MEP snaps is.
I made this for ABS07, you should be able to modify it for the upper versions (I hope).

I right clicked on the duct icon on the duct palette.
Choose "Properties".
Under "Basic" there's a command section.
Click in the command section.
Here's what I have: AECBOSMODE 1023 OSMODE 0 ^C^C_AecbDuctAdd
If you use a value of 1023 for AECBOSMODE it will turn them all on.
I set OSMODE to 0 so all of the osnaps are turned off.

I made a separate "hotkey" to turn the MEP snaps back off and turns on a select few Osnaps.
Here's what I have for that key: AECBOSMODE 0 OSMODE 135
Only issue with this....you can't use the hotkeys while you're in the middle of a command.
You have to remember to use them before you initiate the command.

There is a good discussion on Autodesk's Discussion Groups about this.
I have posed this same info there as well: Autodesk MEP Discussion Group Issue Link

Script - Plot Dwg Files

2009-08-06T09:33:00.003-05:00

; This script is intended to clean plotting dwg files and set scales and textsyles

; Copy and paste this code into notepad and save the file with a ".scr" extension

; This script was obtained from http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

;
_autosnap ; changes the autosnap value
63 ; to 63
_viewres ; changes the viewres value
Y ; yes to fast zooms
100 ; value set to 100
_textstyle ; sets current textstyle
"RomanS" ; to RomanS
_ltscale ; invokes ltscale command
0.5 ; value set to 0.5
_dimscale ; invokes dimscale command
96 ; sets value to 96
_psltscale ; invokes psltscale command
1 ; sets value to 1
-purge ; invokes -purge command
Regapps ; purges regapps
* ; enters all for names to purge
N ; no to verify them individually
-purge ; invokes -purge command
A ; purges all
* ; enters all for names to purge
N ; no to verify them individually
Audit ; invokes audit command
Y ; yes to fix any errors detected
Qsave ; saves the drawing

Script - Background-Xref Files

2009-08-06T09:31:00.004-05:00

; This script is intended to clean background dwgs and set scales and textsyles

; Copy and paste this code into notepad and save the file with a ".scr" extension

; This script was obtained from http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

;

_autosnap ; changes the autosnap value

63 ; to 63

_viewres ; changes the viewres value

Y ; yes to fast zooms

100 ; value set to 100

_textstyle ; sets current textstyle

"RomanS" ; to RomanS

_ltscale ; invokes ltscale command

48 ; sets value to 48

_dimscale ; invokes dimscale command

96 ; sets value to 96

_psltscale ; invokes psltscale command

0 ; sets value to 0

-purge ; invokes -purge command

Regapps ; purges regapps

* ; enters all for names to purge

N ; no to verify them individually

-purge ; invokes -purge command

A ; purges all

* ; enters all for names to purge

N ; no to verify them individually

Audit ; invokes audit command

Y ; yes to fix any errors detected

Qsave ; saves the drawing

Script Fun Is About to Begin!

2009-08-06T09:16:00.003-05:00

Hello Bloggers!
I have not forgotten about you all...I have been busy adding new content to my reference guide.
I will be posting my new info here for you all to utilize as well.
I hope it helps!

I have created a few script files to help my dept out.
We have "background" files that we xref into "plotting" files.
We work in the background files and we print/plot from the plotting files.
(sounds self-explanatory enough, eh?)
In order to keep all of our scales correct and our files clean I have created a couple of script files.
If you would like to use them please make sure you denote that you found them here.
http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

I will post the scripts separately.
Enjoy!

Updated Link

2009-06-22T10:52:00.006-05:00

I have added a new link over on the side of my blog for the Autodesk's MEP Discussion Group.
Autodesk MEP Discussion Group Link
If you are looking for a different product than ABS/MEP, you will want to click on "All discussion groups" and it will take you back to the main area.
Getting onto this discussion group is free.
You will sometimes get Autodesk "workers" pass through with answers to your questions, but typically you will get the most feedback from other cad users like yourself.
So keep that in mind when testing out their suggestions.

If you need true help from Autodesk you will want to go through the Subscription Center and create a "ticket" with them, if you're on subscription that is.

Pipe Symbol Size Change for 1/4" Scale Dwgs

2009-06-08T15:54:00.001-05:00

1-line Pipe 1/4" Scale Dwg Drops/Rises/Tees:
NOTE: Our standard symbol size is set to 10 for 1/8" scaled dwgs.
Change this setting if this dwg will ONLY have 1/4" scaled viewports on it!
Do NOT use if you have mixed viewport scales on the dwg.
To get a non-scaling set diameter rise/drop for 1-line pipe:
Open your dwg.
Go to modelspace.
Go to "Format".
Choose "Style Manager".
Choose your drawing name.
Expand your dwg in the left-hand column to the following:
....dwg\Piping Objects\Pipe Rise Drop Styles\Pipe Break - Rise Only
Go to the "Rise and Drop" tab on the right-hand column.
Click on the #3, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click on the #4, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click on the #5, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click the "Apply" button.
Click the "ok" button.
Save your dwg!

Pipe Rise/Drop Black Outline Fix

2009-06-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

Pipe Drops/Rises Symbol Color Fix/Remove Black Outline Issue:
NOTE: Fix this on the background dwgs and the dwgs you will xref it into.
Command line: "Insert"
Scroll down to "Aecb_Other_Rnd_2Line_PipeBreak_Rise"
(This is the symbol that we are set to that is giving us issues)
Insert it at any location, keep the scale at 1:1:1.
Double click on it and edit the block.
Select the entire symbol.
Go to the Properties palette.
Under "General", under "Color"
Change it to "ByBlock".
Then unselect everything.
Click on "Save changes" on the "Refedit" toolbar.
Click "Ok" to save changes.
Now erase the "Aecb_Other_Rnd_2Line_PipeBreak_Rise" block.
If you zoom out you will see that all of your drops have been fixed.

I'm alive!

2009-06-08T15:47:00.002-05:00

Good afternoon Bloggers...

I am still here and still digging up new and odd things dealing with ABS07.

Some of the fun recent questions I have had to field deal with diffusers acting oddly, the pipe rise and drops having a big bold black (undesired) outline around them, pipe rise/drop changing symbolic scale for 1/4" dwgs, and the room name and number schedule dragging our dwg speed down.

I will post some answers here in separate posts to help the searching functionality of my blog.

Again...sorry for being silent for so long.

Hope you all have been well!

हैप्पी सत. पैट्रिक'स डे

2009-03-17T07:47:00.001-05:00

(Ok, not sure what is going on w/ my post title...I type it in English it comes out in another language...odd....)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Or as I like to call it...Happy Patron Saint of Engineering Day! :D

If any of you would like a fun link for history on St. Patrick check this out: http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/

I am hoping to get a post or two out here shortly with some cool info that I have learned lately.

3.14159

2009-03-14T21:26:00.002-05:00

Happy Pi Day!!!

03-14-09... 3.14

Now the only thing to do is figure out if we should celebrate extreme pi day being truncated or rounded... 03-14-15, or 03-14-16...hmm...I guess we'll figure that out when we get there!

Sorry, I've been quiet on posting recently.
I hope to get some new info posted this week.

In the mean time enjoy your "pi"! :)

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-02T08:09:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year Bloggers!

Just to take a small time out from my typical blog posts...

I have added 2 new "buttons"/"links" on the side of my tool bar under "Fun Links".
They are for the Animal Rescue Site and the Breast Cancer Site.

Click on these to link to their websites.
Once there, please click on their "Click here to give, it's FREE" button(s) and they will donate free bowls of food for the animals and free mammograms (respectively).
If you can, please do this every day.

I do not get any kickbacks or anything for this, I just find these good causes to support.

Thank you!

DWG True View 07 vs/ 09

2008-12-24T11:40:00.008-06:00

Happy Holidays Bloggers!!

Yesterday and today I have been tackling how to get our ABS 07 dwgs to view correctly in the DWG TrueView program.

Here is my conclusion....use the 2007 version of DWG TrueView and install the ADT 2007 object enabler and the ABS LIGHT 2007 object enabler and you will be fine. You have to do it in that order though. The regular ABS 2007 OE will not work. Make sure you reboot between installing object enablers.

For viewing any higher versions of AMEP dwgs go ahead and install and use the DWG TrueView 2009 version. You will need to install the A-Arch 2009 object enabler and the A-MEP LIGHT 2009 object enabler as well. Make sure you reboot between installing object enablers.

If you don't use the LIGHT versions of the ABS and A-MEP object enablers it will not work. For some reason the full ABS/A-MEP object enablers do not get the job done. Talk about some trial and error to do this!

Here are some links to help you in your endeavors:

Since Autodesk does not have the 2007 version of DWG TrueView you can go here and download it for free:

DWG TrueView 2007

For the main page for the LIGHT object enablers:

General LIGHT Object Enablers

Specifically this one for the 07 ABS Light OE:

ABS 2007 LIGHT Object Enabler

Specifically this one for the 09 A-MEP Light OE (32-bit):

A-MEP 2009 LIGHT Object Enabler

For the main page for other object enablers:

General Other Object Enablers

Or Here for other Object Enablers

Specifically this one for the 07 ADT OE:

ADT 2007 Object Enabler

Specifically this one for the 09 A-Arch OE:

A-Arch 2009 Object Enabler

AU 08 Online Link!

2008-12-15T09:45:00.002-06:00

Good morning,

It's nasty out here...ice/sleet/snow...lovely time of year.
Hope you all dealing with this weather are being careful!
If you can, stay home and snuggle up with a puppy or two.

The AU 08 information is now up.

http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=class_listing

You can peruse this year, or past years' classes.

Enjoy the wealth of knowledge out there!!

Back from AU

2008-12-08T12:32:00.001-06:00

Hey bloggers!

I made it back safe and sound from my trip to AU 08.
It was almost a 3hr delay on the flight back...which put me landing around 10pm...but other than that no major issues.

I had an awesome time. Attended classes for both Acad MEP and Revit MEP. Can't wait until they get the AU 08 link working for all the class downloads. That's supposed to happen sometime today. As soon as I see it, I will post a link here for you all.

Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-26T07:57:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all the U.S. people!!!

Here's hoping to have a safe, extremely educational, and awesome trip to AU next week!!!

.BLK Files for Table Templates

2008-11-03T09:01:00.002-06:00

Greetings bloggers,

Welcome to Novemember!!

Last week I was working on creating a standard table template for my department to use.

It would be used in combination with the "eattext" attribute extraction command. The template removed some of the attributes, re-arranged the columns they showed up in, and assigned a specific look to the table. This creates a .blk file.

What I found out, after a few hours of testing and odd outcomes, is....the .blk file has to be stored in a location that the user has permissions to change files in. AKA I can not store it on our "protected/locked-down" standards location that the general user only has "read" access to.

I thought I would pass this along incase others were curious about setting up a table template.

Juggle 101: Part 3

2008-10-31T11:20:00.004-05:00

Juggle 101: Part 3
So you have mastered the one ball basic pattern right?? Excellent! Now it is on to adding the second ball. You can place the third ball in your pocket so when you drop one of the other balls you will not have to bend over to pick it up. Remember to stand in your now favorite place over a couch and close to a wall if possible. Also remember to make your throws to yourself, do not throw them away from you (I mean really, how are you going to catch something that you threw away?). Juggling occurs in one plane.

Same thing goes for the second ball as the first ball. You will start with one ball in each hand. Start with the first ball as you have before; toss it from your LH to your RH hitting that peak above your RH. Always follow the infinity pattern. When the first ball reaches the peak of the pattern (just above your RH) toss the second ball from your RH to your LH following the pattern. If you have successfully ended up with the opposite ball in each hand than when you started congratulations!

Now pause and watch out for this….Most people who try to learn to juggle panic when they have to start tossing the second (and eventually third) ball. A lot of the time they will just quickly chuck the ball into the opposite hand for the second throw and that is not the objective. You must always follow the infinity pattern, this is the backbone of the 3-ball cascade pattern.

The typical mantra for this stage of learning is: throw, throw, catch, catch. Feel free to chant it. It actually does help.

The true key to learning how to juggle is practice! So keep practicing!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! :)

Warning Pop-up Update

2008-10-20T09:25:00.003-05:00

Good morning Bloggers,

After initiating the pop-up warning for people opening any version below our current 2007 version we have had a lower rate of "oops" moments. I received feedback from the other departments and I have completely removed the "open" button. If someone really wants to overwrite the file they will have to go to the "saveas" and choose to overwrite it there.

The only flaw that I know of is that this will continue to pop-up and sometimes cause issues with the Publish command. Since 95% of the time we have to plot by window and can't use the Publish command on these old dwgs with the new plotter it is a moot point.

We had our reseller come in on Friday and do presentations on the 09 products for Arch and MEP and also discuss Revit (Arch, Struct, and MEP). Our company has some decisions to make as to which way they want to go and how soon.

Enjoy the fall season!

Autodesk Univeristy 2008

2008-10-09T12:43:00.005-05:00

As the temperatures try to turn cooler (we're still supposed to hit a high just under 80 degrees today...should be in the lower 70's this time of yr) I am reminded that soon AU will be here.

I am proud to announce that I will be attending AU this year!!!!

I am also signed up to attend the Blogger's Social on Tues...I'll have to slide in a little late since my class doesn't end until 4:30pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Success! Lower Version Warning Pop-up...

2008-10-01T13:43:00.002-05:00

With much help from the people on AUGI I finially have what I was looking for.
The following LSP and DCL files will do the following:
When a Read-only copy of any dwg below 2007 is opened an alert button will appear stating that you've opened a dwg that is below an 07 version as read-only.
When a dwg has been opened fully that is below the 2007 version an alert button will appear stating the version number of the dwg that has been opened. Then a large and annoying pop-up will appear with 3 choices: Cancel, Convert to Read-only, or Open.
If they choose cancel, it closes out of the dwg completely (but does not affect any other dwgs they may have open).
If they choose read-only, it will close the original dwg and open a read-only copy of that dwg.
It will then show the "you've opened a read-only copy" alert again.
If they choose open, it will go ahead and open that dwg with full permissions.

This took quite a bit of work and I would like to share it if anyone would find it useful.
If you do use it, I ask that you do credit me with it.
Thank you!

LISP Code:
[code]
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;
;; This program is designed to be used with the warnr14.dcl file.
;; They are to be stored locally on the users' machine under the product's support file area.
;; I.E.: C:Program Files_Autodesk Building Systems 2007_Support
;; This program uses the slide image "WarnImage.sld" that is stored here: F:HBEDT2K7_Setup
;; It was created to pop-up a warning when a dwg of a lower version is opened in a 2007 product.
;; The user will get a choice to cancel out of the open, or go ahead with the open.
;; Currently this pop-up will appear if the file is opened full out or read-only.
;; It will not affect any dwgs that are already open in that session of Acad (ADT or ABS).
;; Please do not use-alter-modify this file without contacting Abbie Meador first.
;; Created by Abbie Meador.
;; Special thanks to the AUGI members who helped!
;; Last modified on 10-01-08 by Abbie Meador.
;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

(setq dwgfile (strcat (getvar "dwgprefix")(getvar "dwgname"))) ;;Setting value to dwfile variable, pulling info from dwg file
(setq rfile (open dwgfile "r")) ;;Set value to rfile
(setq dwgver (substr (read-line rfile) 1 6)) ;;Set value to dwgver by reading version info from dwg file
(close rfile) ;;Closes rfile where dwg version info was stored

(cond ;;Conditions to assign acadv variable text info based off of dwg version

((= dwgver "AC1021") ;;If it is a 2007 version dwg it will automatically close out of this lsp routine
(close)
)
((= dwgver "AC1014")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R14")
)
((= dwgver "AC1012")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R13")
)
((= dwgver "AC1009")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R11 or R12")
)
((= dwgver "AC1006")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R10")
)
((= dwgver "AC1004")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R9")
)
((= dwgver "AC1002")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.6")
)
((= dwgver "AC1.50")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.05")
)
((= dwgver "AC1015")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000")
)
((= dwgver "AC1016")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000i")
)
((= dwgver "AC1017")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2002")
)
((= dwgver "AC1018")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2004")
)
((= dwgver "AC1019")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2005")
)
((= dwgver "AC1020")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2006")
)
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1022") ;;For future use the 2008 ad 2009 version info is in here, but commented out
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2008")
;;;; )
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1023")
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2009")
;;;; )

) ;;End of condition

(defun is_drawing_read_only (dwgver) ;;Checks to see if dwg has been opened as Read-Only
(if (eq(vla-get-readonly (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object))):vlax-true)
(progn
(if (not(or(or(= dwgver "AC1022")(= dwgver "AC1023"))(= dwgver "AC1021")))
(alert "Congratulations this is a READ-ONLY dwg.") ;;If dwg is Read-Only they get this alert
) ;;End of if
) ;;End of progn

(progn
(if (not(or(or(= dwgver "AC1022")(= dwgver "AC1023"))(= dwgver "AC1021")))
(progn
(alert acadv) ;;If dwg was fully opened they get an alert with the version
(drawing_is_read_write) ;;Calls the Read-Write subfunction
) ;;End of progn
) ;;End of if
) ;;End of progn
) ;;End of if
) ;;End of defun is_drawing_read_only

(defun drawing_is_read_write () ;;Read-Write subfunction
(setq mykey "sld") ;;Naming the slide image
(setq myslidename"F:\\HBEDT2K7\\Setup\\WarnImage.sld") ;;Locating the slide file

(setq dclid (load_dialog "warnr14.dcl")) ;;Loading the DCL file
(new_dialog "warnr14" dclid)
(defun edit_action1 (val)
(setq NT val)
) ;;End of defun

(setq width (dimx_tile mykey)) ;;Get the width of the slide
(setq height (dimy_tile mykey)) ;;Get the height of the slide
(start_image mykey) ;;Start the slide definition
(fill_image 0 0 width height -15) ;;Wipe out the background
(slide_image 0 0 width height myslidename) ;;Put the slide in the image area
(end_image) ;;Finish the slide definition

(action_tile "accept" "(unload_dialog)") ;;Closes dialog and leaves dwg open if Open button from DCL is clicked
(action_tile "readonly" "(setq DwgName (strcat (vla-get-path(vla-get-activedocument(vlax-get-acad-object))) \"/\" (vla-get-name(vla-get-activedocument(vlax-get-acad-object)))))
;;Opens a Read-only copy if the Read-only button is clicked
(done_dialog 1)")
(action_tile "cancel" "(done_dialog)") ;;Closes dialog and dwg if Cancel button from DCL is clicked

(set_tile "mytile" (strcat "YOU JUST OPENED AN " acadv " DWG IN 2007.")) ;;Creates tile to be used on DCL that shows version variable info
(setq ans(start_dialog)) ;;Gets value for ans variable
(unload_dialog dclid)
(if (= ans 1)
(progn ;;This runs a script to close the fully opened original dwg
(setq scrFile (open (strcat (getvar "dwgprefix") "Runme.scr") "w"))
(write-line "(vla-open (vla-get-documents (vlax-get-acad-object))Dwgname :VLAX-TRUE)" scrfile)
(write-line ".close" scrFile)
(write-line "Y" scrFile)
(write-line "(vl-file-delete (strcat (getvar \"dwgprefix\") \"Runme.scr\"))"scrfile)
(close scrFile)
(command ".script" (strcat (getvar "dwgprefix") "Runme.scr")) ;Run the script
) ;;End of progn
(progn
(done_dialog) ;;Finishes dialog box
(command "_.close" "Y") ;;Closes dwg and answers yes to do you really want to close this file question
) ;;End of progn
) ;;End of if
) ;;End of defun drawing_is_read_write

(is_drawing_read_only dwgver)

;;;;
;;;;End of the AutoLISP routine
;;;;
[/code]

DCL Code:
[code]
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// This program is designed to be used with the acaddoc.lsp file.
// They are to be stored locally on the users' machine under the product's support file area.
// I.E.: C:Program Files_Autodesk Building Systems 2007_Support
// This program uses the slide image "WarnImage.sld" that is stored here: F:HBEDT2K7_Setup
// It was created to pop-up a warning when a dwg of a lower version is opened in a 2007 product.
// The user will get a choice to cancel out of the open, or go ahead with the open.
// Currently this pop-up will appear if the file is opened full out or read-only.
// It will not affect any dwgs that are already open in that session of Acad (ADT or ABS).
// Please do not use-alter-modify this file without contacting Abbie Meador first.
// Created by Abbie Meador.
// Special thanks to the AUGI members who helped!
// Last modified on 10-01-08 by Abbie Meador.
//
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

warnr14 : dialog {label = "WARNING!!! WARNING!!!"; //Controls the text on the pop-up's title

: image { //This creates a stripe or bar of color along the top
key = "im"; //Creating a variable called "im" for this stripe
height = 1.0; //Setting height of stripe to 1
width = 1.0; //Setting width of stripe to 1
color = 1; //Setting color of stripe to 1 = Red
} //Ends stripe "im" creation

:row{ //Creates a row
: image { //Adds in the image from the LSP for the Slide
key = "sld"; //Calls the slide image
height = 0; //Sets the height of the image
width = 15; //Sets the width of the image
color = -15; //Sets the color to the background color -15 = grey
is_enabled = false;
is_tab_stop = false;
} //Ends row for image slide

: paragraph { //Begins a paragraph of text
: text { key = "mytile"; } //Calls the tile created in the LSP to print out in a text line
: text { //If you use text_part { the text lines squish together, this way they have some air b/w them.
label = "Click -Cancel- or -Read-only- to keep from converting your file to an 07 format.";
}
: text {
label = "If you ignore this warning and end up saving this as a 2007 dwg,";
}
: text {
label = "YOU WILL REPAIR THIS FILE ON YOUR OWN TIME!!";
}
} //End paragraph of text
} //End of row

: image { //This creates a stripe or bar of color underneath the paragraph text
key = "im2"; //Creating a variable called "im2" for this stripe
height = 1.0; //Setting height of stripe to 1
width = 1.0; //Setting width of stripe to 1
color = 1; //Setting color of stripe to 1 = Red
} //Ends stripe "im2" creation

: row { //Begins row for buttons
: button { //Begins first button creation
label = "CANCEL"; //Labels first button cancel
key = "cancel"; //Attaches a call of cancel to the button
mnemonic = "C"; //Sets up a keyboard shortcut for the button
alignment = centered; //Alignment of the button
width = 1.0; //Sets width of button
height = 3.0; //Sets height of button
is_default = true; //Sets the default selection to this button...If user hits enter this button will be selected
} //Ends first button

: button { //Begins second button creation
fixed_width = true; //Sets a fixed width of button
fixed_height = true; //Sets a fixed height of button
label = "Read-Only"; //Labels second button open
key = "readonly"; //Attaches a call of readonly to the button
mnemonic = "R"; //Sets up a keyboard shortcut for the button
} //Ends second button

: button { //Begins third button creation
fixed_width = true; //Sets a fixed width of button
fixed_height = true; //Sets a fixed height of button
label = "Open"; //Labels third button open
key = "accept"; //Attaches a call of accept to the button
mnemonic = "O"; //Sets up a keyboard shortcut for the button
} //Ends third button
} //Ends row
} //Ends program
[/code]

2007 Warning of Opening an R14 Dwg Pop-up

2008-09-26T10:14:00.002-05:00

Hello bloggers!

With the help of some knowledgeable people on AUGI.com (thank you Lions60 & rkmcswain!!) I believe I have a solid working version of this pop-up that we've been needing.

Here's what it does: When opening a dwg (be it read-only or a full on open) this pop-up will appear if the dwg is any version below 2007). The pop-up will state what version the dwg is and ask if you really want to open. If you press cancel it closes that dwg out, but all other dwgs that you have open in that session are unaffected. If you press open, it will go ahead and let you open the dwg as you had chosen (either full on or read-only depending upon what you picked in the beginning). If you try to click on the "x" button to close out of the dialog box it will not work. The user is forced to either choose cancel or open. The cancel button is set as the default choice, so if the user just hits the enter key it will be selecting cancel and close the dwg out.

I have also have it showing an image on the dialog box (just for fun). That's a whole different post on how to do that....I had never made a slide before so that was a learning experience all on its own.

If you decide for some reason that you would like to use this code (LSP and/or DCL), or any portion of it please make sure you credit me for it.

Thank you!

Here is the DCL File:

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// This program is designed to be used with the acaddoc.lsp file.
// They are to be stored locally on the users' machine under the product's support file area.
// I.E.: C:Program Files_Autodesk Building Systems 2007_Support
// This program uses the slide image "WarnImage.sld" that is stored here: F:HBEDT2K7_Setup
// It was created to pop-up a warning when a dwg of a lower version is opened in a 2007 product.
// The user will get a choice to cancel out of the open, or go ahead with the open.
// Currently this pop-up will appear if the file is opened full out or read-only.
// It will not affect any dwgs that are already open in that session of Acad (ADT or ABS).
// Please do not use-alter-modify this file without contacting Abbie Meador first.
// Created by Abbie Meador.
// Last modified on 09-26-08 by Abbie Meador.
//
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

warnr14 : dialog {label = "WARNING!!! WARNING!!!"; //Controls the text on the pop-up's title

: image { //This creates a stripe or bar of color along the top
key = "im"; //Creating a variable called "im" for this stripe
height = 1.0; //Setting height of stripe to 1
width = 1.0; //Setting width of stripe to 1
color = 1; //Setting color of stripe to 1 = Red
} //Ends stripe "im" creation

:row{ //Creates a row
: image { //Adds in the image from the LSP for the Slide
key = "sld"; //Calls the slide image
height = 0; //Sets the height of the image
width = 15; //Sets the width of the image
color = -15; //Sets the color to the background color -15 = grey
is_enabled = false;
is_tab_stop = false;
} //Ends row for image slide

: paragraph { //Begins a paragraph of text
: text { key = "mytile"; } //Calls the tile created in the LSP to print out in a text line
: text_part {
label = "Verify this file is Read-only before clicking 'Open' (Check the header).";
}
: text_part {
label = "If you ignore this warning and end up saving this as a 2007 dwg,";
}
: text_part {
label = "YOU WILL REPAIR THIS FILE ON YOUR OWN TIME!!";
}
} //End paragraph of text
} //End of row

: image { //This creates a stripe or bar of color underneath the paragraph text
key = "im2"; //Creating a variable called "im2" for this stripe
height = 1.0; //Setting height of stripe to 1
width = 1.0; //Setting width of stripe to 1
color = 1; //Setting color of stripe to 1 = Red
} //Ends stripe "im2" creation

: row { //Begins row for buttons
: button { //Begins first button creation
label = "CANCEL"; //Labels first button cancel
key = "cancel"; //Attaches a call of cancel to the button
mnemonic = "C"; //Sets up a keyboard shortcut for the button
alignment = centered; //Alignment of the button
width = 0.5; //Sets width of button
height = 3; //Sets height of button
is_default = true; //Sets the default selection to this button...If user hits enter this button will be selected
} //Ends first button

: button { //Begins second button creation
fixed_width = true; //Sets a fixed width of button
fixed_height = true; //Sets a fixed height of button
label = "Open"; //Labels second button open
key = "accept"; //Attaches a call of accept to the button
mnemonic = "O"; //Sets up a keyboard shortcut for the button
} //Ends second button
} //Ends row
} //Ends program

Here is the LSP File:

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;
;; This program is designed to be used with the warnr14.dcl file.
;; They are to be stored locally on the users' machine under the product's support file area.
;; I.E.: C:Program Files_Autodesk Building Systems 2007_Support
;; This program uses the slide image "WarnImage.sld" that is stored here: F:HBEDT2K7_Setup
;; It was created to pop-up a warning when a dwg of a lower version is opened in a 2007 product.
;; The user will get a choice to cancel out of the open, or go ahead with the open.
;; Currently this pop-up will appear if the file is opened full out or read-only.
;; It will not affect any dwgs that are already open in that session of Acad (ADT or ABS).
;; Please do not use-alter-modify this file without contacting Abbie Meador first.
;; Created by Abbie Meador.
;; Last modified on 09-26-08 by Abbie Meador.
;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

(setq mykey "sld") ;;Naming the slide image
(setq myslidename "F:\\HBEDT2K7\\Setup\\WarnImage.sld") ;;Locating the slide file
(setq dwgfile (strcat (getvar "dwgprefix")(getvar "dwgname"))) ;;Setting value to dwfile variable, pulling info from dwg file
(setq rfile (open dwgfile "r")) ;;Set value to rfile
(setq dwgver (substr (read-line rfile) 1 6)) ;;Set value to dwgver by reading version info from dwg file
(close rfile) ;;Closes rfile where dwg version info was stored

(cond ;;Conditions to assign acadv variable text info based off of dwg version

((= dwgver "AC1021") ;;If it is a 2007 version dwg it will automatically close out of this lsp routine
(close)
)
((= dwgver "AC1014")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R14")
)
((= dwgver "AC1012")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R13")
)
((= dwgver "AC1009")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R11 or R12")
)
((= dwgver "AC1006")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R10")
)
((= dwgver "AC1004")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R9")
)
((= dwgver "AC1002")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.6")
)
((= dwgver "AC1.50")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.05")
)
((= dwgver "AC1015")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000")
)
((= dwgver "AC1016")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000i")
)
((= dwgver "AC1017")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2002")
)
((= dwgver "AC1018")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2004")
)
((= dwgver "AC1019")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2005")
)
((= dwgver "AC1020")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2006")
)
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1022") ;;For future use the 2008 ad 2009 version info is in here, but commented out
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2008")
;;;; )
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1023")
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2009")
;;;; )

) ;;End of condition

(setq dclid (load_dialog "warnr14.dcl")) ;;Loading the DCL file
(new_dialog "warnr14" dclid)
(defun edit_action1 (val)
(setq NT val)
) ;;End of defun

(setq width (dimx_tile mykey)) ;;Get the width of the slide
(setq height (dimy_tile mykey)) ;;Get the height of the slide
(start_image mykey) ;;Start the slide definition
(fill_image 0 0 width height -15) ;;Wipe out the background
(slide_image 0 0 width height myslidename) ;;Put the slide in the image area
(end_image) ;;Finish the slide definition

(action_tile "accept" "(unload_dialog)") ;;Closes dialog and leaves dwg open if Open button from DCL is clicked
(action_tile "cancel" "(done_dialog)") ;;Closes dialog and dwg if Cancel button from DCL is clicked

(set_tile "mytile" (strcat "YOU JUST OPENED AN " acadv " DWG IN 2007.")) ;;Creates tile to be used on DCL that shows version variable info

(start_dialog) ;;Starts dialog box
(done_dialog) ;;Finishes dialog box
(command "_.close") ;;Closes dwg
(command "y") ;;Answers yes to do you really want to close this file question
(unload_dialog dclid) ;;Unloads dialog box

;;;;
;;;;End of the AutoLISP routine
;;;;

LSP and DCL

2008-09-24T09:05:00.003-05:00

Good morning Bloggers!

I have taken on a task that is challenging to me. I have never created LSP or DCL codes before.
We have a huge need to create a pop-up dialog box that warns people that they are opening an R14 dwg inside of the 07 product. We have had too many projects get overwritten into 07 and the saving down/exporting/converting...you name it, there is no sufficient fix. We want them to stop doing it altogether.

If any of you can comment/contact me if you have suggestions and/or answers to my questions this would just rock!

My questions are this:
1. How do I add a .bmp image (that is stored on a network drive) to show up in the dialog box? (It is stored here: F:\HBEDT2K7\Setup\WarnImage.bmp)

2. How do I change the font of the text that appears in the dialog box? I would like to make the font larger, bolder, and perhaps a different font style altogether.

3. How do I change the color of the font? How do I change the color of the "buttons"? How do I change the color of the background of the dialog box? Basically what are all the ways to manipulate colors in the dialog box.

4. How do I get my dialog box to print out the "acadv" variable? I want it to state something along the lines of: Warning you have just opened a "acadv" dwg.... Is this possible?

Here is my current LSP file

;;;;
;;;;Beginning of the AutoLISP routine
;;;

(setq dwgfile (strcat (getvar "dwgprefix")(getvar "dwgname")))
(setq rfile (open dwgfile "r"))
(setq dwgver (substr (read-line rfile) 1 6))
(close rfile)

(cond

((= dwgver "AC1021")
(close)
)
((= dwgver "AC1014")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R14")
)
((= dwgver "AC1012")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R13")
)
((= dwgver "AC1009")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R11 or R12")
)
((= dwgver "AC1006")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R10")
)
((= dwgver "AC1004")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R9")
)
((= dwgver "AC1002")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.6")
)
((= dwgver "AC1.50")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD R2.05")
)
((= dwgver "AC1015")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000")
)
((= dwgver "AC1016")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2000i")
)
((= dwgver "AC1017")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2002")
)
((= dwgver "AC1018")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2004")
)
((= dwgver "AC1019")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2005")
)
((= dwgver "AC1020")
(setq acadv "AutoCAD 2006")
)
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1022")
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2008")
;;;; )
;;;; ((= dwgver "AC1023")
;;;; (setq acadv "AutoCAD 2009")
;;;; )
)

(setq dclid (load_dialog "warnr14.dcl"))
(new_dialog "warnr14" dclid)
(defun edit_action1 (val)
(setq NT val)
)

(action_tile "accept" "(unload_dialog)")
(action_tile "cancel" "(done_dialog)")

(start_dialog)

(done_dialog)
(command "_.close")
(command "y")

(unload_dialog dclid)

)

;;;;
;;;;End of the AutoLISP routine

Here is my DCL code:

warnr14 : dialog {

label = "WARNING!!! WARNING!!!";

: image {
key = "im";
height = 1.0;
width = 1.0;
}

: paragraph {
: text_part {
label = "YOU JUST OPENED AN R14 DWG IN 2007.";
}
: text_part {
label = "Verify this file is Read-only before clicking 'Open' (Check the header).";
}
: text_part {
label = "If you ignore this warning and end up saving this as a 2007 dwg, YOU WILL REPAIR THIS FILE ON YOUR OWN TIME!!";
}
}

: image {
key = "im2";
height = 1.0;
width = 1.0;
}

: row {

: button {
label = "CANCEL";
key = "cancel";
mnemonic = "C";
alignment = centered;
width = 0.5;
height = 3;
is_default = true;
}

: button {
fixed_width = true;
fixed_height = true;
label = "Open";
key = "accept";
mnemonic = "O";
}
}
}

Water

2008-09-17T16:22:00.002-05:00

It has been awhile since I have posted.
We've gotten our fair share of "fall-out" from the leftovers of Ike (nothing like those hit in TX though). Flash flood really does mean Flash flood!

I am working on a way to get a warning box to pop-up when our users try to open a dwg that is a different version than 07 (aka trying to ward off those people opening R14 dwgs in 07).

I've been busy attempting to piece together .lsp's and .dcl's to get this to work. I've even had someone mention to me to use a .scr file to obtain the results I am looking for.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens. It would be a cool tool if I can get it to do everything that I want it to do. I'd like it to state what version the dwg is that they are trying to open and have a button to cancel, ok, and read-only (which would convert it from the regular open to a read-only open)--tricky, eh? I also want it to know whether or not they tried opening it as read only.

If anyone out there knows of how to accomplish this successfully or is interested in helping or learning please post a comment and I'll be sure to contact you.

Thanks!

What version is this dwg saved as??

2008-08-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

We are currently in the middle of so many different "working" versions of software it is sometimes difficult to figure out what version a drawing has been saved in.

Here's a handy way to find out:
Go to Windows Explorer
Surf to your dwg
Right click on the dwg
Choose "open with"
Choose wordpad or notepad
At the very top you will see "AC1021" or AC w/ some numbers after it
Here's the decoder ring:
(it's actually telling you what version number it is....they stopped using consecutive R version numbers and started using the year for the name of the product)
1023 = 2009
1022 = 2008
1021 = 2007
1020 = 2006
1019 = 2005
1018 = 2004...and so on
1014 = R14

Odds and Ends

2008-08-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

Here are just a bunch of odds and ends of things that I've picked up along the way and suggest to my dept to help avoid problems.

Do not copy 3D duct nor 3D pipe components from one dwg to another. We have discovered that some of the pipe or duct doesn't move with the rest correctly.

Always open ABS first, then open your drawing. NEVER open your drawing from Windows Explorer!

ABS can have several dwgs open in the same session. The more you have open the slower your machine will run.

Close completely out of ABS half way through the day. This will help it run faster.

To flip between Modelspace and Paperspace use the black and white icons down by the “LWT” button, or tabs.

Set your current layer to “0” for xrefs, Design Center blocks, Content Browser blocks, and items off palettes.

“Enter” out of a command, do not hit “esc”. Hitting “esc” can crash out ABS if it is done too often.

Shift plus Right click will give you “osnaps” if they are not popping up by hitting the mouse wheel button.

To select multiple grips to move at once hold down the “shift” key and select the other grips.

DYN: this is located down by the toggles for OSNAPS and ORTHO. It is dynamic input. You may like to try this out. You can toggle between the distance and angle fields by hitting tab.

Keep all of your “ABS snaps” “ON” all of the time when working with 3D duct and 3D pipe.

Turn off “Osnaps” when working on 3D objects.

Never explode a 3D duct or pipe or equipment element!

Double clicking on the wheel mouse button will zoom extents.

Holding down the wheel mouse button will allow you to pan.

Scrolling the middle mouse button will allow you to zoom in and out.

To remove things from a crossing window selection hold the “shift” key down and click the left mouse button.

To list items in an xref or nested inside a block: type “xlist” at the command line, or go to “Express” then “Blocks” then “List Xref/Block Properties” and select the item.

You can also list via the Object Inspect tool. See the “Object Inspect” section of this document.

To extend or trim using an xref as a boundary: go to “Express” then “Blocks” then “Trim to nested object” OR “Extend to nested object” and follow the command line prompts.

To change the text case: “Express” then “Text” then “Change text case” OR double click on the text and highlight all the text. Then right click on it, choose “Change case” then choose “Uppercase” or “Lowercase”. OR double click on the text and highlight all the text. Then hold down Cntrl + Shift + U for uppercase or Cntrl + Shift + L for lowercase.

For ArcAligned text: “Express” then “Text” then “Arc-Aligned Text”. You may have to match properties with a piece of text that has the correct font/etc set up.

Always type in the command first, then select the object, this will help keep your computer from crashing.

When in doubt, select the item and right click to find options you may want.

Set back to 2D wireframe when finished viewing 3D shading styles this will speed up your computer.

Do NOT load the “Refedit” toolbar, nor should you dock it. This toolbar is designed to open and close when the proper commands are invoked. If you dock this toolbar it can cause your crosshairs to start blinking and when you open up ABS the next time it will only show the palettes, NOTHING else. (You will see your palettes on your desktop, no ABS interface.) This is difficult to repair.

To make a polyline smoother use the polyline edit command (“pe”) and type “f” for fit.

Use “j” for join instead of using the “glue” command.

To break a line type “break” at the command line.

Type “burst” at the command prompt to explode blocks and have them keep their properties/values/layers.

Type “be” at the command prompt to pull up the Block editor.

To flip between open drawings hold down the “ctrl” key and press “tab” or go to the “Window” pulldown and choose the number of the drawing you want.

You may try the “overkill” command (just type it at the command prompt) to help clean up lines etc of exploded 3D objects.

ABS Needs Coffee?

2008-07-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

Ever feel like your ABS isn't a morning person?
Does it need more coffee than you do in the morning (or Dr Pepper in my case)?
Try this out...

ABS Speed: Intermittent Pauses/Long Load Time:
Open the drawing in ABS.
Type “standards” at the command line.
Go to the “Standards” tab.
Remove the associated CAD Standards file.
Save and close out of the drawing.
Open the drawing back up.
Go to the “Standards” tab.
Re-associate the CAD Standards file again.
Save and close out of the drawing.

Speed ABS Up!

2008-07-29T07:52:00.002-05:00

To go along with fixing fatal errors, why not tweak ABS to run faster?
As with all changes I suggest you test these out before issuing them to your whole dept/company.

ABS Speed: Connection to Verisign.com/Firewall:
((I found this while perusing various sites...I would give credit, but I can't remember where I got it.))
Even if you disable the Communication Center it may still try to connect to Verisign.com.
This remains active so the Publisher’s Certificate Revocation security option can be verified.
To prevent further communication with Verisign.com:
Go to the Start button.
Select “Settings”.
Select “Control Panel”.
Double-click on the Internet Options icon.
If Windows XP is not set to “Classic View”, you need to click the “Network and Internet Connections” icon in the Control Panel first.
The “Internet Options” pop-up will appear.
Click on the “Advanced” tab.
Scroll down to the “Security” section.
Uncheck/unselect the “Check for publisher’s certificate revocation”.
Then click the “Apply” button
Then click the “Ok” button.
Close out of everything and reboot your computer.
Once rebooted open ABS up.
Type “Options” at the command line.
Go to the “Open and Save” tab.
Set “Incremental save percentage” to “0”.
Uncheck the “Display digital signature information” check box at the bottom left.
Under “File Safety Precautions” click on the “Security Options” button.
Click on the “Digital Signature” tab.
A pop-up should appear stating “No valid digital IDs (certificates) are installed on this system….”
This tells you that it is not using the digital signatures, which is what we wanted to do.
Click on the “Cancel” button.
Click on the “Cancel” button again.
Click “Apply”.
Click “Ok”.

ABS Speed: Communication Center Settings:
While inside of ABS double click on the communication center (satellite icon on the bottom right).
Click on the “settings” button.
Go to the “settings” tab.
Under “country/region” select “United States”.
Under “check for new content” select “On demand”.
Leave the check mark on the “enable balloon notification…”.
Go to the “channels” tab.
Select ONLY the “Live update maintenance patches” box; unselect all other choices.
Click “Apply”.
Click “Ok”.
Close the communication center via the “x” button.

Fatal Errors & Fixes

2008-07-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

As we all know Fatal Errors are just about the most annoying errors you can get....not only does what you were trying to do get killed, your entire session of ABS dies with it as well.

Here are some Fatal Errors and FIXES (wahoo) that I have found to work for my dept.

Fatal Error: 3D Orbit or Visual Style Change:
This one I found very very effective.
Either when starting the 3D orbit command or attempting to change visual styles you get a fatal error such as:
AutoCAD Error Aborting
Fatal Error: Unhandled e06d7363h Exception at 7c812a5bh
Type “VIEWRES” at the command line.
Hit “enter” or “y” for yes, when prompted for Fast Zooms.
Enter “100” when prompted for Circle Zoom Percent, and hit enter.
Originally mine was set to 10000.

Fatal Error: Opening or Closing a Dwg:
This one noticeably sped things up on our computers.
Either when opening or closing a drawing file you get a fatal error or an unhandled exception.
One reason may be due to the digital signature feature.
Do not change this unless your drawing is having issues.
Go to Windows Explorer.
Surf to where your drawing is located.
Right click on the drawing file.
Choose “Enable/Disable Digital Signature Icons”.
Uncheck/unselect the “Validate digital signatures and display special icons” box.
Reboot your computer.

Fatal Error: Saving:
Either when hitting the save button, going to File/Save, or Autosave you get a fatal error such as this:
Fatal Error: Unhandle Access Violation Writing 0x7bf6c4c9 exception at 78144d7ch
Right click on the command line.
Choose “Options”.
Go to the “Open and Save” tab.
Go to the “Incremental Save Percentage” and set it to “0”.
Click “Ok”.

Fatal Error: Loading a Dwg:
The drawing takes a long time to load.
Once you get the drawing open go to modelspace.
Select all of the 3D solids/objects in your drawing.
Right click and choose “Properties”.
Go to the “Solid History” drop down list and choose “None”.
Save the drawing.
Also you may try adjusting this system variable:
At the command line type “Solidhist”.
Initially mine is set to “1”.
Change it to “0”. (This will mean that no history is retained).

Make them run better, faster, more effecient

2008-07-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

One of the things that I have recently done to help my department is update their computers.
If you have the latest and greatest updates to your software and hardware you will have less problems and therefore a happier user.

There are a couple of things you can do to help their equipment work better for them.

1) Get the hotfixes that will take care of some of their everyday issues. Be sure that you back up everything before replacing/changing anything. Also, don't do a bunch at one time or on everyone's computers. Start with a test computer or two and see how their stuff runs for a week or so, then implement it to the rest of the department. Be sure to get the free Object Enablers if you are working in ACAD or ADT and want to see ABS objects correctly! Here are some links to the hotfixes we have used:
For ABS 2007: (Scroll down to Autodesk® Building Systems 2007)
Hotfixes: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240938

Object Enablers/etc: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334440&linkID=9240938

For ADT 2007: (Scroll down to Autodesk® Architectural Desktop 2007)
Hotfixes: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240658

Object Enablers/etc: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334440&linkID=9240658

For Civil 3D:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240698
and http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334440&linkID=9240698

For LandDesktop:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240778
and http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334440&linkID=9240778

2) Update their video drivers. This is a graphic intensive program, lots of video card drivers are getting continual updates to function better with upgraded software.

3) Clean their computers. Remove all the .tmp, .bak, .ac$, .sv$, and internet cookies. Defrag....I know there are several schools of thought on this, but I am a huge proponent of doing a disc defrag atleast once a month, if not once a week. Also the disc clean up is a good thing to run as well. There are many freeware programs out there that you can use to help clean up computers. Don't forget to empty that recycle bin...what good does it do to delete it if you don't actually empty out the trash?

4) Investigate freeware tune up utilities that are out there. I have worked with one of our IT guys to find out what are the best programs to use and what our company wants used.

Hope to drop in more tips soon!

Dusting off the cobwebs...

2008-07-25T13:05:00.000-05:00

Hi! After a long awaited time, I have been able to get back into my account here.

Just as an update...The company I work for has decided to stay with ABS 2007 for the time being. The respective cad dept reps and myself have been investigating the pro's and con's of making the switch to MEP 2009. It sounds like that will stay on the back burner until atleast the first service pack is issued. At this time we are all still muddling our way through the 07 product and making the switch to the 09 is probably not in our best interest at the moment. (After all it did take them 9yrs to switch from R14 to 07).

Needless to say, my posts will continue to be about ABS07. The nice thing about this is that even in the newer version of MEP alot of these steps and processes are still valid. Also, I am sure there are still those of you out there still working on 07.

Thank you for hanging with me during the "radio silence".

Continuing challenges

2008-02-19T21:51:00.001-06:00

Greetings blog readers!
I apologize for my absense.
Things as everyone knows are ever evolving.

Currently we debate the best metods to utilize for our company and for our future.

BIM...hmmm.... :)

We'll see what happens!

Growing pains...

2007-12-27T22:35:00.000-06:00

Greetings bloggers...

Our company is still under-going the growing pains of an internet monitoring system.

I have unfortunately been unable to post. I hope to round up excellent information to post soon.

So sorry for the delay.

I did get to attend AU this year. It was the first time for me. It was amazing!!! I got to meet so many people and "celebrates" in the Autodesk, ACAD, ABS, ADT, Revit, etc worlds.

If Lynn Allen ever checks out this blog: "Hi! Your class on tips and tricks for Acad was amazing. I feel very privileged for having gotten to meet you."

Unfortunately, this is all I have time to post right now.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!!

Happy Halloween!!!

2007-10-29T21:48:00.000-05:00

Greetings fellow bloggers!
Unfortunately the internet blocks at work have not changed.
Therefore, I have been unable to post recently.

While you all wait for me to post important info, enjoy this site:
http://www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf

You can carve your own pumpkin w/o the mess!

Happy Halloween!!!

In the Works...

2007-09-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

At the moment I am working on gathering more information on creating parametric parts.
I hope to get this information out there to you all soon.

Unfortunately, we are going through some "growing pains" and accessing/logging into my blogger account is a bit difficult at the moment. We hope to get this fixed soon...and/or I'll be moving my blog to a different website. If that is the case, I will post here to give you all the new link. Apparently too much "non-work oriented" material is hosted via blogger.com and it is on the "black list" of sites to be blocked.

Thank you for your patience!

AU 2007 Early Enrollment Open for AUGI Members

2007-08-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

For those of you interested, the early enrollment for AU 2007 for AUGI members opened this morning. http://au.autodesk.com/

As I previously mentioned, you need to have an Autodesk user's login created.
If you don't it will ask you to do so at some point. (not sure when since I already had mine created)
Click on "AU 2007" at the top left hand side.
On the far right hand side there will be a button to "Register now" for AU.
Click on it.
You'll go through and do the registering for the actual event and hotel and then you will set up your classes. I discovered that I had to log out then log back in in order to access the class scheduler. B/t/w typically I have found you need to click on "lost password" and have them send you a new one at this point and log in w/ it, unless you want to wait quite awhile for some sort of confirmation email. (that's the only shortcut I've found).

The website is being bombarded. Be patient. Hit refresh OFTEN. There is no other way to register for this event. I even called the Autodesk University's help number: 1-888-371-1722 (8a-5p Pacific Time) to ask if there was another way. Nope. Just be patient. I do suggest you get signed up today if you can. The labs fill up fast!

Good luck and I hope everyone has a great time!

Adding Duct Sizes to OOTB Size List

2007-08-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

I thought I should post some information on how to add to the list of standard duct sizes that the duct pop-up allows you to choose from. Because I am only (at this time) making changes to the list of ductwork, not to all the fittings, it will ask for verification for creating a "custom" part .

Go to: Cad Manager/Content editing/Catalog editor
Go to File and Open the Duct US Imperial.apc catalog: ???
(depends on your server and filing system, most likely here) /enu/Aecb Catalogs/Duct US Imperial/
Expand the shape you want to work on (I did rectangular and then round)
Then expand Ducts/Rectangular duct/Constant lists
(For round: Duct/round duct/constants list)
Scroll down to the bottom, select a cell, and then hit enter on the last row items.
This will start a new row.
You have to do this for each individual cell, it does not just work for the entire row.
Once you have added and/or edited the sizes you want click on File/Save.
Then close out of the pop up.
Now double click on the catalog and regenerate the "duct" catalog.
You size changes/additions should immediately show up.
If not you can close out of ABS and get back into it and they should show up.
This is not tied to just one drawing, it should be accessible to all users with new and existing drawings.

AU Update

2007-08-07T13:29:00.000-05:00

I just checked out Autodesk's AU info site.
It looks like general registration begins August 22, 2007.
Get it marked on your calendars!!
Be sure to stop by AUGI (Autodesk Users Group International) to get the low-down as well!
Create a free account at AUGI while you're there if you don't already have one.
AUGI: http://www.augi.com/home/default.asp

Autodesk University 2007

2007-08-01T10:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time a year where we all line up chomping at the bit to sign up for AU!

For those of you who don't know what AU is...here's a link to Autodesk's website describing the event: http://www.autodeskevents.com/au2007/

It is a huge meeting of the minds where knowledge flows freely and new ways to tackle problems are found!

Registration starts soon!

BIM & PIM: Avatech White Paper

2007-07-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Tuffin!!
He has posted an Avatech White Paper on BIM!
(the meer fact that he posted is almost as exciting as what he is posting, j/k Brian :)
Go check out his blog to read all about it: http://www.bim-wit.blogspot.com/

For those of you unfamiliar with BIM and PIM:
BIM = building information model
PIM = product information model

This is the way that designing and drafting is headed. You will no longer just be drafting lines on a drawing that symbolize items, you will actually be creating and utilizing intelligent objects. If you create a building information model through the usage of product information models the need for redesign and field issues are drastically diminished. All of the information is at your fingertips. Manufacturers need to get in on this! The sooner they create PIM's of their products the more designers will want to use their products.

Update on Duct under Transition Hiding Issue

2007-07-18T08:29:00.000-05:00

I received another option from Autodesk concerning the duct under a transition not hiding. I liked this idea and thought you all should know about it as well.

Draw a duct (doesn't matter what system you choose) that is an inch or two wider than the duct that is running underneath your transition, the smallest height possible (I think that is 3"), and only as long as the transition. Now select that duct and change its layer to your -Nplt layer. In elevation: you need to place this duct just underneath the transition, but above the duct that you want to show as hidden. You may have to go into an elevation view to make sure you get everything aligned. Once you have the elevation aligned you need to align it to be directly over the duct run you want to show hidden. You must make sure that your -Nplt layer is truly a non-plotting layer (verify in the layer manager that the print symbol has a red slash through it for this layer). Now go into paperspace and do a print preview and verify that you have hidden what you needed to, and nothing more. I have tested this out and it seems to work.

Here is an ortho view and a plan view of the results:

Post-script here....in some cases we have very tight clearances and the 3" duct height won't work. You can use a 1/4" diameter pipe and it will force the duct to hide under that as well. You might have to do one pipe over each side of the duct. Just a thought.

Duct Transition Not Hiding Duct Underneath

2007-07-17T16:11:00.000-05:00

I have had quite the laundry list of items come up recently. One of them concerned duct transitions and how they were or were not hiding duct running underneath them. This is only for ductwork that is running horizontal in the top view. If you have a rect to rect or round to round transition (concentric or eccentric) and you have a duct running underneath it, the duct underneath will not hide. If you rotate it all 90 degrees it will appear hidden. If you have round to rect, oval to rect, or oval to oval it will appear hidden as well. Here is a screenshot.

(This is the first time I have posted any pics on my blog. Hopefully it'll turn out ok. :)

Autodesk told me this is a known issue and it is fixed in MEP 2008. I do not believe we will be switching to 08 in the near future so my people need a solution for what is going on right now. Autodesk suggested exploding the transition and the duct running underneath and drawing in the required hidden lines....I'm not a fan of that idea. What I have told my people to do for the time being (other than just try to avoid this situation all together) is to use the "break" command on the duct running underneath and draw in some hidden lines where they need to appear in the transition area.

I just wanted to make others aware of this incase they run into it.

Good luck!

Flex duct: 1-line Representation

2007-07-17T14:08:00.000-05:00

I just had one of the AUGI members ask how I got my flex duct to represent 1-line. I could have sworn that I had a blog post on this, but did not find one. So, here we go! :) I will preface this with: use a practice drawing first to try these changes out on first. You will need to verify that any changes that I am suggesting do not affect other settings in your drawings. Once you are pleased with the settings then you can set them in your existing and/or template drawings. We are using the MEP display configuration for all of our HVAC work at this time. You will need to make the changes to your display configuration that you have set for your ductwork drawings.

Hopefully this helps!

To get the flex duct to show as one line and to hide when it goes under other ducts/pipes follow this procedure:
When the label comes in for the flex duct the line runs thru it so you will have to erase the label for the flex duct after it is dropped in.
There is no known way to keep the label on for the rest of the ductwork and off for the flex duct. NOTE: the flex will not break/hide when it crosses more flex duct. Also once the flex duct is connected to a duct and to a "real" diffuser connector you can no longer manipulate the flex, you must move the diffuser or main duct and that will in turn relocate the flex.
We are using the MEP Design set as the display config.
Go to MODELSPACE to make these changes:
Format/Display manager/Sets/MEP Design-Plan
Scroll down to "Duct Flex" and check ONLY "Plan".
Format/Display manager/Representation by Object/Duct Flex/Plan
Turn everything OFF except "CL" and "CL Hidden"
Change the line types for CL to Hidden, and for CL Hidden to Hidden2

IF you wanted to have the label hide the line you can follow this procedure:
When using these settings the line will not hide when it goes under duct/piping. This is just in here for reference.
Go to MODELSPACE to make these changes:
Format/Display manager/Sets/MEP Design-Plan
Scroll down to "Duct Flex" and check ONLY "1-line".
Format/Display manager/Representation by Object/Duct Flex/1-line
Turn OFF "CL" and "Anno", keep everything else ON.
Change the line types for Contour to Hidden.

Parametric Parts

2007-07-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

Greetings bloggers!
Here is what I have most currently learned. It is probably not the most correct method, but it produced what I was looking for. Here is the procedure that I went through to create a parametric part. I do not have all the options mapped out here because I have not fully investigated them. Happy reading!

Parametric Parts:
(Based off of creating a spin fitting)
Open up a blank drawing based off of your template.
Go to modelspace.
Go to CAD Manager/Content Editing/Content Builder
Select the chapter (folder) that you want to place your new part in.
(Make sure you are in the correct catalog…for parametric parts you will need to be in the duct or pipe catalog, not MvPart catalog)
Click on "New parametric part" icon on the right side.
Name your part. Hit tab to get to the next field. It should self-fill in.
Click "Ok".

Now a new palette will appear, the "content builder" palette.
Expand the "Part configuration" section.
You will see what you just named your part.
You can right click on it and select "edit" to change it if you would like.
Under that is the subcategory: "duct"
On "undefined" (under duct) right click and select "edit". Change it to "Takeoff".
Under the now named "takeoff" click on undefined and change it to "Plain" via right click/edit.

On the Content builder palette under the part config section is the "work plane" section.
Click on the "work plane" right click, and choose "edit".
Choose the desired plane--this is the plane that the object will be inserted/viewed initially in your dwg.
(when doing a spin fitting try the front plane)
Right click on the plane that you created.
Choose "Add geometry" then choose "line" (etc)
Add all the Cole lines that you need to through these functions.
You must use Cole lines in order for this to work.
You can not use regular ACAD lines/shapes.
Each asterisk is a Cole point = *
Once you have your item drawing you need to create and assign a profile to them.

Right click on your plane.
Select Add profile/circular (or whichever is applicable for you).
Draw this outside of the plane window.
Draw as required.
Create all desired planes.
These are basically giving a shape to extrude along.

Right click on your plane/add dimension/distance (or the desired one).
Dimension all portions that you want/need to control and reference.
Click on the *’s on your Cole lines.
Now assign a profile to the cole linework.
Under the Modeling section right click on "Modifier" and select "add path".
When it prompts you to "select path geometry", select the Cole points or Cole lines.
When it prompts you to "select start profile" choose the profile you had created.
It will then ask you to "select end profile" you can either choose a different that you need, or just hit enter to use the same as the start profile.
Do this for all of your Cole lines.

Right click on "Model Parameters".
Change any equations/relations that you need to.
Click in the equation column and make your changes.
You must type the variable names exactly as they have them listed.
Then click "close" when you are done.

Switch to a 3D view.
Right click on "Connections" and choose "Add connection".
Select the Cole Node that you want the connector located at.
Then enter a number for the connector.
For "Pick dimension position" prompt click on the profile that you drew that is outside the plane window.
Do this for all connections that you need.

Right click on "Parameter configuration" and choose "edit configuration".
Under the "Data storage" row change the items to "Table" that you want the people to choose from.
You must do this to the "Part size name" as well so you can edit the part names.
Now click the black down arrow at the top where it says "parameter configuration" and change it to "Values".

Click on the "1" row name.
A new icon is allowed at the top of this pop-up called "new".
Click on it as many times as you need to create choices to be chosen from.
You can click on the arrows with an "a" in the middle icon and this will auto-size your columns.
Now click inside the part size name to highlight the first name.
Click on the "edit" icon at the top left next to the "new" icon.
Change the name as required.
Use the down arrow keys and enter to change through all of these.
You must click on the "edit" button for each item you want to change.
Now click inside the other "list" items and change them accordingly.
Click "ok" to save the changes and exit this pop-up.

At the top of the content browser palette click on the cactus looking icon called "Generate bitmap".
Click on the views at the bottom of this pop-up and choose a view that suits you.
If you do not find something that you like, click on the "Browse" button and go find a bitmap to select instead.

Click on "Save part family" at the top of the content builder palette.
Click "yes" to allow this part to be seen by all users accessing it.
Click on the stoplight looking icon called "Validate".
Make sure you see a green dot at the bottom of the palette to signify that the part is valid.
Close the drawing.
It may prompt you to save, say YES.

Now double click on the catalog at the bottom of your ABS session.
Click on "d" for duct, or which ever catalog the part you just created is saved in.

Now you can test out your part!
To get to a newly created spin fitting that was stored in the duct catalog:
Click on "Duct fitting" icon on the palette.
Surf down to the location you saved it in, in this case:
Duct and fittings us imperial/round/takeoffs/
Click the down arrow to choose from the different sizes you created as choices and drop it into your drawing.

Missing Curve/End Coonector and Osnap Symbols?

2007-06-29T14:05:00.000-05:00

So I had been hoping to get more posts out here quicker. Unfortunately, other tasks at work have kept me away from reviewing and posting some of the information I had learned at class.

Right now I am dealing with my wipeout blocks showing up correctly in modelspace and paperspace, but when you print and/or do a print preview they don't hide the stuff underneath them. This is quite frankly annoying. I am using them to place text on top of 1-line piping. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to drop a comment. This used to work...now it's stopped working. I just can't figure out why. It's not computer, drawing, or printer specific. I think I may have messed up some setting in my template and I can't figure out which one. I've gone through my notes and "un-did" those changes...it still doesn't work any more. WHY?! Sigh. Maybe I'll post this on AUGI and/or the Autodesk Subscription Center.

Today I had an interesting question...a user's osnap and end/curve connector symbols were not showing up. The pop-up text stating that you were on a curve connector (etc) did show up so we knew it was working, just not visual. here's how to fix this in case any of you run across this same problem.

Right click on the "osnap" button at the bottom and choose "settings".
Make sure you are in either the Osnap tab or the ABS Snap tab.
Click on the "Options" button.
You will now be in the options pop-up.
Make sure you are on the "Drafting" tab.
Under the "AutoSnap Settings" section make sure "Marker" is check marked.
Also I keep "magnet" and "display autosnap tooltip" checked as well.
Click "Ok" once you are done here.
You will be back in the Drafting settings pop-up.
Click "Ok".

Cut Plane

2007-06-06T15:55:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon all,
So sorry it has been quite awhile since I have gotten to post. I have been swamped after coming back from my training. I am attempting to get caught up so that I can dig in and start "fixing" and amending my set-up for my dept. It's quite a task ahead of me and many choices to make.

In the process I have had a couple of people telling me that when they xref in a structural drawing to look at the steel for their floor, they can't see it. Everything is turned on, but no steel.

It turns out that when I decided to use the OOTB cut plane for my display configuration it ended up cutting off before the steel showed up.

Anyway...enjoy the info listed below and hopefully I can get more posts out quicker in the coming days!

So, here's how to change your cut plane elevations:
Open up your template.
Go to modelspace.
Go to Format/Display Manager/Configurations/
Now choose the display configuration that you need to change the cut plane on.
For me it is "MEP Design".
Click once on it to select it.
In the right hand column click on the "Cut Plane" tab.
Here are the settings that I am going to use:
Display above range: 200'-0" (yes, this is huge, but if you knew how our dwgs were set-up, it would make more sense)
Cut height: 3'-6" (didn't change this one)
Display below range: 0" (didn't change this one)

Helpful Hints:Isolate Objs, Commands, & Cont Browser

2007-05-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple helpful hints I picked up in training, enjoy!

When you want to see just a few objects in 3D and modify/add/delete from them:
Select the objects you want to see.
Right click.
Select "isolate objects"
Choose either edit in section, plan, or elevation.
Follow the command line prompts to cut the section or elevation.
Now your objects will pop-up in a separate window.
You can add objects (pipe, duct, equipment, aec content) or modify objects as desired here.
Once you are done, click on the "edit in view" pop-up toolbar button to exit this window.

Command line commands:
You can type in the first letter or two and then hit tab and it will tab you through all of the commands that are available with those letters.
Keep in mind the duct and pipe commands are actually "add duct" and "add pipe" so it will not be under "d" for duct or "p" for pipe, it will be under "a" for add.
If you want to see all the available commands used in ABS: at the command line type "arx" then choose "c" for commands.

Content Browser: If you want to keep this window on top all the time:
Open the content browser.
Right click on the top of its title bar and choose "Always on top".

In the works...

2007-05-02T21:19:00.000-05:00

I am currently undergoing quite the educational gauntlet. Hopefully soon I will have many more new tidbits to bring to light here on my blog once I return.

It has been quite an exciting and informational little sabbatical.

I want to give a big thank you out to my trainer!! :)

Keep this site handy...as soon as I can decipher my notes I'll throw some tidbits out here.

Selection Windows

2007-04-20T10:50:00.000-05:00

Good morning,
I was reading some material concerning ACAD 2007 and wondered if it worked in ABS 2007. The answer is "yes it does!" I thought these little tricks were fun so I wanted to pass them off to you all.

Selection Windows
Implied window: Go from left to right (up or down, doesn’t matter). Shows a solid line, enclosed items are selected.
At the "select objects" prompt type "W" and left to right doesn’t matter either.

Implied crossing window: Go from right to left (up or down, doesn’t matter). Shows dashed line, all items touched by the window are selected.
At the "select objects" prompt type "C" and right to left doesn’t matter either.

For either type of window:
At the "select objects" prompt type "WP" for window polygon.
At the "select objects" prompt type "CP" for crossing polygon.
At the "select objects" prompt type "F" for fence selection. (anything it crosses is selected)

Good Luck!

2007-04-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

Greetings Blog Readers,

Today is one of my co-workers last day here at work. He has been a tremendous help in setting up the ADT side of things. He will definitely be missed. He's probably one of the main reasons I've stayed partially sane ;)

I wish him the best of luck at his new job! I know he will do well.

(Hopefully he'll hang in and still play on the coed softball team with us this summer!)

Good luck!!

.CTB's: Create, Edit, Map, & Convert

2007-04-10T08:57:00.000-05:00

Good morning Bloggers!
I thought I would drop some information in concerning .ctb files. At my company we print based off of the .ctb as opposed to the .stb. Just as an explination: a ctb file is a color table. When a .ctb is utilized to print the lineweights are based off of the color. A .stb is a style based pen table. When you are using a .stb the lineweights are based off of the lineweight of the actual line, the color is irrelevant.

To create a new .ctb:
Go to C:\Documents & Settings\all users\Autodesk\ABS\enu\Plot styles
Copy the one you want to use as a template that has most of your layer keys loaded
Rename the copy you made
Double click and open it
This can be edited in either the form view or the table view
Screening = shading percent value (set all colors to 100%, set the shades to the % required)
Make sure if you are making a .ctb file that the "color" row is set to black instead of "use object color"
Also you can get to this via the control panel/autodesk plot style manager.

To edit a .ctb file:
Go to Windows Explorer.
Open this file: F:\HBEDT2k6\Plot Styles\HBE ADT-ABS.ctb
Click on the View tab.
Edit as required.
Click on the Save and Close button.

To map new a .ctb to ABS:
The new .ctb is here: F:\HBEDT2k6\Plot Styles\HBE ABS.ctb
You have to load this into your profile in order for it to apply to everyone.

To convert a .stb drawing to a .ctb drawing:
Once your drawing is started as a .stb you will not be able to print it properly using our .ctb file.
To convert it: type "convertpstyles" in the command line.
Set pstylemode = 0 ( for color dependent/.ctb mode)
It will give you a warning, say OK.

Follow-up: Obj Inspect/Autosnap

2007-04-05T14:38:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon all,
I thought I would post some follow-up information concerning the object inspect tool and the autosnap setting.

To check and/or change your autosnap value setting type "autosnap" at the command prompt.
"Enter new value for AUTOSNAP <#>:" will appear at the command line, where the "#" is an actual number dependent upon your settings. To change the value simply type in the new numeric value and hit enter.

R. Robert Bell passed me this information on the Autodesk Discussion Group concerning how the autosnap value gets changed (http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=551907):
"That value changes depending on what settings they've applied in the Options dialog, or on the Status bar. The value of that system variable is a total of the bit codes being set. If you don't know what bit codes are, you aren't a programmer. ;^) Only values from 0-63 will be valid in current releases. Attempts to set it to other values will either be ignored or refused."

He also posted this: "Bit 1 (value 2) is what you need on to see the tooltip. So add this to AcadDoc.lsp or your CUI's .mnl file: (setvar "AutoSnap" (boole 7 (getvar "AutoSnap") 2)) "

On AUGI I had this thread going to discuss autosnap values as well: http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=57359
David Koch posted this explanation for me: "The variable is binary bit-coded so that a number of different "on-off" settings can be stored in one variable. Base 2 [binary] has two possibilities for each digit - 0 [off] or 1 [on]. With a computer, it is easy to test if a given bit is set, even if it not not terribly obvious when the number is converted to a Base 10 [decimal] number, like we are used to seeing.
0 turns off everything, as that means all bits are off.The zero bit [two raised to the zero power] is 1 when on, and turns on the AutoSnap marker.
The two's bit [two raised to the first power] is 2 when on [10 in binary], and turns on the AutoSnap tooltips.
So, 3 [11 in binary] means that both the AutoSnap marker and the AutoSnap tooltips are turned on.
The four's bit [two raised to the second power] is 4 when on [100 in binary], and turns on the AutoSnap magnet.
So, 5 [101 in binary] means that the AutoSnap marker and the AutoSnap magnet are on, and everything else is off. 6 [110] means that the AutoSnap tooltips and the AutoSnap magnet are on; 7 [111] means all of the above are on.
That carries on for each of the remaining bits:
Eight's bit [two to the third power] turns on polar tracking when set.
16's bit [two to the fourth power] turns on object snap tracking when set.
32's bit [two to the fifth power] turns on tooltips for polar tracking, object snap tracking, and Ortho mode.
From what you have posted, and as Scott mentioned, the 32 bit appears to be the magic one. Any number between 32 and 63 has the 32 bit set, so any value greater than that would support the object inspect tool tip. Besides setting the value directly in the system variable, turning polar tracking or object snap tracking on or off on the Application Status Bar, or changing any of the AutoSnap settings in the Options dialog, etc, would result in a change to the value.
If you really wanted to force this to be on, someone wiser than I with regard to the proper construction of reactor programs could help you devise one that would automatically check the value of AUTOSNAP and, if the 32 bit was not set, set it. That would still allow your users to set the other bit values as needed, and only force the display of the tooltips controlled by the 32 bit."

So there ya go folks...all the info I could round up for the time being. Hopefully this will help some of you out.

Remapping a Layer for an Individual Object

2007-04-04T11:55:00.001-05:00

Good afternoon all!
I was going through my notes and discovered that I had not posted this little diddy.
Enjoy!

Remapping a Layer for an Individual Object:
(This will load in a standard layer with all of its proper settings, even if the layer is not already in the drawing)
Go to the Format drop down menu.
Select "Layer Manager".
Select "Remap Object Layers".
Select the object or objects you want to change to one different layer.
Hit enter.
At the command line prompt it will ask for the Layer Key.
Either type in the layer key if you know it and hit enter,
OR type in a "?" and hit enter.
If you pull the command line window up you will be able to see all the layer keys that are possible and you can scroll through them.
You can either write down the layer key you need and type it back in
OR you can hold down the left click button to highlight the layer key you want, then hit the right click button and select copy.
Then left click once at the command line (to get the cursor back down there).
Now right click and select paste to drop in the layer key name you copied from the list above.
Hit enter.

Dimensions: Modification of Text Output

2007-03-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Good morning bloggers!
Here is just a helpful tip...some of you may know this already, but some of you may not. I come from the old school of learning that involved typing commands. I remembered there was a way to force a dimension to enter to the next line thereby creating 2 lines of text for a dimension. Since I began my ABS path I have not had to do 2 lines or more of dimension text. It turns out that "\X" still works, however I had the unique situation of needing 3 lines of text. To get this I learned that you type in "\P" at each point that you want a new line created. Here is the more specific run through of how to modify and create multiple lines of text in a dimension. Keep in mind if you are wanting to keep the dimension that is measured type this in: "<>". By the way, the capitalization of the "P" and the "X" is important.

Dimensions: Modification of Text Output:
If you want to modify the information that is in a dimension click once on the dimension to select it.
Go to the Properties palette.
Scroll down to the "Text" section.
Under "Text override" you can type in anything you want.
If you need 2 lines you can type in the information for the first line then type "\X" and then type in the next line.
If you need more than 2 lines, type in the info for the first line then type "\P" at the beginning of each new line.
You can use the "\P" for a double line as well if you would like instead of the "\X".
Then just hit "enter" once you have everything typed in there.
You may have to hit "esc" to unselect your dimension text.
You may need to move/align your dimension text.

Eccentric Duct Transitions & Round Taps (Not Shoe/Beveled)

2007-03-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

As I have mentioned my company has a set of standard ways they want to see their ductwork represented. OOTB the ductwork drops in with concentric (centered) fittings, our company uses eccentric. Also OOTB shoe-taps/beveled taps show up automatically for round duct. Our company likes to use spin fittings. While I have not found an acceptable spin fitting in the catalog yet, for the time being I have chosen to change the fitting that is automatically dropped in to a round duct straight tap. This way my people can just draw a line to represent the other portion of the spin fitting symbol we typically use until I can create one. I have listed below the steps that I took to accomplish these settings.

For Round Duct:
Click on the "Add duct" button on the Duct palette.
Choose Round duct.
Under Justification set Horizontal to "Left", keep Vertical set to "Center".
Go to the black down arrow at the bottom of this pop-up and click it once and WAIT.
Under "Takeoff" make sure "Round duct take off US imperial" is checked.
Under "Transition" make sure "Eccentric round duct transition US imperial" is checked.
Then draw a couple of ducts to make sure this setting stuck.

For Rectangular Duct:
Click on the "Add duct" button on the Duct palette.
Choose a Rectangular duct.
Under Justification set Horizontal to "Left", keep Vertical set to "Center".
Go to the black down arrow at the bottom of this pop-up and click it once and WAIT.
Under "Takeoff" make sure "Rectangular duct take beveled tap US imperial" is checked.
Under "Transition" make sure "Rectangular duct eccentric transition US imperial" is checked.
Then draw a couple of ducts to make sure this setting stuck.

Object Inspect Tool & Autosnap Setting

2007-03-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

The object inspect tool a great tool, if you can get it to work. I have been challenged recently to get this to work. Here is what has been going on. On some people’s computers it works, on others it does not. It could be working on someone’s computer for awhile and then just quit working. It is independent of the profile, the template, and whether or not you are using ABS 2007 or ADT 2007. Due to those tests that I ran I had a hunch it was a system variable or some toggle somewhere under the Options/Drafting tab, aka it was specific to the individual computer.

What I mean by not working: you could select the object inspect tool and hover over an item, but no text balloon would show up with the information, but the command was active.

Thanks to some help from the people on AUGI I have found out what the toggle/system variable is that affects it. AUTOSNAP. This was a variable that I had never heard of. OOTB it should be set to 63.

From the help section here are the settings for Autosnap: 0 = Off all, 1 = marker on, 2 = snap tip on, 4 = magnetic cursor on, 8 = polar tracking on, 16 = object snap tracking on, and 32 = tool tips for polar and object snap tracking on.

Now if you add all of these together (0+1+2+4+8+16+32) it equals 63. Interesting.

I went around to various computers and found these numbers for autosnap: 1, 5, 17, 39, 47, and 55. I know that my users do not know about this system variable, nor do they know how to directly change it’s setting. Interestingly enough anyone who had a number above and including 30 the object inspect tool worked on their computers.

If you turn on and off items such as osnap or otrack the autosnap value will change.
So how do you insure that you always have a high enough number for your autosnap setting in order to keep the object inspect tool working? I just don’t know yet. I’ll update this post with new information when I find out!

Also just to note…I verified that in the Options/Drafting tab the following were all checked/selected: Marker, Magnet, and Display Autosnap tool tip.

File extension Names

2007-03-09T10:50:00.000-06:00

So if you are new to customizing a CAD system and you are just learning the ropes there are some basic file extension names that you will want to know what they are used for. I have put together a small list and their "definitions" that I have found handy.

File Extensions and What They Mean:
.dsd = batch plot sheet set listing, holds the sheet names to access
.dwf = image of a drawing, does not update when drawing updates
.dwg = drawing
.dwt = template, used to create your new drawings with the settings previously configured
.exe = executable file, can be used for a self-extracting zip file
.pdf = image file, non-editable by CAD, typically used with Adobe
.txt = text file
.zip = zip file

Turning Off Pipe Fitting Connectors

2007-03-01T10:36:00.000-06:00

If your company is very specific on what can or can't be shown on your drawings some of the OOTB features for ABS are not desired. One of these particular items for my company is the connectors on pipe fittings for 1-line representation. Here is how to turn those off. Rest assured that the rise/drop/tee fittings still show up, this is just the connectors that come before/after the fitting.

Open up your template drawing.
This will take care of all future issues started off of the template, but you will have to open up any existing individual drawings and amend these settings as well.
Go to modelspace.
Go to Format/Display Manager/Representation by Object/Pipe fitting/
In my case the Display configuration I always use for piping is "Plan", so I will select "Plan".
Turn OFF the "connector", "connector-graphical", and "connector-hidden".
Also you may need to go under /Representation by Object/Pipe custom fitting/ as well.
Turn OFF the "connector", "connector-graphical", and "connector-hidden" here also.
Click "Apply" and then click "OK".

You may need to tweak this for your situation, but now you know where those pesky connectors are so you can turn them off if you need to.

1-line Pipe Rise/Drop Representation

2007-02-28T15:36:00.000-06:00

As I continue to try to implement ABS 2007 there are things I hear about every day. This one I had to tap one of my "sources" (big shout out of thanks to my favorite "Pepper") to get me on the right track.

We were wanting to get the 1-line piping's rise and drop symbols to be "legible" at all times, no matter if it's a 3/4" dia or 6" dia pipe. OOTB it appears the the symbols scale with the size of the pipe.

So, you all can learn from my challenges....
Open up your template drawing.
(this will take care of future drawings, but you will have to go into your already created drawings and modify this there as well.)
Go to modelspace.
Click on "Format", and then "Style Manager".
You will see your template drawing listed there: Template.dwt (or whatever the drawing name)
Surf down "Piping Objects"/"Pipe rise drop symbols".
Since my pipes are set to use the "Pipe break-rise only" I will modify this one.
You will need to modify whichever one your pipes are affected by.
Click on the "Rise/Drop" tab.
Here is what I had to modify to show 10" dia symbols at all times:
Circular drop 1-line: under scale click on "Override scale", input: x=10, y=10, z=1
Circular rise 1-line: under scale click on "Override scale", input: x=10, y=10, z=10
Circular drop 1-line tee: left alone for now.

Anyway, that's where I stand at the moment, and it seems to be working...I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks!

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T12:51:00.000-06:00

Here's wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!
For all of you getting dumped on w/ snow: don't let it damper your day.
Just make some creative snowpeople!

For some "mindless" fun try this link out: http://blackdog4kids.com/holiday/valentine/tictactoe/

Placing Nodes (may be desired for MvParts)

2007-01-31T15:51:00.000-06:00

When creating MvParts you may want to place some nodes to hold a place for your connectors. It is not a requirement, but can come in handy. Here's a quick reference on customizing the output of your nodes.

Placing Nodes:
Node Point: type "po" at the command line

DdPType: displays a dialog box for selecting PsMode and PdSize

PDMODE choices and what they deliver: 0=dot, 1=invisible, 2=+, 3=x, 4='
32-36 is the same as 0-4 w/ a circle around them
64-68 is the same as 0-4 w/ a square around them
96-100 is the same as 0-4 w/ a square and then a circle around them.

PDSIZE choices and what they deliver: 0=5% of height of the ScreenSize system variable
1=No display
-10=(Negative) 10% of the viewport size
10=(Positive) 10 pixels in size

MvPart: Modifying Layer Keys in Content Builder

2007-01-17T13:43:00.000-06:00

In honor of attempting to help you all keep your New Year's resolution of continuing education
here is the next tid-bit I have to offer up to you all. Ah, the joys of MvParts. It's a never ending pool of discovery...enjoy!

MvPart: Modifying the Layer Keys in Content Builder:
Once you have the views modified the way you want them you may want to modify the layer keys that the blocks are set to.
This must be done in the Content Builder.
Open a blank drawing based off of your template, make sure you have the desired layer key loaded in this drawing.
Make sure you are in modelspace.
Make sure you have Regenerated the Catalog first.
Go to the CAD Manager/Content Editing/Content Builder/Part Catalog and choose Multi-view Part.
Catalog path: ...\enu\Aecb Catalogs\MvParts US Imperial\Mechanical\Mechanical\All
Installed MvParts US Imperial.apc
Surf down: All Installed MvParts US Imperial/Mechanical/Air Terminals/Diffusers
Select the one you want to work on.
Then click on the "modify part size" button that is on the right hand side, approximately the 5th one down.
In the layer key area click on the ellipse "…" button.
Select your layer key; the layer key used is the one associated w/ your open drawing.
NOTE: You can not type in layer keys, you have to select one.
Click "ok" to exit this window.
Click "ok" to exit out of the Content Builder.
You will have to regenerate the catalog (m = mvpart) after making these changes.
In order for everyone to see your changes both you and everyone else will have to exit out of ABS completely.
Then open ABS back up and they should be able to view your changes.

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T09:05:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!!!
Remember, when making resolutions be sure they are attainable ones. You sure don't want to start out the new year by not accomplishing something. Try something like..."This year I will learn a new function of ABS 2007." :) You know you can accomplish this by just reading my blog! See, I'm here to help.

Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-25T21:50:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to take a moment and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Don't drink too much eggnog and watch out for those crazy reindeer!! :)

MvPart: How to Add Connectors in Content Builder

2006-12-21T08:16:00.000-06:00

So on we continue my "discovery" of MvParts. I had someone ask me how to add connectors to an existing MvPart. So I did a little right click nosing around and here's what I found. (It really is true...right click is your friend)

MvPart: How to Add Connectors in Content Builder:
This is based off of a pre-set up MvPart.
Open up a blank drawing and go to modelspace.
Click on CAD Manager/Content Editing/Content Builder.
Surf to the location of the MvPart that you want to modify.
Select it and then click on the "Modify Part Size" icon on the far right side.
(It's about the 5th button down)
When you get the new pop-up window click on the "Connectors" tab at the top.
Click on the top level name to select it.
Right click and choose "Add duct connector" (or any other connector type desired).
A new pop-up will appear called "Part Family Connector Properties".
Fill in a name, change the flow direction (bi-directional/in/out), and the shape (oval/rectangle/round) if necessary.
Click "ok" once you have entered/verified all the information.
This will now add that new connector to all the sub items in that drawing.
You will have to manually edit the connector locations in each of the drawings individually.
Right click on the connector you created that is under the specific block that you need to edit.
Click on "Edit Placement".
You will now be inside of that drawing and have a new palette show up call the "MvPartBuilder-Connector Editor".
If you know the actual point locations you can drop them in at the bottom of this new palette under the "Connector Geometry" section, under the "Position" subsection.
OR I believe you can click on the ellipse "..." button and physically select the locations.
Once you are done with that hit "OK" on the "MvPartBuilder-Connector Editor".
This will take you back to the MvPart Builder pop-up.
If you need to edit other connectors you can do so by clicking on them and going through the same process.
Click "Ok" and this will exit you out completely from the Content Builder.
I would suggest that you save and regen your catalog.
Also I suggest you and the others whom you want to see your changes close completely out of ABS and then open ABS back up.

MvPart: Editing Connectors

2006-12-20T08:48:00.000-06:00

Here is something I am currently exploring: MvParts. (As you've probably noticed since this is the second post in a row concerning them). I am still in the learning process, so this is what I have found thus far. This is based off of having connectors already set up in an existing MvPart.

MvPart: Editing Connectors:
Open up a blank drawing and go to modelspace.
Click on CAD Manager/Content Editing/Content Builder.
Surf to the location of the MvPart that you want to modify.
Select it and then click on the "Modify Part Size" icon on the far right side.
(It's about the 5th button down)
When you get the new pop-up window click on the "Connectors" tab at the top.
Right click on the "Connector 1" (or whichever connector you want to edit) that is under the specific block that you need to edit.
Click on "Edit Placement".
You will now be inside of that drawing and have a new palette show up call the "MvPartBuilder-Connector Editor".
If you know the actual point locations you can drop them in at the bottom of this new palette under the "Connector Geometry" section, under the "Position" subsection.
OR I believe you can click on the ellipse "..." button and physically select the locations.
Once you're done with that hit "OK" on the "MvPartBuilder-Connector Editor".
This will take you back to the MvPart Builder pop-up.
If you need to edit other connectors you can do so by clicking on them and going through the same process.
Click "Ok" and this will exit you out completely from the Content Builder.
You may have to save and regen your catalog; and you may have to close completely out of ABS (and the others whom you want to see your changes) and then open ABS back up.

MvPart: How to Change the Top View Representation

2006-12-15T15:02:00.000-06:00

I am currently learning how to manipulate the OOTB MvParts to show how our company requires diffusers to appear on our drawings. I have written this up using a diffuser as an example. You will have to modify the paths shown to get to where you are storing your MvParts.

MvPart: How to Change the Top View Representation:
This is to copy an existing MvPart and modify the "Top" view of it.
In this example I will step through modifying a diffuser.
Open a completely blank drawing based off of your template.
Go to modelspace.
Go to CAD Manager/Content Editing/Catalog Editor.
On the pop-up go to File/Open/ X:\enu\Aecb Catalogs\MvParts US Imperial\Mechanical\Mechanical MvParts US Imperial.apc (at the very end of the list) and double click on this to open it.
Go to the desired section; in this case: Air terminals/Diffusers
Select a diffuser, right click on it, and click on "copy".
Click on the Diffuser subcategory, right click, select "paste".
Now you have a copy of the original diffuser.
Right click on the new copy, select "rename" and rename the item.
Put your company initials in the name to designate that it is a company modified part now.
On the right hand side click on "Description" and change the information there to match the new name you gave it.
Go to File/Save, to save the drawing.
Close out of the pop-up window.
Now double click on the Catalog icon (magenta colored book looking icon) at the bottom of the screen located next to the padlock icon.
This is to regenerate the catalog to include the new part you have added to the catalog.
At the command prompt it will ask for input, type "m" for MvPart as the catalog you want it to regenerate.
You will see a progress bar for the regeneration process.
Click "ok" on the pop-up warning. (if it shows up after regeneration)
Do not go through the Content Builder to make the top view changes.
Go to File/Open/ X:\enu\Aecb Catalogs\MvParts US Imperial\Mechanical\Air terminals\Diffusers
Open up the new .dwg you had created with your company name in it.
Type "be" on the command prompt to open the block editor.
Scroll down to the desired view. In this case you are looking for the TOP view drawing.
There will probably be multiple blocks with "TOP" in the name.
You will probably want to modify all of these so you have the correct symbology on all of the different sized diffusers.
Eventually you may want to change the blocks with "SYMBOL" in them as well since these are the blocks used for symbolic representations for 1-line and other drafting.
Edit the block(s) as desired to reflect what you want to see in your drawings.
Save the block(s).
Save the file containing the block(s).
Use the Mechanical Equipment icon on the Duct palette to access the diffuser you just changed.
(Or whatever other icon you use to access MvParts)
Set the "Part" tab as active.
Surf down to: All Installed MvParts US Imperial/Mechanical/Air Terminals/Diffusers/ and choose the part that you added/modified (should have your company name in it).
Drop the part into your drawing and verify that it looks like and acts like you need it to.

AutoStacking Fractions

2006-12-13T10:18:00.000-06:00

I was talking with a colleague of mine and he suggested I post this on my blog...so here ya go Josh! :)

Ever tried to get the pop up for AutoStacking of fractions back and couldn't find it? Once you hit the "don't ever show this again", it can be difficult to find. It's also not that easy to find in the Help menu. So I have typed this handy little nugget up.

Auto-Stacking Fractions:
Initially when you first begin to type fractions in ABS2007 OOTB you will get a pop-up message asking if you want to utilize "stacked" fractions and how you would like them to output.

Start your mtext.
Type in "3/4" for example.
Immediately a pop-up will appear called: "AutoStack Properties".
If you click on "Enable Auto Stacking" you will then need to choose how you want them to look by selecting either "convert it to a diagonal fraction" or "convert it to a horizontal fraction".
IF you check the box at the bottom "Don't show this dialog again; always use these settings" and then click "OK" to exit the pop-up you will NEVER see this option again.

This is fine up until you need to change how your fractions are representing.
In order to get this pop-up back you may need to do the following:
Let's say you Unchecked "enable autostacking".
Drop in a piece of mtext and type in "3/4".
Go into the text to edit it, highlight the "3/4", right click, and choose "stack".
While still in the editing text mode highlight the "3/4" again, right click, and choose "stack properties".
The "stack properties" pop-up will appear.
Click on the "autostack" button.
The "Autostack properties" pop-up will appear again.
You can adjust it as desired.
Click "ok", and then click "ok" on the "stack properties" pop-up to exit out of this command.

NOTE: this will not update the text that you had highlighted, it just set it for any future text you will be entering.

If you had "enable autostacking" checked:
Drop in a piece of mtext and type in "3/4".
Go into the text to edit it, highlight the "3/4", right click, and choose "stack properties".
The "stack properties" pop-up will appear.
Click on the "autostack" button.
The "Autostack properties" pop-up will appear again.
You can adjust it as desired.
Click "ok", and then click "ok" on the "stack properties" pop-up to exit out of this command.

NOTE: this will not update the text that you had highlighted, it just set it for any future text you will be entering.

NOTE: If you are just wanting to temporarily flip between the stacked and unstacked fractions:
Drop in a piece of mtext and type in "3/4".
Go into the text to edit it and highlight the "3/4"
On the "text formatting" bar that shows up when editing text, click on the a/b "stack" button, it is next to the color button.

Layer Translator

2006-12-05T13:44:00.000-06:00

Good afternoon! Have you ever had layer names change on you in the middle of a project? Would you like to be able to get your old layer names "translated" across to the new names? Here's a little "how to" I've worked up on utilizing the Layer Translator in ABS 2007. Enjoy!

Layer Translation:
Open the drawing you want to change the layer names/properties of.

NOTE: this will permanently remove all past layers, you may want to save a back-up copy of your drawing before doing any layer translation!

CAUTION: if you exit out of layer translator before saving, all of your mapping is lost.

Type in "laytrans" (you can also go to this by clicking on the icon, or going to CAD standards drop down and then picking layer translator)
A new window will pop up.
The left-hand side is a column called "translate from" and it should show all the layers that are in the drawing you have open and current.
The right hand side is a column called "translate to" and it should be blank.
You need to load the layers you want to translate to, OR you can load a past saved mapping (a ".dws" file)
When you hit the load button you will get a browser.
At the bottom of that browser you can change what types of files you are looking for.
If you want to translate layers to match another drawing make sure this is set to look for a ".dwg"
If you want to load a past mapping make sure this is set to look for a ".dws"
Once you have that set select your file (.dwg or .dws) and hit Open (or double click on the file name).

If you chose to load a drawing (.dwg file):
Now all the layers that are currently contained in the drawing that you selected will be loaded in the right hand column.
Select one (or multiple layers at once) layer to map to ONE layer in the right hand column.
You can map several layers in the "translate from" column to ONE layer in the "translate to" column.
After you have at least one layer in the left column and one layer in the right column selected hit the "Map" button that is in between the two columns.
You will notice that the layer from the left-hand column has now disappeared from the left-hand column.
It now appears under "layer translation mappings" and shows what layer you have mapped it to.
NOTE: you can map several layers from the left column to one layer in the right hand column.
After you have mapped all the layers you need to hit the "SAVE" button at the bottom of this window.
(If you forget to hit save it will prompt and ask if you want to save)
After you save your mapping, hit the "translate" button at the bottom.
You should now be looking at your newly mapped layers.

If you chose to load a past mapping (.dws file):
NOTE: you can load more than one .dws file at a time.
All the layers that file already had mapped out are now shown under "layer translation mappings".
If you have layers that were not mapped in the file they will still be shown in the "translate from" left-hand Column at the top of the window.

To finish mapping the remaining layers:
Select one (or multiple layers at once) layer to map to ONE layer in the right hand column.
You can map several layers in the "translate from" column to ONE layer in the "translate to" layer.
After you have at least one layer in the left column and one layer in the right column selected hit the "Map" button that is in between the two columns.
You will notice that the layer from the left-hand column has now disappeared from the left-hand column.
It now appears under "layer translation mappings" and shows what layer you have mapped it to.
NOTE: you can map several layers from the left column to one layer in the right hand column.
After you have mapped all the layers you need to hit the "SAVE" button at the bottom of this window.
(If you forget to hit save it will prompt afnd ask if you want to save)
NOTE: it will only save the couple of layers that you had to map by hand, it will NOT combine the .dws file that you used to map the first time with it. Also if you load more than one .dws file it will not save them together.
NOTE: if you opened a saved .dws file and changed something like the layer color for it to map to, it will allow you to resave the .dws file.
After you save your mapping, hit the "translate" button at the bottom.
You should now be looking at your newly mapped layers.

Placing HVAC Piping Tees

2006-12-04T14:52:00.000-06:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have had some issues attempting to get a pipe tee to insert so that it comes off of the top or bottom of the main pipe. That is 3/4 of the connections for pipes that I deal with currently. I thought I would post on my blog the solution that I discovered and also the solution that one of my friends at Avatech shared with me.

My solution:
Draw a main piece of pipe. Go to the pipe fitting button on the palette to add a pipe fitting. Find the tee that will match your system. Be sure to input the connection type and the nominal diameter that you want for your fitting. Then click on your main pipe run where you want to drop in the pipe fitting. Next type "p" for plane so you can rotate the fitting in the z direction. For my stuff I use 270 degrees to get the fitting to point up. Once your fitting is in there you can click on the "+" sign on the fitting to add piping in.

Avatech's solution:
"Go ahead and place a piece of pipe. Then, when you want to come up/down with a tee instead of coming out directly with one, start the pipe tool, let your abs snap recognize where you want to connect to off the existing run, click the pipe, then go back up to your Add Pipe dialog that has probably auto-hidden and change the elevation you want to go up or down to. This will automatically insert a tee facing in the up or the down direction for you depending on the elevation specified."

I think both will work great and depending upon the situation or what you are more comfortable with they will both be applicable.

Gobble...Gobble...Gobble

2006-11-21T13:04:00.000-06:00

Here's something fun and entertaining to help you celebrate the Turkey day holiday.
Remember to wear your expandable pants on Thursday! :)

http://www.addictinggames.com/turkeytogo.html

Happy Turkey Day!

Object Enabler

2006-11-14T11:04:00.000-06:00

As I continue trying to get ABS 2007 and ADT 2007 to work together there are odd things that pop up. Here is one of them. Apparently, even though we are working on the same versions of the program we still have to have the object enablers in order for the ADT side to see the ABS components.

I have found that the links are not that easy to locate. So, here's a link to help everyone out!

If you are running ADT 2007 you will want to install this first: (ADT2007OE.exe)
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=7115021&linkID=2475161

Then install this next: (abs2007oe.exe)
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=7351679&linkID=2475161

If you install the abs2007oe.exe without the ADT2007OE.exe things still will not show up. You probably will not see any of the ABS objects unless you have your "proxygraphics" set to "1". If the "proxygraphics" are set to "1" you will see the ABS objects, but they are flattened.

Hope this helps!

Happy Halloween!!

2006-10-31T09:17:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would wish all you bloggers a happy halloween!!
Don't eat too much candy tonight, atleast space it out through the rest of the week. :)

Here's something fun to help celebrate (and less messy than the real thing) have fun!
http://www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf

Exporting a Schedule to Excel (or Word)

2006-10-19T08:57:00.000-05:00

So now that you have your schedules set-up and working great in your drawings you would like to export them to Excel or Word to do further calculations or write-ups for the project. Enjoy!

To Export a Schedule to Excel or Word:
Select the desired schedule by clicking once on it.
Right click.
Choose "export".
A pop-up window will appear.
Under "Output" choose the desired program, location, and name for the file.
Click "OK".
A format pop-up window will appear.
Choose the output format as desired.
Browse to where you want it saved and give it a file name.
Click "OK".
If you chose Excel it may ask if you want an "unformatted decimal value" or "convert to formatted text". Choose the desired format.
You can check "apply to all columns" if desired.
Click "OK".
Now you can go to that file and open it in the program you set it up for.

Yellow warning boxes around Room Tags

2006-10-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

As I continue to learn new things in ABS 2007 I am sharing with you all. I discovered this awhile back and thought it might be a good item to post out here for you all.

Yellow warning boxes around Room names/numbers:
A yellow box with a slash through over the room name/number tags it will appear if you have unloaded the Arch’s xref that has the spaces in it that your tag is referencing.

This is because the tags can no longer find the spaces they are associated with.
In order to get rid of these warning boxes you will have to reload the Arch’s xref.
Save the drawing.
Close the drawing.
Open the drawing back up.
You can not get rid of them by running a "regen", you HAVE to exit the drawing.

Or atleast this is the only way that I have found so far to take care of this issue.

Juggle 101: Part 2

2006-10-05T09:07:00.000-05:00

I think it is time for part 2 on juggling. :) I know you all have been awaiting this with baited breath...hmmm...that would explain that odd smell. ;)

Alright, so now you have done your calculations, rounded up 3 rather symmetrical objects, and located a place to practice.

To begin, drop one ball on the floor. Now pick it up. Get used to this. A MAJOR portion of learning to juggle is picking up the balls you have dropped. That's why I suggest practicing over a couch.

What I am about to teach is called the 3 ball cascade. This is the basic form of juggling. Once you get the cascade down you can learn other tricks that build off of it.

Ok here we go:
Set 2 of the balls down. You will only need one to begin with. Start with a ball in one hand, it doesn't matter which hand. Place your hands about shoulder distance apart and approximately at your waist line. You will want to make an "infinity" or "figure 8 on it's side" pattern with your throws. This pattern is accomplished by tossing the ball from one hand to the other and then back again. AKA to get the ball from your left hand (LH) to your right hand (RH) your throw will form half of the infinity symbol. To get the ball back from your RH to your LH your throw will form the other half of the infinity symbol. When you toss the ball do it gently, in one plane (don't throw it away from yourself), and have it peak at about your eye level.

The higher you throw the ball the more time it buys you to react and catch it. But don't throw it so high that you lose control of it. As you throw, I suggest you use a sort of scooping motion. So you throw as your hand comes in towards the center of your body and you catch the ball towards the outside of your body. The scooping motion is in the same plane as the throws. Also, if you cushion or absorb some of the fall of the catch it makes the whole process a little smoother, and easier on your hands.

Now: throw, catch, pause, throw, catch, pause...repeat! Be patient and practice often. You need to get this pattern down. The other two balls will follow the same pattern, it's just the timing of when they are all thrown that creates the cascade pattern.

Hopefully at some point I can figure out how to get a picture on here and I will be able to illustrate the pattern a little more clearly.

Until then good luck! :)

Creating Table Styles

2006-09-25T09:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you don't need the all powerful schedule style; a table style will work instead. I have found that the tables in ABS 2007 are very slick. This post contains some of what I have found in creating table styles. Some of this is very specific and you will probably want to adjust it for your needs. Enjoy!

Creating a Table Style:
(To create a table style to be used to drop in a table that will then be modified.)
Go to Format
Choose Table Style
A pop-up will show up
You can either "set current" create a "new" or "modify" a style per the buttons on the right.
Highlight the table on the left that you want to work on.
Then select one of the 3 buttons on the right.
If you want to create a new table style then click on the "new" button.
A new pop-up will show up.
It asks you to name your new style
It also asks what style do you want to base it off of, if you don’t know just use the "standard" one.
Click "continue"
A new pop-up will show up with 3 tabs across the top.
These tabs controls the info output of the table.
On any of the tabs you can set up the text style:
If what you want is not available click on the "…" and create the text style
Click on "new" and name the style w/ the font name & a descriptor, click OK (ex: Arial-Title)
Next click on the font name and select the desired font.
For titles use: your title font style
For headers & regular text: use your text font style
Click "apply" once you have created all the text styles that you need.
You will be back to the "new table style" pop-up.
Now you can click the down arrow by the text style and pick the applicable one.
For your text you will may want to set the "text color" to the desired color on all tabs.
Also set the "alignment" to "middle center" for all cells in all tabs for now. (or align as desired)
You can change the outlines of the cells by the border properties at the bottom.
For the outline of the border of everything set the "grid color" to a heavy penweight color.
For the underlining of the Headers set the "grid color" to a medium penweight color.
(When the table is inserted you may want to place it a specific layer in order for the
remaining grid lines to show up the desired weight)
For now leave the cell margins set as they are: horizontal 1/16", vertical 1/16".
Once you have set up all 3 tabs click on OK.
It will take you back to the original pop-up.
You can set your new table style as current, then hit close.
If you ever need to modify this table style come back into this pop-up, select your table style and click on "modify".
Be sure to click on "OK" once you have modified everything.
Then click on "close" once you are finished.
Keep in mind any changes you make to the table style will immediately update in the drawing that you are working in. (typically)
If you need to delete a table style come back into this main pop-up, highlight the style you want to get rid of, click on "delete", and then click on "close".

Juggle 101: Part 1

2006-09-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

I thought it was time for a "fun" post. I will smatter these in every now and again. We all need a little fun in our lives to break the monotony of life. So you juggle just about everything: work, life, people, and commitments…why not learn how to really juggle? You can improve your motor skills, hand-eye coordination, social skills, and reduce stress.

If you didn’t know already, I am what I would call an amateur juggler. I know just enough to be dangerous, and just enough to be truly impressed by technical tricks that don’t look all that difficult, but really are.

Before you get started: you will need 3 objects to practice with. I will base this on ball/beanbag juggling. (Scarf juggling has a little bit different of a theory to go with it) I suggest getting beanbags or some other object that will not roll away when you drop it. Typically the perfect size and weight for most people is a tennis ball, so base it off of that. If you have rather small hands hacky sacks work well. You will need to be able to hold 2 "balls" in your hand at one time. You want something that has a little weight to it. So stay away from light things such as ping-pong balls, styrofoam balls, and the hollow plastic balls. Here after I will call the items you will be working with "balls" no matter if it’s a beanbag or hacky sack or whatever.

Location: You will probably want to find a location to learn that does not have breakable things around. Even if you think, "I can’t possibly hit that lamp that’s behind me," you would be wrong. Stranger throws have happened. The prime place would be to stand over a couch so you do not have to bend over to pick up the missed balls. Also a good place is to stand relatively close to a wall. This will help to keep your throws in one plane. AKA you won’t be throwing away from yourself.

Now for the theory: This is after all a website that mainly the mathematical/engineering/ programming type people stumble across so I thought some background would be helpful. Juggling is in its simplest form projectile motion. (And you thought physics wasn’t fun?!) Don’t worry I won’t bore you here, you can skip this portion if you’d like.

We will assume that x is in the horizontal direction, y is in the vertical direction, as I stated z = 0 since juggling occurs in one plane. If you want to work this out, assume y is positive going up, x is positive going to the right, and all distances are in meters. t = time, x0 = x at t=0, y0 = y at t=0, V = velocity, theta = the angle the ball is thrown at, g = gravity (9.8 m/sec^2).

The first equation: x(t) = x0 + V*cos(theta)*t
The second equation: y(t) = y0 + V*sin(theta)*t – (1/2)*g*t^2

If you were going to actually do calculations, you would solve the first equation for t and then plug into the second equation. If you knew t then you could solve for the x-y coordinates and map the path of the projectile.

I have written a program in the past to do this, so if there is a high request for it I can elaborate further. (Plus I’d have to go and dig out my notes and find a computer that could run it).

Ok, I seem to have gotten a little long winded, so I will break this up into sections. In the mean time go scout out a good location, some good objects to juggle, and do a couple of calculations! Just kidding on the last one there.

Extracting Attribute Information into a Table

2006-09-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

I realize to some people dealing with attributes may be a little out-dated. For those of you who are using them I have thrown this together. This is based off of ABS 2007.

To extract attribute information from an entire drawing and drop it into a table:
Make sure you have saved your drawing first.
Go to modelspace.
Set current layer to “0”.
Make sure you have all the blocks with attributes already in your drawing.
Type “eattext” at the command prompt.
An “Attribute Extraction” pop-up will appear.
There will be 6 steps to this process.
Click on “Create table or external file from scratch”
Click “Next”.
If you are wanting the count on the whole drawing click on “current drawing”.
Verify that the drawing name under “drawing files” is the one you are working in.
Click on the “Additional settings” button.
Verify that the “include nested blocks” and “include blocks in xrefs” are checked.
Verify that the “include all blocks from entire drawing” is selected.
Click “OK”.
Click “Next”.
You can edit the displayed text by click under the “display name” column and edit what the table will output.
Click “Next”.
It will preview the information that it will show. If you do not like it hit the “Back” button and edit it again.
You can click on “Full preview” to see it as it will appear in your drawing.
Make sure under the “Extract attribute data to” section “AutoCAD table” is checked.
Click “Next”.
You can enter in a title for this table if desired.
Now you can choose the table style you want. Select the table style you have previously set up for this.
Make sure “Display tray notification when data needs refreshing” is checked.
Click “Next”.
Click “Finish”.
It will warn you “Any manual edits you make to an attribute extraction table will be lost when you refresh the data in this table”. Click on “Yes”.
Click somewhere in your drawing to place the table.
For my particular table style the table comes in 1:1, therefore some scaling may be required.
If your drawing is 1/8” = 1’-0” scale you will need to scale up this table.
Click once on the table to select it.
Type “Scale”.
Choose the base point, enter in 96 for an 1/8”= 1’-0” drawing.
Now move your table around as desired.
Select the table and change the layer it is on to the desired layer (I have a layer I place all of my schedules on)
Now you can print out this schedule if needed, if not place it off to the side in your drawing.
If a pop-up balloon notification shows up stating your tables need to be updated this is due to attributes having been changed, removed, or added.
If this happens, click on the blue “Refresh table data” text inside the balloon.
You will get a pop up warning that any manual changes you made will be lost.
Click “Update”.
Your schedules will be scaled back down to their original insertion scale.
You will need to re-scale them back up as required for your drawing.
SAVE YOUR DRAWING.

Wrong Type of Install

2006-08-31T14:59:00.000-05:00

Have you ever accidentally installed a Standalone seat of Autodesk software when you wanted a Network install? Or maybe your company is converting their licenses from network to Standalone. What a hassle. Everyone thinks that you have to uninstall the software and reinstall. But this is not true.

To do this you have to edit your registry, always make a backup copy just in case.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R16.x\ACAD-xxxx:xxx\AdLM] "Type"=dword:00000019

19=network
2a=standalone

This first came to me from Rob Henriksen. Revit works a little different, in Revit go to the Help pull down and select Produce and License Information.

Schedule Tips & Tricks Part 2

2006-08-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Creating a New Property Set Definition for a New Tag:
Open up the drawing that has the standard tag in it.
If you have everything pathed to your C: drive it is probably located here: C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\ABS 2007\enu\Styles\Imperial
A word of warning when you open up this drawing: do NOT purge while you are inside of this drawing.
It may appear to be a blank drawing, but it houses a plethora of information.
Go to Format/Style manager/
Under your drawing name expand "Documentation Objects".
Expand "Property set definitions".
You can either right click on one and copy and paste it in here, or just add a new one.
To do either of these functions right click and select the appropriate action.
To edit the property set definition that you have made click once on it.
On the right hand side you can pick from the tabs there and edit as required.
Once you are done click on "apply" and then click on "OK".
Save your drawing.
Now you can apply the property set definition to a schedule tag, see below.

Creating a Schedule Tag:
(If you have the properties already set-up)
Open up the drawing that has the standard tags in it.
If you have everything pathed to your C: drive it is probably located here: C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\ABS 2007\enu\Styles\Imperial
A word of warning when you open up this drawing: do NOT purge while you are inside of this drawing.
It may appear to be a blank drawing, but it houses a plethora of information.
Drop in mtext at a 1:1 ratio.
Set the mtext for the proper font and size.
Place the mtext on the "0" layer.
Edit the text as required.
Add in any required linework around the tag.
Go to Format/Define schedule tag.
Select the mtext (and linework) you have prepared.
Give the tag a descriptive name.
Under "type" choose "property".
Under "property set" choose the property set you created earlier (or an existing one)
Under "property definition" choose from whatever was in the property set you choose.
Click "OK".
Click on a point by your mtext for an insertion point.
Save the drawing.
Suggestion:
Drop in grey text (perhaps your company name) over the top of the tag to identify it as a
customized item.
Drag it onto a new temporary palette.
Right click on it on the palette and select properties.
Edit the layer key, scale, and whatever else is desired.
Drop it into the content browser in the desired location.
Erase the temporary palette.
I-dropper in the updated or new palette from the content browser.

Schedule Tips & Tricks Part 1

2006-08-29T12:54:00.000-05:00

Here is something I have put together for the others and myself in my group that I thought I would share. I do need to give a nod to the AUGI ATP schedule class that I have been taking. Course # ATP127 has some excellent information on schedules as well. I learned the changing of the lineweights from them.

Creating a New Schedule Style:
Open your standard schedule drawing.
Go to Format/Style Manager/Documentation Objects/Schedule Table Styles
Click on the "New" button at bottom.
Enter in the name and description by clicking in that cell area.
Click "Apply".
In the left hand column double click on the schedule you just created.
Click on the "General" tab, it should be filled in already, but you can edit it if you would like to.
Click on the "Default Format" tab to change the default text information.
This sets the default for all the text in this particular schedule.
Change the text appearance here as required.
Click "Apply" at the bottom when you are done with your changes here.
Click on the "Applies To" tab.
Select the applicable item here. For the room schedule select "Multi-View Block Reference".
Click "Apply".
Click on the "Columns" tab.
Click on the "Add Column" button at the bottom.
A pop-up will appear.
Select the desired item.
Format as required, you can override cells and header columns here by clicking on the
"Override Cell Format" or "Override Header Format" buttons. You can change font style,
alignment, height, gap, rotation, matrix symbol, and cell size here.
You can choose where this new column is located in the schedule at the bottom.
Click "OK".
For additional columns click on the "Add Column" button again and repeat the process.
To modify a column click on the "Modify" button.
To delete a column click on the "Delete" button.
Click "Apply" to apply your changes.
Click on the "Layout" tab.
Edit the title of your schedule and any other desired information.
To format all of the headers and title at once go under the "Format" section.
Click on "Override Cell Format" for each of the desired items and change them as required.
Click "Apply".
Now click "Apply" and "OK" to exit out of this window.

To rotate an individual header text to 90 degrees:
Open your schedule table drawing.
Go to the "Format" and then choose "Style Manager".
Surf down to "Documentation Objects" then to "Schedule Table Styles".
Select the schedule table style you want to edit.
Go to the "Columns" tab.
Click on the column that you want to edit its header.
Click the "Modify" button at the bottom.
You will now have the "Modify Column" pop-up window.
Click on the "Override Header Format" button.
In the "Rotation" field change it from horizontal to "Vertical".
Click "OK".
Now a check mark should show up next to the "Override Header Format button".
Click "OK" to exit out of the pop-up window.
Now click "Apply", and then click "OK" to exit out of the Style Manager.

To get a different line thickness around a schedule table:
Open your schedule table drawing.
Click once to select the table.
Right click on the table.
Select "Edit Object Display".
An "Object Display" Pop-up will appear.
Go to the "Display Properties" tab.
Check the box under the "Object Override" on the far right hand side.
A "Display Properties (Schedule Table Override)-General" pop-up will appear.
Go to the "Layer/Color/Linetype" tab.
Here you can change the color, linetype, and line weights for each component of the table.
For the border adjust the "Outer Frame" color.
Click "OK".
Click "OK".
Your table should automatically show your changes if you have one already dropped in the drawing.

2006-08-29T12:31:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog! This is my inaugural post so please bear with me while I learn the ropes of blogging.

I intend to use this blog to post information I learn as I help my company transition from ACAD R14 to ABS 2007 and ADT 2007. Yes, that is a huge generation gap. Luckily I have drafted on ACAD 2000i, 2002, and a little on 2004. This is the first time I am really working in the background to set-up a system.