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AutoCAD 2009: Quick Tip No.1 - The Ribbon

I returned home from London last night and while I catch my breath (and catch up on email) I have an AutoCAD 2009 tip to share with you. This was written by Shaun Bryant of CADFMconsultants.

When you open AutoCAD 2009 for the first time, you will notice a very different user interface. At the top of the screen, you now have a ribbon.

The ribbon is divided in to Panels for each appropriate Tab. As shown above, the Home tab is current on the ribbon with the Draw, Modify and Layers panels displayed in the screenshot.

The ribbon is a highly effective user interface but you may think that the icons on each panel are all that you get. Wrong. Each panel with a small black triangle on it can be expanded like the old flyout menus on previous versions of AutoCAD.

If you click on the black triangle, the ribbon panel will expand out to show you the remainder of the icons available on that panel (as shown below). However, when you move away from the panel, the panel will close again back in to the ribbon. If you click on the small pin symbol in the bottom right-hand corner of the expanded panel, the panel will “pin” open. It will only close when you click on the pin symbol again. So if you need a particular command on an expanded panel a number of times, just pin it open when you need it and unpin it when you don’t. Easy and very cool, huh?

 

This and more tips like this are available in these Beginners AutoCAD 2009 Tutorial Videos.

By the way, Shaun is also a member of the AutoCAD Exchange. Have you joined yet?

The ABC’s of AutoCAD Command Aliases

If you’re relatively new to AutoCAD or if you tend to access commands from the user interface, you may not be aware of AutoCAD’s powerful command alias functionality. A command alias is an abbreviation that you enter at the command line to launch a command or action macro. AutoCAD includes many default command aliases. For example, you can type “A” to launch the ARC command, B to launch the BLOCK command, and C to launch the CIRCLE command. You can easily modify the default command aliases or create new ones to meet your needs.

Command aliases are defined in the AutoCAD Program Parameters (ACAD.PGP) file, which is installed under Documents and Settings for the local user. In the following image, you can see where it’s located on my system for each version of AutoCAD.

  
 
In AutoCAD 2009 you can easily access the PGP file from the Menu Browser under Tools>Customize>Edit Program Parameters (acad.pgp).

Selecting this option automatically opens the acad.pgp file in the text editor. Scroll down to view the default command aliases, which are listed in alphabetical order. Before making changes, it’s a good idea to save a copy of the acad.pgp file in case you want to restore it. To modify or add command aliases, follow the same syntax. For example, if I created an action macro (only available in AutoCAD 2009) called MYNEWCOMMAND, I could create the following command alias in the acad.pgp file:

After making changes, save the file. If AutoCAD was running when you made the changes, you can use the REINIT command to reload the updated version of the PGP file. The updated version is automatically loaded the next time you launch AutoCAD.

  
 

AutoCAD vs AutoCAD LT video

If you're trying to choose which application (AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT) is best for you, check out the new video posted on www.autodesk.com/autocad. This 5 minute video provides a quick overview of the differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.

AutoCAD 2009 Update 1

Autodesk has just released a service update for AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD LT 2009. The update addresses a variety of issues, many of which were identified and fixed based on feedback from you, our customers, using the AutoCAD Error Reporting Utility. Sending your error reports is easy and it really does help Autodesk improve the software. The more information you can provide in the step-by-step description, the easier it is for our development team identify the problem. Even if you don’t have time to provide a description, still click the Send Report button. It can make a difference!

Below is a list of issues that were addressed in this service update and you can learn even more from the official Readme. To begin taking advantage of these improvements, download the AutoCAD 2009 Update 1.

The following defects have been fixed:

.NET API

• When a .NET function with a LispFunction attribute has the return type as object, an exception is thrown in AutoCAD.

Annotation Scaling

• A drawing that contains a large number of anonymous blocks and copies of annotative entities created in AutoCAD 2007, or an earlier release, opens slowly in AutoCAD 2009.
• A scale is infinitely enumerated when you insert a drawing that contains the same scale as a block or an external reference (xref).

Attributes

• When you attempt to display a tooltip of a multiline text (mtext) attribute that contains 281 characters or more, AutoCAD crashes.
• When you move a block using an insertion grip, mtext attributes move incorrectly.
• When the default value of an mtext attribute in a block contains a field, you cannot edit the attribute text to replace the field with other data.

Blocks

• When you insert or redefine a block that contains attributes on a locked layer, AutoCAD crashes.
• When you change the scale of a block through the Properties Palette, an attribute displays incorrectly.

Export a Layout to Model Space
When you export a layout to model space the following occurs:

• The linetype scale changes.
• Dimension arrowheads do not display.
• Text does not rotate correctly.
• Drawing properties are lost.

External Reference ESW

• The External References palette does not display when auto-hidden and used with the XREF or IMAGE commands are used.

Hatch

• When you recreate a hatch boundary, it consists of separate line segments rather than a closed polyline.

Hide/Shade

• When you plot, objects in an xref are not correctly hidden.

Menu Browser

• You cannot access the menu browser in a non-English version of AutoCAD using the shortcut Alt+Key.

Multileader (mleader)

• When created on a rotated UCS, a multileader does not respect POLAR or ORTHO settings.

Multiline Text (mtext)

• When you drag and drop a drawing while the In-Place Text Editor is active, AutoCAD crashes.
• When some of the values in the In-Place Text Editor are changed, AutoCAD crashes.
• Some mtext objects with double byte characters display as a single line.

Open/Save

• When you attempt to save a file with a long file name, AutoCAD may crash.
• When you drag and drop a file from Windows Explorer into the AutoCAD title bar while in Single Document Interface (SDI) mode, AutoCAD may crash.
• When you attempt to open multiple files from Windows Explorer, only the first selected file opens.

Partial Open

• When the OPENPARTIAL system variable is set to 1, if you use the PURGE command, drawings may become corrupted.

Plot

• When you plot upside-down, an OLE object does not plot correctly.

Property Palette

• In the Properties palette, the Dimension Style control may display an incorrect dimension style name.

Publish

• In the Publish dialog box, the Publish To setting always defaults to DWF format even if you select a different setting.
• Quick Properties
• When you change the theme of your operating system while running AutoCAD and then click the Quick Properties window, AutoCAD crashes.

RECOVER

• When you open some valid drawings, you are prompted to use the RECOVER command.

Render

• When you use the RENDER command with certain drawings that contain textured object, AutoCAD crashes.

Ribbon

• When acad.CUI is loaded as a partial CUI, some buttons in the multiline text (mtext) ribbon contextual tab fail.
• On a ribbon panel, you may not be able to move items between rows.
• A ribbon panel continues to display after it is removed from a ribbon tab.
• A button image used on a ribbon panel that is loaded from a resource DLL file lacks a transparent background.
• If you transfer a ribbon panel and a tab, buttons display small.
• Enterprise, main, and partial CUI files display multiple ribbon tabs in workspaces.
• You cannot control a ribbon tab when you use more than one non-AutoCAD CUI file.
• A ribbon tab and/or menu macro may not function properly when referenced from multiple CUI files.
• If you load a CUI file that references a missing BMP file, a fatal error displays.

Visual LISP

• The AutoLISP Redraw function fails to hide or highlight objects.

ZOOM

• When you zoom while inserting some blocks, AutoCAD crashes.

AutoCAD 2009 Ribbon... The Inside Scoop!

If you've seen or heard about the new AutoCAD 2009 Ribbon interface and wondered about the thinking behind its design, wonder no longer! Steve Johnson from Cadalyst Magazine conducted an indepth interview with AutoCAD Senior Product Designer, Matt Stein. In this interview, Matt "The Ribbon Man" Stein, provides a glimpse into the AutoCAD design process as he describes the origins of the AutoCAD Ribbon. He compares the AutoCAD 2009 Ribbon functionality with the former AutoCAD Dashboard and the Microsoft Office Ribbon.

AutoCAD 2009… A closer look at layer management

AutoCAD 2009 includes many enhancements to help you work more efficiently with layers.

The Layer Properties Manger has been converted to a palette enabling you to keep it displayed while using other commands. Like other palettes, you can dock or anchor the Layer Properties Manager as well as enable auto-hide and transparency. The changes you make within the Layer Properties Manager are instantly applied to the drawing without the need for you to press an Apply button.

You can freeze columns so that key information, such as the layer name, remains visible while you scroll to the opposite side of the palette.  Right-click menu options have been updated for clarity and to provide additional functionality. To gain real estate in the Layer Properties Manager, you can collapse the Filters pane.

The Layer Settings dialog box, which is accessible from the upper right corner of the Layer Properties Manager, includes new controls for Layer Isolation.

Many of the controls in the Layer Properties Manager are also available, at your fingertips, in the Layer panel of the new Ribbon.

 

A new option on the User Preferences tab of the Options dialog box provides you more control over layer property changes. You can now combine layer property changes for Undo and Redo operations similar to how you can combine them for zoom and pan operations.

View Demo

AutoCAD 2009 System Requirements

AutoCAD 2009 is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems (except in some languages). You can download either version from the Autodesk Website (32-bit or 64-bit) and use it for a 30-day trial period. AutoCAD 2009 is also available on a DVD that contains both the  32-bit and the 64-bit  versions. The DVD automatically installs the appropriate version based on the OS (32-bit or 64-bit). The 32-bit version is also available on a CD in all supported languages.

Before installing AutoCAD 2009, you'll want to ensure your computer meets the system requirements. The requirements vary depending on the  AutoCAD version (32-bit or 64-bit) and the operating system (Vista or XP).

32-bit AutoCAD 2009

Running under Windows XP:

• Microsoft Windows XP SP2 operating system
• Intel® Pentium® 4 processor or AMD Athlon®, 2.2 GHz or greater
  or
  Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 1.6 GHz or greater
• 1 GB RAM
• 750 MB free hard disk space for installation
• 1024x768 VGA with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (SP1 or higher)

If you are using AutoCAD for 3D modeling, you should bump up your system as follows:

• Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon, 3.0 GHz or greater
  or
  Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz or greater
• 2 GB RAM or greater
• 2 GB of additional free hard disk space
• 1,280 x 1,024 32-bit color video display adapter (true color) 128 MB or greater, OpenGL or Direct3D capable workstation class graphics card.

Running under Windows Vista:

• Microsoft Windows Vista operating system
• Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon, 3.0 GHz or greater
  or
  Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz or greater
• 2 GB RAM or greater
• 750 MB of free hard disk space for installation
• 2 GB of additional free hard disk space
• 1,280 x 1,024 32-bit color video display adapter (true color) 128 MB or greater, Direct3D capable workstation class graphics card.

64-bit AutoCAD 2009
(The 64-bit AutoCAD cannot be installed on a 32-bit operating system)

• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition operating system
  or
  Windows Vista 64-bit operating system
• AMD 64 processor
  or
  Intel EM64T processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 750 MB free hard disk space for installation

For more information visit www.autodesk.com/autocad.

AutoCAD 2009 is shipping!

Okay… if you’ve been paying attention to Autodesk news, you probably know that AutoCAD 2009 began shipping last week. I apologize for slacking on the big news, but I’ve been on vacation… 11 days with no phone or email! To make it up to you, I’ve posted a convenient link to the AutoCAD 2009 demo videos.

AutoCAD 2009 isn’t the only new product that began shipping last week. Visit the Autodesk Web site to learn about all the AutoCAD 2009-based products that are now shipping. You’ll find feature lists, specifications, frequently asked questions, and more!

AutoCAD 2009
AutoCAD LT 2009
AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD Electrical
AutoCAD Mechanical
AutoCAD MEP

AutoCAD 2009... A closer look at the Ribbon!

The AutoCAD Ribbon (as well as the Menu Browser and Quick Access Toolbar) present a user interface similar to Microsoft Office 2007. The ribbon provides easy access to tools through a collection of tabs and panels. Each tab contains multiple panels and each panel contains multiple tools. Some panels can be expanded to access additional tools.

For some tools, the ribbon automatically updates to display context sensitive information. For example, when you create or edit an mtext object, the ribbon automatically displays the multiline text ribbon. When you close the mtext editor, the ribbon returns to its previous state.

By default, the ribbon is docked at the top of the AutoCAD window. However, a right-click menu enables you to control the display and behavior of the ribbon. You can reduce the amount of space the ribbon consumes by disabling the option to Show Panel Titles or by minimizing to tabs or to panel titles.

The ribbon replaces the previous dashboard functionality (if you enter the DASHBOARD command, AutoCAD automatically launches the RIBBON command). You may not notice the similarity between the ribbon and dashboard at first glance. But, if you undock the ribbon, you’ll see that it looks and behaves very much like the dashboard. When the ribbon is undocked, you can right-click on the title-bar to access familiar dashboard-type options such as anchoring and auto-hide.

Whether the ribbon is docked or undocked, you can control the display of specific tabs and panels by turning them on and off in the right-click menu.

You can drag and drop ribbon tabs, or panels within the tabs, to reorganize them. And, you can even drag panels off the ribbon to create separate, floating panels.

To further customize the ribbon, you can use the Customize User Interface dialog box, where you’ll find the new Ribbon Tabs and Ribbon Panels nodes.

 

You can create new panels and tabs, add tools to panels, and add panels to tabs, using the familiar process of dragging and dropping.

View Demo

AutoCAD 2009... A closer look at tooltips!

In many places throughout AutoCAD 2009, you’ll find preview images and other information displayed as tooltips. When using the traditional model and layout tabs, you can hover the cursor over a tab to preview the layout before selecting it.

Tooltips are also displayed when you hover the cursor over items in the Sheet Set Manager or the External References Manager.

Right-click menu options in both of these palettes enable you to control the content displayed in the tooltips. You can specify a tooltip style that lists only the name, a small medium or large preview image, details about the file, or a preview image and details.

Tooltips for command tools have been updated to provide you with more information as you need it. The improved tooltips not only display the name of the tools, but they provide additional information and even graphics. Pressing the F1 key in a tooltip automatically takes you to that particular topic within the Help system.

View Demo