Don | CADcaster

You are browsing the archive for Don.

Introduction to Annotation Scale

September 29, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Annotation scaling was introduced first time on AutoCAD 2008. I love this feature. There are some work around AutoCAD users do before annotation scaling exist. But now, presenting our drawing in different scales is very easy and quick.

First, what is annotations?

Annotation is every object in your drawing which is not a model or geometry. We use annotation to show dimensions, text as description, symbols, and pattern to show sections, materials, etc.

The problem with annotation occurs when you need to represent your drawing in different scales.

Two images above are the same model in different viewport, with different scales. If we draw the model and prepare it to a certain scale, say 1:100, when we need to represent the drawing in 1:200 scale, the text, hatches, and all other annotations will be shown in half size to what we expected.

AutoCAD users used to create annotations in layout. But there are some downside.

It works for text and dimension, but not for hatches.
You may need to create more than one annotation to the same object, if you show them in different viewports. When you need to change the text content, you will have to change them all manually. Sometimes you left some of them unchanged.
When you move the viewport, some annotations might be left behind.

So, if you have those problems, you may love annotation scale.

Download and open this drawing. We are going to continue using the same drawing. Change your active scale from annotation scale list. It’s on your status bar. Change it to 1:100. We are going to set our drawing for 1:100 scale first.

Now open your dimension style. You should see a style named ’1-100 3mm’. Right click on it, and rename it to ’3 mm’. Click modify button on the right side of this dialog box.

On the FIT tab, scale for dimension features section, activate annotative.

On the Text tab, change text height to 3, offset from dimline to 1.
On Symbols and Arrows tab, change arrow size, center marks, and break size to 2.5.

Close the dimension style dialog box.

You see all your dimension text and arrow too small? Don’t worry. We need to update them to apply the changes.

Activate update in dimension panel, annotation tab. When AutoCAD ask you to select object, just type ALL then [enter]. Now you should see your dimension correctly.

Now we are going to add another scale to these dimensions. Activate ‘automatically add scales …bla..bla..bla…’ in annotation scale group.

Change the annotation scale to 1:200. You should see the dimension size adjusted for 1:200 scale! Turn off the ‘automatically add scales…’ again. Try to change the scale to 1:50. What happen? Nothing.

Open your layout. Select the left viewport border, and change the scale to 1:100. Press [esc] to deselect the viewport. Select the right viewport, and change the scale to 1:200.

Compare the dimension size on those two viewport. Even the viewports have different scales, the dimension size will always be the same! When you plot this sheet, the text in all viewports will be 3mm.

We will discuss more about annotation scale in the next post.

Do you find this article helpful? You can donate via Paypal to support this site.

Source: CAD Notes – Introduction to Annotation Scale
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: annotation, autocad 2008, autocad users, dimension, Don, scale, Size, text, text tab, viewport, viewports No Comments »

by CADcaster

Architectural Technologist – Solar Cell innovation

September 25, 2009 in CAD, Vectorworks

: Image via Wikipedia

I found this link this morning and stood transfixed at the brilliant innovation shown on this video, it takes the photovoltaic cell to the next level and offers yet more hope on the PV industry being able to help, in solving our energy needs, I don’t think its quite there yet, but this in surely a way ahead, have a look at the National Geographic video and watch the video, I think that you should look for a good 1/2 hour CPD is you follow up on this with a little research, perhaps follow your mind a little with some details on how we can detail these into a standard house. Send me your sketch’s I’ll publish any design / idea.

CAD Resources

September 16, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

I found that many CAD resources available on internet. Not only website, but also blogs. Here is the list. You may submit more links in comments, I will add the links on this page. Only CAD blogs or websites please

Autodesk Blogs

URL: http://www.autodesk.com/blogs

Description: Autodesk blogs feature news, expert tips, and insider resources directly from Autodesk staff.

Comments: A lot of Autodesk staff have blog. And this page have the full list. Many interesting updates here. Find your favorite guy/gal and follow their blog!

Autodesk University Blog Network

URL: http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=blaug_network

Comments: This one is also a list. A lot of nice CAD blogs here. Not only from Autodesk employee, but also from their users. If you have a CAD blog, you might want to submit yours too!

CAD Architect

URL: http://www.cad-architect.net

Description: CAD Architect features over 6000 CAD Symbols, Drawings, Details and Building templates available to download instantly and is a one-stop CAD resource library for Architects, CAD draughtsman & other related building industry professionals.

Comments: Well, library or reusable content is always needed. You can download a lot of reusable content here. Not for free, but I think it’s relatively low price. You can pay for membership, and download what you need!

IMAGINiT Manufacturing Solutions Blog

URL: http://rand.com/imaginit/manufacturingblog

This is a blog dedicated to Autodesk Manufacturing users. Very good stuff. I like the technical details. All tutorials, tips, and tricks is very good. Don’t miss it, especially you, Inventor users!

Xanadu CAD Forum

URL: http://www.cadforum.cz

Description: Hundreds of tips and tricks for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit and other Autodesk software. CAD blocks, CAD utilities and videos for download.

Xanadu CAD Blog

URL: http://budweiser.xanadu.cz

Description: CAD blog by XANADU.

Indy Drafter

URL: http://indydrafter.com

Description: I’d like to think that my website is a good resource for tips and tutorials on AutoCAD features. I also post a lot of relevant information about the current happenings in the world of Autodesk and AUGI as well as local AutoCAD related events in the Central Indiana area.

Do you find this article helpful? You can donate via Paypal to support this site.

Source: CAD Notes – CAD Resources
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Autodesk, autodesk software, autodesk university, blog, CAD, cad resources, cad symbols, Central Indiana, Description, Don, staff comments, URL No Comments »

by CADcaster

Architectural Technologist – Future of Building Control: Implementation Plan

September 7, 2009 in CAD, Vectorworks

: Image by Joe Dunckley via Flickr

I ran into this via the planning portal yesterday, an thought it was so important to blog a review. Its a UK oriented article for the English Building Regs, As previously blogged, Scotland and Ireland have their own regs, and as far as I understand this is England only.

The Government has published its proposals for the future of building control in England. These are designed to make it easier for builders to understand what standards are expected of them and to ensure buildings comply with high standards of safety and sustainability.

The measures are set out in Communities and Local Government’s ‘Future of Building Control Implementation Plan’.

Building Regulations minister Lord McKenzie said: “These improvements to the building control process mean that the high standards we set on paper are also delivered on the ground, and with all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016 this is an essential step.”

The measures also give councils greater freedom to let responsible builders get on with the job and to focus instead on builders with a history of shoddy work.

The Government has also pledged to limit changes to the Building Regulations to every three years from 2010, providing greater certainty to builders and housebuilders. Promised new guidance will help builders and homeowners meet the rules.

This is required reading, don’t think your going to do this in 5 min, I took an hour to read through it several times to get the basic point. as you can see below it not a short document, there are a lot of points to consider.

1. A NEW FUTURE FOR BUILDING CONTROL
Vision and delivery statement
Building control and planning: a smooth interface
An integrated and e-enabled building control service
2. A BETTER APPROACH TO REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE
The periodic review
The initial periodic review
The planned 2010 changes to the technical parts and their guidance
The planned 2013 changes to the technical parts and their guidance
2016 and 2019 changes to the technical parts and their guidance
Communication of changes
Better guidance
Approved Documents
Supporting guidance
New project guides
3. MODERNISING INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
New approach to risk assessment
Risk assessment guidance
Changing the way local authorities can charge
Replace statutory notification stages with service plans
Improvements to the building notice system
Making completion certificates mandatory
Approved Inspector review
New and extended enforcement power
CONTENTS
FUTURE OF BUILDING CONTROL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
REFORM OF DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS
Alternative dispute resolution schemes
Reform of statutory procedures
Handling of complaints

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO COMPLY
Competent person schemes
Extending the coverage of competent person schemes
Other forms of certification
Pattern book (robust details) scheme
Appointed persons

Its this last point, I think needs careful reading, the appointed person, unless we the technologists are not very careful, we could be excluded from being appointed, You should have talks with your regional CIAT people to ensure that City Road has this in their sights and are doing something about getting CIAT listed. But that aside, this is a document you should read, to see were the regs are going, and how they will develop.

Don’t consider anything less than 2 hours of quality CPD for this and the research you should be doing.

Architectural Technologist – WD40

September 4, 2009 in CAD, Vectorworks

: Image by ocean yamaha via Flickr

I had this come through as an Email, from my very good friend Dave Traynor, and thought just how good is this stuff, so I tried some of the claims, you know what, it works, can’t verify all the claims, but it sure as hell got rid of some bugs on my bumper, and helped rid me of the brake dust problem to my alloys !, link into the WD40 website to see just loads of these crazy tips, oh yes there are more :

Just Amazing – WD-40.
Something you didn’t know?

Before you read to the end, Don’t

I had a I went over, I’m ‘Water They were The Convair When you Here are

1. Protects silver from

2. Removes road tar and grime

3. Cleans and lubricates

4. Gives floors that

5. Keeps flies off

6. Restores and cleans

7. Removes lipstick

8. Loosens stubborn

9. Untangles jewel

10. Removes stains from

11. Removes dirt and grime

12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta

13. Removes tomato stains from

14.

15. Camouflages scratches in

16. Keeps scissors working

17. Lubricates noisy door

18. It removes black scuff

19. Bug guts will eat away the

20. Gives a children’s

21. Lubricates gear shift and

22. Rids kids rocking chairs

23. Lubricates tracks in

24. Spraying an umbrella stem

25. Restores and cleans padded

26. Restores and cleans roof

27. Lubricates and stops

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets

29. Lubricates fan belts on

30. Keeps rust from forming on

31. Removes splattered grease

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from

33. Lubricates prosthetic

34. Keeps pigeons off the

35. Removes all traces of duct

36. Folks even spray it on

37. Florida ’s

38. The favorite use in the

39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray

40. Use it for fire ant bites.

41. WD-40 is great for

42. Also, if you’ve discovered

43. If you sprayed WD-40 on

P.S. The does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is……?
lie and don’t cheat. WD-40. Who knew?

neighbor who had bought a new ute.. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason)..
woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted grafitti paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.
impressed! WD-40…… who knew?
Displacement #40′ The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a ‘water displacement’ compound.
successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
read the ’shower door’ part, try it. It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It’s a miracle! Then try it on your stove top … Viola! It’s now shinier than it’s ever been. You’ll be amazed.
some other uses:-

tarnishing.

from cars.

guitar strings.

‘just-waxed’ sheen without making them slippery.

cows.

chalkboards.

stains.

zippers.

pan>lry chains.

stainless steel sinks.

from the barbecue grill.

garden pots from oxidizing.

clothing.

Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

ceramic and marble floors.

smoothly.

hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn’t seem to harm the finish and you won’t have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

and swings of squeaky noises.

sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

makes it easier to open and close.

leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

racks on vehicles.

squeaks in electric fans.

on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

saws and saw blades, and other tools.

on stove.

fogging.

limbs.

balcony (they hate the smell).

tape.

their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

favorite use is: ‘cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers..’

state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it’s a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch..

removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!

the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

basic ingredient is: -> FISH OIL. How about that !

Source: Konstrukshon CPD Weblog – Architectural Technologist – WD40
Go to Source: Konstrukshon CPD Weblog

Tags: atlas missile, Dave Traynor, Don, dust problem, Florida, Keeps, Ken East, Lubricates, New, paint job, Removes, use, Viola, Water, water displacement, wd 40, York No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #3: Creating Door

August 31, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

This is the last object we are going to create using dynamic block. We are going to create a door. Basically it’s not that different with what we did before. But this time, we are going to learn about action properties. We are going to use wipeout as well.

Now, open your previous tutorial file. We are going to create all of our blocks in a single file. This file will be our block library. Don’t loose it until we finish our tutorial.

Creating the Geometry

Create a new layer: A-Door, with color: blue, and lineweight: 0.09 mm. Set this layer as current layer.

Draw a 50×150 rectangle as the door frame. Copy it to it’s right with 700mm distance. Draw a rectangle 30×650 as door panel. Then draw an arc for swing symbol to complete it.

The last thing we are going to add is a wipeout. Activate it, and draw a rectangle wipeout that covers the whole door width.

You will see the door frames are covered by the wipeout. Select the wipeout, right click, then from context menu select draw order>send to back.

Why do we use wipeout? We are going to host our door to a wall. We don’t want to trim or modify our wall after door placement. And modifying the wall length will be reported incorrectly. So we add wipeout to cover our wall later. We will try this at the end

Now as usual, create a block from this object. Give it name ‘Single Door’. You can define insertion point wherever you think appropriate. Open your block in block editor.

Adding Parameters and Action

We are still using linear parameter. Add a linear parameter as below.

Delete the left arrow. Or you can change ‘number of grips value’ to 1 in properties palette.

There are 3 action we need to add, based to this parameter:

1. Add a stretch action to stretch our door width. Similar to what we do with adding action to wall. This time we only need to create a small rectangle to include the right door frame and the wipeout.

2. Add scale action to resize the arc door swing symbol. This action is very simple to add. Just select the parameter, then select the arc. [ENTER] to finish.

3. Add another stretch action for resizing the door panel. Only select the door panel when this action ask you to select object.

Parameter and Action Properties

Placing those action is easy I believe. But we are not finish yet. We are going to limit the door size. We will change some parameter properties just like we did when we create column. Select the parameter. Change the Dist type to ‘List’ and click the … button to input distance value list.

Don’t forget to change this parameter name to something like ‘width’ or ‘door width’.

*You may want to use Increment. But since the last time we used it, I think it will be better to use list now.

Add more values to define your door width.

The last one, is changing an action properties. Not only parameter has properties! Remember the stretch action for the door panel? Where do you think the door panel will be stretch? Horizontally!

We need to change a property to override this behavior. Select this action, open your palette property. Under overrides category, change the angle offset to 90 degrees.

This will override the stretch action, it will stretch the door panel vertically even the parameter is stre
tch horizontally.

Ok, we are done! Save block, and close block editor.

One more thing. We still can see our wipeout frame. Let’s turn it off. Activate wipeout, then type F [ENTER] to activate frame option. Type OFF [ENTER] to turn it off.

Command: WIPEOUT
Specify first point or [Frames/Polyline] <Polyline>: F
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: OFF
Regenerating model.

Try to stretch your door and don’t forget to try placing your door at walls!

*Notes:

If you can’t see the wipeout covering your wall, select your wall and change the drawing order: send it to back.
You might want to add flip actions so you don’t need to mirror it.

Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #3: Creating Door
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Action, Block, block library, Don, door, dynamic block, F Enter, insertion point, left arrow, parameter, wipeout No Comments »

by CADcaster

SolidWorks 2010: Dimension Palette and Styles

August 26, 2009 in CAD, SolidWorks

Dimension Palette is a great new function in SolidWorks 2010 that allows the user to edit most commonly accessed aspects of a dimension, right from the main drawing view pane.

Simply highlight or LMB click on a dimension. A ghost image of its Dimension Palette will appear nearby. Move your mouse cursor over the ghost. This [...]

Source: SolidWorks Legion – SolidWorks 2010: Dimension Palette and Styles
Go to Source: SolidWorks Legion

Tags: dimension, dimension styles, Don, drawing, ghost, ghost image, mouse cursor, mouse cursor moves, Palette, SolidWorks, Source, star icon, Styles, User No Comments »

by CADcaster

Creating Railings

August 20, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Illustration: stock.xchng

We have created our staircase. But it’s not finished yet. There are some open area we have to close by adding railings. On the balcony at the front and back of the building, and on the void next to our stair. We will finish this in this session.

As this is a tutorial series, if you want to follow this tutorial, it might be better if you follow this tutorial from the beginning.

Open your 2nd floor plan, and place a camera so you can see your stair. You should see your void is wide open without railings. Let’s place a railing here so no body will fall from the 2nd story.

Open your 2nd floor plan again. As we can see, our stair is already have railing. We will edit the existing railing and add segments to the railing path. Activate your modify tool. Select the railing as shown below. Press [tab] several times if you have difficulties in selecting it. When the railing is highlighted, click it to select.

Now from your ribbon, activate edit path.

Finish this path like below. Two thing to consider:

Make sure your path is a continuous line. Revit won’t allow if this line has gaps.
The stair railing has different segment with the void railing. Don’t lengthen the stair railing path, add a new segment. (You might want to try it to see the difference)

After you finish, click Finish Railing from your ribbon bar.

We’ve just edit an existing railing path. Now we will create a new railing on the balcony, let’s start from the front. Activate railing tool.

Make sure chain check box is active, and change the offset value to 75.

Snap to your walls and draw the railing path as below:

Change the railing type by accessing railing properties. Change it to “900mm Pipe”. Click finish railing.

Create railing for the back side balcony, then you are finish creating railing in this tutorial.

Source: CAD Notes – Creating Railings
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: balcony, continuous line, Don, illustration stock, path, railing, ribbon bar, stair, stair railing, stock xchng, Tutorial No Comments »

by CADcaster

When It’s Freeze, It’s Not Always AutoCAD Fault!

August 13, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Last week, I had this complaint from my company customer (I work for an AutoCAD reseller) After he’s doing some system upgrades, then suddenly his AutoCAD always freeze when he tried to create a new file, or using save as command. He use AutoCAD LT 2008. He’s been using it for 2 years without a problem.

Well, I think this is pretty simple, if after doing some changes to your system you have a problem, then it must be something with it that cause this problem. I try to get as many information as I can from him, but he refuses and ask me to come and see what’s wrong with his computer.

Well, think about it. I know it’s not a problem with AutoCAD at all. Of course your AutoCAD can’t run, but something else cause it. I’m trying to help him to solve his problem, but he refuse and acting like I’m doing something wrong. I’m trying to hold this request as long as I can, and in fact I’m kinda busy last week. I send him email request asking as many details as He can provide. And tell him, I will come next week, and I need he to do something for me to analyze his problem from my office.

I ask him to try to collect all error messages he see, capture it, and send it to me. I also tell him to send CER whenever it crash. He said, it’s simply freeze and he don’t see anything. Only ‘not responding’ on his title bar.

Next, I ask him to try find out if this a machine specific or not. He said he can’t even create a new file, so I’m pretty sure this is not a file specific. He said that when he installed it on other machine as trial, no difference. The error still occur. Now I’m very sure they installed or set something that cause this. I keep digging.

Finally I found out that they’ve just installed Norton 360. I don’t know why they don’t want to say it at the first place. I think it’s very easy to draw a conclusion: he installed Norton 360, then the problem begins. I don’t know why he quickly jump to conclusion: It’s AutoCAD sins! Maybe because he don’t know what his IT guy have done to his PC. Or maybe he tried to get support from Symantec reseller and don’t get one. The bottom line is, Norton 360 run on the background, and what he need (AutoCAD) can’t run.

I did a quick search in Autodesk knowledge base page, and found this issue. He simply need to install a Symantec hotfix, then everything back to normal. It takes 4 days to track this problem! I know it’s too long. If only he said “I installed Norton 360, and then I had this problem…” it would only take 5 minutes to solve it! I don’t know why he didn’t mention it at the first place. It only cause him to suffer longer.

Have you open Autodesk support page? Just open www.autodesk.com then open link services & support > support and documentation. Or click here.

AutoCAD rely heavily on Microsoft installation. .NET, VB, DirectX, every single one of it can cause error. And of course, it can be a conflict with other application such as antivirus or antispyware. It can also caused by a virus. I found a Windows update can cause fatal error on AutoCAD.

I believe all of the AutoCAD technical guy will be glad to help you. But you need to provide as many details as you can. Don’t be afraid that he will blame you (I think it’s his reason). Rushing to your office not necessarily solve your issue faster. If you hide details, even if he sleepover at your office won’t solve your problem. I prefer to solve it from my desk. Not because I’m too lazy to come, but I can get a lot of resources from my desk. Many of my customer don’t have internet connection on their users PC. So I can’t find a solution on Autodesk knowledge base page while I’m there. My company also Microsoft Gold Partner, and many other products. So if I can’t get a solution, there are many people I can ask. The bottom line is, to get help, you have to help us!

Source: CAD Notes – When It’s Freeze, It’s Not Always AutoCAD Fault!
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: AutoCAD, company customer, Don, error, error messages, Norton, norton 360, PC. Or, PC. So, problem, something, system upgrades No Comments »

by CADcaster

Using Rendering Material Template

August 13, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Do you confused when you need to set up your rendering materials? How much you should set the opacity value, shininess, and the other values? Don’t be. AutoCAD (and other rendering software) has a template that define standard materials. All you need to do is select the material type and template.

In this example, I use Realistic type, and Ceramic Tile, Glazed as template. After I chose the template, all of my material properties value changes accordingly. It’s the common value for that particular material.

You may have to tweak it a little bit. But mostly it works fine. Every materials in my rendering here, was set using material templates. I didn’t change any properties at all.

This is not just in AutoCAD. I believe every application that renders have similar tool to this.

Source: CAD Notes – Using Rendering Material Template
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: ceramic tile, Don, material, material properties, material type, Rendering, rendering software, standard materials, Template, type, Value No Comments »

CADcaster

You are browsing the archive for Don.

Introduction to Annotation Scale

Architectural Technologist – Solar Cell innovation

Related articles by Zemanta

CAD Resources

Autodesk Blogs

Autodesk University Blog Network

CAD Architect

IMAGINiT Manufacturing Solutions Blog

Xanadu CAD Forum

Xanadu CAD Blog

Indy Drafter

Architectural Technologist – Future of Building Control: Implementation Plan

Related articles by Zemanta

Architectural Technologist – WD40

Dynamic Block Tutorial #3: Creating Door

Creating the Geometry

Adding Parameters and Action

There are 3 action we need to add, based to this parameter:

Parameter and Action Properties

SolidWorks 2010: Dimension Palette and Styles

Creating Railings

When It’s Freeze, It’s Not Always AutoCAD Fault!

Using Rendering Material Template

Groups

Recent Posts

Categories

Members

Groups

Members

Recent Posts