by CADcaster
February 16, 2011 in CAD, GstarCAD
Beijing, China, February 14, 2011 – GstarCAD, a leading provider of 2D/3D CAD software and a recent WIPO Award winner, has announced the release of GstarCAD 2011 version. The powerful yet intuitive computer-aided design solution has been improved to provide compatibility with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and AutoCAD and ensure increased productivity for its users. Read the rest of this entry →
by CADcaster
November 7, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit
Autodesk introduced the Microsoft Office 2007 look alike to Autodesk products since version 2009. They introduced the ribbon, and even a new menu structure in Autodesk 2010 version. You may hate it, but many new users may like it. However, I think we do need to get used to it. If one day the ribbon and the menu structure become a ‘Windows compliant’ standard, then all Windows applications would look like that. Ouch!
Here are 10 AutoCAD ribbon tips I found on the internet (and one from my blog 
that you might need to know.
So you don’t like AutoCAD ribbon and want to use your classic interface? I know many of you already know it, but who knows, it may be still useful. Shaan shares this to us, and further more, if you would like your AutoCAD looks like R14! Are you a new AutoCAD user? Then you must love the ribbon! Orhan Toker posted how the ribbon can help you with detailed explanation for each AutoCAD tools! The ribbon didn’t come by himself. It also changed the menu structure. Orhan Toker shares how to use the menu. Do you know that we can search a tool/command in the menu now? Many people complaint that ribbon take a lot of screen space. True, but do you know that you can minimize them? Mark W Kiker shares this on his CADD Manager Blog. The most annoying thing about ribbon for me is I have to move to different tabs frequently. I found in Shaans blog that we can tear off a panel from ribbon. This only applies to AutoCAD 2010 and later. With this sticky panel, we can use it just like toolbar! Now after you tear off your ribbon panel, you may want them lock at their position. You don’t want to accidentally move them. Lynn Allen shares that we can lock it just like we lock the toolbar! Do you want to speed up when activating tools via AutoCAD ribbon? You may like this tip. This also applies to all Autodesk products that use ribbon. This is an article by Richard Alexander. He’s giving a tip about creating a custom keyboard shortcut to quickly hide your ribbon. You may need that! This is a tip from Ellen Finkelstein on how you can add a button to your ribbon. Originally written for AutoCAD 2009, but also applies to later versions. She explains the ribbon structure in details. If you new to CUI, you may want to read this.
AutoCAD UI ~ Best of Both Worlds is Flexible with Traditional Menus or New Ribbon +Plus+ AutoCAD UI Retro Mod’ing Fun
Speed Up as AutoCAD 2009-2010 Ribbon Menu Helps You!
AutoCAD 2010 Application Menu
AutoCAD 2010 – Hidden Ribbon Trick
AutoCAD 2010: Getting Sticky with Ribbon Sticky Panels
Lock Down those AutoCAD Toolbars!
Ribbon Shortcut Key on Autodesk Products
Quickly Hide The Ribbon Using A Custom Keyboard Shortcut
Add a Button to the ribbon in AutoCAD 2009
Are you using AutoCAD 2009 and loves the ribbon? You may found something is missing: the express tools tab. You can add it manually. Xanadu explains how you can do it.
AutoCAD 2010 users don’t have to worry about this, it’s already there 
Source: CAD Notes – 10 AutoCAD Ribbon Tips You Should Know
Go to Source: CAD Notes
by CADcaster
October 6, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Videos
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Quick tip on modifying the display name of ribbon tools inside AutoCAD 2010, and how to force names to display on 2 lines using the \n code.
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104  0
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More in Science & Technology |
Source: YouTube Videos matching query: autocad – AutoCAD 2010 – Modifying Display Names
Go to Source: YouTube Videos matching query: autocad
by CADcaster
September 28, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit
I found about this earlier today on Shaan blog. Now we can tear off ribbon panel and floats in your drawing area. Similar to toolbars.
Having ribbon interface sometimes so annoying when we have to move to different tabs frequently. So I can just tear off some panels I use frequently, and stick to home tab.
This feature is also available in Revit Architecture 2010, and I believe all Autodesk product 2010.
How to tear it off? Just click on panel title, hold and drag it to your drawing area. There are some options available in this ribbon panel: You can also drag and drop the panel to return it to ribbon. This panel will be placed back to where it belongs. For example, palettes panel will be placed on view tab, no matter what tab is active. We can’t move a panel from one tab to another with this trick. You have to do it through CUI if you want to do that. 
Source: CAD Notes – AutoCAD 2010 Sticky Ribbon Panels
Go to Source: CAD Notes
by CADcaster
September 8, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit
In previous tutorial, we have prepared and set our default template. It might cross your mind, why would bother creating a template? We can use tool palettes to create our objects without having to creating any layers or styles.
One, templates can hold more information than palettes. And there are some objects you need to create without using palettes. Two, we can use it to define our CAD Standard.
When we created our template, basically it holds every common information we use in our company. So every body can use it without creating other layers or styles we have set. But when we are working in a large group, some of them might ‘violate’ the company standards. We can associate our files to cad standard file(s) to manage this. It will be easier if we have the same content in cad standard and in our template. Create a new file using our template. You don’t need to create anything, save it as dws. Alternatively, if you already have a drawing file that you consider as standard, you can open it and save it as dws. But remember, the best practice is having your template the same as your cad standard. Imagine if your template have different layers that’s not defined in cad standard. Every time you start your drawing, you will get a warning that your drawing violating your company standard! OK, now we have define a file to be referenced as a standard. Now we can configure and tell AutoCAD to use it. Cad standard configuration is file specific. It means when you have active drawing now, associate it to a dws file… When you create a new file, the new file is no longer associated to that dws. If we want every new file we created to be associated to that dws, what should we do? Correct! We can define it in our template! Open your template (dwt) file. On AutoCAD ribbon> manage tab> Cad Standard section, select Configure. Click on the + button, and add your dws file. Click OK. Save your template. From now on, every time you create a new file using that template, it’s already associated to your cad standard file. So how cad standard works? Try to create a new layer, give it a random name. You will see AutoCAD is showing a pop up on lower left of your screen. Warning you that you are violating standard. Click on Run Check Standards. AutoCAD will open a check standards dialog box. It will show you what’s the problem. You can move that object to other layer that conform your standard. Simply select it from the list, and click Fix. Until AutoCAD 2010, cad standard only able to check these following styles: I know it’s limited, but it’s a start. I expect we can see more in the future. There are a lot of resources why we should use CAD Standard. I won’t discuss about it here. When you serious about productivity, you should have implement cad standard. We are getting closer to use the AutoCAD magic. After this we will prepare our schedule template with data extraction. Then we will test our workflow. Be prepared! 
Source: CAD Notes – Maintaining Your CAD Standard
Go to Source: CAD Notes
by CADcaster
August 31, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit
I know this information might be a little bit out dated. But honestly I’ve never user ribbon intensely before. Well, I don’t think most AutoCAD users never look for anything like it. Before AutoCAD already has command line.
I accidently found that with ribbon interface, we can have alternative shortcut key.
If you use any of Autodesk product with ribbon interface, try to press [ALT]. After a few moments (I’ve never give that moment before) you will see numbers on quick access toolbar, and letters under the ribbon tabs. Your guess is right, if you press that particular number or letter, it will activate the tool (or tab). Now try to press any letter that represent a tab. You can start with H when you have home tab active. You will see next level shortcut key on each tool. Kind of scary for me. But I know it’s useful after a while. Remembering them is the hardest part. Senior AutoCAD users that rely heavily on command line may not appreciate it too much. I know I don’t. Especially when we already familiar with command line for years. But I like it on Revit. Yes, Revit also has shortcut key before it use ribbon interface. The difference is, Revit is not used to has shortcuts for every tools! This also work for Microsoft Office application with ribbon interface. Sadly, I’m one of the ribbon haters before, so I never found out about this. But after this, I think I’ll give it a try 
Source: CAD Notes – Ribbon Shortcut Key on Autodesk Products
Go to Source: CAD Notes
by CADcaster
August 6, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD
AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks: Menu Bar
If you’ve upgraded from previous versions of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 one of the first things you’ll notice is the Ribbon interface. The Ribbon interface of process-oriented grouped commands and functions may take some getting used to at first, but once you start using it [...]
Source: Eric D. Colburn, Professional Land Surveyor – AutoCAD Civil 3D Surveying Quick Tips and Tricks: Menu Bar
Go to Source: Eric D. Colburn, Professional Land Surveyor
by CADcaster
August 5, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD
One thing that’s is missing from AutoCAD Map3D 2010 is the Ribbon interface for standard AutoCAD functions. Sure we have the Map Classic Workspace still, but do you see the new parametric tools under any of the menus? How about the Constraint tools or the the tools that let you drive the design by the dimensions? Looks like the developers on the Geospatial team forgot that most Map users or the GIS guy still have to do some drafting now and then. I remember in my days of being the “Map” guy at a electric utility co. that once or twice a month I would have to draft up some new piece of equipment or something. Either a concrete pad for a UG transformer or doing simple one line drawings for the substations. The new features in AutoCAD 2010 would of make it a lot easier back then. So why was a quick and easy access to those tools left out of Map3D 2010? Who knows? To fix it is an easy little task that you can take on. All you need to do is create a new workspace and add the correct ribbon panels to the ribbon. Here’s how I did it. Start by opening up the Customize User Interface, entering CUI on the command line will do that part. Now if you hear all the horror stories about the CUI and workspaces from others rest assure it has improved since it was introduced in 2006.
Now that you have the CUI open go ahead and resize it to where you can see both sides, the left and right panes. In the left pane highlight Workspaces and right click then select New Workspace. Provide a name for the new workspace, I used “Standard AutoCAD 2D” for mine.
Now over on the right pane of the CUI it should be listed under the Workspace Contents. Click on the Customize Workspace button.
Now all we need to do is go back to the left pane and select the Ribbon Tabs we want in the workspace. Expand the Ribbon and Tab tree then start checking the tabs to place on the ribbon, as you check them on the left pane they will appear in the right pane under your new workspace.
The tabs you choose is up to you the ones I selected are in line with Standard AutoCAD. Once you select the tabs click on the Done button then the apply button at the bottom.
Now you should have all the tools in standard AutoCAD with in quick reach by switching to that workspace. You can also create another workspace for 3D AutoCAD commands if you do 3D designs and rendering.
Source: Map 3D and Murphs Law – Where is the Standard AutoCAD Ribbon?
Go to Source: Map 3D and Murphs Law
by CADcaster
August 5, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD
The new version is on it’s way to a desk near you. So lets look what is new. First it has all the features of AutoCAD 2010, that includes the new freeform modeling tools and the parametric tools. Using them in a Map/GIS environment is another story but if you want to “design” 3D models you can.
The first thing you may notice is Map3D 2010 is ribbon based with two new workspaces. A tool base ribbon and a task based ribbon.
Now if you have not used the ribbons in any other application or used them in AutoCAD before it takes a little extra work to get used to them over menu driven interfaces. The big change to these in 2010 version is a new context-sensitive ribbon.
With the context-sensitivity ribbons a new tab will display depending on the object(s) you may have selected. It makes it easier with most of the tools/commands right there instead of trying to hunt down the location on the ribbon.
Next item you may notice is the Survey tab on the task pane.
The Survey Extension from 2009 is now part of the task pane and allows you to import survey points from a number of different ASCII point data files and supports LandXML data. You will be able to import points and create different point groups from the data based on the attributes.
The next new feature is creating an overlay with feature data. Prior to this if we needed to do an overlay it had to be with standard AutoCAD objects then create a topology, which always took some drawing cleanup to complete a correct topology. Now users can do 7 different types of overlays with data from FDO sources.
With the new overlay feature and the existing buffer feature Map3D users can do just about any type of analysis they need to on a regular day to day operation.
Speaking of day to day operations, the next new feature may be of use. The new Windows Work Flow Framework may be an answer to all those repetitive tasks.
Any one that tried to use the Macro-recorder in 2009 found out that it did not work with FDO features, this not only works on FDO but use the Window Workflow Foundation to include tasks or activities that can be done outside AutoCAD. So far there is little documentation on using it but the nerds that like to get under the hood and tinker should be able to get some nice little activities created with it.
Another new feature is one that a lot of CAD users have been wishing for since the data connect days. A simple way to view the attributes from the connected features with out opening the data tables. It’s included in the property palette now. That’s right, instead of getting just “Mapbulkfeature” in the property palette when you have a feature selected you get all the attributes with that feature.
Not only is it viewable you can edit the values also. Select multiple features and change the attributes value at one time is now a possible task.
Those are a few of the new features that a lot of users can take to the boss and say it was worth the upgrade. A few others improvements are the bulk copy has been enhanced and improved on, a few new options with the COGO tools, a couple new data providers, a better raster reprojection, support for 64 bit systems and Citrix XenApp 5.0. The last new feature I will post about it the Geographic location tool. In 2009 version you most likely seen the GeoMarker or what some call the “wagon wheel” or “pizza” when you assigned a coordinate system to your map. That is a standard AutoCAD feature the allows non-map users to get a geographical location from a number of places like Google Earth or just by entering a Lat/Lon, well now we can use that location to insert the drawings into our map with out having to move or scale it. In other words if you get a drawing of a building from an standard AutoCAD user and they provided the geo location in the drawing then when we bring that building into our map it falls right into place instead of at 0,0,0.
Source: Map 3D and Murphs Law – Map3D 2010 "What’s new?"
Go to Source: Map 3D and Murphs Law
by CADcaster
Buried in the User Docs for the 2010 version of AutoCAD Architecture is a cool little cheat sheet for the new User Interface. The Ribbon is here to stay and you need to get familiar with what it does. This PDF shows what is what and where it is located.
Give a quick look…
ACA [...]
Source: All About CAD – AutoCAD Architecture 2010 – User Interface Cheat Sheet
Go to Source: All About CAD
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