AutoCAD ArchCenter

New Site for Info

2009-09-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a year and about 6 days since I last posted! It's not that nothing has happened with AutoCAD Arch in the past year, quite a bit has...I've just haven't had the time with picking up a couple more Autodesk programs to support.

So, I've decided to discontinue posting to this particular blog and will now post any updates, tips, etc. to our MasterGraphics blog. I've been posting a couple things here and there about AutoCAD Arch and AutoCAD, so I've just decided to consolidate and keep the "AutoCAD" type info on the MG site that I contribute.

I'll keep this page open for quite a while if you need to reference anything I've already posted.

WAN Hotfix for AutoCAD 2007 Format DWG's

2008-09-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

WAN acceleration technology typically relies on data-deduplication as a significant part of accelerating data transfer. The 2007 DWG format is written to disk with a type of error-checking that has the side-effect of nearly every byte of the file changing during full-save, even if little was changed. WAN accelerators fail to deduplicate the 2007 DWG data and must transfer nearly all bytes in the 2007 DWG file. This results in a slow-down during full-save when working over a slow WAN.

This hotfix will make a small change in the way the 2007 format DWG files are written to disk such that WAN acceleration hardware will be better able to deduplicate the 2007 DWG data; this will provide some performance gains for SAVE operations when users are saving across a WAN acceleration environment. The resulting 2007 DWG file will be readable whether or not others have this hotfix, but to achieve the best performance everyone working on the same DWG should install this hotfix.

You can download the hotfix for 2007, 2008 or 2009 programs here....

2009

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11849251&linkID=9240618

2008

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11856815&linkID=9242019

2007

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11856704&linkID=9240618

2009 ACA (and AutoCAD) Service Pack Available

2008-07-28T11:50:00.001-07:00

It's finally here, the service packs for AutoCAD based products. You can find the downloads at the locations below....and remember to download the correct service pack!

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Product Update 1 64-Bit

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11632162&linkID=9240658

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Product Update 1 32-Bit

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11632121&linkID=9240658

Here's a quick little snip from the readme file...and of course all of the AutoCAD 2009 SP 1 updates apply as well.

General Updates to AutoCAD Architecture

The following defects have been fixed in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Update 1:

AModeler

The application might crash when cutting or refreshing sections or elevations containing certain structural members.

Drawing Management

For localized versions of AutoCAD Architecture, callouts and labels would occasionally fail to resolve when dropping views onto sheets.
The application might crash when viewing the external references of a project drawing that was resaved as a different project drawing type.
It was not possible to drag a project entity from one file to another when hardware acceleration was enabled, if the host drawing did not use the 2d wireframe visual style.
The application might crash when plotting immediately after canceling a previous plot job.

IFC

Fillet radii would not be imported reliably for certain parametric profiles.
Parametric profiles without voids would not be imported reliably.
Spaces with clipping and holes would not import reliably.
Wall styles would not be reliably converted and mapped on import.
Curtain walls might not be import properly on localized versions of AutoCAD Architecture.

GBXML

gbXML would export a value 1000 times too large for AirChangesPerHour in metric drawings.

OMF

The application would occasionally crash on shutdown.

Wall Objects

The face of a wall might not draw correctly in isometric view for certain endcap configurations.

Display System

Autodesk Civil 3D users could end up with a style referencing a non-existent hatch.

Miscellaneous

Memory would not be released to Windows when closing a drawing.

Hotfix for AutoCAD Architecture and MEP 2009

2008-04-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, the product is only a couple weeks old (since the FCS date) and there is a Hotfix available on Autodesk's web site. The Hotfix addresses publishing to the DWF or DWFx file format, while including “Publish Property Set Data” or the “Publish All Automatic Properties” AEC DWF Publishing Options, you may encounter the loss of Native Values for the published objects.

Note: Native Values enable other Autodesk products such as Autodesk Quantity Takeoff to accurately use local unit measurements on extracted data from the objects imported from DWF or DWFx files.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=10884826&linkID=9240658

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 System Requirements

2008-04-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

Here are the system requirements for AutoCAD Architecture as specified on the Autodesk web site...

System Requirements

Hardware and Software Requirements for Workstations
Hardware/Software	32-Bit Requirements	64-Bit Requirements
Operating Systems Find more information on Windows Vista versions	Windows® XP Professional SP 2 (recommended) Windows XP Home SP 2 Windows Vista® Ultimate Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Home Premium Windows Vista Home Basic	Windows XP Professional x64, SP 2 Windows Vista Ultimate Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Home Premium
Web Browser	Microsoft© Internet Explorer 6.0, SP 1 (or later)	Microsoft© Internet Explorer 6.0, SP 1 (or later)
Processor (Multiple processors supported)	Intel® Pentium® 4 3.0 GHz or greater (recommended)	AMD Athlon 64
AMD Athlon , 3.0 GHz or greater (recommended)	AMD Opteron
Dual core supported	Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support
	Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support
Memory (RAM)	2 GB (minimum) 3 GB (recommended)	2 GB (minimum) 4 GB (recommended)
Display Resolution	1,024x768 true color (minimum) 1,280x1024 true color (recommended)	1,024x768 true color (minimum) 1,280x1,024 true color (recommended)
Display Card	128 MB video card (minimum) 256 MB or greater, direct 3D-compatible 3D video card (recommended)	128 MB video card (minimum) 256 MB or greater, direct 3D-compatible 3D video card (recommended)
Hard Disk	Default installation 2 GB Full installation 2.5 GB, depending upon installation options	Default installation 3 GB Full installation 3.5 GB, depending upon installation options
Pointing Device	Microsoft Mouse-compliant	Microsoft Mouse-compliant
DVD	Any speed (for installation only)	Any speed (for installation only)
Optional Hardware	OpenGL®-compatible 3D video card Currently supported video cards Printer or plotter Digitizer Internet access Network interface card	Printer or plotter Internet access Network interface card

Modifying the 2008 Product Installation to install on 64bit OS

2008-04-04T10:30:00.001-07:00

I just got a new laptop which of course is Vista 64-bit OS. When I went to install AutoCAD Architecture 2008, it said it could not be installed. So I searched the Autodesk Discussion Groups and found a discussion on this very topic. Below is an excerpt from that discussion that has what you need to do to get AutoCAD Architecture 2008 installed on 64-bit OS. It's amazing that I have not run into this until I actually tried to install it...I guess it just shows how many people are not using 64-bit OS's.

Note: These instructions use AutoCAD Architecture as the example, but can be used for AutoCAD MEP as well..

Download and install Orca from Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255905

Copy the contents of the DVD to your hard drive or a network folder.
Backup the files of the product .msi (ex: ACA.msi) and Setup.ini
Edit the product .msi (ex: ACA.msi) with Orca and delete the action found in the table
"InstallExecuteSequence" that is called "CheckFor64BitOS" Delete the same
line under table "CustomAction"
Save and close the product .msi (ex: ACA.msi)
Edit the Setup.ini with Notepad. Delete the line under
"#==================== Platform Requirement" that is labeled
"PLATFORM=NO_WOW_64_PROCESS"
Double-click the Setup.exe and you should be able to install without any
problems.
If you leave the default paths for the installation of the content, this may or may not apply.
1. Some support paths under the "Files" tab of the configuration dialog box
  have incorrect paths. The installer adds and extra "\AppData\AppData" to
  some support paths located in the user profile. For example the Main
  Customization File's path is listed as
  "C:\Users\%username%\AppData\AppData\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A
  2008\enu\Support\ADT" when it should be
  "C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A 2008\enu\Support\ADT"
Fix the incorrect paths (if necessary), hit apply, and you are good to go.

New Features Now Available Exclusively for Autodesk Subscription Customers

2008-03-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Effective March 28, Autodesk® Subscription members, as part of their benefits, can download the following new feature releases listed below. New feature releases include e-Learning and product downloads available exclusively for subscription members.

Autodesk® Impression 2 software and e-Learning lessons
Autodesk® Vault 2009 software
Autodesk® VIZ 2008 ProBooleans
Drawing Compare for AutoCAD® Architecture 2009 or AutoCAD® MEP 2009 software
Land Desktop Companion Extension for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2008 software

You can download these exciting new feature releases via the Subscription Center.

Shipping Dates for AutoCAD 2009 Products

2008-03-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Below are some of the first round of Autodesk 2009 product ship dates. You should start to see "boxes" arriving shortly after these dates.

AutoCAD® 2009
March 25

AutoCAD LT® 2009
March 25

Autodesk® Design Review 2009
March 25

Autodesk® DWF™ Writer 2009
March 25

AutoCAD® Architecture 2009
March 26

AutoCAD® MEP 2009
March 26

Autodesk® DirectConnect 2009
March 26

Autodesk® NavisWorks® Review 2009
March 31

Autodesk® NavisWorks® Simulate 2009
March 31

Autodesk® NavisWorks® Manage 2009
March 31

Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2009
March 31

Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2009
March 31

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Updated and New Features!!

2008-02-12T20:00:00.001-08:00

Yes, new and updated features for AutoCAD Arhitecture 2009 can now be shared!! I've given a very brief description of each enhancement for now and will post more about each one as time permits. This list may not be all of the enhancements and I will post more as they become available...or I find them!

Support for 64 bit OS

Documentation & Reporting Enhancements
Spaces
- AutoCAD Linework Natively Space Bounding
- Freeform Shape Improvements – Curved surfaces show as one segment.
- Cleanup through Xrefs Improvements – Will interact with bounding elements in xrefs.

Annotation
- Multiline text in tags
- Display Configurations linked to Annotation Scale
- Multi-leaders

Object Enhancements
Walls
- Layout Enhancements – On-the-fly Justification manipulation.
- Endcap edit-in-place and Auto-Calculate Improvements
- Cleanups – Now include Solution Tips for cleanup issues.

Matching Integration w/ MatchProps – Can now match AEC Objects.

Solution Tips for Defect Markers – Identify the problem in any cleanup situation for AEC Objects like walls, stairs, slabs, etc.

Project Navigator Enhancements
-Remove Zero Document/Current Drawing Limitations
-Multiple Insertions of Same View on Sheets
-Improved Repath
-Project Properties Worksheet Enhancements
-‘Show External Reference’ Enhancements

Miscellaneous Enhancements
gbXML
IFC Enhancements
Material Tool – Easily apply a material to an Object, including AutoCAD entities.
Dialog Resizing – All dialogs are now resizable.

Autodesk 2009 Products Announced!!

2008-02-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Autodesk Word Press Day is here!!

Take a look at the press release regarding the AutoCAD portfolio of products...

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080212/aqtu091.html?.v=38

AutoCAD 2009 Updated and New Features!!

2008-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Yes, new and updated features for AutoCAD 2009 can now be shared!! There are 3 main buckets of enhancements...User Interface, Design and Drafting, and Visualization. I've given a very brief description of each enhancement for now and will post more about each one as time permits. This list may not be all of the enhancements and I will post more as they become available...or I find them!

This list does not include the new and updated features to AutoCAD Architecture as I will have a separate post for those enhancements. But of course, all of these enhancements will be part of AutoCAD Architecture!

User Interface
Application Window

A re-designed Interface that now includes a Menu Browser, Quick Access Toolbar, InfoCenter, Ribbin and Status Bar.

Menu Browser

This is a one-stop-shop for all the “Pull-Down” Menu’s that traditionally ran horizontal. It also includes a search for commands. Recent and Open documents can now be viewed as Icons or Images.

Quick Access Toolbar

Located at the top of the AutoCAD Interface, It includes the most commonly used tools, such as New, Open, Save, Plot, Undo, and Redo. The Toolbar can be customized to include what you want to see.

InfoCenter

Enhanced to provide more flexibility.

Ribbon

Very similar to the Office 2007 layout, the Ribbon provides easy access to tools through a collection of tabs and panels.

Status Bar

Re-designed to now utilize Icons or Text. Additional right-click access has been added as well as a new tool…Quick Properties.

Quick Properties

Quick Properties will show an editable list (customized through CUI) of properties of objects selected.

Quick View Layouts

New button on the Status Bar that will display a horizontal row of Quick View Layout images along the bottom of your AutoCAD Window. As you pass your cursor over an image, Plot and Publish icons will display.

Quick View Drawings

Very similar to the Quick View Layout button, Quick View Drawings provides an alternative to the Ctrl+Tab keystroke some folks to switch between open drawings. As you pass your cursor over an image, Save and Close icons will appear.

Tooltips

Tooltips have been enhanced to not only display the name of the tool but provide additional information, and even graphics, directly from the help system.

Hidden Message Settings

The display of messages that have a check-box that allows you to “Do not Show” the message anymore, can be turned on and off on an individual basis.

Design and Drafting
Action Recorder

Allows anyone to record the actions on the screen and make them into a macro to be used at a later time. New Action Recording file locations now exist in the Options dialog under the Files tab, so you can share your recordings with others.

Layer Management

Layer Manager is now a modeless dialog box. Changes made are now made instantly without the need of an Apply button.

Working with DGN files

Support for Exporting your DWG’s to Bentley Systems’ MicroStation® V7 DGN format, in addition to the V8 support that already exists. Layer visibility control has also been added along with a new DGN mapping for Layer properties.

DWFx Support

Support is now included for Microsoft’s XML Paper Specification (XPS) format of easy distribution on the Vista® platform supported by the XPS Viewer.

Xref Clipping

Grips can now be used to edit the boundary for clipped Xref’s. In addition, a new grip now appears to easily invert the clipping boundary.

Interactive Array Preview

When previewing an array, you can now pan, zoom, and navigate the drawing space before accepting the newly arrayed objects.

Find and Replace

Has been updated to include an expandable dialog box and includes more options.

Visualization
ShowMotion

The new ShowMotion functionality enables you to create and play camera animations for presentation purposes or to navigate through your design.

New View/Shot Properties

The New View dialog for creating named views, has been updated and renamed to support the new ShowMotion functionality.

Geographic Location

In-lieu of entering latitude and longitude for location information, you can now import location information from a KML- or KMZ-format file or from the Google Earth™ application.

3D Navigation Tools

The ViewCube and SteeringWheel are now part of AutoCAD 2009.

AutoCAD Architecture (ADT) Backward Capability

2008-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Vertical AutoCAD programs like Architecture and MEP are not backwards compatible like vanilla AutoCAD is. It is a very big misconception throughout the industry and we (us techies at MasterGraphics) are trying to educate folks on this before they ruin some of their production drawings. I have run into this many times in the past and have been trying to spread the word.

AutoCAD Architecture (or ADT) is not backwards compatible with older versions of ADT. When you perform a save as, only the AutoCAD objects get saved back, not the AEC (architectural) objects. Yes, you can open up the file in the version you saved back to, but you (or the person you sent the file to) will get a bunch of ARX errors and will have nothing but trouble. You can perform an Export to Autocad, but it breaks all of the AEC objects down to regular FLAT AutoCAD objects.

Many also think that Object Enablers will allow them to work with older or newer objects, which is incorrect. Object Enablers only work for programs of the same version of different verticals such as MEP, Civil or plain AutoCAD.

I run into this problem every year when the new versions come out as well...

If you install a trial of AutoCAD Architecture 2008 and opened and saved a 2007 ADT drawing, users of ADT 2007 will not be able to open the drawing without getting ARX errors. In order not to get the ARX errors in ADT 2007, the drawing will need to be broken by doing an Export to AutoCAD. By doing this, it basically makes the file "useless" to AutoCAD Arch since you no longer have AEC objects. Luckly when you export to AutoCAD, by default it will give an ACAD prefix to the file it's saving; so it creates a new file. Unless of course the person overwrites the existing file, then you better hope you have a backup! You can check the setting for the prefix (and even change it and other settings) by going to Format->Options->AEC Editor tab.

Yes, you can save back to an older version and view it, but you won't be able to work with it.

AutoCAD Architecture 2009...When?

2008-01-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been getting quite a few people asking about AutoCAD and AutoCAD Architecture 2009 and when it's going to be available/released or if I know what's going to be changed, updated, added, etc. to the 2009 release.

Well, about the only thing I know (and even then it's a guess) and can share (legally) is that it will be released about the same time as the previous few years....around the end of March or early April when all the other Autodesk products are released. What's going to be included is only known by Autodesk and those involved in beta testing at this point.

Beta testing is underway for AutoCAD and the AutoCAD verticals (Architecture and MEP) for the 2009 product release. All beta testers are under a non-disclosure agreement and cannot share any information about what is included in the beta software with the public until Autodesk gives the ok. Beta testers can share information with each other through a web site called MyFeedback. Anyone can apply but there is no guarantee that you will be chosen to Beta test. Beta testing requires feedback to Autodesk on the new features as well as bugs in the program. As being with a reseller we do get Beta software, but again we are not at liberty to discuss that info with the general public.

As soon as Autodesk gives the ok (which is usually when they let the public know when the software will be available) I will post as much as I can about AutoCAD Architecture 2009!

First Post!!

2007-11-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you for navigating to my AutoCAD Architecture blog! I hope to provide tips and tricks, news, issues, etc. around the AutoCAD Architecture (and base AutoCAD) product as much as possible.