Gil's CAD Clues

CAD Clues can now be found on the new Google Currents app for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.  Just open the app and search for CAD Clues. Need to know more about Google Currents, check out the video bellow. Google Currents CAD Clues on Currents

Autodesk Design Review needs your help testing out the beta version of there Android app.  To get started follow the link and fill out your information. Design Review Mobile Android App Beta

Autodesk has a Web, iPhone, iPad, Android and now a Mac application for their awesome online version of AutoCAD called AutoCAD WS. What about all the Window users out there that would like their own AutoCAD WS application? We can use the web application shortcut that makes it feel a little bit more like AutoCAD. Today we are going to show you how to make an application for your windows computer using Mozilla Prism. 1. Download Mozilla Prism at http://prism.mozillalabs.com (I would suggest download the standalone application and not the Firefox Extension) 2. Once the zip file is downloaded and unzipped, select the prism.exe file to start the application. 3. All you need to do now is fill out the information in the blanks to create the desktop application. a. URL = http://www.autocadws.com b. Name = AutoCAD WS c. Keep Navigation bar, show status, navigation keys, and Display in the notification area unchecked d. Create your Shortcuts (Win7 users can pin the application t...

CAD Clues is now on Google+! Drop by our profile and add us to your Circle of Friends. CAD Clues Google+ Profile

If you can't make it to AU in Vegas this year then the next best thing is AU Virtual.  It's not like going to the real deal, but good news is you get to sleep in your own bed. AU Virtual 2011

The Problem Editing TIN surface information can be a pain. To make any small change, we end up going to Toolspace, then surface, the surface, definition, right click on edit, lastly select the tool we need. By the time I get to the tool, I forgot what I was doing. The Fix Use a LISP file to launch each command. This will keep you from the number of clicks it takes to edit the TIN surface. Creating LISP File Open Notepad in windows. Save a blank text file. Copy and paste the text below. Save Right click on the file in Windows Explorer and Rename. Change the extension from .txt to .lsp (defun c:sal () (command "addsurfaceline") (princ) ) (defun c:sdl () (command "deletesurfaceline") (princ) ) (defun c:swe () (command "editsurfaceswapedge") (princ) ) (defun c:sap () (command "addsurfacepoint") (princ) ) (defun c:sdp () (command "deletesurfacepoint") (princ) ) (defun c:sep () ...

Today, we are going to talk about how to make a block without creating another drawing to add to the random crap on your hard drive or server. You can copy multiple objects using groups but the bad part of using groups is the editing. Once the block is created, you can copy and edit it using block editor to change all the objects at once. 1. Copy with Base Point command Right click > Clipboard > Copy with Base Point. 2. Select Base Point. 3. Select objects to make into a block 4. Paste as Block command Right Click > Clipboard > Paste as Block Here is the tricky part; if the Paste as Block command in the right click menu is shaded back, then you will need to select an object (any object) in your drawing before using the Paste as Block command. The objects are now in a block which makes it easy for copying and editing. Enjoy!

In AutoCAD, if you hold shift and right click at the same time, a menu will show up with all Osnap options.  This is a great tool for snapping to a point in your drawing when you have a cramped area.

AutoCAD WS update 1.3 is now available in the app store and Android market.  The new update brings big changes to the already awesome mobile app. New Features Layers Accurate Input Area Measurement File Management

Ncopy is a simple but powerful tool that allows you to copy objects from a nested object (blocks and xrefs) in AutoCAD. Command:_ncopy Once the command is launched, it acts just like the standard copy command.

AutoCAD's big announcement was all about the Mac.  AutoCAD introduced us to AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac. AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 is available now (US and Canada) at the Mac App store.  AutoCAD WS (free) is available for download on Thursday August 18th. More information on AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT More information on AutoCAD WS

The AutoCAD team is announcing something tomorrow.  No I don't know what it is, but we can find out on August 16th at 10am (PDT) on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AutoCAD . If you use twitter, you can follow what is going on by search #design816 . Check out the teaser video. What do you think is the big announcement tomorrow? UPDATE 08.16.11 If you are unable to view the live stream on facebook, you can see it here on CAD Clues. Watch live streaming video from autocad at livestream.com

SketchBook (iOS and Android) App Store Android Market Buzzsaw Mobile  (iOS) Buzzsaw allows you to access and exchange building information on current projects all in one location. Apple's App Store  Inventor Publisher Mobile Viewer  (iOS and Android) View 3D assemblies on the go. App Store Android Market Bluestreak  (iOS) This application allows people using Project Bluestreak to communicate with team members. Project Blustreak Information App Store AutoCAD WS  (iOS and Android) AutoCAD on your mobile phone! App Store Android Market TinkerBox  (iOS) I put this one in just for fun.  Enjoy! App Store

Now that Autodesk has started the new AutoCAD app store, it is time to share our top five productivity apps. Clipboard Manager Clipboard Manager is a useful tool that keeps track of everything you copy and paste. Now you have a fast way to copy and paste more than one object. OffsetinXref Darn you xref!!! Why Can I not offset you?!?!?! Being in Civil Engineering, this is on the top of my list. This app allows you to offset objects that are located in an external reference or block. DWF/PDF Batch Publish Need a quick set for redlines? Use this tool for fast printing. FacetCurve This app approximates 2D and 3D curves to change them into a number of straight line segments. DimensionPatrol Dimension Patrol checks your current drawing for any dimensions that have been changed or manually overridden. Have you been playing with the new app store? Do you think the app store is going to stay? Do you have a great app to share? UPDATE The new Autodesk Exchan...

Creating Linetypes Creating linetypes in AutoCAD can be faster than you think. A couple of releases ago AutoCAD created an express tool that can create a linetype from lines and text. Make Linetype Commend Command: _mkltype Under Express Tools >; Tools > Make Linetype Once the Make Linetype command is launched the software will ask for a .lin file so that your linetype can be saved. The options to create a linetype file or use an existing linetype file can be done. Then the command line will ask a number of questions. 1. Name new linetype. 2. Linetype description 3. The start location of the new linetype 4. The ending locaton of the new linetype 5. Selecting the object to add to the new linetype. That is it! Done! Creating a new linetype is created.

Google has started the new social networking website Google+, but how does it stand out from Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites?  Today we are going to talk about the tools in Google+ and how to use them as a team communication tool A Quick Look  Check out the quick look video by Google Circles Great way to share project information with only the people working on the project without bugging everybody.  Just place them in a Circle and start sharing Huddle Huddle is a way to send a fast text to a group of people.  Good way to set up a meeting with everyone or ask a quick question. Hangouts Huddle helps you set up a meeting, but what if you want to do an online meeting.  That is what Hangout is all about.  It is a nice group video chat.  Now you can have all your team attend an online meeting. Mobile Information At the time the only Mobile app available is on the Android, but Apple version of Google+ is on the...

We are introducing a number of new features to the CAD Clues website. New Look One big change you can see is the new look to the website. We are keeping the simple look and feel, but getting a nicer look. We hope you like it CAD Clues Desktop App Internet Browser I am a big fan of Google Chrome web browser. One of the things I like about it is the ability to make a web application shortcut from any website. Today we are going to show you how to make a web application shortcut for CAD Clues. 1. Download Google Chrome . 2. Go the CAD Clues website 3. Select the custom button located on the to right of the web browser 4. Select tools and then Create application shortcuts... 5. The Create application shortcuts pop up box will appear asking where you want to place your new application (Desktop, Start menu, and/or Pin to Taskbar) 6. Enjoy!!! CAD Clues Mobile Web App Did you know at CAD Clues has a Mobile Web App available in both iOS and Android system. Creating t...

Cutting profiles are needed in almost all projects. In Civil 3D, you can view horizontal information in the form of a vertical profile. Today we are going to learn how to: Generate a profile from an existing alignment Changing profile styles and editing profile properties First, we need to define “profile.” A profile is an object which represents elevation information for a horizontal alignment or object line. The profile contains two components: profile view and profile object. The profile view is the object, such as the profile grid and display information. The profile object is the vertical information form the horizontal alignment, such as the existing or proposed grade. Generate a profile from an existing alignment First, an alignment and surface is needed before creating a profile. Once the alignment is ready, it is time to create the profile. Menu > Profiles > Create Profile from Surface. “Create Profile from Surface” box pops up. This is w...

Desktop Applications Autodesk 123D 123D is a great little 3D modeling application that is simple to use.  I can spend hours playing with this software. Download Autodesk Design Review Design Review is one of best application for sharing your design documents. Download DWG Viewer No AutoCAD, no problem.  DWG Viewer allows you to view and print dwg files from any computer for free. Download Web Applications Homestyler Ever wish you could design a dream house or  play Architect for a day?  Now you can with the new Homestyler by Autodesk. Check it out: Homestyler AutoCAD WS Check it out: AutoCAD WS

Cleanup and Modifying There are times we need to start and stop the easement. For example, the picture below shows the sanitary sewer crossing a right-of-way. The easement needs to stop at the right-of-way and restart on the other side. Selecting the alignment will pull up the grip editing on the easements, which will allow you to change the starting and stopping station of the dynamic easement (offset alignment). The grip edit can be snapped to the intersection of the easement and right-of-way to make the easement stop at the proper location. To restart the easement on the other side of the right-of-way, create a new offset alignment with the starting stations and the ending station at the proper location.

Getting Some Style Now that we have the offset alignment representing the dynamic easement, it’s time to make an alignment style. 1. Select the offset alignment > quick properties > under style select Create/Edit 2. The alignment style pop up box will appear. Select the edit pull down and click Create New 3. The alignment style editor will pop up. For today, we are only changing four setting to create this style. a. Under information tab, change name to “Easement” b. Under display tab, change component type line color to yellow c. Under display tab, change component type line type to dash d. Under display tab, change component type line layer to easement 4. Once the setting are ready, select OK Now, the dynamic easement is ready.