I cannot use i-Drop to drag blocks from web to my AutoCAD.

To mouse-drag web contents directly to a CAD application (AutoCAD, Revit, ADT...) you need to have installed the Autodesk i-Drop component (it is a part of the installation of Autodesk CAD software).

This "iDrop indicator" (eyedropper) can be instaled or updated also manually from the i-Drop page.

If you are using the 64-bit Windows version, you need to install the 64-bit version of the i-Drop component (ActiveX control).

Windows Vista users have to add the web site with i-Drop content (e.g. www.cadforum.cz with the CAD blocks Catalog) to the list of "Trusted sites" (see Tools > Internet options > Security: Servers) in their Internet Explorer.

Then you can catch the requested block with the eye-dropper and drag and drop it to your CAD application.

Maximum addressable memory in the individual Windows versions.

Applications running in standard 32-bit Windows versions can address only 2GB RAM (3GB in a special "/3GB" mode - see tips; the OS memory limit is 4GB). This may seriously limit 3D CAD software applications processing large volumes of data.

Native 64-bit applications (special 64-bit versions) running in 64-bit Windows versions can access much more memory. Maximum addressable RAM limits are following:
Windows XP x64: 128 GB
Vista Home Basic 64-bit: 8 GB
Vista Home Premium 64-bit: 16 GB
Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise 64-bit: 128 GB
For comparison, 32-bit versions have these limits (OS limit; application limits apply - see above):
Windows 3.1x: 256MB (512 MB)
Windows 98/Me: 1 GB (512 MB)
Windows 2000, NT4: 2 GB (4 GB)
Windows XP Starter: 512 MB
Windows XP Home, Professional: 4 GB
Windows Vista Starter: 1 GB
Windows Vista Home, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate 32-bit: 4 GB

Error 0.1.0011 or 11.1.6011 on product activation.

These errors (and a reactivation requirement) can appear after you activate (authorize) your Autodesk application of the 2006-, 2007-, 2008- or 2009-family on a PC with a SATA (serial ATA) disk controller.

If you encounter this problem on your computer, use the following settings:
For applications of the type/version 2009, 2008, 2007, add (or set) in the Registry, in:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\Licenses\Autodesk Licensing Service\Parameters
the key (value):

MDI_Disable = 1
For applications of the 2006 family, apply this patch (hotfix).

Use the fixes only if you encounter the specified error!

How to generate Piranesi EPix files from AutoCAD and 3ds Max?

EPIX format files for the 3D illustration software Piranesi (Informatix) can be saved from AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Civil 3D, Autodesk VIZ or 3ds Max. For this export you can use the plug-in modules available on the Piranesi web - plug-ins.

EPix files can be directly exported from Autodesk Navisworks.

Another option is to use the Vedute (IIRC) viewer distributed with Piranesi, as this application can convert DXF and 3DS files to Piranesi EPix and EPix panorama files (.EPX, .EPP).

How to switch off the InfoCenter function in AutoCAD or Map?

You can use the CAD Manager utility to deactivate the InfoCenter and Communication Center. But if you want to disable this function completely, you can use the Registry setting (Regedit).

In the Registry tree go to:

HKLM\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.X\ACAD-XXXX:XXX\Applications\InfoCenterAcConn

and set the LoadCtrls key to 0. Restart AutoCAD.

Rounding symbol (approximately equal) in AutoCAD.

To display a rounding character you can use the following Unicode symbols in AutoCAD:

≅ \U+2245 equal with a swung dash
≐ \U+2250 equal with a dot

You have to select one of the fonts that contain mathematical symbols (e.g. Arial Unicode, Lucida Sans Unicode, etc.).

See also Unicodes.dwg on www.xanadu.cz/download

How to disable the PLOT.LOG file?

You can suppress writing of the AutoCAD plot log file PLOT.LOG by the following settings:

* In the Options dialog, the "Plot and Publish" tab, the Plot and Publish log file option
* In the Plot Stamp dialog (PLOTSTAMP), the Advanced button, the Log file option (PLOT.LOG)

To switch off the plot logging automatically, add the following command to your AutoCAD startup sequence:

(command "_-PLOTSTAMP" "_LOG" "_NO" "PLOT.LOG" "")

Various types of anonymous blocks in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD drawing database (DWG) can contain various types of anonymous (unnamed) blocks. The pseudo-names of anonymous blocks always start with an asterisk "*". You normally cannot use AutoCAD block editing commands with anonymous blocks.

Examples of anonymous blocks:

* *U### - general anonymous blocks
* *E### - anonymous blocks from non-uniformly scaled blocks - when exploded (e.g.
solids, regions)
* *D### - anonymous dimensions (dim blocks)
* *X### - anonymous hatches (hatch blocks)
* *A### - anonymous groups
* *T### - anonymous blocks in tables

AutoCAD add-on applications may create also other types of anonymous blocks.

How to transfer layers and blocks from one drawing to another?

Starting with AutoCAD 2000 you can use the AutoCAD DesignCenter function to do this transfer (copy). But you can also use a simpler method.

Open the target drawing, start the Insert command and pick the (source) DWG drawing containing the layers and blocks you want to transfer. When prompted for an insertion point, press [Esc]. The graphics of the drawing will not be inserted, but the target drawing now contains the layers and blocks from the inserted drawing file.

How to convert CIE colors (Lab, Luv, LCH) to RBG?r?

If you need a conversion of color hues in the color models XYZ, xyY, Lab, LCH(ab), LCH(uv), Luv to RGB (e.g. for AutoCAD, Inventor or Revit), you can use the online calculator on:

www.brucelindbloom.com [url verified 12/2006]

Cannot exit AutoCAD with the Windows "X"-button.

If you are not able to close your AutoCAD window and your commandline displays an error, it is probably caused by redefining the internal command QUIT by a custom utility.

Use the dot-version of the command - .QUIT, or redefine the QUIT command back to its original version with REDEFINE.

Replacement for the applications MdiTab, DocBar, CxDocBar etc. in AutoCAD 2009

Since AutoCAD version 2009 you can easily switch between windows of the opened DWG drawings with the internal visual tool "Quick View". See the book icon in AutoCAD status bar, or the command QVDRAWING.

You can pin-down the drawings thumbnails (see QVDRAWINGPIN) and size them with the Ctrl+mouse scroll combination.

Another option of switching between DWGs are the drawing thumbnails in the function "Opened drawings" under the "scarlet A" in the upper left corner of the AutoCAD window.

So there is virtually no need for "switching" ARX applications like MdiTab, DocBar, OverCAD Tabs, CxDocBar, Drawing Tabs or similar.

AutoCAD with updates (Update/SP, Bonus Pack).

To identify AutoCADu 2009 with installed updates (Update 1 or 2, Service Pack) and extension packs like the "Subscription Bonus Packs" you can use the dialog "About AutoCAD".

Run the command ABOUT (Help > About AutoCAD), click the "Product information" button and in the field "Product update" (SP) you can see e.g.:

* "AutoCAD 2009 - English" (the original version)
* "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 2" (Update 1 - SP1 applied)
* "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 2.1" (Update 1 applied, Bonus Pack 1 installed)
* "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 3" (Update 2 - SP2 applied)
* "AutoCAD 2009 - English Version 3.1" (Update 2 applied, Bonus Pack 2 installed)

You can also use the _VERNUM system variable - the "Update 1" level will show "C.111.0", the "Update 1" plus Bonus Pack will return _VERNUM=C.112.0, the "Update 2" reports _VERNUM=C.608.0 and with the "Bonus Pack 2" then _VERNUM=C.662.0.

AutoCAD reports MEASUREGEOM as an unknown command.

The command MEASUREGEOM is included in the "Subscription Bonus Pack 1", not in the basic version of AutoCAD 2009.

Download and install the Bonus Pack from your Subscription Center.

How to disable 3D orbit on Shift+mouse wheel?

If you want to switch off the 3D rotate view function (3D-orbit) assigned by default to the combination Shift+wheel (rollerwheel), you can change or disable this assignment in the CUI command.

You can find this function in the CUI dialog under Mouse buttons > Shift+click > Button 3: Transparent orbit (assigned command 3DORBITTRANSPARENT).

If you want to use this combination (Shift + dragging with mouse-wheel pressed) for orthogonal panning in 2D, you need to press first the wheel, then the Shift key.

How to export X-Y-Z coordinates of AutoCAD drawing blocks?

There are several ways to export a list of XY or XYZ coordinates of blocks/symbols or other objects in an AutoCAD drawing.

In all AutoCAD versions you can use the ATTEXT command and prepare an export template containing the X and Y coordinates of the reported blocks (see AutoCAD User Guide).

In a much more user friendly way you can use the EATTEXT (resp. DATAEXTRACTION) command (wizard) to report block information from the current drawing (plus other drawings). Start the wizard and confirm all default values (name your DXE file in Step 1, use only blocks in Step 3, include the position properties in Step 4). In Step 6, choose the export to an external file (XLS, MDB, CSV, TXT).

For a bidirectional link - export to Excel and driving block coordinates from Excel - you can use the Excellink application by XANADU - see www.xanadu.cz/excellink

How to draw hatches always to back (below other objects)?

If you want to put your new hatches always and automatically "back" in the draw order - i.e. keeping the geometry and texts readable "above" the hatches - preset the HPDRAWORDER variable to 1. It applies to subsequent commands HATCH and -HATCH. The default setting is 3 - "put hatch below the boundary".

The draworder of existing hatchures can be changed with the DRAWORDER command, or automatically (by object type) - with the Xanadu DOBT utility.

How to make standard 2D drawings from AutoCAD 3D solids?

You can either plot your DWG file to the DXB format and read it back with the DXBIN command, or use the SOLVIEW and SOLDRAW commands to create projected 2D representations of your 3D models in given views (top, front, left, axonometry, perspective, etc.). To show hidden lines as dashed, set layer properties on the -HID layers.
For more detailed 2D views/representations of 3D models we recommend a full featured 3D CAD application - Autodesk Inventor or Mechanical Desktop.
Since AutoCAD 2007 you can also use the FLATSHOT command.

AutoCAD compatible with Windows Vista?

The following CAD applications are compatible with the operating system Microsoft Windows Vista: AutoCAD 2009 (Vista logo certified; and the 2009-family), AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD LT 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, AutoCAD Mechanical 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, Revit 2008, Inventor 2008 SP1 and other Autodesk software from the 2008-family.
AutoCADu 2008 (and 2009) compatibility applies for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business and Enterprise.
For AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Autodesk has released Service Pack 2 which makes them compatible with the 32-bit version of Windows Vista.

Network rendering in AutoCAD or Revit?

Is it possible to use network rendering to render models and scenes in AutoCAD or Revit?
No, splitting large rendering jobs to multiple computers in a LAN network (render jobs, backburner) is available only in Autodesk 3ds Max or 3ds Max Design. 3ds Max can process 3D models from AutoCAD, Revit and Inventor.

Choosing between the new and old Layer Manager dialog.

AutoCAD 2009 introduced a new modeless (always active) dialog of the Layer Manager. If you want to use rather the old, classic modal version of the Layer dialog for the LAYER command, use the following methods.

* To switch between the old/new layer dialog, use the LAYERDLGMODE variable (1=new)
* To run the old dialog version (regardless of the variable setting), use the
CLASSICLAYER command (you can even display both dialogs at the same time)
* Tu run the new dialog version (even when the variable is off), use the command
LAYERPALETTE

Arithmetic functions in AutoCAD fields.

In AutoCAD table cells and text fields (texts, block attributes) you can use not only the predefined properties, fields and functions but also the standard mathematic (arithmetic and goniometric) functions with dynamic values.
When defining the arithmetic expressions - see Fields > All > Expression - you can use the following functions:

* +, -, *, /, ^, () = basic arithmetic operations
* sin(angle) = Sinus of an angle
* cos(angle) = Cosinus of an angle
* tang(angle) = Tangens of an angle
* asin(real) = Arcus sinus
* acos(real) = Arcus cosinus
* atan(real) = Arcus tangens
* ln(real) = Natural logarithm
* log(real) = Decimal logarithm
* exp(real) = Natural power
* exp10(real) = Decimal power
* sqr(real) = Square
* sqrt(real) = Square root
* abs(real) = Absolute value
* round(real) = Rounded to the nearest integer
* trunc(real) = Truncated to integer
* r2d(angle) = Angle in radians converted to degrees
* d2r(angle) = Angle in degrees converted to radians
* pi = Pi constant (Ludolf's number)

Example: =atan(pi)

How to construct a circle from three tangents?

If you want to draw a circle defined by 3 tangential lines, you can use an undocumented AutoCAD command AI_CIRCTAN.
To create a construction of the type "two tangents and a radius" you can use the TTR option in the standard command CIRCLE.

Tips and Tricks

• How to generate Piranesi EPix files from AutoCAD and 3ds Max?
• Some materials are rendered as black only.
• Edit block attributes in multiple layouts.
• INTERNAL ERROR: !dbspace.cpp@3553: eWrongDatabase on "Bring to Front" command.
• DWG Viewer.
• How to set font (style) for Amnotes, surface texture symbols?
• Model import error: Coincident face_face_ints with different body vertices.
• Keyboard shortcuts defined in AutoCAD.
• Hatch angles in parts in an assembly section view.

How to uninstall a specific AutoCAD or Inventor Service Pack?

You can use the standard function "Programs and functions" (Add/Remove programs) in Windows Control panels to uninstall a specific Service Pack of an Autodesk CAD application.
Use the option "Show updates" and select the requested Service Pack to remove. Then click the Uninstall button or use the context menu.
In older Inventor versions you had to uninstall and reinstall the main CAD application.

Array along a path.

To create an array of elements/blocks along a given path (e.g. chairs around an oval table) you can use the standard commands DIVIDE / MEASURE with the options Block and Align. This way they work like the command ARRAY applied on a curve.
In some cases you will need to first create an auxiliar offset curve to the original linework with the OFFSET command.
In detail:
Use the "MEASURE" command if you need to array the blocks at a distance from one and other which you enter as part of the process. If you wanted to divide the path into a number of segments, and then array the blocks at the points at which the path divides, then use "DIVIDE". It works in the same way, only you choose the number of segments to split the path into as opposed to the length of each segment.
1.Create the block, the thing you want to array (the BLOCK command)
2.Draw the path, for example, an ellipse.
3.Use the command: MEASURE
1.Select the object which forms the path
2.Type "b" (for block) enter
3.Type the name of the block you want to array enter
4.Type or leave "y" in to align the block against the object enter
5.Type the desired length of segment enter
Done.
(detail by "idiosyn85")

Text mirroring options in dynamic blocks in AutoCAD.

Text mirroring (readability) in AutoCAD is controlled by the MIRRTEXT variable. But if the text is contained in a block or a dynamic block, it may behave differently when mirrored.

The following illustration presents various options for mirroring of a simple block "ZRCADLO" (for download in the Block catalog) which contains a text (Dtext) and a predefined attribute (AtrDef). The original block is always mirrored with both settings of the MIRRTEXT variable: MIRRTEXT=0 and MIRRTEXT=1; first using a simple mirror with the MIRROR command, then flipping with the "Flip" action of the dynamic block, and finally by mirroring simple entities after exploding of the block reference (_EXPLODE).

How to convert an AutoCAD DWG to CorelDRAW CDR file?

There is no reliable standalone converter but newer versions of CorelDRAW (10, 11, 12, X4) directly support import of DWG files (in older AutoCAD formats). Due to the complexity of the DWG format this import might be unreliable - so convert your drawing data rather via the exchange formats DXF, WMF, EPS, or PLT (HPGL). All these formats can be exported from AutoCAD and reliably imported into CorelDRAW.
Similarly for backward conversions of .CDR into .DWG files, do not use the DWG export offered in CorelDRAW. It does not create official DWG-format files and such "forged" drawing files may cause problems during further processing. Again, use rather the AutoCAD text format - DXF, or WMF.

Replacement for the applications MdiTab, DocBar, CxDocBar etc. in AutoCAD 2009.

Since AutoCAD version 2009 you can easily switch between windows of the opened DWG drawings with the internal visual tool "Quick View". See the book icon in AutoCAD status bar, or the command QVDRAWING.
You can pin-down the drawings thumbnails (see QVDRAWINGPIN) and size them with the Ctrl+mouse scroll combination.
Another option of switching between DWGs are the drawing thumbnails in the function "Opened drawings" under the "scarlet A" in the upper left corner of the AutoCAD window.
So there is virtually no need for "switching" ARX applications like MdiTab, DocBar, OverCAD Tabs, CxDocBar, Drawing Tabs or similar.

How to disable 3D orbit on Shift+mouse wheel?

If you want to switch off the 3D rotate view function (3D-orbit) assigned by default to the combination Shift+wheel (rollerwheel), you can change or disable this assignment in the CUI command.
You can find this function in the CUI dialog under Mouse buttons > Shift+click > Button 3: Transparent orbit (assigned command 3DORBITTRANSPARENT).
If you want to use this combination (Shift + dragging with mouse-wheel pressed) for orthogonal panning in 2D, you need to press first the wheel, then the Shift key.

Work easier with AutoCAD groups.

AutoCAD LT - unlike the full AutoCAD with its GROUP command - contains simplified versions of commands for manipulating object groups - PKFSTGROUP and QKUNGROUP.
Many users are satisfied with these quick and simple versions of the group commands and the full dialog-based command GROUP slows them down. In addition, for ungrouping you have to specify the name of a group.
So we have prepared a free LISP utility GRP.vlx with the commands GRP and UNGRP. It can be used as a replacement of AutoCAD LT's group commands. You can use CUI to assign the GRP and UNGRP commands to keyboard shortcuts (recommended: Ctrl+Shift+G and Ctrl+Shift+U), or add them to your shortcut menu (context).
Both commands accept also pre-selected objects (grip-selection). They use unnamed groups.
Export/import of user settings in AutoCAD.
If you want to transfer (export and import) settings of the the current user profile in AutoCAD, you can use the functions Export and Import on the Profiles tab in the dialog of the OPTIONS command.
You can export the settings and then import them - e.g. on another computer or from a backup - to/from a file with the .ARG extension.
This file contains the AutoCAD settings hive from the Windows Registry.

How to draw hatches always to back (below other objects)?

If you want to put your new hatches always and automatically "back" in the draw order - i.e. keeping the geometry and texts readable "above" the hatches - preset the HPDRAWORDER variable to 1. It applies to subsequent commands HATCH and -HATCH. The default setting is 3 - "put hatch below the boundary".
The draworder of existing hatchures can be changed with the DRAWORDER command, or automatically (by object type) - with the Xanadu DOBT utility.

Cannot edit an object: "1 was not in the working set&quot.

If you see this error message while trying to edit or erase drawing objects, you are probably using a limited working set in the block/reference editor (the REFEDIT command).
First close the reference editor using the REFCLOSE command.

ISOGEN cannot read some ISO exports of piping from Inventor 2009.

In some cases, the release version of Inventor Professional 2009 can create an invalid PCF output for the ISOGEN application. Apply Service Pack 1 (or higher) for Inventor 2009.
Intuitive overview of relationships and constraints in Inventor assemblies.
With the add-on application iMap for Inventor you can easily view relationships between documents and constraints in an Inventor 2009 assembly. This will help you navigate and understand complicated assemblies - especially those you have not created.
iMap for Inventor is a free application available on Autodesk Labs - iMap.
You can start Inventor with iMap through a separate icon on your desktop - "Autodesk Inventor 2009 with iMap". The iMap functions are then availble in a context menu in the assembly document. You can use the view "Constraint iMap" (relationships and assembly structure) and "Skeletal iMap" (derived part relationships).