tech tip : file-->open

Have you ever tried opening a CAD file and the dialogue box doesnt show up? Instead, CAD asks you for the file path of the file which you are trying to open. THIS CAN BE A REAL PAIN! But don't worry, theres an easy fix! The next time CAD asks you for the file path, simply use the command FILEDIA. Set the command to (1), and your problem is fixed. I find that this command is especially useful after CAD has crashed on me and needs to be restarted.

¡¿Where'd My Layer Go?!

Have you ever made a new layer in autocad and suddenly, your layer disappears? Fear not, your layer is still there - it's just hidden! Autocad has a neat way of handling layers from multiple drawings (when there are multiple x-refs). To make sure you can see all of the layers in the drawing, simply go to the LAYERS MANAGER or use the command LA. Once you are in the layers manager look to the left side of the manager. This is where autocad organizes layers. Once you have highlighted the word ALL your problem will be fixed.

tech tip : one layer at a time

Ever wish you could work in autocad with just a couple of layers on at a time without having to use the layers manager to turn layers on and off? Well, you can! By using the command LAYISO you can simply select which layers you want to isolate. When you are done editing those layers you can use the command LAYUNISO, and autocad will restore the layers which were previously hidden. These commands are useful when there are a lot of layers in a drawing and the drawing is getting difficult to edit.

tech tip : email a cad file

Coordinating autocad drawings with consultants can be a hassle. File sizes can sometimes get large, making the file hard to email. Design firms are starting to invest in FTP websites and with the recent boom in 'cloud technology,' this problem will soon be a thought of the past. For those of you who are still looking for the quick fix to this problem, fear not. Autocad has the solution!

To easily send an autocad file the command is ETRANSMIT (you can also find this under File --> etransmit). This command will bind all of the x-refs, blocks, and lines in the drawing and compress the file into a smaller, email-able file. When the command is run it will bring up a new box. Clik OK and the a new file will be saved to your folder!

3D as process communication

Lately, the trend of 3D modeling has been embraced by designers and we are delving into programs such as Rhino or 3Ds Max to develop beautifully rendered images that capture our design intent. However, when we think about the value of 3D modeling, the conversation generally leans towards final renderings and sharp graphic composition. What about 3D as an extremely effective design tool? We have the ability to model with exact dimensions and directly understand relationships between design elements. The idea of modeling as final product seems to overshadow the ability to use models as a way to communicate design process to clients and team members.

What about when we begin to cross platforms and utilize programs such as ACAD Civil 3D and 3Ds Max simultaneously? When we can apply materials and textures in ACAD and shorten our time making a product more elegant in Max we are effectively bettering our overall utilization. This is strong evidence that the future of design communication and construction documentation will begin to stray away from conventional 2 dimensional drawings and standard construction methods. Further, when we think about implementing 3D technologies into the construction process we can effectively impact how things are made. This makes me wonder, what will students be learning in construction courses 5 or 10 years from now and how will professional design and construction process shift?

tech tip : aec objects/proxy graphics/xrefs

Design programs are constantly changing and can be difficult to keep up with. The Dimensions Team will be posting a weekly tech tip to help our followers keep up with these programs. Feel free to leave comments and ask any computer questions you may have!

Have you ever opened up a consultant's autocad file and seen a message about proxygraphics or aecobjects. Simply put, this message is alerting you that the file you opened was produced by a different version of autocad. This may not seem like a big issue, however, if you look closely you will find that these aecobjects are autocad blocks that may actually vanish from your drawing when try to x-ref the drawing into your own file!

To fix this problem, we suggest handling all consultant's autocad files the following way:

1. Save a copy of the orignal autocad file. Incase something goes wrong, it's always good to have an original copy of your consultants file archived away.

2. Open the file and type AECTOACAD or EXPORTTOAUTOCAD. These commands will ask you to create a new file which will contain the flattened proxygraphics.

3. Close the file you are currently in and open the new file which you just created from step 2.

4. Select all of the objects/lines in the drawing and make sure that the linetype and lineweight is set to BY LAYER. This will make things much easier when you go to change layer colors in your drawing.

5. Check all of the blocks in the consultants drawing, and make sure they were drawn on the 0 layer. Similar to step 4, this ensures that you can change a block's color in your drawing.

6. X-Ref the new consultant's drawing into your own drawing.

While it may seem a bit tedious, we have found that using this process before x-refing a new drawing into your file will save you lots of time!