Beside the Cursor...

IES Google Sketchup plugin

Okay, I've reviewed the videos (nicely done by the way) and have requested a trial. I am looking forward to testing this out. I am curious how the present workflow may need to be adjusted to integrate this tool into our work flow.
more to follow...

# posted by Richard Binning : Tuesday, August 26, 2008 0 comments links to this post

Sketchup Can NOW be used for Energy Analysis?

# posted by Richard Binning : Tuesday, August 26, 2008 0 comments links to this post

MEP Analysis Survey Results now available from AutoCAD MEP Council

Autodesk MEP Customer Council has released the results of their most recent survey on MEP Analysis. Over 190 members responded. Want to know more? Join the customer council or ask questions by sending an email to the councilmanager.

# posted by Richard Binning : Thursday, August 21, 2008 0 comments links to this post

Use the Alt Key to Align Annotation in Snagit

Tired of inserting a line or stamp or an arrow head in your snagit screen capture only to have to go back and move the endpoints? This typically happens when you've already got some vector based artwork on the capture. Try this:



Instead of inserting and then moving or stretching, try holding the ALT key down while placing your annotation. Now you can insert it anywhere, even on top of existing annotation.

Works for me! See this in Action below.

# posted by Richard Binning : Monday, August 18, 2008 2 comments links to this post

What are you doing? Follow AUGI at AU using Twitter

What are you doing?

This year it will be easier than ever to find out about Autodesk University happenings by using Twitter. If you are already using twitter then click this link or the image shown on the left and hit the "follow" button to subscribe.

Not sure what Twitter is? Visit the twitter site and read up or get the cliff's note version by watching the following video created by the talented folk at common craft (See video below).

I'm following AUGIatAU. Are you?

# posted by Richard Binning : Monday, August 18, 2008 0 comments links to this post

Snagit Quick Tip - Use SNAG format for Screen Captures

Here's a tip for all you snagit users. Next time you create a screen capture. Save the file as a "SNAG" format file.

This maintains all your annotation objects (text, arrow heads, stamps, etc.) as live editable objects instead of flattening them down to the background. Then when you realize that you want to edit that screencap again, you can simply double click on any of the intelligent objects to move them, change them, correct the spelling, etc.

My opinion: Snagit is the premier screencapture utility. I use it daily!

# posted by Richard Binning : Friday, August 15, 2008 1 comments links to this post

AU Signup Going Strong

Just finished signing up for AU 2008. It took quite a bit of time. More time than I planned to devote to scheduling, but it is done and now I can just wait til it comes around. I was issued number 3601. Sounds like we are well on the way to 11k or more!

# posted by Richard Binning : Friday, August 08, 2008 2 comments links to this post

Autodesk Open Doors - Free Training at an ATC (But Not in Georgia)

Want some free training in Autodesk products? You can always go to AUGI.com and participate in one of their ATP programs or download Autodesk University handouts. You can also take advantage of the Video E-Learning available courtesy of CADLearning.com also available at the AUGI education area.

A new option is the Autodesk Open Doors program coming to an ATC , hopefully, near you. Click this link to see if there are any classes available in your area.

Fellow Georgians, you'll have to travel as I couldn't find any free training within the state of Georgia, USA.

# posted by Richard Binning : Thursday, July 31, 2008 0 comments links to this post

VBA Error Code 800a0011 - Quick Fix

I ran into Error Code 800a0011 this morning when adding a list box control to a form in VBA. No matter what control I added, it gave this error:

could not complete the operation due to error 800a0011



Although annoying, there is a quick fix. Switch to the other VBA project that is loaded and ensure that you are not in debug mode. It seems I had an empty project (global 1) that had no code save for the "option explicit" option. I unloaded that project and the problem went away.

# posted by Richard Binning : Thursday, July 31, 2008 0 comments links to this post

ADT Layerkeys Macro Updated for ACA2008

Here is the updated version of my layerkey tool now updated for ACA2008. I'll update for 2009 soon...those DIYers can simply change the libraries to the ACA2009 version by pointing to the same libaries but in the Autodesk shared folder.

download here: LayerKeyCompare08.dvb

# posted by Richard Binning : Sunday, June 01, 2008 0 comments links to this post

Video of ACA2009 Non-CoPlanar Walls and Fix

Here is a video showing the problems with OsnapZ and showing the VBA fix in action. To download a copy of the code, just look at the previous blog post.

# posted by Richard Binning : Friday, May 30, 2008 0 comments links to this post

ACA2009 - Check your OSNAPZ variable

You might think that because ACA2009 locks your elevation when drawing walls that your wall cleanup issues are gone...unfortunately you'd be wrong. You may still benefit from the use of my vba tool written to fix non-coplanar walls from this post. Read about it if you like, but return here to get the 2009 version.

When using AutoCAD Architecture 2009 you'll want to maintain a consistent setting for OSNAPZ when tracing non-coplanar lines as you turn them into walls. Take a look at the graphic shown below for an example of what can happen under different conditions.

1. The walls drawn on the left side are drawn when the view orientation is set to top. OSNAPZ is set to zero.


2. The walls shown right are drawn based on a copy of the same underlying linework, but OSNAPZ is set to 1.


3. The walls shown immediately on the right under each group use the "Apply tool to linework" option from the walls tool on the design palette. Note: This tool doesn't care what the OSNAPZ variable is set to. It seems to default to OSNAPZ = zero.
   

Three different results from the same tool. It always comes down to consistent user interaction. Be aware of how the software works and you can fix these problems easily. Download the ACD2009 version of my VBA macro for fixing non-planar walls here: ACA2009_Walls2_CommonPlane.dvb

Note: OSNAPZ variable had no effect when using the "Apply tool to linework" tool.

# posted by Richard Binning : Friday, May 30, 2008 0 comments links to this post