JTB FlexReport 2025.4.0 - FlexNet performance and Active Directory/LDAP support

JTB FlexReport 2025.4.0 is now ready.

• JTB FlexReport Core JTB FlexReport Core 2025.4.0 Setup.zip
  • Added support for parallel processing of FlexNet servers improving the overall snapshot time and performance. New setting in JTB FlexReport Config on the FlexNet tab.
  • Added Active Directory/LDAP support. Requires database update.
  • DSLS urgent email notification for various errors added.
  • DSLS usage logging improvements.
  • Fixed bug with RLM logging for certain cases causing wrong feature name to be saved to database.
  • Fixed RLM bug related to UNCOUNTED usage.
  • Avoid duplicates added to the database in case of erroneous snapshots missing usage at random times.
  • Database test for multiple identical denials improved.
• JTB FlexReport Service/JTB FlexReport Client JTB FlexReport Service 2025.4.0 Setup.zip / JTB FlexReport Client 2025.4.0 Setup.zip
  • Fixed Unique Users per month bug with date labels if MS Access is used.
  • Fixed bug when using Multiple Report checkbox it is not using MaxLic as it should.
  • Fixed multiple detailed list report discrepancies causing wrong number of hours showing.
  • Database test for multiple identical denials improved.

See the version history for all details and previous versions.

Trial is available if you want to give it a try.

If your maintenance has expired you can try the new version for a few weeks, if you want to keep using it contact us to renew the maintenance. The upgrade is free of charge for customers with active maintenance.

What is JTB FlexReport? JTB FlexReport is a license usage report tool for applications licensed using network license systems like FlexNet (FlexNet), IBM LUM, DSLS, SPLM, Sentinel, LM-X, RLM, EPLAN (ELM), HASP, DPT, Tebis, CodeMeter among others. Track usage over time, hours used and much more. With JTB Process Monitor much more can be monitored like Bentley MicroStation, Autodesk Named User licenses and Autodesk Flex.

If you have FlexNet licenses check out our JTB FlexReport LT freeware. App for AutoCAD available.

Autodesk user? See these posts:

• Multi-User to Named User Autodesk licenses update
• Autodesk Named User usage reporting
• Autodesk Network Licenses RIP, New Named User Plans
• Prepare for the switch to Autodesk Named User Licenses
• JTB FlexReport can monitor Autodesk Flex

You may still find use for JTB FlexReport together with JTB Process Monitor. We can help analyze your historic usage so you can prepare for the switch.

If you find Autodesk's reporting is not enough our JTB Process Monitor could be a complement as it can also show both total and active usage both of Autodesk products and pretty much any other product you might want to track usage of.

How to change Camera and Target on the current view

Using the VIEW command in AutoCAD opens up the View Manager and there are properties like Camera X, Camera Y, Camera Z, Target X, Target Y, Target Z that are greyed out so you can't edit them.

In BricsCAD these can easily be edited though.

Here is a tips on how to change these coordinates using the DVIEW command I AutoCAD.

Command:
DVIEW
Select objects or <use DVIEWBLOCK>:     <- press Enter here
Enter option
[CAmera/TArget/Distance/POints/PAn/Zoom/TWist/CLip/Hide/Off/Undo]: PO
Specify target point <30000.76, -16728.59, 2587.63>: 0,0,0
Specify camera point <30000.76, -16728.59, 2588.63>: 0,0,1
Enter option
[CAmera/TArget/Distance/POints/PAn/Zoom/TWist/CLip/Hide/Off/Undo]:     <- press Enter here
Regenerating model.

Or using AutoLISP (command "._DVIEW" "" "_PO" "0,0,0" "0,0,1" "")

In some older AutoCAD versions the above does not work due to an AutoCAD bug, as seen here:

Command: _DVIEW
Select objects or <use DVIEWBLOCK>:
Enter option
[CAmera/TArget/Distance/POints/PAn/Zoom/TWist/CLip/Hide/Off/Undo]: _PO
Specify target point <114577.93, 19107.27, 4087.49>: 0,0,0
Specify camera point <114576.93, 19106.27, 4088.49>: 0,0,1
Camera and Target may not be coincident

I found that this variant did work as it should.

(command "._DVIEW" "" "_PO" (list 0 0 0) (list 0 0 1) "")

Motif Launches Cloud-Based Platform for Seamless AEC Collaboration

Motif a startup in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, has unveiled its innovative cloud-based platform to revolutionize design collaboration. This platform merges 2D and 3D workflows, offering a unified workspace for architects, engineers, and stakeholders to collaborate in real-time without the limitations of traditional tools.

Key Features of Motif:

• Unified Collaboration Workspace: An infinite canvas integrating 2D drawings, 3D models, sketches, and specifications in one place.
• Live Model Streaming & Integration: Real-time updates with Revit and Rhino, eliminating the need for manual re-uploads.
• 2D & 3D Sketching and Markups: Enables instant commenting and sketching, seamlessly syncing feedback across tools.
• Smart Presentation Tools: Interactive presentations linked directly to live designs.
• Web-Based Accessibility: Requires no software installation, ensuring inclusivity for all stakeholders, even those without CAD expertise.
• Plugins for Revit, Rhino and other BIM/CAD apps allows access to the collaboration both in the native app where the design is done and in Motif.

This eliminates traditional barriers like disconnected tools, fragmented workflows, and accessibility issues, ensuring efficient design reviews and meaningful participation for all team members, architects, designers, engineers, owners, clients, etc.

Motif's debut is more than a collaboration tool; it’s the foundation for an intelligent and connected future for Building Information Modeling (BIM). The company aims to enhance creativity, reduce friction, and harness AI to empower smarter design decisions.

“Today’s AEC workflows are burdened by fragmented data, rigid software, and disconnected collaboration tools that slow down decision-making,” says Amar Hanspal, CEO and Co-Founder of Motif. “Motif is redefining BIM with a focus on being open, intelligent, and collaborative, where BIM isn’t just about managing information—it’s about unlocking intelligence. We’re starting with intelligent collaboration—a platform that bridges gaps between teams, integrates with existing tools, and leverages AI to provide insights that drive better decisions. This is step one of many in building a smarter, more connected BIM future—one that removes friction, enhances creativity, and makes design intelligence truly accessible.”

 

"Motif simplifies how we collaborate across teams,” said Bill Carney, Design Technology Leader and Principal at DLR Group. “Instead of juggling screenshots, PDFs, and disconnected markups, everything is now in one place—live, structured, and effortless. Instead of creating work-arounds to collaborate we can focus on decisions and feedback in real time. Motif has made coordination faster and eliminated so many back-and-forths."

About: Motif Systems, Inc. is building the next generation software platform for the modern built environment. Founded in 2023 by Amar Hanspal (former Co-CEO and Chief Product Officer at Autodesk) and Brian Mathews (former CTO at Autodesk), along with founding employees of Revit, Motif enables seamless, real-time collaboration for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals.

With early access now open, Motif invites teams of all sizes to experience the next era of design collaboration. Interested professionals can request a free trial at motif.io.

Subsets and Sheets in a Sheet List Table

Creating a Sheet List Table in AutoCAD can be a powerful way to organize and manage your drawing sheets. You can create a Sheet List Table by right-clicking on a Subset but there is a limitation that is still there in AutoCAD 2025. It says: "If a subset is checked it will be tracked to automatically include new sheets added to that subset and prompt for the table to be updated."

It does not mention about moved sheets between subsets and as you might see it doesn't work.

Removing sheets from the Sheet Set and relocating Sheets within the Subset works.

BricsCAD V25 also has this limitation.

You might even look to condense or aggregate a long Sheet List for example based on the Sheet Description and show all Sheets with same Sheet Description on one row and just show what Sheet Numbers there are with their description like this example "3,5,7-9" "ELEVATIONS".

If these limitations are impacting your workflow, feel free to contact us for a custom solution.

Solution to error: no function definition: ACET-LOAD-EXPRESSTOOLS

If you are using an AutoLISP function like (acet-tjust (ssget "_L") "TC") it needs Express Tools to be installed but in AutoCAD 2025 it still doesn't work.

Command: (acet-tjust (ssget "_L") "TC")
; error: no function definition: ACET-TJUST

The reason is that the Express Tools Utility functions are no initialized automatically.

For this reason you need to use the new function (acet-load-expresstools). If the Express Tools Utility functions are already loaded, acet-load-expresstools does nothing. Use it just like (vl-load-com).

But if you share code between AutoCAD 2025 and older versions the older versions can show errors like

; error: no function definition: ACET-LOAD-EXPRESSTOOLS

or in the case of BricsCAD

----- Error around expression -----
; (ACET-LOAD-EXPRESSTOOLS)
;
; error : no function definition <ACET-LOAD-EXPRESSTOOLS> ; expected FUNCTION at [eval]

What I use is this solution.

(if (findfile "acetutil.arx") (load "acetutil"))
(if (boundp 'acet-load-expresstools) (acet-load-expresstools))

If you try to find acet-tjust in AutoCAD's dev doc you will be out of luck as it is undocumented, but BricsCAD has you covered as seen here.

These "ExpressTools" API functions are currently provided by BricsCAD and are identical to AutoCAD's:

Blocks (acet-block-xxx)

Calculations (acet-calc)

Diskfile-Init functions

Dictionary (acet-dict-xxx)

Entity (acet-ent-xxx)

Entity-Groups (acet-group-xxx)

Error (acet-error-xxx)

Files (acet-file-xxx)

Filenames (acet-filename-xxx)

Geometry (acet-geom-xxx)

GeneralProperties (acet-general)

Layer (acet-layer-xxx)

Lists (acet-list-xxx)

Polyline (acet-pline-xxx)

Registry (acet-reg-xxx)

SelectionSets (acet-ss-xxx)

Strings (acet-str-xxx)

System (acet-sys-xxx)

SystemVariables (acet-sysvar-xxx)

Ucs (acet-ucs-xxx)

UserInterface (acet-ui-xxx)

Viewport (aced-viewport-xxx)

XData (aced-xdata-xxx)

Common Utilities (acet-xxx)

Insert+Atrributes Functions

SymbolTable Functions

Additionally, a number of general and special purpose (acet::xxx) utility functions are provided.

JTB SSMPropEditor 2024.8.0 released

JTB SSMPropEditor 2024.8.0 has been released and comes with some improvements and fixes.  

Recent updates in versions after 2024.3.0:

• Bug fix: Sorting by sheet number giving unexpected results.
• Paste sheet count improved and bugs fixed.
• Improved way to enter license activation key.
• Fixed empty tree view bugs.
• Fixed import bug.
• Timeout for layout renaming increased to 5 minutes for cases with very large DWG files.
• Improved Recent Sheet Sets with remove option of non-existing Sheet Sets.
• Layout renaming bugs fixed.
• File Name renaming bugs fixed.
• Sheet indexing. If no sheet is selected Sheet Number is default.
• Sheet indexing bug fixed.
• Removed Show Properties as it no longer is needed.
• Improved dialog boxes when closing and exiting.

Are you using the Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD, GstarCAD and BricsCAD, NanoCAD Plus/Pro, Graebert's ARES Commander 2022 and newer, DraftSight 2021 and newer, ZWCAD 2023 or newer, or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View? If you do, then SSMPropEditor will help a lot, save time and effort updating sheet properties and sheet custom properties across multiple sheets with its DST editing capabilities.

Free trial of JTB SSMPropEditor available.

JTB FlexReport 2023.12.0 - EPLAN HTML usage report

JTB FlexReport 2023.12.0 is now ready.

• JTB FlexReport Core

  • HTML support for EPLAN added.
  • Sentinel lsmon parsing bug fix.
  • ELM/EPLAN user names correctly parsed.
  • Added support for temporary Vertex licenses.

• JTB Process Monitor Client

• MSI installer provided for alternative unattended setup.

See the version history for all details and previous versions.

Trial is available if you want to give it a try.

If your maintenance has expired you can try the new version for a few weeks, if you want to keep using it contact us to renew the maintenance. The upgrade is free of charge for customers with active maintenance.

What is JTB FlexReport? JTB FlexReport is a license usage report tool for applications licensed using network license systems like FlexNet (FlexNet), IBM LUM, DSLS, SPLM, Sentinel, LM-X, RLM, EPLAN (ELM), HASP, DPT, Tebis, CodeMeter among others. Track usage over time, hours used and much more. With JTB Process Monitor much more can be monitored like Bentley MicroStation, Autodesk Named User licenses and Autodesk Flex.

If you have FlexNet licenses check out our JTB FlexReport LT freeware. App for AutoCAD available.

Autodesk user? See these posts:

• Multi-User to Named User Autodesk licenses update
• Autodesk Named User usage reporting
• Autodesk Network Licenses RIP, New Named User Plans
• Prepare for the switch to Autodesk Named User Licenses
• JTB FlexReport can monitor Autodesk Flex

You may still find use for JTB FlexReport together with JTB Process Monitor. We can help analyze your historic usage so you can prepare for the switch.

If you find Autodesk's reporting is not enough our JTB Process Monitor could be a complement as it can also show both total and active usage both of Autodesk products and pretty much any other product you might want to track usage of.

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.12.0 released (Sheet Set Manager Editor)

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.12.0 has been released and comes with some improvements and fixes.

• Several Find and Replace dialog bugs fixed.
• Performance bug fixed while opening and operating certain Sheet Sets with no existing UNC paths.
• Bugs fixed related to renaming of actual DWG files.
• Import bug fixed for renaming and sheet number issue with extra space added.
• Selecting one or more properties and don’t use checkboxes, it's now possible to use copy to clipboard.
• Added tool tip to Recent Sheet Sets that shows the folder of the Sheet Set.
• Tool tips added for QAT buttons.
• Sheet Tool Tips has more info.
• Close a Sheet Set showing "Do you want to save the changes to the Sheet Set?" adds a Cancel button and fixes a bug where No still saved changes.
• Exit the app may show "Do you want to close JTB SSMPropEditor?". Cancel button has been added.
• "Use Show Properties" checkbox now retains its setting.
• Bug fixed where backup settings is not saved and restored.
• Height of Sheet Set and project control areas increased a bit so the vertical scrollbar is not showed by default.
• Backup of renamed or moved DWG files copied to %temp% folder as an extra precaution.

Are you using the Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD, GstarCAD and BricsCAD, NanoCAD Plus/Pro, Graebert's ARES Commander 2022 and newer, DraftSight 2021 and newer, ZWCAD 2023 or newer, or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View? If you do, then SSMPropEditor will help a lot, save time and effort updating sheet properties and sheet custom properties across multiple sheets with its DST editing capabilities.

Free trial of JTB SSMPropEditor available.

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.6.0 released (Sheet Set Manager Editor)

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.6.0 has been released and comes with some improvements and fixes. Here are some from the last 2 versions:

• File menu now resizable.    
  
• New tooltips while hovering over sheets.
• Improved colors so it is easier to read text that is edited.
• Fixed callout block bugs.
• Added support for AutoCAD 2024.
• Performance issues fixed.
• Vault performance issues fixed.
• Fixed bug where sorting was not saved as expected.
• Fixed import bugs.
• Other minor bug fixes.

Are you using the Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD, GstarCAD and BricsCAD, NanoCAD Plus/Pro, Graebert's ARES Commander 2022 and newer, DraftSight 2021 and newer, ZWCAD 2023 or newer, or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View? If you do, then SSMPropEditor will help a lot, save time and effort updating sheet properties and sheet custom properties across multiple sheets with its DST editing capabilities.

Free trial of JTB SSMPropEditor available.

Solution for modified Excel .xlam not saved after saving

I tried to digitally sign a .xlam (Excel Macro-Enabled Add-In) but no matter what modifications I did to the file the changes were not saved. Even if I put a copy of it in a different folder it did not help. I tried to disable all Add-ins, restarted Excel and tried to modify and save to no avail.

Have you seen this behavior? If so, I was able to solve it by starting Excel in safe mode (holding Ctrl down while starting Excel) and then open the .xlam file, modify and sign it.

JTB FlexReport 2023.2.0 - DSLS license monitoring improvements

JTB FlexReport 2023.2.0 is now ready. JTB Process Monitor has also been updated.

See the version history for all details.

Trial is available if you want to give it a try.

If your maintenance has expired you can try the new version for a few weeks, if you want to keep using it contact us to renew the maintenance. The upgrade is free of charge for customers with active maintenance.

What is JTB FlexReport? JTB FlexReport is a license usage report tool for applications licensed using network license systems like FlexNet (FlexNet), IBM LUM, DSLS, SPLM, Sentinel, LM-X, RLM, EPLAN (ELM), HASP, DPT, Tebis, CodeMeter among others. Track usage over time, hours used and much more. With JTB Process Monitor much more can be monitored like Bentley MicroStation, Autodesk Named User licenses and Autodesk Flex.

If you have FlexNet licenses check out our JTB FlexReport LT freeware. App for AutoCAD available.

Autodesk user? See these posts:

• Multi-User to Named User Autodesk licenses update
• Autodesk Named User usage reporting
• Autodesk Network Licenses RIP, New Named User Plans
• Prepare for the switch to Autodesk Named User Licenses
• JTB FlexReport can monitor Autodesk Flex

You may still find use for JTB FlexReport together with JTB Process Monitor. We can help analyze your historic usage so you can prepare for the switch.

If you find Autodesk's reporting is not enough our JTB Process Monitor could be a complement as it can also show both total and active usage both of Autodesk products and pretty much any other product you might want to track usage of.

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.1.0 released (the Sheet Set Manager Editor)

JTB SSMPropEditor 2023.1.0 has been released and comes with some improvements and fixes.

Are you using the Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD, GstarCAD and BricsCAD, NanoCAD Plus/Pro, Graebert's ARES Commander 2022 and newer, DraftSight 2021 and newer, ZWCAD 2023 or newer, or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View? If you do, then SSMPropEditor will help a lot, save time and effort updating sheet properties and sheet custom properties across multiple sheets with its DST editing capabilities.

Free trial of JTB SSMPropEditor available.

JTB Sheet Set Creator 3.1.0 released

JTB Sheet Set Creator 3.1.0 is released and lately we added support for adding sheet and custom properties to existing Sheet Sets with a merging functionality. It is also a command line interface available.

JTB Sheet Set Creator is an app for AutoCAD that creates new Sheet Sets and Sheets with all properties based on an Excel template.

Don't know what the Sheet Set Manager is? The Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD is a great tool for organizing and managing large sets of drawings, particularly in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. It allows users to create a logical and structured organization of their drawings, making it easier to find and access specific drawings when needed.

One of the key benefits of the Sheet Set Manager is its ability to create a sheet index, which serves as a table of contents for the entire set of drawings. This index can be customized to include information such as the drawing title, sheet number, and revision status, making it easy to quickly identify and access the desired drawing.

In addition to the sheet index, the Sheet Set Manager also allows users to create drawing lists, which are essentially sub-sets of drawings that are organized based on specific criteria, such as discipline or phase. This can be particularly useful for project managers who need to quickly access a specific group of drawings for a particular task or for team members who need to focus on a specific aspect of the project.

Overall, the Sheet Set Manager is a valuable tool for anyone working with large sets of drawings in AutoCAD, as it helps to streamline the organization and management of these drawings, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

Download the upgrade or try it. JTB Sheet Set Creator

If you are using the Sheet Set Manager you can make batch edits of properties with JTB SSMPropEditor or make merge, purge and convert with JTB DST Tool or publish with JTB Batch Publish.

JTB Batch Publish 5.1.0 released

JTB Batch Publish 5.1.0 has been released. Background publishing for better performance and reliability is available and improvements when using Sheet Sets are some recent additions.

JTB Batch Publish is an app for AutoCAD and BricsCAD that publishes sheets in Sheet Sets, layouts in other drawings, folders or drawings in DSD files to files like PDF and DWF or images like PNG. The files created are named as you want based on a naming formula that you specify. Use date fields and/or sheet properties of your choice to build up the output filename.

Download is here as well as trial.