Learn how to migrate from VBA to .NET for AutoCAD

VBA is going away from AutoCAD in a coming release but ActiveX that is the API will remain so you can use the same API you are familiar with within .NET using COM Interop. So if you’re familiar with the ActiveX Object Model you get get up and running in .NET quicker.

In the four examples in this Autodesk Developer Network Network DevTV Visual Basic Express is used and you learn how to prepare code to use late binding and then export from VBA via VB6 format and end up with VB.NET code. There is even a great free macro that makes the VB6 project without requiring VB6.

AutoCAD VBA to .NET Migration Basics
view
download (140 Mb)
supporting files (1.72 Mb)

• Example 1 is showing manual migration using VB6
• Example 2 is showing the migration using the migration macro
• Example 3 is dealing with user forms and problems with late binding and why it is good to change Object to something more specific using early binding
• Example 4 is for referencing other type libraries than the AutoCAD ones. The example shows object referencing Excel and Word

Via Through the Interface

See also the posts More details on VBA in AutoCAD 2010 products, AutoCAD 2010 VBA and VSTA future and No VBA installed with AutoCAD 2010

Navisworks documentation online

On Autodesk’s Navisworks documentation site you find the following documentation.

Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2010 (pdf - 2585Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2010 (pdf - 8543Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Review 2010 (pdf - 4698Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2010 (pdf - 7627Kb) Release 2009 Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2009 (pdf - 1566Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2009 (pdf - 7190Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Review 2009 (pdf - 4183Kb) Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2009 (pdf - 6700Kb) JetStream 5 JetStream 5 (pdf - 4941Kb)

Network License Activation Utility not on AutoCAD 2010 DVD

The Autodesk Network Licensing Guide for AutoCAD 2010 or AutoCAD Architecture 2010 refers to “How to Install and Use the Network License Activation Utility”.But where is it? Where can it be found? You should notice that this utility has been discontinued but the guide has not been updated accordingly.

You can activate your license by going to http://www.autodesk.com/register and following the on-screen instructions or by calling Autodesk Activations at 1-800-551-1490 and choosing #1 for English and #2 for Network License.

The location for the Autodesk Network Licensing Guide is found in the Help folder where AutoCAD or the vertical is installed.

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2010\Help\adsk_nlg.chm

Autodesk Stand-Alone Licensing Guide is named adsk_slg.chm and found in the same Help folder.

See also AutoCAD 2010 network license – not much news

PS. A tip to Autodesk is to make these guides available at http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-help

OSNAPZ changes can change your AutoCAD screen background with the OsnapzBG freeware

When OSNAPZ is changed many have found it useful to have a more visual change to indicate its state. In verticals like AutoCAD Architecture you have a small button that indicates the state of the “Z lock” but some might want to even have also the background color change just like the Block Editor changes the background color.

I have made this background color changer for OSNAPZ tool available as a freeware.

If you find it useful I would appreciate any contribution. Here is a PayPal link (credit cards also accepted) you can use and enter 1 EUR or more as Unit Price.

The program is available for AutoCAD 2009 32-bit, AutoCAD 2009 64-bit, AutoCAD 2010 32-bit, AutoCAD 2010 64-bit. It also works for all AutoCAD based verticals. I might be able to support other versions if needed.

Download the OsnapzBG freeware and see the readme.txt in the OsnapzBG.zip file for instructions how to auto load and use it.

Here is what it look like in AutoCAD Architecture. “Replace Z value with current elevation” is the button the application status bar.

Change AutoCAD screen background color based on OSNAPZ includes Visual LISP (AutoLISP) code to does this but there is one limitation that it cancel any running command so it cannot be used transparently. Because of limitations with the Visual LISP solution I decided to make it in .NET instead.

Expression Web installation error 2203 solution

I tried to install Microsoft Expression Web 2 on Windows Vista 64-bit today and got this error during the setup: “Error: Installation of the "Microsoft Expression Web 2" product has reported the following error: 2203.”

The solution in my case was to disable Carbonite online backup during the installation.

Sheet Set Manager Properties Editor 3.0 RC update 1

Soon SSMPropEditor 3.0 will be released. If you want to try it now here is a sneak peek.

I appreciate all comments by testers of the previous release candidate and I hope all bugs are squeezed but if you find any please let me know.

One big news in this update is the Unlock/Lock button that let you release the lock of the Sheet Set so you can see changes directly in AutoCAD.

Another new thing is that you can have changes applied automatically.

English version

http://www.jtbworld.com/download/SSMPropEditor_3.zip

German version

http://www.jtbworld.com/download/SSMPropEditor_3_de.zip

SSMPropEditor works even without having AutoCAD installed. It is compatible with all AutoCAD versions and verticals that uses the Sheet Set Manager or Project Manager. It has been tested with AutoCAD 2010 as well as Windows 7.

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free.

I hope you enjoy this new version and in a short while the final release will be available.

ShowModalDialog API changes in AutoCAD 2010

I got this error in some .NET code I updated to get running for AutoCAD 2010.

Error    1    Reference required to assembly 'PresentationCore, Version=3.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' containing the implemented interface 'System.Windows.Interop.IWin32Window'. Add one to your project.    D:\VB.NET\MainProject\Mainclass.vb    15    74    MainProject

I found that I needed to change this code showing a modal dialog box.

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.ShowModalDialog(Application.MainWindow, DialogObj)

to look like this as well as adding the PresentationCore reference.

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.ShowModalDialog(Application.MainWindow.Handle, DialogObj, False)

AutoCAD P&ID 2010 released

Still new AutoCAD 2010 based products are released. This time it is time for AutoCAD P&ID 2010. Wondering when AutoCAD Plant 3D 2010 will come…

There are project improvements, support for curved schematic lines, inline equipment, end connections for inline instruments and more as can be seen below.

Press release: Autodesk Announces Availability of AutoCAD P&ID 2010 Software

                       AutoCAD P&ID 2010: Autodesk today announced that it is
                       shipping AutoCAD P&ID 2010 software, the new release of
                       its software application built specifically for
                       creating, modifying, and managing piping and
                       instrumentation diagrams. Built on the AutoCAD 2010
                       platform, AutoCAD P&ID is familiar and easier to use,
                       allowing design and engineering teams to start working
                       with minimal training. Common tasks are more
                       streamlined and automated to help boost productivity,
                       while designers have easier access to more accurate
                       component and line information.

                       AutoCAD P&ID 2010 provides the following new features
                       to further enhance ease of use; help increase designer
                       productivity; and support information accuracy:

                       Project setup restricted access - The project
                       administrator or lead can restrict user access to
                       Project Setup using Microsoft Windows File Permissions.

                       Project specific tool palettes setup - Tool palette
                       groups may be associated with a specific project so
                       that all users access the standard set of symbols for
                       the project.  As each project may require specific sets
                       of symbols, AutoCAD may be used to create custom tool
                       palettes and groups.

                       Curved schematic lines - Polylines with arcs, filleted
                       polylines, and splines can be converted to form curved
                       SLINEs.  This feature is useful for showing tubing and
                       flexible hose piping.

                       Inline equipment - ISO and DIN Equipment such as pumps,
                       compressors, blowers, and filters can be inserted into
                       pipelines.  Equipment will break the pipeline into two
                       with different line numbers and be correctly oriented
                       along the proper flow direction.

                       End connections for inline instruments - End
                       connections - flanged, welded, socket welded, and
                       threaded, among others - can be applied on control
                       valves and inline instruments

                       Japanese Industrial Standard instrumentation symbols -
                       A Japan (metric) project template is available that
                       includes ISO and JIS Z 8204, the Japanese Industrial
                       Standard instrumentations symbols.

                       In addition to these productivity enhancements, AutoCAD
                       P&ID 2010 includes all the functionality of the new
                       AutoCAD 2010 platform and will integrate with the
                       forthcoming AutoCAD Plant 3D product.

                       Includes all functionality of new AutoCAD 2010 Platform
                       AutoCAD P&ID 2010 includes the intuitive interface and
                       all of the functionality of the new AutoCAD 2010
                       platform. AutoCAD 2010 enables designers to more easily
                       create innovative designs with the addition of new
                       free-form design tools and offers new PDF Import and
                       Underlay and other enhanced publishing features; new
                       parametric drawing tools; and 3D printing.

                       Integrated AutoCAD P&ID and AutoCAD Plant 3D
                       environment AutoCAD P&ID and the forthcoming AutoCAD
                       Plant 3D can share a single integrated project, making
                       data exchange smoother and more seamless.  Piping
                       designers can review AutoCAD P&ID data and
                       process designers can review AutoCAD Plant 3D data.
                       Both share a common user interface and components --
                       such as Project Manager and Data Manager -- making
                       learning and using easier.

Cascading sequence for Autodesk 2010 products

Here you find all about how the licenses of the product features cascade for network licenses (FLEXlm / FLEXnet).

Knowledge Base document: Cascading sequence for 2010 products

Unfortunately when you check the license status with LMTOOLS.EXE or LMUTIL.EXE you do not see what application the client really is using because of how FLEXnet reports cascading usage. This is also of course reflecting the result in JTB FlexReport. But if enough customers would find it useful to really see what application is using the license I will consider supporting it anyway. Let me know if you’re interested in this.

Here are some of them and several product names I’ve not seen before like “Autodesk Design Academy 2010”:

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Cascading Sequence:
AutoCAD Architecture 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Master Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Architecture and Engineering 2010
Autodesk Design Academy 2010

AutoCAD 2010 Cascading Sequence:
AutoCAD 2010
AutoCAD Mechanical 2010
AutoCAD Visualization Suite 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite 2010
Autodesk Building Fabrication Suite 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2010
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Master Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Architecture and Engineering 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Civil and Structural Engineering 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Industrial Design 2010
Autodesk Design Academy 2010

Navisworks Review 2010 Cascading Sequence:
Autodesk Navisworks Review 2010
Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2010
Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite 2010
Autodesk Building Fabrication Suite 2010

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Cascading Sequence:
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2010
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Master Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Architecture and Engineering 2010
Autodesk Design Academy 2010

Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 Cascading Sequence:
Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2010
Autodesk Building Fabrication Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Master Suite 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Architecture and Engineering 2010
Autodesk Education Suite for Civil and Structural Engineering 2010

For the 2010 products, the PLIST increment is no longer include in the license file but is now stored in a new external file named ProductInformation.pit. License files will still include PLIST increments for legacy products, however 2010 products will reference the ProductInformation.pit file for the required PLIST information. – read more on Without A Net

See also these posts that talks about cascading.

Network license news in AutoCAD 2009

AutoCAD 2007 and Network Licensing

PLIST increment in Autodesk license files

Navisworks 2010 video

The Navisworks products are great to use to coordinate, locate clashes and review larger projects.

Here is one about Navisworks for manufacturing

And one about Navisworks for the Architect

Via Beyond the Paper that now also posts about Navisworks besides DWF and Autodesk Design Review. I see several things that Navisworks has in common with Design Review and it would not surprise me to see them merge in the future.

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 stopped working at startup

I made an installation of ACA 2010 64-bit on Vista 64-bit and after after installation I could not start ACA. I tried to make a repair and still same problem.

It almost started ACA completely but then I got “AutoCAD Application has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.” I did not get any CER dialog after that. acad.exe just then silently crashed.

As I have Visual Studio 2008 I did also try the Debug option and after that I actually got a CER dialog. Other than that the only thing to do was Close program.

I tried the Process Monitor and identified that the last loaded ARX file was AcPEXCtl.arx so I renamed it and was able to launch ACA just fine.

Update. So much for this workaround. Today AutoCAD Architecture 2010 crashed again so it seem to not be related to this ARX file anyway.

Anyone knowing what AcPEXCtl.arx is and why this happens?

I noticed that if I got ACA running I could after that manually load AcPEXCtl.arx without any problem.

Update and my solution.

I tried with /nohardware switch and it didn’t work but when I also run it as administrator as well I got it running. After that I could start it as normal.

Disable Alt+Click for download in Firefox

I have not found a way to disable the Alt keyboard shortcut that activates a download of the link you click on. It can be a real file or even a html page. This is a timesaver when you quickly want to download files in Mozilla Firefox.

Why did I want to disable it then?

I have found that often the download is triggered unintentionally. Eventually I found that this happened accidentally if I clicked on a link and then after that quickly pressed Alt+Tab to switch to another application. Somehow pressing the Alt after clicking on the link also activated the download.

Here is the workaround that I found working after some research of the settings.

Enter about:config in the address field. about:config is where all user preferences can be viewed and modified in Firefox.

Locate browser.download.saveLinkAsFilenameTimeout and lower the value. I tried 100 milliseconds and have not seen any problems so far. If I run into problems I will try to set it a bit higher.

Some URLs use Content-Disposition headers to tell browsers what to use for a filename when saving a file. This filename may not match the URL. When choosing “Save Link As...” from a link’s context menu, Mozilla must request the URL to find out the filename from a Content-Disposition header. Since this is not as fast as merely using the URL itself to generate a filename, Mozilla will time out after a short time waiting for the headers. This preference determines that timeout.

Number of milliseconds to wait when retrieving the filename from Content-Disposition headers before resorting to the original URL’s filename. Default is 1000 (1 second).

Hopefully there is a better way as this workaround might have side effects when downloading some URLs.

Extract volume and vertex coordinates from 3Dsolids

This and more information can easily be extracted from AutoCAD DWG files. The process can be automated and exported into most custom formats based on user requirements. I just did a project like this using the Brep API for .NET that was added to AutoCAD 2009. I used AutoCAD 2010, Visual Studio 2008 and C# for this referencing C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2010\acdbmgdbrep.dll.

The 3dsolids are composed of Complexes, Shells, Faces, Loops and Edges.

The end of SDI for AutoCAD

The days are counted when it comes to having support for SDI (Single Document Interface) mode in AutoCAD according to Through the Interface: SDI, the end is nigh.

I do have a few AutoLISP based applications that require SDI set to 1 because it was an easy way to process multiple drawings. I will see if I will update the AutoLISP code or migrate it to .NET.

Sheet Set Manager Properties Editor 3.0 RC

The release candidate of SSMPropEditor 3.0 is available now. If you want to give it a try it would be appreciated and let me know any comments you have.

A lot of new features have been added.

• There is a Ribbon, Application Menu, Quick Access Toolbar.
• Increment values. Think of revisions for example. Even if you have different revisions on different sheets they will be incremented individually. You can even use custom incremental series if needed for each Sheet Set.
• Sheet Set Properties and Sheet Set Custom Properties can be edited.
• An option to always have a backup of the Sheet Set DST file created whenever you open a Sheet Set.
• Disable ToolTips if you want.
• Choose if you want to show properties as soon as you make a selection in the tree view or if you want to show them when you press the button. The reason there is a manual way is that it is quicker if you make large selections of sheets.
• Copy properties from one sheet to one or many other sheets, even between sheet sets. Check the “Show Copy Checkboxes” checkbox first and then select what properties you want to copy and paste.
• There is a button allowing you to paste the Sheet count of the Sheet Set into the currently selected property.
• Export data to a format that you can use in Excel for example.
• Create reports that you can print.
• Access to previously opened Sheet Sets.

Known issues that will be fixed before release.

• Make sure that not identically names are created if you select to copy and paste the Sheet number and title.
• Some Sheets Sets might result in a crash of the application. “The index must be greater than or equal to 0 and less than Count….”.

English version

http://www.jtbworld.com/download/SSMPropEditor_3.zip

German version

http://www.jtbworld.com/download/SSMPropEditor_3_de.zip

SSMPropEditor works even without having AutoCAD installed. It is compatible with all AutoCAD versions and verticals that uses the Sheet Set Manager or Project Manager. It has been tested with AutoCAD 2010 as well as Windows 7.

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free.

I hope you enjoy this new version and in a short while the final release will be available.

Unhandled e0434f4dh exception at 7c81eb33h solution

If you get this error Unhandled e0434f4dh exception at 7c81eb33h when after installation, you were able to start the product, but when you tried to execute a command or select one of the UI items, the product crashed and AutoCAD 2010 or AutoCAD 2011 based application you should try to repair or install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1.
Knowledge Base document: Unhandled exception when using AutoCAD 2010-based product

URL shortening dangers

With services like Twitter and other that shorten long URLs it’s easy for someone to send you to a “bad” or “dangerous” page or just to play a prank with you like RickRolling. What if a service like tr.im starts to display ads before redirecting you?

TinyURL offers their own preview feature as well as you can add preview to the link like this. If the link is http://tinyurl.com/c9hocr just change it to http://preview.tinyurl.com/c9hocr and you will find what the URL redirects to.

If you want support for other short URL services here are some other tips.

TinyURL Decoder that is a Greasemonkey for Firefox. It automatically convert short links from most short URL services. It is a bit of delay as the links are expanded after the page is loaded.

Here is how TinyURL Decoder works. Before and after.

 

No question of what I prefer.

Tin Foil Hat is another Greasemonkey script that instead shows the link in a tooltip.

Embiggen is also a Greasemonkey script that works with TinyURL.

LongURL supports several services and works in any browser. I got server timeout though when I tried it.

PrevURL but it was really slow when I tried it. But it should give a screenshot of the webpage in question.

And if you don’t like the URL small you can always try HugeURL.

Then on the topic, remember that you cannot be sure the URL shorteners are around in the future.

While writing this post I also found the post on url shorteners worth reading.

Do you have any good tips for this? Any script that works in Internet Explorer?

TreeTrim for Visual Studio project cleanup

TreeTrim can be useful if you want to cleanup your projects.

It's a tool that strips out debug files and folders in your source code tree and also zips and emails amongst other things.

You can either run it from the command line or from Windows Explorer. The setup program intalls context menu commands when right-clicking on folders in Windows Explorer.

See also the TreeTrim FAQ

In one project I had it cleaned out 30 MB. I tested on a Visual Studio 2008 VB.NET project on Windows 7 and it worked great.

Via Steve Dunn’s blogpost New tool: TreeTrim.

Online backup warning when it comes to restore data

Do you use or consider online backup? Here is something to consider. I think several backup services has this problem but I know by experience that Carbonite is one of them.

Carbonite is great at taking backups and just stay in the background doing its job but when it comes to restore data you might be in trouble. In my experience restoring a backup is very slow. Restoring some GB of data would probably take days and during that time in recovery mode you cannot have the backup running leaving you unsafe. Imagine you need to restore some specific folders only but you still want the backup to continue. This is not possible with Carbonite. (Update via comments: “In fact, this is very easy to do either through the Carbonite Backup Drive or through Restore Search without interrupting the backup.”)

If it just was slow but there is a more problematic lack of feature that makes it fail.

You cannot restore to a “state” at a specific date and time. Either everything is restored or you need to restore the files one by one. This is because Carbonite takes backup of files one by one and does not take into account the overall picture.

I will exemplify this with how the files are saved for Windows Live Writer.

In ..\Documents\My Weblog Posts there are two folders. “Drafts” and “Recent Posts”. The problem comes if you would want to restore the backup of the drafts. Say you make drafts once in a while that you work on. Some of the drafts are several months old and so on. If you with Carbonite would restore the whole Drafts folder you would maybe get hundreds of drafts, most of them you have already published. If you don’t know specifically when files you want to restore you might be in BIG trouble.

I can think of many scenarios when you would be in trouble restoring files with Carbonite. Say you have your Internet favorites folder. If you sometimes move favorites from one folder to another or delete some once in a while you can imagine the pain it would be to restore these from the backup.

Another problem with Carbonite is that there is no way to restore files via a web interface. Update thanks to a comment. It is indeed possible to restore via web now but limited to restore only one file at a time and only the latest version of a file.

If you are a programmer you can imagine that restoring for example a Visual Studio solution or project would be almost impossible.

Which files does Carbonite back up? is also important to read as not all files and file types are backed up by default.
Some of the file types are: .BAK .CHM, .COM, .CUR, .DLL, .EXE, .ICO and so on. There should really be an option to easily specify what “non default” filetypes to allow to be backed up.
One thing I miss is that Carbonite does not backup LNK files (shortcuts) at all.
Larger files than 4GB must be manually selected to be backed up.

One online backup that does not have this problem is Mozy. Mozy takes a snapshot of everything that will be backed up and you can select to restore files that existed in a folder at a specific date and time.

Do you know other online backup solutions that handles restore in a good way?

MetaDraw review

I tested MetaDraw from Bennet-Tec some time ago. Unfortunately I have not had time to do a in depth test or use it in some real development so this is quite brief.

MetaDraw is available as either ActiveX or .NET WinForms component for creating drawings, diagrams, image annotations. MetaDraw has optional DXF support (import and export) making it possible to display and convert 2D CAD drawings for example from AutoCAD. I was able to save a complex drawing in AutoCAD 2010 to DXF 2010 format and view and edit it with MetaDraw.

If you have the need to display images in raster or vector format, convert between formats, support zoom and pan, edit and add labels, annotations and the like MetaDraw is worth looking at.

With MetaDraw you can include basic CAD functionality in your software like editing objects and even have links between object making it easy to make diagrams. The API is extensive so you can do quite a lot of things with it. Several code examples are available and together with the documentation you should be up and running quickly.

If you have Internet Explorer (ActiveX required) you can try these demos directly in the web browser. Online Drawing, HotSpots Demo, Puzzle Sample and MD Map Demo.

The MetaDraw product have been around many years continually being improved upon. The latest version when writing this was released in March 2009. I tested using Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Vista as well as Windows 7.

This animated GIF is created when I try one of the sample applications that shows the functionality to link objects.

MetaDraw .NET 2.0 is a 32-bit DLL so it can not be used in 64-bit applications even though it can be used in 64 bit environments if the application is 32-bit.

Disclaimer. I was offered a free license with no strings attached.

Autodesk Exchange design contest in 3D

Something to check out if you want to make a design in 3D using AutoCAD 2010.

The AutoCAD 2010 "General Shadowfinger Benign Design Contest" ("Contest") is a skill-based contest allowing eligible entrants to compete for the opportunity to have their design selected as the "Top Rated AutoCAD 2010 Free-Form 3D Design". Entries must be a DWG file which utilizes the free-form 3D design functionality available in AutoCAD 2010. Entrants will submit their original designs for judging according to the criteria listed in Paragraph 5 below. Additionally, the first 100 entries will win a prize for participation.

The Contest is open only to (a) individuals or sole proprietors who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia; or (b) privately held businesses that are legally domiciled in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Entrants must be legal residents of one of the 50 United States of America or Washington, D.C.

So you wont see any entry from me.

More on the contest here.

Previous post on Autodesk Exchange. Now they just need to fix the login to remember the login password.

Scripting on remote computers

Here is a great blog post by Dave: Scripting with Glue and Tape. It shows how you for example can execute batch script on a list of remote computers.

Autodesk Product Manager Utility BIN file updated

With a lot of new 2010 releases the BIN file has been updated.

Knowledge Base document: Updated BIN file for Autodesk Product Manager Utility where you can download the latest AdpmProducts.bin file.

Did you know that you can modify the bin file to report on other products than Autodesk products? Open it in XML Notepad as it is an XML file and you can figure out the logic.

The Autodesk Product Manager now searches for the following Autodesk® software products in your network:

AutoCAD® software:
AutoCAD 2010
AutoCAD 2009
AutoCAD 2008
AutoCAD 2007
AutoCAD 2006
AutoCAD 2005
AutoCAD 2004
AutoCAD 2002
AutoCAD 2000i
AutoCAD 2000
AutoCAD R14.01
AutoCAD R14.0

AutoCAD® Express Tools software:
Express Tools Vol 9 for AutoCAD
Express Tools for Mechanical Desktop 6
Express Tools for Mechanical Desktop 5
Express Tools for Mechanical Desktop 4
Express Tools for Mechanical Desktop 3
Express Tools for Autodesk Map 5
Express Tools for Autodesk Land Desktop 3
Express Tools for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3
Express Tools for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3
Express Tools for AutoCAD R14.01
Express Tools for AutoCAD R14.0
Express Tools for AutoCAD Mechanical 6
Express Tools for AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i
Express Tools for AutoCAD Mechanical 2000
Express Tools for AutoCAD Map R3
Express Tools for AutoCAD Map R2
Express Tools for AutoCAD Map 2000i
Express Tools for AutoCAD Map 2000
Express Tools for AutoCAD Land Development Desktop R2
Express Tools for AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2i
Express Tools for AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2
Express Tools for AutoCAD Land Development Desktop
Express Tools for AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2i
Express Tools for AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2
Express Tools for AutoCAD 2002
Express Tools for AutoCAD 2000i
Express Tools for AutoCAD 2000

AutoCAD LT® software:
AutoCAD LT 2010
AutoCAD LT 2009
AutoCAD LT 2008
AutoCAD LT 2007
AutoCAD LT 2006
AutoCAD LT 2005
AutoCAD LT 2004
AutoCAD LT 2002
AutoCAD LT 2000i
AutoCAD LT 2000
AutoCAD LT 98
AutoCAD LT 97

Autodesk® Map software:
AutoCAD Map Release 2.0
AutoCAD Map R3
AutoCAD Map 3D 2010
AutoCAD Map 3D 2009
AutoCAD Map 3D 2008
AutoCAD Map 2000i
AutoCAD Map 2000
Autodesk Map 6
Autodesk Map 5
Autodesk Map 3D 2007
Autodesk Map 3D 2006
Autodesk Map 3D 2005
Autodesk Map 2004

AutoCAD® Mechanical software:
AutoCAD Mechanical 2010
AutoCAD Mechanical 2009
AutoCAD Mechanical 2008
AutoCAD Mechanical 2007
AutoCAD Mechanical 2006
AutoCAD Mechanical 2005
AutoCAD Mechanical 2004
AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i
AutoCAD Mechanical 2000
AutoCAD Mechanical 6

AutoCAD® Electrical software:
AutoCAD Electrical 2010
AutoCAD Electrical 2009
AutoCAD Electrical 2008
AutoCAD Electrical 2007
AutoCAD Electrical 2006
AutoCAD Electrical 2005
AutoCAD Electrical 2004

Autodesk Inventor® software:
Autodesk Inventor 2010
Autodesk Inventor 13.0
Autodesk Inventor 12.0
Autodesk Inventor 11.0
Autodesk Inventor 10.0
Autodesk Inventor 9.0
Autodesk Inventor 7.0
Autodesk Inventor 6.0
Autodesk Inventor 5.0
Autodesk Inventor 4.0
Autodesk Inventor 3.0
Autodesk Inventor 2.0
Autodesk Inventor 1.0
Autodesk Inventor Plug-in

Autodesk® Architectural Desktop software:
AutoCAD Architecture 2010
AutoCAD Architecture 2009
AutoCAD Architecture 2008
AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2i
AutoCAD Architectural Desktop 2
AutoCAD Architectural Desktop
Autodesk Architectural Studio 3
Autodesk Architectural Studio 1
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2005
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004
Autodesk Building Mechanical 2
Autodesk Building Mechanical 1
Autodesk Building Electrical 2
Autodesk Building Electrical 1

Autodesk® Mechanical Desktop® software:
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2008
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2007
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2006
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2005
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2004
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 6
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 5
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 4
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 3

Autodesk® Land Desktop software:
AutoCAD Land Development Desktop R2
AutoCAD Land Development Desktop R1
AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2i
AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2
AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008
Autodesk Land Desktop 2007
Autodesk Land Desktop 2006
Autodesk Land Desktop 2005
Autodesk Land Desktop 2004
Autodesk Land Desktop 3

Autodesk® Survey software:
Autodesk Survey R2
Autodesk Survey R1
Autodesk Survey 3
Autodesk Survey 2i
Autodesk Survey 2007
Autodesk Survey 2006
Autodesk Survey 2005
Autodesk Survey 2004

Autodesk® Field Survey software:
Autodesk Field Survey

Autodesk® Civil Design software:
Autodesk Civil Design R2
Autodesk Civil Design R1
Autodesk Civil Design 3
Autodesk Civil Design 2i
Autodesk Civil Design 2007
Autodesk Civil Design 2006
Autodesk Civil Design 2005
Autodesk Civil Design 2004
Autodesk Civil Series 2004
Autodesk Civil 3D 2007
Autodesk Civil 3D 2006
Autodesk Civil 3D 2005
Autodesk Civil 3D 2004
AutoCAD Civil 3D Land Desktop Companion 2009
AutoCAD Civil 3D Land Desktop Companion 2008
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008
AutoCAD Civil 2010

Autodesk CAD Overlay® software:
Autodesk CAD Overlay 2002
Autodesk CAD Overlay 2000i
Autodesk CAD Overlay 2000
Autodesk CAD Overlay Release 14.01
Autodesk CAD Overlay Release 14

3D Studio MAX® software:
3D Studio MAX R4
3D Studio MAX R3
3D Studio MAX R2

3D Studio VIZ® software:
3D Studio VIZ R3.0
3D Studio VIZ R2

Volo(tm) View software:
Volo View 2
Volo View 1.13
Volo View 1.12
Volo View 1.11
Volo View 1.10
Volo View 1.00

Volo(tm) View Express software:
Volo View Express 2
Volo View Express 1.14
Volo View Express 1.13
Volo View Express 1.11
Volo View Express

Autodesk® Object Enabler software:
Architectural Object Enabler 3.30
Architectural Object Enabler 3.02
Architectural Object Enabler 3.01
Architectural Object Enabler 3
Architectural Object Enabler 2.53i
Mechanical/Electrical Object Enabler 2
Mechanical/Electrical Object Enabler 1
Mechanical Desktop Object Enabler 6
Mechanical Desktop Object Enabler 5
Mechanical Desktop Object Enabler 4
Mechanical Desktop Object Enabler 2004
Land Object Enabler 3.0
Land Object Enabler 2i
Land Object Enabler 2.51i
Autodesk Wipeout Object Enabler
AutoCAD 2002 Associative Dimensioning Object Enabler
Autodesk Building Systems 2004 Object Enabler
Autodesk Architectural 2004 Object Enabler
Autodesk AEC Object Enabler 2.11
Autodesk AEC Object Enabler 2.1
Autodesk AEC Object Enabler 2.01
Autodesk AEC Object Enabler 2.0
Autodesk AEC Object Enabler 1.22

Autodesk® Extension software:
Mechanical Desktop 5 Extensions
Autodesk Vertical Alignment Editor Extension
Autodesk Tool Palettes Extension
Autodesk Standards Monitoring Extension
Autodesk Reference Manager Extension
Autodesk Productivity Enhancement Extension
Autodesk Productivity and Presentation Extension
Autodesk Polygon and Advanced Oracle Extension
Autodesk Mechanical productivity extension
Autodesk LandXML Report Extension
Autodesk i-drop Enhancer Extension
Autodesk Electronic Plotting Extension
Autodesk Digital Signature Extension
Autodesk Design Publishing Extension
Autodesk CAD Manager's Extension
Autodesk Associative QDIM Extension
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 Extensions
Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2i Extensions
AutoCAD Mechanical 2000i Extensions
AutoCAD Mechanical 2000 Extensions
AutoCAD Map 2000i Extensions
AutoCAD Land Development Desktop 2i Extensions
AutoCAD 2000i Extensions
AutoCAD 2000 Extensions

Raster Design software:
Raster Design 2010 for Autodesk Topobase 2010
Raster Design 2010 for Autodesk Map 2010
Raster Design 2010 for Autodesk Civil 3D 2010
Raster Design 2010 for AutoCAD MEP 2010
Raster Design 2010 for AutoCAD Mechanical 2010
Raster Design 2010 for AutoCAD Electrical 2010
Raster Design 2010 for AutoCAD Architecture 2010
Raster Design 2010 for AutoCAD 2010
Raster Design 2009 for AutoCAD 2009
Raster Design 2008 for AutoCAD 2008
Raster Design 2007 for Mechanical Desktop 2007
Raster Design 2007 for Autodesk Map 3D 2007
Raster Design 2007 for Autodesk Land Desktop 2007
Raster Design 2007 for Autodesk Civil 3D 2007
Raster Design 2007 for Autodesk Building Systems 2007
Raster Design 2007 for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007
Raster Design 2007 for AutoCAD Mechanical 2007
Raster Design 2007 for AutoCAD 2007
Raster Design 2006 for Mechanical Desktop 2006
Raster Design 2006 for Autodesk Map 3D 2006
Raster Design 2006 for Autodesk Land Desktop 2006
Raster Design 2006 for Autodesk Building Systems 2006
Raster Design 2006 for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006
Raster Design 2006 for AutoCAD Mechanical 2006
Raster Design 2006 for AutoCAD 2006
Raster Design 2005 for Mechanical Desktop 2005
Raster Design 2005 for Autodesk Map 3D 2005
Raster Design 2005 for Autodesk Land Desktop 2005
Raster Design 2005 for Autodesk Building Systems 2005
Raster Design 2005 for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2005
Raster Design 2005 for AutoCAD Mechanical 2005
Raster Design 2005 for AutoCAD 2005
Raster Design 2004 for Mechanical Desktop 2004
Raster Design 2004 for Autodesk Map 2004
Raster Design 2004 for Autodesk Land Desktop 2004
Raster Design 2004 for Autodesk Building Systems 2004
Raster Design 2004 for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004
Raster Design 2004 for AutoCAD Mechanical 2004
Raster Design 2004 for AutoCAD 2004
Raster Design 3 for Mechanical Desktop 6
Raster Design 3 for Autodesk Map 5
Raster Design 3 for Autodesk Land Desktop 3
Raster Design 3 for Autodesk Building Mechanical
Raster Design 3 for Autodesk Building Electrical
Raster Design 3 for Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3
Raster Design 3 for AutoCAD Mechanical 6
Raster Design 3 for AutoCAD 2002

Autodesk® Revit software:
Autodesk Revit Systems
Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
Autodesk Revit Structure 2009
Autodesk Revit Structure 2008
Autodesk Revit Structure 3
Autodesk Revit Structure 2
Autodesk Revit Structure
Autodesk Revit MEP 2010
Autodesk Revit MEP 2009
Autodesk Revit MEP 2008
Autodesk Revit Building 9.1
Autodesk Revit Building 9
Autodesk Revit Building 8.1
Autodesk Revit Building 8
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2009
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2008
Autodesk Revit 7.0
Autodesk Revit 6.1
Autodesk Revit 6.0
Autodesk Revit 5.1
Autodesk Revit 5.0
Autodesk Revit 4.5

Autodesk® Topobase software:
Autodesk Topobase web 2010
Autodesk Topobase web 2009
Autodesk Topobase web 2008
Autodesk Topobase Client 2010
Autodesk Topobase Client 2009
Autodesk Topobase Client 2008
Autodesk Topobase Client 2007
Autodesk Topobase Administrator 2010
Autodesk Topobase Administrator 2009
Autodesk Topobase Administrator 2008

Autodesk® MapGuide software:
Autodesk MapGuide Web 2009
Autodesk MapGuide Web 2008
Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2010
Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2009
Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2008
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2010
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2009
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008

Autodesk® Navisworks software:
Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2010
Autodesk Navisworks Review 2010
Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2010
Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2010

3ds Max software:
3ds Max Design 2010
3ds Max 9
3ds Max 8
3ds Max 7
3ds Max 6
3ds Max 2010
3ds Max 2009
3ds Max 2008

Autodesk® Building Systems software:
Autodesk Building Systems 3
Autodesk Building Systems 2007.1
Autodesk Building Systems 2007
Autodesk Building Systems 2006
Autodesk Building Systems 2005
Autodesk Building Systems 2004

DWG TrueView software:
DWG TrueView 2010
DWG TrueView 2009
DWG TrueView 2008
DWG TrueView 2007
DWG TrueConvert

Autodesk® VIZ software:
Autodesk VIZ 4
Autodesk VIZ 2008
Autodesk VIZ 2007
Autodesk VIZ 2006
Autodesk VIZ 2005

AutoCAD® P&ID software:
AutoCAD P&ID 2010
AutoCAD P&ID 2009
AutoCAD P&ID 2008
AutoCAD P&ID 2007

Other Autodesk® software:
Autodesk DWF Composer 1
Autodesk DWF Composer 2
Autodesk DWF Viewer 7
Autodesk DWG Viewer
Autodesk Design Review 2010
Autodesk Design Review 2009
Autodesk Design Review 2007
Autodesk Digital Signature Verifier
Autodesk DirectConnect 2010
Autodesk Express Viewer
Autodesk Impression 3
Autodesk Opticore Studio Professional 2010
Autodesk Productstream Professional 2010 client
Autodesk Productstream Professional 2010 server
Autodesk Publish to Architectural Studio Application
Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010
Autodesk Road Output Extension
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis 2010
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2010
Autodesk Showcase 2010
Autodesk SketchBook Pro 2010
Autodesk Utility Design 2009
Autodesk Vault Manufacturing 2010

AutoCAD LT screensaver

I was visiting the Swedish Autodesk website and found a link to an AutoCAD LT screensaver.

Warning! It is pretty boring one so I cannot recommend it. It tells about LT being number one and with 3.8 million users. And it is for AutoCAD LT 2009 so I guess it has been around for a while.

The idea of a screensaver is not a bad one so maybe they can make a more flashy one next time.

Here is the http://www.autodesk.se/autocadltscreensaver.

I then found on the UK site that it was there too.

http://www.autodesk.co.uk and its http://www.autodesk.co.uk/autocadltscreensaver.

Update: the links for the screensaver are no longer working.

Autodesk Assistance Program

The Autodesk Assistance Program is designed to help displaced employees update their skills and improve their employability in a down economy.

The program offers:

• Free Software License*: Any student license of AutoCAD®, Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional, and/or AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software.
• Free Online Training: On-demand training available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Reduced-Cost Classroom Training:  Many Autodesk Authorized Value Added Resellers and Autodesk Training Center (ATC®) partners are offering classroom  training at their training facilities for free or for a significantly reduced fee.  (Offerings will vary, please check with your local reseller or ATC to get details)
• Certification: Certification preparation and exams available at discounted rates.

*13 month term license subject to the educational license terms and conditions.

Not sure though if this is available in all countries or not.

Via Develop3D

AutoCAD and DWG viruses made in VBA or AutoLISP

According to this Knowledge Base document: AutoCAD and Viruses “The two main types of viruses that can affect AutoCAD are VBA macros embedded in drawing files and AutoLISP that runs automatically when a drawing is opened.” The document also describes some ways to protect against potential viruses or malicious code.

It would also be possible that a virus comes through other means like ARX or DLL files possibly in combination with EXE, BAT, CMD or VBS files that could register the files to make them load automatically.

Personally I have never run in run into any AutoCAD related virus or malware. Probably because they are not that common.

ACAD.Star was probably the first VBA virus for AutoCAD and was discovered in 2000 by Kaspersky more than a year after the AutoCAD 2000 version was released.

Another way to get infected is if you download a cracked AutoCAD version that is injected with a virus or worm.

AL/Bursted-Fam is a family of AutoCAD LISP (AutoLISP) virus. If an infected file is received as ACAD.LSP and an AutoCAD Drawing is loaded from the same folder the virus becomes resident within AutoCAD. AL/Bursted-Fam edits the existing global ACAD.LSP or creates one to load  itself at AutoCAD startup from another LSP file in the same folder. When an AutoCAD drawing (DWG file) is editted an ACAD.LSP will be created in the same folder as the drawing. – Sophos. Another one is AL/Billy-A

One good thing with AutoCAD 2010 is that VBA is not even installed as default and eventually VBA will not be available for AutoCAD at all. :)

Microsoft’s modular containers

Having worked with similar concept at Pharmadule Emtunga and Flexenclosure I wanted to share this on Microsoft Generation 4.0 Data Center Vision. Wondering what CAD software they used for the animations…