Why no download for 64-bit AutoCAD trial?

I just helped a friend with finding a download for the trial of AutoCAD 64-bit and found that it was not available.

Location Error - Trial Download Request
Trial Not Available
This trial program is not available in some countries.

Still it was tried to be downloaded from US. The download page said “This offer is valid only in the United States and Canada.” but still it did not work.

So, this is hopefully a temporary bug but how about downloads from other countries?

After a short search I found that UK and Ireland and Sweden had downloads available from the local Autodesk sites and this might be true for other countries as well. Hope so.

On the topic of downloads:

Autodesk just introduced a New Upgrade Delivery Policy.

Starting in 2010, software download will become the default method for delivering software upgrades to Subscription customers in 37 participating countries. Subscription customers in these countries will no longer receive boxed shipments unless specifically requested; instead, they will receive an email notification that their upgrade is available to download.

One of the reasons mentioned is:

Sustainability—Because there’s no printing, packaging, or shipping, it’s a more sustainable choice.

Licensing error 1.5.-15 in Network License Manager

When you started the network version of AutoCAD 2009 or AutoCAD 2010 on a Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7 workstation, you received licensing error 1.5.-15.

Basically the solution is to open Local Area Connection Properties dialog box and clear the "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" check box. Hopefully a better solution will come as IPv6 might be needed eventually.

Knowledge Base document has all details: Licensing error 1.5.-15 when running the Network License Manager on Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7

Here is another identical error but another solution: AutoCAD 2007 network license manager Error 1.5.-15

How to sync block attribute values with a database using ACAD_db

This tutorial will guide you through the steps on how to use ACAD_db to synchronize AutoCAD attribute values in a title block with a database. Use this tutorial together with the ACAD_db documentation. Download ACAD_db_example.zip to follow along and test for yourself.

Contact us to get a time limited license of ACAD_db for free.

List the title block to find the following information that needed.

Block Name: "ISO A1 title block"
Attribute tags:
CHECKED_BY
OWNER
DESIGNED_BY
FILENAME
DRAWING_NUMBER
APPROVED_BY_DATE
TITLE
DATE
EDITION
SHEET
SCALE

Copy the Access database template ACAD_db_EmptyTemplate.mdb that is included with ACAD_db and name it ACAD_db_Sheets.mdb. Because read and write access is needed for the MDB file it can be a good idea to not save it in the Program Files folder structure as it is often restricted to read-only.

Copy ACAD_db_samples.UDL and name it ACAD_db_Sheets.UDL and place it in AutoCAD’s Data Sources Location (Options>Files). Double click on the file and edit the path to the location of ACAD_db_Sheets.mdb.

Open ACAD_db_Sheets.mdb and then table JTBW_AttSync.

Add the information about the title block. The attribute DRAWING_NUMBER contains a field so SyncDir is set to DWGtoDB while other fields can be synchronized both ways.

 
In the column DBConnection there is the name of the data source followed by the table name followed by the field name separated with an exclamation character.

Here is what the table TitleBlock look like in the included in  ACAD_db_example.zip. Notice the mandatory fields DBID, DWG, Handle and BlockName.

In AutoCAD make sure JTB.ACADdbMgd.dll is loaded using one of the options specified in the documentation.

Run the AcDbSettings command and specify the name of the data source to be used. This should match the name of the UDL file that should be located in the Data Sources Location found running OPTIONS.

For each drawing that should be synchronized with the database run the command AcDbMake to make the connection. This needs only to be done once per drawing.

Make changes to the title block.

Save and Close the drawing. Open the database and verify that the table TitleBlock is populated with the attribute values.

Make a change in the database on one or many values.

The changes are seen when the drawing is opened.

Any type of block with attribute can be synchronized with ACAD_db in this same manner. There can be for example one title block on multiple layouts in one drawing or it can be blocks that represent building elements or schematic symbols. The choice is yours.

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