Monday, August 27, 2012

JTB FlexReport 7.1 introduces MathLM monitoring

JTB World’s license report product JTB FlexReport is updated to version 7.1 and there are some news, performance improvements and a lot of fixes included so it is strongly recommended to upgrade. MathLM license usage reporting is now supported. MathLM (Mathematica license manager) administers licenses for organizations running multiple instances of Wolfram Mathematica with a network license.

Downloads here. See also the Upgrade tips. Customers with maintenance have access to this release at no extra cost.

See the revision history for more details on this release.

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free. You can try it in your environment with your real data for a few weeks with full functionality.
Full support is provided during trial period.

About JTB FlexReport: JTB FlexReport is a report and monitoring tool for applications using the FlexNet / FLEXlm (flexlm license manager), IBM LUM (IBM License Use Management), SPLM (Intergraph SmartPlant License Manager), SLM/Sentinel LM/Sentinel RMS, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Vertex Systems, MathLM (Mathematica), Primavera from Oracle or 12D software licensing. With Process Monitor any Windows application like Acrobat, Visio, Bentley MicroStation, single licensed AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT can be reported usage of.

See also: JTB FlexReport 7.0 Introduces Automatic Chart Creation, Autodesk Network License Manager for 2013 products and Software Vendor Audits are Increasing as well as the guide to Autodesk Network License Manager (FlexNet).

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Fatal error after applying AutoCAD 2013 SP1

You might want to wait a bit to apply AutoCAD 2013 SP1. I have not had any problems so far myself though.

Fatal error after applying Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013

You are encountering this issue due to a problem with Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013.  We are actively working on resolving this issue. It is recommended that you uninstall Service Pack 1 until further notice. TS20364390

UPDATE: AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.1

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

AutoLISP and VBA Security Controls in AutoCAD 2013 SP1

AutoCAD 2013 was just updated with AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1 and here are more details from Autodesk Knowledge Base TS20327810:

Due to the appearance of malicious applications that use AutoLISP® and VBA, Autodesk is providing controls for several new security measures with Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD® 2013. Equivalent service packs for AutoCAD-based vertical applications will also be released.

These new controls affect the following products when Service Pack 1 is installed:

  • AutoCAD 2013
  • AutoCAD® 2013 for Mac®
  • AutoCAD 2013-based vertical applications

AutoCAD LT® does not run AutoLISP or VBA applications and does not require these security measures.

What the New Controls Do

The new controls provide the following security measures:

  • Minimize the possibility of loading and running unauthorized or malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications by controlling the folder location from which AutoLISP and VBA applications are automatically loaded (AUTOLOADPATH system variable).
  • Limit the impact of malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications by disabling autoloading of default AutoLISP and VBA applications (AUTOLOAD system variable).
  • Facilitate the cleanup process by completely disabling AutoLISP at startup (/nolisp startup switch).

Control AutoLoading by Specifying a Folder Location

The AUTOLOADPATH system variable controls the folders from which AutoCAD automatically loads the following AutoLISP and VBA files:

  • acad.lsp
  • acad.fas
  • acad.vlx
  • acaddoc.lsp
  • acaddoc.fas
  • acaddoc.vlx
  • acad.dvb

The default value of AUTOLOADPATH is the empty string ("") or period (.). When set to either of these values, autoloading follows legacy behavior. It automatically loads the listed files without restrictions in the following order:

  1. The AutoCAD startup folder
  2. The folder of the current drawing
  3. The folders in the AutoCAD Support Files search path

This default setting is not recommended, because malicious applications can anticipate the folders listed above.

To minimize the possibility of loading a malicious application, always set the AUTOLOADPATH system variable to the unique folder where your authorized applications are located.

To specify multiple folders, use a semicolon as the separator. The value of AUTOLOADPATH is saved in each named profile.

Note: To enable the autoloading changes to acad.dvb, uninstall the original AutoCAD 2013 VBA Enabler, and download and install the latest AutoCAD 2013 VBA module that was updated for the changes made in Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD 2013.

Control Autoloading of AutoLISP and VBA Applications

To control whether AutoLISP applications and acad.dvb is automatically loaded at startup, use the AUTOLOAD system variable:

  • Setting AUTOLOAD to 0 prevents the previously listed AutoLISP files and acad.dvb from being automatically loaded, which is useful for debugging.
  • Setting AUTOLOAD to 1 restores the autoloading behavior, which now depends on the value of the AUTOLOADPATH system variable.

Disable Loading All AutoLISP Applications

To prevent loading any AutoLISP applications, use the /nolisp startup switch to disable AutoLISP in the current AutoCAD session, including all LSP, FAS, and VLX files.

If your system has already been impacted by a malicious application, this option helps you debug and clean up your installation and any impacted files.

The read-only LISPENABLED system variable reports whether AutoLISP is enabled in the current AutoCAD session. If LISPENABLED is 0, AutoLISP has been disabled by the /nolisp startup switch.

Note: Disabling AutoLISP also prevents the Express Tools and some AutoCAD command tools from functioning and should only be used in emergency situations.

For more information on how to use startup switches refer to the solution, Startup switches for AutoCAD.

Changes to acad2013.lsp and acad2013doc.lsp Autoloading Behavior

The acad2013.lsp and acad2013doc.lsp files will now be loaded only from their default installation folders:

<installation folder>\Support
<installation folder>\Support\<language>

Changes to the Options Dialog Box

The “Load acad.lsp with every drawing” checkbox on the System tab of the Options dialog box (ACADLSPASDOC system variable) is disabled when AUTOLOAD or LISPENABLED has a value of 0.

For more information about these controls see the readme forAutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.

Recommended Setup and Repair Workflow

For the best protection from malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications set AUTOLOADPATH to a unique folder location and set AUTOLOAD to 1.

If your installation has already been impacted by a malicious application that runs on startup, following these general steps:

  1. Start your AutoCAD-based product with the /nolisp switch.
  2. Find and remove all malicious code.
  3. Repair any affected files.
  4. Set AUTOLOADPATH to a unique folder location and set AUTOLOAD to 1.

After taking these steps, you can remove the /nolisp startup switch from the shortcut properties of the program’s desktop icon, and resume the normal operation of your AutoCAD-based application.

See also ACAD/Medre.A Malware AutoCAD AutoLISP Malware!

UPDATE: AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.1

AutoCAD 2013 SP1 & AutoCAD LT 2013 SP1

AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1 is now available as well as AutoCAD LT 2013 SP1.

UPDATE: AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.1

As a result of recent ACAD/Medre.A Malware AutoCAD AutoLISP Malware! and other appearances of malicious applications Autodesk has introduced options to control the operation of AutoLISP and VBA applications in AutoCAD. Worth noting is that if you use VBA consider to download and install the latest AutoCAD 2013 VBA module that was updated for the changes made in Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD 2013. See reasons why further down.

_VERNUM is now “G.112.0.0 (UNICODE)” (without SP1 it is “G.55.0.0 (UNICODE)”)

Here is what Autodesk has to say about it and where you can download it for AutoCAD as well as download it for AutoCAD LT:

You can apply this update to AutoCAD 2013 running on all supported operating systems and languages. Consult the readme file for installation instructions and more details on the primary issues resolved by this update. Be sure to install the correct update (32-bit or 64-bit) for your software and operating system.
This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD 2013 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD 2013 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites.

  • AutoCAD Design Suite 2013
  • Autodesk Building Design Suite 2013
  • Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2013
  • Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2013
  • Autodesk Plant Design Suite 2013
  • Autodesk Product Design Suite 2013

NOTE: You can also use Autodesk Exchange to install the Live Update Maintenance Patches, which will automatically show the correct Service Pack for your product.

For Windows 7 users: When you apply this Service Pack while running AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, do not click the "Automatically close applications and attempt to restart them after setup is complete" option. Instead, close AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT manually, and click the "Do not close applications. (A Reboot may be required.)" option in the dialog box. It is recommended that you reboot your system after installing the Service Pack.

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

As a result of detailed information from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting Utility, a number of problems were identified and fixed. Updates have been made in the following commands and features:

3D Navigation Tools

  • Unexpected exit while panning.
  • Occasional crash related to navigating in 3D drawing.

3D Modeling

  • Occasional crash while selecting a face during a Presspull operation.
  • Crash when opening multiple 3D drawings containing a large number of 3D objects.

Autodesk 360

  • Crash in Japanese AutoCAD when logging into Autodesk 360 from the Options dialog box.
  • Occasional crash when opening a drawing that contains xrefs, when logged in to Autodesk 360.

CUI (Customize User Interface)

  • Occasional crash while loading a custom CUI file.
  • Unhandled exception occurs while clicking the Customize button from Quick Properties palette on a computer running .NET 4.5.

Design Center

  • Occasional crash while working with DesignCenter.

DGN Support

  • Fatal error when attaching or importing certain DGN files.

Dimensions

  • Crash after undoing the creation of a non-associative continued or non-associative baseline dimension.

Hatch

  • Occasional crash while zooming during Hatchedit.

InfoCenter

  • Crash when clicking any option from the Stay Connected button in the title bar when no drawings are open.

Inquiry

  • Crash while calculating area of a polyline that contains at least one segment that has been reduced to zero length.

Plot

  • Occasional crash while plotting to PDF.
  • Crash while plotting to a PDF file and the PDF driver is not present.

Point Cloud

  • Crash if the PCG file used to create a point cloud object does not exist.

Express Tools

  • Occasional crash during a MOCORO (Move/Copy/Rotate) command.

Startup

  • Crash due to corrupt graphics cache files on startup.
  • Crash occurs while canceling a LISP routine that runs at program startup.

General

  • Crash on undo/redo after adding 256 or more objects to a group.
  • Crash while switching IME language for double-byte characters, when Dynmode is turned off.
  • Crash on viewing thumbnail in AutoCAD 2012 when installed side-by-side with AutoCAD 2013.
  • Occasional crash when exploding splines created by third-party applications.
  • Crash when AutoCAD exits on computers running .NET 4.5.

General Service Pack Updates

The following defects have been fixed:

3D Navigation Tools

  • The Keep Scene Upright option in the 3DConnexion Settings dialog box cannot not be changed.

3D Modeling

  • Issue with the centroid computation for 3D solids.

Action Recorder

  • Action macros recorded in previous releases are not working correctly in AutoCAD 2013.

Autodesk 360

  • Pressing F1 does not display Help for the ONLINESYNCSETTINGS dialog box.
  • Drawing files with names containing language-specific characters do not get saved to Autodesk 360.
  • User is not automatically logged in when launching Autodesk 360 from the AutoCAD ribbon.
  • Sometimes the Share Drawing dialog box opens behind the main application window.

Customization Sync

  • Customization Sync progress animation runs continuously.
  • Customization Sync does not sync new custom commands in tool palettes.

DGN Support

  • Export to DGN does not use the Global Origin specified in the seed file.
  • The DGNIMPORTUNITCONVERSION system variable is missing in AutoCAD LT.

Display Drivers

  • Integrated chipsets are unable to return available video memory correctly.
  • When using COPYCLIP and PASTECLIP on a 64-bit operating system, you might see the object color change from the original color.

Dimensions

  • Existing drawings lose Qleader settings when edited in AutoCAD 2013.
  • Dimensions created using the Perpendicular object snap will shift when the drawing geometry is moved, copied, or otherwise modified.

External Reference (XREF)

  • External reference drawings (XREFs) show as unresolved in AutoCAD 2013.

Hatch

  • The Hatch Preview option is not available from the context menu when creating a hatch.

Field

  • An object's angular property uses linear format instead of angular format in the Field dialog box.

MLeader

  • Multileaders incorrectly display a dot at the content block's insertion point.
  • If the Extend Leaders to Text option is turned on, the text in multileaders moves if the drawing is opened or edited in AutoCAD 2013.

Modify

  • The SCALE command gets cancelled while dragging when small scale factor is acquired with object snap turned on.

PDF Export

  • Plotting to a PDF file with a plot style causes wipeouts to appear black.

Performance

  • Slow performance while running a large script.
  • Slow performance while creating Layers quickly.

Plot

  • Using Plot Preview turns the Command window back on.

Properties Palette

  • When an object is selected, the tooltip is missing in the Properties Palette for the following languages: Traditional Chinese, Czech, Russian, and Hungarian.

Ribbon

  • The Visibility drop-down control on the Block Editor Ribbon is not working properly when property preview is enabled.

Selection

  • Pressing Shift with a window selection fails to remove multiple Drawing Views from the selection set on a layout.

Sheet Set Manager

  • A high network utilization will result with the SMB V2 (Server Message Block) protocol while working with the Sheet Set Manager.

Visual Lisp

  • Menucmd does not display the drop-down menu when the Command window is docked.

General

  • Error on launching AutoCAD after the QuickCalc palette is anchored.
  • INSBASE value is incorrect for a drawing created using -WBLOCK.

New /nolisp Startup Switch and Related System Variables

This Service Pack introduces options to control the operation of AutoLISP and VBA applications in AutoCAD. The new controls provide the following security measures:

  • Minimize the possibility of loading and running unauthorized or malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications by controlling the folder location from which AutoLISP and VBA applications are automatically loaded (AUTOLOADPATH system variable).
  • Limit the impact of malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications by disabling autoloading of default AutoLISP and VBA applications (AUTOLOAD system variable).
  • Facilitate the cleanup process by completely disabling AutoLISP at startup (/nolisp startup switch).

For more information see this document. AutoLISP and VBA Security Controls in AutoCAD 2013 SP1

Note: To enable the autoloading changes to acad.dvb, uninstall the AutoCAD 2013 VBA Enabler, and download and install the latest AutoCAD 2013 VBA module that was updated for the changes made in Service Pack 1 for AutoCAD 2013.

New /nolisp Startup Switch

Start AutoCAD with this switch to disable AutoLISP execution in the current AutoCAD session, including all LSP, FAS, and VLX files. This switch is useful for preventing malicious AutoLISP code from automatically loading and executing.

Disabling AutoLISP has the following effects:

  • Attempting to load any LISP file will fail.
  • Attempting to copy and paste AutoLISP code into the Command window will fail silently.

Note: Disabling AutoLISP will prevent the Express Tools and some AutoCAD command tools from functioning and should only be used in emergency situations.

LISPENABLED (System Variable)

Indicates whether AutoLISP is enabled for the current AutoCAD session.

(Read-only)
Type: Integer
Saved in: Not saved
Initial value: 1

0 - AutoLISP is disabled
1 - AutoLISP is enabled

Disabling AutoLISP has the following effects:

  • Attempting to load any LISP file will fail.
  • Attempting to copy and paste AutoLISP code into the Command window will fail silently.
This system variable is controlled by the /nolisp startup switch.

AUTOLOAD (System Variable)

Controls whether AutoCAD autoloads acad.lsp/fas/vlx, acaddoc.lsp/fas/vlx, acad.dvb files.

Type: Integer
Saved in: Named Profile/Registry
Initial value: 1

Values:
0 - None of the following 7 AutoLISP/VBA files will be automatically loaded

  • acad.lsp
  • acad.fas
  • acad.vlx
  • acaddoc.lsp
  • acaddoc.fas
  • acaddoc.vlx
  • acad.dvb
1 - autoloads the 7 files depending on the value of the AUTOLOADPATH system variable.

AUTOLOADPATH (System Variable)

Controls the folder from where AutoCAD loads acad.lsp/fas/vlx, acaddoc.lsp/fas/vlx, acad.dvb files.

Type: String
Saved in: Named Profile/Registry
Initial value: ""

Valid strings include the following:
"<folder path or paths separated by semicolons>" = Automatically loads the acad.lsp/fas/vlx, acaddoc.lsp/fas/vlx, acad.dvb files only in the specified folders and no other locations, including the current drawing folder. To minimize the possibility of loading a malicious application, always set the AUTOLOADPATH system variable to the unique folder where your authorized applications are located.
"" (empty string) or "." (period) - No path restriction. Automatically loads the acad.lsp/fas/vlx, acaddoc.lsp/fas/vlx, acad.dvb files found in the AutoCAD startup folder, the drawing folder, and the AutoCAD search path, in that order. This duplicates AutoCAD 2012 behavior and is not recommended.

Changes to acad2013.lsp and acad2013doc.lsp Autoloading Behavior

The acad2013.lsp and acad2013doc.lsp files will now be loaded only from their default installation folders:
<install folder>\Support
<install folder>\Support\<language>

Changes to the Options Dialog Box

The "Load acad.lsp with every drawing" checkbox on the System tab of the Options dialog box (ACADLSPASDOC system variable) is disabled when AUTOLOAD or LISPENABLED has a value of 0.

Recommended Setup and Repair Workflow

For the best protection from malicious AutoLISP and VBA applications set AUTOLOADPATH to a unique folder location and set AUTOLOAD to 1.

If your installation has already been impacted by a malicious application that runs on startup, following these general steps:

1. Start your AutoCAD-based product with the /nolisp startup switch.
2. Find and remove all malicious code.
3. Repair any affected files.
4. Set AUTOLOADPATH to a unique folder location and set AUTOLOAD to 1.

After taking these steps, you can remove the /nolisp startup switch from the shortcut properties of the program's desktop icon, and resume the normal operation of your AutoCAD-based application.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Click to Accept As-Built Modeling by Autodesk

Here is from a patent application by Autodesk:

“A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to augment an as-built model. A CAD drawing of a project as well as a digital representation of a physical implementation of the project are obtained.

A relationship that maps the digital representation to the CAD drawing is defined/established. A component of the digital representation is identified based on the relationship (e.g., and a database/catalog). Information about the identified component is transmitted to and displayed on a computer (e.g., a mobile device).”

Will we see this in Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, … in the future?

For more details on the patent see US 2012/0116728 A1

Via WorldCAD Access

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