Tuesday, December 17, 2013

How to recover and fix problematic or corrupt DWGs in AutoCAD

This is a great resource for AutoCAD users. Troubleshooting corrupt DWG files - TS22753433

Usually there is a way to correct drawings with technical problems.

Issue
An AutoCAD DWG file cannot be opened and causes AutoCAD to show error messages or alerts, or to freeze or crash.

Open Drawing - Damaged File - The drawing file requires recovery. Errors were detected in the drawing. The file cannot be opened without being recovered.

The drawing file requires recovery.

Drawing file is not valid.

Drawing file is not valid.

Cause
Possible causes of file corruption:

  • Network (transmission errors, file locking, latent writing of data)
  • Storage media degradation (bad sectors on a hard drive)
  • Defective or failing RAM
  • Operating system issues
  • Power surges
  • 3rd - party applications running inside the Autodesk product
  • DWGs created or saved by non-Autodesk non-RealDWG products
  • AutoCAD terminated while saving DWG (less frequent)

Recommendation: Audit and purge before saving

Solution
If a file cannot be opened, take the following steps:

  • RECOVER command
    --Recovers a selected drawing file
    --If successful, open and run AUDIT command
    --Evaluates drawing integrity and possibly more error correction
    --Set system variable AUDITCTL=1 to create a report of audit results

The drawing file was recovered.

  • RECOVERALL command (introduced in AutoCAD 2008)
    --Recovers a selected drawing file
    --Attached and nested xrefs are also opened, repaired, resaved, and closed
  • INSERT and EXPLODE
  • Start a new DWG with no template
    --Run INSERT and selected the corrupted drawing
    --Check the “Explode” option

If a file can be opened but still shows signs of corruption, take the following steps:

  • RECOVER and AUDIT
  • PURGE command
  • Copy and Paste into a new drawing
  • AECTOACAD (-EXPORTTOAUTOCAD)
    --Exports to a pure AutoCAD file in selected drawing version
    --Strips potentially corrupt custom objects
  • WBLOCK command
    --Set all layers ON, THAWED and UNLOCKED
  • WBLOCK all objects in the drawing to an external block file
  • INSERT the resulting file as block into a new drawing (check the “Explode” option or EXPLODE the block after inserting)
  • AUDIT and PURGE
  • DXFOUT/DXFIN
    --DXFOUT to create a new .dxf file
    --Start new drawing and DXFIN to import the new .dxf file
    --Also try exporting as AutoCAD 12 DXF
  • XREF into a new drawing and BIND

See also Recover damaged drawing when RECOVER command not successful - TS19369

  • Using Windows Explorer or the Windows Find feature, search the entire hard disk for autosave (SV$) files or backup (BAK) files with the same name as the drawing. Rename those files so that they have a DWG extension, and you may be able to open them. (By default, SV$ files are in the %TEMP% folder and BAK files are in the same directory as the DWG file.)
  • Use WBLOCK command to insert the corrupt drawing into a new drawing. Insert at the 0,0,0 coordinate.
  • Open the drawing in a previous release of the software, if available (AutoCAD only).
  • Export the drawing as a DXF™ file, then import the DXF file.
  • If the drawing was last saved in an older format, try using partial open to load the drawing one layer at a time until you find a layer containing an error. Then repeat, skipping that layer next time. See related documents for instructions on using the partial open feature (AutoCAD only).

Drawing Recovery Manager (command DRAWINGRECOVERY)
Displays a list of all drawing files that were open at the time of a program or system failure. You can preview and open each drawing or backup file to choose which one should be saved as the primary DWG file. After a program or system failure, the Drawing Recovery Manager opens the next time you start the application. Drawing Recovery Manager displays a list of all drawing files that were open. The System Variable RECOVERYMODE controls whether drawing recovery information is recorded after a system failure and whether to show the Drawing Recovery Manager or not.

If you want to help yourself, Autodesk and other AutoCAD users make sure to send in any errors to Autodesk when you see the Customer Error Report dialog box (CER).

Finally a solution that sometimes helps if AutoCAD cannot fix the problem is to try to fix the drawing in another program that can open and save DWG files. The more users having the similar problem the better chance it will be fixed in a service pack or future version. Eventually you might get an email saying the problem is fixed.

You may find JTB World’s SmartPurger useful to batch process drawings that needs to be fixed. It includes Audit and Purge functionality as well as a lot more.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Autodesk tips, tricks and news like the AEC Feed

AEC Feed keeps you up-to-date on AEC industry news, trends and the latest updates from your favorite Autodesk AEC software products. You can download the app from Apple App Store (note: iPad 6.0 or higher required). Via Beyond Design

Autodesk University 2013 has ended and the Recorded streams of keynotes, forums and some classes are available if you missed it live or online.

FLEXnet Licensing error:-15,10 when performing Status inquiry on LMtools - TS22754152
Issue: FLEXnet Licensing error:-15,10. System Error: 10049 "WinSock: Invalid address" When performing Status Inquiry on LMtools.
Windows firewall interfering with license server

Educational Watermarks [Plot Stamp] + AutoCAD 2014 SP1. Please be very cautious when using an Educational version of AutoCAD 2014 SP1.  There is a STILL an EDU watermark [plot stamp] but the warning is now suppressed in SP1. - via Up and Ready
Check also out EduFinder by JTB World to find and identify AutoCAD drawings (DWG) that contain the educational stamp.

Stability issues and unexpected exit when you click on a command in the contextual ribbon tab in Autodesk Revit - TS22753368
Customers have been able to solve this issue by updating the WACOM drivers installed on the system.

Some map features are not labeled - TS22745944
Although you've created labels in the Style Editor, many features do not display their labels. Applies to AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Utility Design.

QSAVE does not work because AutoCAD considers the drawing to be read-only - TS22745933
Suddenly you are unable to save an open drawing because AutoCAD considers the file as read-only. The drawing you are working with is saved on a network. Applies to: AutoCAD Map 3D 2014

Extraneous spatial data types showing in Style Editor in AutoCAD Map 3D/AutoCAD Civil 3D - TS22757634

Cannot select schema in Bulk Copy target field in AutoCAD Map 3D - TS22754136

FDO connection still shows Oracle feature classes in Map 3D that were removed - TS22754647

Error: "Failed to create the Data Source file" when trying to Attach Access Database in Map 3D - TS22754416

Dialog box for Define Query does not appear in Map 3D (ADEQUERY command) - TS22753406

Productstream Professional 2011 Client Update for Windows Internet Explorer 10 - DL22757907

Strange graphics behavior and frequent crashing on launch of AutoCAD - TS22754147
Issue: Your AutoCAD-based product either crashes while launching, or when AutoCAD loads,or you notice abnormal behavior in the user interface.
Symptoms: AutoCAD launches but then immediately crashes.
The AutoCAD dmpuserinfo.xml file shows "32-bit" within the <DisplayMode> tag, even though your system is 64-bit.
If AutoCAD launches successfully, and you switch to a Classic workspace, some of the tools and tabs disappear from the user interface.
A repair and/or reinstall of AutoCAD has not resolved the issue.

When I try to install I get an Internal Error 2738 (this can apply to many different Autodesk products) - GS22754600

Objects not visible after zoom extents in AutoCAD - TS22757632
In paper space, the xref and other drawn entities are shown. While in the model space, none of the objects are visible. Performing a zoom extents results in multiple small dots appearing. While trying to zoom to one of these dots, nothing is showing and you cannot see the xref or other drawn entities.
Cause: Objects in the drawing were grouped far away.

Zero upstream distance error for Culvert model in River and Flood Analysis in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 - TS22757720

Zoom to profile view does not work in River and Flood Analysis Module in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2014 - TS22757610

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Autodesk Structural Bridge Design and other Autodesk news

Here’s some recent Autodesk news:

  • Autodesk Dynamo and Autodesk FormIt Updates– For building designers, Autodesk announced a major update for computational design with the merger of Autodesk Dynamo and Autodesk DesignScript. Dynamo is an open source visual programming environment for BIM. It can be used stand-alone, or allows users to extend the parametric capabilities of Autodesk Revit software products. Autodesk DesignScript is a unique programming language, intended to help designers build and analyze complex geometric models that would be difficult to model with interactive techniques. Now both are coming together in Dynamo to deliver a clear confluence of the best of both worlds: a clean and modern UI that combines DesignScript responsiveness and visual feedback with Dynamo's tight integration with Revit.


    Also today, Autodesk announced that the BIM-based conceptual design tool, Autodesk FormIt, now includes a web-based application that runs on a choice of browsers for Windows and Mac (currently available in beta at autodeskformit.com). On all platforms – including previously released iPad and Android versions – Autodesk FormIt gives architects and designers easy-to-use tools to create, collaborate and share early-stage design ideas and continue their BIM process by taking models straight into Autodesk Revit. FormIt for iPad has been updated to take advantage of iOS 7 and also includes new energy analysis features that enable users to get simple indications of potential building performance – valuable insight at the beginning of the BIM process that can reduce rework later.
    Looking ahead, Autodesk demonstrated a forthcoming feature in the FormIt family of applications that supports real-time collaboration, enabling future designers to simultaneously access and collaborate on design models using their FormIt application of choice.
    For more on the Dynamo and FormIt updates, please see a related blog post here.

  • Graitec Acquisition – Expanding its capabilities in the structural detailing stages of BIM, Autodesk also today announced the close of its acquisition of Graitec’s Advance Steel and Advance Concrete product lines and associated employees. Building on Autodesk’s current portfolio for structural engineering, the acquired product lines offer modeling, detailing, and fabrication solutions to support BIM-based steel and reinforced concrete workflows.

  • Autodesk Structural Bridge Design - For bridge designers and engineers, Autodesk recently launched Autodesk Structural Bridge Design. Resulting from the August acquisition of technology assets from UK-based Bestech Systems, the new software is an important addition to the Autodesk BIM for infrastructure portfolio. Autodesk Structural Bridge Design gives engineers greater flexibility and efficiency in their small- to medium-span bridge design processes by integrating loading, analysis and code checking in a single environment. By using this unique approach, more consistent data can be used throughout the bridge design process allowing projects to be more quickly and accurately brought to completion. For more on Autodesk Structural Bridge Design, please see a related blog post here.

    Autodesk Structural Bridge Design

  • Azalient Technology Acquisition - Also today Autodesk announced the acquisition of technology assets from UK-based Azalient Ltd. The acquisition helps support the evolution to BIM-based design workflows among traffic engineers and transportation planners working on roads, highways and railway projects. The acquired traffic analysis technology enables designers to simulate how people travel - whether by automobiles, busses or trains - in isolation and in series. It also provides transportation customers with tools to help predict demand for new infrastructure projects, forecast how to handle future demand and predict traffic disruptions caused during construction, with the addition of cost and benefit analysis of alternative infrastructure designs. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

  • Topcon Collaboration – Building upon Autodesk's existing collaboration with Topcon, the two companies are working together to further improve the integration of BIM workflows and field layout to support greater predictability, productivity and profitability. Autodesk is developing a new BIM 360 mobile app for iPad that further simplifies the process of precisely locating BIM coordinates on a construction site. Designed for general contractors and MEP trades, the app controls a robotic total station – as well as the new LN-100 3D positioning system from Topcon announced yesterday - that can accurately position control and layout points on the construction site, and as-built data can be fed back into the design model via BIM 360 for quality assurance.

And finally a workaround tip: Performance issue and flickering in AutoCAD LT 2014 when panning and zooming - TS22742730
While working with certain drawings in AutoCAD® LT 2014, the program runs slow and the status bar flickers, especially with multiple files open, even with basic commands such as panning and zooming.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Autodesk University 2013, Autodesk CAM 360 and other Autodesk news

Autodesk University 2013 has started now and the Keynote Address: The Answer Is Outside is recorded if you missed it live or online. You may also check out the posts on It’s Alive in the Lab on this: #au2013 keynote: The answer is outside and #au2013 keynote: customers who have looked outside.

Autodesk, Inc. today unveiled Autodesk CAM 360—the industry’s first cloud-based solution for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). http://cam.autodesk.com

Hotfix for AutoCAD MEP 2014 - True/False Localization Hotfix for Russian - DL22716991

Civil 3D 2014 Fatal error: Unhandled access violation writing 0x006c exception at f3256d5ah - Up and Ready

Marking Menu Hotfix for AutoCAD Electrical 2014 - DL22730324

Terminal Strip Editor Hotfix for AutoCAD Electrical 2014 - DL22730368
This hotfix resolves a performance issue with Terminal Strip Editor. For some projects, Terminal Strip Selection dialog box takes significant time to launch.

Map query causes drawing to lock (AutoCAD Civil 3D or AutoCAD Map 3D) - TS22736443

Inventor menu browser does not work in Parallels Desktop - TS22736367

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