Engco for rebar detailing

The Engco for rebar detailing application is a very easy-to-use tool for rebar detailing in Reinforced Concrete. This application includes five main windows for input of Foundations by all types, columns (all shapes), Beams (Continues and simple beams), Walls elevations, and Around Openings rebar.

This main program allows producing the rebar shop drawings as AutoCAD drawing (dwg) along with automatically generated bar bending schedules (BBS) as Excel Sheet to ease the modifying process which reduces error risk to almost zero.

If you want to know more please visit the product page.

Autodesk Exchange Apps for all users

Have you installed an app from Autodesk Exchange Apps and found that it’s only installed for the current user but you want it available for all users logging in on that computer?

Here’s a simple trick that works if you have AutoCAD 2013 or newer.

Normally apps are installed within this folder
%appdata%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\.
%appdata% can be a location like C:\Users\jtb\AppData\Roaming\ but instead of jtb it is the Windows user login name.

The app folder can be named like JTBW-SSMPropEditor.bundle so move this .bundle folder to
%programdata%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins
(expanded it can be C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins).

After that the plug-in will show up on the Plug-ins tab for all users on that computer.

Note that you can paste a folder path like %programdata%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins to the File Explorer address field or press Windows+R, paste it and press ok.

JTB FlexReport web report demo

JTB FlexReport is JTB World’s license monitoring and reporting system supporting among others FlexNet (FLEXlm), Sentinel, RLM, LM-X and other license systems.

JTB FlexReport web report demo is now available to try in beta version.

Visit http://jtbflexreportdemo.jtbworld.com/ to try the web report demo. Note the dates for available data to report on. To learn more about the reports and functionality see the Chart Client documentation. It works pretty much like the current Chart Client but gives the option to run reports in a web browser and it’s hopefully easier to get started with thanks to the wizard that is activated by default. It also works on mobile devices.

Soon it will be made available for customers to set up in their own environment and with their own database.

Please contact us if you run into any issues or have any comments on this functionality.

Example of usage: Start with Report Settings and select the Report Type you like to use as well as Date Range and some other settings. Scroll down and click on Next.

If Continuous Line Report Type is selected you have two choices, Feature Server or Detailed. Use Feature Server if you want to select only Features, Servers or groups of them. To also select Hosts, Users and groups of them select Detailed.

Click on Generate Chart and here’s the result:

See more about JTB FlexReport here.

AutoCAD for Mac 2015 and AutoCAD LT for Mac 2015

AutoCAD for Mac 2015 is here and is catching up with AutoCAD for Windows.

Key new enhancements include:

• Dynamic Blocks. Mac users gain the ability to create and edit Dynamic Blocks—a capability previously limited to Windows users. This feature enables them to insert one block that can change shape, size, or configuration instead of inserting several static blocks.
• Layer States. Mac users can also now save their layer settings as Layer States, which store information like color, linetype, and information about whether a layer is turned off, frozen, or locked. Prior to the 2015 releases, Mac users were unable to view any of the layer states information their Windows colleagues had embedded within a drawing.
• Data Linking. Users who need to link a table to data in a Microsoft Excel file can use the new Data Linking feature, and their table will automatically update as external changes are made. This feature is especially helpful when managing large amounts of information about things like materials or fixtures.
• Quick Select. The Quick Select tool allows users to quickly select objects based on query criteria, enabling users to easily select exactly what they need in their drawing. The Quick Select tool also includes a “preview” option so that users can see what they’re about to select before they commit to the selection.

Read Full Release

Look here if you are interested in upgrading your operating system to Mac OS® X v10.10 (Yosemite) and want to know if AutoCAD for Mac products are compatible.

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 4

For Revit users there are a bunch of good reasons (see below at Update Enhancement List) to install the 2015 Update Release 4:

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 4

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2015 Update Release 4

Autodesk Revit MEP 2015 Update Release 4

Autodesk Revit Structure 2015 Update Release 4

Autodesk Revit LT 2015 Update Release 4

Note: Once Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 4 is installed, Autodesk Revit 2015 R2 for Subscription Customers will not be able to be installed. If you are an Autodesk Subscription Customer, please refer to the Autodesk Revit 2015 R2 subscription download page prior to installing Autodesk Revit Structure 2015 Update Release 4.

Autodesk Revit 2015 R2

Release Date: 2014-09-17

With Autodesk® Revit® 2015 R2, Autodesk Maintenance and Desktop Subscription customers get access now to new features that add powerful capabilities, make Revit perform faster, and can improve modeling productivity. Fully compatible with Revit 2015 releases, Revit 2015 R2 installs without disrupting ongoing work in Revit 2015.
Power: Revit 2015 R2 includes new features that enable you to do more with Revit.

• Share more accurately predicted energy performance information in custom dashboards with Project Solon integrated into Revit.
• Use existing geometry in a linked IFC model as a reference for dimensions, alignment, snapping, and hosting of some families in a Revit model.
• Troubleshoot models better with the Reveal Constraints mode making all dimension alignment constraints in a view visible.
• Explore visual programming with the Dynamo interface for computational design which now installs with Revit so you can more easily enhance and extend the power of the Revit API.

Performance: Autodesk Revit R2 meets requests for faster software performance with the goal of making your work easier.

• Edit and regenerate complex toposurfaces, subregions, and building pads.
• Get better performance of the energy analytical model in Revit, with Revit R2 using less memory when analyzing large models.
• Experience faster updates to views that contain multiple instances of families.
• See faster display of Revit links within views.

Productivity: You’ll welcome multiple enhancements in Revit R2 designed to improve your modeling and work productivity.

• Work in perspective views, making quick adjustments without having to change views with some modeling capabilities now available in perspective views.
• Save more time by editing multiple wall joins together
• Find content more quickly with Search capabilities in the Type Selector and all drop-down lists.
• Navigate PDFs exported from Revit more quickly with hyperlinked views.
• Experience easier interaction with structural elements through user interface improvements.
• Improve productivity with more streamlined Rebar modeling and shop drawings creation.

 

Update Enhancement List

* Indicates an issue that was reported by a Revit user.

** Indicates an issue resolved within the Multi-Category Schedules Hotfix for Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3.

Improvements made in Update Release 4 build (20140903_1530):

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2015 Updates

· Updates graphics certification file.

· Improves visual display of filled regions, loss of color and pattern, when view is set to Realistic display style.*

· Improves export of fill patterns on transparent faces.*

· Improves stability when family-related corruption is encountered.*

· Improves transmitting models with multiple external linked files stored on Revit Server when using eTransmit.*

· Improves stability while tab-selecting into an element to add detail lines using the Pick Lines option.

· Improves stability when using names longer than 128 characters in the Family Types dialog.

· Improves stability when deleting an element that is in an invalid state.

· Improves stability when clicking the door type preview button in some upgraded models.

· Improves visual fidelity with surface types which contain singularities.

· Improves stability when using file upgrade operations.*

· Ensures the file name is populated within the upgrade dialog box.*

· Improves stability when splitting a wall with an edited elevation profile.

· Improves stability when iterating different wall join configurations.

· Improves stability when splitting a wall.

· Improves data integrity with Multi-Category schedules which include elements from a linked file.**

· Improves stability when trying to rotate a view during the placement of the view on a sheet.

· Improves stability when trying to Tag All in a view of a workshared model that is owned by another user.*

· Improves stability when a user edited a wall structure with the preview window open.

· Improves stability when placing a wall in files upgraded to Revit 2015.

· Improves stability when multiple users try to modify the same family in a workshared environment.

· Corrects the abundance of standard materials being created when repeatedly loading a family.

· Improves stability when editing wall joins.

· Improves stability when cancelling an IFC Link during the insertion of new IFC links.*

· Corrects the behavior of placing families in a project when the family type selector is expanded.

· Improves stability when adding a family to a design option set when the family type selector is expanded.

· Improves the visual fidelity of point clouds sections which have Far Clipping set to "Clip with Line."*

· Corrects the placement of an image or any element containing an image (such as a schedule) on a sheet when Autodesk Revit is installed on Windows 8.1.

· Improves stability when exporting to IFC with the second level space boundaries option enabled.*

· Improves visual fidelity of level head symbol within a legend view after file upgrade.*

· Improves stability when pressing Ctrl+Tab in the Material dialog.

· Improves stability when loading the layer export setting from a file.*

· Improves stability if the model was missing its revisions settings data.*

· Improves data integrity after saving a workshared model in Revit LT.*

· Improves visual fidelity of Space Tags placed on linked files after reopening a model.*

· Improves stability when reloading a circular nested family.

· Improves stability for WARP device.

· Improves visual fidelity of point clouds.*

· Improves exports with include images.

· Improves stability when modifying wall type layers of large thickness.

· Improves data integrity during worksharing Reload Latest when one user places the first instance of a family and another user renames the family.

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2015 Updates

· Improves stability when running Heating Cooling Loads.

· Improves printing and exporting electrical families when the project base point is covered.*

· Improves visual fidelity for flex duct and flex pipe when rotating the view true north.*

· Improves data integrity for Duct Radius Elbow/Taps velocity parameter in Properties Palette and within Tags.*

· Corrects the length value of a beveled tap when it is calculated by a formula.*

· Improves MEP fitting sizing when based upon content settings.*

· Improves stability when changing system types.

· Improves display of selected electrical equipment families within the type selector.*

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2015 Updates

· Improves stability when upgrading a project with the structural setting Check for Member Supports enabled.*

· Improves stability when creating an automatic beam system which results in short Joist elements.*

· Improves data integrity of column families location when a Revit model is inserted as a group.

· Improves stability when editing the base offset of a column.

· Improves stability when placing a structural column using improper family parameters.

· Improves stability when changing a variable floor layer to use the function ‘Structural Deck’.

Autodesk® Revit® API 2015 Updates

· Improves reliability of retrieving the current selection in an API Dockable Pane.*

· Restricts the deletion of the drafting solid fill pattern from a model by any method, including the API.*

· Improves API behavior to reflect the user interface by enabling the API user to 1) open a local model when ignorable worksharing exceptions occur, such as a central model missing; and 2) open a host model (local or central) when ignorable worksharing exceptions occur on loading the linked model, such as a linked model missing.*

· Improves stability when errors are posted during calling API Document.SynchronizeWithCentral by addons.*

· Corrects the API by changing the exception from SEHException to OperationCanceledException for API Selection.PickBox.*

· Improves stability when the Pick Points API was invoked from within a Dockable Frame.*

Improvements made in Update Release 3 build (20140606_1530):

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2015 Updates

· Improves performance when placing a large number of adaptive components.

· Updates graphics certification file.

· Improves multi-reference annotation tag grouping when tags contains more than one label.

· Improves preview image retention when families are saved in Project Browser.

· Improves stability of Revit user interface.

· Improves stability when opening Revit project by double-clicking RVT files in Windows Explorer.

· Enables display of project names containing apostrophes in Energy Simulation dialog.

· Improves stability of Energy Simulation when project includes sandwiched Revit elements.*

· Improves stability of rendering in the cloud when the selected view is missing light group data.

· Improves stability of Suite Workflows after double-clicking Workflow Manager.

· Improves rendering results when adaptive components are rendered in the cloud.

· Improves stability when upgrading legacy Revit projects.*

· Improves data integrity when copying or reloading groups that contain shared nested families between projects.

· Improves stability when loading a family while adding a Family Type parameter.

· Improves stability when editing a filter that is owned by another user.

· Improves performance when saving new central file to Revit Server.

· Improves data integrity in projects that contain large elements, such as ImageHolders.*

· Improves stability while opening IFC files.*

· Improves performance when editing masses with applied divided surfaces.

· Improves stability when exporting to SAT format with projects that contain linked files.

· Improves stability during use of the Paste command.

· Improves stability when opening IFC files and modifying Phasing settings.*

· Improves data integrity when swept surfaces are exported to SAT format.*

· Improves stability while exporting to ODBC database when project is missing assembly code settings.

· Improves data integrity in projects created from UK templates.

· Improves stability when canceling out of worksharing permission error while in Design Options.

· Improves stability when closing the Rendering dialog.

· Improves data integrity when closing a local file without synchronizing with central.

· Improves stability when creating material takeoff and then adding parameters.

· Improves stability when exiting Revit.

· Allows proper display of schedules on sheets when fields are sorted or grouped.*

· Allows proper display of selected elements when shadows are enabled in view.

· Improves stability when opening projects that include corrupt families.

· Improves data integrity when copying elements between projects.

· Improves stability when deleting family types from Project Browser.

· Improves stability when working with workshared files.

· Improves results when angular equality constraint

· Improves data integrity when default material for a host that is used by families is deleted.

· Improves stability when importing DWG files.

· Improves stability when exiting Revit while Ray Trace visual style is active.

· Improves stability when working with point clouds.

· Improves stability when loading nested families while in Family Editor.

· Improves stability when editing groups.

· Improves regeneration of families that include a reporting parameter.

Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2015 Updates

· Improves calculated airflow results when using a combination of imperial and metric units.

· Improves performance when working with mechanical and piping systems.

· Allows ducts to retain proper alignment after elevation of levels is modified.*

· Improves data integrity when using the Pipe Sizing tool.

· Improves consistency of undo/redo commands while editing a panel schedule template.

· Improves stability when generating pipe layouts.

· Improves data integrity of piping systems when calculation level is set to volume only.

· Allows proper updating of circuit numbers after circuits are moved in panel schedule.

· Allows proper assigning of ASHRAE tables to duct fittings.

· Allows proper display of 3-pole circuits in panel schedules.

· Allows proper retention of circuit loads after assigning a space circuit in a panel schedule.*

· Allows proper retention of circuit assignment after synchronizing with central.*

· Allows taps to remain connected to main duct when taps and ducts reside on different levels and then levels are modified.

· Allows proper updating of electrical fixture parameters when dependent on volts/poles instance parameters.

· Allows duct transitions to remain connected after changing the duct size.*

· Improves stability when dragging cable tray and/or conduit.

· Allows proper connection between circuit and panels to be retained when editing circuit information and panel schedules.

· Improves stability when creating in-place masses while System Browser is open.

Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2015 Updates

· Improves retention of beam annotation settings in projects that were not created from a template.*

· Improves results when mirroring rotated beams and columns.*

· Improves appearance of intersections between concrete beams and walls.*

· Improves stability when editing slanted columns.

· Improves stability when moving shape handles on bar joists while in a section view after disallowing joining.

· Improves stability when using the beam Change Reference tool.

· Improves results when modifying the cross-section rotation of vertical braces.

Autodesk® Revit® API 2015 Updates

· Improves retention of device connections when using Wire.Create to create new wire connecting to a device.

· Improves display of wire connection points when using Wire.ConnectTo and Connector.Connect.

· Enable changes to MEPSystemType.CalculationLevel via public API.

· Level parameter correctly set when elements are placed via NewFamilyInstance().

· Improves retention of parameters in line boundary condition objects.

· Improves stability when using CompoundStructure.SetLayers.*

· Allows proper assignment of a Phase Created value when using DirectShapes.

· Improves alignment of text created via API.

· Improves stability when the API is in Automatic TransactionMode.

Improvements made in Security Release build (20140323_1530):

· Addresses Heartbleed vulnerability - a security bug in the open-source OpenSSL cryptography library. Heartbleed is registered in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system as CVE-2014-0160.

For more information, please visit the CVE dictionary at http://cve.mitre.org

Improvements made in Update Release 1 build (20140322_1515):

Autodesk® Revit® Platform 2015 Updates

· Improves data integrity when editing nested families.

· Improves stability when editing nested families.

· Improves stability when editing when expanding schedule columns.

· Improves upgrade of projects which contain rebar elements.

· Removes format constraints for assembly codes.

· Improves data collection when Customer Involvement Program is enabled.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015 Service Pack 2

Following AutoCAD 2015 SP2 comes AutoCAD Architecture 2015 Service Pack 2 that as well includes what’s been fixed in vanilla AutoCAD.

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites and bundled product.

• Autodesk Building Design Suite 2015
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2015

AutoCAD Architecture Updates in SP2:

Tool Palettes

• AutoCAD Architecture tool palettes reset to plain "AutoCAD" tool palettes after restart.

IFC

• When importing IFC files to AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP, some MEP entities do not get imported.

Section

• Lines erased from 2D sections get added again after refresh.

Wall object

• Walls do not cleanup correctly in the 3D Model view if the crossing angle of the walls is a small fraction of a degree more or less than 90 degrees.

You might find these AutoCAD vertical updates useful too:

AutoCAD Electrical 2015 Service Pack 2

AutoCAD Mechanical 2015 Service Pack 2

AutoCAD MEP 2015 Service Pack 2

SP2 includes what’s in AutoCAD Architecture 2015 Service Pack 1 too.

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 2

AutoCAD 2015 SP 2 is available for download via Autodesk Application Manager.

Service Pack 2 includes all of the updates from Service Pack 1. Service Pack 2 can be installed on either the original version or the Service Pack 1 version of AutoCAD 2015 or AutoCAD LT 2015.

The Readme tells what’s new with SP2:

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

Block

• Occasional crashes when inserting a parametric block from a tool palette.
• Occasional crashes when using the ribbon to insert blocks.

Image

• Occasional crashes when using Paste Special after capturing an image by Alt + Print Screen key combination.
• Occasional crashes when opening a file with embedded TIFF images.

New Tab

• Occasional crashes when closing drawings created from a New Tab.

 

Selection

• Occasional crashes when panning with middle mouse button immediately after selecting.

Text

• Occasional crashes when using the AutoStack feature while editing dimension text.
• Occasional crashes when copying or moving the drawing that contains shx font.

General

• Occasional crashes when offsetting a spline.
• Occasional crashes in AutoCAD LT when the Group Manager is left open.
• Occasional crashes when closing the drawing after the second block insertion if the visual style is set to Realistic.
• Occasional crashes when panning the drawing in 3D visual style.
• Occasional crashes when exiting AutoCAD (additional to those in SP1).
• Occasional crashes when starting AutoCAD after setting the PATH environment variable.

The following defects have been fixed:

3D Modeling

• In certain cases, Subtract doesn't work for regions.
• In certain cases, Slice doesn't work for the 3D solid with parts that do not touch.

3D Navigation

• In certain cases, Zoom using 3D Connexion device doesn't work properly for some models.

Array

• In certain cases, AutoCAD freezes when creating classic array for the object with geometry constraints.

Block

• In certain cases, AutoCAD freezes when using array action on dynamic block with geometry and dimension constraints.
• In certain cases, Block Editor toolbar doesn't disappear from view after exiting the Block Editor.

Display

• Draw order is not retained when pasting dynamic blocks from other drawings.

File Navigation

• The drawing preview does not display in the File Open dialog box after using DXFIN.

Hatch

• Cannot hide hatches in a clipped view.
• The transient hatch color and transparency doesn't display in the 2D Wireframe visual style.
• The cursor stops for seconds when selecting a solid hatch with a circular boundary and legacy highlighting (SELECTIONEFFECT is set to 0).
• In certain cases, AutoCAD freezes while evaluating hatch boundaries when a drawing is opened.
• Hatch is not visible on its background if hatch background color is similar and Display plot style box is checked in the Page Setup Manager.
• In certain cases, the hatch object doesn't display the correct plot style color.
• In certain cases, the ghosted image is displayed after trimming a hatch object of a block reference.

Layer

• The layer selection is lost with multiple layer selection after changing a layer property in the Layer properties Manager.

Layout

• Cannot drag and drop a layout tab to import it into Sheet Set Manager.
• Cannot duplicate a layout tab by using the CTRL key.

Plot and Publish

• In certain cases, a hatch object inside a block displays incorrectly in Plot and Plot Preview.
• In certain cases, Publish will clip the margins.
• Publish doesn't work correctly when applying the named page setup for multiple layouts.

Point Cloud

• A memory leak issue results in a loss of performance or a crash.
• Point clouds are not selectable after cropping.

Selection

• When using the Windows Classic or Basic theme, cursor ghosting occurs when moving over the top of a layout viewport that is set to a 3D visual style.

General

• In certain cases, the border of a layout viewport flashes when the cursor moves within model space in that viewport if it's set to a 3D visual style.
• Lines display in unexpected locations when the UCS is different than the WCS and the DYNMODE system variable is turned off.
• The Autodesk 360 ribbon tab is disabled when AdSync is installed from a deployment.
• In certain cases, AutoCAD freezes after running lisp a second time in Visual LISP.
• The model and layout tabs in source DWG files cannot be selected in the preview window of DWG import dialog.
• A memory issue occurs when switching between the Model tab and layout tabs.
• In certain cases, the horizontal scroll bar is not displayed.
• In certain cases, AUDIT doesn't fix the corrupted associative information in DWG file.

Security Hotfix

• This Service Pack includes the Autodesk AutoCAD Security Hotfix. This Service Pack can be applied whether that security hotfix was originally applied to your system or not.
• If you have Autodesk ReCap 2015 installed together with AutoCAD 2015, please install Autodesk ReCap 2015 Hotfix 1 via Autodesk Application Manager.

Finally in the readme you find Windows Command Line Switches that are useful to silently distribute the SP as well as how to Apply Service Pack in different ways like to a Network Administrative Image.

After installing the About dialog box will show Product Version: J.210.0.0, AutoCAD 2015 SP2. _VERNUM = "J.210.0.0 (UNICODE)" (read only)

Length of object label with free app for AutoCAD

LengthText.lsp is a free AutoLisp app for AutoCAD by JTB World to add length of objects as a text field label. Select the object and then where you want the text for the length to be. When the object is modified the text will also be updated automatically based on FIELDEVAL or the settings found in the OPTIONS dialog box. The current unit settings are being used to show the length.

Download LengthText.lsp or the AreaText.lsp that this was based upon. If you have a need for any AutoCAD customization work feel free to contact us.

JTB Sheet Set Creator 1.3 for AutoCAD released

JTB Sheet Set Creator 1.3 includes support for AutoCAD 2015 as well as some minor adjustments. Trial is available on Autodesk Exchange Apps as well as on our product website.

JTB Sheet Set Creator is an add-in for AutoCAD that creates new Sheet Sets and Sheets based on an Excel template

Here are some more apps from JTB World. If you don’t find what you need we also create custom solution for AutoCAD and Revit.

Slow to license and start Revit

A customer run into this issue: “It takes approximately 90 seconds or longer to license Revit 2013/2014, even though our Flex licensing server is on the LAN. It only takes 20 seconds to license AutoCAD, but 7x longer for Revit.”

I was not able to find the solution but eventually the customer found out that “we discovered that we were running an antiquated version of the FlexLM server. When we set up our new server, we used the latest version. This solved the Revit licensing delays. It just takes 10 seconds for all versions of Revit to license.”

So in case you also run into this kind of slow startup of Revit or possibly other programs try to upgrade the FlexNet license manager/Autodesk network license manager.

Autodesk Network License Manager 11.12 together with other vendor daemons can cause problems

Up and Ready describes how to solve port conflicts after starting to use Autodesk Network License Manager 11.12 and for ArcGIS, you also need to use the 32 bit version of the Autodesk Network License Manager.

“For example, when configuring Autodesk licensing service with Foundry, ArcGIS or CamWorks, you will need to edit our license files to use a differnet port for lmgrd.exe. i.e. 27000 (default) to 27001”

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/License-Manager-11-12-and-The-Foundry-conflict.html

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-change-the-lmgrd-port-number-on-a-FLEXlm-server-and-client.html

“if you are using Autodesk and Abaqus software in your company, you will need to even customize the adskflex.exe port (2080) in our license file”

For reporting on license usage check out JTB World’s JTB FlexReport.

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3 can be download here. There are many fixes, stability and performance improvements making this an update you for sure want to apply.

The number of updates are:
Architecture: 45
MEP: 18
Structure 7
API: 9

JTB World has many years of experience programming for Revit for customers with both small and large complex projects so if you have anything you need to automate in Revit please feel free to contact us.

Autodesk Application Manager version 3

I got a critical notification that Autodesk  Application Manager needs to update.

When viewing details I found that there were a lot of news in this version that are welcome by Administrators (such as CAD, BIM, and IT Managers).

Version 3 includes several enhancements to the update notification and delivery experience, as well as a new set of asset management capabilities for software administrators, now available in the Autodesk Account Portal (accounts.autodesk.com). These are described below.

Please note that the Application Manager client updates to this most current version when you install the Version 3 update.

Client-Side Conditions
Before delivering an update, Application Manager checks to see if the right product files are present on your machine, acting as an extra check to ensure accuracy and reliability of new update notifications.

Check Now
Provides an optional, instant check for availability of product updates, instead of waiting for the next update check interval (a configurable parameter in Settings).

Update Dependencies
Automates presentation and retrieval of pre- and post-requisite packages that may be required for your update(s).

Product Extensions
Product Extensions provide incremental value and functionality to your applications between major releases. When available, Application Manager will notify you of new Extensions, only if your installed applications are on a active Maintenance or Desktop Subscription agreement.

Local Package Cache
Enables retrieval of Update files from a configurable, locally shared resource, rather than from an internet-based download source. This saves on bandwidth.

General Hotfixes
Notification and delivery of Hotfixes that are generally available to all users. Does not include "targeted" Hotfixes, which will continue to be available via the CER (Customer Error Reporting) system.

Update Rollups
Notification and delivery of aggregated Hotfixes, which have not yet been rolled up into the latest Service Pack (SP).

Administrator Tools

Administrators of Autodesk applications can login to Account Portal using their Autodesk ID. For eligible customers on Desktop or Maintenance Subscription, tools are provided for performing common administrative tasks, such as checking for all newly published product updates.

In Version 3, Administrators (such as CAD, BIM, and IT Managers) now have access to these new features, which aid in the discovery and management of product updates. For more information, please refer to the Application Manager Administrator's Guide.

Update List
A single online location for learning about all of the updates currently available for the applications you own and/or manage. This simplifies the process of update discovery.

Entitlement Aware
Account portal integrates to Autodesk business systems, making it possible to display restricted assets (such as Product Extensions only for Subscription customers) in the Portal as well as on the desktops running Application Manager.

Device List
A simple report that displays information about all of the managed systems in your environment running 2015 products on a current Subscription agreement. This list provides the basis for managing the distribution of updates to the users within your organization.

Administrator Preferences
Administrators can selectively (or globally) control the distribution of updates to managed devices that appear in the above List. The List can also edited, make it easy to identify managed users and devices in your environment.

To access the administrative area of Account Portal, your Autodesk ID will need to be assigned or promoted to administrator status within the context of an Autodesk Subscription Program, specifically as Contract Manager or Software Coordinator. If you are a CAD/IT manager who would like to access to the administrative tools in the portal, but do not have the correct status, contact your Contract Manager, or the person in your company responsible for purchasing software, and request to have Software Coordinator privileges assigned to your Autodesk ID.

Once assigned administrator privileges, and provided the Autodesk applications on your contract are currently on an active Desktop or Maintenance Subscription agreement, you will be able to access the administrative features.

About the Administrator's Role

The role of Administrator applies to anyone in your organization who is responsible for managing or supporting design software running on user machines, for example developing and applying CAD standards, creating network deployments, keeping installed applications up to date, and providing technical assistance to end users. This role may vary depending on the size of your organization. In smaller companies, Administrators such as CAD Managers may also have responsibility for other IT-focused tasks such as desktop maintenance, while in larger companies these areas are typically owned by multiple individuals.

In the Account Portal, Autodesk is making available new tools to help Administrators streamline and automate common software delivery tasks. Starting in June of 2014, the portal is being enhanced to provide Administrators with centralized access and control over the distribution of product updates and extensions to managed users in their organizations.

When update was ready it said that the version was 3.0.155.0.

SmartPurger 3.6 - batch processing for AutoCAD

SmartPurger 3.6 comes with support for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 and the new Orphaned Data purge (remains from MicroStation DGN linetypes)  and support for sharepoint folder locations.

SmartPurger is a batch and script utility for processing multiple AutoCAD drawings with full control. Execute LSP or SCR files on multiple drawings. SmartPurger handles crashes so the AutoCAD batch processing continues to the end and leaves bad drawings to be corrected manually if needed. Many purge and cleanup settings are available.

The free trial is fully functional except that you can only batch process 10 drawings per session to give you the chance to confirm that the program works as expected. When you purchase you can use SmartPurger with no limitations.

Check out more about SmartPurger here.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015 Service Pack 1

Following AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1, now it’s time for the verticals that also includes the AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015 SP1 download.

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites and bundled product.

• Autodesk Building Design Suite 2015
• Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2015

The following defects have been fixed:

Schedules

• Leading zeros are suppressed in Schedule tables.
• The number object format does not work in Schedule tables.

Display Themes

• In the display theme, some colors may not display correctly.

AutoCAD Electrical 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

AutoCAD MEP 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Autodesk AutoCAD P&ID 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Earlier this one was made available too:

Autodesk AutoCAD Map 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Download page for FlexNet license server managers to close down

The Flexera software download page for FlexNet files will no longer be available after July 31, 2104. After that date, users of FlexEnabled software must contact the publisher of that software to obtain license server managers (lmadmin and lmgrd) and related utilities (lmutil and lmtools).

This is too bad. This means that it will be harder to access updates as the publishers usually make these available several months or more after the FlexNet license server managers and utilities are updated.

If you have FlexEnabled software you want to monitor usage for check out our JTB FlexReport solution.

Autodesk BIM 360 add-in app for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 R1 Update

I was notified about Autodesk BIM 360 add-in app for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 64-bit R1 Update and noticed the severity was high and details that said “Updated authentication security” among other things. Seems like reason to install. I clicked on View Details to see more but just ended up on the BIM 360 page.

I had expected to get to a web page with more details about the update as well as download links. I wonder if there is one or not? Is there an update for 32-bit too? As a CAD manager you want to be able to distribute updates like this in a controlled manner. Now the install probably has to be retrieved from the folder “Autodesk Application Manager” found in the Documents folder for the current user.

Align objects in AutoCAD with JTB Align Plus

JTB Align Plus for AutoCAD has commands that will copy and align your text, block or selection of objects at picked point of selected line or curve. Curve can be Arc, Circle, Polyline, Leader or 3D Polyline, in current space as well as nested inside Blocks or Xrefs.

Text will be aligned and placed at an the same offset distance as text in current dimension style. Block will be aligned and fit tangentially to curve.

If you pick on text or block, or on empty space, Match Text Content or Match Block command will run, help you easily manage your drawing's tags and symbol blocks.

Want to know more about what JTB Align Plus can do?
Take a look at the JTB Align Plus page.

JTB Align Plus can be purchased on Autodesk Exchange Apps. JTB Align Plus Trial can be downloaded here.

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1 is now available to download.

You can see the notification on the New Tab within AutoCAD.

Or you can see it within the Autodesk Application Manager.

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1 can be downloaded here and AutoCAD LT 2015 Service Pack 1 here.

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD 2015 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD 2015 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites and bundled product.
Autodesk AutoCAD Design Suite 2015
Autodesk AutoCAD with Advance Steel 2015
Autodesk Building Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Plant Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Product Design Suite 2015

First off there is a new system variable added to AutoCAD 2015.

CURSORBADGE (System Variable)

Controls the display of visual aide badges near the cursor like the erase badge in red below.

Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 2

1 - Turn off all new badges
2 - Turn on all badges (Default)

Badges that will be disabled:

• Selection - cross and window selection
• Inspection
• Deletion
• Copy
• Move
• Rotate
• Scale
• Zoom
• Add vertex
• Covert to arc
• Hatch inherit property

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

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

DB Connect

• Occasional crashes when using DB Connect feature on 64-bit machines with 4GB and more RAM.

Status Bar

• Occasional crashes when opening drawing file when a bubble notification is still displayed.

New Tab

• Occasional crashes when clicking New in the Quick Access Toolbar or the Start Drawing tile on the New Tab page.
• Occasional crashes when clicking the New Tab Plus button after adding LayerFilterComboControl or Filter in the CUI dialog box.

Design Center

• Occasional crashes when inserting a block from Design Center on the second time.

General

• Occasional crashes when selecting the "Fully open the drawing file" option that displays when opening a drawing that was saved in the partial open state.
• Occasional crashes when exiting AutoCAD.

General Service Pack Updates

The following defects have been fixed:

3D Modeling

• Using the ViewCube dropdown for selecting a saved UCS will not accept UCS names that contain a space.
• The SCALE command is not applied correctly for scale factors less than 1/100th.

Display

• Cursor trails will display on the screen for users with Optimus or Dynamic Switchable Graphics technology.

Hatch

• Lineweight is applied and displayed for solid hatch objects.
• Additional lines display in the selection highlighting for a solid hatch object.
• Hatch objects do not apply LAYLOCKFADECTL or XDWGFADECTL.
• The angle of a gradient changes the appearance of that gradient.
• Solid hatch objects display the edge color.

Plot

• ViewCube will appear on plots under certain conditions.

VBA

• Unable to execute SendCommand API in multiple drawings.

General

• The number of recently used files accepts a maximum of 10. The maximum has been restored to 50.

Security Hotfix

• This Service Pack includes the Autodesk AutoCAD Security Hotfix. This Service Pack can be applied whether that security hotfix was originally applied to your system or not.
• If you have Autodesk ReCap 2015 installed together with AutoCAD 2015, please install Autodesk ReCap 2015 Hotfix 1 via Autodesk Application Manager.

When installed the About dialog box will show Product Version: J.104.0.0. AutoCAD 2015 SP1.

More about AutoCAD 2015.

JTB Text Bubble Plus - AutoCAD app

JTB Text Bubble Plus 1.1 and its more basic version Text Bubble have been released. Both are apps for AutoCAD and its verticals.

With Text Bubble Plus you can insert text bubbles to lines, curves, or draw leaders with it, or quickly make a schedule from text bubbles and/or other blocks.

JTB Text Bubble Plus can be purchased on Autodesk Exchange Apps. JTB Text Bubble Plus Trial can be downloaded here. The basic Text Bubble app is also available.

Palette Auto-hide Speed 1.4 with support for AutoCAD 2015

JTB World’s freeware Palette Auto-hide Speed has been updated to work with AutoCAD 2015 and is available via Autodesk Exchange Apps site.

 

With this app you will be able to change the time it takes to show/hide or roll-up/roll-out the palette windows in AutoCAD.

You can see the effect with palettes like Properties, Quickcalc, External References, Sheet Set Manager, Markup Set Manager, and Visual Styles Manager set to auto-hide.

150+ AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

Who doesn’t want to boost their productivity in AutoCAD! Autodesk has made available  150+ AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts on this page with printable version of all shortcuts and a template for keyboard stickers. From A as in Arc to ZIP that runs ETRANSMIT (can created zipped transmittal packages). Personally I always change C from Circle to Copy.

If you want to add or change keyboard shortcuts most of them are found in the PGP file that you easiest can access using Edit Aliases on the Manage tab.

Or the Command Aliases command on the Express Tools tab. (Requires Express Tools to be installed)

When done it can be needed to restart AutoCAD or run the REINIT command and select the PGP File checkbox.

JTB FlexReport 8.0.1 released

This new 8.0.1 version of JTB FlexReport solves some issues as described in the revision history. Mainly issues introduced in version 8.0 but also some older ones have been fixed.

Here are the downloads and general upgrade tips. Upgrades are free for customers with maintenance.

Previous release: JTB FlexReport 8.0

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 from JTB World is a report tool (HTML, chart and list reports) 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/Sentinel Protection Server/SafeNet Sentinel, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Vertex Systems, MathLM (Wolfram Mathematica license manager), RLM (Reprise License Manager), Ranorex, Venturis, 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.

AutoCAD layer drop-down has stopped working - solution

Here’s a question about the layer drop-down in AutoCAD I got that I think others also can run into so I wanted to share the solution.

We are having an issue with the Layer drop-down menu on one of our AutoCAD stations.

When we select a line that was drawn on layer "A-Line" the drop down menu does not update to shown which layer the line is on.

If I select a layer from the drop down menu and draw a new line on layer "B-Line" and then select any other line in the drawing it appears to be on layer "B-Line" because the Layer menu does not seem to be updating.

Do you know what the problem may be? Since this is only a problem on one persons computer, is there a setting that may have accidentally been turned off?

The solution is to set PICKFIRST to 1 (just enter PICKFIRST on the command line). PICKFIRST controls whether you select objects before (noun-verb selection) or after you issue a command.

Autodesk AutoCAD Security Hotfix - Heartbleed vulnerability

You probably have heard about the Heartbleed vulnerability by now and if you use AutoCAD 2015 you should read this.

Autodesk has developed the AutoCAD Security Hotfix for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015, AutoCAD LT 2015, AutoCAD 2015-based vertical products, and other AutoCAD 2015-based products, to address the Heartbleed vulnerability.

A security update for the Autodesk 360 desktop client has also been developed. This update will be provided via Live Update through the Autodesk 360 desktop client. If you declined the Live Update you can check the Autodesk Trust Center Page for additional details and alternative download options as they become available. For AutoCAD users:

AutoCAD 2015: Please just install the AutoCAD Security Hotfix on this page. You do not need to install the Autodesk 360 desktop client update but it is fine if you already have.
AutoCAD 2014: You do not need to install this AutoCAD Security Hotfix. Please install the Autodesk 360 desktop client update.

This hotfix addresses Heartbleed OpenSSL vulnerability - a security bug in the open-source OpenSSL cryptography library. Heartbleed is registered in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system as CVE-2014-0160. For more information, please visit the CVE dictionary at http://cve.mitre.org.

For other Autodesk Security related Hotfixes see this page where right now it’s also available for Inventor.

VBA Enabler downloads for previous versions of AutoCAD

Where are the VBA installers? It’s no longer possible to download the VBA installer for AutoCAD 2013, AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD 2011 on Autodesk’s page “Download the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Module (VBA)” autodesk.com/vba-download. At this point they’re only available for AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2015.

Here’s the explanation from Autodesk: “As of January 31, 2014, Autodesk is no longer authorized to distribute VBA 6 or earlier versions of VBA for use with Autodesk AutoCAD and other Autodesk products. This change affects the availability to download and install VBA for Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 or earlier, VBA remains available for Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 and Autodesk AutoCAD 2014-based products because those products support VBA 7.1.” (FAQ) Same with AutoCAD 2015.

It’s just too bad this information is not directly seen on the download page where you end up on if you for example run the VBAIDE, VBALOAD, VBAMAN commands without having VBA installed.

If you need VBA for AutoCAD 2013 or older, you will need to find an alternative download (might not be safe) or you need to upgrade to the latest AutoCAD release or migrate your custom programs to AutoLISP, ObjectARX, or Managed .NET (VB.NET or C++). JTB World can help with customization and migration work.

FlexNet version 11.12.1

The updated FlexNet (FLEXlm) version 11.12.1 (based on Flexera Software’s FlexNet Publisher 2014 R1) has been released and is now available as a public download as well as the updated License Administration Guide.

Here are the news in Version 11.12.1 as far as I could find. There might be some bug fixes too that not are documented.

Support reclaim of borrowed license (trusted storage)

Improved Virtualization support

“Binding in a Virtual Environment” subject has been updated on page 25. The text “Do not change MAC address of the virtual machine.” has been added as well.

“lmremove” subject has been split into “lmremove (in License-File-Based Licensing)” and “lmremove (in Trusted-Storage-Based Licensing)”

There are two new option keywords added:

ACTIVATION_LOWWATER Controls the number of licenses that cannot be borrowed or transferred.

ACTIVATION_ EXPIRY_DAYS Controls the activation request based on the expiration dates mentioned in options file during activation.

Previous version FlexNet license manager 11.12

lmgrd.exe, lmutil.exe and lmtools.exe are all version 11.12.1 now. It might take some time before vendors start supporting this new version but it most probably will work to update it if you for some reason want or need to do it.

JTB World’s JTB FlexReport license monitoring tool has been tested with and supports this new version.

Autodesk 2015 FlexNet feature codes

AutoCAD 2015 and other Autodesk 2015 products have recently been made available and thus there are a bunch of new FlexNet feature codes added to this page. AutoCAD 2015 feature code is 86295ACD_2015_0F.

From within JTB FlexReport and the free JTB FlexReport LT you can use the button to get these new feature descriptions.

JTB FlexReport 8.0 adds Reprise License Manager monitoring

This new version of JTB FlexReport license report solution adds some new functionality to help with your license tracking and solves some other issues:

• Added support for monitoring of Reprise License Manager (RLM) usage. For RLM monitoring rlmutil.exe is used and is available for download here: http://www.reprisesoftware.com/enduser_kits/end-user-download.php You might need to run the installer and take note of installation folder to find it. Import of RLM license server report log is also available.
• Added support for monitoring of Venturis (TRICAD) license usage.
• Added support for monitoring of Ranorex license usage.
• JTB FlexReport Config has got a large UI update.
  
• Email PNG reports automatically added to chart client.
• More settings available before a report is created on the Report Settings tab in the chart client. These are also use by the auto report functionality.
• More preset values for date ranges added in the chart client.
• Time frame is being used for Histogram charts now.
• <All> and <Unassigned> added to all list boxes in chart client where applicable to make it easier to make selections.
• Filtering added for lists in the chart client. Example: filter all features containing the text Auto.
  
• Improvements and bug fixes for the auto report functions.
• and much more added and fixed that can be found in the revision history.

Here are the downloads and general upgrade tips.

Previous release: JTB FlexReport 7.4.3

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 from JTB World is a report tool (HTML, chart and list reports) 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/Sentinel Protection Server/SafeNet Sentinel, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Vertex Systems, MathLM (Wolfram Mathematica license manager), RLM (Reprise License Manager), Ranorex, Venturis, 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.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 trial available

Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 was released last week and now available as trial too.

As you can see AutoCAD has a new updated look with a the theme darker. There are also several nice new features to consider. I’m updating the page about AutoCAD 2015 so it’s not yet complete and I’ll post more about it later on too.

Most JTB World’s apps will just work with AutoCAD 2015 as they are and where needed they soon will be updated to work fully with AutoCAD 2015.

DWG TrueView 2015 can remove educational plot stamps

If you visit www.autodesk.com/trueview you will find that the English version of Autodesk DWG TrueView 2015 now is available for download. Note that only Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are supported operating systems.

Direct links to download:

• DWG TrueView 2015 32-bit
• DWG TrueView 2015 64-bit

By default there is a dark color scheme and some icons have an updated look. Layout Tabs is a new icon that lets you display or hide layout and model tabs. The status bar where the coordinates are is now on the same row as the layout tabs.

The “New Tab” lets you open files and access Recent Documents.

In DWG Convert Modify Conversion Setup, “Remove Design Feed” is a new option.

In the post AutoCAD Educational Version - Plot Stamp Not Detected! I speculated that “Autodesk DWG TrueView 2015 and DWG Convert to batch re-save drawings to get rid of the stamp.” and after testing I can verify that DWG Convert now remove the educational plot stamp just by re-saving the drawings. If you want to know if you have any of these infected drawings in your network use JTB World’s EduFinder.

Goodbye to  “Educational Version - Plot Stamp Detected This drawing will display the message, "PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT," Do you want to continue? If you continue, the message will mark this drawing and any drawings that reference it.”

SMS and SCCM Integration ReadMe
Improvements in Autodesk® deployment technology allow many administrators to streamline their process of integrating Autodesk deployments on Microsoft® Systems Management Server (SMS) and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). In most cases, Autodesk deployments can now be advertised using a single program line instead of individual program lines for each component in the deployment.
To advertise a deployment with a single program line, use the following syntax:
.\Img\Setup.exe /W /Q /I .\Img\<deployment name>.ini /language en-us
This sample command line assumes that the package contents are defined at the root folder of your Autodesk product deployment folder, and that the product language is US English (en-us). If you have created a combined deployment and you would like to advertise it, use the following syntax:
.\img\Setup.exe /w /x86 <adminImage's name> /x64 <adminImage's name>

Software Requirements
Before creating an SCCM advertisement, ensure that all target computers have Microsoft .NET 4.0 Framework installed. Windows XP computers need Direct X installed prior to receiving a 2011 or later Autodesk product advertisement.

Component-level Advertisement
Special circumstances such as execution time limits may require you to advertise an Autodesk deployment at the component level. Please refer to <deployment name>_SCCM.txt for a listing of required program lines in the order they must occur on target computers. These commands will vary by deployment. For long command lines, use a batch file.

See also this post on install/uninstall.

This gives us an early sneak peek of what AutoCAD 2015  will look like. If you wonder about its system requirements they are already available here. You also find that AutoCAD 2015 is the only version officially supporting Windows 8.1 at this point.

I’ve also heard that Autodesk Subscription downloads already have 2015 available as well as the news that Network Licensing for AutoCAD LT 2015 is available and thus JTB FlexReport will also be able to monitor these FlexNet-based network licenses.

If you want to compare 2015 to what DWG TrueView 2014 looks like.

Autodesk Upgrade Policy after February 1, 2015

Here is a Frequently Asked Questions about the Autodesk® Upgrade Policy with all details. Here’s why you should read it.

What is changing around the upgrade policy?
As of February 1, 2015, Autodesk will no longer offer the option to purchase an upgrade version of the latest software release if you own a perpetual license* to a previous version. New versions will be available through purchase of a new perpetual license for the current version or as a Subscription benefit.

*A perpetual license grants the license holder the right to use the version of Autodesk software that is purchased for as long as desired.
 
Why is Autodesk eliminating upgrades?
Autodesk is evolving its business model to achieve a stronger and ongoing relationship with its customers, offering perpetual software licenses with Subscription and Desktop Subscriptions (software rental) as the primary purchasing options.

Starting in 2015, we will stop selling upgrades to simplify the offering and in recognition of the fact that most of our customers are on Subscription.

Purchasing Autodesk Subscription is the most cost effective way to stay current and competitive in today’s market. We continue to provide enhanced value and experiences to Subscription customers, such as flexible licensing rights, and access to select additional Autodesk® 360 cloud services, among others.

AutoCAD 2014 for Mac Service Pack 1

AutoCAD 2014 for Mac Service Pack 1 is available here and AutoCAD LT 2014 for Mac Service Pack 1 is available here.

Readme details about AutoCAD 2014 for Mac Service Pack 1:

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility
As a result of detailed information from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility, a number of problems were identified and fixed. Updates have been made to the following features:
Block
-Crash when making blocks in some situation.
Copy/paste
-Crash when copy/paste in some drawings.
Drafting
-Random crash during drawing and editing.
Startup
-Crash at startup due to some user profiles missing.
-Random crash at startup when getting the Displcay Card infomation.
View
-Crash when click the viewport control label.

The following general changes and improvements have been made:
AutoCAD LT
-Align command missing in LT.
Image
-Image underlay shows twisted or white/black bands when zooming in canvas.
License
-Cannot activate AutoCAD with some suite serial number, like Education Master suite serial number.
Other
-System animation(scrolling or switching desktop) glitches after force quit AutoCAD in some situation.
-Typo in lynda.com link in AutoCAD.
-Mis-use of Lucida Grande font.
Plot
-AutoCAD hangs when plotting drawings in some situation.
-Plot stamp now shows the system time on local machine.
-Image underlay is not fully displayed in plotted result.

And an enhancement: Now you can Reset AutoCAD at startup by holding Shift+click AutoCAD(or AutoCAD LT) icon. This helps in the case when you cannot start AutoCAD normally.

More about AutoCAD for Mac.

SSMPropEditor 5.1 released

JTB World’s SSMPropEditor version 5.1 is now available. If you use the Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD this app can save you a lot of time with its ability to index sheets, increment property values and edit Sheet Properties or Sheet Custom Properties on multiple sheets at the same time.

The main news in this release are:

• Added Polish language.

• 30-day trial added without need to request a trial license.
• Added ability to drag and drop a DST file into SSMPropEditor to open the Sheet Set.
• Improved performance while exporting and importing to and from Excel.
• Added functionality to rename matching XML file when renaming sheets belonging to Project Navigator.

For more details see the revision history.

Download SSMPropEditor and give it a try.

If you are interested in other useful AutoCAD apps take a look at SmartPurger, JTB Sheet Set Creator, HVACPAC, HTools, AutoCAD Automation Tools, DigSigStamp, Batch Publish for AutoCAD, DimensionPatrol, TransTips or OffsetInXref.

If you need any custom app created, small or large, for AutoCAD and its verticals or Revit you are welcome to contact us.

AutoCAD Educational Version - Plot Stamp Not Detected!

There was a change in AutoCAD 2014 SP1 that can put you in problems. If you open, plot or save a drawing you will not be aware that the drawing have been saved with an Educational version of AutoCAD and thus unknowingly infecting a lot of drawings that you will have problem to use in older versions. I think this is a very dangerous bug that was introduced. In AutoCAD 2014 without SP1, AutoCAD 2013 and older you will see this dialog box. “Educational Version - Plot Stamp Detected This drawing will display the message, "PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT," Do you want to continue? If you continue, the message will mark this drawing and any drawings that reference it.”

The plan is that in AutoCAD 2015 it will be possible to save drawings with the plot stamp and then have it removed permanently. That is at least good news. I guess it will also work with Autodesk DWG TrueView 2015 and DWG Convert to batch re-save drawings to get rid of the stamp.

Here’s a quote from an Autodesk employee in the AutoCAD forum:

“The educational plot stamp has been a part of the Educational version of AutoCAD for a long time. It was meant to prevent commercial use being done with an educational version of the product. Recently, a decision was made to no longer show this stamp, even on files created with the EDU version. Starting with the installation of SP1 for the 2014 products, files will no longer show the stamp when plotting, nor will they give a warning message when opening them. However, the stamp is still attached to the file even though it is not showing.”

“So yes, the danger is that someone with 2014 SP1 could open a file and work on it without realizing it has the educational stamp on it. If they then send that to someone without SP1, or on an earlier version, that user will see the warning and the stamp. At this time, using 2014 with SP1 will still propagate the stamp to other drawings, as in the past. The current plan (and please keep in mind that this could change), but the current plan is that the 2015 version will have the ability to remove the stamp altogether if a Save is performed. You'd then be able to save a file in 2015, and send it back to users on earlier versions, and the stamp will be gone altogether. More information will be provided on this as we go on as to what the final implementation will be.”

See also this knowledge base article explaining more about the Educational Plot Stamp.

If you want to identify drawings with the Educational Plot Stamp try our EduFinder app that is able to batch process all your drawings and find those with the stamp. Due to the change in AutoCAD 2014 SP1 the app might not be able to find them unless you also have for example AutoCAD 2013 installed or remove the AutoCAD 2014 SP1.