VistaDB 2.1 database for .NET has been released

Since I'm evaluating alternatives to using Access databases maybe VistaDB will be the the way to go.

VistaDB 2.1 database for .NET has been released This 2.1 update includes over 60 improvements, including new support for .NET 2.0 and Visual Studio .NET 2005. VistaDB is a small-footprint, embedded SQL database alternative to Jet/Access, MSDE and SQL Server Express 2005 that enables developers to build .NET 1.1 and .NET 2.0 applications. Features SQL-92 support, small 500KB embedded footprint, free 2-User VistaDB Server for remote TCP/IP data access, royalty free distribution for both embedded and server, Copy 'n Go! deployment, managed ADO.NET Provider, data management and data migration tools. Free trial is available for download. - Learn more about VistaDB - Repost this to your blog and receive a FREE copy of VistaDB 2.1!

Silent installation of Autodesk DWG TrueView

To install Autodesk DWG TrueView with a click on a button create a VBScript. Then you can just send a link to the file to the users or deploy it with other means. Download the free viewer and extract the zip file to a server location. Open Notepad and enter the following code and save the file with the vbs file extension.

on error resume next
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
runstring="msiexec /I ""\\server\SetupDWGTrueView2\DWGV.msi"" /qb! " & _
"INSTALLDIR=""C:\Program Files\Autodesk\DWG TrueView"" " & _
"ACAD_SILENT_LICENSE=YES"
WshShell.Run runstring,1,true
msgbox "Ready"

You have to correct the path to the msi file.
For complete options to use with msiexec command, see http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/msiexec.mspx.
Using VBScript it's also possible to prepare a profile in DWG TrueView. Make the changes in Tools>Options. Locate HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DWG TrueView in the registry. Export it to a reg file and install that prepared profile for the end user. This includes any custom files like ctb, pc3, fonts etc.
You can also make sure that this happens if another user logs in on that PC. Otherwise that user will have the default profile.

Previous post on the release of DWG TrueView.

>>>Update

If the settings in Options should be distributed it should be taken in consideration that some paths are saved pointing to user locations like C:\Documents and Settings\jimmy.bergmark\Application Data. Therefore you have to just take some of the settings. (Update. See the usage of environment variables in the end of the post)

Below <<Unnamed Profile>> there can be several paths that have to be handled. I recommend that these are removed from the reg file or that you just keep those that you actually need to change. E.g.:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DWG TrueView\R2\DWGV-4001:409\Profiles\<<Unnamed Profile>>\General]
"PrinterConfigDir"="C:\\PHEM\\Autodesk\\AutoCAD\\16.2\\plotters"
"PrinterDescDir"="C:\\PHEM\\Autodesk\\AutoCAD\\16.2\\plotters\\PMP Files"
"PrinterStyleSheetDir"="C:\\PHEM\\Autodesk\\AutoCAD\\16.2\\Plot Styles"

For adding support paths I instead recommend that you copy what you need to the following paths. Typically you might want to add fonts, shapes, linetype files and so on.

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\DWG TrueView\Support
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\DWG TrueView\Fonts

>>>Update 2005-11-03 based on the comments of R.K. McSwain.

At his blog post he shows the usage of windows environment variables for the support file search path.
%ALLUSERSPROFILE% returns the location of the All Users Profile.
%APPDATA% returns the location where applications store data by default.
%PROGRAMFILES% returns a path like "C:\Program Files".

There is also another way to run the installation and to get all supporting installations installed if needed using setup.exe and run it in a silent mode. Change the setup.ini file and the following rows (changed text is bold):
SETUP_STARTUP_MESSAGE=NO
INSTALL_CMD_ARGS=/qb! /L*v %temp%\DWGVInstall.log INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\Autodesk\DWG TrueView" ACAD_SILENT_LICENSE=YES

>>>Update 2005-11-03 Added the arguments INSTALLDIR and ACAD_SILENT_LICENSE

AU Connect

Shaan Hurley has apparently also looked at AU Connect. An interesting tool to connect with other AU visitors. Shaan also mentions a good IE tips. This is useful for example if you already have IE open and AutoCAD or some other application crashes and after showing CER opens a new URL in the same window.

DWF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Scott Sheppard at Autodesk has compiled this great FAQ that probably answer most of your questions regarding DWF's.

This paper addresses several frequently asked questions concerning Autodesk’s Design Web Format. It was compiled from various sources including internal Autodesk servers, emails, and previously published content. Autodesk discussion group participants will recognize most of the questions as well as their answers. Much of this same information is available in various places on the Autodesk web site.

The latest version of this document is always available at: https://projectpoint.buzzsaw.com/constructionmanagement/public/DWF%20FAQ.doc?public

Autodesk - Alias and some ADT - Revit

One paragraph in this article on The Deal about the Deal (Interview with Autodesk and Alias) was about ADT and Revit:

Dave brought up a recent acquisition in Autodesk to use as a comparison. He pointed out that when Autodesk acquired Revit for the architecture space users felt it was in direct competition with Architectural Desktop a product they already owned. "Both teams remained intact, both products remain separate, and grow separately still today". This is a perfect example of a sucessful implementation of just this concept in the 3d space.

Take a walk in Stockholm

The Swedish website www.hitta.se has a new cool feature when searching for a person or an address you can see the facade of the house and take a walk on the sidewalk. Take a walk on Strandgatan in Stockholm. Click on "Gå till Strandv. 3 »" to continue the walk.

Autodesk's DWG TrueView™ released

Do you want to view and print 2D or 3D DWG or DXF drawings just as good as if you had AutoCAD 2006? Do you want to create high quality DWF files? Get DWG TrueView™ that is now available for free from Autodesk. http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview I've used it and tried it and give it my best recommendations. Read more about it at Shaan's Between the Lines blog http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2005/10/new_and_free_dw.html

Pure Text a great free tool

I've been using this little free tool for a while now and it's absolute a must have tool for me. Maybe for you too. http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext

Have you ever copied some text from a web page, a word document, help, etc., and wanted to paste it as simple text into another application without getting all the formatting from the original source? PureText makes this simple. Just copy/cut whatever you want to the clipboard, click on the PureText tray icon, and then paste to any application. Better yet, you can configure a Hot-Key to convert and paste the text for you. The pasted text will be pure and free from all formatting

Autodesk University 2005 reminder

I will hold two classes at AU 2005. Even though these classes are on Plant Design I think many other disciplines can find them valuable. Especially the one about how we work with the engineering tools at Pharmadule Emtunga. We have the following disciplines in-house: Architectural, Structural, HVAC, Electrical, Instrumentation, Telecommunication, Utility Piping and Process Piping. What problems have we run into and how have we solved them? What tools have we chosen and why? How have we integrated all this together? What have we developed in-house? How are we improving our time to market? These questions and a lot more is something I will share with you. Welcome! From a previous post: If this sounds interesting sign in for one or both of them. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

PD12-1: Multidiscipline CAD Usage at an EPC Company. Session Type: 1.5 hr. Class Date: November 28 Start Time: 10:00 AM End Time: 11:30 AM Expertise: All Levels Description: This case study will discuss CAD usage at Pharmadule Emtunga. They are aiming for project execution using a mix of CAD applications that best suit their needs. AutoCAD, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, PDMS, third-party applications as well as in-house-developed tools are used. An engineering database application is a hub for the information flow. EDM and ERP are also deployed. A data-centric P&ID application is on its way. Topics Covered - Computer-integrated engineering and project execution - AutoCAD integration with PDMS - 2D, 3D, and BIM - P&ID and engineering databases - Customization of AutoCAD Who Should Attend AEC engineers, drafters, CAD managers

PD13-1: Plant Design Tips and Tricks Type: 1.5 hr. ClassDate: November 28 Start Time: 01:00 PM End Time: 02:30 PM Expertise: All Levels Description: This session is a generic tips and tricks class that focuses on how to use AutoCAD features for plant design. Topics covered will be how new features in AutoCAD 2006, such as Dynamic Blocks, Block attribute extraction, and Tables can be used for creating schematics and isometrics, making calculations, and Bill of Materials. The class leader is the CAD manager at an EPC company with a focus on Plant Design. Learn from his experience, increase your productivity, and learn to have a lot of fun using AutoCAD as well. Topics Covered - How to use your CAD tools in your daily work - Dynamic Blocks - Block attribute extraction - Tables - Fields - 2D/3D - Practical uses of dbConnect and MS Access - Hidden or forgotten gems in AutoCAD Who Should Attend Plant design engineers and designers of all engineering disciplines who want to learn how to better use AutoCAD 2006. http://www.autodeskevents.com/au2005/ There are a lot of other great classes to attend as well. I will assist on some of the labs and attend some others. See you there!

Clean up printer drivers

I got problems with a printer so it only printed on A4 even though I selected A3. I called the IT department first but got not much help since I already had tried to delete and add the printer again. I made a quick google search and found this good link that helped me to resolve the problem by cleaning up the printer driver for the printer in question. This helped me and might help you as well:

1. Open the Printers (Printers and Faxes on Windows XP) folder
2. delete all of the printers
3. click File, Server Properties
4. select the Drivers tab
5. for each entry: a. select the entry b. click Remove

DWGgateway to create PDFs within AutoCAD

I've just tried the latest version of the free DWGgateway to see how it can create PDF files from within AutoCAD.
If you want to create PDF files for free there are better alternatives in my opinion that also works from any application. I can then recommend http://www.acrosoftware.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
http://www.pdf995.com/
From what I can see DWGgateway cannot be configured much. It forces you for example to plot both the model and the layout to PDF even though I just want the layout. It uses the saved page setup and does not use the AutoCAD plot interface.
Here is what SolidWorks says.
Create industry standard PDF documents from within AutoCAD at no cost.
DWGgateway enables AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file and create PDF documents that can be shared with virtually anyone, at no cost. This new capability, available today at http://www10.mcadcafe.com/goto.php?http://www.dwggateway.com, makes it easy for design engineers to share designs with anyone, regardless of whether the recipient has AutoCAD software. The recipient needs only free Adobe Reader software, nearly as common on desktops as a Web browser.
This capability eliminates the need to upgrade the AutoCAD software to new versions simply to work on files created by users of newer AutoCAD products. In this way, the DWGgateway software tool fosters open collaboration and saves users the time and money of unnecessarily implementing new products. As a result, AutoCAD software users can work efficiently with colleagues, customers, partners, and suppliers instead of receiving "incompatible version" messages. More than 150,000 AutoCAD software users have downloaded the software component from SolidWorks Corporation.
Try it for yourself at:
http://www.dwggateway.com/

SyncToy to synchronize your files

A while ago I started to use SyncToy and I'm very happy with it. It's free from Microsoft and available at here.
White paper for SyncToy.
Overview
Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store and retrieve files. There are new sources of files coming from every direction: digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to move files from one place to another; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping a mental card catalog in their heads. Others use one or more applications of one sort or another to provide this functionality for them.
Now there is an easier way. SyncToy is a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows XP that provides an easy to use, highly customizable program to help copy, move, and synchronize different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without adding complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of directories at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another. Unlike other applications, SyncToy keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

Remove Sheet Set association on a sheet drawing

You might have used Sheet Set Manager (SSM) in AutoCAD 2005 (in AutoCAD 2006 and newer the association is normally automatically removed) and later on want to remove the association of sheets to the specific Sheet Set.

This can manually be done by deleting (or temporary move) the dst file for the sheet set, open the drawing(s) and when prompted for Lost Set Association select the Remove button.

If you have multiple sheets it's possible to script this.
You can use SmartPurger or some other tool to script multiple drawings and run this code to remove the association to the sheet set:
(dictremove (namedobjdict) "AcSheetSetData")

If you are using SmartPurger just save the row above into a text file using Notepad and name it for example disassociatessm.lsp and add it to the Settings>General>Script/lisp file. Then run SmartPurger and select the files you want.

For dictremove to work the sheet must first be deleted from the sheet set and the drawing must be saved after running the code.

VBscript to deploy AutoCAD 2006 SP1 or the like

Here is a snippet of a VBScript that I used to install AutoCAD 2006 SP1:

on error resume next
Dim WshShell
Set WshShell = Wscript.CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Acad2006="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R16.2\ACAD-4001:409\"
PN=""
PN = WshShell.RegRead(Acad2006 & "ProductName")
If fso.FolderExists("C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2006") and PN="AutoCAD 2006" Then
  Release=""
  Release = WshShell.RegRead(Acad2006 & "Release")
  If Release="16.2.54.10" Then
    WshShell.Run """\\it.local\Acad2006\AutoCAD2006SP1.exe"" /q",1,true
  End if
End if