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