Get the latest feed icon

Get the latest feed icon that is used in Firefox and now will be embraced by Microsoft and others to follow. Download the Feed Icon Package from feedicons.com

Will render for food...: Wiki Upgrade

FYI Will render for food...: Wiki Upgrade The location is now: http://www.tripleddesign.com/wiki

Convert C# to VB.NET code

Maybe you are like me mostly using either C# or VB.NET and not developing full time so the syntax is not there in your memory to easily convert back and forth between the languages. You might have found a nice snipped of csharp code and want it in VB.NET.

Here are some options I've used.
Here is a free online converter: http://www.kamalpatel.net/ConvertCSharp2VB.aspx
The free converter can also be downloaded and run offline.
Another online converter can be found here:
http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/utilities/convertcsharptovb.aspx
and her:
http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/utilities/convertvbtocsharp.aspx

Another option is to use the free Open Source .NET IDE SharpDevelop http://www.icsharpcode.net/ that has functionality to also convert code. Look at Tools>Convert Buffer C# to VB.NET and Convert Buffer VB.NET to C#.

Autodesk asks 'How often do you read blogs?'

WorldCAD Access comments about the Autodesk blog survey.

Autodesk is asking about your bloggin' behavior at www.websurvs.com/s/PAGE1/www/index.html. One question is a bit too modest in its breadth: Q: Approximately how often do you read blogs that are directly related to your industry or profession?A: Every day -- 1-6 times a week -- 1-3 times a month -- Less than once a month -- Never They left out this option: Several times a day.

I would say that they also left another option and that is if you read blogs with a reader like Bloglines or RSS Bandit you can be notified when there is something new to be read.

Meet the interactive Autodesk advisor Diana

I found about this at Lynn Allen's blog: Visit Diana on autodesk.com. I found that Diana recommended that we should change from ADT to Revit Building. ;-)

Lock the users from messing with your dynamic blocks

Here is a tip from one of my classes at AU.

Since we started using AutoCAD 2006 I've added this row to our acad.lsp that loads for all users. (setvar "BLOCKEDITLOCK" 1)

By setting the system variable BLOCKEDITLOCK to 1 you disallows opening of the Block Editor and editing of dynamic block definitions. In a multiuser company it can be useful if you have prepared a lot of dynamic blocks and don't want the users to mess with them.

From the help documentation about BLOCKEDITLOCK: Disallows opening of the Block Editor and editing of dynamic block definitions. When BLOCKEDITLOCK is set to 1, double-clicking a dynamic block in a drawing opens the Reference Edit dialog box. If the block contains attributes, double-clicking the block reference opens the Enhanced Attribute Editor 0 - Specifies that the Block Editor can be opened 1 - Specifies that the Block Editor cannot be opened

Architectural Desktop 2006 Expert Certification

Here at http://www.adt-experts.com are the Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006 Certified Experts listed. And I'm one of them after taking the exam at AU 2005 in Orlando, Florida. ;-)

Autodesk University Main Stage Presentation download available

This post is via RobiNZ that I met at AU. We had to fly quite a lot to meet each other. Robin's distance Auckland, New Zealand - Orlando, Florida 13007km/8082miles Jimmy's distance Gothenburg, Sweden - Orlando, Florida 7730km/4803miles

Autodesk University Main Stage Presentation download available By RobiNZ on CAD Autodesk University Scott Sheppard has posted video of the Autodesk University Main stage presentation. ... It’s a big, or huge, video file to down-load but well worth seeing. If you want to view it as presented at AU you’ll need a 20 x 80 ft screen, but it still looks great on a desktop monitor

Autodesk – Discussion Groups – DWF – Autodesk University Main Stage presentation.

DWG and PDF are alike

Or the title could be "Autodesk and Adobe are alike". When reading this blog post on Acrobat and PDF Clones: What you should know . . . I immediately thought about Autodesk and DWG and the DWG Clones existing for good and bad. Don't you?

Visual Studio Add-Ins Every Developer Should Download Now

Link to article. Each of these add-ins works with Visual Studio .NET 2003 and most of them already have versions available for Visual Studio 2005.

Kill a process in VB.NET

I have had problems with processes that are not closed correctly. This is what I've done after trying to close it the correct way to ensure it is killed. In this case it is Acrobat that I have run.

res = AcroExchAVDoc.Close(False)
Dim myProcesses As Process() = Process.GetProcessesByName("acrobat")
Dim myProcess As Process
For Each myProcess In myProcesses
If myProcess.MainWindowTitle = "" Then myProcess.Kill()
Next myProcess

PS. I have not tried this yet but it could be worth trying to use Marshal.FinalReleaseComObject(AcroExchAVDoc)

Microsoft and Autodesk Broaden Strategic Alliance with DWF

From this press release:

The MSN Search and retrieval support of DWF’s is scheduled to be available in early 2006 and Autodesk’s support of Microsoft XAML is planned for early 2007.

Handouts from AU 2005 classes

PDF handouts from my classes can now be downloaded from AU Online http://www.autodesk.com/auonline (They where updated with the latest yesterday so if you already downloaded them, do it again to get the latest) I had two Plant Design classes PD12-1 (Multidiscipline CAD Usage at an EPC Company) and PD13-1 (Plant Design Tips and Tricks) To get the files I used in the PD13-1 class log in to AU Connect. You will find the files on the group Plant Design. Look for Shared Group Files.

I also had the chance to assist three classes that where interesting: Hands-On Migration Class with Bud Schroeder People, People, Everywhere: Build your own graphical facility Phone Directory with DWF with Brian Mathews Introduction to dbConnect for Facilities Management with Scott McFarlane

I also attanded several classes and labs as well as some usability studies. But there were so many other classes I would have loved to go to so it's great with having so much posted on Au Online. So now I can continue my AU studies from home.

Update: The PD13-1 session was unfortunately not recorded in good quality and will not be available to view.

Take the Autodesk blog survey

Autodesk is conducting a survey on industry related blogs. This is now on the front page of www.autodesk.com Be Our Brain Trust Take a short survey about blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds, and other new ways of communicating.