Controlling Linetype Scale in AutoCAD

Using linetypes are beneficial to differentiate between types of geometry in AutoCAD. These types of geometry can be hidden lines, center lines, visible lines, and so on. Depending on the scale of your drawing, linetypes will be displayed differently. Understanding and controlling the scale of the linetypes is important to making the drawing look correct.

Here is an example of how linetype scale can change the display of a line. The “Center” linetype is being displayed on these four lines, each of them is being displayed at a different linetype scale. As you can see the spacing and the length of the line is altered as the scale is changed.

Note: from top to bottom the linetype scale is being reduced by .25 each time.

Linetype scale can be controlled a couple of ways. The first way is through the properties panel (with the geometry selected). In the "General" section, there is a "Linetype" option.

The other method is to use a command (LTSCALE) at the command line. This is a global setting, meaning it will affect all the lines with a linetype applied to them in the drawing.

Note: This method will affect the scale of linetypes you may have already manipulated through the properties menu. Example if you set a line to be at .5 through the property menu, and then set LTSCALE to be .5 the line you originally selected to be .5 will now be at .25 overall scale.

Take the Guess Work Out of Rendering with 3DS Max Design 2012

Tired of all the guess work with that comes with making a rendering? Look no further than 3ds Max Design 2012. With the recent addition of the iRay rendering option, users now have a much less complicated form of creating photo realistic images.
iRay Rendering functionality is great for those who don't want to spend hours waiting for an image to cook up, only having to tweak a few more settings, and start the waiting game again.

A few advantages to using iRay:

• No More Guessing - iRay is built around calculating the lights, shadows, reflection, and refraction. No more tweaking the exposure setting to get the proper lighting in your scene.

• Time Based - Have an initial presentation due in an hour? No problem! iRay allows you to set the time for it to render, and it does the rest. This works in the opposite direction as well, you can set it to render until you want it to stop.

• Autodesk Material Library - using iRay does not require you to use a special set of materials. Users have access to the 1200 unique materials found within most of the Autodesk products.

• Ability to Pause - iRay gives you the ability to pause and save an image of the rendering at its current state, then start right where the rendering process left off.
  

To find out more about iRay Rendering:

http://usa.autodesk.com/3ds-max/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81jH1p7FWRU

Image courtesy of Marriott International, Inc & Autodesk

WANTED - Missing Dialog Box

Have you ever experienced the dreaded "Missing Dialog Box"?  You know there is supposed to be a box that shows up in your program but instead the program just seems to freeze.  Or better yet, the program is telling you to enter the information in the dialog box.  You search high and low, but there's nothing on your screen.  


Don't beat yourself up, it probably a case of the dialog box slipping off your screen.  This can happen for a number of reasons.  Maybe you changed your screen resolution, or maybe you typically use dual monitors and now you have only one.  Either way its a fairly simple fix.


First - change your screen resolution to its highest setting and see if you are able to see the dialog.  It could be that it is near the edge of the screen and is not displayable at lower resolutions.  If you do see it, drag it back to the center of the screen and return your resolution to its previous setting.


If changing the resolution does not resolve the problem, here is a simple method to get it back.

1. While the dialog box is supposed to be on the screen, press <alt>  then the <space bar> then <m> all together. Pressing in this order and all together puts the dialog box in a "Move" state.
2. Press the left or right arrow keys to move the dialog box in either direction. Once you do this, the dialog box is attached to your mouse cursor.
3. Move your mouse and place the dialog box in the center of your screen.
4. Click to place the dialog

That's it. The next time a dialog box goes A.W.O.L., don't get frustrated, follow either of these simple methods and you'll be back to work in no time.

To Train or Not to Train? That is the question!

No, not really.  Deciding to not get training on your new software is not often a decision as it is a result of circumstances.  Not enough time, too expensive, too busy....trust me we have heard most of them and we do understand.

With the new year I wanted to take a few minutes to see if I could bother our readers for some input.  We are always trying to create new products/classes that will better suit the needs of our customers.  So, to this end, I am asking you, the reader, "What kind of training best suits you needs and availability?"

Delivery of Class:

Instructor Led, Virtual/Web Class (elearning), Computer Based Training (Videos)

Length of Class:

Full day, half day, 2 hr. Workshop

Type of Class:

Essentials & Advanced Class, Specialized Topic Workshops, ...?

Not learning how to use your software to its full potential is like buying a Ferrari* and never taking it out of first gear.  

*Please substitute you favorite car here

Taking away 1 simple new skill or idea from a training class can result in a large amount of time savings/week.  Add these up and its not unrealistic to see days if not weeks of savings over the course of a year. Now multiply that by how many designers/users are in your department, I think you get the picture.

YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!

Let us know what you think. Add a comment here or email us at training@adraft.com

Autodesk Product Design Suite Launchpad

Autodesk Labs has recently posted a tool to optimize your product design workflow.  It's called the "Autodesk Product Design Suite LaunchPad".

The LaunchPad Technology Preview accelerates design efforts by providing a single portal into Product Design Suite applications, project data, and workflows. The LaunchPad’s one-click workflows prepare your design data in the Suite environment that is most appropriate to your task so you can quickly start designing, engineering, simulating, and visualizing your design. The LaunchPad is intended for users who already have Product Design Suite installed.

This new LaunchPad contains tools to help automate the following workflows:

• Reuse 2D Data
• Modify 3D Geometry
• 3D Parametric Design
• Stress Analysis
• Dynamic Simulation
• Technical Drawings
• Interactive Design Review
• Photorealistic Rendering

The LaunchPad also has the ability to set default Inventor templates as well as project file support for better control over how the Inventor-related workflows are started.  The desktop icons are also scalable to accommodate different screen configurations.

With the latest updates, the LaunchPad offers two sets of one-click workflows, each supporting different industry design tasks.

• Machine Design: For users who typically work with a variety of 2D and 3D data to design, engineer, analyze, and simulate machines.
• Plastic Part Design: For users who need to transform concept designs and styled surface models of molded plastic parts into engineered, manufacture-ready solid models.

The following NEW Plastic Part Design workflows are available in this technology preview update:

• Concept Sketching
• Styling
• Design Engineering
• Materials Selection Analysis
• Stress Analysis
• Technical Drawings
• Explore Design Alternatives
• Photorealistic Rendering

Keep in mind that this is a Technical Preview and will be available until May 30, 2012.  To download a copy of the "Autodesk Product Design Suite LaunchPad" goto:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/launchpad/

Authoring Inventor Content for Plant 3D

If you are you asking the question “how can I use my Inventor data inside of AutoCAD Plant 3D” then look no further. If you have content that already exists inside of Inventor and you would like to use that content inside of Plant 3D then simply read below. Autodesk has taken the steps with this utility to easily export data out of Inventor and import that same data into your plant design.

Using a Pump design from Autodesk Inventor 2011

1

• Ensure the units for the Inventor model match the units of the Plant 3D project
• This can be set in Inventor under Tools > Document Settings

2

• Ensure the orientation of the Inventor model is aligned with the Z-axis pointing up
• TIP:  If the orientation of an existing design isn’t aligned, you can insert the model into a new assembly and apply the necessary constraints in Inventor to orient it properly

3

• Start the AEC Exchange environment in Inventor from Environments > AEC Exchange

4

• Author important connection points for Plant 3D to re-use
• Plant 3D understands Nominal Diameter Size, Connection Type, and Direction
• Ensure Nominal Diameter = standard library size (e.g. 4.0in)
• Ensure the connector direction arrow is pointed away from the model. This gives Plant 3D the required orientation for starting and ending routes. You can still define the flow direction as required in the properties.

5

• OPTIONAL:  You can reduce the “heaviness” of the Inventor model by creating a Shrinkwrap Substitute. This can improve performance in Plant 3D if this component is used frequently.
• Shrinkwrap Substitute can be found in Inventor under the AEC Exchange environment

6

• Select Export Building Components to package up the Inventor model and relevant component item data
• You can assign the component to an OMNI class application type, and include important data like Description, Manufacturer, Model No., Cost, etc.
• Select OK to browse to a location to save the .ADSK file output

7

• After saving the .ADSK result, a summary report is generated letting you review the success of the output. The file is now ready to be used in Plant 3D.

Updated Information on AutoCAD WS

We are in the middle of our MUG (Manufacturer User Group) meetings and there seems to be quite a bit of interest in AutoCAD WS.  I have posted about AutoCAD WS before, but I told some people at the meetings that I would post the link.  Here you go:
AUTOCAD WS WEBSITE AND SIGNUP

I am interested in the different way that people are using this so let me know how you use it (matt.cole@adraft.com).  Please reference the Adraft Tech Talk blog in your subject line.

Thanks!

PS If you are interested in the MUG meetings, please follow this link:
Adraft Events Signup