Subject: Re: New AutoCAD FAQ
From: (Reini Urban)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 20:12:59 GMT
Hi fellow AutoCAD Faq'ers!
I've tried to setup a basic structure. My comments are in
<..> brackets in the text.
URL: html://xarch.tu-graz.ac.at/autocad/news/faq/autocad-faq.part1
I'm really not sure if, or where to put ADS/ARX/VB questions.
(because I like my AutoLISP FAQ that much :)
Basically there is just one often asked question:
"Is there a special ADS/ARX group?"
and "Can I ask this ADS question here?" which should be answered
in Section [1]
But again:
Should ADS, ARX, Visual Basic programming be handled in my AutoLISP
FAQ too and therefore be renamed to "Programming" or kept in a
seperate part?
Please Dennis (esp. you!) add some sugar to the Section [1]
The first lines are for the news.answers and comp.answers approval.
They post it to those groups and store it at the MIT server, where are
all FAQ's are.
--
Title: comp.cad.autocad FAQ: Introduction (part 1/6)
Summary: This supercedes the old comp.cad.autocad FAQ by Peter Sheerin
Archive-name: CAD/AutoCAD-faq-part1
URL: http://xarch.tu-graz.ac.at/autocad/news/faq/autocad-part1.html
Version: 0.1
Posting-Frequency: bi-weekly
Last-modified: 17.Jan 96
Copyright: see Section [A]
Subject 0: What is this document?
This is part 1 of 6 of the comp.cad.autocad FAQ. Due to its length
and different maintainers it is splitted into 6 parts:
part 1: Introduction, Using comp.cad.autocad, Online Resources
part 2: Using AutoCAD
part 3: AutoCAD Customization
part 4: Hardware Setup, Recommendations, Drivers, Plotters
part 5: AutoCAD Utilities
part 6: AutoLISP FAQ
This newsgroup is for discussion of AutoCAD, an Autodesk product and
related topics.
Here are some answers to "frequently asked questions" (FAQs) in this
newsgroup. However, be warned that the only mechanism we use to
compose these FAQs is to gather information submitted by people
around the net, post it regularly, and incorporate feedback. All
evaluations are the opinions of those who submitted them.
This is the first pass of the new FAQ. It was taken over from Peter
Sheerin's version at
http://www.cadence-mag.com/library/AutoCAD-FAQ which was not posted
to comp.cad.autocad.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
-----------------------------------------------------------
[1] Posting guidelines: Read this before posting first!
[1.1] What can you expect from comp.cad.autocad?
[1.2] The comp.cad.autocad charter (History)
[1.3] Choosing good subject lines
[1.4] Good answers
[1.5] No Binaries!
[1.6] Announcements, Make Money Fast
[2] What is the difference between comp.cad.autocad and
alt.cad.autocad? (or "Why two groups?")
[2.1] Other cad groups
[3] Are the comp.cad.autocad articles stored somewhere?
[3.1] FAQ parts and home sites
[4] Is there a mailing-list about AutoCAD? (no?)
[5] Internet Resources about AutoCAD
[5.1] Companies
[5.2] User-Groups, sites
[5.3] Magazines
[5.4] Shareware Sites
[5.6] Docs
[5.7] Online Tutorials
-----------------------------------------------------------
[A] Disclaimer, Notes from the authors
[B] Acknowledgements
[C] Recent Changes
-----------------------------------------------------------
[1] "Posting guidelines: Read this before posting first!"
[1.1] What can you expect from comp.cad.autocad?
Be warned that the only mechanism we use to compose these FAQs is to
gather information submitted by people around the net, post it
regularly, and incorporate feedback. All evaluations are the opinions
of those who submitted them.
Support:
We believe that users can support other users better than dealers,
but we are no professional supporters. We are not paid for doing
this. Some answers may be better than your local dealer's support,
some are not. However there are some professional supporters,
teachers, developers and power-users active helping other people.
There are even by AutoDESK hired crafts doing "AutoDESK product
support at the Internet" for AutoCAD.
There are no AutoDESK programmers answering in this group.
You get:
Customizations tricks, hardware advice, "How To" advice, AutoLISP
programs
You do NOT get:
Money, binaries, blocks, DWG's, commercial programs, cracks
You should NOT post:
"Test (please ignore)"
Ask for any illegal actions in this broad public
<...>
You may post:
Anything appropriate to the comp.cad.autocad charter. See [1.2]
up to [1.6]
[1.2] The comp.cad.autocad Charter (History)
The comp.cad.autocad charter was written 1994 by Ben Olasov,
the RFD (Request For Discussion) and CFV (Callīfor Votes)
with all voters are stored at
ftp://ftp.uu.net/pub/
<...>
See also Section [2] "What is the difference between
comp.cad.autocad and alt.cad.autocad?" (or "Why two groups?")
[1.3] Choosing good subject lines, How to take part
You don't need to subscribe to comp.cad.autocad, to take part at
the discussion. Just choose a good subject line and post your
article. To test how your message would look like or if you may
actually post something please use your local *.test group.
Beware that your article is physically copied to every single
news server around the world and read by every potential AutoCAD
user with Internet access because it's free!
<...>
[1.4] Good answers
<...>
[1.5] No Binaries!
<...>
[1.6] Announcements, Commercial, Make Money Fast
<...>
[2] "What is the difference between comp.cad.autocad and
alt.cad.autocad?" (or "Why two groups?")
The Big 8: comp, sci, misc, soc, talk, news and rec hierarchy
<...>
[3] "Are the comp.cad.autocad articles stored somewhere?"
There is no comp.cad.autocad archive or such a thing, but there
are some search machines which store news articles. In particular:
* http://www.dejanews.com/
narrow your search with "~g comp.cad.autocad"
The biggest news archive
* http://www.altavista.com/
* http://www.excite.com/
* http://www.phoaks.com/phoaks/comp/cad/autocad/
Index to Web resources
Some specific news postings are also stored at
http://xarch.tu-graz.ac.at/autocad/news/contents.html
The AutoCAD FAQ is stored by the news.answers team at
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/CAD/AutoCAD-faq
[3.1] FAQ parts and home sites
The HTML homesites of the FAQ are here:
Introduction:
html://xarch.tu-graz.ac.at/autocad/news/faq/autocad-part1.html
(or at Dennis??)
maintained by: me?
Using AutoCAD:
Customization:
Hardware:
Utilities:
AutoLISP:
html://xarch.tu-graz.ac.at/autocad/news/faq/autolisp.html
maintained by: Reini Urban
[4] Is there a mailing-list about AutoCAD?
<...>
[5] Internet Resources about AutoCAD
[5.1] Companies
[5.2] User-Groups, sites
[5.3] Magazines
[5.4] Shareware Sites
[5.6] Docs
<...>
[5.7] Online Tutorials
<...>
-----------------------------------------------------------
[A] Disclaimer, Notes from the authors
[B] Acknowledgements
written by Reini Urban.
[C] Recent Changes
v0.1: 17.Jan.96
First outline, request for discussion
-- Reini, 17.Jan.96
Subject: Re:Laptop Recomendations for R13
From: hopltd@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in (G Rajesh)
Date: 17 Jan 1997 07:10:00 -0800
astrospmis@aol.com (ASTROSPMIS) wrote:
>Our drafting dept. is looking to use R13c4 on a laptop for revisions
>on the road. Is anyone using R13 under windows3.1 on a laptop out there???
>If so, send me some Email & tell me what you are using
>(model/RAM/processor)
>and if you had any problems with video. Thanks inadvance!
>
>
>Don Hill.......
>
Don,
The best config is Pentium 120Mhz , 2 GB harddisk , Active matrix with 32MB
RAM. There are lot of good models available on the market like Compaq,
Toshiba , NEC etc.,
G.Rajesh
//Autodesk Product Support on the Internet//
Subject: Re: Autocad Liscenses
From: Lu
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 15:51:02 -0500
Darren Young wrote:
>
> In article <32DF6DA3.72FD@ix.netcom.com>, learly@ix.netcom.com says...
> > This also includes a platform change required to go from my r10 286 to
> > r12 386. I have spent quite a few bucks over the years for a single
> > individual. I even borrowed the money to purchase my initial copy at
> > 20% intrest.
> > Question: What do I have to show for this investment?
>
> Lu,
> I think Autodesk has yet to see the worst of it's sales problems. There
> are tremendous number of users still using r11/12 and even r10. It
> really is unblievable to me but, on our web page, we have the r10,
> r11/12, and r13 DXF documentation on-line as well as FTP'able. When
> reviewing our WEB logs, I'd say that the r10 documentation is d/l'd just
> as much as r11/12. Both r10 and r11/12 are d/l'd at about twice the rate
> as the r13 documentation. With the growing displeasure with Autodesk, I
> think this will force even more users to stay with their current releases
> instead of upgrading. I'm curious as to how many companies upgraded to
> r13 only because it was needed for compatability issues with other
> clients.
>
> Sincerely,
> --
> Y-------------------------------------------------------------------+
> | Darren J. Young | Minnesota CADWorks, Inc. |
> | dyoung@mcwi.com | P.O. Box 7293 |
> | 76341.3053@compuserve.com | St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302-7293 |
> | http://www.mcwi.com | Phone: 1-320-654-9053 |
> | CAD/CAM/CNC - Drafting Design Customization Training Programming |
> 0,0-----------------------------------------------------------------X
> Email addresses not to be sold or used for unsolicited advertizments.
Hi Darren,
With exception of the support issue, there is a larger force driving
software changes, namely Microsoft. Although individual developers
should support their software, who accepts the blame and better yet will
accept the responsibility of making expediant corrections to the current
OS's. I have *itched about this many times and for that reason I havn't
contributed much lately. I'll bet at least once a day I have some
oddball problem with a program running under win95.
One thing I did learn, why it takes so *amn long to list directory
contents. It's due to to the genius *long file names* and idiot
pictures. In the process on converting my custom 32x32 bitmap icons for
r13 to *.ico files for my r12 SoftEngine, guess what I saw as tiny
pictures in the Explorer window. Yep, you got it, the *(*%^&* (*&&*
icons. These things are 800+ bytes each! The win95 OS is reading each
file to find a picture so some idiot can look at a picture. No *^&%&*(
wonder it takes 2 minutes to display the contents of a *single*
directory. This is absure. I am sure some yuppie who uses his bosses
equipment will say I need to spend another $2000 for something but this
is getting out of hand. I better watch out I am getting on my soap box
again. ;)
Cheers,
Lu
//------------------------------------------------------------------
// When all else fails, read the book.
// CAD\Tek Home Page: http://www.cad-tek.com
//------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: CAD package needed for Mac and WinNT
From: "Mike McCreavy [Bentley]"
Date: 17 Jan 1997 20:26:14 GMT
Tim Pedone wrote in article
...
> I'm with a company that is currently working with a large aerospace
> corporation. The project involves automating some of their processes via
> some custom applications and integration of some shrink wrap software.
> One of these packages is a CAD package. We are looking at purchasing
> approx. 200 seats when we find the right package. Our requirements are
as
> follows:
>
> 1) Does it run on WinNT and Mac?
MicroStation95 runs on both these platforms.
I can answer your Mac specific questions. I would answer "yes" to
all your automation and scripting questions - MicroStation supports
both BASIC and C (via MDL), so you have a lot of options when it
comes to scripting.
> 3) Can it create drawings from a script file that is passed to the
program
> upon launch time?
MicroStation supports BASIC - you can generate drawings in BASIC.
It is possible to use an initapp (an application that runs inside of
MicroStation at startup) to start a BasicScript. There may be easier ways
to do this as well.
> 4) Once the drawing is automatically created, can the drawing be changed
> manually? If so, can you communicate this to an external application and
> regenerate the matching script file?
You can record your modifications as a BASIC script and then save the
script file.
> 5) Can the package export in .dxf, .bmp or PICT file formats?
MicroStation for the Macintosh can export these formats.
> 8) Does it support a C/C++ API for automation of drawings?
MicroStation for the Macintosh supports native DLMs using CodeWarrior
tools. Their compiler can do C++ (for specific C++ implementation
questions,
I would look around http://www.metrowerks.com). All drawing generation
can be done through MDL (which is C), but the DLM itself may be implemented
in C++.
> 9) Does it support interapplication communication (Apple Events on Mac
> and/or DDE on WinNT)?
Using MDL and a DLM you may register your own Apple Event handlers.
When MicroStation receives an AppleEvent, it makes a call to
AEProcessAppleEvent() -
if you've installed an AppleEvent handler, it will be called at that time.
You also have
the option of overriding AppleEvents that MicroStation handles by default.
>
> If you know of a package that can meet these requirements, please contact
me.
>
if you have any more MicroStation Mac questions, please ask:
mike.mccreavy@bentley.com
Subject: Re: Script help! Ctrl-C possible in a script??
From: "Lee Harding"
Date: 17 Jan 1997 16:59:59 GMT
1. Don, you can add a Ctrl-C to a script file using a text editor that will
allow you to type in control characters For example, using the MSDOS 'edit'
program, just type Ctrl-P Ctrl-C (it looks like a heart, but it's really a
break). The block below contains a a script with a break:
line
0,0
3,1
3,3
regen
2. Dennis, if you want the last entity added to the database (even if it
off the screen) use (entlast).
--
Lee Harding
Autodesk, Inc.
MCAD
No soliciting, please.
Dennis Shinn wrote in article
<5bn3g6$7q5$4@brokaw.wa.com>...
: barrow@iinet.net.au (Don Barrow) wrote:
:
: >Is it possible to include the equivalent of a Ctrl-C on the keyboard
: >(ie. to cancel a command) in the text of a script?
Subject: Re: Where are all of the Sample Libraries?
From: Rusty Gesner
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 14:42:13 -0800
Scott C. Carter wrote:
>
> About a week ago, I was in desparate need for some sample CAD
> drawings. I searched around the WWW and could not find any
> institution that had a website with sample .dxf or .dwg files. This
> made me realize that I needed to post some samples on my web pages...
> possibly to start a trend. Please tell me what you think...
I agree with the need for sample libraries, and support anyone making
them available, but your posting and sample library site appear to be
spam, directed only at gaining scanning and conversion business. I have
no serious problem with that except that you should at least be up-front
about it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Scott C. Carter IMT Associates
> imtmail@aol.com http://www.webcom.com/imt
> (303) 715-9613 (303) 715-0146 FAX
> SCANNING, MAPPING, CAD/GIS CONVERSIONS, and DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT.
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> P.S. F.Y.I. the sample library that I started is located at
> http://www.webcom.com/imt/sample.html
--
B. Rustin (Rusty) Gesner -- Group A
AutoCAD Expert.Consultant.Author.Editor
Co-author of Maximizing AutoCAD R13
See http://www.group-a.com/~rusty
All e-mails not DIRECTLY concerning the primary topics of this newsgroup
will be considered unsolicited, and receipt thereof shall constitute
legal acceptance by the sender and sender's organization of the legal
terms located at http://www.group-a.com/~rusty/scumbags.html
Subject: CAD Software for Students !!!
From: educaer@aol.com (EducAER)
Date: 17 Jan 1997 23:05:44 GMT
Genesis Technologies Inc. is an Authorized Academic Software and Hardware
Reseller. We carry software products from a wide range of publishers
including Adobe, AutoDesk, Borland, Cassady & Greene, Claris, Corel,
Extensis, Fractal Design, IBM, Lotus, Macromedia, Metatools, Micrografx,
Microsoft, QuarterDeck, Software Publishing Corporation, Specular, Visio,
and several other leading publishers.
We offer a complete range of software products at prices that guarantee 25
to 50% savings over SRP. All products we sell are new, shrinkwrapped,
legal and registerable.
These prices are applicable only to Students, Faculty and Staff of
recognized educational institutions only (K-12 or Higher). Academic ID
required. E-Mail for more information.
Visit us on the web at www.genesis-technologies.com (Keyword to:
http://www.genesis-technologies.com/) for a complete product listing,
prices and details on who & how to purchase. You can even place your order
online !
We accept Visa and Mastercard. We also ship UPS COD.
For more information, or to place an order, e-mail -- or contact --
Genesis Technologies Inc
Toll Free : 800-433-6326
Fax : 814-231-0371
E-Mail : EducAER@aol.com
Subject: Re: 21 inch monitor.... which one?
From: "Stefano Zambonin"
Date: 17 Jan 1997 22:46:57 GMT
OK.
I come from several bad monitor.
I know all about IBM,Mitsubishi,Eizo,Nokia for
direct testing and sincerly i disagree with the
various opinions: from users or magazine.
The only monitor that gave me satisfaction is
Philips 21B (1600 * 1280 * 85Hz).
I suggest you Philips 21B absolutly.
Scuse me for my bad English.
Sincerly, Stefano.
Michael Koch scritto nell'articolo
<32D1D134.58B6@earthlink.net>...
> Sorry to post something off-topic (or likly to be off-topic). I'm
> considering buying a 21 inch monitor. Having a hard time finding recent
> tests/comparisons I'm turning to people that are likely to have them.
> I'm currently looking at these:
>
> Nanao (Eizo) F2-21
> Viewsonic P815
> Hitachi AccuVue 21 (Mod 4921 asymmetric grille (?))
>
> Anybody have those? Good, bad, neat, nice, fuzzy, bright, bright colors?
> Buy, stay away, for the money..ok?
>
> In case you have any other brand/model that can do 1600x1280 at 74+ Hz
> let me know.
> Please reply via e-mail. Thanks, MIKE...
>
Subject: Re: A New Wengerd
From: dyoung@mcwi.com (Darren Young)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 12:51:07 -0600
In article <01bc0429$ea626b20$e07cd4cd@dev1>, owenw@manusoft.com says...
> We welcomed Nicholas William "Wild Bill" Wengerd into the world today (Jan.
> 16) at 8:13 PM EST. He's a healthy 9 lbs., 14-1/2 oz., and the rest of the
> family is doing fine. :)
I suppose you've already have a digitizer puck in his hands.
Congrat's!
Sincerely,
--
Y-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Darren J. Young | Minnesota CADWorks, Inc. |
| dyoung@mcwi.com | P.O. Box 7293 |
| 76341.3053@compuserve.com | St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302-7293 |
| http://www.mcwi.com | Phone: 1-320-654-9053 |
| CAD/CAM/CNC - Drafting Design Customization Training Programming |
0,0-----------------------------------------------------------------X
Email addresses not to be sold or used for unsolicited advertizments.
Subject: Re: Autocad Liscenses
From: dyoung@mcwi.com (Darren Young)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 13:01:22 -0600
In article <32DF6DA3.72FD@ix.netcom.com>, learly@ix.netcom.com says...
> This also includes a platform change required to go from my r10 286 to
> r12 386. I have spent quite a few bucks over the years for a single
> individual. I even borrowed the money to purchase my initial copy at
> 20% intrest.
> Question: What do I have to show for this investment?
Lu,
I think Autodesk has yet to see the worst of it's sales problems. There
are tremendous number of users still using r11/12 and even r10. It
really is unblievable to me but, on our web page, we have the r10,
r11/12, and r13 DXF documentation on-line as well as FTP'able. When
reviewing our WEB logs, I'd say that the r10 documentation is d/l'd just
as much as r11/12. Both r10 and r11/12 are d/l'd at about twice the rate
as the r13 documentation. With the growing displeasure with Autodesk, I
think this will force even more users to stay with their current releases
instead of upgrading. I'm curious as to how many companies upgraded to
r13 only because it was needed for compatability issues with other
clients.
Sincerely,
--
Y-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Darren J. Young | Minnesota CADWorks, Inc. |
| dyoung@mcwi.com | P.O. Box 7293 |
| 76341.3053@compuserve.com | St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302-7293 |
| http://www.mcwi.com | Phone: 1-320-654-9053 |
| CAD/CAM/CNC - Drafting Design Customization Training Programming |
0,0-----------------------------------------------------------------X
Email addresses not to be sold or used for unsolicited advertizments.
Subject: Learn AutoCAD Guaranteed!
From: "Ray Buchner, Marketing Director"
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 16:30:24 -0600
: Thanks for taking a look at my post!
: The name of our company is American Video Training. As ourselves, we
have
: been producing self-paced, interactive training for YOU, the AutoCAD
user,
: for about 6 years now. We are a Registered Autodesk Developer and
believe
: that we have the best, most cost effective solution for you to learn
: AutoCAD on the market today! If you don't agree we will gladly refund
ALL
: of your money.
: Our newest product for Release 13 titled: First Step for AutoCAD R13
is an
: eight part video series that instructs in the Level 1 curriculm that
: Autodesk so defines. The full training package consists of 8 Video
tapes,
: 8 Workbooks that are on floppy disk, and a Drawings File Disk that
contains
: all the drawings in the videos.
: The Video Tapes allow you to see how a particular Command or Concept
is
: applied. The Workbooks can serve as a bridge between the VCR and
computer.
: They also include pre and post testing to help you further define the
: areas that need more attention. The Drawings File Disk Allows you to
learn
: by doing as opposed to just learning by watching or reading.
: Total instruction covers a little over 300 of the commands and
concepts
: that apply to R13 in about 12 hours of total video instruction.
: Please call me personally if I can help you in any way as it relates
to
: AutoCAD Training. If we don't have a solution to your needs then the
very
: least I can do is try and point you in the right direction.
: We do also have training for the R10, 11 & 12 DOS user as well as the
LT
: and R12 Windows user. Upcoming productions in 1997 are to include an
: Interactive CD ROM instructing in the 3D fundimentals of R13.
: Take the First Step today and give me a call or e-mail me today with
any of
: your training needs!
: Ray Buchner
: Marketing Director
: American Video Training
: 1-800-554-1499
: hilt@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Re: hiding in 3d - r12
From: ay665@freenet.uchsc.edu (Michael Rounds, CADesign)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 20:15:59 GMT
"Bill Capps" wrote:
>I don't have an answer for you. But we are facing the same problem here.
>I would appreciate, if you can pass your answer to me.
>Many Thanks,
>-Jirachai
>Sam Saliba wrote in article
><32DBBE70.58F4@ozemail.com.au>...
>> I'm having problems hiding lines in 3d.
>> My linework made up of a wireframe won't hide lines
>> unless I zoom in very close to a small part of the model.
>> I don't however have the same problem if I try hiding from
>> within a viewport in paperspace.
>>
>> If anyone has an answer or some advice I would appreciate a reply.
>>
>> SS
I submitted a bug report way back when for this problem in R12. The
bug still exists in R13. At last check, they are still working on it.
The bug is related to hiding in perspective mode.
Workaround: Do NOT use intiger values for the target and camera
points. Once you have selected your points inn dview, reselect them
dynamically to get floating point values. Usually this works.
Sometimes you may need to repeat this process a time or two.
Michael Rounds
______________________________________________________________________________
Michael Rounds, Computer Aided Design Manager ay665@freenet.uchsc.edu
Hoover Berg Desmond, Architects hbd@csd.net
Denver, Colorado, USA For true multitasking, try orienteering
Subject: Re: Closest $500range competator to AutoCAD?
From: jdunfee@shadow.net (Joe Dunfee)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 01:15:40 GMT
jdunfee@shadow.net (Joe Dunfee) wrote:
> So... I am looking at alternatives in the $500 range, and have in
>mind the following...
I have added to my specification list - I want the ability to read
and write AutoCAD 12 DWG files - and to do it pretty accurately. I
also want the ability to disply dimensions with both English and an
alternate unit, Metric.
MiniCAD- the next version, 7, is supposed to add DWG compatability
Felix CAD - ?
Corel Visual CAD and Corel Cad 3-D - ?
I have also added the following to my potential purchases.
DynaCAD - seems to be a very full featured product, and included
DWG compatability.
CadKey - I forgot about this long time comptetator to AutoCAD -
But, If I recall correctly they are out of my tarket price
range anyway.
