• Tag: autocad

    CUI command in AutoCAD

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    In this post I will show you how to Customize User Interface and how CUI command allows to customize drawing environment to suit your needs.

    The Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor in AutoCAD provides a wide range of options to create and modify all the content that can be displayed with a workspaces. The Customize User Interface allows user to not only create new user interface elements and commands from scratch, but you can also copy existing user interface elements and commands to modify them.

    When customizing the CUI file that come with AutoCAD or creating your own CUIx files, the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor creates a backup copy of the file when you first start making changes to the CUI file.This file stores the settings you’ve configured in your AutoCAD customized user interface. Customization files located in the user’s appdata folder (see Figure 1).

    Figure 1. Customization Files Location

    First of all, check which layout tab is set current when a drawing is opened.
    In workspace settings check Automatically save workspace changes option (see Figure 2).

    Figure 2. Workspace settings

    Open the Customize User Interface Editor by typing CUI command (see Figure 3).
    Once the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor have been opened, user can view the contents of the loaded customization files by expanding the elements in the tree structure and viewing the properties of the elements. By selecting the Customize tab user will be able to modify interface elements such as Ribbon Tabs, Menu Tabs, create new Custom Tabs or add Commands. 

    Figure 3. Customize user interface menu

    After changes were to workspaces were finished, set newly created workspace to Current and hit Apply and OK buttons. On return to your screen have a look if you got what you wanted. If you are satisfied with the result change Workspace Settings back to Do not save changes to the workspace option.

    Watch the video below that demonstrates the entire process.

    AutoCAD 2020

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Autodesk has release the latest iteration of their flagship drafting software, namely AutoCAD 2020.  Click here to see Autodesk’s page detailing what’s new.  Go to the Autodesk Account page to download the software of get it from the Desktop App.

    Here are the features of note in this release:

    • There is no DWG format change.  Files back to 2018 are compatible with this release.
    • New installation technology allows for an install time about half that of previous releases, when a Solid State Drive is in use.
    • A new block palette exists containing all of the blocks within the current drawing.  The INSERT command no longer displays the usual block insert dialog box, it now runs the BLOCKSPALETTE tool, displaying the new blocks palette.  The new CLASSICINSERT command displays the old block insert dialog.

    • The purge command now indicates the reason why some objects cannot be purged.  This has been a request for many releases.

    • Use the Quick measure tool to more efficiently measure objects.

    • Access to drawings saved to online services such as Box and Dropbox has been streamlined.

    Civil 3D Update 2018.2

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Civil 3D Update 2018.2

    Autodesk has released the latest update for its Civil 3D 2018 application.  You will find information about the update here.  The update can be installed with the Desktop App or by downloading it from Autodesk Account.

    Remember, these new types of releases are not simply service packs.  There are certainly fixes to defects, but there is new functionality to be had these days.

     

    A brief look at the changes:

    Various defect fixes.

    Profile Layout Direction:

    Some profile entities can now be drawn right to left as well as left to right.

    Vertical Curves in Offset Profile Slope Transition Regions:

    Vertical curves are now created in slope transition regions for offset profiles.

    Rail Turnouts and Crossings Commands:

    Create and edit rail turnouts and crossovers.

    Subassemblies:

    A variety of new PKT-format subassemblies are included in this update.

    The Use Targets On the Same Side As the Subassembly check box was added to the Set Width Or Offset Target dialog box in the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2018.1 Update.

    Pressure Network Content:

    New metric and imperial pressure network content is included in this release.

    3D Solid Crossing Appearance Control in Section Views:

    Control the appearance of 3D solid crossings that use the style option by modifying the properties of the 3D solid layer.

    Multi-Select Projection and Crossing Styles in Section Views:

    Control the appearance of crossing and projected objects and labels using Shift-select and Ctrl-select.

    Autodesk Civil Engineering Data Translator:

    Translate AutoCAD® Civil 3D® files to files that can be used in Bentley® GEOPAK® and Bentley®InRoads®, and translate GEOPAK and InRoads files to files that can be used in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

    AutoCAD Update 2018.1

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    AutoCAD Update 2018.1

    Autodesk has released the latest update for its AutoCAD 2018 application.  You will find information about the update here.  The update can be installed with the Desktop App or by downloading it from Autodesk Account.

    A brief look at the changes:

    • Xref layers override improvements.
    • View and viewport improvements.  Please note that if this update is applied to Civil 3D, these improvements are available, but do not appear in the ribbon.  See this document for details.
    • High resolution monitor support.
    • Defect fixes.

     

    Revit Tip of the Day #2

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Revit Files are Clogging Up My Server Storage!

    Some people find that Revit files are using up too much storage on their server or other storage. Although a few companies have ‘limitless’ cloud storage this is not the norm. Plus, is anything really ‘limitless’ on this planet?

    You might also want to refer to this post for additional info…

    Backing Up and Recovering Revit Files

    Revit files are large…fact. But surprisingly they are relatively smaller comparable to an AutoCAD project folder. The reason for this is that Revit contains more information efficiently in one file as opposed to a folder of  many files i.e. AutoCAD, Sketchup, Excel etc. Still, your storage space may be used up WAY faster now than before Revit. Below are some possible culprits and recommendations. All of these recommendations are assuming that you have a server and local backup protocol.

    1. Saving Local Revit files to server. Each person’s ‘Local’ file will eat space from the storage on the server. It’s better to have each user save the files locally on their machine. This frees up server space and acts as a backup. Saving Local Revit files to the server is made worse by many of the issues below.

    2. Standalone Revit files are making too many backups. Turn the backup number down. Search for files with *.0*.rvt or a variation of that *.*.rvt. You may find many of these are redundant backups and can be removed.

    SolidCAD
    3. Local Revit files are being ‘timestamped’ on open. This is when a Local Revit file is not overwritten on open, it makes another copy and appends the date and time to the name. If everyone is doing this, it will gobble storage space like candy. You might want to do the Overwrite option.

    SolidCAD

    4. Revit Central files need to be Compacted occasionally. Do this in the Save Options. Also, keep the Maximum backups number down.

    SolidCAD
    5. Large and messy CAD Files Imported or Linked. Sometimes a very large AutoCAD file will be brought into the Revit file. This will then get propagated to all the Local Revit files. The key here is to use AutoCAD to Purge and Audit ALL imported or Linked CAD before bringing it into Revit. Avoid bring CAD into Revit if possible. Put all Imports onto a Workset.
    6. Large, messy, overly detailed or complicated Revit Families. Be suspicious of any Revit Families over 5MB. This is compounded if you need to use it many times. If the Family is well made it may be worth the pain for future information gains.
    7. Revit file needs to be Purged. This command is dangerous if you just Purge everything. You will need to go through the list and pick out what needs to be purged. If there is a nasty Revit Family inserted into the project you will need to completely remove or replace it before Purging.
    8. People are simply saving lots of copies of stuff. Sometimes people save every single Revit file they receive and every single copy they make. On the plus side, if it’s organised, you have a way to get old information that suddenly becomes very important. Or, it could just be unnecessary clutter. You should at least save a complete project folder at key project milestones.

     

    Common Tech Issue of the Week #4

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    When starting Microsoft Office every time, AutoCAD runs for installation

    Issue:

    When starting Microsoft Office every time AutoCAD® runs for installation. Two error messages pop up:
    AutoCAD <version>: Please wait while Windows configures AutoCAD <version>
    AutoCAD <version>: Run setup.exe to install AutoCAD <version>

    Solution:

    Repair your AutoCAD installation:

    • Start – Control Panel – Programs and Features
    • Select your AutoCAD version and choose from context menu “Uninstall/Change”
    • In the dialog select “Repair or Reinstall”
    • In the next dialog select the option “Repair” and click the button “Repair”

     

    Common Tech Issue of the Week #3

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Restoring Toolbars in New Versions of AutoCAD

    Issue:

    Although the new type of interface with Ribbons was introduced in AutoCAD 2009 to replace traditional Toolbars, there is still a large number of users who prefer Toolbars.  Until and including AutoCAD 2014 it was very easy to restore them.  All you had to do was to select AutoCAD Classic as the current workspace as seen in figure.

    Things got more complicated starting with AutoCAD 2015.  AutoCAD Classic workspace is no longer available, but luckily for those who prefer Toolbars, they are still included.

    Solution:

    One option is to transfer the AutoCAD Classic workspace from older customization file (ACAD.CUIX) to your current version of AutoCAD:

    1. In your new version of AutoCAD type CUIIMPORT command and press Enter.  The “Customize User Interface” dialogue box will be displayed with “Transfer” tab as current.  The right half of the dialogue box will display the contents of the current version ACAD.CUIX file.
    2. On the left half of the dialogue box, click the “Open customization file” button and select your older version ACAD.CUIX file with “AutoCAD Classic” workspace.
    3. Using your mouse, drag and drop “AutoCAD Classic” workspace from the older-version ACAD.CUIX file on the left to the current version on the right.

    4. Click OK to close the dialogue box
    5. Set “AutoCAD Classic” workspace as current.

    Common Tech Issue of the Week #2

    Posted on by SolidCAD

    Softlock Manager Error when starting AutoCAD

    Issue:

    When starting AutoCAD with standalone license the following error appears and software does not start:
    “The security system (Softlock license manager) is not functioning or is improperly installed” (screen shot attached)

    Causes:

    There may be several reasons for this error, but most likely it’s the FLEXnet Licensing Service which is stopped or disabled.

    Solution:

    1. Go to Control Panel – Administrative Tools and double-click Services.
    2. Find “FLEXnet Licensing Service” and “FLEXnet Licensing Service 64” (depending on the system, only one of the two may exist).
    3. Right-click on “FLEXnet Licensing Service” and select “Properties”.
    4. Set Startup type to “Automatic”.
    5. Under Service status click “Start” button.
    6. Click OK.
    7. Repeat steps 3-6 for “FLEXnet Licensing Service 64”.
    8. Start AutoCAD.

     

    The Hidi Group

    Posted on by SolidCAD
    Success Stories

    The Hidi Group

    Hidi Group is a full-service mechanical, electrical, communications, security and commissioning consultancy with a staff of over 140 employees. Its head office is located in Toronto with branch offices in Calgary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its team consists of professional engineers, engineering technicians and designers to offer a broad range of engineering skills and production efficiencies for a wide variety of building types and procurement needs.

    Project Profile

    The Challenge

    Hidi Rae completed the majority of its projects using Autodesk’s various design software, with over 80 licenses for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Autodesk Building Design Suite, and MEP. Managing each license was a big, time-consuming task. Keeping track of serial numbers, activations, and subscription renewals was laborious and inefficient, but necessary.

    The Solution

    SolidCAD Solutions worked with Hidi Rae to consolidate and optimize its licenses. This effort reduced the number of licenses owned and ensured that Hidi Rae improved the usage of each license.

    SolidCAD also made recommendations on products that would improve the engineering workflow. Bundled or suite products offered by Autodesk were often more cost-effective than purchasing individual stand-alone products. Multiple licenses were placed on one contract so that the contract manager could more easily renew and manage subscriptions. SolidCAD ensured that Hidi Rae maximized the tools and information available in the Autodesk Subscription Center.

    The Results

    • Improved usage of each individual license
    • Reduced effort in contract management
    • Improved fiscal management

    Testimonial

    We wanted to exercise diligence in managing our internal purchases and leverage each asset we invested in.

    – Herbert Kornhuber, IT Manager, Hidi Rae Consulting Engineers

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