Archive for the ‘Computer Aided Drafting’ Category
AutoCAD Taking at Stab at SketchUp with 123D?
Autodesk recently release a free 3D modeling program called 123D. Here is a Desktop Engineering video showing some features of 123D.
Autodesk doesn’t usually do “free”. Is this an attempt by AutoCAD to compete with users that like SketchUp?
I’ll have to download the program and give it a try. (From the video it sounds like the program has some pretty strict hardware requirements. It may not run well on some older or wimpy computers.)
The Sunburned Surveyor
DoubleCAD XT Pro Now Has Ruby Scripting
DoubleCAD XT Pro makes one of the best free 2D CAD software available for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. The pro version of DoubleCAD now features Ruby scripting. There is a video on the Ruby scripting available in the pro version of DoubleCAD. There is a web page about the ruby scripting at the DoubleCAD web site.
The suggested price of DoubleCAD XT Pro is around $700.00. That is a little pricey. You can get an IntelliCAD program with embedded AutoLISP for about half that price. Still, with Ruby scripting, DoubleCAD XT Pro is probably still a better deal than AutoCAD LT, which doesn’t have the ability to run AutoLISP code.
If your looking for an AutoCAD alternative, I strongly recommend BricsCAD, which even runs on Linux!
The Sunburned Surveyor
Now Using AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012
I’ve started using AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 and AutoCAD Map 3D 2012 in the last couple of weeks. I don’t see any major changes that have improved or impacted my workflow so far. I’ll keep readers of my blog posted if I learn anything useful about the changes in AutoCAD 2012.
The Sunburned Surveyor
Inserting PDF Documents Into An AutoCAD Drawing
In recent versions of AutoCAD you can import PDF files. This is useful for working with documents distributed in PDF, like construction plans or FEMA flood hazard maps. There is a short video on Youtube that explains how to insert a PDF into an AutoCAD drawing.
The Sunburned Surveyor
Block with Dynamic Coordinate Display
Cadalyst Magazine has recently posted a tip on a block that can be used to display its insert coordinates. They block dynamically updates the displayed coordinate whenever the block is moved.
The Sunburned Surveyor
AutoCAD Companion Apps in AutoCAD 2012
AutoCAD 2012 has a new feature that allows users to download “companion apps” for AutoCAD. These companion apps are little extensions or customizations.
This smells like an Apple App Store or Android App Store for AutoCAD.
You can read more details about AutoCAD Companion Apps in AutoCAD 2012 in this announcement.
