AutoCAD Command History

Im a sucker for history. Im also a CAD geek (see my blog.) If you have ever wanted to know when a command came and went in AutoCAD, check out this page by Lee Ambrosius of Hyperpics. This is a chart of the many commands, and it is very colorful. This is just a bit of trivia for most, and trip down memory lane for others.

Have fun with it.

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AutoCAD Sheet Sets – Questions are Answered

Novedge was kind enough to invite me to host a Webinar for them.  I did and as far as I can tell it went well.  There was a great response and the attendees asked fantastic questions.  I was the one presenting the information but I was able to learn a few things from their questions.  That’s why I love doing things like this.


Novedge recorded the webinar that lasted about one hour long.  In this presentation I go over a few of the basics of using AutoCAD Sheet Sets and progress into some of the more advanced project management aspects of the tool.  The last few minutes of the webinar contain an question and answer session.  There were several questions asked that we didn’t have time to go into so I answered them later on.  Novedge has published the video and the answers to the questions on their website.

Go check it out.  And check out my new AutoCAD Sheet Sets training video.  It has over three hours of hands-on demonstration (including example files for you to work with) on everything there is to know about Sheet Sets.

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If you are using AutoCAD and do not create 3D content then why are you using AutoCAD

Is this a fair question to ask?  AutoCAD LT® can do almost everything "regular" AutoCAD® can except for 3D modeling/rendering features and LISP routines, essentially.  Are you waisting your companys resources by not purchasing AutoCAD LT®?  I dont know, ok I do, but, still.  What do you think?  If you arent creating 3D content, why?  If you arent using LISP routines then I ask the same question, why?

Why do you limit yourself?  Why do you pay for tools that you refuse to use?  If you are creating items that only have two dimensions why are you using a three dimensional creation tool?  Many sheet metal fabricators use AutoCAD LT®.  They get it.

Im not trying to be mean here I am honestly curious.  If you purchased a house with three floors would you only use two of them?  At least store stuff in the third floor right?  Have you ever said to yourself or others, "Ive never seen a real need to walk up the stairs to the third floor so I dont use it."  Youre paying to heat/cool it and to protect it from the elements.

Make an argument for purchasing full on AutoCAD® but for using it like its AutoCAD LT®.

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Adding AutoCAD Related Blog or Twitter Feeds in AutoCAD InfoCenter Between the Lines

Adding AutoCAD Related Blog or Twitter Feeds in AutoCAD InfoCenter - Between the Lines

Shaan Hurleys Blog, Between the Lines, has a guest post today from Jeff Bartels. In it he describes how to add Blog or Twitter Feeds to AutoCADs InfoCenter. That way, new feeds come to you while you are working. Shaan goes on to list several great AutoCAD related feeds. If you use Twitter, Blogs, or an RSS reader, this is a must have list.

Thanks for sharing with us Jeff and Shaan.

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AutoCAD 2006 to AutoCAD 2010 Upgrade or not

Its that time of year again when one release of AutoCAD goes quietly away and the next comes barging in. On March 24th AutoCAD 2010 will be released and soon to ship. On March 13th, AutoCAD 2006 (and other 2006 releases of Autodesk software) will be retired. Friday the 13th! What a day to retire on right? It would be better to retire on March 14th, Pi Day!

Regardless if you are currently using AutoCAD 2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009, will you be updating to AutoCAD 2010? What do I recommend? I recommend subscription to be honest. It is a much larger cost up front, but in the long run, its more economic and you get more, for less. BUT, what is right for me, may not be right for you. If you are an individual and only have one or two licenses for your small office or firm, then maybe you are better off updating every few releases and not staying on subscription.

Autodesk has a legacy program that you might be interested in. I wanted to share the link with you to help you decide what course of updating is right for you.

Autodesk Retirement Program

There are cost calculators here, plan information, reseller links, etc. What you do is your business. I wanted to make sure you had some tools to help you understand the costs in updating your CAD software.

Did yo notice that I keep saying UPDATING instead of UPGRADING? Yes I know I said UPGRADE in the title, but well, forgive me. I feel that there is a difference. An upgrade implies improvement, and update means you have the latest. I strongly feel that AutoCAD 2010 is indeed an upgrade, but not everyone will, because some never do. Some times users update their software version simply to be compatible with others. So they are not upgrading but updating. I also feel more comfortable using that term. What do you think? What is the difference between an UPGRADE and an UPDATE? Will you be updating or upgrading to AutoCAD 2010?

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