RobiNZ CAD Blog

Can’t maximise AutoCAD in Windows 7 (or Vista) 64?

Have you ever minimised AutoCAD (Windows 7 64) and not been able to maximise it from the taskbar? The button is live (glows when you hover), the preview shows the application and the full application window shows when you hover on the preview. Any attempt to maximise via the taskbar, or Alt+Tab, results in a “bong” sound and nothing. Task Manager: The only way to get back If you get stuck like this Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open the Task Manager then double click or Right Click > Restore will bring the application back. AutoCAD, Windows or something beginning with VBA? This... Read more →

Lost in [AutoCAD Architecture] Space

I was using AutoCAD Architecture AEC Space objects to mark up a site plan with hatched areas for parking allocation (below left). All was going well until, in the middle of an edit, they all changed appearance. Instead of colour coded hatch they had become a simple yellow outline (below right). First thought was maybe some sort of display system problem (memory, resources, driver?) or I had changed display modes. The correct Medium Detail display was current so couldn’t blame that. A file open close, then AutoCAD restart eliminated potential memory/resource/system problem but the strange display persisted. A trip to... Read more →

The end of the disks, I mean discs? Now it’s download!

I must be getting old… Remember when AutoCAD came on a few floppy disks? Then a handful of CDs, or a DVD? I just finished building CAD application deployments that would require about 26,624 floppy disks. Admittedly it was AutoCAD Architecture/MEP, Revit Arch/MEP and 3DS Max (plus some 64 & 32 bit duplication) so a little more capable than the floppy disk era application. And soon, the end of discs! This arrived in the email yesterday: “Please read this important notice about how you will receive your future Autodesk® software upgrades. In 2010 Autodesk is making download the default method... Read more →

Autodesk $implified Upgrade Pricing March 16th deadline approaches

Mark, CADDManager Blog, has posted about the change coming to Autodesk upgrade costs that kicks in from March 16th. Although “simplified” the change from product age related pricing to a flat “50 percent of the price of a new license” seems to mean simply more expensive. Although it was announced some time ago you should be aware if you have Autodesk® 2007, 2008, and 2009 era products not on subscription the change will impact you should you wish to update or re-subscribe. If you have a current 2010 product, on subscription or not, and are considering a cross-grade to another... Read more →

Update all AutoCAD Architecture/MEP Palettes in a click

Everyone else probably realised this long ago but sometimes the obvious isn’t always… well, obvious. AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) and MEP use Tool Palettes - like AutoCAD - but have the Content Browser to organise and share them. While the system has it’s quirks I’ve found it a brilliant way to share content, tools, and custom commands/process/tasks and it’s something I miss in Revit. Best of all it’s not CUI based and version independent so Tool Palettes/Tools/Groups created in ADT 2004 work fine in ACA 2010. Manual, or Automatic? You can have Tool Palettes update automatically when the application starts but... Read more →

AutoCAD Architecture & MEP 2010 Update released

I’m waiting for Windows 7 64 before deploying 2010 at work so haven’t tried these. Lots of fixes, I mean updates, and they incorporate the recent AutoCAD 2010 update. Currently installing the AutoCAD Architecture update on my home machine to see how it goes. Between the Walls: AutoCAD Architecture 2010 and MEP 2010 Product Update 1 Read more →

Your Subscription expires soon? Soon?

It seems time flies at Autodesk or “soon” means something different in New Zealand. Last week was my Subscription renewal anniversary. A couple of days after getting through that trauma (well, not really but…) a reminder email arrived. I nearly deleted it thinking it related to the, just completed, 09/2009 transaction but then noticed the date. While it isn’t long in terms of human history when you’re talking about an annual subscription I wouldn’t call “in 363 days time” soon! Read more →

AutoCAD Architecture AND Revit?

Guillermo Melantoni's recent post on AutoCAD AND Revit prompted me to share how AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) can help your Revit work-flow. Yes, you read that right, ACA can help with Revit. I'm not... Read more →

New Zealand Autodesk Solutions Day 2009 (2010 Product Launch)

I'll be at the Auckland June 4th event, see you there! Here's the blurb: The Autodesk Solutions Day 2009 is aimed at professionals' involved in the design, construction and management of government and commercial projects within the Building, Civil, Geospatial and Manufacturing market place. This all day event will showcase the latest products, services and technology. They are happening in Christchurch late May, Auckland early June. Contact your New Zealand Autodesk reseller for details and to register! Read more →

David and the (AutoCAD Architecture 2010) Ribbon

David Koch is working through an extremely detailed tour of the new AutoCAD Architecture 2010 User Interface on his blog The Architect's Desktop. Part 3 concentrates on the Home Tab of the Ribbon, earlier posts on the Application Button and Ribbon modes. AutoCAD® Architecture 2010 - UI Changes: Part 1 - The Application Menu Part 2 – Resizing the Ribbon Part 3 - The Ribbon, Home Tab Read more →