The Google Earth™ Publishing Extension is now available for AutoCAD and other products*. You can use this utility to publish your models directly into Google Earth™
This extension works with:
- AutoCAD 2007
- Architectural Desktop 2007
- Autodesk Civil 3D 2007
- Autodesk Map 3D 2007
- AutoCAD 2008
- AutoCAD Architectural 2008
- AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008
It's beta, it's unsupported, but it's "really cool"... so give it a try if you have an interest.
Google Earth™ Publishing Extension available here: http://labs.autodesk.com/
Google Earth™ available here: http://earth.google.com/
Labels: Add-on utilities, AutoCAD 2008, Tips
PermaLink Posted 5/30/2007 04:09:00 PM Comments (0)
Since the DWF format has been gaining steam over the past couple of years, one of the requests I have seen a lot is for the ability to automatically create a DWF at the same time you save or close a drawing in AutoCAD. Starting with AutoCAD 2008, you can now do this.
In the OPTIONS command, on the Plot and Publish tab, there is an "Automatic DWF Publish" checkbox and a button to set various options for this tool. There are 3 main options.
1. When do you want AutoCAD to create the DWF?
- Save - Each time you save, a DWF is created/updated.
- Close - Each time you close the drawing, a DWF is created/updated.
- Prompt on Save - Same as above, but you are prompted.
- Prompt on Close- Same as above, but you are prompted.
2. Where do you want to save the DWF files?
- Same folder as the DWG file.
- A "DWF" folder relative the the DWG folder. In other words, if you drawing is in "R:\Jobs\MyProject", then the DWF files will be saved to "R:\Jobs\MyProject\DWF"
- A single, hardcoded folder, such as "C:\DWF"
3. What do you want to include in the DWF file?
- Model space
- Layouts
- Model space and the layouts.
The other options are similar to normal DWF creation, such as whether to include layers, whether or not to use a password, and whether you want a single DWF or multiple DWF files.
If you obsessed with keeping a current DWF file that matches your DWG, then creating a DWF at each save may be for you. However, if you have several layouts and/or a large drawing, count on some additional time each time you save. A more reasonable option may be to just have AutoCAD create the DWF when you close the drawing.
Warning: If you have this feature turned on and the last created DWF is open (say a co-worker is viewing it), then the DWF creation process inside of AutoCAD appears to work, but the DWF does NOT get updated. IMO - AutoCAD should warn the user that the DWF can not be updated. If your co-worker opens this DWF and leaves for the rest of the day, you can Auto-Publish the rest of the day and the file will never change.
Labels: AutoCAD 2008, DWF
PermaLink Posted 5/22/2007 07:09:00 AM Comments (0)
Here are some other related links:
Shaan's license plate frame
Beth's vanity plate
CADMAMA
Labels: Notices
PermaLink Posted 5/17/2007 09:03:00 PM Comments (1)
Here is a screen shot showing some of the different types of things you can do with MLEADERs.
Notice that you can apply linetypes, use some "built-in" shapes (or your own blocks) for terminators, and that the blocks can be a different color than the leader(s).
The best thing is that now you can have more than leader (or pointer). After you construct the first segment, select it and right click, then choose Add Leader. You can also use this toolbar button.
Another cool feature is the ability to line up several separate MLEADERs.
Note that you don't have to line them up vertically. You can line them up along any angle. The command name is ._MLEADERALIGN.
Labels: AutoCAD 2008
PermaLink Posted 5/10/2007 08:57:00 PM Comments (0)