Without A Net

AutoCAD 2013 Service Packs

Service Pack 2 for 2013 full AutoCAD and the LT version have been released. The links are below:

AutoCAD 2013 SP2: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=21764214&linkID=9240618

AutoCAD LT 2013 SP2:  http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=21764300&linkID=9240818

AutoCAD 2013 / 2014 Crashing with Windows 8

There has been an issue reported where using multiple dropdown menus within AutoCAD 2013/2014 with Windows 8 will cause the program to freeze. Ending the process in task manager has been the only way to close the program. It appears as though the cause has been found. Evidently if you have a phone plugged in to your computer while running AutoCAD, this freeze can happen. Unplugging the phone causes AutoCAD to work correctly again. Please see the post below for additional information and the posts from the users who found the solution:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-2013-2014-DWG-Format/AutoCad-2013-on-Windows-8-bug-missing-dialog-boxes-and-can-t/td-p/3761944

AutoCAD 2014 Assistance

Several new articles have been posted that may be of assistance to you if you will be moving to the 2014 products. Please see below for links:

In what order does cascading licensing check available licenses?

What products have been tested and are confirmed to work with Windows 7?

System Requirements for AutoCAD

Operating System compatibility for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

I hope these links are helpful to you as you look to upgrade to the latest version.

Recover Damaged Drawings / Clean Corrupted Drawings

I want to share some tips for working with damaged AutoCAD files. It can be very frustrating if a file becomes corrupt and is no longer in working shape. There are some things you can try to do to recover those files, and some preventative tips as well to prevent them from getting to that state.

First, I want to share a technical solution with some good tips for recovering damaged files that may not even be opening:  http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=2896262&linkID=9240617

Usually, one of those steps will work to bring the file back to a state where it can be opened. Once you get it opened though, you probably want to do some cleanup to try and fix whatever the problems are that caused it to get where it was. Or you may just be working with a file currently that opens, but is slow and sluggish, or just isn't quite acting right and you fear there is corruption setting in. I'll put the steps below that I have had great success with in restoring these types of files back to a clean state.

First, open a blank DWG and run the RECOVER command. You can then browse to the problematic file, and AutoCAD will attempt to repair any errors it finds. Save the file, and then see if everything works as you expect it to. If not, continue on to the steps below:

1) Open the problematic file and make sure all layers are on and thawed.
2) Detach any XREF's.
3) Type in -PURGE at the command line (remember to enter the dash before the command). Type R for RegApps. Delete all RegApps in the file. It is not necessary to do them one by one because sometimes there can be thousands and it would take a very long time.
4) Type AUDIT, and select Y for yes to audit the file of any errors.
5) Type PURGE and purge the file of anything that can be purged.
6) Using the WBLOCK command, block out all the information in the file to create a new drawing. Select the objects by windowing them; do not just type ALL.
7) Open a blank DWG. Do not use any templates. (Set the STARTUP variable to 0, and then open a file if you are unsure if you are using templates)
8) Using the INSERT command, insert the file created in step 6.
9) EXPLODE the newly inserted information so it is not a block any longer.
10) Test to see if the file now works correctly. If it does, you can start to add in the Xref's again one by one. Test the file after each insertion. If the problem returns after inserting an Xref, you'll know that that file needs to be cleaned using these steps as well.

As a final note, I highly recommend running the AUDIT and PURGE commands before each save. This will keep the file clean and greatly reduce the chance of any corruption setting in. You too can have clean files by following these steps!

AutoCAD unusable after opening

We have seen a number of issues recently where customers are able to open AutoCAD, but cannot do anything else at all after the program is opened. Everything will appear correct, but the cursor is not viewable and you are not able to click anywhere at all. After some research, we have discovered that most of these are tied into a setting inside Xfinity Constant Guard. If you are having this issue, likely you are using Xfinity Constant Guard and we have found a solution that has fixed this for most users.

1. Open up Xfinity Constant Guard and click on Options.
2. Click on ‘Manage my “Blocked Program” rules.’
3. Click “Allow” for all acad.exe and acadlt.exe in the list.

This will hopefully solve the issue for you and make AutoCAD usable again.

Viewing objects from a vertical product in Core AutoCAD

It used to be that if you were using core AutoCAD, and had a file from someone using a vertical product, you needed to install an object enabler to be able to see those objects. For some of the verticals, that is still the case. The link below will show which verticals need to be loaded separately:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2753223&linkID=9240618

Nowadays, most of the enablers are built into the product so you don't need to worry about it. The objects just show up without any action needed. However, there is still a scenario where you may not be able to see objects from a vertical product in core AutoCAD. For instance, let's say someone is using AutoCAD Architecture 2013, and they send one of their files to someone using Core AutoCAD 2012. If the AutoCAD user opens that file, they will not see any of those ACA specific objects, even though the enabler is built into the product. The reason for this is file format. Since the 2013 products started a new file format, there are a few steps needed to get a user on an earlier version to be able to see vertical specific objects. The steps to do this are below.

1) Open the file in its native program. So if the obejcts are ACA 2013 objects, then open the DWG in that program.
2) Set the PROXYGRAPHICS variable to 1.
3) Do a SAVEAS, and make sure to choose 2010 as the file format to save it in.

If a user using Core AutoCAD 2012 then opens that file, the objects will show up correctly.

Job opening for AutoCAD MEP Support

Would you like to work at Autodesk? We are looking for an AutoCAD MEP specialist for our Product Support Team. Please see the details below:

Product Support Specialists provide frontline technical support of Autodesk products to our customers and partners through a variety of channels. Using troubleshooting, problem solving and communication skills, this role ensures technical problems are analyzed, documented and resolved, creating an outstanding customer experience and contributing to an environment of shared team knowledge. This role reports to a Support Manager.

As a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, Autodesk helps people imagine, design, and create a better world. Autodesk accelerates better design through an unparalleled depth of experience and a broad portfolio of software to give customers the power to solve their design, business, and environmental challenges. In addition to designers, architects, engineers, and media and entertainment professionals, Autodesk helps students, educators, and casual creators unlock their creative ideas through user-friendly applications.

3 to 5 years experience using AutoCAD MEP
Experience using AutoCAD
Functional knowledge of Mac OS X and network configurations
Proven customer service experience
Demonstrated exceptional team player skills
Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Familiarity of Knowledge Centered Support (KCS) practices & NPS (Net Promoter Score)

Preferred Qualifications:

Ability to read, write and speak fluent Brazilian Portuguese/Spanish or French would be considered a definite advantage in this role.

Primary Location: Americas-United States-New Hampshire-Manchester

 

https://autodesk.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=121064&lang=en&sns_id=mailto#.URpwF0VDiVA.mailto

Job Opening for Plant 3D / P&ID Support

Would you like to work at Autodesk? We are looking for a Plant 3D / P&ID specialist for our Product Support Team. Please see the details below:

Product Support Specialists provide frontline technical support of Autodesk products to our customers and partners through a variety of channels. Using troubleshooting, problem solving and communication skills, this role ensures technical problems are analyzed, documented and resolved, creating an outstanding customer experience and contributing to an environment of shared team knowledge. This role reports to a Support Manager.

As a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, Autodesk helps people imagine, design, and create a better world. Autodesk accelerates better design through an unparalleled depth of experience and a broad portfolio of software to give customers the power to solve their design, business, and environmental challenges. In addition to designers, architects, engineers, and media and entertainment professionals, Autodesk helps students, educators, and casual creators unlock their creative ideas through user-friendly applications.
 
Job Title and Number: Product Support Specialist, #12WD12540
Location: Manchester, NH
3 to 5 years experience using Plant 3D, and/or AutoCAD P&ID
Experience using AutoCAD
Functional knowledge of Mac OS X and network configurations
Proven customer service experience
Demonstrated exceptional team player skills
Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Familiarity of Knowledge Centered Support (KCS) practices
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to read, write and speak fluent Brazilian Portuguese/Spanish or French would be considered a definite advantage in this role.

If you are interested, please visit www.careers.autodesk.com and search for job number 12WD12540.

A Mountain (Lion) of Service Packs

Autodesk just released three service packs for the Mac versions of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. In addition to resolving issues reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems identified since the previous versions were made available, these service packs add support for OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion).

AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1 (Mac)
AutoCAD LT 2013 Service Pack 1 (Mac)
AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 3

Playing in the Sandbox

New Apple guidelines require that software packages installed on OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) meet certain security standards. These restrictions mean that you may be unable to do a fresh install or re-install of your existing AutoCAD for Mac products on OS X 10.8. In that case, depending on your product, you should either download the full version of AutoCAD 2012 for Mac or download the trial Mac versions of AutoCAD 2013 or AutoCAD LT 2013. These downloads have been updated to include the latest service packs and conform with new Apple security requirements.

Note: The service pack for AutoCAD LT 2013 is not for the AutoCAD LT 2013 purchased from the Mac App Store. That version will receive the new updates directly from the Mac App Store when it becomes available.

3D Connexion Hotfix

A hotfix is now available to improve the navigation in AutoCAD with 3D Connexion 3D mice.

This hotfix addresses the following issues with 3D Connexion devices:

• Zoom speed varies in perspective view
• Pivot point position is far from the model causing the model to go off the drawing area when rotated
• High zoom out speed after zooming in a small area of the drawing

Autodesk 3Dconnexion Hotfix

Please refer to the accompanying Readme file for installation instructions.