Without A Net

AutoCAD 2015 Sp1

Please use the link below to download and install SP1 for AutoCAD 2015:

AutoCAD 2015 SP1

Want to be an AutoCAD Beta tester?

Would you like to be a part of the team that gets to Beta test AutoCAD and help shape what future releases look like?

In response to the customer feedback for 2015 products, the AutoCAD team is working on the Service Pack to address some of the items customers are reporting. If you would like to get an early preview of this Service Pack, please sign up with our beta site here.

Additionally, if you would like to be a part of the group that gets full releases of AutoCAD early, you can do that here.

Linetypes won't display for Hatch

Are you noticing that in AutoCAD 2015, the linetypes that you have set on your hatch are showing as continuous? If this is the case, you may need to change the HPLINETYPE variable. By default, this variable is off to save on system resources. But one of the side effects of it being off is that hatch linetypes will not be displayed. Turn the HPLINETYPE variable to 1, and all should show correctly again.

AutoCAD for the Mac and Retina displays

When running AutoCAD for Mac 2013 or earlier as well as AutoCAD for Windows in a virtual machine on the high resolution retina display, the display may not appear as expected.

AutoCAD for Mac 2014 has added support for Retina Display. On Windows side, we are actively researching solutions not only for Virtual Machines on Mac, but also for newly exposed DPI options in Windows 8.1.

In the meantime if you are using a virtual machine i.e., Parallels desktop to run AutoCAD for Windows you may want to try the following solution to see if it helps:

1. Shut down your virtual machine
2. Go to Virtual machine menu > Configure... > Hardware > Video > uncheck Enable Retina display

See also a related solution from Parallels http://kb.parallels.com/en/114700.

Lasso selection tool in AutoCAD 2015

Check out the video below which shows how to use the new Lasso selection tool in AutoCAD 2015:

https://chronicle.autodesk.com/main/details/9f89ced2-6c02-4e76-a61e-3e09f2cc0a82

Educational Plot Stamp removal - UPDATE

Please take a look at the link below as there are updates to the EDU plot stamp issue with 2014 SP1 and also 2015. This should prove useful to anyone with files that contain the stamp.

EDU Plot Stamp

AutoCAD 2015 PURGE command enhancements

The PURGE command in AutoCAD 2015 and Verticals will now purge dgn linetypes and orphaned dgn linetype data. This functionality cleans up non-essential data from DWG files that have become bloated while copying and pasting from DWGs containing DGN linetypes. Previously a Hotfix was necessary for AutoCAD 2012 as well as for AutoCAD 2013/2014 in order to remove these objects. In both cases the Hotfix required the user to use the NETLOAD command in order to load the DgnLsPurge.dll,once this .dll (Dynamic Link Library) was loaded the user had to use a separate command, DGNPURGE, which removed all unused DGN data. Unfortunately, the NETLOAD command is not available in AutoCAD LT so those users were not able to clean up their files as easily. AutoCAD LT 2015 user are now able to PURGE dgn linetypes as well.

There is a difference as to how the PURGE command removes DGN data; the hotfix's DGNPURGE command will always remove all unused dgn linetypes and orphaned dgn linetype data, giving the user no choice if they wish to keep some of the data in the file. The PURGE command in 2015 has a new "Automatically purge orphaned data" checkbox which, when checked, will remove all orphaned DGN linetype data, but it does not automatically remove all unused DGN linetypes. Full DGN linetypes are treated just like any other linetypes, the user must select which linetypes to remove. This make it possible for users that have DGN linetypes in their drawings which are not currently in use, to have the option to keep specific DGN linetypes in the drawing for future use.

Both the PURGE and -PURGE command support purging orphaned DGN linetype data as well as removing the DGN linetype data.

AutoCAD 2015 Launch / New Hotfix

AutoCAD 2015 will be launched tomorrow, March 28th globally. Please take a moment to log onto your subscription center site and download the new version. Some things to look out for with the new version:

- All new Create and Learn tabs when you first open the program. You can now very quickly navigate between recent files used, access templates, or find Help documents and learning video's, all from one spot.

- The new Dark Theme. You will notice a new dark theme in AutoCAD 2015. This follows recent studies that a darker image greatly reduces eye strain.

- Look for many new Ribbon enhancements, such as the new Galleries that allow you to see images of blocks, dimensions, mleaders, and other objects BEFORE you insert them.

 

In addition to the new release tomorrow, there is a new hotfix for AutoCAD 2013 that has just been released. This hotfix fixes Model Documentation and IMPORT command related issues found in AutoCAD 2013 based products on 64 bit Windows® 8.1. See below for the link:

Model Documentation Hotfix

Microsoft Windows XP support for AutoCAD being discontinued

Please take a look at the following article which helps to explain the timeframe around Windows XP support being discontinued for AutoCAD:

Windows XP support for AutoCAD

AU 2013

Have you signed up yet?? If not, time is running out. See below for the myriads of benefits you can receive by attending:

http://au.autodesk.com/

For those attending, I wanted to promote the classes I am teaching, as well as one of my colleagues classes.

1) AutoCAD support clinic. This is a class where you can attend and meet several members of the Autodesk support team. This is meant as a Q&A session where you can bring real issues you are facing at your office and let us help you. Many AU classes focus on one subject only, which is great in order to learn that subject or program. This class though, let's you come to us with anything at all you want to learn about or find troubleshooting tips on. This class is being held on Wednesday at 8:00 am of the conference week. The session number for this class is AC1512.

2) There is also a Support Clinic roundtable session. This is similar to the class above, but is a much smaller class so those attending have more time to discuss their questions in depth. With a smaller class, it is easier to dedicate a longer period of time and really help you come up with solutions to your CAD questions. This class is being held Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 during the conference week. The session number for this class is AC1515-R

3) My colleague Volker is teaching a class about CUIx as well.  In Volker's own words, this class description is:  "The ability to tailor the menu system in Autodesk AutoCAD software to automate commands or to create a personal workspace has always been the product's forte. Back in the day, we could easily modify the menu system with a text editor. Things change. The AutoCAD Custom User Interface File (CUIX) is a tad more complex and can be daunting to even a seasoned AutoCAD veteran. In this class, you learn how to add commands to AutoCAD, creating new tabs and panels for your workspace. You learn to add a custom partial menu to the main customization file and how to incorporate the enterprise CUIX." The session number for this class is AC3274

It would be great to meet any readers of this site that are attending. Please seek me out, and we hope to see you there!!