Heidi Hewett's Blog

Subscription Bonus Pack 2: A closer look at PDF underlays

After installing the AutoCAD 2009 Subscription Bonus Pack 2, you’ll find PDF listed as one of the available file types in the External Reference Manager. You can attach a PDF file as an underlay to a drawing in the same way that you attach other externally referenced files including DWG, DWF, DGN, and images. You can also use the new PDFATTACH command, available on the Subscription tab in the ribbon, or the command line version, -PDFATTACH. In either case, you’re prompted to select the PDF file and specify typical attachment information including path type, insertion point, scale, and rotation.

After you’ve attached a PDF file to the drawing, you can control the display of the PDF frame, control the display of layers, snap to key points, adjust display properties, and clip the PDF attachment.

PDF Frame
A new system variable, PDFFRAME, enables you to turn the PDF frames on or off. They must be turned on for the PDF attachment to be selectable.

PDF Layers
The new PDFLAYERS command enables you to control layer visibility for the select PDF attachment if the layer information was included in the PDF during the plot process.

 

Object Snaps
Snap to key point on PDF geometry using familiar object snaps. You can control this behavior, which is enabled by default, with the new PDFOSNAP system variable.

PDF Adjust
You can modify the appearance of a PDF attachment using the new PDFADJUST command, available on the Subscription tab of the ribbon. A command line version, -PDFADJUST, is also available. The controls include Fade, Contrast, and Monochrome and the changes you make affect the plotted output. Adjusting these settings does not alter the original file and does not affect other instances of the PDF underlay in the drawing. All of these settings, as well as an additional control to automatically adjust the underlay colors so they are visible against the drawing background color, are also available in the Properties palette for a selected PDF attachment.

PDF Clip
The new PDFCLIP command (available on the Subscription tab of the ribbon) enables you to clip the PDF attachment by specifying a rectangular or polygonal clipping boundary. You can turn clipping on and off, as well as delete it, using right-click menu options and you can edit the boundary with grips.

Subscription Bonus Pack 2: A closer look at PDF Output

After installing the AutoCAD 2009 Bonus Pack 2, you’ll find a new AutoCAD PDF option in the Printer/Plotter device list: "DWG to PDF Bonus Pack". The new DWG to PDF driver offers merge control for plot colors, the ability to include layer information and a preview of the plotted PDF. It also offers increased vector resolution and embedded text to provide better output at a reduced file size. To view or modify the default settings, select the DWG to PDF Bonus Pack.pc3 option from the Printer/Plotter list of the Plot dialog box and then choose Properties.

To specify the Merge Control, expand the Graphics node, on the Device and Document Settings tab, and select the Merge Control option. You can choose to make lines overwrite or merge with each other.

  
  
The other new PDF settings are available when you select the Custom Properties node and then the Custom Properties button to display the DWG to PDF Properties dialog box.

 

In the DWG to PDF Properties dialog box, you’ll find the following changes:

Vector resolution
The default vector resolution for PDF output has been increased from 400 dpi to 600 dpi. The new setting delivers both precise lineweights and a reasonable file size.

Font handling
In a PDF file, TrueType fonts are exported as text rather than as graphics. This improves the visual quality of text and also enables highlighting, searching, and copying text within the PDF viewer.  When you create a PDF, you can capture some fonts, all fonts, or none. Keep in mind that the more fonts you embed in a PDF file, the larger it becomes. The default behavior of the DWG to PDF driver is to capture fonts you specify (Capture Some), rather than none or all fonts (Capture None or Capture All).

Include Layer Information
Layer information is included in the plotted PDF file so the person viewing the PDF can control layer visibility. To disable this functionality, turn off the option to Include Layer Information.

Open in PDF Viewer
A PDF file automatically displays in the PDF viewer after it is plotted. To disable this functionality, turn off the option to Open in PDF Viewer When Done check box.

  

 

AutoCAD 2009 Subscription Bonus Pack 2 – PDF!!

The second AutoCAD 2009 Subscription Bonus Pack delivers exciting new PDF enhancements. It’s available for AutoCAD subscription customers to download from the AutoCAD Subscription Center (www.autodesk.com/subscription).

PDF Underlays
Now you can import PDF files, attaching them as PDF underlays. Once you attach a PDF underlay, you can use a variety of tools to snap to lines and objects, control the display of layers, move, scale, rotate, and clip the PDF underlay.

PDF Output
Key improvements have been made for publishing PDF files. File sizes have been reduced, making it easier to share designs. TrueType font support has been added, giving you control over precisely how your fonts are displayed.

The future of AutoCAD at Autodesk University!

The 3D functionality in AutoCAD has improved considerably over the past few releases and it continues to evolve… But not without your help! If you’re attending AU in Las Vegas next month, you have the rare opportunity to meet members of the AutoCAD team, get a sneak peek at future 3D AutoCAD functionality, and contribute your feedback to help guide the future of AutoCAD.

Register for this exciting opportunity today! When registering, be sure to select the “AutoCAD: 3D modeling” focus group session. We look forward to your valuable input!

Autodesk University “Buddy Pass” offer!!!

Autodesk just posted a LIMITED TIME OFFER for you to register for Autodesk University! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend Autodesk’s premier learning event!

AU 2008 Buddy Pass: “Economic Stimulus” for New Registrants

A tough economic climate demands the competitive edge only Autodesk University can deliver:

• In-depth product training on all the software you use every day
• Powerful business strategies and industry insights from trusted experts
• The best networking opportunities you’ll find anywhere

You don’t want to miss AU 2008—and we don’t want you to miss it either. To make it easier for you to attend, Autodesk has announced the AU 2008 Buddy Pass offer.

The AU 2008 Buddy Pass Offer from Autodesk:

The Buddy Pass offer begins at 9:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5.

Improving performance of Sheet Set Manager

If you’ve implemented sheet set functionality, with its many benefits, but are experiencing some performance problems, be sure and check out the valuable suggestions offered by Tom Stoeckel, Global Technical Lead at Autodesk. Tom indicates that “the performance of sheet sets is largely dependent on the following factors: the speed of the network, the number of sheets in the sheet set, and the number of users on the network that are accessing the same sheet set.” In his document on the AutoCAD Support and Services site, Tom provides detailed tips to help you maximize sheet set performance.

AutoCAD 2009 Rollover Tooltips

If you’re using AutoCAD 2009, you’ve probably noticed the tooltips that appear when you pass the cursor over an object. These are called rollover tooltips and they’re completely customizable!

You can control their display (on or off) with an option on the Display tab of the Options dialog box.

You can further customize the rollover tooltips by specifying which information you want to display, based on object type. This is the same process you would use to customize the Quick Properties.

In the CUI dialog box, you’ll notice a Rollover Tooltips node right below the Quick Properties node. If you select Rollover Tooltips, the right side of the CUI dialog box will display two panels. The first panel displays a list of common object types for which you might want to customize the rollover tooltips. The second panel displays the general properties that are available for all object types. You can add or remove general properties to quickly change the default tooltip properties that are displayed for every object, regardless of object type.

If you want to customize the rollover tooltips for specific object types, you can select the object in the first panel. If the object is not listed there, select the Edit Object Type List button at the top of the Panel.

Selecting that button displays a list of all available object types. The objects you select in this list determines which ones are displayed in the first panel of the CUI dialog box and, therefore, available for you to customize.

When you select one of these object types in the first panel of the CUI dialog box, all the available properties for that particular object type are displayed in the second panel. You can then select which properties you want to display in the rollover tooltip.

Lights! Cameras! FREE!

Join me today for a FREE AutoCAD Visualization Webcast!

AutoCAD Best Practices Webcast: 3D Visualization and Navigation

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 (TODAY)
1:00pm-2:30 (Eastern)
12:00am-1:30 (Central)
11:00am-12:30 (Mountain)
10:00am - 11:30 (Pacific)

Using AutoCAD® 2009 you can display your models in various forms for both modeling and presentation purposes.

Use visual styles to view the model as wireframe geometry, conceptual-style faces, or realistic materials. Learn to apply materials from an extensive library that is included with AutoCAD, or create and modify your own custom materials. Use the new ViewCube and Steeringwheels to navigate around your model, and then save and replay key views with the new Shot Properties and Showmotion functionality.

Register NOW!

Autodesk University… DON’T DELAY!

Autodesk University is fast approaching and the early bird pricing is coming to an end. You have through tomorrow, October 10th, to save $500! While it can be tough to justify the expense during these tough economic times, we all have to work smarter and more efficiently than ever before. Autodesk University is *the* premier learning event, where you can learn the tips, tricks, and tools to maximize your productivity.

Scenes from London

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in several AutoCAD events in London.
First, the AutoCAD design team hosted a “sneak peek and test drive” for London-area AutoCAD users to offer their feedback on future AutoCAD functionality. This is one of the many ways the AutoCAD team collects information to continually improve your experience and productivity with AutoCAD.

We extend a huge “thank you” to those of you that took time out of your busy schedules to contribute to the future of AutoCAD!

 

Do you want to meet a few of the AutoCAD team members?
From left to right: Vahid (development), Heidi (marketing), Guillermo (marketing), Jiri (development), Jerry (design), Hans (design).

I ended my week in London at the AUGI Design Academy. This two-day event is like a miniature Autodesk University…. With many of the same instructors including Lynn Allen, Robert Green, Matt Murphy and many more! I was a little too late to commit to teaching any classes, but that gave me the opportunity to attend as a student! Even for those of us that have been using AutoCAD for decades (yikes), there is always more to learn!

If you missed out on these events, here are some other options!

To contribute to the future of AutoCAD and other Autodesk products:

• Become a beta participant!
• Register for design validation and usability sessions!
• Make a wish with AUGI!

To increase your productivity by learning more about AutoCAD and other Autodesk products:

• Attend CAD Camps!
• Attend Autodesk University!

Thanks to Vahid & Helge for sharing their photos!