Ask The Expert
Bob Bell Q&A
Expert Video from R. Robert Bell
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Robert Bell -
Bob Bell -
Bob Bell
About R. Robert Bell
Robert is the Design Technology Manager for Sparling, the largest specialty electrical engineering and technology consulting firm in the United States, headquartered in Seattle Washington. He provides strategic direction, technical oversight, and high-level support for Sparling’s enterprise design and production technology systems. He is instrumental in positioning Sparling as an industry and client leader in leveraging technology in virtual building and design.
Robert has been writing code for customizing AutoCAD since the release of AutoCAD v2.5. For most of those years he worked at an MEP firm. He developed a series of applications for use with AutoCAD similar to AutoCAD MEP years before Autodesk released that product. These in-house applications gave that firm a distinct competitive advantage over other firms in that market.
He also is one of the more popular speakers at Autodesk University, and, since 2002, has spoken annually on topics such as AutoLISP/Visual LISP, VBA, the CUI, and customizing AutoCAD from the perspective of CAD Management.
In addition, Robert has taught ATP classes for Autodesk User Group International (AUGI), and has been a speaker at AUGI's CAD Camps. He has had many articles published in AUGI's magazines, AUGIWorld and AECEDGE. Robert served on AUGI's Board of Directors for three years.
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Ask The Expert - Robert Bell
Product: AutoCAD
Valuable LISP Files : * Verify VP AnnoScale * Edit Enterprise CUI
Bernard Barton
R. Robert Bell
Wilhel Burke
R. Robert Bell
Leon Benford
After I have created a drawing, is there a function in AutoCAD that will allow me to get all the information that it took to create that drawing.
R. Robert Bell
No, there is not. You could record what is displayed by the command line to a log file BEFORE you start working on the drawing but that does not record mouse actions. The option to keep a log file is found in Options, Open and Save, Maintain a log file. But I know you will find it to be of little use.
There is also the Action Recorder, but again, that does not work after the drawing is complete. I also doubt it would be of much use for any drawing beyond something very basic.
Stuart Williams
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Tracy Palmer
R. Robert Bell
Jesus Gonzalez
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Raul Chavez
Mr. Bell,
When I switch / change the tool palette path thru the "*_toolpalettepath" command I loose my groups and also loose the order of the tabs whithin each tool palette. I 'm using AutoCAD 2007 and could and will live or work around the problem but would prefer it to work perfectly. please help.
R. Robert Bell
Regardless, tool palette groups and tab order are some of the weaknesses in the Tool Palette system. Groups are stored in a single file (FixedProfile.aws). You need to close AutoCAD in order for that file to get updated groups. So you should not change the tool palette path and assign groups and then change tool palette path again and assign yet more groups in the same session. Tab order depends on yet another file (an ATC file) and can only be forced by manually editing the XML-based file.
Michael Alldredge
Hi Bob,
I'm a new student of AutoCad. What is the fastest-best way to become certified in AutoCad so I can market myself as a an AutoCad Designer/Professional?
Are there companies or institutions that offer AutoCad classes?
R. Robert Bell
There are also companies that offer self-based training such as CADLearning and AUGI's own ATP classes.
Shankar J
Hi Bob,
I am trying to arrange the tables having various number of rows seqentially, within a drawing. I am using AutoCAD 2008 and using .NET API (Visual Basic 2005) to write the code. I have tried with 'AllowManualHeights', 'AllowManualPositions', 'BreaksEnabled', 'TableBreakOptions'.... but could not get the expected result. I want to know how to do it, kindly help me out.
Thanks and Regards
Shankar J
R. Robert Bell
Jagannath Shelar
Hi Bob
I am Jagannath Shelar, Working In ObjectARX C# .net. I was already Created one Pallate and also develop all part but problem issue is here, i was created some functions in "Auto LISP" and i want to run this functions(This function required some inputs & I was pass this by selecting two points),when i click on command button. This command button place on the pallate.I was trying with "Sendstringtexecute" but not working. please help me regarding this issue if Possible.
R. Robert Bell
James Davy
Hi Bob,
I want to copy or move a 3D solid. I select the solid and pick a base point. Very often the solid itself is obscuring the new location where i want to place it. Is there a way to make this solid somewhat transparent so that i can easily see the desired new location?
R. Robert Bell
Wilhel Burke
Hi Bob,
Regarding section callout block not visible in paperspace, but visible in modelspace. Please let me clarify that the annotation scales match and I did not use the zoom command and 1/96xp to change the viewport scale. I used the viewport scale dropdown menu to select the scale. Also, I've noticed that if I insert the bar scale, for example, if shows up in paperspace, but other blocks, such as elevation and title block tags are not visible unless that are exploded, which defeats the purpose of using the design center blocks. Please note that I am using AutoCAD 2010 LT.
R. Robert Bell
Unfortunately, I do not have LT installed on any of my machines. However, we can determine if annotation scaling is an issue by turning on the system variable AnnoAllVisible. If they show up we know annotation scaling is the issue. However, even if the objects do show up at that point, you should not leave that variable on all the time. You would need to check what annotation scale is assigned those objects.
The only other possible source of the issue is that the viewport is freezing the layers those objects reside on.
Elene Albert
I am using AutoCAD 2010. A command was not automatically apparent: Attedit, but I'm looking for the command that opens the actual attribute 'text' so I can edit it and then leave it as an attribute. I don't want the "enhanced Attribute Editor" which is a small window that opens with 3 tabs for 'attribute', 'text options', and 'properties'.
If I type: attedit and pick on a text attribute, "Edit Attributes" window opens and the preset attributes show with the bars that contains the text that I can edit. This is what I want and I want to set this command into an icon so I don't have to type it out each time. I used to be able to set a command to an icon when I right clicked on any command icon and went to 'customize' and custom. I could redraw the icon if I wanted to make it of my own design, and I could type in a string...^C^(LOAD "ATTINVIS") ATTINVIS.....OR ^C^C_stretch But, I don't see anyplace to do this anymore. So, I don't have questions about EATTEDIT, OR -ATTEDIT (which seems to be attribute, global )or BURST (exploding attributes to text). I just want to be able to assign a command to an icon...and I want the command to be "attedit". Thanks.
R. Robert Bell
Elene,
You use the CUI command to do this now. The CUI stands for Customize User Interface and the "commands" listed there are the macros that you are referring to. Those commands are like XRefs in that you can create one command and use it on toolbars, ribbon buttons, keyboard shortcuts and so on. There are some good help videos about CUI in the Customization Guide available when you hit F1.
Elene Albert
NEW PROBLEM (by the way, how long before I will get a response from you?) Didn't see anything about that at this website.
New problem: I moved a tool bar to the middle area of my monitor, and when I went back to anchor it to the top where I always anchor these tool bars (I anchor top and left/right sides), they won't move. I just pulled another one down from being anchored, and it too it dead. I have 3 tool bars that I cannot move back to anchor them at the top of my monitor. Any help for this?
R. Robert Bell
Sorry for the delay in replying to you. I picked a bad week to get sick. ;^)
In AutoCAD 2010 you need to grab the little bars on either the left side or right side of the toolbar to move the toolbar. There is no way to grab the toolbar from the top or bottom.
Eddie Cain
Hi!, I make a lot of 2D piping drawings. is there a way i can track the fittngs/components used so i can generate a BOM to use for ordering the various quantities? thanks in advance.
Eddie
R. Robert Bell
Eddie,
Sure, as long as the fittings are blocks. The DataExtraction command allows you to create tables based on all sorts of data contained by objects in the drawing.
Jim McNally
R. Robert Bell
Jim,
With AutoCAD 2010 you can now attach PDF files directly in the drawing. Aside from that, AutoCAD itself has no procedure for converting a PDF to DWG. There are 3rd-party utilities that can attempt conversions but the results can vary. A quick search on Google reveals several options but I have never used any of them.
Silvia Bernik
Hi Bob. i am using AutoCAD LT 2007. is there any way to xref tiff or jpg file to CAD?
i was able to insert as a OLE object or copy paste from Picasa. but i want to have some tiff file (site plan, for example) as my background. this is in case when CAD file not available. thanks
R. Robert Bell
Is the ImageAttach command available in LT? This is how you would do it with the full version of AutoCAD, which is what I've always used.
GERI EAKER
Hi,
I'm considering buying AutoCad 2010 LT, right now I use Vista but I'll be upgrading hardware and it will possibly come with Windows 7. How's the compatability issue evolving?
R. Robert Bell
Steven Chen
R. Robert Bell
When you say a "different coordinate system" I'm assuming that means that the scale is correct but the XRef's objects display offset from the host drawing's objects.
Have you checked that both drawings are in the WCS and that the Base command reports 0,0,0?
If the scale of the objects is incorrect, does the Measurement system variable match in both drawings?
Hartwig Bolle
Hi Bob,
I have 2 questions
1) is there a way to use the API for Design Review running as a standalone application?
E.g. I would like to control the running Design Review from outside like a vbscript.
running design review within a webpage as activex control work fine.
2) is there a way to use the jt2dwf plugin in a batch conversion? Because we have already many JT files and would like to use them with design review.
R. Robert Bell
Hartwig, I do not know the answer to either question. I have not reviewed the API for Design Review. However, I'm sure that Design Review would need to be installed on the target computer and not just up on the web server.
Have you checked into the Freewheel project at Autodesk Labs?
As for the plugin, I haven't even installed it.
Sorry.
Michelle Galde
Where can i go to get information on building or repairing dynamic blocks. we moved some shared folders and now all of my custom dynamic blocks that worked fine are broken and not functioning properly. I need to repair or rebuild them and I do not remember how (it was too long ago). I need definitions and how to apply parameters and actions and constraints. Is there a video or lesson somehwere, I am using ACA 2010.
Thank you,
Shelly Galde
R. Robert Bell
Moving some folders around should not break the dynamic blocks themselves. Were these DBlocks stored in library drawings and brought into current drawings by means of the Tool Palettes? If so, then you simply need to update the tool palette tools to the new location of the source drawing(s).
If the DBlocks were individual DWG files, moving them around should still have no effect on them.
Might I suggest that you go to AUGI's Dynamic Blocks Technical forum and post this question there? This way we can get your files and see what is going on.
Gary Naeger
R. Robert Bell
Taha Hassan
R. Robert Bell
You are likely infected with this virus that must not on your AV's radar.
There are several ways to correct the issue that are listed in Shaan Hurley's blog.
Neil Dyball
Hi Bob,
I am the sole (infrequent) user of LT within my organisation. My IT colleagues have recently upgraded my computer to LT 2010 (from 2004!). I am currently amending an existing drawing created in LT 2004 and trying to use the HATCH command, however I am recieving messages "acadlt.pat" Can't find file - No standard patterns available - Error in reading the pattern file - Unable to open file: acadlt.pat, Error = 1. Was this a problem with the install? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Regards.
R. Robert Bell
It sounds like the location for the file is not in your support path, for one reason or another. Use the Options command and check to see if the location for the file is listed there. You will need to check your own system but the file ought to be located in the user's Support folder in a sub-folder named Pats.
I do not have AutoCAD LT but here is the path on a machine with AutoCAD MEP installed:
%AppData%\Autodesk\MEP 2010\enu\support\pats
The "MEP 2010" would be replaced with whatever Autodesk is using to identify AutoCAD LT rather than MEP. The "enu" would be replaced with whatever language your application was installed.
P.S. The "%appdata%" is a "shortcut" that Windows Explorer permits to get to a user's roaming profile root folder. You can type that rather than "C:\Documents and Settings\username..." blah, blah, blah.
Mark Kieser
I had AutoCad 2009 LT working fine on my workstation with a 64 bit win XP. Now I get the following error message:
FATAL ERROR : The security system (softlock licence manager) is not functioning properly or is inproperly installed.
I have done a complete reinstall and still get the same message.
Any help will be greatly apprechiated.
R. Robert Bell
Mark, are you installing the 64-bit version of the software?
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=12051717&linkID=9240817
Robert Greenfield
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Tim Craddock
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I've never had to convert myself. A search of the Internet reveals many sites that claim to be able to do the conversion. But there is nothing in AutoCAD itself for converting the EASM file.
Dennis Cronin
Bob,
I've had repetative pain in using supposedly flat-file exports from a 3D pkg called "Key Creator" as background physical frames. The operator will construct a 3D model the export a flat plane dwg file which I construct circuitry within. (2D PCB layout & such) Seems as soon as one of my lines touch an original Key Creator exported line all of my line properties change, no more fileting, radiusing, triming, etc. This has become a royal pain for me. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Dennis
R. Robert Bell
DAN MILLIS
I am having problems printing in monochrome. When I have monochrome selected is does not always print in monochrome. If go back in a second time and reselected monochrome (even though it appears to already be selected) it will then print in monochrome. Please help.
Jackie
R. Robert Bell
Babak Sh
Hi,
I have a very small design (in micrometer size) I would like to convert it to pdf in order to plot it.
but when I use the convert dwg to pdf in the plotting options the converted pdf file loses all the details. All lines get wider and scales are changed as well. what would be the best way to plot this file?
R. Robert Bell
Try this: XRef the original drawing into a new drawing and scale it up by 10x or 100x to give you the chance to use a somewhat more normal scale for plotting the drawing.
Babak Sh
I want to plot the drawing with 1:1 scale ratio wouldn't it matter if I change the scale to say 100x?
I'm using a (2000 dpi-3600 dpi) printer.
R. Robert Bell
How can you plot a "very small design (in micrometer size)" at 1:1? You have to be scaling somewhere along the line, most likely in the viewport.
So let's back up a minute, because I assumed you were trying to plot from modelspace.
If you are plotting from a layout, where the layout's plot scale is set to 1:1, I don't see any reason why you should be having an issue other than perhaps the DPI setting you've assigned to the DWG to PDF. Most PDFs are produced with a DPI of 600 to keep file size reasonable. You can check the DPI for the driver from the Plot window, selecting the Properties button for the driver, and then Custom Properties in the Plotter Configuration Editor.
Steven Turpin
R. Robert Bell
So you've started the line and now you need to draw it, for example, 3 units long at 45°?
If so, at the prompt for the 2nd point of the line type 3@45 and hit Enter.
ROBERT ROBINSON
R. Robert Bell
ROBERT ROBINSON
R. Robert Bell
When you use BEdit, it sees the blocks loaded in the current drawing. So the current drawing is where that block is stored.
To make that block available to other drawings you need to use WBlock to write the block definition as a DWG file. That DWG file can then be selected by the Insert command. Where you store your files is up to you. There is no defined "block library location". Although I would recommend storing them either on the network or a local folder that is regularly backed up.
The other approach is to create a library drawing file that holds a number of blocks and then to use tool palette tools to easily inserted those "nested" blocks. This is the approach I prefer especially when you create dynamic blocks. But once again, the location of those library drawings is up to you.
DAN MILLIS
Regarding Question #30 Printing in Monochrome
Bob,
I am using AutoCAD 2010LT. It does not seem to matter if the file is one that I have created or if it one one I have received from an outside firm.
R. Robert Bell
Jackie, when this happens do you notice if the plot style listed is shown as missing before you reselect it?
I'm not sure what might be causing this issue. Are your plot styles stored in the folder that is listed in the Options dialog, Files tab? Are there any shortcuts in that folder that point to invalid locations?
I haven't seen this issue in full AutoCAD 2010.
Daniel Smith
R. Robert Bell
If you find an advertised price significantly below Autodesk's price you can bet that it is NOT legitimate. You can get prices below Autodesk's listed price from Autodesk's resellers but do not expect a steep discount.
You can search for resellers in your area at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=1088188.
Melvin Herrell
Bob,
I am interest in how to take toolbars i made from my home office pc to a clients
pc for my use while working there?
R. Robert Bell
That depends on the version of AutoCAD. Anything from 2006 on up, you need to take a copy of your CUI file with you. You can use the CUI editor to transfer your toolbars from your copy of the CUI to the CUI that is loaded when you login on the client's workstation.
Be sure to get this ok'd by the client! They may have customization that they want you to use rather than your own tools.
Kirk Soares
How do I re-download my registered copy of AutoCad LT 2007 if it is misplaced after uninstalling the program for a time so I could boost my RAM?
R. Robert Bell
You could try contacting Autodesk's Licensing department and after they verify your registration they may be able to provide you with a way to get installation media.
(Backup, backup, backup... even downloaded installation programs.) ;^)
kyle marcotte
R. Robert Bell