Tuesday, October 11, 2011

10 Benefits of Using AutoCAD Layout

I started using AutoCAD since R14. At that time already had paperspace AutoCAD (or for the young ones are called layouts), but the use of modelspace still very common. And it seems that I teach AutoCAD too lazy to teach my layout. This is the problem when learning AutoCAD themselves from friends or taking part in training the less qualified. They are not too update the technology of the new version, and teach them the habit of working alone. In short, I never used to use modelspace to organize my pictures, until then I decided to use layout.

Many advantages are gained by using layouts. Here are 10 advantages do I conclude.
Simplify IMAGES

First, using the layout will simplify the picture. Below are some images with different scales. How we do it in modelspace? We strongly object to draw it several times (by copying). If you have any detailed pictures, then you should copy it and menskalanya. May need to trim to spruce up that image. When we have to do the repair the image, then we have to update each image manually.

Now, if we use a layout, it will provide the following benefits: 
1. We always draw a scale of 1:1
No matter if at the time of printing your images there are several scales at once. Want to 1:1, 1:10, 1:100 in one paper, we always draw a full scale 1:1. Even beginners do not have to think much to the problem of scale when completing the picture.
Using modelspace? We must determine the main picture, then other parts must be scaled, to make a different dimension styles, etc.. 
2. Displaying Different Parts of a model
We simply draw one-time to full-scale, but we can display it a few times in our image. Simply by making some viewport. Sometimes we need it because our pictures are too big for one paper only, and sometimes we need to display the details of our image.
When there are changes, we simply update the image in modelspace, and all the viewport will be updated. No need to update each image manually.
3. No Need Many Styles
Note the picture below. Below is a picture of the steps and details. Details prepared by scaling part of the image of the stairs. Because the detail that was not the scale of 1:1, when we need to add dimension, we must create a new dimension style. If the details of the scaled 4 times, then the dimension style we need to be corrected with a scale factor 1 / 4.
Confused? No problem. This problem can not be described in paragraphs 1-2.


You have to move from one style to another dimension. This can be confusing and lets you make a mistake. What if you have a 4-5 scale in a single image? What if you have several sheets in model space? You will have plenty of styles to be used!
4. Easy Control Scale Figure
With layout, scale becomes very easy to control. As mentioned in No. 1, we only need to draw a full scale. We can easily adjust the scale on the layout.
You can create a viewport, select it, and change the scale through the viewport scale in the lower right list.
If you want to see the use of viewport scale, can see YouTube videos on this paper. 
ONE FIGURE, MANY REPRESENTATIONS
modelspace if we work with, we treat it like drawing on paper manually. When you need to display one model several times, then you must copy it to display every time. Layout allows you to draw only once, show them with different styles. Not only the scale, as already discussed in no.2. 
5. The orientation of a Different Angle
Each viewport can be made to have a different orientation angles. Suppose you need a display siteplan accordance with the direction of the north designs. You can display the same image with different angles. It's easy to do in layout.
6. Different images with Layer Properties per Viewport
Since AutoCAD 2008, we have this feature. We can set the layer properties are different for each viewport. For example, you can display the hatch on the image detail, but hid it in a large-scale image.
You can see an example of using the layer properties per viewport in this paper.

7. The advantage of the Annotation Scaling
Another feature that can be utilized with the layout is annotation scaling. We can use it in model space, but the biggest advantage gained by using layouts.
Annotation scaling can make annotations are always legible, even at different scales. 
IMAGE MANAGEMENT AND AUTOMATION
With define layout, we tell AutoCAD to recognize our papers. This allows us to use other features associated with the layout for the management and automate some processes. 
8. Controlling Print Settings Easily
Print settings are very easy to use when you are using a layout. Remember, we always use the full scale, whether in modelspace or in the page setup.

The only thing we change the scale only in paperspace, and the way he is also very easy. Compare if you use modelspace. You have to change the scale in modelspace, and also in this print dialog.
By using the layout, we just change the paper size, and always use a scale of 1:1. Print margin is shown with dashed lines. Quite easy to understand and predict the results printed.

9. Advantages Sheet Set
Sheet sets are a nice feature for your image management. There are some white paper here that you can learn if you are interested. In short, we can arrange for the drawing more regularly and easily accessible, wherever the location of each file. Once we have a set of images, we can use eTransmit and send the entire project in one zip file. We can also plot the entire drawing project with ease, just a few clicks.
Some other advantages are using sheet set fields. Sheet sets have several properties that allow the text automatically appear in the title block. Like the project name, no paper, etc.. You can even create a list of the contents of images automatically.

 
10. Batch Plot
If you are still reluctant to use the sheet set, you can still use batch plot. Batch plot allows you to print hundreds of pictures at once without having to open the files one by one, even to multiple printers at once!How about you?
Are you already using a layout? If not, what do you think modelspace advantages compared to using a layout? And if so, do you have another reason why we should use the layout?



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Getting to know Pro Engineer

Know the menu in Pro Engineer

In ProE there are various menu options can be used according to need. On this occasion we must first discuss about the sketch. Sketch can be used as a basic framework for depiction and is the first step to understanding the manufacture of parts in ProE.

The steps to get to know the following sketch:

    1. Select the sketch on the menu that looks like Fig.2, input the name as needed and then click OK.
    2. Select the sketch? coordinate system. Then put that in accordance with the position coordinate diingkan. Then try to create a centerline line by clicking on the sketch? vertical center line to posis. Then continue the same process to form a horizontal line. This will greatly assist the process of editing using a constraint.
    3. Make a box by clicking the icon rectangle_icon.jpg, place approximately in the center of coordinate system that has been made. Then do the editing using the constraint. Click the sketch? constrained. Before you go any further it helps us to know in advance constraint functions.

Constain
Constraint function is very helpful in laying and editing geometry. We can do the editing as a line of vertical position, horizontal, perpendicular, tangent, peletekan point, symmetrical, form the same geometry with one another and parallel.
Fig.3 Perhatiankan put the cursor to the alert notice the menu (the box directions) each function of the constraint. Do this on each icon found on the menu to find out the names of each function. On this occasion we did not discuss in detail the function constrained due to the number of training will find these functions by itself.
4. Do the editing process using constrained. Note the commands at the prompt area this is very helpful at all to understand each function of the constraint

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Dynamic Block Tip: How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block

On the tip of this dynamic block, we make some elements of the picture and add attribute in the middle of the block. We need to add action to block this stretch, because we want to change the size of the block. The challenge is we need to keep the attribute remains in the middle of the block. There are two ways to do this: first we can let the attribute remains in the middle block to block and stretch the sides. Or the second way: we are to stretch to one side and at the same time move the attributes but still in the middle.

Let's try it. I use a simple dynamic block: room tag.
create attribute

Makes essentially the same attributes, we use ATTDEF.Untuk it easier later on, arrange for justification to the center.
One more thing: make sure the lock position is active. Some dynamic block action will not work if it is not set to lock.
 
Alternative one: stretch in both directions

This makes it fairly easy. You can change the parameters of the base location to the midpoint. Then add two stretch action on both sides.
If you are not familiar with the stretch action, can see the dynamic block tutorial to make this wall.

Alternative two: Add a stretch action and move


If you create a dynamic block that is quite complex, you may not want to stretch it in both directions. Suppose you want to create a table that also has an array of action. When the size of the table changes, you also want to change the number of seats. You can also see some other examples of dynamic blocks in AutoCAD e-book Best Practices

In this situation, it would be easier if we are to stretch in one direction only. To keep the attribute remains in the middle block, we add one more to move the action attribute.
Remember: an attribute to be moved half the distance from the block size changes. If kia stretch of 100, then the attribute must switch 50, to stay in the middle. To achieve this, select the move action. Change in the Properties palette is the distance value multiplier to 0.5.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Grip Options on the AutoCAD 2012 Platform

In this Click Saver article, I want to talk about some really nice enhancements in 2012 using grips. In the past, when using grips, a lot of the options were done through the right-click; but, starting in the 2012 release, hovering over the grip gives us new abilities.

The first one to look at is using grips on a line. Select the line and move the pointer over the grip at the end of the line, but don’t pick it. If you click it, you will activate stretch command. By hovering over the grip, you will see a pop up menu with the option of lengthen. So, how is lengthen different than stretch? Lengthen locks the angle that the line was originally drawn at. You can also choose lengthen by picking the grip and then pressing the [CTRL] key on your keyboard to cycle between the commands.
Another click-saving feature that was slipped in is using grips on dimensions. By hovering over the dimension arrow you can quickly continue the dimension, create baseline dimension, or even flip the arrowhead.

How to: Publish AutoCAD layouts to multiple pdf file with single sheet


Do you use publish command to plot several AutoCAD layouts to PDF/DWF format? The default setting will allow you to get single file, with multiple pages.
What if you want to get multiple files, with one sheet in each PDF/DWF file?

You can change it in publish dialog. Click publish option.
In publish option dialog, change type in general DWF/PDF options to single-sheet file.
In this example, I have 4 sheets to plot. I will get 4 PDFs instead of one PDF with 4 pages.



RELATED POSTS
10 Benefits of Using Auto CAD Layout
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How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block
Grip Options on the AutoCAD 2012 Platform
Publish AutoCAD layouts to multiple pdf file
Squeeze or stretch single-line text to fit
Differences Between Extrude, Revolve and Presspull 
How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block
Select All Horizontal and Vertical Lines on In Pictures
Close up of Blue Prints from Angle


Squeeze or stretch single-line text to fit in a space with TEXTFIT

The TEXTFIT command lets you easily squeeze or stretch existing single-line text (TEXT or DTEXT) so you can fit it into a defined space, such as a title block. TEXTFIT doesn’t work with multi-line text (MTEXT). When you start the command, you select the single-line text and TEXTFIT puts a drag-line under the text. Just pick the desired endpoint and you’re done. If you want to change the start point of the text, use the Start Point option, pick a start point and then an end point.

TEXTFIT works with existing text, but you can fit single-line text into a space when you create it, using the Align or Fit Justify options. Here are the steps:

Start the TEXT command. At the Specify start point of text or [Justify/Style]: prompt, type j and press Enter. At the Enter an option. [Align/Fit/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC/MR/BL/BC/BR]: prompt, type a for the Align option or f for the Fit option and press Enter. At the Specify first endpoint of text baseline: prompt, specify a start point for the text. At the Specify second endpoint of text baseline: prompt, specify an endpoint. You may want to turn on Ortho before specifying the endpoint. If you chose the Fit option, it asks you to specify a height. This option maintains that height, distorting the letters if necessary. The Align option changes the height of the text to maintain the proportion of the letters. Type your text and press Enter twice to end the command.