Updating Sheetset fields before Batch Plotting from Acroplot

Just trying to batch plot a set of drawings from acroplot after updating the issue date in the sheetset with Sheetset Property Manager. But on the first print the updated date field in the title block was not refreshed. To fix it  I resaved all sheets from sheetset manager and then reprinted from acroplot and the dates had refreshed.

Links on added FDO connection to KML files to Civil3d and Map3d

Trying to get the sl-king link installed for KML files at the moment as pre this old post with no luck. Is any one using the link in Civil3d 2014? May just convert the Kml files to shp files and do it that way.

http://www.atlantic-cad.com/2014/11/03/civil-3d-fdo-provider-for-kmlkmz/

http://cadandgis.blogspot.co.nz/2009/06/autocad-map-3d-connect-to-arcsde.html

http://cadandgis.blogspot.co.nz/2009/06/autocad-map-3d-integrating-autocad-map.html

Updating Attributes in Title Block

This is a quick reminder to myself to add an attribute to an existing title block / Cover sheet
1. Type refedit or right click edit in place the block.

2. Type attdef in the blockeditor and create the new attribute in the block and place where you want it.

3. Exit the block editor and save changes to the block.
4.Type Battman and sync the block you just edited and click the Sync button and the new attribute will appear in the list of attributes for the block. You can set the default valve for the attribute now if you forgot to in step 2.

Getting Tool Palettes Organised Part 1

Watched this very good AU presentation

AC4814: Managing Your Standards and Reusable Content with AutoCAD® Tool Palettes: Revealed!

Last week on setting up Company Tool Palettes so they work across numerous version of Autocad and Autocad LT from 2002 to 2012 which we happen to have running for various reasons.

I learnt a number of things

1. Hatch, Lines and Text dragged to the ToolPalette remember what layer they were on and create that layer if missing when dragged into a new drawing. Great for helping new staff to great content on the right layers without thinking about it.

2.To access the hidden system variables in Autocad you can add *_ to before the command if you know it.

3. You can use the hidden command “ToolPalettePath” to switch between numerous versions of ToolPalettes which is great.

4. To switch Tool Palettes you can record a new macro command or use a Diesel command (as Autocad LT does not use lsp) with a button on a toolbar to do it.

5. The Tool Palette searches in numerous locations for the block to insert,
a. The current drawing
b. The original file it was added from into the palette from.

c. The files under options for your search paths.

Armed with this new information and the following on Diesel Expressions from Tailoring Autocad here on displaying Diesel expression information in the commandline and in the forums here on concatenate Diesel strings. To help me get a string of the current file path and name in Autocad LT using $(EVAL, $(getvar,dwgprefix)$(getvar,dwgname))

I am on a mission to get my offices Tool Palettes and reuseable content more organised and structured.

Block Attributes marked invisible in block displaying

 

Another quick reminder from here

Working on a as built plan with a council issued block from QLDC an some of the attributes marked invisible are still displaying. Using the setting below fixed it.

If your drawing doesn't display block attributes (even standard attributes not marked as "invisible"), check the setting of the ATTDISP command.

This command offers the following options:

• Normal - restores the standard attribute visibility: visible attributes are displayed, invisible ones are hidden
• On - all attributes will be visible (also the attributes marked as "invisible")
• Off - sets all attributes as invisible, hidden (even the standard "visible" attributes)

Also you may have to run ATTSYNC as well if you have adjusted the visibility in the block.

Random Pieces of Corridor Disappearing

Just a quick reminder to myself.

When I re entry some cross section drawing random pieces of the sectioned corridor model seem to have disappeared. Similar to the image below where half of the corridor on the right has gone.

The corridor section xref into the section drawing is still there but however for some reason the corridor is not sectioned anymore under the sample line sections. To fix this issue do the following.

1.Go into the sample line sections and right click and choose sample more sources.

2.Reselect the corridor model and click the add button to generate the sections again.

3. Now I notice in our template (anyway) that all the random corridor sections disappear and we have nothing. To make the corridor re appear you have to go into the section group properties and change the section style to the “basic” one and exit the corridor sections will reappear. Now repeat the above and change the style to the one we want and all will appear to be correct.  This has to be done for all corridors and and every time the drawing is existed and re entered. I real pain in the ###.
 

Creating an App for Autodesk App Exchange Part 1

Autodesk are running a Hackathon this month to encourage people to publish there apps onto the Autodesk apps exchange. Last year they ran a similar event which I wanted to take part in but did not find the time to, so this year i am determined to at least publish one basic app onto the app exchange.

To figure out what you have to do to bundle your app together to publish it onto the exchange first thing you need to do is check out the process required online at

Autodesk® Exchange Apps Developer Center

and in particular the section for Autocad Verticals which covers Civil3d.

Autodesk Exchange Apps - Information for AutoCAD and AutoCAD Vertical Developers

then you need to check out the couple of Autodesk DevTV videos recommended in the article. Here are  a couple of links to them on youtube that are viewable on your mobile device.

DevTV – Autoloader Format Explained
DevTV - Autocad Creating a Partial CUI

Once you have read these articles and sort al the data you need for you App you are ready to start publishing your App.

1. Go to the Autodesk Apps Exchange.

2. Select the Store you want to login to

3. Select the Exchange Apps Developers link in the lower right hand corner.

4. Once logged in click “Publish a New Product” to start the publishing process

5. Read the fine print and continue.

6. Close what OS your app will support

7.Start filling all the data required to be submitted with you App. More in Part 2