Deadline for Upgrades from R12

February 29 is the last day you will be able to obtain authorization for upgrades from AutoCAD Release 12 to newer versions of AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based vertical products.

Plotting in R2000

by: Paul Backus

After the initial shock of seeing changes to plotting with ACAD2K, users are welcoming the new plotting experience.  There are many websites and books available to read up on the details.  However, a quick overview is often all that is needed to get started.

Plotting setup may begin when you choose a layout tab for the first time.  The Page Setup dialogue box appears.  By selecting the appropriate plotter, one moves to the second tab and locks in the page size.  All the other details are available there for setting up the plot, including a preview before sending to the printer.  If you want to use color or named styles for more precision, then start the drawing with a template.  That's the good news about the Windows system. its a matter of Window shopping.

Okay, that's the simple view of plotting that allows a new user to put out drawings.  But what about SOHO users that don't have a CADD Manager to set up their system?  How does the plotter setup begin?  Perhaps your client has an HP printer and you would like to email the finished drawing for immediate plotting.  This method creates a pc3 file in your Plotters folder that allows you to set up the plot as though you are connected to the HP printer.  You can display the correct sheet size, etc. and know that it will plot the same way for the client.

Let's look at an example of how to set up a new plotter.  Click on a Layout Tab of a new drawing for the first time and Cancel the Page Setup Dialogue Box.  Now go to your File menu, and pick Plotter Manager.  Select the My Computer option and advance to the next screen for choice of Manufacturer and Model.  Skip the next window unless you want to import some previous settings from a pcp or pc2 file.  Choose Plot to a Port (i.e. LPT1) and then proceed to give a name to the plotter (i.e. "HP 7895 - Full Size").  Now you can Finish (unless you wish to calibrate or edit some of the settings for this plotter).  The next time you visit a Layout and enter the Page Setup Dialogue Box, the "HP 7895 - Full Size" plotter will be available.

Welcome New and Frugal Users

Looking for a cheap CAD program to practise on?  Have you tried IntelliCAD 2000?  The price is right. Free!  Go to: http://www.cadopia.com/  and do the download.

Its a good CAD tool for students, educators, architects, designers,
drafters, engineers.  And its compatible with drawings from AutoCAD 2.5 through 2000.
Some of the features:
- the ability to open multiple drawings at once
- drag-and-drop exchanges between drawings
- menus and toolbars customization
- associative hatching
- TrueType fonts
- AutoCAD 2000 file format compatibility
- mtext dialog box

Or. how about a FREE DEMO CD of the Real Thing - AutoCAD R2000?  For a CADD demo or to order your software, go to:
http://www3.autodesk.com/products/0,3004,33969,00.html

For the Curious

Want some information on specific AutoCAD® 2000 topics, including productivity, migration and compatibility, customization, and Internet capabilities. Take a look at:  http://www3.autodesk.com/products/0,3004,21660,00.html
- get an overview of new plotting enhancements, plotting concepts, or plotting walk-through information - receive information that walks you through plotting - how to install, deploy, and configure AutoCAD 2000 - 3D Graphics in AutoCAD 2000
- Internet features for accessing, linking, and communicating your AutoCAD 2000 designs 

An Open Invitation from Bob Morse -- BAUG President

Bob says, "Come on down to Bellingham for a monthly user meeting".  Check out their website for more details:
http://www.baug.com/schedule.htm

Life with Windows 2000...

By Frank Zander

******************

Presidents Column

AutoCAD 2000 – Why Should I Upgrade?

The choice of which CADD program to use is often determined by the client’s project needs. As a leader in the electronic drafting market , AutoCAD  is committed to serving those needs.

Designers agree that version R14 is fast and stable . AutoDesk’s desire to increase market share through enhanced performance, however, has brought AutoCAD R2000 to a new level of efficiency . While many offices have been reluctant to upgrade, converts to R2000 are increasingly happy about their choice.

R2000 now makes it easy to interconnect design data through networks and over the Internet . But these tools are only part of the story. There are other reasons for upgrading that new users have come to enjoy. Working with multiple drawings in a single session is a great new tool. What a wonderful way to transfer content between drawings. Combined with the DesignCenter, you can extract drawing components such as blocks and layer definitions into any open drawing. Object properties can be transferred between drawings with the Property Painter. Note that the new Properties window combines more than 40 formerly separate commands and dialog boxes to perform a multitude of work tasks. Consider the versatility of the new plotting tools. Preview the much more intuitive and versatile method of dealing with PaperSpace. And these are just some of the features found at the desktop level . If you were to ask CADD Managers for their take, another round of items would be put on the table . Conclusion: If R14 is good, then R2000 is great.

So why haven’t ALL users made the switch? Are they happy with their present setup, unaware of what they are missing, not able to afford the price increase, or unwilling to make the change because of the learning curve? Maybe all of these reasons and a lot more are valid.

We cannot be sure about why a product isn’t subscribed to en masse. But we can be sure that the design world is changing and we must, “lead, follow, or get out of the way”. Each year designers are required to work with a greater variety of programs. And that’s the catch. They are also being asked to use more than one type of software design program. Competitive drafting programs are no longer being viewed as the enemy . Out of necessity they have become a valued partner in acquiring contracts.

If, “Every great journey begins with the first step”, when will you take your next step? Or perhaps the question should be, “’What direction are you going in?”

Minutes of the February 2nd VAUS meeting – B.C.I.T., Burnaby

By: G. Epp/P. Backus

News and Announcements

Brief discussion on purchasing a Projector: Rentals cost $250 to $400 per day  Donation to BCIT of $3,000 - would upgrade present system - would be tied to meeting room reservation Direct purchase of projector - for use at meetings - available for rental by members - more funding required

LOGICAD 3D Mouse: Bill Fane demo’d a supplemental tool for 3D designers that does not replace the regular mouse. Looking like a white hockey puck, it sits off to the side of your regular mouse and transparently aids model manipulation. Bill says, "Its like holding the 3D model in your hand." The ‘Magellan Space Mouse’ sells for $400 US.

Bill Fane announced that a new release of Inventor is coming.

George Epp reminded everyone about the upcoming BAUG Meeting with David Cohn. 

MAIN DEMONSTRATION – Triforma 3D

FREE DEMO VERSION of Triforma software: www.pat.bc.ca "Please do not forget to mention that AutoCAD users can get a free 30 day trial of MicroStation/J if they email us from our website www.pat.bc.ca " – Chris Webber, Pres.

Demo Team: Bentley Systems - Mark Enos, AIA, System Engineer Pacific Alliance Technologies: Chris Webber, President - cw@pat.bc.ca Pacific Alliance Technologies: Carlo Rossetti, Account Manager,

Special thanks goes out to Mark Enos, AIA, the man at the controls. Mark gave us an overview of Triforma 3D from Bentley Systems. We were entertained and will be inviting the group back for a more in-depth study.

Triforma 3D moves your napkin aided design from concept to final modeling. With linking capabilities to Excel or the Internet, Triforma is ready to handle all your design problems. Mark showed us how to bring samples of HVAC, furniture, and lighting fixtures into the drawing. With the ability to use many file formats Triforma easily trades information with other design software. There are also many manufacturer catalogued items on CD for importing into your drawing. Seeing the walk-through was proof of how powerful this design/presentation program is.

Other details: - The TRI in Triforma stands for; Modeling, Presentation, and Reporting. - Selling for $6,500 Cdn, you can also add on $875/year for the service pack. - Triforma will be shipping in one month.

Chris Webber states that Pacific Alliance Technologies also handles lessons for CADD users that wish to upgrade their skills. As an example, Kilborn Engineering is sending drafters to him for a three day seminar this month. Talk to Chris for more information. cw@pat.bc.ca