May 2014 Newsletter       Read this online   Design & Drafting Releases LD Assistant 2014 Visit the new Design & Drafting.com support page to see how easy it is to Edit your DMX patch.   CAD Articles Old system variables by Ellen Finkelstein, CADdigest.com Some of the issues could be related to old system variables. For example, in this drawing, DIMASSOC is set to 1, which creates non-associative dimensions. That means that when the dimensions objects are edited, the dimensions don’t update automatically. AutoCAD has offered associative dimensions since Release 2002, but if the drawing was created before then, you’ll see non-associative dimensions. You should fix this by changing the value of DIMASSOC to 2 and then using DIMREASSOCIATE to associate the dimensions to their objects. I explain this process in my post, "Dimensions and associativity." Click here to keep reading   How to Save AutoCAD DWT Template to Lower Version By Edwin Prakoso, CAD Notes If you have different versions of AutoCAD in your office, you might have this problem. AutoCAD 2013 has changed the file version (we all already know it), it means lower versions can’t open it. The same thing happens if updated your template file with AutoCAD 2013. You open your template file, modify it then save it. If you share the templates with your coworkers, they who use AutoCAD 2012 or older will not be able to use it. AutoCAD does allow you to save to older version. However, it only have versions for DWG but only one DWT. It means you can’t save it to lower DWT version, and your coworker can’t open it using AutoCAD 2012. Click here to keep reading   How to Automatically Display the Plotting Scale on Your AutoCAD Drawing by Ellen Finkelstein Yes, you can! I’m going to assume that you have 1 viewport on a layout tab with a title block that will display the scale of that viewport. Here are the steps: 1.Set the scale for the viewport. I explain how in this tip, "Create a scale for plotting." 2.Start the MTEXT command. (On the ribbon, choose Home tab, Annotation panel, Multiline Text.) 3.At the Specify first corner: and Specify opposite corner: prompts, click to place. Click here to view   Can't Explode a Block by RK McSwain, CAD Panacea Invoke block command, select desired block, check 'allow exploding' box to change block definition, redefine block in AutoCAD. Have you ever come across a block that you could not explode? You might try and get this message: Command: explode Select objects: 1 found Select objects: 1 could not be exploded. Command: . Click here to keep reading   Why Layer Stumble through your content when you can Layer Walk by By Isaac Harper Even though Layer Walk (LAYWALK) started off being an Express (or Bonus) tool and a short time later had worked its way up to being an honorary AutoCAD command… I am quite surprised that there are still quite a few people that I know (using AutoCAD for quite some time) have not gotten around to trying it out! And the worst part is it has been around for almost a decade. So if you have never used it… NOW IS THE TIME! Layer Walk combines several layer commands together at once, from Searching by Layer naming, using existing Filters, Count of your layers or best of all… Displaying what is on what layer(s) all in one simple real time dialog box. To launch the Layer Walk command from the Ribbon on the Home tab expand the layer panel and click the Layer Walk button. (Or type in the command: LAYWALK) . Click here to keep reading   Terminology by John Flanagan, CADline Understanding commonly used terms like property, ribbon, selection view, snap, styles, view, UCS, units, Property - Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale, linetype, start point, etc. Ribbon- The Ribbon runs across the top of the drawing space and contains panel - each panel has a group of associated tool. Switch to different panels by clicking on the tabs at the top of the ribbon. Relative Coordinates - A way of inputting points based on a starting point. Section View - A drawing that represents a cross section of a part or assembly. Selection Set - The current group of objects selected for modifying. Snap - This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor to precise points laid out in a grid pattern. Toggle with the F9 key. Styles - Formatting that defines the look of text, dimensions, etc. Units - The basic drawing unit set for you drawing. For example, you can use inches or millimetres depending on your needs. You can also set the precision you want displayed, such nearest 1/4", 1/2" 1/64", etc. User coordinate system (UCS) - Modifications made to the World Coordinate System (WCS) results in a User Coordinate System (UCS) View - A particular area of your drawing. Viewport - A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more than one viewport visible to see different areas of your drawing at the same time. Wizard - An easy step-by-step instruction set to help you set-up certain aspects of your drawing. World Coordinate System - This is the common X-Y coordinate system that is the default. If it is modified, it becomes a User coordinate System (UCS) Zoom - To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in) or a larger section (zoom out)   Mobile Champion - Lenovo ThinkPad W530 mobile workstation delivers incredible price and performance. by David Cohn Over the past few years, we've reviewed numerous Lenovo ThinkStation workstations. We've consistently been impressed with the company's ability to deliver performance at an affordable price. But it's been more than four years since we last looked at one of the company's mobile workstations. We were, therefore, excited when the Lenovo ThinkPad W530 arrived. Click here to keep reading   Thank You! Design & Drafting appreciates your interest in our products. Please forward this newsletter to your friends and associates, however, NO part of this newsletter may be used without permission. © Copyright 2013 by Chicago Stage Equipment Company Inc. D.B.A. Design & Drafting. Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, DWF, DWG, DXF, ObjectARX are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Rufus W Warren III Editor