Ab's AutodeskBuildingSystems

AU Update & TweetUp Scheduled!

2009-11-06T19:06:00.003-06:00

AU 09 approaches!

ATTENTION TWITTER PEOPLE:
Per an email from Shaan Hurley: There will be a Twitter Tweetup event on the exhibit hall floor Tuesday night Dec 1, 2009 at 7PM (Las Vegas Time) in the AUGI area.

Follow Shaan at @mrcadman for more fun spur of the moment Twitter stuff during AU. Also if he gets people to donate $2000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (http://ww5.komen.org/) AND he gets over 2000 followers to his Twitter account, he will shave his head at AU for the good cause!

Now who doesn't want to see that??!!!

So let's see what we can all do to help him out! :D

Only 25 more days until AU!

AU Virtual & Subscription

2009-10-29T18:53:00.004-05:00

For those of you who can't go to Autodesk University in person and you're on subscription they are offering FREE Autodesk University Virtual Premier passes.

Autodesk University Virtual Premier Passes

You will need to have your Subscription number handy.

For those of you who don't know what AU-Virtual is check out more info here:

Autodesk University Virtual

Twitter CAD People

2009-10-29T18:48:00.002-05:00

For those of you who are on Twitter, you may be interested in following these people:

@Lynn_Allen Lynn Allen of Autodesk http://lynn.blogs.com/

@mrcadman Shaan Hurley of Autodesk & AUGI

@AU_Online Info/Updates for Autodesk University

@AUGI AUGI (Autodesk Users Group International)

Wipeout Blocks

2009-09-14T09:55:00.002-05:00

It's been a bit.
Thought I might post a couple tid bits on wipeout blocks for ya.

Wipeout Block:
When working on wipeout blocks you need to be very aware of draw order.
If you do not set your draw order correctly they will not do what you want them to do.
Draw a closed polyline.
Type "wipeout" at the command line.
At the command line type "p" for polyline.
It will then ask you to "select a closed polyline".
Click on the closed polyline you created.
It will then ask "Erase polyline" choose "yes".
Immediately it has been converted to a wipeout block.
You will most likely need to manipulate the draw order of things for it to hide properly.
Also you will want to double check this when you get into and out of the drawing.
You can place wipeout blocks into an xref and they will work through that.
Again, you will need to watch the display order in order for them to work correctly.

Wipeout Block Frames:
If you want to completely hide the frame that is around the wipeout block this is the process you will need to use.
Keep in mind if you turn off the frame you will not be able to move/select/edit it.
When you run this command it will manipulate all the wipeout blocks on the drawing (and xref'ed into the drawing).
Type "wipeout" at the command line.
Type "F" for frames.
To turn them off type "off".
To turn them back on type "on".
It will blink and process the entire drawing.
This could take a bit of time.

AU 09

2009-08-21T10:48:00.001-05:00

Open registration for AU 09 has begun!

Get in there and get signed up!

If you are a Revit MEP person, I highly suggest Todd Shackelford's #MP322-1 Implementing Autodesk Revit MEP: A to Z class!

Todd Shadkelford is the "author" of the "Cad Shack" blog, which rocks!

Creating Automatic Gap on Crossed Lines

2009-08-21T10:42:00.002-05:00

This is for our basic lines/arcs/circles friends out there.
Sometimes we have to isometric or schematic sketches and need to use ye old lines/arcs/circles commands. When they cross I'd like to have a standard gap created so that from drafter to drafter they will look the same.

Thanks to a fantastic person on the Autodesk Discussion Groups (Big shout out of thanks to Mep09Developer !!!!) I now have a snappy little tool to do this.

First I will give the lisp code, and then I will tell you how I pushed it into a button/drop down in the cui.

Enjoy!!

Lisp file (Again....huge thanks to Mep09Developer!!!):

;;; C:GAPLINE - creates gaps at line intersections so that one of the lines remains unchanged
;;; From http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=739827&tstart=0
;;; By "Mep09Developer" on 08-10-09

(defun C:GL (/ gap intpt gapent circle)
(prompt "GAP LINE")
(while 'T
(setq gap 4
intpt (osnap (getpoint "\nSpecify intersection point: ") "INT")
);setq
(if intpt
(progn
(setq gapent (car (entsel "\nPick entity to gap: ")))
(setvar "CMDECHO" 0)
(command "CIRCLE" intpt gap)
(command "TRIM" (setq circle (entlast)) "" (list gapent intpt) "")
(command "ERASE" circle "")
(setvar "CMDECHO" 1)
(prompt "\n")
);progn
);if
);while
(princ)
)

Info to get it onto a drop-down or button in the cui, use "/" for the file path name, the file name for the lisp was called "GapLine2":

^C^C(load "[file location]/Support/GapLine2");(C:GL);

AU 09 Sign-ups Open!

2009-08-12T12:43:00.004-05:00

The sign ups for Autodesk University 2009 are Officially Open for Early Registration!
(If you have an AU account, you can early register)

Autodesk University 2009 (AU!) Link

I'm signed up and excited to be taking a bunch of Revit MEP classes.

Who knows...perhaps I'll begin posting about Revit MEP in the upcoming year?! :D

ABS Snaps vs Osnaps with Duct and Pipe Commands

2009-08-06T11:49:00.004-05:00

Anyone get annoyed that the ABS snaps don't come on automatically when you start your duct or pipe command? Anyone also run into the issue where you have your osnaps on and they override the ABS snaps and your duct or pipe is not actually connected?

Try this fun tip: It does work for the 2010 A-MEP software!! :D

Ok, I have a way that I have "forced" this on the duct and pipe commands on the palettes.
You'll have to check for your version of the software to find out for sure what the command is for turning on/off the MEP snaps is.
I made this for ABS07, you should be able to modify it for the upper versions (I hope).

I right clicked on the duct icon on the duct palette.
Choose "Properties".
Under "Basic" there's a command section.
Click in the command section.
Here's what I have: AECBOSMODE 1023 OSMODE 0 ^C^C_AecbDuctAdd
If you use a value of 1023 for AECBOSMODE it will turn them all on.
I set OSMODE to 0 so all of the osnaps are turned off.

I made a separate "hotkey" to turn the MEP snaps back off and turns on a select few Osnaps.
Here's what I have for that key: AECBOSMODE 0 OSMODE 135
Only issue with this....you can't use the hotkeys while you're in the middle of a command.
You have to remember to use them before you initiate the command.

There is a good discussion on Autodesk's Discussion Groups about this.
I have posed this same info there as well: Autodesk MEP Discussion Group Issue Link

Script - Plot Dwg Files

2009-08-06T09:33:00.003-05:00

; This script is intended to clean plotting dwg files and set scales and textsyles

; Copy and paste this code into notepad and save the file with a ".scr" extension

; This script was obtained from http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

;
_autosnap ; changes the autosnap value
63 ; to 63
_viewres ; changes the viewres value
Y ; yes to fast zooms
100 ; value set to 100
_textstyle ; sets current textstyle
"RomanS" ; to RomanS
_ltscale ; invokes ltscale command
0.5 ; value set to 0.5
_dimscale ; invokes dimscale command
96 ; sets value to 96
_psltscale ; invokes psltscale command
1 ; sets value to 1
-purge ; invokes -purge command
Regapps ; purges regapps
* ; enters all for names to purge
N ; no to verify them individually
-purge ; invokes -purge command
A ; purges all
* ; enters all for names to purge
N ; no to verify them individually
Audit ; invokes audit command
Y ; yes to fix any errors detected
Qsave ; saves the drawing

Script - Background-Xref Files

2009-08-06T09:31:00.004-05:00

; This script is intended to clean background dwgs and set scales and textsyles

; Copy and paste this code into notepad and save the file with a ".scr" extension

; This script was obtained from http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

;

_autosnap ; changes the autosnap value

63 ; to 63

_viewres ; changes the viewres value

Y ; yes to fast zooms

100 ; value set to 100

_textstyle ; sets current textstyle

"RomanS" ; to RomanS

_ltscale ; invokes ltscale command

48 ; sets value to 48

_dimscale ; invokes dimscale command

96 ; sets value to 96

_psltscale ; invokes psltscale command

0 ; sets value to 0

-purge ; invokes -purge command

Regapps ; purges regapps

* ; enters all for names to purge

N ; no to verify them individually

-purge ; invokes -purge command

A ; purges all

* ; enters all for names to purge

N ; no to verify them individually

Audit ; invokes audit command

Y ; yes to fix any errors detected

Qsave ; saves the drawing

Script Fun Is About to Begin!

2009-08-06T09:16:00.003-05:00

Hello Bloggers!
I have not forgotten about you all...I have been busy adding new content to my reference guide.
I will be posting my new info here for you all to utilize as well.
I hope it helps!

I have created a few script files to help my dept out.
We have "background" files that we xref into "plotting" files.
We work in the background files and we print/plot from the plotting files.
(sounds self-explanatory enough, eh?)
In order to keep all of our scales correct and our files clean I have created a couple of script files.
If you would like to use them please make sure you denote that you found them here.
http://abbie-abs.blogspot.com/

I will post the scripts separately.
Enjoy!

Updated Link

2009-06-22T10:52:00.006-05:00

I have added a new link over on the side of my blog for the Autodesk's MEP Discussion Group.
Autodesk MEP Discussion Group Link
If you are looking for a different product than ABS/MEP, you will want to click on "All discussion groups" and it will take you back to the main area.
Getting onto this discussion group is free.
You will sometimes get Autodesk "workers" pass through with answers to your questions, but typically you will get the most feedback from other cad users like yourself.
So keep that in mind when testing out their suggestions.

If you need true help from Autodesk you will want to go through the Subscription Center and create a "ticket" with them, if you're on subscription that is.

Pipe Symbol Size Change for 1/4" Scale Dwgs

2009-06-08T15:54:00.001-05:00

1-line Pipe 1/4" Scale Dwg Drops/Rises/Tees:
NOTE: Our standard symbol size is set to 10 for 1/8" scaled dwgs.
Change this setting if this dwg will ONLY have 1/4" scaled viewports on it!
Do NOT use if you have mixed viewport scales on the dwg.
To get a non-scaling set diameter rise/drop for 1-line pipe:
Open your dwg.
Go to modelspace.
Go to "Format".
Choose "Style Manager".
Choose your drawing name.
Expand your dwg in the left-hand column to the following:
....dwg\Piping Objects\Pipe Rise Drop Styles\Pipe Break - Rise Only
Go to the "Rise and Drop" tab on the right-hand column.
Click on the #3, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click on the #4, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click on the #5, under "Scaling" change the X, Y, and Z values to 5.00
Click the "Apply" button.
Click the "ok" button.
Save your dwg!

Pipe Rise/Drop Black Outline Fix

2009-06-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

Pipe Drops/Rises Symbol Color Fix/Remove Black Outline Issue:
NOTE: Fix this on the background dwgs and the dwgs you will xref it into.
Command line: "Insert"
Scroll down to "Aecb_Other_Rnd_2Line_PipeBreak_Rise"
(This is the symbol that we are set to that is giving us issues)
Insert it at any location, keep the scale at 1:1:1.
Double click on it and edit the block.
Select the entire symbol.
Go to the Properties palette.
Under "General", under "Color"
Change it to "ByBlock".
Then unselect everything.
Click on "Save changes" on the "Refedit" toolbar.
Click "Ok" to save changes.
Now erase the "Aecb_Other_Rnd_2Line_PipeBreak_Rise" block.
If you zoom out you will see that all of your drops have been fixed.

I'm alive!

2009-06-08T15:47:00.002-05:00

Good afternoon Bloggers...

I am still here and still digging up new and odd things dealing with ABS07.

Some of the fun recent questions I have had to field deal with diffusers acting oddly, the pipe rise and drops having a big bold black (undesired) outline around them, pipe rise/drop changing symbolic scale for 1/4" dwgs, and the room name and number schedule dragging our dwg speed down.

I will post some answers here in separate posts to help the searching functionality of my blog.

Again...sorry for being silent for so long.

Hope you all have been well!

हैप्पी सत. पैट्रिक'स डे

2009-03-17T07:47:00.001-05:00

(Ok, not sure what is going on w/ my post title...I type it in English it comes out in another language...odd....)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Or as I like to call it...Happy Patron Saint of Engineering Day! :D

If any of you would like a fun link for history on St. Patrick check this out: http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/

I am hoping to get a post or two out here shortly with some cool info that I have learned lately.

3.14159

2009-03-14T21:26:00.002-05:00

Happy Pi Day!!!

03-14-09... 3.14

Now the only thing to do is figure out if we should celebrate extreme pi day being truncated or rounded... 03-14-15, or 03-14-16...hmm...I guess we'll figure that out when we get there!

Sorry, I've been quiet on posting recently.
I hope to get some new info posted this week.

In the mean time enjoy your "pi"! :)

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-02T08:09:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year Bloggers!

Just to take a small time out from my typical blog posts...

I have added 2 new "buttons"/"links" on the side of my tool bar under "Fun Links".
They are for the Animal Rescue Site and the Breast Cancer Site.

Click on these to link to their websites.
Once there, please click on their "Click here to give, it's FREE" button(s) and they will donate free bowls of food for the animals and free mammograms (respectively).
If you can, please do this every day.

I do not get any kickbacks or anything for this, I just find these good causes to support.

Thank you!

DWG True View 07 vs/ 09

2008-12-24T11:40:00.008-06:00

Happy Holidays Bloggers!!

Yesterday and today I have been tackling how to get our ABS 07 dwgs to view correctly in the DWG TrueView program.

Here is my conclusion....use the 2007 version of DWG TrueView and install the ADT 2007 object enabler and the ABS LIGHT 2007 object enabler and you will be fine. You have to do it in that order though. The regular ABS 2007 OE will not work. Make sure you reboot between installing object enablers.

For viewing any higher versions of AMEP dwgs go ahead and install and use the DWG TrueView 2009 version. You will need to install the A-Arch 2009 object enabler and the A-MEP LIGHT 2009 object enabler as well. Make sure you reboot between installing object enablers.

If you don't use the LIGHT versions of the ABS and A-MEP object enablers it will not work. For some reason the full ABS/A-MEP object enablers do not get the job done. Talk about some trial and error to do this!

Here are some links to help you in your endeavors:

Since Autodesk does not have the 2007 version of DWG TrueView you can go here and download it for free:

DWG TrueView 2007

For the main page for the LIGHT object enablers:

General LIGHT Object Enablers

Specifically this one for the 07 ABS Light OE:

ABS 2007 LIGHT Object Enabler

Specifically this one for the 09 A-MEP Light OE (32-bit):

A-MEP 2009 LIGHT Object Enabler

For the main page for other object enablers:

General Other Object Enablers

Or Here for other Object Enablers

Specifically this one for the 07 ADT OE:

ADT 2007 Object Enabler

Specifically this one for the 09 A-Arch OE:

A-Arch 2009 Object Enabler

AU 08 Online Link!

2008-12-15T09:45:00.002-06:00

Good morning,

It's nasty out here...ice/sleet/snow...lovely time of year.
Hope you all dealing with this weather are being careful!
If you can, stay home and snuggle up with a puppy or two.

The AU 08 information is now up.

http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=class_listing

You can peruse this year, or past years' classes.

Enjoy the wealth of knowledge out there!!

Back from AU

2008-12-08T12:32:00.001-06:00

Hey bloggers!

I made it back safe and sound from my trip to AU 08.
It was almost a 3hr delay on the flight back...which put me landing around 10pm...but other than that no major issues.

I had an awesome time. Attended classes for both Acad MEP and Revit MEP. Can't wait until they get the AU 08 link working for all the class downloads. That's supposed to happen sometime today. As soon as I see it, I will post a link here for you all.

Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-26T07:57:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all the U.S. people!!!

Here's hoping to have a safe, extremely educational, and awesome trip to AU next week!!!

.BLK Files for Table Templates

2008-11-03T09:01:00.002-06:00

Greetings bloggers,

Welcome to Novemember!!

Last week I was working on creating a standard table template for my department to use.

It would be used in combination with the "eattext" attribute extraction command. The template removed some of the attributes, re-arranged the columns they showed up in, and assigned a specific look to the table. This creates a .blk file.

What I found out, after a few hours of testing and odd outcomes, is....the .blk file has to be stored in a location that the user has permissions to change files in. AKA I can not store it on our "protected/locked-down" standards location that the general user only has "read" access to.

I thought I would pass this along incase others were curious about setting up a table template.

Juggle 101: Part 3

2008-10-31T11:20:00.004-05:00

Juggle 101: Part 3
So you have mastered the one ball basic pattern right?? Excellent! Now it is on to adding the second ball. You can place the third ball in your pocket so when you drop one of the other balls you will not have to bend over to pick it up. Remember to stand in your now favorite place over a couch and close to a wall if possible. Also remember to make your throws to yourself, do not throw them away from you (I mean really, how are you going to catch something that you threw away?). Juggling occurs in one plane.

Same thing goes for the second ball as the first ball. You will start with one ball in each hand. Start with the first ball as you have before; toss it from your LH to your RH hitting that peak above your RH. Always follow the infinity pattern. When the first ball reaches the peak of the pattern (just above your RH) toss the second ball from your RH to your LH following the pattern. If you have successfully ended up with the opposite ball in each hand than when you started congratulations!

Now pause and watch out for this….Most people who try to learn to juggle panic when they have to start tossing the second (and eventually third) ball. A lot of the time they will just quickly chuck the ball into the opposite hand for the second throw and that is not the objective. You must always follow the infinity pattern, this is the backbone of the 3-ball cascade pattern.

The typical mantra for this stage of learning is: throw, throw, catch, catch. Feel free to chant it. It actually does help.

The true key to learning how to juggle is practice! So keep practicing!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! :)

Warning Pop-up Update

2008-10-20T09:25:00.003-05:00

Good morning Bloggers,

After initiating the pop-up warning for people opening any version below our current 2007 version we have had a lower rate of "oops" moments. I received feedback from the other departments and I have completely removed the "open" button. If someone really wants to overwrite the file they will have to go to the "saveas" and choose to overwrite it there.

The only flaw that I know of is that this will continue to pop-up and sometimes cause issues with the Publish command. Since 95% of the time we have to plot by window and can't use the Publish command on these old dwgs with the new plotter it is a moot point.

We had our reseller come in on Friday and do presentations on the 09 products for Arch and MEP and also discuss Revit (Arch, Struct, and MEP). Our company has some decisions to make as to which way they want to go and how soon.

Enjoy the fall season!