We have added new classes to our classroom instruction offerings.  These classes will be taught by Eric Gates our Civil 3D Specialist.   His 20 years of experience managing and using Autodesk software while designing corridors and sites brings real-world experience to your learning experience.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 Fundamentals

Learn the fundamentals of AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2012 in this four-day training class intended to give users a solid understanding of the features and benefits of AutoCAD Civil 3D. Hands-on exercises explore how to use the Civil 3D dynamic environment to be productive and efficient producing 3D models and 2D drawings.
More Information>> (this will link to classroom)

AutoCAD 2012 Essentials

Learn the essentials of AutoCAD® 2012 in this three-day training class intended to give users experience with the basic features of AutoCAD. Hands-on exercises explore the core topics necessary for users of advanced AutoCAD application software and suites.
More Information>> (this will link to classroom)

AutoCAD 2012 Basics for New Civil 3D Users

Hands-on exercises explore using the basic functions of AutoCAD as they apply to new users of Civil 3D 2012. This one-day training is specifically designed to show how to leverage AutoCAD when using Civil 3D.
More Information>> (this will link to classroom)

Persons who can benefit from these courses include:
- New users of AutoCAD software
- Users revisiting the software
- Project managers
- Casual users

Figure-1

AUTOCOMPLETEMODE is the system variable that control this. The setting is stored as a bitcode using the sum of the following values:

0          Turns off all automated keyboard features when typing at the Command prompt

1          Turns on any automated keyboard features when typing at the Command prompt

2          Automatically appends suggestions as each keystroke is entered after the third keystroke

4          Displays a list of suggestions as keystrokes are entered

8          Displays the icon of the command or system variable, if available

16        Excludes the display of system variables

Figure-2

Now, for those of us that are sometimes bitmode challenged and prefer a simple text prompt interface, you can use the AUTOCOMPLETE.  As you can see when you type this at the command line (Figure 3) you get a friendly textual prompt and when using Dynamic input you get a Listbox. (Figure 4)

Figure-3

Figure-4

A good practice when typing mostly commands, especially when using dynamic input is to turn Off the List option (Figure 5-6) and the System Variable options (Figure 7-8), which will set the “Autocompletemode” to 27.

Figure-5

Figure-6

Figure-7

Figure-8

In this tutorial we will import MicroStation graphics to create an InRoads template.

The example below calculates a target date 180 days prior to the current date then finds all files in the specified folder that were last modified prior to the target date.

Sub Test()
    ArchiveFiles ActiveDesignFile.Path, 180
End Sub

Sub ArchiveFiles(strPath As String, numDays As Long)
    Dim dateTarget As Date
    Dim iDays As Long
    Dim strFile As String

    ' Target date is numDays before today
    dateTarget = DateAdd("d", numDays * -1, Date)

    ' find all files in current folder
    strFile = Dir(strPath & "\*")

    Do While Len(strFile) > 0

        ' get the number of days since the file was created or last modified
        iDays = DateDiff("d", FileDateTime(strFile), dateTarget)

        ' If older than numDays send to archive

        If iDays > numDays Then

            ' Archive file

        End If

        strFile = Dir

    Loop

End Sub

When, Opening, Saving or creating a New drawing in AutoCAD, do you find yourself constantly maneuver through the explorer dialog clicking your way to the drive and folder you need, because the last folder you selected, or the default location is just not the folder you need?  This simple tip may save you a lot of clicking and search time.

Use the Places List in the AutoCAD New, Open and Save dialogs to make navigating to where you need to go a snap.

Figure-1

On each of the Open, New and Save dialogs you can take advantage of the left pane called the Places list (Shaded area in Figure-1) by adding your own favorites to create a custom shortcut list. The handy thing is you only need to add a “place” in the list of any one of these three dialogs and it will show up in the others.

It is really as easy as SELECT, DRAG and DROP.

Figure-2

Step 1: Launch the Open Dialog box and navigate to the drive and folder you want to be able to access with one click.

Step 2: Select the folder, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the folder into the Place list panel, then let go of the left mouse button. Your shortcut is created.

For this example the “J:\EnvisionCAD\Project” folder has been selected, now notice in Figure-3 the Project shortcut shows up in the places panel on the New and Save dialog.

Figure-3

Have fun with this. You just need to navigate to a location once, and you want to save it as a short cut, merely click, drag and drop.  The Objects in the Places list can also be reorganized by selecting and dragging either up or down within the panel.

To remove any unwanted or old shortcuts, right click in the panel area to reveal the menu shown in Figure-4 below.

Figure-4

With the release of MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3) we now have the ability to preview MicroStation design files in Windows Explorer and other Windows Applications.  Options include panning and rotating DGN files right from the preview pane in Windows Explorer.  Searching text inside the MicroStation DGN document can also be accomplished using the Windows Explorer search box.

Preview Pane – Windows Explorer

1. From the Window Explorer dialog toggle ON the Preview Pane.
2.  Select a MicroStation DGN file.  The Preview Pane will show the view navigation tools along with any additional models that exist as tabs.

Search Box – Text Search inside DGN files

1. In the Windows Explorer dialog path to the directory to be searched
2. From the Window Explorer dialog type the keyword in the Search Box.
3. In the list of search results select a file to locate the text within the MicroStation file.

EnvisionCAD has released a new InRoads Survey Manual

“InRoads Survey V8i (SELECTseries)” is available for print and eBook delivery.  The InRoads Survey manual provides common workflows to accomplish typical survey data processing.  It focuses on the collection, editing, and processing of field data to create a basemap, surface, and geometry file.

This training manual is suitable for instructor led training, online, open enrollment, or self-paced instruction.  We can also provide this class onsite at your location.

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Have comments or ideas on other training manuals you would like to see? Let us know by commenting below.

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CAD Manager Training from EnvisionCAD

EnvisionCAD is pleased to announce our newest class offering “CAD Manager – MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries)“.  The content presented in this training is designed for CAD Managers and Administrators that are responsible for the installation, configuration, and standardization of MicroStation.  The CAD Manager will learn how to create and implement standards resources used by MicroStation in a managed workspace environment.  This training is not intended for production users.  This course requires that the student has a solid understanding of MicroStation.

This training is only available for instructor led training.  We can also provide this class onsite at your location.

Don’t want to miss out on other great information? Subscribe to this blog or our monthly eNewsletter now!

Have comments or ideas on other training classes you would like to see? Let us know by commenting below.

Learn More ◊ Contact us today ◊ Newsletter ◊