Lynn Allen's Blog

Multifunction Grips on AutoCAD Dimensions

2013-06-17T10:26:46-07:00

The final of my three part video series for Cadalyst Magazine on Multifunction grips has arrived!

Are you taking advantage of all those handy tools built right into the grips on dimensions? Multifunction grips keep you out of the ribbon and menu system - and help you work more efficiently by putting popular command right on the objects themselves! They are a big time savings - but only if you know about them (and use them!). Check out my Cadalyst video and speed up your designs.

It should be noted that I am no longer wearing turtlenecks! (thankfully it finally decided to act like summer)

CAD Americas Training Days

2013-06-09T14:19:40-07:00

IComing to a neighborhood near you! Join me for several stops along the CAD Americas tour. I'll be participating on a day of training in Atlanta and Dallas this week...don't miss this opportunity for a days worth of great Autodesk product training.

I'll be doing my popular "75 AutoCAD Tips in 75 Minutes" presentation along with "Embrace the Cloud". Some of our top Autodesk University instructors like Robert Green will also be there.

Are we going to be in your neighborhood?

CAD Americas events calendar

If so - see you there!

Join me in Miami or Allentown?

2013-05-28T07:05:26-07:00

While I am currently enjoying a (much-needed) vacation in Portugal - I wanted to make sure you were aware of two events I have coming up (right after I return home). On June 5 - you can find me doing the keynote address for Synergis University 2013 at an all day event filled with technical presentations.

On June 6 - you'll find me visiting one of my favorite resellers, DDSCAD, in beautiful Miami where I will be demonstrating the new features in AutoCAD 2014 (and the AutoCAD Design Suite) along with a presentation that will help you make the move to BIM (Building Informational Modeling).

Everywhere I turn, companies are making the move to BIM. I see this in architecture, HVAC, Civil, Construction - you name it! Join me for some tips to make the move as smooth as possible.

Sign up today!

Free Autodesk Oil and Gas webcast on Easier Information Management

2013-05-24T03:27:04-07:00

Join the Autodesk Oil and Gas folks as they show you how the new AutoCAD Plant 3D Vault integration makes information management so much easier! Add in Autodesk 360 and you have a match made in...the Cloud!

Topic: Easier Information Management for Oil & Gas Projects - Part 1

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 9:00am - 9:30am PDT

Sign up now!

Tune in for my first AutoCAD 2014 webcast tomorrow morning!

2013-05-21T11:33:08-07:00

My first official AutoCAD 2014 webcast is tomorrow morning at 11am PDT. Novedge has been kind enough to sponsor it and it's free of charge! If you want to hear all about the new features in AutoCAD 2014 - then tune in for sure! I want to see you there! (virtually of course)

Sign up Today!

My AutoCAD 2014 Tips and Tricks booklet is here!

2013-05-14T10:03:39-07:00

Finally...hot off the press...is my AutoCAD 2014 Tips and Tricks booklet! This labor of love has all the new features inside of AutoCAD 2014 (as well as the new features from AutoCAD 2013). Check it out! Print as many as you like - delight your coworkers - frame it and put it in your living room (your significant other will love that).

Download ACAD2014_TipsnTricks_web

If you really intend on printing it out - you might prefer to download the high res (and much larger) version:

Download ACAD2014_TipsnTricks_final

Enjoy everyone! A big thanks to Heidi Hewett for her usual help with my booklet (and making sure I get all the info correct!)

AutoCAD Hatching Tips

2013-04-11T17:27:03-07:00

It seems that nearly all applications have at least some crosshatching in their drawing files - so hatching tips should come in handy for nearly everyone. Check out my latest Cadalyst Magazine video tip that just might save you some valuable time in your hatching! (Or at least I hope so!)

P.S. I am not responsible for the extremely unflattering pose that appears when I embed this video!

P.S.S. And yes...that is a picture of a cow behind me...

Drumroll please...AutoCAD 2014 has arrived!

2013-04-03T14:21:54-07:00

Do you get as excited as I do when a new release of AutoCAD comes out? Or are you wondering what else they could possibly add to the program? Well there have been quite a few great features added into AutoCAD 2014. Everything from huge enhancements to Geographic Locations to the cool new interactive Design Feed which will make it easier for you to collaborate with others on your drawings.

Of course there are my favorite everyday command improvements such as the ability to easily change the direction while drawing an arc (just use the control key!). Or how about new DIMCONTINUEMODE system variable that when set to 1 automatically uses the same dimension style when you use DIMCONTINUE or DIMBASELINE.

I know what you're thinking...Hoorah! There are even more system variables in AutoCAD 2014!

And how about this - finally the default behavior for inserting blocks with attributes is to display the dialog box. Woo-Hoo!

There is much, much, more to AutoCAD 2014 (including the added bonus of the super cool RECAP software program). Don't take my word for it - download the trial version (for free) today!

Don't miss the Revit Technology Conference!

2013-03-26T19:03:11-07:00

I've heard all about it...I've wanted to go for years ...and (finally) this year I am thrilled to get a chance to participate in the North American Revit Technology Conference. And I simply don't see why you shouldn't be joining me!

The North American Revit Technology Conference is in beautiful Vancouver, Canada at the perfect time of year - July 11 through July 13. The weather will be great, the view will be amazing and all that great Revit and BIM content is just the icing on the conference cake! Held Thursday through Saturday (your employer gives a couple of days, you give a couple of days) - you'll be surrounded by all the great BIM minds - just think of all the questions you'll get answered!

At the Revit Technology Conference you'll have a chance to learn best practices and some incredible tips and tricks from the industry's top Revit experts. Rumor has it over 400 papers were submitted for this year's event - so we are all in for some amazing presentations!

And let's not get started about the networking! Where else are you going to get a chance to hang out with so many of your peers, who are facing the same challenges, and helping you find your way to the BIM light? You will meet people at RTC you will stay in touch with for many years to come (I've heard all about that from so many past attendees).

So if you use Revit - promise me you'll sign up today. I want to see you there! I'll even buy you a (free) drink at the reception!

Grant your AutoCAD Objects a Super Power! (make them invisible)

2013-03-21T18:24:21-07:00

So if you could pick any super power - what would it be? I vote for invisibility (although it's probably best not to be able to hear what peoplea re REALLY saying about you!). While I can't grant you this awesome super power - I can certainly show you how to make your AutoCAD objects invisible!

For years we have been using Layers to control the visibility of objects. We've skillfilly learned to be nice and organized when it comes to which objects land on which layer. But what if we could just simply select objects and make them invisible? Well for all of you on AutoCAD 2011 or higher - you have this great super power you can choose to bestow on your AutoCAD objects.

Enjoy the Cadalyst video tip!

One reader did note that at some point during this video it appears as though I actually have cow ears - hysterical!