The Autodesk® Buzzsaw® service helps you keep your
projects on schedule and within budget. As the leading
online project collaboration service, Buzzsaw allows you to
better manage, share, and track project information across
your extended teams. Whether you manage building,
manufacturing, or infrastructure projects, you always have
complete visibility and control.
View Activity Logs
View a complete list of site
and project activity to make
sure you don’t overlook
urgent action items.
Keep It Secure
Ensure the safety of your project
information. Autodesk Buzzsaw
is backed by a fi nancially stable
market leader, and it uses Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL) transactions
for confi dential transmission of
sensitive project and company
information.
Use Dashboards
Monitor progress and quickly
identify potential problems and
discrepancies across projects.
Run Reports
Create customized
reports that track detailed
information across your
project portfolio. Get clear
visibility into schedules,
budgets, and project status.
Customize Workspace
Tailor forms, dashboards, and
reports to fi t your company’s
needs. Dashboards can include
information from multiple sources,
such as action items and external
schedules.
Manage Your Results
Reduce costs and errors by maintaining full control of
projects. Improve design review with sophisticated
viewing technology. Version control eliminates out-of-date
information and communicates the latest status instantly.
Run reports on project status, overdue items, and all site and
project activity, including who accessed what and when.
Increase Visibility; Improve ROI
Executive- and project-level dashboards provide customized
views so you can oversee and manage all your projects at
once. Instant access to crucial information increases return
on investment by spurring timely action and reducing the risk
of cost overruns and schedule delays.
Deploy, Use, and Maintain with Ease
Autodesk Buzzsaw is up and running in minutes without
help from programmers or IT specialists. Automatic webbased
installation and upgrades, plus the familiar Microsoft®
Windows® environment, make the system easy to learn
and use with little disruption to your processes. Flexible
permission levels maintain project security and control as
projects and team members change.
Depend on a Proven and Secure Service
The industry-leading Autodesk Buzzsaw project collaboration
service is backed by a fi nancially stable market leader with
more than 20 years’ experience. The service is integrated
with AutoCAD software and provides unmatched
performance and effi cient processes for managing all your
project information. Buzzsaw delivers secure, around-theclock
access from anywhere in the world.
Manage Design Development
View and mark up drawings directly from AutoCAD®
and MicroStation® software. And with enhanced viewing
technology, not only can users view and revise drawings
in Autodesk® DWF™ (Design Web Format™), DXF™, and
DGN™ format fi les, but they can automatically bring those
comments back into the original CAD fi le.
Reduce Bidding Costs
Publish and distribute sheet sets in DWF fi les to project
bidders. Reduce your printing, reproduction, and shipping
costs.
Simplify Construction Workfl ow
Use standardized forms, including requests for information
(RFIs) and change-order requests, for all construction
processes. Track and report progress to everyone involved
with built-in timers, reminders, tracking, and reporting
features.
Buzzsaw has given us a big edge in
time savings by eliminating printing
and delivery from our processes, not
to mention the expense. For instance,
it used to take one week to print and
collate a tender package, but it takes only
two days with Buzzsaw.
—David Meadows
Woolworths, Ltd.
Automated Calculations
Minimize tedious manual data transfer by directly
accessing engineering data in your model for design
calculations.
Intuitive Design Tools
Lay out, modify, and document building systems in an
intuitive design environment with improved tools that
require fewer clicks to accomplish the same task.
Dynamic Scheduling
Schedules are dynamically linked to your design data,
automatically updating as your design changes, increasing
productivity while reducing the chance for errors.
For more information, go to
http://south-apac.autodesk.com/buzzsaw.
visit http://south-apac.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Buzzsaw, Design Web Format, DWF, and DXF are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product off erings and specifi cations at any time without notice,
and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2005 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. 0000000
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Facing these issues ?
a.product design teams need to increase innovation in existing and new design while reducing the time required to bring them to market
b.Designers are interested in the benefits of digital Prototyping but worried about losing invesments in existing DWG design data
c. Rapid creation of production - ready drawing is required for downstream user
d. Designers are unable to easily find and reuse designs
e. Designers need to optimize product perfomance and make accurate design decisions without building physical protoo ltypes
f. piping and wiring design take too long to develop.
DISCOVER WHY AUTODESK INVETOR IS THE FOUNDATION FOR DIGITAL PROTOTYPING
b.Designers are interested in the benefits of digital Prototyping but worried about losing invesments in existing DWG design data
c. Rapid creation of production - ready drawing is required for downstream user
d. Designers are unable to easily find and reuse designs
e. Designers need to optimize product perfomance and make accurate design decisions without building physical protoo ltypes
f. piping and wiring design take too long to develop.
DISCOVER WHY AUTODESK INVETOR IS THE FOUNDATION FOR DIGITAL PROTOTYPING
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Lay out And Two-point perspective drawing
Layout
Measuring the dimensions of a subject while blocking in the drawing is an important step in producing a realistic rendition of the subject. Tools such as a compass can be used to measure the angles of different sides. These angles can be reproduced on the drawing surface and then rechecked to make sure they are accurate. Another form of measurement is to compare the relative sizes of different parts of the subject with each other. A finger placed at a point along the drawing implement can be used to compare that dimension with other parts of the image. A ruler can be used both as a straightedge and a device to compute proportions.
When attempting to draw a complicated shape such as a human figure, it is helpful at first to represent the form with a set of primitive shapes. Almost any form can be represented by some combination of the cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. Once these basic shapes have been assembled into a likeness, then the drawing can be refined into a more accurate and polished form. The lines of the primitive shapes are removed and replaced by the final likeness. Drawing the underlying construction is a fundamental skill for representational art and is taught in many books and schools, as its correct application will resolve most uncertainties about smaller details and make the final image look self-consistent.
A more refined art of figure drawing relies upon the artist possessing a deep understanding of anatomy and the human proportions. A trained artist is familiar with the skeleton structure, joint location, muscle placement, tendon movement, and how the different parts work together during movement. This allows the artist to render more natural poses that do not appear artificially stiff. The artist is also familiar with how the proportions vary depending on the age of the subject, particularly when drawing a portrait.
[edit] Perspective
Linear perspective is a method of portraying objects on a flat surface so that the dimensions shrink with distance. The parallel, straight edges of any object, whether a building or a table, will follow lines that eventually converge at infinity. Typically this point of convergence will be along the horizon, as buildings are built level with the flat surface. When multiple structures are aligned with each other, such as buildings along a street, the horizontal tops and bottoms of the structures will all typically converge at a vanishing point.
Two-point perspective drawing.
When both the fronts and sides of a building are drawn, then the parallel lines forming a side converge at a second point along the horizon (which may be off the drawing paper.) This is a "two-point perspective". Converging the vertical lines to a point in the sky then produces a "three-point perspective".
Depth can also be portrayed by several techniques in addition to the perspective approach above. Objects of similar size should appear ever smaller the further they are from the viewer. Thus the back wheel of a cart will appear slightly smaller than the front wheel. Depth can be portrayed through the use of texture. As the texture of an object gets further away it becomes more compressed and busy, taking on an entirely different character than if it was close. Depth can also be portrayed by reducing the amount of contrast of more distant objects, and also by making the colors more pale. This will reproduce the effect of atmospheric haze, and cause the eye to focus primarily on objects drawn in the foreground.
Measuring the dimensions of a subject while blocking in the drawing is an important step in producing a realistic rendition of the subject. Tools such as a compass can be used to measure the angles of different sides. These angles can be reproduced on the drawing surface and then rechecked to make sure they are accurate. Another form of measurement is to compare the relative sizes of different parts of the subject with each other. A finger placed at a point along the drawing implement can be used to compare that dimension with other parts of the image. A ruler can be used both as a straightedge and a device to compute proportions.
When attempting to draw a complicated shape such as a human figure, it is helpful at first to represent the form with a set of primitive shapes. Almost any form can be represented by some combination of the cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. Once these basic shapes have been assembled into a likeness, then the drawing can be refined into a more accurate and polished form. The lines of the primitive shapes are removed and replaced by the final likeness. Drawing the underlying construction is a fundamental skill for representational art and is taught in many books and schools, as its correct application will resolve most uncertainties about smaller details and make the final image look self-consistent.
A more refined art of figure drawing relies upon the artist possessing a deep understanding of anatomy and the human proportions. A trained artist is familiar with the skeleton structure, joint location, muscle placement, tendon movement, and how the different parts work together during movement. This allows the artist to render more natural poses that do not appear artificially stiff. The artist is also familiar with how the proportions vary depending on the age of the subject, particularly when drawing a portrait.
[edit] Perspective
Linear perspective is a method of portraying objects on a flat surface so that the dimensions shrink with distance. The parallel, straight edges of any object, whether a building or a table, will follow lines that eventually converge at infinity. Typically this point of convergence will be along the horizon, as buildings are built level with the flat surface. When multiple structures are aligned with each other, such as buildings along a street, the horizontal tops and bottoms of the structures will all typically converge at a vanishing point.
Two-point perspective drawing.
When both the fronts and sides of a building are drawn, then the parallel lines forming a side converge at a second point along the horizon (which may be off the drawing paper.) This is a "two-point perspective". Converging the vertical lines to a point in the sky then produces a "three-point perspective".
Depth can also be portrayed by several techniques in addition to the perspective approach above. Objects of similar size should appear ever smaller the further they are from the viewer. Thus the back wheel of a cart will appear slightly smaller than the front wheel. Depth can be portrayed through the use of texture. As the texture of an object gets further away it becomes more compressed and busy, taking on an entirely different character than if it was close. Depth can also be portrayed by reducing the amount of contrast of more distant objects, and also by making the colors more pale. This will reproduce the effect of atmospheric haze, and cause the eye to focus primarily on objects drawn in the foreground.
COMPOUND OBJECTS
COMPOUND OBJECTS
• When the Use Soft Selection check box is turned on in the Blobmesh compound object, objects that do not have their own Use Soft Selection turned on will not generate a blobmesh surface. To correct this, enter the object’s sub-object mode, turn on the Use Soft Selection check box, and then exit the sub-object mode. A similar effect can be achieved using a Select modifier or by adding a Turn To modifier and turning on Invert in the Subobjects Selection group.
CONTROLLERS
• SHIFT+cloning path-constrained objects might not position copies properly. Creating clones of a path-constrained object using the SHIFT+Move technique will not evenly space each clone from its previous sibling.
• There is currently no action item for the Gimbal coordinate system.
• If an older scene containing a Local Euler controller is loaded into 3ds max 7, it will be changed to an Euler XYZ. The animation data and resulting animation will be precisely the same.
• NURBS Point controllers should be individually reassigned from the Surface sub-object level rather than at the Master Controller level in Track View in order to see their effect.
• Master Point controllers are compound controllers and depend on sub-controllers and their structure; therefore, you cannot cut and paste Master Point controllers.
• Setting a motion track's input type to None after it was assigned to another type, such as Mouse or Keyboard, and then using Undo can cause program failure.
CUSTOM ATTRIBUTES
• Loading into 3ds max 7 a 3ds max 5.x file with missing plugins (stand-ins) that had stored custom attribute information can lead to program instability. Loading into 3ds max 7 a 3ds max 5.x file that contains custom attributes can lead to instability if missing plugin stand-ins are created upon load. It is recommended that you save the file in 3ds max 5.x without the missing plugins, open it in 3ds max 7 and then save it before proceeding.
DAYLIGHT (IES SUN & SKY)
• The positioning controller of the Daylight system does not exactly correspond to the one described by the “IES RP-21 Calculation of Daylight Availability” standard, thus resulting in slight intensity variations at certain times and locations.
DEPTH OF FIELD
• The use of atmospheric effects with the Depth Of Field rendering effect is currently not supported.
DOPE SHEET EDITOR
• Performance can degrade when moving or coping keys for objects requiring intensive re-calculations based on previous keys (for example HD IK.).
DISPLAY
• Using max in D3D mode disables the Use Dual Planes check box for OpenGL and Software display modes. To re-enable Dual Planes support, go to Customize > Preferences > Viewports Tab > Viewport Parameters section and choose Use Dual Planes. The default value for OpenGL and SZB is to Use Dual Planes.
• DX Display of Standard Material is supported only when running max in DirectX 9 mode.
• The Direct3D Metal Bump viewport shader only supports DDS files as cube maps.
• The Wave, Ripple, Bomb, Drag, and UDynaFlect space warps will display with incorrect coloring under Direct3D.
• Some video cards might display only half the lines on wireframe objects. To fix this, turn off the toggle Use Wireframe Faces (Custom Driver Extension) on the Configure OpenGL dialog, located under Customize > Preferences > Viewports panel.
• Running 3ds max 7 under Direct3D with Microsoft NetMeeting® can cause display problems or product instability.
• Direct3D does not support two-sided display for materials.
• “Best” and “Simple” viewport transparency modes are the same for all D3D display drivers.
• DirectX viewports might become unresponsive after Windows standby, running a screen saver, fast-user switching or locking the system.
• Changing the DirectX Manager’s shader drop-down will cause the viewport to temporarily display the first frame on an animated scene.
• Users of the nVidia Quadro4 XGL display cards might see window flashing as the TrackView window opens. If this occurs, disable the nView Desktop Manager using the NVIDIA Media Center. Choose nView Desktop Manager > Disable.
• Switching between vertex color, alpha, and illumination using Properties in Editable Poly when the display mode is Direct3D can cause the colors to garble or not change. In this instance, refreshing the viewport or entering or exiting the Editable Poly's sub-object mode should force a refresh.
• Direct3D viewports can become unresponsive after minimizing and maximizing when a viewport background is displayed. If this occurs, please save your file and restart 3ds max.
• Starting Windows XP with the /3GB option reduces the amount of kernel address space to 1GB. Sometimes the kernel might need more space for DirectX or system drivers, resulting in cached mesh corruption or sluggish DirectX performance. See Microsoft support for tuning information. If you are using the /3GB switch and have this problem, use "/USERVA=2800" (or 2700 etc.) (MB for this argument) to limit the USER Virtual Address space to less than 3GB. This allows more space for the operating system kernel if it is needed. This option is placed in the boot.ini file just after the "/3GB" option.
• DirectX Shaders are displayed incorrectly for objects that have been mirrored on one axis with the Mirror tool. This does not occur for objects mirrored with the Mirror or Symmetry modifiers.
• The DirectX viewport shader sample, colortest.fx, does not display correctly.
• The Metal Bump DirectX plugin will overwrite the currently assigned Metal Bump Cubemap when using 'Pick object and create' to create a new cubemap
• When the Use Soft Selection check box is turned on in the Blobmesh compound object, objects that do not have their own Use Soft Selection turned on will not generate a blobmesh surface. To correct this, enter the object’s sub-object mode, turn on the Use Soft Selection check box, and then exit the sub-object mode. A similar effect can be achieved using a Select modifier or by adding a Turn To modifier and turning on Invert in the Subobjects Selection group.
CONTROLLERS
• SHIFT+cloning path-constrained objects might not position copies properly. Creating clones of a path-constrained object using the SHIFT+Move technique will not evenly space each clone from its previous sibling.
• There is currently no action item for the Gimbal coordinate system.
• If an older scene containing a Local Euler controller is loaded into 3ds max 7, it will be changed to an Euler XYZ. The animation data and resulting animation will be precisely the same.
• NURBS Point controllers should be individually reassigned from the Surface sub-object level rather than at the Master Controller level in Track View in order to see their effect.
• Master Point controllers are compound controllers and depend on sub-controllers and their structure; therefore, you cannot cut and paste Master Point controllers.
• Setting a motion track's input type to None after it was assigned to another type, such as Mouse or Keyboard, and then using Undo can cause program failure.
CUSTOM ATTRIBUTES
• Loading into 3ds max 7 a 3ds max 5.x file with missing plugins (stand-ins) that had stored custom attribute information can lead to program instability. Loading into 3ds max 7 a 3ds max 5.x file that contains custom attributes can lead to instability if missing plugin stand-ins are created upon load. It is recommended that you save the file in 3ds max 5.x without the missing plugins, open it in 3ds max 7 and then save it before proceeding.
DAYLIGHT (IES SUN & SKY)
• The positioning controller of the Daylight system does not exactly correspond to the one described by the “IES RP-21 Calculation of Daylight Availability” standard, thus resulting in slight intensity variations at certain times and locations.
DEPTH OF FIELD
• The use of atmospheric effects with the Depth Of Field rendering effect is currently not supported.
DOPE SHEET EDITOR
• Performance can degrade when moving or coping keys for objects requiring intensive re-calculations based on previous keys (for example HD IK.).
DISPLAY
• Using max in D3D mode disables the Use Dual Planes check box for OpenGL and Software display modes. To re-enable Dual Planes support, go to Customize > Preferences > Viewports Tab > Viewport Parameters section and choose Use Dual Planes. The default value for OpenGL and SZB is to Use Dual Planes.
• DX Display of Standard Material is supported only when running max in DirectX 9 mode.
• The Direct3D Metal Bump viewport shader only supports DDS files as cube maps.
• The Wave, Ripple, Bomb, Drag, and UDynaFlect space warps will display with incorrect coloring under Direct3D.
• Some video cards might display only half the lines on wireframe objects. To fix this, turn off the toggle Use Wireframe Faces (Custom Driver Extension) on the Configure OpenGL dialog, located under Customize > Preferences > Viewports panel.
• Running 3ds max 7 under Direct3D with Microsoft NetMeeting® can cause display problems or product instability.
• Direct3D does not support two-sided display for materials.
• “Best” and “Simple” viewport transparency modes are the same for all D3D display drivers.
• DirectX viewports might become unresponsive after Windows standby, running a screen saver, fast-user switching or locking the system.
• Changing the DirectX Manager’s shader drop-down will cause the viewport to temporarily display the first frame on an animated scene.
• Users of the nVidia Quadro4 XGL display cards might see window flashing as the TrackView window opens. If this occurs, disable the nView Desktop Manager using the NVIDIA Media Center. Choose nView Desktop Manager > Disable.
• Switching between vertex color, alpha, and illumination using Properties in Editable Poly when the display mode is Direct3D can cause the colors to garble or not change. In this instance, refreshing the viewport or entering or exiting the Editable Poly's sub-object mode should force a refresh.
• Direct3D viewports can become unresponsive after minimizing and maximizing when a viewport background is displayed. If this occurs, please save your file and restart 3ds max.
• Starting Windows XP with the /3GB option reduces the amount of kernel address space to 1GB. Sometimes the kernel might need more space for DirectX or system drivers, resulting in cached mesh corruption or sluggish DirectX performance. See Microsoft support for tuning information. If you are using the /3GB switch and have this problem, use "/USERVA=2800" (or 2700 etc.) (MB for this argument) to limit the USER Virtual Address space to less than 3GB. This allows more space for the operating system kernel if it is needed. This option is placed in the boot.ini file just after the "/3GB" option.
• DirectX Shaders are displayed incorrectly for objects that have been mirrored on one axis with the Mirror tool. This does not occur for objects mirrored with the Mirror or Symmetry modifiers.
• The DirectX viewport shader sample, colortest.fx, does not display correctly.
• The Metal Bump DirectX plugin will overwrite the currently assigned Metal Bump Cubemap when using 'Pick object and create' to create a new cubemap
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Notes About 3ds max 7 Features
Notes About 3ds max 7 Features
ACTIVESHADE
• Using Raytrace materials can cause the ActiveShade window to lose focus, activating the main UI keyboard shortcuts. Click the ActiveShade window to reactivate ActiveShade keyboard shortcuts.
ASSET BROWSER
• Scene XRef drag and drop of files with scripts that depend on explicit scene object references can cause unpredictable results or program failure.
BONES
• Bones creation behavior can be unpredictable when using Snap Override. When you use SHIFT+right-click to invoke Snap Override, the Bones system interprets this as a left-click and places a bone in the scene.
• The Macro Recorder does not support Bones creation. However, you can manipulate the bones with the Macro Recorder after creating them.
• When Reassign Root is used, it deletes and recreates new bones. Any animated parameters, controller setups and custom bone settings are lost, including IK chain assignments. You should use this tool before making any adjustments or IK assignments to your bones.
• Negatively scaled bones can be set to unity with the Reset Scale button in Object Properties rollout of the Bone Adjustment Tools dialog. In tandem with the Reset Stretch and Realign buttons, it is now easy to create symmetrical bone chains free of scaling and stretch problems.
• The Stretch Factor for the selected bone is now displayed in the Object Properties rollout of the Bone Adjustment Tools dialog.
BOOLEANS
• Edges created during a Boolean operation involving compound (nested) Booleans might be visible when they should be invisible. This affects only viewport display modes that display visible edges, such as Wireframe, Lit Wireframes and Edged Faces. These edges can be made invisible through mesh editing.
CAMERA MAP TEXTURE
• Per Pixel Camera Map should only allow lights or cameras to be selected but does not correctly filter the available selection. Please use only lights or cameras.
CAMERAS
• Changing a Camera Corrected view to a User or Perspective view causes the view to display distorted geometry. Changing to any other axonometric view will correct this.
CHARACTERS
• Use of the Unlink Selection tool on objects that are contained in Characters can produce unexpected results. Instead, use the specific tools provided for adding and removing objects from Characters.
• Objects with animated TCB Rotation controllers can shift position when a containing character is destroyed. To avoid this, use Euler rotation controllers instead.
• Pick Object must be used to add characters to groups. Adding groups to a character by selecting from the viewport is not supported.
• In some instances, the Character Error dialog can appear with no nodes listed. If this occurs, try reselecting or selecting part of your hierarchy and then using Add Member to add more objects to your character.
• Before entering the Skin Pose mode for a character or group, it is advised to first set keys for all the members. The easiest way to do this is to click Set Key Pose.
CLONE AND ALIGN
• In 3ds max, some tools flip the sign of the scale of the objects they operate on. This is not always apparent to the user. If you use Clone and Align to align an object to another whose scale has been flipped, you might get unexpected positioning and orientation. Choose to also Match Scale to correct the discrepancy. (Example: the Mirror tool applies a negative scale to at least one axis of the object it is used on. In Clone and Align, select Match Scale to achieve the desired results with such objects.)
COMBUSTION MAPS
• combustion needs to be installed on your system in order to view CWS files. It should also be installed on all network-rendering servers if you are going to net-render a scene that contains CWS files. combustion does not need to be authorized to process CWS files used within 3ds max net-rendering servers, but does need to be present.
• CWS files that were created as “rub-throughs” won’t display unless combustion is installed on your computer.
• In the Combustion Parameters rollout when Track Time or Custom Resolution > Enable is turned on, viewport selections are not highlighted.
• If you are using a Combustion map with a Displace modifier or as a projector light map, the scene will not render correctly while a live link exists between 3ds max and combustion. To render correctly, save the loaded workspace file, and then turn off the Edit button to terminate the link between 3ds max and combustion.
• Using the Combustion map (within 3ds max 7) with combustion and attempting to change the UV Coordinates while Unwrap is selected and the Unwrap operation is visible in combustion, you might experience a disconnection error in 3ds max. To correct this, verify that all your UV settings are in place before you attempt to edit your map within combustion. The disconnection alert only appears when you have an object selected in your scene, so if you deselect your object and change the Unwrap UV channels, no disconnection alert should appear.
• The UV Offset values in the Coordinates rollout of the combustion map are not honored when painting directly on the object in 3ds max 7. To offset the UVW Coordinates of the combustion map, apply a UVW Map modifier and a UVW XForm modifier.
• You will have to save the workspace in combustion for every render in 3ds max. Save the combustion workspace and load it using the Project button.
• The latest changes in combustion are getting displayed in the sample slots of the material editor but not in 3ds max renderings. You will have to save the workspace in combustion and render again in 3ds max.
• In the Combustion Parameters rollout, when the Edit button is Enabled, combustion launches and prompts to create a new workspace. You must close this dialog, or 3ds max will not respond.
ACTIVESHADE
• Using Raytrace materials can cause the ActiveShade window to lose focus, activating the main UI keyboard shortcuts. Click the ActiveShade window to reactivate ActiveShade keyboard shortcuts.
ASSET BROWSER
• Scene XRef drag and drop of files with scripts that depend on explicit scene object references can cause unpredictable results or program failure.
BONES
• Bones creation behavior can be unpredictable when using Snap Override. When you use SHIFT+right-click to invoke Snap Override, the Bones system interprets this as a left-click and places a bone in the scene.
• The Macro Recorder does not support Bones creation. However, you can manipulate the bones with the Macro Recorder after creating them.
• When Reassign Root is used, it deletes and recreates new bones. Any animated parameters, controller setups and custom bone settings are lost, including IK chain assignments. You should use this tool before making any adjustments or IK assignments to your bones.
• Negatively scaled bones can be set to unity with the Reset Scale button in Object Properties rollout of the Bone Adjustment Tools dialog. In tandem with the Reset Stretch and Realign buttons, it is now easy to create symmetrical bone chains free of scaling and stretch problems.
• The Stretch Factor for the selected bone is now displayed in the Object Properties rollout of the Bone Adjustment Tools dialog.
BOOLEANS
• Edges created during a Boolean operation involving compound (nested) Booleans might be visible when they should be invisible. This affects only viewport display modes that display visible edges, such as Wireframe, Lit Wireframes and Edged Faces. These edges can be made invisible through mesh editing.
CAMERA MAP TEXTURE
• Per Pixel Camera Map should only allow lights or cameras to be selected but does not correctly filter the available selection. Please use only lights or cameras.
CAMERAS
• Changing a Camera Corrected view to a User or Perspective view causes the view to display distorted geometry. Changing to any other axonometric view will correct this.
CHARACTERS
• Use of the Unlink Selection tool on objects that are contained in Characters can produce unexpected results. Instead, use the specific tools provided for adding and removing objects from Characters.
• Objects with animated TCB Rotation controllers can shift position when a containing character is destroyed. To avoid this, use Euler rotation controllers instead.
• Pick Object must be used to add characters to groups. Adding groups to a character by selecting from the viewport is not supported.
• In some instances, the Character Error dialog can appear with no nodes listed. If this occurs, try reselecting or selecting part of your hierarchy and then using Add Member to add more objects to your character.
• Before entering the Skin Pose mode for a character or group, it is advised to first set keys for all the members. The easiest way to do this is to click Set Key Pose.
CLONE AND ALIGN
• In 3ds max, some tools flip the sign of the scale of the objects they operate on. This is not always apparent to the user. If you use Clone and Align to align an object to another whose scale has been flipped, you might get unexpected positioning and orientation. Choose to also Match Scale to correct the discrepancy. (Example: the Mirror tool applies a negative scale to at least one axis of the object it is used on. In Clone and Align, select Match Scale to achieve the desired results with such objects.)
COMBUSTION MAPS
• combustion needs to be installed on your system in order to view CWS files. It should also be installed on all network-rendering servers if you are going to net-render a scene that contains CWS files. combustion does not need to be authorized to process CWS files used within 3ds max net-rendering servers, but does need to be present.
• CWS files that were created as “rub-throughs” won’t display unless combustion is installed on your computer.
• In the Combustion Parameters rollout when Track Time or Custom Resolution > Enable is turned on, viewport selections are not highlighted.
• If you are using a Combustion map with a Displace modifier or as a projector light map, the scene will not render correctly while a live link exists between 3ds max and combustion. To render correctly, save the loaded workspace file, and then turn off the Edit button to terminate the link between 3ds max and combustion.
• Using the Combustion map (within 3ds max 7) with combustion and attempting to change the UV Coordinates while Unwrap is selected and the Unwrap operation is visible in combustion, you might experience a disconnection error in 3ds max. To correct this, verify that all your UV settings are in place before you attempt to edit your map within combustion. The disconnection alert only appears when you have an object selected in your scene, so if you deselect your object and change the Unwrap UV channels, no disconnection alert should appear.
• The UV Offset values in the Coordinates rollout of the combustion map are not honored when painting directly on the object in 3ds max 7. To offset the UVW Coordinates of the combustion map, apply a UVW Map modifier and a UVW XForm modifier.
• You will have to save the workspace in combustion for every render in 3ds max. Save the combustion workspace and load it using the Project button.
• The latest changes in combustion are getting displayed in the sample slots of the material editor but not in 3ds max renderings. You will have to save the workspace in combustion and render again in 3ds max.
• In the Combustion Parameters rollout, when the Edit button is Enabled, combustion launches and prompts to create a new workspace. You must close this dialog, or 3ds max will not respond.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Features and Benefits Design, Visualize, Document, Share
Realize your ideas with efficiency and clarity, from conceptual design through drafting and detailing. Whether you’re creating solids and surfaces, studying the effects of lighting on your design, exploring design alternatives with walk-through animations, or producing an entire sheet set, AutoCAD® 2007 software has the tools to make it happen quickly and accurately.
Autodesk provides a complete set of tools to help designers clearly convey their design vision to clients and then quickly and accurately document those visions so that projects are completed on time and within budget. AutoCAD® 2005 built on the dramatic productivity gains of AutoCAD® 2004 software by adding tools that help designers efficiently manage sets of drawings. AutoCAD® 2006 enabled designers to work even faster and smarter on a wide range of day-to-day tasks with powerful new drafting features such as Dynamic Blocks and Dynamic Input.
Now, AutoCAD 2007 focuses on improving designers’ ability to create, navigate, and edit a conceptual design, clearly present the design to a nontechnical audience, and then easily document the design using all the powerful AutoCAD drafting tools. AutoCAD 2007 provides a huge productivity boost to users who currently do conceptual design in AutoCAD and to users who would like to do so. The common set of underlying technology “engines” and enhanced interface tools mean interoperability and cross-training between AutoCAD and Autodesk® products such as Autodesk® Revit® Building and Autodesk Inventor® software applications has never been better.
From turning thoughts into designs to creating compelling, rich graphical presentations that market your work to documenting that work as an entire set of drawings—AutoCAD helps you realize your ideas.
This Features and Benefits guide outlines the key features of AutoCAD 2007 by presenting the problems designers might currently encounter when creating and presenting conceptual designs, and by outlining the solutions provided in AutoCAD 2007. This guide also details the bottom-line benefits to designers and organizations.
This guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of the new AutoCAD 2007 features. To view a comprehensive list of new features, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Contents
Design, Visualize, Document, Share...............................................................................1
Design..............................................................................................................................3
Design Environment.....................................................................................................3
Solid and Surface Modeling..........................................................................................4
Model Navigation..........................................................................................................4
Visualize...........................................................................................................................5
Visual Styles.................................................................................................................5
Animations....................................................................................................................6
Lights, Materials, and Rendering..................................................................................6
Document.........................................................................................................................8
Section and Flatten.......................................................................................................8
Dynamic Blocks............................................................................................................8
Tables..........................................................................................................................9
Share................................................................................................................................9
DWF as an Underlay..................................................................................................10
Publishing to the Adobe PDF File Format...................................................................10
www.autodesk.com/autocad 2
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Design
AutoCAD software provides powerful tools for the creation, management, and sharing of design documentation. Companies around the world use these documents and drawings to create buildings, landscapes, sheet metal parts, and much more. There is a key step that precedes the creation of drawings, however. That step is conceptual design. During this phase, designers lay out their vision for how to meet the customer’s requests and solve their problems. It is during this stage that the customer is sold on the abilities of the person or firm that they are discussing doing business with. Large and small firms alike go through this stage, often repeating the process many times during the different phases of a project, from bid to contract signing to project completion.
Currently, small firms commonly use simple tools such as hand sketches or foamcore models to convey their ideas. Larger firms may have a single specialist or a whole department that works only on the presale design process using complex and expensive dedicated software tools. Many firms use AutoCAD software to complete the conceptual design process, but the tools to produce these hand sketches or models in older versions can be difficult to learn and use. Using AutoCAD for the conceptual design process is especially challenging for small firms that cannot dedicate a resource to learning the more complicated tools found in the older AutoCAD versions.
AutoCAD 2007 makes the creation, editing, and navigation of solid and surface models simple and intuitive. It brings the power and flexibility of AutoCAD lines, arcs, and circles to cubes, surfaces, and spheres. It enables even an occasional AutoCAD user to quickly and easily create a model of a design. Designers can explore design alternatives with a client, and then, after the contract has been won, reuse that model data as a basis for the drawings needed to build the design.
Design Environment
ProblemThe solid and surface tools in previous versions of AutoCAD are not integrated, making creation of these objects more difficult. There is no single place that users go to create a solid or surface model. Instead, they are forced to jump around and “discover” features as they move through the AutoCAD application. In addition, the tools used to edit a model are completely different from the tools used to edit drawing geometry. This lack of integration makes editing difficult. As a result, users sometimes delete their work and start over rather than trying to remember how to edit a solid model.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 introduces the new design “dashboard.” This interface element consolidates all solid and surface modeling tools into a single place and enables users to see at a glance the tools and workflow available in AutoCAD. AutoCAD 2007 also takes the intuitive, grip-based editing features introduced for drafting in previous AutoCAD versions—such as Dynamic Input, ortho, and
www.autodesk.com/autocad 3
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
tracking—and integrates them into solid and surface modeling.
Benefit
Quickly create and edit solid and surface models without the extended learning and relearning time necessary in older versions of AutoCAD software. A common set of editing tools means that no retraining is required to edit solids as opposed to lines, arcs, and circles. This capability increases speed and decreases the training time required to be productive with solid and surface modeling in AutoCAD.
Solid and Surface Modeling
Problem
To perform common conceptual design tasks, such as massing studies, mechanical prototypes, or landscape design, users must be able to quickly and easily place and manipulate multiple, basic solid shapes. They also must have the ability to create complex surfaces from both simple profiles and complex linear data.
Solution
New tools in AutoCAD 2007 make it much easier to create solid and surface models. The redesigned interface uses a single, easy-to-learn environment for creating both solids and surfaces. Creation and editing of surfaces (as opposed to mesh objects) have been added, and users can now create solid objects that have faces defined by more complex surfaces.
Benefit
Using solids and surfaces in AutoCAD enables designers to avoid the use of expensive, third-party software tools and to bypass the use hand sketches and physical models that can be difficult to update or modify.
Model Navigation
Problem
Navigation is another common problem when working with models in previous versions of AutoCAD. Designers must use the Pan and Zoom commands repeatedly as they create, edit, and examine 2D drawings. Basic 3D navigation tools are difficult to use. It is not possible to pan and zoom in a perspecitve mode. In addition, rotating the model to the correct orientation can be challenging, a nd users cannot edit models during use of the Rotate or Orbit command. These tools need to be more closely integrated with the AutoCAD user’s working habits.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 software expands existing tools by allowing transparent pan or zoom while in perspective mode and by allowing www.autodesk.com/autocad 4
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
editing during use of the Orbit command. It also introduces several new tools such as “walk” mode, which enables designers to walk through a model in the intuitive manner used in computer games. A new camera function enables designers to take a quick “snapshot” of how their design will look from a specific point of view in the design.
Benefit
These improved navigation tools make designers more productive because they encourage interaction with models during creation and editing. They also enable designers to more easily explore and understand their own designs. Designers can more easily evaluate design alternatives, uncover flaws early in the design process, and explain design choices quickly and efficiently during and after the design process.
Visualize
During conceptual design, designers often need to convey their design vision to someone who is not accustomed to looking at drawings. This process happens at multiple stages of the project lifecycle, for instance, presenting a preliminary concept to a client to make sure that the design is proceeding in the right direction. During this phase a sketch may be best because it indicates visually to the client that the design is fluid and unfinished and encourages detailed feedback. At another stage in the process, for instance, in the final bid package, the designer may want to put in a rendered image so beautiful that it looks like a photograph of the completed project. This type of image can pull an entire sales presentation together and create the excitement necessary to close the deal.
Previous versions of AutoCAD have tools that address some of these problems (for instance, the ability to create a rendered image), but they are time consuming to learn and use. In addition, because earlier versions lack common visualization tools (such as a selection of screen display methods), designers are forced to use third-party products if they want to achieve this type of look in their presentations.
AutoCAD 2007 solves these problems by significantly enhancing existing visualization tools, making them much easier to both learn and use. This release also simplifies the process of modifying images after they have been created. In addition, several new tools that complete the suite of AutoCAD visualization tools, have been added. These improvements make it unnecessary for AutoCAD users to spend extra time and money to learn additional software tools.
Visual Styles
ProblemA designer using AutoCAD may need to pull a design idea together quickly, performing the preliminary work in AutoCAD to take advantage of the software’s documentation features. At this stage, the design idea is an abstract thought, and the AutoCAD shade modes—wireframe, flat shading, and Gouraud shading—are too formal to convey the fluid nature of the design.
Popular conceptual design tools use display modes to give the model a “sketchy” or unfinished look while the designer is working. The resulting effect is deliberate, so that the model resembles a hand-drawn sketch.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Solution
The AutoCAD 2007 visual styles tools relate to all elements of the 3D display, including the creation of new face styles, edge line effects, materials display, shadow display, lighting display, perspective, and parallel/orthographic views. Designers can use these new tools to easily create a visual style that fits their needs.
Benefit
Designers can use a visual style that best represents the current stage of the project to most clearly communicate the design. They can do this effortlessly in the familiar AutoCAD environment without having to learn or puchase additional software tools.
Animations
Problem
Earlier versions of AutoCAD include tools to create informative static images, but clients are demanding more. They want video effects that dynamically display the features of the proposed design. They want to be able to virtually walk through or around the design so that they are not constrained by a single framed image. Earlier versions of AutoCAD do not include tools that enable a designer to take a client on an interactive tour of the design or to create a recorded animation of the design to send to a client for review.
Solution
Using the AutoCAD 2007 Walk and Path animation tools, a designer can identify points of interest in a model, and then create a path or simply walk past the points of interest to create an animation file for distribution. Designers can use different visual styles for the animation to get just the right visual effect. The designer can also use these tools dynamically to take the client on an “over the shoulder” tour of the design.
Benefit
These new interactive walk and animation tools mean that designers can effectively review their designs and expose any flaws early in the design process, before problems occur in the final product.
Lights, Materials, and Rendering
Problem
Proper lighting can dramatically affect a rendered image, completely changing the look and feel of a design. In previous versions of AutoCAD software, it is difficult to accurately place a light in a drawing and understand how it will affect the scene before rendering it. Designers must go through several iterations of placing and adjusting the lights and then rendering the design—a time-consuming and tedious process.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Proper display of materials is crucial to making a rendered image accurately reflect what the completed design will look like. The texture of stone or wood, the different looks of brushed aluminum or stainless steel can “make or break” a design when it is presented to a client. In previous versions of AutoCAD materials were difficult to create, apply and render making the use of matierals in AutoCAD difficult and time consuming.
Even after the lights and materials have been properly applied, adjusting the parameters associated with a sucessful rendering can be a complex process. Renderings are effective tools for both investigating design alternatives and showing a client or regulatory group (such as a planning commission) the effect of the design on its surroundings. However, the technology can be so complex that many smaller organizations cannot use it effectively, and even large organizations need a dedicated specialist who focuses only on using specialized rendering tools.
Solution
The new interactive light tool in AutoCAD 2007 enables users to quickly and accurately place distance, point, and spot lights in a drawing. After the light has been placed, designers can use the light target grips to shine the light precisely where they need it. By placing the lights, designers can see the effect of lights on shadows in real time, with no need to render the image first.
In AutoCAD 2007, applying materials to a model is as easy as applying hatch patterns in 2D. Users drag materials from a predefined library onto any solid face or surface defined in their model. The material then scales automatically; there’s no need to manually adjust scaling parameters based on the size of the model. If the material library does not have the proper materials, designers can use the new materials editor to edit the material and create a customized library.
AutoCAD 2007 incorporates the latest in rendering technology, the mental ray® rendering engine. This powerful technology (incorporated into other Autodesk products such as Autodesk® 3ds Max®) has been integrated into a new user interface that makes accurate and realistic renderings as easy as possible. Capabilities include a slider control that graphically displays the trade-off between time and rendering quality.
Benefit
Rendering, materials, and lighting enhancements make highly accurate rendered images available for any AutoCAD user. Use these images to win contracts, meet planning requirements, or study the effects of changes on the design. Because AutoCAD 2007 focuses on ease of use and simplicity, learning time for these powerful tools is short, and the final image is both accurate and beautiful. Design professionals who use AutoCAD can now achieve these effects without hiring a special consultant or having to purchase and learn additional software tools.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Document
After the project has been won and the design reviews completed, designers need to quickly and easily turn AutoCAD design models into clear and accurate construction documents. AutoCAD 2007 has tools that enable designers to work directly from the design model to create sections and elevations that can then be incorporated into the drawings. AutoCAD 2007 also has the powerful drafting tools introduced in AutoCAD 2005 and 2006, such as Dynamic Blocks and the Table capabilities, that make the creation of drawings productive and efficient.
Section and Flatten
Problem
Once the conceptual design phase of a project has been completed, the designer needs to reuse the data from that design to drive the creation of construction documents. If the conceptual design is done using hand drawings, physical models, or a third-party software package, most of the model information must be thrown away and the drawings started from scratch.
Solution
Use the new Section and Flatten tools In AutoCAD 2007 to quickly and easily extract drawing information from the conceptual model. The Section tool allows the movement of a dynamic, adjustable plane through the solid or surface model. Use this cutting plane to create an elevation or plan view that is ready to be dimensioned and annotated as part of the drawing creation process. Use the Flatten tool to represent the 3D model as a 2D illustration.
Benefit
Save time and money by avoiding the need to re-create model information for construction documents. In addition, this feature helps to avoid errors caused by the manual re-creation step.
Dynamic Blocks
Problem
Drawings that use a great number of AutoCAD blocks can be difficult to manage and manipulate. Often, users must sift through thousands of blocks to find those that meet their needs. In addition, designers want to be able to use existing libraries easily, as well as enhance them to make them simpler to manage.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Solution
With AutoCAD software, blocks are dynamic. With the block authoring tools, designers can add dynamic behavior to existing block libraries—simplifying use of block libraries and reducing time spent manipulating blocks in a drawing.
The Dynamic Block authoring environment provides an easy, graphical way to create Dynamic Blocks from existing block libraries. It does not require any programming experience. The new Block Authoring palette enables designers to add parameters and actions by dragging them directly onto the block. To help realize the power of Dynamic Blocks, AutoCAD includes sample Dynamic Blocks with tutorials that show how to create and use them.
Benefit
The Dynamic Block feature makes blocks more flexible. Combining multiple blocks into a single block makes block libraries much easier to work with—saving time and increasing productivity.
Tables
Problem
Tabular data such as lists, schedules, and legends, is fundamental to many drawings. Currently, this table data is created using basic AutoCAD objects such as lines and text. Manually creating or updating table data requires focused attention to detail as well as many time-consuming steps. In addition, the risk of error increases as the project progresses.
Solution
The Table command in AutoCAD 2007 streamlines the process of creating tables and controlling their properties so designers can focus on content. Predefined table styles control elements such as border properties (grid visibility, lineweight, and color), cell properties (text style, height, color alignment, and background fill), location of headings, and more. Use existing table styles to create new tables that inherit all the defined style properties. Change any property of any table element or apply a new table style in seconds.
Benefit
AutoCAD 2007 makes it easy to change any table property and to create table data with a variety of formatting options. Designers can easily import a table or schedule, or quickly create a new table using predefined table styles and a single command.
Share
As the document set is being created, or during the bidding and construction process, the extended design team must be able to share information. The entire design group can exchange DWG files, but depending on the audience and the business requirements other file and data types may be required. AutoCAD provides tools that make data exchange
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
simple. These include tools to export current DWG files to older versions of the DWG specification, tools for exporting and importing DWF™ files with redline and markup information, and a complete suite of flexible printing and plotting capabilites.
AutoCAD 2007 expands these powerful tools to include support for the PDF file format as well as improvements in the ability to work with DWF files.
DWF as an Underlay
Problem
DWF technology enables designers to control their design information and protect it from accidental or intentional modification. For several releases, AutoCAD users have been able to export DWF files. For the last two releases, AutoCAD users have been able to import and export DWF files that contain redline and markup information. Although these are important capabilities, designers often want to send a DWF file to a partner or subcontactor to be used as the basis to create their own drawings.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 introduces the ability to reference a DWF file as an underlay. The information can then be used as the basis for creating new drawing information, but the information in the DWF underlay cannot be altered.
Benefit
The use of a DWF file as an underlay enables designers to maintain the visual and data fidelity of their drawings when working with other members of their design team.
Publishing to the Adobe PDF File Format
Problem
Many companies have standardized on PDF format as their corporate document viewing tool. Many government agencies also mandate submittals in PDF.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 now has the ability to write drawings in the Adobe® PDF file format.
Benefit
Organizations no longer have to purchase a third-party application to convert DWG files to the PDF file format, thus saving money and eliminating time spent learning a new application.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, DWF, Revit, and 3ds Max are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GbmH & Co. KG licensed for use by Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2006 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
Autodesk provides a complete set of tools to help designers clearly convey their design vision to clients and then quickly and accurately document those visions so that projects are completed on time and within budget. AutoCAD® 2005 built on the dramatic productivity gains of AutoCAD® 2004 software by adding tools that help designers efficiently manage sets of drawings. AutoCAD® 2006 enabled designers to work even faster and smarter on a wide range of day-to-day tasks with powerful new drafting features such as Dynamic Blocks and Dynamic Input.
Now, AutoCAD 2007 focuses on improving designers’ ability to create, navigate, and edit a conceptual design, clearly present the design to a nontechnical audience, and then easily document the design using all the powerful AutoCAD drafting tools. AutoCAD 2007 provides a huge productivity boost to users who currently do conceptual design in AutoCAD and to users who would like to do so. The common set of underlying technology “engines” and enhanced interface tools mean interoperability and cross-training between AutoCAD and Autodesk® products such as Autodesk® Revit® Building and Autodesk Inventor® software applications has never been better.
From turning thoughts into designs to creating compelling, rich graphical presentations that market your work to documenting that work as an entire set of drawings—AutoCAD helps you realize your ideas.
This Features and Benefits guide outlines the key features of AutoCAD 2007 by presenting the problems designers might currently encounter when creating and presenting conceptual designs, and by outlining the solutions provided in AutoCAD 2007. This guide also details the bottom-line benefits to designers and organizations.
This guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of the new AutoCAD 2007 features. To view a comprehensive list of new features, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Contents
Design, Visualize, Document, Share...............................................................................1
Design..............................................................................................................................3
Design Environment.....................................................................................................3
Solid and Surface Modeling..........................................................................................4
Model Navigation..........................................................................................................4
Visualize...........................................................................................................................5
Visual Styles.................................................................................................................5
Animations....................................................................................................................6
Lights, Materials, and Rendering..................................................................................6
Document.........................................................................................................................8
Section and Flatten.......................................................................................................8
Dynamic Blocks............................................................................................................8
Tables..........................................................................................................................9
Share................................................................................................................................9
DWF as an Underlay..................................................................................................10
Publishing to the Adobe PDF File Format...................................................................10
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Design
AutoCAD software provides powerful tools for the creation, management, and sharing of design documentation. Companies around the world use these documents and drawings to create buildings, landscapes, sheet metal parts, and much more. There is a key step that precedes the creation of drawings, however. That step is conceptual design. During this phase, designers lay out their vision for how to meet the customer’s requests and solve their problems. It is during this stage that the customer is sold on the abilities of the person or firm that they are discussing doing business with. Large and small firms alike go through this stage, often repeating the process many times during the different phases of a project, from bid to contract signing to project completion.
Currently, small firms commonly use simple tools such as hand sketches or foamcore models to convey their ideas. Larger firms may have a single specialist or a whole department that works only on the presale design process using complex and expensive dedicated software tools. Many firms use AutoCAD software to complete the conceptual design process, but the tools to produce these hand sketches or models in older versions can be difficult to learn and use. Using AutoCAD for the conceptual design process is especially challenging for small firms that cannot dedicate a resource to learning the more complicated tools found in the older AutoCAD versions.
AutoCAD 2007 makes the creation, editing, and navigation of solid and surface models simple and intuitive. It brings the power and flexibility of AutoCAD lines, arcs, and circles to cubes, surfaces, and spheres. It enables even an occasional AutoCAD user to quickly and easily create a model of a design. Designers can explore design alternatives with a client, and then, after the contract has been won, reuse that model data as a basis for the drawings needed to build the design.
Design Environment
ProblemThe solid and surface tools in previous versions of AutoCAD are not integrated, making creation of these objects more difficult. There is no single place that users go to create a solid or surface model. Instead, they are forced to jump around and “discover” features as they move through the AutoCAD application. In addition, the tools used to edit a model are completely different from the tools used to edit drawing geometry. This lack of integration makes editing difficult. As a result, users sometimes delete their work and start over rather than trying to remember how to edit a solid model.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 introduces the new design “dashboard.” This interface element consolidates all solid and surface modeling tools into a single place and enables users to see at a glance the tools and workflow available in AutoCAD. AutoCAD 2007 also takes the intuitive, grip-based editing features introduced for drafting in previous AutoCAD versions—such as Dynamic Input, ortho, and
www.autodesk.com/autocad 3
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
tracking—and integrates them into solid and surface modeling.
Benefit
Quickly create and edit solid and surface models without the extended learning and relearning time necessary in older versions of AutoCAD software. A common set of editing tools means that no retraining is required to edit solids as opposed to lines, arcs, and circles. This capability increases speed and decreases the training time required to be productive with solid and surface modeling in AutoCAD.
Solid and Surface Modeling
Problem
To perform common conceptual design tasks, such as massing studies, mechanical prototypes, or landscape design, users must be able to quickly and easily place and manipulate multiple, basic solid shapes. They also must have the ability to create complex surfaces from both simple profiles and complex linear data.
Solution
New tools in AutoCAD 2007 make it much easier to create solid and surface models. The redesigned interface uses a single, easy-to-learn environment for creating both solids and surfaces. Creation and editing of surfaces (as opposed to mesh objects) have been added, and users can now create solid objects that have faces defined by more complex surfaces.
Benefit
Using solids and surfaces in AutoCAD enables designers to avoid the use of expensive, third-party software tools and to bypass the use hand sketches and physical models that can be difficult to update or modify.
Model Navigation
Problem
Navigation is another common problem when working with models in previous versions of AutoCAD. Designers must use the Pan and Zoom commands repeatedly as they create, edit, and examine 2D drawings. Basic 3D navigation tools are difficult to use. It is not possible to pan and zoom in a perspecitve mode. In addition, rotating the model to the correct orientation can be challenging, a nd users cannot edit models during use of the Rotate or Orbit command. These tools need to be more closely integrated with the AutoCAD user’s working habits.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 software expands existing tools by allowing transparent pan or zoom while in perspective mode and by allowing www.autodesk.com/autocad 4
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
editing during use of the Orbit command. It also introduces several new tools such as “walk” mode, which enables designers to walk through a model in the intuitive manner used in computer games. A new camera function enables designers to take a quick “snapshot” of how their design will look from a specific point of view in the design.
Benefit
These improved navigation tools make designers more productive because they encourage interaction with models during creation and editing. They also enable designers to more easily explore and understand their own designs. Designers can more easily evaluate design alternatives, uncover flaws early in the design process, and explain design choices quickly and efficiently during and after the design process.
Visualize
During conceptual design, designers often need to convey their design vision to someone who is not accustomed to looking at drawings. This process happens at multiple stages of the project lifecycle, for instance, presenting a preliminary concept to a client to make sure that the design is proceeding in the right direction. During this phase a sketch may be best because it indicates visually to the client that the design is fluid and unfinished and encourages detailed feedback. At another stage in the process, for instance, in the final bid package, the designer may want to put in a rendered image so beautiful that it looks like a photograph of the completed project. This type of image can pull an entire sales presentation together and create the excitement necessary to close the deal.
Previous versions of AutoCAD have tools that address some of these problems (for instance, the ability to create a rendered image), but they are time consuming to learn and use. In addition, because earlier versions lack common visualization tools (such as a selection of screen display methods), designers are forced to use third-party products if they want to achieve this type of look in their presentations.
AutoCAD 2007 solves these problems by significantly enhancing existing visualization tools, making them much easier to both learn and use. This release also simplifies the process of modifying images after they have been created. In addition, several new tools that complete the suite of AutoCAD visualization tools, have been added. These improvements make it unnecessary for AutoCAD users to spend extra time and money to learn additional software tools.
Visual Styles
ProblemA designer using AutoCAD may need to pull a design idea together quickly, performing the preliminary work in AutoCAD to take advantage of the software’s documentation features. At this stage, the design idea is an abstract thought, and the AutoCAD shade modes—wireframe, flat shading, and Gouraud shading—are too formal to convey the fluid nature of the design.
Popular conceptual design tools use display modes to give the model a “sketchy” or unfinished look while the designer is working. The resulting effect is deliberate, so that the model resembles a hand-drawn sketch.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Solution
The AutoCAD 2007 visual styles tools relate to all elements of the 3D display, including the creation of new face styles, edge line effects, materials display, shadow display, lighting display, perspective, and parallel/orthographic views. Designers can use these new tools to easily create a visual style that fits their needs.
Benefit
Designers can use a visual style that best represents the current stage of the project to most clearly communicate the design. They can do this effortlessly in the familiar AutoCAD environment without having to learn or puchase additional software tools.
Animations
Problem
Earlier versions of AutoCAD include tools to create informative static images, but clients are demanding more. They want video effects that dynamically display the features of the proposed design. They want to be able to virtually walk through or around the design so that they are not constrained by a single framed image. Earlier versions of AutoCAD do not include tools that enable a designer to take a client on an interactive tour of the design or to create a recorded animation of the design to send to a client for review.
Solution
Using the AutoCAD 2007 Walk and Path animation tools, a designer can identify points of interest in a model, and then create a path or simply walk past the points of interest to create an animation file for distribution. Designers can use different visual styles for the animation to get just the right visual effect. The designer can also use these tools dynamically to take the client on an “over the shoulder” tour of the design.
Benefit
These new interactive walk and animation tools mean that designers can effectively review their designs and expose any flaws early in the design process, before problems occur in the final product.
Lights, Materials, and Rendering
Problem
Proper lighting can dramatically affect a rendered image, completely changing the look and feel of a design. In previous versions of AutoCAD software, it is difficult to accurately place a light in a drawing and understand how it will affect the scene before rendering it. Designers must go through several iterations of placing and adjusting the lights and then rendering the design—a time-consuming and tedious process.
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AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Proper display of materials is crucial to making a rendered image accurately reflect what the completed design will look like. The texture of stone or wood, the different looks of brushed aluminum or stainless steel can “make or break” a design when it is presented to a client. In previous versions of AutoCAD materials were difficult to create, apply and render making the use of matierals in AutoCAD difficult and time consuming.
Even after the lights and materials have been properly applied, adjusting the parameters associated with a sucessful rendering can be a complex process. Renderings are effective tools for both investigating design alternatives and showing a client or regulatory group (such as a planning commission) the effect of the design on its surroundings. However, the technology can be so complex that many smaller organizations cannot use it effectively, and even large organizations need a dedicated specialist who focuses only on using specialized rendering tools.
Solution
The new interactive light tool in AutoCAD 2007 enables users to quickly and accurately place distance, point, and spot lights in a drawing. After the light has been placed, designers can use the light target grips to shine the light precisely where they need it. By placing the lights, designers can see the effect of lights on shadows in real time, with no need to render the image first.
In AutoCAD 2007, applying materials to a model is as easy as applying hatch patterns in 2D. Users drag materials from a predefined library onto any solid face or surface defined in their model. The material then scales automatically; there’s no need to manually adjust scaling parameters based on the size of the model. If the material library does not have the proper materials, designers can use the new materials editor to edit the material and create a customized library.
AutoCAD 2007 incorporates the latest in rendering technology, the mental ray® rendering engine. This powerful technology (incorporated into other Autodesk products such as Autodesk® 3ds Max®) has been integrated into a new user interface that makes accurate and realistic renderings as easy as possible. Capabilities include a slider control that graphically displays the trade-off between time and rendering quality.
Benefit
Rendering, materials, and lighting enhancements make highly accurate rendered images available for any AutoCAD user. Use these images to win contracts, meet planning requirements, or study the effects of changes on the design. Because AutoCAD 2007 focuses on ease of use and simplicity, learning time for these powerful tools is short, and the final image is both accurate and beautiful. Design professionals who use AutoCAD can now achieve these effects without hiring a special consultant or having to purchase and learn additional software tools.
www.autodesk.com/autocad 7
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Document
After the project has been won and the design reviews completed, designers need to quickly and easily turn AutoCAD design models into clear and accurate construction documents. AutoCAD 2007 has tools that enable designers to work directly from the design model to create sections and elevations that can then be incorporated into the drawings. AutoCAD 2007 also has the powerful drafting tools introduced in AutoCAD 2005 and 2006, such as Dynamic Blocks and the Table capabilities, that make the creation of drawings productive and efficient.
Section and Flatten
Problem
Once the conceptual design phase of a project has been completed, the designer needs to reuse the data from that design to drive the creation of construction documents. If the conceptual design is done using hand drawings, physical models, or a third-party software package, most of the model information must be thrown away and the drawings started from scratch.
Solution
Use the new Section and Flatten tools In AutoCAD 2007 to quickly and easily extract drawing information from the conceptual model. The Section tool allows the movement of a dynamic, adjustable plane through the solid or surface model. Use this cutting plane to create an elevation or plan view that is ready to be dimensioned and annotated as part of the drawing creation process. Use the Flatten tool to represent the 3D model as a 2D illustration.
Benefit
Save time and money by avoiding the need to re-create model information for construction documents. In addition, this feature helps to avoid errors caused by the manual re-creation step.
Dynamic Blocks
Problem
Drawings that use a great number of AutoCAD blocks can be difficult to manage and manipulate. Often, users must sift through thousands of blocks to find those that meet their needs. In addition, designers want to be able to use existing libraries easily, as well as enhance them to make them simpler to manage.
www.autodesk.com/autocad 8
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Solution
With AutoCAD software, blocks are dynamic. With the block authoring tools, designers can add dynamic behavior to existing block libraries—simplifying use of block libraries and reducing time spent manipulating blocks in a drawing.
The Dynamic Block authoring environment provides an easy, graphical way to create Dynamic Blocks from existing block libraries. It does not require any programming experience. The new Block Authoring palette enables designers to add parameters and actions by dragging them directly onto the block. To help realize the power of Dynamic Blocks, AutoCAD includes sample Dynamic Blocks with tutorials that show how to create and use them.
Benefit
The Dynamic Block feature makes blocks more flexible. Combining multiple blocks into a single block makes block libraries much easier to work with—saving time and increasing productivity.
Tables
Problem
Tabular data such as lists, schedules, and legends, is fundamental to many drawings. Currently, this table data is created using basic AutoCAD objects such as lines and text. Manually creating or updating table data requires focused attention to detail as well as many time-consuming steps. In addition, the risk of error increases as the project progresses.
Solution
The Table command in AutoCAD 2007 streamlines the process of creating tables and controlling their properties so designers can focus on content. Predefined table styles control elements such as border properties (grid visibility, lineweight, and color), cell properties (text style, height, color alignment, and background fill), location of headings, and more. Use existing table styles to create new tables that inherit all the defined style properties. Change any property of any table element or apply a new table style in seconds.
Benefit
AutoCAD 2007 makes it easy to change any table property and to create table data with a variety of formatting options. Designers can easily import a table or schedule, or quickly create a new table using predefined table styles and a single command.
Share
As the document set is being created, or during the bidding and construction process, the extended design team must be able to share information. The entire design group can exchange DWG files, but depending on the audience and the business requirements other file and data types may be required. AutoCAD provides tools that make data exchange
www.autodesk.com/autocad 9
AUTOCAD 2007 FEATURES AND BENEFITS
simple. These include tools to export current DWG files to older versions of the DWG specification, tools for exporting and importing DWF™ files with redline and markup information, and a complete suite of flexible printing and plotting capabilites.
AutoCAD 2007 expands these powerful tools to include support for the PDF file format as well as improvements in the ability to work with DWF files.
DWF as an Underlay
Problem
DWF technology enables designers to control their design information and protect it from accidental or intentional modification. For several releases, AutoCAD users have been able to export DWF files. For the last two releases, AutoCAD users have been able to import and export DWF files that contain redline and markup information. Although these are important capabilities, designers often want to send a DWF file to a partner or subcontactor to be used as the basis to create their own drawings.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 introduces the ability to reference a DWF file as an underlay. The information can then be used as the basis for creating new drawing information, but the information in the DWF underlay cannot be altered.
Benefit
The use of a DWF file as an underlay enables designers to maintain the visual and data fidelity of their drawings when working with other members of their design team.
Publishing to the Adobe PDF File Format
Problem
Many companies have standardized on PDF format as their corporate document viewing tool. Many government agencies also mandate submittals in PDF.
Solution
AutoCAD 2007 now has the ability to write drawings in the Adobe® PDF file format.
Benefit
Organizations no longer have to purchase a third-party application to convert DWG files to the PDF file format, thus saving money and eliminating time spent learning a new application.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, DWF, Revit, and 3ds Max are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GbmH & Co. KG licensed for use by Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2006 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
Monday, December 6, 2010
Where does a great idea go once it hits you?
Where does a great idea go once it hits you?
From conceptual design through drafting and
detailing, AutoCAD® 2007 software helps you
create and explore ideas like never before—
whether you’re working on manufacturing,
building, or civil projects. Now with a single
tool you can design, visualize, document, and
share your ideas. That tool is AutoCAD 2007,
and there’s never been an AutoCAD release
like it.
Give It Shape
An idea is only an idea until you do something
with it, and with AutoCAD 2007, you can take
your ideas to new heights, crafting and creating
until what you’ve imagined is what you see.
Combining your familiar AutoCAD with an
updated conceptual design environment,
AutoCAD 2007 helps you quickly create, edit,
and navigate solids and surfaces. Visualize your
model while you draw with dynamic input,
easily create solids by taking advantage of
familiar 2D design tools, and quickly extrude
2D geometry to produce solids. Whether you’re
creating and editing complex solids or surfaces,
AutoCAD 2007 enables you to design your idea
to match your vision.
Give It Impact
Once you’ve shaped your idea, it’s time to make
it real. AutoCAD 2007 allows you to manipulate
lighting eff ects by quickly and accurately
placing lights in a drawing to see their eff ect on
shadows in real time without having to render
the image fi rst. Drag materials from a predefi
ned library onto any solid face or surface,
which then scale automatically, or edit the
materials to create your own customized library.
You can also create intuitive walk-throughs with
the Walk and Path animation tools, enabling
you to easily explore and fi ne-tune design
alternatives. And by incorporating the mental
ray® rendering engine, the very latest in rendering
technology, AutoCAD 2007 enables you to
communicate your vision clearly and eff ectively
to clients and customers without having to get
technical.
Give It Precision
Use the new Section and Flatten tools to
quickly extract drawing information from your
conceptual model. Create an elevation or plan
view that’s ready to be dimensioned and annotated
as part of the drawing creation process
with the Section tool, or automatically project
your model down to a 2D illustration with the
Flatten tool. You can also access multiple variations
on a single block and dramatically reduce
cumbersome block libraries with Dynamic
Blocks, all while pumping up productivity by
accessing dimensions and command options
right at the cursor with Dynamic Input. When it
comes to documentation delivery, nobody does
it better than AutoCAD 2007.
Give It Life
And what good is a great idea if you can’t share
it? No matter what your business, the new technology
enhancements in AutoCAD 2007 can
help you be more productive by making it easy
to exchange data seamlessly with Autodesk’s
industry-specifi c applications, such as Autodesk®
Revit® Building, Autodesk Inventor®, Autodesk
Map® 3D, and Autodesk® Civil 3D® software
products. AutoCAD 2007 is the perfect way
to get your feet wet before moving on to more
advanced Autodesk 3D modeling applications.
And if you’re looking to share data with the
extended design team, use DWFTM technology—
the perfect way to securely exchange rich 2D
and 3D design information.
So come explore your ideas with the newest
release of AutoCAD. Because in the end, a great
idea is only as good as how you realize it. And
with AutoCAD 2007, you’ve never had a better
partner.
From conceptual design through drafting and
detailing, AutoCAD® 2007 software helps you
create and explore ideas like never before—
whether you’re working on manufacturing,
building, or civil projects. Now with a single
tool you can design, visualize, document, and
share your ideas. That tool is AutoCAD 2007,
and there’s never been an AutoCAD release
like it.
Give It Shape
An idea is only an idea until you do something
with it, and with AutoCAD 2007, you can take
your ideas to new heights, crafting and creating
until what you’ve imagined is what you see.
Combining your familiar AutoCAD with an
updated conceptual design environment,
AutoCAD 2007 helps you quickly create, edit,
and navigate solids and surfaces. Visualize your
model while you draw with dynamic input,
easily create solids by taking advantage of
familiar 2D design tools, and quickly extrude
2D geometry to produce solids. Whether you’re
creating and editing complex solids or surfaces,
AutoCAD 2007 enables you to design your idea
to match your vision.
Give It Impact
Once you’ve shaped your idea, it’s time to make
it real. AutoCAD 2007 allows you to manipulate
lighting eff ects by quickly and accurately
placing lights in a drawing to see their eff ect on
shadows in real time without having to render
the image fi rst. Drag materials from a predefi
ned library onto any solid face or surface,
which then scale automatically, or edit the
materials to create your own customized library.
You can also create intuitive walk-throughs with
the Walk and Path animation tools, enabling
you to easily explore and fi ne-tune design
alternatives. And by incorporating the mental
ray® rendering engine, the very latest in rendering
technology, AutoCAD 2007 enables you to
communicate your vision clearly and eff ectively
to clients and customers without having to get
technical.
Give It Precision
Use the new Section and Flatten tools to
quickly extract drawing information from your
conceptual model. Create an elevation or plan
view that’s ready to be dimensioned and annotated
as part of the drawing creation process
with the Section tool, or automatically project
your model down to a 2D illustration with the
Flatten tool. You can also access multiple variations
on a single block and dramatically reduce
cumbersome block libraries with Dynamic
Blocks, all while pumping up productivity by
accessing dimensions and command options
right at the cursor with Dynamic Input. When it
comes to documentation delivery, nobody does
it better than AutoCAD 2007.
Give It Life
And what good is a great idea if you can’t share
it? No matter what your business, the new technology
enhancements in AutoCAD 2007 can
help you be more productive by making it easy
to exchange data seamlessly with Autodesk’s
industry-specifi c applications, such as Autodesk®
Revit® Building, Autodesk Inventor®, Autodesk
Map® 3D, and Autodesk® Civil 3D® software
products. AutoCAD 2007 is the perfect way
to get your feet wet before moving on to more
advanced Autodesk 3D modeling applications.
And if you’re looking to share data with the
extended design team, use DWFTM technology—
the perfect way to securely exchange rich 2D
and 3D design information.
So come explore your ideas with the newest
release of AutoCAD. Because in the end, a great
idea is only as good as how you realize it. And
with AutoCAD 2007, you’ve never had a better
partner.
Friday, December 3, 2010
General Information
1.1 What is AutoCAD 2007?
Design, visualize, and document your ideas clearly and efficiently with AutoCAD®
software. From conceptual design through drafting and detailing, AutoCAD 2007 enables
you to explore ideas like never before. Create, edit, and develop design alternatives using
realistic solids and surfaces in an updated design environment. Communicate your ideas
with powerful sketch, shadow, and rendering tools, including intuitive walk-through
animations. Then turn your concepts into a set of documents with the new section and
flatten functionality. It’s all here, whether you’re creating, exploring, managing, or
communicating, AutoCAD keeps you on time, on budget, and on track.
1.2 Who uses AutoCAD software?
AutoCAD is used to create conceptual designs, technical drawings, and documentation in
many industries. Designers, architects, engineers, land planners, contractors, facility
managers, and educational institutions and students are examples of customers who
currently use AutoCAD.
The AutoCAD foundation technology supports other Autodesk® industry-targeted
applications, as well as hundreds of third-party applications. It fits into any design
solution that requires a general, customizable drafting and design tool.
1.3 What are the main benefits of AutoCAD 2007?
The new conceptual design and visualization tools introduced in AutoCAD 2007 will
enable you to realize your ideas in order to sell your vision to a client, make presentations
to a non-technical audience, or even communicate your design intent to the shop floor.
Creating solids and surfaces has never been easier; you can quickly brainstorm any idea
or concept whether you’re in architecture, mechanical design, engineering, process,
aerospace, even science and education.
With the new AutoCAD 2007 visualization tools, you can quickly print your AutoCAD
designs with a hand-drawn effect for your presentation. If a photo-realistic image is
required, you can use the AutoCAD 2007 new library of materials and lighting system to
give your model a more realistic look. You can even create simple walk-through
animations to send to your client.
AutoCAD 2007 also has a new set of section cut tools so you can quickly convert your
solid designs into 2D drawings for all of your documentation work.
For more details on the benefits AutoCAD 2007 refer to the AutoCAD Features web page
for more information: www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
2. Availability and Pricing
2.1 When will AutoCAD 2007 be available?
AutoCAD 2007 will be available worldwide in English, German, and Japanese in March of
2006.
2.2 When can I expect localized versions of AutoCAD 2007 to ship?
Autodesk plans to ship localized versions for French, Italian, Simplified Chinese,
Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
4
Autodesk will announce the expected ship dates as the localized versions become
available.
2.3 Can I try AutoCAD 2007 before I buy it?
Yes, you can try it by requesting the AutoCAD 2007 trial version. This full-functioning
version of AutoCAD 2007 is available as a free*, 30-day trial version or as a download
from the Autodesk website. You can order the trial CD from your Autodesk Authorized
Autodesk Reseller or visit us online at www.autodesk.com/autocad-trial.
2.4 What are the purchasing options and pricing for AutoCAD 2007?
AutoCAD 2007 is available to you through your local reseller, the Autodesk Store at
www.autodesk.com/store , or through Autodesk® Subscription where available. If you
need help finding a reseller, please refer to www.autodesk.com/reseller.
Consult your local reseller or the Autodesk Store for pricing information.
2.5 What are the benefits of an Autodesk Subscription?
With Autodesk Subscription you get the latest releases of your Autodesk® software,
incremental product enhancements, personalized web support direct from Autodesk
technical experts, and self-paced training to help extend your skills. And with access to a
range of exclusive community resources and members-only privileges, you can use the
power of your design tools to the fullest and make the most of your technology investment.
For the latest information on Autodesk Subscription, including availability and purchase
requirements, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription or contact your local authorized
representative. AutoCAD subscriptions are sold by Autodesk Authorized Autodesk
Resellers on behalf of Autodesk.
3. Compatibility
3.1 Do AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006 third-party applications work with AutoCAD 2007?
Maybe. Some third-party add-on applications based on Visual LISP® and VBA
programming languages should be compatible with AutoCAD 2007. Third-party
applications based on ActiveX® and ObjectARX® developer tools will require upgrades to
be compatible with AutoCAD 2007. There are numerous compatible applications available
for AutoCAD 2007. Check with your application developer/supplier regarding availability of
applications built for AutoCAD 2007.
3.2 Do AutoCAD 2006 customized menus work in AutoCAD 2007?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 will automatically migrate customized menus (CUI files). The first
time you launch AutoCAD 2007 the migration feature will asked you if you would like to
migrate your settings from your previous AutoCAD version to AutoCAD 2007. The
migration feature helps you make a smooth transition to the new release by automatically
migrating customized menus, toolbar icons, hatch patterns, linetypes, command short
cuts, and profiles. For additional migration tools, refer to
www.autodesk.com/migrationtools.
3.3 What do I need to do to move applications and other customization I have done
to AutoCAD 2007?
If your application and customization work is based on Visual LISP or VBA, it should just work as
is—try it. Linetype files, hatch patterns, command aliases, and spelling dictionaries will be
automatically activated with the migration feature when you launch AutoCAD for the first time.
You can find complete details on migrating applications to AutoCAD 2007 in the Application
5
Migration Guide that is included in the AutoCAD 2007 ObjectARX SDK—including details on
migrating Visual LISP, VBA, and ActiveX based applications. You can find the ObjectARX SDK
and much more information on developing applications and customizing AutoCAD at
www.autodesk.com/developautocad.
3.4 How are AutoLISP programs affected by changes in AutoCAD 2007?
AutoLISP® program routines that have been written for AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006 should
work in AutoCAD 2007; no changes have been made that would affect them.
3.5 Has the AutoCAD 2007 DWG drawing file format changed from the AutoCAD
2004/2005/2006 products?
Yes, the AutoCAD 2007 DWG file format has been updated and is different from the
2004/2005/2006 DWG file format. This new format is also the same DWG file format that
is used in the latest releases of the Autodesk industry-specific products such as
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Map® 3D, Autodesk® Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®
Electrical and AutoCAD® Mechanical software applications. Nonetheless, you can still
easily share files between design teams using any previous version of AutoCAD. As in
the past, this version of AutoCAD opens DWG files from all earlier DWG versions of the
software created by any Autodesk product.
3.6 Does AutoCAD 2007 read and save drawings created by earlier releases of
AutoCAD?
AutoCAD 2007 reads drawing files from all previous versions of AutoCAD software.
AutoCAD 2007 has a built-in SaveAs function so you can save drawings to and from
AutoCAD releases using the 14, 2000, and 2004 DWG format(s). In addition, you can use
the SaveAs AutoCAD Release 12 DXF™ command to support releases prior to AutoCAD
Release 14.
3.7 Can I open an AutoCAD 2007 drawing with and older release of AutoCAD?
With DWG TrueConvert™ software you can translate DWG files created with any release
of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT® software to AutoCAD 14, 2000, 2004, and 2007 file formats.
DWG TrueConvert can be downloaded at www.autodesk.com/migrationtools, DWG
TrueConvert does not require AutoCAD to convert DWG files.
3.8 Can I run AutoCAD 2007 side-by-side with other AutoCAD platform–based
applications?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 can be installed side-by-side with any other AutoCAD or Autodesk
vertical solution—including AutoCAD 2007–based products. These products include
AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD® Mechanical, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk
Civil 3D, Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk Inventor® Series, Autodesk Inventor® Professional,
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Revit® Series, Autodesk® Revit® Structure, Autodesk® Building
Systems, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk VIZ® and AutoCAD LT software.
3.9 Is AutoCAD 2007 compatible with AutoCAD LT?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 is fully DWG-compatible with AutoCAD LT 2007. It can read files from
all older versions of AutoCAD LT and can save to the AutoCAD LT 2004, 2000, and
Release 14 DWG file formats for compatibility with older products.
3.10 When will the AutoCAD 2007-based industry-specific applications be available?
Autodesk applications built on the AutoCAD foundation include Autodesk Architectural
Desktop, Autodesk Building Systems, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Electrical,
Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk Civil 3D, and Autodesk® Raster Design 2006 software.
Autodesk will announce the expected ship dates as these applications become available.
6
4. Platform and System Requirements
4.1 What are the system requirements for AutoCAD 2007?
The system requirements for AutoCAD 2007 for users that are focusing on 2D drawing
creation are as follows:
ô€‚ƒ Intel® Pentium® IV recommended
ô€‚ƒ Microsoft® Windows® XP Home & Professional SP1 or SP2, Windows XP for Tablet PC
SP2, or Windows® 2000 SP3 or SP4
􀂃 512 MB RAM
􀂃 750 MB free disk space for installation
􀂃 1024x768 VGA with True Color
ô€‚ƒ Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or higher
The system requirements for AutoCAD 2007 for users that are taking advantage of the
new conceptual design capabilities are as follows:
ô€‚ƒ Intel® 3.0 GHz or greater
ô€‚ƒ Windows® XP SP2
􀂃 2 GB RAM or greater
􀂃 2 GB available not including installation
􀂃 1280 x 1024 32-bit color video display adapter (True Color)
􀂃 128 MB or greater, OpenGL-capable workstation class graphics card. Refer to the
Supported Video Cards list for details on different brands that have been tested and
certified.
4.2 Is AutoCAD 2007 certified for Microsoft Windows XP?
Yes, AutoCAD has received “Designed for Windows XP—Optimized for Enterprise” logo
certification. This is the highest level of logo certification that Microsoft offers. The logo
certification indicates that software will run smoothly and reliably in the Windows operating
system environment. Several fundamental changes have been made to AutoCAD to help
ensure its robust performance when running on the latest version of the Windows
operating system. These changes include the ability to run AutoCAD as a limited rights
user, making it easy for multiple AutoCAD-based products to be run on the same
computer, and changes to the file structures and use of the registry that support roaming
user profiles.
4.3 Does AutoCAD 2007 support Tablet PCs running Windows XP?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 software supports Microsoft Windows XP for Tablet PC operating
system functionality, including the ability to specify landscape or portrait orientation as well
as right- or left-handedness, enabling you to take full advantage of the portability that the
Tablet PC offers.
4.4 Does AutoCAD 2007 support the Microsoft Vista operating system?
Autodesk has been working with Microsoft to monitor the progress of Windows Vista and
its application compatibility with AutoCAD. As we approach the release of Windows Vista,
Autodesk will be conducting further testing to determine AutoCAD 2007 compatibility with
Windows Vista.
7
4.5 Does AutoCAD 2007 support multiple CPU systems?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 supports multiple CPU systems. The performance of AutoCAD
graphics and rendering systems will benefit from multiple CPU systems.
4.6 Does AutoCAD 2007 support 64-bit operating systems?
Not at this time. AutoCAD 2007 does not support 64-bit Windows. However, it does
support running on an Intel EM64T processor using Window XP. AutoCAD 2007 runs as
a 32-bit application on 64-bit processor in what Intel refers to as Legacy mode.
5. Licensing
5.1 Does AutoCAD 2007 use product activation for stand-alone licenses?
Yes, with AutoCAD 2007 the authorization process includes product activation.
5.2 What is product activation?
Product activation is a software-based license management technology incorporated into
many Autodesk products. It is a secure and trouble-free process that authenticates
licensed users running Autodesk software. The process verifies that the serial number is
legitimate and has not been activated on more computers than are eligible. It does not
affect the ability of licensed users to operate their software the way they have always
done. It is similar to the authorization mechanism in Autodesk products in the past but
provides additional capabilities for security and special product versions (such as student
and trial versions).
5.3 Why is Autodesk requiring Autodesk customers to activate their software?
Product activation is a simple way to reduce and deter unauthorized use and casual
copying of Autodesk products, with little to no impact on our loyal customers.
5.4 Which Autodesk products use this activation technology?
Almost all Autodesk products use or will use this technology, with the exception of
Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer, Autodesk® DWF™Composer, AutoSketch®, and Autodesk
Media and Entertainment Products.
5.5 How do I activate my software?
Through the activation and registration interface, you can activate your product 24 hours
a day, seven days a week over the Internet or via email. Either option takes only a few
steps to complete and requires your product serial number and registration information.
5.6 What if I have more than one computer? Will product activation let me
use the software on multiple machines?
Autodesk recognizes you may sometimes need to operate the software when you are
away from your usual work location, such as while working from home. To accommodate
this need, product activation lets you install and activate the software on a second
computer you own or control. Please note that the software may be used by only one
person and that only one of the two copies may be used at a time. Consult your AutoCAD
Software License Agreement for complete details regarding installation and use of the
software on a second computer.
5.7 Where can I find more information about software activation?
More information on product activation can be found at www.autodesk.com/activation.
8
6. Consulting, Training, and Support
6.1 What consulting services are available for AutoCAD 2007?
Autodesk Consulting provides customer consulting offerings for project assessments,
process audits, opportunity assessments, networking setup, application porting, and other
custom services to help you streamline business processes and get the best possible
return on your investment in Autodesk technology. AutoCAD users planning to migrate to
AutoCAD 2007 can take advantage of these services. For more information on Autodesk
Consulting, contact your Autodesk Account Executive or your local Authorized Autodesk
Reseller; or visit www.autodesk.com/consulting.
6.2 Where do I find training courses for AutoCAD 2007?
Training courses are available from both Autodesk Consulting as well as through the
Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC®) network.
Training courses through Autodesk Consulting include Autodesk Virtual Classroom
Training (online, instructor-led) or custom training to match your organization’s specific
needs, and Autodesk Classroom Training. To obtain more information about Autodesk’s
training services, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-training.
You can also enroll in instructor-led training at Autodesk Authorized Training Centers
around the world. These training centers use Autodesk Official Training Courseware
(AOTC) created by Autodesk to deliver comprehensive courses for new and intermediate
AutoCAD 2007 users. Autodesk Authorized Training Centers also deliver custom courses
on AutoCAD 2007 and other Autodesk products. To learn more, visit
www.autodesk.com/autocad-atc.
6.3 How can I find technical support information for AutoCAD 2007?
Visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-support to find a knowledge base of commonly asked
support questions. Also, you can ask questions and read information about the use of
Autodesk products in the peer-to-peer discussion groups at www.autodesk.com/
discussion. Autodesk hosts topical discussion groups about specific products, including
AutoCAD 2007, and about general topics, such as drafting techniques and customization.
Alternatively, Autodesk software manuals and documentation are a great source of
answers to your support questions.
6.4 How do I obtain direct, technical support?
Direct technical support is available from both Autodesk and Autodesk Authorized
Resellers.
Furthermore, Autodesk Subscription is a complete software, support, and training package
that simplifies your technology upgrades and boosts your design productivity. Purchase of
Autodesk Subscription includes web support from Autodesk technical experts for all your
installation, configuration, and troubleshooting questions.
To learn more about Autodesk Subscription, contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller or
visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.
The Autodesk Enterprise Support program is a worldwide program that provides expert
technical support by telephone for all major Autodesk products from a single source.
Contact your Autodesk Account Executive or Autodesk Authorized Autodesk Reseller for
more details.
9
Autodesk Preferred Solution Providers (PSPs), Autodesk Systems Centers (ASCs) and
Autodesk Authorized Autodesk Resellers also provide telephone support services for
AutoCAD software and all other Autodesk products. In the United States and Canada, call
800-964-6432 to locate an ASC, PSP or reseller near you, or visit http://www.autodesk.com/
reseller. Find a complete list of support options for AutoCAD on the Autodesk website at
http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-support.
6.5 How do I find out if a service pack is available for AutoCAD 2007?
In the event that Autodesk releases a service pack for AutoCAD 2007, it is easy to access
and install it using the Communication Center in AutoCAD 2007. Look at the top of the
Communication Center window to see if an update is available. AutoCAD 2007
automatically recognizes if you have the most up-to-date release and prompts you if there
is an update available. When you click on the link, AutoCAD 2007 automatically
downloads and installs the update.
Design, visualize, and document your ideas clearly and efficiently with AutoCAD®
software. From conceptual design through drafting and detailing, AutoCAD 2007 enables
you to explore ideas like never before. Create, edit, and develop design alternatives using
realistic solids and surfaces in an updated design environment. Communicate your ideas
with powerful sketch, shadow, and rendering tools, including intuitive walk-through
animations. Then turn your concepts into a set of documents with the new section and
flatten functionality. It’s all here, whether you’re creating, exploring, managing, or
communicating, AutoCAD keeps you on time, on budget, and on track.
1.2 Who uses AutoCAD software?
AutoCAD is used to create conceptual designs, technical drawings, and documentation in
many industries. Designers, architects, engineers, land planners, contractors, facility
managers, and educational institutions and students are examples of customers who
currently use AutoCAD.
The AutoCAD foundation technology supports other Autodesk® industry-targeted
applications, as well as hundreds of third-party applications. It fits into any design
solution that requires a general, customizable drafting and design tool.
1.3 What are the main benefits of AutoCAD 2007?
The new conceptual design and visualization tools introduced in AutoCAD 2007 will
enable you to realize your ideas in order to sell your vision to a client, make presentations
to a non-technical audience, or even communicate your design intent to the shop floor.
Creating solids and surfaces has never been easier; you can quickly brainstorm any idea
or concept whether you’re in architecture, mechanical design, engineering, process,
aerospace, even science and education.
With the new AutoCAD 2007 visualization tools, you can quickly print your AutoCAD
designs with a hand-drawn effect for your presentation. If a photo-realistic image is
required, you can use the AutoCAD 2007 new library of materials and lighting system to
give your model a more realistic look. You can even create simple walk-through
animations to send to your client.
AutoCAD 2007 also has a new set of section cut tools so you can quickly convert your
solid designs into 2D drawings for all of your documentation work.
For more details on the benefits AutoCAD 2007 refer to the AutoCAD Features web page
for more information: www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
2. Availability and Pricing
2.1 When will AutoCAD 2007 be available?
AutoCAD 2007 will be available worldwide in English, German, and Japanese in March of
2006.
2.2 When can I expect localized versions of AutoCAD 2007 to ship?
Autodesk plans to ship localized versions for French, Italian, Simplified Chinese,
Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
4
Autodesk will announce the expected ship dates as the localized versions become
available.
2.3 Can I try AutoCAD 2007 before I buy it?
Yes, you can try it by requesting the AutoCAD 2007 trial version. This full-functioning
version of AutoCAD 2007 is available as a free*, 30-day trial version or as a download
from the Autodesk website. You can order the trial CD from your Autodesk Authorized
Autodesk Reseller or visit us online at www.autodesk.com/autocad-trial.
2.4 What are the purchasing options and pricing for AutoCAD 2007?
AutoCAD 2007 is available to you through your local reseller, the Autodesk Store at
www.autodesk.com/store , or through Autodesk® Subscription where available. If you
need help finding a reseller, please refer to www.autodesk.com/reseller.
Consult your local reseller or the Autodesk Store for pricing information.
2.5 What are the benefits of an Autodesk Subscription?
With Autodesk Subscription you get the latest releases of your Autodesk® software,
incremental product enhancements, personalized web support direct from Autodesk
technical experts, and self-paced training to help extend your skills. And with access to a
range of exclusive community resources and members-only privileges, you can use the
power of your design tools to the fullest and make the most of your technology investment.
For the latest information on Autodesk Subscription, including availability and purchase
requirements, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription or contact your local authorized
representative. AutoCAD subscriptions are sold by Autodesk Authorized Autodesk
Resellers on behalf of Autodesk.
3. Compatibility
3.1 Do AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006 third-party applications work with AutoCAD 2007?
Maybe. Some third-party add-on applications based on Visual LISP® and VBA
programming languages should be compatible with AutoCAD 2007. Third-party
applications based on ActiveX® and ObjectARX® developer tools will require upgrades to
be compatible with AutoCAD 2007. There are numerous compatible applications available
for AutoCAD 2007. Check with your application developer/supplier regarding availability of
applications built for AutoCAD 2007.
3.2 Do AutoCAD 2006 customized menus work in AutoCAD 2007?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 will automatically migrate customized menus (CUI files). The first
time you launch AutoCAD 2007 the migration feature will asked you if you would like to
migrate your settings from your previous AutoCAD version to AutoCAD 2007. The
migration feature helps you make a smooth transition to the new release by automatically
migrating customized menus, toolbar icons, hatch patterns, linetypes, command short
cuts, and profiles. For additional migration tools, refer to
www.autodesk.com/migrationtools.
3.3 What do I need to do to move applications and other customization I have done
to AutoCAD 2007?
If your application and customization work is based on Visual LISP or VBA, it should just work as
is—try it. Linetype files, hatch patterns, command aliases, and spelling dictionaries will be
automatically activated with the migration feature when you launch AutoCAD for the first time.
You can find complete details on migrating applications to AutoCAD 2007 in the Application
5
Migration Guide that is included in the AutoCAD 2007 ObjectARX SDK—including details on
migrating Visual LISP, VBA, and ActiveX based applications. You can find the ObjectARX SDK
and much more information on developing applications and customizing AutoCAD at
www.autodesk.com/developautocad.
3.4 How are AutoLISP programs affected by changes in AutoCAD 2007?
AutoLISP® program routines that have been written for AutoCAD 2004/2005/2006 should
work in AutoCAD 2007; no changes have been made that would affect them.
3.5 Has the AutoCAD 2007 DWG drawing file format changed from the AutoCAD
2004/2005/2006 products?
Yes, the AutoCAD 2007 DWG file format has been updated and is different from the
2004/2005/2006 DWG file format. This new format is also the same DWG file format that
is used in the latest releases of the Autodesk industry-specific products such as
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Map® 3D, Autodesk® Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®
Electrical and AutoCAD® Mechanical software applications. Nonetheless, you can still
easily share files between design teams using any previous version of AutoCAD. As in
the past, this version of AutoCAD opens DWG files from all earlier DWG versions of the
software created by any Autodesk product.
3.6 Does AutoCAD 2007 read and save drawings created by earlier releases of
AutoCAD?
AutoCAD 2007 reads drawing files from all previous versions of AutoCAD software.
AutoCAD 2007 has a built-in SaveAs function so you can save drawings to and from
AutoCAD releases using the 14, 2000, and 2004 DWG format(s). In addition, you can use
the SaveAs AutoCAD Release 12 DXF™ command to support releases prior to AutoCAD
Release 14.
3.7 Can I open an AutoCAD 2007 drawing with and older release of AutoCAD?
With DWG TrueConvert™ software you can translate DWG files created with any release
of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT® software to AutoCAD 14, 2000, 2004, and 2007 file formats.
DWG TrueConvert can be downloaded at www.autodesk.com/migrationtools, DWG
TrueConvert does not require AutoCAD to convert DWG files.
3.8 Can I run AutoCAD 2007 side-by-side with other AutoCAD platform–based
applications?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 can be installed side-by-side with any other AutoCAD or Autodesk
vertical solution—including AutoCAD 2007–based products. These products include
AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD® Mechanical, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk
Civil 3D, Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk Inventor® Series, Autodesk Inventor® Professional,
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Revit® Series, Autodesk® Revit® Structure, Autodesk® Building
Systems, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk VIZ® and AutoCAD LT software.
3.9 Is AutoCAD 2007 compatible with AutoCAD LT?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 is fully DWG-compatible with AutoCAD LT 2007. It can read files from
all older versions of AutoCAD LT and can save to the AutoCAD LT 2004, 2000, and
Release 14 DWG file formats for compatibility with older products.
3.10 When will the AutoCAD 2007-based industry-specific applications be available?
Autodesk applications built on the AutoCAD foundation include Autodesk Architectural
Desktop, Autodesk Building Systems, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Electrical,
Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk Civil 3D, and Autodesk® Raster Design 2006 software.
Autodesk will announce the expected ship dates as these applications become available.
6
4. Platform and System Requirements
4.1 What are the system requirements for AutoCAD 2007?
The system requirements for AutoCAD 2007 for users that are focusing on 2D drawing
creation are as follows:
ô€‚ƒ Intel® Pentium® IV recommended
ô€‚ƒ Microsoft® Windows® XP Home & Professional SP1 or SP2, Windows XP for Tablet PC
SP2, or Windows® 2000 SP3 or SP4
􀂃 512 MB RAM
􀂃 750 MB free disk space for installation
􀂃 1024x768 VGA with True Color
ô€‚ƒ Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or higher
The system requirements for AutoCAD 2007 for users that are taking advantage of the
new conceptual design capabilities are as follows:
ô€‚ƒ Intel® 3.0 GHz or greater
ô€‚ƒ Windows® XP SP2
􀂃 2 GB RAM or greater
􀂃 2 GB available not including installation
􀂃 1280 x 1024 32-bit color video display adapter (True Color)
􀂃 128 MB or greater, OpenGL-capable workstation class graphics card. Refer to the
Supported Video Cards list for details on different brands that have been tested and
certified.
4.2 Is AutoCAD 2007 certified for Microsoft Windows XP?
Yes, AutoCAD has received “Designed for Windows XP—Optimized for Enterprise” logo
certification. This is the highest level of logo certification that Microsoft offers. The logo
certification indicates that software will run smoothly and reliably in the Windows operating
system environment. Several fundamental changes have been made to AutoCAD to help
ensure its robust performance when running on the latest version of the Windows
operating system. These changes include the ability to run AutoCAD as a limited rights
user, making it easy for multiple AutoCAD-based products to be run on the same
computer, and changes to the file structures and use of the registry that support roaming
user profiles.
4.3 Does AutoCAD 2007 support Tablet PCs running Windows XP?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 software supports Microsoft Windows XP for Tablet PC operating
system functionality, including the ability to specify landscape or portrait orientation as well
as right- or left-handedness, enabling you to take full advantage of the portability that the
Tablet PC offers.
4.4 Does AutoCAD 2007 support the Microsoft Vista operating system?
Autodesk has been working with Microsoft to monitor the progress of Windows Vista and
its application compatibility with AutoCAD. As we approach the release of Windows Vista,
Autodesk will be conducting further testing to determine AutoCAD 2007 compatibility with
Windows Vista.
7
4.5 Does AutoCAD 2007 support multiple CPU systems?
Yes, AutoCAD 2007 supports multiple CPU systems. The performance of AutoCAD
graphics and rendering systems will benefit from multiple CPU systems.
4.6 Does AutoCAD 2007 support 64-bit operating systems?
Not at this time. AutoCAD 2007 does not support 64-bit Windows. However, it does
support running on an Intel EM64T processor using Window XP. AutoCAD 2007 runs as
a 32-bit application on 64-bit processor in what Intel refers to as Legacy mode.
5. Licensing
5.1 Does AutoCAD 2007 use product activation for stand-alone licenses?
Yes, with AutoCAD 2007 the authorization process includes product activation.
5.2 What is product activation?
Product activation is a software-based license management technology incorporated into
many Autodesk products. It is a secure and trouble-free process that authenticates
licensed users running Autodesk software. The process verifies that the serial number is
legitimate and has not been activated on more computers than are eligible. It does not
affect the ability of licensed users to operate their software the way they have always
done. It is similar to the authorization mechanism in Autodesk products in the past but
provides additional capabilities for security and special product versions (such as student
and trial versions).
5.3 Why is Autodesk requiring Autodesk customers to activate their software?
Product activation is a simple way to reduce and deter unauthorized use and casual
copying of Autodesk products, with little to no impact on our loyal customers.
5.4 Which Autodesk products use this activation technology?
Almost all Autodesk products use or will use this technology, with the exception of
Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer, Autodesk® DWF™Composer, AutoSketch®, and Autodesk
Media and Entertainment Products.
5.5 How do I activate my software?
Through the activation and registration interface, you can activate your product 24 hours
a day, seven days a week over the Internet or via email. Either option takes only a few
steps to complete and requires your product serial number and registration information.
5.6 What if I have more than one computer? Will product activation let me
use the software on multiple machines?
Autodesk recognizes you may sometimes need to operate the software when you are
away from your usual work location, such as while working from home. To accommodate
this need, product activation lets you install and activate the software on a second
computer you own or control. Please note that the software may be used by only one
person and that only one of the two copies may be used at a time. Consult your AutoCAD
Software License Agreement for complete details regarding installation and use of the
software on a second computer.
5.7 Where can I find more information about software activation?
More information on product activation can be found at www.autodesk.com/activation.
8
6. Consulting, Training, and Support
6.1 What consulting services are available for AutoCAD 2007?
Autodesk Consulting provides customer consulting offerings for project assessments,
process audits, opportunity assessments, networking setup, application porting, and other
custom services to help you streamline business processes and get the best possible
return on your investment in Autodesk technology. AutoCAD users planning to migrate to
AutoCAD 2007 can take advantage of these services. For more information on Autodesk
Consulting, contact your Autodesk Account Executive or your local Authorized Autodesk
Reseller; or visit www.autodesk.com/consulting.
6.2 Where do I find training courses for AutoCAD 2007?
Training courses are available from both Autodesk Consulting as well as through the
Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC®) network.
Training courses through Autodesk Consulting include Autodesk Virtual Classroom
Training (online, instructor-led) or custom training to match your organization’s specific
needs, and Autodesk Classroom Training. To obtain more information about Autodesk’s
training services, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-training.
You can also enroll in instructor-led training at Autodesk Authorized Training Centers
around the world. These training centers use Autodesk Official Training Courseware
(AOTC) created by Autodesk to deliver comprehensive courses for new and intermediate
AutoCAD 2007 users. Autodesk Authorized Training Centers also deliver custom courses
on AutoCAD 2007 and other Autodesk products. To learn more, visit
www.autodesk.com/autocad-atc.
6.3 How can I find technical support information for AutoCAD 2007?
Visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-support to find a knowledge base of commonly asked
support questions. Also, you can ask questions and read information about the use of
Autodesk products in the peer-to-peer discussion groups at www.autodesk.com/
discussion. Autodesk hosts topical discussion groups about specific products, including
AutoCAD 2007, and about general topics, such as drafting techniques and customization.
Alternatively, Autodesk software manuals and documentation are a great source of
answers to your support questions.
6.4 How do I obtain direct, technical support?
Direct technical support is available from both Autodesk and Autodesk Authorized
Resellers.
Furthermore, Autodesk Subscription is a complete software, support, and training package
that simplifies your technology upgrades and boosts your design productivity. Purchase of
Autodesk Subscription includes web support from Autodesk technical experts for all your
installation, configuration, and troubleshooting questions.
To learn more about Autodesk Subscription, contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller or
visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.
The Autodesk Enterprise Support program is a worldwide program that provides expert
technical support by telephone for all major Autodesk products from a single source.
Contact your Autodesk Account Executive or Autodesk Authorized Autodesk Reseller for
more details.
9
Autodesk Preferred Solution Providers (PSPs), Autodesk Systems Centers (ASCs) and
Autodesk Authorized Autodesk Resellers also provide telephone support services for
AutoCAD software and all other Autodesk products. In the United States and Canada, call
800-964-6432 to locate an ASC, PSP or reseller near you, or visit http://www.autodesk.com/
reseller. Find a complete list of support options for AutoCAD on the Autodesk website at
http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-support.
6.5 How do I find out if a service pack is available for AutoCAD 2007?
In the event that Autodesk releases a service pack for AutoCAD 2007, it is easy to access
and install it using the Communication Center in AutoCAD 2007. Look at the top of the
Communication Center window to see if an update is available. AutoCAD 2007
automatically recognizes if you have the most up-to-date release and prompts you if there
is an update available. When you click on the link, AutoCAD 2007 automatically
downloads and installs the update.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Questions and Answers
The Autodesk Buzzsaw service helps you keep your
projects on schedule and within budget. As the leader in
online project collaboration, Buzzsaw enables you to
communicate, share, and track project information and
drawings throughout your teams. Whether you manage
building, manufacturing, or infrastructure projects, you
always have complete control
® ®
.
Contents
Autodesk Buzzsaw
speeds time to market,
increases team
accountability, and
helps keep projects on
time and on budget
Product Information ..........................................................................................................2
Industry Information .........................................................................................................4
Reporting Information.......................................................................................................5
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information
1. What is Autodesk Buzzsaw?
The Autodesk® Buzzsaw® project collaboration service is the leader in providing
unprecedented visibility and control across an entire portfolio, allowing industry
professionals to proactively manage, optimize performance, and accelerate time-toprofitability
at each stage in the project lifecycle.
By facilitating better management and administration of processes and tasks through all
phases of the project lifecycle, Autodesk Buzzsaw helps speed time to market, increase
team accountability, and keep projects on time and on budget. Recently updated and
improved, Autodesk Buzzsaw has added new dashboard and reporting capabilities that
provide even greater visibility into project status and processes. In addition, enhanced
workflow rules, roles, and templates help team leaders to identify and resolve issues and
discrepancies faster than ever, boosting productivity across teams and the entire project
portfolio.
2. How can Buzzsaw help me monitor the status of my projects?
Buzzsaw Executive - and Project-level dashboards allow managers and team members to
monitor progress and quickly identify potential problems and discrepancies. The Project
Portfolio Dashboard and Reports provide project status, schedule, and budget information
for all of your projects. In addition, activity logs provide a complete listing of all site and
project activity, including who accessed what and when. Automatic notifications keep
project team members informed of important changes and updates.
3. How can Buzzsaw help my project team members address action items in time?
Buzzsaw tracks the assignment status of any outstanding forms and tasks. Team
members have Personal Dashboards that display the current action items assigned to
them, as well as action items they assigned to other team members. All actions and
responses are tracked in central logs and in the form history and are displayed on project
and site dashboards. In addition to displaying status in dashboards and reports, Buzzsaw
also sends automatic email reminders and overdue notices so that team members can
respond in a timely manner.
4. How can my team use Buzzsaw during the design phase of a project?
With Buzzsaw, all project team members get instant, anytime access to the latest project
documents and designs. Buzzsaw design collaboration features include version control,
locking, check-in and check-out notifications, and automatic xref scanning of all AutoCAD®
drawings during upload and download. You can post background drawings for your
consultants and verify who has accessed the drawings and when. The Buzzsaw design
review and approval workflow expedites design review by facilitating faster approvals, so
team leaders and clients can make decisions more quickly and identify potential issues
sooner rather than later.
5. How do external consultants, suppliers, and contractors benefit from Autodesk
Buzzsaw?
Buzzsaw provides enhanced control over project processes and improved communication
and collaboration for all project team members, throughout the project lifecycle – from
design through bidding, procurement, and construction. All project documents, including
design drawings, bid documents, construction RFIs, submittals, and meeting minutes are
stored and managed centrally for easy team access. All team members get the right
information at the right time. Having the entire project team working on Autodesk Buzzsaw
enables consistency across the board, saves money on printing and distribution costs,
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 2
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
reduces the need for travel, and lowers the incidence of planning and construction errors
that can be attributed to outdated information.
6. If I work with external consultants, suppliers, and contractors, do they have to
purchase Buzzsaw, too?
Your consultants, suppliers, and contractors do not have to purchase Buzzsaw to
participate in your projects. Your subscription includes licenses that provide your
extended team members with access; when you invite your consultants and contractors to
your Buzzsaw site, the Buzzsaw software is automatically downloaded.
7. How can I control access to individual files or documents?
Autodesk Buzzsaw provides a flexible, multilevel system for managing user access to
project data. Each new team member is assigned one of eight (8) permission levels
ranging from full “administrative” access to “no access” at the project, folder, and
individual file level. Site and project administrators can use the permissions matrix to
quickly and easily view and change permissions.
8. How can I share the cost of the Buzzsaw service with my client (as I do for
other reimbursable costs such as printing and shipping?
Autodesk Buzzsaw has teamed up with Sepialine, the leader in cost recovery for design
professionals, to offer you the Argos Data Exchange - Buzzsaw Edition software, which
gives you a powerful way to capture, report, and bill your clients quickly and easily. This
is included, at no extra charge, with your Buzzsaw subscription. Alternatively, you can
use the Statistics tab in the Site Administration dialog box, which shows you how much
storage space is taken up by each project within your site.
9. How can my project team members view or mark up drawing files if they don’t
have AutoCAD software?
The Buzzsaw service integrates the latest viewing technology from Autodesk. This allows
project members to view and revise drawings in DWG, DWF™, and DXF™, as well as
Microstation® DGN files, and then automatically bring back those comments into the
original CAD file.
10. Can I use Autodesk Buzzsaw effectively for projects where team members
speak multiple languages?
Yes, Autodesk Buzzsaw is available in English, German, Japanese, Korean, and
Simplified Chinese. The interface appears in the native language for each user
(commands, dialog boxes). To ensure data integrity, the project documents and form data
are not translated.
11. Who can customize forms, reports, and dashboards? Can I use my company’s
forms?
The Autodesk Consulting team customizes forms, reports, and dashboards to fit your
company’s specific needs. An Autodesk consultant converts your forms, reports, and
dashboards to a format that the Autodesk Buzzsaw system database can read, and then
safely and securely configures your site with the custom forms, reports, and dashboards.
12. Can I customize Autodesk Buzzsaw myself?
To protect site security and integrity of the forms-processing engine, only the Autodesk
Consulting team can customize and configure forms.
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 3
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
13. What do I need to run the Autodesk Buzzsaw service?
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is required to use the Autodesk Buzzsaw service.
A modem connection speed of 56K or higher is required (a faster connection, such as
DSL, Cable Modem, or T1, is recommended).
There are ways to access Buzzsaw:
• Buzzsaw client software: In order to access all of the administrative features of
Buzzsaw, you will need to install the Buzzsaw software, which requires a PC with
Windows 98 or higher operating system.
• Buzzsaw Web Access (NEW!): Gives full access to project data, including projects,
folders, files, and forms, without the need to install the software. This is available
from any Internet connection (Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is required for Buzzsaw
Web Access).
14. How do I get started using Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Call 866-815-3501. To start a trial site, go to www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw-freetrial,
register, set up your site, and start adding team members, projects, workflows, and files.
Your entire team can begin working online almost immediately. If you have been invited to
an Autodesk Buzzsaw site, just click the URL in your invitation email; you will be prompted
to change your password immediately upon login.
15. What if I need help using Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Support: You can get customer support by sending email to bcs.support@autodesk.com
or by calling 800-892-0449.
Training: Autodesk also hosts live free weekly training sessions online. Autodesk also
offers training and implementation consulting services tailored to your specific
requirements, to help you quickly and easily take full advantage of the Autodesk Buzzsaw
service. For details visit the Support Center at www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw-support.
16. How much does Autodesk Buzzsaw cost?
Autodesk offers annual subscriptions at various levels designed to meet the needs of your
business. Call 866-815-3501 to discuss your specific needs.
Industry Information
17. How do I benefit from Autodesk Buzzsaw if I am a Building Owner or
Homebuilder?
For owners and project managers, the Buzzsaw service provides heightened project
visibility, which enables more timely decision making and can directly translate into faster
time to market and optimized profitability. Moreover, the ability to create flexible and
customizable views that adapt to your processes and integrate with your company’s data
makes it easier to oversee and manage multiple projects simultaneously. For team
members, up-to-date summaries of project contents, task lists, and action items all
enhance accountability and help to reduce errors.
All project team members get instant, anytime access to up-to-date project documents
and designs. This access provides superior insight into projects for all team members. As
a result, this access helps to save money on document printing and distribution, reduces
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 4
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
travel expenses, and minimizes planning and construction errors due to outdated
information. Buzzsaw provides enhanced control over project processes and improved
communication and collaboration for all project team members, throughout the project
lifecycle – from design through bidding, procurement, and construction.
18. How do I benefit from Autodesk Buzzsaw if I am an Architect or Engineer?
Many architects and engineers use Buzzsaw for project collaboration with their clients and
consultants. All project documents, including design and construction drawings, are
centralized for easy team access at any time, so that all team members get the right
information at the right time. Autodesk Buzzsaw maintains detailed activity logs at
multiple levels: site, project, file, and user, so you can keep an audit trail of all document
changes and user actions. The Buzzsaw service includes viewing and markup tools for
design files, including DWG, DWF, DXF, and DGN file formats, so your clients can review
your designs without AutoCAD.
19. How can my team use Buzzsaw for construction administration and
management?
With Buzzsaw, you can manage all of your construction project drawings, documents, and
processes. Buzzsaw also features a wealth of standard construction administration and
management forms—including RFIs, submittals, change order requests, correspondence,
daily reports, and meeting minutes. Project managers can assign specific routing rules for
each form and process, with configurable timers, reminders, and tracking features. Using
standardized forms for all construction processes makes it easier to track and report
progress to everyone involved.
20. How can my team use Buzzsaw for bidding and procurement?
With Buzzsaw, you can manage your bidding process more effectively and drastically
reduce your shipping and printing costs. Post your project drawings--we recommend
using the Design Web Format™ (DWF) functionality, specifications, and instructions to
bidders on your Buzzsaw site. Create a private group for your bid participants using the
Buzzsaw service’s group management features, and create a folder with the “Deposit”
permission for your bidders to securely, submit proposals electronically, to provide you
confidentiality and control over bid document distribution and review.
21. What is Autodesk Buzzsaw for Retail?
The Autodesk Buzzsaw retail solution offers retailer owners improved visibility across the
store portfolio and greater control over the management of multiple, simultaneous building
projects. Autodesk Buzzsaw for Retail helps retail owners build stores faster, easier, and
more cost effectively. The retail solution package adds retail-specific forms, logs,
dashboards, and reports to the Buzzsaw service.
Reporting Information
22. What Dashboards are available with Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Autodesk Buzzsaw offers both standard and custom dashboards. The standard
dashboards provided follow:
• Site Level Executive Dashboards
o Project Portfolio Dashboard (Site Level) – high level summary of the status
of all projects, by region, by status (Green, Yellow, or Red) and by project
type
o Executive Summary - high level view of important data at across all projects
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Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
o Site Details – A list of all action items for all site members (across all
projects)
• Project Level Executive Dashboards
o Executive Summary – high level view of important project information
o Project Details – a list of all action items for all project members
• Personal Dashboards
• Site Personal Summary – a view of all action items and important information for the
individual team member.
• Site Details – Personalized list of all action items across all projects.
• Project Personal Summary – a view of all action items and important project information
for the individual project team member
• Site and Project Information – Administrators can configure multiple Information Pages
for the site as well as for each project. This can include published schedules and
calendars, project photos, and other important information all site and project members
should see
• Custom dashboards can also be created for your specific business and project
requirement
23. Who can access Executive Dashboards and other Dashboards?
Access to Executive dashboards, as well as all other dashboards, is controlled by the Site
and Project Administrators using “Site Setup” and “Project Setup” functions.
24. What types of reports can be generated with Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Autodesk Buzzsaw tracks and reports detailed information on all users, folders,
documents, logs, and forms within a site. You can run reports across your entire portfolio
of projects, within individual projects, and within individual logs to get thorough project
tracking and information on open or outstanding items and gain clear visibility into
schedules, budgets and project status. Standard reports include summary reports,
detailed reports, and overdue action items. The Autodesk Consulting team can customize
reports to meet a project’s or team’s specific data-reporting requirements.
Occasionally, Autodesk makes statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new
products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of
products, services, or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. Purchasing decisions should
not be made based upon reliance on these statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which
they were made. Autodesk is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Buzzsaw, Design Web Format, DWF, and DXF are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to
their respective holders.
© 2005 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 6
projects on schedule and within budget. As the leader in
online project collaboration, Buzzsaw enables you to
communicate, share, and track project information and
drawings throughout your teams. Whether you manage
building, manufacturing, or infrastructure projects, you
always have complete control
® ®
.
Contents
Autodesk Buzzsaw
speeds time to market,
increases team
accountability, and
helps keep projects on
time and on budget
Product Information ..........................................................................................................2
Industry Information .........................................................................................................4
Reporting Information.......................................................................................................5
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information
1. What is Autodesk Buzzsaw?
The Autodesk® Buzzsaw® project collaboration service is the leader in providing
unprecedented visibility and control across an entire portfolio, allowing industry
professionals to proactively manage, optimize performance, and accelerate time-toprofitability
at each stage in the project lifecycle.
By facilitating better management and administration of processes and tasks through all
phases of the project lifecycle, Autodesk Buzzsaw helps speed time to market, increase
team accountability, and keep projects on time and on budget. Recently updated and
improved, Autodesk Buzzsaw has added new dashboard and reporting capabilities that
provide even greater visibility into project status and processes. In addition, enhanced
workflow rules, roles, and templates help team leaders to identify and resolve issues and
discrepancies faster than ever, boosting productivity across teams and the entire project
portfolio.
2. How can Buzzsaw help me monitor the status of my projects?
Buzzsaw Executive - and Project-level dashboards allow managers and team members to
monitor progress and quickly identify potential problems and discrepancies. The Project
Portfolio Dashboard and Reports provide project status, schedule, and budget information
for all of your projects. In addition, activity logs provide a complete listing of all site and
project activity, including who accessed what and when. Automatic notifications keep
project team members informed of important changes and updates.
3. How can Buzzsaw help my project team members address action items in time?
Buzzsaw tracks the assignment status of any outstanding forms and tasks. Team
members have Personal Dashboards that display the current action items assigned to
them, as well as action items they assigned to other team members. All actions and
responses are tracked in central logs and in the form history and are displayed on project
and site dashboards. In addition to displaying status in dashboards and reports, Buzzsaw
also sends automatic email reminders and overdue notices so that team members can
respond in a timely manner.
4. How can my team use Buzzsaw during the design phase of a project?
With Buzzsaw, all project team members get instant, anytime access to the latest project
documents and designs. Buzzsaw design collaboration features include version control,
locking, check-in and check-out notifications, and automatic xref scanning of all AutoCAD®
drawings during upload and download. You can post background drawings for your
consultants and verify who has accessed the drawings and when. The Buzzsaw design
review and approval workflow expedites design review by facilitating faster approvals, so
team leaders and clients can make decisions more quickly and identify potential issues
sooner rather than later.
5. How do external consultants, suppliers, and contractors benefit from Autodesk
Buzzsaw?
Buzzsaw provides enhanced control over project processes and improved communication
and collaboration for all project team members, throughout the project lifecycle – from
design through bidding, procurement, and construction. All project documents, including
design drawings, bid documents, construction RFIs, submittals, and meeting minutes are
stored and managed centrally for easy team access. All team members get the right
information at the right time. Having the entire project team working on Autodesk Buzzsaw
enables consistency across the board, saves money on printing and distribution costs,
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 2
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
reduces the need for travel, and lowers the incidence of planning and construction errors
that can be attributed to outdated information.
6. If I work with external consultants, suppliers, and contractors, do they have to
purchase Buzzsaw, too?
Your consultants, suppliers, and contractors do not have to purchase Buzzsaw to
participate in your projects. Your subscription includes licenses that provide your
extended team members with access; when you invite your consultants and contractors to
your Buzzsaw site, the Buzzsaw software is automatically downloaded.
7. How can I control access to individual files or documents?
Autodesk Buzzsaw provides a flexible, multilevel system for managing user access to
project data. Each new team member is assigned one of eight (8) permission levels
ranging from full “administrative” access to “no access” at the project, folder, and
individual file level. Site and project administrators can use the permissions matrix to
quickly and easily view and change permissions.
8. How can I share the cost of the Buzzsaw service with my client (as I do for
other reimbursable costs such as printing and shipping?
Autodesk Buzzsaw has teamed up with Sepialine, the leader in cost recovery for design
professionals, to offer you the Argos Data Exchange - Buzzsaw Edition software, which
gives you a powerful way to capture, report, and bill your clients quickly and easily. This
is included, at no extra charge, with your Buzzsaw subscription. Alternatively, you can
use the Statistics tab in the Site Administration dialog box, which shows you how much
storage space is taken up by each project within your site.
9. How can my project team members view or mark up drawing files if they don’t
have AutoCAD software?
The Buzzsaw service integrates the latest viewing technology from Autodesk. This allows
project members to view and revise drawings in DWG, DWF™, and DXF™, as well as
Microstation® DGN files, and then automatically bring back those comments into the
original CAD file.
10. Can I use Autodesk Buzzsaw effectively for projects where team members
speak multiple languages?
Yes, Autodesk Buzzsaw is available in English, German, Japanese, Korean, and
Simplified Chinese. The interface appears in the native language for each user
(commands, dialog boxes). To ensure data integrity, the project documents and form data
are not translated.
11. Who can customize forms, reports, and dashboards? Can I use my company’s
forms?
The Autodesk Consulting team customizes forms, reports, and dashboards to fit your
company’s specific needs. An Autodesk consultant converts your forms, reports, and
dashboards to a format that the Autodesk Buzzsaw system database can read, and then
safely and securely configures your site with the custom forms, reports, and dashboards.
12. Can I customize Autodesk Buzzsaw myself?
To protect site security and integrity of the forms-processing engine, only the Autodesk
Consulting team can customize and configure forms.
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 3
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
13. What do I need to run the Autodesk Buzzsaw service?
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is required to use the Autodesk Buzzsaw service.
A modem connection speed of 56K or higher is required (a faster connection, such as
DSL, Cable Modem, or T1, is recommended).
There are ways to access Buzzsaw:
• Buzzsaw client software: In order to access all of the administrative features of
Buzzsaw, you will need to install the Buzzsaw software, which requires a PC with
Windows 98 or higher operating system.
• Buzzsaw Web Access (NEW!): Gives full access to project data, including projects,
folders, files, and forms, without the need to install the software. This is available
from any Internet connection (Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is required for Buzzsaw
Web Access).
14. How do I get started using Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Call 866-815-3501. To start a trial site, go to www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw-freetrial,
register, set up your site, and start adding team members, projects, workflows, and files.
Your entire team can begin working online almost immediately. If you have been invited to
an Autodesk Buzzsaw site, just click the URL in your invitation email; you will be prompted
to change your password immediately upon login.
15. What if I need help using Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Support: You can get customer support by sending email to bcs.support@autodesk.com
or by calling 800-892-0449.
Training: Autodesk also hosts live free weekly training sessions online. Autodesk also
offers training and implementation consulting services tailored to your specific
requirements, to help you quickly and easily take full advantage of the Autodesk Buzzsaw
service. For details visit the Support Center at www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw-support.
16. How much does Autodesk Buzzsaw cost?
Autodesk offers annual subscriptions at various levels designed to meet the needs of your
business. Call 866-815-3501 to discuss your specific needs.
Industry Information
17. How do I benefit from Autodesk Buzzsaw if I am a Building Owner or
Homebuilder?
For owners and project managers, the Buzzsaw service provides heightened project
visibility, which enables more timely decision making and can directly translate into faster
time to market and optimized profitability. Moreover, the ability to create flexible and
customizable views that adapt to your processes and integrate with your company’s data
makes it easier to oversee and manage multiple projects simultaneously. For team
members, up-to-date summaries of project contents, task lists, and action items all
enhance accountability and help to reduce errors.
All project team members get instant, anytime access to up-to-date project documents
and designs. This access provides superior insight into projects for all team members. As
a result, this access helps to save money on document printing and distribution, reduces
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 4
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
travel expenses, and minimizes planning and construction errors due to outdated
information. Buzzsaw provides enhanced control over project processes and improved
communication and collaboration for all project team members, throughout the project
lifecycle – from design through bidding, procurement, and construction.
18. How do I benefit from Autodesk Buzzsaw if I am an Architect or Engineer?
Many architects and engineers use Buzzsaw for project collaboration with their clients and
consultants. All project documents, including design and construction drawings, are
centralized for easy team access at any time, so that all team members get the right
information at the right time. Autodesk Buzzsaw maintains detailed activity logs at
multiple levels: site, project, file, and user, so you can keep an audit trail of all document
changes and user actions. The Buzzsaw service includes viewing and markup tools for
design files, including DWG, DWF, DXF, and DGN file formats, so your clients can review
your designs without AutoCAD.
19. How can my team use Buzzsaw for construction administration and
management?
With Buzzsaw, you can manage all of your construction project drawings, documents, and
processes. Buzzsaw also features a wealth of standard construction administration and
management forms—including RFIs, submittals, change order requests, correspondence,
daily reports, and meeting minutes. Project managers can assign specific routing rules for
each form and process, with configurable timers, reminders, and tracking features. Using
standardized forms for all construction processes makes it easier to track and report
progress to everyone involved.
20. How can my team use Buzzsaw for bidding and procurement?
With Buzzsaw, you can manage your bidding process more effectively and drastically
reduce your shipping and printing costs. Post your project drawings--we recommend
using the Design Web Format™ (DWF) functionality, specifications, and instructions to
bidders on your Buzzsaw site. Create a private group for your bid participants using the
Buzzsaw service’s group management features, and create a folder with the “Deposit”
permission for your bidders to securely, submit proposals electronically, to provide you
confidentiality and control over bid document distribution and review.
21. What is Autodesk Buzzsaw for Retail?
The Autodesk Buzzsaw retail solution offers retailer owners improved visibility across the
store portfolio and greater control over the management of multiple, simultaneous building
projects. Autodesk Buzzsaw for Retail helps retail owners build stores faster, easier, and
more cost effectively. The retail solution package adds retail-specific forms, logs,
dashboards, and reports to the Buzzsaw service.
Reporting Information
22. What Dashboards are available with Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Autodesk Buzzsaw offers both standard and custom dashboards. The standard
dashboards provided follow:
• Site Level Executive Dashboards
o Project Portfolio Dashboard (Site Level) – high level summary of the status
of all projects, by region, by status (Green, Yellow, or Red) and by project
type
o Executive Summary - high level view of important data at across all projects
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 5
Autodesk Buzzsaw 2005: Frequently Asked Questions
o Site Details – A list of all action items for all site members (across all
projects)
• Project Level Executive Dashboards
o Executive Summary – high level view of important project information
o Project Details – a list of all action items for all project members
• Personal Dashboards
• Site Personal Summary – a view of all action items and important information for the
individual team member.
• Site Details – Personalized list of all action items across all projects.
• Project Personal Summary – a view of all action items and important project information
for the individual project team member
• Site and Project Information – Administrators can configure multiple Information Pages
for the site as well as for each project. This can include published schedules and
calendars, project photos, and other important information all site and project members
should see
• Custom dashboards can also be created for your specific business and project
requirement
23. Who can access Executive Dashboards and other Dashboards?
Access to Executive dashboards, as well as all other dashboards, is controlled by the Site
and Project Administrators using “Site Setup” and “Project Setup” functions.
24. What types of reports can be generated with Autodesk Buzzsaw?
Autodesk Buzzsaw tracks and reports detailed information on all users, folders,
documents, logs, and forms within a site. You can run reports across your entire portfolio
of projects, within individual projects, and within individual logs to get thorough project
tracking and information on open or outstanding items and gain clear visibility into
schedules, budgets and project status. Standard reports include summary reports,
detailed reports, and overdue action items. The Autodesk Consulting team can customize
reports to meet a project’s or team’s specific data-reporting requirements.
Occasionally, Autodesk makes statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new
products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of
products, services, or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. Purchasing decisions should
not be made based upon reliance on these statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which
they were made. Autodesk is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Buzzsaw, Design Web Format, DWF, and DXF are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to
their respective holders.
© 2005 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw 6
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Features and Benefits
Design, Visualize, Document, Share
Realize your ideas with efficiency and clarity, from conceptual design through drafting and detailing. Whether you’re creating solids and surfaces, studying the effects of lighting on your design, exploring design alternatives with walk-through animations, or producing an entire sheet set, AutoCAD® 2007 software has the tools to make it happen quickly and accurately.
Autodesk provides a complete set of tools to help designers clearly convey their design vision to clients and then quickly and accurately document those visions so that projects are completed on time and within budget. AutoCAD® 2005 built on the dramatic productivity gains of AutoCAD® 2004 software by adding tools that help designers efficiently manage sets of drawings. AutoCAD® 2006 enabled designers to work even faster and smarter on a wide range of day-to-day tasks with powerful new drafting features such as Dynamic Blocks and Dynamic Input.
Now, AutoCAD 2007 focuses on improving designers’ ability to create, navigate, and edit a conceptual design, clearly present the design to a nontechnical audience, and then easily document the design using all the powerful AutoCAD drafting tools. AutoCAD 2007 provides a huge productivity boost to users who currently do conceptual design in AutoCAD and to users who would like to do so. The common set of underlying technology “engines” and enhanced interface tools mean interoperability and cross-training between AutoCAD and Autodesk® products such as Autodesk® Revit® Building and Autodesk Inventor® software applications has never been better.
From turning thoughts into designs to creating compelling, rich graphical presentations that market your work to documenting that work as an entire set of drawings—AutoCAD helps you realize your ideas.
This Features and Benefits guide outlines the key features of AutoCAD 2007 by presenting the problems designers might currently encounter when creating and presenting conceptual designs, and by outlining the solutions provided in AutoCAD 2007. This guide also details the bottom-line benefits to designers and organizations.
This guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of the new AutoCAD 2007 features. To view a comprehensive list of new features, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
Realize your ideas with efficiency and clarity, from conceptual design through drafting and detailing. Whether you’re creating solids and surfaces, studying the effects of lighting on your design, exploring design alternatives with walk-through animations, or producing an entire sheet set, AutoCAD® 2007 software has the tools to make it happen quickly and accurately.
Autodesk provides a complete set of tools to help designers clearly convey their design vision to clients and then quickly and accurately document those visions so that projects are completed on time and within budget. AutoCAD® 2005 built on the dramatic productivity gains of AutoCAD® 2004 software by adding tools that help designers efficiently manage sets of drawings. AutoCAD® 2006 enabled designers to work even faster and smarter on a wide range of day-to-day tasks with powerful new drafting features such as Dynamic Blocks and Dynamic Input.
Now, AutoCAD 2007 focuses on improving designers’ ability to create, navigate, and edit a conceptual design, clearly present the design to a nontechnical audience, and then easily document the design using all the powerful AutoCAD drafting tools. AutoCAD 2007 provides a huge productivity boost to users who currently do conceptual design in AutoCAD and to users who would like to do so. The common set of underlying technology “engines” and enhanced interface tools mean interoperability and cross-training between AutoCAD and Autodesk® products such as Autodesk® Revit® Building and Autodesk Inventor® software applications has never been better.
From turning thoughts into designs to creating compelling, rich graphical presentations that market your work to documenting that work as an entire set of drawings—AutoCAD helps you realize your ideas.
This Features and Benefits guide outlines the key features of AutoCAD 2007 by presenting the problems designers might currently encounter when creating and presenting conceptual designs, and by outlining the solutions provided in AutoCAD 2007. This guide also details the bottom-line benefits to designers and organizations.
This guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of the new AutoCAD 2007 features. To view a comprehensive list of new features, visit www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
www.autodesk.com/autocad
Friday, November 19, 2010
All in a half-day’s work.
AutoCAD LT® 2007 software is pushing drafting further than ever.
The world’s number one–selling 2D drafting product is equipped
with enhancements that streamline day-to-day tasks with just one
thing in mind—boosting your productivity.
Terrifi c Toolbox
AutoCAD LT 2007 has enhanced drafting tools for easily handling any
drafting challenge. With Dynamic Blocks, cumbersome block libraries
are a thing of the past. Access multiple variations on a single block
and modify block geometry during and after insertion. Huge block
libraries are reduced, and so is your stress level. Block Authoring
gives you drag-and-drop functionality to easily add parameters
and actions to new or existing blocks. Express Tools enhance layer
management and minimize the steps it takes to complete a single
task. It all adds up to less—less time, less eff ort, and less work.
All the Info, All in One Place
With Dynamic Input and Heads-up DesignTM functionality, the
AutoCAD LT user interface is designed for easy access to dimensions
and command options. Enter your information at the graphics cursor
as you work and get immediate feedback dynamically displayed on
geometry as it’s created and edited. That way you can keep your
attention where it belongs—on your design.
Works Well with Others
Once you’ve been incredibly productive, you can be equally
collaborative. AutoCAD LT 2007 off ers DWG, DWFTM, and PDF
fi le compatibility—just like AutoCAD® software—so you can
seamlessly share designs. Electronically publish and distribute
drawing sets in a single DWF fi le for fast, secure collaboration
with team members, who can view, print, mark up, and round-trip
drawings for your review with Autodesk® Design Review software.
And with AutoCAD LT off ering the same high fi delity as AutoCAD,
collaboration has never looked so good.
For more information on how AutoCAD LT can
increase your everyday drafting productivity, visit
http://south-apac.autodesk.com/autocadlt.
The world’s number one–selling 2D drafting product is equipped
with enhancements that streamline day-to-day tasks with just one
thing in mind—boosting your productivity.
Terrifi c Toolbox
AutoCAD LT 2007 has enhanced drafting tools for easily handling any
drafting challenge. With Dynamic Blocks, cumbersome block libraries
are a thing of the past. Access multiple variations on a single block
and modify block geometry during and after insertion. Huge block
libraries are reduced, and so is your stress level. Block Authoring
gives you drag-and-drop functionality to easily add parameters
and actions to new or existing blocks. Express Tools enhance layer
management and minimize the steps it takes to complete a single
task. It all adds up to less—less time, less eff ort, and less work.
All the Info, All in One Place
With Dynamic Input and Heads-up DesignTM functionality, the
AutoCAD LT user interface is designed for easy access to dimensions
and command options. Enter your information at the graphics cursor
as you work and get immediate feedback dynamically displayed on
geometry as it’s created and edited. That way you can keep your
attention where it belongs—on your design.
Works Well with Others
Once you’ve been incredibly productive, you can be equally
collaborative. AutoCAD LT 2007 off ers DWG, DWFTM, and PDF
fi le compatibility—just like AutoCAD® software—so you can
seamlessly share designs. Electronically publish and distribute
drawing sets in a single DWF fi le for fast, secure collaboration
with team members, who can view, print, mark up, and round-trip
drawings for your review with Autodesk® Design Review software.
And with AutoCAD LT off ering the same high fi delity as AutoCAD,
collaboration has never looked so good.
For more information on how AutoCAD LT can
increase your everyday drafting productivity, visit
http://south-apac.autodesk.com/autocadlt.
High-Fidelity 2D and 3D Viewing and Printing
PROBLEM
Project teams need a comprehensive solution for publishing, distributing, reviewing, and
printing engineering data. Companies work with multiple file formats and need an easy-touse
solution to deploy throughout their workforce.
Designers invest tremendous time in their engineering and architectural designs and need
to protect them from unauthorized viewing and editing. They need a file format that
securely protects their intellectual property.
In addition to security, designers need a file format that preserves the rich information
contained in their designs. For viewing and printing, it’s essential that the designs are
presented with the full fidelity of the original CAD drawing.
SOLUTION
Autodesk DWF Composer is built around the DWF file format, an ideal format for sharing
engineering drawings, maps, and models. It is the fastest, easiest way to communicate
design information while ensuring secure and efficient collaboration at any stage of the
project or product lifecycle.
Autodesk DWF Composer supports the high-fidelity viewing and printing of 2D and 3D
DWF files. When viewing DWF files, you see the design as the designer intended—it’s
essentially an electronic plot. DWF files include rich design information, such as layers,
views, sheet properties, units, and scale. When printing DWF files, users see an accurate
rendition of the original design. You can also print to scale with precision. Autodesk DWF
Composer also provides access to other printing features to print to any Microsoft®
Windows® -compatible printer and accommodate available hardware.
For users who need to view or print designs in the native AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor
file formats, Autodesk DWF Composer comes with a DWG Viewer that enables viewing,
plotting, and publishing to DWF format from DWG files, as well as Autodesk Inventor View
to view and plot Autodes k Inventor filesTo view a raster, simply drag the image into
Autodesk DWF Composer.
Project teams need a comprehensive solution for publishing, distributing, reviewing, and
printing engineering data. Companies work with multiple file formats and need an easy-touse
solution to deploy throughout their workforce.
Designers invest tremendous time in their engineering and architectural designs and need
to protect them from unauthorized viewing and editing. They need a file format that
securely protects their intellectual property.
In addition to security, designers need a file format that preserves the rich information
contained in their designs. For viewing and printing, it’s essential that the designs are
presented with the full fidelity of the original CAD drawing.
SOLUTION
Autodesk DWF Composer is built around the DWF file format, an ideal format for sharing
engineering drawings, maps, and models. It is the fastest, easiest way to communicate
design information while ensuring secure and efficient collaboration at any stage of the
project or product lifecycle.
Autodesk DWF Composer supports the high-fidelity viewing and printing of 2D and 3D
DWF files. When viewing DWF files, you see the design as the designer intended—it’s
essentially an electronic plot. DWF files include rich design information, such as layers,
views, sheet properties, units, and scale. When printing DWF files, users see an accurate
rendition of the original design. You can also print to scale with precision. Autodesk DWF
Composer also provides access to other printing features to print to any Microsoft®
Windows® -compatible printer and accommodate available hardware.
For users who need to view or print designs in the native AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor
file formats, Autodesk DWF Composer comes with a DWG Viewer that enables viewing,
plotting, and publishing to DWF format from DWG files, as well as Autodesk Inventor View
to view and plot Autodes k Inventor filesTo view a raster, simply drag the image into
Autodesk DWF Composer.
Monday, November 8, 2010
GO DIGITAL !!
*This product is subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the
download of this software. Autodesk, AutoCAD, Design Web Format, and DWF are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names,
or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and
specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear In this document. ©2005 Autodesk, Inc.
All rights reserved. 000000000000115095
It’s the Format Your World Demands
Compact and easy to create and post to the web, the
Autodesk® DWF™ (Design Web Format™) format can contain
complex design data and can be viewed and printed by
members of your project team with the free* Autodesk®
DWF™ Viewer.
3D View and Print
Because the DWF file format supports real-world
coordinate measurements, you can use DWF Viewer
to view and print 3D models published from Autodesk
software applications.
High Performance and Fidelity
Present and review rich design data with the precision needed
for complex projects. The DWF format supports up to 60
million dpi with files that are smaller and faster to transmit—
often 1/20 the size of DWG files and 1/10 the size of PDF files.
They’re also print-ready, making it easy for anyone to use them.
Intelligent Design Data That Stays Put
DWF files are more than electronic paper—they’re published
models. Capture and distribute the intelligence you put
into your designs with the DWF format and Autodesk
DWF Viewer. From dimension and scale to data links and
manufacturer information, it can all be published to a DWF
file and viewed by the design team.
Cost-Effective and Secure
Eliminate paper, printing, and delivery costs by sharing your
designs electronically. Built into all Autodesk design applications,
DWF technology is free to publish, view, and print. Catch
potential errors before they cause problems by sharing and
reviewing information rapidly, and safeguard your intellectual
property with password protection and layer controls.
For your free download of Autodesk DWF Viewer,
go to www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer-download.
For more information about Autodesk DWF Viewer,
visit www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer.
For more information about the DWF format and on
publishing DWF files, visit www.autodesk.com/dwf.
High-Fidelity 3D Viewing
Several Autodesk design applications, such as
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, offer 3D DWF
format support.
Access More Design Intelligence
Autodesk DWF Viewer supports the viewing of
user-defined block attributes published from the
AutoCAD® 2006 family of products.
Painless Publishing
Sharing designs is simple and free with one-click
publishing from Autodesk design applications.
download of this software. Autodesk, AutoCAD, Design Web Format, and DWF are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names,
or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and
specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear In this document. ©2005 Autodesk, Inc.
All rights reserved. 000000000000115095
It’s the Format Your World Demands
Compact and easy to create and post to the web, the
Autodesk® DWF™ (Design Web Format™) format can contain
complex design data and can be viewed and printed by
members of your project team with the free* Autodesk®
DWF™ Viewer.
3D View and Print
Because the DWF file format supports real-world
coordinate measurements, you can use DWF Viewer
to view and print 3D models published from Autodesk
software applications.
High Performance and Fidelity
Present and review rich design data with the precision needed
for complex projects. The DWF format supports up to 60
million dpi with files that are smaller and faster to transmit—
often 1/20 the size of DWG files and 1/10 the size of PDF files.
They’re also print-ready, making it easy for anyone to use them.
Intelligent Design Data That Stays Put
DWF files are more than electronic paper—they’re published
models. Capture and distribute the intelligence you put
into your designs with the DWF format and Autodesk
DWF Viewer. From dimension and scale to data links and
manufacturer information, it can all be published to a DWF
file and viewed by the design team.
Cost-Effective and Secure
Eliminate paper, printing, and delivery costs by sharing your
designs electronically. Built into all Autodesk design applications,
DWF technology is free to publish, view, and print. Catch
potential errors before they cause problems by sharing and
reviewing information rapidly, and safeguard your intellectual
property with password protection and layer controls.
For your free download of Autodesk DWF Viewer,
go to www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer-download.
For more information about Autodesk DWF Viewer,
visit www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer.
For more information about the DWF format and on
publishing DWF files, visit www.autodesk.com/dwf.
High-Fidelity 3D Viewing
Several Autodesk design applications, such as
Autodesk® Architectural Desktop, offer 3D DWF
format support.
Access More Design Intelligence
Autodesk DWF Viewer supports the viewing of
user-defined block attributes published from the
AutoCAD® 2006 family of products.
Painless Publishing
Sharing designs is simple and free with one-click
publishing from Autodesk design applications.
Making Vital Operational Information Available to Plant Managers
Located in Kenai, Alaska, Agrium KNO
processes natural gas to produce nutrient-rich
fertilizers such as ammonia and urea. The plant’s
processing facilities rely upon an extensive
network of piping that transports the gases
and product from one end of the facility to
another, with up to half a mile between stops.
Accordingly, plant personnel depend on detailed
piping and instrumentation diagrams that allow
them to stay informed.
“We have piping and instrumentation diagrams
that follow all of our piping from different
equipment locations in the plant,” explained
Mike Dunn, the CAD Administrator for Agrium’s
Kenai Nitrogen Operations. “It is imperative that
our plant operators have access to this data for
routine operations, or to troubleshoot problems
in the unlikely event of some type of process upset,
or in planning changes to the current system.”
No other format could properly render the
rich, detailed imagery of the piping and
instrumentation diagrams. “Our diagrams have
a lot of information packed onto them,” said
Dunn. “And they can be anywhere from 33 units
high to 150 units long. If you try zooming in on
a PDF image of that size, the image degrades
and it becomes a blur. You can’t even see it.
We needed a digital format that allows people
to zoom in on the piping and instrumentation
diagrams as much as necessary.”
DWF’s precise, accurate, design format
The solution to Agrium KNO’s challenges lay
with Autodesk DWF. DWF is a format
that was specifically developed to handle
engineering design data. The result is a high
degree of accuracy, fidelity, and data richness,
even when viewing the most detailed of diagrams
Agrium’s Kenai Nitrogen Operations have
converted more than 700 of their piping and
instrumentation diagrams into DWFs. These
important files are readily accessible on the
company’s intranet, where DWF Viewer is
conveniently embedded into Internet Explorer.
As a result, more than 230 Agrium employees—
ranging from plant operators, electricians,
engineers, machinists, and other maintenance
personnel—have instant access to vital
operational information.
The Result
Increasing Operational Efficiency
Agrium KNO’s use of DWF has been an unqualified
success, providing employees with a level
of information access that would not have
been possible with either conventional
paper-based models of distribution or through
competing products.
“DWF is very effective at providing our employees
with the detailed data they require,” stated
Dunn.“DWFs are a cost-effective way to provide
plant personnel with the most current drawing
revisions without any additional printing costs.
Thanks to DWF, they have that information
right at their fingertips versus having to track
down a hard copy print-out. That makes us more
effective at troubleshooting any operational
problems that may arise.”
Additionally, Agrium KNO has been impressed
with DWF’s ability to manage and share information
simply, and without loss of accuracy. “DWF
is without a doubt the best tool for our needs,”
said Dunn. “We create a lot of our designs with
AutoCAD, but converting them to DWF allows
us to share them with a greater number of people
since DWF files are usually about 1/20 the size of
DWG files. Even with the reduced file size,
however, there’s no loss of fidelity with DWF—
when you zoom in on a straight line, it’s still just
a straight line. It doesn’t turn into a blurry,
undefined pixel.”
Moving forward, Agrium KNO has plans to add
even more DWFs to its company intranet.“We’ve
had great success with DWF so far,” said Dunn.
“And we expect to continue using this technology
to our advantage, to make our operations as
efficient as they can be.”
For More Information
To learn more about how Autodesk can help
enhance collaboration though effective information
sharing visit www.autodesk.com/dwf.
To download the free DWF Viewer go to
www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer-download.
processes natural gas to produce nutrient-rich
fertilizers such as ammonia and urea. The plant’s
processing facilities rely upon an extensive
network of piping that transports the gases
and product from one end of the facility to
another, with up to half a mile between stops.
Accordingly, plant personnel depend on detailed
piping and instrumentation diagrams that allow
them to stay informed.
“We have piping and instrumentation diagrams
that follow all of our piping from different
equipment locations in the plant,” explained
Mike Dunn, the CAD Administrator for Agrium’s
Kenai Nitrogen Operations. “It is imperative that
our plant operators have access to this data for
routine operations, or to troubleshoot problems
in the unlikely event of some type of process upset,
or in planning changes to the current system.”
No other format could properly render the
rich, detailed imagery of the piping and
instrumentation diagrams. “Our diagrams have
a lot of information packed onto them,” said
Dunn. “And they can be anywhere from 33 units
high to 150 units long. If you try zooming in on
a PDF image of that size, the image degrades
and it becomes a blur. You can’t even see it.
We needed a digital format that allows people
to zoom in on the piping and instrumentation
diagrams as much as necessary.”
DWF’s precise, accurate, design format
The solution to Agrium KNO’s challenges lay
with Autodesk DWF. DWF is a format
that was specifically developed to handle
engineering design data. The result is a high
degree of accuracy, fidelity, and data richness,
even when viewing the most detailed of diagrams
Agrium’s Kenai Nitrogen Operations have
converted more than 700 of their piping and
instrumentation diagrams into DWFs. These
important files are readily accessible on the
company’s intranet, where DWF Viewer is
conveniently embedded into Internet Explorer.
As a result, more than 230 Agrium employees—
ranging from plant operators, electricians,
engineers, machinists, and other maintenance
personnel—have instant access to vital
operational information.
The Result
Increasing Operational Efficiency
Agrium KNO’s use of DWF has been an unqualified
success, providing employees with a level
of information access that would not have
been possible with either conventional
paper-based models of distribution or through
competing products.
“DWF is very effective at providing our employees
with the detailed data they require,” stated
Dunn.“DWFs are a cost-effective way to provide
plant personnel with the most current drawing
revisions without any additional printing costs.
Thanks to DWF, they have that information
right at their fingertips versus having to track
down a hard copy print-out. That makes us more
effective at troubleshooting any operational
problems that may arise.”
Additionally, Agrium KNO has been impressed
with DWF’s ability to manage and share information
simply, and without loss of accuracy. “DWF
is without a doubt the best tool for our needs,”
said Dunn. “We create a lot of our designs with
AutoCAD, but converting them to DWF allows
us to share them with a greater number of people
since DWF files are usually about 1/20 the size of
DWG files. Even with the reduced file size,
however, there’s no loss of fidelity with DWF—
when you zoom in on a straight line, it’s still just
a straight line. It doesn’t turn into a blurry,
undefined pixel.”
Moving forward, Agrium KNO has plans to add
even more DWFs to its company intranet.“We’ve
had great success with DWF so far,” said Dunn.
“And we expect to continue using this technology
to our advantage, to make our operations as
efficient as they can be.”
For More Information
To learn more about how Autodesk can help
enhance collaboration though effective information
sharing visit www.autodesk.com/dwf.
To download the free DWF Viewer go to
www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer-download.
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