A client asked us this question last week. As, proponents of interoperability, we keep reiterating, many AutoCAD users are still on R14.
We recommended PDF4Free because it is a neat little app which installs quickly and only lets you know it is around by the promotional watermark on the PDF’s it creates.
http://www.pdfpdf.com/pdf4free.html
A friend of ours, currently running R2007 swears by CutePDF (professional), despite the fact that AutoCAD 2007 now has the capability to create PDF files. We decided to give the free version a try.
Our McAfee red flagged their site, CutePDF.com,as potential trouble, so we downloaded it from
http://www.download.com/3000-6675-10206470.html.
Smooth sailing, until; upon running the app for the first time, we were prompted to download a mandatory PS2PDF converter. The link took us back to the red flagged CutePDF.com. We decided to proceed anyway and did not encounter any noticable problems.
We found that the free version of CutePDF provides more options than PDF4Free sans any watermark. The only advertising we can find (to date) is unobtrusive promotional copy urging us to upgrade to the complete version of the application in the Saveas Dialog box. PDF's can be created for full size plot sheets even if you do not have a plotter.
Both applications will work with AutoCAD R14.
3.2.07
Get Temperamental AutoCAD Drawings to Behave!
An effective way to clean garbage out of a misbehaving AutoCAD drawing is to WBLOCK it to itself.
Command line instructions:
Command: -wblock
Select the drawing you are currently working on from the “Create Drawing File” dialog box.
Caution: Be certain you are selecting the same drawing that you are in. When bleary eyed we have on occasion overwritten the wrong drawing.
AutoCAD will confirm that the drawing exists and ask if you want to replace it. Pick “Yes”.
Type * to select the (whole drawing) option. Hit Enter.
Quit. Do not Save, when prompted to Save.
If you open your drawing and it is still acting up, perform the entire procedure again.
Sometimes you have to do this more than once to get the desired results.
Warning: Even, if you have your File Save Option set to "SaveAs AutoCAD 2000", this command will WBLOCK your drawing out to the current release you are working in.
Open the drawing and save it again to Save Down. If you are sending drawing files out, the Etransmit command will Save Down automatically for you.
Command line instructions:
Command: -wblock
Select the drawing you are currently working on from the “Create Drawing File” dialog box.
Caution: Be certain you are selecting the same drawing that you are in. When bleary eyed we have on occasion overwritten the wrong drawing.
AutoCAD will confirm that the drawing exists and ask if you want to replace it. Pick “Yes”.
Type * to select the (whole drawing) option. Hit Enter.
Quit. Do not Save, when prompted to Save.
If you open your drawing and it is still acting up, perform the entire procedure again.
Sometimes you have to do this more than once to get the desired results.
Warning: Even, if you have your File Save Option set to "SaveAs AutoCAD 2000", this command will WBLOCK your drawing out to the current release you are working in.
Open the drawing and save it again to Save Down. If you are sending drawing files out, the Etransmit command will Save Down automatically for you.
21.1.07
Webmaster "In Absentia"? How To Tweak Your Own Web Page
A friend of ours, who is a busy principal, emailed us with a question. He had to change the office address on his web page quickly and asked how to do this himself. So, here goes...
Clueless about web stuff and need to edit text content on one of your web pages? Don't panic. Follow these easy steps:
1. Pull up your browser. Navigate to the web page on your site that you want to modify. (Don't worry about finding the web page on your web server.) Right click on it and save it as a text file.
If this does not work in Explorer try another browser such as Mozilla Firebird.
2. Pull up your text file in Notepad. Don't use Word, it will screw up the HTML. Do a Search (Find..) for the text you want to update. When you find it, edit the text.
3. SaveAs with an html extension and email the page to your webmaster for uploading.
Note: This won't work if the web page is in PHP or if the content is in Flash. No webmaster? That is the subject of another tutorial.
Clueless about web stuff and need to edit text content on one of your web pages? Don't panic. Follow these easy steps:
1. Pull up your browser. Navigate to the web page on your site that you want to modify. (Don't worry about finding the web page on your web server.) Right click on it and save it as a text file.
If this does not work in Explorer try another browser such as Mozilla Firebird.
2. Pull up your text file in Notepad. Don't use Word, it will screw up the HTML. Do a Search (Find..) for the text you want to update. When you find it, edit the text.
3. SaveAs with an html extension and email the page to your webmaster for uploading.
Note: This won't work if the web page is in PHP or if the content is in Flash. No webmaster? That is the subject of another tutorial.
10.1.07
Take AutoCAD Home from the Office - Yes, It's Legal
It is quite a perk and perfectly legal to install AutoCAD at home if your office has purchased a licensed copy for your workstation.
More specifics:
http://civilcommunity.autodesk.com/blogs/blog/4/blogpost/3621/
How To Legally Install Your Office Copy at Home (This will not work for a Network Liscense):
After installation on your home workstation AutoCAD will prompt you to either:
(1) Enter or (2) Get Your Authorization code. You do not need to have the code handy.
Choose the option to Get your Authorization Code and enter all your your company information as if you were at the office (i.e. enter your office location, email etc) just as it is entered on your office workstation installation. AutoDesk should then approve your authorization.
Autodesk expects each workstation to have a few reinstalls and this is counted as a reinstall.
If your authorization code is not verified, check with your Network Administrator or CAD Manager.
Addendum - Sept. 21, 2007 : Autodesk will request an Authorization code each time AutoCAD is reinstalled at your home location.
More specifics:
http://civilcommunity.autodesk.com/blogs/blog/4/blogpost/3621/
How To Legally Install Your Office Copy at Home (This will not work for a Network Liscense):
After installation on your home workstation AutoCAD will prompt you to either:
(1) Enter or (2) Get Your Authorization code. You do not need to have the code handy.
Choose the option to Get your Authorization Code and enter all your your company information as if you were at the office (i.e. enter your office location, email etc) just as it is entered on your office workstation installation. AutoDesk should then approve your authorization.
Autodesk expects each workstation to have a few reinstalls and this is counted as a reinstall.
If your authorization code is not verified, check with your Network Administrator or CAD Manager.
Addendum - Sept. 21, 2007 : Autodesk will request an Authorization code each time AutoCAD is reinstalled at your home location.
7.1.07
Make Your Day Easier - AutoDesk DWG TrueView 2007
Who isn't getting tired of constant upgrades? We are still supporting clients who insist on using R14!
Kudos’ to Autodesk! They are continuing to improve their free options for AutoCAD file viewing.
AutoDWG works well. Recommended for principals and staff who do not have to modify drawing files.
Don't try to get DWG TrueView 2007 up and running right before a deadline!
Give yourself at least 30 minutes to download and install this application and an hour to review its features.
We hit a snag during it's installation of the .NET Framework and had to restart the computer and try again.
Once up and running it responds to commands quickly but pulls up drawings slowly on our workstation.
Download Your Copy Here...
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=6703438&siteID=123112
More Information from Shaan Hurley...
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2006/04/autodesk_truste.html
Addendum: Editor's Pick - Helpful TrueView Tips
6.09.07
ERROR: Layout not initialized - from Beyond the Paper
http://dwf.blogs.com/beyond_the_paper/2006/05/error_layout_no.html
Kudos’ to Autodesk! They are continuing to improve their free options for AutoCAD file viewing.
AutoDWG works well. Recommended for principals and staff who do not have to modify drawing files.
Don't try to get DWG TrueView 2007 up and running right before a deadline!
Give yourself at least 30 minutes to download and install this application and an hour to review its features.
We hit a snag during it's installation of the .NET Framework and had to restart the computer and try again.
Once up and running it responds to commands quickly but pulls up drawings slowly on our workstation.
Download Your Copy Here...
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=6703438&siteID=123112
More Information from Shaan Hurley...
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2006/04/autodesk_truste.html
Addendum: Editor's Pick - Helpful TrueView Tips
6.09.07
ERROR: Layout not initialized - from Beyond the Paper
http://dwf.blogs.com/beyond_the_paper/2006/05/error_layout_no.html
2.1.07
Mysterious computer glitch got you down? Try DiskCheck first.
Alameda Business Machines (refer to earlier post on Spyware) also recommends the old fashioned CHKDSK command for “do it yourself repair” of mysterious Windows XP computer glitches. It still works.
Before running to your tech support guru or computer repair shop, try this.
From My Computer, Right Click your Local Disk (C:) and select “Properties” from the Menu.
Select the Tools Tab. Hit the “Check Now” Button under “Error-Checking”.
Check the “Disk Options”. Hit “Start”. A message box will appear recommending that DiskCheck be scheduled next time you start the computer. Hit the “Yes” button.
Plan to restart your computer when you can wait approx. 1 hour for DiskCheck to run. You will be unable to work during this time.
Over the holiday, we tested DiskCheck on a computer which was repeatedly locking up on the same DLL file during a McAfee virus scan. Our only recourse had been to turn off the computer. DiskCheck fixed the problem and our McAfee Scan now works fine.
Before running to your tech support guru or computer repair shop, try this.
From My Computer, Right Click your Local Disk (C:) and select “Properties” from the Menu.
Select the Tools Tab. Hit the “Check Now” Button under “Error-Checking”.
Check the “Disk Options”. Hit “Start”. A message box will appear recommending that DiskCheck be scheduled next time you start the computer. Hit the “Yes” button.
Plan to restart your computer when you can wait approx. 1 hour for DiskCheck to run. You will be unable to work during this time.
Over the holiday, we tested DiskCheck on a computer which was repeatedly locking up on the same DLL file during a McAfee virus scan. Our only recourse had been to turn off the computer. DiskCheck fixed the problem and our McAfee Scan now works fine.
12.12.06
Austin, Texas is the place to be... for CAD training!
Austin Community College offers an incredible line-up of programs for multi-discipline CAD Training. They report that their students are in high demand.
"GET TRAINED IN CAD at Austin Community College. AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, LDD, Pro/E Microstation, Cadence Virtuoso, 3DS Max [& ESRI]. New Certified CAD Drafter Program! Register today! Call 512.223-4900. Email: autocad@austincc.edu, or visit http://www.austincc.edu/autocad"
"GET TRAINED IN CAD at Austin Community College. AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, LDD, Pro/E Microstation, Cadence Virtuoso, 3DS Max [& ESRI]. New Certified CAD Drafter Program! Register today! Call 512.223-4900. Email: autocad@austincc.edu, or visit http://www.austincc.edu/autocad"
1.12.06
Advice on Spyware
"Spyware is a growing problem with computers. Spyware comes from the internet and resides on your computer causing excessive popups and other problems with Windows based computers.
We recommend two proven spy ware killers....Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition (free)http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/ad-aware_se_personal.php
Spy Bot Search and Destroy (free but donation is appreciated)http://www.spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html
After downloading and installing these programs, you should run them once a week to offest any problems from the internet."
This posting is compliments of Alameda Business Machines excerpted from their hand-out
"Advice on Spyware, Viruses and Shared Internet History".
http://www.abmpc.com/cgi-bin/abm.pl
ClearLogicGroup recommends downloading, installing and testing these programs one at a time on your machine unless you are already familiar with them.
We recommend two proven spy ware killers....Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition (free)http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/ad-aware_se_personal.php
Spy Bot Search and Destroy (free but donation is appreciated)http://www.spybot.info/en/spybotsd/index.html
After downloading and installing these programs, you should run them once a week to offest any problems from the internet."
This posting is compliments of Alameda Business Machines excerpted from their hand-out
"Advice on Spyware, Viruses and Shared Internet History".
http://www.abmpc.com/cgi-bin/abm.pl
ClearLogicGroup recommends downloading, installing and testing these programs one at a time on your machine unless you are already familiar with them.
19.11.06
AutoCAD 2005 Error Message - class associated with CLISD...not registered.
Question submitted to TechRx - AutoCAD 2005 error message
I work with jpg images in CAD drawings and they frequently need modification. In the past I could click on the image, go to Properties and adjust the image under "Image Adjust". But now when I do that I get the following error message.
"Unable to bring up dialog because class associated with CLSID {E68312A2-580C-4F22-BCD9-2E0CE58CB135} is not registered."
I get this error message for the last several days. Any ideas?
CLISD is in reference to a COM object that cannot find a class it is looking for. The cause of the error message is a corrupted registry. The corruption can be caused by uninstalling or installing software. A trojan or worm can also write into the registry.
In this case our user told us that the error message only happened when they invoked the "Image Adjust" command. We recommended re-installing AutoCAD.
I work with jpg images in CAD drawings and they frequently need modification. In the past I could click on the image, go to Properties and adjust the image under "Image Adjust". But now when I do that I get the following error message.
"Unable to bring up dialog because class associated with CLSID {E68312A2-580C-4F22-BCD9-2E0CE58CB135} is not registered."
I get this error message for the last several days. Any ideas?
CLISD is in reference to a COM object that cannot find a class it is looking for. The cause of the error message is a corrupted registry. The corruption can be caused by uninstalling or installing software. A trojan or worm can also write into the registry.
In this case our user told us that the error message only happened when they invoked the "Image Adjust" command. We recommended re-installing AutoCAD.
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