…the journey to the Mothership

Welcome.  ようこそ。

We missed AU08, but continue to try and find an Autodesk University sponsor, so if you need something, we can make a deal.  AU 2009!

I have been quite involved this year with writing content for training articles and books.  Check out the publications page for my latest…

Everyone has been very supportive of this work, including Autodesk, Civil3d.com and BIM on the Rocks.  I occasionally write for Civil3d.com as well.

I hope that from this point forward, this site can benefit everyone.If you want to see something, please post to the Civil3D or Inventor product pages.  I will continue do my best. みんあさんがんばれ。

Autodesk – DWG Launcher wigged out fix

7/8/2009

This has been a pain in numerous people’s sides for a long time.  One day you love it and the next day you hate it. 

The DWG Launcher

This gizmo is the thing that loads the drawings from remote requests, based on the registered DWG extension. AcLauncher.exe

Since Autodesk is trying to spread it’s trademarked use of DWG to numerous platforms, it needs some flexible way to allow users to open the DWG easily through explorer and other applications. 

How this works

When the OS sees a DWG file request sent, it uses the DWG registered app to open it with. In this case it is the DWG Launcher. The application uses registry entries to figure out which version of what application to use.  It is fairly simple, except there is nothing evident about it, and it gets fouled up. 

The registry settings governing this work something like a flow chart:

1. Windows initiates default dwg app ->DWG Launcher
2. Launcher reads shell DWG default Application –> AutoCAD
3. Launcher goes to AutoCAD and reads launch instruction –> AutoCAD r18 exe path
4. Launcher executes launch statement with requested dwg file

Most users will never have a problem with this since they only use 1 type of DWG application.  Actually, most users of differing DWG apps never have a problem. 

Inventor – 2010 The install that just won’t give in

7/1/2009

About a WEEK ago I decided to reinstall everything.  I push the limit with space and implementing new things, so my OS gets flaky sometimes.  It’s the cost of doing business.  Last time I got nailed with a virus.  Now we have a sonic wall and keeps me pretty clean. 

This time it was Autodesk Licensing.  I blue screened, and everything seemed to operate fine afterward, but the licensing component started freaking out, and eventually would not let me into Autodesk products.  That’s kind of a problem.

I’ve got a bright idea, ‘lets reinstall Vista’.  Any engineering OS older than 6 months is gravy.  We’re due for the pain and misery.  I kept thinking, “we have this down to a science, no problem.  I‘ll come in at 4 am, and by 8 we’ll be functional”.  How many of you are laughing now?  At 8, I was not laughing.  I’m still not laughing. 

Autodesk 5, John 0

This week I have installed Vista + updates twice, Civil 3D 2009/2010 twice, Inventor 2009 once, Inventor 2010 5 times, Vault server twice, AV and authoring software suites twice as well. 

As of last night, Inventor 2010 would not work (properly).  The long and short is that the install would blue screen right about when it would shift over to the Language Pack, every time.  It’s hard to say exactly because no one can sit there and stare at the 1.5 hour install.  All I know is the items in the en-us folder were missing, and she wouldn’t run.  More on that later.

I’ll go through some of the key things that did and did not work.  Maybe you IT guys and Managers can pick out something useful.

Design Review – 2010 Hot Fix 1

7/1/2009

Volker, Thank You! 

For all those that may not have experienced the PDF output from DR 2010, I’d like to say “It sucks”, but that wouldn’t be polite.  True, but not polite.

Instead I’ll just say “Thank You Volker! and DR people”.  Autodesk released a Hot Fix June 19th, 2009.  I must say that Volker’s team is very dedicated to fixing problems, and reviewed a few of my issues with me.

I have tried to adopt the Autodesk DWF idea.  A couple of years back at AU, a British Autodesk fellow introduced me to Buzzsaw. (I apologize as I cannot remember his name).  I saw the publishing possibilities in both and decided to push forward, but Buzzsaw is just not cost effective down here in the trenches, so I had to stop working the angles on it.  I have however stayed fixed on DWF. 

I use it as a point of reference for a final product.  Once the job is completed, I use DR to review, markup new revisions, or to distribute.  It serves as a central publishing point as well, whether hard copy, direct email, or PDF.

Since most of my clients use PDF, and are still not on the DWF band wagon, PDF is what I most often publish.  However, since 2010, I have been pulling my hair out, and even considered going to PDF for my publishing platform.

Thank God for the fix.  Now if I can just get something to help AutoCAD get the lead out of it’s direct PDF output.

You can read Volker’s article and community comments here.

You can download the Hotfix and (very important) the instructions here.

Autodesk Simplified Upgrade Pricing model

6/29/2009

There have been numerous reports, by the VAR’s, that Autodesk is moving to a ‘Simplified Upgrade Pricing model’ as of 3/16/2010.  CADD Centers of Florida just reminded me.  Subscription rates may not change, but any non subscription users will upgrade at 50% retail cost.  See why they call it simple?  ‘You simply gonna go to subscription or pay more’.

The old pricing model reflects how many years from current you are upgrading from, like a proration.  The new model will save you money if you renew every 3 years or so, and being on subscription is not a bad thing.  However, if you like to stay current with no strings attached, well your gonna get it. The fact is that Autodesk, and any other company like this wants you on subscription.  If you are used to paying it regularly, you are more likely to continue.  <snide and hilarious metaphor removed>

There is a last push to get you hooked on subscription campaign going with staggered 30-10% savings through January 15th, 2010.  The 30% stops July 17th.

We have all seen what is advertised ‘on top of the water’ and we know there are some twisted Autodesk mechanics ‘below the surface’ with the VARs.  Where in the food chain this cost actually hits is unknown, but the non subscription user needs to be prepared for a big pill to swallow.

Civil 3D – Export Group for CSO

6/25/2009

This is just an organization idea, not a revelation.  I was tired of posting problems, and wanted to post something useful.

Problem with exchanging construction data

I used to rewrite all the data out to the crews, and give them a new file.  I had to bring in the old file each time, recover all the check data for review, as well as any new control.  A genuine PITA.  I did not mind so much, but once in a while the crews would level through horizontal control, and revised elevations.  I’d miss those.  The next day was quite frustrating if they did not notice my mistake.

I decided to stop the madness by exporting only new data, and merging the data into their files.  They have 2 free ranges; 1 for control, and 1 for recollect checks.  I have 1 free range for calcs.  This way I can merge the points without worry of overwrite.  When I need the recollects, I pickup new control at the same time, so those control points show up on the calc plots.

Export Group

Each time I export the NEW data, I assign the NEW point to an export group, from which I export out of.  The trick is to use this as an organizational tool.  I have assigned sort point and label styles, and the group lies below the All Points group.

Civil 3D – 2010 Pipe Network Label BUG

NOTE: I have revisited this issue and article 4 times over now.  I am rewriting this…again…, but the images are old because I don’t have time to cut new ones.  I hope the article is still understandable.

I needed a fast certificate of completion letter, and the drawing to go with it.  I’ll just throw down some pipes here in 2010; it’s simple, no need to go to 2009. A good job to start getting a feel for this part of the new version.

I thought I would put down some simple structures, labeled automatically, edit the network, and spend the bulk of time messing with the profile (at least I hoped).  My styles are all formatted, and all work smoothly.

Things did not go as planned.  The profile was a lost cause.  Perhaps we’ll discuss that later.

Pipe Network Labels

I laid down this arrangement from my (imported 2009 template) Network Parts List. Notice the disgusting mismatched labeling on the pipes and structures.  The blue, while not labeled correctly, is formatted to what I thought I’d get by default.  The Red is useless.  You have to manually change the description.

Inventor – 3D Axis Calcs Part 2

When we left off the last part of this session , we had discussed the cone plane intersection, where the cone angle had to be calculated from a non radial intersection.  This wasn’t the end of the world, we had one angle to deal with, the pocket angle.  We even discussed how to do the job with less trig, and more Inventor Work Features.

This time we will cover throwing 2 axial rotations at the cone intersection:

The Insert Angle and the Axial Rake Angle

Last time we discussed having the reference point to axis relationship vary as it rotated on a plane.  What happens when we rotate the plane they are on?

We will cover the following topics:

• Another Angle
• More Trig
• The Results

Another Angle

Take a piece of paper, and stand it up in front of you, bottom edge flat on a table, arms out in front. Now rotate the paper to the left, keeping some edge or corner of the paper touching the table (that was our Insert Angle from last week).  The upper left corner’s height off the table has dropped.  Hold that position.

Last week that height was the key to solving our cone angle. 

Now rotate the paper away from you, while maintaining the side angle.

The height of the upper left corner off the table is continuing to drop.  Inevitably, when the angle away from you reaches 90° flat on the table, that corner height will be 0.  Keep in mind that the known Insert Angle from last week has not changed, yet H is now 0°.

 

Civil 3D – 2010 Point Label style BUG REPORT

I logged a Bug Report on Civil3D.com, and you can check it out HERE.

I wanted to thank James Wedding and the staff at EE for putting up with me, and always being willing to assist.  I always know I’ll get some relief when I call.

I want to thank my VAR, Applied Technologies Group, for some outstanding dedication and support.  The entire team was at a remote function.  I called John Sayre who was driving in a hail storm at the time.  He insisted on getting all the details and reassured me, when most would have backed out for obvious reasons. The bug confirmation came within 10 minutes, and the support case was already logged in to Autodesk by the time I got the message. Rob, you better hang on to that guy, he means business.

Thank you Dana, for always trying to help.

Civil 3D – Create Point in Gap Crash

6/12/2009

Life without strife would be boring.  It’s the occasional issues that give the good times meaning.  Civil 3 is an example of this reality.

…Its kind of like playing ball with your kids before cleaning up after the dog.  It can be really enjoyable….if you are quick footed and observant.

Point Error

This instance occurred while trying to create a point in the numbering gap left by one of my oversights.

The result was not friendly.  As soon as I picked the location for the point placement, Civil proceeded to smack me about, and left me on the Vista desktop.

I have not had the heart to repeat this process in multiple situations, but even if this does not happen every time, I suspect it will get you eventually.

AU 2009 – Speaker Confirmation Update

6/11/2009

Autodesk sent out a notice last night stating that the AU speaker confirmations would be forthcoming.  All those hopeful people that submitted their proposals, be prepared. 

Just as soon as the confirmations come out, you will need to flip the handouts back to them quickly.  Get ready!

Autodesk University 2009