AutoCAD WS graduates: well, for a fee

AutoCAD WS, the highly successful free platform-independent DWG files viewer, markup, and collaboration tool, available as a mobile app (ideal for remote access and fieldwork), and also available as a web app (for easy sharing, drawings reviews, and collaboration), turns a new leaf today to show us a sneak preview into the CAD of tomorrow where loyalties to an OS become irrelevant and the choices of devices open up for all users.

Wow, that's a long sentence with a lot of promise. So what is the reality:

• AutoCAD WS has a new name: AutoCAD 360. It now reflects the commitment Autodesk is making to the Cloud with the Autodesk 360 Service and Storage offerings.
• Look for this new AutoCAD 360 as a mobile app that will replace the old AutoCAD WS starting today from your mobile devices' app stores.
• New mobile features include a "smart pen" that helps you sketch ideas faster, simplify and improve fieldwork with some additional tools.
• AutoCAD 360 Mobile will be available in three versions: FREE, Pro, and Pro Plus.
• AutoCAD 360 Web App is also being introduced: released as a full public "beta" it has a redesigned user interface focused on ease of use and collaboration. Thus new app is HTML5 based and it will eventually replace the AutoCAD WS Web App eventually.
• Look for this new "360" branding to expand into all of Autodesk's web and mobile apps.

AUTOCAD 360 MOBILE

• FREE: This free version will not differ significantly from the old AutoCAD WS mobile app. You can easily view, edit and share DWG files from any smartphone or tablet running iOS or Android OS. Simplify site visits (take your drawings with you, not a big roll of paper); fast and easy design review for your client, partners and supervisors; collaborate with team members remotely, even access the same drawings on the web on any computer with a browser. Plus 5Gig of free storage.
• PRO: starting at $4.99/month (or $49.99/year), you gain access to more tools. You can create new drawings from scratch; larger file support (30MB DWG files); easily view, markup and edit drawings from popular sites like Dropbox, Box, Egnyte, Buzzsaw and custom WebDAV connections; addition of coordinates points for better drawing accuracy; Arc and Arrow drawing tools added; more drawing tools like Extended Vertex, Offset and Mirror; advanced Layer management (add, rename, isolate, invert and lock); view object properties (layer, length, area); view, edit and add block attributes; access a drawing's blocks to add and place in the file; more measuring and dimensioning tools; AND Priority Support (you are paying for it after all. Plus free storage up to 25Gig.
• PRO PLUS: for $99.99/year, you get all the features of the PRO version, with drawing files size increase to 40MB and access to 100Gig of storage.

Visit your mobile device's apps store to download the free app and find out for yourself.
Or explore it all now at http://www.autocad360.com (replaces the old site at http://www.autocadws.com), sign up for free account and see where the future of CAD is headed whether you are ready for it or not. Be aware though: you need to use a modern webbrowser like Google Chrome for best results.
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AutoCAD WS graduates: well, for a fee

Life without a Home PC

As you may have noticed, this blog has been quiet for a few months. I did not intend to ignore it for so long but it happened.

Towards the end of September I started having a few issues with my trusty small old red Acer laptop/Netbook, finally leading to it's untimely death in early October. At that point my intentions were good: I have a smartphone, I have a mobile OS tablet, do I really need a laptop too? I decided to give up the tether of the laptop and join the brave new world of truly mobile devices.

Turns out I am more than just a passive user of the Internet: I have a regular and consistent need to create content for work, family, friends, colleagues and followers of my various postings. Mobile Apps from my app stores, free or not, were not good enough for my needs, with the familiar limitations that varied from limited text formatting options to not having access to my work files to edit and return intact:

• My personal Google Docs files (Google's offering is already slow on a good computer with great internet connection) have become pointless on a smartphone, horrible to use on the tablet.
• Windows Live version of Google Docs? Dead.
• Excel, Word, DWG file use? Lots of viewers and markup tools (and for a small fortune an editor for the Microsoft products), but for the time it takes, for example, to markup a DWG in AutoCADWS I could have fixed it in AutoCAD/LT myself.  Same with DOC, XLS and the other half dozen file types I work with all the time.

My need to edit files live and in person, not through workarounds and use of other sites, are not served by these modern mobile device tools. I soon discovered that Smartphones and MobileOS Tablets are useless for creating meaningful work-centric documents. Well, for me anyway. And it took me almost three months to realize I was not just "old and past it" but that these tools are just not good enough for content creation and editing (even though I am typing this post on the now utterly annoying Blogger App for iPhone and I will have to fix later using the 'real' Blogger online program on a borrowed computer before publishing online).

I am now seeking a new laptop, one with not so cheap requirements: screen no larger than 12.5", good quality SSD hard drive, some form of SD or MicroSD card slot, HDMI port, 4-hour plus battery life, i5 mobile processor minimum, 4Gig of RAM and Windows 7. Ultralight is also a major requirement, so I am willing to give up having a built-in DVD drive (I have two externals from my last laptop). I gave the Apple lineup some serious review time and energy, but ultimately rejected them for three reasons: I hate iTunes with a passion (I use 3rd party music tools for organizing my entertainment files and managing my iPod, and cloud services by others for created content), I don't like being locked into one source of buying content/apps, and I really don't like using the feature hobbled AutoCAD/LT for MAC for work (Debbie Downer time).

I've narrowed my new selection down to two devices (HP, DELL, and Toshiba's desktop pricing for ultraportable units eliminated them being considered almost immediately): both of my choices are available at two different Computer stores in my area so I will test drive them before I make a final decision. This will be a gift to myself at this gift giving time of year.

I will soon be able to use 'real' applications once again to create content, and work when needed, not just observe and consume content created by others. Brave new mobile world indeed.

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Life without a Home PC

Do you need to send DWG files?

In a recent Blog Post HERE, we offered tips and methods of sharing DWG files with others: clients, customers, vendors and contractors among others. But is sending a DWG file necessary?  AutoCAD/LT offeres many commands that create other formats from DWG files (see Export Options), and many recipients may prefer these over a DWG file.

The most common file exchange format in the world is PDF: it's universal, everyone has a free reader installed, and it's easy to view and print. If that's all the functionality your recipient needs, it's the perfect format for them. And you can create the PDF file by using the commands PLOT, PUBLISH, EXPORT or EXPORTPDF from inside AutoCAD/LT.
What if your recipient needs to markup your PDF or add comments? Most PCs are not equipped with such apps, and while a few free PDF Tools exist, they are very basic and do not have many features.

Created by Autodesk, another exchange format has existed for a while and gaining in popularity: DWF (and the Vista/Windows7 friendly DWFx). With the free Autodesk Design Review software, your recipient can not only view your files, but they can add comments, measure distances, and draw over your DWF file to communicate their changes. They can send the file back to you, you can the reference the file and the makups in AutoCAD/LT and edit your file accordingly. If they don't need markup, send DWFx files instead and any Windows Vista or Windows 7 user can view your file with no additional software to install.
Not sure what Windows version they have? All the recipient needs is an internet connection and a link to the Autodesk FREEWHEEL website to open, view and print any DWF file you send.
Or you can upgrade, for free, to the newly announced PROJECT QUICKSHARE: it ts the power in your hands to quickly share design files from anywhere at any time for free. Explore DWF files in real-time using a highly interactive online viewer: View 2D and 3D Design Files Online - Navigate multi-sheet documents, examine properties, hide layers, or review Mark-Up.

What if you need to maintain control of the markups and who accesses the files? And a history of the various comments made by others? AutoCADWS, and internet online secure viewing and reviewing from Autodesk is one solution that works. Pick up a free account HERE, start upload your files from inside AutoCAD/LT 2012 (if you are in a lower AutoCAD version you can do the same from any web browser), invite your clients/consultants, collaborate and markup live and together on the file(s), and save them in the DWG files for access back in AutoCAD/LT. The best thing about AutoCADWS is you  and your recipients do not need to be Windows users: any OS with Web Access, even a smart Phone with the free AutoCAD WS app for iPad, iPhone or Droid phone/Tablet. Explore more desktop customizations HERE.

Sharing files is easier than ever: communicate with your recipient and ask what they prefer to receive and accommodate them the best you can with these free tools. ◦

Do you need to send DWG files?

LT2012, AutoCADWS, your Phone and Tablet

AutoCADWS is a web and mobile app that lets you view, edit, and collaborate (share files with others outside your office) virtually to review and mark up your DWG files in real-time using a webbrowser on your PC, Laptop, iPhone/Droid Phones or new string of Tablets like the iPAD/2 and Droid-based devices. It is free to use, collaborate and share, you just need to set up a free account before you can use it.

What does this mean to you, the LT user?

• Imagine sharing, and waking through a DWG file with a customer, with you in total control (and still in possession of the DWG file(s), and they never having to install any software to see it. You can set it so that they only have read-only access with no download ability (an alternative to a stack of PDFs through email).
• Imagine coordinating with a consultant on a DWG file, without a string of Emails and clouded areas just to explain a change.
• Imagine being in the field on-site at a project, without a paper roll of drawings, but the actual CAD files on your mobile device, marking up as you go along and your team in the office picking up the information in real-time. Sync back with your DWG file at your desktop too.
• And just in case your imagination hit a wall, note that the AutoCADWS sit also keeps a timeline history of online changes so that at any point you can recall something you did earlier in a session (what client doesn't ever want to go-back to an earlier change?).

The webbrowser version has many recently added feature (list below is from the AWS website):

• Anywhere Storage: Connect your AutoCAD WS web and mobile account to a variety of storage sites: Buzzsaw, Box.net, Dropbox (via DropDAV), MobileMe, Egnyte and even your own Fille server or SharePoint site.
• Upload files to AutoCAD WS is real easy and available using many options. Markup, measure, basic drawing, text and snapping to objects are key abilities of this online program.
• Plot-to-PDF/DWFx: Create PDF or DWFx files from your DWG files for plotting or sharing with others.
• PDF Support: Open markup and share a PDF in AutoCAD WS in the same way as a DWG file.

To find out even more about AutoCADWS, explore their site at http://www.autocadws.com/ and this introduction HERE from Lynn Allen.

Are you worried about file security? Read this WHITE PAPER on the topic.

There are many AutoCADWS (online account required) exclusive commands built into LT2012 (command names are linked for more information):

• GETLINK Generates a URL to the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing.
• MANAGEUPLOADS Manages the uploading of files stored on the AutoCAD WS server.
• MESSAGES Displays messages from your AutoCAD WS account.
• ONLINEDRAWINGS Opens AutoCAD WS in a web browser and lists the available online files.
• OPENONLINE Opens the AutoCAD WS Editor in a web browser and displays an online copy of the current drawing for online editing and sharing.
• SHARE Shares the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing with other users.
• TIMELINE Provides access to previous versions of the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing.
• UPLOAD Uploads the current drawing to AutoCAD WS and controls whether to automatically upload changes.
• UPLOADFILES Uploads selected files to AutoCAD WS.

If you are using a version AutoCAD/LT 2010, or AutoCAD/LT 2011, you can still get the appropriate downloadable plugin from here: www.autocadws.com/downloads
Note: many of the commands listed above are not available if you use these lower LT versions, they are exclusive to AutoCAD/LT 2012.

Will AutoCADWS be developed for other mobile devices? While that is not clear (Autodesk never shares development news) it is not a secret that iOS and Droid enjoy a 40% higher focus/visibility rating with software developers of applications than Microsoft, RIM/Blackberry and HP. Explore this recent topic HERE. ◦

LT2012, AutoCADWS, your Phone and Tablet