AutoCAD/LT2017 (aka Nautilus): Up Periscope!

Autodesk on Monday March 21, 2016 will officially announce the release of the 2017 versions of their AutoCAD line. If you are on Subscription just might see a download link for it as soon as this weekend on your Products Page.  Expect access to the 2017 free 30-day trial downloads to start soon after the official announcements.

Today's blog post will highlight what is new in AutoCAD 2017 and comment on if we think it will make it to LT2017: Autodesk has chosen not to make LT available for this review so until it's officially released we cannot confirm at this time if all of these features will be present. Let's hope the bean counters are not in charge or we will lose what few worthy features are in this update.

This 2017 version is more of a house-keeping cleanup of the interface and core features rather than a huge list of extras or new features, although what has been added is pretty cool.

First, the important stuff: DWG file format remains the same.

Second, Windows OS requirements are as follows. Note that Win10Home and other cheaper versions are not supported and some of the new AutoCAD features are not available to users in 32bit versions of Windows:

32-bit and 64-bit of the following Windows® 7 editions and Service Pack 1 (SP1):
•Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise
•Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
•Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
•Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

32-bit and 64-bit of the following Windows® 8.1 editions with Update KB2919355:
•Microsoft Windows 8.1
•Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
•Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise

32-bit and 64-bit of the following Windows® 10 editions:
•Windows 10 Enterprise edition
•Windows 10 Professional edition

Third, Autodesk has enhanced the installation migration option with more feedback as to what you want to move from an older version. This new Smooth Migration n0w displays a modern migration interface an separates AutoCAD/LT customization settings into three groups and 10 categories. Plus it provides a summary report that organizes the migration data by group types and categories.

AutoCAD 2017 introduces the following features:

Import PDF
Imports the geometry and TrueType text from a specified page in a PDF file, or from all or part of an attached PDF underlay. The Import tool is available from both the Application menu and the Insert ribbon tab. The command is PDFIMPORT.
New Commands: PDFIMPORT, -PDFIMPORT
New System Variables: PDFIMPORTFILTER, PDFIMPORTIMAGEPATH, PDFIMPORTLAYERS, PDFIMPORTMODE

Smart Center
1. Provides a way to create an associative centermark for a hole within a drawing view.
2. Provides a way to create an associative centerline between two straight edges within a drawing view.
3. Includes several system variables to control centermark and centerline parameters.
4. Supports the Match Properties, Add Selected, and Select Similar features.
New Commands: CENTERDISASSOCIATE, CENTERLINE, CENTERMARK, CENTERREASSOCIATE, CENTERRESET System variables: CENTERRESET, CENTERCROSSSIZE, CENTEREXE, CENTERLAYER, CENTERLTSCALE, CENTERLTYPE, CENTERLTYPEFILE, CENTERMARKEXE.

AutoCAD Experience
1. The TEXTEDIT command is now automatically repeated.
2. Adds support for resizing several dialog boxes.
3. Removes the interfering tooltips from the QSelect and Purge dialog boxes.
4. Allows the HPLAYER system variable to be set to nonexistent layer for new hatches and fills. The layer is created when the next hatch or fill is created.
5. Displays a message when PICKFIRST is set to 0, and a command is started when an object is currently selected.
6. Supports a new UNIT setting: US Survey Feet.

Share Design Views
Publishes design views of your current drawing to a secure, anonymous location within Autodesk A360. You can share views of the drawing by forwarding a generated link to the people that you specify. Access to these views is provided by any supported web browser, and does not require recipients to have an Autodesk A360 account or install any additional software. Supported browsers include Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers that support WebGL 3D graphics.
This feature can be accessed from the Application menu and the A360 tab on the ribbon.
New Command: ONLINEDESIGNSHARE

Coordination Model Osnap Support
1. Provides a way to specify precise locations on an attached coordination model using the standard 2D endpoint and center object snaps.
2. Enables snapping in coordination models, to support standard 2D endpoint and center snaps (only).
3. Provides the CMOSNAP system variable, coordination model osnap, to turn object snapping on and off for geometry in Coordination Models that are attached to the drawing.
4. Works with any command that requires selecting a point location, such as LINE, SPHERE, so on.

Visual Experience
1. Improves the performance for panning and zooming operations.
2. Improves the visual quality for linetypes.
3. Enhances selecting and object snapping within the gaps in non-continuous linetypes when LTGAPSELECTION is turned on.

3D Graphics System
Improves the stability of 3D Navigation tools, and the performance of blocks in 3D, specifically for models with a large number of small blocks containing edges and facets. In most of the cases, the model's visual fidelity will be maintained during 3D Interaction.

Security
Trusts any files under Program Files, which is under the OS’s UAC protection, and indicates so by displaying these implicitly trusted path in Trusted Paths UI and graying them out.

3D Printing (Not LT is our guess)
Adds a workflow for the 3DPRINT command by opening an STL file in Print Studio.

Once the final shipping/release version of LT2017 is made available Monday, we will dissect the details noted above strictly for LT2017 users and identify our favorite parts and what, if anything, Autodesk missed with this issue.

Stay Tuned.

◦

AutoCAD/LT2017 (aka Nautilus): Up Periscope!

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• STATUSBAR controls the display of the application and drawing status bars http://dld.bz/as872
• STARTUP controls what displays when the application is started, or when a new drawing is opened http://dld.bz/as873 .
• LTisACAD Blog: AutoCAD Abilities You Can Control in LT http://dlvr.it/1dC6Zr
• STATUSBAR controls the display of the application and drawing status bars http://dld.bz/as872
• SHOWPAGESETUPFORNEWLAYOUTS specifies whether the Page Setup Manager is displayed when a new layout is created http://dld.bz/as87m
• SHOWLAYERUSAGE displays icons in the Layer Properties Manager to indicate whether layers are in use http://dld.bz/as87h
• SETBYLAYERMODE controls which properties are selected for the SETBYLAYER command http://dld.bz/as87g
• Selection Modes control how you create selection sets http://dld.bz/as87d

You can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.
Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

◦

Twitter Posts Revisited

AutoCAD/LT 2013 Tips and Links of Interest

Below are posts from fellow AutoCAD users with tips that are of equal use to LT users. Explore each link and start being more productive tomorrow.

• Still using Vista? Better read this http://bit.ly/AeP8Jw
• Jimmy Bergmark: System Requirements for AutoCAD 2013: AutoCAD 2013 is soon to be released and now the System… http://goo.gl/fb/nwyrg
• Autodesk Labs Scott: Try AutoCAD LT 2013 without downloading anything http://dlvr.it/1N9nNn
• Lynn Allen: Set new system variable in #AutoCAD 2013 - WIPEOUTFRAME to 2. Wipeout frames will display but not print!
• Jeff Bartels: AutoCAD 2013 Tip: When finished revising MTEXT, press Ctrl+Enter to dismiss the editor.
• Jeff Bartels: AutoCAD 2013 Tip: Use Annotation Monitor toggle in Status Bar to identify non-associative dims/leaders. Click "!" icons to reassociate.
• Jimmy Bergmark: AutoCAD 2013 New Commands: In AutoCAD 2013 I have found these new commands. New commands… http://goo.gl/fb/6fQHp
• AUGI: AUGIWorld April 2012 - What's New in Autodesk 2013 Products - http://bit.ly/zA9b4R
• Autodesk: Exciting news for Google Drive users: Chrome Store apps @pixlr and #AutoCADWS have Drive integration: http://autode.sk/IptVZP via @LATimes
• AutoCAD LT: 2013 Updated Command Line http://bit.ly/J7pEaQ
• CAD Clues: New Post: 3 Things You Need to Know Before Installing AutoCAD 2013 http://cadclues.blogspot.com/2012/04/3-things-you-need-to-know-before.html #AutoCAD #Autodesk #Autodesk360 #Autocad2013
• Jeff Bartels: AutoCAD 2013 Tip: Use Ctrl+Shift+L to add previously selected objects to current selection set.
• Vladimir Michl: New CAD tip: Localization of Autodesk 2013 products using "Language ... http://bit.ly/JeDWWv
• Autodesk Care: http://autode.sk/HGHYLi Looking to purchase or already own AutoCAD LT 2013? Mac and Windows users can now unite #autodesktip
• Robert Green @Cadalyst says, “you need to explore Autodesk's new cloud solution, it will change the way we use AutoCAD” http://bit.ly/Ioj2dm
• Kate Morrical: Customization Sync in AutoCAD LT 2013 http://bit.ly/ImaY89

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE http://twitter.com/#!/LTisACAD.
Do you use @pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

◦

AutoCAD/LT 2013 Tips and Links of Interest

Specifying a different TEMP folder for AutoCAD/LT

AutoCAD/LT defaults to your Windows Log-in Temp folder location for many items (including your Autosave files) it needs to run every time you use the program. While this is convenient to program for the, it becomes difficult for you the end user to find these items when you need them the most.

To access your default Windows TEMP folder, you can either use Windows Explorer to go to the following folder:
C:\Users\YourNameHere\appdata\local\temp\
or Click Start menu (Windows) then Run: In the Run dialog box, enter %TEMP% and click OK.

You can however set up AutoCAD/LT to use any other folder you may have or wish to create: this can me one single folder on your local PC that you can access quickly (in the screenshot example below I use a folder called TEMP located on my computer's C primary drive).

Or you can create multiple folders, one for each of the five categories in the screenshot above, or just one additional folder for your Autosave files for example. After you create one or ore of these folders in Windows Explorer, open OPTIONS command's FILES tab, select the entry you wish to change, select the folder name, tap the BROWSE button and browse to the new folder to select it.Just follow the sequence of numbers in the screenshot below.

You now can easily find your temp files and SV$ extention Autosave files quickly. ◦

Specifying a different TEMP folder for AutoCAD/LT

AutoCAD and Windows 7 Tips

Some users with Windows 7 are having issues with slow performance of AutoCAD/LT: since the issues are not universal to all or most it has been hard to fix the one true fix. We have assembled a list of things to try that seem to help many: if you need help we recommend to start at the top of the list and do every one in order until the symptoms stop.

In Windows 7 before you start AutoCAD/LT:

• Use Windows 7 Classic/Basic Theme (not AERO or Custom Theme). You miss some of the Aero whizz-bang features, like layout preview and other niceties, but overall performance seems better for some users.
• Win7's Aero Glass option sometimes turned on by your PC/laptop's manufacturer, turn it off for all your power options.
  Note: you can turn Aero visual effects off for individual programs by right-clicking the shortcut, go to properties, then Compatibility Tab... check Disable Visual Themes.
• Change the default Screen color depth (Windows' Display Settings) from 32-bit to 16-bit: typically found at Windows> Control Panel> Appearance and Personalization> Display> Screen Resolution settings> Advanced Settings>List All Modes.
• -Start Windows 7 in Diagnostic Mode. If it works here the cause of the problems may be the display or pointer drivers, another driver, a background process (such as an antivirus application).

In AutoCAD/LT:

• Turn the ribbon off by picking a classic workspace as one extreme effort.
• Turn off SAVEFIDELITY if you do not know for sure you must and absolutely have it (most users never need it on).
• Turn off the modeless layer palette: use the old Layer dialog box (set LAYERDLGMODE to 0). This is not an LT option, for LT users you will need to turn off the LAYER palette when not in use.
• Turn off any and all palette transparency.
• Turn off SelectionCycling, SC button at bottom of screen
• Turn off Hardware Acceleration within AutoCAD (not LT), icon on the lower right near workspace and toolbar lock.
• Set HPDLGMODE variable to 1 and/ or HPQUICKPREVIEW to off.
• Change ROLLOVERTIPS variable to 0 (off)
• Set QPMODE variable to 0 (off)
• Set SHOWLAYERUSAGE variable to 0 (off).
• Are you using two monitors? Use monitor 1 as your graphics monitor as a test.
• Update/dowgrade your video card drivers HERE (if any, otherwise try your PC vendor or video card vendor's websites).
• Autodesk recommended uninstall and reinstall Procedures as a last resort.

◦

AutoCAD and Windows 7 Tips

COPY command's Multiple preset

For several versions now, LT's COPY command has defaulted to creating multiple copies instead of the old-school single-copy mode.
Many users find this difficult at first but many appreciate the ability soon enough: the command can be cancelled by not clicking but my hitting or spacebar on the keyboard.

Starting in LT2008, you can actually turn off this ability with a new variable: COPYMODE by default is set to 0 (zero) and allows multiple copies. Change the setting to 1 (one) to get back classic single copy behavior. ◦

COPY command's Multiple preset

LT cursor movement not smooth

The LT cursor no longer moves smoothly across the screen, it appears to jump and stutter and makes selection of entities and drafting quite difficult.

Tap the F9 key on your keyboard once and see if that helps: you may have turned on SNAP, explained in Help in LT if you don't know what that is.

Clean your mouse, especially if it's the older roller-ball type (or roller-ball trackball): and clean the roller guides too, build-up can also exhibit such behavior.

Replace the mouse and/or uninstall the mouse driver and let Windows run it to see if the problem goes away. ◦

LT cursor movement not smooth

LT locks up while using Trim, Extend or Hatch....

Or worse, LT crashes.
First, rule out the problem is the file by running RECOVER command (instead of OPEN) or AUDIT command if you are already in the file (remember to answer Yes to fix any errors found).
Another fix you can try is to turn off video card hardware acceleration in Windows: In WindowsXP for example, this is found in Control Panel> Appearance and Themes> Display> Settings Tab> Advanced Button> Troubleshoot Tab> Hardware Acceleration slider:

◦

LT locks up while using Trim, Extend or Hatch....

LT Startup dialog box

You either need it, or you don't, but you are not sure how to change the current setting to get your wish when you first start up LT.

In LT2007 and lower, you need to start Options command, Select the System Tab, Startup section, use the pulldown for the desired startup method of your choice. Remember to click APPLY button then OK to set it.


In LT2008, you can use the STARTUP command, set it to O (zero) for no startup, or 1 (one) for the startup dialog box to appear. Explore it in HELP in LT2008. ◦

LT Startup dialog box

Modelspace background color

While in LT, go to the Tools pulldown menu, select Options, on the pop-up that appears select the Display tab, in the Window Elements section click on the Colors button, select Modelspace, select Background color (older versions only gie you the one choice), select color, then your choice.

Notice that you can change other colors of other display entities and areas there, spend a little time and adjust all items to meet your visual needs.

◦

Modelspace background color

Turn on a Toolbar

Right-click on any toolbar, and a list of all available toolbars appears: you will see a check mark next to each one that is on. Select the one(s) you want to turn on, when it appears on screen, just move it to where you need it.

If you know the name of the toolbar, you can try using the -TOOLBAR command (note the dash): just type it at the command line and explore the options. You can also use this command to relocate a toolbar to mid-screen if for whatever reason you lost track of it: type F for float, and when prompted for position type 300,300 and that should place it in your drawing area to relocated. Explore this command in more depth in HELP in LT.

◦

Turn on a Toolbar