Forager Publications: Tim's Blog

Notes on All Things AutoCAD

What's the latest on the AutoCAD grapevine?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - AutoCAD 2009: One Step at a Time!

The new textbooks are ready at last!

Find the books here:
AutoCAD 2009: One Step at a Time and 3D AutoCAD 2009: One Step at a Time

Find the support files here:
AutoCAD 2009: One Step at a Time and 3D AutoCAD 2009: One Step at a Time

What do you need to know about AutoCAD 2009?
The new look! - The first and most noticeable part of AutoCAD 2009 is the new ribbon (the replacement for the still wet-behind-the-ears dashboard!). Microsoft Office 2007 users will already be familiar with this frightening new tool, but give it a chance; it may grow on you.
3D users will appreciate the new View Cube and Steering Wheels which almost replace the orbiting tools you've been using.
Of course, you'll also find a host of other new and enhanced tools. But you'll also need to know that '09 was designed to work in both XP and Vista systems. But don't let that fool you, the effort to satisfy everyone doesn't do a thing for '09's stability. While you can't fairly compare it with R13, it does have the occasional hiccup.
Support for OpenGL is gone (sorry GeForce users). Vista graphics make up for some of the loss - especially when working with 3D graphics and renderings. But 2D users may miss the clarity you had with OpenGL.
Vista's new fonts - especially Calibri - work seamlessly in '09 and look so nice that I provided a separate set of support files just for Vista users!

Good luck with AutoCAD 2009!

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - AutoCAD 2008 SP1

We got word yesterday of the SP1 availability. If you haven't installed it, start here. Be sure to thoroughly read the readme before you install, so you'll know what to expect. (Your dashboard may look a little haywire at first, but the readme explains how to fix it easily.)
It's amazing that companies fix things even before I know they're broken!
BTW - I've noticed that whenever I open Visual Basic 6.0, I get an AutoCAD Install program. Anyone else have this problem?

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - AUGI and the AU

Here's a handy site for the AutoCAD enthusiast - http://www.augi.com/home/.
AUGI (the AutoCAD Users Group International) provides tutorial, links, networking with other enthusiasts (via their local chapters), forums, and a host of other useful items. The AUGI frequently travels the world (hosted by local chapters) with training programs for everyone from the newbie to the old pro. It's free - and worth every penny of your investment! Check them out.
Now here's the site you've been looking for - http://www.autodeskevents.com/au2007/.
Autodesk University! No two words associated with this application make the mouth water like 'Autodesk University'! It's three days of training, fun, networking, fun, exhibitors, and oh, yes ... FUN in Las Vegas. It's intense, reasonably priced (in an expensive sorta way), educational, and (oh what the heck) FUN! It takes place the week after Thanksgiving. Check out the site, convince your employer to foot the bill, and GO! (See you there :)