CADspeed article: Tips on Buying Wide-Format Printers for CAD, Part 3 of 3: Setting It Up

Are you or your company about to get a new printer? Before you do, check out my latest article for CADspeed. It's part three of a three part series.

In this series, I discussed ways to determine your needs and the different types of wide-format printers. Now let’s talk about setting it up.
Check it out!

AutoCAD - What not to do

Here at CAD-a-Blog a typical post will contain tips, tricks, and other techniques. This time I want to provide an example of what not to do. 

Typically a drawing set will require a set of notes.  AutoCAD has a multiline text feature. Do not create a set of notes out of single lined text, especially when there are 17 different notes, many of which require more than one line.  Also do not create a wipeout object for each line. Yes. It is a waste of time to create a wipeout object for each line of text.

If I ever hear of any of my readers doing this on purpose I may block you!  I know, idle threats.

This is how it should have been done.  One multiline text object with the background mask option turned on.  See, now it wasn't that difficult now was it?

Use the tools in AutoCAD that are there to help you.  Don't do things the hard way.

I will be Co-Authoring Wiley's next edition of Mastering AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

It is officially official.  I will be working with the legendary AutoCAD author George Omura.  That’s right “The George Omura”, author of dozens of books about AutoCAD and other Autodesk products.  I will be collaborating with Mr. Omura on the next release of Mastering AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. 

I am very excited to be working on this project.  I will be concentrating on the chapters that pertain to the 3D aspects of AutoCAD.  This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I cannot wait to get started. 

Mastering AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT is a great series from Wiley Publishing.  Mastering AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT is an Autodesk Official Training guide.  It features step-by-step instructions in conjunction with hands-on projects.  It is a recommended certification preparation study guide for AutoCAD Associate and Professional exams.

As I get more and more into the writing process and we get closer to the publication date I will post more information.  

CADspeed article: Tips on Buying Wide-Format Printers for CAD, Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right One

Are you or your company about to get a new printer? Before you do, check out my latest article for CADspeed. It's part two of a three part series. In it I look at your needs, wants, and help you to come up with a plan to make sure you get the printer that's right for you.

Check it out!

If you missed the first article of the series, click here.  It will be better to start at the beginning anyway.

A Status Bar Icon I've Never Seen Before

Today I was working along, diligently as ever when I glanced at my status bar.  I glanced because a balloon notification popped up informing me that a coworker had updated a file I had referenced. While glancing I saw an icon in the status bar that I didn't recognize.

Here it is circled in red:

Turns out it's a notification that there are viewport layer overrides! I use viewport layer overrides all of the time so why haven't I seen this before? I don't know why but I bet that now that I am aware if its existance I will see it all if the time.

To test it out, activate a viewport. If the icon pops up there are overrides.  If not, then chances are you haven't messed with anything yet. 

Click the icon and the layer manager will open up set to a Viewport Overrides filter. Nice!

I love AutoCAD.