Autodesk Product Tips and Techniques
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AutoCAD

Tip: Creating Nonplotting Reference Points
When creating points for temporary reference, you may not want them to plot. Instead of erasing them, just set the point style to the second style in the Point Style dialog box (no dot) before plotting. Then the points won't appear on your plot.
--Ellen Finkelstein

Tip: Be More Productive with Express Tools
Did you know that the Express Tools are included FREE with AutoCAD® 2004? Take a look at some of
Lynn Allen's favorites.

Tutorial: Extending Your Tool Palettes
Ellen Finkelstein shows you how to use the new Tool Palettes Extension in this AutoCAD 2004 tutorial.

Tutorial: Using the PUBLISH Command
Ellen Finkelstein shows you how to use the PUBLISH Command both for creating DWF files and for batch plotting in this AutoCAD 2004 tutorial.

• Information about AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT® 2004 Service Pack 1a
• Installing Service Pack 1a if Service Pack 1 was previously installed
• Product Information dialog box does not show application of Service Pack 1a
• Printing issues with AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004 Service Pack 1
• Saving AutoCAD 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• AutoCAD 2004 Service Pack 1a
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch

Have an AutoCAD support question? Visit the AutoCAD® Support Center.

Tutorial: Customizing Tool Palettes
Heidi Hewett shows you how easy it is to customize your tool palettes in this quick
AutoCAD LT tutorial.

• Information about AutoCAD® 2004 and AutoCAD LT® 2004 Service Pack 1a
• Installing Service Pack 1a if Service Pack 1 was previously installed
• Product Information dialog box does not show application of Service Pack 1a
• Printing issues with AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004 Service Pack 1
• Saving AutoCAD 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• AutoCAD LT 2004 Service Pack 1a
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch
• LASTPOINT is not retained for DLINE

Have an AutoCAD LT support question? Visit the AutoCAD LT Support Center.

Autodesk Revit Tips and Tricks
Learn how to create arc property lines and adjust the brightness and contrast of completed renderings with these Autodesk® Revit® tips.

Tutorial: Space Planning
Lachmi Khemlani shows you how to create spaces and room tags in this Autodesk Revit tutorial.

Autodesk Revit Support
Have an Autodesk Revit support question? Visit the Autodesk Revit Support Center.

Tutorial: Rendering Interiors with VIZ Render
Nancy Fulton shows you how to use the VIZ Render application included in Autodesk® Architectural Desktop to take models from one environment into another, create cameras, place lights, calculate radiosity, and assign materials. Let's get started.

• Fix available for MAX and DRF file corruption caused by recent Microsoft® Windows® updates
• Saving AutoCAD® 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 Service Pack 2
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch

Have an Autodesk Architectural Desktop support question? Visit the Autodesk Architectural Desktop Support Center.

• Fix available for MAX and DRF file corruption caused by recent Microsoft® Windows® updates

• Autodesk® Building Systems 2004 Service Pack 1

Have an Autodesk Building Systems support question? Visit the Autodesk Building Systems Support Center.

Tutorial: Sheet Styles with Autodesk Civil Design
Felicia Provencal continues her series on the Sheet Manager with an exploration of the elements of sheet styles in this Autodesk® Civil Design tutorial.

• Saving AutoCAD® 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• Trimble Link for Autodesk® Civil Series 2004
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch

Have an Autodesk Civil Series support question? Visit the Autodesk Civil Series Support Center.

Tutorial: The Transform Tool
Mark Oliver shows you how to use the Transform tool to line up maps created by different users in this Autodesk Map™ tutorial.

• Compatibility of Autodesk Map 6 and Autodesk Map Series 5
• Saving AutoCAD® 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• Autodesk Map 2004 and Autodesk Map Series 2004 Service Pack 1
• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch

Have an Autodesk Map support question? Visit the Autodesk Map Support Center.

Tutorial: Linking to Excel Spreadsheets
Bill Fane shows you how and why to use a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet to control the relationships between features in a part and between parts in an assembly in this Autodesk Inventor® tutorial.

• Autodesk Inventor Series 7 hardware and operating system requirements

• Autodesk Inventor 7 Service Pack 1 IDW Open Performance Enhancement
• Instability when opening Autodesk Inventor 5.3 files in Volo® View 3

Have an Autodesk Inventor support question? Visit the Autodesk Inventor Support Center.

• Autodesk Inventor® Series 7 hardware and operating system requirements
• Saving AutoCAD® 2004 to AutoCAD Release 14 DWG or DXF™ format

• Autodesk Network Installation Wizard Patch

Have an Autodesk Mechnical Desktop support question? Visit the Autodesk Mechanical Desktop Support Center.

Tutorial: Creating Cloth Objects
Nancy Fulton shows you how easy it is to create bedspreads, sofa flounces, chair cushions, and screens in this Autodesk® VIZ tutorial.

• Fix available for MAX and DRF file corruption caused by recent Microsoft® Windows® updates

Have an Autodesk VIZ support question? Visit the Autodesk VIZ Support Center.

Autodesk Buzzsaw Tips and Tricks
Buzzsaw members can learn how to start a discussion thread when adding or updating a file, and Buzzsaw administrators can learn how to create and use project home pages with these Autodesk® Buzzsaw® Tips.

Autodesk Buzzsaw Support
Have an Autodesk Buzzsaw support question? Visit the Autodesk Buzzsaw Support Center.

Applying Customization: Shademodes
Dave Pitzer shows you a Visual LISP® routine that makes it easier to work with shademode options in this customization tutorial.

Visual LISP Wizardry: Entity Data Lists
Bill Kramer shows you how to use entity data lists to write applications that create drawings with the simplest of input in this Visual LISP tutorial.

Document Management and Distribution--Part 2
Robert Green shows you some simple ways to gain control over your document distribution process, using nothing but the tools you already have available. Check it out.

What's New with Autodesk Subscription? In a Word, MORE
Autodesk® Subscription brings you more value than ever before—outside the box. We've beefed up the program to bring new levels of value to customers who want more than just a CD in a box. Easy access to support and training. Predictable budgeting. Simplified license management. Exclusive community resources. Direct contact with product developers. All designed to empower you at your desktop. Find out more.

New Tool Palettes Extension for AutoCAD 2004
and AutoCAD 2004-based Products
Tool palettes--those proven productivity boosters—are now even better with the Tool Palettes Extension for AutoCAD® 2004 software. Add commands to tool palettes for quicker access, minimizing toolbars while maximizing screen space; drag multiple types of content from drawings onto tool palettes for convenient reuse; and group tool palettes by category for enhanced ease of use. Members of Autodesk Subscription can find out more or download this extension now from the Subscription Center.

New HVAC Content Extension for
Autodesk Building Systems 2004 Coming Soon
Need more content? The HVAC Content Extension for Autodesk® Building Systems 2004 will increase your duct fitting catalog by more than 30 percent, including significant coverage of most ASHRAE fittings as well as a large number of mechanical MvParts and U.S. metric 3D plumbing fittings. Need even more content? Autodesk Building Systems 2004 gives you the comprehensive tools to create just the part you need, in minutes. And you can drag manufacturers' content from the Internet directly into your drawings with built-in i-drop® technology. Find out more or download the extension from the Subscription Center after October 30.

Autodesk Civil 3D 2004 Now Available to Autodesk Civil Series and Autodesk Civil Design Subscription Members
Autodesk® Civil 3D™ 2004 is a new civil engineering tool that is available as part of Autodesk® Civil Series 2004 and for Autodesk® Civil Design 2004 Subscription members. Autodesk Civil 3D 2004 is the only civil engineering tool that creates intelligent relationships between objects so design changes are dynamically updated. The enhanced 3D interaction gives the user more design flexibility by making it easy to run and visualize what-if scenarios and to correct errors on the fly. To find out more, visit the Subscription Center.

DWFit with Autodesk Express Viewer
Available November 1st, download the latest version of the free DWF™ viewer. Easier to navigate, more intelligent data, and expanded APIs make it even easier to work with your designs. Download it November 1st.

New Autodesk Batch Drawing Converter 2004 Eases Migration
The Autodesk Batch Drawing Converter 2004 converts DWG files created with AutoCAD 2004® or AutoCAD 2004-based software to AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD 2000, and AutoCAD 2004 DWG file formats. It also converts DWG files created with AutoCAD LT® 2004 software to AutoCAD LT 98, AutoCAD LT 2000, and AutoCAD LT 2004 DWG file formats. The AutoCAD 2000 DWG file format is the default file format for AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, and AutoCAD 2002; and for AutoCAD LT 2000, AutoCAD LT 2000i, and AutoCAD LT 2002. Find out more.