ET to the Rescue, Create Your own AutoCAD Linetype

I needed a new linetype today and I had not made one in years. Express tools can make this easy. Here is the down and dirty on creating a linetype with text characters in it.


My linetype simply needs to have an "E" in it every so often to reflect and existing condition. Linetypes don't really have text in them, they use shape files, so step one, I need a shape file that looks like an "E".


Use single line text and type an "E".


Use the Express Tools to explode that text.

Use the Express Tools to create a SHP file and select the explode "E".

Lucky us Express Tools also has us covered on creating the linetype too. 

Makes me wonder how I forgot how to do this?

Back to the Future with AutoCAD WS Timeline

Sometimes in life I have wondered...

"How the Hell did I get here?"

I my never get my answer, but with the files I share with AutoCAD WS, I can always use the Timeline feature to browse through each version as my design progresses.

You can even revert to an old version with this feature. There is a lot more on the AutoCAD WS page, with tutorials on how to use it.

And, because I used the movie reference, here's a nice picture to look at. Vrroom, vrooom!

Rename all Files in Folders with Sub-Folders

I recently wanted to update version numbers on a ton of AutoCAD Blocks. I copied the old blocks in their current folder structure to a new location and needed to add a version number to the end of each DWG file. This folder structure treed out like a Mighty Oak and the idea of manually changing every file made me nauseous.


You can go old school and open up a DOS prompt by typing CMD in the search box in the start menu. To change every file in a folder quick by browsing to the folder in question and type out...


REN *.dwg *_V2.dwg


I gues you should some DOS commands like CD to change directories. To find out more, just type HELP in the DOS window. DOS will supply a whole list of helpful commands and what they do. Once you figure that part out, the command above works fine,one folder at a time.


To handle a folder structure like I had you'll need a DOS statement with more horse power. This baby below does the trick. Just go to the top folder in your structure and let her rip! It takes about two seconds to rename hundreds of files.


for /f "tokens=* delims= " %a in ('dir /b /ad /s') do rename "%a\*.dwg" "*_V2.dwg"


If you are a copy/paste type of person, you might be annoyed to find the DOS command prompt doesn't seem to want to copy or paste. Click the little icon at the left of the title bar, then click Edit, then Paste. To copy, do the same except pick Mark then highlight want you want to copy out of the DOS editor.

What do you know, that old school DOS really is good for something.

AutoCAD WS Folder Stolen by Kung Fu Drafter

Paul Munford stole this post from me last Summer. That is I was planning on posting on how to set up a folder for your AutoCAD WS drawings, and it turns out Paul posted the exact thing last June on The Kung Fu Drafter.

"Curse you Paul Munford!" Said Doofenshmirtz style.

Go look at The Kung Fu Drafter for how to set up a folder for your AutoCAD WS , I am not going to say it any better.

AutoCAD WS and Google Chrome

Clearly I am into Google products just about as much as I am into Autodesk products. So the AutoCAD WS app for Google Chrome has made me pretty darn happy. 


Before I talk about the WS web interface, I want to talk about fear and the internet. I know some people are scared to put designs on the web for security reasons. I guess I understand that, but it sounds an awful lot like some older people I know that won't use a debit card because they fear evil-doers will steal their 401K by scanning their wallet with a high powered magnet as they speed by on the evil-doer bus. "Yeah, it happened. I read it on the inter-web".


If you have some fears, don't put anything in the cloud you are scared about compromising, but do stick something out there and try this out. I use it to convey ideas across the country instantly and it is a game changer. Get on board with me here, you will be glad you did when we are totally ahead of the folks that don't get it.


Any-who....


Here is a quick run down on how to use your Chrome browser to access your DWGs... you know, where-ever.


First visit the Chrome Web Store to find and install the AutoCAD WS app or just click the link in this sentence. The app will be added to your apps page.

Now you can upload and share DWG files. View them, share with others, edit and collaborate in real time. The image below shows the interface for uploading, downloading, and selection of files.

The edit interface is a slick version of the standard AutoCAD GUI that is streamlined without being sparse. Easy to use and slightly addictive.

AutoCAD WS is making AutoCAD fun again. For a ton of useful information visit the AutoCAD WS web page.


More to follow soon.