From those great people and those great feedbacks, come many popular articles in CAD notes. These are the most popular since the first article published at 29 May 2009 until today.

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1. 100 AutoCAD tips you should know

If you regularly visit CAD notes, you should see this article is always shown at ‘popular today’ section on this website sidebar. These 100 tips are compiled from several CAD bloggers, in the list you will find links to other CAD blogs too. If you haven’t seen it yet, see the 100 tips compilation here.

2. How to convert DWG from one unit to another

This article is also shown regularly as ‘popular today’ article. Apparently it’s a common user’s problem. We have the freedom to draw in any units, because AutoCAD only recognize drawing unit, not real world measurement.

Have the same problem? See the unit conversion tip here!

3. Introduction to annotation scale

Annotation scaling is a great feature, introduced in AutoCAD 2008. We can easily create readable annotations, without having to think in what size we should draw them. However, without understanding the concept properly, it can be confusing. Especially if you receive a drawing with annotation scaling from others.

Read the annotation scaling introduction here.

4. Introduction to MicroStation

This is the first article in MicroStation tutorial series. I posted old MicroStation tutorial I published before (originally in Indonesian). I didn’t expect the tutorial becomes popular.

I was hoping I can write more if I can get a license. I managed to access MicroStation once in a while, but I simply can’t keep up. So I apologize if at this moment I can’t publish new MicroStation articles anymore. I hope I can do it again soon, but I can’t promise you.

However those tutorials should give you a good start to learn MicroStation. And they are free! Read introduction to MicroStation here.

5. Controlling linetype scale is as easy as 1,2,3!

To make linetypes appear in our AutoCAD drawing can be very irritating. It is a simple task, but sometimes we can’t just get it done until dozens of trials and errors with linetype scale!

So curious how to do it easily? It is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Read how to control linetype scale here.

6. Creating title block  from AutoCAD sheet

This is a Revit tip. When you decide to migrate from AutoCAD to Revit, then the first thing you want is having your standards transferred to your new CAD software. Family libraries, templates, you name it!

In this article, we cover how you can import your AutoCAD sheet to create a new Revit sheet.

7. Creating your own linetype

We always need to customize AutoCAD to fit our needs. One feature that we want to customize is linetype. It would be cool if we can create our own linetype, isn’t it? You can, and it’s very easy with express tool!

So here is how you can create your own AutoCAD linetype!

8. How to label coordinate in AutoCAD

Doing automatic task in AutoCAD can be done in many ways. For veterans, probably AutoLISP is the first answer. But if you use AutoCAD LT or don’t know anything about writing LISP, there are other ways!

In this article, we covered how you can label coordinate automatically using AutoCAD block!

9. AutoCAD isometric text and dimension

So you create isometric drawings in AutoCAD? You probably already know how to do it. But the dimension and text don’t appear properly unless you set them for isometric drawings.

This one is the tip how you can make isometric text and dimension for your drawing.

10. AutoCAD 2012: New array command

I think the biggest failure in AutoCAD 2012 is the array command. Of course the new associative array is great. But using the array command itself is very annoying. Users have strong reaction about it, and Autodesk had to give ARRAYCLASSIC command back in service pack 1.

I believe that’s why this article becomes popular: people wants to know more about it.

if you haven’t use 2012, then you probably also want to know why array in AutoCAD 2012  becomes so popular.

11. Preparing your AutoCAD template

I can’t say anything about this. I know it’s an important topic. And every company must have standard templates. But this topic already discussed since a long time. So I don’t know why it becomes popular.

Do you know why this article becomes popular? Preparing AutoCAD template.

12. Working with workspace and design files

Another early article in MicroStation tutorial series. I don’t know articles after the first two are not become viral. Probably people lost interest in those articles :)

Here is how you work with MicroStation workspace and design files (DGN).

13. Where can I see AutoCAD command alias list?

Command alias is the ultimate weapon for many AutoCAD users. In my early days of using AutoCAD, I wish someone told me where I can find the complete list of those aliases. Not only see the aliases, you can modify them to work better with you!

Read how you can see and edit aliases here.

14. AutoCAD 2012: Creating drawing views from 3D model

People hate the 2012 array, but people like this one. In 2012, creating 2D drawings from 3D models is easier than ever.

See details of this new feature in 2012 here.

15. Dynamic block tutorial: Creating door

Like annotation scaling, dynamic block is also a great feature in AutoCAD. It can simplify your block library and automatically do different tasks. Door is probably the most created block, so this one becomes popular.

Read about creating door in dynamic block here.

16. Creating Revit family: door

Another door tutorial becomes famous. But this time it’s a Revit family tutorial. It’s interesting to see that creating door becomes popular topics. Probably if I wrote MicroStation tutorial about door, it will be popular too!

Read how you can create door family in Revit here.

17. How to draw an arc with specific length

We can’t create arc with specific length directly in AutoCAD. There is a workaround, and this is how you can do it.

Read how you can draw arc with specific length here.

18. Setting up AutoCAD sun light is easy

I don’t use AutoCAD for 3D modeling that much. However, if you have AutoCAD, then you must use it optimally. This post was published to answer a friend’s question: can AutoCAD give good rendering result? Yes, sure! AutoCAD does render!

Lighting is the basic of rendering. See how you can work with sunlight easily here.

19. Isometric drawing in AutoCAD

Apparently there are many people create isometric drawings with AutoCAD.

Do you also need to create it? See how you can create isometric drawings here.

20. 10 reasons to use AutoCAD layout

I love using layout. I always encourage people to use it. At least try it and all of it’s benefits before you decide it doesn’t work for you.

I know it’s not for everybody.But I have 10 reasons why you should use AutoCAD layout. How many do you have not to use it?

Which one is your favorite?

There are no judges to pick those winners. The articles in this list are the most seen by CAD notes readers, according to this site statistic (I use Google Analytics to record that).

I always amaze how an article can be viral. Sometimes what I think will soon be forgotten become more popular than I think.

What about you? After these 3 years cad-notes.com has been around, what is your favorite article?

When Autodesk released 2013 products, they introduce web version of AutoCAD Exchange Apps store. So every body can access it, even if they don’t have AutoCAD on their machine. It gives access to purchasing department to make the purchase. Unfortunately, still only PayPal payment is available.

To make the purchase or download free/trial app, you must have Autodesk ID. If you haven’t got an ID, you can make it by clicking need an Autodesk ID? when it ask you for an ID.

There are many free applications and also limited trial. It’s just like Google Play (previously Android Market). If you want to check it, you can go to this page: http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/

Another interesting thing is now there are extensions for other products. Not only AutoCAD.

And just in case you haven’t checked our e-book, AutoCAD Block Best Practices is also available in Exchange app store. If you are interested to purchase it, you can make the purchase on Exchange App Store or from our own e-store here.

If you have purchased it, and if you like it, please give your rating on Exchange app page!

Now, you might want to go there and check if you can get free cool extension. Or find something that you need!

This tip shows how to control display behavior if linked files overlap some objects in Revit. In some cases you might have met problems with correct display of linked objects located above other objects. You need to control display behavior of overlapping objects. If you know AutoCAD, you may remember command like DRAWORDER to solve the problem. How shall we do it in Revit. The answer is easy, just read this tip, please.

Example: You linked DWG with floor plan and created walls overlapping positions of doors and windows.

Tutorial:

1.    Link CAD file (eg. DWG file) via tab Insert – Link CAD

2.    Create walls (tab Home – Wall) using some methods (individual sketch or picking lines).

Situation: At this moment walls are overlapping sketch in imported symbol of CAD file and you don’t see positions of opening, windows, doors for insert objects in Revit model.

Workaround of control draworder in Revit:

3.    Select imported symbol and display palette Properties.

4.    Set Base Offset to value among Cut Plane – Top in View Range of Floor Plan.

5.    Now, you can see the difference:

Notice: Remember the value for Base Offset imported symbol must be among values for Cut Plane and Top in View Range for Floor Plan. To setup View Range parameter go to Properties palette if nothing in view is selected and click Edit.

In dialog View Range you can set the range of view.

Hope the tip helps you.

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If you haven’t, why not considering to give them cool learning materials like CAD books, or training video? We can recommend you these.

Autodesk Official Training Guides

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Autodesk Official Training Guides (AOTG) are great books for learning Autodesk applications. Those books were reviewed by Autodesk itself, and approved it for self learning and as guide in training classes.

Do you intend to get Autodesk certification test? Based on my experience, this is the best resource to learn for your preparation.

We compiled all AOTG titles. If you are interested, you can see all the title in our e-store here. You can purchase them online from Amazon, or find them in local book store near you.

Infinite Skills training video

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Books are great. But if you think your friend don’t like reading books, you can consider to give them training on their desktop: a training video. These training videos are great alternative if you are too busy to attend training classes, so you can use it at your own pace when you have time. It’s also a good alternative if you prefer training but can’t find training center near you that can provide those classes.

If you see the author profile, I believe they are the one of the best in trainings. They also have years of teaching experience.

If you are interested to see the titles, you can see them in our e-store here.

Infinite Skills also published dozens of training video. If you want to get non CAD training video (Windows, Office, WordPress, etc.) you can see the complete titles here.

Disclosure: I will get share if you purchase book from Amazon and training video from Infinite Skills using those links.

Last, but not least: our own e-books

We also have several e-book titles. Our best seller is AutoCAD Block Best Practices. We also have other titles here.

You may find it hard to imagine wrapping e-book in pdf format and give them to your friends. But I’ve seen some people are being creative, burn them in a small CD and wrap it nicely.

If you still can’t find a perfect gift, they can be nice alternative. Don’t you think?

I’ve got an email from Infinite Skills, notifying me that now they have training video for Revit MEP. This is a great news, because there are not many Revit MEP learning resources available yet. And not many training center can provide Revit MEP class.

Infinite Skills always provide high quality of learning resources, as a training video. So this is a very valuable learning resource. Like usual, if you are interested to find further information, you can visit their website and see some demo video here: Learning Autodesk Revit MEP 2012.

They also have Learning Revit Architecture 2012 training video and advanced Revit Architecture 2012 training video (they also offer them as a bundle). I hope they can release Revit Structure training video soon, so we can have a complete series of Revit training video.

See demo and purchase Revit MEP 2012 training video here.

About the author

Simon Whitbread is currently a Revit specialist for KarelCAD, major provider for Autodesk solutions in Australia and New Zealand. He’s been using Revit since Revit 5.1. He has 25 years of experience in Building Services and Architectural industries.

You can create one detailed view, and refer other section to the first view.

To do this, after you activate section tool, activate reference other view in option bar and choose view you want to use as reference.

This method works for sections, callout, elevation views, etc.

However, this is not always true.

Sometimes user just open their application and use for ten minutes. After he finished, he just left and don’t close their application. The license is still checked out to this computer, and can’t be used by the others.

On busy day, there will be a good chance many users from different department use the licenses. It might be one department use most of the licenses and other department just get a couple of licenses.

You may also want to limit licenses that can be accessed by users, not opening AutoCAD with Product Design Suite for example. This can happen in mixed product environment, Autodesk use cascading license. It’s a good concept, but it can be a disaster if we don’t manage it properly.

There are many possibilities that can make things go wrong if we don’t control network license usage.

If you’re the one who are responsible for managing license, then you can have many complaints about controlling available licenses.

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You can set timeout, reserve license for important users, set maximum number of licenses for a group, and many more by using option file. It can optimize license usage. If your company has mixed Autodesk products licenses, then you need to seriously consider setting this up.

If you are interested to learn more about Autodesk option file, read this white paper from Autodesk: http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS1055247

If you want to see details of Autodesk network licensing configuration, see the complete guide here: http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS1076366

Dividing your element to smaller parts allows you to create detailed appearance of your element. You can have different materials in a wall layer. You can modify part size by dragging the grips.

Not limited to its appearance, you can report parts in your schedule. You can also tag them as separate elements, not as the whole original element.

Applying materials

Applying material is the same with applying it to original element.

Choose your part(s) and change your material in properties palette. You must uncheck material by original to allow this override.

This is what I have done to my wall.

And yes, we can render it too.

Don’t forget to change part visibility to show parts! If you choose to set your view to show original, it will render the original element.

Creating schedule

You can create parts schedule by selecting parts in category. The process is exactly the same as creating other schedules in Revit.

You may want to try changing parts size and see how the schedule is dynamically updated. You can drag shape handles to change part size.

To enable shape handle, you need to select the part and check show shape handles in properties palette.

Tagging parts

You can tag parts using tag by category.

Activate the tool, then click on your part. If you haven’t loaded part tag, you will see this warning.

Click yes to load tag. You can find part tag in annotations folder. Remember, M prefix is for metric families. If you’re using imperial families, you will see part_tag.rfa.

Place your tags to your parts. You may see question marks like this. Why was that?

Just like other Revit tags, you need to define the element mark that shows the tag value. Select the part and fill mark value in properties palette.

Do you think you can use it?

Do you think Revit parts can be useful in your work? Have you use it, or how do you plan to use it? Share with us here!