The H-Factor

Configuring AutoCAD to Save to an Earlier Drawing Format

AutoCAD 2013 uses a new drawing format. So, what if you have multiple users using different versions of AutoCAD in your office? This should not be a problem on the HydraCAD end, since V50, V51 and V52 were designed to be compatible with each other with no conversion necessary.

AutoCAD, however, is different. Users on AutoCAD 2013 (or maybe 2010 for that matter) may need to save down to an earlier version of the drawing format so other employees can open the drawings. You can do this each time you save the drawing before handing it over, but we recommend using the option in AutoCAD that allows you to permanently set what format the drawing is saved in, regardless of whether or not you rememeber to do so.

Type in OPTIONS, then pick the Open and Save tab. Choose the Save as: format that you want to use. I keep mine on AutoCAD 2007 so that drawings that I mark up and send back to support customers can be opened all the way back to V50.

 

Resetting and Reconfiguring AutoCAD/HydraCAD

Occasionally, after a new install, some users report various troubles with HydraCAD/AutoCAD. These can be missing toolbars, missing pull down menus, ? marks on buttons, unknown commands or others. Many of these are caused by the Support File Search Path being all messed up. Either there are additional paths in there that conflict with ours, or some paths are missing. One cause of this is allowing AutoCAD to Migrate Settings when running a new AutoCAD version for the first time. We always recommend NOT allowing AutoCAD to migrate settings. Allowing it to do so when running AutoCAD 2020 for the first time, for example, migrates the setting for V55 as well as adds in the setting for V56. This is bad.

So, we often recommend the following steps. They are easy and usually solve the problems:

 

Step 1 - Reset AutoCAD to its default state (ie, no HydraCAD or other items in the support paths

Windows 7	Windows 10
A. Close AutoCAD. Then, pick the Windows Start button, then pick All Programs, Autodesk, AutoCAD 2019 (or your version) and Reset Settings to Default	A. Close AutoCAD. Then, pick the Windows icon and begin typing in Reset Settings to Default in the Windows Search Bar. Once you see the Reset Settings to Default program appear in the list, select it.

    B. These will launch the following dialog box. You may choose either option, but the Reset custom settings option is the most used

    C. This dialog should display:

 

    D. When you pick OK, a configuration tool will launch. When it is completed, AutoCAD will open. You will see a dialog like this. Pick Do Not Load. You will need to repeat that pick on four or five more dialogs

    E. Close AutoCAD

    F. When you go back into AutoCAD for the first time after running this tool, you will see the AutoCAD Migrate Setting. Pick Clear All and then the check mark (√)

Step 2 - Reconfigure HydraCAD

Windows 7	Windows 10
B. Pick the Windows Start button, then pick All Programs, Hydratec Version 50 Software, Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD V56 (or your version). Let this configuration tool run through.	B. Pick the Windows icon and begin typing in Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD in the Windows Search Bar. Once you see the Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD program appear in the list, select it. Let this configuration tool run through.

 

Using Object Snaps within Hatch Patterns (Ceiling) in AutoCAD 2012 and Newer

AutoCAD 2012 and 2013 use a default setting of the Sysvar OSOPTIONS that makes it impossible to select the intersection of the ceiling grid, or any osnap within any other hatch pattern, for that matter. To correct this, Go into TOOLS->OPTIONS and go to the Drafting tab. Then, uncheck the Ignore hatch objects selection in the Object Snap Options part of the dialog box.

Or, type in OSOPTIONS and enter 2 as the new value. Also, type in SNAPGRIDLEGACY and set it to 1. A future update will correct both of these automatically.

An Alternate Method for Saving/Restoring Workspaces

There are times when exporting and importing workspaces seems not to work. The following steps explain another way to save your customized workspace so you can restore it after updating your HydraCAD.

1. Open HydraCAD, set up your workspace as you like
2. From the AutoCAD workspace tool select Tools->Workspaces->Save current as
3. Give the workspace a name (ex. Joe)
4. Close HydraCAD
5. Open windows explorer and browse to C:\HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\50.1, 50.2 or 50.3 folder (depending on your version)
6. Locate and copy the Hcadwin.cuix file to this same folder and then rename it (i.e. Myhcadwin.cuix)
7. Run the HydraCAD update
8. Open HydraCAD
9. Type CUI at the command line
10. Pick the Transfer tab
11. From the customizations in new file screen (right side) pick the folder icon (open customization file)
12. Browse to the 50.1, 50.2 or 50.3 folder (as before) and select the Myhcadwin.cuix file you created and pick 'Open'
13. From the customizations in new file screen (right side) select the workspace named Joe and drag and drop it to the workspace category in the customizations in main file screen (left side)
14. Right click on the Joe workspace that you just dropped (left side) and select 'Current', Right click the Joe workspace again and select 'Set Default'
15. Pick 'apply and OK

Your customized workspace should now be present.