The H-Factor

Linetypes Look Different in Paper Space? Try PSLTSCALE

So, you've drawn dashed/dotted/hidden lines in Model Space and they look just great. But, you go to Paper Space and they are all solid. What is going on?

The setvar PSLTSCALE is what is going on. It's default setting is 1, which means the linetype scale being applied is based on the scaling of the Viewport, not by the Model Space (or Paper Space) LTSCALE

From AutoCAD's Help file:

0 - No special linetype scaling. Linetype dash lengths are based on the drawing units of the space (model or paper) in which the objects were created. Scaled by the global LTSCALE factor.

 

1 - Viewport scaling governs linetype scaling. If TILEMODE is set to 0, dash lengths are based on paper space drawing units, even for objects in model space. In this mode, viewports can have varying magnifications, yet display linetypes identically. For a specific linetype, the dash lengths of a line in a viewport are the same as the dash lengths of a line in paper space. You can still control the dash lengths with LTSCALE

Renting AutoCAD?

Yes, Autodesk now has a rental option for a number or products along with AutoCAD (kinda). Why? Well, some companies need an AutoCAD (or Revit) for only a few months, as they pick up a project but do not know if they need it after the project shuts down. Or, they get it for a few months for a summer intern. Or, they cannot come up with the money to purchase AutoCAD outright. Either way, it can now be rented monthly, quarterly or annually.

You cannot rent just AutoCAD or Revit, though. Instead you need to rent a suite, the lowest cost suite to be had is the AutoCAD Building Design Suite at $240 a month with an annual plan or $360 per month for pay as you go. A link to a great FAQ is right here: Autodesk Rental FAQ

And yes, we can handle the rentals for you...

$240 per month* for a 1-year plan (billed annually)

$360 per month when you pay as you go (billed monthly)

Fixing Problems with Programs that can't be Installed or Uninstalled

Occasionally, we are faced with situations where we try to install a program and Windows says it is already there, but we think it isn't, and we can't find it in Programs and Feature in Control Panel. Or, we are trying to uninstall a program, and Windows errors out saying it is not there(!)

The tool to use is the Windows Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. You can select progrm to install and to uninstall.

 

 

Listing Hangers - Loose or Fabricated?

This topic also came from my co-worker Paul, who was asked to assist a customer with his question:

From the Customer: Although we may stocklist hangers to ensure we have a good amount of material, we do not actually fabricate any hangers...Is there a way to have hangers marked as “loose” from the get go so they don’t print on the misc “fabbed” report AND show up as “L” in the inventory transfer file?

Paul's Response: Hanger material is assumed to be fabricated by default. To make the hanger material report loose:

1. Open the Assembly Table in the General Data area
2. Check the boxes that say 'Use Hanger Grid' and 'List as Hanger'
3. Enter the letter L in the M/L column and save the assembly

This will make all the material in the assembly list as loose

Below is a list of options for the M/L column, from the HydraLIST manual:

 

Listing Nipples - Loose or Fabricated?

This topic came from my co-worker Paul, who was asked to assist a customer with his problem:

From the Customer:  I either want the nipples and associated fittings to be entirely loose (listed on the “loose” picklist and eliminated from the lines fabrication sheet), or entirely made on (leave them in the fabrication sheets but add the items to the “fabbed” picklist.  As it is, there is confusion as to what is actually “loose” and what is “pulled on”, as well as inventory issues associated with the missed fabricated items.

Paul's Response: Pick the Process buttons, then pick the general Setup Tab and check the box that says Count Make On’s for Nipples. If this is checked, then nipples and fittings for nipples are treated as fabricated material. If unchecked nipples and fittings for nipples are treated as loose material.

Setting AutoCAD to Always Start in Your Favorite Template

Tired of always picking the same template every time you open AutoCAD or start a new drawing? There is an easy way to set this:

1. Right-click on the cammand line and pick Options or Pick Tools->Options to get into AutoCAD's settings

2. Pick the Files Tab

3. Find Template Settings and expand that

4. Select Default Template File Name for QNEW

5. Click on the value there now (None) and pick Browse and browse to the template you wisgh to begin in each time. That's it!