Lynn Allen is a Cadalyst columnist and worldwide Autodesk Technical Evangelist who speaks to more than 30,000 users yearly. She is the voice behind Cadalyst’s “Tips and Tricks Tuesdays” and “Circles and Lines”.

You can download the booklets by following the links below. These booklets are must-have for all cad users and will surely make your cad life easier!

Check the link below and get your free Autocad Tips and Tricks ebook now

2012 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2011 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2010 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2009 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2008 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2007 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2006 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet
2005 AutoCAD Tips & Tricks Booklet

Lynn Allen also shares very useful Autocad Tips & Tricks presentation in 60 & 90 minutes, check the links below:

60 AutoCAD Tips in 60 Minutes
90 AutoCAD Tips in 90 Minutes

Lynn Allen’s Killer Tips and Tricks Every AutoCad User Should Know is a post from: Free Cad Software

If you want to avoid that long route, read on and I’m going to show you a simple way how to change Autocad network to standalone  or Autocad standalone to network. This little trick works for Autocad and other Autodesk product verticals like Autocad MEP, Autocad P&ID, Autocad Plant 3D, Autocad Structure, Autocad Map etc.

Impotant: We are going to modify the registry of your machine so better backup your registry data. If something went wrong you can quickly load your old registry data and re-start the process.

Start:

Run the registry editor (regedit) and locate this key in the registry:

For 2011 version: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R18.1\ACAD-9001:409\AdLM

For 2012 version: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R18.2\ACAD-A001:409\AdLM

Now once you locate the key registry simply change the type value, it doest matter whether it is hexadecimal or decimal. 

Use 1 for Network

Use 2 for Standalone

Use 3 for Multiseat Standalone

Close the registry window and start your Autocad.

Hope this help. Enjoy!

How to Change Autocad from Network to Standalone is a post from: Free Cad Software

Refer below for the actual error message:

The most common reason is incorrect configuration of mail client. To solve this problem just configure your email client to the SMTP server.

Here’s how I quickly fix th error in outlook:

Go to Tools > Account Setting >> Select the email account & click Change >> More Settings >> Outgoing Server >> Tick My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.

503 Valid RCPT Command Must Precede DATA problem solved.

That’s all. kthnkxbye!

Undeliverable – 503 Valid RCPT Command Must Precede DATA Microsoft Outlook Error is a post from: Free Cad Software

Note: If you want to open dgn file in autocad that’s fine. But I tell you its time consuming! To open dgn file in autocad just use the command “dgnimport“. This is good if you will only open 3-5 dgn drawings. What if you are going to review or plot thousands of these! For sure it will eat too much of your productive time..

Here let me share you list of alternative downloadable free dgn viewer to speed up the process.

• Autodesk Design Review + DGN import plugin
• DGN Direct
• Bentley View
• GraphStore
• Columbus
• Autovue
• Safe Software (EME Product)
• OpenEV

That’s all. I’m too lazy to put some description atleast you have a list to start your research as to which DGN file viewer software you will download.  Use Google to learn more about this program.

Microstation DGN File Reader is a post from: Free Cad Software

To easily diagnose his problem I requested him to send me the print screen of the Autocad error or notification box.

Job Already in Progress

A plot or publish job is already being processed in the background.  Only one job can be processed at a time.

Wait for the job to complete, and then try again.

This is not actually an error but a notification for background processing in Autocad.  When this is enabled you can only plot one autocad file at a time. In short, if you have 100 different drawing file, you need to wait for the previous plot job to complete before you can iniate a new plot job. 

If you hate to wait and want to get rid of this job already in progress thing.. then you should turn off the background plot. 

Go to Format (shortcut = OP)  >> Options >> Plot and Publish tab >> unchecked the plotting & publishing background processing option.

That’s how to get rid of that “Job in Progress – - plot and publish notification” in Autocad.

Job Already in Progress Autocad Error Box is a post from: Free Cad Software

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By becoming a member of Autodesk Student and Design Community you can connect with students and faculty from all over the world and share interests in the field of Architecture, Civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design and animation and games.

You would also have the access to Download Free Autodesk Software and self-paced tutorials.

Free Autodesk Software that you can download:

• Download Free Revit Structure
• Download Free Revit Architecture
• Download Free Autodesk Alias Studio
• Download Free Autodesk Inventor
• Download Free Autodesk Viz
• Download Free Autodesk Impression
• Download Free Autocad Civil 3D
• Download Free Autocad MAP 3d
• Download Free Autocad Raster Design
• Download Free Autocad Electrical
• and many more

You just need to have a school-issued email address to register. Here is the new member registration page. If you don’t have school e-mail address you can invite a faculty member so they can authorize you to access the page.

So thats a quick tip to download Free Autodesk Software. – thanks Daniel.

Free Autocad Software Download – Autodesk Product Tip is a post from: Free Cad Software

Quick research shows that the stamp is some kind of Autodesk bug (not sure about this but this is what I read from autocad forum & discussion).

Luckily we found a very quick and effective fix and its very easy! To learn the method how to remove the plot stamp “Produced by an Autodesk Educational Product“?

Enter your email below and we will send the step by step procedure how to get rid of this stamp directly in your email. By joining our free newsletter not only you will get the solution to your problem but you will also receive bonus booklets about the Most Used Tips & Tricks for Autocad !  Don’t forget to confirm.

Tell us where will we send the instruction by Entering your email below then activate your email (Required).

 Note: If you didn’t receive the instruction or access token in your email, please double check your email address and re-enter it above.

You should get rid of the  Produced by an Autodesk Educational Product upon completion of the step by step solution that you’ll receive in your email.  If the educational product plot stamp still appears, check the recover the xref file and follow the instruction I sent in your email.  You must subscribe to our free newsletter to view this.

This cool trick help solved your problem right? Let us share this post to other, solve their problem as well by liking this post. Below, there is facebook like button. All you have to do is LIKE it. Share and Enjoy.. Thanks much.

How to Remove Produced by an Autodesk Educational Product Plot Stamp is a post from: Free Cad Software

Autodesk Seek is a web-based search tool content primarily designed for AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) Industry. It allows architects, engineers, cad technicians and students to find generic or manufacturer specifications ,building products components or associated design content. The content could includes downloadable 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, description for particular product component.

Put is simply as a compilation of content from several external sources and content libraries provided with Revit Architecture 2008, Revit MEP 2008, Revit Structure 2008, Autocad Architecture 2008 & Autocad MEP 2008 where the searchable design content supports different file types such as DGN, DWF, DWG, DXF, GSM, LCF, PDF, RFA, RVG, RVT, SKP & ZIP.

How to use the Autodesk Seek?

1. Search or browse the file that you are looking for
2. Select the row in the search result page that you are interested in
3. Dwonload the relevant design files. (You must confirm that you agree to the Terms and Conditions before you can download a file)
4. Save downloaded file to desired location
5. Use and open the file with appropriate application.

This tool will surely be useful for AEC practitioner – from designer down to the Cad Technicians. A very good source to search and download free autocad blocks, 3D models and revit family.

And before I forgot, Autodesk Seek has Autodesk Seek Viewer browser add-on so you can inspect availabe 3D model virtually before downloading the file.. Sweet huh….

Link for free downloadable autocad blocks & cad software.

Download 3D Models & Blocks with Autodesk Seek is a post from: Free Cad Software

When you see the “Unreconciled New Layers” notification on the bottom right corner of your drawing screen it is always a good idea to view the unreconciled new layers in layer properties manager and fix the layer otherwise this will surely bug you when you plot your drawings. Believe me! because if you are going to plot the drawing without reconciling the layers, the plot notification dialog box about the unreconciled object will pop up many times. If you have 50 unreconciled layers you have to act on 50 popup box before you complete your plot command. The friendly Ctrl+alt+del will come to the rescue, should you find yourself in a hard situation like this (boss is standing behind you, waiting for the print out of drawing )

So you know what to do the next time you see the layer notification as illustrated above. But what if upon clickng the wonderful “View unreconciled new layers in Layer Properties Manager” link you were welcome by the famous “MEP 2008 Fatal Error Notification box” what will you do then?

My advise, AUDIT & PURGE your drawing. This will remove the unused Autocad Blocks and layers in your drawing. Reconcile the drawing – if the error still persist then most probably the affected acad drawing may have exceeded the number of layer filters that could have been causing the fatal error. We have to delete these layer filters inorder to save drawing. I once encountered this error and when I look at the layer management I observed that layer names with different symbols and characters are present in my drawing. To workaround layer reconciliation without the encouter of autocad mep fatal error , reconcile the affected drawing by accessing layer manager (default shortcut command = LA). Delete the excess & erroneous layer filter by clicking the “yes” in the dialog box that will appear. Reconcile all the layers and you are done!

Should you have a nicer way to fix this problem please share by commenting on this post.

That’s all for today, I hope this help you in anyway.

Autocad MEP Fatal Error on Unreconciled New Layer is a post from: Free Cad Software

Cad filing structure is very important specially if your team is involved in differernt projects. When you have thousands of projects, consisting of thousands of drawings you will realize the proper filing and cad drawing and reference control is a must. Because good structure in filing your autocad drawings will save time in archiving, controlling and accessing the files you need to retrieve.

Here is a typical cad filing structure I proposed and implemented in our Engineering Department.

Typical CAD Filing Structure:

1. CAD Main Folder.
2. Folder alloted for files management & administration of CADD Engineering Department.
3. Key Performance Indicator Folder
4. Monthly Report monitoring files storage.
5. Folder for acad drawings, autocad blocks, common drawings & system file for Autocad MEP (previously ABS) & CADD related software.
6. Location of standard CADD drawings.
7. HVAC, ELEC, PLUMBING & ARCHITECTURAL Autocad MEP (ABS) mvpartS & catalog location
8. AutoCad blocks, ACAD title block location
9. Storage for standard logo of client, consultant.
10. Designated folder for any autodesk upgrade, utilities, patch, fixes
11. Default MEP styles & template location, including the autocad lisp routine & special script used for Autocad MEP (ABS) & Autocad
12. Information Center. Common problems resolved, tips, productivity hints including the Engineering webpage for any Cad Update & New technology
13. Folder for Data and Drawing control management and monitoring
14. Monitoring Files & drawing logs
15. Important information from client / consultant about the project
16. Drawing request receiving and outgoing monitoring.
17. Submittals and other reports, monthly, weekly as per project summary
18. Project Folder – all projects subdivided according to project index.
19. Project subfolder that have the project code and short description as a folder name for quick and easy reference.
20. Subfolder of project designated to store all the CAD drawings subdivided in four categories (construct, elements, views & sheets)
21. Constructs. Main drawing / shop drawing designed separately per services.
22. Drawing storage for Architectural discipline
23. Subparts related to Architectural as per client’s requirement.
24. Construct folder for Electrical
25. Subfolder storage for Electrical
26. HVAC drawing storage (contains subfolder related to HVAC)
27. PLUMBING drawing storage (contains subfolder related to HVAC)
28. This is one folder that consist of per project auto cad block, autocad title block, standard drawings used repeatedly on the entire project (Typical drawings, templates, special blocks..etc)
29. This is where the plot sheets are located. Composed of drawing xref’ed to views for publication, printing either by hard copy or softcopy.
30. Views, elevations, schedules xref’ed to construct. This is subdivided per discipline and may have subfolder depending on the nature of the project.
31. Any e-mail, communication correspondense important to the project – external / internal
32. Other files, drawings, or reference useful for a particular project.
33. Specifications of parts/ equipment. These are commonly scanned & soft copy of the parts specficiations provided by client
34. Transmital folder for files use to track the rawing receiving , submission, logs commitment up to completion of the project.

Shown in the Figure above is a sample of standard CADD filing structure and the coding index I implemented in our CADD/Engineering Department. I also set special permission on specific folder (per discipline) so user can customize the subfolders provided they have access on it. By default, each folder is configured per user with the permission / security applied

Under the project folder, folder creation and management is automatically generated using the Autocad MEP project navigator & project browser. It is recommended to use the project browser in creating subfolder ( if the user is permitted) in order not to mess up with the xrefing of drawing files, and folder indexing.

Typical CAD Filing Structure is a post from: Free Cad Software