Finally! Autodesk Lab set loose the new web based tool Autodesk Seek.

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?

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Layer reconciliation was introduced on the Autocad 2008 products (AUTOCAD MEP 2008, AUTOCAD 2008). As I understand this is an Autocad 2008 notification to inform the user that there is a new layer being added – specially if you are xrefing a drawing. Very helpful for people who are strict in their layer setting and standard. But for those who will just use the external drawing as a reference, this layer reconciliation turns out to be annoying rather than helpful.

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 ) [Read the rest of this entry...]

If you want to implement Autocad MEP in your company there are lots of things to consider. You should  first consider the training, the learning curve of the autocad technician, the training strategies you will apply and importantly the CAD Filing structure and how you will manage your autocad library.

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: [Read the rest of this entry...]

Autocad Block is a collection of all line and arc entities that create an object. These entities are grouped and moulded to make one selectable object which you can use anytime on any drawing when required. Soon I am going to provide you the complete list of links where you can find free autocad blocks.

A circular stair block, computer mouse dwg block, dishwasher drawing or chiller detail block for example can be easily inserted into a particular drawing without recreating the drawing from the scratch. Autocad Blocks have impressive feature specifically when modification is required. A simple block editor command will easily revise and update all the necessary changes for a particular Autocad block in the entire drawing.
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Mark Kiker of CADD Manager Blog wrote an interesting summary of the Autodesk Achievements & Milestones. As an intermediate user of Autocad / Autocad MEP software, one should also look back to the origin and history of company who invented and continously develop CAD tool / Software.

photo courtesy: stair from www.ccfs-sorbonne.fr

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