AUGIWorld Magazine - March/April 2008 - (Page 13) Array – You can now pan and zoom when previewing an array in the similar way you can hatch patterns. Export Layout to Model – Creates a new drawing based on the objects visible on the current layout. Backgrounds – The BACKGROUND command has been reintroduced. You no longer need to create a named view to apply a background that is displayed in the current viewport. Customizing the User Interface – The Customize User Interface Editor has been enhanced to allow you to customize the ribbon, rollover tooltips, and the Quick Properties panel. Hiding and Showing Palettes – The commands HIDEPALETTES and SHOWPALETTES allow you to hide the palettes that are currently visible and then redisplay them. AutoCAD LT Enhancements – Users of AutoCAD LT can now attach raster images, create nonrectangular viewports, use true and colorbook colors, and create fields. the use of a programming language or formatting text in special ways through a text editor such as Notepad will make this upgrade a must-have for some. While the ribbon is a bit of a change, some will find that it improves working with tables and multiline text because the tools specific to working with those objects are displayed on the ribbon instead of on floating toolbars and the now mode-less Layer Properties Manager. When deciding to upgrade, you might have to look at not only the new features of the latest release, but also the features of previous releases you might have skipped over. The value of an upgrade is in the eye of the beholder—it depends on what AutoCAD features your company uses or might use. Happy CADing! Lee Ambrosius is a Sr. Technical Writer for Autodesk, Inc. in the Platform (PSEB) division and works on AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. Prior to going to work for Autodesk he was an Independent CAD Consultant that specialized in customizing and programming AutoCAD. Lee has been a user of AutoCAD since AutoCAD R12. He is one of the co-authors of the book AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (based on AutoCAD 2007) and is the author of the book AutoCAD 2008 3D Modeling Workbook For Dummies. Lee can be reached via e-mail at lee_ambrosius@hyperpics.com; other contact information can be found on his Website at http://www.hyperpics.com or his Blog at http://hyperpics.blogs.com. Compatibility with other programs When collaborating with others, it is important to be able to easily exchange designs. The following changes, designed to facilitate collaboration, were made in this new release. DWFx File Support – You can now publish and attach DWFx files. DWFx files allow users of Windows Vista or Windows XP that have the XPS Viewer installed to view a 2D drawing without the need of installing another application. The XPS Viewer is free from Microsoft.com, but is also preinstalled with Windows Vista. Support for DGN V7 – You can now attach, import, and export MicroStation DGN V7 files in addition to the V8 file support that was added with AutoCAD 2008. DWG Compatibility – AutoCAD 2009 uses the AutoCAD 2007 drawing file format. You can also still save as far back as the AutoCAD R14 drawing file format. Seven distribution centers nationwide Industry experienced customer service Next business day shipping Easy online ordering For quick and easy CAD-related orders, go with a supplier who knows their cursor from their chamfer. Call MasterGraphics. We have more than 3,000 products, from bond paper, toner, and inkjet cartridges for all brands of printers and plotters including Xerox, HP and Océ, to quality drafting supplies and furniture. Trust us to understand your needs. Your equipment. And most importantly, your language. MasterGraphics | Making Design Data Work To order, visit our online store at http://estore.masterg.com/augi or call (800) 873.7238 today. Conclusion AutoCAD 2009 is a worthy upgrade in the long line of AutoCAD upgrades as it introduces many different features that will allow you to be more productive, whether you work in 2D or 3D. The addition of the Action Recorder alone to simplify repetitive tasks without M a r/A p r 2 0 0 8 (800) 873.7238 http://estore.masterg.com/augi 13 http://www.hyperpics.com http://hyperpics.blogs.com http://www.masterg.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.