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Autodesk Design Review 2009 allows you to add a palette to a group. Enclosed are the steps required for this process as well as a video outlining the same.

Please note that this particular video does not have any voice feed and offers explanatory captions instead.

To group palettes

1. Click and drag the title bar of the palette to be added to another palette or group.

2. Drop the palette on the title bar of the receiving palette or group.

A tab with the name of the dragged palette is added to the bottom of the receiving palette. The palettes are grouped.

A thank you to Chris Blocher who created this video for us.

-Volker

Well, I suppose we all are...to some extend at least.

My guess would be that we all become more aware of what is going on with the increased frequency of ads and campaigns.

Many of us are still in the habit of printing out our emails, just in case we want to reference it later. Do we really need to?

You too could make a difference and provide your contribution by adding a small item to the bottom of  your emails. How about it?

I am certain that you might have seen this subtle reminder on the email signature of one of your contacts. It's a tree with a winding road, and a message: "Please consider the environment before printing this email." I believe this ever so subtle guilt-trip has saved at least several reams of paper so far.

If your email program can handle rich text or html, then you can have the complete signature. The picture of the tree that is being used in this case is actually the letter P using the Webdings font. Then, simply write the message and make the whole thing green. Now you are all set!

Even better, you can also simply copy and paste the enclosed into your signature.

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

I have done the same and have already noticed some others who added the same string to their emails.

Thank you.

-Volker

Autodesk Design Review 2009 allows you to change the status of an existing markup. Enclosed are the steps required for this process as well as a video outlining the same.

Please note that this particular video does not have any voice feed and offers explanatory captions instead.

To change markup properties

1. Select the markup on the canvas or in the Markups palette.
2. In the Markup Properties palette, from the Status drop-down list, select a status.

Notice in the Markups palette, to the left of the markup name, the icon changes from a markup icon to the status icon. The markup color also changes on the canvas to reflect its status.

Optional: In the Markup Properties palette, in the Notes text box, type the desired information.

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Important: Before closing the DWF file, make sure that your note is edited the way you want it. Existing notes are no longer editable once you reopen a DWF file.

You can now save the DWF file and send it to someone else for revision of the drawing or continued exchange of markup and discussion.

A note of thanks to Chris Blocher who recorded this video for us.

-Volker

Autodesk Design Review 2009 allows you to change the status of an existing markup. Enclosed are the steps required for this process as well as a video outlining the same. Please note that this particular video does not have any... Volker Joseph

AU2008 is almost here and I wanted to take this opportunity and share some AU2008 class content that might be of interest to you.

Title: Developing Custom Websites and Applications with DWF™, Autodesk® Design Review, and Autodesk® Freewheel™ - CP305?2

• Date/Time: Thu. 12/4/2008 10:15 am ? 11:45 am
• Recommended Audience: For software and web developers: Learn how to leverage your design assets by publishing to DWF and building interactive viewing and collaboration applications and websites
• Presented by: Diane Li & Cliff Medling

Title: Extreme DWF™: Top 10 Ways You Can Upgrade your Workflow using DWF and Autodesk® Design Review - CD311?1

• Date/Time: Thu. 12/4/2008 1:15 pm ? 2:45 pm
• Recommended Audience: For all attendees: Practical enhancements you can make to your workflow which can save you time, money and frustration.
• Presented by: Cliff Medling

Title: Happy Field Workers! How Nevada Power uses Autodesk® Design Review - GS210?2

• Date/Time: Wed. 12/3/2008 1:00 pm ? 2:30 pm
• Recommended Audience: For Geospatial users: Learn how Nevada Power is using Autodesk Design Review to dramatically improve the lives of its field workers.
• Presented by: Allister Lundberg

Title: Hug a Tree, Go Digital! Why Autodesk® Design Review is on the Rise - CD301?1

• Date/Time: Thu. 12/4/2008 8:15 am ? 9:45 am
• Recommended Audience: For all attendees:  To gain a better understanding of why DWF and Design Review is gaining momentum, and how other companies are saving time and money using these tools.
• Presented by: Cliff Medling

Title: Smarter BIM Reviews: Best Practices for "Greener" Design Reviews with your Entire Project Team - CD101?2

• Date/Time: Tue. 12/2/2008 8:15 am ? 9:45 am
• Recommended Audience: For Architecture and Building Design Professionals: Learn how to get started with digital design reviews and improve coordination with everyone who needs to review designs
• Presented by: Diane Li & Cliff Medling

Title: Streamline Your Workflows: Share Autodesk Inventor Models and Animations With Your Extended Team - ML319?2

• Date/Time: Thu. 12/4/2008 5:15 pm ? 6:45 pm
• Recommended Audience: For Manufacturing Engineers:  Practical ways to improve process efficiencies in your workflow using Inventor and Design Review.
• Presented by: Allister Lundberg

Title: Tips & Tricks: Advanced DWF™ Publishing from AutoCAD® - GD215?5

• Date/Time: Wed. 12/3/2008 3:15 pm ? 4:45 pm
• Recommended Audience: For Architecture and Building Design Professionals:  Advanced publishing tips to ensure you are sharing the richest and most relevant design information.
• Presented by: Diane Li

More details about classes and events at AU2008 can be found here.

-Volker

AU2008 is almost here and I wanted to take this opportunity and share some AU2008 class content that might be of interest to you. Title: Developing Custom Websites and Applications with DWF???, Autodesk?? Design Review, and Autodesk?? Freewheel??? - CP305???2... Volker Joseph

Users of Microsoft Windows Vista might run into the following problem. The issue is not limited to either and can occur on both, 32bit and 64bit configurations.

The problem can occur when a user applies the Autodesk Design Review 2009 SP, effectively hiding the main toolbar - as shown below. To reiterate - the problem does not disable the toolbar, it only hides it temporarily.

You can workaround the trouble spot by clicking the restore down button at the top right or by invoking the restore command by right clicking on the title bar. The problem disappears as well if you simply minimize the application window and restore it.

Once the toolbar has been restored it will not hide again.

-Volker

Users of Microsoft Windows Vista might run into the following problem. The issue is not limited to either and can occur on both, 32bit and 64bit configurations. The problem can occur when a user applies the Autodesk Design Review 2009... Volker Joseph

Users who wish to deploy the Autodesk Design Review 2009 SP1 can do so using the following method:

Create Admin Install

• Msiexec /a [path\name of MSI file] TARGETDIR=[Directory Path]

Sample: msiexec /a C:\Product\adr\SetupDesignReview2009.msi TARGETDIR="C:\Target\ADR"

Update MSI with MSP(Service Pack)

• [Directory Path]>Msiexec /a [Directory Path\name of the MSI file] /p [path\name of update MSP file]

Sample: C:\DOCUME~1\kalvaik\LOCALS~1\Temp>msiexec /a C:\target\adr\SetupDesignReview2009.msi /p D:\Releases\ADR\SetupDesignReview2009SP1.msp

We have tested this method several times over and the result confirmed that it is working as expected. Once you have updated the MSI with the MSP file, the resultant deployment of the MSI will provide all users access to Build 0127, being Autodesk Design Review 2009 SP1.

-Volker

Users who wish to deploy the Autodesk Design Review 2009 SP1 can do so using the following method: Create Admin Install Msiexec /a [path\name of MSI file] TARGETDIR=[Directory Path] Sample: msiexec /a C:\Product\adr\SetupDesignReview2009.msi TARGETDIR="C:\Target\ADR" Update MSI with MSP(Service Pack) [Directory... Volker Joseph

We all know how difficult it can be at times to view complex 3D models with Autodesk Design Review or any other application for that fact.

Mind you, this is a problem that is widespread and not only caused by applications but many times by the limitation of the used platform itself.

We have made much progress over the years and Autodesk Design Review 2009 has shown many improvements as far as performance in the 3D arena is concerned. And yes, 2D performance was improved as part of the same.

Autodesk Design Review 2009 even offers some assistance to you to improve 3D performance.

The afore stated dialog appears when DirectX drivers are detected on the system. Several customers have now confirmed that switching to DirectX graphic drivers actually enhances the 3D performance of Autodesk Design Review even further.

You can always switch back to OpenGL, if you did accept the DirectX settings and find that it does not show improvements to your liking. Use Tools>Options>Model>View Settings.

Not sure which version of DirectX you have on your system? Try running "dxdiag.exe" through  your Start>Run Windows interface. This will bring up a detailed Windows DirectX Diagnostic Tool user interface.

The shown dialog is from my own system and your own might differ, since it will display information relevant to your system.

The UI offers information but also provides some diagnostic tools under the display tab. FYI - I chose to decline Microsoft's invitation to "check for WHQL digital signatures" in the process.

Here are some links to good resources on the subject:

•   Wikipedia DirectX info
•   Microsoft DirectX info
•   DirectX resources

Share any feedback you may have with regards to Autodesk Design Review & DirectX!

-Volker

We all know how difficult it can be at times to view complex 3D models with Autodesk Design Review or any other application for that fact. Mind you, this is a problem that is widespread and not only caused by... Volker Joseph

With so many questions based around installation and setup, I thought it would make perfect sense to focus an article on our Autodesk Design Review 2009 installation instructions again.

Our Autodesk Design Review 2009 installation instructions provide details on how to

• Install Autodesk Design Review 2009 manually
• Install Autodesk Design Review 2009 silently, including
  • Through MSI
  • From a DOS prompt
  • To change the path
• Install Autodesk Design Review 2009 for a small workgroup
  • Create an image of the setup file at the “network_share” from which users in the workgroup can remotely install the product and only at the default path.
• Install Autodesk Design Review 2009 for mass deployment
  • Remotely install the Design Review 2009 to a large number of workstations
• Reinstall or repair Autodesk Design Review 2009
  • If you accidentally delete or alter files that are required by Design Review 2009, Design Review 2009 might not perform correctly, and you might receive error messages when you try to execute a command or find a file.
• Uninstall Autodesk Design Review 2009
  • To remove all components
• Change the default file type
  • Change default file type from DWFx to DWF.
• Prevent a desktop shortcut from being installed

Some important things to remember:

Only a user with administrative privileges can install Autodesk Design Review 2009. As a workaround, administrators can use one of the above stated deployment methods to push out the applications to those users, who do not have Administrator access rights.

When the Design Review 2009 installer detects an earlier version of Design Review, the earlier version will be uninstalled automatically before Design Review 2009 is installed. When an earlier version is detected, you will be prompted to either continue the installation or select a new file path to install Design Review 2009.

When manually installing Design Review 2009, previous versions of the DGN and JT Import Plug-ins will be automatically uninstalled. After installing Design Review 2009, download the 2009 version of the Import Plug-ins from Autodesk.com and install them separately.When Design Review 2009 is installed silently, previous versions of the DGN and JT Import Plug-ins will not be automatically uninstalled.

You can download the Autodesk Design Review 2009 Installation Documentation here.

-Volker

With so many questions based around installation and setup, I thought it would make perfect sense to focus an article on our Autodesk Design Review 2009 installation instructions again. Our Autodesk Design Review 2009 installation instructions provide details on how... Volker Joseph

Almost 1,500 sessions were submitted for AU 2008, and these have been whittled down to 621 sessions for presentation this fall.

To develop this year’s curriculum, we looked very closely at which topics were of greatest interest last year and we also looked at industry trends.

The Autodesk University 2008 Class schedule has now been posted and is available for viewing on the Autodesk University Blog (BLAUG) at http://au.autodesk.com/blogs/view/2008_Session_Catalog/.

-Volker

Almost 1,500 sessions were submitted for AU 2008, and these have been whittled down to 621 sessions for presentation this fall. To develop this year???s curriculum, we looked very closely at which topics were of greatest interest last year and... Volker Joseph

You bet!

Brian Haines has created this very cool video, showing in detail as to how the process works. He describes the steps, from the creation of 2D or 3D content with Revit Architectural to the import into Autodesk Quantity Takeoff, and the subsequent data display.

Autodesk® Quantity Takeoff software enables cost estimators to gather design data, high-quality images, and precise information from intelligent design applications such as AutoCAD®, Revit® Architecture, and AutoCAD® Civil 3D®, as well as from “nonintelligent” CAD data and image formats.

Way to go, QTO.

Download the video here.

-Volker

You bet! Brian Haines has created this very cool video, showing in detail as to how the process works. He describes the steps, from the creation of 2D or 3D content with Revit Architectural to the import into Autodesk Quantity... Volker Joseph

Chris Blocher has recorded this short video, making the process of pinning and unpinning a palette with Autodesk Design Review 2009 looking as easy as 1-2-3.

Please note that this particular video does not have any voice feed and offers explanatory captions instead.

Great job,Chris!

You can also access the video here.

-Volker

Chris Blocher has recorded this short video, making the process of pinning and unpinning a palette with Autodesk Design Review 2009 looking as easy as 1-2-3. Please note that this particular video does not have any voice feed and offers... Volker Joseph