February 2009 Articles

• Use the DXF Format to Edit Drawings - AutoCAD features to modify drawing by editing DXF file in notepad, Ellen Finkelstein, CADdigest.com

• AutoCAD Architecture: A Kick Start - methods for adding materials to wall style, Tharakesh Ananthakrishnan, AUGI

• Dim Scales and Detail Drawings - video showing AutoCAD Mechanical features to manage dimscale factor, INCAT CAD Geek

• Set Viewport Scales - AutoCAD methods for setting viewport scale, James Olszewski, Cadalyst

• Command SCALE - using AutoCAD command to change sizes of entities, Orhan Toker, Daily AutoCAD

• Practical Method for Entering Angles: Polar Tracking - using AutoCAD F10 button for entering angles, Erhan Toker, Daily AutoCAD

• Learn to Walk and Fly in AutoCAD - commands, tools to navigate in 3D model using keyboard, mouse to walk, fly, Shaan Hurley, Between The Lines

• Search for XREFs - using AutoCAD design center to search drives, folders for drawings containing file names, Mick Noble, Cadalyst

• ALIGN in 3D - AutoCAD command moves, rotates in 2D, 3D space, Heidi Hewett, AutoCAD Insider

• ALIGN vs 3DALIGN - AutoCAD command comparison, procedural differences, benefits of 3DALIGN, Heidi Hewett

• Understanding Coordinate Input in AutoCAD - entering absolute, relative, polar coordinates, using drawing aid dynamic tools, Erhan Toker, Daily AutoCAD

Featured Lighting Designer - Ted Hennings

Once again, our hats are off to Ted Hennings for his outstanding work.

Ted Hennings is the Northwestern Regional Technical Director for SWANK AUDIO VISUALS. Ted was kind enough to let us show off one of his pre-concept designs. Visit LD Assistant.com to see more of his renderings.

Enter your work to be featured in Design & Drafting's CAD-N-Lighting Design News

When working with AutoCAD drawings, does your program act more like a turkey?

LD Assistant uses Autodesk’s AutoCAD DWG file format. DWG is the native format for AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based products. Autodesk owns, develops, and iterates the DWG file format. - The DWG format changes every few years, as Autodesk adds new features to AutoCAD. Several reverse engineered software libraries exist that simulate the DWG file format with various levels of success in providing DWG read and write capabilities.

With eight million users and over a billion AutoCAD DWG files in existence, no wonder other CAD software companies want you to believe that they can import and export to DWG without any problems! Powered by Autodesk Technology means LD Assistant is the ONLY CAD program that's 100% AutoCAD DWG.

Visit LD Assistant.com to see how we can help take the Gobble Gobble out of your CAD!

LD Assistant 3-Day Training – Feb. 18-20, Austin, TX

Join ETCP Recognized Trainer Richard Cadena for a 3-day training session on how to use LD Assistant. This intimate class will cover building a lighting plot from scratch, modeling in 3D, applying materials, creating renderings, patching instruments, and programming with visualization. This is your chance to enhance your design and documentation skills using LD Assistant. Classes will be held in Austin, Texas from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 18-20. The fee for the 3-day course is $600. To register, please call 512-280-0384 or fax your registration information to 512-292-0163. About the trainer: Richard Cadena is an ETCP Recognized Trainer and an ETCP Entertainment Electrician. He is the author of “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician,” “Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light,” “Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship,” and “ Focus on Lighting Technology.” As a freelance lighting designer/consultant he has designed many lighting systems using LD Assistant and has toured as a lighting designer/director. He is also the current editor of PLSN magazine.

ETC ACN LD Assistant Beta Testers Needed

Electronic Theatre Controls' ACN console connection with LD Assistant PL 08

Do you have an ETC Console with ACN? Do you have LD Assistant PL 08? We're looking for LD Assistant users that have an ETC console to test the new LD Assistant's ETC Connect Plug 'n' Play console function. Contact us at 708 499 0107 for more infomation.