ArchBlocks CAD Blog

Trying the new Blooger app for the IPhone

2011-09-09T06:36:00.001-07:00

This is a test post using the new Blogger app for the iPhone. I like it so far!

Have a great day!!
Kevin

Autodesk Exchange Apps introduced in AutoCAD 2012

2011-06-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

ArchBlocks CAD symbol libraries and titleblocks are now available directly from the AutoCAD 2012 menu, via Autodesk Exchange Apps Store! Please check it out.

http://blog.jtbworld.com/2011/06/autodesk-exchange-apps-introduced-in.html

Have a great day!

Kevin

What's New in AutoCAD 2012

2011-06-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a video from the Autodesk Exchange showing the new features of AutoCAD 2012.

http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/video/whats-new-autocad-2012

Have a great day!
Kevin

The New and Improved AUGIWorld magazine – Now available for download and online!

2011-02-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

The latest version of the new and improved AUGIWorld magazine is now available to download and read online.

Click on the link below to download;

Newest AUGIWorld Issue

Everyone have a great day!
Kevin

Check Out Autodesk Homestyler Software

2011-02-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

Create and share 2D and 3D home designs with Autodesk® Homestyler™ free online home design software. Visualize design ideas in minutes. It’s easy-to-use and accessible anytime, anywhere.

Autodesk Homestyler Facebook site;
http://www.facebook.com/homestyler

Autodesk Homestyler website;
http://www.homestyler.com/

Do Building Codes Really Do Us Any Good? - Fine Homebuilding

2010-12-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Do Building Codes Really Do Us Any Good? - Fine Homebuilding

Free AutoCAD Student Software Downloads

2010-09-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Free AutoCAD and Autodesk software downloads for students at Autodesk Education Community. 25 products available with a new extended 3 year license.

http://students.autodesk.com/

This is a great way to get started using AutoCAD!

AUGI's Top 10 Reasons to Attend Autodesk University

2010-09-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

Autodesk University 2010 is coming sooner than you think. Registration is open and you can sign up now. Selecting classes is easy and there are plenty to choose from.

Click on the link below to see the article;

http://www.augi.com/publications/hotnews.asp?id=2122

Have a great day!
Kevin

AutoCAD Video Tutorial - Creating a Lighting Plan

2010-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is Part 2 of the AutoCAD video tutorial series called "Creating a Lighting Plan". I will cover how to place wiring arcs from your wall switches to your lighting fixtures. Included is the tip on how to create tangent arcs for smooth serpentine wiring. Nothing looks worse that seeing connected arcs in a AutoCAD drawing that aren't tangent! Also covered is the Polyline Arc option to create wiring arcs that are one continuous object.
Your browser cannot play this video. Learn how to fix this.

Please leave any comments about this video, I would love to get some feedback. Also, let me know if there is any subjects that you would like to see in a AutoCAD video tutorial.

Thank you!

Good luck on all your projects!
Kevin

AutoCAD Video Tutorial - Creating a Lighting Plan - Part 1

2010-06-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Part 1 of my two part AutoCAD video tutorial series on Creating a Lighting Plan. This AutoCAD video shows you how to insert CAD electrical symbols into your lighting plan project drawings. Part 2 shows you how to add your wiring to the switches and lighting fixtures.

Your browser cannot play this video. Learn how to fix this.

AutoCAD Tutorial ~ Introduction to Design Center

2010-05-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everybody know that I just finished my first AutoCAD video tutorial. it's called: "Introduction to AutoCAD Design Center". My goal for these free AutoCAD tutorials is to provide you with short AutoCAD tutorials that will cover not only the features of AutoCAD, but also how to actually draw projects like floorplans, elevations, etc.

Click on the Play button below
to start the video;

So, enjoy my very first video tutorial, and please feel free to add any comments on how I can improve these videos. Thanks, Kevin

Affordable OnLine AutoCAD Training

2010-05-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

In working with KnowledgeCity.com, I have completed a 10 hour Introduction to AutoCAD on-line video training tutorial. Not only do you get a great 10 hour AutoCAD video tutorial, you also get access to their entire video library that includes all Microsoft Office programs, accounting tutorials, operating systems, Adobe software, Apple basics, selling on eBay, and programming tutorials.

All this has unlimited access for one low fee of $29.00 a month! This is a great way to get started with some AutoCAD training at a VERY affordable price!

Free trials are available too!

Just click on the image below to get started!

If you have any questions about the AutoCAD tutorial, just send me a note: Contact Kevin

Good luck on all your projects!
Kevin

AUGI annouces that the latest issue of AUGIWorld is now available for download.

2010-05-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

What's New for 2011? - AUGIWorld writers dive into the newest releases of popular Autodesk products including AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Autodesk Revit. You'll learn about all the new features and major enhancements in this year's products.

Guest Post by: Jack Lundee

2010-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Green Spaces Provide Great Economic Potential

Some of the more heavily discussed topics of early 2010 include obesity, green infrastructure, clean water, and more. In particular, the addition and/or substitution of green spaces have been quite controversial as of late. Senior resident of Urban Land Institute Ed T. McMahon states "Green space adds value to property." Not only would these areas of conservation drive economic trends upward, but they also improve the overall health of the surrounding community. For example, substituting things like golf courses with conservation areas would essentially increase surrounding property value while diminishing overpriced maintenance fees. The same holds true for airports and other large acre-eating developments.

Some of these areas are already abandoned or unkempt. For instance, park and recreational areas that were once highly visited have become urban wastelands. In an article from the Salt Lake Tribute, Lindsay Whitehurst discusses how an area that was capped with tennis courts to replace an old reservoir had been empty for some time now. She further explains how the University of Utah received a loan to fill the old reservoir and turn the land into a conservation area. Bob Sperling, manager of the water design team for Salt Lake City public utilities, infers high costs when he mentions challenging structural design. Aside from this, safety was a tremendous issue which was later justified when a large piece of slate gave way. It wasn't soon thereafter that it was noticed by Sperling during a routine inspection.

Much larger metropolitan areas are also playing their role in promoting sustainability by implementing many Green Spaces within the city. In Meg Muckenhoupt's new book Boston's Gardens & Green Spaces, she discusses different green space within the city of Boston. With very low cost maintenance fees and little liability, these areas are perfect for protecting our wildlife and the environment. They also attract further tourism; which would in turn generate revenue from ticket/tour sales.

This aligns with the implications of "economic viability" and long term sustainability, posing the question, "Would the substitution of golf courses and airports in the short term lead to an abrupt economic downfall? It's true that this type of architecture provides undoubtedly high revenue. On the contrary, they both come with ridiculously high expenses and maintenance. Incorporating various elements of green architecture implies things like green roofing, which could in turn drive down electrical/gas costs dramatically.

Guest Author:

Jack Lundee

http://everythingleft.wordpress.com/

http://twitter.com/j_lundee

AutoCAD eBook Tutorials now at ArchBlocks.com

2010-04-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

ArchBlocks.com now offers AutoCAD ebooks by Ralph Grabowski!

Ralph Grabowski is Editor of upFront.eZine e-newsletter and the former Senior Editor at CADalyst magazine. He is the author of more than 100 books about AutoCAD and other graphics software. All the ebooks that are offered are downloaded immediately and come in PDF format.

List of ebooks that are now available:

What's Inside? AutoCAD 2011: Covers all the latest new featues of AutoCAD 2011 that started shipping in April 2010.

Tailoring Dynamic Blocks AutoCAD 2010: a complete tutorial for creating and understanding dynamic blocks.

Tailoring AutoCAD 2010: getting the most out of your AutoCAD environment from basic to advanced topics.

Tailoring AutoLISP-DCL-Diesel: learn AutoCAD customization from basic to advanced topics.

Tailoring AutoCAD 2010 CUI: increase your productivity by creating a custom user interface specific to your production needs.

See sample pages from all the above ebook by clicking on the botton below:

Lynn Allen's Latest AutoCAD Tips!

2010-04-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

You can now download from AutoCAD Exchange, "Lynn Allen's AutoCAD 2011 Tips" in PDF format. It gives you some great insight on the new features of AutoCAD 2011.

http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=autocad_tips_tutorials_detail&adsk_tip_id=1003&jid=2036

Have a great day!
Kevin

CAD Hatch Patterns now at ArchBlocks.com

2010-03-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

100 Plus Hatch Patterns

The AutoCAD hatch patterns library called 100 Plus Hatch Patterns from CompugraphX has just been added to the list of products available on ArchBlocks.com. There are over 365 hatch patterns in this library for the architectural and civil engineering designer. Great CAD hatch patterns for wood, natural stone, roofing material, brick, and floor tile.

Check out all the great CAD hatch patterns available by clicking HERE.

ArchBlocks Design Contest Winner

2010-01-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

The first ever ArchBlocks Design Contest had many great submissions.

Remember to send in an entry for Janurary 2010!

The winner receives $100.00

December 2009 Winner

Jason Harris of Cordova Tennesee, is our December 2009 ArchBlocks Design Contest Winner. Jason used the add-on software to AutoCAD called "M-Color" to add the color fills and textures.

If you have any any great designs that you would to send in, just attach them to an email and send them to me at: Kevin@ArchBlocks.com

We accept any digital format, .dwg, .pdf, .jpg, etc.

Be sure to stop by the http://www.archblocks.com/ website to see the many new products being offered.

Everyone have a great New Year! ~Kevin

ArchBlocks.com Design Contest

2009-11-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

Here is your chance to show off your amazing creative abilities! ArchBlocks.com is holding a monthly design contest and the winner will receive $100.00!

Accepting entries now, so send in your CAD drawings, elevations, illustrations that show how you used at least one of the blocks from the ArchBlocks.com block libraries.

The entry deadline is December 15th, 2009. As my part to help with an economic stimulus package, the winner will be selected and the check sent by December 17th, 2009. Just in time for some Holiday gift giving!

For more information on the ArchBlocks.com design contest go to:

http://tinyurl.com/ylouzo6

AutoCAD Tutorial on Managing Screened Colors with Plot Styles.

2009-11-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

There's a new AutoCAD tutorial on the http://www.archblocks.com/ website on how to manage screened colors when plotting, by using Plot Styles.

Example of screened colors when plotted.

Check it out:

http://www.archblocks.com/free-autocad-tutorials

If you have any questions, or comments about the tutorial, please let me know.

Take care,
Kevin

ArchBlocks October Newsletter

2009-10-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Get all the latest happenings with the ArchBlocks.com website by checking out the October newsletter!

October 2009 http://tinyurl.com/yzmden9

A beautiful artist has passed away...

2009-05-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite woodworkers, Sam Maloof, passed away this last Thursday.

He made the most beautiful pieces of art out of wood. Below is one of his most famous creations.

He will be missed...

Jim "Kimo" West

2009-05-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

Kimo performs a solo "slack key" arrangement of "Akaka Falls" at Kulak's Woodshed in North Hollywood ~Beautiful Guitar sound~

http://tinyurl.com/q6asn7

Very Cool Underwater Scupltures

2009-05-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

This short film shows the early stages of coral regeneration on Jason deCaires Taylor underwater sculptures in Moiliniere Bay, Grenada. The UK-based artist is also working on the world’s largest underwater sculpture park, which is being developed off Cancun, Mexico. His sculptures offer aesthetic and artistic pleasure for divers and snorkellers, as well as perfect surfaces for young coral polyps to attach themselves and set up home. You can find out more about his unique work and maybe even contribute to one of his sculptures by going to: http://www.underwatersculpture.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJJ4LgiePA

Great sites for Free Digital Textures

2009-04-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here are two great sites for digital texure maps. 100's of images to choose from.

CG Textures;
http://www.cgtextures.com/

High Resolution Textures;
http://www.highresolutiontextures.com/

Your time is limited, so don't waste it...

2009-04-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

~ Steve Jobs

A Creative Mind

2009-04-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: a human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him, a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.

~Pearl Buck

Ukulele Virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro Drops In

2009-04-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Here's some surf vibe, good for the soul!

http://surfermag.com/av/flash/ukulele_virtuoso_jake_shimabukuro

Susan Boyle in "Britain's Got Talent"

2009-04-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

You have to watch this video!!

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4853639/12942069

Installing AutoCAD 2010

2009-04-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

Below is a step-by-step preview on how to install AutoCAD 2010.

AutoCAD 2010 CD case cover.

Select Install Products.

Select which products you wish to install.

Read the complete agreement always!! ;) and then select Agree.

Fill in your information, serial number, and product key. You will find these listed on the back of your AutoCAD CD case.

Review your information, configure if needed, then select Install.

If you have made no changes to the default configuration, you will get this message dialog. Select Yes if you're ready to continue.

Installing the compoents will now start. The time this takes will vary with your computer system.

Once the installation is complete, this dialog will appear and you can select Finish.

The install will place this shortcut for AutoCAD 2010 on your desktop.

You will be asked to migrate settings from previous versions of AutoCAD that have been detected on your computer.

This dialog let's you set your industry standard settings as default.

Here you can opitmize your settings for the type of work you do.

Here you can accept the default drawing template, or use a custom one.

You have the option to activate now, or within 30 days. It takes less than a minute to get the activation code if you're online.

Enter your activation code information. You will then be asked to restart your computer for the new settings to take place.

Above is the new AutoCAD 2010 screen menu with no changes from the default settings.

Enjoy!!

Autodesk Users Group International

2009-03-23T09:52:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for a great reference for industry updates, AutoCAD news and tutorials, check the AUGI website!

http://www.augi.com/home/default.asp

ArchBlocks Web Site Updates

2009-02-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have been working on updating the www.ArchBlocks.com website. The website format will be changing and I have been adding new CAD library products. There will be many changes happening over the next month, so stop by the site when you can to see all the new products!

All my best,
Kevin

The New Year...

2009-01-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

This post is just to wish everyone out there a happy and prosperous new year!

Peace ~Kevin

Lighting Plan / Electrical Wiring Tutorial

2008-10-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen AutoCAD drawings where someone has added arcing lines that continue from each other, but they are not tangent? (as in having nice smooth transitions from arc to arc). Placing those nice smooth wiring lines into your electrical plans is very fast and easy! We're going to use the ARC command to place the wires. If you remember, the ARC command and it's default prompting uses the 3 point ARC option. So we start all our wiring lines with a 3 point ARC as shown below:
Let's practice first. Go to an open space in your drawing as shown above and enter the ARC command. I usually just type A and then spacebar, and that enters the ARC command very quickly. The prompt asks for the start point, pick point #1 anywhere in your drawing. Read the command prompt now... it asks for the second point. As you're draging from the first to the second point, it looks like a line is being drawn, ignore that and pick the second point. Once you pick the second point, what you're draging now looks like an ARC. The command prompt is now asking for the end point of the ARC, pick your 3rd point and the ARC is drawn, the command ends itself, and you have clear command prompt ready for the next step.

OK, here's the trick if you haven't done this before... if you press the spacebar or press the ENTER key, it repeats the ARC command, that's no big deal...but if you spacebar or ENTER again, it attaches the second arc to the end of your first arc!, AND the connection is TANGENT, as in a very smooth transition from one arc to the other! Now to draw the second ARC the prompting is different, look at your command prompt now... it asks only for the end point of the second arc, drag the ARC to a point that looks good and pick the end point, you're done with the second ARC. Just repeat as needed by double tapping the spacebar and picking points till you have all the arc lines that you need.

This technique is also very good for drawing curved landscape border lines!

Below is an example of running a curved wiring line from a switch to a fixture.

TIP: Remember to create a seperate layer for the wiring lines, and set a Hidden linetype to the layer. If you draw some arcs and don't see the hidden linetype, check your Ltscale setting. A good typical setting to start with in an architectural drawing is LTscale=24.

After you have placed a switch symbol, start your 3 point arc as shown above. The start point begins on the switch.Once you have completed the first ARC, double tap the space and you're right back in the ARC command ready to drag and place the second ARC. As shown above with point #4.

After picking point #4, the ARC command ends. Double tap the spacebar again repeating the ARC command, drag the ARC to the light fixture and pick point #5. You've just placed a perfectly smooth wiring line from switch to fixture.

TIP: If you don't like the way your wiring line looks, start over. Trying to edit the ARCs to make them look good is difficult.

Below is an example of different ways to run wiring lines between fixtures. With a little practice, you can place them perfect the everytime!If you need a symbol library of Electrical Blocks, check out my web site address below. Don't spend any time drawing the symbols yourself, it's a massive waste of time!

http://www.archblocks.com/products.htm

If you have any questions, or comments about this AutoCAD lesson, send me a note at:

Kevin@ArchBlocks.com

Good luck with all your projects!
~Kevin

Took Some Time Off...

2008-09-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hello out there!
I took some time off from my blogging to make some life changes this summer. I'm back, and will be posting tips and tricks, lessons, and information about my website: http://www.ArchBlocks.com

Thanks for stopping by!
Kevin

Lighting Plan Tutorial

2008-04-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and simple tutorial on placing lighting plan symbols in your AutoCAD drawings. If you haven't used the Nearest osnap setting very often, this is a great place to use it. The Nearest osnap setting lets you place a block onto a object with a perfect connection, and you get to pick exactly where you want it to go. Nearest gives you the most flexibility in accruately placing blocks.

First, set the Running Osnap to Nearest, I uncheck all the other settings because they just get in the way. The quickest way to the Osnap settings is from your Status bar at the bottom of your screen. Right-Click on Osnap, then select Settings.

Once you set Nearest as your osnap it will only use that osnap, and it will be on all the time.

Let's say we want to place a single switch next to a door opening into a room. Go and find your switch block to insert. I use Design Center to manage all my blocks. I have a block library specifically for lighting plans.

If you don't have a library for lighting symbols, don't draw them all from scratch, that is a massive waste of time! I have a library that I sell, that is a great starter library for anybody needing lighting plan symbols.

Here's the URL address for the ArchBlocks.com Electrical Library:

http://www.archblocks.com/electrical_preview.htm

Below, I have located my electrical symbols in Design Center. If I want to rotate the symbol onto a wall, I need to double-click the symbol in Design Center (as shown below with the red arrow).

Once you double-click with the left mouse button, you get the Insert dialog box for inserting blocks into AutoCAD. Select OK, and you will then be prompted for two things, insertion point, and rotation.

Once you pick OK, you are prompted for the insertion point. Drag your switch symbol to the location on the wall next to the door. As your crosshairs touch the wall line you will see the Nearest osnap marker appear (it is the hourglass figure - see below). You can then drag the symbol up and down the wall line to the location that you want, then pick exactly where you want the symbol to attach to the wall.

Next, you are prompted for Rotation. This is where Nearest works really well. Just drag your crosshairs along the wall, and pick anywhere (as long as the Nearest marker is showing). When you see your symbol rotated to where you want it, just pick, and the symbol is placed perfectly onto your wall.

With Design Center, and using the Osnap setting of Nearest, you can quickly, and accurately place your lighting symbols in your drawings.

SPEED TIP: Once you Insert a symbol and rotate it into position, if you need the same symbol with the same rotation in other rooms, it's faster to Copy the symbol into the other rooms, than it is to Insert each new symbol.

Next lesson: drawing those perfect wiring arcs from your switches to the lighting fixtures.

See ya next time!

Installing AutoCAD 2009

2008-03-30T23:28:00.000-07:00

AutoCAD 2009 shipped last week to all the users that are on subcription with Autodesk. I installed mine today and wanted to share the installation experience with you all. I've been installing AutoCAD software for over 20 years now, and you always wonder how easy and trouble free it's really going to be. My installation went very smooth, and took approximately 20 minutes.

AutoCAD 2009 CD Box

I will give a step-by-step overview below of how the installation works, and what it looks like to install AutoCAD 2009.

The first step after inserting the installation CD, is to select Install Products.

After that, you select what Products you want to install, AutoCAD 2009 was checked on by default.

Next you need to Accept the License Agreement.Next you have the option to Review, Configure, or Install. After looking over the default installation settings I noticed that the installing the Materials Library was checked off. So I selected Configure, so I could check it on .Next you select what license type you want to install, Stand Alone, or Network.

Then you select the Installation Type, Typical is the default.
The next dialog states that the Configuration is Complete.
You are almost done! The Installtion Wizard now installs everything.After a few minutes the Installation Complete dialog appears.
Once you pick Finish, you can choose to Restart your computer now, or later. The installation Wizard places this shortcut on the Desktop.

Doubleclick the shortcut and your new AutoCAD 2009 comes to life. You will be asked if you want to migrate your settings from your older versions of AutoCAD that are on your computer. You are then asked if you would like to register now or later. I decided to register right then and it took less than a minute.

Viola! Your new AutoCAD 2009 is ready to be experienced!

Weekend CAD Warrior!

2008-03-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

How many of you out there use your AutoCAD for projects at home? Personally, I can't think of any better use for $3,000 software, and a $2,000 computer, than to design a $20 home project!

I love home remodel projects, and I've been a woodworker since I was 10 years old. So I'm starting an addition to my blog that shows how AutoCAD, or any CAD package, can save you time and improve your design projects at home.

The first project that I would like to present is one of the simplest ones I've done lately. I found two old outdoor chairs at a demolishion site in Oceanside California. I wanted to update the look and give them a new paint color. My first step was to decide what design I wanted to give the back and arms. I felt something similar to a loose interpetation of a adirondack chair would work fine. So I drew up a few options in AutoCAD as shown below.

I decided that I wanted the beveled back option. Drawing options in CAD is a great way to see different options and get cutting dimensions.

So here is the final result. The picture below shows one chair completed and one chair as I found them.

Not bad for for a $20 investment!

I will add my Weekend CAD Warrior column to my blog a couple times a month, so stay tuned for the next CAD home project.

~Peace to everyone~

AutoCAD 2009? Already?!

2008-02-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

That's right! AutoCAD 2009 will be shipping soon. To see a couple of the features reviewed go to Donnie Gladfelter's "The CAD Geek Blog", at the URL address below:

http://thecadgeek.com/blog/

To see a complete list of the new features go Shaan Hurley's "Between the Lines" blog. You can also download the AutoCAD 2009 Preview Guide from his blog. His URL is:

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2008/02/the-2009-produc.html

One of the new features I really like is the new "Ribbon" menu GUI. This is similar to the Dashboard menu in 2008 and 2007. There's great flexibility and customization in a very intuitive menu interface.

Peace - Kevin

AutoCAD Tip of the Week

2008-02-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

If you use Paperspace in AutoCAD, there is a feature that has been available for the last few releases that is a big time saver! I use this feature all the time to Lock and Unlock Paperspace viewports. It is also a great way to change the scale factor of your viewports very quickly.

In the lower section of your screen menu at the very bottom you will find the Status bar. Typically, you use it to set your Ortho, Polar, and Osnap settings, etc. If you look a little further to the right there is a little Lock icon.

If you pick on this lock while you are in Paperspace viewport, it will Lock and Unlock the viewport view so you can zoom and pan around. This feature is so much faster than having to right-click the viewport border and then select Display Locked on the right-click menu.

Just to the right of the Lock icon is popdown menu that lets you select any scale factor you would like to set in the viewport. If you're a veteran of the earlier versions of AutoCAD, you will remember that you had to know and type in the zoom scale factor such as 1/48xp. That would give you a 1/4"=1'-0" scaled viewport. Is that old technique nuts, or what?!

So now you set your viewport scale and lock and unlock your viewports very quickly. Simple time saving features like this make upgrading your AutoCAD well with the money.

Have a great day! Kevin

OC Metro Business Magazine Article

2008-02-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

My new website ArchBlocks.com was featured in the OC Metro Business ~ E-Commerce section of the January 31st, 2008 edition. The OC Metro Business Magzine publishes articles on the current business events in Orange County, California.

The E-Commerce section features new, and innovative businesses that offer products over the internet.

This was an exciting event for my new website http://www.archblocks.com/ that offers upscale libraries to CAD designers.

If you would like to see the article follow the link below to:
http://www.ocmetro.com/NEW_SITE/metro013108/e_commerce.php
If you would like to view the libraries offered on the ArchBlocks.com Products page, please follow the link below:
http://www.archblocks.com/products.htm

Please stay tuned to this blog for tips and tricks, AutoCAD tutorials, and industry news.

Take care, Kevin

Happy New Year from ArchBlocks.com!

2008-01-16T23:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome!
Thank you for stopping by. This is my first post for the exciting year of 2008. Please stay tuned to this blog in the coming year. I will be posting each month tips and tricks, tutorials, and industry news, and great links that I hope everyone will find informative.

I want this blog to be a great resource for new and experienced AutoCAD users.

AutoCAD Door Blocks and Window Blocks

2007-12-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Door blocks, window blocks and cabinet blocks are a staple in almost every designer’s cad library. But if your using the same old architectural blocks to build your designs, chances are your auto cad drawings aren’t living up to their full potential.

Check out ArchBlock’s AutoCAD Doors & Windows Block Library Preview to see just a sample of the options you have for your cad drawings. We include great detail in our blocks, because we know that it’s the detail that makes your drawings stand out and really pop.

In addition to previewing the door blocks and cabinet blocks, you’ll see that you have the option of dressing up your design even further with great door hardware blocks, isometric cabinet hardware blocks and window treatment blocks. These features will give your auto cad drawing the professional and finished look your clients demand.

If you have any questions about our AutoCAD block library, Contact Us today!

Welcome to ArchBlocks' AutoCAD Library Blog

2007-11-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome to ArchBlocks’s new AutoCAD symbols and CAD library blog. We developed this blog to provide a forum for designers, engineers and architects to discuss how to improve AutoCAD drawings and designs as well as get the latest updates on ArchBlock’s CAD library and newest cad symbols.

Be sure to check our blog often to get great tips and tricks for your next AutoCAD house plan, AutoCAD architectural drawing or other AutoCAD project. We encourage you to post any questions or comments you have about ArchBlock’s AutoCAD symbols, CAD library or about the world of AutoCAD design.

We hope you will enjoy learning how to make your AutoCAD drawings more professional and dynamic by utilizing the suggestions, tips and tricks we discuss in this blog along with the unique AutoCAD symbols, architectural title blocks and tree symbols found in our CAD library. As always, feel free to contact ArchBlocks anytime for more information about our state-of-the-art AutoCAD library or visit us online today to get a first hand look at our AutoCAD symbols.

Welcome!

2007-10-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting the one stop shop for all your Auto CAD Block Design Needs! Get the latest updates on ArchBlocks.com AutoCAD Design Block news and press releases.

ArchBlocks is dedicated to quality service and helping your company look good!