AutoCAD 2016 PDF Enhancements Part Two

At Ideate Inc. we are delving into the latest release of AutoCAD. Among the numerous enhancements to AutoCAD 2016, here are a few of the PDF additions.

Separate PDF dialog box?    

In previous releases of AutoCAD, the DWF and PDF settings were in the same dialog box. With this latest release, PDF options now have their own dialog box. This box can be accessed from the Output tab of the Ribbon (image 1), in the plot box after you choose a PDF printer (image 2), and in the right click menu on the sheet set manager (image 3).


 

Image 1: Accessing the PDF settings box on the Output tab of the ribbon

 

Image 2: Accessing the PDF options box in the plot box after selecting a PDF printer

 

Image 3: Accessing the PDF options box from the sheet set manager

  

The new PDF export to dialog box is centralized location for PDF print settings. Now instead of having to dig through several dialog boxes to set up your PDF print options, you can set them all in one box, as shown below.  Additionally, PDFs created from AutoCAD can now retain their hyperlinks and have bookmarks.  I cover this in another blog...

 

AutoCAD 2016 PDF Enhancements Part One

 

  

PDF Plot Presets

 

Additionally, there are new PDF printer plot options (pc3 files) that come with your standard AutoCAD 2016 install.  These options indicate PDF quality so you don’t have to set quality options for each PDF you create.  The options include: General Documentation, High Quality Print, Smallest File, and Web and Mobile.  For specific setting details for each option, refer to the link below... 

 

Setting Details

 

 

 Image: PDF plot preset options

 

To summarize, new PDF functionality include:

 

 • A PDF settings dialog box accessible from the ribbon, the plot dialog box and the sheet set manager

• Preset PDF quality options



For information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com

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Kate Ming

AEC Application Specialist

Kate is a California licensed civil engineer with a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Prior to Ideate, she worked at a multinational company for four years doing general civil design on large infrastructure projects. She is versed in roadway, rail, utility design and site development. She also has experience with utility demand analysis and Low Impact Development plans. As a Civil 3D Autodesk Certified Professional Kate provides training and support for Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and InfraWorks.
 

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AutoCAD 2016 Dimension Tool Enhancements

At Ideate, we’ve been going through the updates to the AutoCAD 2016 release.  In this post, I will describe the enhancements made to dimensioning.

Predictive Dimension Command

The dimension tool is now easier to use with its new predictive capabilities.  As opposed to choosing the type of dimension you need, the dimension command now predicts what type of dimension to place by hovering over the object that you want to dimension. This new dimension command can be found in the same place as the old one on the Annotate tab of the ribbon.  The new dimension command replaces the dimension drop down list that exists in previous versions of AutoCAD. 


Image: The annotate tab with the new predictive dimension tool

To use the new dimension command, select it from the annotate tab or type DIM in the command line and hover over the object you want to dimension.  Options for dimensions show up in the command line.  For example, if you start the dimension command and hover over a circle, the command line shows you options for dimensioning a circle.  If you want to draw an angular dimension, select one of the objects going to be used for the dimension.  Then select the next object that is an edge of the angle.

Dimension Editing Additions

Another improvement to dimensioning functionality is the ability for AutoCAD to recognize when you are placing a dimension on top of an already existing dimension.  The software allows for 4 options when this occurs: move away, break up, replace and none.  

 

 

Let’s explore these options. The first picture shows the original dimension.  In the subsequent images, I am placing the same dimension on top of the existing dimension.  However, for each image I use one of the different options: move away, break up, replace or none.  



  

Image: Original dimension before a second dimension is placed on top



Image: Option 1 Move away

 

Image: Option 2 Break up

Image: Option 3 Replace

Image: Option 4 none

In short, the new updated dimension tool
• Predicts the type of object that is being dimensioned
• Changes the options for dimensioning depending on the object type
• Allows for options when placing a dimension on top of an already existing dimension



 

For more information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com

 

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Kate Ming

Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Kate is a California licensed civil engineer with a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Prior to Ideate, she worked at a multinational company for four years doing general civil design on large infrastructure projects. She is versed in roadway, rail, utility design and site development. She also has experience with utility demand analysis and Low Impact Development plans. As a Civil 3D Autodesk Certified Professional Kate provides training and support for Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and InfraWorks.

AutoCAD 2016 New Dimension Tool

At Ideate, we always try our best to keep you abreast with the latest in the Autodesk world. So, here is a post dedicated to perhaps one of the biggest feature enhancements of AutoCAD 2016 – the new dimension tool. This will change your workflow forever, and for the better. Read on for a sneak preview of the tool. 

New Dimension Tool - Notice the Dimension Fly Out now
appears on the bottom row of the dimension panel.

As you can see from the above, the dimension fly out has been replaced with one command: dimension. This new tool is streamlined so that you don’t have to pick different commands for adding different types of dimensions. For example, you can add a linear, arc, circular, or angular dimension with one command, without having to quit and invoke the various dimension commands. As you invoke the dimension command, you will see options on your command line to switch the various options. The various dimension commands are now options of one dimension command.  

Dimension Commands

These options are smart because you don’t have to invoke them individually. AutoCAD automatically detects the object, and adds the appropriate annotation. Watch the short clip below and see how I don’t have to quit. All dimensions are added from the same command.


There is a layer control available from within the dimension panel. If you still want to use your dimension shortcuts, they will still work. The dimension fly out now appears in the bottom row of the dimension panel. You can see this in the first image in this post, where the text says "Linear" in the bottom left are.

This feature simplifies your workflow, and still allows for you to select your familiar dimension shortcuts. To check it out for yourself, go ahead and download AutoCAD 2016 trial today.

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Gaurav Bagga
Ideate Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist

Gaurav is a well rounded Application Engineer and Project Manager for Infrastructure Solutions at Ideate based out of San Francisco. He has over 15 years experience in construction industry and has been helping numerous small, medium and ENR 500 firms maximize their CAD investment for the last ten years. Gaurav is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He has taught at several conferences, CAD Camps and Autodesk University. He has taught AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Land Desktop and Map 3D to thousands of students and helps Ideate develop the Infrastructure Services curriculum and courses. With his extensive CAD technology background he helps Bay Area engineering and surveying firms analyze and improve their design and drawing production process thereby improving productivity and the bottom line. Follow Gaurav on Twitter: @BeGeez

Get it. Know it. Use it.