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AutoCAD 2011

My experience of AutoCAD 2011 (aka Hammer)

AutoCAD 2011 ('twenty eleven') was released and shipped on Thurdsay, 25 March 2010. This is the 25th version of AutoCAD.

New and/or enhanced functions
Still missing. Wish list for the next time
Existing bugs
Removed
Tips & Tricks
Readme
Updates & Service Packs
Links
New  and Updated Commands
Removed or Obsolete Commands
New  and Updated System Variables
AutoCAD training video
JTB World's software compatible with AutoCAD 2011

New and/or enhanced functions and some bug fixes.

No New file format "AutoCAD 2010 Drawing" is used. The version number is 18.1.

The big news in AutoCAD 2011 are

  • Surface Modeling - NURBS surfaces
  • Point Cloud Files - up to 2 billion points (2,000,000,000)
  • Materials Browser
  • Parametric Drawing - Infer Constraints
  • Object Transparency
  • Polylines - multi-functional grips

User Interface

A dark gray background in modelspace is now default.

The traditional dot grid has been replaced with horizontal and vertical gridlines.

Quick Access toolbar displays the name of the current workspace. As default Quick Access toolbar now includes both the Save and the Save As tools.

New Navigation bar that replaces the navigation tools that were previously accessible on the Status bar. Integrated support for 3D Connexion devices. Model space variant to the left and paper space variant to the right. You can select where it is docked and if it should be linked to the ViewCube.

ViewCube has been enhanced to support the 2D wireframe visual style.

SteeringWheel Settings dialog box updated.

The UCS icon has been updated to display a different color for each axis: X for red, Y for green, and Z for blue. In addition, the appearance of 3D gizmos has been updated for clarity and consistency.

Ribbon cycle options.

The Insert tab includes a Point Cloud panel and Content panel with access to Design Center and Autodesk Seek web service. Autodesk Seek has been removed from the Output tab.
The View tab has been updated to include the Visual Styles panel. The Windows panel includes new User Interface and Toolbar controls that enable you to toggle the display of various user interface elements, including Autodesk ViewCube and ShowMotion navigation widgets, the Navigation bar, and the Text window. The Status bar controls, which have been removed from the Windows panel, are now only on the Status bar.

Customize User Interface dialog box now supports Fold panels.

Visible news

Five new predefined visual styles including: Shaded, Shaded with Edges, Shades
of Gray, Sketchy, and X‐Ray.

Object Visibility enable you to control object visibility independent from layer
visibility. The Object Visibility tools are accessible from the right‐click menu when objects are selected as well as when no objects are selected. When you use the Isolate Objects tool, only the selected objects remain visible in the drawing. All other objects are hidden. The OBJECTISOLATIONMODE system variable controls whether isolated/hidden objects persist between drawing sessions. Default setting is temporary for current drawing session with value 0. To persist use value 1. A lightbulb icon on the status bar indicates whether object isolation is active in the drawing.

Select Similar tool enables you to select an object and automatically include all other objects of the same type and with the same properties, in a new selection set. You can access it from the right‐click menu when objects are selected.

Add Selected tool enables you to quickly create a new object in your drawing based on the properties of an existing object. For example, if you use the Add Selected tool and select a polyline, AutoCAD automatically launches the PLINE command with basic object properties including color, layer, linetype, linetype scale, plotstyle, lineweight, transparency, and material preset to match the selected object.

A Settings option (accessible when you enter SELECTSIMILAR at the command line) enables you to specify which properties to filter. If only the Layer property is enabled when you select a circle, for example, AutoCAD automatically selects all circles on the same layer as the one you selected. If both the Layer and Linetype properties are enabled, however, AutoCAD selects only the circles on the same layer and with the same linetype as the selected one.

The Select Similar tool also enables you to select more than one object and create the matching selection set accordingly. For example, if the Layer filter is enabled and you select two circles, each on different layers, AutoCAD selects all the circles on both layers. If, instead, you select a circle and a line, AutoCAD selects all the circles on the same layer as the selected circle and all the lines on the same layer as the selected line. In addition to general object properties, you can filter selections based on objectspecific properties, including object style and reference name. Object Style properties apply to text and mtext, leaders and mleaders, dimensions and tolerances, and tables and multilines. Reference names apply to blocks and externally referenced files, including xrefs and images as well as PDF, DWG™, or DGN files.

In addition to the new Select Similar tool, a new option has been added to the PICKADD system variable. When PICKADD is set to a value of 2 (as it is now by default), objects that you select using the SELECT command remain selected in a “pick first” state even after you end the SELECT command.

Easily select overlapping objects using the new selection cycling functionality. You can enable selection cycling from a control on the Status bar (right click to access the Selection Cycling options). When you try to select an object that overlaps other objects, AutoCAD displays a list of all the overlapping objects. As you pass the cursor over an object in the list, the relevant object in the drawing highlights, click on any object in the list and it gets selected. You can also click on the same location multiple times and the objects with be selected one at a time. To filter the type of subobjects displayed (vertices, edges, or faces) use the SUBOBJSELECTIONMODE system variable. You can also set this option with the SELECTIONCYCLING system variable.

The Action Recorder enables you to delete or insert user messages for View Change operations. The macro list displays the most recently used macros above the separation bar and all available macros below it.

Parametric Constraints
The 2D parametric functionality has been enhanced, and includes predefined command macros to access options within in the GEOMCONSTRAINT and DIMCONSTRAINT commands.
For example, instead of launching the GEOMCONSTRAINT command and then selecting the Perpendicular option, you can launch the GCPERPENDICULAR command directly. Repeating the last command automatically repeats the last command as well as the specific option.
Object highlighting when you roll over an icon on a constraint bar or when you select a parameter in the Parameters manager supports the Visual Effects settings you specify on the Selection tab of the Options dialog box (dashed and thickened by default). Additional improvements to geometric and dimensional constraint functionality enable you to create and edit parametrically constrained geometry faster than ever before.

Geometric Constraints

AutoCAD 2011 significantly simplifies the process of adding geometric constraints to 2D AutoCAD geometry. AutoCAD can infer geometric constraints as you create and modify geometry. A new Infer Constraint button on the status bar enables you to toggle inferred constraints on and off similar to toggling object snaps on and off. This toggle is also available on the Geometric tab of the Constraint Settings dialog box.

Using inferred constraints automatically applies coincident constraints for Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Node, and Insertion objects snaps. For example, if you draw a circle by snapping its center to the midpoint of a line, AutoCAD automatically applies a coincident constraint between the center of the circle and the midpoint of the line. If you move the circle, the line goes with it. The same powerful functionality applies to editing commands. If, for example, you copy the insertion of a block to the endpoint of a line, AutoCAD automatically applies a coincident constraint between those two points. When you move the line, the block maintains its position at the endpoint of the line.

In addition to creating point‐to‐point coincident constraints with the previously mentioned object snaps, you can use the Nearest object snap to apply a coincident constraint between a point and an object. For example, if you draw the center of a circle on a line using the Nearest object snap, the center of the circle has the flexibility of moving anywhere along the line including the virtual extension of the line.

The Perpendicular and Tangent object snaps automatically apply perpendicular or tangent constraints between the object being created or edited and the object being snapped to. They also apply a point‐topoint or point‐to‐object coincident constraint if appropriate. Using the Parallel object snap automatically applies a parallel constraint but no coincident constraints are applied since, by definition, the two objects never intersect. When you draw horizontal or vertical lines and polyline segments, inferred horizontal and vertical constraints automatically apply to those segments.

Inferred constraints enhance the behavior of rectangles, fillets, and chamfers by automatically applying appropriate geometric constraints. For example, if you draw a rectangle (using the RECTANG command), AutoCAD automatically applies a pair of parallel constraints and a perpendicular constraint to the closed polyline. When you modify the size and shape of the rectangle, you can rest assured that it will remain a rectangle with parallel sides and perpendicular corners. Creating a fillet automatically applies coincident and tangent constraints between the newly created arc and the existing pair of lines helping maintain the fillet even when the arc or lines are modified. Similarly, creating a chamfer applies coincident constraints between the newly created line and the existing pair of lines.

Even after you’ve applied constraints, you can temporarily relax them by pressing the CTRL key while editing constrained objects.
Improved support of geometric constraints for ellipses and text. You can now apply Parallel, Perpendicular, Collinear, Horizontal, and Vertical constraints between the major or minor axes of an ellipse and other objects.

Similarly, you can apply Parallel, Perpendicular, Collinear, Horizontal, and Vertical constraints to the rotation angle of text objects. In addition, text and mtext objects behave consistently and predictably, with the identified insertion point of the object being the constrainable point. 

One problem found is that to select the text it is needed to click a bit below the text.

The AutoConstrain functionality in AutoCAD 2011 has been updated to include the Equal constraint. When you use AutoConstrain with the Equal option enabled, the Equal constraint is automatically applied to lines and polyline segments of equal length and arcs and/or circles of equal radius.

Constraint bars are enhanced to provide more control and flexibility. You can select multiple objects for showing or hiding constraint bars using standard selection methods, including Window, Crossing, Fence, and Implied Window/Crossing. Quickly display all constraint bars in their original position using the new Reset option. And, a new setting in the Geometric tab of the Constraint Settings dialogs enables you to show constraint bars when objects are selected even if those constraint bars are currently hidden. When the geometry is no longer selected, the temporarily displayed constraint bars are, once again, hidden. When you move a constraint bar and then edit the related geometry, the constraint bar maintains its position relative to the geometry.

The new constraint icons for Fix, Horizontal, and Vertical constraints visually indicate whether they apply to an object or to a point. The symmetric constraint icon is also updated to indicate whether it is identifying a symmetrical point or object, or the symmetric line.

The DIMCONSTRAINT command includes a new Convert option to convert associative dimensions to dimensional constraints rather than it being the default behavior.

When entering dimensional constraint values in‐place, you can click on an existing dimensional constraint to insert the constraint name. When dynamic dimensional constraints reference another parameter, the parameter text is prepended with “fx:” to help prevent you from accidentally assigning a constant value to a parameter that references other variables.

New tools on the Dimensional Panel of the Parametric tab provide you with more control over the display of dimensional constraints. Using the Show/Hide tool you can select the specific dimensional constraints you want to show or hide.

The Parameters Manager offers significant improvements. It includes a new Filters pane where you can define parameter groups that display a subset of the parameters. Create new filter groups using the button at the top of the Parameters Manager or by selecting the option from the rightclick menu. With your filter groups created, you can then drag parameters into them. The right‐click menu for parameters in the Parameters Manager is updated with additional options including the ability to display the Filter tree and to remove parameters from a group.

A new search box filters the parameters displayed in the grid control based on the parameter name. Column tooltips display the full name of the column as well as a description.

Additional enhancements to the Parameters Manager simplify the terminology for dimensional constraints and user variables created in the drawing editor versus the block editor. The Show column in the Block Editor includes a new option to convert between dimensional constraint parameters or user parameters defined in the drawing editor versus the block editor. In the Block Editor, icons are displayed for action parameters, attributes, and user parameters.

Transparency

AutoCAD 2011 includes a new transparency property that enables you to apply transparency to objects and layers in the same way you apply colors, linetypes, and lineweights.

You can set transparency by layer, by block, or individually for an object. The default transparency value for layers and objects is 0, and you can set it as high as 90.

The Layer Properties Manager (palette and dialog), the Layer States Manager, the Layer Filter dialog, and the Layer Translator have all been updated to reflect the new transparency property. In the Layer Properties Manager, a new column for Transparency is available in modelspace and layouts, and a column for Viewport (VP) Transparency is available in layouts and floating modelspace viewports.

You can set transparency for individual objects just like color and linetype. Setting a transparency value for an individual object overrides the layer transparency setting for that object. You can access object transparency from a number of places: the Properties palette, Quick Properties, or the ribbon. The new CETRANSPARENCY system variable sets the transparency property for new objects.

The SetByLayer Settings dialog has been updated to include Transparency as one of the available properties.

Transparency has also been added to the Quick Select, Filter, and Match Property Settings dialogs as well as the CHPROP, CHANGE, ‐LAYER, VPLAYER, and LIST commands.

A button has been added to the status bar to enable you to temporarily turn off transparency display (TRANSPARENCYDISPLAY system variable), similar to the behavior of the lineweight display button. This does not affect plotting. However, you have the option to turn off transparency when plotting. The Plot and Page Setup dialogs both include a checkbox for transparency (PLOTTRANSPARENCY), similar to the behavior for plot styles. When this option is enabled, AutoCAD rasterizes the entire drawing for plotting, slowing down the plotting process.

Prior to AutoCAD 2011, images had a setting, also called “transparency,” that controlled whether the background of a bitonal image was clear or opaque. This property has been renamed to “background transparency” to distinguish it from the new “transparency” property. You can apply both background and object transparencies to images in AutoCAD 2011.

Still missing. Wish list for the next time.

See also old wishes found in AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD 2008

Selection cycling should benefit from also be able to show layer of objects. Imagine if you have two identical objects and only the layer is different. Another thing that might be helpful is to be able to use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to activate the Selection dialog. Now you have to either stay still and click multiple times or to move the mouse to the Selection dialog box.

If you have something you miss or wish for please contact us and we might add it here.

Existing bugs, defects, feature limitation or other issues.

Removed.

The VBA module is unsupported by Autodesk and will not be available in future releases of AutoCAD.

Tips & Tricks

Here is the list for the new AUGI AutoCAD Top Ten Wishes for November 2009! Let's see if any of these features make it into AutoCAD 2011.

1. Join Individual Hatch Areas
The ability to join individually created hatch areas into a single hatch object.

2. Toolpalettes in CUI
Add toolpalettes to the CUI so they can be easily imported/transferred.

3. Window and Crossing Selection box Aligned with Crosshairs
When crosshairs are rotated, the window and crossing selection box should align with crosshairs.

4. Graphically create or change hatch patterns
The ability to graphically create or change hatch patterns.

5. Fillet 3D Polylines
The ability to fillet 3D Polylines

6. Control Mirroring of Text in Blocks
Ability to control whether text/attributes are mirrored in blocks when the block is mirrored.

7. Create and Zip Complete Drawing Package
The ability to create and zip a drawing package that includes multiple formats of same drawing (PDF, DWF) using eTransmit

8. Dialog for Complex Linetypes
An editor for creation of complex linetypes.

9. Attributes Always Horizontal
The ability to set an attribute relative to UCS regardless of the rotation of the block.

10. Enable Renaming of Anonymous Blocks
The ability to rename anonymous blocks in the properties dialog or quick properties dialog.

Readme

Readme: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/filesReadme

Configuring a Database to Use With AutoCAD Drawings (dbConnect)

AutoCAD 2011 for 64-bit does not support Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider (for .MDB connectivity) and Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers (for .XLS connectivity). For more information, see Substituting SQL Server for OLE DB in the Driver and Peripheral Guide.

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

Microsoft Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) is available for free download at http://www.autodesk.com/vba-download. Autodesk is transitioning from VBA technology to .NET Framework. The VBA module is available for AutoCAD 2011-based products as an unsupported feature. It will not be available in future releases of AutoCAD. Autodesk will provide documentation and other assistance to help customers and developers migrate from VBA to .NET Framework.

API Compatibility

AutoCAD 2011 is binary compatible with AutoCAD 2010, but not AutoCAD 2009. To make applications developed for AutoCAD 2009 or earlier releases compatible with AutoCAD 2011, you must recompile them with current ObjectARX libraries. Applications developed for AutoCAD 2011 with ObjectARX will not work in prior releases.

In AutoCAD 2011, if you enter the VLIDE command, pressing F1 opens the Help Home page. To open the AutoLISP Reference Guide, on the Help Home page, on the left-hand side, select AutoLISP Reference Guide from the table of contents. In Visual LISP™, some commands may not have F1 functionality, however, context-sensitive help is working. To display context-sensitive help, after you enter the command name, press Ctrl + F1.

For help with vla-* functions, see the AutoCAD ActiveX and VBA Reference available at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\acadauto.chm (not available online).

Hardware and software requirements

Whether your Windows operating system is the 32-bit or the 64-bit version, the version is automatically detected during installation. The appropriate version of AutoCAD is installed. A 64-bit version of AutoCAD cannot be installed on a 32-bit system and vice-versa.

See the following table for hardware and software requirements.

32-bit Hardware and Software Requirements

Operating systems

Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later for the following:

  • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
  • Windows XP Home

Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later for the following:

  • Windows Vista® Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Home Premium

The following operating systems:

  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
Browser Internet Explorer® 7.0 or later  
Processor

Windows XP - Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ Dual Core, 1.6 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology

Windows Vista or Windows 7 - Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology

 
Memory

2 GB RAM

  
Display resolution 1024 x 768 with True Color  
Hard disk Installation 1.8 GB A 32-bit AutoCAD cannot be installed on a 64-bit Windows operating system and vice-versa.
Pointing device MS-Mouse compliant  
Additional Requirements for3D Modeling
  • Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor, 3.0 GHz or higher; or Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz or higher
  • 2 GB RAM or more
  • 2 GB free hard disk space available not including installation
  • 1280 x 1024 32-bit color video display adapter (True Color) 128 MB or greater, Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater, Direct3D® capable workstation class graphics card
 

64-bit Hardware and Software Requirements

Operating systems

Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later for the following:

  • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later for the following:

  • Windows Vista® Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Ultimate

The following operating systems:

  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Business
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 or later  
CPU type

AMD Athlon 64 with SSE2 technology

AMD Opteron™ with SSE2 technology

Intel Xeon® with Intel EM64T support and SSE2 technology

Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support and SSE2 technology

 
Memory

2 GB RAM

  
Display resolution 1024 x 768 with True Color  
Hard disk Installation 2 GB A 64-bit AutoCAD cannot be installed on a 32-bit Windows operating system and vice-versa.
Pointing device MS-Mouse compliant  
3D Modeling Additional Requirements
  • Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor, 3.0 GHz or higher; or Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz or higher
  • 2 GB RAM or more
  • 2 GB free hard disk space available not including installation
  • 1280 x 1024 32-bit color video display adapter (True Color) 128 MB or greater, Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater, Direct3D capable workstation class graphics card

Note that Adobe Flash Player is not installed by default. If a version of Flash is not currently installed on your system, a message is displayed requesting that you install it. Flash Player can be installed from the product media or Adobe’s website - www.adobe.com.

Installation and setup

To install AutoCAD, you must have administrator permissions. You do not need to have domain administrative permissions. See your system administrator for information about administrative permissions.

You do not need administrator permissions to run AutoCAD. You can run the program as a limited user.

You can migrate your custom settings and files from previous releases of AutoCAD (AutoCAD 2000 through AutoCAD 2011).

Autodesk Design Review 2011 is not installed by default when you install AutoCAD. It is recommended that Design Review be installed if you need to view DWF or DWFx files.

What features get installed during a Typical or Custom installation?

A Typical installation also includes the Express Tools library. The library provides additional productivity tools.

CAD Standards Contains tools for reviewing design files for compliance with your standards.
Database Contains database access tools.
Dictionaries Contains multi-language dictionaries.
Drawing Encryption Allows you to use the Security Options dialog box to protect a drawing with a password.
Express Tools Contains AutoCAD support tools and utilities (not supported by Autodesk).
Fonts Contains AutoCAD fonts and TrueType fonts.
Autodesk Seek Autodesk Seek.
NoteSeek will only be installed in the English version of AutoCAD.
Welcome Screen Contains learning resources to help discover the product.
License Transfer Utility Allows users to transfer an Autodesk product license between computers.
NoteThe utility will not be installed on unlocked versions of AutoCAD.
Migrate Custom Settings Migrates custom settings and files from previous version of your product to this version.
Initial Setup Allows users to perform some basic customization of AutoCAD (online content, workspaces) based on their units system, industry, and commonly used task-based tools.
Reference Manager Allows users to view and edit the paths of externally referenced files associated with a drawing.
Samples Contains various feature sample files.
Tutorials Contains tutorials.

Custom Folder in Deployments

In the AutoCAD 2011 Deployment Wizard the Select Installation Folders for Support Content page allows you to specify a custom folder in which to copy support content.

If you specify a folder location that has Read Only permission at the user level according to the Microsoft Vista User Access Control, then AutoCAD may become unstable. To avoid this, ensure that you have Write permission on your Microsoft Vista machine when creating your deployment with the Custom Folder option.

Single Share Folder Option for Deployment Images

When using the Single Shared Folder option to create a deployment image, specify a folder name to avoid creating an invalid deployment image. Do not leave the folder name as “<Shared folder path>”.

Licensing

Running a Network License Manager on Microsoft Windows Vista

When starting the network version of AutoCAD 2011 on a Microsoft Windows Vista workstation, you may encounter licensing error -15 if the Network License Manager is running on Windows Vista (FLEXlm server version 11.4.100).

Do the following:

•Install the latest service pack and updates for Microsoft Windows Vista.
If you continue to encounter errors, do the following:

•On the Start menu (Windows Vista), click Control Panel Network and Sharing Center Manage Network Connections. Right-click Local Area Connection. Click Properties. Clear the check box for Internet Protocol 6 (TCP/IPv6). Click OK.
FLEXIm License is Created in Two Locations

The FLEXlm License Finder dialog box may not display when AutoCAD 2011 is started for non-administrative users who are using Windows Vista 64-bit. The license server path information is stored in the HLKM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node path, which is not accessible to non-administrative users.

To fix this problem, replicate the license server path information stored in the above path to go to the HKLM\software\FLEXlm License Manager path.

Feature Limitations and Notes

The following are known issues with this release:

Blocks

In the Block Properties table, you cannot enter a combination of decimals and fractions. All numerical values must be either decimals or fractions.

Dimensional Constraints

Dimensional constraints do not behave as associative dimensions when opened in previous versions of AutoCAD. To reassociate dimensions, use the DIMREASSOCIATE command.

Hatch

By default, a preview of the hatch displays as you move your mouse over bounded areas. To improve the response time in large drawings, turn off the hatch preview feature with the HPQUICKPREVIEW system variable.

Materials

Do NOT change the default location of the installed Materials2011 folder. Changing the default location of this folder may cause unpredictable results.
When you install AutoCAD 2011, by default, the Autodesk Material Library is also installed. In AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD 2010 drawings may display with lower resolution textures. This is because the Autodesk Material Library 2011 has lower resolution than the Autodesk Material Library 2010. For image fidelity, install the Autodesk Material Library 2011 Medium Image Library. In the AutoCAD 2011 installation wizard, on the Select Products to Install page, select Autodesk Material Library Medium Image Library.
HDR and EXR files are not supported even though the format displays in the Materials Editor. If you use materials in these formats, your drawing will render as all black.
In the Duplicate Appearance Name dialog box, if you select Replace, the material is not replaced in the Materials Library as expected. To workaround, in the Duplicate Appearance Name dialog box, select Keep Both.
If you create a Material library on a network computer, you must restart AutoCAD to make it available on your network. If you do not and attempt to use the file on other network computers, an error displays and you cannot open the file.

Polylines

Autoconstraining a polyline that has many points may significantly reduce AutoCAD performance.

Rotating Constrained Geometry

Rotating horizontally or vertically constrained geometry may give unpredictable results.

Toolclips

On Windows XP (64-bit), toolclips (videos within tooltips) do not display.

Transparency

The transparency property of objects is ignored when exporting to WMF, SAT, STL, EPS, DXX, or DGN formats.
The effect of locked layer fading and other fading effects (xrefs, images, DWF and DGN underlays) is cumulative with object-based transparency. As a result, objects that use both fading and transparency may be difficult to see.

Updates & Service Packs.

Autodesk InfoCenter Hot Fix

Autocad splash screen starts up and then closes

AutoCAD Architecture & AutoCAD MEP 2011 Object Enabler (32-bit and 64-bit)

VBA support in AutoCAD 2011

Links.

Autodesk's AutoCAD 2010 Discussion Group: http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=407

AutoCAD 2011 Help online: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/landing.html

AutoCAD Wiki Help Beta: http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Product_Help/AutoCAD

New Features Workshop: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/NFW/nfw.htm

AutoCAD subscription members can download AutoCAD 2011.

To download and install the latest hardware certification XML file, visit http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard.

JTB World Blog posts about AutoCAD 2011:

New and Updated Commands:

The following commands are new or have been updated in AutoCAD 2011:

3DEDITBAR

Reshapes, scales, and edits the tangency of NURBS surfaces.

3DOSNAP

Sets the object snap modes for 3D objects.

-3DOSNAP

Sets the object snap modes for 3D objects.

ADDSELECTED

Creates a new object based on the object type and general properties of a selected object.

ANALYSISCURVATURE

Displays a color gradient onto a surface to evaluate different aspects of its curvature.

ANALYSISDRAFT

Displays a color gradient onto a 3D model to evaluate whether there is adequate space between a part and its mold.

ANALYSISOPTIONS

Sets the display options for zebra, curvature, and draft analysis.

ANALYSISZEBRA

Projects stripes onto a 3D model to analyze surface continuity.

-BCPARAMETER

Applies constraint parameters to selected objects, or converts dimensional constraints to parameter constraints.

BREP

Removes the history from 3D solids and composite solids, and associativity from surfaces.

CHAMFEREDGE

Bevels the edges of 3D solids and surfaces.

CHPROP

Changes the properties of an object.

CONVERTOLDMATERIALS

Converts materials created in previous drawing file formats to the current format.

CONVTOMESH

Converts 3D objects such as polygon meshes, surfaces, and solids to mesh objects.

CONVTONURBS

Converts 3D solids and surfaces into NURBS surfaces.

CVADD

Adds control vertices to NURBS surfaces and splines.

CVHIDE

Turns off the display of control vertices for all NURBS surfaces and curves.

CVREBUILD

Rebuilds the shape of NURBS surfaces and curves.

-CVREBUILD

Rebuilds the shape of NURBS surfaces and curves.

CVREMOVE

Rebuilds the shape of NURBS surfaces and curves.

CVSHOW

Displays the control vertices for specified NURBS surfaces or curves.

DCALIGNED

Constrains the distance between two points on different objects.

DCANGULAR

Constrains the angle between line or polyline segments, the angle swept out by an arc or a polyline arc segment, or the angle between three points on objects.

DCCONVERT

Converts associative dimensions to dimensional constraints.

DCDIAMETER

Constrains the diameter of a circle or an arc.

DCDISPLAY

Displays or hides the dynamic constraints associated with a selection set of objects.

DCFORM

Specifies whether the dimensional constraint being created is dynamic or annotational.

DCHORIZONTAL

Constrains the X distance between points on an object, or between two points on different objects.

DCLINEAR

Creates a horizontal, vertical, or rotated constraint based on the locations of the extension line origins and the dimension line.

DCRADIUS

Constrains the radius of a circle or an arc.

DCVERTICAL

Constrains the Y distance between points on an object, or between two points on different objects.

FBXEXPORT

Creates an Autodesk® FBX file containing selected objects in the current drawing.

-FBXEXPORT

Creates an Autodesk® FBX file containing selected objects in the current drawing.

FBXIMPORT

Imports an Autodesk® FBX file, which can contain objects, lights, cameras and materials.

-FBXIMPORT

Imports an Autodesk® FBX file, which can contain objects, lights, cameras and materials.

FILLETEDGE

Rounds and fillets the edges of solid objects.

GCCOINCIDENT

Constrains two points together or a point to a curve (or an extension of a curve).

GCCOLLINEAR

Causes two or more line segments to lie along the same line.

GCCONCENTRIC

Constrains two arcs, circles, or ellipses to the same center point.

GCEQUAL

Constrains two arcs, circles, or ellipses to the same center point.

GCFIX

Locks points and curves in position.

GCHORIZONTAL

Causes lines or pairs of points to lie parallel to the X axis of the current coordinate system.

GCPARALLEL

Causes selected lines to lie parallel to each other.

GCPERPENDICULAR

Causes selected lines to lie 90 degrees to one another.

GCSMOOTH

Constrains a spline to be contiguous and maintain G2 continuity with another spline, line, arc, or polyline.

GCSYMMETRIC

Causes selected objects to become symmetrically constrained about a selected line.

GCTANGENT

Constrains two curves to maintain a point of tangency to each other or their extensions.

GCVERTICAL

Causes lines or pairs of points to lie parallel to the Y axis of the current coordinate system.

GRADIENT

Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a gradient fill.

GRAPHICSCONFIG

Sets options for 3D display performance.

HATCH

Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill.

-HATCH

Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill.

-HATCHEDIT

Modifies an existing hatch or fill.

HATCHGENERATEBOUNDARY

Creates a non-associated polyline around a selected hatch.

HATCHSETBOUNDARY

Redefines a selected hatch or fill to conform to a different closed boundary.

HATCHSETORIGIN

Controls the starting location of hatch pattern generation for a selected hatch.

HATCHTOBACK

Sets the draw order for all hatches in the drawing to be behind all other objects.

HELP

Displays Help.

HIDEOBJECTS

Hides selected objects.

ISOLATEOBJECTS

Displays selected objects across layers; unselected objects are hidden.

JOIN

Joins similar objects to form a single, unbroken object.

LAYERP

Undoes the last change or set of changes made to layer settings.

LAYERPMODE

Turns on and off the tracking of changes made to layer settings.

LOFT

Creates a 3D solid or surface in the space between several cross sections.

MATBROWSERCLOSE

Closes the Materials Browser.

MATBROWSEROPEN

Opens the Materials Browser.

MATEDITORCLOSE

Closes the Materials Browser.

MATEDITOROPEN

Opens the Materials Editor.

MATERIALS

Opens the Materials Browser.

MATERIALSCLOSE

Closes the Materials Browser.

MEASUREGEOM

Measures the distance, radius, angle, area, and volume of selected objects or sequence of points.

MESHCAP

Creates a mesh face that connects open edges.

MESHCOLLAPSE

Merges the vertices of selected mesh faces or edges.

MESHEXTRUDE

Extends a mesh face into 3D space.

MESHMERGE

Merges adjacent faces into a single face.

MESHSPIN

Spins the adjoining edge of two triangular mesh faces.

MESHSPLIT

Splits a mesh face into two faces.

MIGRATEMATERIALS

Finds any legacy materials in Tool Palettes and converts them to generic type.

NAVBAR

Provides access to navigation and orientation tools from a single interface.

PLANESURF

Creates a planar surface.

POINTCLOUD

Provides options to create and attach an indexed point cloud file.

POINTCLOUDATTACH

Inserts an indexed point cloud (PCG or ISD) file into the current drawing.

-POINTCLOUDATTACH

Inserts an indexed point cloud (PCG or ISD) file into the current drawing.

POINTCLOUDINDEX

Creates an indexed point cloud (PCG or ISD) file from a scan file.

PROJECTGEOMETRY

Projects points, lines, or curves onto a 3D solid or surface from different directions.

QDIM

Creates a series of dimensions quickly from selected objects.

-QUICKPUB

Creates a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file and allows you to set individual page setup overrides on a sheet by sheet basis.

REVOLVE

Creates a 3D solid or surface by sweeping an object around an axis.

SELECTSIMILAR

Adds similar objects to the selection set based on selected objects.

SKETCH

Creates a series of freehand line segments.

SPLINE

Creates a smooth curve that passes through fit points or near control vertices.

SPLINEDIT

Edits a spline or spline-fit polyline.

SURFBLEND

Creates a continuous blend surface between two existing surfaces.

SURFEXTEND

Lengthens a surface by a specified distance.

SURFFILLET

Creates a filleted surface between two other surfaces.

SURFNETWORK

Creates a surface in the space between several curves in the U and V directions (including surface and solid edge subobjects).

SURFOFFSET

Creates a parallel surface a specified distance from the original surface.

SURFPATCH

Creates a new surface by fitting a cap over a surface edge that forms a closed loop.

SURFSCULPT

Trims and combines surfaces that bound a watertight area to create a solid.

SURFTRIM

Trims portions of a surface where it meets another surface or type of geometry.

SURFUNTRIM

Replaces surface areas removed by the SURFTRIM command.

SWEEP

Replaces surface areas removed by the SURFTRIM command.

UNISOLATEOBJECTS

Displays previously hidden objects.

VPLAYER

Sets layer visibility within viewports.

Removed or Obsolete Commands:

  • DYNCONSTRAINTDISPLAY
  • IMPRESSION
  • RMAT

New and Updated System Variables:

3DOSMODE

Controls the settings for the 3D object snaps.

3DSELECTIONMODE

Controls the selection precedence of both visually and physically overlapping objects when using 3D visual styles.

APPLYGLOBALOPACITIES

Applies transparency settings to all palettes.

CETRANSPARENCY

Sets the transparency level for new objects.

CLASSICKEYS

Sets shortcuts to pre-Windows AutoCAD shortcuts or Windows shortcuts.

CONSTRAINTINFER

Controls whether the geometric constraints are inferred while drawing and editing geometry.

CONSTRAINTSOLVEMODE

Controls constraint behavior when applying or editing constraints.

CULLINGOBJ

Controls whether 3D subobjects that are hidden from view can be highlighted or selected.

CULLINGOBJSELECTION

Controls whether 3D objects that are hidden from view can be highlighted or selected.

DIGITIZER

Identifies digitizers connected to the system.

ERHIGHLIGHT

Controls whether reference names or reference objects are highlighted when their counterparts are selected in the External References palette or in the drawing window.

FILLETRAD3D

Stores the current fillet radius for 3D objects.

GFCLRSTATE

Specifies whether a gradient fill uses one color or two colors.

GLOBALOPACITY

Controls transparency level for all palettes.

GRIDMAJOR

Controls the frequency of major grid lines compared to minor grid lines.

GRIDMODE

Specifies whether the grid is turned on or off.

GRIDSTYLE

Controls the style of grid displayed for 2D model space, Block Editor, 3D parallel projection, 3D perspective projection, and Sheet and Layout tabs.

GRIPCOLOR

Controls the color of unselected grips.

GRIPCONTOUR

Controls the color of the grip contour.

GRIPHOT

Controls the color of selected grips.

GRIPHOVER

Controls the fill color of an unselected grip when the cursor pauses over it.

GRIPMULTIFUNCTIONAL

Specifies the access methods to multi-functional grips.

GRIPS

Controls the display of grips on selected objects.

GRIPSUBOBJMODE

Controls whether grips are automatically made hot when subobjects are selected.

GRIPTIPS

Controls the display of grip tips and Ctrl-cycling tooltips.

HELPPREFIX

Sets the file path for the Help system.

HPANNOTATIVE

Controls whether a new hatch pattern is annotative.

HPBACKGROUNDCOLOR

Controls the background color for hatch patterns.

HPBOUNDRETAIN

Controls whether boundary objects are created for new hatches and fills.

HPCOLOR

Sets a default color for new hatches.

HPDLGMODE

Controls the display of the Hatch and Gradient dialog box and the Hatch Edit dialog box.

HPISLANDDETECTION

Controls how islands within the hatch boundary are treated.

HPISLANDDETECTIONMODE

Controls how islands within the hatch boundary are treated.

HPLAYER

Specifies a default layer for new hatches and fills.

HPQUICKPREVIEW

Controls whether to display a preview when specifying internal points for a hatch.

HPTRANSPARENCY

Sets the default transparency for new hatches and fills.

LEGACYCTRLPICK

Specifies the keys for selection cycling and the behavior for Ctrl+click.

MATBROWSERSTATE

Controls the state of the Materials Browser.

MATEDITORSTATE

Indicates whether the Materials Editor is open or closed.

MATERIALSPATH

Specifies the path of the materials libraries.

MATSTATE

Indicates whether the Materials Editor is open or closed.

MAXTOUCHES

Identifies the number of touch points supported by connected digitizers.

MIRRHATCH

Controls how MIRROR reflects hatch patterns.

NAVBARDISPLAY

Controls the display of the navigation bar in all viewports.

NAVVCUBEDISPLAY

Controls the display of the ViewCube tool in the current visual style and the current viewport.

OBJECTISOLATIONMODE

Controls whether hidden objects remain hidden between drawing sessions.

PLOTTRANSPARENCYOVERRIDE

Controls whether object transparency is plotted.

POINTCLOUDAUTOUPDATE

Controls whether a point cloud is regenerated automatically after manipulation, panning, zooming, or orbiting.

POINTCLOUDDENSITY

Controls the number of points displayed at once for all point clouds in the drawing view.

POINTCLOUDLOCK

Controls whether an attached point cloud can be manipulated, moved, or rotated.

POINTCLOUDRTDENSITY

Improves performance by degrading the number of points displayed in the drawing view zooming, panning, or orbiting in real time.

PREVIEWFACEEFFECT

Specifies the visual effect used for previewing selection of face subobjects.

QPMODE

Sets the on or off state of Quick Properties palette.

REBUILD2DCV

Sets the number of control vertices when rebuilding a spline.

REBUILD2DDEGREE

Sets the global degree when rebuilding a spline.

REBUILD2DOPTION

Sets the global degree when rebuilding a spline.

REBUILDDEGREEU

Sets the degree in the U direction when rebuilding a NURBS surface.

REBUILDDEGREEV

Sets the degree in the V direction when rebuilding a NURBS surface.

REBUILDOPTIONS

Controls deletion and trimming options when rebuilding a NURBS surface.

REBUILDU

Sets the number of grid lines in the U direction when rebuilding a NURBS surface.

REBUILDV

Sets the number of grid lines in the V direction when rebuilding a NURBS surface.

RECOVERAUTO

Controls the display of recovery notifications before or after opening a damaged drawing file.

ROLLOVEROPACITY

Controls the transparency of a palette while the cursor moves over the palette.

SCREENMENU

Controls whether screen menus display.

SELECTIONCYCLING

Controls selection cycling and whether the Selection dialog box is displayed.

SELECTSIMILARMODE

Controls which properties must match for an object of the same type to be selected with SELECTSIMILAR.

SETBYLAYERMODE

Controls which properties are selected for the SETBYLAYER command.

SKPOLY

Determines whether the SKETCH command generates lines, polylines, or splines.

SKTOLERANCE

Determines how closely the spline fits to the freehand sketch.

SPLDEGREE

Stores the last-used degree setting for splines and sets the default degree setting for the SPLINE command when specifying control vertices.

SPLFRAME

Controls the display of helixes and smoothed mesh objects.

SPLKNOTS

Stores the last-used knot parameterization for splines and sets the default knot setting for the SPLINE command when specifying fit points.

SPLMETHOD

Stores the last-used spline method and sets the default method for the SPLINE command.

SURFACEASSOCIATIVITY

Controls whether surfaces maintain a relationship with the objects from which they were created.

SURFACEASSOCIATIVITYDRAG

Sets the dragging preview behavior of associative surfaces to increase performance.

SURFACEAUTOTRIM

Controls whether surfaces are automatically trimmed when you project geometry onto them.

SURFACEMODELINGMODE

Controls whether surfaces are created as procedural surfaces or NURBS surfaces.

TRANSPARENCYDISPLAY

Controls whether the object transparency is displayed.

VSACURVATUREHIGH

Sets the value at which a surface displays as green during curvature analysis (ANALYSISCURVATURE).

VSACURVATURELOW

Sets the value at which a surface displays as blue during curvature analysis (ANALYSISCURVATURE).

VSACURVATURETYPE

Controls which type of curvature analysis is used with the (ANALYSISCURVATURE).

VSADRAFTANGLEHIGH

Sets the value at which a model displays as green during draft analysis (ANALYSISDRAFT).

VSADRAFTANGLELOW

Sets the value at which a model displays as blue during draft analysis (ANALYSISDRAFT).

VSAZEBRACOLOR1

Sets the first color of the zebra stripes displayed during zebra analysis (ANALYSISZEBRA).

VSAZEBRACOLOR2

Sets the second (contrasting) color of the zebra stripes displayed during zebra analysis (ANALYSISZEBRA).

VSAZEBRADIRECTION

Controls whether zebra stripes display horizontally, vertically, or at an angle during zebra analysis (ANALYSISBRA).

VSAZEBRASIZE

Controls the width of the zebra stripes displayed during zebra analysis (ANALYSISZEBRA).

VSAZEBRATYPE

Sets the type of zebra display when using zebra analysis (ANALYSISZEBRA).

VSEDGELEX

Makes edges on 3D objects extend beyond their intersection for a hand-drawn effect.

VSOCCLUDEDCOLOR

Specifies the color of occluded (hidden) lines in the visual style applied to the current viewport.

VSOCCLUDEDEDGES

Controls whether occluded (hidden) edges are displayed.

VSOCCLUDEDLTYPE

Specifies the linetype of occluded (hidden) lines in the visual style applied to the current viewport.

WBDEFAULTBROWSER

Show what is the default brower for help.

WBHELPONLINE

Show if online help is used.

WBHELPTYPE

Help type.

WSAUTOSAVE

Saves changes you made to a workspace when you switch to another work space.

Below some early public expectations of AutoCAD 2011

Bug fixes are always expected.

Subscription Bonus Packs for AutoCAD 2010 are expected to be included as core functions in AutoCAD 2011 so you may see the following.

AutoCAD 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack

Isolate, Add Selected, Select Similar is something that been found in verticals earlier and as 3:rd party tools.

With Isolate Objects, Hide Objects and End Object Isolation you get more freedom on visibility of objects that extends beyond layers.

There are also two Draw Order tools: Bring Annotations to Front, Send Hatches to Back.

References

If you want to participate in the Beta testing for the next release of AutoCAD visit http://beta.autodesk.com/.

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