Each object in 2011 also has a Transparency property.To adjust the Transparency of an object(s) select those objects and then pick the Properties command or pick the Properties button on the Home Tab of the ribbon menu and use the slider to adjust. Valid settings are between 0 and 90 percent transparency.

This is the second in a series of posts on how to self-diagnose errors you may encounter while elevating your drawing to 3D or while running AutoCalc or AutoList. HydraCAD includes a number of tools to assist you with the diagnosis and correction of these errors, and these post will review some of them. Sometimes…

The next new feature is Isolate or Hide Objects. A new property that has been added to each entity is its Visibility. You can Hide or Isolate Objects individually, or by selecting a bunch of them. Say you have an area of a drawing that is particularly crowded, and you want to be able to…

Another new feature in AutoCAD 2011 is Selection Cycling. Ofttimes, you have two objects at the same place, and you may have difficulty selecting the correct one. That is where Selection Cycling is a big help. Turn Selection Cycling on by picking the Selection Cycling toggle on the AutoCAD Status Line: Note: If you have…

Select Similar does just what it's name implies. Select and object just by clicking it. Then right-click and pick Select Similar from the ensuing popup menu. All objects of the same type and layer will be highlighted. If you pick a block, then only the same block will be highlighted. You can now do whatever…

I saw Lynn Allen, Autodesk Technical Evangelist (i.e. the Face of Autodesk) today in Boston at the Museum of Science. She and others spoke about what is new at Autodesk and discussed the direction they are heading in. If you want to catch up with her, the schedule is on here blog at AutoCAD 2011…

This is the first in a series of posts on how to self-diagnose errors you may encounter while elevating your drawing to 3D or while running AutoCalc or AutoList. HydraCAD includes a number of tools to assist you with the diagnosis and correction of these errors, and these post will review some of them. The…

A feature added to both HydraCAD V50.4 and V51.4 allows you to break a head or riser nipple into a branch line automatically. Note the prompts when you pick Insert Head or Insert Riser Nipple: "Pick insertion point. Pick any point besides endpoint to break into pipe". Try it out using the NEAR Osnap or…

Q: How do you view Revit files without buying Revit?  A: From Autodesk – Download the Revit program and run it in Demo mode. Demo install can function as a viewer with no expiration. Demo mode allows all features of Revit, but you cannot save, plot or export your project after changes are made. Demo…

Sorry for the long delay between posts, but I was a little busy getting ready for 2011. From a Customer today:  Q: After I updated to 2011 cad, when I go to click on V51 icon it takes me to 2010 cad. I am doing anything wrong, or should I be starting it up through…