***  AEC CAD Newsletter - 2001.09.11 issue  ***
        News, tips & tricks for AutoCAD users in the AEC fields.

                   Sponsored by Custom CAD Solutions


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	- What's new at CCS
	- Tips & tricks
	- Q & A
	- Products
	- About CCS
	- Unsubscribe

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         -*-*-*- Custom CAD Solutions has a new look! -*-*-*-

Due to increasing traffic, we have moved our web site to a new server
to better serve our customers.  We also have totally redesigned the
site with a new look and feel and changed domain names.  Tell us what
you think!  Visit us at www.customcadsolutions.com  (Please make a note
of this address for your future reference.)

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                      -*-*-*- Tips & Tricks -*-*-*-

Try to get out of the habit of drawing on layers '0' and 'DefPoints'.
If you later XREF your drawing into another drawing, it is not possible
to freeze layer '0' of the original drawing.  Consequently you may see
things you do not want to.  (This can be especially frustrating for
your co-workers and sub-contractors!)  There are also instances where
viewports and other entities on 'DefPoints' may corrupt the drawing.

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                         -*-*-*- Q & A -*-*-*-

Q:  We've had AutoCAD 2000 for a while now, but I still don't
   understand the advantage to using STBs instead of CTBs.  Can you 
   explain this?

A:  Many users, especially those in our field, may find a significant 
   benefit to using STBs.  STBs add an additional property to each
   entity and layer called "plot style".  The plot style is completely 
   independent of color.  Under this system, two layers or entities may
   share the same color but be assigned different plot styles and
   therefore plot differently.  Additionally, each plot style may have
   different characteristics within each STB file.  This is of great
   help when plotting one drawing several different ways.  For example,
   consider a drawing having three layout tabs representing a color
   rendering, a grading plan, and a utility plan.  These layouts all
   show the same drawing entities and the same site and they all look
   the same - until STBs are applied.

    Let's look at just one layer in our drawing - the water main layer.
   First we will assume that you have already created three STBs named
   "rendering", "grading" and "utility".  Next we will define a plot
   style named "wtrmain" and assign it to that layer.  Within each STB,
   we must define the "wtrmain" plot style and establish its 
   parameters.  In the "rendering" STB, the plot style might be blue 
   and medium-wide to graphically show its purpose.  In the "grading"
   STB, the plot style would be thin and gray to fade into the
   background, since it is not the primary focus of that sheet.  In the
   "utility" STB, we really want to show the water main, so the plot
   style would be black and wide.  So, by assigning the appropriate STB
   to each layout, you may produce a multitude of different types of
   paper drawings from one set of geometry in one drawing with a 
   minimum of effort.

    This just begins to touch on the capabilities of STBs, but you can 
   begin to see their potential.  They free you from the limited number
   of colors available.  They also free you to use another person's
   drawing without first "translating" all of the colors into something
   that will fit your CTB.
 
    I know it sounds confusing, but dive in!  Within a handful of plots
   you will be a master of STBs.  It's at least worth a try.  Most
   people who try them wonder why they waited so long.  I hope this
   sheds some light on the purpose and benefits of STBs.

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                       -*-*-*- Products -*-*-*-

- TOPOMATIC creates 2D and 3D linework, inserts symbols and creates
  text labels automatically from an ASCII field file.  Use your 
  existing codes, your layers and your symbols.  Record multiple 
  codes for each shot.  Works with *any* data collector.  Easy to 
  learn and implement.  
  http://www.customcadsolutions.com/Topomatic.htm 

- LEGALWRITER creates a legal description from your existing AutoCAD
  geometry with a few clicks.  Customizable to your company's
  standards.  Find out why LegalWriter is so popular.  
  http://www.customcadsolutions.com/LegalWriter.htm 

- BOUNDARY CHECK determines closing line and ratio of closure from 
  entered courses.  Mistakes are a lot cheaper to fix if YOU catch 
  them!  
  http://www.customcadsolutions.com/BoundaryCheck.htm 

- Visit our site to see the rest of our current products.
  http://www.customcadsolutions.com

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             -*-*-*- About Custom CAD Solutions -*-*-*-

Custom CAD Solutions is a developer of software to extend AutoCAD's 
capabilities and make your job easier.  We also create custom programs 
to fit your company's needs.  Contact info@customcadsolutions.com to 
discuss your project.

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Copyright (c) 2001 by Custom CAD Solutions
Reproduction or distribution in whole or in part without written 
permission is prohibited.

Copyright 2004 - Custom CAD Solutions