Beyond the Paper

Autodesk Inventor R11 SP2 Now Available

In a continuing effort to provide high quality products, Autodesk has released Autodesk Inventor 11 DWF Extension Service Pack 2, which fixes or addresses a variety of issues pertaining to Autodesk Inventor 11 DWF Extension.

Locate the Autodesk Inventor 11 DWF Extension Service Pack 2 file at:

http://www.autodesk.com/inventor-updates

The DWF-related changes include:

• 2D Markup issues with republishing sheets.
• File resolve issues with 2D Markup.
• Incorrect initial view of the presentation in DWF when the active explosion is not published.
• Animation replay was wrong in the DWF Viewer in some cases.
• Rotational tweaks disappeared on replay in the DWF Viewer.
• Empty BOM table gets published if the assembly BOM was not opened before publishing.
• Inertia properties don't get published.
• In some cases, presentation files don't get published with subassembly in "Express" mode.
• Drawing sheets excluded from count don't publish correctly.
• In some cases, weld symbols lose their location in the published DWF file.
• Crash when publishing as "Complete" an assembly which contains a suppressed part.
• Excluded components in an iAssembly still display in the DWF file.
• Unable to multi-select iPart or iAssembly members.

We want to thank all our customers who identified these issues and reported them to us (Customer Error Report - CER). The CERs give us the opportunity to improve the product and provide you with the best solution in mechanical design. Autodesk would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued business and for the feedback regarding the content of this update release.

Autodesk Design Review 2007 Batch Printing

Autodesk Design Review 2007 includes a batch print capability. The help file documents several powerful steps to make printing multiple DWF files easy.

1. Print Several DWF Files at a Time
2. Save Print Settings for Several DWF Files
3. Start a Batch Print Job
4. Start a Batch Print Job from the Command Prompt

To save substantial time and effort, use Autodesk Design Review’s Batch Print Wizard to print multiple DWF files from multiple locations. When batch printing, you can assign printers and set printer options for each file. You can also save the batch print job with printer settings for use at a later time.

To start batch printing, you must have a DWF file open in Autodesk Design Review. This makes the batch print menu item available. The opened DWF file will not print unless you include it in the selection in the batch wizard.

To print several DWF files at a time

1. Open the Batch Print Wizard:

   a. Choose File Batch Print Wizard.

   b. Click Next.

   The Select DWF Files to Print window opens displaying all the local folders and the folders shared over the network.

   Tip: If at any time you want to return to a previous window, click Back. To cancel batch printing, click Cancel and click OK. If you have added any DWF files in the batch print queue, clicking Cancel prompts you to save them. Click Yes to save them or No to discard them.
2. Select the DWF files to print:

   a. Search for and select the files or folders containing DWF files that you want to print.

   Warning: You cannot set print options for a folder directly. You can only set print options for an individual file. If you want to set print options for a folder, add the individual files from the folder and set print options for each.

   b. Click the Add button to add them to the batch print queue.

   Note: You can remove the DWF files from the batch print queue by selecting them and clicking the Remove button. You can reorder the DWF files in the batch print queue by using the Up and the Down buttons.

   c. Click Next.

3. Choose printer settings:

   a. In the Choose print settings for the DWF files window that opens, select a file and click Print Setup.

   b. In the Print dialog box that opens, select the print options for the DWF file and click OK.

   c. Click Next.

4. Optional: To view a log file of the print job immediately after printing, click the View batch print log when job is complete check box.
5. Click Print. You are prompted to save the batch print job. Click Yes to save them as a .bpj file and to continue printing. Click No to not save the .bpj file, but continue printing.

   A Printing Batch Print Job progress dialog box opens, showing the progress of the batch printing. To cancel the printing, click Cancel Batch Print Job.

You can save the print settings for several DWF files in a batch print job (BPJ) file to print later.

To save print settings for several DWF files in a batch print job file

1. Choose File Batch Print Wizard.
2. Click Next. The Select DWF Files to Print window opens.
3. Select the DWF files you want to save and click the Add button.
4. Click Next. The Choose print settings for the DWF files window opens.
   Note: You can set print options for each DWF file by selecting it and clicking Print Setup.
5. Click Next. The Save or Start Batch Print Job window opens.
6. Click Save. The Save As dialog box opens.
7. In the File name: text box, type a filename and click Cancel to close the Batch Print Wizard and click File name: text box will have the filename of the first DWF file or folder in the batch print queue. The files are saved with a .bpj file extension. You can edit a BPJ file using any text editor.

To start a batch print job from the command prompt

Important: Before you begin, you must know the exact locations and file names for the Autodesk Design Review application (DesignReview.exe) and the BPJ file that you want to run. You will need this information to perform this procedure.

1. Choose Start All Programs Accessories Command Prompt.
2. At the command prompt, type cd C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Autodesk Design Review\
   Note: If you installed Design Review to a different location, type that location instead.
3. Press Enter.
4. At the command prompt, type DesignReview.exe <BPJ Location and File Name>

   Replace <BPJ Location and File Name> with the actual BPJ location and file name. For example, C:\My Batch Print.bpj

5. Press Enter.

   The DWF files listed in the BPJ file are printed using the saved print settings.

To start a batch print job from the command prompt

1. Choose Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt.
2. At the command prompt, type cd C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Autodesk Design Review\
   Note: If you installed Design Review to a different location, type that location instead.
3. Press Enter.
4. At the command prompt, type DesignReview.exe <BPJ Location and File Name>

   Replace <BPJ Location and File Name> with the actual BPJ location and file name. For example, C:\My Batch Print.bpj

5. Press Enter.

   The DWF files listed in the BPJ file are printed using the saved print settings.

For DWF to go beyond the paper, it has to get to paper first. The batch print capability of Autodesk Design Review 2007 helps make that happen.

PLP Helps Our DWF Survey

In a previous posting I mentioned why some reprographers may wish to charge more for processing DWF files. To help me collect more survey data, PLP included a blurb in their most recent newsletter.

---

Autodesk DWF Survey for Commercial Reprographers

As a follow up to the new section of his DWF FAQ related to reprographics, Autodesk employee Scott Sheppard is conducting a survey as to where DWF stands with commercial reprographers. Which statement most reflects your shop?

1. We accept DWF files but do not charge extra for processing them.
2. We accept DWF files but charge extra for processing them.
3. We do not accept DWF files.

If you do accept DWF files, what percentage of your files are received in the DWF format?

Please reply directly to [email protected].

---

Thanks to Joe Mooring and the guys at PLP. Responses have already been coming in. I will post an update soon.

Embed DWF instead of DWG

When we first developed WHIP!, we had a plug-in for Netscape Navigator. People used DWF files like JPEG files. Embedding a DWF in an HTML page worked like a charm. Everyone was happy.

Then along came a new browser - Microsoft Internet Explorer. To interface with it, we had to extend our DWF architecture to include a Microsoft ActiveX Control in addition to our Netscape Navigator Plug-in. We did this. Embedding a DWF file in an HTML page worked like a charm with either browser: Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Everyone was happy.

Though we had only advertised that our Microsoft ActiveX Control would allow a DWF file to be embedded in an HTML page for Internet Explorer, because we had an ActiveX Control, people assumed it could be used for other purposes. They began trying to use it with Visual Basic, scripting, and embedding into other applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. At Autodesk we had not designed nor built our WHIP! ActiveX Control with this is mind. We certainly had not tested using the control in these scenarios. As a result, things were not great. Everyone was not happy.

Such is the case with Autodesk DWG TrueView. Autodesk designs, tests, and markets Autodesk DWG TrueView as a stand-alone viewer for DWG files. Because it has an ActiveX Control component to it, people assume it can be used for other purposes. They are trying to use it with Visual Basic, scripting, and embedding into HTML and other applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. At Autodesk we have not designed nor built our DWG ActiveX Control with this is mind. We certainly had not tested using the control in these scenarios. As a result, things are reasonable but not great. Some people are not happy - particularly the Volo View users.

In a previous blog article, I documented why Volo View was obitted in favor of Autodesk DWG TrueView. In addition, I also documented why sharing DWF files is preferable to sharing DWG files. With these factors in mind, Autodesk is recommending DWF and the free Autodesk DWF Viewer for sharing design information in situations where an ActiveX Control is beneficial. Autodesk is even extending the sharing concept to other platforms, where an ActiveX Control will not operate, with projects like the Autodesk Project Freewheel Viewer. So the solution is to embrace DWF. Applications like Autodesk Vault remove the hassle of maintaining design data into two places - one in DWG, and again in DWF. So adopt DWF. Don't worry. Be happy.

The WHIP! story had a happy ending in that eventually WHIP! R4 had a fully fleshed out API. Over the course of upcoming releases, Autodesk will be adding to the API of the Autodesk DWF Viewer and Autodesk Design Review. It is uncertain if a similar strategy will be applied to Autodesk DWG TrueView.

How can I store Bezier curves in my DWF file using the DWF Toolkit?

Software Engineer and DWF Technical Evangelist, Ben Cochran points out:

Although the DWF specification has a Bezier opcode for future use, it is not part of the current DWF Toolkit implementation. As such, at this time the Autodesk DWF Viewer and Autodesk Design Review do not support Bezier curves. DWF Toolkit developers will need to tessellate the curves and draw polylines using the formula below:

B(t) = (1 - t)³P₀ + 3t(1 - t)²P₁ + 3t²(1 - t)P₂ + t³P₃

The parameter t ranges from 0.0 to 1.0 and P₀, P₁, P₂, and P₃ are the control points.

Lead Software Engineer, Eric Haines, provided some additional information. Eric noted that some Bezier demos can be found at:

http://www.math.ucla.edu/~baker/java/hoefer/Bezier.htm
and
http://www.gris.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/~lindner/BezierDemo_1.html.

An explanation regarding the math involved can be found at:

http://www.moshplant.com/direct-or/bezier/math.html.

But Eric did not stop there. He created a perl script that creates a sample DWF file from control points. Eric's perl script is available in a zip file with the resulting DWF files:

Download bezier.zip (3.3K)

The DWF file the perl script creates:

bezier_and_polyline.dwf

Eric then culled the DWF file into separate files for illustration purposes:

bezier_only.dwf
polyline_only.dwf

So although the Bezier primitive has yet to be implemented in the DWF Toolkit, Bezier curves can easily be stored in DWF files.

Project Freewheel: The Cat's Out of the Bag

AECnews.com has reported: There’s a Redlining Easter Egg in Autodesk DWFit.

Redlining is under development. It's hidden in Project Freewheel in pseudo Easter Egg form, because it is not ready yet. Having it in there allows us to test it in its live environment. Hiding it prevents premature exposure for something that is in the conceptual stage. The implementation concept was first envisioned by Programmer/Software Engineer Jeffrey Klug.

At this point in its development, I am opposed to the laying down of rules or conditions to be observed in the redlining of DWF files via Freewheel lest the progress of improvement tomorrow might be embarrassed or shackled by recording or registering as law the prejudices or errors of today. :-)

The initial markup experiment is limited to freehand sketching, for example no text, and does not provide the ability to save your markups. This is another reason its implementation is somewhat hidden.

P.S. The markup has since been removed. For the latest information on Project Freewheel, see Scott Sheppard's It's Alive in the Lab blog.

Request for Sample DWF files where printing can be optimized

We are always looking to optimize the DWF viewing and printing experience. Our QA department is looking for sample DWF files that print more slowly from the DWF viewer compared to printing to the same printer using AutoCAD and the corresponding DWG. If you have any files that you can share, please contact me at [email protected]. We will treat your DWG and DWF files confidentially.

SOM: Freedom Tower Solution

Revolutionary Design Uses Building Information Modeling

Product Marketing Manager, Gabrielle Friedly, reports that Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP and prominent engineering firms adopted the Autodesk® Revit® building information modeling (BIM) platform to deliver maximum accuracy, coordination, and value on the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower -- the first commercial building to be constructed on the site of the former World Trade Center. The Freedom Tower design team used Autodesk Collaboration Solutions, AutoCAD, and 3ds Max, and worked closely with Autodesk Consulting to achieve project success. Download SOM_Freedom_Tower_Successstory.pdf (304.5K) Check it out.

Project Freewheel: The requested DWF is not valid.

J. Paul Getty was an American industrialist and founder of the Getty Oil Company. After becoming one of the richest men in the world, he was approached by an American magazine to write an article describing his success. He was offered a sizable sum of money in return. The magazine said that the article could be of any length. J. Paul Getty accepted their offer and wrote: "Some people find oil. Others don't."

If you see a "The requested DWF is not valid." error message and wonder what happened, keep two things in mind.

1. Recall how Project Freewheel works. A copy of your DWF file is uploaded to the Project Freewheel server. If something unexpected happens during this process, the resulting file that lands on the server may not be intact. Though this rarely happens, it is normally the result of internet file transfer issues and has nothing specifically to do with Project Freewheel itself. For example, it does not mean that the Project Freewheel server is being overloaded.

2. Project Freewheel is a technology preview. We know we have problems to work out and bugs to fix. We don’t pretend that this is a production level solution yet. At the same time, we welcome continued usage and hearing about the problems/bugs/ideas/successes people have with the project.

Such is the case with the Project Freewheel Viewer. To paraphrase J. Paul Getty: "Some DWF files work. Others don't." Actually most DWF files work.

For the latest information on Project Freewheel, see Scott Sheppard's It's Alive in the Lab blog.

Beyond the Paper Humor

Scott Adams is the creator of the Dilbert comic strip. Scott also has a blog. The other day Scott had a post where he lamented the discussion of dropping Pluto as a planet, because it brought out the worst in bloggers who tried to be amateur comedians. Apparently I am guilty. Over the year, I have tried to inject humor into this blog.

Month	Article	Humor	Reference
Aug-06	To CER, with Love	Title is a sound alike pun on the To Sir, with Love movie.	To Sir, with Love
	Area 51? No - Autodesk Area.	Title makes a reference to an area of Nevada where a UFO is said to have crashed.	Area 51
	AutoCAD: set Shaded viewport option to "As displayed" to retain layer information	Referenced "This little piggy..." nursery rhyme.	This Little Piggy
	Autodesk DWG TrueView: fun with words	Demonstrated how "An updated Autodesk DWG TrueView is now available." was mistranslated.	Babel Fish Translation
	Upcoming Autodesk Design Review usability study: Give us your feedback!	"Give us your tired, your poor, your feedback..." refers to words at the foot of the Statue of Liberty.	Give us your huddled masses...
Jul-06	Reprise of Ask Larry Easter Egg Page	Refers to an Easter Egg in an old viewer.	.
	Project Freewheel: Can I view a DWF file on my Blackberry?	"Is viewing your design data predetermined, or do you possess freewheel?" This is a bad pun regarding free will versus predetermination.	.
	Our Week in Maui	There's a funny picture of me wearing a snorkel.	.
	HOOPS Application Framework 14.0 supports DWF for C++ Programmers	"I am not a graphics programmer, but I play one on TV." is a reference to an American TV commercial where an actor says "I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV."	.
	Updated Revit Structure and Revit Building Now Available	Paraphrased the song lyric "All revved up with no place to go." with "All Revit'd Up with Someplace to Go!"	All Revved Up With No Place To Go Lyrics
	A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum...	Title is a pun of the movie title A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.	A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
May-06	No, not Planet Hollywood, Plan It Autodesk	Pun on sound-alike Plan It Autodesk and Planet Hollywood.	.
	DWF Hyperlink Checker Visual Basic program	Fashioned a software box in the image of the "Hamburger Helper" food product.	Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper
	Fun on a Friday	Fun with the DWF logo.	.
	When HP Printer Drivers Attack...	Title is a pun on the "When Animals Attack!" American TV show.	When Animals Attack!
	DWF Attach - Don't quote me on that	Title is a pun of a common phrase where American politicians request that their remarks not be attributed to them.	.
Apr-06	DWF FAQ available via Beyond the Paper blog	Bad pun of Dragnet TV show character Joe Friday's "Just the facts ma'am." signature line with "Just the FAQs ma'am."	Dragnet
	DWF Writer is NOT for Autodesk Products	Referenced a South Park character to say "GDI is bad." I kid. I kid.	South Park
	Vespa really works :-)	Pretended that Vespa turned a stick figure into the Mona Lisa.	.
	Tips for Measurement from Jason Pratt	Wondered if then-CTO, Carl Bass, would make something of himself one day. (Carl is now CEO of Autodesk.)	.
Mar-06	HP Large Format Printing Academy in Malta	Included a joke from Bertrand Piccard.	.
	A Pene for your thoughts: DWF Google Map Integration	Title is a pun in reference to the phrase "a penny for your thoughts."	.
	Generating a Black & White DWF file from Color Test Plots	Reference to John Belushi's "But nooooo!" catch phrase from Saturday Night Live.	Saturday Night Live
	Why was Autodesk Design Review originally called DWF Composer?	Electronic review processes avoid the "My dog ate my homework." problem.	.
Feb-06	Birth of DWF: "I can have Carol call you."	"...recall that this is 1995, and mime was most well known as a strange and silent type of street performance."	MIME
	Happy President's Day	Made up quotes and attributed them to Brian Mathews - patterned after famous Presidential quotes.	.
	CAD Specific DWF and Generic PDF	Quoted Jonathan Knowles who would "never fly in a plane designed from a PDF."	.
	Improve 3D Geometry in DWF files from AutoCAD 2006	Linked Autodesk customer Paul Mason to wine maker Paul Masson.	No wine before it's time.

The blog entries by Scott Adams are funny every day. I know some of you who read this blog would want to tell me: "I know Scott Adams, and you sir, are no Scott Adams." That's a reference to a Vice Presidential debate where Democratic candidate Lloyd Bentsen told Republican candidate Dan Quayle: "I knew Jack Kennedy, and you sir, are no Jack Kennedy." Quayle had mistakenly compared himself to the former president based on his age. I guess if I have to explain the jokes, that's a bad sign. Guilty as charged.