Monster Media 1993 #1/MONSTER.ISO/cad/r12winfq.txt

Text File | 1993-05-11 | 25KB | 600 lines

Autodesk Product Support                             March 17, 1993

 AutoCAD(R) Release 12 for Windows -- Answers to Frequent Questions

Windows-Specific Questions
1)  What are the system recommendations for AutoCAD Release 12
for Windows?

     An 80386- or 80486-based computer; a hardware math
          co-processor is required.
     MS-DOS 3.31 or higher; MS-DOS 5.0 recommended
     Microsoft Windows 3.1 in 386-enhanced mode
     8 MB RAM recommended
          An additional 4.5 MB RAM needed for each additional
          active AutoCAD session.
     A permanent swap file 4 times larger than physical RAM is
      recommended.
     Windows pointing device
     At least 8 MB free disk space for minimal installation
          33 MB free disk space for a full installation

2)  Why do imported metafiles display as outlines (non-filled
images)?

     By default, AutoCAD imports Windows metafiles (WMF) as
AutoCAD blocks containing polyline entities.  To bring in filled
images, change the menu selection in the "WMF In Options"
dialogue box located under "Import/Export" in the "File" pull-
down menu, or issue the WMFOPTS command.

3)  Why does AutoCAD ignore my first command when I start the
program?

     AutoCAD ignores all commands and menu picks issued before
the AutoCAD menu is loaded.  Wait until the "Command:" prompt
appears on the command line before typing or picking commands.

4)  How do I set the size and shape of the AutoCAD toolbox?

     The toolbox size and shape can be changed by clicking the
right mouse button while positioned over any of the toolbox
buttons.  In the group labelled "Toolbox width," the width can be
set for floating and stationary toolboxes.  To save your changes
permanently, make sure the "Save in ACAD.INI" option is selected.

5)  After customizing the buttons in the toolbox, the following
error occurs when clicking on an icon button:

          "Unknown command.  Type ? for list of commands."

     The command string associated with that button is not a
valid AutoCAD command.  To correct this problem, enter the
"Toolbox Customization" dialogue box by clicking on the right
mouse button and selecting the icon in question.  Correct the
command string displayed at the bottom of the dialogue in the
edit box.

Note: This also applies to toolbar menus.

6)  How do I add or modify the icons for the toolbar, toolbox, or
menus?

     The bitmap images in the toolbar, toolbox, and menus can be
changed with a resource editor like Borland's Resource Editor,
Whitewater's Resource Toolkit, or by using either Borland C/C++
or Microsoft C/C++ along with the batch files and instructions
contained in the file BITMAP.ZIP, available on CompuServe and the
Autodesk Global Village BBS.

Note: The bitmaps in AutoCAD menus can not be modified with a
standard icon image editor.

7)  Why does AutoCAD start without configuration files when
opening a linked or embedded drawing?

     If AutoCAD's configuration file is in a directory other than
AutoCAD's main directory, then the DOS environment variable
ACADCFGW must be set before entering Windows.  (AutoCAD ignores
the /C, /D, /M, and /S command line variables when started from
OLE).

8)  Why does Windows sometimes start a new AutoCAD session and
other times open the file in an existing session when I click to
edit an embedded or linked drawing in another application?

     Embedded and linked files are edited only in a primary
session of AutoCAD.  If you start two AutoCAD sessions and close
the first, OLE then needs to start a new primary session to edit
the drawing.  If the primary session of AutoCAD is still running,
OLE will open the file in that AutoCAD session (essentially
issuing an OPEN command, giving you the chance to save your work
before loading the OLE drawing).

9)  How do I make AutoCAD open a new session each time I double-
click on a drawing file in the File Manager instead of opening
each drawing in the original drawing session?

     To allow AutoCAD to start a new session for each drawing
file, issue the following steps:
          a) From the Program Manager load the Registration
               Information Editor: File/Run REGEDIT.EXE.
          b) Double-click on the words "AutoCAD Drawing".
          c) Unselect the "Uses DDE" checkbox.
          d) Add a "%1" to the end of the "Command:" edit box.
               Example:  C:\ACADWIN\ACAD.EXE  %1
          e) Click on OK.
          f) Exit the Registration Information Editor.

10)  Why do I get the message that "Windows Help for AutoCAD is
not available"?

     AutoCAD is unable to locate the help file, ACADWIN.HLP.  To
specify the help file location, open the "Preferences" dialogue
box, click on the "Environment" button, and edit the path for the
help file.  The help file is placed (by default) in the C:\ACAD-
WIN\SUPPORT directory during installation.

11)  Why does Norton Desktop for Windows give the following
message when files are dragged and dropped onto an AutoCAD
session?

          "No association exists for file."

     Norton Desktop for Windows does not support drag-and-drop
for AutoCAD.  You must use the Windows File Manager.  Creating
associations in Norton Desktop or File Manager will have no
effect on the drag-and-drop capabilities of Norton's drive
windows.

12)  Why do AutoCAD's README files have strange characters in
them?

     The README files which ship with AutoCAD for Windows are in
Windows Write format.  Use Windows WRITE.EXE to view them.

13)  How do I toggle back and forth between the text and graphics
window?

     Use the F2 function key.  The F1 function key follows
Windows key shortcut standards and displays Help.

14)  How do I control the base point of entities copied using the
"Copy Vectors" command in the "Edit" pull-down menu?

     AutoCAD uses the origin of the drawing as the base point for
entities copied with the "Copy Vector" command.  Use the BASE
command to change the base point of your drawing.

15)  Why is the "Copy Link" command sometimes grayed-out on the
"Edit" pull-down menu?

     AutoCAD requires that the drawing must have a name before it
can be linked to another application.  The "Copy Link" command
will appear normally as soon as the drawing is saved.


Configuration
1)  How do I specify environment variables for AutoCAD for
Windows?

     AutoCAD for Windows accepts environment variables from
either the DOS SET statement, a command-line switch associated
with the AutoCAD icon, or by values in the
Preferences/Environment dialogue box.  The Installation and
Performance Guide has a complete explanation of AutoCAD's
environment variables.

2)  Why does launching AutoCAD by double-clicking on a drawing
file in the File Manager cause AutoCAD to load but give the
following error and force a reconfiguration?

          "Error loading dialogue control file."

     AutoCAD is being started without its environment switches.
Use the Windows Registration Information Editor to add the "/C"
configuration command line switch to AutoCAD's command line.
          a) From the Program Manager load the Registration
              Information Editor: File/Run REGEDIT.EXE
          b) Double-click on the words "AutoCAD Drawing".
          d) Add the /C switch to the command line just after
          ACAD.EXE.
              Example:  C:\ACADWIN\ACAD.EXE  /C  C:\ACADWIN\ALTCONF
          d) Click on OK.
          e) Exit the Registration Information Editor.

Note: If the above error message is encountered when starting
AutoCAD by double-clicking on the AutoCAD icon, see question #3
(next) for more information about how AutoCAD searches for its
configuration files.

3)  Why doesn't AutoCAD find my support files in the correct
directory?

     Since there are many ways to specify support paths for
AutoCAD, there is a search path precedence.  The highest priority
for finding files is given to the command line switches (/C, /D,
/M, or /S) appropriately.  If none of these switches has been
set, AutoCAD looks to the settings in the ACAD.INI file.  If
there are no settings for these variables there, AutoCAD looks
for the DOS environment variable ACADCFGW.  If none of these has
been set, then AutoCAD looks only in the ACAD directory.

4)  How can I specify different configurations for each
concurrent session of AutoCAD?

     Create multiple copies of the AutoCAD icon and modify the
configuration switches associated with each icon:
          a) Create a directory for AutoCAD's alternate
              configuration files.
          b) Copy the files ACAD.INI and ACAD.CFG into the
              alternate configuration directory.
          c) Press the Control key and drag the AutoCAD icon to
              copy it.
          d) Click once on the new AutoCAD icon.
          e) Press Alt-Enter to start the Program Item Properties
              dialogue.
          f) Add the /C switch to the command line just after
              ACAD.EXE.
              Example:  C:\ACADWIN\ACAD.EXE  /C  C:\ACADWIN\ALTCONF
          g) Click on OK.

Note: Each AutoCAD configuration requires a separate copy of the
configuration files ACAD.CFG and ACAD.INI.

5)  How do I start AutoCAD's freeplot option?

     Freeplot is issued by adding the -P switch to the AutoCAD
command line.
          a) Click one time on the AutoCAD icon to highlight it.
          b) Press Alt-Enter to start Program Item Properties
              dialogue.
          c) Add the -P switch to the command line switch just
              after ACAD.EXE.
              Example:  C:\ACADWIN\ACAD.EXE  -P
          d) Click on OK.

6)  How do I reconfigure AutoCAD before it loads?

     Reconfigure AutoCAD by adding the -R switch to the AutoCAD
command line.
          a) Click one time on the AutoCAD icon to highlight it.
          b) Press Alt-Enter to start Program Item Properties
              dialogue.
          c) Add the -R switch to the command line switch just
              after ACAD.EXE.
              Example:  C:\ACADWIN\ACAD.EXE  -R
          d) Click on OK.

7)  What can be done to make AutoCAD faster?

     Creating a large permanent swap file will help
significantly.

8)  How do I create a permanent swap file?

     Since Windows requires that permanent swap files must be
created in contiguous space on the disk,  it may be necessary to
optimize the disk with a program like Speed Disk by Norton
Utilities before a large swap file can be created.
          a) Choose the Control Panel from the Program Manager.
          b) Choose the 386 Enhanced icon.
          c) Select the Virtual Memory button.
          d) Select the Change button.
          e) Change the "Type:" selection to "Permanent".
          f) Confirm that the "New Size" selection is the
              desirable size.
              (If possible, create a swap size four times larger
              than physical RAM memory.)
          g) Click on OK.

Note: These same steps -- except step e) -- can also be used to
increase the size of the permanent swap file.  Consult the
Microsoft User's Guide for more information about swap files.

9)  Will AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows run under OS/2 2.0?

     No.  AutoCAD for Windows will run in OS/2 2.1; however, it
has not been exhaustively tested and is not supported in that
environment.

10)  Will the drivers used in either AutoCAD 386 Release 12 or
AutoCAD Extension for Windows work with Release 12 for Windows?

     No.  AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows requires drivers written
especially for it.  Older ADI drivers or drivers built for
AutoCAD 386 Release 12 will not work.


Display
1)  How can I get my Aerial view window back after I close it?

     The Aerial view can be started by either clicking on the
compass icon on the toolbar, or by issuing the command DSVIEWER.

2)  Where is AutoCAD's screen menu which is normally visible on
the right side of the display?

     AutoCAD ships with the screen menu turned off.  To turn it
on, click on the Screen Menu box in the AutoCAD Preferences
dialogue which can be accessed by either clicking on
"Preferences" under the "File" menu, or by typing the command
PREFERENCES.

3)  Why is the Scroll Bar option in the Preferences dialogue
grayed-out?

     Scroll bars are only supported when using the regular, non-
accelerated display driver in non-perspective modelspace
viewports.  Paperspace and perspective views do not offer scroll
bar support.  When using the accelerated display driver, the
Aerial view tool provides quick panning and zooming functions.

4)  Why does the Aerial view sometimes not zoom to the extents of
the drawing?

     The Aerial view window displays only the region contained in
the display list.  It will not zoom in or out farther than the
display list because this would cause a drawing regeneration.  To
recalculate the extents of the drawing and allow Aerial view to
frame the entire drawing, issue a ZOOM EXTENTS command in the
drawing editor.

5)  When zooming and panning in the Aerial view, how do you
update the graphics screen to match the view in the Aerial view?

     Double-click on the word ZOOM in the Aerial view to make the
AutoCAD display match it.

6)  Why does selecting the Aerial view button in the toolbar
return the message:

          "DSVIEWER Unknown command.  Type ? for list of
commands"?

     The Aerial view window is only available when AutoCAD is
using the accelerated display driver.  To use the accelerated
display driver, reconfigure AutoCAD's display using the CONFIG
command or select "Configure" from the "File" pull-down menu.
The DSVIEWER command will bring up the Aerial view window when
the display-list driver is configured, and when the current view
is non-perspective in modelspace.


Networking
1)  Will AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows work with Windows for
Workgroups?

     Yes, although it has not been exhaustively tested, and is
not supported in this environment.

2)  Why does AutoCAD create files with .AC$ extensions even when
the AutoCAD Page Directory variable ACADPAGEDIR in the
Environment dialogue box is set to the local drive?

     The ACADPAGEDIR variable only redirects AutoCAD's page
files.  To redirect AutoCAD's temporary files -- those files with
.AC$ extensions -- you must change the "Placement of Temporary
Files" option in AutoCAD's configuration menu.  This option is
located under "Configure Operating Parameters" on the
Configuration menu.


Digitizers
1)  What is a mole mode area?

     A mole mode area is a portion of the digitizer where the
digitizer puck acts like a system pointing device or mouse.

2)  What is the difference between a mole mode area and a toggle
area?

     When the puck is moved into a mole mode area, only that
portion of the tablet acts like the system pointing device.  When
the puck is moved into a toggle area, the entire tablet switches
between being either a system pointer or an AutoCAD pointer.

3)  What is the difference between a primary and secondary mole
mode area?

     Primary and secondary mole mode areas allow you to have two
different resolutions for a system pointing device.

4)  What is the difference between primary and secondary toggle
areas?

     The primary toggle area switches between AutoCAD pointer
mode and system pointer mode.  The secondary toggle switches
between the primary and secondary mole mode areas.

5)  How can I use my digitizer as my main system pointer in
Windows and as a digitizer in AutoCAD?

     If you have your digitizer configured as your main system
pointing device in Windows, you must select the "System Pointing
Device" in AutoCAD and it will effectively operate as a mouse (in
relative mode).  If you wish to use the digitizer as your Windows
pointing device and as a tablet in AutoCAD (in absolute mode),
you must instead use a WINTAB driver for Windows.  A WINTAB
driver must be installed as your system pointing device in
Windows before starting AutoCAD, and is available through your
digitizer vendor.  Mole mode drivers in AutoCAD can only be used
if you have a separate mouse installed as your system pointing
device in Windows.


Plotting / Printing
1)  Why is the AutoCAD system printer in the Plot dialogue
different from the system printer configured in Windows?

     During configuration, AutoCAD stores the current Windows
system printer information.  To update AutoCAD's system printer
and make it match Windows' system printer, reconfigure AutoCAD's
plotters, modify the system printer entry, and reselect the
system printer.  An alternate method is to select another printer
in the "Change Device Requirements" dialogue box in AutoCAD's
Plot Configuration dialogue.  This allows you to choose from
those printers which have been configured in the Windows Control
Panel.

2)  How does plot spooling work with AutoCAD for Windows?

     If you are using a Windows system printer, all plot spooling
must be done by the Windows Print Manager.  If you are using an
AutoCAD plotter driver other than the system printer, plot
spooling must be done with AutoCAD's AUTOSPOOL mechanism.  For
complete information on setting up AUTOSPOOL, see the section
"Step-by-Step Setup for Plot Spooling" in the AutoCAD
Installation and Performance Guide.

3)  How do I change between different printers using AUTOSPOOL?

     You can toggle which plotter AUTOSPOOL sends the plot file
to by changing the Plotting variable in the Environment dialogue.
          a) Specify a plot spooling directory using option 4
              under "Configure Operating Parameters" in the
              configuration menu.
          b) Enter the default plot file name of AUTOSPOOL in
              option 3 of the Operating Parameters menu.
          c) Create different spooling batch files for each
              device.  For example, if you have a network with a                                Hewlett-Packard plotter connected to the LPT2 port
              and a Calcomp plotter connected to the LPT3 port,
              then your spool files would look like this:

                    HPSPOOL.BAT
                    @echo off
                    copy /b %1 lpt2: > NUL
                    del %1 > NUL

                    CALCOMP.BAT
                    @echo off
                    copy /b %1 lpt3: > NUL
                    del %1 > NUL

          d) To spool files to the HP plotter, change the
              Plotting variable in the Environment dialogue box
              to:
                    C:\SPFILES\HPSPOOL.BAT %s

          e) To spool files to the Calcomp plotter, change the
              Plotting variable in the Environment dialogue box to:
                    C:\SPFILES\CALCOMP.BAT %s

4)  Every time I select a different system printer, I get a
dialogue box asking me to configure for either pure colors or
dithered colors.  What is the difference?

     For most printers, the pure colors choice is correct because
many of them do not support dithering.  If your device supports
dithering or you are using a color printer, you should choose the
dithered option.  If you are using dithered colors and you notice
that your lines appear dashed, switch to pure color.  An easy way
to tell which is best for your specific printer is to print the
file CHROMA.DWG using each option, and compare the results.

5)  Why can't I see HPGL plot files when importing them into
other Windows applications?

     If you want to import an HPGL file into Windows
applications, configure AutoCAD for an HP model 7220 plotter.


AutoLISP / AutoCAD Development System (ADS)
1)  Will Release 12 DOS version ADS programs work with R12 for
Windows?

      No.  You must have a Windows-specific ADS version for R12
for Windows.  This means that you will either have to recompile
your ADS programs using Windows libraries, or consult your
program vendor for an update to run with R12 for Windows.

2)  Will my AutoLisp routines created for Release 12 DOS work
with R12 for Windows?

     Yes.  All AutoLISP routines should work with R12 for
Windows.

3)  Is there a limit to the number of ADS applications that can
be loaded?

     There is no limit on the number of protected-mode (32-bit)
ADS programs that can be run with AutoCAD (assuming you have
enough memory).  There is a limit of only one real-mode (16-bit)
ADS program that can be run on a single machine.


AutoCAD Visualization Extension (AVE) Render
1)  What is the MDI window and when should I use it?

     The Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window, a new feature
in Release 12 for Windows, allows you to create multiple
renderings and view them simultaneously.  The MDI window can be
configured as either your rendering display or rendering hardcopy
or as both. Rendering to the MDI window allows you to: copy your
rendering to the clipboard and paste it in other documents, save
it as a separate file, or print it across multiple sheets of
paper.  Consult the Using AutoCAD for Windows manual for more
details.

2)  How do I get renderings from the MDI window into my drawing?

     Images rendered using AVE's full render and no smooth
options can be imported into AutoCAD by copying the image to the
clipboard and pasting it into the drawing.  These images can also
be saved as metafiles (WMF), and later imported using the WMFIN command.

3)  How do I change printer settings from the MDI window?

     The choice of printers for the MDI window is limited to
those printers available through the Windows Control Panel.  To
change the current printer or the page setup, you must make the
changes in the Windows Control Panel (Printers option) prior to
printing from the MDI window.


AutoCAD SQL Extension (ASE)
1)  How do I set the environment variables for DBMS drivers?

     You need to set the appropriate environment variables in DOS
prior to entering Windows.  It is a good idea to add the "set"
statements to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

2)  What is an ODBC driver and how do I get one?

     The Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface
lets applications like AutoCAD access data in a Database
Management System (DBMS) using Structured Query Language (SQL).
ODBC drivers are available from your database manufacturer.  To
use an ODBC driver:
          a) Load the driver according to the manufacturer's
              instructions.
          b) Use the ASESETDBMS command to select ODBC.
          c) Enter the logical database name.
          d) Reference the ODBC documentation for more specific
              information about the driver.

Note: See chapter 5 of the Installation and Performance Guide for
a complete explanation of ODBC drivers.

3)  How do I get ASE to work with Paradox for Windows?

     To use ASE with Paradox for Windows, you need to run Paradox
in version 3.5 compatibility mode.

4)  Will AutoCAD 386 Release 12 drawings with ASE links work in
R12 for Windows?

     Yes, AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows supports ASE drawings
created in AutoCAD 386 Release 12.

5)  Why can I only run one session of ASE?

     AutoCAD for Windows can only run one 16-bit ADS application
at a time.  ASE is a 16-bit ADS application.


Advanced Modeling Extension (AME)
1)  Do I need a new version of AME to work with R12 for Windows?

      Yes.  You will need the Windows-specific version of AME 2.1
to work with Release 12 for Windows.  There is no additional
upgrade cost for current AME 2.1 customers.

2)  Can I copy AME models using the Copy Vectors and Paste
commands?

     No.  AME models must be exported and imported using the
WBLKSOL and INSRTSOL commands in the WBLKSOL.LSP bonus routine.
See the Advanced Modeling Extension Release 2.1 Reference Manual
for more information on this bonus routine.

                            Autodesk Trademarks
AutoCAD and AutoLISP are registered in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office by Autodesk, Inc.  ACAD, Advanced  Modeling
Extension, AME, AutoCAD SQL Extension, ASE, AutoCAD Development
System, and ADS are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.

                          Third-Party Trademarks
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
PSR 008  Rev. 1.0  March 17, 1993