Bricsys Archives - Page 2 of 6

Announcement, BLADE, BricsCAD, Bricsys, Bricsys blog, Guest Post, Interview, Navel Gazing, Other Blogs, Real World BricsCAD, Writing

My Real World BricsCAD series is coming soon on the Bricsys blog

By Steve Johnson 13 September 2018, 10:04 pm 13 September 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"4

In February, my first Bricsys blog post appeared: Inside Bricsys: Interviewing the creator of BLADE – the new Visual LISP IDE in BricsCAD V18.2 This was an amalgamation of my two similarly named posts on this blog where I interviewed BricsCAD’s Torsten Moses about BLADE, the LISP IDE that arrived with BricsCAD V18.2. Today marked my first original-material post on the Bricsys blog: Real World BricsCAD Series Coming Soon I encourage you to hop over to the Bricsys blog to check it out. I’ve been interviewing real people about their use of BricsCAD and will be reporting what they have to …

A & B Tips, BLADE, Blowing my own horn, BricsCAD, Bricsys, Bricsys Conference, Bug, CAD Management, Cadalyst, Customisation, Development, DWG, Fun, Interoperability, Interview, LISP, Maintenance, Navel Gazing, Nostalgia, Video

Video – Steve on BricsCAD Unplugged

By Steve Johnson 13 September 2018, 12:17 pm 13 September 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Following on from Lynn Allen and Robert Green’s guest appearances on the BricsCAD Unplugged webcast a couple of weeks ago, this time it was my turn. Last night (my time) I was the special guest on the episode BricsCAD Unplugged – Steve Johnson 5 surprises moving to BricsCAD. I’m introduced at 2:12 and appear at 3:30. Here’s the full video: In this week’s episode, you’ll witness: Me discussing the five biggest things that pleasantly surprised me about BricsCAD. (I have more than five, but time was limited). Don Strimbu bribing me with drinks containers. An actual printed copy of Cadalyst …

Apple, BLADE, BricsCAD, BricsCAD V18, Bricsys, Customisation, DCL, Development, Interview, LISP, Win

Mac users rejoice – at long last, a LISP IDE comes to OS X

By Steve Johnson 3 September 2018, 12:54 pm 3 September 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"0

CAD’s best LISP development environment has come to the best “AutoCAD for Mac”. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this has occurred without Autodesk’s involvement. What’s happened? With the release of BricsCAD (Mac) V18.2 (currently V18.2.23-1 to be precise), BLADE (BricsCAD’s much-superior equivalent to VLIDE) has been added to BricsCAD See here for the release notes and here to download. Make sure you select the Mac version: Significance This is pretty significant for anybody serious about using DWG-based CAD on the Mac. AutoCAD without LISP is hardly worthy of the name, which is why I’ve never been …

BricsCAD, Bricsys, Bricsys Conference, DWG, Fun, Video

Where on Earth is Lynn Allen going?

By Steve Johnson 30 August 2018, 9:22 pm 30 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"5

Well, this is a fun video for CAD geeks. The third in the BricsCAD Unplugged series of weekly webcasts, this one promotes the Bricsys 2018 conference which will be held on 23 and 24 October in London. These live broadcasts run on the Bricsys Facebook page and are then quickly transferred to YouTube. This one is interesting because of the people in it and some interesting news. It features Bricsys regulars Don Strimbu, Heidi Hewett, Vince Aman and Matt Olding, but also a couple of special guests. First on the scene is Robert Green (see 4:57) but the real surprise …

3D, A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Tip

A & B Tip 8 – drilling holes 2

By Steve Johnson 29 August 2018, 9:54 pm 29 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Drilling holes This post continues to explain more about how to put holes in your 3D models. …

3D, A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Tip

A & B Tip 7 – drilling holes 1

By Steve Johnson 28 August 2018, 10:58 pm 30 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Drilling holes This post explains how to put holes in your 3D models. This post will cover …

A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Tip, Video

A & B Tip 6 – making polylines when you don’t have any

By Steve Johnson 21 August 2018, 8:23 pm 24 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"5

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Why might you need a polyline? In my last post (A & B Tip 5 – polyline …

3D, A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Bug, Customisation, Tip

A & B Tip 5 – polyline areas

By Steve Johnson 20 August 2018, 6:10 pm 20 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. What area is that polyline? There are several ways of determining the area enclosed by a polyline. …

3D, A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Customisation, Tip

A & B Tip 4 – turning on toolbars

By Steve Johnson 16 August 2018, 10:22 pm 17 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"6

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Your First Toolbar If you are using a ribbon-based workspace, you may want to have some toolbars …

A & B Tips, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2015, AutoCAD 2017, AutoCAD 2018, AutoCAD 2019, BricsCAD, BricsCAD V17, BricsCAD V18, Performance, Tip

A & B Tip 3 – benchmarking – /nologo or no?

By Steve Johnson 3 August 2018, 5:54 pm 4 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"6

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. What’s This Post About? In my first post in this series about starting your CAD application in …

3D, A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Tip

A & B Tip 2 – realistic threads

By Steve Johnson 1 August 2018, 9:54 pm 3 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"3

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Realistic Threads This post explains how to create realistic-looking threads for screws, nuts and the like in …

A & B Tips, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Tip

A & B Tip 1 – clean slate

By Steve Johnson 31 July 2018, 3:13 pm 21 August 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"7

In this series of posts, I’ll be providing tips that show how to do something in both AutoCAD and BricsCAD, hence A & B. The Series The idea behind this series is to provide useful information for several sorts of reader: AutoCAD users. BricsCAD users. People in the process of transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who need to know what to do differently (if anything). People considering transitioning from AutoCAD to BricsCAD and who want to know about the differences and similarities. Clean Slate This first post explains how to convince your CAD application how to start in a …

BricsCAD, BricsCAD V18, CAD Management, Customisation, LISP, Tip

Adding Express Tools to BricsCAD

By Steve Johnson 30 July 2018, 4:09 pm 31 July 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"5

If you’re evaluating BricsCAD to replace AutoCAD, you might be put off by the apparent absence of the Express Tools. Don’t be. First, some express tool commands have been added to BricsCAD as native commands, such as OVERKILL and TXTEXP. Next, the Express Tools menu can be added, thanks to a free add-on by Martin Drese (CADwiesel). Here’s the step-by-step process: Go to the Bricsys Applications page. Start typing “EXPRESS” into the search box. You should be pleasantly surprised to discover that by the time you’ve typed four characters, what you are chasing will already be displayed for you: …

AutoCAD, BricsCAD, BricsCAD V18, CAD Management, Fail, Interoperability, Tip, Win

Importing SketchUp files into AutoCAD

By Steve Johnson 18 July 2018, 3:25 pm 18 July 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

Do you have a SketchUp (SKP) file you need to import into a DWG? Need to know how to do it? Tried it but it didn’t work? This tip is for you. If you’re using AutoCAD 2016 to 2019 for Windows, you can download and install the SketchUp Import plug-in from the Autodesk App Store. If that goes according to plan, this will add the command IMPORTSKP to AutoCAD. You may need to restart your AutoCAD first. It’s straightforward enough; select a file to import and it becomes a block in your drawing. Reading the reviews for this add-on, it’s …

AutoCAD, BIM, BricsCAD, Bricsys, CAD Management, Customer Service, Customisation, DCL, Development, DWG, Interoperability, LISP, Performance, Subscription

Why every AutoCAD CAD Manager should have a copy of BricsCAD – part 6, future proofing

By Steve Johnson 11 July 2018, 7:32 pm 11 July 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

This is the sixth and final post in this series where I explain why this statement holds true: As a CAD Manager looking after AutoCAD users, or a power user looking after yourself, it’s worth your while to have a copy of BricsCAD handy. This post explains why adding a copy of BricsCAD to your stable of AutoCAD licenses is a good thing for your future and that of your company. A CAD Management thing I did a few years ago was to examine the options for replacing AutoCAD and other Autodesk products. I was an AutoCAD loyalist (albeit a …

Apple, AutoCAD, BLADE, BricsCAD, CAD Management, Development, DWG, Interoperability, Linux, LISP, Performance, Tip

Why every AutoCAD CAD Manager should have a copy of BricsCAD – part 5, LISP

By Steve Johnson 2 July 2018, 10:30 pm 3 July 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"5

This is the fifth post in this series where I explain why this statement holds true: As a CAD Manager looking after AutoCAD users, or a power user looking after yourself, it’s worth your while to have a copy of BricsCAD handy. This post is about BricsCAD being better than AutoCAD at the one thing that made AutoCAD win the race against its competitors back in the 80s – LISP. That is, AutoLISP (added fully to AutoCAD in Version 2.18) and Visual LISP (fully integrated with AutoCAD 2000). If you’re a good AutoCAD CAD Manager, you’ll already know the reasons …

AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, BricsCAD, BricsCAD Shape, Bricsys, DWG, Maintenance, Rental, Subscription

An email exchange with a friend about AutoCAD

By Steve Johnson 27 June 2018, 12:28 pm 27 June 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"7

Here’s an email exchange I just had with a friend. He’s a local person who I don’t normally discuss CAD with. He works for an architect. He has given me permission to use this discussion here. Hi Steve, We are looking to update from 2007 and 2010 versions in the office to more recent versions of Autodesk’s AutoCAD. We don’t need full version but if that’s what is available ok then. Lite version is ok as we use for 2D architectural only. We use other packages when 3D work required. We also have call to open consultants drawings which may …

AutoCAD, BricsCAD, CAD Management, DWG, Performance, Tip

Why every AutoCAD CAD Manager should have a copy of BricsCAD – part 4, efficiency

By Steve Johnson 22 June 2018, 9:05 pm 22 June 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"2

This is the fourth post in this series where I explain why this statement holds true: As a CAD Manager looking after AutoCAD users, or a power user looking after yourself, it’s worth your while to have a copy of BricsCAD handy. This post is about BricsCAD being more efficient than AutoCAD for some of the things a CAD Manager might need to do. What do I mean? BricsCAD starts up and closes down faster than AutoCAD, much faster in some environments. If your AutoCAD starts up slow (e.g. in some secure proxy server environments), pretty much any job you …

Autodesk, Autodesk University, Bricsys Conference

Is anyone going to Autodesk University this year?

By Steve Johnson 22 June 2018, 1:34 pm 22 June 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"8

No, I don’t mean, “Hey, I’m going to Autodesk University this year, let’s hang out!” I mean, is anyone going to Autodesk University this year? Edit: in this post I am referring to AU2018 in Las Vegas, not any other event. Because I’m seeing lots of people saying they’re not going. People who haven’t missed it for many years. When Robert Green announced his forthcoming non-attendance on Facebook, I was amazed to see so many prominent long-term Autodesk loyalists do likewise. Here are a few comments: OUCH! With all the people I know who won’t be there, AU is going …

AutoCAD, BricsCAD, CAD Management, DWG, Tip

Why every AutoCAD CAD Manager should have a copy of BricsCAD – part 3, parts on demand

By Steve Johnson 19 June 2018, 4:11 pm 19 June 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"1

This is the third post in this series where I explain why this statement holds true: As a CAD Manager looking after AutoCAD users, or a power user looking after yourself, it’s worth your while to have a copy of BricsCAD handy. This post is about using BricsCAD as a mechanical and structural parts library for your AutoCAD users. As I mentioned in my last post in this series, I was writing a client-specific AutoCAD 3D training course recently. To demonstrate the concept of revolving profiles, and also to compare and contrast different styles of solid creation, I wanted to …