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Autodesk Revit 2017 includes access to Autodesk Insight 360 as part of your Revit subscription. Insight 360 provides Revit users with a fast, intuitive, outcomes-driven guide to better building energy and environmental performance throughout the building lifecycle. 

By simply applying a geographical location and utilizing Revit’s automatic Energy Analytical Model, Insight 360 empowers architects and integrated teams with clear guidance and recommendations powered by widely used simulation engines that lead to better building performance outcomes. Instantly reveal a range of potential design outcomes through the Energy Cost Range factors to help you quickly identify key energy performance drivers and compare design scenarios.

Insight 360 integrates many exiting workflows such as Revit Energy Analysis and Lighting Analysis, as well as expanding on these tools to provide a holistic approach to building performance. Access to EnergyPlus heating and cooling load data and in-context solar analysis results are also included in Insight 360.

Watch Video below for more information.

Video & Screen Shot - Autodesk Insight 360

AutoCAD 2017 offers a new tool for sending your model to a 3D printer. The new Print Studio tool is available on the Output ribbon tab when the 3D Modeling workspace is active.

After viewing and editing various settings in the 3D Print Options dialog box, it takes you to Print Studio which is a separate application that ships with AutoCAD 2017 but is not installed by default.

If Print Studio was not previously installed, you’re offered the opportunity to install it.

Using Print Studio, you can connect to the 3D printer to which you want to send your 3D model, or you can create a print file for printing later.

Print Studio gives you the tools you need to prepare your models for specific printers and materials.

AutoCAD 2017 offers improved stability and performance with a new 3D graphics subsystem.

You can view and orbit large 3D models, with visual styles, without experiencing adaptive degradation, which automatically turned off visual features during interactive display operations in order to maintain an acceptable frame rate.

The performance for 3D drawings has been improved, in general, and especially for models with a large number of small blocks containing edges and facets. Use any of the 3D Navigation tools to experience the improved performance.

Watch Video below for more information.

Video - AutoCAD 2017 3D Graphics

The appearance, selection and performance of 2D geometry continues to improve in AutoCAD 2017. A control in the Graphics Performance dialog box enables you to take advantage of improved graphics for capable devices. You can experience the performance increase if you have a DirectX 11-capable graphics card and hardware acceleration turned on.

In previous releases of AutoCAD, the preview of objects as they’re being created, moved, or copied, could appear jagged. In AutoCAD 2017, line smoothing is supported during the preview of objects as they’re being edited. They’re displayed just as they will appear after the operation is completed.

In previous releases of AutoCAD, lines with DOT linetypes could be difficult to see even with lineweights applied. AutoCAD 2017 supports the lineweight display of DOT linetypes. In addition, linetypes with dash and dot combinations display round dots unlike previous releases that represented dots with very short dashes. This also results in a more accurate display of selection highlighting.

Another subtle but useful improvement to linetypes with dashes and dots is the ability to select or snap to the gaps on those objects. You can enable this behavior with the new LTGAPSELECTION system variable.

Similarly, the gaps are recognized by object snaps enabling you to snap to the objects even when picking on a blank space.

Managing your software licenses is easier than ever with the new License Manager in AutoCAD 2017.

You no longer choose your license type or enter a serial number during the install process. Instead, you select which type of license you want to use when you first launch AutoCAD. You can enter a serial number or use a network license.

An option in the Infocenter menu provides access to the License Manager where you can view information about the software license as well as installed Plug-ins, Add-ons, and Extensions.

You can easily update your current serial number with a new one and you can even change the type of license you’re using.

Doing so, prompts you to exit AutoCAD.

AutoCAD 2017 offers powerful new tools for creating and editing centerlines and center marks. You can access the Center Mark and Centerline tools from the Annotate ribbon tab.

The Centerline tool creates centerline geometry of a specified linetype in association with selected lines and polylines. The Center Mark tool creates an associative center mark at the center of a selected circle, arc, or polygonal arc. If you edit the associated objects, the centerlines and center marks update accordingly.

You can modify centerlines and center marks with their grips. A multi-functional grip menu offers additional controls.

You can also use the Properties or Quick Properties palettes to view and edit centerline and center mark properties.

Additional CENTER commands and system variables let you further control the behavior and appearance of centerlines and center marks.

One of the first changes you may notice after installing AutoCAD 2017 is the new Autodesk desktop app which is automatically displayed after the install is complete. A shortcut is added to the Window’s desktop and taskbar for easy access later.

Autodesk desktop app does not require you to sign in to Autodesk. However, it provides the most value when you are signed in. If you do not yet have an Autodesk account, you can create one.

The Autodesk desktop app is a companion application that delivers security patches and updates for all 2015, 2016, and 2017 versions of Microsoft Windows-based Autodesk products.

In the left panel you’ll an icon for each of the products you have installed as well as an Updates icon. Pass the cursor over the item to display the full name, or simply expand the panel.

Selecting the Updates icon displays available updates for any of those installed products.

AutoCAD 2017 offers a new tool that enables you to easily publish views of drawings to the cloud to facilitate collaboration with stakeholders while protecting your DWG files.

You must be logged into Autodesk to publish design views.  If you are not logged in, you are prompted to do so before the publishing begin.

You can choose to publish and display in your browser right away or receive a notification on the status bar when all view processing is complete.

Your current drawing is uploaded to a secure location in the cloud where 2D and 3D views are extracted along with the property database.

If you choose the option to display in your browser now, AutoCAD uploads the drawing file (and its references) to a location on the cloud for processing and launches your browser. You can see the status in the A360 viewer as the file is being prepared for viewing. The processing time will vary depending on the size and complexity of the drawing, internet speed, and backlogged queues for processing.

 Dialog box enhancements

AutoCAD 2017 addresses the #3 AUGI wishlist request by increasing the default size of some dialog boxes and allowing you to resize others. With these enhancements you can view more information with less scrolling.

For example, you can stretch the Layer States Manager to display more layer state information at one time.

You’ll find similar enhancements to the Page Setup Manager, Enhanced Attribute Editor, the Insert dialog box, and many others.

And there are other subtle enhancements to many of the dialog boxes. For example, in addition to the ability to stretch the Insert dialog box to increase its height and width, it displays a larger preview image. And the Name field now supports AutoComplete so as you begin typing a block name it automatically fills in the rest of the name, minimizing the need for you to scroll through the list.

PDF files are a common way of publishing and sharing design data for review and markup.  In AutoCAD 2017, you can import geometry, TrueType text, and raster images from a PDF file to edit as native DWG geometry.

If you already have a PDF file attached to your drawing, you can select it and choose the new Import as Objects tool from the PDF Underlay ribbon tab. You can import everything or pick a polygonal or rectangular selection around the geometry you want to import. A Settings option enables you to control how the geometry is imported.

You can choose to keep the original PDF underlay, detach it, or unload it.

You can also import PDF geometry directly from a PDF file that is not attached. Use the new PDFIMPORT tool or even the regular Import tool which now includes PDF as one of the supported file types.

If the PDF file has multiple pages, you can visually select which one you want to import or you can enter the page number.

In AutoCAD 2017 Coordination Model functionality has been enhanced with support for object snaps. Attach a Navisworks or BIM 360 Glue model to your AutoCAD drawing so you can view it as an underlay.

Then simply use the standard AutoCAD endpoint and center object snaps to snap to precise locations as you create and edit your design based on the attached models.

Watch Video below for more information.

Video - AutoCAD 2017 Coordination Model

In AutoCAD 2017, the new Migrate Custom Settings tool offers a modern and informative interface for migrating your custom settings and files from a previous release to AutoCAD 2017. It detects and clearly identifies customized settings enabling you to choose which ones you wish to migrate.

And, the summary report created from the migration is redesigned to offer more information in an easier to read format.

If you change your mind about migrating settings from a previous release, you can easily restore AutoCAD's default settings using the Reset tool which is accessible from the Start menu.

Watch Video below for more information.

Video - AutoCAD 2017 Migration

It’s never been easier to get AutoCAD 2016 with a variety of purchase options to meet unique business needs. Chat with us by clicking the "Live Chat" button below to find out the different choices you have for any budget or business need.

CAD Services Limited is an authorized AutoCAD Reseller in Uganda.

Effective February 2015, Autodesk will no longer provide the option to purchase upgrades from previous releases for most Autodesk software products.

Moving forward, customers shall only get access to upgrades if they are on Autodesk Maintenance Subscription.

To learn more, read the following document that provides our Autodesk customers with answers to frequently asked questions about upcoming changes to Autodesk Upgrade policy.

video pdf Autodesk Upgrade Discontinuation FAQ (257 KB)

Feel free to contact us for more information by clicking here.

 

Effective March 2013, Autodesk simplified its global upgrade shipment policy, making it easier and quicker for Autodesk customers to access the very latest release of their software.

The primary consideration in planning modern facilities for motor transport equipment movements is to provide adequate space for efficient manoeuvring.

No one design will fit all requirements, but careful study of present needs and future possibilities will determine the type and size of facilities essential to efficient operation.

However, the manoeuvring space required is largely dependent on; the overall length of the vehicle, the width of the position in which the vehicle must be placed, and the turning radius of the vehicle.

The solution to aid the designer in this analysis is Autodesk Vehicle Tracking.

Autodesk Vehicle Tracking 2014 software is a comprehensive transportation analysis and design solution for vehicle swept path analysis. The software enables engineers, designers, and planners at government agencies and engineering consulting firms working on transportation or site design projects to predictably evaluate vehicle movements. In addition, you can examine intersections using integrated analysis and simulation tools that are part of the total design process, all within a familiar Autodesk AutoCAD environment.
Supported AutoCAD products include the 2013 and 2014 versions of Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture, Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D, Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D, and Autodesk AutoCAD Utility Design.

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