The Ribbon Culture Emerging

MicroSoft Office 2007 Structure and the Autodesk Ribbon structure has been migrating the 2 software's AutoCAD 2009/2010 and Revit 2010. It was a dramatic change for the traditional user interface. It was a new concept to many people but it provides greater flexibility, easier access to tools and consistency across Autodesk applications. This is also a great way to slowly emerge into revit BIM world.

Moving towards BIM modeling is something that requires time, discipline and understanding. Jumping from one lilly pad to another is going to be a challenge in our society today and looking at very strategic approaches to consulatant coordination, time, money and solving problem is effective when selecting this software.

AutoCAD 2010 Features

Export
Has the ability now to
DWFx-The file can zoom and pan with the DWF file; turn layers on and off and mark up the drawing
DWF
PDF

Attach PDF, DWF, DGN and Image files as Underlay’sThe External References palette now supports the use of PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files (JPG, TIF, etc.) as underlay’s in DWG files, in addition to the traditional DWG references. If the PDF or DWF file is vector-based, you can use object snaps to locate new objects relative to objects in the underlay.

AutoCad X-ref. Relative vs Absolute

X-referencing outside of Project navigator

Specify an Absolute Path (avoid this if at all possible)An absolute path is a fully specified hierarchy of folders that locates the external reference. An absolute path includes the local hard drive letter or the network server drive letter. This is the most specific but least flexible option.
Specify a Relative Path (the best method)
(Note: these same concepts can be applied to image files with the Image Manager)Relative paths are partially specified folder paths that assume the current drive letter or the folder of the host drawing. This is the most flexible option, and enables you to move a set of drawings from your current drive to a different drive that uses the same folder structure.If the drawing file that is being referenced is located on a different hard drive the relative path option is not available.