In this class, we will walk you through the procedures using specialized toolsets to design from start to finish. We will learn how to use standard content in AutoCAD Architecture software and AutoCAD MEP software. Then we’ll learn how to use Bill of Materials from AutoCAD Mechanical software, along with wiring diagrams and reporting from AutoCAD Electrical software, to simplify and accelerate your design process. We will show you how to transition between different toolsets to achieve optimal design.

Each release of AutoCAD software translates to bigger and better features, but some old tools have never changed. Scripting is one of these tools. It's still just as powerful today as it was when introduced into AutoCAD software back in the late ‘90s. If you can key in commands at the command line, you can script. If you're not familiar with the Action Recorder, you’ll learn in this class how to create some easy macros to use for increased speed of design. Regardless of your knowledge of scripting or the Action Recorder, you'll go from zero to hero in 60 minutes in this class.

Why should you be using Dynamic Blocks? Quite simply, Dynamic Blocks can greatly reduce the number of blocks in your library, improving your efficiency. While it does take a little more time up front to create a dynamic block, the timesavings on the back end are well worth the effort! Even better news: if you are a proficient user of AutoCAD software, you should have no problem converting those boring, static blocks into shiny, new, Dynamic Blocks.

This course will move beyond the basics course. It will cover the functions necessary to gather and use various data types. You’ll learn how to get data from the user of your programs, and then manipulate and apply that data in various ways. You’ll learn how to automate the drawing process in AutoCAD software. The course will start with a short review of data types, then move directly into getting, storing, and using these data types. At the end of this course, you’ll know how to access AutoCAD software’s drawing commands via AutoLISP—and will understand how to go well beyond what is taught in the course, applying the learned concepts to your daily work routine—so that your tasks will not be so routine! We guarantee that you can learn this language and become more productive.

Multiple cultures in today’s business world often require both published applications and in-house applications to be easily usable by anyone. Globalization is designing and developing applications for users in multiple cultures, and localization is the process of customizing data and resources for specific cultures for applications. In this class, we’ll talk about and demonstrate building an AutoCAD plug-in that is localized for multiple cultures. We’ll create resource files adding strings that are displayed in the application; have commands that are culture aware; and set up the user interface, including dialogs that handle different cultures. Although we’ll focus on AutoCAD applications, most of what we’ll cover applies to any .NET development.

Writing AutoLISP code is one thing; troubleshooting it and restoring the system "back to normal" when crashes occur while troubleshooting can be a headache. Take this class and take away your headaches. Learn how to quickly get things back to normal. Learn how to use lists to your advantage-I mean, LISP does stand for List Processing! Learn how to create your own error routine to set things back the way they were before your fancy new program crashed and burned. Crashing and burning is part of the process of getting a new timesaving routine off the ground-this class will make those crashes less painful. This session will feature AutoCAD software and is AIA approved.

AutoLISP® is an easy-to-learn programming language for the non-programmer. Programming is simply intelligently obtaining and using or reusing data. This hands-on lab shows you how to recognize the type of data that you need, get that data, and then use it. This “basics” class focuses on the terminology and syntax (the format and the functions that your programs need to follow) used in AutoLISP. You create a simple program or 2 using math and numeric data types. This course lays down all the groundwork you need to start using AutoLISP to streamline your working environment.

Tired of clicking through the same paths several times a day just to get to default directories? Do you want to help yourself and others store files in the proper directories? Then this class is for you. We will discuss the WD.ENV and WD_M files used to initiate the AutoCAD Electrical software environment and provide default paths for various commands. We will also touch on templates and shared environments.

In many companies, the mechanical and electrical design are combined, creating a single mechatronic design process. Do your mechanical designs include electrical wires, harnesses, and components? When completing your electrical designs, would you like to use tools especially designed for creating electrical drawings? Autodesk® Inventor® software is the design tool of choice for the physical components, while AutoCAD® Electrical software is best to use for the electrical components. Using three basic guidelines, you can create a seamless interface between the two. We will explain these guidelines and how they work. During the class, we will use AutoCAD Electrical to create a circuit representing a wire harness and export the data into Inventor. In Inventor, we will create wires and cables and export the data into AutoCAD Electrical.

AutoCAD Electrical software provides many tools to configure the software specifically to the design environment and workflows of your company. Do you have specific folders and paths for your custom files? (Hint: You should!) We’ll show you where to set these for everyone on your design team. We cover the WD.ENV, WD_M.dwg, WD_PNLM.dwg, DEFAULT.WDT, and many other reference files. Tired off making the same old picks and clicks to start your drawings or save custom files? Join us to enter the brave new world of enhance productivity.

This class will be all about programmable logic controls (PLCs), including standalone, fixed, and parametric styles of PLCs. This extravaganza of popular PLC properties will include discussion of the different types of PLCs available in AutoCAD Electrical software, the building of custom PLCs, some tips and hints, and, if we have time, customization of the Spreadsheet to PLC file.

So you have hundreds, and maybe thousands, of standard AutoCAD software drawings that represent your electrical designs, and you are uncertain about moving to AutoCAD Electrical software because you think you will have to redraw all your electrical designs. Well, guess what? You don’t have to. AutoCAD Electrical software ships with conversion tools that enable you to convert the standard AutoCAD entities into smart AutoCAD Electrical content. This class will show you how to use enough of the conversion tools to get you on the right circuit and energize those individual drawings into a project that recognizes all of the drawings that represent your product.

Are you ready?...Set?...Let's GO! This is a fast-paced class designed to keep you on your toes with rapid-fire tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your time in AutoCAD Electrical software. Hold on tight, it’s going to be a wild ride!

Modern electrical design is becoming more modular every day. Instead of individual wires attaching to individual screw terminals, pre-made harnesses are used to provide connections between components. Take this class to learn about the cable and harness tools in AutoCAD Electrical. We cover how to manipulate the tools to provide intelligent reports for rack systems, console interfaces, and other non 'standard' requirements.

In this class, you learn to create standard (plates) circuits in AutoCAD Electrical software for substations. We cover how to use options in AutoCAD Electrical to insert blocks of standards to complete substation design in a quick, standard, and accurate way. We demonstrate the linking of parts in an assembled circuit, how to add options in a timely manner, and complete your design using all the tools that AutoCAD Electrical has to offer.

Do you want to see what's new in the 2016 release? Join us in a demonstration and discussion about the new tools and features.

Tired of clicking through the same paths several times a day just to get to default directories? Do you want to help yourself and others store files in the proper directories? This class is for you. We will discuss the WD.ENV and WD_M files used to initiate the AutoCAD Electrical software environment and provide default paths for various commands. We will also touch on templates and shared environments.

Do you want to ensure the physical version of your electrical design has enough space in the mechanical layout? Are you tired of discovering too-tight bend radii during the first prototype build? Are you interested in keeping your mechanical and electrical designs in sync? Are you skeptical that any of this really works in a real-world environment? Attend this class to learn about all of this from real-life examples as they’ve been accomplished by your peers around the world. And learn why AutoCAD Electrical software and Inventor software are better combined together—just like chocolate and peanut butter.

If you are currently using AutoCAD to develop controls drawings or if you have AutoCAD Electrical but you are still primarily using it as vanilla AutoCAD to complete your controls drawings, this is the class for you. Learn key tips and tricks to get you quickly up and running with AutoCAD Electrical, so that you can start utilizing all of its amazing automation! Hot Topics will include template development, support file step up, and user friendly automated commands. This class will be electrifying and have you feeling the spark of love for ACADE!

You can use AutoLISP programming language to very effectively manage AutoCAD-software-based products, although the way to do so isn't always obvious. The trick lies in using AutoLISP to control the command vocabulary while eliminating the need for cumbersome profile-based control of plotting, palettes, and device configuration pathing. We'll discuss how to create, delete, and redefine commands; load external executables; load CUIx and workspaces; control system and registry variables; and make your custom functions better behaved by using ERROR functions and declaring a global variable list for network-wide control. Along the way, we'll explore useful VL/VLR functions and code security. We'll present a sample network environment for context, and provide sample files for download after the class. If you've ever wanted to know more about how AutoLISP can help you manage your AutoCAD software tools, you don't want to miss this class.