Introducing DoubleCAD™ Plug-Ins

By Doug Cochran, Product Manager
 

Unlike AutoCAD LT®, you can now extend the power of DoubleCAD XT and XT Pro via handy plug-ins.

With DoubleCAD XT Pro v2's new SDK, expect to see lots of plug-ins coming your way... here are just a few to kick things off:

Drawing Compare might possibly become your favorite capability. It offers a compellingly simple and visual solution for detecting differences in drawings... invaluable when collaborating with others or just wanting to quickly and easily see how a project has changed over time. (Note, Drawing Compare is already included in DoubleCAD XT Pro.)

Learn More about Drawing Compare

Hatch Pattern Creator provides an easy and fast way of creating repeating patterns to be used as Brush Patterns in your designs. As you create new patterns, save them to the Brush Style Table and they will be available for repeated use. This plug-in is included with DoubleCAD XT Pro.

Learn More about Hatch Pattern Creator

IDX Beam Analysis Tool provides complete analysis of deflection and stresses caused by direct forces on simply supported beams. It saves the beam information and all analysis diagrams directly in the drawing file, alongside the beam, saving you time and money with better beam analysis and faster revisions. This plug-in is appropriate for both DoubleCAD XT & DoubleCAD XT Pro users.

Learn more about IDX Beam Analysis Tool

This month's Tips & Tricks for DoubleCAD

By Rip Fowler, Technical Support Tech

1. Customizing DoubleCAD Keyboard shortcuts

You can easily customize DoubleCAD keyboard functions and commands using the Tools|Workspace|Customize menu.

For example, to make Snap toggle off/on with the F3 key, select the Keyboard tab and Category Snaps in the customize dialog.

Select the No Snap command and simply press F3 to assign it as a keyboard shortcut. Use the same steps to assign keyboard shortcuts to practically any DoubleCAD function.

2. Embed Images with DoubleCAD XT Pro

With DoubleCAD XT Pro, you can not only reference an image attachment, but also embed an image file in the drawing as well.

Embedding an image file (.bmp, .jpg, .png, .tif, .png, .tga, .pcx, .ico, .wmf) stores the image in the drawing file therefore eliminating the need to manage separate external reference files.

To embed image files, select the Insert menu, pick Raster Image Reference|From Image List… to invoke the Image Manager and embed away. Please remember to save your file in DoubleCAD’s .2CD format since the .DWG format cannot support embedded raster images.


3. Split objects in one step

Sometimes you just want to split an object and be done with it. From the DoubleCAD modify menu, select Split, pick your object and specify where you want to split it. Done.

What are forums good for and why should you use them?

By Brian Carter, Product Manager

IMSI/Design provides forums for all of its products. On those forums you will find answers to your problems, answers to your questions, interesting tips-and-tricks, news, and more. You can post pictures of your project, project files, useful tools, and resources. You can see what other people are doing, and find out what types of projects they are working on. You can ask for advice, give advice, our just lurk in the shadows for a while to see what’s going on: you just might find interesting new ways to model an item or take a project from A to Z.

On the forums, everyone is a resource for everyone else, because the forums are a community. Other users on the forum can often answer your questions faster than we can, particularly when you realize they are active 24 hours a day. People help each other to find and create solutions, and to innovate in the use of the product.

In many ways forums are better than email. Forums serve as a collective knowledge base. Information is distributed communally, and everyone can comment and assist with ongoing topics. This creates a breadth and depth of information that email cannot compete with.

Most importantly, on the forums you have a voice. You can use that voice to have your problems heard, your issues resolved, and to contribute toward future development. Forums function as a key resource for developer and users alike. Forums allow us to communicate with each other about important issues relating to the products in which we have both invested time and work.

For us, the developers, the forums serve as a vital source of information about what you are doing, what you need, and what problems you are having. This is crucial data that allows us to focus product improvements and fixes on the key areas.

Since forums are a community, they have a history. There are old codgers and squeaky clean newbies. There are old stories and new ideas. When you become a member of the forums you become a part of that community, a voice to be heard, and a person that contributes.

  Come join the forums, and welcome aboard