Autodesk® Developer News June 12, 2003

goldenshin

Autodesk® Developer News
June 12, 2003
This issue contains time-sensitive material.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
         
1.  You said, “Yes!  We want to modify .DWG attributes outside of AutoCAD®.”                       
                 Now, please tell us how.  We need your input by June 18th.

2.  June discount to exhibit at Autodesk University

3.  Other news:  "Autodesk DWFwriter" –
               Create .DWF™ files from Autodesk®Revit® - or any MS Windows application!

4.  Results of our API Survey

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1.  You said, “Yes!  We want to modify .DWG attributes outside of AutoCAD®.”                       
                  Now, please tell us how.  We need your input by June 18th.
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In an earlier edition of Autodesk Developer News, we told you that Autodesk is investigating the possibility of an easy-to-use, simple-to-license, standalone component that would allow you to read and write block attributes in .DWGs –- without having to open a full AutoCAD session.  We have heard several ADN members say that they could really use a simple utility like this … now, more than ever … so their applications can support the 2004 .DWG format.  



Based on this favorable feedback, we have developed a high-level specification for what we’re calling the “Block Attribute Tool” (BAT).



Now we need your help on the exact specifications. We would also appreciate your input on how we should license BAT to ADN members. Please fill out a quick follow-up survey (just 5 questions) at:  http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?YTFTC43TJMLXK57KKKSF07SC   



Hurry! The survey deadline is Wednesday, June 18th. All survey participants will receive summary results at the end of June.



If you want BAT, you really need to fill out this “BAT Specification and Licensing” survey.  Our development of BAT depends on enough ADN members expressing strong interest in using it.  Without sufficient interest, we will not be moving ahead with BAT.

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2.  June discount to exhibit at Autodesk University

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Autodesk University 2003 will be held December 2nd - 5th at the MGM Grand Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas.  Our International GIS Users Conference takes place at the same time.



With more than 250 classes, and more than 60 displays in the expo hall, “AU” continues to be our most popular customer event.  Think about exhibiting in front of a crowd of 3500 people.  If you act now, you have a better choice of booth space, at an even better price.  



Early-Bird discounts are available to exhibitors who sign up before June 30, 2003.   

For more information, contact: june.nakatani@autodesk.com.  



Also: Remember to save the date of December 1st for our annual Developer Day at AU.  Because this FREE event is held the day before AU officially begins, you can still exhibit and/or attend the customer conference if you wish.  Online registration opens in August.





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3.  Other news:  "Autodesk DWFwriter" –
               Create .DWF™ files from Autodesk®Revit® - or any MS Windows application!

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Want to create a DWF from Autodesk Revit or any Microsoft®Windows® application? Check out the free "Autodesk DWFwriter" -- our new DWF Windows system printer driver.



Developed as a utility to create DWF's from Autodesk Revit, the Autodesk DWFwriter is a Windows system printer driver that will let you create DWF's from any Microsoft Windows application. DWF is a highly compact and secure way to share design information. While creating DWF's makes the most sense for imagery based on vector graphics, this utility works with almost anything -- all Microsoft Office products, web browsers, desktop publishing applications, and more. We must warn you that Autodesk DWFwriter is a first release and has only been extensively tested with Autodesk Revit. DWFwriter is not today a reliable tool for creating DWF's from any Microsoft Windows application. That said, try it out! It may meet your needs, it’s very cool and freely distributable too. You can download Autodesk DWFwriter for FREE at the Autodesk Revit download center:  http://revit.autodesk.com/EN/5_1/DownloadEN5_1.htm. Scroll down to "Optional Extras", and then choose "Autodesk Revit DWFwriter 1.0".



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4.  Results of our API Survey
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                                          ADN would like to thank all of you who contributed to our AutoCAD® API wish list!  We received an overwhelming response, and the AutoCAD engineering team is already going through your suggestions.  From your responses, here are the top 10 enhancements you would like to see in our next version of AutoCAD.

AutoCAD API Wish List:   "Top 10"



1.        Plot API extensions

2.        Server-based DWF creation with automation interface

3.        Draw Order API  

4.        Object Classification API

5.        Undo API

6.        Ability to free memory of deleted objects

7.        Native .NET API

8.        “Zoom-factor dependent” custom graphics

9.        Background plotting

10.        Publish API extensions



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Copyright © Autodesk, Inc. 2003.  All rights reserved. Reproduction or copying is prohibited.  Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and DWF are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the U.S.A. and/or in certain other countries.  All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.