With so much computer aided design (CAD) software on the market — not to mention all the updates — it would be impossible to list all the tips and tricks for CAD. In lieu of a comprehensive list, here we give you a few places where you can search for tips for your specific industry and software, as well as some tips for specific software programs.

AutoCAD 2009, released in March by AutoDesk, Inc., includes the newest updates to the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT family, and the latest versions of industry-specific software for architecture, electrical and mechanical design. Cadalyst Magazine reviewed it this month and highly recommended it as a general-purpose CAD software. In case any of you are updating your systems to the 2009 version, here are a few features (and how to use them) for AutoCAD 2009 from the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI)'s May issue:

New Look
AutoCAD 2009 has a new look, but it has an AutoCAD Classic Workspace function that allows users to go back to the old interface.

Layer Properties Manager
The layer manager now is a mode-less, dockable, collapsible tool palette. Changes happen as you make them rather than having to hit the "apply" button to see changes. A column's view can be frozen so that it stays visible, even as you scroll all the way over to the last one. You may also collapse the "filters" pane.

Rollover Tooltips
If ROLLOVERTIPS is set to "0," you see nothing. But, if it is set to "1," you can see the values of some properties that you select by object type. These can be matched to the properties that appear in Quick Properties.

Show Motion
Create slideshows by typing NEWSHOT, then execute using MOTION. You can string together three types of captures: stills, cinematic (single position with cinematic controls) and recorded walk where you make an animated path to click and drag along.

Viewing Options
Check the Help file entries for instructions on the NAVSWHEEL, CUBE, QVDRAWING and QVLAYOUT commands. Plus you'll find embedded videos that demonstrate how these tools work.

Other viewing options include the Steering Wheel View Control that puts together all sorts of navigation tools in one tool (Zoom, Pan, Orbit, Zoom Previous, Center, Walk, Look and an Up/Down view); the ViewCube that makes for a quick pick and switch between views; Quick View Drawings that allows you to see all open drawings and a preview, which can change sizes as you mouse over them to give you a better look (use the Ctrl key to make the most of it); and Quick View Layouts that works like the drawing navigation tool, but you've got the option of publishing while using it.

Exporting Layouts to New Drawings
Need all your layouts/drawings in separate files? Simply type EXPORTLAYOUT and you'll get a dialog box where you can choose your output file name and location. (A preview of this tool is available to users of AutoCAD 2008 on the Autodesk website under AutoCAD Services and Support.)

For more AutoCAD tips and tricks, download AutoCAD-guru Lynn Allen's booklet HERE (registration required).

Looking for other CAD tutorials? Cadalyst Magazine's CAD Tips Website and CADdigest.com are just two of multiple CAD-oriented sites that offer searchable listings of CAD tips and tricks. Supplementary to expert-posted guidelines and advice, many of these sites allow readers to posit questions or contribute their own tips.

For 3D CAD users, Websites such as 3D CAD Tips provide various resources, including a weekly tips e-newsletter, forums, free application downloads, product tutorials and book reviews.

Also for those working with 3D modeling software SolidWorks, SolidSmack.com blog found a way to potentially get around an odd feature that can possibly save you from losing hours worth of work.

If you've ever come across a pesky little message saying, "failed to save document," SolidSmack.com suggests trying the following five tricks before throwing the computer out the window. If the first one doesn't work, move on to the next troubleshooting pointer, and so on:

1) Close all non-essential documents and try saving;
2) Save the drawing if you have the drawing and model open at the same time with the error message appearing on the model;
3) Switch to a new configuration;
4) Delete the configuration you are working on then hit undo. If nothing happens, try deleting and recreating the configuration;
5) Find references and copy files. This will load everything, which you should then copy and save.

If all of these fail, bite the bullet and direct the problem to SolidWorks. That or start all over again.

Beyond program-specific tips and techniques, the most universal recommendations we can impart are to know where to look when you need help and keep abreast of the latest CAD/CAM developments. These two tips work for all of the CAD/CAM programs out there.

As Cadalyst mentions in its April CAD Manager column, most companies have only one CAD manager, so it's of the utmost importance to find someone or somewhere to turn to for advice and help. The column suggests AUGI.com and Solidworks.com, which are mentioned earlier in this article, as well as www.be.org for Bentley customers.

Cadalyst also suggests joining discussion groups, attending industry events and taking part in your software company's beta programs and software update training sessions as a way of staying in-the-know.

Resources

Autodesk Delivers AutoCAD 2009 Software for Innovative Design
Autodesk, March 25, 2008

AutoCAD 2009 (Cadalyst Labs Review)
by Bill Fane
Cadalyst, Sept. 1, 2008

TIPniques: AutoCAD 2009 - Odds and Ends
Autodesk User Group International, May 2008

5 Tricks to Tackle SolidWorks "Failed to Save Document"
SolidSmack.com Blog, Jan. 14, 2008

Getting Better — What Should You Learn?
by Robert Green
Cadalyst, April 1, 2008