IMAGINiT Technologies Support Blog

Please note: All of our Canadian offices are closed on Monday May 20th

Please note all of our Canadian offices are closed on Monday May 20th in recognition of Victoria Day.

When Launching Raster Design Application Hangs At The "Loading AeciRibbonUiApi..." Prompt

This is a known issue. Autodesk is working to rectify this situation but is not corrected as of yet. The work around is to select the Raster Ribbon Tab and then exit. The Raster Tab must be the active tab when you close out. The next time you launch the Raster Tab is the current tab and the loading does not hang.

For more information about Autodesk products please visit
www.imaginit.com

So you think you borrowed a network license...

Have you ever borrowed a network license only to find out after you leave work that it didn't?  I've seen this many times. There are a few things that can cause this to happen.

• You login to Windows under a different login name.

This happens because the license borrowing is specific to the Windows login and saves information to that Windows Profile.

• You try to run a different program.

You run and borrow a license for Architecture and then try to run Civil 3D. The license borrowing is feature based and you are borrowing a license for a particular feature. When borrowing, ensure you double-click the shortcut icon you need to run when disconnected. Then use the same shortcut icon when disconnected from the network.

• Your laptop is connected to a docking station that has a built-in Network card.

The borrowed license binds with the network card, if that card isn't available (or enabled) when disconnected then it's effectively left behind on the docking station. Disconnect from the docking station before you borrow the license, hardwire the network cable to the laptop then borrow the license.

• Your power saving options, in Windows, turns off or disables your Network card.

If the Network card can't be seen then it can't authenticate against it. You may be able to go into the Windows power management options. Or you may need to "Enable" it

To turn off the power management option
Go to Start-> Control Panel double-click the System icon and click the Device Manager button on the Hardware tab and expand out Network adapters. Double click the adapter and select the Power Management tab. Uncheck the box to "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" (Fig. 1) and click Ok. Reboot.

Fig. 1

You may need to Enable the network card. Start-> Control Panel double-click the System icon and click the Device Manager button on the Hardware tab and expand out Network adapters. Right click your network adapter and select Enable.

 

Those are the main reasons I've seen for this problem.

 

 

 

Revit: RomanS Font Issues

I have run across this issue a few times and I thought perhaps it might be good to share some insight in regard to using the RomanS font in Revit.

I know that many structural firms use RomanS as there standard, which in Autocad is fine since we can increase the pen weight to compensate for the single line font

In Revit we do not have that option, and as you can see below it prints terribly.

There are some fonts that are similar to RomanS in appearance that will plot much better in Revit…although having said that, keep in mind that changes to text (from Arial the default) will require you to update all annotation in the template and in all tags as well.

Here are some other options to consider if you want a font similar to RomanS:

• AIGDT
• Arial Narrow
• Calibri
• Calibri Light
• Dotum
• Franklin Gothic

If you always work with all caps then AIGDT would be a good choice.  If  you work with both upper and lower case text then my personal choice would be Dotum. 

Here are examples for comparison in Revit:

 

REVIT MEP: Duct sizing generation tool - can it use specific duct sizes?

A customer asked if there was any way to create custom size ducts and have the Duct Sizing Generation Tool utilize those sizes. At this time there is no way to have the duct sizing generation tool, generate a duct system to your specification and needs. It will size it according to the pressure and/or friction its reading from the terminals and mechanical equipment.

Revit 2014: Autodesk App Exchange

Autodesk has released some new Revit 2014 extension apps for Autodesk Subscription users. 

The Revit extensions include the following taken from the Autodesk Exchange Apps website. Click on the links to read the full apps functionality and what software they are compatible with:

Civil Structures for Autodesk Revit 2014

• Bridge Modeling Revit Extensions, you can generate bridges based on user-defined criteria.
• Users can define basic parameters of the geometry of a bridge including: a road profile, a deck, abutments, piers and railings.
• The road profile may also be imported from a LandXML format file.
• The bridge is generated based on user-defined families that are provided with these Revit Extensions.

Frame Generator for Autodesk Revit 2014

• The Frame generator extension is used for quick defining of simple 3D models of one-bay or multi-bay halls.
• It includes the load definition, carrying out calculations, designing steel bars and generating documentation for the calculated structure.

SDNF Import/Export for Autodesk Revit 2014

• The SDNF - Import/Export extension gives the ability to export and import a steel structure Revit model to SDNF file format and generate a structure model in Revit Structure

Composite Design for Autodesk Revit 2014

• This application helps perform basic structural analysis and design calculations of composite steel beams in a Revit Structure model.

Excel Based Model Generation for Revit 2014

• Using the Excel® Based Model Generation extension, you can generate Revit model based on the data defined in a Microsoft Excel sheet.

Timber Framing for Autodesk Revit 2014

• Using the Timber Framing tool you can generate timber structure for walls and roofs in Autodesk Revit software application.
• Timber Framing tool is composed of three extensions: Wall Framing, Rafter Framing and Roof Trusses. 
  

Grids Generator for Autodesk Revit 2014

• The extension enables the definition and generation of axes grids and levels in Revit projects.
• This extension allows generate columns, beams, walls, and footings at grid intersections.

CIS/2 Import/Export for Autodesk Revit 2014

• The CIS/2 Import/Export extension gives the ability to transfer a steel Revit model to CIS/2 file format, compliant with the ISO-10303-21 standard.

Compare Models for Autodesk Revit 2014

• When the application starts, it recognizes the number of opened projects created in Revit.
• If more than two projects are opened, a dialog displays where you can select two projects to be compared.
• Comparing models that were created as a result of copying elements (for example, through the Clipboard) may not lead to good quality results.

 

Licensing error: A valid license could not be obtained by the network license manager

I have outlined steps you or your IT department need to take before contacting your Support for help regarding Autodesk license/server errors. 

Here are a couple errors that customers get when attempting to open a newly install network version of their Autodesk software on their machine. Typically the error is titled "Licensing Error" or a dialog box pops up and you are asked to verify the path of the server or license file.

Errors that you might see on the Server while setting up the LMTools Utility:

From the Stop/Start/Reread tab;

• Server failed to start
• Cannot read license file

From the Server Status tab;

• Vender dameon down
• Adskflex down
• Flexnet Licensing error:

Here are three things you should verify before containing your Autodesk support group.

1. Verify the correct LMTools is installed.
2. Try resetting LMTools.
3. On the user machine; delete the licpath.lic, cascadeinfo.cas, and add an environment variable.

If you do the three things and you are still getting the error message take a print screen of the error message on the user machine and a copy of your servers debug.log typically found in the C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Autodesk Network License Manage.

Verify the correct LMTools is installed

Open up your LMTools on the server then click on the Help drop down menu and click on About.  This will tell you which version you have installed. Click on this link to see the current version written by one of our Technical Specialist Jeff Lotan: http://blogs.rand.com/support/2013/05/i-just-received-2011-do-i-need-to-upgrade-the-license-manager-for-network-licensing.html

Try resetting LMTools:

1. Open LMTools on the server and click on the Start/Stop/Reread tab.
2. Click the check box to Force Server shutdown and click the button to Stop Server.
3. Go to the Config Services tab.
4. You need to make sure the paths for all three items are correct by clicking the browse button.
5. Make sure that the two check boxes at the bottom of the Config Services tab are checked.
6. Click Save Service.
7. Go back to the Start/Stop/Reread tab and click the Start Server button then click the ReRead License File button.
8. To verify that the license file was properly read you will want to go to the Server Status tab and perform an Enquiry. You will be looking for in the first few lines; Vendor Deamon on\up, adskflex on\up.

If you get any errors that show a code please copy all of the text and paste it in a new note pad file to send back to the tech.

If everything looks good on the server then on the user machine do the following:

On the client\user machine

You may need to re-path\re-point the Autodesk software to the new server. You will need to do the following to each machine:

1. Delete the Cascadeinfo.cas file by navigating to the following folder, one the software connects to the license file this file will be re-created:

• Windows XP > C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\Adlm Windows
• Vista > C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Adlm

1. Delete the Licpath.lic located in the C\Program files\Autodesk\software name (you may need to  run a search on your C drive for the file licpath.lic in order to find it.) This file will be re-created once the machine connects to the server and finds the license information.
2. Set an environment variable to specify one or more license servers for your Autodesk products:

• On the Start menu (Windows), click Settings > Control Panel.
• Double-click System.
• In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
• Click Environment Variables.
• Under System Variables, click New.
• In the Variable Name box, enter ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE
• In the Variable Value box, enter the license server(s) in the following format: @server1;@server2;@server3 (where server is the hostname or IP address of your license server)
• Click OK to close out of all of dialog box.

Is it legal to install my AutoCAD 2014 at work and at home too?

I get this question all the time, I had one today in fact!  This is also known as a "home use" license.  Basically you want an additional install (on an extra computer) under the same stand-alone serial number and want to know if it's legal.

We brought up the End User License Agreement (EULA) for his AutoCAD 2014 and went through it, it was tough to find but we found what we needed!  

<disclaimer>  I'm not an attorney/lawyer, I don't even play one on TV.  Read it yourself and if you have questions consult an attorney. </disclaimer>

Here is a direct copy/paste from the EULA regarding installs as Stand-alone licenses:

Exhibit B

License Types

1. Stand-alone (Individual) License. If the License Identification identifies the License Type as a “Stand-alone License” or as an “Individual License," Licensee may Install a single primary copy of the specific release of the Licensed Materials designated in the applicable License Identification on one (1) Computer, on a Stand-alone Basis, and permit Access to such primary copy of the Licensed Materials solely by Licensee’s Personnel, and solely for Licensee’s Internal Business Needs. Licensee may also Install a single additional copy of such Licensed Materials on one (1) additional Computer, on a Stand-alone Basis; provided that (i) such additional copy of the Licensed Materials is Accessed solely by the same person as the primary copy; (ii) such person is Licensee (if Licensee is an individual) or an employee of Licensee; (iii) such person Accesses the additional copy solely to perform work while away from that person’s usual work location and solely for Licensee’s Internal Business Needs; and (iv) the primary and additional copies are not Accessed at the same time. Stand-alone (Individual) License is for a perpetual term, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

Which can be found at:

http://download.autodesk.com/us/FY14/Suites/LSA/en-US/lsa.html

What that tells me (remember I'm not an attorney) is:  Yes.  however there are some previsions.  Like you must be the user of both machines and while you're away from one machine someone else is not allowed to use the other machine.

 

The next 2 sections talk about the Multi-seat stand-alone and network licenses.  The Multi-seat is very similar, but the network license is a little different:

Install away! But let's be careful out there!

9.7 Audits. Licensee agrees that Autodesk has the right to require an audit (electronic or otherwise) of the Autodesk Materials and the Installation thereof and Access thereto.....

That does include prior versions. 

 

 

Related articles

Where did all the AutoCAD sample files go?

It's OUT! Windows 8? AutoCAD 2014? Can I run AutoCAD 2014 on Windows 8?

AutoCAD Doing The AutoCAD Twist

Ever have a drawing you need to have rotated so it fits better or for some other reason. When you rotate the Object this changes the Coordinate of the Object and can cause issues in certain situations such as Map 3D and Civil 3D when things need to be in the exact location. How can we get this effect without effecting the Coordinates. There is a command people having been using for years for this exact issue. The command is called DVIEW. This command does not rotate the Objects it rotates the entire drawing. Imagine you have a paper drawing and spin it 90 degrees. Basically the same thing we are doing here.  This is very nice with Viewports as well.

Using Dview Twist (There are more sub-options than Twist but today we are talking about Twist)

1.) Go into your drawing in Modelspace. This needs to be in Modelspace although it works best with Paperspace. we still go into Modelspace mode to perform this command.

2.) Start the DVIEW command.
3.) The Dview command will give you the option to select Objects or Enter and it will bring up a house so you can see the rotation. Lets go ahead and select the Object(s) from the drawing and then hit the <enter> key.

4.) Now the sub-options come up in the command line and we want to type TW (for Twist) and hit the <enter> key.
5.) You will now see your drawing rotating dynamically. Type in the angle you want or select. the drawing is now twisted to that angle and the Coordinates are the same as they were.

6.) you must hit <enter> key one more time to end the command if you escape it will reset your view.

For more information about Autodesk products please visit.
www.imaginit.com

Correcting unresolved file references, 'File not found' or blank 'Uses' tab display in Vault Explorer

In Autodesk Vault's Explorer view, there may be several symptoms of incorrect file references. For example, the following view of the 'Uses' tab is correctly listing the related files for an Inventor drawing:

But if the references are "dangling" they may not appear correctly under the 'Uses' tab like this.

Starting with Autodesk Vault 2012 Update 2 that is available for all variants of Vault 2012, the Autodesk Reference Repair Utility is installed in the Tools folder under Start/All Programs/Autodesk/Autodesk Data Management/Tools/Autodesk Reference Repair Utility.

For Vault 2014, the Autodesk Reference Repair Utility looks like this:

 

See the five part Walkthrough for Manually Repairing References in the Autodesk Vault WikiHelp for extensive details on the use of the Reference Repair Utility.

The Walkthrough and the video that is included show step by step how to use the utility and offers these overview details:

Why Do We Need the Reference Repair Utility?

Under certain circumstances, it was possible to break historical CAD file relationships, resulting in unresolved file references or "dangling relationships." As a result, the parent versions would no longer point to any file, resulting in a dangling relationship. If a file has a dangling relationship, common Vault functions, such as Get/Check out, Where Used, and Change State can return an error or incorrect data. These errors can manifest as references not being shown under the Uses tab in Vault, or as a "file not found" error in your CAD application.

These dangling relationships must be addressed to avoid any problems gathering relationships. Service Pack 2 for Vault 2012 and Service Pack 1 for Vault 2013 introduce ways to repair dangling relationships.

Supported File Relationships

The following file relationships are supported.

• Inventor 3D files
• Inventor 2D files
• AutoCAD DWG files with XREFs.

Once underway, the Utility examines all files from the Vault root folder or sub-folder that you specify.

AutoCAD 2012 is unable to obtain the Building Design Suite 2012, 2013 or 2014 network license.

When you run AutoCAD 2012 you receive a network licensing error, but when you run Revit Architecture 2012 you do not.  Also, all the newer programs obtain licenses just fine, AutoCAD 2012 seems to be the only program affected.

AutoCAD 2012 is unable to obtain the Building Design Suite (BDS) license, because AutoCAD was not installed from the Building Design Suite 2012 media.

Looking  at the cascading sequence they are different depending on which media you install. This was a oversight on Autodesk's part and was later cleared up in a technical solution.  If AutoCAD was installed from the BDS media it works fine, otherwise you receive a licensing error (probably [0.0.0]). 

1. We have 3 legal workarounds (we wouldn't want any other kind!):
   1) Uninstall AutoCAD from all the machines, reboot, install AutoCAD from the Building Design Suite 2012 media. You should be able to download it from the Subscription website.
   
   2) Ask your sales rep to see if they can get you an exception to run the old Revit Architecture Suite 2012 license. They typically generate an exception for 13 months, so you'd need to get everyone up and running on the newer AutoCAD before the license expires.
   
   3) Run the newer version of AutoCAD. Unlike Revit, it does allow you to save back
   to the older release.

 

See the Autodesk Technical Solution:

• http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS16981643

If you don't believe this is the cause, give us a call and we can prove it out one way or another.