We are pleased to announce that AutoBid Mechanical 2010 v2 has been released to shipping.  Over the next few weeks, we'll be shipping this to all customers who are current on Customer Care as of October 1, 2010.

This release includes:
     - Copy and move functionality for OnScreen View Takeoff.  Box-in an area, and copy it or move it around your drawing.  This functionality also includes the ability to mirror or rotate the selected items.
    - A Power View for Audit Trail Takeoff.  This functionality allows users to use a floating menu in AuditTrail takeoff, and centralizes information for easier access.



    - The Mouse Menu can now be customized to use larger icons.  This version will also include two new QuickPen mouse menus - a vertical menu and a large format horizontal menu.
    - Piping Items can now be renamed in this version.  This new name will be used in all reports, takeoff, and the database.
    - A Modified Submitted Cost report that will allow our customers to apply factors to their labor and material costs.  
    - Additional PEX data has been added to the database.  This will allow our customers to run Value Engineering alternates between PEX and Wrot Copper.
    - The MCAA WebLEM has been incorporated into this release.  A link to the WebLEM data table is now included.

We'll highlight the new functionality at our 2010 Educational User's Conference at Trimble Dimensions, November 8th - 10th. 
Can't wait for this release?  Contact our Technical Support Group to be placed on the priority shipping list.

We can’t help you with that annoying little critter behind the filing cabinet, but we’ve got you covered when you need one on your roof curb. Although this fitting looks like you need to enter a lot of information, you can enter as few as 4 dimensions by using as many defaults as you can.  See example A.  You can set 13 fields from the default tab (11 shown in blue) and then both cricket fields (2 shown in yellow). 

Example A

Here’s how the cricket works.

• The cricket width (D) must be less than the hypotenuse of the cricket. This value is less than the top flange (B) value.
• The cricket depth (C) must be less than or equal to the bottom straight (A).

The other things that you need to know about this fitting are on your Options tab. You have the option to make the cricket as a separate piece or by default; the cricket is incorporated into blanks 3 and 4.

If you are welding this fitting, you probably want to have Straight Wrappers checked (see example B) so you can make a much shorter weld then if it is cut with a mitered corner (see example C).

Example B

Example C

The newly released 11.2 version of DuctDesigner 3D® now includes next generation features that enhance the core functionality and usability of the product---making it easier for you to maximize your productivity.  The following is a short list of some of the new features available.

• Hanger Point wizard:  Quickly layout hanger point sets using this new wizard. Within the wizard, rules can be setup to place points automatically along the duct run at specific spacing,  offsets from edge of metal or insulation, avoiding connections and much more!
• The new Object Point wizard provides you the ability to automatically place custom points on AutoCAD base entities such as Lines, Polylines, Points, Circles, Ellipses and Arcs.
• Field Point Properties:  If you utilize the Trimble MEP Layout Solution in conjunction with DuctDesigner® 3D, you can now easily modify data on the point or selection of points prior to export.
• Improved Trimble MEP Export: Include AutoCAD base entities such as Lines, Polylines, Points, Circles, Ellipses and Arcs in your DXF export for use with Trimble MEP.
• IFC Export:  Now you can easily export your finished design utilizing the new .ifc file extension format.  This standards driven format carries detailed attribute data forward into popular modeling software such as Tekla® Structures, and Solibri.
• 3D Insulation: This release of DuctDesigner® 3D provides you with the ability to automatically draw 3D insulation using either the standards from the data editor or by overrides in CAD.
• All new Saddle Taps: Duplicates of all existing taps have been provided with a new saddle flange option.
• Trimble MEP Attributes!  This release of DuctDesigner® 3D coincides with Trimble MEP Layout Solution 2.1 providing the user with 5 new attributes for use on hanger points, custom points (includes object points) and routing points. These new attributes can be used to supply the field with additional information such as BOM data, scope data, notes, or any other information that may be important at the time of layout.

But that's not all! There are many other great additions to this version of DuctDesigner® 3D. If you are a current customer, you will be receiving your new install disk soon. Also check the calendar for scheduled "What's New" presentations. If you have any questions regarding this release, please contact your sales at 866.799.6673 or online using our contact form.

I've said it before and I stand by it - working with customers is the best part of my job.  And, I have even more fun when I actually get to go to their offices and see what is going on.  Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a customer's office in Chicago (Hi Lou!  Hi Glenn!).  These two guys had the most incredible set-ups that I've ever seen for On Screen Take Off.  They had 50" monitors moutned on the walls!  They were just converting to AutoBid's OnScreen View TakeOff, but commented that they got frustrated when they got to the edge of the drawing and had to stop takeoff.

[screech.....clatter]

Wait a second, if you're using AutoBid's OSV, you shouldn't have to stop takeoff at the edge of the screen.  You should be able to press in on the roller wheel on your mouse and pan around the drawing.  We designed it that way to speed up takeoff - and because most of us don't have 50" monitors!

We soon figured out that the fancy mouse he was using wasn't set-up to take advantage of this functionality in AutoBid.  So, if you're mouse can't pan through the drawing while doing OSV, try checking out how your mouse is set-up.  Your mouse should be set-up so that the Roller Wheel acts like a "Middle Button" (how and where you set this will vary based on your actual mouse).  We see this problem more often with wireless mouses.  Please let us know if you have questions.

Happy Estimating!

Lynn Allen, Cadalyst columnist and Autodesk Technical Evangelist, speaks to more than 30,000 users worldwide each year. For the past sixteen years she has written a monthly column in Cadalyst magazine called "Circles and Lines" and is the voice behind the popular Cadalyst videos –“Tips and Tricks Tuesday with Lynn Allen”.  Lynn started using AutoCAD® software with Release 1.4, over 20 years ago, and taught at the corporate and collegiate level for 13 years before joining Autodesk.  A sought-after public speaker with a unique comedic style, Lynn is always one of the highest rated speakers and host of Autodesk University®. The author of three AutoCAD books, her latest is entitled AutoCAD Professional Tips and Techniques.

Dimensions provides each visitor with access to more classes and exposure to new technology than ever provided in previous QuickPen user conferences so don't miss this opportunity to learn about products and practices that will help to make you and your company more productive.