cadavatar
24-02-2004, 03:35 PM
My company mainly supports the utility industry. Our clients are typically slow to update their CAD software, which means we usually use the same versions to ensure compatibility and reduct other complications.
We've been using AutoCAD R14 for years, and recently have been using more 2000i because a newer project requires it.
We're having a heck of a time with 2000i's plotting features. Problems started popping up when users sent plots that were coming out 1/2 or 1 inch too small in both directions.
I did a little research, and determined that I needed to create a PC3 file with settings changed to enlarge the printable area, and reduce the margins.
Thinking everything was fine, I went back to what I was doing before - until the users came back to me with undersized sheets. I had to do another round of fighting with these needlessly complicated features to try to achieve the most basic of functions... getting an accurately-sized print.
Well, they ended up coming back and back again until I implemented a stopgap measure - save back to R14 and plot using familiar and reliable tools to get useable prints.
I'm an advocate of simplicity.
When I look at AutoCAD, I compare it to MicroStation, Cadvance, TurboCad and everything else I've used. I always compare anything I use with everything else that's similar in function. It's in my nature.
I am VERY upset with autodesk, not with the scope of what they added in terms of features, but with the way they implemented them into 2000i. There are multiple, separate dialogs - needlessly. The whole thing is a confusing mess.
My writing this is more of a catharsis than anything else. I just need to rant, but if anyone out there has a really good tutorial available, please let me know.
We've been using AutoCAD R14 for years, and recently have been using more 2000i because a newer project requires it.
We're having a heck of a time with 2000i's plotting features. Problems started popping up when users sent plots that were coming out 1/2 or 1 inch too small in both directions.
I did a little research, and determined that I needed to create a PC3 file with settings changed to enlarge the printable area, and reduce the margins.
Thinking everything was fine, I went back to what I was doing before - until the users came back to me with undersized sheets. I had to do another round of fighting with these needlessly complicated features to try to achieve the most basic of functions... getting an accurately-sized print.
Well, they ended up coming back and back again until I implemented a stopgap measure - save back to R14 and plot using familiar and reliable tools to get useable prints.
I'm an advocate of simplicity.
When I look at AutoCAD, I compare it to MicroStation, Cadvance, TurboCad and everything else I've used. I always compare anything I use with everything else that's similar in function. It's in my nature.
I am VERY upset with autodesk, not with the scope of what they added in terms of features, but with the way they implemented them into 2000i. There are multiple, separate dialogs - needlessly. The whole thing is a confusing mess.
My writing this is more of a catharsis than anything else. I just need to rant, but if anyone out there has a really good tutorial available, please let me know.