AutoCAD

AutoCAD 2015 and HP printer Issue Resolved

So turns out that AutoCAD 2015 on windows 8 or 8.1 does not want to print to a HP Printer or Plotter. I have experienced this at a client the other day and the funny thing was that they where able to print perfectly on AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2013. The printer cannot be selected and reverts back to “none” or AutoCAD will crash, hang and fail with the following error message.

“None: The plotter configuration cannot be used for one of these reasons: the driver cannot be found, the device cannot be found, or the driver has a problem.The None plotter device has been substituted.”

So here was the workarounds that I have tried suggested by Autodesk, but found that it was still unable to print.

Workaround 1: Check for newer printer drivers that support Windows 8 and higher
Try uninstalling and reinstalling the HP printer driver using the latest driver from HP’s website (HP Drivers & Downloads).
Steps to do this:

  1. Uninstall any listing for the printer in Programs and Features.
  2. Delete it from Devices and Printers.

Note: This process may not remove all the necessary driver files in order to let you have a clean reinstall. You may need to manually remove the HP driver files (see How to manually uninstall a printer driver in Windows 7 or 8).

Workaround 2: Use the generic HPGL/2 driver
Autodesk includes some HP plotter drivers internally with AutoCAD. You may be able to specify a generic HPGL/2 driver, which uses the old AutoCAD drivers:

  1. In AutoCAD, enter the PLOTTERMANAGER command and start the Add-A-Plotter Wizard.
  2. In the list, select HP.
  3. In the models, select a printer model, such as Designjet 755CM (a non-matching model may work).
  4. Define the ports and all information.
Alternative Suggestions:
If reinstalling the printer does not resolve the problem, try either of the following:
  • Plot to PDF from AutoCAD 2015 and then print the PDF from Adobe Reader to your HP printer.
  • Use AutoCAD 2014 for plotting your drawings.

Obviously telling my client that they have to plot to PDF then print, opening the chances of getting the wrong scales, or buying a new plotter, the client was very unimpressed. So I HAD to find another solution.

Solution:
So this is what I tried and it fixed the problem:

  1. Close all the Autodesk software applications
  2. Go to the HP Website and find the latest software for your printer. Search for ((HP Drivers & Downloads).
  3. Go to the Devices and Printers in your control panel
  4. Right-click on the printer and select Printer Properties
  5. Go to the Advanced tab and select New Driver
  6. Follow the dialog box, Select next > Select Have disk and select the downloaded drivers
  7. Finish the printer properties.
  8. Open your AutoCAD and select your relevant printer
  9. You should now be able to print without any issues.
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AutoCAD

Geolocation in AutoCAD 2015

I have discovered that the Geolocation command in AutoCAD 2015 randomly stopped working. It was fine and all of the sudden I am not able to use the online map anymore. Turns out that October 29th, 2014 Bing changed its server-side connection protocol which means that the Geolocation online map provided by Bing stopped downloading.

Autodesk released a Hotfix to fix this problem. If you go to your C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015 you will find a file called AcGeoLocationUI.arx, right-click on this file and go to Properties. Check the version of this file. If the version is 20.0.51.0 it means that you need to update the AcGeoLocationUI.arx file.

Click on the following link to download the new hotfix: Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 Geolocation OnlineMap Hotfix.zip

First make sure you application is closed. Once you have downloaded the hotfix, extract the zip file. In the C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015 location, change the file type from .arx to .bak. Inside the zip file you will see the new AcGeoLocationUI.arx, copy the new file to C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015.

Start your AutoCAD 2015, you should now be able to use the Geolocation Online Map command.

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News

Passports, Visas, Flights, Hotel and bags checked and ready to go. 7 Days left to Autodesk University 2014 is Las Vegas, Nevada. This year I have been accepted as one of the speakers at Autodesk University. This is an absolutely great opportunity.Here is a sneak peak at what I will be talking about.

Getting Started with Fusion 360

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Discover the Key Aspects in Getting Started with the Fusion 360 app
  • Learn How to Use the Base Tools and Commands in the Fusion 360 app
  • Share and Collaborate Designs
  • Learn How to Create and Publish Conceptual Models

You will go through Fusion 360 from downloading your software to showing off your design. So make sure you register for this class, https://events.au.autodesk.com/connect/search.ww#loadSearch-searchPhrase=getting+started+with+Fusion&searchType=session&tc=0&sortBy=daytime&dayID=30&i(11080)=

There are great prizes to be won! Not one but 2 iPad mini’s up for grabs and more… 

See you guys in VEGAS!!

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AutoCAD

The PRESSPULL Command – AutoCAD

Have you ever had to create a quick 3D model from a 2D drawing? Then Presspull is the command that you will love.

Process:
1. Switch to the 3D view. You can do this holding down <SHIFT> and the mouse wheel or using the View Cube at the Top Right of the screen.
2. Type “presspull” in the “command line” and select the center of your object.
3. Specify the height of your object. You can type the height in the command line or select the height on the screen.

Presspull Behavior:
*Open 2D Object – Creates a Surface
*Closed 2D Object – Creates a 3D Solid
*Inside a Bounded Area – Creates a 3D Solid
*3D Solid Face – Offsets the face or expands the solid

Presspull

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News

Autodesk Expert Elite Program

ADSK_Expert_Elite_Icon_S_Color_Blk

Johannesburg – Autodesk announced today that Jo-Ann Hogan had been selected to join the Autodesk Expert Elite Program for her knowledge and expertise in use of AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit and Fusion 360.

Autodesk’s Expert Elite Program recognizes individual community members who have made extraordinary contributions with helping the community by sharing knowledge, providing community leadership, and exemplifying an engaging style of collaboration that drives a healthy and valuable Autodesk community. These members share their knowledge and insight with their community, as well as help Autodesk by representing the voice of the customer back to the company.

QUOTE FROM COMPANY

“The goal of the Expert Elite program it to empower our super-users to better share their knowledge, assist their peers, and support the Autodesk community,” said Katinka Sante, Expert Elite Program Manager, Autodesk. “We have selected Jo-Ann because of her regular and responsive participation in Autodesk discussion forums and social media channels, advanced knowledge of Autodesk and its products, and leadership in the user community.”

For more information on the Autodesk Expert Elite program, visit
http://www.autodesk.com/expert-elite/about

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