in this issue
How CADzette Works
Recently, I went through and cleaned up the database
for this ezine. During this process, I thought it might
be a good idea to let those of you who get this free
ezine how it works, what's behind it, etc.
You sign up for the ezine by emailing me directly or
signing up on my website. If you sign up on the
website, you will get an automatic email to confirm the
subscription. This automatic email serves three
purposes: 1) it confirms your email address 2) it
verifies that you really did sign up and want the ezine
and 3) it complies with anti-spam legislation.
If I don't get a confirmation back, then your email
address sits in a "pending" database...and sits and
sits. Then, when I have some free time, I will collect
all those pending emails and send out a courtesy email
asking you to confirm. If I don't hear a response,
you're not subscribed.
After each issue goes out, I review the email addresses
that bounced...if the email was blocked, I will email you
a courtesy email telling you there's a problem. If your
mailbox is full, I will usually let it slide...but if it is full
three weeks in a row, I delete your email address from
my database. If there is some other problem/error, I
will email you a courtesy email to let you know.
So, if it sounds to you like I work hard to reduce the
number of subscribers in my database, you're right.
Basically, you're an elite group...you have email
addresses that function and you have expressed a
sincere interest in getting this ezine. Since I don't
make any money off advertising (seen any ads in here?)
and I get charged by the service based on numbers of
subscribers, it is in my best interest to keep the
subscriber base as small as possible...or at least keep it
to valid,
interested parties.
Every CADzette comes with an unsubscribe link at
the bottom of the page. If you tire of this ezine,
please use it. I can get a list of those folks who
unsubscribe. I average 1-2 opt-outs a month. I am
tempted to contact those folks to ask why they
decided to stop getting this ezine, but, then, I worry
that if they considered it spam...my bugging them
about an unsubscribe might be considered harassment.
So, if you do decide to opt out, that's OK...but I would
appreciate an email as to why....maybe the ezine
wasn't on the topics that interest you or maybe you
just tired of my rants. Either way, I'd like to know.
Finally, I don't get paid to write this ezine and you
don't get paid to read it. I write it because I enjoy
it...I like to share whatever information I can...and if it
helps me sell a couple of my books even better. But
mostly, I do it 'cause it's fun for me. When it stops
being fun, then I'll stop writing it.
Quick Links...
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Greetings!
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SVAPU Engulfed and Devoured
If you have typed in the www.power.org URL recently,
you may have been surprised to be re-directed to an
entirely different website - cadville.com.
Cadville.com is the brain child of Brian Myers, President
of the Gateway Autodesk User Group - a user group
located in St. Louis, home of the big arches.
Apparently, maintaining the website was too much for
Dean Villegas, current president of SVAPU, and he
decided it would be better to allow Brian to host any
info on SVAPU on his site.
The change-over was announced at the July SVAPU
meeting. No news on when the next SVAPU meeting
will be held, but to stay in the loop, you should
probably check the CADville calendar on a regular basis.
Editor's Note: For those who didn't get the reference in
this article's headline. Gulf + Western was a company
founded by a fellow named Charles Bluhdorn (who
began his corporate exploits in 1934). His primary
purpose in life was to purchase and assimilate
companies into his own. He was so good at it his
company was nicknamed "Engulf and Devour". Upon his
death in 1983, Gulf + Western struggled, faltered, and
then, in a twist of irony, was purchased by a new
conglomerate - named Viacom.
Visit CADville »
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Straightening a Section Line in Inventor
Well, I found this neat trick and thought I would share
it. You create a section view by drawing a line through
a view...even with the dot...dot help, how many of us
struggle with creating a straight line?
So, you make a line that's allllmost straight, but still not
perfect. Select the section line. Right click and select
Edit.
Now you are in sketch mode. Simply apply a horizontal
or vertical constraint to your section line and you are
good to go!
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Autodesk Innovation Contest Now Accepting Entries
If you are a professional or student with an interesting
design, Autodesk wants to hear about it. If you win,
you will get a free all-expenses paid trip to AU in Vegas
this coming December. Plus, a check, plus an NFR seat
of your favorite Autodesk software.
Winners are usually introduced on the main stage during
Autodesk's keynote presentation during the week.
So, if you are working on something super cool using
Autodesk software, be sure to check out this contest.
Find out more »
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Taking AutoCAD to the Outer Limits
Jochen Schultz is a very interesting fellow...I have
never met him or spoken with him, but his website gives
you a peek into a very brilliant CAD user.
He has written some lisp routines (free to download)
and
a couple of tutorials (very intriguing). One tutorial on
how to "unfold" 3D models in AutoCAD. One tutorial on
how to create an animation in AutoCAD. And
information on how to loft in AutoCAD. (He's currently
working on a lisp routine to create an AutoCAD
loft...don't know if he'll be successful.)
Now, I know that Inventor and MDT users would yawn
and say that you do not have to jump through the
various hoops in AutoCAD, why 3D model in AutoCAD
when it is much better in Inventor? yada yada yada.
But the point is...there are plenty of users out there
still
stuck in AutoCAD Land and they want to do the cool
things they see Inventor users doing. They can't (or
won't) upgrade...so until (if ever) they do, this fellow's
website may offer some real insights into how to
achieve some very cool results.
Check out Jochen's website »
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