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Migrating to AutoCAD 2000: A Guide for CAD Managers |
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Introduction
This guide explains how to install, deploy, and configure AutoCAD 2000, and how to manage a networked AutoCAD environment. It explains how to transfer your current AutoCAD setup to AutoCAD 2000. Use the following table to find topics of interest for your installation.
Assessing Your Current Installation Overview of Migration Resources Tools and information sources to help you migrate to AutoCAD 2000 include:
Training and Developer Documentation User training: The AutoCAD 2000 Learning Assistance CD, included with each AutoCAD 2000 license, is a valuable tool for training users on new AutoCAD 2000 features and getting them up and running quickly. Users can run the multimedia training lessons from their computers. In addition to AutoCAD 2000 Learning Assistance, Autodesk Training Centers offer classroom training on AutoCAD 2000. For a list of Autodesk Training Centers, visit: http://www.autodesk.com/.
Development Environment Changes: The development environments supported by AutoCAD 2000 are more powerful than ever. To learn about them, consult the following documentation manuals, which are available from the AutoCAD Help menu: AutoLISP Reference, Visual LISP Developer's Guide, Visual LISP Tutorial, ActiveX and VBA Developer's Guide, and ActiveX and VBA Reference. You can also order printed copies of the developer manuals from your Authorized Autodesk Reseller or from the following website: http://www.autodesk.com/purchase.
Before you install AutoCAD 2000, check that all hardware and network protocols meet the minimum specifications for AutoCAD 2000. Also, you should begin gathering license numbers to upgrade your current registrations.
AutoCAD 2000 has the same hardware requirements as AutoCAD Release 14. AutoCAD 2000 will run faster than Release 14 on the same hardware. If you plan hardware upgrades, see the white paper, "Speed and Productivity: A Study Comparing AutoCAD 2000 with AutoCAD Release 14" which you can find at: http://www.autodesk.com/products/acad2000/features/whtpaper.htm. Older AutoCAD releases had lower hardware requirements. Check machines with older releases to be sure they have sufficient resources for AutoCAD 2000. AutoCAD 2000 system requirements are described in Chapter 1 of the Installation Guide.
AutoCAD 2000 supports several networked configurations operating on either TCP/IP or IPX. You can use the Autodesk License Manager (AdLM) to manage AutoCAD 2000 licenses at a single point. For information about installing, configuring, and using AdLM, see Chapter 3 in the Installation Guide. AdLM also supports hybrid environments with standalone versions of AutoCAD running under their own licenses but accessing common resources.
Before you begin migration, you need to identify the number of upgrades that are needed. To upgrade from one release to the next, Autodesk requires a valid serial number from the previous AutoCAD version. You can use the Serial Number Harvester tool provided with AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance (AMA) to quickly generate a list of AutoCAD serial numbers. The Serial Number Harvester will operate over a network or on individual machines. It generates a report listing every copy of AutoCAD it finds including the AutoCAD version, serial number, and the machine name. You can save reports to files and combine them as needed.
Network and individual installation processes automatically migrate pen settings into AutoCAD 2000. In addition, you may choose to migrate user profiles directly into AutoCAD 2000 during installation. Other customized AutoCAD files are placed in the R14 Custom Files folder in the Acad2000 folder. For a list of copied files see AutoCAD Release 14 Custom Files Directory. Copied Release 14 custom files do not include files that were added manually or by third party applications. You must copy these files separately before you install on top of Release 14. These may include custom menu files, shape, hatch, and linetype files, template files, and AutoLISP® files. (This list is suggestive, not exhaustive). If you want to keep Release 14 on the same machine, install AutoCAD 2000 to its own folder. Release 14 files will not be affected. However, some registry entries and system associations will be modified to make AutoCAD 2000 the default editor for AutoCAD files. The local Release 14 plotting configurations will also be used to make color dependent plot style tables in AutoCAD 2000 (for more information on plotting, see Plotting Enhancements).
After you install AutoCAD 2000, you can migrate your customizations from previous releases of AutoCAD using AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance tools. See Migration Tools and Wizards.
AutoCAD supports two licensing methods:
Individual licensing of AutoCAD guarantees availability of AutoCAD 2000 software at any time, even when disconnected from a network. If a portable computer does not have an individual license, AutoCAD will only be available when the computer can see the network. Individual licensing requires that you purchase a separate license for every machine that uses AutoCAD. You must enter individual license codes, issued by Autodesk or your dealer, at each machine within thirty days of installation. No other action is required. The Autodesk License Manager (AdLM) pools available licenses. AutoCAD must be configured to look for the AdLM, which should be set up and run on a reliable server. With AdLM, you can install AutoCAD 2000 in as many computers as needed, and AdLM issues as the licenses that were purchased on a first-come first-served basis. AdLM extends AutoCAD to more users without having to purchase more licenses, and is particularly useful when users only use AutoCAD for short periods of time each day. It offers control and reporting features unavailable when you purchase individual licenses. You can configure AdLM to reserve or exclude licenses for specific individuals, groups, or machines. To use AdLM, you must install, configure, and license it. AdLM offers management and maintenance tools, and it can operate redundantly across several servers. AutoCAD 2000 maintains constant contact with the AdLM. If that connection is lost, the user is given an opportunity to save their work but they cannot continue.
For information about installing and configuring AdLM, see Chapter 3 in the Installation Guide.
AutoCAD 2000 offers many ways to configure an installation. You can create a set of AutoCAD customizations once, then deploy them over a network, even if individual licenses are used. Carefully planning your AutoCAD 2000 installation is important to ensure smooth and efficient migration.
Plotting was extensively enhanced in AutoCAD 2000. Plotting features provide more control and standardization over output and require less work for end users, who will be able to create standard plots without worrying about configuration details. Taking time to understand AutoCAD 2000 plotting changes will help you make intelligent decisions when migrating drawing files and configuring AutoCAD 2000. For more information, see Plotting Enhancements and Converting Drawing Files.
AutoCAD 2000 provides several network deployment options. You can perform standard or custom installations at each workstation, or you can run AutoCAD 2000 over the network. In many cases, you can combine methods to meet the needs of different end users, for example, when configuring both workstations and portable computers.
Standard Installations
Custom Installations
Running AutoCAD over the Network
Tools Available for Network Deployment Even if you use individual licenses, you can deploy AutoCAD 2000 over a network to avoid repeating customizations at every workstation. Autodesk provides two tools for deploying AutoCAD 2000. You can install individual AutoCAD 2000 licenses using the installation wizard on the AutoCAD 2000 CD, or you can use the Network Deployment Tool. With the deployment tool, you do not enter an authorization code until after the copy is installed on the client machine. Individually licensed copies of AutoCAD 2000 cannot be deployed using the AutoCAD Network Installation tools.
Network Deployment Tool
AutoCAD Network Installation Tools
After installation is complete, end users can install AutoCAD 2000 on their own machines as described in the Options for Network Deployment section. This deployment method is OS independent. For detailed information see "Running the Network Setup Wizard" in Chapter 3 of the Installation Guide. AutoCAD 2000 uses the operating system to lock files, which means users can now open locked files as read only. For external reference files (Xrefs), AutoCAD 2000 has three available modes, which you set on the Open and Save tab in the Options dialog. Keep in mind that if you use AutoCAD 2000 in a mixed release environment, file-locking behavior will not be consistent. For information about setting this option, see "Protecting Your Files on a Network" in Chapter 3 of the Installation Guide. The AutoCAD 2000 environment has many improvements. Because AutoCAD is frequently customized, these improvements will affect older scripts and AutoLISP programs. The following list of changes includes suggestions for changing system variables and commands in AutoLISP scripts when migrating to AutoCAD 2000. See New, Retired, and Changed Commands and New, Retired, and Changed System Variables for complete lists of changes.
This section highlights command and environment changes that will likely affect script and custom utility migrations. Command types are grouped together, whenever possible. You can use the AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance AutoLISP Compatibility Analyzer tool to quickly locate AutoLISP code that may be affected by these and other changes. For more information on tools and techniques for migrating existing customization and AutoLISP programs, see Customization Migration. The following index is provided for fast access.
Display and plotting systems in AutoCAD 2000 were enhanced, and the interaction between AutoCAD 2000 and Windows was improved. These improvements eliminate the need for some drivers and moved some device configurations from AutoCAD to the Windows operating system. Display drivers: AutoCAD is automatically configured for the HEIDI 3D Graphics Display System (GSHEIDI10). With this system, users can optionally work in shaded mode while creating and editing drawings and rotating their models in real-time. Some 3rd party accelerator board vendors may provide HDI hardware drivers, which may increase the speed at which lines are drawn on the screen. Users can set third party HDI driver properties by selecting 3D Graphics Display Properties on the System tab of the Options dialog. Plotter drivers: The plotting engine was rewritten to provide users with greater control when they plot drawings. AutoCAD supports two types of plotter drivers: the Windows system printer drivers and the Autodesk HDI plotter drivers. AutoCAD ships with several Autodesk HDI plotter drivers as well as some third party Windows system printer drivers. ADI 4.2 and 4.3 plotter drivers are no longer supported. Installing Plotters: You install Windows system printers using through the Windows Add-a-Printer wizard accessed from the Windows Control Panel. You install AutoCAD HDI plotter drivers using the AutoCAD Add-A-Plotter wizard. You can access the wizard from the Plotter Manager (on the Files menu, select Plotter Manager) or the Plotting tab of the Options dialog (on the Tools menu, select Options). Installing an Autodesk HDI plotter driver creates a plotter configuration file (PC3) file. You can then select a default plotter for new drawings in the Options dialog. You can also select any of the Windows system printers or any of the configured AutoCAD HDI plotter drivers (PC3 files) from the Plotter dropdown list provided in the Plot and Page Setup dialogs. Some manufacturers may make additional AutoCAD HDI plotter drivers available. AutoCAD 2000 supports shortcuts, so you can place configuration files on a network drive for access by your users. Digitizer drivers: AutoCAD only supports the system pointing device or Wintab-compatible ADI 4.2 digitizer drivers. Older Autodesk-supplied drivers will not work with AutoCAD 2000. Wintab is a Windows specification used by independent developers to make digitizing tablets available as both a system pointer and a pointing device. The drivers are not distributed with AutoCAD 2000. If you use a Wintab compatible driver, it must be 32-bit and it must work properly with Windows to work with AutoCAD. Make sure that the Wintab driver is configured for the correct digitizer model and the correct number of puck buttons. Working Environment Enhancements The AutoCAD 2000 Multiple Design Environment and new Layouts feature add functionality to AutoCAD without changing the normal editing commands. If you are using customization and scripts, however, these new features may require special consideration and a few minor customization changes.
Multiple Design Environment
Visual LISP maintains a separate namespace for each drawing. Therefore, when a function is loaded or a variable set in the namespace of one drawing, it is not automatically available when another drawing is made current. You can load AutoLISP functions automatically when AutoCAD is launched, or launch the functions when you create or open a drawing by placing them in the acad.lsp and/or acaddoc.lsp files, two optional files that you may choose to create for this purpose. The default behavior of the acad.lsp file has changed and is supplemented by the new acad2000doc.lsp. See AutoLISP and the Multiple Design Environment for more information.
Layouts
The Layout environment is a WYSIWYG representation of how the drawing will plot. AutoCAD 2000 displays a graphic of the paper size and margins in the background of the layout. When these visual queues are turned on, the limits of the layout are determined by the printable area of the configured plotter and paper size. The LIMMIN and LIMMAX system variables are read-only when in a layout. While the LIMITS command will accept coordinates (for script compatibility), its values are ignored. Command Access Changes AutoCAD 2000 has changed access to certain commands. These changes affect how users interact with AutoCAD, but have little impact on scripts and AutoLISP code.
Right click support
Status Bar Additions
Command Changes and Enhancements This section describes major command enhancements. You should consider all AutoCAD 2000 as possible compatibility issues that may require changes in scripts and AutoLISP routines.
Options (Preferences and Config Commands)
Viewport Enhancements
Publishing Drawings on the Web
AutoCAD 2000 is installed with two default DWF plotter drivers: classic.pc3 and eplot.pc3. You use the Plotter Configuration editor to configure DWF file format options, such as binary/ASCII, precision, compression, and others. Limited support is provided for DWFOUT to maintain compatibility with scripts you may be using. However, the command will be dropped in future AutoCAD releases.
Lineweights
Layer Enhancements
Extended Symbol Names
The string case of named object names is now preserved in the database, although AutoCAD is case insensitive when validating a name for input in commands and with TBLSEARCH. AutoLISP may need to use (strcase) before comparing the names against an expected value. If you save a drawing to an earlier release format, object names are automatically shortened to 31 characters when opened in the older AutoCAD version. If saved to a Release 14 format, the original AutoCAD 2000 object name is automatically restored when the drawing is reopened in AutoCAD 2000.
File Output Format Changes
The ACISOUTVER system variable controls the version of the SAT file format. The default value in AutoCAD 2000 is 40. Set the variable to 16 to get the same version format as Release 14.
UCS and View Enhancements
Release 14 scripts and AutoLISP routines from previous releases should be changed as needed to account for new UCS variables. The Start from Scratch setting for new drawings and template files that ship with AutoCAD 2000 all set the UCSVP, UCSVIEW, and UCSORTHO variables to 1, and you may need to set them to 0 to maintain the intended behavior of your customization.
ASI & Database Connectivity
The following ASE commands were discontinued: ASEADMIN, ASEEXPORT, ASELINKS, ASEROWS, ASESELECT, ASESQLED. Use the DBCONNECT command and menu items in the dbCONNECT pulldown menu instead.
Partial Open and Partial Load
AutoTrack & New Object Snaps
Picking Enhancements (Solids editing)
Dimensioning Changes
Exploded dimensions now remain on the layer on which they reside when exploded. (In Release 14, exploded dimensions were placed on layer 0.) The DIMFIT system variable was replaced by the new DIMTMOVE and DIMATFIT system variables. DIMFIT is still available for compatibility with scripts and AutoLISP routines. The DIMUNIT system variable was replaced by the new DIMLUNIT (Dimension Linear Unit) and DIMFRAC (Dimension Fraction Format) system variables. DIMUNIT is still available for compatibility with scripts and AutoLISP routines. DIMFIT and DIMUNIT are no longer written to DXF files. AutoCAD supports both absolute and relative hyperlinks. Absolute hyperlinks store the full path to a file location. Relative hyperlinks store a partial path to a file location relative to a default UR or the directory specified by the HYPERLINKBASE system variable.
Controlling Hyperlink Access
Hyperlink Changes
Modifications to existing menus, scripts, and AutoLISP code will maximize their effectiveness in the AutoCAD 2000 environment. Migrating some customizations to AutoCAD 2000 may be necessary for them to operate. This section describes tools to help you migrate custom menus, scripts, the acad.pgp file, and AutoLISP code. Two migration tool types are available:
For a list of available tools, see Migration Tools and Wizards. Tools for migrating ADS and Object ARC applications are provided in the ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2000 SDK. Environment Changes lists the specific commands that have changed, as well as other changes to the AutoCAD 2000 environment. New, Retired, and Changed Commands and New, Retired, and Changed System Variables list all commands and system variables were changed in AutoCAD 2000. Changes to AutoLISP provides a list of changed AutoLISP functions and describes other changes to these development environments. Checking AutoLISP and MNL files for AutoCAD 2000 Compatibility The AutoLISP Compatibility Analyzer opens AutoLISP and MNL files and checks them for compatibility with AutoCAD 2000 commands, system variables, and AutoLISP command sets. The analyzer highlights commands and variables that are out of date and may suggest changes. See Environment Changes for changes you need to make to bring your code into full compatibility with AutoCAD 2000. Migrating Existing Menu and PGP Customizations The Menu and Toolbar Porter tool and the Command Alias (PGP) Porter tool help you migrate menu and toolbar customizations and additions to the acad.pgp file. These tools display the older AutoCAD file and the equivalent AutoCAD 2000 file side by side. You can incorporate changes by dragging the contents of one file into the other. Deploying Customizations You can use the Network Deployment Tool to automatically deploy a fully customized version of AutoCAD 2000 over the network. For more information, see Tools Available for Network Deployment in Installation, Configuration, and Registration. This section provides reasons for converting drawings from earlier AutoCAD release formats to the AutoCAD 2000 format, and describes methods and tools to assist in the conversion. For information on converting drawings to optimize use of the new plotting utilities, see Plotting Enhancements. Unless you have Release 12 users, consider migrating any Release 12 drawings and blocks to AutoCAD 2000 to take advantage of the benefits provided by the new drawing format. Why Convert Existing Drawings and Blocks? AutoCAD 2000 drawings contain features that make file management easier. You can use the Windows Explorer and the new AutoCAD 2000 DesignCenter to view information stored in files even if the files are not open. If you right-click a file in Windows Explorer, summary information entered by the drawing author is displayed. The information is similar to Microsoft Office documents. DesignCenter accesses drawing objects and drawing properties. You can use DesignCenter to search through files for content, even when the files are not open. However, to take advantage of these features, drawings must be in AutoCAD 2000 format. If drawings are in Release 12 format, the drawing preview in the Open file dialog will not function. The AutoCAD 2000 Partial Open and Partial Load features speed up file loading because they load only requested drawing sections into the editor. The editor runs faster. When a whole drawing is selected, it opens faster when AutoCAD does not have to convert the file from an older format. You can save AutoCAD 2000 drawings in Release 14 format with full round trip compatibility. Saving drawings to Release 13 format will guarantee the data, however objects unique to the later versions may not translate completely. The AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance Batch Drawing Converter will translate AutoCAD 2000 drawings to Release 12 format. You can perform the plotting style conversion at any time. However, you can use the Batch Drawing Converter to assign a uniform plot style at one time, thereby minimizing user confusion and questions. Using the Batch Drawing Converter with a standardized plot style will ensure your older files plot consistently. Autodesk provides many tools to share AutoCAD drawings. You can download viewers from the Autodesk web site, and you can save files in web viewable formats. Converting drawings maximize an organization's ability to share information in a variety of formats that best suit project needs. Drawings that have the same format are easier to manage. Handling drawings is faster and easier when they do not have to be converted, and data integrity is assured. What is Changed in Conversion The AutoCAD 2000 drawing format has changed. It is not compatible with older releases without conversion. Additional group codes were added to the DXF format to reflect the new features and enhancements in this release. Drawing file size may increase slightly during conversion. AutoCAD 2000 data saved in Release 14 format is stored as proxy information. If you save an AutoCAD 2000 drawing as Release 14 format, the AutoCAD 2000 information is restored when you reopen the drawing in AutoCAD 2000. However, if changes are made to the drawing using Release 14, some AutoCAD 2000 data may be lost. For example, if the names of named objects (layers, linetypes, text styles, blocks, etc.) are edited in Release 14, the names will maintain their Release 14, 31-character names when the drawing is reopened in AutoCAD 2000. Tools for Migrating Drawings AutoCAD 2000 automatically converts drawings and DXF files from Release 12, 13, and 14 when they are opened in AutoCAD 2000. AutoCAD 2000 can save drawings as Release 14 and 13 DWG files, and it can save drawings as Release 12 through 14 DXF files. You can use the AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance Batch Drawing Converter tool to convert one or more drawings at a time. The tool will translate DWG and DXF files in either direction between Releases 12, 13, 14, and AutoCAD 2000 format. You can also use the Script Pro tool to run scripts on a set of drawings.
Converting Pen Widths to Lineweights
Setting Plot Styles During Drawing Conversion
You can use the Options dialog box to configure plot style types for any new drawing or for any drawing converted to AutoCAD 2000. The Batch Drawing Converter tool only sets color dependent plot styles when it converts drawings. The Color to Plot Style Converter tool converts color dependent plot styles to named plot styles. Taking time to understand the new plotting mechanisms is time well spent. AutoCAD 2000 plotting make office standards easier to configure, use, and maintain. This section explains plotting and related features in AutoCAD 2000. In addition to this information, you may choose to be guided through new plotting concepts with the Plotting Help topics when you first use the PLOT command in AutoCAD 2000. Plot settings and plot areas are now managed more flexibly:
Plotting in AutoCAD 2000 is more flexible and extendible. The new WYSIWYG layouts, accompanied by Page Setups, ensure that drawings are plotted correctly and consistently. Precise plotting information is saved for each layout within the drawing file. The new features provide more flexibility and control over output with an interface familiar to users, most of whom have experience with Page Setups in other software applications. Changes were made at two levels. The way pens are mapped to entities in the drawing has been expanded, although the older methods are still fully supported. Plotting information is distributed across three files to provide greater flexibility, less redundancy, and more reliability. Using Plot Styles Plot style is a new property that can be assigned to objects and layers. Plot styles control how objects plot, which does not necessarily coincide with how they are displayed in AutoCAD. They allow for the use of color while providing more functionality than object lineweight. Plot styles also provide the ability to change the lineweight, screening, fill patterns, and six other object properties when a drawing is plotted. Plot styles are defined in plot style tables. You must create the table before you can assign a plot style. Plot style tables give you the ability to change lineweights, screening, fill patterns and other properties every time you plot. For example, you can plot a drawing in color for a presentation to clients, then plot the same drawing in black and white for the construction site or shop floor. By assigning different plot style tables to a drawing or to different layouts within a drawing, you can change how drawings are plotted. You can use plot styles in either named plot style or color dependent plot style modes. When you create a drawing, you assign plot styles to layers and objects as you would any other object properties. You can also assign and modify plot styles after a drawing is completed. Objects that do not have plot styles assigned to them will plot as they appear on screen.
Color dependent plot style mode
Named plot style mode
Layouts You can view AutoCAD 2000 drawings in two main ways. Model space is the space in which you create a drawing. You access model space from the Model tab on the drawing window. Layouts are created in paper space. A layout is a WYSIWYG paper space view of the drawing. You can create multiple layouts, and access each one from Layout tabs on the drawing window. AutoCAD 2000 creates one layout automatically. You can create additional layouts to provide more paper space views. You can copy and rename layouts within and between drawings. Paper space from older drawings are placed on the Layout 1 tab. Layouts and their page setups save all "what to plot" information with the drawing, whereas in Release 14 "what to plot" information was saved in the acad.cfg or .pc2 files. You can set up a single drawing with layouts for every "what to plot" configuration. You can also set up layouts for use as templates. Templates will save time, because users do not need to configure each plot and will not need training on how to configure the "what to plot" plotting section. Layouts also eliminate the need for separate "sheet files" to plot separate views of a project. Plotter Configuration Changes The AutoCAD 2000 Plotter Manager creates, stores, and modifies plotter configuration files (PC3) and provides tools to manage these tasks. The Add Plotter wizard steps you through the configuration of new plotting devices. You can configure existing devices using a Windows dialog box, which makes AutoCAD plotting configuration similar to configuring printers for other Windows applications. You can copy individual hardware settings and paste from one setting to another. Unlike previous AutoCAD releases, you can configure hardware independently of the plot style and layout. Changes in Plotting File Structure AutoCAD 2000 changes the way plotting information is stored. By separating the hardware configuration information and the plot style tables, users can rapidly change a plot without having to repeat configuration information. The new AutoCAD 2000 layouts replace the Release 14 "what to plot" plotting specifications. Changes in plot file structure are shown in below.
Implementing Plotting Standards Although users familiar with color dependent style plotting may be reluctant to move to named style plotting, named style plotting offers more control. Understanding AutoCAD 2000 plotting will help you implement the best plotting standards for your organization.
Migrating Existing Plotter Configurations
Plot Styles reference lineweights instead of pen assignments. Lineweights facilitate the display of the drawing in layouts when assigned to layers and plot styles. Compare your previous release pen widths with the lineweights provided in AutoCAD 2000. If any of your previous pen widths do not coincide with these new lineweights, you may add precise lineweights to the table, or allow them to be rounded off to the nearest available lineweight.
Creating Plot Configurations
Plot Styles: The plot styles dialogs provide a clear view of the plotting style before you plot a drawing and makes plot style changes easy to do. Copying and editing plot styles saves time when only few changes are needed. Unlike hardware configuration files, which most likely will reside on the same network as their devices, plot style files may be used locally, which is useful for portable or other computers that are often disconnected from the network. Layouts: Many layouts can be configured in one drawing. Time spent creating a comprehensive set of configurations can save many hours answering user questions and even more hours for users who have to set up their own plots. Prototype drawings can accurately encapsulate many different plotting needs. Because layouts are easy to copy from one drawing to another, creating one drawing with all the needed layouts may be faster and less prone to error than creating many prototype drawings with redundant layouts. Plotter Configuration: You must configure all plotters for AutoCAD 2000. You can place plotter configuration (PC3) files on a network drive and access them through shortcuts. This makes plotter configuration easier, because changing and saving the plotter configuration on the network changes the configuration for all AutoCAD 2000 licenses on the network. AutoCAD 2000 plotting has many migration and configuration options. The following tools, wizards and documentation sources will help you migrate and develop plotting standards for your organization. AMA indicates an AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance tool. AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance is installed with AutoCAD 2000. You start an AMA tool by selecting it from the Start menu.
Working in a Mixed Release Environment As you upgrade your network to AutoCAD 2000, you may go through a transition period when you must support AutoCAD 2000 and older releases of AutoCAD. During this period, you can set some AutoCAD 2000 commands and features to emulate Release 14 behavior. You should instruct AutoCAD 2000 users on how to save drawings so that they can get the most out of new AutoCAD 2000 features and still have the drawings available to team members with an older AutoCAD release. Hardware Compatibility Plotter drivers: ADI 4.2 and 4.3 plotter drivers are not supported. Digitizer drivers: AutoCAD only supports the system pointing device or Wintab Compatible ADI 4.2 digitizer drivers. Older Autodesk supplied drivers will not work with AutoCAD 2000. For more information, see Hardware Environment Changes in the Environment Changes section. AutoCAD 2000 System Variables to Set for Release 14 Responses In AutoCAD 2000, names of named objects (layers, linetypes, text styles, etc.) can have up to 254 characters. To emulate the 31-character limit of Release 14, change the EXTNAMES system variable to 0. When set to 0, the space bar continues to end user input and users cannot create named object names greater than 31 characters. Named object names greater than 31 characters will not be truncated when inserting AutoCAD 2000 drawings into other AutoCAD 2000 drawings (even if EXTNAMES is set to 0), but they will be shortened when the drawing is saved to an older format. If you set the SHORTCUTMENU system variable to 0, right clicking the pointing device is the same as in Release 14, that is, it is the same as pressing Enter. You can turn off paper background and margins in layouts to emulate Release 14 display and LIMITS behavior. This setting is in the Display tab of the Options dialog.
AutoLISP and AutoCAD 2000 System Variables
Scripts, old AutoLISP routines, and menus that make use of the TILEMODE system variable must be updated for layouts. The CTAB system variable returns and sets the current tab (Model or Layout). Users running Release 14 scripts and AutoLISP routines must account for new UCS variables and set them to 0. The Start from Scratch option for new drawings and template files that ship with AutoCAD 2000 all set the UCSVP, UCSVIEW, and UCSORTHO variables to 1. For more information, see Command Changes and Enhancements in Environment Changes. Release 14 System Variable Settings If the PROXYNOTICE system variable is set to 1 in Release 14, the proxy notice dialog is displayed when drawings saved in Release 14 format in AutoCAD 2000 are opened by Release 14. The proxy notice dialog reminds the user that proxy data is contained in the drawing. Handling Drawings in a Mixed Environment Managing the use of AutoCAD 2000 features can make sharing drawings in a mixed environment easier.
AutoCAD 2000 Layouts and Viewports
The last active layout is the paper space that is accessible when the drawing is saved in Release 14 or Release 13 format. The additional layout data is stored as proxy information, and is restored when the drawing is opened in AutoCAD 2000.
DWG Compatibility: Opening and Saving Previous Version Drawings
Because AutoCAD 2000 has many new features and enhancements, the drawing format has changed. Additional group codes were added to the DXF format. When you save a drawing in AutoCAD 2000, you can save it in AutoCAD 2000, R14, or R13 format. You can also save DXF files to AutoCAD 2000, R14, R13, and R12 DXF file format. New data stored in the AutoCAD 2000 format is "round-tripped" when saved in R14 format unless the drawing is altered while in R14. This means that the data is not lost when a drawing is saved in R14 format and then re-opened again in AutoCAD 2000. AutoCAD 2000 data that is not supported in R14 is stored as proxy or extended data information in R14. Some data (such as multiple layouts) will not be displayed in R14, but the data is not lost. For example, non-rectangular viewports in AutoCAD 2000 will appear as rectangular viewports in R14, but will reappear as originally authored when re-opened in AutoCAD 2000. If the PROXYNOTICE system variable is set to 1 in R14, AutoCAD Release 14 will display the proxy notice dialog when you open drawings saved in R14 format while in AutoCAD 2000. This dialog reminds you that proxy data is contained in the drawing. If users in your organization are editing the same drawings in both R14 and AutoCAD 2000, they should limit their use of some new AutoCAD 2000 features until all members of the project team are working with AutoCAD 2000. When drawings are saved in R13 format, AutoCAD does not guarantee that all the data will be round-tripped. The following table lists resources to help you migrate to AutoCAD 2000. Resources are listed below with abbreviations in parentheses. To order additional documentation, see Ordering Additional Manuals.
You can order printed copies of the following manuals. See the information shipped with the product or contact your dealer for ordering information and pricing.
Note: AutoCAD 2000 Migration Assistance may be on the AutoCAD 2000 CD in some cases.
New, Retired, and Changed Commands
Many AutoCAD 2000 commands have both a dialog and command line interface (CLI). For most of these commands, preceding the command with a hyphen [-] invokes the CLI version. To maintain backward compatibility, most commands default to the CLI version when run in scripts or when called with the (command) function in AutoLISP. You can use the (initdia) function to force the dialog UI when the (command) function is used in many AutoLISP commands.
Many "DD" commands that called dialogs in Release 14 (for example, DDCOLOR, DDLTYPE, etc.) were removed in AutoCAD 2000. These commands are now aliased in the acad.pgp to their new command names (COLOR, LINETYPE, etc.). The aliases are honored when entered at the command line or called from menus. They are ignored in scripts or when used in the (command) function. Use the new command names in scripts and AutoLISP routines.
The keys below indicate the type of change.
The following commands are new in AutoCAD 2000.
New, Retired, and Changed System Variables
These tables list new AutoCAD 2000 system variables and system variables that have changed or been retired. The status column indicates the type of change.
The following system variables are new in AutoCAD 2000.
AutoLISP and the Multiple Design Environment
This section explains the AutoCAD 2000 Visual LISP environment and how to use Visual LISP with multiple documents. The section also describes options for making the transition from single-document mode (Release 14 and previous releases) to the AutoCAD 2000 Multiple Document Interface, a component of the AutoCAD 2000 Multiple Design Environment. The following topics describe changes made in AutoCAD 2000 and AutoLISP for work with multiple documents.
For AutoCAD 2000, three goals were targeted for the Visual LISP environment:
Changes to the Programming Language
Changes to the AutoLISP language include a few bug fixes and some new extensions. Bug fixes include behavior corrections as reported by AutoCAD customers. Typical bug fixes include such items as setting the symbol T to nil is disallowed (setq t nil), or adding full 3D coordinate return values for some entities via (entget).
Extensions to the language do not affect compatibility. To take full advantage of Visual LISP, see the Visual LISP documentation, which describes the new language extensions in detail. The AutoCAD ActiveX® object extensions, and other features can improve your existing customization or work with any new customization projects.
Changes to Automatic Loading
You can create two optional files to handle automatic loading of AutoLISP customization: acad.lsp and acaddoc.lsp. While acad.lsp automatically loads when you launch AutoCAD 2000 (in the initial drawing), its load mechanism is limited to per-session. It does not load in subsequent drawings during the same session. The new acaddoc.lsp automatically loads on a per-document basis, including the initial drawing, to supplement the per-session loading of acad.lsp.
These changes enable mechanisms for automatic loading appropriate for MDE, and they provide additional control, because they allow you to differentiate per-session and per-document loading.
With the AutoCAD 2000 Multiple Design Environment, you should re-evaluate the previous behavior of acad.lsp. Because users of previous releases may have created acad.lsp files with expectation that only one drawing is open at a time, AutoCAD 2000 does not allow the file to open in each drawing.
In many (if not most) cases, your existing customization will migrate to AutoCAD 2000 without change. Follow these steps to understand how AutoLISP changes in AutoCAD 2000 affects you:
MDI Reminder Visual LISP Dialog Box
The first time you open a second drawing file, AutoCAD displays the Visual LISP dialog box with options for migrating existing acad.lsp automatically loaded customization into your drawing session. This dialog box displays an indication of the change, a HELP button for more information, and the option of setting a compatibility switch to use acad.lsp as your per-session automatic loading mechanism.
To distinguish between per-session and per-document automatic loading actions, choose the recommended option. You probably want to move your most common utilities to the acaddoc.lsp file so that they are available for every new document you create.
If you are confident that you can use your acad.lsp file for every new document (in other words, loading it multiple times will cause no unwanted side effects) select the second option instead. This instructs AutoCAD to treat both acad.lsp and acaddoc.lsp identically.
 Setting Compatibility Modes Using the Options Dialog Box You can choose between one of two interim options when you migrate customizations to MDI while at the same time migrating none, some, or all of the AutoLISP customization loaded by acad.lsp. The location of the setting check boxes in the Options dialog box are shown below.
SDI Mode and LISPINIT
MDI Mode with ACADLSPASDOC The ACADLSPASDOC system variable controls acad.lsp loading. When set to 0, AutoCAD 2000 loads acad.lsp into the first open drawing only. When set to 1, AutoCAD 2000 loads acad.lsp into all drawings. You can also set the ACADLSPASDOC variable on the System tab of the Options dialog. This option is only available when AutoCAD 2000 is in multiple document mode (that is, the SDI system variable is set to 0). In MDI, the options for initializing AutoLISP for the session and for each document opened are much more powerful than before. Therefore, setting LISPINIT to any value has no effect in MDI. Your customization loaded from acad.lsp may need to change accordingly, if you choose this option. When considering how to migrate your customization, review these three points:
Building MDI in AutoCAD and AutoLISP In AutoCAD 2000, drawing data is formally separated from application data. The DWGNAME system variable is drawing data. In single-document mode, only one document exists at a time, so the value of this system variable (document data) can be mixed with application data. In multiple-document mode, changing from document to document changes the DWGNAME system variable, so each document must be isolated from every other document. The ACADPREFIX system variable is application or session data. It stores the name of the library search path AutoCAD 2000 uses to find support files. In single or multiple-document mode, the value is always the same, regardless of what drawing is open. When you customized AutoCAD Release 14, you could always assume that data-whether document or session-would remain static until the next document was opened or a created. This is no longer true in the AutoCAD 2000 Multiple Document Environment.
Enabling Compatibility Mechanisms for accessing and passing data from one document to another through AutoLISP customizations are necessary. For this purpose, AutoCAD 2000 provides a LISP blackboard mechanism in the functions (vl-bb-ref) and (vl-bb-set), and a propagate function called (vl-propagate). In addition, AutoCAD 2000 provides a load-all function, called (vl-load-all), to help load defined functions in more than one document namespace.
Automatic Loading Loading Behavior The table below shows the rules AutoCAD 2000 follows for loading order and how it finds your automatic loading files.
Notes:
Change the SDI system variable if you are unsure or not ready for multiple document mode. As you begin to use the multiple document mode, use the acaddoc.lsp loading mechanism. Consider changing the ACADLSPASDOC system variable if you do not have any AutoLISP customizations that is at risk to your data, or if you prefer to use your existing acad.lsp in every document. Visual LISP offers a high level of compatibility with AutoLISP, while providing much more functionality. This section lists the new, changed, and retired AutoLISP commands. You can find new Visual LISP documentation through the online help and in Migration Resources. The Visual LISP architecture consists of the following subsystems:
Refer to the AutoLISP Reference for an overview to Visual LISP and details on its new capabilities. Here are the compatibility areas on which to focus:
The following ASI AutoLISP functions have changed:
Asi_connect - now requires a path to the .UDL fileThe (ssget "x") function call still returns a selection set of all entities in the database. However since entities can reside in different paper spaces (layouts), a new 410 group code has been added to identify the name of the layout. AutoCAD entities still contain a 67 group code that indicates the space an objects resides in (0=model, 1=paper space). The new 410 group code indicates the name of the space ("Model" or the Layout name). See the New Group Codes for Objects and Other Changes section for more information. See the New, Retired, and Changed Commands section for AutoCAD 2000 commands that have changed or can no longer be called with the (command) function. Refer to the AutoLISP Reference manual for the full descriptions of all new AutoLISP functions in AutoCAD 2000. The table below shows new, changed, and retired AutoLISP functions.
AutoCAD Release 14 Custom Files Directory You can migrate AutoCAD Release 14 support files and profiles by checking the Migration checkbox during single-user installation. Release 14 profiles will be added to AutoCAD 2000, and Release 14 support files will be copied to a "R14 Custom Files" folder. Any pen tables configured in Release 14 will be migrated from the acad.cfg or PC2 files to AutoCAD 2000 CTB files. Release 14 support files copied into the R14 Custom Files directory include: If you have additional customized files, such as customized MNU and LSP files, you must manually copy them into the R14 Custom Files directory before you install AutoCAD 2000. New Group Codes for Objects and Other Changes AutoCAD 2000 objects have many new group codes which point to new properties or data. These new codes are a result of the enhancements to AutoCAD 2000. The additional group codes should not affect existing AutoLISP routines, but as you migrate and upgrade you code, you may want to account for them. See the Customization Guide and the Visual LISP Reference, available from the Help menu, for details. Here is a partial list example of new group codes common to AutoCAD 2000 entities returned by (entget ename):
The following table lists additional group codes for specific AutoCAD objects. Viewport information formerly stored in Xdata is now accessed through group codes returned by (entget ename).
Group Codes Changes Other Changes In the Release 14 acad.mnu, the grips popup menu (that appears when right-clicking while a grip is hot) was POP17. It is now POP500. All popup menus greater than 499 do not show up in the menu editing dialog and therefore cannot be made top-level popup menus. AutoCAD 2000 includes tools and wizards to assist with migration:
Autodesk, Inc. 111 McInnis Parkway San Rafael, CA 94903 USA Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD, AutoLISP, and AutoCAD Development System are registered trademarks, and ObjectARX, ObjectDBX and Visual LISP are trademarks, of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. © Copyright 1999 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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