RobiNZ CAD Blog

CAD Disaster Stories?

Ralph has a interesting series going on CAD disasters. Given CAD software is made by people, used by people, in projects involving people maybe it’s not CAD that’s the problem but very interesting reading. WorldCAD Access: Disaster Stories In June, Airbus announced its super-giant airliner won't fly for another six months or longer. In July, a ceiling panel in Boston's brand-new Big Dig collapsed.. WorldCAD Access: Disaster Stories, Part 2 A reader of upFront.eZine gave me his analysis of the Airbus A380 being delayed by a year… WorldCAD Access: Disaster Stories, Part 3 The blame for the Airbus A380 delivery... Read more →

Ellen on AutoCAD 2007

When she is not providing PowerPoint tips to help a certain Kiwi CAD blogger with his presentation Ellen Finkelstein writes books on AutoCAD, PowerPoint and more. She has just released a new one: The AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD 2007 LT Bible Website - http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com AutoCAD Tips Newsletter RSS feed PowerPoint Tips Newsletter RSS feed Read more →

Radical Radial Chopper

Makes those West Coast Choppers look lame! John Levey, Rotec Engine dealer, shows off his custom-built chopper complete with the R2800 7-cylinder Rotec aircraft engine at Oshkosh. Full image at www.airventure.org www.rotecradialengines.com Read more →

Ted Boardman's Visualization Blog

Viz/Max legend Ted Boardman has a new blog. I’ve attended a couple of his sessions at Autodesk University and totally recommend them. He has very practical approach to getting realistic results and wonderful presentation style, also apparent in his writing. If you are attending AU get in quick when registration opens as Ted’s sessions fill up very fast. For the rest of us there is the blog! Ted Boardman's Visualization Blog :: www.tbmax.net/blog The main goal of the blog is to emphasize the importance of fundamental concepts that provide a foundation on which it can build a successful visualization business,... Read more →

Trip Route Mapping with MindManager & Microsoft Virtual Earth

Mindjet Labs will soon (Monday 31/7/06 US Pacific) release an extension that allows you to easily find route information while planning travel thanks to a clever combination of MindManager & Microsoft Virtual Earth. The process uses MindManager topics and relationships to specify the route and it’s easy to do; Create two topic with addresses or place names in the topic text. Draw a relationship from one topic to the other, with the arrow specifying the direction of the route. Select the relationship, right-click and select Get Route from the context menu. In a few seconds, a callout topic will appear... Read more →

Windows Briefcase and your USB Flash Drive

It can’t just be me, doesn’t everyone do this? JK’s posts a reminder you can use Windows Briefcase to keep files/folder copies on your USB Drive in sync with their source files on your machine. I use Briefcase for this all the time as, although basic, it allows you to sync selected folders or individual files and will work on Windows machines with no software install. You can also have separate briefcases sync'ing to different machines/locations on one drive. I have a USB with crucial home and work files sync’ed so I can access/edit those files while away from either... Read more →

Select Similar routine for AutoCAD

I love Select Similar in ADT (ADT 2005 +) and am mystified why it's not a core AutoCAD feature. Pick a selection set of objects, select similar and all matching objects are selected. Melanie (S) P has posted a lisp for AutoCAD that achieves the similar results. Mistress of the Dorkness: I know how to pick em: SelectSimilar routine In MAP3D 2006 there is a tool, accessed by most via the right-click menu, called SelectSimilar… Read more →

Old enough...

Old enough to remember real turntables, vinyl that scratched and replacing worn needles… Old enough to have purchased, and still use, a first generation CD player Old enough, that I don’t need to be reminded by a DWF Blog Beyond the Paper: Orbit versus Turntable “For people old enough to predate compact discs, the word "turntable" conjures up an image of a spinning vinyl record with a diamond needle dragging across its rippled surface producing sound. (It's amazing that ever worked.) Although some people misbelieve that the turntable command works like the old record player turntable, the differences between turntable... Read more →

Inventor designs F1 in Schools!

This is cool, school students design a CO2 powered Formula One cars and race for a trip to the finals at the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia. I’ve been to this GP twice and it’s a fantastic event. The circuit is a short tram ride from Melbourne's CBD and the GP literally takes over the city for the week. A great challenge, but what a reward! F1 in Schools! - www.f1inschools.us The Formula 1 (F1) in Schools initiative creates a fun and motivating environment for students to experience the engineering process. The worldwide popularity of F1 racing lends excitement while... Read more →

The Hulme Supercar

The Hulme Supercar project, unveiled in New Zealand last year, was recently displayed as a pre-production model at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and London's exclusive Salon Privé exotic car show. New Zealand-built Hulme supercar debuts - Autoblog Supercars NZ - The Hulme F1 Champion 1967 It is Denny Hulme's success which has motivated Hulme Supercars Limited to make a New Zealand supercar in his honor. Since the onset of the project, the concept of the supercar has been a mid-engine design with a high performance powertrain and chassis that gives the driver the feeling of driving a Formula One... Read more →