1.125 Computer Aided Engineering
(AutoCAD presentation)
What's new in AutoCAD version 13 ?
Available topic
Usability ;
Purge at any time :
The PURGE command deletes unreferenced blocks, layers, linetypes, and dimension and text styles from the drawing database. In earlier releases of AutoCAD, the PURGE command had to be the first command in a drawing session. In Release 13, you can issue the command at any time.
Drawing preview :
You don't have to open a drawing to see what it looks like. A preview area in the dialog box displays an image of the selected drawing.
Non-uniformly scaled block :
In Release 13, you can explode a block that has a different X and Y scaling factor.
Overlaid xrefs :
In addition to attaching xrefs, you can now overlay them. Use attached xrefs to create a drawing out of subassemblies contained in other drawing. Use overlaid xrefs to check how your drawing relates to other drawings.
On-line help :
An enhanced on-line help system emulates most of the features of window help, with the full-text search and pop-up windows. The complete AutoCAD Command Reference in on-line format puts detailed information on every AutoCAD command at your fingertips.
Text ;
Multiline text editing :
Release 13 introduces paragraph-oriented text handling to AutoCAD. You enter text in a DOS text editor and apply paragraph formatting codes for full control over the appearance of the text. You can assign fonts, apply color, and specify formatting for the text block or for single words and characters. Stacked fractions are supported.
Spelling checker :
Spelling errors in drawing can be embarrassing. Release 13 provides a built-in spelling checker on any text objects in your drawing including dimension text. Suspect words are automaticcaly highlighted, together with suggested corrections.
Truetype font support :
AutoCAD can now use TrueType and PostScript Type 1 fonts as well as standard PostScript fonts. User preferences control whether these fonts are displayed as filled shapes or as outlines.
Dimensioning ;
Standard Support :
Release 13 contains many enhancements to better support local and user-defined drafting standards. You can add geometric tolerances to the text and dimensions in your drawing by means of a new Tolerances dialog box. AutoCAD contains a complete set of ready-defined blocks for standard arrows and tick marks.
Dimension styles :
Dimension styles are more complete, more flexible, and easier to use.
Overrides :
All dimensions have a named style assigned to them. You can modify the style of any dimension object (per-object override) or modify the style of a series of dimensions (running override).
Families :
You can create a set of related dimension styles for different dimension types in the same drawing (for example, angular and linear).
Annotation :
Multiple lines of annotation and per-character attributes are possible with multi-line text features.
Leaders :
Leaders created with the leader command are seperate objects in Release 13. Leader objects are composed of arrowheads and lines and can have annotation attached to them.
Access to properties :
New dialog boxes give you quick and easy access to dimension properties. Graphical displays show what companies such as arrows and center lines look like as you create them.
Usability enhancements :
Linear dimensions :
In Release 13, you don't need to specify whether the linear dimension you want to draw is horizontal or vertical. AutoCAD infers the direction when you specify the first point.
Dynamic editing :
You can reposition dimension components dynamiccaly using standard AutoCAD editing commands.
Mainstream dimension commands :
Individual dimensioning commands such as DIMLINEAR and DIMCONYTINUE are available at the same level as other AutoCAD commands rather than as options of the DIM command.
Hatching ;
Assocative hatching :
Associatives hatching is hatching that is tied to its defining geometry. When you change the geometry, the hatch pattern automatically adapts to the changes.
Boundary hatching :
The hatch command automatically detects interior shapes and text in the objects to be hatched. The HATCH command has a new option called DIRECT. You can use it to draw and hatch a polyline with a single command.
HAtch editing :
Use the new HATCHEDIT command to change hatch patterns, angles, spacing, and so on, without having to erase and redo the hatch.
Geometry ;
New objects :
Earlier releases of AutoCAD approximated an ellipse by drawing a polyline through the points you specified. With RElease 13, you can draw a true geometric ellipse. Release 13 has a new SPLINE command to draw true splines defined as NURBS(non-uniform rational B-spline) curves. Grips works with both splines and ellipses.
Multiple parallel lines :
Multiple parallel lines or multilines consist of up to sixteen parallel lines, offset from one another by a distance you specify. You can specify the properties of each line elements and control intersections, corner joints, and ends caps. You can also clean up the intersections of multilines after you draw them.
Construction geometry :
Construction geometry support consistes aof two new AutoCAD commands, XLINE and RAY. Xlines and rays are lines that extend to infinity in one or both directions. You can use them as a reference to create other objects by create temporary construction lines to snap to. Xlines and rays have no effect on the extents of the drawing. Zooming and changing the view has no effect on them.
Construction & Editing ;
New object snaps :
Release 13 includes new object snaps :
Extend Intersection.
Apparent Intersection.
Relative Point (From).
EXTEND, LENGTHEN, and TRIM :
Enhancements to the EXTEND command let you extend objects to their implied intersection with the objects. The new LENGTHEN command extends a line a specified length, by a percentage, or dynamiccaly. You can use the TRIM command to trim to apparent cutting edges, even when lines do not actually intersect. You can also trim to intersections with out specifying cutting edges.
FILLET and CHAMFER :
Release 13 adds the ability to fillet parallel lines. You can fillet or chamfer intersecting lines and polylines. You can trim or leave the original lines when you use either command.
Object grouping :
You can group objects together with the new GROUP command. Grouped objects are logically related and are selected together as one object. With this command you can create named selection sets.
Linetypes ;
Linetype enhancements :
Linetypes have been extended to incorporate shapes and text. The linetypes that come with AutoCAD include a full set of ISO standard linetypes. You can apply a linetype scaling factor to individual objects.
Solid modeling ;
Native AutoCAD solids :
Solids are represented as native AutoCAD entities. They behave like other AutoCAD objects and compute faster than AME (AUtoCAD Modeling Extension) solids. Release 13 has a new command to convert AME models to AutoCAD solid objects.
Solid primitives :
Solid primitives are the basic building blocks that make up more complex solid models. AutoCAD RElease 13 includes these six primitives.
Boolean operation :
Boolean operation create a composite solid from two or more solids. The UNION command joins one or more solids to form a new soild. The SUBTRACT command substracts one set of solids from another. The INTERSECT command createss a solid of intersection (common volume) from the selected solids.
Swept solids
You can also create new solid by extruding an object (adding height) or by revolving an object (sweeping about an axis). The EXTRUDE command adds height to existing AutoCAD solid objects. The REVOLVE command creates solids by rotating a 2D object about its axis. The axis can be another object such as a straight line or it can be two points you specify.
Rendering ;
Rendering :
Rendering enhancements in Release 13 include the following:
Spotlights
Colored lights
Light attenuation
Phong and Gouraud rendering
Wide variety of file formats for saved images
3D studio file import and export
Date: February 28, 1996
1.125 Computer Aided Engineering
