Quantcast
Channel: JTB World Blog
Viewing all 558 articles
Browse latest View live

JTB FlexReport 8.0 adds Reprise License Manager monitoring

$
0
0

This new version of JTB FlexReport license report solution adds some new functionality to help with your license tracking and solves some other issues:

  • Added support for monitoring of Reprise License Manager (RLM).
  • Added support for monitoring of Venturis.
  • Added support for monitoring of Ranorex.
  • JTB FlexReport Config has got a large UI update.
  • Email PNG reports automatically added to chart client.
  • More settings available before a report is created on the Report Settings tab in the chart client. These are also use by the auto report functionality.
  • More preset values for date ranges added in the chart client.
  • Time frame is being used for Histogram charts now.
  • <All> and <Unassigned> added to all list boxes in chart client where applicable to make it easier to make selections.
  • Filtering added for lists in the chart client. Example: filter all features containing the text Auto.
  • Improvements and bug fixes for the auto report functions.
  • and much more added and fixed that can be found in the revision history.

Here are the downloads and general upgrade tips.

Previous release: JTB FlexReport 7.4.3

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free. You can try it in your environment with your real data for a few weeks with full functionality.
Full support is provided during trial period.

About JTB FlexReport: JTB FlexReport from JTB World is a report tool (HTML, chart and list reports) for applications using the FlexNet / FLEXlm (flexlm license manager), IBM LUM (IBM License Use Management), SPLM (Intergraph SmartPlant License Manager), SLM/Sentinel LM/Sentinel RMS/Sentinel Protection Server/SafeNet Sentinel, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Vertex Systems, MathLM (Wolfram Mathematica license manager), RLM (Reprise License Manager), Ranorex, Venturis, Primavera from Oracle or 12D software licensing. With Process Monitor any Windows application like Acrobat, Visio, Bentley MicroStation, single licensed AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT can be reported usage of.


Autodesk 2015 FlexNet feature codes

FlexNet version 11.12.1

$
0
0

The updated FlexNet (FLEXlm) version 11.12.1 (based on Flexera Software’s FlexNet Publisher 2014 R1) has been released and is now available as a public download as well as the updated License Administration Guide.

Here are the news in Version 11.12.1 as far as I could find. There might be some bug fixes too that not are documented.

Support reclaim of borrowed license (trusted storage)

Improved Virtualization support

“Binding in a Virtual Environment” subject has been updated on page 25. The text “Do not change MAC address of the virtual machine.” has been added as well.

“lmremove” subject has been split into “lmremove (in License-File-Based Licensing)” and “lmremove (in Trusted-Storage-Based Licensing)”

There are two new option keywords added:

ACTIVATION_LOWWATER Controls the number of licenses that cannot be borrowed or transferred.

ACTIVATION_ EXPIRY_DAYS Controls the activation request based on the expiration dates mentioned in options file during activation.

Previous version FlexNet license manager 11.12

lmgrd.exe, lmutil.exe and lmtools.exe are all version 11.12.1 now. It might take some time before vendors start supporting this new version but it most probably will work to update it if you for some reason want or need to do it.

JTB World’s JTB FlexReport license monitoring tool has been tested with and supports this new version.

VBA Enabler downloads for previous versions of AutoCAD

$
0
0

Where are the VBA installers? It’s no longer possible to download the VBA installer for AutoCAD 2013, AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD 2011 on Autodesk’s page “Download the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Module (VBA)” autodesk.com/vba-download. At this point they’re only available for AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2015.

Here’s the explanation from Autodesk: “As of January 31, 2014, Autodesk is no longer authorized to distribute VBA 6 or earlier versions of VBA for use with Autodesk AutoCAD and other Autodesk products. This change affects the availability to download and install VBA for Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 or earlier, VBA remains available for Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 and Autodesk AutoCAD 2014-based products because those products support VBA 7.1.” (FAQ) Same with AutoCAD 2015.

It’s just too bad this information is not directly seen on the download page where you end up on if you for example run the VBAIDE, VBALOAD, VBAMAN commands without having VBA installed.

If you need VBA for AutoCAD 2013 or older, you will need to find an alternative download (might not be safe) or you need to upgrade to the latest AutoCAD release or migrate your custom programs to AutoLISP, ObjectARX, or Managed .NET (VB.NET or C++). JTB World can help with customization and migration work.

Autodesk AutoCAD Security Hotfix - Heartbleed vulnerability

$
0
0

You probably have heard about the Heartbleed vulnerability by now and if you use AutoCAD 2015 you should read this.

Autodesk has developed the AutoCAD Security Hotfix for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015, AutoCAD LT 2015, AutoCAD 2015-based vertical products, and other AutoCAD 2015-based products, to address the Heartbleed vulnerability.

A security update for the Autodesk 360 desktop client has also been developed. This update will be provided via Live Update through the Autodesk 360 desktop client. If you declined the Live Update you can check the Autodesk Trust Center Page for additional details and alternative download options as they become available. For AutoCAD users:

AutoCAD 2015: Please just install the AutoCAD Security Hotfix on this page. You do not need to install the Autodesk 360 desktop client update but it is fine if you already have.
AutoCAD 2014: You do not need to install this AutoCAD Security Hotfix. Please install the Autodesk 360 desktop client update.

This hotfix addresses Heartbleed OpenSSL vulnerability - a security bug in the open-source OpenSSL cryptography library. Heartbleed is registered in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system as CVE-2014-0160. For more information, please visit the CVE dictionary at http://cve.mitre.org.

For other Autodesk Security related Hotfixes see this page where right now it’s also available for Inventor.

AutoCAD layer drop-down has stopped working - solution

$
0
0

Here’s a question about the layer drop-down in AutoCAD I got that I think others also can run into so I wanted to share the solution.

We are having an issue with the Layer drop-down menu on one of our AutoCAD stations.

When we select a line that was drawn on layer "A-Line" the drop down menu does not update to shown which layer the line is on.

If I select a layer from the drop down menu and draw a new line on layer "B-Line" and then select any other line in the drawing it appears to be on layer "B-Line" because the Layer menu does not seem to be updating.

Do you know what the problem may be? Since this is only a problem on one persons computer, is there a setting that may have accidentally been turned off?

The solution is to set PICKFIRST to 1 (just enter PICKFIRST on the command line). PICKFIRST controls whether you select objects before (noun-verb selection) or after you issue a command.

JTB FlexReport 8.0.1 released

$
0
0

This new 8.0.1 version of JTB FlexReport solves some issues as described in the revision history. Mainly issues introduced in version 8.0 but also some older ones have been fixed.

Here are the downloads and general upgrade tips. Upgrades are free for customers with maintenance.

Previous release: JTB FlexReport 8.0

Contact us to get a time limited license file for free. You can try it in your environment with your real data for a few weeks with full functionality.
Full support is provided during trial period.

About JTB FlexReport: JTB FlexReport from JTB World is a report tool (HTML, chart and list reports) for applications using the FlexNet / FLEXlm (flexlm license manager), IBM LUM (IBM License Use Management), SPLM (Intergraph SmartPlant License Manager), SLM/Sentinel LM/Sentinel RMS/Sentinel Protection Server/SafeNet Sentinel, LM-X, Solidworks SNL License Manager, T-Systems license manager product LICMAN, Vertex Systems, MathLM (Wolfram Mathematica license manager), RLM (Reprise License Manager), Ranorex, Venturis, Primavera from Oracle or 12D software licensing. With Process Monitor any Windows application like Acrobat, Visio, Bentley MicroStation, single licensed AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT can be reported usage of.

150+ AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

$
0
0

Who doesn’t want to boost their productivity in AutoCAD! Autodesk has made available  150+ AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts on this page with printable version of all shortcuts and a template for keyboard stickers. From A as in Arc to ZIP that runs ETRANSMIT (can created zipped transmittal packages). Personally I always change C from Circle to Copy.

If you want to add or change keyboard shortcuts most of them are found in the PGP file that you easiest can access using Edit Aliases on the Manage tab.

Or the Command Aliases command on the Express Tools tab. (Requires Express Tools to be installed)

When done it can be needed to restart AutoCAD or run the REINIT command and select the PGP File checkbox.


Palette Auto-hide Speed 1.4 with support for AutoCAD 2015

$
0
0

JTB World’s freeware Palette Auto-hide Speed has been updated to work with AutoCAD 2015 and is available via Autodesk Exchange Apps site.

 

With this app you will be able to change the time it takes to show/hide or roll-up/roll-out the palette windows in AutoCAD.

You can see the effect with palettes like Properties, Quickcalc, External References, Sheet Set Manager, Markup Set Manager, and Visual Styles Manager set to auto-hide.

JTB Text Bubble Plus - AutoCAD app

$
0
0

JTB Text Bubble Plus 1.1 and its more basic version Text Bubble have been released. Both are apps for AutoCAD and its verticals.

With Text Bubble Plus you can insert text bubbles to lines, curves, or draw leaders with it, or quickly make a schedule from text bubbles and/or other blocks.

JTB Text Bubble Plus can be purchased on Autodesk Exchange Apps. JTB Text Bubble Plus Trial can be downloaded here. The basic Text Bubble app is also available.

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1

$
0
0

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1 is now available to download.

You can see the notification on the New Tab within AutoCAD.

Or you can see it within the Autodesk Application Manager.

AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1 can be downloaded here and AutoCAD LT 2015 Service Pack 1 here.

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD 2015 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD 2015 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites and bundled product.
Autodesk AutoCAD Design Suite 2015
Autodesk AutoCAD with Advance Steel 2015
Autodesk Building Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Plant Design Suite 2015
Autodesk Product Design Suite 2015

First off there is a new system variable added to AutoCAD 2015.

CURSORBADGE (System Variable)

Controls the display of visual aide badges near the cursor like the erase badge in red below.

Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: 2

1 - Turn off all new badges
2 - Turn on all badges (Default)

Badges that will be disabled:

  • Selection - cross and window selection
  • Inspection
  • Deletion
  • Copy
  • Move
  • Rotate
  • Scale
  • Zoom
  • Add vertex
  • Covert to arc
  • Hatch inherit property

Problems Reported with the Customer Error Reporting Utility

As a result of the detailed information that we received from customers who used the Customer Error Reporting Utility, several problems were identified and fixed. Updates have been made in the following commands and features:

DB Connect

  • Occasional crashes when using DB Connect feature on 64-bit machines with 4GB and more RAM.

Status Bar

  • Occasional crashes when opening drawing file when a bubble notification is still displayed.

New Tab

  • Occasional crashes when clicking New in the Quick Access Toolbar or the Start Drawing tile on the New Tab page.
  • Occasional crashes when clicking the New Tab Plus button after adding LayerFilterComboControl or Filter in the CUI dialog box.

Design Center

  • Occasional crashes when inserting a block from Design Center on the second time.

General

  • Occasional crashes when selecting the "Fully open the drawing file" option that displays when opening a drawing that was saved in the partial open state.
  • Occasional crashes when exiting AutoCAD.

General Service Pack Updates

The following defects have been fixed:

3D Modeling

  • Using the ViewCube dropdown for selecting a saved UCS will not accept UCS names that contain a space.
  • The SCALE command is not applied correctly for scale factors less than 1/100th.

Display

  • Cursor trails will display on the screen for users with Optimus or Dynamic Switchable Graphics technology.

Hatch

  • Lineweight is applied and displayed for solid hatch objects.
  • Additional lines display in the selection highlighting for a solid hatch object.
  • Hatch objects do not apply LAYLOCKFADECTL or XDWGFADECTL.
  • The angle of a gradient changes the appearance of that gradient.
  • Solid hatch objects display the edge color.

Plot

  • ViewCube will appear on plots under certain conditions.

VBA

  • Unable to execute SendCommand API in multiple drawings.

General

  • The number of recently used files accepts a maximum of 10. The maximum has been restored to 50.

Security Hotfix

  • This Service Pack includes the Autodesk AutoCAD Security Hotfix. This Service Pack can be applied whether that security hotfix was originally applied to your system or not.
  • If you have Autodesk ReCap 2015 installed together with AutoCAD 2015, please install Autodesk ReCap 2015 Hotfix 1 via Autodesk Application Manager.

When installed the About dialog box will show Product Version: J.104.0.0. AutoCAD 2015 SP1.

More about AutoCAD 2015.

Align objects in AutoCAD with JTB Align Plus

$
0
0

JTB Align Plus for AutoCAD has commands that will copy and align your text, block or selection of objects at picked point of selected line or curve. Curve can be Arc, Circle, Polyline, Leader or 3D Polyline, in current space as well as nested inside Blocks or Xrefs.

Text will be aligned and placed at an the same offset distance as text in current dimension style. Block will be aligned and fit tangentially to curve.

If you pick on text or block, or on empty space, Match Text Content or Match Block command will run, help you easily manage your drawing's tags and symbol blocks.

Want to know more about what JTB Align Plus can do?
Take a look at the JTB Align Plus page.

JTB Align Plus can be purchased on Autodesk Exchange Apps. JTB Align Plus Trial can be downloaded here.

Autodesk BIM 360 add-in app for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 R1 Update

$
0
0

I was notified about Autodesk BIM 360 add-in app for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 64-bit R1 Update and noticed the severity was high and details that said “Updated authentication security” among other things. Seems like reason to install. I clicked on View Details to see more but just ended up on the BIM 360 page.

I had expected to get to a web page with more details about the update as well as download links. I wonder if there is one or not? Is there an update for 32-bit too? As a CAD manager you want to be able to distribute updates like this in a controlled manner. Now the install probably has to be retrieved from the folder “Autodesk Application Manager” found in the Documents folder for the current user.

Download page for FlexNet license server managers to close down

$
0
0

The Flexera software download page for FlexNet files will no longer be available after July 31, 2104. After that date, users of FlexEnabled software must contact the publisher of that software to obtain license server managers (lmadmin and lmgrd) and related utilities (lmutil and lmtools).

This is too bad. This means that it will be harder to access updates as the publishers usually make these available several months or more after the FlexNet license server managers and utilities are updated.

If you have FlexEnabled software you want to monitor usage for check out our JTB FlexReport solution.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015 Service Pack 1

$
0
0

Following AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1, now it’s time for the verticals that also includes the AutoCAD 2015 Service Pack 1.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015 SP1 download.

This Service Pack can be applied to AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed as a standalone application as well as AutoCAD Architecture 2015 installed from the following Autodesk Design Suites and bundled product.

  • Autodesk Building Design Suite 2015
  • Autodesk Factory Design Suite 2015

The following defects have been fixed:

Schedules

  • Leading zeros are suppressed in Schedule tables.
  • The number object format does not work in Schedule tables.

Display Themes

  • In the display theme, some colors may not display correctly.

AutoCAD Electrical 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

AutoCAD MEP 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Autodesk AutoCAD P&ID 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015 Service Pack 1 download.

Earlier this one was made available too:

Autodesk AutoCAD Map 2015 Service Pack 1 download.


SmartPurger 3.6 - batch processing for AutoCAD

$
0
0

SmartPurger 3.6 comes with support for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 and the new Orphaned Data purge (remains from MicroStation DGN linetypes)  and support for sharepoint folder locations.

SmartPurger is a batch and script utility for processing multiple AutoCAD drawings with full control. Execute LSP or SCR files on multiple drawings. SmartPurger handles crashes so the AutoCAD batch processing continues to the end and leaves bad drawings to be corrected manually if needed. Many purge and cleanup settings are available.

The free trial is fully functional except that you can only batch process 10 drawings per session to give you the chance to confirm that the program works as expected. When you purchase you can use SmartPurger with no limitations.

Check out more about SmartPurger here.

Autodesk Application Manager version 3

$
0
0

I got a critical notification that Autodesk  Application Manager needs to update.

When viewing details I found that there were a lot of news in this version that are welcome by Administrators (such as CAD, BIM, and IT Managers).

Version 3 includes several enhancements to the update notification and delivery experience, as well as a new set of asset management capabilities for software administrators, now available in the Autodesk Account Portal (accounts.autodesk.com). These are described below.

Please note that the Application Manager client updates to this most current version when you install the Version 3 update.

Client-Side Conditions
Before delivering an update, Application Manager checks to see if the right product files are present on your machine, acting as an extra check to ensure accuracy and reliability of new update notifications.

Check Now
Provides an optional, instant check for availability of product updates, instead of waiting for the next update check interval (a configurable parameter in Settings).

Update Dependencies
Automates presentation and retrieval of pre- and post-requisite packages that may be required for your update(s).

Product Extensions
Product Extensions provide incremental value and functionality to your applications between major releases. When available, Application Manager will notify you of new Extensions, only if your installed applications are on a active Maintenance or Desktop Subscription agreement.

Local Package Cache
Enables retrieval of Update files from a configurable, locally shared resource, rather than from an internet-based download source. This saves on bandwidth.

General Hotfixes
Notification and delivery of Hotfixes that are generally available to all users. Does not include "targeted" Hotfixes, which will continue to be available via the CER (Customer Error Reporting) system.

Update Rollups
Notification and delivery of aggregated Hotfixes, which have not yet been rolled up into the latest Service Pack (SP).

Administrator Tools

Administrators of Autodesk applications can login to Account Portal using their Autodesk ID. For eligible customers on Desktop or Maintenance Subscription, tools are provided for performing common administrative tasks, such as checking for all newly published product updates.

In Version 3, Administrators (such as CAD, BIM, and IT Managers) now have access to these new features, which aid in the discovery and management of product updates. For more information, please refer to the Application Manager Administrator's Guide.

Update List
A single online location for learning about all of the updates currently available for the applications you own and/or manage. This simplifies the process of update discovery.

Entitlement Aware
Account portal integrates to Autodesk business systems, making it possible to display restricted assets (such as Product Extensions only for Subscription customers) in the Portal as well as on the desktops running Application Manager.

Device List
A simple report that displays information about all of the managed systems in your environment running 2015 products on a current Subscription agreement. This list provides the basis for managing the distribution of updates to the users within your organization.

Administrator Preferences
Administrators can selectively (or globally) control the distribution of updates to managed devices that appear in the above List. The List can also edited, make it easy to identify managed users and devices in your environment.

To access the administrative area of Account Portal, your Autodesk ID will need to be assigned or promoted to administrator status within the context of an Autodesk Subscription Program, specifically as Contract Manager or Software Coordinator. If you are a CAD/IT manager who would like to access to the administrative tools in the portal, but do not have the correct status, contact your Contract Manager, or the person in your company responsible for purchasing software, and request to have Software Coordinator privileges assigned to your Autodesk ID.

Once assigned administrator privileges, and provided the Autodesk applications on your contract are currently on an active Desktop or Maintenance Subscription agreement, you will be able to access the administrative features.

About the Administrator's Role

The role of Administrator applies to anyone in your organization who is responsible for managing or supporting design software running on user machines, for example developing and applying CAD standards, creating network deployments, keeping installed applications up to date, and providing technical assistance to end users. This role may vary depending on the size of your organization. In smaller companies, Administrators such as CAD Managers may also have responsibility for other IT-focused tasks such as desktop maintenance, while in larger companies these areas are typically owned by multiple individuals.

In the Account Portal, Autodesk is making available new tools to help Administrators streamline and automate common software delivery tasks. Starting in June of 2014, the portal is being enhanced to provide Administrators with centralized access and control over the distribution of product updates and extensions to managed users in their organizations.

When update was ready it said that the version was 3.0.155.0.

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3

$
0
0

Autodesk Revit 2015 Update Release 3 can be download here. There are many fixes, stability and performance improvements making this an update you for sure want to apply.

The number of updates are:
Architecture: 45
MEP: 18
Structure 7
API: 9

JTB World has many years of experience programming for Revit for customers with both small and large complex projects so if you have anything you need to automate in Revit please feel free to contact us.

Autodesk Network License Manager 11.12 together with other vendor daemons can cause problems

$
0
0

Up and Ready describes how to solve port conflicts after starting to use Autodesk Network License Manager 11.12 and for ArcGIS, you also need to use the 32 bit version of the Autodesk Network License Manager.

“For example, when configuring Autodesk licensing service with Foundry, ArcGIS orCamWorks, you will need to edit our license files to use a differnet port for lmgrd.exe. i.e. 27000 (default) to 27001”

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/License-Manager-11-12-and-The-Foundry-conflict.html

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-change-the-lmgrd-port-number-on-a-FLEXlm-server-and-client.html

“if you are using Autodesk and Abaqus software in your company, you will need to even customize the adskflex.exe port (2080) in our license file”

For reporting on license usage check out JTB World’s JTB FlexReport.

Slow to license and start Revit

$
0
0

A customer run into this issue: “It takes approximately 90 seconds or longer to license Revit 2013/2014, even though our Flex licensing server is on the LAN. It only takes 20 seconds to license AutoCAD, but 7x longer for Revit.”

I was not able to find the solution but eventually the customer found out that “we discovered that we were running an antiquated version of the FlexLM server. When we set up our new server, we used the latest version. This solved the Revit licensing delays. It just takes 10 seconds for all versions of Revit to license.”

So in case you also run into this kind of slow startup of Revit or possibly other programs try to upgrade the FlexNet license manager/Autodesk network license manager.

Viewing all 558 articles
Browse latest View live