Workaround For Printing Solid Hatches With Transparency In AutoCAD For Mac

There is one annoying bug in AutoCAD for Mac (since 2011 initial release), that prevented me from using solid hatches (fills) with transparency in my daily work: if you assign transparency to the solid hatch, on output (to the real plotter/printer or to PDF file) you will get such results:

Recently I accidentally found a kind of workaround for this problem (in order to get right output as you see on the next image):

And here is the solution.

When you create solid fill of some closed area in the drawing, you have to use Gradient with two colors instead of using Hatch with Solid pattern:

Just assign the same color to the “Color 1″ and “Color 2″ in Gradient properties and you will get the expected result when you will print such solid fill with transparency assigned.

As I discovered, when we use Gradient fill with transparency, AutoCAD converts such fill to raster image with opacity during output to PDF (or to the real plot device). This eliminates the side effect (the appearance of the contour lines of the triangles that form the fill).

I have not tested this workaround in AutoCAD 2011 for Mac, but in 2012 and 2013 it works just fine for me. Hope it will help you too.

AutoCAD 2012 (SP3) And 2013 For Mac (SP1) Service Packs Adds Support For Mountain Lion

Glad to inform you:  from now you can download Service Packs for Mac versions of AutoCAD:

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 3

AutoCAD 2013 for Mac Service Pack 1

and

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac (full version re-release for fresh installation)

These updates resolves compatibility issues that have been reported while using the software on the latest versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8), Mac OS X Lion (10.7.4), and Mac OS X Mountain Lion (10.8). Updates also resolves problems reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems identified after AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 2 and AutoCAD 2013 for Mac were made available.

Full version re-release of AutoCAD 2012 for Mac is provided for customers who require a fresh install. New Apple guidelines require that any software package installed on OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion) meet certain security standards; in order to comply with this requirement, this re-released full version of AutoCAD has been built to include the changes distributed through the Service Pack. This complete package download should only be used if you require a complete re-install of the AutoCAD software, for example, you’re changing machines, Technical Support has suggested you re-install, etc.

For more information refer to the accompanying READMEs.

EDIT:

Just now AutoCAD LT 2013 Service Pack 1 (Mac) appeared at AutoCAD LT for Mac support site. This service pack is not for the AutoCAD LT 2013 purchased from the Mac App Store. That version will receive the service pack 1 update directly from the Mac App Store.

Setting Default Format For Save in AutoCAD LT For Mac

Ability to set the default format for save a DWG file can help when working in a cooperation with AutoCAD users that are on different releases.

In AutoCAD for Microsoft Windows you can set default drawing format in the Options dialog box without any doubt. The same setting is not in the Application Preferences dialog box in AutoCAD LT for Mac nor in AutoCAD for Mac. With the help of AutoLISP in AutoCAD for Mac everyone can easily change default format for save using the “DefaultFormatForSave” environment variable. But if you are using AutoCAD LT changing the value for ”DefaultFormatForSave” environment variable is not a trivial task.

In order to help users in this case I wrote a simple application (using Automator and ApleScript). The application can help in setting the default format for save on AutoCAD LT (2012 – AppStore version) and on AutoCAD LT 2013 purchased from Autodesk or reseller (non-AppStore version).

You can download application here.

Unzip, and put “AC LT default format for save.app” anywhere inside your home folder. Quit AutoCAD LT and start “AC LT default format for save” application.

First it asks for a copy of the AutoCAD LT which you want to change settings in case you have both (2012 and 2013 AutoCAD LT on your Mac)

then it asks for the default DWG format

and finally displays information dialog

Please post your questions if you have troubles with this application.

AutoCAD for Mac and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion)

UPDATE2:
Beta1 of SP1 for AutoCAD 2013 for Mac ready for testing. It resolves compatibility issues that have been reported while using the software on the latest versions of Mac OS X Lion (10.7.4) and Mac OS X Mountain Lion (10.8). It also resolves problems reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems identified after AutoCAD 2013 for Mac was made available. The project can be accessed in the AutoCAD Futures project at https://beta.autodesk.com (for for registered members) or you can join Autodesk Feedback community here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=20109560&linkID=15839490 Look for AutoCAD 2013 for Mac SP1 Beta Opportunity link.

UPDATE1:
Beta1 of SP3 for AutoCAD 2012 for Mac ready for testing. It resolves the problems with running AutoCAD 2012 for Mac on OSX 10.8, plus it includes fixes for general problems identified after AutoCAD 2012 for Mac SP2 was made available. The project can be accessed in the AutoCAD Futures project at https://beta.autodesk.com

Everyone knows that a new release of the operating system for Mac – Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) – expected in the near future.
And, of course, everyone wants to know: Will AutoCAD for Mac run on a Mac computer under this new operating system?

Autodesk has posted information about this in the Knowledge Base on the AutoCAD for Mac support site:

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT support on Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion)

The article says, that AutoCAD 2013 for Mac, AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT 2013 for Mac and AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac are currently NOT supported on the Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) operating system. Until such time as a service pack is available, Autodesk highly recommend NOT installing Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) on any machines where AutoCAD 2013 for Mac, AutoCAD 2012 for Mac, AutoCAD LT 2013 for Mac, or AutoCAD LT 2012 for Mac is required.

The work on a Service Pack that will add the support for OS X 10.8 to AutoCAD 2013 and 2012 for Mac is in progress, and a beta program will be announced in the near future on the Autodesk Feedback Community site.

If you want to participate in the Beta testing of these Service Packs – don’t waste the time – join Autodesk Feedback Community, add AutoCAD for Mac as a point of your interest and wait for invitation to the Beta program.

But what about AutoCAD 2011 for Mac? Looks like the support for it on Mountain Lion will be dropped at all.

Rendering Background in AutoCAD for Mac

If you ever needed to change rendering background in AutoCAD for Mac, then this post is just for you.

In Windows version of AutoCAD all settings for rendering background can be done in View Manager, but in AutoCAD for Mac there is no View Manager at all. Further more, attempt to render view with raster image background (which was set in Windows version of AutoCAD) instantly crashes AutoCAD. Rendering with colored solid (or gradient) background is possible, so the only one thing we need – to setup this background inside AutoCAD for Mac.

It is really possible with AutoLISP, and you can try this routine for your needs. Download SetRenderBackground.lsp file to your Mac, unzip it to some folder on your Mac, use Load Application… from Tools menu (APPLOAD command) to load it in AutoCAD.

How it works? After loading SetRenderBackground.lsp you will get two commands:

1. SetRenderBackground – for setting up Solid or Gradient rendering background:

after you select “Solid” option, you will be prompted to select color for background from standard Color dialog, select the color and it will be assigned as rendering background to all views, based on this view.

If you select “Gradient two colors” – you will be prompted to select two colors: the first for upper color, the second for bottom color, then you can set the rotation angle for background. For “Gradient three colors” you have to select color three times: for upper, middle and bottom.

2. RestoreBackground command allow you to restore default background in all 3D Visual styles and in renderings created later. The command create $restored_bk named view, and you can use this view to restore default rendering background.

AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 2 Ready for Downloading

I am glad to inform you that Service Pack 2 for AutoCAD® 2012 for Mac® is now available for download here – AutoCAD 2012 for Mac Service Pack 2.

This update resolves compatibility issues that have been reported while using the software on the latest versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and Mac OS X Lion. It also resolves problems reported by the Customer Error Reporting (CER) utility and other general problems identified after AutoCAD 2012 Service Pack 1 was made available.

General changes and improvements have been made to the following features:
Array
■    Associative arrays now correctly round-trip between the Windows and Mac OS releases.
■    The program is no longer unstable when attaching an xref to an associative array.
Attributes
■    The Attribute visor now displays correctly after being launched two or more times.
Blocks
■    The program is no longer unstable when inserting blocks with multiple attributes.
Customization
■    The program is no longer unstable after using the Customize dialog box.
Dimensions
■    The program is no longer unstable when modifying a dimension that has a cyclic dependency.
Document Window
■    The program is no longer unstable when switching between open drawings. Dynamic Input/Input
■    The program is no longer unstable when using dynamic input. ■    The program is no longer unstable after enter a value at the Command
prompt.
External References
■    The program is no longer unstable after clicking a missing xref in the Reference Manager.
Hatch
■    The program is no longer unstable after creating a hatch object with the Hatch and Gradient dialog box.

Install
■    Installer now displays the correct message when the latest service pack is already installed.
Layers
■    The program is no longer unstable after renaming a layer.
■    The program is no longer unstable after setting a layer current.
■    The program is no longer unstable when updating layer information while switching drawings.
■    The program is no longer unstable when sorting layers in the Layers palette.
Layouts
■    The program is no longer unstable when switching between model and paper space from the status bar.
■    The program is no longer unstable after creating a new layout.
Multileader
■    The Multileader visor no longer remains displayed after being shown multiple times.
Open/Save
■    The program is no longer unstable when opening a drawing file.
■    The program is no longer unstable after opening an invalid file.
■    Double-clicking a drawing file in Finder now correctly opens the program and drawing file.
Options
■    When support file search paths are missing, the dialog box to select a path now displays correctly.
Other
■    Several general situations that caused the program to be unstable have been addressed.
■    The program is no longer unstable when spell checking annotation in a drawing.
Plot
■    The program is no longer unstable after clearing the DPI value in the 3D Viewports section of the Page Setup dialog box.

■    The program is no longer unstable after clearing the custom scale values in the Scale section of the Plot dialog box.
■    The program is no longer unstable when using a comma as a decimal separator for numbers.
■    Plots are now correctly centered when both Fit to Page and Center on Page are checked.
■    When resaving a named plot style (STB) file, the file no longer becomes corrupt.
■    Object’s plot style value can now be changed with the Properties Inspector when using named plot styles.
■    Plot styles now work correctly with AutoCAD WS.
Spline
■    The program is no longer unstable after selecting a spline object that was the result of joining more than one spline together.
Startup
■    On Mac OS X Lion, the program now launches correctly after a crash.
■    The program now checks for the required folder and file level permissions. If the permissions are incorrect, you can open a Knowledge Base article to help correct the problem.
Text Styles
■    Quickly closing the Text Style dialog box no longer causes the program to become unstable.
■    Fixed issues related to text fonts.
Undo/Redo
■    Lineweight is no longer automatically turned off when doing an undo with zoom.
Zoom/Pan/Orbit
■    The program is no longer unstable when zooming, panning, or orbiting.

Before applying SP 2 launch AutoCAD for Mac and verify Service Pack 1 is installed.
At the command prompt, type _vernum and press Enter to verify the update was installed. The version number should be “F051.M.106″.
If it is not installed, download AutoCAD for Mac Service Pack 1 and install it before installing Service Pack 2.

AutoCAD WS 1.4.2 for Mac Update

The update 1.4.2 to AutoCAD WS for Mac application is now available for download on the Mac App Store.

This new release of application includes support for the new AutoCAD 2013 file format support, some Bug Fixes and Improved Performance.

Not so much additions, but for those who want to share drawings saved in new 2013 DWG format this update is really helpful.