Introducing CadMouse Pro Wireless & CadMouse Pro Wireless Left

Our good friends at 3Dconnexion, the world leader in advanced 3D navigation devices and makers of the SpaceMouse and CadMouse product lines, have released two new versions of their mice designed for CAD professionals, the CadMouse Pro Wireless and CadMouse Pro Wireless Left.

These two new devices join the original CadMouse Wireless and the (wired) CadMouse, which, shortly after its release, we reviewed here.

The new CadMouse Pro Wireless is a full-sized mouse for the modern workstation, as is the CadMouse Pro Wireless Left, which holds the distinction of being the first CadMouse designed specifically for left-handed users.

Shortly, we'll be reviewing the CadMouse Pro Wireless, along with the CadMouse Wireless, SpaceMouse Enterprise, and SpaceMouse Wireless. Look for our review to drop early next week! In the meantime, check out all the great 3Dconnexion products on 3Dconnexion.com.

The CadMouse Pro Wireless and CadMouse Pro Wireless Left are priced at $119.00 US each.

For continued reading: 3Dconnexion's CadMouse Pro Wireless press release

Station Pack – Create Station Lines, Labels and Offset Points

From the Autodesk App Store:

These programs create station lines, labels station and offset points along a station line, labels a run extended from station marks and fills the depth attributes in the location line blocks.

Installer supports, windows 32/64 bit Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2012 to 2020 and Verticals.

StrucPLUS – A Suite of Parametric Modules for the Preparation of Structural Engineering Drawings

From the Autodesk App Store:

StrucPLUS for Autodesk® AutoCAD® is a suite of powerful parametric modules that use dialog box driven commands and macros related solely to the preparation of Structural Engineering drawings. With StrucPLUS you'll be using the most popular steel, concrete and civil detailing software in the world. The basic product includes the following modules:

1. SPTools
   Introduces standardization of the initial drawing setup, easy to edit color, linetype, layer and font configurations, a large suite of drafting utilities, symbols and tools.


2. SPConcrete
   Generates reinforced concrete beam sections & elevations, reinforced concrete columns, footings and pile caps, suspended slab framing plans, precast concrete panels, prestressed tendon layouts & beam elevations, plan and slab section reinforcement, reinforced concrete & masonry retaining walls, slab on ground plan & details, schedules, concrete stairs, concrete and masonry walls, and miscellaneous concrete symbols. This module complies with U.S.A., Australian, British and New Zealand Concrete Codes.

CADconv 2020 – Export to PDF, 3D PDF, and PRC

From the Autodesk App Store:

CADconv is a stand-alone converter that allows the CAD user to convert hundreds of DWG/DXF files into 2D PDF, 3D PDF, and PRC (3D PDF or CAD Input).

CADconv creates 3D PDF or PRC alternatively with Net Models or the B-Rep Models.

CADconv supports 3D PDF 2D CAD Elements like Text, Line, Polyline, Dimension, Hatch...

CADconv can use the Autodesk® AutoCAD® Plot Style CTB files or the internal conversion table for Color and line Weight Conversion.

CADconv offers several easy to use scale and unit calculation methods for PDF or Raster output.

CADconv supports paper space, model space, and active layout as well as margins and page sizes of different sizes.

CADconv can convert each DWG layout to a separate PDF, one full DWG drawing to one PDF, or several selected DWG drawings to one PDF.

CADconv embeds searchable text, binds DWG external references and DWG raster images.

Free SketchUp Import 2020 from Autodesk

From the Autodesk App Store:

The SketchUp Import plug-in allows you to import SKP files into your Autodesk® AutoCAD® drawings.

Use the IMPORTSKP command to convert a SketchUp file, stored in a local or shared folder, and insert the model into the current drawing.

Note: SketchUp Import 2020 now supports SKP file format with versions 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Free 3D Warehouse Import 2020 from Autodesk

From the Autodesk App Store:

The 3D Warehouse Import plug-in allows you to add SKP models directly from the Trimble 3D Warehouse into your Autodesk® AutoCAD® drawings.

Use the GETMODEL command to browse or search the Trimble 3D Warehouse and download SketchUp models directly into your drawing.

Spatial Manager™

From the Autodesk App Store:

In a nutshell

• Import into Autodesk® AutoCAD® from Google Earth (KML or KMZ), OpenStreetMap (OSM or PBF), Shapefiles (SHP), GPS, Points (many formats), Excel, Access, ESRI ArcInfo®, MapInfo, GML, PostGIS, SQL Server, SQLite, and many more geospatial sources. 
• Export from AutoCAD to Google Earth (KML or KMZ), Shapefiles (SHP), Points (many formats), MapInfo, PostGIS, SQL Server, SQLite, and many more geospatial targets.
• Transformation of coordinates optional.
• Alphanumeric data tables as AutoCAD XDATA.
• Powerful and Easy to use Background Maps.
• Interface simple, intuitive and productive.
• Perpetual licenses. Pay once, no periodic fees.
• Not only works in basic AutoCAD: also in Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture, etc.

General

Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD is a powerful AutoCAD plug-in designed for AutoCAD users who need to import, export and manage spatial data in a simple, fast and inexpensive way, which includes many possibilities not seen so far in AutoCAD.

It comes in a lightweight application that runs inside AutoCAD and allows the user to import and export geospatial data between AutoCAD drawings and geospatial tables (files, data servers or data stores), display background maps and manage alphanumeric data and data tables

DWG/DXF Compare Autodesk® AutoCAD®

From the Autodesk App Store:

DWG/DXF Compare plugin compares two drawing files and the comparison result is shown in a new AutoCAD window. The comparison result is also stored in a new file for later use.

It has following features :

1. This plugin compares two DWG/DXF files.
2. By default the color preferences are set as follows for entities in result DWG file,
1. Unchanged entities are shown in Grey color
2. Modified entities are shown in Green color
3. Delete entities are shown in Red color
4. New added entities are shown in Blue color.
3. This plugin compares 2D entities/objects in model space only.
4. User can change the color preferences and choose any colors from Color Preferences dialog.
5. Supports AutoCAD Version 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

XLSparam – Link Geometric Parameters of Dynamic Blocks and Constraint Parameters With Excel

From the Autodesk App Store:

The add-on LISP application XLSparam for Autodesk® AutoCAD® links geometric parameters of dynamic blocks and constraint parameters with Excel XLS tables. In this way you can export parameter values to Microsoft® Excel and subsequently read the changed values back into your DWG drawing. You can also establish links between the values of dyn.block parameters (or other object properties) and given tables, and then drive these parameters by changing the tables (local drawing tables or datalinked Excel tables or dynamic dataextracted tables).

XLSparam brings more intelligent parametric behavior to your DWG drawings. Dimensions, rotation, or other properties of drawing objects can be driven by complex computations performed from your Excel worksheets. Entities can dynamically react to the results of BOMs (data extractions) from the same or from other drawings. By changing a single parameter in a table you can influence multiple objects at once.

Manage links

Critical Mass – 5-Star Rated Add-ins* on the Autodesk App Store for Winter 2018

Peer reviews can help one to decide on apps to use or purchase. Unfortunately, reviews on the Autodesk App Store can sometimes be hard to come by. Apps that have thousands of downloads can have just a few reviews. Furthermore, the App Store's sort-by-rating function doesn't take the number of reviews into account.

Listed below for your convenience are the 5-star rated AutoCAD add-ins on the App Store with at least four reviews, sorted by number of reviews, highest to lowest. Add-ins are also separated between free and paid.

Only add-ins for base-AutoCAD are included in this initial posting. We'll add apps for vertical products, such as Civil 3D and AutoCAD Plant 3D, over time.

We'll refresh this list every six months or so. And remember, reviews are important. Please take a few minutes to share your own experiences with apps on the App Store by submitting reviews!

Free

Drawing Purge
"This plug-in helps to remove the unused DGN LineTypes, TextStyles, RegApps and Annotation Scales and other Purgeable items from the current drawing or multiple drawings in batch processing." | Free
★★★★★ (179 reviews)

Increment
"A dialog box providing tools to increment numeric, alphabetic, alphanumeric, hexadecimal or roman numerals values contained in texts, mtexts or block attributes." | Free
★★★★★ (58 reviews)

Free 3dPolyFillet

From the Autodesk App Store:

Two commands to create fillets (contiguous sequence of straight segments) on the 3D polylines.

The radius and number of segments can be set in a dialog within the commands.

Using of 3DPOLYFILLET and M3DPOLYFILLET commands.

Free QR Codes 2016-2019

From the Autodesk App Store:

Make text in your drawings scannable using any mobile phone or tablet with a camera. All you need is one of many available QR code reader applications for your device, and this plug-in.

QR Codes, also called mobile barcodes, can represent plain text, URLs, contact information, or geographic coordinates (using the FIELD command). Any existing text objects can be converted to QR codes by setting the Optically Scannable (text) property to 'yes' in the Property palette.

Solinas for Fabrication – Draw Piping With Advanced Fabrication Functionality

From the Autodesk App Store:

Solinas was born out of need to manage the piping fabrication process in an effective manner. Oil & Gas, Chemical and Petrochemical plants all involve piping extensive projects. Underestimating the facts can drive the piping activity to directly impact the critical path thus making or breaking a project.

Solinas Features Include:

• Reads industry standard piping isomeric formats. 
• AutoCAD® based UI. 
• Versatile to meet varying piping business requirements. 
• Simplifies work-packaging of piping in-line with workface planning, and lean construction. 
• Interfaces with 3D visual controls, ERP, EDMS applications. 
• Supports jacketed drawings which can be merged for more comprehensive isometric fabrication. 
• Bend elements can be measured based on bending machine specifications. 
• Changes and modification are handled with construction in mind. For example, welded components cannot be renamed; scraped material can be tagged, etc. 
• Solinas handles non-modeled scope in a plant, scanned copies, etc. PDFs can be integrated to produce the relevant weld maps and materials. 

Solinas - Spool view

BatchInDatabase – Batch Edit Drawings Without Opening Them

From the Autodesk App Store:

BatchInDatabase takes Autodesk® AutoCAD® batch process to a new level with powerful built-in commands and an easy to use interface. Drawings are edited (in memory, without opening them in editor) in database level thus the taken to process each file is significantly reduced.

Key Features:

1. Each drawing can be tasked to process different multiple built-in commands without opening them
2. Find drawings contain particular Block/Education Stamp/Image/Layer /Layout/Page setup/Plot style/Text/Xref
3. Clean up drawings without opening them using commands like Purge DGN linetypes, Purge All and Purge Shape files
4. Automated batch process monitor helps to keep the batch running in the event of any drawing error or AutoCAD crash
5. Identify the last saved drawing version instantly by loading drawings into the Batch process
6. Import/Export of drawing list and commands list for later use
7. Supports 32/64 bit Autodesk AutoCAD version 2013 to 2019 and verticals (Not AutoCAD LT compatible)

Express Clipboard – Perform a Variety of Functions on Clipboard-Copied Entities via a Toolbar

From the Autodesk App Store:

The 'Express Clipboard' app provides a variety of functions that allow you to handle the clipboard-copied entities in the form of a toolbar for reuse and to categorize the contents by the purpose of the toolbar.

The Window toolbar can be docked on any side of Autodesk® AutoCAD® screen (top, bottom, left and right) and can also be used as Fly out.

Clipboard dialog box in toolbar format

Product Roundup – Naviate for Civil 3D

Naviate for Civil 3D

With Naviate on top of Civil 3D you are ensured the most efficient way to design your infrastructure projects. Browse through the solutions below to learn more.

Naviate Landscape
With Naviate Landscape you get tools and templates to design your surroundings more efficiently. Templates conform to industry standars and can be adapted to suit your own needs. Naviate coupled with Civil 3D provide strong volume calculation methods as well as various visual styles | From €910.00/year

Naviate Water & Sewage
With Naviate Water and Sewage you get tools for efficient and dynamic project design. Included in the software are templates and network parts lists that conform to industry and national standards. Together with Civil 3D you have everything you need for your design | From €1,060.00/year

Naviate Autopath
With Naviate Autopath you get an easy to use module for vehicle tracking. With Easy Drive you can interactivly define a vehicles path and change your design accordingly | From €1,060.00/year

Naviate Infrastructure for Civil 3D

From the Naviate website:

Naviate Infrastructure

Naviate Infrastructure is a bundle of Naviate Road, Water & Sewage and Landscape.

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Naviate Infrastructure is brought to you by Symetri. Pricing was not known at press time.

A 30-day trial is available on the Naviate website »

Questions? Contact the original publisher »

Naviate Traffic for Civil 3D

From the Naviate website:

Naviate Traffic

With Naviate Traffic you get a large library of Swedish road signs as well as a dynamic tool to create your own signs. Dynamic roadmarkings are created around native Civil 3D objects. Both signs and road markings can easily be visualised in 3D.

Naviate Road for Civil 3D

From the Naviate website:

Naviate Road

With Naviate Road users have access to templates and setting files for Nordic standards, as well as functions that together with Civil 3D create an efficient workflow. Project managers have access to powerful tools for managing and updating multiple files and settings at once.

Naviate Autopath for AutoCAD & Civil 3D

From the Naviate website:

Naviate Autopath

With Naviate Autopath you get an easy to use module for vehicle tracking. With Easy Drive you can interactively define a vehicles path and change your design accordingly.

Naviate Water & Sewage for Civil 3D

From the Naviate website:

Naviate Water & Sewage

With Naviate Water and Sewage you get tools for efficient and dynamic project design. Included in the software are templates and network parts lists that conform to industry and national standards. Together with Civil 3D you have everything you need for your design.