3dX for Autocad 2006

fostertom · Post by **fostertom** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:59 am

How can I see a Help file for Acad 2006? My only acess to 3dx seems to be via the 3dx icon on the 3dx toolbar that has installed itself, but that only accesses the Configuration dialog box. Is there something like a menu bar that needs to be switched on?

What's Auto Fire and Auto Regen? can't see that either has any effect.

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:07 am

Plugin for Autocad 2006 is located in the Archive folder from our Download site.
www.3DCOnnexion.com
Choose Support
Driver download
Select the device
Choose Archive
select Pre 2007 Autocad plugin.
Download then install the plugin.

Beforte installing make sure all applicatyions are closed.
Open Autocad.
If you donot see the Autocad tool bar
Choose
Tools
application
or Assist
Load applications
Brows the 3Dconnexion Autocad plugin folder
Select Acad3dx16.arx
Check any boxes to make sure it loads at startup each time you launch Autocad.

This will load the Plugin.

You can read the help files by clicking
start
Programs
3Dconnexion
3DConnexion Addin for Autocad
The help file was not updated after the change over to the new plugin
So the information is no longer available in the help file.

fostertom · Post by **fostertom** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:32 am

That's great, thanks. Acad3dx16.arx was not loaded, though all was working just the same as now - i.e. still not all that smooth, not like in SketchUp - but tolerable. Can I improve this?

I now see the Help file.

After every major zoom the shading goes crazy until Regen'd. The Auto Regen checkbox on the 3dx Configuration dialog doesn't do it (so I still don't see what Auto Regen does). How can I program one of the SpPilot buttons as Acad Command Regen (re) or Acad menu View>Regen?

Also, can I program one of the SpPilot buttons as the Rotation Point>Custom>Pick button on the 3dx Configuration dialog?

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:25 am

You'l have to play with the Speed sliders to adjust the motion.

The auto regen is part of Autocad this link mught give you an idea on how to adjust the regen setting.
viewtopic.php?t=1147&highlight=regen

Map a function you want to a button on the keyboard using the Autocad macro Then use the macro program in the Button mapping editor in the 3dcontrol panel. Then drag the macro to the button of your choice.

fostertom · Post by **fostertom** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:49 am

Thank you. So is that what auto regen does - "allows transparent pan and zoom within a command"? (it does). Should it also regen the fragmented shading on a 3d model after a major SpPilot movement? (it doesn't on mine - I have to RE on the command line or go View>Regen after every major move).

fostertom · Post by **fostertom** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:59 am

Fred wrote:You'l have to play with the Speed sliders to adjust the motion.

Speed sliders seem to have no effect on the lack of smoothness of SpPilot-controlled movement in Acad 2006 (looks like 10 frames/sec - early silent movies-style) compared with e.g. Sketchup (very smooth - no visible framerate). OK it's tolerable, but are we stuck with that in Acad? Where's the cause of it? My hardware, or in Acad or 3dx software?

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:26 am

There was a forum post regarding a regen issue with instructions on how to change the background color so it was less noticeable. I just cant locate it at the moment.

Check to make sure your video card driver is up to date.
This can cause delay problems.