Tag: free

Divider tools for an Array anytime

Luke Johnson

While editing a Group, you can’t create an Array.  There are two workarounds:

  1. Make the array ‘outside the group’ and then Add it to the Group.  This requires you to Finish Group, make Array, Edit Group, Add… etc
  2. You could use a line based Component as an array ‘guide’ to provide you with the intervals you need, and then Copy Multiple.  If you are in a Detail Group, use a Detail Component, if you are in a Model Group, use a Generic Model.

Here are some links to download my array guide components
These components have two instance properties – one to control the size of the ‘tick’, and one to control how many elements / divisions are in the array.

Download example Detail Component here

Download example Generic Model here

Compressing PDF using free tools

Luke Johnson

Do you have some large format black and white PDF drawings that are taking up excessive space?  Perhaps they contain multi-layered vector information that is clogging them up.  You can easily make them smaller by recompressing into TIFF format with G4 compression.

Option 1 – PDF Tools and Irfanview

  1. Convert PDF to multipage TIFF using PDFill PDF Editor with FREE PDF Writer and FREE PDF Tools
  2. Open TIFF and save as TIF with G4 compression in Irfanview (suggested dpi setting 200 dpi)

Option 2 – PDF-Xchange Viewer

  1. Open PDF in PDF-Xchange Viewer
  2. File – Export – Export to Image
  3. Page Range – All
  4. Use TIFF format, Options – Compression – CCITT Group 4 fax
  5. DPI settings at 300 all round (for other settings also see image below)
  6. Click Export…

If you want to make a TIFF into a PDF again, just open in Irfanview and Print to PDF file using CutePDF or similar.  The resulting PDF will generally be way smaller than the original PDF.

    Free PDF Viewing programs

    Luke Johnson

    I have been using Foxit Reader for a number of years. It allowed me to print PDFs with a custom scale of 50%. In Australia, we often print A1 size drawings to A3 paper for in-office review, so Foxit was a better alternative than Adobe Reader. It was also nice and fast.

    However, after installing Foxit version 5, I was very disappointed. Custom scale printing seems to have disappeared! And there was silly looking themes as well! You can even turn on a Ribbon!

    Looks like PDF-XChange Viewer has come to the rescue. As with other free PDF viewing programs it is crippled a little bit compared to the Pro version. However, it has some nice features:

    • Custom scale printing

    • Ability to save PDF as an image direct from the viewer (File – Export – Export to Image)

    • Ability to stamp / markup PDF files and then save them (and that’s without using Pro version)

    • Measuring tools

    • One-click access to open in Adobe Reader

    Check it out at link below.  I recommend using one of the MSI installer options.
    Tracker Software Products :: PDF-XChange Viewer, Free PDF Reader

    Revit Technology Conference Archived Materials for Download free

    Luke Johnson

    In past years, the presentation materials for the Revit Technology Conference were made available for download by anyone – even if you didn’t attend!

    Check out the following links:

    RTC 2008 :: Materials

    RTC 2007 :: Materials

    RTC 2006 :: Materials

    If you want to quickly download all of the resources from each page, I recommend using Firefox with Downthemall.

    RTC 2011 Reciprocal Resource free downloads

    Luke Johnson

    If you attended either RTC AUS or RTC USA this year, you can download content from BOTH conferences.  Awesome!


    “We are pleased to offer the downloading of materials for both the Australasian and North American conference programs to attendees of either conference.
     

    Materials can be downloaded from the respective websites – RTC 2011 Australasia and RTC 2011 North America using the following passwords…”

    via email

    Here are some direct links to the materials pages:
    RTC AUS 2011

    RTC USA 2011



    If you attended, check your inbox for the passwords!!




    Free Revit Details

    Luke Johnson

    Over at ARCxl, you can download a bunch of Revit details for free.  According to the website, these details were all created natively in Revit.

    The Terms of Use describes the proper way that these details may be utilised, and you must agree to these terms when you register. 

    Effective July 19, 2011, two very significant alterations were made to the ARCxl website. We have added CAD/dwg, and PDF file formats to our library. We have also removed restrictions on account location and email address types.

    Quoted from
    ARCxl for Revit: ARCxl adds CAD/dwg, PDF and Eases Restrictions

     
    Upon downloading a detail, you must also agree with this popup:

    By clicking CONTINUE, I confirm I have read and agree to the ARCxl Terms of Use in their entirety. I agree to hold all liability for the use, review, compliance with all applicable laws, codes, and ordinances. I agree to seek professional review by an architect or engineer, and that ARCxl details and components are provided as-is without warranty of any kind. I understand that this is a single-use license and not a transfer of title.