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Why It’s Better to Upload with AutoCAD

We recently made a video where we showcased four distinct ways to upload your content to your AutoCAD WS online account. You can still watch it by clicking here.

In this post we are going to revisit one of those methods and talk about the experience of uploading your designs using the Online tab in the AutoCAD desktop program.

There are two distinct advantages to uploading your drawings from within AutoCAD.

Xrefs and Support Files

AutoCAD will automatically upload xrefs and support files. The upload button not only uploads the current file you have open, but also makes sure that any referenced drawings, images, font files (SHX and TTF) and plot stylesheets (CTB, STB) are automatically uploaded as well. With one click you can make sure all the files necessary to open a drawing from your web browser, iOS or Android device are placed in your account. No more looking at partial drawings or missing fonts.

Your Drawings are Always Up to Date Online

AutoCAD will make sure you will have the most recent version in your account. AutoCAD drawings change frequently and uploading them from your computer to your online account can become quite a task. For this reason we’ve made it so the Upload option in AutoCAD knows how to sync your drawings whenever they change. AutoCAD only syncs the changes you make so syncing happens faster and seamlessly. You never have to worry about saving your files to your AutoCAD WS online account before leaving the office -- AutoCAD does it for you.

Tips for the Timeline in AutoCAD WS

The introduction of the Timeline to AutoCAD WS represents an important breakthrough in online file management for your drawings.

The Timeline allows you to capture your project in different stages as it evolves. Each previous version is identified by a point on the Timeline. For the first time, you can see your progress come alive in the same place without having to open multiple files.

Here are some useful tips for working with the Timeline in AutoCAD WS.

Understanding the different points on the Timeline

Black Dots – These are the versions of the file that were uploaded using the AutoCAD plugin or uploaded directly from AutoCAD WS.  In the next version of the AutoCAD WS app for iPhone and iPad, drawings that are uploaded directly from your email client will also appear as black dots on the Timeline. As you work on your drawing in AutoCAD WS, your saved changes will appear as a black dot on the Timeline.

Green Dots – These represent versions that were worked on by more than one person in a real-time collaboration. These collaborative sessions are captured and marked for future reference.

Green Arrow – The arrow simply indicates the version you are currently viewing.

Identifying each point on the Timeline

Each point is clearly marked with its Save date. You can find more information by hovering over the point:

  • Full date and time
  • The name of the person who made the changes

For Green Dots indicating real-time collaboration, you will also see:

  • List of collaborators
  • Number of changes

Timeline Integrity

Maintaining the integrity of the Timeline is crucial. You cannot erase entries on the Timeline. It is also impossible to edit an earlier version of your drawing n the Timeline. Each point before the current one is read only. The only way to roll back to an earlier point is to find it on the Timeline and select the Save As button to create a new file based on that version that will now be editable.

We’d love to hear how you are working with the Timeline to keep track of your drawing versions online. Let us know by leaving a comment or by writing to us at feedback@autocadws.com.

Parlez-Vous Plugin?

One of the ways AutoCAD WS can reach as many people as possible is to talk in their language. A large proportion of our users come from countries where English is not the official language.

So in order to make life simpler for our users we have developed a version of the AutoCAD WS Plugin for AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD 2011 and many of the AutoCAD vertical products in a wide variety of new languages.

You can download the plugin now in the following languages:

  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Español
  • 日本語
  • 简体中文
  • Português
  • 繁体中文
  • 한국어
  • Magyar
  • Русский
  • Český
  • Polski

We have also translated the product overview and installation instruction into each language.

Let us know in the comments section which is your preferred language and what we can be doing to make AutoCAD WS even more accessible and useful to you.

AutoCAD WS Plugin for AutoCAD 2010

We are delighted to announce the release of the AutoCAD WS Plugin for AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD LT 2010  and all AutoCAD verticals.  Download it for FREE now by clicking here.

Since the launch of the plugin for AutoCAD 2011, it has been downloaded tens of thousands of times enabling users to upload their drawings and share them online directly from AutoCAD.

The plugin also lets you share content from your desktop with your iPhone and iPad when you install the free app from the iTunes store.

Don’t forget to read this post from yesterday to learn more about using the plugin with AutoCAD verticals like:

  • AutoCAD Architecture
  • AutoCAD Mechanical
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • AutoCAD Map 3D

Once you have installed the plugin, we want to hear how you use it in your working life. Are you more interested in the ability to store your work online or are you looking forward to new kinds of collaboration with colleagues and clients. Put your stories in the comments or write to us at feedback@autocadws.com. We will include the best stories in a future post.

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