Visio 2010/AutoCAD - Page 2 - D-Tools Forum

**Dave Kirn** · 01-24-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by fryeguy

That sounds like a good plan Dave. I would add one thought: I can create any visual style you find in Visio using AutoCAD. The power and flexibility of AutoCAD is far superior to Visio.

Yes AutoCAD can do the same visual functions as Visio, and we have an AutoCAD genius that creates some wicked 3D images in AutoCAD, the main issue is that we just don't have the library of CAD blocks built up like we do with Visio Stencils. We are slowly making a transition towards AutoCAD since that is the standard in the building and construction industry, but I think for the majority of D-Tools users it is easier to start learning Visio than it is to learn AutoCAD - and also a signifiant difference in price (AutoCAD = $$$$)

**Dave Kirn** · 01-24-2011, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by fryeguy

On a related note, if you typically create Visio drawings that include DWG floor plans and you need to share these with partners, it is possible to get a good translation by following these few steps.

1. Add a line in Visio that marks a reference point on the DWG floor plan that you can easily snap to in AutoCAD.
2. If you have an AutoCAD template with your title block, create a drawing and insert the floor plan.
3. In Visio, lock all layers except those containing the Visio objects you need in AutoCAD. Press Ctrl+A to select all objects and Ctrl+C to copy.
4. In AutoCAD, paste the items into the drawing as a block. Using the reference point move the block of objects to the reference point you used earlier on the plan. Then scale the block to match. Typically the factor is 48 for 1/4" = 1'-0" or 96 for 1/8"...

We have used a similar process and while we have had good results we have had a few issues with this - mainly just adding additional time trying to get everything to work correctly. However it is an option - Thanks for detailing your process for others who did not know about this "workaround"

**Dave Kirn** · 01-24-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by timw

The problems that I've run into happen when trying to insert a cad file into Visio '10. I found myself spending more time tweeking CAD file formats (dwg/dxf/14/etc...) tying to get them to show up. Whereas, with Visio '07 it just works (I actually tested multiple files on side by side machines and 07' always worked). '07 also seems more robust regarding stability. I really like '10, as it offers features not available in '07 but I dont want to risk exhaustive efforts in the minutia of '10. Hence, am I an idiot or no?

Oh and thanks for the replies.

I started working with Visio 2010 when it was in Beta - while initially I did not like the new interface (until I found that I needed to turn on Developer Mode to get alot of features to show up) I quickly got the ribbon customized to the way that I like it and really liked the new interface. However we (multiple machines) started getting issues with the Visio files getting corrupted and not allowing any changes to be saved or making the file unable to open.

Even though that was at the end of the Beta phase I still decided to move all machines back to Visio 2007. Have been happy with that ever since. I built a new computer a few months ago and decided to give Visio 2010 another try and did not experience the issues that I had before, but got a bunch of crazy things happening and also the program locking up and shutting down frequently. Therefore, back to Visio 2007

**Dave Kirn** · 01-24-2011, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by fryeguy

always good to wait and see how a product like Visio gets ironed out. I'm guessing that Visio is not anywhere near the top of the development list at Microsoft. Either dive into beta testing for Visio and provide as much feedback as possible to aid service pack releases or wait before implementing.
I usually hold out on updates of D-Tools because the last couple of updates have left me out in the cold for few days while tech support figured out why the update broke...
And that includes the latest update which broke during installation of the server update. I'm expecting to get this resolved on Monday but it is a good example of how new software rarely sees enough testing prior to public release. New and/or updated software should always have a big warning: "INSTALL AT YOUR OWN RISK".

Originally Posted by timw

Our Server Update had issue as well, luckily we have a sql guru on staff that fixed it in a jiffy.

Just curious - what kind of issues did you guys have?

I have not only done all of our machines, but have also done the updates for many of our dealers and all went great with no issues.

fryeguy · 01-25-2011, 01:06 AM

There was some sort of SQL problem on my server. Not sure exactly what happened but the good news is I had very thorough backups and Tyler from tech support spent all day with me and one other site getting us running again.
In a nut shell it appeared that the update was running perfectly on the server until the part where the server configuration wizard is supposed to show you all of your server settings. While it isn't totally apparent, the wizard actually makes a connection to the server at this point. During my upgrade something caused a configuration file to be updated with incorrect information which was making the connection not happen. It was a huge pain but everything is working now.

Fortunately tech support stepped up to the plate worked it out like they always do. So far I'm enjoying all the surprises in SP3.