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(continued...) Open profiles can also now be used in applications such as ribs, thin features and bends.
Text can be embossed or engraved and remain editable and part variables can be generated and manipulated in the Equation Assistant.
Variable dimensions can be referenced in BOM and parts list so they can be updated automatically when they change.
The usability of AutoCAD surface tools is improved with surface analysis and spline editing tools.
Surfaces and quilts can be thickened into base features and tools are available to control surface transitions through tangent and curvature continuity.
However good the modelling tools, a key part of designing in 3D is visualisation and the provision of a transparent 3D orbit command to manipulate the model mid-command is long overdue.
It is also possible to aid clarity by focusing on the part being edited by dimming other parts in an assembly.
Tips and techniques can be accessed from the AutoCAD Today browser window.
This also allows a corporate bulletin board to be displayed and recently used files to be located and opened.
The lower pane gives access to web based material including live product updates based on Microsoft's MSI technology that notifies the availability of applicable service packs.