Version 3.46 (01/27/2006)
This paper addresses several frequently asked questions concerning Autodesk’s Design Web Format. It was compiled from various sources including internal Autodesk servers, emails, and previously published content. Autodesk discussion group participants will recognize most of the questions as well as their answers. Much of this same information is available in various places on the Autodesk web site.
This document is quite long. The typical reader will not read this document from start to end. The normal use case is to browse the table of contents and select the questions of interest. For comments, questions, or suggestions regarding this FAQ, please email
scott.sheppard@autodesk.com
.
The latest version of this document is always available at:
https://projectpoint.buzzsaw.com/constructionmanagement/public/DWF%20FAQ.doc?public
.
Buzzsaw will not prompt for a login and password as long as the ?public portion of the URL is specified.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Does Autodesk DWF Composer support integration of markups into older versions of AutoCAD software? 0
The Autodesk discussion groups have two methods of access: using a web browser or a newsreader application. The Autodesk discussion groups related to DWF include:
DWF
Autodesk DWF Composer (Autodesk’s design review product)
Autodesk DWF Viewer
Customer Files
These discussion groups are resources to help with your use of DWF and Autodesk products. There is a lot of good information listed in these discussion groups. Answers to the more frequently asked questions can be found there (or in this document). If, after reviewing these discussion groups, you still do not find the answer to your questions, please feel free to post in the discussion group; however, Autodesk is under no obligation to respond to your post. There are a lot of experienced users that will be more than happy to help you out if possible. As such, the discussion groups are the basis for peer to peer support.
Please familiarize yourself with the ground rules for these discussion groups:
http://discussion.autodesk.com/ground.jspa
http://discussion.autodesk.com/ground.jspa
Please be descriptive in your topic subjects. Subjects like "DWF Problem" or "HELP!" do not lend much insight and are often skipped over. A topic such as "How do I output a 3D DWF file from AutoCAD 2006?" is much more helpful.
As some newsreader programs cannot display HTML formatted messages correctly, please be sure to post your messages in plain text format. Most newsreaders have an option to format the messages in this manner.
If you are having display or crashing related issues please list your machine's specs: Processor, RAM, Operating System, Video Card, DWF Viewer (or Autodesk DWF Composer) release & SP #. While it may not be due to these factors, it helps to determine the cause.
While posting of attachments is allowed in the discussion groups, it is suggested that only small files be posted here, and larger files should be posted to AutoCAD Customer Files, this arrangement makes it easier on people who don't have high speed access. After posting to customer files, return to the main discussion group and post a notice that you have posted a file, and give the subject of the post, along with a detailed description of the problem.
Another place to obtain information is from the Autodesk web site:
- Autodesk DWF Viewer
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2787358
This is the starting page for information about the free Autodesk DWF Viewer.
- Autodesk DWF Composer (Autodesk’s design review product) http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4086277
This is the starting page for information about Autodesk DWF Composer.
- Autodesk DWF Writer
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2787358
This is the starting page for information about the free Autodesk DWF Writer.
- DWF
http://www.autodesk.com/dwf
This is the starting page for information about the Design Web Format itself.
- Autodesk DWF Developer Center
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2418019
This is the starting page for the DWF Developer Center. It has a variety of information as well as links that eventually lead to the DWF Toolkit.
- Autodesk DWF Toolkit
http://www.autodesk.com/dwftoolkit
This is a shortcut for navigating to the download page for C++ programmers to obtain one of the freely available DWF Toolkits.
There are a few DWF-related web logs (blogs for short) available.
- Between the Lines AutoCAD Blog
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/
Hosted by Shaan Hurley
- RobiNZ CAD Blog
http://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/cad_architectural_desktop/index.html
Hosted by Robin Capper
- In the Dynamic Interface AutoCAD, DWF, Lisp, & anything cool Blog
http://mdouglas.blogs.com/
Hosted by Mark Douglas
- AutoCADder AutoCAD, LT, Inventor, Revit, Map, & Architectural Desktop Bloghttp://autocadder.blogspot.com/
Hosted by a CAD administrator in Germany
- Mistress of the Dorkness CAD Technology Blog
http://mistressofthedorkness.blogspot.com/
Hosted by Melanie Stone
- Lynn Allen’s Autodesk Technical Evangelist Blog
http://blogs.autodesk.com/lynn
Hosted by Lynn Allen
- BlogCAD CAD News by CAD Users Bloghttp://www.blogcad.com/wp/index.php
Hosted by Progesoft
- Between The Walls Architectural Desktop Bloghttp://blogs.autodesk.com/adt
Hosted by Chris Yanchar
- Beth's AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Building Systems, Revit, & Viz Blog
http://bethscadblog.blogspot.com/
Beth Powell
- In The Machine Autodesk Inventor Bloghttp://blogs.autodesk.com/inventor
Hosted by: Amy Bunszel, Pete Lord, Andy Palioca, and Jeff Wymer
- JTB World AutoCAD, ADT, VB.NET, VBA, AutoLISP, Access, & SQL Server Bloghttp://jtbworld.blogspot.com/
Hosted by Jimmy Bergmark
- WorldCAD Access Training about CAD Blog
http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/
Hosted by Ralph Grabowski
- Russian CAD/CAM/CAE News, FAQ, and Articles (includes Between the Lines Russian translation)
http://www.atmsk.ru/
Hosted by Alexey Lubimov
The list goes on and on. There is actually a comprehensive list of blogs maintained as part of Beth Powell’s Blog. It is available at
http://www.tenlinks.com/CAD/reference/blogs.htm
. The list of blogs in this document was formed by visiting these blogs and searching for content regarding DWF.
Many new users start off with questions about the DWF format itself.