Idea Contest

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Each user can become a real participant in the development of A>V>C> plug-ins.

Are you missing options for configuring plugins? Do you have ideas for new commands? No problem! A>V>C> plug-ins are created for you and the direction of their development is determined by you - the users. Write your wishes to avc.programming@gmail.com and become a development sponsor. Vote with ideas, vote with letters, vote with dollars. The more donations are collected, the sooner the idea will be realized. The more users approve your idea, the sooner its implementation will begin.


On this page you see a long list of ideas that have already been taken into account. Which of them should be implemented right now, and which should be postponed until later? And will it ever be implemented? It all depends on your activity and your investments. Even a very small donation can change development priorities. You are given a unique opportunity to prioritize, to participate in the development of programs. You will never be able to change either AutoCAD or Windows for the better. The army of managers knows what you need better than you, and of course they will remove the most convenient button in the next version, they will not fix errors, they will not add useful things, they will shuffle and disfigure everything. Tired? Could it be otherwise?

Let's make A>V>C> plugins better.

Let's do it together!


Not all ideas are feasible. Some are too time-consuming, others do not fit into the general concept of A>V>C> plugin development. And many ideas cannot be implemented even theoretically due to the limitations of the AutoCAD API. Therefore, first of all, write a letter to the developer and ask how real and appropriate your idea is? How difficult is it? All ideas, even the strangest ones, will be considered. You will receive an answer and find out how much donation can slightly change the development queue, and how much guarantees the immediate start of implementation. In many cases, it turns out that your ideas have already been implemented, you simply did not find the right button. Or that your problems can be solved by the available means, but in a different way. So why not try?

Update all tables at once

New command to repopulate all data tables in 1 click. The program will look for tables in the model and sheets, compare the title with all styles of all A>V>C> table commands (Data Table, Holes, Sawing, Materials, Purchases, Dispatch...) and re-call the corresponding commands by substituting objects from the entire model or from the nearest viewport.

Assembly drawings

New  command. Full automation of building all assembly drawings in 1 click. You just need to select the entire model. The program itself will create copies of blocks-assemblies in the free space of the model. Will create sheets for each build. The sheet is taken from your template and it should already have a viewport and there may be tables. The viewport is automatically configured for one of the assemblies. The heading is automatically created and leaders with the positions of the parts are placed. The sawing table and material table are filled in, if they are in the sheet template. The sheet name is generated according to the template and the stamp (title block) is filled.

Dimensions for detailing 

Additional options to the Dimension (DimDet) command:

Assign edge bandings

New command for quickly assigning edges and finishes to all assembly parts. Selection of surfaces and ends in the direction of the normal and by the presence of a joint with other parts.

Layer to block

The new command packs all objects of the layer into one new block. And so for all selected layers. For better drawing structure when exporting to IGES and Inventor. 

[+1]

Properties by table

Find drawing objects in a table by one of the properties (for example, by hyperlink or identifier) and assign several other properties to this object from what is recorded in other columns of this table. For example, assign a layer, color, name, description from the table to an object. The settings will include: which property to look for, in which table column number. Which property to assign from which column. And where to request the table from - XLS, CSV, XML, AutoCAD table, SQL, WebAPI. You run such a command, select objects with already assigned hyperlinks (or select the viewport in which they are visible), select a table in a file or in a drawing. And the program looks for hyperlinks in the table and assigns other properties to objects. Thus, it is possible to massively reassign properties to objects using convenient Excel tables and macros.

DadoJoint - options for pulling the pin along the part to be connected, and not reproach the joint plane

usable when the beam approaches at an angle

DadoJoint - through

make a pin deep in the entire second part, no matter what size it is.

DadoJoint - with clearance

In the DadoJoint command, make a connection even if there is a gap between parts. Add an allowable gap to the settings

[+1]

DadoJoint - with a thrust pad

DDJ command options for classic carpentry and half-timbered joinery. The pin is made smaller than the connected beam, indented around the perimeter. Thus, a thrust pad is formed.

Gaps in the facades

The command to form gaps between all parts joined end-to-end. Cuts solids evenly on both sides of the joints. You can also trim from all inconsistent edges too. Maybe call it "Cut"?

[+1]

Mark - text size, mark inside a block

An additional option of the Mark command: adjust the text height of test marks automatically (with a specified step) according to the size of the marked objects. Or by the size of the smallest object. [+2]

Marking inside blocks - to mark the solids in the assembly, and not the block itself.

Data Table

additional option: Simple addition of columns for all block attributes: a special window with a list of attributes and simply tick the necessary attributes (maybe the parameters of dynamic blocks too?)

Purchasing table

New command for extracting data. It combines into one list all materials and edge bandings that the Table of Materials considers, and a list of all blocks-purchased products (fasteners, accessories). But it does not count block-assemblies. You get a complete list of purchases and the full price of the product.

In the AVC Properties Palette, you will need to add an attribute to the blocks to distinguish assemblies from purchased items.

Dispatch table

New command for extracting data. The table will help to make a list of everything that goes in separate packages from production to installation. The Dispatch property for solids (parts) and for block-assemblies and block-products is added to the AVC Properties Palette. All block-assemblies are already in the Dispatch by default. And parts and fasteners must be specially marked that they are going for installation separately from their assembly. We get a list with the weight and volume of all products.

Sending notifications from the AVC server

Finishing the server so that the user automatically learns that the payment has passed, the balance has been replenished, or vice versa, someone has written off the funds. Warnings about the approaching term of the annual license.

The procedure for calculating and measuring the metrics of a solid: the sum of the surfaces

The problem is with details in which the facade is cut into pieces by dadoes. In order not to be laid out on end, it is necessary to sum up the areas of all coplanar surfaces when searching for a facade.

LAY - layer

An additional LAY option is to change the layer of laid out solids to another layer created according to a template with substitution of part properties.

Arrangement

New Arrange command: Arranges blocks of fittings (handles, legs, decor) on any surface of a part. An analogue of the Fixture command, but for 1 part, and not for the junction of two parts. In the settings, it is set with checkmarks in which places to put: 4 corners, 4 middle sides, center. Sets the offset from the edge. The program itself rotate the block along the normal to the surface at this point (even if the surface is curved). It is set how to rotate the hardware block - along the long/short side or vertically/horizontally (for handles for 2 fasteners). The settings are stored in the hardware block attributes. Blocks are selected from library files as in Fixture.

Wall

Automatic modeling of a wall section for an exhibition stand. At the entrance - 3d-solid box. Skin and frame thicknesses are adjusted and the program peels off the skin and all frame parts from the box in 1 click. [+3]

[AVC] Unfortunately, a lot of adjustments will be required for different traditions of different exhibition companies, for different materials. Profit compared to conventional manual peeling is not obvious.

Cable Table

A large set of new commands for electricians, plumbers and anyone who draws electrical wires or pipes with lines on 2D plans. Or on 3D models of rooms. But it is lines, polylines, splines, and not solid pipes that are used.

Search for equipment blocks to which the ends of the lines are connected. Search for line junctions.

Additional properties for all curves and blocks: installation height, line material, cable channel material.

Auto line numbering, fast manual line numbering.

Auto-arrangement of multi-leaders with line numbers.

Line table (cable table) with calculation of line lengths, taking into account height differences.

Calculation of the length of the cable channels, taking into account that the lines drawn together lie in one channel.

Entry to the table of equipment names at the ends of the lines.

Purchase table.

Drilling diameters

New command to automatically replace the diameters of all drills on all (selected) parts. Several ranges of initial holes are configured with a diameter from and to and the diameter that should be obtained. Then, in 1 click, all cylindrical holes of solids are replaced. 

[+1]

Reverse polylines. Polyline start.

A couple of new commands for the convenience of working with milling contours. On the selected polylines, their direction is highlighted (temporarily change the linetype to something with arrows) and the starting point. Then, with one click, you can change the direction to the opposite one or (another command) with one click set another start point (entry point of the cutter).

Contour cut.

New 2D command for splitting a path in two. Select a cutting line, curve, or other closed contour. Selection of contours to be dissected (there may be several at once). Cutting contours and inserting additional segments to close the cut pieces into closed polylines.

Polylines Union, Subtract, Intersect

Three new 2D commands for Boolean operations (union, subtruct, intersect) with closed loops, exactly the same as it currently works with regions. It can be combined into one command, which will immediately build contours for union (= OSL), and for subtraction, and for intersection. Adjusting the color and layer of the new outlines.

NC Preparation - dado offset

New contouring option for CNC: close the contour of quarters (edge dado) and slot on the edge of the part not along the contour of the part, but with an exit to the outside (offset outward) to half the cutter diameter, so as not to fray the edge of the part.

Inside Corner - acute angle

A new feature in the contour corner processing command: to enter acute corners of parts by creating linear milling sections along the bisector of the corner with a width equal to the diameter of the cutter.

Export layout to DXF

Separate command or option Export to DXF - For manual nesting and casting. Do not lay out the details, do not twist them in any way, but take the details that have already been laid out on a sheet of material. Just draw outlines and save them in one DXF file.

Technology Sawing+drilling

Update the procedure for measuring solids, add recognition of parts that can be made on a saw without milling, but then you need to drill holes.

Properties Palette A>V>C

Additional options for the palette:

Double Save

A couple of new commands for collaborative work with drawings. An alternative to expensive drawing storage systems for small teams.

The Double Save command saves the drawing first to the local storage of the computer, and then makes a copy to the network storage or to a file server or to a Dropbox folder or any other cloud. Thus, a copy of the file becomes available to other team members. Copying in the background - the drawing can be edited further while it is being saved to the server for a long time. Checking that the file was copied correctly and copying again. Create backups each time you copy under a new name (date saved) in the OldVersions folder on the server or in a local folder.

Program for automatic cleaning of OldVersions folders.

The Double Open command first copies the file from the server/cloud to local storage before opening the drawing. Thus, the file will never be blocked by other users and there is no need to work on a slow server, there are no brakes and glitches associated with the network.

Straighten

The new modeling command looks for slightly curved surfaces on solids (within a given tolerance) and replaces them with planes.

[AVC] There are fundamental difficulties with the implementation: the API does not allow changing surfaces, it is necessary to add and subtract auxiliary solids, extra faces may appear.

Texture Stamp

A new command for extruding a special mark (stamp) on the surface of a solid in the form of an arrow indicating the direction of the texture. The label will be visible in all views, including ModelDoc, but it will not greatly change the volume of the solid due to the microscopic depth. Options to select the direction of the label along or across or set the direction by two points. Stamp scale selection option.

It is advisable to teach the laying procedure to look for these stamps and lay out accurately on X [This will take a very long time]

[AVC] The problem of finding a place for a mark on a part is that holes and dodoes interfere

Textures for display

Teach the measurement and layout procedure to recognize material texture turns (which are used for rendering) and use it to turn the part along X. And vice versa - when assigning a material to a solid, immediately rotate the render texture along the long side of the part. And I would also like to learn how to rotate the edge textures along.

[AVC] Not the fact that the API will allow this to be implemented.

Step milling

Option for contouring commands (NCP and DXF Export): if the ends of the part are not vertical or 3D surface, then cut the surface into many layers and make a stepped end, many contours for each step. It will be useful for those who want to make complex parts on a 3-coordinate machine that require a 5-coordinate machine and are not afraid to refine the part with a file.

Select Same Objects

Change in SSO command: Numbers are compared as double, not strings, and you can specify a margin of error. It will be more convenient to look for similar in length and volume.

Notes

New dockable palette: list of any texts. Buttons for inserting these notes into the drawing as text, as a multileader. On a separate tab, all texts from the current drawing for the convenience of re-inserting. Storing notes in file-libraries. Text style selection field.

Mail

Embed the simplest mail program in AutoCAD to quickly send the current drawing by e-mail. Window for selecting recipients with checkmarks, entering the subject and text of the letter. Editing the contact list. Download contacts from Google. Saving the list of recipients in the drawing properties for subsequent resending in 1 click.

AVC Print

New drawing printing dialog with sheet selection from a list and easy printer/pdf switching. Substitution of print formats for those that the printer has and return back so as not to spoil the drawing. Specify the number of copies for each sheet separately. The list of sheets shows the sheet names from the stamp (title block).

AVC Properties Palette - replace graphics engine

Completely rewrite the palette to replace the standard WinForms slow components with self-made fast, more compact (more properties on the screen) and less blinking, without eternal underdrawing. Remove extra arrows from drop-down lists near fields (when the field is not selected). Make a button bar for each property in a separate row (only when the field is active).

Databases on AVC Server

Create a database of materials, blocks, drawings on the server. Databases: already configured materials and fixtures for use in AVC plugins. Separate bases for different specializations of engineers, for different countries. Each user can create his own database, publish it only for his computers or for his workgroup or for everyone. Paid access to databases - the publisher receives his percentage of the AVC account.

Commands for easy loading/unloading of objects from a drawing to databases.

Job statistics

A set of programs that collect data about your work in AutoCAD to assess the complexity of work, labor productivity.

How many clicks were made in AutoCAD, how many commands were called (only really working commands), how many objects were modified (not counting stupid moves [undo?]. Statistics per hour, per day, per drawing.

Write statistics to an encrypted file. Reports with sums for a drawing, for all drawings in a folder (for project), for a month.

Assessment of the complexity of the drawing by the number of faces on all solids, by the number of drawing views, annotation elements.

Storing statistics on the AVC server. Publication of data for selected users, workgroup, all AVC users. Anonymous publication of your achievements. Comparison of statistics with other users of the workgroup, all users of the AVC program. Ratings of the fastest, most hardworking and most braking engineers.

Banding edges on sweep parts

Parts marked as Sweep cannot now be assigned banding edges via the AVC Properties Palette. Due to incorrect layout, the front, rear and edges are not what they actually will be after unfold. It is required that the layout of such parts be a curved side and that all surfaces be renamed and renumbered as they would be on a unfolded part.

Surface Unfold

The program for obtaining a flat contour along a curved one (solid face or a separate surface). Unfold cylinders, cones. Try to unfold ellipse and spline cylinders.

[There is an idea how to implement this command by drawing a lot of lines on the surface, finding the intersection points of these lines with the edges of the surface and then approximating. However, this will take a very long time and is not accurate. To build a sweep exactly according to the formulas, you need to hire a person who wrote a dissertation on stereometry .. but do such scientists exist?]

[The program is already approximately implemented in BricsCAD Mechanical]

Box Unfold

Obtaining contours from all flat surfaces of a solid and compiling an integral pattern from them. For the manufacture of boxes from cardboard and boxes from sheet metal.

[The program is already perfectly implemented in BricsCAD Mechanical]

Nesting and Cutting

Sheet nesting program to optimize sheet filling and reduce material consumption. Accounting for texture, gaps, indents from the edge of the sheet. For cutting on a saw - through cuts requred.

[The program requires a year or two of development, as this is an artificial intelligence task with millions of options and nuances. There is no guarantee that the result will be even satisfactory, at least in some cases, for some details. However, there are many ready-made programs.]

Storing settings on the server

Procedures for automatically uploading and uploading your settings to the AVC server. Synchronization of settings on all your computers (under one account). Publish settings for sharing and access by specific users (workgroup). Synchronization of settings in the workgroup (separate sections?)

Sorry if you didn't find your idea in the list. Not all of your ideas are listed here yet. There just isn't enough time to list everything.