F/X CAD 2021

Note: The following catalog of content covered in this webinar is time stamped to allow you to follow along or skip to sections of the video that are relevant to your questions. You can also search for content on this page using the FIND command in your browser (CTRL + F in Windows, Command + F in Mac OS.)

• Intro/TOC
• What is F/X CAD?
• What Can It Do (and Not Do)?
• Support
• Pricing
• Why Upgrade to 2021?
• Installation and Activation Process
• What's New in 2021?
• FAQ

0:00 – 2:10: Intro/TOC

2:11 – 7:59: What is F/X CAD?

• Sold and supported by us
• For Land F/X users only
• F/X CAD requires an active Land F/X license
• Perpetual license
• PC only
• If you prefer Mac, you'll need Parallels or another virtual machine to run Windows.

 

How did we create F/X CAD 2021? (3:22)

• As soon as AutoCAD 2021 was released, we started working on F/X CAD 2021.
• We installed AutoCAD 2021 and began testing to find out which tools can work with Land F/X.
• We dove into all the new features to make sure we know the ins and outs of the latest version of AutoCAD.

 

Each year, the ribbon is fully customized. (3:57)

• We move the tools around to meet the needs of landscape architects and irrigation designers.
• We replace AutoCAD tools with better Land F/X tools.
• This task is headed by landscape architect and Land F/X employee Amanda Berry.

 

Meanwhile, our developers began altering the installer. (5:50)

• Mike Bennett takes the reins for this task.
• This task includes tweaking the installation files and removing unnecessary components that come with AutoCAD.

 

Branding for F/X CAD begins. (6:13)

• We come up with a new look for the product.
• We work with development to replace all the AutoCAD icons, loading imagery, and splash screen with our own.

 

Web presence begins (6:33)

• When the new style of F/X CAD is developed, our Web department (Kyler Gronner and Forrestt Williams) work on making sure the latest F/X CAD will be showcased properly and accessible on our website as soon as it's released.

 

Preparation for release (6:57):

• When the different components are ready, Bennett compiles everything into an installer.
• F/X CAD is then thoroughly distributed to the tech and usage support teams and tested thoroughly.
• Technical writer Jason Hilford then creates the in-depth documentation for the installation and activation pages.

 

Release (7:38):

• After weeks of testing and getting everything ready for launch, F/X CAD 2021 was released on June 1, 2020.
• The entire switchover from 2020 to 2021 took less than an hour. Great success!

8:00 – 9:59: What Can It Do (and Not Do)?

What it can't do (8:09):

• Run AutoLISP scripts or other add-ons
• Use Live Maps
• Use AutoCAD's Rendering, Lighting, or 3D commands
• Autodesk 360 and related features
• Run without a Land F/X license

 

What it can do (9:14):

• Open/save any version of DWG, DXF, or DGN
• Geolocate plans for export
• Insert raster images
• Import/Export PDF
• Auto-complete Command Line
• View Proxy Objects (Civil 3D, Architectural, Mechanical)
• Run any AutoCAD command designers use regularly
• Use Sheet Set Manager
• Access 3D Connection for SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit
• Customize interface and shortcuts
• Get direct support from us!

10:00 – 11:37: Support

F/X CAD support (10:05)

• The team that put F/X CAD together is also the team that is here to help you with any issues you might have with it.
• Our support is not outsourced.

 

What our support entails (10:22):

• Just give us a call or send in a support ticket from the Web portal.
• When you talk to us, your voice is heard.

 

Contact us:

• Phone: +1 541-1003
• Email: support @landfx.com

 

What else is included in our support? (11:05)

• We also provide documentation and video resources to cover all known questions and issues.
• We hear from Land F/X users, and sometimes non-users, that our documentation has more depth and is more concise to real issues than what is available for AutoCAD.

11:38 – 14:51: Pricing

Cost comparison with AutoCAD (11:45)

F/X CAD is a perpetual license with optional upgrades, while AutoCAD is a subscription license.

 

Cost comparison over time (13:35)

14:52 – 18:10: Why Upgrade to 2021?

Why upgrade your existing license? (14:52)

While the license is perpetual, upgrading annually is recommended.

• Keep up with the newest features so you don't fall behind.
• Having the latest CAD platform ensures you'll be able to view any drawing version from consultants.
• The cost is easier to budget.
• Encourage your office to keep up with computer maintenance.

 

Who should use it? (16:25)

• Land F/X users who plan to continue to use Land F/X long term
• Smaller forms or single practitioners who want to reduce cost – perhaps those used to working with AutoCAD LT
• Those who want the latest version of AutoCAD along with the assurance that it will be completely compatible with Land F/X from its release
• Those who prefer to work with our CAD support

18:11 – 20:02: Installation and Activation Process

Installation: AutoCAD vs. F/X CAD (18:24)

 

Number of apps installed: AutoCAD (several) vs. F/X CAD (1) (19:33)

20:03 – 47:29: What's New in 2021?

Xref Compare: When you reload an external reference (Xref) with changes, you can easily see which changes have been made. (20:16)

 

Improved Break at Point: Track along a line or input an exact length to break a line apart. (21:35)

 

Trim and Extend: Quick mode trimming is now the default setting. This allows for quicker trimming. Also, hold down the SHIFT key to Extend lines while in the Trim command. (21:53)

 

Improved Revclouds: Revision Clouds (Revclouds) are now their own CAD objects. You can now adjust the arc length after placing a Revcloud. (22:33)

 

Improved Quick Measure: The Quick Measure tool now provides perimeter and area calculations within closed boundaries. (22:57)

 

Improved ribbon customization: We added the new AutoCAD tool icons to the ribbon and replaced the native tools LayIso and LayFrz with more the powerful Land F/X tools SuperLayIso and SuperLayFreeze. (23:27)

 

Migrating your settings from a previous version (24:02)

 

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar (26:18)

 

Customizing the ribbons (30:30)

 

Xref Compare (31:25)

 

Question: Is there a way to print the comparison? (36:50)

Answer: Not directly. We recommend taking a screenshot and saving it. You can print out the screenshot if you need to.

 

Improvements to the Trim tool, with Extend option (38:25)

 

Break at Point tool (41:05)

 

Improved Revision Cloud (Revcloud) command, allowing you to change the arc lengths on the fly (43:30)

 

F/X Mirror (44:45)

 

XCOPY and XCORO tools (45:15)

 

Improved Quick Measure tool: Hold down the SHIFT key with the tool active, and you can add areas and perimeters of additional areas to the total (45:40)

47:30 – end: FAQ

See our F/X CAD 2021 frequently asked questions for the questions and answers covered here.

Question: Does Xref Compare only work if the drawings aren't closed? (53:20)

Answer: No, they can be open. You'll just need to reload the Xref in the Xref Manager.