Notice to Mechanical Desktop Customers

 

In a continuing effort to provide high quality products, Autodesk has released Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2, which fixes or addresses a variety of issues pertaining to the following products :

 

• Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2007
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2007

 

This README file highlights what has been fixed or addressed, where to download the update, and how to install it.

 

Contents

 

Prerequisites

Installation Instructions

Issues addressed by Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2

Notes on double-byte characters

Miscellaneous Notes

Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 download location

 

Prerequisites

 

The approximate size of Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 is 22.7 MB.

 

You must have a minimum of 100 MB of free disk space for temporary file creation.

 

Service Pack 2 is historical and may be applied to Mechanical Desktop 2007 regardless of whether Service Pack 1, Hotfix 1 or Hotfix 2 has been applied or not. You must have administrative privileges to be able to install Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 on Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home.

 

Service Pack 2 can be installed if Service Pack 1 is already installed on non-Vista machines. Microsoft Windows Vista users should see the NOTE below

 

Information for Windows Vista Users

For Windows Vista users, Service Pack 2 must be installed after installation of the product in order for it to run.

NOTE: Due to a limitation in Service Pack 1, Service Pack 2 cannot be installed on Windows Vista if Service Pack 1 is already installed. To install Service Pack 2, first uninstall and reinstall Mechanical Desktop 2007 and then apply Service Pack 2 (without installing Service Pack 1).

·        When you launch of Mechanical Desktop 2007, you may see the Program Compatibility Assistant from Microsoft stating that there is a known compatibility issue with Windows Vista. You can safely click the Run Program option to run the product. It is also safe to click the "Do not show this message again" option.

·        When applying this service pack while running Mechanical Desktop 2007, we do NOT recommended that you click the "Automatically close applications and attempt to restart them after setup is complete" option. Instead, close Mechanical Desktop 2007 manually.

·        The default video driver provided with Windows Vista will not provide acceptable performance and functionality for 3D visualization features in AutoCAD. For optimal 3D visualization functionality you will need to install a video driver provided by your graphics card vendor and enable Hardware Acceleration in AutoCAD. If no vendor driver is installed, it is not recommended that you enable Hardware Acceleration as performance will be less than optimal. To see if your video driver is a vendor driver, do the following:

1. Open Mechanical Desktop 2007.
2. Enter 3DCONFIG on the command line. The Adaptive Degradation and Performance Tuning Dialog box will display.
3. Under Hardware and Performance Tuning, click the View Tune Log button.
4. In the Performance Tuner Log, under 3D Device, note the device name. If the name includes "Microsoft Corporation", then the video driver was not provided by the graphics card vendor.

NOTE: 3D Visualization performance will be slower on Windows Vista than on Windows XP.

·        For optimal performance when using 3D visualization features, please apply the latest Certified Hardware XML Database from http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscardupdate. For a complete list of certified, supported, and non-supported graphics hardware for 3D display features, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard.

·        For i-drop to operate properly on a system running Windows Vista, the user should be set to Run as Administrator.

·        Due to Windows Vista restrictions, all sample files found in the AutoCAD Sample folder and subfolders are read-only. Sheet Set Manager sample files can be opened in the Sheet Set Manager but cannot be changed.

·        For Inventor Link to work on Windows Vista, you need to run the application at least once as administrator. You can right-click on the desktop shortcut and select “Run as administrator”.

 

NOTE: Autodesk Vault 5 is not supported on the Windows Vista operating system. If you want to use Autodesk Vault with Mechanical Desktop 2007 you should either not upgrade to the Windows Vista operating system, or upgrade your Mechanical Desktop 2007 to the 2008 version. Autodesk Inventor Suite 2008 and Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 come with Autodesk Vault 2008, which is supported on Windows Vista.

 

 

Installation Instructions

 

Before You Start

As you prepare to install the service pack, keep these points in mind:

·        Custom files backup — Before you apply this service pack, be sure to back up all custom CUI, MNR, and MNL files.

·        Administrative privileges — During installation, you will be prompted for the original installation CD or network image. You must have administrative permissions to install and uninstall products in order to successfully apply service packs.

·        Network deployment — Administrators can deploy the service pack over the network using the Deployment wizard.

·        Updated Certified Hardware XML Database — For optimal performance when using 3D visualization features, please apply the latest Certified Hardware XML Database from http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscardupdate. For a complete list of certified, supported, and non-supported graphics hardware for 3D display features, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard.

·        Service pack removal — Once this service pack is applied, it cannot be removed by running an automatic uninstall program. The product must be uninstalled and reinstalled to undo the service pack changes.

About Windows Command Line Switches

Two Microsoft^® Windows^® command line switches are built into this service pack:

·        /e – Extracts the MSP file from the service pack executable. Instructions about how to use the /e command line switch is included in the procedures that follow.

·        /q – Suppresses the completion message after the service pack is applied. This is useful if you use a script or batch file to apply the service pack to multiple computers.

 

 

Stand-Alone Installation

Follow these instructions to install a service pack on an individual computer.

1. Download the Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 installer for the applicable product and version:

 

For...	Download
Mechanical Desktop 2007 - AIS 11	mdt2007_AIS11_swl_SP2.exe
Mechanical Desktop 2007 - AIP 11	mdt2007_AIP11_swl_SP2.exe
Mechanical Desktop 2007 - AIP for Routed Systems 11	mdt2007_AIPR11_swl_SP2.exe
Mechanical Desktop 2007 - AIP for Simulation 11	mdt2007_AIPS11_swl_SP2.exe

  

Note: This Service Pack 2 will update all language versions. In previous releases, there were separate Service Packs for each language. This is not the case for Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2.

 

2. Double click the installer to run it.

3. Once Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 installation is complete, a message informing you that the update has been successfully applied is displayed.

 

To verify if the Service Pack is properly installed, start Mechanical Desktop 2007 and at the command prompt, enter AMVER.  A text window is displayed and should report "Mechanical Desktop 2007 SP2".We recommends that you restart Microsoft Windows after you install the Service Pack.

 

 

Network Deployment

 

The following distribution methods apply only to administrative images created with the Deployment Wizard. After you complete these operations, any subsequent deployments of the product will include the service pack updates.

The patch (service pack) file that you download contains an MSP (Microsoft Patch) file, which you extract from the executable file using the /e (extract) switch. For an example of the syntax, see step 2, below.

To add the service pack to a new administrative image

1.      From the Autodesk Product Support website, download the service pack EXE file to your local computer.

2.      On the Windows Start menu, click Run. Enter information using the following syntax and click OK.

<local_drive:>\<patch_name>.exe /e <local_drive:>\< patch_name>.msp

3.      Start the Autodesk Deployment Wizard.

4.      On the Welcome page, select Create an Administrative Image and Click Next.

5.      On the Create Administrative Image page, in the Select Autodesk Installer (MSI) File box, enter the path to acad.msi, the MSI file that you use as the basis for your administrative image. You can find this file on your product CD-ROM in cdrom:\Bin\acadFeui .

6.      In the Administrative Image Location box, specify the shared network location where you want to create an administrative image, or click Browse to find a location.

7.      In the Apply a Service Pack box, enter the path for the patch (the location you entered in step 2, including the file extension .msp). You can also browse to locate the MSP file.

8.      Click Next.

9.      If you are using Group Policy (GPO) for this deployment, select the "Group Policy Objects will be used to distribute the deployment" option. Click Next.

10. Follow the instructions in the Deployment wizard to complete the service pack deployment.

To add Service Pack 2 to an existing deployment that does not include Service Pack 1

1.      From the Autodesk Product Support website, download the service pack EXE file to your local computer.

2.      On the Windows Start menu, click Run. Enter the following information and click OK.

<local_drive:>\<patch_name>.exe /e <local_drive:>\< patch_name>.msp

3.      Start the Autodesk Deployment Wizard.

4.      On the Welcome page, select Modify an Administrative Image and Click Next.

5.      On the Modify Administrative Image page, in the Select an MSI File list, select an Autodesk installer MSI file from a shared network location that contains the administrative image you want to modify.

6.      In the Apply a Service Pack box, enter the path to the patch (the location you entered in step 2, including the file extension .msp). You can also browse to locate the MSP file. Click Next.

7.      If you are using Group Policy (GPO) for this deployment, select the "Group Policy Objects will be used to distribute the deployment" option.

8.      Click Next.

9.      Follow the instructions in the Deployment wizard to complete the service pack deployment.

To add Service Pack 2 to an existing deployment that includes Service Pack 1

If you added Service Pack 1 to your deployment using Group Policy Objects, then you can add Service Pack 2 to that deployment WITHOUT using Group Policy Objects by using the following procedure:

1.      From the Autodesk Product Support website, download the service pack EXE file to your local computer.

2.      On the Windows Start menu, click Run. Enter information using the following syntax and click OK.

<local_drive:>\<patch_name>.exe /e <local_drive:>\< patch_name>.msp

3.      Start Autodesk Deployment Wizard.

4.      On the Welcome page, select Create an Administrative Image and Click Next.

5.      On the Create Administrative Image page, in the Select Autodesk Installer (MSI) File box, enter the path to acad.msi, the MSI file that you use as the basis for your administrative image. You can find this file on your product CD-ROM in cdrom:\Bin\acadFeui .

6.      In the Administrative Image Location box, select an Autodesk installer MSI file from a shared network location that contains the administrative image you want to modify.

7.      In the Apply a Service Pack box, enter the path for the patch (the location you entered in step 2, including the file extension .msp). You can also browse to locate the MSP file. Click Next.

8.      Unselect the "Group Policy Objects will be used to distribute the deployment" option and click Next.

NOTE: If a message reading, “The specified Administrative Image already exists. Do you want to overwrite it?” is displayed, click Yes.

9.      Select the Modify a Deployment option and select the deployment from Step 6.

10. Follow the instructions in the Deployment wizard to complete the service pack deployment.

 

If you added Service Pack 1 to your deployment WITHOUT using Group Policy Objects, you cannot add Service Pack 2 to that deployment. Instead, install from the existing deployment and then add SP2 using Live Update, or create a new deployment with only SP2 applied (without applying SP1).

 

 

Issues addressed by Mechanical Desktop  2007 Service Pack 2

 

This service pack includes AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2. For information on the issues addressed by AutoCAD 2007 Service Pack 2, please refer to the Readme at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=9444984&linkID=9240618

 

The following AutoCAD Mechanical issues are resolved by this Service Pack:

 

Fatal Errors:

 

• Fatal error that occurs when using the COPY command on all geometry in some drawings.
• FEA calculations that do not work in some drawings.
• Localize operation in the Structure Catalog that does not work in some drawings.
• Fatal error that occurs when Choosing the “No” option to recover some corrupted drawings during file open.

 

Bill of Materials, Part List & Balloons:

 

• Missing items in the BOM and Balloon attributes.
• %%c does not translate to diameter symbol in Mask Editor.
• Not able to leave the field of user defined attribute empty in Partref or BOM dialog.
• Different order of components in BOM and Mechanical Browser.
• Duplicate entries in drop down list for custom blocks for Part List in AMOPTIONS.
• Custom block is not showing as default for Part List in AMOPTIONS.

 

Standard Parts & Features:

 

• Gear profile in shaft generator is not the same as in AutoCAD Mechanical 6.
• AMVARIODB : inability to select parameters via dialog box.
• Val-Editor does not start with standard user login in Windows Vista.
• Standard parts library is not working in Estonian Windows.
• Dimensions in shaft detail view get mirrored after a poweredit.
• In Windows Vista, users with power user login cannot insert standard part.
• Steel shapes from previous release drawings are not in their original layers.
• Some gear profiles cannot be created.
• Steel shapes from AutoCAD Mechanical 2004DX drawings move in position after a poweredit in AutoCAD Mechanical 2007.
• Cannot insert any standard part when logged in as standard user with limited access rights.

 

Symbols & Dimension:

 

• Arrowhead setting for Standards in AMOPTIONS does not remember its previous selection.

• Dimension break is missing from drawing that is being saved as to AutoCAD format.

 

2D Structure:

 

• Reloading external references followed by saving the drawing caused disassociation of components.
• Fatal error after opening a drawing that is downgrade saved from AutoCAD Mechanical 2008 and containing external components.
• In some cases, opening a drawing with external references show DBMOD=1
• Fatal error encountered when cancelling a localize operation.
• Fatal error after dragging an AutoCAD Mechanical 2008 drawing file from Windows Explorer to an active AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 session.

 

Inventor Link:

 

• Fatal error when trying to open a drawing from Vault after cancelling an Inventor link operation in zero document state.

 

Vault:

 

• In Product Stream, an item cannot be assigned to a drawing if it has a standard part and PSEquivalence field with formula in the BOM table.
• Get Latest Item Properties does not work for certain drawings when they contain Partrefs
• Get Latest Item Properties works only when there is one to one mapping of BOM properties to Product Stream “From Item To File” properties.
• Get Latest Item Properties erases BOM fields that contain formulas.

 

API:

 

• CopyComponentFromDatabase causes fatal error if the component definition has an external subcomponent.
• Fatal error during the migration by AMSMIGRATE command.
• McadSymbol.Standard.SetToDefaults() API causes fatal error during exit.
• Cannot save a mechanical drawing that contains symbols through API.
• Symbol McadBalloon.IsCustomBlockUsed shows wrong value.
• Missing PartRef attribute fields in PartRef.dvb sample.
• MigrateComplexStdPart sample does not work in Windows Vista.
• McadFolderDefinition/McadComponentViewDefinition.InstancesDefinition always returns True.
• Fatal error in DocSwitchReactor::documentToBeDeactivated.
• getEvaluatedPartData is returning blank string for assembly property.
• McadBOMMgr.SelectBOMEntity() does not work correctly with IntoNested parameter set as True.
• McadBOM.Delete() causes fatal error if the BOM has a partlist.
• McadSymbol.LeaderLanding property runtime error when assigned.

 

Other issues fixed:

 

• Cannot change attribute value for drawings that are inserted through AMLIBRARY.
• In Enhanced Attribute Editor dialog, the highlighted attribute does not correspond to the attribute that is being double-clicked in model space .
• For some drawings, unwanted symbols appear in the tolerance field of the Feature Control Frame.
• Initial values in dropdown list of incremental angle for Polar Tracking in Drafting Settings dialog are replaced by zeros after inserting drawing from AMLIBRARY.
• Layer Group does not remember its order every time AMLAYER command is executed.
• Message showing amdt_transmittal.arx module not loaded in command line during startup.
• Warning message that file is saved outside of AutoCAD Mechanical appears at file open.
• User with limited user account login cannot migrate drawings using Migration Utility.
• Fatal error when launching AutoCAD Mechanical if the installation is performed with User Account Control turned off in Vista.
• Fatal error encountered when opening some AutoCAD Mechanical 2005 drawings  in AutoCAD Mechanical 2005. These drawings are downgrade saved from AutoCAD Mechanical 2007.

 

The following Mechanical Desktop issues are resolved by this Service Pack :

 

• Aligning parent base views causes fatal error after aligning child ortho views.
• Part references disappear after migrating from Mechanical Desktop 6 to Mechanical Desktop 2007.
• In some cases, it is not possible to activate a part by double-clicking.
• Fatal error encountered with the zoom operation in some drawings.
• Program did not respond after parameter file is linked to model.
• Selections for Options in Stepout dialog are not persistent.
• In some cases, model disappears after cancelling out of the view creation operation.
• Part model in model space becomes invisible after creating its section view in Layout.
• Fatal errors encountered during double-clicking of sketch profile.
• Slow response during editing of sketch profile for some drawings from past releases.
• Unsuccessful STEPOUT operation in AutoCAD 2007 that is bundled with Mechanical Desktop 2007.
• “Exclude from Part List” option is not working.
• Fatal error encountered when selecting layer in Desktop Visibility dialog.
• In some cases, mechanical browser becomes empty after a STEPIN operation.
• Fatal error with IGESIN operation on some files.
• API : Fatal error in AmiPartKeyImp::getObjectState().

 

 

Important Information for Vault Users:

If you are using Autodesk Vault 5 with Mechanical Desktop 2007, you should install the Autodesk Vault 5 Service Pack 1. You can obtain this Service Pack from the Autodesk Support web site.

  

Notes on double-byte characters

If you face problems in displaying double-byte characters from custom SHX fonts, you may perform the following steps :

1.      Copy the affected custom fonts to your support folder (C:\Documents and Settings\<your user profile>\Application Data\Autodesk\Mechanical Desktop 2007\R17.0\enu\Support)

2.      Add your custom fonts to bigfont.ini file which can also be found in the support folder.

For example, SCBIG.SHX;5 where 5 represents the Simplified Chinese codepage index.

3.      In Mechanical Desktop 2007 Options dialog, remove the “<your installed folder>\UserDataCache\Support” path from Support File Search Path.

Miscellaneous Notes

Mechanical Desktop 2007, Mechanical Desktop 2007 Hotfix 1, Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 1, Mechanical Desktop 2007 Hotfix 2 and Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 use the same file format. Drawing files created in any of these versions are interchangeable.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 Service Pack 2 download location

You can download the Mechanical Desktop 2007 Service Pack 2 installer through Live Update or obtain it at the following location:

http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech-updates

We want to thank all our customers who identified these issues and reported them to us. These reports give us the opportunity to improve the product and provide you, our customers, with the best possible solution in mechanical design. Autodesk would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued business and for the feedback regarding the content of this update release.

 

Thank you, once again, for your commitment to Autodesk products.

Respectfully,

AutoCAD Mechanical Team