CADS would like to offer the following advice to maximize the performance of RebarCAD V9

System

1. Ensure your system meets the minimum system requirements of AutoCAD

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8446045

We recommend that you have at least 2GB of RAM, especially when running under Windows Vista.

2. Ensure your AutoCAD is fully patched.

AutoCAD 2006 service pack 1 is available.

AutoCAD 2007 service pack 2 is available.

AutoCAD 2008 service pack 1 is available.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334435&linkID=9240618

3. Ensure you install Microsoft's .NET Framework version 3 or higher

http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Click on the "Custom" button.

• Click on the "Software, Optional" link on the left hand side.
• Tick the box next to "Microsoft .NET Framework 3".
• Click "Review and install updates" at the top of the screen.
• Review the updates that are to be installed and if correct click "Install Updates".

4. Update to a more current version of AutoCAD ! We have found that AutoCAD 2009 is faster than AutoCAD 2007.

5. Follow the Autodesk advice on optimizing the performance of AutoCAD. (search for "Control Performance" in the AutoCAD help)

RebarCAD v9 Usage Advice

If you are experiencing slower than expected performance or product instability then consider:

1. Ensure you do not repeatedly re-use existing RebarCAD drawings. Deleting all entities does not guarantee that the RebarCAD database is removed. Each new drawing should be started afresh. A base drawing or DWT file which has undergone no RebarCAD detailing should be used as the basis for all new drawings

2. Open RebarCAD drawings from within AutoCAD, with RebarCAD loaded. Avoid loading drawings by double-clicking from Windows Explorer. Ensure RebarCAD is loaded before making any editing to RebarCAD drawings

3. Ensure your drawings are of a manageable size. As an outline guide we currently advise that drawings are kept under 4Mb, with fewer than 300 combined bar list entries

4. Ensure you keep the number of drawings loaded in the current drawing session down to a minimum. Close all drawings when you have finished with them

5. Occasionally minimize AutoCAD to the taskbar. We have found that this will force Microsoft Windows to free up memory.

6. Occasionally save, close and restart AutoCAD/RebarCAD completely. It may be advisable to close AutoCAD hourly if you are working with numerous drawings that exceed the guideline maximum drawing size. If may also be beneficial to periodically close AutoCAD following long periods of intensive usage (more than 4 hours), or when repeatedly duplicating larger details

7. Performance may be improved by increasing the interval at which AutoCAD does an auto-save. See AutoCAD -> Options -> Open and Save settings

8. Performance can be improved by ensuring that the bar list is closed when you are detailing. The bar list will stay open in your taskbar unless you actively close it following use.

9. Performance may be impacted if the bar list is configured to be always combined, rather than on specific events such as when placing a bar list on the drawing

10. Avoid the use of AutoCAD fields, Xrefs, or dynamic blocks in your title block/boarder

11. Ensure any additional AutoCAD third-party applications or macros are only loaded if/when absolutely necessary

12. Run the AutoCAD drawing audit to ensure that the drawing database is not compromised. Delete any errors or attempt a recovery if problems are reported

13. Avoid repeated use of the Save As v8.4 option. Teams should adopt a common version to avoid the need for repeated drawing migration

14. Ensure any custom support files (e.g. BDF files) are current. CADS Support can review and advise on any such files

15. Avoid making significant RebarCAD configuration changes mid-drawing. The required configuration should ideally be established prior to drawing commencement

The following general advise applied:

1. Periodically run the RebarCAD Check Database command especially prior to producing any outputs/take-offs. This command will run checks that ensure that the drawing is fully synchronized with the bar list.

2. Run the RebarCAD Drawing Audit command before issuing any outputs from a drawing. This command will check for common user errors, highlighting any incomplete or inconsistent details

3. If you are using the RebarCAD issue and revisions system then it is advisable to close the bar list whilst making revisions in order to mitigate limitations on the subsequent use of the AutoCAD undo/redo mechanism

4. There may be occasions when the drawn scale of RebarCAD entities may need to be refreshed when using CADS Viewport Manager (VPM). Such entities can be easily refreshed using either the VPM Refresh Details command, or the RebarCAD Redraw Bars command.

5. The RebarCAD tutorial and Tip-of-the-Day feature contains a wealth of additional hints and tips on getting the best out of RebarCAD