AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

I don't mind HTML Help, I just wish it were a bit more intelligent. A simple query results in an ocean of marginally related topics that you have to wade through to find what you want. I have Map 3D 2012 but the only feature I use in it is the ability to insert images in State Plane Coordinates and when I use Help, I have to fight my way through all the Map 3D stuff first. It would be nice to be able to select which Help you want to address first (ie. vanilla AutoCAD or Map 3D). I'm sure this is true of other verticals - sometimes we just need basic answers.

[#2]

Autodesk!!!!!! AARRRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Just because the toy is in the yard, that DOES NOT mean you have to play with it!  I'm talking about new web development tools and technologies.  I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser.  I've read (and experienced) how I must use Internet Explorer in order to access some of the new help "features".  These help files are just  text, graphics, and links to more!  How hard can that be using the existing technologies that ALL browsers have been able to display for years!?  I DO NOT WANT Internet Explorer on my system.  I hate it!  I particularly do not want it because it MUST hijack all of my internet searches for Microsoft's use prior to passing them on to my "preferred search provider" (but that is another whole thread).  The new help file delivery format may have sounded like a good idea back in the conference room where you folks decided upon it but IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!  If that is not direct enough... THE NEW 2012 HELP DELIVERY FORMAT IS REALLY VERY BAD!!!!  I have wasted several hours in the past several days trying to extract the help I need using your new delivery method but to no avail.  Part of the trouble is with internet access and speeds, another part is with browser technologies, another part is with far too broad search results, yet another part is with the apparent non-existence of some of the developer help documents I have come to rely upon heavily.  There is no DXF Reference for 2012 as far as I can tell.  I use this document in older versions for identifying association codes used in entity definitions.  I need the new 2012 version to find out what ASSOC 91 is for in a 2012 LWPolyline (just in case you are wondering).

I get paid to get thngs done and to get them done quickly.  Your new help, and by extension, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012, is NO HELP to either of these objectives!

Iinternet access is a continuum that ranges from "not available" to "sweeeeeet".  I'll bet you folks at Autodesk just assumed everybody is pegged to "sweeeeeet" most of the time didn't you?  Well, just for the record, for me it is closer to "not available" than "sweeeeeet" most of the time.

Give me all of the help files on my local computer.  If I need more information than you provide, THEN I'll look to the internet!

Please.

[#3]

Civil 3d help has improved over previous versions in providing help for AutoCAD & Map, but it's still lacking.  In the past I've been able to track down the online help web address for each and add them to my Help menu.  I found help for Map 3D 2012 at:

http://docs.autodesk.com/MAP/2011/ENU/AutoCAD%20Map%203D%202011%20Help/Map3D_2011_HTML_Help/

For AutoCAD 2011 the link was: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/landing.html
I haven't been able to find it for AutoCAD 2012 yet and was hoping someone with vanilla AutoCAD 2012 could help me.

[#4]

So, in simple terms, is there any way to get the old style help files back without having to go online?

Yes or No?

If YES, how?

Thanks in advance.

[#5]

CHM is dead, Microsoft helped: if that is what you mean by "old", then no, no such animal exists.

If you want the current version, but local and not online, that option is yours to select in OPTIONS command.

[#6]

You know, I hope that some of the decision makers at Autodesk are Playstation gamers, and are paying attention to the massive downtime at the Playstation Network.  Ideally with a disgruntled eye, and a better understanding of just how poor the clloud computing concept is at servicing customers.  Microstation may be killing chm as a help format, but a remote help server is a failure waiting to happen, and local html help is hugely limited in available functionality.

[#7]

screenshot attached.

[#8]

Authorized Autodesk Help Files?... probably not.  But what you can do (what I've done) is find a solid Autodesk-authorized user manual for your product that comes with a CD or downloadable PDF file, and install that on your workstation.  When you need help simply search the document.  It's a work-around and not perfect, but it works. 

For AutoCAD 2011 I'll use "Mastering AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011", by George Omura, pub by Wiley/Sibex.  It comes with a CD and PDF of the entire book that you can keep handy.  For Civil 3D 2011 I haven't found anything yet.

Dave.

[#9]

Dean is correct on this from what I can see. If I uncheck "Access Online Content", shut off my internet connection, and pick "Help", the help documentation comes up in Firefox.

I cannot verify if it is everything, but certainly appears pretty thorough.

[#10]

It should be everything, it's how I have it set on my laptop so I never have to find a wifi connection when I'm on the road or on site.