DWG Trueview 2011 - Field Code

[DVDM]

Hi,

I have just installed Trueview 2011, to test if the program can be of use to us.

One thing I've noticed is that it does not display Field codes used in attributes properly.

In our drawing border on each layout we have a field code in the drawing number attribute. This field code takes the file name + layout name, using the following code:

%<\AcVar Filename \f "%fn2">%%<\AcDiesel $(getvar,ctab)>%

The filename gets displayed just fine, but the layout name doesn't.

For example, a drawing with filename '123456.dwg', and layout name '-01', should be displayed as '123456-01' in the Drawing number attribute, when opening the file in AutoCAD.

In Trueview however, it returns '123456 $(GETVAR,??).

This makes Trueview useless to us when it comes to printing these drawings.

A fix for this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[DVDM]

Here is a screenshot of the problem, in both Trueview 2010 and 2011

So where I should be seeing -172037-11 in the drawing number (as I do in AutoCAD), I'm getting -172037 $(GETVAR,??) instead.

This makes Trueview pretty much useless for printing, as the drawing number is not shown correctly.

I think the very least you can expect from a viewer is WYSIWYG functionality, so a resolution would be appreciated.

[DVDM]

You get what you pay for I guess, which is nothing.

The Trueview team must be a place where developers are sent to fill their days until they retire. Or it's run entirely by Interns. Or both.

In the mean time I find this wonderful little program called Draftsight. It's free, displays field code correctly, and is a full blown DWG editor to boot, one that rivals (and might soon exceed) AutoCAD LT in functionality. And it's 1/4th the size of Trueview, not to mention Autocad itself, meaning it's got a very small footprint.

It's still in Beta but is already very usable.

While it would mainly be used as a viewer for our engineers, the fact that it can edit as well (placing dimensions for example), makes it perfect, and frees up our networked licenses.

But I appreciate the non-support of the program, otherwise I may not have come across this wonderful alternative.

[Shawn_Niles · Accepted solution]

DWG TrueView is a pared down version of AutoCAD. Unfortunately, one of the pared-down capabilities is the DIESEL expression interpreter.

Therefore, any Field that uses a DIESEL expression will not return the same result as full AutoCAD. For viewing purposes, a DWF plotting from AutoCAD will preserve the field values and display correctly in Autodesk Design Review or TrueView.

[Anonymous]

If the product cannot "TRULY" view the dwg file outside of AutoCAD, then why is it called "TRUEVIEW"??  I'm just thinking about the cost of Autodesk software and the frequency of marketing ideas incorporated into every new version compared to user use-ability and the amount of time it sucks out of professionals trying to diagnose something they paid for (that doesn't work).

Edited by
Discussion_Admin

[Victoria.Studley · Accepted solution]

Hi @DVDM,

I know this is an older thread, but I just encountered this issue and found an alternative solution and wanted to share it here to help others find it as well.

The FIELD command also contains System Variable options, and the CTAB system variable is equivalent to the DIESEL expression used here. One benefit to using a System Variable instead of a DIESEL expression is that DWG TrueView will interpret it, whereas this is not the case with DIESEL expressions.

Here's a screenshot of where you can find the FIELD > System Variable > CTAB option in the latest version of AutoCAD:

I hope this helps!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.