20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
20+ Years of Design, Technology & More
Shaan's CER Viewer 1.0 helps users analyze crash reports from Autodesk products by reading XML and binary .pb files. It's a free, portable tool that requires no installation or internet connection. The viewer organizes crash data for easy comparison and includes features for batch analysis and anonymization, making troubleshooting efficient.
Autodesk moved CER crash reports from XML to binary protobuf with the 2025 products. Here is the viewer I built to read both, the parser bug that made me misreport the data twice, and the real numbers on the drawing field.
In March I said the v7 protobuf crash format had lost most of what made CER useful. The data was there. Two mistakes in how I decoded and parsed the files hid it, and here is what I found once I fixed them.
I updated my AutoCAD Release History and Autodesk Product Codenames page, covering versions from AutoCAD 1.0 in 1982 to 2027. The new entries include AutoCAD 2027 with the codename Xenon. Notably, the Civil 3D 2027 codename remains unconfirmed, while AutoCAD 2027 continues using the AC1032 DWG format.
The post discusses common mistakes that beginners make when using Civil 3D, emphasizing that many experienced users continue to repeat these errors due to outdated habits from treating the software as a drawing tool rather than a modeling tool. It suggests that beginners have an advantage, as they haven't developed these incorrect practices yet. Establishing effective checkpoints can help users recognize and correct their mistakes, ultimately fostering better modeling habits.
Autodesk released the Civil 3D 2027.1 Update on August 4, 2026, featuring a 2.44 GB download with enhancements in drainage design, Data Shortcut management, and the API. Key improvements include a new DREF tab for better reference management and expanded drainage tools. The update aims to simplify troubleshooting and improve user control in project management.
The session "The Stack Inversion is Real" addresses the evolving role of CAD managers, highlighting how AI transforms workflows. It emphasizes that traditional CAD knowledge is less critical, while decision-making responsibilities grow. The speaker invites participants to discuss crash data and reference loops, fostering a collaborative environment to improve CAD management.
On Sunday morning, I debugged acad.exe lingering in Task Manager post-shutdown, linked to an NVIDIA driver. Disabling hardware acceleration in AutoCAD/Civil 3D resolved the issue. A clean installation of the driver also fixed the problem, which I confirmed through a newly found knowledge base article on the matter.
The Autodesk University 2026 Thrive Guide by Shaan Hurley offers essential tips for attendees preparing for the event in Las Vegas from September 15-17. The guide includes venue highlights, packing suggestions, and advice on networking and session attendance. It emphasizes the importance of hydration, comfortable footwear, and enjoying the local cuisine and attractions.
The article discusses the differences between the Overlay and Attach methods in AutoCAD and Civil 3D. While Overlay is preferred for managing references, Civil 3D introduces complexities with data shortcuts, creating potential mixed loops that can disrupt project workflows. Users must understand file dependencies to avoid creating loops before referencing drawings.