Summary: Drawing files are automatically saved when creating or referencing a Data Shortcut, or given the option to associate the drawing to the current Data Shortcut Project Folder, instead of popping up with an alert and forcing a manual save before continuing.

Description: Currently, when you attempt to create a Data Shortcut or insert it as a reference into another drawing, you are alerted by a pop-up dialog that the drawing has not been saved. Also, if the drawing file hasn't been used in conjunction with the current Data Shortcut project, you are alerted by another pop-up dialog requesting you to associate the current drawing to the project. In both cases, you must close the alert dialog, but nothing happens except the dialog closing. You must still go into the Data Shortcut management to associate the drawing and/or save the drawing file, then go back to creating or referencing the Data Shortcut.

What I'm proposing is to handle these processes the same way eTransmit is. When creating or referencing a Data Reference, instead of telling the user what they have to do before continuing, setup the pop-up dialog as an alert that "To continue, your current drawing will be saved." or something along those lines with a "Continue" button in the window. When associating a drawing file to a Data Shortcut project is necessary, give an option in the pop-up dialog to allow users to associate and continue without having to go back into the Prospector or the Ribbon, associating, saving, and then continuing.

This simple change in the way Data Shortcuts is handled should eliminate a lot of headaches. The way it stands, it is easy to figure out the steps needed, but why do that when the steps could simply be eliminated for the sake of ease of use and simplicity?

Product & Feature: AutoCAD Civil 3D

Submitted: Mon, 24 Oct 2011