READC1.TXT - January 14, 1995

     
AutoCAD Release 13C1 Update 
     
     
PURPOSE
=======
Autodesk is committed to delivering products of the highest quality.  
As with any major software release, some bugs are found after the 
product ships.  Autodesk is committed to proactively addressing quality 
concerns, and therefore has developed a software update procedure to 
distribute bug fixes as quickly and easily as possible. The purpose of 
this document is to explain the update procedure in general, as well as 
specific information about C1. 


BACKGROUND 
========== 
Problems are reported through the dealer network to Autodesk Product 
Support or by customers by filling out a bug report form provided in 
the back of the Installation Guide and mailing it to Autodesk.  Once a 
problem is verified as a bug, it is entered into Autodesk's bug 
tracking system.  Once bugs are fixed, software patch programs are 
created to correct the problems.  

In the past, bug fixes required Maintenance Releases, such as C1 or C2. 
In most cases, these bug fixes required customers to reinstall and 
reconfigure the entire product.  Now, using software patch technology, 
dealers and customers are able to use a quick, straight-forward 
procedure to correct the problems without reinstalling AutoCAD.  In 
most cases, patches will not affect any customization options. 

Software patches are distributed as either an Update Patch or a 
Maintenance Patch.  All patches can be downloaded electronically, free 
of charge.  Or, diskettes may be purchased from Autodesk for a nominal 
charge.

Update Patches contain a limited number of bug fixes and are made on 
an as-needed basis.  Update Patches are released between Maintenance 
Patches.  Autodesk recommends that dealers distribute these patches to 
customers who have reported problems.  We also recommend that dealers 
include the patch with any new sales or in any new installations.

Maintenance Patches are significantly broader in scope than Update 
Patches.  They contain all bug fixes that have previously been made 
available through Update Patches, as well as additional bug fixes, and 
in some cases may include new functionality.  Maintenance Patches are 
synchronized with Maintenance Releases which are used to manufacture 
new units.  We recommend that dealers proactively distribute 
Maintenance Patches to all of their existing R13 customers and include 
the patch with any new sales or new installations.  


GENERAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 
=========================== 
- How do software patches work?

R13 was specifically designed so it can be easily updated in the field.  
The software patch is actually a program that is able to modify 
existing files.  When a patch is installed, it replaces the current 
file(s) with the new file(s). 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware that a software patch supplements the 
original disk set and does not replace existing media.  Customers 
should store the software patch media with the original media disk set.

- What are the benefits of using patches?

Most importantly, it allows us to get bug fixes out to our customers 
faster.  Because it is a subset of the program, patches can be freely 
copied and distributed among AutoCAD dealers and customers.  Software 
patches can also be effectively distributed electronically.  Finally, 
patches do not require new serial numbers or authorization codes, and 
in most cases, will not affect customization.

- How does Autodesk distribute patches?

Software patches are posted worldwide to the general forums of 
CompuServe, Global Village, and Internet and can be freely downloaded 
by dealers and customers.  Once a patch is downloaded, it can be copied 
and distributed among AutoCAD customers.  In addition, Maintenance 
Patches are automatically mailed to all dealers for distribution to 
their customers.

Diskette media is also available through Autodesk Customer Service at a 
nominal charge. Contact Autodesk Customer Service at  800-538-6401 or 
707-794-1450 to order the latest patch.  For customers outside the US, 
Canada, or Latin America, please contact your Authorized Autodesk 
Dealer or your local Autodesk office for a copy of the latest patch.

- What customers do these patches affect?

It is our goal to have all customers synchronized with the latest 
Maintenance Release.  Therefore, we ask that Autodesk Dealers 
distribute Maintenance Patches to all customers.   

Customers can download Update Patches from the various electronic 
forums. A text file for each patch is posted so customers can 
determine whether they need a particular patch.  

We recommend that dealers include patches with all new sales and 
installations, as well as distribute them to customers who have 
reported bugs that are fixed in specific patches.

- Why isn’t Autodesk recommending that Update Patches be distributed 
  to all customers?
  
Update Patches typically contain fixes to bugs that may not affect 
large groups of users and we do not want to inconvenience our users 
with multiple patches in a relatively short period of time.  Some 
customers will always want the latest version and are willing to take 
the time to do so.  We recommend that those customers either download 
the patches electronically or work out an arrangement with their dealer.

- How are Update Patches and Maintenance Patches differentiated?

Update Patches are designated with a letter and Maintenance Patches are 
designated by a number.  For example, R13c1 indicates a Maintenance 
Patch. R13c1a or R13c1b would indicate the sequence of Update Patches 
released after the c1 Maintenance Patch.

- How reliable is this patch technology?

When creating a patch, the patch builder program creates a checksum of 
the original file.  The patch program uses this checksum to ensure that 
it is modifying the correct file.  Other major software vendors are 
also using this technology with great success, and Autodesk used it in 
a number of cases with Release 12.

- What technology does Autodesk use to create these patches?

We use RTPatch from PocketSoft and PKZIP from PKWARE.

- How easy is a patch to install?

An easy-to-use batch file automates the whole procedure.  You simply 
type the batch command and follow the instructions on your screen.  
The entire process typically takes less than fifteen minutes.

- How large are the patches?

Each patch will vary in size.  You can expect to see patches range 
between 500K and a few megabytes.

- How can I tell whether a patch has been installed already?

The patch automatically updates the version number located in the Help 
About box. 

- If more than one patch exists, do I need to install all of them?

No, simply install the latest patch.  The software is able to determine 
the patch history of your software and automatically updates the 
appropriate files.

- Should I exchange any unopened or uninstalled product?

It is not necessary to exchange existing product -- simply run the 
latest patch after the standard installation.


INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
======================
-  On which versions of AutoCAD Release 13 does the R13c1 update work? 
     
The R13c1 update works with all English-language versions of 
Release 13 for PCs. There are, however, four separate update program 
files for the different versions of AutoCAD: 
     
    Unlocked, DOS 
    Unlocked, Windows 
    Locked/Network, DOS 
    Locked/Network, Windows 
     
The update for the locked version should be applied to the network 
version of AutoCAD. 

-  What about compatibility? 
     
No new authorization codes are required, and the serial number and 
personalization information of the installed copy of AutoCAD is 
retained. 
     
Reconfiguration is only necessary with AutoCAD for Windows if you use
the Accelerated Display Driver; the R13c1 update preserves existing 
configuration information. 

-  How do you apply the R13c1 update? 
     
The update is applied after AutoCAD has already been installed, and 
must be applied separately to the DOS and Windows executables.
     
1.   Back up your current installation if you desire. The R13c1 update 
process only affects the following files: 
    
    ACAD.EXE
    ACADAPP.EXP
    ACADAPP.EXE
    RENDER.ARX
    RENDER.XMX
    ACADRES.DLL
    DSAI.DLL
    README.ADS
    READADS.WRI
    
No customized files are affected. 
     
2.   You need the appropriate update diskette or update program file 
for your specific AutoCAD version (unlocked or locked/network, DOS 
and/or Windows). You also need at least 13Mb of free hard disk space 
on the drive that contains your AutoCAD executable file, ACAD.EXE, in 
order to apply the update. 
     
3.   Assuming that you have installed AutoCAD DOS in the \acadr13\dos 
directory and/or AutoCAD Windows in the \acadr13\win directory on 
drive C and your floppy drive is drive A, perform the following steps 
to apply the update. If you have installed AutoCAD in directories 
with names other than the defaults, substitute your directory names 
in the commands listed below for the default directory names. 
     
AutoCAD for DOS: 
     
     a. From the DOS prompt, type: 
     
          c: 
          cd \acadr13\dos 
     
     b. If installing from a floppy drive, place the disk
	      labeled "Disk #1" in drive A, and type: 
     
          a:\dosinst a: 
     
     or, 
     
     b. If installing from a directory on the hard drive 
        such as c:\update, type: 
     
          c:\update\dosinst c:\update 
     
     and follow the instructions on the screen. 
     
AutoCAD for Windows: 
     
     a. From the DOS prompt, type: 
     
          c: 
          cd \acadr13\win 
     
     b. If installing from a floppy drive, place the disk 
	      labeled "Disk #1" in drive A, and type: 
     
          a:\wininst a: 
     
     or, 
     
     b. If installing from a directory on the hard drive 
        such as c:\update, type: 
     
          c:\update\wininst c:\update 
     
     and follow the instructions on the screen. 

4.   The update is applied. This file, readc1.txt, is also installed 
into the AutoCAD directory by the update program.  

5.   Launch AutoCAD as you normally would.  If you are running AutoCAD 
for Windows and were previously configured to use the Accelerated 
Display Driver, you will see a configuration error message and be 
prompted to partially reconfigure AutoCAD. The information from your 
existing configuration is retained and appear as defaults (except in 
the case of file locking, which defaults to Yes).

To retain your existing settings, accept the default (press RETURN) at 
all prompts except the following:

  - Enter 'No' when prompted to enter an authorization code.
  - The default for file-locking is 'Yes', if you do not want to use
    file-locking enter 'No'

Or specifically, to reconfigure for the Accelerated Display Driver 
respond as shown below (in square brackets) to the following prompts:

  Available video display:

   1.  Accelerated Disp. Drvr. by Rasterex (Int'l.) a.s for Autodesk, Inc
   2.  Windows Display Driver - by Autodesk, Inc

  Select device number or ? to repeat list <1>:  [RETURN]
 
  Do you want to configure the driver? <N>  [RETURN]

  If you have previously measured the height and width of
  a "square" on your graphics screen, you may use these
  measurements to correct the aspect ratio.

  Would you like to do so? <N>  [RETURN] 

  Would you like to enter the authorization code at this time? <Y>: [enter N]

  Enter default login name or . for none <default>:  [RETURN]

  Do you wish to enable file-locking? <Y>  [enter Y or N]

  Available spelling dialects:
    1.  American English
    2.  British English (ise)
    3.  British English (ize)

  Select dialect number or ? to repeat list <default>:  [RETURN]

  Enter selection <0>:  [RETURN]

  If you answer N to the following question, all configuration
  changes you have just made will be discarded.

  Keep configuration changes? <Y>  [RETURN]

Reconfiguration is now complete.


R13C1 UPDATE -- WHAT PROBLEMS DOES IT FIX?
==========================================
The following problems were fixed with the R13a patch and are 
included in the R13c1 update: 
     
     --  Attaching an xref drawing with missing nested attachments or 
opening a drawing with missing nested attachments works correctly.  
The same is true for drawings with overlays. 
     
     --  Editing an associative hatch's boundary when the hatch 
pattern is on a frozen layer works correctly. 
     
     --  Performing a DIMTEDIT/LEFT or RIGHT on a dimension in a 
paperspace viewport works correctly. 
     
     --  Switching to paperspace when an object's grips are active 
works correctly. 
     
     --  Mline styles are now associated with the correct layers in 
all cases. 
     
     --  When running the DOS version on fast PCs such as 90MHz or 
faster Pentium computers, AutoCAD for DOS was overzealous in polling 
the keyboard, possibly leading to a performance slowdown. This has 
been corrected (this problem is not related to the Pentium floating 
point problem). 


The following problems are fixed with the R13c1 update: 

     -- PostScript and TrueType font mappings are now included in the 
acad.ini file.

     -- Anonymous group definitions within xrefs correctly translate 
into new definitions.

     -- Group name definitions within block references and xrefs are 
no longer retained within the drawing database which allows access to 
these names by editing commands. Group naming conflicts within block 
references has been corrected.

     -- The speed of group selection has been increased.

     -- GROUP Add correctly adds entities removed from group 
membership via GROUP Remove.      

     -- The combo boxes are now accessible after respacing buttons on 
the Object Properties toolbar. AutoCAD now correctly handles the 
creation of a custom toolbar and the modification of a toolbar flyout.
     
     -- Circles drawn perpendicular to the WCS display the correct 
linetype.
     
     -- The BREAK and TRIM commands properly duplicate associated 
xdata.
     
     -- A semicolon in the ***AUX and ***BUTTONS menu sections is now 
correctly interpreted as a return in menu macros, and the plus sign is 
now a valid character for screen menu labels. A backslash in a menu 
macro in the ***AUX menu section is now correctly replaced with the 
coordinates of the pick point.

     -- The AutoLISP (grvecs) function properly highlights entities as 
specified.

     -- The ADS function ads_printf() properly responds to format 
strings.
     
     -- In ARx ADS, the ads_command(RTNONE) function properly cancels 
a currently running AutoCAD command.

     -- Trimming and grip-copying splines now works correctly.

     -- A full plot preview now displays OLE objects properly.
     
     -- AutoCAD now imports DDE data correctly.

     -- AutoCAD properly saves the status of "Keystrokes" when the 
Preferences dialog is accessed from the Command Window or the Text 
Window.

     -- PSOUT now correctly renders 8-bit text objects on DOS.

     -- RENDER properly uses subentities' colors in a 3Dsolid, 
resulting in more consistency between SHADE and RENDER.

     -- The BHATCH dialog User, Normal, Inner and Outer options now 
return the proper values to the HPNAME system variable in localized 
versions of AutoCAD.

     -- Hatch patterns beginning with letter used for the "User" 
hatch pattern option (such as 'U' on US English versions) are now 
valid.

     -- DDCHPROP now properly handles a selection set of objects with 
varying thickness or linetype scale.

     -- Coordinate display and view centering problems with the Aerial 
Viewer have been fixed.

     -- Long path names in the Open Drawing dialog box do not force 
the Read Only check box to be selected. 

     -- Transparent Help is disallowed from AutoLISP on DOS - Calling 
for help by typing 'HELP as a prompt generated from an AutoLISP or 
ADS program has been disabled for DOS only.  You may still ask for 
help in these situations in AutoCAD for Windows. Note that this means 
that the AutoLISP function (setfunhelp) and the ADS function 
ads_setfunhelp() are useless for DOS, since the information they 
register will never be used.  


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
======================

     -- The relative sizes of numbers in stacked fractions are now 
based on the DIMTFAC system variable (in the same way that tolerance 
values use this system variable).

     -- Unloading of ADS and RX apps fails on Windows if you 
are using SHARE.EXE. To maintain file protection in a multiuser 
environment, use VSHARE.386 instead of SHARE. You have three 
options, each explained in greater detail below:

  - Use VSHARE.386 instead of SHARE.EXE
  - Continue to use SHARE.EXE
  - Use neither SHARE.EXE nor VSHARE.386

VSHARE comes with newer Microsoft Windows products such as Office, 
Word, Windows for Workgroups, etc. VSHARE is a total replacement for 
SHARE.EXE, so you don't need both. Take SHARE.EXE out of your 
AUTOEXEC.BAT, and add the following line to the [386Enh] section of 
your SYSTEM.INI file:
    
       device=vshare.386. 
    
Continuing to use SHARE is not a problem assuming that you don't care 
about being able to unload ADS or RX applications. If you try to 
unload an application with SHARE loaded, the unload fails cleanly with 
a command line notice of the failure to unload -- AutoCAD continues 
on without a problem. 
    
It is also possible to run AutoCAD without loading SHARE or VSHARE. 
Doing so will allow you to unload ADS and RX applications but does 
have the following consequences:
    
  - You are unable to use ASE and ADE without SHARE or VSHARE
  - Many Microsoft programs require SHARE or VSHARE to be loaded
  - File protection in a multiuser environment is compromised


     -- The ACAD.PGP file is common to all platforms, however it 
references external commands that work only in DOS (such as CATALOG, 
DIR, EDIT, and TYPE). These are not meant to work on other platforms 
such as Windows.

     -- The diskette version of AutoCAD Release 13 contains basic 
customization tools such as AutoLISP and associated documentation. The 
programming interface files for ADS and ASI development, as well as 
all the advanced customization documentation, are only available on the 
CD version of AutoCAD Release 13. This electronic documentation is part 
of the complete documentation set available on the CD version.
     

     
