AutoCAD 2011 Help File

[tzframpton]

I remember seeing a thread talking about the new Help system that Autodesk has put in place since the 2011 software versions. It's web based, and it yield's horrible results compared to the tradition F1 Help File as before. I remember someone saying that you can disable the 2011 Help that is web based and use the traditional Help File. Is this true?

 

I tried searching but due to the lack of searching options in vBulletin, when you type "help file" it extracts everything from each single term "help" and "file". If you could use boolean search strings it would have probably helped.

 

Anyways, anyone remember this thread, or better yet knows if this is possible?

[ReMark]

To prevent AutoCAD 2011 from looking for the online version of the Help file go to Options > System and clear the check from the box labeled Use online help from AutoDesk website when available. Now when you press F1 the path should look similar to this:

 

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2011\Help\landing.html

[tzframpton]

Ah, very nice Mark. That does help.... a little.

 

Thanks again.

[ReMark]

You're entirely welcomed Tanner.

[nestly]

Those are still the same Help file, it's just local instead of retrieving it from their website. If you want the "traditional" help files, you have to download them from the Autodesk website. By changing the Help path, you can make F1 access either the "new" HTML help or the "old" CHM style help.

I didn't like the new help at first, but now I've gotten used to it and rarely go back to the CHM help.

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=15068206&linkID=9240618

(see note about incompatibility with Win7 64bit before you download the 172MB zip)

 

[ReMark]

Be forewarned that the download is 176MB. Don't attempt it if you have a slow connection.

 

Many people who come here don't even bother looking at the help file. I sometimes doubt they know it even exists. Why go through the bother of searching "Help" when you can get person-to-person help here at CADTutor! LOL

Edited January 12, 2011 by ReMark

[nestly]

Be forewarned that the download is 176MB. Don't attempt it if you have a slow connection.

 

Many people who come here don't even bother looking at the help file. I sometimes doubt they know it even exists. Why go through the bother of search "Help" when you can get person-to-person help here at CADTutor! LOL

 

It was only 172MB in June 2010 when I downloaded it.

Searching is a bit of an art, and if you don't already know what you're looking for, searching can be completely futile. For example PICKFIRST and FILEDIA are very common problems, but I wouldn't expect anyone that doesn't already know about those variables to be able to figure them out using AutoCAD's help.

 

.... besides, you know you love helping them.

[ReMark]

What's 4MB amongst friends right?

 

I agree 100%...searching is an art and some people could not put together a good search if their lives depended on it. Example. Someone posts here they are looking for house floor plans. I suggest they go to the CAD Block Exchange Network. They asked if I could provide a link. Do you think you could find that website with the information I gave?

 

Your examples of PICKFIRST and FILEDIA are right on the money. No, I wouldn't expect anyone who doesn't already know about their existence to be able to easily find them. But given the right search parameters I think it is doable.

 

How many times have you read the words "I did a search but couldn't find anything"? Usually I take that as a challenge. I haven't lost very many. I bet I could say the same about you.

[SLW210]

How do you access help? Is there actually a key on the keyboard (something like the F1 key)?

 

I use the search feature in 2011. [ATTACH]25741[/ATTACH]

[ReMark]

The F1 key is correct. It's on the MenuBar too.