AutoCad and Dual Monitors

[neilma]

I wonder what the benefits of having 2 monitors to run CAD are?
Do any dual monitor users want to offer their experiences, What would appear on each sceen?
How many users would take the 2nd screen if offered?

[gcp310]

I have been told by a friend of mine that a dual monitor setup works great if you have say, two programs, I.e excel and autocad running and you use information from one program to the other.

could be helpfull if you frequently run two sessions of autocad to copy and paste one from the other,etc.

G

[hyposmurf]

It's apparently usefull if you have alot of menu buttons,these can be kept on one monitor and you'd then free up more space in CAD to work.The main reason is that having a larger working area you wont have to zoom in and out as much,will be easier to work with.My friend uses his to look at spreadsheets while he's dealing.Apache helicopter pilots are trained to use one eye to look at their read out thats projected within their helmet and the other eye on the ground for targets/threats.I'm sure with enough training you could manage to do the same with your monitors,what your eyes would look like would be a different matter :D

[f700es]

I have used dual monitors for almost 5 years now and I love it! It is hard to go home and set down in front of one now ;) Yes, it helps when you run different applications at the same time. I use the SDI (single document interface) in AUtoCAD and just run different instances of AutoCAD when opening more than one drawing at a time. I just drag the other version of CAD onto the 2nd monitor. I run my e-mail as well as word, excell, visio and others in the second monitor as well. Now in ADT4 I put my tool pallets on the 2nd display as well as my tool bars in photoshop and illustrator. Once you go 2 you never go back ;)

It's nice to have a 2560x1024 desktop as well :)

http://mars.walagata.com/w/f700es/large-desktop.jpg

[David Bethel]

I use dual monitors more for demonstrations and presentations. I do not like it for production work. ( My preference ) With tri focal glasses, having to adjust my neck and head to get focus back and forth just ain't worth it. My $0.02 -David

[f700es]

I use dual monitors more for demonstrations and presentations. I do not like it for production work. ( My preference ) With tri focal glasses, having to adjust my neck and head to get focus back and forth just ain't worth it. My $0.02 -David

I see where you are coming from David. I guess I am lucky to still have good vision.

[gcp310]

Mind you a 42" plasma screen would be my choice. The last mob i worked for hired these out and we got to "play" with one of the new ones with a laptop. They make an awsome monitor. Not cheap though.
G

[Mr T]

I have run my laptop with email, web etc and then it's plugged into my 17inch monitor with Inventor running. Also having a 'viewport' with all layers on and SE isometric, on the laptop and then my working 'viewport' with my modelling bit in my 17 inch screen is great.

Also I run a projector at school with a demo file then another file on my desk monitor.

I think the bigger the screen/desktop the less zooming you will do and therefore the less time is wasted. I'm struggling to find keys on my laptop coz it's dif. from the normal desktop keyboard.

I have a room of 20 PCs at school with no wheel mice and it's horendous compared to my other room with wheel mice.

Nick

[hyposmurf]

I have a room of 20 PCs at school with no wheel mice and it's horendous compared to my other room with wheel mice.

Nick
Totally understand that,you go to move the mouse wheel that isnt there and have use the page scroll bars on webpages.What annoys me further is if you have to use a non optical mouse with the dusty dodgy ball.

[vrichard]

We are getting new computers at work next month and I was reading through this entry and I'm thinking I could hang onto my existing monitor and use it with the new one.

I'm in and out of AutoCAD and 3D Viz all day and nearly always have more than one drawing open at one time in AutoCAD. Dual monitors would make things much easier. & thankfully I only have single focal lenses in my specs :) .

Would this be possible or do you have to have the same make of monitor and do you need to install any software for it to work.

Thanks

Vics

[f700es]

We are getting new computers at work next month and I was reading through this entry and I'm thinking I could hang onto my existing monitor and use it with the new one.

I'm in and out of AutoCAD and 3D Viz all day and nearly always have more than one drawing open at one time in AutoCAD. Dual monitors would make things much easier. & thankfully I only have single focal lenses in my specs :) .

Would this be possible or do you have to have the same make of monitor and do you need to install any software for it to work.

Thanks

Vics

Hello Vics, the only special piece of hardware needed is a dual head video card. In fact most new cards come dual head. Most have a standard vga jack and a digital monitor jack as well. One only needs to buy an adapter if it is setup this way if using 2 standard vga monitors. Just about all middle to high end nVidia and ATi video cards come this way. The settings for the cards vary but it is not too hard ;)


BTW, most new PC's can use an AGP and PCI video card at the same time but I feel that the dual head AGP is the best solution.

F7

[CADTutor]

BTW, most new PC's can use an AGP and PCI video card at the same time but I feel that the dual head AGP is the best solution.

F7

Agreed. I have used dual head ATi cards and have no complaints but if you are able to specify your graphics card I would recommend going for Matrox (http://www.matrox.com/mga/workstation/3dws/home.cfm). I am currently using a Millennium P650 (http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/mill_pseries/p650.cfm) and it's great and very reasonably priced. The software drivers are excellent - independent control over resolution of both monitors and lots of different modes to play with.

[gcp310]

the guy at work has a dual monitor setup, he has the standard monitor on his desk and then has a second monito set up on a tv bracket hung above the plan table, he uses a wireless mouse/keyboard setup and can use it on his desk or at the plan table when going thru a1 plans.

a great setup,

G

[vrichard]

Thanks guys! :)

I'll get some prices for Matrox and put it to our accounts department. I'll tell them it will make me more efficient thus more cost effective - they love all that gumpf!

Cheers

Vics

PS - where's your blue aerobics guy avatar gone CAD Tutor?

[CADTutor]

PS - where's your blue aerobics guy avatar gone CAD Tutor?

Well, I just fancied a change. When I did the forum spring clean, reorganisation and upgrade a few weeks ago; it seemed right to go for a new avatar as well. Something less macho perhaps :)

[vrichard]

well I'm not sure what it is, but it's deffinately an eye-catcher. & you know what they say....... a change is as good as a holiday!

Vics

[f700es]

Thanks guys! :)

I'll get some prices for Matrox and put it to our accounts department. I'll tell them it will make me more efficient thus more cost effective - they love all that gumpf!

Cheers

Vics

PS - where's your blue aerobics guy avatar gone CAD Tutor?

Honestly, I would look at a nVidia GForce series card myself. A dual head GF FX-5200 can be had for under $100 USD. I have a Matrox right now at work but they are lagging behind in OpenGL performance. My nVidia FX-5200 at home can beat it hands down in video quality. Sure AutoCAD doesn't use OpenGL but you never know when you will pick up say a true 3D application (SketchUp or other similar app.). Price a 128 mb DDR GF FX-5200 and then a Matrox IIRC the matrox should be about double unless I have a horrible supplier. AutoCAD ADT-2005 runs so smooth at home too so I am now sold on them. Just an FYI :) Cheers all.

[CADTutor]

It's true that Matrox cards lag behing the others in terms of 3D performance but in terms of dual-head functionality, they are the best. Depends on your needs. If you want to play games in your spare time then don't even consider Matrox but if you want to run AutoCAD on 2 monitors, they are the specialists. You'll also get AutoCAD productivity software with the card. The P650 is currently 105GBP - a very modest investment.

[vrichard]

I don't need it for games or anything, I just like the idea of either having having two A'CAD 2K's open or CAD & Viz. & I will be the only person in the office with a duel screen, so I'll look like I am important.

Cheers

Vics

[f700es]

I don't need it for games or anything, I just like the idea of either having having two A'CAD 2K's open or CAD & Viz. & I will be the only person in the office with a duel screen, so I'll look like I am important.

Cheers

Vics
:lol:
Well, can't argue with you there. I am the only one here with it as well and there is a kinda "cool" factor as well. Good luck ;)

[vrichard]

:D Thanks F7! I cant wait to impress people with my new set up.

Vics

[f700es]

:D Thanks F7! I cant wait to impress people with my new set up.

Vics

Well don't mind the mess right now on the desk ;)

http://mars.walagata.com/w/f700es/MVC-211F.JPG

[vrichard]

Well don't mind the mess right now on the desk

Two monitors = important
Mess = busy

You should see my little corner of the universe... dirty site boots, post-its, manuals, plans - I like to think of it as organised chaos though! :D

Is that the forum I see on monitor 1 - nice touch! Not sure what the image is on monitor 2 is though. Looks like Bilbo Baggin's house in the Shire?

Cheers

Vics

[gcp310]

Yeah, dont get me started on mess around the computer.
my desks a shocker. and then throw in a couple of a1 plans in for good measure.

"computer, what computer?,was around here somewhere"

G

[David Bethel]

Actually, I prefer multiple works stations in lieu of monitors. -David

http://www.davidbethel.com/0-talkg/dual.jpg

[f700es]

Well don't mind the mess right now on the desk

Two monitors = important
Mess = busy

You should see my little corner of the universe... dirty site boots, post-its, manuals, plans - I like to think of it as organised chaos though! :D

Is that the forum I see on monitor 1 - nice touch! Not sure what the image is on monitor 2 is though. Looks like Bilbo Baggin's house in the Shire?

Cheers

Vics

It sure is Bag End. I found an render that a 3D artist did of Bilbo's house. I can see a few things that are kinda weird but mostly a good image.
Here it is if any one wants it
http://home.triad.rr.com/caddesign/Bag_End_Final_Hi.jpg
It is 1600x667 res and about 366 kb in size.

Hey organised chaos, I live by it ;)

[gcp310]

Actually, I prefer multiple works stations in lieu of monitors. -David


I bet you have network rendering set up?



G

[David Bethel]

Actually, no I don't.

(1) CAD Station, (1) Rendering station, (1) Web server, (1) Accounting Station. All do multiple things but that is there basic purpose in life.

Rendering Station runs: 1.8 AMD
Accurender
(2) Lasetjets and (1) plotter
Scanner

Web server runs: 500 MHZ AMD
Web server
Color printing
Main backups
DVD

Accouting: 1 GHZ AMD
CD Rom Burner
(1) Laserjet
Dot Matrix Printing

Cad Station: 1.8 AMD
ACAD
Email
(1) Laserjet

They are all networked with web server having 2 eathernets ( Dedicated IP for the web site )

-David

[hyposmurf]

Do you have more employees in that office than just yourself or do you go from one PC to the other?You could even talk to yourself over the network if you were feeling lonely :).Cool idea though to have them all sepeprate ,less chance of developing software conglicts and if one goes down you can just work on another,till you have time to sort the other out.

[David Bethel]

Hypo,

It's just me...

In the old days, it could take ACAD hours if not days just to do a hidden line plot. Now, other than rendering, it's a matter of seconds. So back then, I got into the habit of having 1 machine do 1 thing only and I'd use another for a different part of the project.

When I had hardwood floors in here, I'd roll back and forth. My wife made me put carpet in to deaden the sound. It was like a herd of elephants roaming free upstairs. The office is a converted attic / loft in out house. 500 Sq Ft +-

ACAD is still not a very good canidate for running in the background and Windows still vacuums at it.

I've been trying to find a Linux person that could convert everything. Not much luck with that yet.

-David

[hyposmurf]

and you have saloon doors into the office and guitar to chill out with.

[David Bethel]

A Fender dreadnought ( sp? ) My wife bought me for my 50th BD. I need to pick it up more often. Once or twice a week is a weak effort on my part.

Sallon doors were the only thing I could come up with for the sloped ceilings.

-David