AutoCAD Secrets Exposed! Jeanne Aarhus – Aarhus Associates, LLC

AC6857

This class is filled with timesaving tips and tricks that you can use to increase your productivity immediately, no matter what version of AutoCAD software you currently use. If you have attended previous offerings of this class, you know there is always something you didn’t know you could do, so don’t miss this year’s class. We have many tips to expose, including a few tips from the new and exciting AutoCAD 2015 software. Recent upgrades have introduced some of the most effective, production-enhancing tools. Attend this class and discover what might take you years to discover on our own. Leave this class with knowledge that will dazzle your co-workers back home—a great way to get yourself a ticket to attend next year’s Autodesk University.

Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to: 

Learn about hidden tips and tricks from other AutoCAD software users



Share tips that apply to many versions of AutoCAD software, ranging from 2012 to 2015



Learn how to use the newer tools for greater productivity



Use hidden tips that you may not find on your own.

About the Speaker Jeanne Aarhus is known for her fun and fast-moving sessions. She is a nationally known speaker and expert in CAD, and she presents seminars and workshops on CAD productivity for managers and users in both corporate and academic settings. She has over 30 years of experience involving production drafting, user support, standards coordination, programming, and training in various CAD applications. She is an independent consultant offering training and implementation services and is certified in several Autodesk, Inc., and Bentley products. She continues to be actively involved in international, national, and local CAD user groups, and she received the much-coveted Top 10 Speaker Award for her presentations at Autodesk University (AU). She has been a popular speaker at AU for several years. [email protected]

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

1

A Better Interface

2009-2015

Yes, everyone is talking about the new 2015 interface, and it has some wonderful enhancements! I thought I would revisit some other settings that often get overlooked and can help everyone “tweak” the display of your applications tools.

This is more problematic in AutoCAD 2015 than in previous versions.

Ribbon Text Size You can control the text size in the Ribbon using the WINDOWS  ADVANCE APPEARANCE SETTINGS STEP 1:

anywhere on the desktop to access the PERSONALIZE tool.

STEP 2:

Select the WINDOW COLOR tool.

STEP 3:

Select the ADVANCED APPEARANCE SETTINGS tool.

STEP 4:

Select ITEM  MESSAGE BOX and modify the FONT  SIZE smaller or larger as needed for your AutoCAD interface.

It is possible to enlarge the text too much!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

Tool Palette and Properties Text Size You can control the text size in the Tool Palettes and Properties dialogs using the WINDOWS  ADVANCE APPEARANCE SETTINGS STEP 1:

anywhere on the desktop to access the PERSONALIZE tool.

STEP 2:

Select the WINDOW COLOR tool.

STEP 3:

Select the ADVANCED APPEARANCE SETTINGS tool.

STEP 4:

Select ITEM  MESSAGE BOX and modify the FONT  SIZE smaller or larger as needed for your AutoCAD interface.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

2

HOT! Keys

2009-2015

I still love my command key ins and I probably will always be addicted to my keyboard. With this confession; let me show you some really cool things you can do with your keyboard shortcuts!

Using the PGP File Finding your PGP File Use the following key in to locate your active PGP file. (findfile "acad.pgp") By default, using AutoCAD 2015, it is located at the following location: C:\Users\USERNAME\appdata\roaming\autodesk\autocad 2015\r20.0\enu\support\acad.pgp

Editing the PGP File Use the Express Tools  Command Aliases to easily edit the active PGP file. My favorite one here to change is the C shortcut to run the COPY command rather than the CIRCLE command!

To activate your changes in the PGP file you need to restart AutoCAD or key in REINIT and select the PGP file option.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

3

Quick Explore

2009-2015

I have always been an advocate for “AutoCAD for the Lazy User”; after all who has time to fiddle with commands theses days right? Here is a “secret” I love; hope you do to. This command will allow you to open automatically open Windows Explorer to the project folder of the currently open drawing file. No more navigating between project folders in Windows and AutoCAD. Hurray! Place this command on a button or pulldown menu and try it out.

(command "start" (strcat "explorer " (getvar "dwgprefix"))) STEP 1:

Open the CUI dialog

STEP 2:

Create a new command using the syntax listed above

STEP 3:

Create a new toolbar and add the new command to the toolbar.

STEP 4:

Save your CUI changes and try out the new command.

So what does all this mean? (command "start" tells AutoCAD to shell out and start another program. (strcat "explorer " tells the operating system to start Windows Explorer (getvar "dwgprefix"))) tells explorer to browse to the current drawings prefix, which happens to be the folder it is located in.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

4

Using the CUI Shortcut Keys

2009-2015

I always wanted to have a way to issue the ZOOM WINDOW command from the mouse.

Here’s How: STEP 5:

Use the CUI command to open the CUSTOMIZE USER INTERFACE dialog.

STEP 6:

Navigate and expand the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section of the CUI. Locate the ZOOM WINDOW command and it into the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section.

STEP 7:

Select the new ZOOM WINDOW shortcut and modify the PROPERTIES  ACCESS  KEYS setting to CTRL+SHIFT+Z

STEP 8:

Pick OK to save and close the CUI dialog.

Of course, my favorite one is to redefine the F1 key to not open help! Need to know how? Look at my handout from last year’s session!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

5

Mouse Controls

2006-2015

There are several system variables that “tweak” the way your mouse works in the AutoCAD view. Try modifying any of these to get better control over your mouse.

MBUTTONPAN Control how the pan (press wheel) command works in a view. Initial Value: 1 0

Supports the action defined in the customization (CUI) file

1

Supports panning when you hold and drag the button or wheel

ZOOMFACTOR Controls how fast the wheel zooms in and out. The default value is 60. Initial Value: 60 3-100

The larger the number the faster to zoom on the wheel.

ZOOMFACTOR Control how the wheel zooms when rolled forward and backward. Initial Value: 60 0

Moves wheel forward zooms in; moving wheel backward zooms out.

1

Move wheel forward zooms out; moving wheel backward zooms in.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

6

How Handy is Your Mouse?

2009-2015

One of the first secrets I want to share is how to improve your mouse configuration, and since it is one of my favorites I am going to assume it will soon be one of yours too! First, let me set the stage for what you need to make quick assignments to your mouse keys. 1. Logitech mouse – I have an MX Performance mouse (can’t help but try out the newest gadgets). It has additional mouse buttons for me to assign to common commands in AutoCAD. 2. Logitech Setpoint – mouse software to assign mouse buttons to assignments. 3. UberOptions – add-on free software to make the setpoint mouse assignments more open to assignments. It also allows you to modify the mouse button assignments on a per-application basis. So AutoCAD can have one set of assignments and Outlook another. Pretty sweet! NOTE: Most Logitech devices that run Setpoint software will work with this handy app. Here are a couple of my favorite assignments:

In AutoCAD I always wanted to have a way to issue the ZOOM WINDOW command from the mouse. Here’s How! STEP 1:

Open AutoCAD and execute the CUI command to open the CUSTOMIZE USER INTERFACE dialog.

STEP 2:

Navigate and expand the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section of the CUI. Locate the ZOOM WINDOW command and it into the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section.

STEP 3:

Select the new ZOOM WINDOW shortcut and modify the PROPERTIES  ACCESS  KEYS setting to CTRL+SHIFT+Z

STEP 4:

Pick OK to save and close the CUI dialog.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

In Logitech Setpoint Open the Logitech Setpoint software and modify the mouse button you wish to assign as the ZOOM WINDOW command. STEP 5:

Select the AUTOCAD APPLICATION program to assign the button.

STEP 6:

Select the mouse button to assign the keystroke to. I selected “6” which is the thumb button on my mouse.

STEP 7:

Select KEYS: KEYSTROKE ASSIGNMENT

STEP 8:

Select the KEYSTROKE field and press ++ to match the keystroke assigned to the ZOOM WINDOW command in AutoCAD.

Assign this mouse to key to AutoCAD only if you use these buttons in Internet Explorer!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

7

Command Line

2010-2015

Want to customize your command line even more? Try out these neat tricks!

Lines of History Use the on the command line to access the LINES OF PROMPT HISTORY setting. This runs the command CLIPROMPTLINES to define how many history lines you want to see on the command line. I have been using AutoCAD long enough that I like “1”.

CLIPROMPTLINES Sets how many temporary prompt lines are displayed when an undocked command window is set to display just the prompt line. Initial Value: 3 0-50

Specify the maximum number of lines to display in the temporary prompt history.

Related Variables: CMDINPUTHISTORYMAX Sets the maximum number of previous input values that are stored for a prompt in a command. Initial Value: 20 1-255

Valid values

INPUTHISTORYMODE Controls the content and location of the user input history. Initial Value: 15 0

No history of recent input is displayed.

1

History of recent input is displayed at the command line or in a dynamic prompt tooltip. Access with the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys at the Command prompt, or at an input prompt.

2

History of recent input for the current command is displayed in the shortcut menu under Recent Input.

4

History of recent input for all commands in the current session is displayed in the shortcut menu under Recent Input.

8

Markers for recent input of point locations are displayed. Use the arrow keys at the Command prompt for specifying a point location. 10

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

8

Customize Your Quick Start

2006-2015

Users are always asking me how to improve the availability of properties for those objects that need to be edited on a regular basis. I ask if they are using QUICK PROPERTIES and many don’t even know what I am talking about. Here are a couple of quick examples demonstrating how you can use QUICK PROPERTIES to simplify your daily drafting life.

Tolerance Dimensions You need to edit the tolerance value in an existing dimension. You on the dimension text and the entire text value highlights not allowing you to just edit the tolerance value. Add the TOLERANCE LIMITS and TOLERANCE PRECISION to QUICK PROPERTIES.

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Reset AutoCAD to Default Settings

2009-2015

Many times I have modified my AutoCAD configuration or Options settings and not noticed a problem until several days later. By then, I have forgotten what I really changed. Now you can easily reset your AutoCAD to its default or OTB settings using the ICON available in the AutoCAD installation folder.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

10

More Tool Palette Secrets

2009-2015

If you have created custom tool palettes for your organization then you have run across a few things you wish you could do, but there isn’t a direct way to do it via a tool palette right? For example, you can use the system variables DIMSCALE and PLOT SCALE as an Auxiliary Scale, but you can’t use any other variable. Well…you can if you try this! Let’s set the Auxiliary Scale using LTSCALE instead! STEP 1:

on a tool palette tool to access the PROPERTIES command.

STEP 2:

Change the value of the Auxiliary Scale to DIMSCALE so that it is easier to find

STEP 3:

Pick OK to save this change.

Using Windows Explorer we will navigate to the location of our custom tool palettes. Edit the .ATC file using NOTEPAD or the Text Editor of your choice.

STEP 4:

on the tool palette tool to access the PROPERTIES command

STEP 5:

The Auxiliary Scale is now defined by the LTSCALE.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

11

Secret COPY Options

2009-2015

Hopefully, everyone knows that they can use the shortcut keys to copy objects to the clipboard, and to paste them back into a drawing. These are wonderful shortcuts, but they have a “fatal” flaw; they don’t allow you to define a basepoint to control the paste portion of these actions. Right? Wrong! You can use to copy objects to the clipboard and define a basepoint!

12

A Better MTEXT

2009-2015

Do you utilize all the advantages of using MTEXT? Make sure that you know all there is to know about the 2015 MTEXT capabilities.

MTEXT Editor on the RIGHT MARGIN of the MTEXT Editor ruler to automatically set the paragraph width. on the TAB of the MTEXT Editor ruler to modify the TAB STYLE. The following TAB STYLES are available.    

Left Right Center Decimal – recognizes period, comma, or space and alignment character

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

Navigating in MTEXT Editor Jump WORD to WORD – use the key and  or  arrows to move from word to word. Jump PARAGRAPH to PARAGRAPH – use the key and  or  arrows to move from paragraph to paragraph.

Deleting Remove Words to Right of Cursor – use the key and the DELETE key to remove all words to the right of the cursor. Remove Words to Left of Cursor – use the key and the BACKSPACE key to remove each word.

Highlighting Highlight a Single Word – on the word to highlight.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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MTEXT Alignments

2015

Use the new TEXTALIGN command available in 2015 to align text in the drawing.

Original Graphics

Current Vertical Use this command option to maintain current vertical spacing (line spacing).

Results

Current Horizontal Use this command option to maintain current horizontal spacing (horizontal alignment)

Original Graphics

Results

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

Set Spacing Use this command option to set a specific line spacing.

Results

Distributed

Results

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

The following system variable can be defined to specify your preferred default action.

TEXTALIGNMODE Stores the alignment option for aligned text.

Initial Value: 9 0

Top Left Left-justified at the top of the text (horizontally oriented text only).

1

Top Center Centered at the top of the text (horizontally oriented text only).

2

Top Right Right-justified at the top of the text (horizontally oriented text only).

3

Middle Left Left-justified at the middle of the text (horizontally oriented text only).

4

Middle Center Centered both horizontally and vertically at the middle of the text (horizontally oriented text only)

5

Middle Right Right-justified at the middle of the text (horizontally oriented text only).

6

Bottom Left Left-justified at the baseline (horizontally oriented text only)

7

Bottom Center Centered on the baseline (horizontally oriented text only).

8

Bottom Right Right-justified at the baseline (horizontally oriented text only).

9

Left Left-justified at the baseline.

10

Center Aligned from the horizontal center of the baseline.

11

Right Right-justified at the baseline. 17

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

14

Controlling the New MTEXT

2006-2015

One of the best reasons for using MTEXT is the ability to manually adjust the text width of the paragraph by dragging a grip and resizing or stretching the paragraph width. This has changed slightly in 2006 if the text is CENTER justified. Stretching CENTER justified MTEXT in 2006 also moves the center origin of the entire MTEXT object. To re-size MTEXT in 2006, AutoCAD expects the user to use the Ruler in the In-Place Text Editor, not by grips. Sorry, but I agree, this is too many steps! To revert the MTEXT grip editing functionality back to the “old way” you need to change the system variable CENTERMT.

CENTERMT Controls how grips stretch MTEXT that has a centered justification. Initial Value: 0 0 1

When stretching the MTEXT with grips, the center grips also moves in the same direction. When stretching the MTEXT with grips, the center grip stays in place while the text is re-sized.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

15

Smarter BOXED TEXT

2009-2015

You want to have box shape around your text that is smart enough to grow when edited? I have seen many suggestions that tell you to use a table with 1 column and 1 row; but try this out instead. I think this works much easier!

A Leader with NO LEADER? Use the LEADER STYLES to create a leader with no leader line. Yes, it is possible. STEP 1:

Using the Leader Style dialog, create a new style called Standard-BOXED

STEP 2:

Using the LEADER FORMAT tab and set the TYPE to NONE.

STEP 3:

Using the LEADER STRUCTURE tab: Turn OFF all CONSTRAINTS Turn OFF all LANDING SETTINGS

STEP 4:

Using the CONTENT tab turn ON the FRAME TEXT setting.

STEP 5:

Pick OK to save the new leader style.

Place a new leader using the style Standard-BOXED. Edit the text and see how easy it is to keep the box automatically growing around the text note.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

16

More Readable Text

2010-2015

Use the TORIENT command to make un-readable text, more readable.

17

Justify Text

2010-2015

Use the TJUST command to set the justification of any selected DTEXT or MTEXT without moving the text object. This command only moves the basepoint. Have you ever changed your text justification only to get this result? Use this command instead and get the CORRECT results.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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I SPY Invisible Attributes

2002-2015

Want to see those “invisible” attributes defined in your drawing? Bring the “into the light” using the ATTDISP command. This command makes all attributes visible, regardless of the flag defined on the attribute object. Turn ON the display using the ATTDISP command option.

This is a great way to disable the display of attributes that are not up-to-date. Turn off all attributes and edit them later when you have more time. Use the following system variable to also control the visibility of attributes in your drawing.

ATTMODE Controls display of attributes. 0

Off: Makes all attributes invisible

1

Normal: Retains current visibility of each attribute; visible attributes are displayed; invisible attributes are not

2

On: Makes all attributes visible

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Quickly Edit Attributes

2009-2015

Use the ATTIPEDIT command to edit a single attribute in a block quickly without using the dialog. It allows you to edit the attribute using the simple editor.

Use the CTRL key to access this command automatically when selecting an attribute in a block.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

20

Delete a Segment from a Polyline

2009-2015

A new enhancement in AutoCAD 2013 was the ability to select sub-objects, primarily for working in 3D. However, I discovered some good uses of this new technology in the 2D world!

Polyline You have a polyline and you need to delete a line in the middle of it. I used to use the DELETE VERTEX command option if I wanted to keep it as a polyline; or I would EXPLODE the polyline and then DELETE the separated line.

Check this option out! You can EXPLODE and DELETE in a single step! STEP 1:

Use the key to select the line to remove.

STEP 2:

Use the key to remove the selected line.

o

LEGACYCTRLPICK Specifies the Ctrl key behavior for selection cycling and sub-object selection. Initial value: 2 0

is used to select sub-objects (faces, edges, and vertices) on 3D solids, surfaces, and meshes.

1

is used to cycle through overlapping objects. Disallows using to select sub-objects on 3D solids, surfaces, and meshes.

2

is used to select sub-objects (faces, edges, and vertices) on 3D solids, surfaces, and meshes when SUBOBJSELECTIONMODE is set to 0.If SUBOBJSELECTIONMODE is set to 1, 2, 3,4, or 5, it is not necessary to hold down the Ctrl key to select sub-objects. If you hold down the Ctrl key when SUBOBJSELECTIONMODE is set to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, the sub-object filter is turned off until the Ctrl key is released.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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PEDITACCEPT

R14-2015

Use the system variable PEDITACCEPT to simplify your polyline editing. After all, have you ever answered NO to the PEDIT question stating that the object you selected is not a polyline – would you like to convert it to one? Me neither…what a silly question! To NEVER see this question again, change this system variable.

PEDITACCEPT Suppresses the prompt “Do you want it to turn into one?” When the prompt is suppressed, the selected object is automatically converted to a polyline.

Initial Value: 0 0 (default)

The prompt is displayed

1

The prompt is suppressed

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SPACESWITCH

2009-2015

Have you ever accidentally activated modelspace when trying to edit a text object in paperspace? Me too! Modify the system variable SPACESWITCH to disable the ability to through a viewport to activate modelspace.

SPACESWITCH Controls whether model space can be accessed by double-clicking in a layout viewport. Initial value: 1 0

Prevent access to model space

1

Allow access to model space

Customize a button to toggle this between ON and OFF to easily change this when the project has progressed to the point when you won’t be changing the ZOOM and PAN appearance of the viewports in paperspace.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Multiple Viewport FREEZE?

2009-2015

Have you ever needed to FREEZE or THAW layers in multiple viewports? Are you still doing this one viewport at a time? Use the command VPLAYER to modify layer settings in multiple viewports in a single step.

VPLAYER VPLAYER provides the following options for modifying viewports.

Use the command LAYVPI to freeze layers in all but the current viewport.

LAYVPI LAYVPI f reezes selected layers in all layout viewports except the current viewport.

24

Cycle Viewports

2004-2015

Ever been stuck in a viewport that erroneously was created inside another viewport? How do you activate a “nested” viewport? Use the CTRL+R to toggle between viewports in paperspace.

Note: You can also on the viewport object in paperspace to activate that viewport in modelspace using the new MAXIMIZE VIEWPORT command.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

25

Overlapping Viewports?

2009-2015

Have you ever needed to create viewports that overlapped, and had difficulty controlling what displayed between them in the overlapped area?

The Problem The viewports display like this. Not quite what we wanted.

The Solution This is more like what we wanted.

STEP 1:

Create a RECTANGLE and CIRCLE object in the layout as shown above.

STEP 2:

Convert both objects to regions using the REGION command.

STEP 3:

Use the SUBTRACT command to subtract the CIRCLE from the RECTANGLE object.

STEP 4:

Create another CIRCLE on top of the previous circle.

STEP 5:

Use the CREATE VIEWPORT  OBJECT command to convert the region object containing the rectangle and circle to a VIEWPORT.

STEP 6:

convert the remaining circle object to a viewport.

Pretty cool isn’t it!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Dimension TEXTMASK?

2009-2015

You can also use a textmask on dimensions as well. It is found on the dimension style dialog, on the TEXT tab, fill color.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Know Everything About UNDO?

2009-2015

One of the most used commands in AutoCAD is the UNDO command. But many users don’t know any of the options besides UNDO and REDO.

Number of operations to undo Key in a number of operations to UNDO. Using the QAT (Quick Access Toolbar) you can see a list of what operations to undo, very handy!

Auto Groups the commands into a single action, making them reversible by a single U command.

UNDO Auto is not available if the Control option has turned off.

Control The control command options allow you to control when UNDO is operational. Default settings are: Auto: Control: Combine: Layer:

Yes All Yes Yes

All Turns ON the full UNDO command operation.

None Turns OFF the U and UNDO commands and clears the UNDO buffer disabling all earlier editing operations.

One Limits UNDO to a single operation.

Combine Controls whether multiple and consecutive ZOOM and PAN commands are combined as a single operation for UNDO and REDO operations.

Pan and zoom commands that are started from the menu are not combined, and always remain separate actions. 27

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

Layer Controls whether the layer dialog operations are combined as a single undo operation.

Begin, End Begin Starts the grouping of a sequence of operations to be stored as a set. After the BEGIN option is defined, all subsequent operations are added to a set until the END option is defined.

Entering UNDO BEGIN while a group is already active ends the current set and begins a new one. UNDO and U treat these grouped actions as a single action.

End Using END, stops the collection of operations into a set.

Mark The MARK command option places a “bookmark” in the UNDO operations. You can place as many MARKS as needed.

Back The BACK command option will perform an UNDO back to the “bookmark”. BACK moves back one “bookmark” at a time, removing the “bookmark”.

If you undo one operation at a time, you are informed when you reach the mark.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

28

ROTATE…like a Map?

2009-2015

Did you know you can use your “mapping” skills to rotate objects in AutoCAD? Using the ROTATE command, key in "N" for 90d, "W" for 180d, "S" for 270d & "E" for 0d. "N" - North "W" - West "S" - South "E" – East

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Hiding Beneath the Table

2009-2015

You want to place a table in your drawing but you want to hide everything beneath it. Easy! Use the table background color to obscure all objects beneath it. If you choose a color that plots white you won’t even know the fill is on when you plot. If you have been using AutoCAD for a while you know that COLOR 7 (WHITE) displays white on a black background and BLACK on a white background. To control this use the RGB color (255,255,255) for a white background, and RGB color (0,0,0) for a black background.

I generally have a color in the color table that automatically plots white, regardless of the display color; and another that plots black regardless of the display color. I can use these as well if I want to see the table background display.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

30

Quick Layers

R14-2015

Using the LAYER MANAGER dialog, select the NEW LAYER button and type in the new layer name. Before you hit the ENTER key, just use the “,” comma character between layer names and it automatically creates a new layer with the next name. For example, key in the following to create 3 new layers: Red,White,Blue

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Had Enough Layers Reconciled?

2009-2015

Many users complain about the notification of new layers that have been added to active or reference files. Change the following settings if you want to stop this notification!

LAYEREVAL The setting is stored in an integer using one of the following values:

0 (default)

Off

1

Detects when new xref layers have been added in the drawing

2

Detects when new layers have been added in the drawing and xrefs

LAYEREVALCTL This system variable also affects whether the new layer notification is displayed or not. 0

Disables the evaluation and notification of new layers

1 (default)

Enables the evaluation of new layers on the LAYEREVAL settings. 30

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

32

Print Layer List

R14-2015

There are two primary options for printing a layer list from within AutoCAD. The first option has been available for a while now. You must access the LAYER command from the command line not the Layer Manager dialog. STEP 1:

Key in –LAYER to run the command without a dialog.

STEP 2:

Key in ? to query all layers in the file.

STEP 3:

Key in * to list out all layers in the command line.

STEP 4:

Highlight the layer list from within the command line window and copy them to the clipboard using CTRL+C.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

The second option was a “secret” I found out from a participant at AU last year. Try this out…pretty neat, eh? STEP 1:

Open the Layer Manager dialog

STEP 2:

and select all layers in the dialog

STEP 3:

Issue a CTRL+C to copy the layer list to the windows clipboard. It doesn’t appear to do anything…but it does copy the information.

STEP 4:

Open a text file, or better yet open an Excel spreadsheet and paste the information.

What you didn’t know that was possible? Don’t feel bad…neither did I…after all…it was a secret until someone told me a few of years ago!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Automatic Coordinate Labels

2009-2015

Many users ask me how to label a drawing coordinate automatically in AutoCAD. Have you figured it out yet? You can use an ordinate dimension but there is a better way if you make a “smarter” dynamic block to label points in your drawing. Use a simple dynamic block using FIELDS that display the INSERTION POINT of the block.

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Hidden Items in ARRAY

2010-2015

Many of us enjoy the intelligence available in the new array command. But do you know everything about the ASSOCIATED ARRAY?

Delete Items Did you know you can delete individual items in an associated array?

Hide Items Did you know you can hide individual items in an associated array?

Replace Items Did you know you can replace individual items in an associated array?    

Use the key to modify a single item in the associated array. The new associative array object acts like a block, and so the Clip command and the new NCopy command work on it. Very useful! The RESET ARRAY tool returns the items to their default size and position. Use the ORIENTATION  BASEPOINT option to maintain item orientation along the path.

To delete or to hide? Deleting items is the fastest way to remove items from associative array. However, the items reappear every time we change parameters. It kind of defeats the purpose of associative array, doesn’t it? 33

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Know EVERYTHING about COPY?

2010-2015

How many times a day do you use the COPY command? Are you exploring all the new features available in the COPY command? Check these out!

Smarter Copy The COPY command has been enhanced to allow you to perform a multiple copy using the new ARRAY option. Use the new option to create a linear array during the copy command.

Array Use the ARRAY command option to create simple single column or single row arrays of objects.

Number of Items to Array Specifies the number of items in the array, including the original selection set. Second Point Determines a distance and direction for the array relative to the base point. By default, the first copy in the array is positioned at the specified displacement. The remaining copies are positioned in a linear array beyond that point using the same incremental displacement. Fit Positions the final copy in the array at the specified displacement. The other copies are fit in a linear array between the original selection set and the final copy. Fit Redefines the array to use the specified displacement as the location of the last copy rather than the first copy, fitting the other copies between the original selection set and the final copy.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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NUDGE Objects

2012-2015

This new command allows you to move objects very small amounts without using the MOVE command. To access the NUDGE command, first, select the objects and use the to move the object in any of the four arrow directions. This movement is orthogonal only.

Use the SNAP distance setting to control the distance an object moves during the NUDGE command.

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AutoCAD: Point Filters

R14-2015

Everyone that has ever tried to draw in 3D has those “zinger” objects that go from one elevation to another “accidentally”. Right? Let me show you how to use POINT FILTERS to eliminate this problem. I bet none of you are using POINT FILTERS, and they are so useful! Let me enlighten you.

What are Point Filters? Point Filters allow you to specify a specific X,Y or Z value when using OSNAPS. So, with this in mind, how easy would it be to use one of these values to maintain an elevation value when moving objects in 3D? I need to copy an object with an elevation of 0, to align with another object with elevation of 10. I want to maintain both elevations. Using the point filter .Z I can effectively LOCK the Z value to a specific elevation and perform the copy command. This does not change the default value of the ELEVATION command.

Use the POINT FILTERS during the execution of any AutoCAD command.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Select Similar

2010-2015

This command allows you to use an existing object as a template for a new selection set. By default, objects are considered similar if they are the same object type, are on the same layer, and if the object is a block or xref type, they have the same name. You can modify this behavior by using the Select Similar Settings options.    

Key-in the SELECTSIMILAR command Select SELECT SIMILAR from the SUBSCRIPTION Ribbon Tab Select SELECT SIMILAR from the SUBSCRIPTION toolbar Select SELECT SIMILAR from the context menu.

SELECTSIMILARMODE Controls which properties must match for an object of the same type to be selected with 0SELECTSIMILAR. Initial Value: 130 0

Object type

1

Color

2

Layer

4

Linetype

8

Linetype Scale

16

Lineweight

32

Plot Style

64

Object style, including text styles, dimension styles, and table styles

128

Name, for referenced objects including blocks, xrefs, and images

Default Value of 130 includes: Layer + Name, for referenced objects including blocks, xrefs, and images. (2 + 128)

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

39

Automatic Areas Using Fields

2005-2015

For this demonstration let’s use a polyline to demonstrate a new feature in AutoCAD that can automatic my design process. If you need to label areas on your drawings you can use FIELD objects along with polylines to “automatically” keep them up to date.   

Place text using the Mtext Editor and key-in AREA = to access the INSERT FIELD command In the FIELD CATEGORY select OBJECT



Use the Pick Object button and select the closed polyline  In the PROPERTY list select AREA  In the FORMAT list select ARCHITECTURAL and pick OK to close the dialog.  Pick OK to place the text in your drawing. You can modify the GRAY SHADE and the UPDATE FIELD SETTINGS in the user preferences so that the user can control when the fields are updated.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

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Custom Plot Stamps

R14-2015

I am not going to cover the obvious Plot Stamp utility found on the Plot dialog box. You have probably already discovered that one. I find it a little limiting in placement options….so here is an alternative. This method will work in any version of AutoCAD that has the Express Tools installed. That could include 2000, 2000i, 2002 and 2004 and 2005. The command to use is REMOTE TEXT….or RTEXT from the command line

You can put this text anywhere in your file…modelspace or paperspace and get easy plot stamp capabilities. Add a reference file, and it automatically updates!

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

41

Smarter DIMSCALE

2002-2015

Do you struggle with multiple scales on a single layout and need to modify your dimensions? Well here is a great way to customize the necessary dimensions on a per viewport basis. Did you know that if you set your DIMSCALE system variable to “0” you can place dimensions in paperspace viewports and the dimensions will calculate their correct dimscale automatically? Yep…this one is great!

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The Power of PEDIT

2002-2015

Everyone using the PEDIT command but many of you don’t take advantage of some of its powerful options. For example, have you ever tried to joint several lines using the PEDIT command only to find that it fails due to “sloppy” drafting, by your co-workers of course! Did you know that there is a “fuzz” factor you can apply to close those gaps in the lines? YES! This option is only available through the MULTIPLE option, so try it out!

The FUZZ Factor STEP 1:

Start the PEDIT command.

STEP 2:

Key in M for the MULITPLE option.

STEP 3:

Select all the objects you wish to join together and convert to polylines.

STEP 4:

Key in J for the JOIN option.

STEP 5:

Enter in the “fuzz distance” for the “sloppy” lines. This distance should be slightly larger than the “sloppy” error gaps or overlaps.

STEP 6:

Press ENTER to complete the command.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

43

MPEDIT Cleanup

2004-2015

Use the multiple PEDIT option or the MPEDIT command to cleanup some of that “messy” linework. STEP 1:

Key in MPEDIT

STEP 2:

Select the linework to cleanup

STEP 3:

Key in J to JOIN linework after cleanup

STEP 4:

Enter and appropriate “fuzz factor” to clean up gaps and overlaps as needed

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Hatch Defaults

2004-2015

Do you always have to change the default hatch pattern because ANSI31 is not the most common hatch for your work? Me too! I would prefer to have SOLID my default hatch. Here is how you can modify your “default” hatch pattern for future hatching commands. Use the system variable HPNAME and set it to the pattern of your choice HPNAME = SOLID Sorry, but this setting isn’t saved anywhere; so when you close AutoCAD it reverts back to ANSI31. So how can you save this change permanently? Try using the ACADDOC.LSP file. You can create and place the ACADDOC.LSP in any support path directory and it will be loaded automatically each time a drawing is accessed. Use the file ACADDOC.LSP to save these “favorite settings” every time you run AutoCAD. (setvar “HPNAME” “SOLID”)

Use the . character to reset the pattern back to the default hatch. 40

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

45

Stack Those Dimensions

2002-2015

Now that you know everything you need to stack text objects, what about dimensions? Unfortunately, the previous options don’t work the same when you are working with dimension text. But try this little trick, it works great!

Two lines of Dimension Text STEP 1:

Edit the dimension text using the MText editor.

STEP 2:

Press the ENTER key after the “dim value” in the editor and add TYP. on the second line. You should notice that the output wasn’t quite what you were expecting.

STEP 3:

Edit the dimension text again, and change it to “dim value” \XTYP. Isn’t that what you really wanted?

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Quick Fillet

2002-2015

Want to use the FILLET command quicker than before? Did you know that you can use a crossing to select objects simultaneously? STEP 1:

Select the FILLET command

STEP 2:

When asked to select objects key in C for CROSSING

STEP 3:

Use a crossing window to select the objects.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

47

Fewer Tool Tips

2006-2015

You can change how your tool tips look in AutoCAD 2006 and 2007. Use the system variable TOOLTIPMERGE to merge all the tool tips together into a single tool tip.

Merged Tooltip

Individual Tooltips

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Trim and Extend Dimensions

2004-2015

I learned of this one a long time ago, but I keep passing it on. It is such a handy feature and it seems that most users don’t even know they can do this.

Use either the TRIM or EXTEND command to modify dimensions as well as lines, arcs, etc.

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AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

49

Take the EDGE Out of Trim

2002-2015

Using the system variable EDGEMODE can simplify your trim and extend functionality. Did you know that you can TRIM and EXTEND to non-existent edges?

EDGEMODE Controls how the TRIM and EXTEND commands determine cutting and boundary edges Initial Value: 0 0 1

50

Uses the selected edge without an extension Extends or trims the selected object to an imaginary extension of the cutting or boundary edge

Fun Text Messaging

Forever!

I got this tip while browsing Todd Shacelford’s blog and thought it was so amusing that I would include it in this session. If you are a CAD Manager and you help users at their computer, then you can appreciate this idea from Todd. After helping out a user with a problem, and they leave their computer for a few minutes; try this alert message out! (alert “Your CAD Skills are inferior to mine \nPlease attend AU to improve immediately!”) Thanks Todd, for reminding us how “fun” AutoCAD can be!

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