AutoCAD tips & tricks
2D
Create static 2D representations of 3D
models
To create static 2D representations of a 3D model, you can
use any of the following commands: SOLPROF, FLATSHOT, SECTION,
and SECTIONPLANE. Each of these commands are useful under
different circumstances.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
3D
3D configuration in AutoCAD 2007
The 3DCONFIG command was substantially extended in AutoCAD
2007 and allows more detailed settings for 3D display and
degradation of 3D scenes.
You can also verify the certification of your 3D graphics
card for AutoCAD 2007.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
3D solid model tip
Save intermediate stages of any 3D solid model that you create.
This allows you to recover from errors more easily, retrieve
components for analysis, and use a common starting point for
several versions of the design.
Author: Dieter
Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Check your work in 3D
When working in 3D, it is an excellent idea to check coordinates,
distances, and lengths of objects frequently. This avoids
creating new objects based on incorrect ones.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Check your layers when working
in 3D
3D solid objects created from 2D polylines or regions are
always created on the current layer, not the layers of the
original 2D objects.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Color settings for working in 3D
When working in 3D, avoid using index color 7 (white) for
3D solids. Objects created with index color 7 are displayed
as black or white depending on the current background color,
and you are more likely to change the background color with
3D models than 2D drawings. For white objects, use a True
Color setting of 255,255,255 instead.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Create a planar surface in 3D
Use the PLANESURF command to create a planar surface by either
selecting one or more objects that form one or more enclosed
areas or by specifying the opposite corners of a rectangle.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Creating groups in 3D
When you need a temporary association of several 3D solids
as an assembly or unit, assign the solids to a group.
Author: Dieter
Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Create walls in your 3D model
Use the POLYSOLID command to create walls in your 3D model.
A polysolid is drawn the same way you draw a polyline. By
default, a polysolid always has a rectangular profile, but
you can add curved segments with the Arc option.
Author: Karyn
Reynolds - Autodesk
Make your 3D models semi-transparent
For a fast method to make a 3D solid model semi-transparent,
click the X-ray Mode button on the Visual Styles control panel
of the dashboard.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Making 3D DWG files smaller
By setting the SOLIDHIST variable to 0 you can make your DWG
files (containing edited 3D solids) a bit shorter.
In a default setting, AutoCAD saves the editing history of
3D solids - i.e. the individual creator-objects (intersection,
subtract...) for easier later re-editing. If you don't need
this history, you can disable it using SOLIDHIST, with the
BREP command or through the "History" setting in
the Properties window (Ctrl+1).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Reducing visual clutter in 3D views
When working in 3D, it is usually easier to create solid models
and avoid errors by turning shading on to reduce the visual
clutter in 3D views.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Retain your 2D reference geometry and
construction lines when working in 3D
When working in 3D, always retain 2D reference geometry and
construction lines. These objects will be very handy for future
additions and changes. If you want to retain the original
2D objects when you generate 3D solids, you can set the DELOBJ
system variable to 0 (off).
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Snapping while working in 3D
When working in 3D, it is very easy to snap to the wrong feature.
Always zoom in to magnify object snap locations that are in
close proximity to each other. The zoom feature on a wheel
mouse makes this easy and dynamic.
Author: Dieter
Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Step and speed settings for 3D Walk and
3D Fly
The parameters for the interactive W-A-S-D keyboard walkthroughs
can be set in the WALKFLYSETTINGS command (dialog).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Undocumented option in AutoCAD 3D editing
commands
Some AutoCAD 3D editing commands (e.g. FILLET) support an
undocumented option RESFIT (resolution fit).
Try to answer the prompt "Select an edge or [Chain/Radius]:"
with the keyword RESFIT. AutoCAD then uses the value of internal
resolution from its 3D modelling kernel ACIS/Shapemanager.
Works in AutoCAD 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Using blocks in 3D to enhance performance
When working in 3D, you can reduce the size of a drawing file
by converting repetitive 3D solids into blocks. For example,
for landscaping you can save a 3D representation a tree as
a block and then insert it multiple times.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Using grip tools in a 3D view
You can use grip tools in a 3D view to constrain the movement
or rotation of objects to an axis or a plane. You display
grip tools with the 3DMOVE or 3DROTATE commands or by clicking
the 3D Move or 3D Rotate buttons on the dashboard.You then
select the objects and subobjects you want to move. Click
to place the grip tool, specifying the base point for the
move or rotation. Hover the cursor over an axis handle on
the grip tool until it turns yellow and the vector displays,
and then click the axis handle. Click or enter a value to
specify the distance of the move or the angle of rotation.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Using layout viewports in 3D
When working in 3D, you can use a layout tab as a modeling
environment. Layout viewports have the additional capability
of displaying different sets of layers. So, for example, you
can work with two viewports: one that displays 3D solids and
the other that displays only profiles and reference geometry.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
When working in 3D, delay filleting
and rounding edges of 3D solids until the very end
When working in 3D, delay filleting and rounding edges of
3D solids until the very end. You will find that sharp edges
and corners are often needed as reference locations to create,
move, copy, and mirror other objects.
Author: Dieter
Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Working efficiently in 3D
When working in 3D, it is extremely important to use multiple
layers dedicated to organizing and managing the display of
3D models. You can then turn unneeded layers off to reduce
the visual clutter in the model.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Blocks
Defining attributes for blocks
When defining attributes for blocks, ensure attribute setting
'CONSTANT' is not set to 'YES'. This will ensure that visible
attribute text will remain readable when rotated or mirrored.
Author: Kevin
Hennedy - Brew & Corkill
Dynamic block bug
If you insert a Dynamic block containing Attributes into your
drawing. Next take the block and change a Dynamic block parameter,
a linear rotate anything to modify the block. Now take that
block and simply mirror it to the right, left, top or bottom
of your drawing. Now select the newly created object from
the mirror operations and use the COPY CLIP command, CTRL+C
or edit pull down and COPY. Once your block is stored in the
clipboard next switch over to a different drawing and paste
the block into the drawing. You'll notice that ALL your attributes
now show backwards. The only way I've been able to get a block
into another drawing when it was mirrored is to XREF in the
entire sheet into another drawing then use the BIND and INSERT
option.
Author: Mark Douglas
- In the dynamic interface - http://mdouglas.blogs.com/
Extract attributes from blocks
Use the Attribute Extraction feature to extract attributes
from blocks into various output formats (AutoCAD table, Excel
spreadsheet, Access database, text file). ("Tools->Attribute
Extraction…").
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
How to quickly create an anonymous block?
The easiest way to create an anonymous (unnamed) block in
your drawing is to use the command sequence COPYCLIP and PASTEBLOCK.
You can add the following macro to your toolbar: ^C^C_copyclip;_pasteblock
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Why does AutoCAD insert my blocks in wrong
scale?
Blocks and Xrefs contain their insertion unit settings, which
are used for automatic scale conversion when they are inserted/attached
to a drawing using other units. These units are defined in
the INSUNITS (default units), INSUNITSDEFSOURCE (source units)
and INSUNITSDEFTARGET (target units) variables.
In older AutoCAD versions, these variables were used only
for the block inserts/drags from DesignCenter. AutoCAD 2006
(and higher) uses them for all methods of insertion of blocks,
xrefs and images.
If your blocks are inserted in an improper scale (e.g. 0.254,
10 or 1000), you have probably wrong (different) settings
of your block insertion units. Set INSUNITS e.g. to 0 (unitless)
- then both the INSUNITSDEFxxxx variables will apply - set
them also to 0 (other settings apply when dealing with AEC
drawings).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Camera
Changing the camera elevation in Walk and Fly mode
In Walk and Fly mode, you can click the mouse wheel button
and move the mouse forward and backward to change the elevation
of the Camera location.
Author: KB Lee
- Autodesk
Commands
GTLOCATION system variable
If you set the GTLOCATION system variable to 1, the Grip Tool
will automatically align itself to the Entity Coordinate system
of the last entity selected (including solid subentities selected
while holding the CTRL key). Help topic: "Understand
Grip Tools".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Impossible to use the Pan function with
Logitech mouse
Turn off any special mouse wheel settings with the mouse icon
in the Windows Control Panel. Under the Buttons tab set "Use
MS office Compatible Scroll", or the midlle-button setting
to "Middle button".
Make sure your AutoCAD MBUTTONPAN variable is set to 1 (on).
You can also try to hold the CTRL key while Zooming.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Scale action
When using the scale action on a linear parameter, make sure
that the action is "independant" from the linear
stretch. If you do not do this, your scale will be off.
Setting pagesetup for multiple layouts
If you want to assign page setup (_pagesetup) for multiple
layout tabs, you can use a short LISP utility multi-pagesetup.
Just load the routine (_APPLOAD command) and run it using:
(multi-pagesetup "mypagesetup" "myprinter")
To assign the setup only to the selected layouts, replace
in the code the function (layoutlist) with a list of requested
layouts - e.g. '("Layout8" "Layout9" "Layout10")
.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Speed up your commands
In addition to being able to repeat a command by simply pressing
return or the space bar, you can scroll through your previous
commands by using the up-arrow and down-arrow keys, thus eliminating
the need to re-type long commands and system variables.
Author: Christian
Gonsalves - Gardner Stewart Architects
Stretch action
You can modify & LOCK the DIRECTION of the stretch action
in the properties box under 'distance type'!
The "Number of copies" selection is grayed out.
The "Number of Copies" box in the Publish dialog
is disabled when you are publishing to a DWF or other file
format - you can specify copies only for true printers/plotters.
Please note that you can always set the number of copies also
in the respective printer driver (Windows > Start >
Printers).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Toggling ORTHOMODE
To temporarily toggle ORTHOMODE, press and hold the SHIFT
key. Help topic: "Add Shortcut Keys and Temporary Override
Keys".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Using 3DORBIT
When working in 3D, specify views from several angles with
3DORBIT to select objects easily and to avoid mistakes due
to visually overlapping edges.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Using Axis Endpoint
You can use the Axis Endpoint option of the CONE or PYRAMID
commands to determine the height and orientation of the cone
or pyramid. The axis endpoint is the top point of the cone
or pyramid or the center of the top face if the Top Radius
option is used. The axis endpoint can be located anywhere
in 3D space.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Using BOUNDARY
When using the BOUNDARY command, turn off unnecessary layers
and zoom into the area of the boundary to be created. This
speeds up the operation by reducing the number of objects
to be processed.
Always make sure that the XY plane of the UCS is in the same
plane as the objects to be used to create the boundary.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Using EXTEND
When extending or trimming a line, instead of picking boundry
point just hit the space bar again and extend or trim to the
nearest line.
Author: Matt Minnick - Safety Systems,
Inc.
Using FLATSHOT
With the FLATSHOT command, you can create a flattened view
of all the 3D solids in the current view.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Using MOVE
To move an object - left click on any grip and hit the space
bar and the move comand will be activated.
Author: Naman Dev Garg - John S. Graves &
Associates Architects
Using purge
Select groups of entities to purge in the Purge Dialog box.
Just select an item and hold the CTRL key to select other
items.
Author: Steve
Green - Automated Systems of Tacomarface
Using OTRACK and POLAR in 3D
When working in 3D, turn off DUCS when you need to use object
snap tracking (OTRACK) or polar tracking (POLAR).
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Using SECTIONPLANE
With the SECTIONPLANE command, you can create a section object
that acts as a cutting plane through solids, surfaces, or
regions. If you turn on live sectioning, moving the section
object throughout the 3D model in model space reveals inner
details in real-time.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Using SWEEP
Use the SWEEP command to draw a solid or surface in the shape
of a specified profile (the swept object) along the specified
path. You can sweep more than one object, but they all must
lie on the same plane.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Using Top
Radius
Use the Top Radius option of the CONE or PYRAMID commands
to create a cone or pyramid frustum, which tapers to a planar
face.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Working faster with 3DORBIT
When working in 3D, if you need to see only a few objects
in a model when changing a view, select the objects before
starting 3DORBIT. Only the selected objects will be visible
when changing the view.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Communication center
Disable the Communication Center
WARNING! Changes made to the registry
may cause damage to your operating system. Perform the following
task at your own risk. We are not liable for any damage
or corruption to your computer related to any article published.
Annoyed by a constantly resident satellite program
called "Communication Center" (WSCommCntr1.exe)?
If you want to prevent it from running, here is what you do:
- Start button-->Run--> regedit.exe
- Search for the following location: HKEY_LOAL_MACHINE -->
SOFTWARE --> AUTODESK --> R16.1 --> ACAD-301:409
--> CADMANAGER CONTROL --> COMMUNICATION CENTER
- Right-click on "EnableCommunicationCenter"
and choose modify.
- Change the value data from 1 to 0 (zero).
- Perform step #4 on the following as well: "EnableNonPatchNotifications"
and "MaintenancePatchNotificationOption"
That's it! Restart your computer and voila, WSCommCntr1.exe
is not running.
Author: John Deer
- http://themadcadder.blogs.com/
Copy
Copy with a base point
Copy with a base point the simple way; 'Ctrl+Alt+C' then select
your base point, 'Ctrl+V' to paste.
Author: Chris
Holbon - PLACE ARCHITECTURE
Co-ordinates
Pressing up-arrow repeats also
the entered coordinates. Why?
Scrolling history of previous commands with the up/down cursor
arrows now (since AutoCAD 2006) displays also past coordinates
(X,Y). If you don't want to repeat coordinates from the history
buffer, set the INPUTHISTORYMODE variable (e.g. to 0 - see
AutoCAD Help).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Dimension
How to place dimensions or hatches
automatically to preset layers?
If you want to draw your dimensions, hatches or text always
to fixed predefined layers, you can use several methods how
to do this in plain AutoCAD (vertical AutoCAD versions offer
this function automatically):
- you can customize (no programming) your AutoCAD toolbars
so that the dimension functions will always start with a
layer switch command
- place dim commands or hatch patterns onto a user Palette
(Ctrl+3) and in the properties of these items (rt-click,
Properties) set the given value for the Layer property
- use a .LSP program to redefine (_UNDEFINE) the _DIMxxxx
commands so that they will always start with a layer switch
command (_-LAYER)
- attach a reactor to the dimensioning commands which will
automatically switch to a specified layer (and then switch
the layer back)
- you can also change layer ex-post - use QSELECT or the
Properties window to select all dimensions and then change
their Layer property to the target layer.
Probably the most effective way are the palettes and reactors.
As an example of such reactor you can use the free utility
AutoLay (see http://www.xanadu.cz/en/download.asp?file=AutoLay),
which places all drawn dimensions, hatches and texts to fixed
predefined layers. Just load the LISP utility into AutoCAD
(APPLOAD) and switch it on with the AutoLay command.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Switch between dimension styles
The following macro allows you to switch between dimension
styles by clicking on a dimension: ^C^C-DIMSTYLE;R; \GRAPHSCR
Author: David Haertl - Thompson Engineers, Inc
Drawing
Is drawing linked to a sheet set?
If it is, how to determine the name and path of the corresponding
DST file?
Since AutoCAD® 2005, drawings can be administered in the
Sheet Set Manager. Multiple DWG files can be registered in
a sheet set and saved as a DST file. A single DWG file can
only be attached to one sheet set at a time. It may be useful
to determine the sheet set (and the corresponding DST file)
when you only have access to the DWG file. To determine what
sheet set is attached to the drawing, open the DWG file and
enter SSFOUND on the command line. This will return the name
and the path of the sheet set that is linked to the drawing.
If the drawing is not linked to a sheet set, the SSFOUND command
will not return a value.
DWF
DWF Underlay
Fade and contrast DWF Underlay object properties controls
dims the lines towards the background color which helps to
differentiate the DWF Underlay object with Drawing entities
while plotting.
Author: Mathavan Arugalaimuthu -
Autodesk
DWF Underlay Search Path
If the drawing has DWF reference file in Start-in folder (My
Document) the search order is always start-in folder, Current
document folder, Project name folder and support file search
path.
Author: Mathavan Arugalaimuthu -
Autodesk
How to change a color DWF underlay to black-and-white?
If your underlaid color DWF is hard to read, you can easily
change it do display as monochrome. Use the DWFADJUST command,
select the DWF underlay and choose Monochrome, Yes.
You can also set Monochrome in its Properties window (Ctrl+1).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Naming your multi-sheet DWF
In the Publish dialog, users have the option to specify file
name for publication of multi-sheet DWFs. Click on "Publish
options" and select "Specify name" in the "DWF
naming" dropdown" in "Multi-sheet DWF options".
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
Publishing 3D DWF
To avoid getting "!Will not publish" error status
in Publish dialog when publishing 3DDWF, check "DWF file"
in the "Publish to" group. If this option is not
selected, 3DDWF cannot be published.
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
Publish 3D DWF without a dialog
You can publish 3D DWF without the use of dialogs by setting
FILEDIA to 0 and command EXPORT. Enter file name followed
by .DWF as extension.
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
Publishing materials in a 3D DWF
To publish materials with 3DDWF using the Publish dialog,
click on Publish options and select Yes for Publish with materials
in the 3D DWF options frame group.
Author: Chin-Wee
Ong - Autodesk
Representing curved surfaces in 3D DWF
To improve smoothness of 3D DWF models representation of curved
surfaces, system variable 3DDWFPREC and increase the value.
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
Selecting individual objects to publish
in a 3D DWF
Users can select individual objects, even within x-ref objects,
in model space to publish. Command 3DDWF. Click Tools button
followed by Options. In there, there is a button for selecting
individual objects to publish.
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
DWG
Attaching a voice message to a DWG drawing
You can easily attach an audio note (comment, sound) to your
AutoCAD drawing.
Take an existing file in an audio format - WAV, MP3, MID,
M4A, etc., drag it with your mouse from Windows Explorer (or
other file manager) to an arbitrary place in your AutoCAD
drawing. You can also use the INSERTOBJ command to insert
the audio recorded OLE object.
The audio recording can be subsequently replayed by double-clicking
on the OLE2 object icon (usually a loud-speaker).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Copy/Paste fails in a DWG2000 file saved
from AutoCAD 2007
When you open a DWG file (in the DWG2000 format), saved from
AutoCAD 2007, in AutoCAD 2000, 2000i, or 2002, the clipboard
functions Copy, Paste and Cut may fail. Apply the ACDB17.DLL
fix for AutoCAD 2007 - see www.xanadu.cz/download.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
How to convert a DWG file to PDF without
AutoCAD?
The most reliable way to print/plot a DWG drawing to PDF without
AutoCAD is to use the free Autodesk DWG TrueView viewer. DWG
TrueView 2007 supports also plotting to the PDF format (select
printer/plotter: "DWG to PDF.pc3").
So you don't need to buy or download any special CAD utility
anymore...
Autodesk DWG TrueView can be downloaded e.g. from www.xanadu.cz/download
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Which DWG versions can be saved from AutoCAD
2007 ?
AutoCAD 2007 uses a DWG format. With the Save As command you
can also save to the AutoCAD 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000i,
2000 and R14 DWG file formats.
For older versions use DXF or the "Autodesk DWG TrueConvert"
utility (see www.xanadu.cz/download).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Edit / trim
Edit and Trim with one click
One-click versions of Edit and Trim were new to me in LT98
and seemed to disappear in later versions. 1-click edit and
trim automatically define the boundaries so that all you need
to do is touch the line once to either extend to nearest line
or trim from nearest line(s). The best way to use these quick
versions of Edit and Trim are at the top of your default shortcut
menu for the mouse right-click. To do this go to Tools/Customization/Interface
window. Under you CUI files, look for the ALCT/ShortcutMenus/DefaultMenu
Open it an you will see all your commands in order as they
appear when you perform a default right-click with nothing
gripped or activated. From the Command List below drag and
drop Trim and Edit so that they appear after the second "star"
with two dashes. Then highlight "trim" and go the
macro line shown to the right and add a space and semicolon
to the command string. So the command for trim normally reads
(^C^C_trim) not including hte parenthesis. But you want (^C^C_trim
;). Do the same for extend. Click apply and close window and
go back to work screen. Then try it out by drawing a quick
5-point star and use the trim function. Once you get the hang
of it you can really save time.
Author: Cameron Fultz - CB Anderson
Architects
Editing primitive forms within composite
solids
You can select the original individual forms of a composite
solid by holding down the CTRL key. If the original solid
form is a solid primitive, grips are displayed that allow
you to change shape and size of the primitive form within
the composite.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Trimming and extending near text
When trimming and extending objects, turn off the layers
of any nearby text objects. The text bounding boxes of multiline
text can be much larger than the text itself and can act as
unexpected boundary edges.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Errors
Error 1935 or Error 1603 while installing
DWG TrueView.
[Error: 1603] Fatal Error MSXML2
Update your PC (WinXP and MSIE) using the online service "Windows
Update".
This error can be caused also by a problem in the Windows
Installer service or by limited disk space in the Windows
TEMP folder.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Error DBX CAS 4
(or DBX CAS 0, DBX CAS 6)
DBX error-types are reported by the ObjectDBX library. They
often come from 3rd party add-on applications, especially
from LT applications.
Always apply tha latest Service Packs for your Autodesk CAD
application (and possibly also for the add-on). This error
can be also caused by a HW problem or collision with another
running application or driver.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
FATAL ERROR: Commands may not be nested
more than 4 deep
This error means that an ARX, ADS, or LISP function calls
repeatedly (recursively) an internal AutoCAD command or (usually)
that an externally defined function (e.g. ALIGN, EATTEDIT,
ATTSYNC, etc.) is called (invoked) improperly.
E.g. use (align...) instead of (command "ALIGN"...),
or (acet-attsync ...) instead of (command "ATTSYNC"...).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Files
Where can I find the missing GENLTSHP.SHX
file?
This small Genius shape symbol file can be downloaded e.g.
from www.xanadu.cz/download.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Filters
How to copy named filters to another computer?
Definitions of named filters defined in the FILTER command
are saved to the text file filter.nfl. This file is located
in the local working directory (e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\username\ApplicationData\Autodesk\
AutoCAD2007\R17.0\enu\Support\filter.nfl).
To copy the definitions between PCs copy this file or a part
of its content.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Using coordinate filters
When working in 3D, you can use coordinate filters
to drop a perpendicular line from a 3D feature to the XY plane
of the UCS. Enter the Line command, specify the first point,
and then enter .xy of @ (need Z) 0.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Grip
Grip Tool constraints
Once a Grip Tool constraint has been activated, you can press
the spacebar to cycle between stretch, move, and rotate modes
similar to grip editing modes. Help topic: "Understand
Grip Tools".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Repositioning the Grip Tool
The Grip Tool can be repositioned by clicking on it's base
grip. While repositioning the Grip Tool, you can press the
spacebar to cycle between the Move and Rotate Grip Tools.
Help topic: "Understand Grip Tools".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Understand Grip Tools
When manipulating an entity using the Move Grip Tool and clicking
on a planar constraint, all coordinate entry will be relative
to the Grip Tool's base point so the "@" symbol
can be omitted when entering coordinates. (eg: entering "5<45"
is equivalent to "@5<45"). Normal drafting aids
can be used (eg: polar tracking, OSnaps, OSnap tracking, etc.)
Help topic: "Understand Grip Tools".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Using the new Grip Tool
Use the new Grip Tool feature while grip editing to manipulate
grips along a constrained axis or plane. Note: to use the
Grip Tool, your Visual Style must be set to 3D wireframe or
higher. Help topic: "Understand Grip Tools".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Importing
How to import DWG files from AutoCAD 2007 to 3ds max 8?
Compatibility of 3ds max 8 with the new file format DWG2007
- i.e. drawings from AutoCAD 2007, ADT2007 etc. - is established
by Service Pack 3 and the "RealDWG 2007" update.
SP3 and RealDWG 2007 for 3ds max 8 can be found e.g. on the
page www.xanadu.cz/download.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Improving performance
Improving performance while using Attribute
Extraction
If you're noticing performance issues while using the Attribute
Extraction auto-update notification feature (typically in
very large drawings), you can temporarily disable attribute
monitoring by clicking on the Attribute Extraction icon in
the system tray and unchecking the "Enable Notifications
for Out-of-Synch Table Data". This will be re-enabled
automatically when you re-open the drawing later or you can
re-enable it manually.
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Restricting rollover highlighting
to improve performance
Try setting the SELECTIONPREVIEW system variable to 2 if the
rollover highlighting functionality degrades performance in
large drawings. This will restrict rollover highlighting to
only be active when prompted for object selection from within
a command. This can also be set from "Options->Selection->Selection
Preview group".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Keys
Using shortcut keys and Temporary Override
Keys
If you frequently find yourself temporarily changing settings
from within a command, review the the "Add Shortcut Keys
and Temporary Override Keys" help topic. This feature
allows you to press and hold function keys and SHIFT key combinations
to temporarily toggle system variable settings (eg: OSMODE,
ORTHOMODE, AUTOSNAP, UCSDETECT, DYNMODE, etc). Custom Temporary
Overrides can be configured from the CUI.
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Layers
Controlling the list order of layers
To control the list order of layers, use a two or three digit
prefix to each layer name. Assign a range of numbers to a
layer category, leaving unused numbers to insert new layers
in the list.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Lighting
Global Illumination Hints
Reduce the number of Photons/Light to speed up the Global
Illumination process when rendering draft images. When rendering
the final version you can increase its value until you reach
good quality x speed. When using Radius, make sure they are
large enough so that the GI dots blend among each other. If
the radius is too small, you’ll need to use a much higher
number of Photons and that will slow down the render time.
Author: Karyn Reynolds and Alexander
Bicalho
Use Attenuation or Limits to control
the intensity of your lights
When using Lights in AutoCAD 2007, make sure they have either
attenuation or limits. Without using those effects, the light
will have full intensity in all objects regardless of the
distance of the objects from the light. If you use attenuation,
the light intensity will be reduced based on the distance.
If you use limits, you’ll be able to specify where the
light starts and stops, giving you full control over the intensity
and effect of your lights.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Lines
How to convert thick polylines to 3D solids?
Polylines with fixed width, closed polylines and circles
can be converted (if the have non-zero thickness) to extruded
3D solids. Use the CONVTOSOLID command.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Joining lines to polylines
If you want to add lines to a polyline you could use the polyline
edit command or you could use the FILLET command because when
you fillet a polyline to a line they will automatically join.
Refer to the help files on the FILLET command for additional
options.
Author: Alex March - Terrain Consultants
Reduce thick and blocky lines
If lines appear thick and blocky try reducing the displayed
linetype scale: - Tools -Options --User prefences ---Lineweight
Settings -Adjust the display scale slider to a minimum or
click the display lineweight tick box off.
Author: Lee Corstorphine
- BBC Fire Protection
Loading AutoCAD faster
Make AutoCAD faster
Another trick to make AutoCAD run a little faster is to
set your Anti Virus software to IGNORE AutoCAD extensions
like: DWG, LSP, DCL, ARX, CHM, etc
Author: murrayc.49304
Open AutoCAD faster - Disable the Digital Signature Validation
Options
If you find that it takes a long time for AutoCAD or any
other Autodesk application to load you may want to look at
the following:
- On your desktop, right-click on any Autodesk Icon (i.e.:
AutoCAD) and pick "Enable/Disable Digital Signature
Icon".
- In the "Signature Validation Options" dialogue
box, uncheck "Display digital signatures and display
special icons".
- Restart your computer.
What does this do? Well, Autodesk applications loads a shell
extension which determines if a file is digitally signed
by displaying a specific icon. To determine whether a file
is digitally signed, the shell extension looks into each
drawing file before displaying it. If a folder contains
many drawings, like your template folder, it will take longer
to open.
Author: The Mad
Cadder - http://themadcadder.blogs.com/
To make autocad load faster
You can also right click and add the: /nologo to the end of
the shortcut on your desktop to prevent it from displaying
when you access the program via your shortcut. BTW, this doesn't
seem to affect anything when you load the program by double
clicking a dwg file.
Author: Hobbes
Jboatwright@jsisurveyors.com
Maps
Making your bump maps bumpy
If your bump maps don’t look bumpy enough, check the
setting on your bump map slider carefully. It goes from -1000
to 1000 (unlike other material map sliders, which go from
0 to 100.)
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Shadow Maps
When using full shadows, note that spot lights are the most
efficient type of light for casting shadows. Shadows generated
by distant lights can take up to four (4) times at long to
render, and shadows generated by point lights can take up
to six (6) times as long as spot lights. The same factors
apply to the amount of video memory used by the various light
types.
Author: Sam Black - Autodesk
Materials
A quick workaround for some materials
There are a few materials in the Materials Tool Palettes whose
translucency parameters may not be saved correctly; these
are ones with an & in the name. Quick workaround: make
a new material with the same parameters and same bitmap, but
eliminate all ampersands from the material and/or bitmap name.
Place it back in your tool palette for easy use later.
Author: Shana
Priwer - Autodesk
Adjusting properties of an assigned
material
Remember that after you’ve assigned a material tool from
the Tool Palettes to an object in your scene, the current
copy of that material now lives in the Material Editor. If
you need to adjust tiling or any other aspect of that assigned
material, do it from the Material Editor, not Tool Palette
Properties.
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Applying materials
To apply a material per face of an AutoCAD object, hold down
CTRL as it is applied to the face.
Author: Robert Finch - Autodesk
Attaching materials
The fastest way to assign a material to a layer is to open
the Material Attachment Options dialog (click the Attach by
Layer button in the Materials control panel of the dashboard.)
Simply drag your created material from the left panel, onto
the layer name in the right panel. You can also invoke the
Material Attachment Options dialog by typing MATERIALATTACH
at the command prompt.
Author: Shana
Priwer - Autodesk
Looking for your additional Material Library content?
Looking for your additional Material Library content? If you
don’t see a Material Library tool palette group, right-click
on the Tool Palettes titlebar and go to Customize Palettes.
Drag all the palettes ending in “ – Material Library”
on the left side (Palettes) into the Material Library palette
group on the right side. Close the Customize dialog, and your
Material Library palette group will now be fully populated
with additional content.
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Missing materials in DWG drawings from older AutoCAD versions
If you render a drawing coming from an older version in AutoCAD
2007 and some materials are missing (not displayed) in the
scene, run the old material conversion command - CONVERTOLDMATERIALS.
(Possible loading of a MLI file has to be performed in an
older AutoCAD version.)
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Troubleshooting the Materials Editor
If all the objects in your scene are rendering black, open
the Materials Editor and look at the Global Material. If its
diffuse color is set to black, change it to another color
by clicking the color swatch. If there is no color swatch
available, unchecking ByObject will reveal it.
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Using bitmapped materials on a polyface
mesh
Bitmapped materials will render without the bitmap when assigned
to a polyface mesh. As a workaround, try recreating the polyface
mesh using some other type of object, such as a region or
3d face.
Author: Shana
Priwer - Autodesk
Using Purge with the Materials Editor
A fast way to remove all the extra unassigned materials in
your Materials Editor: use the Purge dialog.
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Using the Materials Editor
Looking for a quick glass material? Or a quick metal? Open
the Materials Editor and choose from the templates in the
Template dropdown. These provide preset materials that are
ready for use.
Author: Shana
Priwer - Autodesk
Viewing transparent materials in the Materials
Editor
Transparent materials will be easier to view in the Materials
Editor with Checkered Underlay on (main toolbar underneath
the row of swatches, second button from the left).
Author: Shana
Priwer - Autodesk
Modes
How can I get back from the AutoCAD fullscreen
mode (no menu, no titlebar)?
Enter the FULLSCREEN command (from Express Tools). Or press
the Ctrl+0 key.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Mouse tricks for Walk and Fly mode
In Walk and Fly mode, you can use the middle mouse wheel to
do real-time Zoom and Pan in the Preview panel of the Position
Locator. Mouse click in the Preview panel first, then use
the middle mouse wheel to do real-time Zoom and Pan of the
view in the Preview panel.
Author: KB Lee - Autodesk
Temporarily enter Free Orbit mode
Press + key and click the mouse wheel button to temporarily
enter Free Orbit mode (transparent 3DFORBIT). This can be
used with or without an editing command.
Author: KB Lee - Autodesk
Temporarily enter 3D Swivel mode
Press key and click the mouse wheel button to temporarily
enter 3D Swivel mode (transparent 3DSWIVEL). This can be used
with or without an editing command.
Author: KB Lee - Autodesk
Temporarily enter Constrained Orbit mode
Press key and click the mouse wheel button to temporarily
enter Constrained Orbit mode (transparent 3DORBIT). This can
be used with or without an editing command.
Author: KB Lee
- Autodesk
Moving
Moving bounded areas
You can press or pull bounded areas by pressing and holding
CTRL + ALT, and then picking the area. The area must be bounded
by coplanar lines or edges.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Move, rotate or scale subobjects
of 3D Solids
When moving, rotating or scaling individual faces, edges or
vertices of 3D Solid objects, the coordinates of the 3D Solid
objects must not exceed 10,000. If they do, the operation
cannot be performed. If you have 3D Solid objects that exceed
this coordinate range, the work-around is to scale them down
and move closer to the origin so that they fit within the
10,000 coordinate range limit.
Author: Jiri Kripac - Autodesk
Objects
Changing properites of objects
If you want to the change the properties of all objects which
are of one type eg. All hatches or All lines, but can't be
bothered to use quick select - select everything in your drawing
and call up the properties dialog box. At the top a dropdown
box will say All(**) the stars are number. Now choose the
dropdown box and it will list how many of each individual
element is in your drawing. Now you can change the properties
of those elements you want to change without affecting anything
else.
Author: Howard
Walker
Dimetry - dimetric projection of AutoCAD 3D objects
By default, AutoCAD offers only isometric and perspective
projections. For dimetric representation of 3D scenes you
can use the free utility by XANADU - DIMETRY. Dimetric projection
(as a special case of axonometric view) employs projection
angles of about 7/42 degrees.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Having trouble while selecting objects?
Having trouble while selecting objects? If you find that selecting
objects is limited to selecting one at a time, change the
PICKADD system variable back to 1 (on). or select objects
while pressing shift key.
Author: Antony T. - Burt Hill
Organize x-ref objects
You can organize x-ref objects in hierarchical order. Click
Tools menu in the "Export 3D DWF" dialog, followed
by options. In there, check the "Group by x-ref hierarchy"
check box. To organize x-ref objects in hierarchical order
using the Publish dialog, click on Publish options and select
Yes for Group by X-ref hierarchy in the 3D DWF options group.
Author: Chin-Wee Ong - Autodesk
Replacing Landscape Objects
In order to replace Landscape objects you can create a flat
surface (3DFACE, PLANESURF) and then assign a people/tree
material assigned to it. The material should use an Advanced
template and should have a black specular color. Assign the
RGB image as the Diffuse Map and the Black & White image
as the opacity map. Use “Fit to Object” in both
maps and it’s ready to be rendered. Use WBLOCK to save
it to your block library and you won’t have to re-create
it again.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selecting subobjects
When subobjects (faces, edges, and vertices) on solids are
overlapping and selection preview is turned on, you can cycle
through the subobjects by rolling over the subobject on top
to highlight it, and pressing and holding CTRL and then pressing
SPACEBAR continuously. When the required subobject is highlighted,
left-click to select it.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selecting subobjects on solids
You can select subobjects (faces, edges, and vertices) on
solids by pressing and holding CTRL, and then selecting these
subobjects.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selection - cycling through overlapping
objects in AutoCAD 2007
The Ctrl+click selection no longer works?
Since AutoCAD version 2007, you can select from the overlapping
objects with the key combination Shift+spacebar (or from sub-objects
with Ctrl+spacebar). The Ctrl-mouseclick combination is now
reserved for sub-object selection on 3D objects (face, edge,
vertex).
If you prefer the old (legacy) method, you can switch the
LEGACYCTRLPICK variable to 1 and AutoCAD will behave as in
the older versions.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Using OLE objects
When Publishing multple layouts from a drawing that contains
linked OLE objects, such as Excel spreadsheets, have the OLE
link open before Publishing so that the Publishing will proceed
without further user intervention. If the link is not open
AutoCAD will stop the Publishing to ask for permission to
open the link.
Author: Robert
Cohen - Solar Energy Design, Inc
Parameter
Base point parameter
Add a base point parameter to your blocks. It comes in handy
when using a flip action like on doors or windows. It will
allow you to flip your block as well as where it inserts at.
PDF
Which version of PDF files is generated
by AutoCAD 2007?
CAD applications of the AutoCAD 2007 family export version
1.4 PDF files (Adobe Acrobat 5; %PDF-1.4).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Points
What's the point?
Points are used to align blocks and to set insertion points
on a paper space template. A good point style is 35 and the
size should be relative to your screen scale. PDMODE - change
how points are displayed. PDSIZE - Set the size (mm) of the
points Points are also created using the DIVIDE tool which
splits a line into equal sections. Beware of points which
you cannot see as they prevent you from erasing layers.
Author: Lee Corstorphine
- BBC Fire Protection
Plot
Using the Plot Stamp
Adding a Plot Stamp is a good way to add a handy plot reference
to a hard copy. However, each size of sheet will require adjustments
to the Plot Stamp position. Using the Plot Stamp Settings
dialogue box, configure the desired parameters. Each sheet
size can be given its own position and saved to a unique file
name; ie. a1.pss. This will ensure a quick and accurate position
for each print.
Author: Kevin Hennedy - Brew & Corkill
Raster
Raster images disappearing during zoom/pan
Check the RTDISPLAY variable. The value 1 switches off raster
display during zoom and pan.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
References
External References palette
To sort the list so the xrefs or images are all grouped together,
use the 1st icon column (vs. the Type column). Using the Icon
column will group together all the xrefs, images & dwf
underlays. If you use the Type column it will group together
the different types of xrefs (Attach & Overlay) &
different types of images (JPG, BMP, GIF, etc.).
Author: Karen Mason - Autodesk
Rotate
A tip for using rotate
When using the rotate option, if you select "Object Required"
and then pick a point, then press "R" you get a
reference point at which to rotate the desired object. This
is very handy if an object is at an awkward angle and you
want to rotate at a 90 degree angle.
Author: Dave Whelan
- STONEFACINGS
Screen / resolution
Screen Revolution
Although making reading text on screen difficult without a
magnifying glass, a high screen resolution can greatly improve
the visibility of a drawing by packing more onto the screen
much more clearly.
Author: Lee Corstorphine
- BBC Fire Protection
Take full advantage of your screen space
If you like to take full advantage of your screen space, click
on the Clean Screen button in the lower-right corner to run
AutoCAD in fullscreen mode. Alternatively, you can use the
CTRL+0 (zero) shortcut.
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Sectioning
Live sectioning
To turn on live sectioning, select a section object, right-click
the section line, and click Activate Live Sectioning.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Settings
Changing the visual effects of selection
and rollover highlighting
Want to change the visual effects of selection and rollover
highlighting? Advanced settings can be found in "Options->Selection->Selection
Preview group->Visual Effect Settings…"
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Setups
Loading Page setups from a template drawing.
You may want to quickly load a set of predefined page setups
from a template (standard) drawing file (DWG or DWT). Use
the following LISP code to define the PStps command and then
run this command to load the standard setups.
(defun C:PStps ()
(command "._-PSETUPIN" "my_plot_configurations.dwg"
"*")
)
Alternatively, you can also just assign this code to a menu
macro or a tool palette:
._-PSETUPIN s:/templates/company_standards.dwt *
You can use multi-pagesetup.lsp to assign the loaded setup
to multiple layouts.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Shapes
Creating a box with Center Point
You can use the Center Point option of the BOX command to
create a box using a specified center point.
Author: Karyn
Reynolds - Autodesk
Draw a coil
You can create a spring or coil shape by using the SWEEP command
to sweep a circle along a helix (HELIX command) path.
Author: Karyn
Reynolds - Autodesk
How to draw a 3D spiral in AutoCAD?
To draw a spiral curve use the 3DSPIRAL function in the SPIRAL.LSP
utility - can be downloaded from www.xanadu.cz/download.
If you need a 3D coil (spring) as a solid body (model), draw
a circle (or another profile) and extrude it along the 3D
spiral trajectory using the _EXTRUDE command. Or use the SOL_SPRING
function in the LSP archive as above (sol_spring.lsp).
Since AutoCAD 2007 you can also use the HELIX command.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Solids
Create efficient 3D solid models
You can create 3D solid models efficiently by combining regions
in 2D to create a complex profile, and then extruding, revolving,
or sweeping the profile in 3D.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Checking the fidelity of 3D solid models
Check the fidelity of 3D solid models with orthographic views.
It’s very easy to be fooled visually when working in
3D.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Ensure that the corners of 3D solids
blend correctly
To make sure that the corners of 3D solids blend correctly,
select all intersecting edges of a 3D solid within a single
FILLET command.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
See your options before modifying a 3D
solid
Sometimes there are several possible results when you modify
a 3D solid. When you move, rotate, or scale subobjects (faces,
edges, and vertices), you can press CTRL while you drag to
cycle through modification options.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selecting faces on 3D solids
When you press and hold CTRL to select faces on 3D solids,
the front-facing face in the foreground is detected first.
You can select a back-facing face that lies behind the front-facing
face by pressing SPACEBAR (with CTRL still pressed).
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selecting individual forms of composites
in a composite solid
When a composite solid is made up of other composite solids,
you can select the original individual forms of composites
within composites by holding down the CTRL key and continuing
to click on the forms.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
The history of your solid primitive
If you move, rotate, or scale a face, edge, or vertex on a
3D solid primitive, the solid primitive’s history is
removed. The solid is no longer a true primitive and cannot
be manipulated as such (through grips and the Properties palette).
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Spaces
Switching between model space and paper space
To switch between model and paper space (in layout view) enter
in command line 'MS' or 'PS' respectively.
Author: Luke Author: Liddicoat - Fibrelogic
Sub entities / sub objects
Create a selection set of more
than one subobject
You can create a selection set of more than one subobject
(faces, edges, and vertices) on any number of solids by pressing
and holding CTRL, and then selecting these subobjects. Your
selection set can also include more than one type of subobject.
You can also use CTRL to select subobjects (faces, edges,
and vertices) on 3D solids at the selection prompts of the
MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, and ERASE commands.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
Selecting just the right subentitiy
When selecting subentities while pressing the CTRL key, you
may want to select a face which appears behind another entity.
While holding the CTRL key, hit the spacebar once to cycle
between subentities until the one you want is selected. This
requires the SELECTIONPREVIEW system variable be set to be
enabled. Refer to the help documentation for the different
settings for this variable.
Author: Chaffee
Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Selecting sub-entities on 3D solids
Press and hold the CTRL key to select sub-entities (faces,
edges, and vertices) on 3D solids. Pressing the CTRL key has
the same effect when dragging a window selection.
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Surfaces
Convert surfaces to solids
You can use the THICKEN command to convert surfaces to solids.
Author: Karyn Reynolds - Autodesk
How to convert surfaces to 3D solids?
Since AutoCAD 2007 you can easily convert a surface model
to a volume (solid body). Run the THICKEN command and enter
thickness for the selected surface. For elevated polylines
and similar entities you can also use the CONVTOSOLID command.
If you need to change e.g. 3DFACE (3D faces) to 3DSOLIDs,
convert the 3DFaces first to surfaces with the CONVTOSURFACE
command.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Tables
Keeping your tables in sync
When using the Attribute Extraction feature, selecting the
"Select objects" or "Current drawing"
data sources and creating an AutoCAD table, you can receive
bubble notifications when the table becomes out of sync (eg:
attributes are edited, or blocks are added/deleted). Search
the help documentation for "Attribute Extraction".
Author: Chaffee Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Textures
Troubleshooting textures
Textures not showing up in the viewport? Look at your Visual
Style setting and be sure that “Materials display”
is set to “Materials and textures”.
Author: Shana Priwer - Autodesk
Text
How to copy text contents from one text
entity to another?
If you need to transfer a text string from a source text object
to another text object (or multiple objects), you can use
the copy-paste method:
- double-click on the source text (into text editor)
- Ctrl+C
- double-click on the target/destination text (into text
editor)
- Ctrl+V
To copy the source text into many entities you can use the
KopirujText LISP utility (for download on www.xanadu.cz/download).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
How to find a dot (.), asterisk (*) or
question mark (?) in the drawing text?
When entering the text to find in the Search and Replace dialog
(the FIND command) you can use wildcard characters (since
version 2006). If you really want to find the entered character
(being a wildcard), you need to add the prefix (escape) character
"back apostrophe" (`).
The wildcard characters are:
# (hash) - numerals
@ (at) - alphabet characters
. (dot) - non-alphanumeric characters
* (asterisk) - any string
? (question mark) - any character
~ (tilde) - all but the pattern
[ ] (brackets) - list of characters or interval
` (back apostrophe) - take the following character verbatim
(as a standard one)
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
How to move text entities to the Z-elevation
by their text value
You have text labels (entities) like "284.4", "731.11"
on given locations in your drawing and you want to individually
move (displace) these texts to Z coordinates corresponding
to their text values (Z=284.4, etc.).
For this you can use the free TEXT2ELEV utility available
on www.xanadu.cz/. In case of block attributes you can use
e.g. Excellink.(http://www.xanadu.cz/excellink)
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Text always readable in the MTEXT editor
If the MTEXTFIXED variable is set to 2 the text editor zooms
automatically to the edited text. So the text remains readable
even if it is too close (large), too far (small), rotated
or off-screen.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Toggling
Toggling between nested viewports in paper
space
In paper space, we enter a model space viewport by double
clicking inside the viewport extents, however if you have
a viewport within a viewport, it is impossible to pick the
internal viewport Press "Ctrl r " and you can toggle
between all the viewports including the one you could not
pick before.
Author: John Vos - ABB Grain Ltd
Toolbars / tool palettes
Don't underestimate Tool Palettes
(CTRL+3)
This tool is not to be underestimated, create all the blocks
you want and simply open both the tool palette and windows
explorer, then drag your blocks onto the tool palette It will
copy them into the tool and make them readily available for
you to use. In the options you can set the transparency of
the palette and make it rill away to minimize it when not
in use (also available for other palettes).
Author: Lee Corstorphine
- BBC Fire Protection Limited
How to display an invisible toolbar?
To show (show again) icons of a selected AutoCAD toolbar use
the -TOOLBAR command, or right click in an empty area for
toolbars and check the required tool panel in the context
menu. Initial visibility of toolbars can be set in the CUI
dialog.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Prevent your toolbars and palettes from
docking
When dragging toolbars and palette windows you can press and
hold the CTRL key to prevent them from docking.
Author: Chaffee
Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Trim
Trim and extend without fences
To trim and extend in AutoCAD - no fences required - window
multiple lines to extend once boundary is selected. Save even
more time!
Author: Autodesk
UCS
Enabling Dynamic UCS
To temporarily enable/disable the Dynamic UCS feature, press
and hold F6, SHIFT+Z, or SHIFT+/ (for lefties).
Author: Chaffee
Vo-Vu - Autodesk
Non-unitary UCS Y axis; normalizing
This message can appear on drawings converted from a non-Autodesk
CAD program or created with an add-on application.
In the given view (viewport, layout) use the UCS W command
to force the World UCS. Or try to change the drawing units.
Also perform an audit of the complaining drawing (AUDIT, RECOVER).
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Rotating the UCS when working in 3D
When working in 3D, it is often useful to rotate the UCS exactly
90 degrees around one of its axes. In this case, use the X,
Y, or Z options of the UCS command. Use the right-hand rule
to determine whether the rotation should be positive or negative
90 degrees.
Author: Dieter
Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Using the dynamic UCS feature
When working in 3D, you can also use the dynamic UCS feature
during the UCS command. This is a fast and reliable technique
to make sure that the XY plane of the UCS is located exactly
on the plane that you want to work on.
Author: Dieter Schlaepfer - Autodesk
Units
Convert units quickly
Let's say you want to draw a 12mm hole in a drawing that is
mainly in inch units. Try this: create the circle by defining
its diameter as 120/254. It seems like you could do 12/25.4,
but AutoCAD LT only likes to divide whole numbers. By multiplying
both numbers by 10 you don't need the decimal. This both saves
time from looking it up on a chart or grabbing a calculator
-- and it is many times more accurate since AutoCAD uses more
digits of accuracy than your calculator.
Author: Chris
Willey - Anderson Hardwood Floors
Viewports
Lock the display of a Viewport
One of my biggest pet peeves is an AutoCAD operator that does
not lock the display of a viewport in Layout (paperspace).
It is very annoying when another user double-clicks the middle
of a viewport to make a change in model space but zooms and
changes the scale.
To prevent a user from changing the scale of a viewport use
the Display Lock option in the Properties of the Viewport:
- Select the viewport.
- Open the Properties.
- Scroll down to find Display Lock (default is NO)
- Change the NO to YES.
Now, if you were to double-click inside the viewport and
zoom, you are still zooming the paperspace, not the model
space. This prevents a user from messing-up the scale.
Author: The Mad
Cadder - http://themadcadder.blogs.com/
Lock the display of a Viewport
- select the viewport
- press right mouse key
- menu opens
- select Lock viewport Yes
Tip for the reverse:
when you are in a locked viewport choose 3d orbit, use rightmousekey
to pan ! this way you do not have to unlock and relock the
viewport. (be careful not to use the left mousekey or you
will start orbitting !)
Author: hans geerligs
- hge@interwand.nl
Locking viewports
You can lock a viewport. If you are in paper space, it does
not allow the user to change the scale of the viewport. Right-click
anywhere on the viewport and go to Properties...Misc...Display
locked and change the value in the Properties window to Yes.
Make sure your viewport is to scale before you do this!
Author: Dan Middleton
- Magnagraphic Designse
Visibility
Visibility state
Using the right click menu on a selected item in the block
editor you can change the visibility state of an object. Useful
on the parameters & actions that I create in one visibility
state but want to use in all states.
X-refs
Accessing old versions of the IMAGE and XREF commands.
AutoCAD 2007 introduced a centralized External References
Manager which also takes over (is mapped to) the standard
IMAGE and XREF commands. If you want to use the old classic
dialogs of these two commands, you can use the commands CLASSICIMAGE
and CLASSICXREF respectively.
The commandline versions -IMAGE and -XREF are not influenced.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
How to bind Xrefs with the main drawing?
To bind/insert all Xrefs into the main DWG drawing you can
use the command:
_XREF _Bind *
Binding method (bind/insert) is controlled by the BINDTYPE
variable.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
How to clip a xref with a hole/island inside?
You want to clip an external reference or other part of your
drawing but you want to suppress (wipeout, mask) an inside
region, not the outside part.
There are several ways to do this - e.g.:
- Use XCLIP with a 'keyhole' type of the clipping polyline
(a narrow path from outside to the inside isle)
- Instead of XCLIP use a WIPEOUT to wipe the inside hole (the
usage is not limited to xrefs)
- Use MVIEW with regions in a layout. Draw the outside polygon,
draw the inside polyline/isle, make REGIONs from both of the
polylines and SUBTRACT them. Use the resulting region as a
clipping object for your MVIEW.
Author: CAD Forum
- http://www.cadforum.cz/
Demand load x-refs
When using Xrefs make sure your "Demand load Xrefs"
is set to Enabled with copy. This will enable other people
to work on the source files while you have the drawing open.
This can be found in the "Open and Save" tab of
the Options dialogue box.
Author: Michael
Ragg - Jefferson Sheard Architects
Zoom
Quickly zoom extents
To zoom extents within model or paper space, just double click
the wheel on your mouse.
Author: Richard Fowler - Roberts Gardner Ltd
Setting up a custom ZOOM button
Frequently I want to zoom so that what is viewed on
my screen is the actual size of the object. To do this, I
set up a button with the following command: ^C^C_ZOOM _C \6.8
This uses the Zoom Center command, and prompts me to pick
a center point. It then zooms to a factor of 6.8 (Yours will
vary depending on your monitor - to determine yours, just
zoom in until you are satisfied and then checkout the value
using the VIEWSIZE command.
Author: Chris
Willey - Anderson Hardwood Floorsk
Zoom
Many users of AutoCAD 2006 and 2007 do not like the new dynamic
zoom effect in the application. When using the zoom window
or zoom extents command, the drawing area zooms in or out
very smoothly. It almost looks like a guided missile going
in for the kill. If you do not like this new zoom look, there
is a system variable that controls this "VTENABLE".
The VTENABLE system variable is set to 3 by default. Setting
this to 0 will have the zoom command act as it did in past
releases.
Author: The Mad
Cadder - http://themadcadder.blogs.com/
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