45 tips and tricks in 45mins autocad
TRANSCRIPT
45 Tips and Tricks in 45mins
AutoCADChris Hobbs
Head of Technical UK - Graitec
Chris HobbsHead of Technical Graitec UK
Look after all of Technical in the UK and the author of
the BIMUP Implementation process for all products and
services for Graitec Worldwide.
Previously a Structural Engineer specializing in Anti-
terrorism and Accident Reconstruction using AutoCAD,
Revit, 3DS MAX, Rhino, and a load of other stuff!
The Focus of this Session
This session is aimed at beginner to intermediate users and covers tips from
versions dating back to AutoCAD R14 – IF YOU ARE AS OLD AS ME!
A series of tips and tricks courtesy of our AutoCAD technical experts in the UK and a
‘little’ help from Simon Jones at Autodesk!
These slides will be uploaded after the second class including the videos
OK LET'S START – TIMER ON!
Modifying ToolsTip No.1 – Not selecting a cutting edge in Trim and Extend
How to do it?
1. Select Trim or Extend from the Modify
menu/toolbar (or type the command)
2. Instead of selecting the cutting edge or
extend boundary – just hit return
3. Everything is now a cutting edge!
Modifying ToolsTip No.2 – Trim and Extend can be used simultaneously!
How to do it?
1. Select Trim or Extend from the Modify
menu/toolbar (or type the command)
2. Instead of selecting the cutting edge,
boundary line – (or use tip 1 and just hit
return!)
3. When trimming or extending, hold down
the shift key
4. The command now changes to the
opposing command
Modifying ToolsTip No.3 – Using the Align Tool
How to do it?
1. Select Trim or Extend from the Modify menu/toolbar (or type the
command)
2. Instead of selecting the cutting edge, boundary line – (or use tip 1
and just hit return!)
3. When trimming or extending, hold down the shift key
4. The command now changes to the opposing command
Note: 3D objects use a 3rd point!
Modifying ToolsTip No.4 – Changing Fillet and Chamfer value to 0 temporarily
How to do it?
1. Select the Fillet or Chamfer command from the modify pulldown/toolbar (or type command)
2. To override temporarily the existing value, hold down the shift key
3. Select both lines
4. The lines have been joined with a 0 value – but the value is still held in the command!
Did you know, if you Fillet two parallel lines, they will be capped with an Arc!
Modifying ToolsTip No.5 – Using Stretch to move an object (i.e. door or window)
How to do it?
1. Type Stretch on the Command Line
2. Use a ‘crossing window’ to select edges
3. Anything inside window moves
4. Anything crossing window goes bigger/smaller
5. Make sure you are straight!!!!
Modifying ToolsTip No.6 – Burst Command (instead of Explode)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Burst’ on the command line
2. Select the block that contains the attribute
3. Select return
4. The Attribute holds the ‘user’s input rather
than the attribute name
Undo/Redo toolsTip No.7 – Oops Command (Instead of Undo)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Oops’ on the command line
2. The last delete is restored – regardless how
far back this is.
Dwg management toolsTip No.8 – SETBYLAYER Command
How to do it?
1. Type ‘SETBYLAYER’ on the Command line
2. Select everything on the screen (or specific objects)
3. Answer the questions presented to you
4. Select Return
5. All objects have now be set to Bylayer
Dwg management toolsTip No.9 – Quick Select (QSELECT)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘QSELECT’ on the Command line
2. Choose the specific parameters that define your requirements
3. Select OK
4. Everything within the parameters you have chosen have been selected on the screen
Drawing toolsTip No.10 – Creating a Boundary from Hatch (BO)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘BO’ on the Command line
2. Select in ‘internal’ point which defines the shape of boundary you require
3. Select OK
4. A Polyline has been created from the boundary edges
Drawing toolsTip No.11 – Dividing a Polyline into equal lengths (DIVIDE)
How to do it?
1. Ensure that you Point Style is visible – (Use the PTYPE Command)
2. Type ‘DIVIDE’ on the Command Line
3. Select OK
4. Enter the number of segments you want to be added to the Polyline (line, circle, arc)
5. Points will appear equally along the object
6. Remember – you can use a block instead of a Point!
Dwg management toolsTip No.12 – Checking the Spelling on your drawing (SPELL)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘SPELL’ on the Command line
2. Select Return
3. Select ‘Entire drawing’
4. Select ‘Start’
5. The tool works the same as any Spell Check
Dwg management toolsTip No.13 – Using a Template file on the ‘QNEW’ Command
How to do it?
1. Type ‘OPTIONS’ In the Command line
2. Select Return
3. Go to the ‘Files’ tab along the top (1st one)
4. Expand Template Settings
5. Expand ‘Default Template File Name for QNEW’
6. Select the Template you want to use
7. Every time you use QNEW – it will use this template!
Dwg management tools
Tip No.14 – Right Click customization – use for both return and context menu!
How to do it?
1. Type ‘OPTIONS’ In the Command line
2. Select Return
3. Go to the ‘User Preferences’ tab along the top
4. Select Right-click Customization button
5. Turn on time-sensitive right click
6. Using right click quickly will be return
7. Using right click slower will give you a context menu
Dwg management toolsTip No.15 – Customizing shortcut files – ACAD.PGP
How to do it?
1. Go to Manage (on the Ribbon)
2. Expand Edit Aliases
3. Select Edit Aliases
4. You can create/edit your keyboard shortcuts!
Dwg management toolsTip No.16 – Defining the Object Snaps you want to use (OSMODE)
How to do it?
1. Bring up the ‘Help’ on the Command OSMODE
2. Type ‘OSMODE’ on the Command line
3. Add together the values of the snaps you require and use that value
4. For Example: 1+2+4 (7) will set End, Mid, and Centre!
Dwg management toolsTip No.17 – Adding Hyperlinks to an object
How to do it?
1. Type ‘HYPERLINK’ on the Command line
2. Select object
3. Add in the address to the object (internal or external)
4. To activate – hover over the object press ctrl when selecting object
5. Hyperlink activated
6. Remember display name can be different to the web link!
Modifying ToolsTip No.18 – Quick Move and Copy command
How to do it?
1. Select the object you want to Move or Copy
2. Drag the object with your RIGHT button (not Left!)
3. When you release you can choose to ‘Move or Copy Here’
4. Object is moved or copied
5. And you can Paste as Block! – Nice!
6. Remember you cannot add a value this way!
Dwg management tools
Tip No.19 – Layer Walk – The ability to show layers on a drawing one by one
How to do it?
1. Type ‘LAYWALK’ on the Command line (icon on Layer Ribbon)
2. Hit Return
3. Select the Layer you want to isolate – will happen in realtime
4. Shift-select for more than on Layer
5. Purge will work on un-used Layers
6. Great for external drawings!!
Drawing toolsTip No.20 – Creating 2D drawings from a 3D Model
How to do it?
1. Go to a Layout (Paper Space) and activate a view
2. Type ‘SOLPROF’ on the Command line
3. Select the 3D object that you want to create a 2D drawing from
4. Answer the prompts
5. Go back to Model Space and move the 3D model
6. Voila! A 2D outline (with hidden objects on a different layer!)
Make sure you are in Plan View – otherwise you will end up with a 2D ISO!!!!!
Modifying ToolsTip No.21 – Editing in Array without Exploding it!
How to do it?
1. Create an Array using the ‘Array’ Command
2. Hold the ‘ctrl’ key down and select the individual parts of the Array
3. Use a function (such as Erase)
4. The remainder of the Array will stay intact.
Dwg management toolsTip No.22 – Flatten Command
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Flatten’ on the Command Line
2. Select all objects (either by Window Selection or type ‘All’)
3. Select Enter
4. Type ‘N’ for No when prompted to remove hidden lines
5. All objects will be flattened in the ‘Z’ axis
Drawing toolsTip No.23 – How to Curve Text in AutoCAD
How to do it?
1. Draw an Arc for the text to follow
2. Type ‘Arctext’ on the Command Line
3. Select Enter
4. Select the Arc that you want the text to follow
5. Fill in the dialog box (see right)
6. Select Ok
This works on Circles too!
Drawing toolsTip No.24 – Centre Mark and Centre Lines
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Centrepoint’ on Command Line
2. Select Circle
3. Select Return
4. Done!
5. Type ‘Centerline’ on Command Line
6. Select two lines (don’t need to be parallel!)
7. Select Return
8. Done!
Dwg management toolsTip No.25 – Overkill Command (remove duplicities)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Overkill’ on the Command Line
2. Select objects or type ‘All’
3. Select Return
4. Select the requirements on the dialog box (see right)
5. Select OK
Drawing toolsTip No.26 – Copy objects within an X-Ref (ncopy)
How to do it?
1. Type ‘ncopy’ on the Command Line
2. Select the objects within the linked file to be copied
3. Select Return
4. Select base point
5. Select destination point
6. Select Return
7. Done!
Dwg management toolsTip No.27 – Accessing a Viewport within a Viewport
How to do it?
1. In Paperspace use ‘cntrl+R
2. You can now toggle between two Viewports!
Render Tip No.28 – Render Settings
RenderTip No.29 – Render settings part 2
1. Environment – Background image or colour
2. IBL – Image based lighting (mimics light source from image)
3. Custom background – your image
4. Exposure – think of a camera
5. White balance – cool to white image
Drawing toolsTip No.30 – Superhatch
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Superhatch’ on the Command Line
2. Select Return
3. Choose the Pattern Type
4. Select Ok
5. Select the area that needs Hatching
6. Done!
Hatching is done as an X-Ref!
Modifying ToolsTip No.31 – Lasso Command
How to do it?
1. In the relevant command (Move, Copy etc.). Hold down left button mouse
2. The selection will allow you to create a Lasso around the desired area
3. Let go to complete the command
4. To stop it working – Options (selections – untick drag and click for Lasso)
Modifying ToolsTip No.32 – Fast Select Command
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Fastsel’ on the Command Line
2. Select 1 object
3. Any object touching the selected object will be selected
4. Use a Command (such as Erase, Copy etc.).
Drawing toolsTip No.33 – Blend and Blendsurf Command
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Blend’ on the Command Line
2. Select the two objects needing Blending
3. AutoCAD will do a ‘best fit’ between the two lines/splines
Drawing toolsTip No.34 – Copy – Array – Fit Command
How to do it?
1. Select ‘Copy’ Command or type it
2. Select Object, and select Base Point
3. Before Copying, right click and select ‘Array’
4. Select number of Array’s required
5. Type ‘F’ for Fit
6. Select 2 points to fit the Copy/Array in to.
Modifying ToolsTip No.35 – Temporary Dimensions
How to do it?
1. Select the object you require dimensions for
2. Once the object is highlighted hover over a Vertex
3. Done!
This works for all objects!
Drawing toolsTip No.36 – Using Object Data within MTEXT
How to do it?
1. Start MTEXT Box
2. Type in ‘Area of Text’
3. Select ‘Field’ in MTEXT Dialog Box
4. Select Objects under ‘Field Category’
5. Select ‘Object’ Under ‘Field Name)
6. Select Cross Hair Icon on ‘Object Type’
7. Select ‘Area’ under ‘Property’
8. Select Units under ‘Format’
DON’T WORRY THE GREY WONT PRINT!
This can also be done in a Table – think of a Schedule! ☺
Drawing toolsTip No.37 – Using Tables with Objects
How to do it?
1. Start ‘Table’ Command
2. Select ‘From object data in the drawing’
3. Select ‘Create a new data extraction’
4. Give it a name
5. Either select objects or choose from list
6. Select from the ‘Geometry Filter’ the desired data
7. Tick the boxes for the table
8. Insert into drawing and/or Excel
1. Insert table in drawing – this data is now live! (just select the table – right click and select update table)
Modifying ToolsTip No.38 – Using Constraints
How to do it?
1. Type ‘Constraints’ on the Command Line
2. Set the relevant Constraints required
3. Go to the ‘Parametric’ Ribbon
4. Use the Constraint required
5. The Video uses ‘Linear Constraints’
Dwg management toolsTip No.39 – The Log Tool
How to do it?
1. Set Log File in Options – location of the .log file
2. LOGFILEON – Starts the dumping to file
3. LOGFILEOFF – Stops dumping to file
Modifying ToolsTip No.40 – Background Mask for Mtext
How to do it?
1. Enable Background mask in Mtext Properties
2. Set Border offset factor
3. Use Drawing background colour
4. Use Draw Order to Bring to Front
Tip No.41 – Geo Command in AutoCAD
How to do it?
1. Type Geo on the Command line
2. Follow the online instructions.
Tip No.42 – Polygonal Viewports
How to do it?
1. Draw a Polyline, Circle, or Spline
2. Type ‘Mview’ then select ‘o’ (for objects)
3. Select the shape that you want to convert
4. Voila!
Note: This doesn’t work in AutoCAD LT!
Tip No.43 – Node Object Snap
How to do it?
1. Turn on ‘Node’ snap
2. This will select nodes that you cannot see!
3. Works for Text Insertion, Dim ends, Block Insertion & Points!
Tip No.44 – Changing Mtext Preview – The fun one!
How to do it?
1. Type “MTJIGSTRING” on the Command Line
2. Choose what you want as a preview
3. Remember 10 characters max!
Tip No.45 – Useful System Variables
Tell me more…….
1. MIRRTEXT (1 or 0) – Text will mirror normal or back to front
2. FILEDIA (1 or 0) – Will turn on/off the Open dialog box!
3. PEDITACCEPT (1 or 0) – Will toggle the prompt for ‘Pedit do you want to turn it into one? <y>’
4. HIGHLIGHT (1 or 0) – Will choose how much of an object is highlighted when selected
5. ROLLOVERTIPS (1 or 0) – toggles the amount of information is given on the tooltip (important for large drawings/models)
6. TOOLTIPS (1 or 0) – Toggles Tooltips (Again important for large drawings/models)
7. WHIPTHREAD (0 – 3) 0=No Multithreading used, 1=Regen only, 2=Redraw only, 3=Redraw and Regen on multithreads
8. PICKBOX – Size of the little box in the middle of the crosshairs
9. VISRETAIN (0 or 1) – Allows you to change the colours of layers in an X-Ref
10. MENUBAR (0 or 1) – Great for you ‘old timers’ – allows the old menus along the top – just like AutoCAD R14!!!!!
AND BREATHE……….
Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or
trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for
typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2019 Autodesk. All rights reserved.