au09 acad secrets au208-1

8/21/2019 Au09 Acad Secrets Au208-1

1/30

AutoJeanne AAU208This sessimmediatdid yearsupgradesdiscover

About tJeanne isspeaker ausers inuser supan indep

Autodesk

jeanne

ADarhus Aarh

-1ion is filled wly. Do you t

ago? Some. To take advn our own.

Discover hid

Discover wa

Learn hidde

Learn how t

Learn tips th

he Speakknown for knd expert inoth corporatiort, standardndent consuland Bentley

aarhusasso

ecretus Associate

ith all new tike advantagf the best an

antage of theeave this se

den tips that

ys to use so

tips and tric

use the ne

at apply to m

r:eping her tra

CAD and preons and colles coordinatioltant offeringproducts. Sh

iates.com

Expos, LLC

e-saving tipe of the newd most prodm, attend thision with the

you might no

e of the old

ks from othe

er tools for g

any versions

ining sessiosents seminages. She han, programmraining and i

e has been a

ed!

and tricks thools availablctivity-enhansession an

knowledge t

t have disco

tools you ma

AutoCAD u

reater produ

of AutoCAD

s fast-movinrs and workmore than 2

ing, and trainmplementatipopular spe

at can be use or are youcing tools hadiscover wh

o "dazzle" yo

ered on you

have forgot

ers

tivity

ranging from

g and fun. Shhops on CA0 years of eing in varioun services aker at AU fo

d to increasstill doing thive been introat might takur co-worker

own

ten

2006-2010

e is a nationproductivityperience inCAD applicd is certified

r several yea

your produgs just like yduced in recyou years t.

lly-knownfor managerroduction drtions. Jeann

in severalrs.

tivityount

s andfting,

e is


2/30

AutoCAD Secrets Exposed!

2

AutoCADSecretsExposed!The topics I selected for this presentation were collected from friends, co-workers, other user

groups; and of course the newsgroups.

If you have an idea or a great tip to pass along, I invite you to share your ideas with otherusers. This only works when we ALL share ideas and concepts and keep the informationflowing. Many thanks to all those who have sent me their tips over the past year to help withthis collection of secrets.

Aboutthisdocument:

Secret available in AutoCAD 2006





Note

Secret Tip

Thanks to those registrants that responded with great questions and ideas! Although most ofyou sent in questions rather tips; I will try to address them in this session. If your questiondoesnt get answered here; send me an email and we can pursue it further!

SecrettoExpose! Tip Donated byThanks to everyone who contributed ideas to this session. And remember me if you have aclever way to use ABS or AutoCAD, send me YOUR secrets. We all learn through sharing!


3/30


3

QUICKSecrets!Sometimes it is the littlest of tips that make the difference. Check these out!

1 RemoveObjectSnapsIn AutoCAD 2010 you can quickly add or remove a running object snap by right clicking on theobject snap icon at the bottom of your drawing area and picking the snap to add or remove fromthe list.

2 NewPURGEOptionsUse the new A option to purge ALL OBJECTS.

There are also new options for purging ZERO-LENGTH GEOMETRY and EMPTY TEXTOBJECTS. Thank You Autodesk!!!

Also dont forget to purge those REGAPPS on a regular basis too! Files you receive fromoutside vendors can contain a significant amount of file data from applications that are no longerneeded. Purging out REGAPPS can significantly reduce file size in many cases.

3 AssociateToolPalettestoRibbonsUsing 2010 you can now associate a specific tool palette group to an individual ribbon panel.to access the tool palette group command. Later in this session I will show you

how to automate the ribbon and tool palettes together!

4 ManiaUsing 2010 you can do all kinds of neat things with a action. Check these out!

on the APPLICATION BROWSER icon (previously called the MENUBROWSER) to close all drawings and AutoCAD in a single step.

on a toolbar to float it.

5 Re-arrangeLayoutsUse to re-arrange your layouts.


4/30


4

6 EasyViewportLockingUse the new icon on the status bar to lock and unlock your viewports more easily.

7 ClearGripsYou can clear all grips by issuing a long .

8 ObjectColorYou can change the color of a layer using the layer . I dont know if this is agood enhancement or not! As a CAD manager this might be detrimental to maintaining CADStandards and BYLAYER symbology. So I categorize this one as a new enhancement that maybe considered a need to know; to avoid what NOT to do!

9 QuickBlockFixJust in case someone in your office refuses to use the BYLAYER setting for color, linetype, orlineweight; use the new SETBYLAYER command to fix layer errors in blocks without having toedit them individually.

10 FadedXrefsAutoCAD 2010 introduces a default display behavior that has caught many off guard. Bydefault, Xrefs are faded 70%. You can change this setting using the following system variable.

XDWGFADECTL

0 DWG xref objects are not faded.

>0 When the value is positive, controls the percent of fading up to 90 percent.


5/30


5

11 NewinHatchesInvalid

Boundary

Icons

AutoCAD 2010 provides new red circle icons if a boundary object isnot closed when attempting to hatch an area. Finally, you canimmediately see where the problem is!

NewGripsAnother new feature for hatch objects are additional grips available on an associated hatch.

EditVertexgrip

Allows you to MOVE or REMOVE the vertex. Use the key to toggle between theavailable command options.

EditEdgegrip

Allows you to ADD or CONVERT an edge between a line or an arc. Use the key totoggle between the available command options.

12 LayerManagerEnhancementsModelessDialogLayer manager is now modeless so you can leave it open while working. This allows you todock it, hide it or anchor it like other dialogs. The new layer manager is also dynamic; so nomore APPLY button since you can see your changes live.

FreezeColumnsYou can also FREEZE columns in the dialog so that when you need to scroll all the way to theright to see other columns your favorite columns wont disappear off the dialog. Sorry you canonly freeze one column at a time.


6/30


6

RestoreLayerPropertiesIf you find a file that has implemented layer property overrides; you can reset those properties tothe global settings in layer manager on the menu using the REMOVE VIEWPORTOVERRIDES for ALL LAYERS or SELECTED LAYERS.


7/30


7

13 SubscriptionPack2010There are several new commands you must download if you are on subscription. They aresimilar to commands that have been available in higher end applications for a few years now.Check them out!

SelectSimilarThis command allows you to use an existing object as a template for a new selection set. Bydefault, 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.


8/30


8

SystemVariables

SELECTSIMILARMODE

Controls which properties must be the same for an object to be selected with theSELECTSIMILAR command.

Object Type Special Properties

Line

Ray

XLine

Polyline Global Width, Linetype

3D Polyline

Arc

Circle

Spline

Ellipse

Point

Solid (2D)

Trace

Multiline

MInsert

Text Text style, Height, Width

MText Text style, Height,Attribute Text style, Height

Linear Dim style, Dim scale

Aligned Dim style, Dim scale

Radial Dim style, Dim scale


9/30


9

AddSelectedThis command allows you to add an object to the drawing using an existing object as atemplate. The new object will have the same general properties as the selected object. Key-inthe ADDSELECTED command

Select ADD SELECTED from the SUBSCRIPTION Ribbon Tab Select ADD SELECTED from the SUBSCRIPTION toolbar Select ADD SELECTED from the context menu.

Additional properties are supported for some objects as shown in the following table.


Line

Ray

XLine

Polyline Global Width, Linetype

3D Polyline

Arc

Circle

Spline

Ellipse

Point

Solid (2D)

TraceMultiline

MInsert

Text Text style, Height, Width

MText Text style, Height,

Attribute Text style, Height

Linear Dim style, Dim scale

Aligned Dim style, Dim scale

Radial Dim style, Dim scale


Diametric Dim style, Dim scale

Angular Dim style, Dim scale

Arc Length Dim style, Dim scale

Ordinate Dim style, Dim scale

Tolerance Dim style

Leader Dim style, Dim scale

Multi-leader Multi-leader style,

Table Table style

Hatch Pattern, Scale, Rotation

Helix

Viewport

Wipeout3D Face

Block Reference Name

External Name

DWF Underlay Name

DGN Underlay Name

Image Underlay Name

PDF Underlay Name


10/30


10

IsolateObjectsThis command allows you to create a partial view of your drawing independent of layers andclipping boundaries. A light bulb icon in the status bar gives you feedback on the current statusof the drawing.

A RED bulb represents objects are isolated

A YELLOW bulb represents no objects are isolated.

You can also use these status bar icons to access the newcommands.

Using these commands will affect how the ZOOMEXTENTS command displays and what objects are included.

Key-in the ISOLATEOBJECTS, UNISOLATEOBJECTS, or HIDEOBJECTS command

Select ISOLATEOBJECTS, UNISOLATEOBJECTS, or HIDEOBJECTS from theSUBSCRIPTION Ribbon Tab

Select ISOLATEOBJECTS, UNISOLATEOBJECTS, or HIDEOBJECTS from theSUBSCRIPTION toolbar

Select ISOLATEOBJECTS, UNISOLATEOBJECTS, or HIDEOBJECTS from

the context menu.

HatchtoBackThis command allows you to modify the draw order for all hatch objects in the drawing. Use thiscommand to move all hatch objects behind other graphic objects.

Key-in the HATCHTOBACK command Select SEND HATCHES TO BACK from the SUBSCRIPTION Ribbon Tab Select HATCH TO BACK from the SUBSCRIPTION toolbar


11/30


11

14 TheNEWMeasureThere are some great enhancements to the MEASURE commands. Check them out!

MeasureAreaThe MEASURE AREA tool is much more visual now which is a significant help. I know therewere times that I had to actually used a hatch object to determine the area I wanted since it wasmore visual. Now you can do this, (ALMOST) with the AREA tool.

I said (ALMOST) because if the objects overlap, the command does not take that

into consideration.

My solution for this is to use a hatch object for your area calculations and get the

area from the hatch properties.


12/30


12

15 2010/2009BONUSTools?If you are a subscription customer; you have new bonus tools available for download inAutoCAD 2009. If you are already upgraded to AutoCAD 2010, then these tools are included inthat release. These tools include the following enhancements.

Enhanced measurement tools Enhanced polyline tools Rotated Viewports Enhanced purge tools

For this session I will focus on a couple of these bonus tools; the ROTATE VIEWPORT andREVERSE DIRECTION enhancements. But be sure to check them all out, there are somefantastic additions to AutoCAD here.

RotateViewportUse this new system variable to control if the view rotates with the viewport when rotating aviewport in a layout.

VPROTATEASSOC

Control how the view rotates in relationship to the viewport

0 Do not rotate view with the viewport

1 Rotate view with the viewport


13/30


13

ReverseDirectionUse the new REVERSE command to fix those pesky linetypes that contain the upside downtext.

16 TEXTTOFRONTA new command TEXTTOFRONT brings all your text and dimension text to the top of thedraworder stack.


14/30


14

17 AreyouanExpert?Use the EXPERT system variable to control what messages and prompts you receive usingAutoCAD.

0 Issues all prompts normally

1 Suppresses About to regen, proceed? and Really want to turn the current layer off?(-LAYER)

2 Suppresses the preceding prompts and Block already defined. Redefine it? (-BLOCK)and A drawing with this name already exists. Overwrite it? (SAVE or WBLOCK).

3 Suppresses the preceding prompts and those issued by the LINETYPE Commandprompt (-LINETYPE) if you try to load a linetype that's already loaded or create a new

linetype in a file that already defines that linetype

4 Suppresses the preceding prompts and those issued by UCS Save and VPORTS Saveif the name you supply already exists

5 Suppresses the prompt, That name is already in Use, redefine it? issued by the -DIMSTYLE Save option when you supply the name of an existing dimension style

Suppresses the same prompt issued by the -SCALELISTEDIT Add option.


15/30


15

18 UsingtheNewParametricsThis has to be the best enhancement in many years for all the drafters out there. And it is soeasy to use. Way to go Autodesk!

First, lets use the following GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS:

ParallelPerpendicularCo-linearEqual

Next, lets automatically constrain the building outline using the following:

Use the Auto-Constrain Settings to control what constraints are automatically

applied.

Use the constraint icons to list and highlight the objects that they are applied to. You can evenmove the icons to better locations if needed. Hover over an icon to review multiple constraintconditions.

on the constraint icon if you want to remove it and select theDELETE option.

Use the SHOW, SHOW ALL and HIDE ALL to modify the display of the constraint icons.

Lets add some linked constraints using the following GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS:

Coincident to lock the Center of arcs to the building edge. to access the OBJECTS option.

Equal to lock the arcs together with equal geometry.

Use the Horizontal constraint to rotate the building.


16/30


16

19 FlatShot?This command creates a 2D representation of all 3D objects based on the current view. Youcan choose whether to place the block in the current file or in an external file. You have an

option whether to display any of the following items.

Foreground Lines

Obscure Lines

Include Tangential Edges

How do you control the insertion pointof the new flatshot block?

The insertion point is generated fromthe current view, so if you create anamed view with a close-up view ofthe 3D object and then generate theflatshot block, you will see that theinsertion point is the bottom left originof the named view display.

NewFillets?Derek Gasch,

This one was sent in by one of you participants; and I have to admitI didnt know this one! Thanks Derek!

Use the fillet command to create Tangent Tangent Radius arcsbetween two circles. There was a time when the fillet command onlyworked when you had two open objects, but that is no longer true.

What a great tip, eh?


17/30


17

20 ClipRefsMorethanOnceCan you clip a reference file more than one time? If you answered NO, then you need to knowthis little secret!

Attach the reference file and perform a clip boundary.

Attach the same file again and clip it in another location. You dont even have to rename theattachment any longer!

21 HadEnoughLayersReconciled?Many users complain about the notification of new layers that have been added to active orreference 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 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 Enables the evaluation of new layers on the LAYEREVAL settings.


18/30


18

22 WhatsNEWintheRibbon?Many of you probably wonder why you should bother learning the new ribbon interface? Theold toolbar interface has worked fine for many years! So I thought I would point out a coupleof things that you cant do with the old interface that is now available in the new ribboninterface.

Now lets focus on what is new and COOL about the ribbon.

LayerStates

The ribbon provides direct access to Layer States tosimplify the manipulation of common and standard layerstates.

LayerFilters

The ribbon provides direct access to Layer Filters tosimplify the dropdown and selection of layers.

LayerLockFading

Use the scroll bar to modify the layer fading control onlocked layers.

LayerManipulationTools

Use the layer manipulation tools easily when needed;without taking up the precious screen real-estate weall treasure.


19/30


19

23 RibbonMagic DonnieGladfelterWith all the new things you can do with the Ribbon, it is hard to pick just one; so let me showyou some secrets that I have run across over the last year!

Multi-lineTextLabelsIn this example, I will change the LINE tool label to MYLINE.

Modify the NAME of the tool to

MY \n LINE

Thanks to Donnie Gladfelter for this one.

Visit his website www.thecadgeek.com


20/30


20

24 CUIMagicThere are so many cool things you can do with the new interface, that I dont know where tostart and stop, but I wanted to introduce you to a few of my favorites!

DoubleClickActionsUsing the new Double Click Actions you can modify how AutoCAD behaves when the userissues a on an object type.

AutomaticPolyline

For the first example, I want to on a LINE object and have it automaticallyconvert to a polyline. Yep, you can do that!

I will add the following macro to my LINE

Double Click Action

^C^C_PEDIT;Y;;

FlipArrowonDimension

The next example will allow the user to on a dimension arrow to flip itsdirection.

^C^C_^C^C_aidimfliparrow

RestoreDimensionValue

The next example will allow the user to on a dimension text value to restore thedefault true length value.

^C^C_dimedit;home;cmddia;0;_dimedit;new;;previous;;

AnotherAutomaticPolyline

The last example will allow the user to on a set of closed lines and convert themto a closed polyline.

^C^C$M=$(if,$(=,$(getvar,peditaccept),1),_pedit;close;,_pedit;;close;)

What others ideas to you have? Enjoy!

Thanks to Ralph Grabowski, Lynn Allen and Mohamed Haris for these ideas!

Unfortunately, you can only define one Double Click Action per object type; soyou have to decide which dimension action you prefer. You cantdefine them both! Can you say WISH LIST?


21/30


21

25 The^RSecretHave you ever had trouble with a custom tool that worked fine in previous releases but nowwont work using a command line driven key in?

Yepme too! I always create a button or pulldown menu for the users to import their standardborders or layouts. To do this I always used the LAYOUT command and a template file where Istored all the standard layouts.

Well, in 2009 the old standby buttons stopped working correctly. Why? I didnt know either.Then a smart Autodesk support guy mentioned the secret ^R option for new command macros.

According to Autodesk this special character allows you to use the newest version of acommand with its options and prompts. You need to use the special character BEFORE thecommand line macro syntax.

PreviousMacro

^C^C_layout;t;"Imperial Layouts.dwg";

NewMacro

^C^C^R_layout;t;"Imperial Layouts.dwg";

Without the addition of the ^R the dialog to select the layout did not display.


22/30


22

26 QuickAccessToolbarUse the new Quick Access Toolbar to add those commontools

youwantquickaccessto!

27 CommonPinsYou now have the ability to pin common items such as drawing standards or detail files to theMenu Browser. This allows you to make the Recent Documents menu much more useful.

I cant tell you how manytimes I have to look for thesame base file or detaildrawing while working on aproject. I can eliminate thiswaste of time by pinningthese common files to theMenu Browser.

And dont forget you caneven get a preview of the fileto make it even easier to

find!


23/30


23

28 CommandWhereareYou?When you make the decision to change and use the new ribbon interface, you might find someof the commands a little difficult to find. Fortunately, Autodesk thought of this and gave us awonderful search command tool.

Select the Application Browser(previously called the MenuBrowser) and key in your commandin the field provided.

I will key in the command OFFSETto find out where that command hasbeen hidden.

The results show that the OFFSETcommand can be found in severaldifferent places.


24/30


24

29 MouseControlsThere are several system variables that tweak the way your mouse works in the AutoCADview. Try modifying any of these to get better control over your mouse.

MBUTTONPAN

Control how the pan (press wheel) command works in a view.

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.

40 zooms slower per click of the wheel

80 zooms faster per click of the wheel

AutoCAD2008,2009Only

ZOOMWHEEL

Control how the wheel zooms when rolled forward and backward.

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

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

Be careful thoughthis one can play with your mind! ;)


25/30


25

30 ViewportSymbologyNew to many users is the ability to define layer symbology (color, linetype, weight, etc) on a perviewport basis similar to layer viewport freeze and thaw.

Use this process to coordinate viewports as shown above.

STEP 1: in a viewport to activate it and to move the focus of AutoCAD to theviewport.

STEP 2: Open the Layer Manager and define the colors,weights, and linetypes using the new VPColor,VPLinetype and VPWeight columns.

You might need to REGEN the viewport to see thechanges.

Notice the bluish tint color added to the layer list to help youidentify what layer settings has been overridden on aviewport basis.


26/30


26

31 DimensionPriorityAnother command that is new to many users is the ability to define extension line priorities forthose overlapping extension lines without exploding the dimension; or using wipeouts.

Use the new DIMENSION BREAK command to select the extension line you wish to break atthe overlapping location. Dont worry, it doesnt really break the dimension; just fakes it out!

STEP 1: Open the DIMENSION toolbar and select the DIMENSION BREAK command.

STEP 2: Select the extension line you want to break


27/30


27

32 On-the-FlyBasepointsYou can modify the block insertion base point using the BASEPOINT option during insertion.

STEP 1: Run the INSERTcommand.

STEP 2: Key in Bto define a new BASEPOINTon the block.

STEP 3: Snap to the new basepoint and place the block.

33 CycleBasepoints Lynn AllenYou can provide alternate block insertion points for use with the INSERT command using pointparameter objects in a dynamic block definition.

STEP 1: Select the block you want to have alternate insertion points

STEP 2: and select the BLOCK EDITORcommand

STEP 3: Place POINTparameterat the alternate insertionpoint locations.

STEP 4: For once, you can ignore those exclamationpoints that normally indicate you haventcompleted the parameter definition.,

STEP 5: Close the Block Editorand SAVEthe changesto the block.

STEP 6: Insert the block again and use the CTRLkey to toggle between the new alternateinsertion points.


28/30


28

34 QuickDetachOnce I saw the new reference file shortcuts on the menus I wanted to add a quickXREF DETACH option. However, for some reason there is not an XREF DETACH key incommand available. Never fear, another user pointed me to a simple lisp routine that allows meto detach a reference file by selection.

Great! Problem fixedI made a custom command and placed it on the appropriatemenu.

STEP 1: Start the CUI command

STEP 2: Create a custom command XREF DETACH

STEP 3: Assign the following macro to the new XREF DETACH command.

^C^C_xrdet;

STEP 4: Expand the Shortcut menusXref Object Menu

STEP 5: Drag-n-Dropthe command XREF DETACH onto the Xref Object Menu

Xref OBJECT Menu applies to a single selected xref.

Xref OBJECTS Menu applies to multiple selected xrefs.

Send me an email if you need this cool lisp routine!

AutoLoadtheXRDETLisproutine

STEP 1: Start the CUI command

STEP 2: Expand the LISP FILES section

STEP 3: and select the XRDET.LSP file


29/30


29

PlacesYouNeedtoKnow

AUGI Autodesk User Group International www.augi.com

Richard Binning Beside the Cursor www.integr-8.com/besidethecursor

Shaan Hurley Between the Lines www.autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines

Erhan Toker www.dailyautocad.com

Mike Massey www.knowingwhatyoudontknow.blogspot.com

Lynn Allen lynn.blogs.com

Autodesk Labs labs.autodesk.com

Autodesk Blogs autodesk.blogs.com


30/30

That'

not

T

Copyright

All other pro

its publicatio

Associates is

proba

ore th

an

Look

C

2009 Aarhus Asso

uct names are tr

n date. Such info

not responsible fo

bly mo

t you

k yHope

ng for cu

using you

ll for aff

ciates, LLC. Aar

demarks of their

mation is subject

r inadvertent erro

e than

anted t

ouou en

tomized T

compan

rdable an

arhu1200

Bellevue

Jea

(40

jeanne@a

us Associates an

espective owners.

to change without

rs.

I have

o kno

ooyed t

raining an

standards

flexible r

ontact:

ASSOCIA

5 Quail Driv

, NE 68123-

nne Aarhus

2) 408-9696

rhusassociat

the Aarhus Asso

Aarhus Associat

notice and is sub

ime fo

!

yoe sess

d Standar

and proc

ates and s

ES, LLC

e

1175

es.com

iates Logo are re

es believes the in

ect to applicable

AutoCA

.but

uron!

s consulti

dures?

hedules.

gistered tradema

ormation in this d

technical product

Secrets Exp

hopef

tim

ng

ks of Aarhus Asso

ocument is accura

descriptions. Aar

osed!

30

lly

e

ciates.

te as of

hus