AutoCAD

Outer Limits
Tip# 3102 By Steve Knopf On 08-Jan-2009
3
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Setting limits will control the area of the file where the grid will be displayed when activated.
Related CAD Tips

Steve Knopf writes: "Since about AutoCAD release 14, the drawing limits have been inconsequential, except that zoom;all takes you there, like restoring a named view. Type Limits, then type or pick the lower left and upper right as you would for a window. Also in paper space, zoom;all shows the entire sheet, so you can see how your title block sits on it."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL: We agree. Several methods now can accomplish what formerly could only be done with limits. But limits can still be useful. Setting limits will control the area of the file where the grid will be displayed when activated. Users can turn on or off the Limit Checking setting. When on, this setting will allow the user to insert points only within the limits. Lines and objects may extend past the set limits, but it will only allow input inside the limits area. It can help to keep a file under control.

Follow-Up: Outer Limit
Cadalyst Tip Patrol member Mitchell Hirshklau shared his experience with limits in AutoCAD. "In the Olden Tyme CAD Dayes, we used the Limits command to set limits equal to the actual (paper space) border area of our master title blocks. Plotters then (and now too) will try to plot everything in a drawing's extents — even stuff outside of the border. Presetting the limits to the actual border area prevents this problem. It also allows users to move a chart or stack of notes (again, in paper space) outside of the border area without having to remember to select a display, or plot by window, or even remember the default view. Furthermore, if you pick your limits just a tiny bit outside your border's thick or heavy outer lines, you can guarantee that the line work (and the line work's thickness) will get plotted in its entirety."
 

 
    For tip to function correctly, you must ensure that the downloaded file name matches the file name
    displayed in the Rename File To field. Please rename downloaded files when necessary.
Metes and Bounds List
Tip# 3099 By Albert Bain On 08-Jan-2009
5
Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 842
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : CHANGE.DOC,ROW.LSP
This tip provides the bearing and distance for each line and curve.
Related CAD Tips

Albert Bain sent ROW.LSP, which he wrote to generate a right-of-way or property boundary description for a closed polygon. "The routine generates a metes/bounds list in the AutoCAD drawing and then creates a text file with the metes/bound written in narrative text format. The routine only works with closed polygons defined using lightweight polylines, but it could easily be altered to work with any polyline (closed or not). I know this type of routine is available in AutoCAD Land Desktop, but it would be useful to someone who does not have that program."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This routine is handy. It provides the bearing and distance for each line and curve. It even labels the curves! It places the bearings and distances in text, not in a table, but it is in a table-like format. It also generates a TXT file that provides a metes and bounds description of the boundary.
 

 
    For tip to function correctly, you must ensure that the downloaded file name matches the file name
    displayed in the Rename File To field. Please rename downloaded files when necessary.
Don't Be Afraid of Change
Tip# 3098 By Steve Rodgers On 08-Jan-2009
3.5
Rated By 2 users Downloaded : 246
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : CHANGE.DOC,ROW.LSP
The Change command is an efficient way to both extend and trim lines at the same time.
Related CAD Tips

Steve Rodgers sent this tip about AutoCAD's Change command. "In the old days it was mostly used to change the properties of objects (among other things), but that has become obsolete with all the new toolbars and features. However, the Change command is still the most efficient way to both extend and trim lines at the same time (provided you still use plain old lines for anything). Click here to download Steve's full tip, CHANGE.DOC.

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
AutoCAD is great (and bad) because it provides us with dozens of tools to accomplish our goals. This tip provides us with another method of trimming/extending lines, and it can save a user several picks and clicks. The Change command is not trimming/extending; in reality it is changing the coordinates of the selected line's endpoint nearest to the selection point. The key here is to make sure Ortho is turned on. This will move the line's endpoints horizontally/vertically. With Ortho on, angled lines will be changed to horizontal/vertical lines. But with Ortho turned off, the Change command will put the endpoints selected all on the same point. So be careful.

Follow-Up: Don't Be Afraid of Change
Randy B. Culp wrote in response to the Change command: "When discussing the Change command, don't forget to throw in the Drag modifier. After selecting objects and pressing Enter, you are prompted with Specify change point or [Properties]. Simply key in the word Drag and press Enter; the function now drops back to changing individual elements one at a time. Attempting to drag the line to zero length will cause the anchor to jump to the opposite end, allowing a greater degree of flexibility. Watch your running osnaps. The Change command works for multiple circles as well; give that a spin."
 

 
Add Architectural Dimensions
Tip# 3097 By Mike Thorne On 08-Jan-2009
4
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
This is a great tip on how to display multiple dimension and measurement unit types in the same drawing.
Related CAD Tips

Mike Thorne wrote, "If you need to add architectural dimensions to a decimal drawing or vice versa, you can modify the properties of the individual dimension or set up a new dimension style. The Dim Scale Linear and Dim Units settings under the Primary Units section of the properties for the particular dimension can be modified for each individual dimension. A new dimension style can be created with the Scale Factor under the Primary Units tab set to 12 for architectural dimensions in a decimal drawing or .0833 for decimal dimensions in an architectural drawing. The dim scale linear setting can also be set to the viewport scale if you need to place a dimension in paper space for an object in model space."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This is a great tip on how to display multiple dimension and measurement unit types in the same drawing. Styles are key to annotation displays in AutoCAD. Using them and their millions of options can help to make annotating much easier. You could also use this tip if you need to display inches and millimeters, or any other unit of measure.
 

 
    For tip to function correctly, you must ensure that the downloaded file name matches the file name
    displayed in the Rename File To field. Please rename downloaded files when necessary.
Attach Quick Leader
Tip# 3068 By Timothy Spangler On 23-Dec-2008
2
Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 580
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : TextLeader.LSP
This AutoLISP routine prompts you to select the text to which you want to attach the leader.
Related CAD Tips

Timothy Spangler sent this nonassociative quick leader AutoLISP routine that he has used every day with AutoCAD 2004 to 2009. "The routine prompts you to select the text to which you want to attach the leader; this can be text, dtext, or mtext. In the case of mtext, the leader is attached to the selected line of text. The leader is created on the same layer as the selected text and is based from the current dimstyle. Once the text is selected, you are prompted for the end and bend points. Select the leader endpoint (the end of the arrowhead), then the cursor is locked in alignment to the end of the selected text. Select the bend point and the leader is created. This AutoLISP is written to only allow text that is horizontal or vertical."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL: This is useful LISP, especially because with mtext, it will allow you to "connect" your leader not only to the top line of text or the bottom line of text, but even to the second or third lines of text. Starting with Release 2008, a separate toolbar for leaders called Multileaders was included.
 

 
Set Snapstyle to Standard
Tip# 3095 By Azfar Mahmood On 08-Jan-2009
3
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
When set, the macro checks to see which isometric plane the user is working in and adjusts the snap setting automatically to match.
Related CAD Tips

Azfar Mahmood sent the following Custom User Interface macro for AutoCAD, which he uses to set the SNAPSTYL standard to isometric before changing the isoplane with the F5 function key. When set, the macro checks to see which isometric plane the user is working in and adjusts the snap setting automatically to match.

["F5"]'SETVAR;SNAPSTYL;$M=$(IF,$(!=,$(GETVAR,SNAPSTYL),1),1);+
'SETVAR;SNAPISOPAIR;$(IF,$(=,$(GETVAR,SNAPISOPAIR),2),0,$(+,$(GETVAR,
SNAPISOPAIR),1))
 

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This tip helps to save a few keystrokes, which is the key to efficiency. Thanks, Azfar!
 

 
Reload Missing Xrefs
Tip# 3093 By Milton Fitzgerald On 08-Jan-2009
4
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Locate the file or folders with the xrefs via the External Reference dialog box.
Related CAD Tips

Milton Fitzgerald's Reload Missing Xrefs (PDF) outlines the steps for reloading missing xrefs in an AutoCAD drawing. Download the full procedure or follow this condensed version of the steps:
   1. Open the existing layout (the drawing will probably be in Paper Space / Layout; Layout1, is the default).
   2. Locate the file or folders with the xrefs via the External Reference dialog box (under the Insert tab).
   3. Select the files under Found at and reload into the drawing. Click the ellipses (the three dots at the end) and browse to the proper file location. Click Open.
   4. For adding xrefs, use the Bind dialog box. Select Bind if you just need to view the drawing, or Insert to permanently attach drawing to the file.
   5. Your updated file should now look correct.
   6. If you are still missing files, you will be able to see which ones in the dialog box. You will have to ask the person who sent you these files to resubmit them, then go through this process again to reload the missing files.
NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
Sometimes folders change names or outside sources send a file that references other files. Sometimes those files are missing or they are just in a different folder than the one the reference link remembers. This happens. Thanks, Milton!

Follow-Up: Reload Missing Xrefs
The processing of finding missing xrefs is a subject near and dear to our readers' hearts. Hugh Thomson and Chris Wade reminded us about the Reference Manager, which allows the user to select multiple drawings and see what xrefs are missing as well as their saved paths. Users can quickly reselect the correct location of the missing xrefs and apply the changes to the parent drawings without having to open them, a handy way to quickly check drawings from a third party. Reference Manager is located on the Start Menu with your AutoCAD program. Note that if your AutoCAD version is newer than the files, the files will be upgraded to the current version. If this is problematic, it can be corrected by using the free Autodesk TrueView program from the Autodesk Web site to convert them to any other version.
On a related note, Shawn Evjen wrote to remind us that some xrefs may contain a lower-level xref that has been set to overlay instead of attach. In this case, it will not show up in a drawing when expected. To change the type of xref from overlay to attach, open the file that contains the overlaid xref. Then in AutoCAD 2000-2008, open the Xref Manager (Insert / Xref Manager), select the name of the xref, and double click the word Overlay to change it to Attach. In AutoCAD 2009 you can find the Xref Manager under Insert / External Reference.

Ronald Maneja offered yet another way to reload missing xrefs: "Copy all the xrefs to the same folder where your final drawing is located. When you open the final drawing, all the xrefs will be automatically loaded, and you do not have to do it one by one. By default, when an xref is not found, AutoCAD searches the xrefed drawing in the same folder where it is located.

"If all your xrefs are in a separate folder and you do not want to mix the final drawings with the xrefed drawings, another workaround is to add the directory of the xref folder to the support path of AutoCAD. Once a final drawing is opened and AutoCAD has found that an xref is missing, then it will also search the supported paths."

Finally, our own Cadalyst Tip Patrol member Kevin Sawyer shared AutoCAD's built-in method for finding errant xrefs and images, which hinges on the PROJECTNAME system variable. "This variable is stored in the drawing, so it can be set to values to suit each individual drawing on the same project. Go to Options / Files Tab / Project Files Search Path and Add a new entry. Give this entry a definitive name, maybe the name of the supplier of the missing xrefs or your own project number. Next, expand the branch just created, highlight the Empty and browse to a folder where the missing xrefs reside. You can create as many entries as you like as these are saved in your registry. Now when you open a drawing where the xrefs are missing, as long as you have carried out the procedures above, you only need to change the system variable PROJECTNAME to the name of the corresponding entry as entered. Any missing xrefs in that folder can then be reloaded. If they are not found in that folder, AutoCAD then searches the support file search path in the usual fashion."
 

 
Text Edits at the Command Line
Tip# 3085 By David Booth On 05-Jan-2009
2
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
This tip is intended for users who prefer using the keyboard rather than dialog boxes.
Related CAD Tips

David Booth wrote "Here's an AutoLISP routine that is quite useful for doing multiple, quick text edits at the Command line. It is intended for users who prefer using the keyboard rather than dialog boxes. It'll work on all versions of AutoCAD I've tried since R14. The last entry is saved as the default value."

;;txcl.lsp
;;text command line quick edit with default values
;;change the command prompt to any value that's quicker for you to start the routine, I use A instead of TXCL.

(defun C:TXCL ( )

(if (not old) (setq old "VALUE"))

(setq str (getstring (strcat " Enter new text <" old ">: ")))

(if (= "" str) (setq str old))

(setq TxtObj (vlax-ename->vla-object (car (entsel " Select text:"))))

(vla-put-Textstring TxtObj str)

(setq old str)

) ;end defun

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This tip gives you a quick way to change selected text items to identical text strings. It also works on mtext. You also can accomplish this task by using the Contents line of the Properties dialog box. Select all text or all mtext, and type in the desired string (for post-AutoCAD 2002 versions).

 

 
Project Browser Expansion in Revit
Tip# 3079 By Brendan Upton On 05-Jan-2009
4
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Use the number pad asterisk (*) key to expand the entire tree in the Project Browser.
Related CAD Tips

Brendan Upton contributed this tip for Autodesk Revit Architectural, Structural, and MEP. "Use the number pad asterisk (*) key to expand the entire tree in the Project Browser. If you would like to expand the entire tree of views and families, etc., inside the Project Browser at the same time, instead of clicking on each and every little + sign, do the following:

"Click somewhere inside the Project Browser to make it active and press the * key on the number pad. All branches of the tree will expand simultaneously. Keep in mind that it must be the * key on the number pad (above the 9). The * on the 8 key will not work."

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL: This is a Windows feature that works in any Explorer-type listing. The asterisk will expand all folders and - (dash) will collapse them. Be sure to use the keys on the number pad, as Brendan instructs.


 

 
Find Layer Names
Tip# 3078 By Lloyd Velasquez On 24-Dec-2008
3
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Tips & Tools Weekly Archive Tips
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
With this AutoLISP code, you type IDLAYR and select an object, then the layer name appears in the Command line.
Related CAD Tips

Lloyd Velasquez says, "I often work with DWGs that have hundreds of xrefs. With this AutoLISP code, you type IDLAYR and select an object, then the layer name appears in the Command line."

(defun c:idlayr (/ LAY PIK STR)
  (command "layer" "S" 0 "" )
  (setq pik (nentsel " Select a nested layer to id"))
  (setq lay (assoc 8 (entget (car pik))))
  (setq str (cdr lay))
  (print str)
  (princ)
)

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This tip works well. It should run just as well without the first line that changes to layer 0 (zero).

 

 
Syndicate content