Outer Limits |
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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 |
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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 |
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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: |
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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 |
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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: Follow-Up: Don't Be Afraid of Change |
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Add Architectural Dimensions |
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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: |
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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 |
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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." |
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Set Snapstyle to Standard |
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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. NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL: |
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Reload Missing Xrefs |
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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: Follow-Up: Reload Missing Xrefs 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." |
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Text Edits at the Command Line |
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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." |
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Project Browser Expansion in Revit |
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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.
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Find Layer Names |
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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." |
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