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INSULATION MASTER
Tip# 1812 By Jay Thomas On 01-Aug-2002
2.666665
 Rated By 3 users Downloaded : 1475
Categories : Patterns, Miscellaneous Patterns
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : Tip1812: INSULMSTR.LSP
Draws batt insulation for sections and details.
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Draws batt insulation for sections and details.
 
    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.
Stone patch hatch
Tip# 1722 By Watson Kilbourne On 01-Jul-2001
3.5
 Rated By 2 users Downloaded : 1446
Categories : Patterns, Concrete/Pavement
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : Tip1722: FANPAVER.PAT
This pattern represents fanstyle pavers and concrete stamping patterns.
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FANPAVER.PAT. Represents fanstyle pavers and concrete stamping patterns.
 
    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.
Deck and Grate Hatches
Tip# 1660 By Michael Schultz On 01-Nov-2000
4
 Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 1711
Categories : Patterns, Metal
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : Tip1660a: DECK1.PAT, Tip1660b: DECK2.PAT, Tip1660c: DECK3.PAT, Tip1660d: GRATE1.PAT
A set of hatch patterns that represent metal decks and grates.
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A set of hatch patterns that represent metal decks and grates.
 
    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.
Escher Patterns
Tip# 1632 By Manuel Estorga On 01-Jul-2000
3
 Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 798
Categories : Patterns, Miscellaneous Patterns
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : Tip1632: ESCHER2.PAT
Hatch pattern for a different Escher optical illusion.
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Hatch pattern for a different Escher optical illusion.
 
    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.
Line to Wall
Tip# 1991 By Justin Werner On 01-Nov-2004
4
 Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 402
Categories : Linear Objects, 2D Operations
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : L2W.LSP
L2W.LSP accepts the user selection of a line object and then creates two offset lines that represent the edges of a wall.
Related CAD Tips

Another simple utility is Line to Wall (Tip #1991) from Justin Werner. This function accepts the user selection of a line object and then creates two offset lines that represent the edges of a wall. The original line is then erased. After loading, type the function name L2W and select a line. The wall thickness must then be input for the offset. The routine instantly creates two offset lines and removes the original from the drawing. This is a great example of how AutoCAD commands mesh nicely with AutoLISP code.

 
 
    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.
Grip Toggle
Tip# 1990 By Larry Moore On 01-Nov-2004
4
 Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 328
Categories : CUI (Customize User Interface)
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : GRIPPER.LSP
Gripper toggles the AutoCAD grips setting (GRIPPER.LSP).
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Utilities Galore
Grip Toggle (Tip #1990) is a simple example of the power of AutoLISP from Larry Moore. Once the LSP file is loaded at the command line, type Gripper to toggle the AutoCAD grips setting. This function serves as a great example of how to program a suite of powerful utilities.

 
 
Moving 3D Objects
Tip# 3056 By Phil Tingley On 14-Dec-2008
4
 Rated By 1 users
Categories : 3D Interface
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Here is a method to move objects when working in three dimensions.
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Phil Tingley is using AutoCAD 2006 and needed a method to move objects when working in three dimensions.  He uses this trick when working with 3D solids and needs to move one or more objects in a single direction so that one face butts up to another existing solid.


Often there aren't edges or osnap points that will define the required move, so the objects end up way off in space far from where they are wanted.  It is especially difficult to do this when looking down the edge of a solid.  It is difficult to tell where AutoCAD is trying to osnap or there might be several similar snaps along that edge. Measuring the distance doesn't guarantee that the faces will be exactly together because of round off error.
First, arrange the UCS so that the XY plane is oriented exactly with the necessary move. Next, quickly throw in a linear dimension that represents the distance of the move. Since a dimension entity always lies in the current XY plane, you can use the dimension extension line endpoints to define the move via osnap and know that the objects will only move within the XY plane. Delete the dimension and you’re done. (You can also use a regular 2D polyline instead of a dimension since it ignores Z-coordinates after the first point.)
Phil currently uses this method in AutoCAD 2006.


Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol:  Moving objects in a 3-Dimensional environment is a very tricky task.  Working with 3D objects in AutoCAD was improved in AutoCAD 2007.  This release introduced to us DYNAMIC UCS.  When using this feature, it will dynamically (and temporarily) change the active UCS to match the plane of the face of an object.  When it is on, start a 3D command.  Move the cursor over the face of an object that is in the proper plane and that plane will become highlighted.  Starting the command will start the action in that same plane. This will make sure the object that is being created is in the same plane as the selected object.  If AutoCAD 2007 (or higher) is not available, then using Phil’s tip will help out.
 
 
    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.
Change Text Styles and More
Tip# 3060 By Robert Zipprich On 14-Dec-2008
5
 Rated By 1 users Downloaded : 1295
Categories : Single-Line Text, Edit Text
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : CHTEXT.LSP
This is a powerful tool for editing single line text objects.
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Robert Zipprich sent us this “Old School” tool.  A handy tool that has been around since 1988 is CHTEXT.LSP by Autodesk.  It still works with AutoCAD v2007 (Cadalyst Tip Patrol tested it on AutoCAD 2009 with no problem) and has come in handy in changing manufacturer drawing font style fractions from the AutoCAD FRACTION.SHX to our client’s specific font SHX fractions. 


Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: CHTEXT no longer comes with AutoCAD.  According to my research, the last time it was a full function in AutoCAD was release 12!  It was removed in r13 but put back in r14 as an express tool.  It has not been released with AutoCAD since then.  CHTEXT is a very powerful tool when editing single line text objects.  It cannot edit Mtext.  With it, users can change any property of a single line text object like size, content, style, height, width, and more.  A very nice feature about this routine is that users can edit text objects either one at a time or globally.  If there is a drawing containing many occurrences of single line text, then CHTEXT can be very useful indeed.
 
 
Get Rid of Stubborn Layers
Tip# 3059 By R.T. Rinehart On 14-Dec-2008
4.5
 Rated By 2 users
Categories : Layer Tools, Layer Manager
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
This tip helps clean your files of hard-to-delete layers.
Related CAD Tips

R.T. Rinehart sent us this tip that helps clean up your files.  Do you ever get those layers that just won’t delete no matter what you try? Even though there is nothing visible on them, you try to delete them and they just won’t go away. My office uses the National Cad Standard Template, and many times we are left with many unwanted layers in the drawing. Use the powerful Layer Delete command built into AutoCAD for these pesky rascals. Just enter LAYDEL at the command line and you will be given the option of selecting an object on the layer or you can enter “N” to get a dialog of layer names. Use your shift key in the dialog to select multiple layers for deletion (the current layer cannot be deleted by this command so be sure your current layer is something you want to keep). Be careful since everything on the layers you select will be deleted along with the layer itself. AutoCAD will prompt you for confirmation before proceeding with the deletion.


There are many uses for this command. I work on sites that often have different design scenarios or schematics during the course of the project. I keep each scenario on a different layer and when we reach a final decision just use the LAYDEL command to get rid of all the layers and entities for the unused scenarios. I hope you find many other uses as well.


Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol:  Maintenance of files is a must.  There are many times when extra items clutter up a file.  Sometimes weird things happen as in R.T.’s example above, empty layers won’t go away.  They can’t be deleted or purged.  The LAYDEL (layer delete) command will get rid of most layers and any objects on that layer.  It won’t delete a locked layer!  It is often a good idea to protect your layers, or the objects on that layer.  Great tip.
 
 
Create C/L P/L symbols
Tip# 3062 By Leonid Nemirovsky On 14-Dec-2008
4.5
 Rated By 2 users
Categories : Multiline Text
Software type : AutoCAD
Rename File To : No Files to download.
How to create C/L P/L symbols.
Related CAD Tips

Leonid Nemirovsky shared a tip he received from David Allison about how to create C/L P/L symbols. David uses the following tip with AutoCAD 2007, but he believes it should work with any version that allows mtext formatting.

First type mtext that looks like this:

C
L PIER

Then highlight the mtext with grips, and in the Change Properties dialog box, change the        line spacing to 0.25. This will produce a centerline symbol in front of the word PIER. It can be a baseline symbol, plate symbol, or whatever symbol is needed.

NOTES FROM CADALYST TIP PATROL:
This tip received reviews on both ends of the quality spectrum, but the positive review raved so much that we feel compelled to let readers give it a try for themselves. Although one Tip Patrol member felt this is an inefficient use of the Mtext Editor features, another cheered, "This may be the best tip I've reviewed of the year!  This is one of those ideas, inherent in the command, that you wonder why no one ever thought of using it like this before.  For 23 years I've used special or custom fonts, or blocks, or (simply) dtext manually superimposed.  As they say in the beer commercials:  'Brilliant! Brilliant!' " Test the tip for yourself and leave a comment about your results.
 
 
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