Autocad®: Secrets Every User Should Know

Autocad®: Secrets Every User Should Know

by Dan Abbott
Released January 2007
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9780470109939

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Book description

"I've been using AutoCAD for 22 years and have written a hundred books on the subject. I reviewed many CAD books back in the days when book reviews were common in CAD publications; some were innovative, others were just sad. But for nearly a decade, it's been mostly silence on the book review front. Then earlier in the summer, a book arrived in the mail from Sybex: AutoCAD Secrets Every User Should Know by Dan Abbott. Reading it, I got excited: here's a book for every AutoCAD user, even old-timers like me." - Ralph Grabowski, Editor, upFront.eZine.com: The Business of CAD

Learn the "why" behind the "how" in this one-of-a-kind reference packed with tips and techniques from award-winning AutoCAD expert Dan Abbott. This info-packed guide reveals some of the best kept AutoCAD secrets on technical standards, AutoLISP programming, DOS functions, scripts, 3D, and everything in between. Based on his popular "Things Every AutoCAD User Should Know" session at Autodesk University and other industry events, Dan gives you the answers to frequently asked AutoCAD questions in his direct and entertaining style while using real-world case studies to put your skills into practice. Read it cover to cover or dive right in to the sections you need most, then get ready to improve your productivity, save more time, and become an AutoCAD all-star.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. Introduction
    1. Who Is This Book For?
    2. What Release of AutoCAD Is Covered?
    3. What's Included?
  4. 1. AutoCAD Productivity
    1. 1.1. Design Standards
      1. 1.1.1. Draw Everything Actual Size
      2. 1.1.2. Draw Existing Features "as Built"
      3. 1.1.3. Draw Mechanical Parts at MMC
      4. 1.1.4. Use Logical Increments
    2. 1.2. AutoCAD Best Practices
      1. 1.2.1. Use the Help System
      2. 1.2.2. Use Blocks as Often as Possible
      3. 1.2.3. Never Override Dimension Values
      4. 1.2.4. Use Layers with Logical and Consistent Names
      5. 1.2.5. Set All Properties to ByLayer
      6. 1.2.6. Use the Drafting Tools
      7. 1.2.7. Plot from Layouts in Paper Space
      8. 1.2.8. Draw Perfectly—Somebody Will Assume You Did
      9. 1.2.9. Set Text Height to 0
      10. 1.2.10. Don't Use the Name Standard
      11. 1.2.11. Be Cautious When Using REFEDIT
      12. 1.2.12. Beware When Moving or Renaming Files
      13. 1.2.13. Control Imperial vs. Metric Settings
      14. 1.2.14. Learn to Use QSELECT
      15. 1.2.15. Create Tool Palettes to Enforce Standards
    3. 1.3. Feature Review (All Releases)
      1. 1.3.1. Drawing Efficiency
        1. 1.3.1.1. Rectangular Arrays
          1. 1.3.1.1.1. DIALOG BOX ARRAY
          2. 1.3.1.1.2. COMMAND-LINE VERSION OF ARRAY
        2. 1.3.1.2. Polar Arrays
          1. 1.3.1.2.1. PEDIT
          2. 1.3.1.2.2. ALTERNATIVE TO PEDIT
        3. 1.3.1.3. Drawings with Interior Angles
        4. 1.3.1.4. Use From, Auto Tracking, or @ to Begin Drawing
        5. 1.3.1.5. Using CIRCLE and FILLET to Create Tangent Arcs
        6. 1.3.1.6. DTEXT
      2. 1.3.2. Extracting Information from Drawings
        1. 1.3.2.1. AREA
          1. 1.3.2.1.1. PEDIT
          2. 1.3.2.1.2. ENTITY SELECTION
          3. 1.3.2.1.3. QUICK AREA CALCULATION FOR COMPLEX FEATURES
        2. 1.3.2.2. DIST
        3. 1.3.2.3. PROPERTIES and LIST
        4. 1.3.2.4. TIME
      3. 1.3.3. The Save Options
      4. 1.3.4. Edit Commands
        1. 1.3.4.1. PROPERTIES
        2. 1.3.4.2. CHAMFER and FILLET
        3. 1.3.4.3. DIVIDE and MEASURE
        4. 1.3.4.4. EXPLODE
        5. 1.3.4.5. OFFSET
        6. 1.3.4.6. OOPS
        7. 1.3.4.7. ROTATE
        8. 1.3.4.8. SCALE
        9. 1.3.4.9. UNDO
        10. 1.3.4.10. LENGTHEN
      5. 1.3.5. Dimensions
        1. 1.3.5.1. Aligned vs. Rotated
        2. 1.3.5.2. ORDINATE
        3. 1.3.5.3. Dimension Variables
          1. 1.3.5.3.1. DIMASSOC
          2. 1.3.5.3.2. DIMSCALE
      6. 1.3.6. Settings Commands
        1. 1.3.6.1. APERTURE
        2. 1.3.6.2. LTSCALE
        3. 1.3.6.3. Layers
      7. 1.3.7. Display Commands
        1. 1.3.7.1. VIEW
        2. 1.3.7.2. VPORTS
        3. 1.3.7.3. The Middle Scroll Wheel
        4. 1.3.7.4. VTENABLE (View Transition Enable)
      8. 1.3.8. Utilities
        1. 1.3.8.1. PURGE
        2. 1.3.8.2. RENAME
        3. 1.3.8.3. PARTIALOPEN
      9. 1.3.9. Express Tools
        1. 1.3.9.1. CHSPACE
  5. 2. Managing Your System
    1. 2.1. Managing Files
      1. 2.1.1. Backup Files
      2. 2.1.2. Autosave Files
        1. 2.1.2.1. Working with Files on Removable Media
        2. 2.1.2.2. Archiving Files
      3. 2.1.3. Set a Default File-Saving Location
      4. 2.1.4. Creating and Using Template Files
    2. 2.2. Managing AutoCAD
      1. 2.2.1. Options and Profiles
        1. 2.2.1.1. Files Tab
        2. 2.2.1.2. Display Tab
        3. 2.2.1.3. Open And Save Tab
        4. 2.2.1.4. Plot And Publish Tab
        5. 2.2.1.5. System Tab
        6. 2.2.1.6. User Preferences Tab
        7. 2.2.1.7. Drafting Tab
        8. 2.2.1.8. 3D Modeling Tab
        9. 2.2.1.9. Selection Tab
        10. 2.2.1.10. Profiles Tab
      2. 2.2.2. Workspaces
      3. 2.2.3. Using Workspaces and Profiles Together
      4. 2.2.4. Startup Switches
      5. 2.2.5. Maintaining AutoCAD
    3. 2.3. Directories
      1. 2.3.1. Paths
      2. 2.3.2. Naming Requirements
    4. 2.4. Why DOS Isn't Dead Yet
      1. 2.4.1. DOS Batch Files
      2. 2.4.2. DOS Commands
      3. 2.4.3. Sample Batch Files
        1. 2.4.3.1. Creating Folders
        2. 2.4.3.2. Logon Batch Files
        3. 2.4.3.3. Backing Up Files
      4. 2.4.4. Running Batch Files Automatically
    5. 2.5. External Commands and Command Aliases
      1. 2.5.1. External Commands
        1. 2.5.1.1. Long Path Statements
      2. 2.5.2. Aliases
  6. 3. Customizing the AutoCAD Interface
    1. 3.1. Tool Palettes (All Releases)
      1. 3.1.1. Adding Block References to a Tool Palette
      2. 3.1.2. Creating New Groups for Tool Palettes
      3. 3.1.3. Changing the Properties of Tools on a Palette
      4. 3.1.4. Adding Other Tools to a New Tool Palette
      5. 3.1.5. Exporting a Tool Palette
    2. 3.2. The Customizable User Interface (CUI)
      1. 3.2.1. Creating a New Toolbar
      2. 3.2.2. Writing a Custom Toolbar Button Macro
      3. 3.2.3. Editing Pull-Down Menus
      4. 3.2.4. Modifying a Cursor Menu
      5. 3.2.5. Modifying the Grips Menu
      6. 3.2.6. Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts
    3. 3.3. Linetypes (All Releases)
      1. 3.3.1. Creating Basic Linetypes
      2. 3.3.2. Working with Complex Linetypes
        1. 3.3.2.1. Modifying the ACAD.LIN and ACADISO.LIN Files
        2. 3.3.2.2. Using Express Tools to Create Complex Linetypes
  7. 4. Applying Graphics Standards
    1. 4.1. Dimensions
      1. 4.1.1. Background
        1. 4.1.1.1. Anonymous Blocks
        2. 4.1.1.2. Units
        3. 4.1.1.3. Associativity
        4. 4.1.1.4. Standard Dimension Style
        5. 4.1.1.5. Custom Arrowhead
      2. 4.1.2. Mechanical Dimensions
        1. 4.1.2.1. Decimal-Inch
          1. 4.1.2.1.1. LINES TAB
          2. 4.1.2.1.2. SYMBOLS AND ARROWS TAB
          3. 4.1.2.1.3. TEXT TAB
          4. 4.1.2.1.4. FIT TAB
          5. 4.1.2.1.5. PRIMARY UNITS TAB
          6. 4.1.2.1.6. ALTERNATE UNITS TAB
          7. 4.1.2.1.7. TOLERANCES TAB
          8. 4.1.2.1.8. CHILD VARIATIONS: RADIAL AND DIAMETER
        2. 4.1.2.2. ASME Metric and ISO
      3. 4.1.3. Architectural Dimensions
        1. 4.1.3.1. Feet and Inches
          1. 4.1.3.1.1. LINES TAB
          2. 4.1.3.1.2. SYMBOLS AND ARROWS TAB
          3. 4.1.3.1.3. TEXT TAB
          4. 4.1.3.1.4. FIT TAB
          5. 4.1.3.1.5. PRIMARY UNITS TAB
          6. 4.1.3.1.6. ALTERNATE UNITS AND TOLERANCES TABS
          7. 4.1.3.1.7. LINEAR CHILD STYLE
          8. 4.1.3.1.8. RADIAL AND DIAMETER CHILD STYLES
        2. 4.1.3.2. Architectural Metric
      4. 4.1.4. Civil/Surveying
        1. 4.1.4.1. Decimal Feet
          1. 4.1.4.1.1. LINES TAB
          2. 4.1.4.1.2. TEXT TAB
          3. 4.1.4.1.3. FIT TAB
          4. 4.1.4.1.4. PRIMARY UNITS TAB
        2. 4.1.4.2. Meters
    2. 4.2. Dimensioning Rules
      1. 4.2.1. Mechanical Dimensioning
      2. 4.2.2. Architectural Dimensioning
    3. 4.3. Text Styles
      1. 4.3.1. Fonts
      2. 4.3.2. Letter Form
    4. 4.4. Linetypes and Weights
      1. 4.4.1. Hidden Lines
      2. 4.4.2. Center Lines and Center Marks
        1. 4.4.2.1. Circular Center Lines and Marks
      3. 4.4.3. Lineweights
        1. 4.4.3.1. Mechanical Lineweights
        2. 4.4.3.2. Architectural Lineweights
        3. 4.4.3.3. Style Tables vs. Color Tables
    5. 4.5. Applying Standards
      1. 4.5.1. Template Drawings
        1. 4.5.1.1. Creating Template Drawings
        2. 4.5.1.2. Contents of a Template File
        3. 4.5.1.3. Recommended Variable Settings
        4. 4.5.1.4. Dimension Styles
        5. 4.5.1.5. Layer Naming
          1. 4.5.1.5.1. LAYER-NAME WILDCARDS
          2. 4.5.1.5.2. ARCHITECTURAL LAYER NAMES: COMMERCIAL
          3. 4.5.1.5.3. ARCHITECTURAL LAYER NAMES: RESIDENTIAL
          4. 4.5.1.5.4. LAYER NAMES FOR MECHANICAL DESIGN
        6. 4.5.1.6. Layer Colors
  8. 5. Symbols, Tables, and Fields
    1. 5.1. Blocks
      1. 5.1.1. Understanding the Fundamentals
      2. 5.1.2. BLOCK Command
        1. 5.1.2.1. Related Commands
        2. 5.1.2.2. WBLOCK
          1. 5.1.2.2.1. Nesting
          2. 5.1.2.2.2. BASE
          3. 5.1.2.2.3. INSERT
        3. 5.1.2.3. The Block Editor
        4. 5.1.2.4. Redefining a Block Using the BLOCK Command
      3. 5.1.3. REFEDIT
        1. 5.1.3.1. Updating a Block with a Drawing File
        2. 5.1.3.2. Layer Control
    2. 5.2. Dynamic Blocks
      1. 5.2.1.
        1. 5.2.1.1. Getting Started
          1. 5.2.1.1.1. Types of Objects: Actions and Parameters
          2. 5.2.1.1.2. Start With Existing Blocks
    3. 5.3. Symbol Libraries
      1. 5.3.1.
        1. 5.3.1.1. Creating the Symbols
          1. 5.3.1.1.1. Strategies for Managing Symbol Libraries
          2. 5.3.1.1.2. One Symbol per Drawing File
          3. 5.3.1.1.3. All Symbols in Template Drawings
          4. 5.3.1.1.4. Related Blocks Grouped into Library Drawings
    4. 5.4. Assigning and Extracting Attributes
      1. 5.4.1.
        1. 5.4.1.1. Defining Attributes
        2. 5.4.1.2. Adding Attributes to Blocks
        3. 5.4.1.3. Attribute Modes
        4. 5.4.1.4. Attribute Definitions
        5. 5.4.1.5. Extracting Attribute Values
    5. 5.5. XRefs: External References
      1. 5.5.1. Attaching an XRef
      2. 5.5.2. Managing XRefs
        1. 5.5.2.1. XRef Layer, Block, and Dimstyle Names
        2. 5.5.2.2. VISRETAIN
        3. 5.5.2.3. XCLIP
        4. 5.5.2.4. Layer and Spatial Indexing
        5. 5.5.2.5. REFEDIT and XEDIT
    6. 5.6. Fields and Tables
      1. 5.6.1. Fields
      2. 5.6.2. Tables
  9. 6. Plotting
    1. 6.1. Model Space, Paper Space, and Layouts
      1. 6.1.1. Geometry Creation
      2. 6.1.2. Block Design
      3. 6.1.3. Definitions
        1. 6.1.3.1. Model Space
        2. 6.1.3.2. TILEMODE
        3. 6.1.3.3. Viewports and Floating Viewports?
        4. 6.1.3.4. Paper Space
      4. 6.1.4. Drawbacks of Using Paper Space
        1. 6.1.4.1. It's One More Thing to Learn
        2. 6.1.4.2. Objects in Paper Space and Model Space Are Separate
          1. 6.1.4.2.1. CREATING BLOCKS
          2. 6.1.4.2.2. USING WBLOCK TO CREATE A DRAWING BY SELECTING ENTITIES
      5. 6.1.5. Advantages of Using Paper Space
        1. 6.1.5.1. Multiple Views of 3D Objects Can Be Plotted on One Sheet
        2. 6.1.5.2. Multiple Details Can Be Presented at Different Scales
        3. 6.1.5.3. Fewer Variables to Be Calculated
        4. 6.1.5.4. Plotting Is Much More Consistent
        5. 6.1.5.5. Layouts Can Be Changed Without Changing the Location of Geometry
        6. 6.1.5.6. Multiple Layouts Can Be Included Within a Single Drawing File
        7. 6.1.5.7. Views Can Display Different Layers on a Single Sheet
        8. 6.1.5.8. Plotting Information Is Stored in the Drawing
        9. 6.1.5.9. The Display of Objects Can Be Clipped
        10. 6.1.5.10. Layouts Can Be Copied Within and Between Drawings
      6. 6.1.6. Preparing a Drawing for Plotting
    2. 6.2. What to Put Where
      1. 6.2.1. Model Space
      2. 6.2.2. Paper Space
      3. 6.2.3. Dimensions
        1. 6.2.3.1. 3D Dimensions
      4. 6.2.4. Hatch Patterns
      5. 6.2.5. Text
        1. 6.2.5.1. Scaling Model Space Text
    3. 6.3. Plotting a Layout
      1. 6.3.1. The Big Picture
      2. 6.3.2. The Detailed Steps
      3. 6.3.3. Organizing Geometry in Model Space
      4. 6.3.4. Other Layout Considerations
        1. 6.3.4.1. Switching Viewports
        2. 6.3.4.2. VPMAX
        3. 6.3.4.3. Viewports with Islands
        4. 6.3.4.4. Irregular Viewports
        5. 6.3.4.5. Conventional Breaks
        6. 6.3.4.6. PSVPSCALE
        7. 6.3.4.7. DVIEW TWist
        8. 6.3.4.8. PUBLISH
        9. 6.3.4.9. Sheet Sets
      5. 6.3.5. Plot-Style Tables
        1. 6.3.5.1. Color-Dependent Plot Styles
        2. 6.3.5.2. Using a Style-Dependent System
    4. 6.4. AutoCAD Graphics in Other Applications
      1. 6.4.1. Screen Capture
      2. 6.4.2. Plot to a Raster File
      3. 6.4.3. WMFOUT
      4. 6.4.4. Plot to a DWF File
  10. 7. AutoCAD Scripts
    1. 7.1. Characteristics of Scripts
    2. 7.2. Writing and Running Scripts
      1. 7.2.1. A Simple Script File
      2. 7.2.2. Drawing Setup
      3. 7.2.3. Computer Bench Testing
      4. 7.2.4. Using Scripts at Drawing Startup
      5. 7.2.5. Resetting All AutoCAD Variables
    3. 7.3. Updating Thousands of Drawings
      1. 7.3.1. Batch File
      2. 7.3.2. Script File
      3. 7.3.3. AutoLISP File
      4. 7.3.4. Putting Them All Together
        1. 7.3.4.1. Troubleshooting
        2. 7.3.4.2. Example 1: Reducing File Size
          1. 7.3.4.2.1. STEP 1: WBOUT.BAT
          2. 7.3.4.2.2. STEP 2: WBOUT.SCR
          3. 7.3.4.2.3. STEP 3: WBOUT.LSP
          4. 7.3.4.2.4. STEP 4: RUN THE PROGRAM
        3. 7.3.4.3. Example 2: Redefining Existing Block Definitions
          1. 7.3.4.3.1. STEP 1: TBUPDATE.BAT
          2. 7.3.4.3.2. STEP 2: TBUPDATE.SCR
          3. 7.3.4.3.3. STEP 3: TBUPDATE.LSP
          4. 7.3.4.3.4. STEP 4: RUN THE PROGRAM
        4. 7.3.4.4. Example 3: Creating Drawings from Block Definitions
          1. 7.3.4.4.1. STEP 1: BLOCKOUT.BAT
          2. 7.3.4.4.2. STEP 2: BLOCKOUT.SCR
          3. 7.3.4.4.3. STEP 3: BLOCKOUT.LSP
          4. 7.3.4.4.4. STEP 4: RUN THE PROGRAM
      5. 7.3.5. Other Possibilities
  11. 8. AutoLISP by Example: Getting Started
    1. 8.1. Background
      1. 8.1.1. AutoCAD Commands
      2. 8.1.2. Finding AutoLISP Programs
    2. 8.2. Writing AutoLISP Programs
      1. 8.2.1. Program Structure
      2. 8.2.2. Entering Programs in AutoCAD
        1. 8.2.2.1. Command-Line Entry
        2. 8.2.2.2. Creating and Saving AutoLISP Text Files
        3. 8.2.2.3. The Visual LISP Editor
    3. 8.3. AutoLISP Examples
      1. 8.3.1. ZX Command
        1. 8.3.1.1. Using the new ZX command
      2. 8.3.2. Defining Other New Commands
        1. 8.3.2.1. Improving the CIRCLE command
        2. 8.3.2.2. Inserting Drawing Files
        3. 8.3.2.3. Using Variables
      3. 8.3.3. GET Functions
      4. 8.3.4. Creating New Points
        1. 8.3.4.1. Creating Points from Coordinates
        2. 8.3.4.2. Creating Points with Distances and Angles
      5. 8.3.5. Performing Calculations
        1. 8.3.5.1. Computational Basics
        2. 8.3.5.2. Math Functions
        3. 8.3.5.3. Calculating Within a Program
        4. 8.3.5.4. String and Number Conversions
        5. 8.3.5.5. Converting Between Radians and Degrees
          1. 8.3.5.5.1. WHAT'S A RADIAN?
          2. 8.3.5.5.2. CREATING AUTOLISP FUNCTIONS: RTD AND DTR
        6. 8.3.5.6. Using AutoLISP Functions Transparently
        7. 8.3.5.7. Combining AutoLISP Functions
    4. 8.4. Automatic Loading
      1. 8.4.1. APPLOAD
      2. 8.4.2. Acaddoc.lsp and Acad.lsp Files
      3. 8.4.3. Managing Your Programs
      4. 8.4.4. S::STARTUP
  12. 9. AutoLISP by Example: Getting Better
    1. 9.1. Debugging Techniques
      1. 9.1.1. Testing Code Sections at the Console
      2. 9.1.2. Finding Matching Parentheses and Quotation Marks
        1. 9.1.2.1. Jumping Parentheses
        2. 9.1.2.2. Double-Clicking on a Parenthesis
        3. 9.1.2.3. Ctrl+[ and Ctrl+]
      3. 9.1.3. Watch Window
      4. 9.1.4. Animate
      5. 9.1.5. Testing the Program: Final Touches
    2. 9.2. Error Handling
    3. 9.3. Annotation
    4. 9.4. Selection Sets and Entity Manipulation
      1. 9.4.1. ASSOC, ENTGET, ENTSEL
        1. 9.4.1.1. (entsel)
        2. 9.4.1.2. (car (entsel))
        3. 9.4.1.3. (entget (car (entsel)))
        4. 9.4.1.4. (assoc 0 (entget (car (entsel))))
        5. 9.4.1.5. (cdr (assoc 0 (entget (car (entsel)))))
      2. 9.4.2. SSGET
        1. 9.4.2.1. SSGET Relational Tests
        2. 9.4.2.2. Combining Selection-Set Criteria
    5. 9.5. IF Function
      1. 9.5.1. Creating Toggles
      2. 9.5.2. Creating Default Values
      3. 9.5.3. Default Settings with a Memory
    6. 9.6. Repeat Function
    7. 9.7. WHILE Function
    8. 9.8. COND, INITGET, GETKWORD
    9. 9.9. Text and String Manipulation
    10. 9.10. Getting to DOS with AutoLISP
  13. 10. 3D For Everyone
    1. 10.1. Overview
      1. 10.1.1. Some Samples
      2. 10.1.2. Types of 3D Models
    2. 10.2. Managing Coordinate Systems
      1. 10.2.1. World Coordinate System
      2. 10.2.2. User Coordinate System
    3. 10.3. Creating a Model
    4. 10.4. Using Existing 2D Geometry
      1. 10.4.1. Quick Perspective Line Drawing
      2. 10.4.2. Solid Model from 2D Multiviews
    5. 10.5. Final Suggestions
  14. 11. AutoCAD Puzzlers
    1. 11.1. The Puzzlers
      1. 11.1.1. Puzzler 1: Disappearing Preview
      2. 11.1.2. Puzzler 2: Broken Absolute Coordinates?
      3. 11.1.3. Puzzler 3: Lost Hatch Boundary
      4. 11.1.4. Puzzler 4: Hatch Edit Problems
      5. 11.1.5. Puzzler 5: Entities Stuck on a Layer
      6. 11.1.6. Puzzler 6: Disabled Viewport Locking
      7. 11.1.7. Puzzler 7: Broken Delete Key
      8. 11.1.8. Puzzler 8: Once and Done
      9. 11.1.9. Puzzler 9: Dense Hatch
      10. 11.1.10. Puzzler 10: Missing Folders
      11. 11.1.11. Puzzler 11: What Working Set?
      12. 11.1.12. Puzzler 12: Broken AutoLISP Program
      13. 11.1.13. Puzzler 13: AutoLISP Program Still Broken
      14. 11.1.14. Puzzler 14: The 30-Inch Building
      15. 11.1.15. Puzzler 15: Mysterious Line Lengths
      16. 11.1.16. Puzzler 16: Missing Linetypes
      17. 11.1.17. Puzzler 17: Blocks Scale Themselves
      18. 11.1.18. Puzzler 18: What Came First?
      19. 11.1.19. Puzzler 19: Can't Turn on Toolbars
      20. 11.1.20. Puzzler 21: Tiny Dimensions
      21. 11.1.21. Puzzler 22: Tiny Dimension Text
      22. 11.1.22. Puzzler 23: Sideways Text
      23. 11.1.23. Puzzler 24: Can't Select a Viewport
      24. 11.1.24. Puzzler 25: No Warnings
      25. 11.1.25. Puzzler 26: Which File Format?
      26. 11.1.26. Puzzler 27: Unextrudable Polyline
      27. 11.1.27. Puzzler 28: Which Variable Changed?
      28. 11.1.28. Puzzler 29: Blown-Up Batting
      29. 11.1.29. Puzzler 30: Dimension Nightmare
      30. 11.1.30. Puzzler 31: Entities upon Entities
      31. 11.1.31. Puzzler 32: Overkill in AutoLISP
      32. 11.1.32. Puzzler 33: No CHSPACE
      33. 11.1.33. Puzzler 34: Invisible Block Reference
      34. 11.1.34. Puzzler 35: Bound XRef Blows Up
    2. 11.2. The Solutions
      1. 11.2.1. Puzzler 1: Disappearing Preview
      2. 11.2.2. Puzzler 2: Broken Absolute Coordinates?
      3. 11.2.3. Puzzler 3: Lost Hatch Boundary
      4. 11.2.4. Puzzler 4: Hatch Edit Problems
      5. 11.2.5. Puzzler 5: Entities Stuck on a Layer
      6. 11.2.6. Puzzler 6: Disabled Viewport Locking
      7. 11.2.7. Puzzler 7: Broken Delete Key
      8. 11.2.8. Puzzler 8: Once and Done
      9. 11.2.9. Puzzler 9: Dense Hatch
      10. 11.2.10. Puzzler 10: Missing Folders
      11. 11.2.11. Puzzler 11: What Working Set?
      12. 11.2.12. Puzzler 12: Broken AutoLISP Program
      13. 11.2.13. Puzzler 13: AutoLISP Program Still Broken
      14. 11.2.14. Puzzler 14: The 30-Inch Building
      15. 11.2.15. Puzzler 15: Mysterious Line Lengths
      16. 11.2.16. Puzzler 16: Missing Linetypes
      17. 11.2.17. Puzzler 17: Blocks Scale Themselves
      18. 11.2.18. Puzzler 18: What Came First?
      19. 11.2.19. Puzzler 19: Can't Turn On Toolbars
      20. 11.2.20. Puzzler 21: Tiny Dimensions
      21. 11.2.21. Puzzler 22: Tiny Dimension Text
      22. 11.2.22. Puzzler 23: Sideways Text
      23. 11.2.23. Puzzler 24: Can't Select a Viewport
      24. 11.2.24. Puzzler 25: No Warnings
      25. 11.2.25. Puzzler 26: Which File Format?
      26. 11.2.26. Puzzler 27: Unextrudable Polyline
      27. 11.2.27. Puzzler 28: Which Variable Changed?
      28. 11.2.28. Puzzler 29: Blown-Up Batting
      29. 11.2.29. Puzzler 30: Dimension Nightmare
      30. 11.2.30. Puzzler 31: Entities upon Entities
      31. 11.2.31. Puzzler 32: Overkill in AutoLISP
      32. 11.2.32. Puzzler 33: No CHSPACE
      33. 11.2.33. Puzzler 34: Invisible Block Reference
      34. 11.2.34. Puzzler 35: Bound XRef Blows Up
  15. A. Feature Review: By Release
    1. A.1. AutoCAD 2000
      1. A.1.1. AutoSnap and AutoTrack
        1. A.1.1.1. AutoSnap
        2. A.1.1.2. Polar and Object Snap Tracking
        3. A.1.1.3. Relative Polar Angle
      2. A.1.2. Hyperlinks on Objects
      3. A.1.3. AutoCAD DesignCenter (ADC)
      4. A.1.4. Object Properties Manager
        1. A.1.4.1. Revision Clouds
      5. A.1.5. eTransmit
      6. A.1.6. Layouts
    2. A.2. AutoCAD 2000i
      1. A.2.1. i-drop
      2. A.2.2. Array Dialog Box
      3. A.2.3. Layer States
      4. A.2.4. Publish DWF Files
    3. A.3. AutoCAD 2002
      1. A.3.1. Block Attribute Manager and Extraction Dialog Boxes
      2. A.3.2. Associative Dimensions
      3. A.3.3. Standards Manager
      4. A.3.4. Digital Signatures and Passwords
      5. A.3.5. Markups
      6. A.3.6. Migration Assistance
    4. A.4. AutoCAD 2004
      1. A.4.1. File Format
      2. A.4.2. REFEDIT
      3. A.4.3. Tool Palettes
      4. A.4.4. DesignCenter Online
      5. A.4.5. Express Tools
      6. A.4.6. Gradient Effects
      7. A.4.7. True Color, PANTONE, DIC, and RAL Support
      8. A.4.8. Communications Center
      9. A.4.9. Publishing Multiple Sheets
      10. A.4.10. Shaded and Rendered Output
      11. A.4.11. New Features Workshop
      12. A.4.12. Software Management
        1. A.4.12.1. Power User Limitation
        2. A.4.12.2. Operating System
        3. A.4.12.3. License Borrowing
    5. A.5. AutoCAD 2005
      1. A.5.1. Tables
      2. A.5.2. Fields
      3. A.5.3. Layer Grouping
      4. A.5.4. Productivity Tools
        1. A.5.4.1. VPMAX
        2. A.5.4.2. M2P
        3. A.5.4.3. Zoom Object
      5. A.5.5. Sheet Sets
    6. A.6. AutoCAD 2006
      1. A.6.1. Dynamic Blocks
      2. A.6.2. Dynamic Input
      3. A.6.3. Dimensioning
      4. A.6.4. Hatch Enhancements
      5. A.6.5. QuickCalc
        1. A.6.5.1. Using QuickCalc
        2. A.6.5.2. Unit Conversion
        3. A.6.5.3. Conversion Units
      6. A.6.6. Table Calculations
      7. A.6.7. MTEXT Editor
      8. A.6.8. DTEXT Editor
      9. A.6.9. Locked Toolbars and Palettes
      10. A.6.10. Editable Scale List
      11. A.6.11. Command Enhancements
      12. A.6.12. JOIN
      13. A.6.13. FILLET and CHAMFER
      14. A.6.14. ROTATE and SCALE
      15. A.6.15. TRIM and EXTEND
      16. A.6.16. STRETCH
      17. A.6.17. Customization: CUI Command and CUI Files
      18. A.6.18. Workspaces
    7. A.7. AutoCAD 2007
      1. A.7.1. XREF and IMAGE
      2. A.7.2. Dimensioning
      3. A.7.3. Express Tools
      4. A.7.4. Dashboard
    8. A.8. Beyond AutoCAD 2007
  16. B. Selected DOS Functions
  17. C. AutoCAD File Extensions

Product information

  • Title: Autocad®: Secrets Every User Should Know
  • Author(s): Dan Abbott
  • Release date: January 2007
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9780470109939