A few personal favourite commands [Archive]

nickeshaffer

2006-02-24, 04:31 PM

Tools-Quick Select... lets you pinpoint exactly what you want to select in the drawing (i.e. all of the text, all of one layer, etc.)

Modify-3D Operation-Align... I use it more in 2D... and it is AWSOME for making one object the same angle as another...

Edit-Copy with Base Point... was mentioned in other threads, but I thought I'd emphasize how great this is... lets you copy something with a point of reference (as the name states!)

Also... I have several buttons created for these, as well as REGEN, UCS Icon On/Off, and my own custom Close button.... I'm a little faster at clicking than typing..

See Attached.... and Enjoy!

Mamma Jamma

2006-03-17, 07:54 PM

In addition to Edit/Copy with basepoint, I'd add Edit/Copy, then Paste to Original Coordinates for copying objects (borders, viewports, and well, pretty much everything) from one drawing or layout to another.

Robert.Hall

2006-03-17, 08:18 PM

I never quite figured out the align command.
Can you explain it a little?

I am mostly 2D.

jaberwok

2006-03-17, 09:50 PM

I never quite figured out the align command.
Can you explain it a little?

I am mostly 2D.

[shameless plug] From ATP108 - [/ shameless plug]

"The Align command is a little more clever. It allows you to define one, two or three starting locations followed by a matching number of destinations. Defining one pair of locations, gives, in effect, a Move operation. Defining two pairs gives us a Move and Rotate_in_one_plane operation whilst three pairs gives us a Move and Rotate_in_two_planes operation. Clever, eh?"

Robert.Hall

2006-03-20, 02:09 PM

I see how that works, now I just have to figure out
when the align command would be useful....thanks
for the explanation.

nickeshaffer

2006-03-20, 02:12 PM

I see how that works, now I just have to figure out
when the align command would be useful....thanks
for the explanation.

I actually have used that tons this past week... we are making flow racks, and they are at a certain angle... for the effect, i draw my bins in there, and just use the align to get them at the same angle (time saver if you don't recall what the angle is)

just one of many examples!

Enjoy!

jennifer_jes

2006-03-21, 04:57 PM

I never quite figured out the align command.
Can you explain it a little?

I am mostly 2D.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but for example: when i bring an object into my dwg. or even just create it in the same file, the scale will be off and i want to bring it to the size it should be. Or if I'm using a raster image and maybe trying to get it close to the scale it should be at-I would then use the align command. I have mostly used it with raster images for maps or details. I like to think of it as an easier way to scale. But more convenient-

nickeshaffer

2006-03-21, 05:02 PM

...the scale will be off and i want to bring it to the size it should be...-

Thats right!!! i almost forgot about that... Usually when im using the command i keep the scale the same, but it has been very nice to use that to scale as well!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

jakespeare

2006-03-31, 09:28 PM

Thats right!!! i almost forgot about that... Usually when im using the command i keep the scale the same, but it has been very nice to use that to scale as well!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

I actually used that one today, Had to compare a TIF of a blueprint to a cad file, managed to get it aligned, & scaled close enough to catch some probs with the dwg (missing data) good stuff.

one of my favorite 3d comands is revolve. no reason in particular other than its fun to use...

H'Angus

2006-04-03, 09:16 AM

We tend to do hand drawn site layouts for the initial sketch designs, these later get scanned in and traced over in cad. Using the align command is the only easiest way rotate and scale the raster to fit over a survey etc.

nickeshaffer

2006-06-06, 08:44 PM

zoomharis

2006-06-06, 09:02 PM

Note: i forgot to mention the Quick Save feature... Tools-Quick Select... VERY nice if you want to select all of the dimensions or just all of one layer to modify, delete, etc to

I use it several times an hour!!!
Have a look at FILTER and SSX (ssx.lsp) commands too. FILTER allows you to be more accurate on selection while SSX is very easy to use from the keyboard.

har!s

Rico

2006-06-09, 01:42 PM

If it hasn't been added yet, then I'd say the "Mid Between Two Points" command. This little tool has saved me lots of work.

This is the macro that is entered: _m2p
And attached is the button I have created so that I can use this nifty little guy everywhere.

The simple things in life really do make things worth it!

The VLG

2006-06-09, 03:05 PM

H'Angus

2006-06-09, 03:17 PM

I have a couple of macros set up that I find always handy

0,0 - handy for copy/paste at co-ordinates (0,0)
oops! - IMO a lost command (^C^Coops )
Lock/Unlock view port - when you have multiple VP's or VP's created from PL's (^C^Cmv _l _on ) / (^C^Cmv _l _off )
crossing polygon - selection type (CP)
window polygon - selection type (WP)
rotate text to line - many uses (^C^C_ucs;n;ob;torient;;0;ucs;p;^M;)

Icons below ( I haven't bothered with the CP & WP icons)

Cool,I especially like oops command its kind of got its own sense of humour thing going on. Although I can't help thinking it should have been called 'Doh'.

Also with the locking of viewports if you do a search in the AutoLISP forums (I forget who wrote it now), there is a lisp which allows you to unlock all viewports or lock all viewports and in addition, locked viewports are turned red, unlocked ones are turned green.

Rico

2006-06-09, 03:21 PM

Here's another handy one ....

Turn all layers on ... handy for when you play with a lot of layers and tunring them on and off. CAD has a switch to turn layers off, but not on .... :?

macro: ^C^Clayon

Opie

2006-06-09, 03:25 PM

Also with the locking of viewports if you do a search in the AutoLISP forums (I forget who wrote it now), there is a lisp which allows you to unlock all viewports or lock all viewports and in addition, locked viewports are turned red, unlocked ones are turned green.
I think you are referring to this "Lisp routine to turn viewport on or off". It contains a link to this off site lisp routine "Another View Port Lock / Unlock (http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=7097.0)" by CAB2k (http://forums.augi.com/member.php?u=44345). You may need to register at this site, since it is not controlled by AUGI. I believe the registration is free.

H'Angus

2006-06-09, 03:45 PM

I think you are referring to this "Lisp routine to turn viewport on or off". It contains a link to this off site lisp routine "Another View Port Lock / Unlock (http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=7097.0)" by CAB2k (http://forums.augi.com/member.php?u=44345). You may need to register at this site, since it is not controlled by AUGI. I believe the registration is free.

No it was one that an AUGI member wrote, I'll do a search and see if I can find it. I can always repost it but wouldn't like to take the credit for someone elses genius (and its duplication).

Opie

2006-06-09, 04:32 PM

No it was one that an AUGI member wrote, I'll do a search and see if I can find it. I can always repost it but wouldn't like to take the credit for someone elses genius (and its duplication).
CAB2k (http://forums.augi.com/member.php?u=44345) is the AUGI member that wrote it. I don't remember seeing the code posted on AUGI. He does reference it in this post as well.

Mike.Perry

2006-06-10, 12:19 PM

No it was one that an AUGI member wrote, I'll do a search and see if I can find it. I can always repost it but wouldn't like to take the credit for someone elses genius (and its duplication).Hi

Maybe...

Locking Viewports

RE: Lock / Unlock Viewports

RE: Lock Vport Lisp

Have a good one, Mike

Opie

2006-06-10, 04:28 PM

Hi

Maybe...

Locking Viewports

Have a good one, Mike

I guess I need to go back and work on my searches. I couldn't seem to find this one. :(

H'Angus

2006-06-12, 08:48 AM

I guess I need to go back and work on my searches. I couldn't seem to find this one. :(

Thats the one. I actually tried to search for it again and couldn't find it. Oh well looks like I need to work on my searches too :lol:

.chad

2006-06-12, 02:21 PM

I'm a big fan of the "BURST" command

nickeshaffer

2006-06-15, 05:40 PM

The VLG

2006-06-16, 08:34 AM

I just learned a new trick... some of you more advanced people probably think I'm stupid but for those of you who dont know, here goes (ill try my best to explain)

For copying or moving without alot of precision, select the objects (respectively) then right click and hold; drag the object to where you want it, then let go of the right button, a small menu will come up and ask to MOVE, COPY, or PASTE AS BLOCK... or of course, cancel (esc works great for that!)

Enjoy! (i know i am!)
Not at all!

In a similar vain I'm surprised by the number of ppl that don't know about using the space bar to cycle through a few base commands after selecting a grip box.
I've had ppl asking how I did that or asking how to set it up.
Or using the up arrow to select previous input on the command line.

H'Angus

2006-06-16, 09:22 AM

Not at all!

In a similar vain I'm surprised by the number of ppl that don't know about using the space bar to cycle through a few base commands after selecting a grip box.
I've had ppl asking how I did that or asking how to set it up.
Or using the up arrow to select previous input on the command line.

I'd forgotten about that one. :)

Does anybody use the shift to aquire setting? i.e. so you select a line then in order to select additional objects you hold down shift first otherwise the first line selected is unselected (does this make any sense?). Its just that I'm the only person I know who uses it ~ everyone else just thinks I'm weird. :lol:

The VLG

2006-06-16, 09:26 AM

I'd forgotten about that one. :)

Does anybody use the shift to aquire setting? i.e. so you select a line then in order to select additional objects you hold down shift first otherwise the first line selected is unselected (does this make any sense?). Its just that I'm the only person I know who uses it ~ everyone else just thinks I'm weird. :lol:
I took that for a test drive a while ago, but I just couldn't settle with it, too many years working the normal way :|

H'Angus

2006-06-16, 09:28 AM

I took that for a test drive a while ago, but I just couldn't settle with it, too many years working the normal way :|

Yeah, it gets like that, also nobody else can use my computer (which suites me).

nickeshaffer

2006-06-19, 12:44 PM

Yeah, it gets like that, also nobody else can use my computer (which suites me).

Which is the main reason my mouse is backwards.... that's right, backwards... up is down, left is right, etc

The main reason i started doing that was to pi$$ off my instructor in college (long story) and then i just got used to it, it takes me twice as long to draw something with the mouse normal now. Plus, no one touches it!

Doodlemusmaximus

2006-06-19, 01:05 PM

Yeah, it gets like that, also nobody else can use my computer (which suites me).
My few favouirties in this are move the task bar to the top, make the icons as small as possible and change there appreance and my favouite leave somethin sticky on the mouse. you know its ther so you avoid it but others go straigh in and put there mits on it.

zoomharis

2006-06-19, 02:01 PM

My few favouirties in this are move the task bar to the top, make the icons as small as possible and change there appreance and my favouite leave somethin sticky on the mouse. you know its ther so you avoid it but others go straigh in and put there mits on it.
I know that we are going little off the subject. Sorry for that.

If you don't have the habit of using desktop shortcuts, there is a trick (Trick....!!! we are not off the subject) you can try with the intruders. Just copy the desktop using print screen button and save it as an image. Hide all the shortcuts on your desktop and apply the image as a wall paper. Now you have real desktop with non-working shortcuts.

Good enough to give a momentary shock.. Doesn't last long with brainy people.

:)
har!s

The VLG

2006-06-19, 02:05 PM

I know that we are going little off the subject. Sorry for that.

If you don't have the habit of using desktop shortcuts, there is a trick (Trick....!!! we are not off the subject) you can try with the intruders. Just copy the desktop using print screen button and save it as an image. Hide all the shortcuts on your desktop and apply the image as a wall paper. Now you have real desktop with non-working shortcuts.

Good enough to give a momentary shock.. Doesn't last long with brainy people.

:)
har!s
Or you could leave some of the short cuts in place, might keep them guessing a while longer :)

nickeshaffer

2006-06-19, 02:08 PM

Or you could leave some of the short cuts in place, might keep them guessing a while longer :)

I've had that for a few weeks now... i typed in the command line: "NICKS_DESKTOP...DO_NOT_ENTER" then hit printscreen... just throws them off a little bit!!!

Ken.Leary

2006-06-19, 03:00 PM

I've had that for a few weeks now... i typed in the command line: "NICKS_DESKTOP...DO_NOT_ENTER" then hit printscreen... just throws them off a little bit!!!
I did something similar. My old Boss would wander through the office looking at everyone's computer. If he didn't see AutoCAD on the screen then "you must not be working".

So I took a screen shot of AutoCAD and saved it as my desktop wallpaper. They never caught on, altough a few Engineers tried to use it while I was away from my desk, they would later inform me that it was "locked up".

nickeshaffer

2006-06-19, 03:02 PM

...They never caught on, altough a few Engineers tried to use it while I was away from my desk, they would later inform me that it was "locked up".

Like an idiot, right after i first put the screenshot as my background, i'd be away from my desk for awhile, then i'd come back and try and use my background!! haha