What's the most obscure, least known command that you know and will share?

[jaberwok]

? = brings up the help menu

I'm amazed at how many DON'T know this one :mrgreen:

Well, well. I didn't know that one.
I don't think I'll be converting though since [F1] sure beats [shift+/]+[enter].

Still, I learned something. :Puffy:

[mmccarter]

Good tip for those of us who have reasigned the F1 key :)

[tarevalo]

Does anyone still use "wipeout"?

[eldridge]

I had been using it until about a month ago. I was using it to mask the lines out of piping symbols.

[H-Angus]

What software is this?
"Napkin" is an unknown command in vanilla A2008 and A2009. It sounds like it should beong to something like Squiggle.


We are using AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008. Typing "napkin" at the command line brings up a pop-up menu called "Napkin Sketch", which asks for a block name, line format, sketch format, and intended plot scale. It creates a block from copies it creates of all the selected items - and places the block at the original coordinates. The original items remain untouched. I haven't spent any time with it and don't know what to make of the prompts for line format, sketch format, and intended plot scale.

I attached a Word document with an image of the menu.

Thank you for your reply.

Napkin Sketch is available in the Autocad verticals and it kinda does what squiggle did.

Line Format = The number of times Acad draws over a line, Tight, Loose and Messy is once, twice and three times repectively.

Sketch Format: Is simply a description of Line Format and not an actual setting.

Intended Plot Scale: Is simply how far extension lines extend and how messy it will look, for example setting at 1:10 will squiggle (for want of a better word) less than setting at 1:100, however when plotted at 1:10 and 1:100 they will look the same.

If any of that makes sense?

[eldridge]

PEDITACCEPT

This is a new one for me.
"do you want to turn into a pline" I will set that now........
Thanks

[eldridge]

I just saw & loaded this routine. Thanks! I don't know lisp so I don't have any routines.

I keep downloading the lessons from Catalyst but never get time to study them....

[H-Angus]

Okay so I had a bit of time on my hands and so I thought I'd have a go at indexing all the commands and tips suggested to save people having to scan through the whole thread.

Where things have been posted more than once I have generally linked to the first post to mention it unless additional information is included in a later post.

Hope it's of some use, enjoy :beer:

PART 1:

@ (The famous @ ) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805650#post805650), @ enter @ (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805753#post805753)
AecFileOpenMessage / AecFileSaveMessage (Acad verticals only) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805470#post805470)
AEC MODIFY (Acad verticals only) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804148#post804148)
AECDWGSETUP (Acad verticals only) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804431#post804431)
AIMLEADEREDITREMOVE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=814642#post814642)
ALIASEDIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805851#post805851)
ALIGN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805895#post805895)
ALIGNSPACE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855921#post855921)
Angular Dims tip (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806596#post806596)
ARRAY (circular option) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804063#post804063)
ATTEDIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=837920#post837920)
Attribute Edit Tip (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808816#post808816)
AUGI Forums start lisp (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855993#post855993)
BATTORDER (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
BGRIPSET (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
BPOLY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806330#post806330), BOUNDARY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809256#post809256)
'CAL (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809020#post809020)
CHANGE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804063#post804063) , -CH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804431#post804431)
CHPROP (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804065#post804065)
CHSPACE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804431#post804431)
CHT (Changetext) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808033#post808033)
CLASSICIMAGE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=837774#post837774)
CLASSICXREF (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=837774#post837774)
CLIPIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
Control-shift-c / Control-shift-v (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=819799#post819799)
CONVERT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
CONVERTOLDLIGHTS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=814642#post814642)
CONVERTPOLY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805470#post805470)
CONVERTPSTYLES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804019#post804019)
COPYBLOCKDEFANDASSIGN (not sure about this one) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=843444#post843444)
COPYM (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
COPYTOLAYER (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806519#post806519)
CP (Crossing polygon) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807978#post807978)
CUSTOMERINVOLVEMENTPROGRAM (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=814642#post814642)
Dash instead of Space trick (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809029#post809029)
_DBLIST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809111#post809111)
Dimension override strings (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=862072#post862072)
DIMREASSOC (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
DIST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809717#post809717)
DIVIDE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
Drag to copy/move trick (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809540#post809540)
DUMPMEMALLOC (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805470#post805470)
ELEVATION (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804042#post804042)
ETRANSMIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
-EXPORTTOAUTOCAD (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809023#post809023)
EXTRIM (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
FACETRES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812198#post812198)
FENCE (Selection option) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805664#post805664)
FILEDIA (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861534#post861534)
Fillet trick (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=851764#post851764)
FILTER (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805470#post805470), _FILTERS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805899#post805899), FILTER/QSELECT (more info) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809365#post809365)
FLATSHOT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=813010#post813010)
FULLPLOTPATH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805484#post805484)
GETSEL (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861661#post861661)
GLOBCHECK (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805470#post805470)
Help (accessed via command line) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861999#post861999)
ID (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809717#post809717)
INTERFERE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
JOGSECTION (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
JOIN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805620#post805620)
LAST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805540#post805540)
LAYLOCKFADECTR (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855921#post855921)
LAYERDLGMODE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=837508#post837508)
LEGACYCTRLPICK (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808819#post808819)
LENGTHEN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804072#post804072)
LIST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809717#post809717)
LSP (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
M2P (as an Osnap) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805620#post805620), 'CAL, MEE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808517#post808517)
MATCHPROP (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804076#post804076)
MATERIALATTACH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=814642#post814642)
MAXACTVP (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805971#post805971)
MAXHATCH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861999#post861999)
MAXSORT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805906#post805906), MAXSORT (clarification) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806107#post806107)
MEASURE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)
MINSERT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804314#post804314)
MLEADERALIGN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809662#post809662), MLEADERALIGN (more info) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809945#post809945)
MOCORO (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809364#post809364)
MPEDIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806330#post806330)
MSLTSCALE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804431#post804431)
MTJIGSTRING (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805948#post805948)
MULTIPLE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804059#post804059)
MVSETUP (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861999#post861999)
NAPKIN (Acad verticals only) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855900#post855900)
NCOPY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855914#post855914)
OBJECT SNAP OVERRIDES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804350#post804350)
OOPS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804049#post804049)
Open (wildcard trick) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=811959#post811959)
ORTHO (hold shift) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808505#post808505)
OSNAPHATCH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=829018#post829018)
OSNAPZ (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=829069#post829069)
OVERKILL (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812555#post812555)

[H-Angus]

PART 2:

Apparently a post has a maximum character limit of 10,000 characters, never knew that :?

And a 30 second delay between posts :?


PEDITACCEPT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806353#post806353)
PEDIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807317#post807317)
PICKBOX (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808033#post808033)
PICKFIRST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=808819#post808819)
Places List (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806608#post806608), Other Windows Apps (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807722#post807722)
PLINEGEN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855921#post855921)
POINT FILTERS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804103#post804103)
PREFERENCES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804241#post804241)
PREVIOUS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805636#post805636)
Properties Palette Tips (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809001#post809001)
PROPULATE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804315#post804315)
-PURGE/Regapps (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805620#post805620)
QSELECT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805574#post805574)
RAY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805852#post805852)
REA (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807158#post807158)
REGION (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=810465#post810465)
REINIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804241#post804241), RE-INIT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805882#post805882)
RENAME (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805603#post805603)
REVERT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=842241#post842241), XOPEN (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=851857#post851857)
SELECT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804038#post804038)
SELECTIONANNODISPLAY (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806406#post806406)
SELECT SIMILAR (Acad verticals only) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809029#post809029)
SETBYLAYER (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804431#post804431)
SNAPBASE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=855921#post855921)
SOLID (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=810030#post810030)
SORTENTS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805471#post805471)
SUPERHATCH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805849#post805849)
SYSVDLG (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806387#post806387)
TABLET (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=819837#post819837)
TCASE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804488#post804488), All Caps (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804533#post804533)
TCIRCLE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804121#post804121)
TFRAMES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805496#post805496)
THICKNESS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804042#post804042)
Title Blocks Tip (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809617#post809617)
TRACE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804040#post804040)
Transparent Command (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=812410#post812410)
TRIM / EXTEND (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804451#post804451), (hold down shift) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804473#post804473)
TSPACEINVADERS (my favourite sounding command :) ) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=836704#post836704)
TTR (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=851338#post851338)
TXT2MTXT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=828934#post828934)
UNDO (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807317#post807317)
UPDATETHUMBSNOW (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=814642#post814642)
Viewport Cycling trick (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=861999#post861999)
VIEWRES (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809617#post809617)
VIEWTWIST (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=829886#post829886)
VPSYNC (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807224#post807224)
VW (not sure what this one is) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809734#post809734)
WHIPARC (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=809617#post809617)
WHOHAS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=806288#post806288)
WIPEOUT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=862385#post862385)
WMFIN / WMFOUT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804210#post804210)
WP (selection option) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=807723#post807723)
XLINE (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=805451#post805451)
XLOAD (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=804241#post804241)

[Mr Cory]

Dude, you have too much time on your hands!!! Well done! :mrgreen: +rep

[jaberwok]

Well done, Steve. :beer:

[mmccarter]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this one before.
If you open a drawing and you find someone else has it open the command WHOHAS will tell you who has the drawing open.
Got a feeling from testing this that it will be dependent on the way your network is set up. Should work fine on internal network, we found problems when users were accesing it from other offices though.

[CADDmanVA]

Dude, you have too much time on your hands!!! Well done! :mrgreen: +rep

Ditto for me! That's nuts. :beer:

[eldridge]

That list is quite impressive! It has already saved me time. The lisp takes me right to the thread and this list lets me quickly find what I'm looking for.

BIG TIME SAVER! Much easier than reading thru 27 pages of tips.
Thanks!

[eldridge]

Any one have any tips or comments on the new action recorder in 2009? I can not get what I want out of it. I have no doubt I am over looking some little detail.

[macha]

What about BURST command.

This one explodes attributes and keep a value you have entered.

[StephenJ]

This is a plot setting but the LINE MERGE setting under the plotters properties> "device and document settings" tab> graphics. You will see "merge control". From there you can set your lines to merge.

Select Merge control and specify whether crossing lines should overwrite the lines beneath them or merge them when plotting.

[Railrose]

What about BURST command.

This one explodes attributes and keep a value you have entered.

That one makes a lot of supervisors nervous. :D

I have to use it sometimes, though.

[dlilborn]

overkill. I have acad 2006, don't know about later versions. This will remove duplicate lines drawn over one another. Useful when you get a dwg in which someone has accidently copied the whole thing on top of itself!

[eldridge]

overkill. Thanks, I saw that on the list but I did not know what it did. This one will come in handy.

[dzatto]

overkill. Thanks, I saw that on the list but I did not know what it did. This one will come in handy.
Just remember that PEDITACCPET must be set to 0 for it to work. I keep mine set to 1, so I don't use it much.

[eldridge]

Thanks for the tip and the link.

Some one once helped me out with a command I needed and I have forgotten it. Actually it was 2 of them.

1) How to force all colors in a drawing to revert to by layer including x-ref's. ( the normal procedure won't work....changing the layer to the color I want then changing the whole drawing to color by layer.)

2) How to force a layer to be deleted.


Can you shed any light on this? I will make a list of these least used commands so I don't have to ask again... I promise

[jaberwok]

1. - should work but you'll have to do the xrefs separately.
2. - command LAYDEL - was an Express Tool but now in the Format/Layer tools drop-down menu.

edit - 1. - unless you're working with solids. If so, change them to any specific colour then to bylayer.

[georgen]

Can't believe I have one to add.....

-PAN : Allows you to pan by a set distance and in a fixed direction. Play with it, you may just like it...

[StephenJ]

Can't believe I have one to add.....

-PAN : Allows you to pan by a set distance and in a fixed direction. Play with it, you may just like it...
I use this one sometimes when setting up sheet tabs. for example I know that the next wall section sheet on the xref is 100' away I will unlock the viewport on the new sheet tab and -p then pan the 100' after picking the start point and moving the mouse in the direction I want to pan.

[CADDmanVA]

I use this one sometimes when setting up sheet tabs. for example I know that the next wall section sheet on the xref is 100' away I will unlock the viewport on the new sheet tab and -p then pan the 100' after picking the start point and moving the mouse in the direction I want to pan.

Hey, that's a good idea! I've always used a layout block in Model Space, but this could work too.

I've seen some who use that command as part of a LISP to make the d-pad on the Nostromo Speedpad a panning tool.

[Norton_cad]

So many to list...
I guess my favorite is QUIT, which saves as well as exiting.
UCS has an undocumented option to rotate about an X, Y, or Z axis.
CHANGE then P for properties can reset E elevation to 0 for all data, so when used with the flatten command it dosn't leave some text floating at different levels.
BCOUNT is good for getting a list of what blocks are on a drawing
UNDEFINE is a way of removing allot of commands, but they re-vert at relaunch.
putting a "." prefix before a command ignors any undefines.
putting a "-" prefix before a command not only forces the options on the command line & not any dialogue boxes; it is also handy to push through the logic bubble around groups to edit the contents without exploading the group.
I could add lots more, but I'm sure others will add to your thread.

[CADDmanVA]

...UCS has an undocumented option to rotate about an X, Y, or Z axis...
...BCOUNT is good for getting a list of what blocks are on a drawing...


Back in the day when solid modeling was an add-on package for AutoCAD, the UCS rotate-about-axis was a life saver. I never knew why it faded away the way it has. As for BCOUNT, I use it all the time. Creating complex planting plans take a quarter of the time they used to.

[dxarhoulakos]

Back in the day when solid modeling was an add-on package for AutoCAD, the UCS rotate-about-axis was a life saver. I never knew why it faded away the way it has. As for BCOUNT, I use it all the time. Creating complex planting plans take a quarter of the time they used to.

bcount is good except when someone puts duplicate blocks on top of one another...

[CADDmanVA]

bcount is good except when someone puts duplicate blocks on top of one another...

Which is why I carry a +100 Mighty Stick of Smiting to whack people when they do silly stuff like that. Works pretty well too! :mrgreen:

[robert.1.hall72202]

Which is why I carry a +100 Mighty Stick of Smiting to whack people when they do silly stuff like that. Works pretty well too! :mrgreen:

I always wear steel toe CAT boots. Does that count?

[jaberwok]

UCS\Rotate about x/y/z went away? When did that happen?
I've used it since (probably) R11.

[Norton_cad]

UCS\Rotate about x/y/z went away? When did that happen?
I've used it since (probably) R11.

Me too. R11, Camera, Scenes, 3D in it's infancy, the good old days....

I meant that X/Y/Z were never and still arn't a command line option, You either knew you could do it, or you suffered.

[lpseifert]

I meant that X/Y/Z were never and still arn't a command line option, You either knew you could do it, or you suffered.
They've been there since I can remember

[ccowgill]

They've been there since I can remember
that's what my command line looks like as well. And I think they have been there for a long time, because I never have used buttons, and I have been using ucs rotate about z for years, as well as ucs match to object. if it wasnt a command line option, I wouldnt have probably ever used it.

[dgladfelter]

It may have already been mentioned (sorry I didn't read through all 29 pages), but a lesser known function of the -PURGE command is RegenApps. Notice the "-", as you can only purge regenapps using the command line version of the PURGE command. The Purge dialog doesn't offer an option to purge regenapps.

RegenApps are connections that AutoCAD makes to outside functions. Being a LDT/Civil 3D user, it's not uncommon for me to find DWG's with thousands of these. Best part about the command is after running you DWG file size is likely to drop substantially.

[Opie]

It may have already been mentioned (sorry I didn't read through all 29 pages), but a lesser known function of the -PURGE command is RegenApps. Notice the "-", as you can only purge regenapps using the command line version of the PURGE command. The Purge dialog doesn't offer an option to purge regenapps.

RegenApps are connections that AutoCAD makes to outside functions. Being a LDT/Civil 3D user, it's not uncommon for me to find DWG's with thousands of these. Best part about the command is after running you DWG file size is likely to drop substantially.
Actually, Regapps has been mentioned once or twice (http://forums.augi.com/search.php?query=regapps&exactname=0&starteronly=&childforums=0&titleonly=&showposts=1&sortby=dateline&sortorder=ASC&replyless=&replylimit=&searchthreadid=74304&saveprefs=0&quicksearch=0&searchtype=1&nocache=0&ajax=0&userid=0&do=process).

[dgladfelter]

@ Opie - DOH - thanks for the catch.

With a thread as long as this one, figures it had already been mentioned.

Maybe a couple more cups of coffee will help me be more creative ;-)

[JaredRegister]

I dont know how obscure it is, its probably pretty well known, but a command I use ALL the time is the Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+P, which allows you copy and paste with a basepoint, which is really helpful when copying items from one drawing to another, or one paper space tab to another allowing you to easily put the copied item in the same place in all sheets.

[eldridge]

This is something I have kept reference to in a word document.....I have omitted the snap overides.....

Cadalyst Tips & Tools Weekly
www.cadalyst.com
April 23, 2007

Keyboard Commands
By Brian Benton

Redo CTRL+Y
Undo CTRL+Z
Clean Screen CTRL+0
Properties CTRL+1
DesignCenter CTRL+2
Tool Palettes Window CTRL+3
Sheet Set Manager CTRL+4
Info Palette CTRL+5
Markup Set Manager CTRL+7
QuickCalc CTRL+8
Command Line CTRL+9

[dzatto]

Shift + middle button = 3D orbit
I think mbuttonpan needs to be set to 1.

[eldridge]

Shift + middle button = 3D orbit
I think mbuttonpan needs to be set to 1.


Middle button?
===================================
Don't mean to be dense... but it "Happens".....

[JaredRegister]

The middle button referred to is pressing the scroll wheel between the left and right mouse buttons.

[Richard.Kent]

SORTENTS was mentioned early on in this looooooong thread and I remembered a post from an Autodesk employee explaining what does and doesn't work with SORTENTS settings these days.

"Sorting entities in AutoCAD's database requires changing the
system variable SORTENTS. By default this variable is set
to 127, which is set for plotting and postscript output.
Below is a list of setting values and their affect on AutoCAD's
database.
SORTENTS System Variable:
VALUE
AFFECT
0
Disable SORTENTS
1
Sort for object selection
2
Sort for object snap
4
Sort for redraws
8
Sort for mslide creation
16
Sort for regens
32
Sort for plotting
64
Sort for PostScript output
Because the SORTENTS system variable is cumulative a
setting of 20 would set AutoCAD's database sorting methods
for redraws (4) and regens (16). Studies have proven that a
settings of TREEDEPTH at -2520 and SORTENTS at 20 provide
for best system performance, providing of course that system
resources (physical memory) can support these settings."
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Dieter Schlaepfer
Senior Technical Writer
AutoCAD User Assistance
Autodesk, Inc.
San Rafael, California
Here are the bits:
1 Selection Still in use
2 Osnap Still in use
4 Redraw Obsolete
8 Slide Obsolete
16 Regen Still in use
32 Plot Still in use
64 PSOUT Obsolete
So, setting the 4/8/64 bits has no effect anymore, but we still use 127 to turn everything
on for consistency.
For the 4 remaining in-use bits, turning that bit OFF will DISABLE the user-defined
draworder (set by the DRAWORDER command) for that operation. I just tested selection/regen/plot
and indeed you can independently disable draworder for each of those (not sure how to test the
Osnap draworder bit, but it’s still referenced in the code, so it probably works). When it’s
disabled, you fall back.
So SORTENTS is very much NOT obsolete, just not advertised any more–if somebody went to
trouble to assign draworder, it should stay on. But performance on huge drawings with
draworder applied is one reason why you might want to disable it sometimes.
- Changing a SORTENTS bit takes effect immediately except for the Regen bit, which requires a REGEN.
- When a bit is disabled, you fall back to database order (oct-tree ordering in 2D)."

[jaberwok]

SORTENTS was mentioned early on in this looooooong thread and I remembered a post from an Autodesk employee explaining what does and doesn't work with SORTENTS settings these days....

Thanks for that, Richard.
I have put that into a .doc file and printed it out.

The file is attached for anyone who wants it.

[Mlabell]

UNDEFINE is a way of removing allot of commands, but they re-vert at relaunch.
putting a "." prefix before a command ignors any undefines.
Not completely true, if you undefine the "._" version of a command then you have undefined the hardest coded version of the command. Although sometimes there are even alternate command definitions you need to undefine besides the "._" to remove the command completely from AutoCAD during a session.

[CADDmanVA]

I always wear steel toe CAT boots. Does that count?

Boots work fine too. I like the intimidation the stick offers...the boots are a bit too stealthy for me.


Unless it's this kind of boot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5kGUW6M7W0&feature=related)... :mrgreen:

[nextvkin]

The view command is very useful for setting up different views in a drawing with layers turned on or off, and the Hyperlink command for opening up drawings to specific views.

Kay

[MikeJarosz]

I retrieved a file from our archive (c. 1998). It was full of solids!!!!! Anyone remember those? One of the dumbest entities acad ever had. I tried it a minute ago in release 2005 and it's still there!

[jaberwok]

I retrieved a file from our archive (c. 1998). It was full of solids!!!!! Anyone remember those? One of the dumbest entities acad ever had. I tried it a minute ago in release 2005 and it's still there!

and it's still there in A2009.

[lpseifert]

I retrieved a file from our archive ( It was full of solids!!!!! Anyone remember those? One of the dumbest entities acad ever had. I tried it a minute ago in release 2005 and it's still there!
I still use them occasionally, e.g. as an arrow from a text box... not so dumb

[CADDmanVA]

I still use them occasionally, e.g. as an arrow from a text box... not so dumb

I still use them from time to time too. They're a bit less unruly to manage than a solid hatch within a polyline boundary.

[SRBalliet]

It might be a good idea for the Moderator to move or copy H'Angus list to the front of this thread. That way new people looking at the thread fresh and wanting to add something can see if it is already listed. Just a thought.

[Opie]

It might be a good idea for the Moderator to move or copy H'Angus list to the front of this thread. That way new people looking at the thread fresh and wanting to add something can see if it is already listed. Just a thought.
You can't move a post from one spot in a thread to another spot in the same thread. It is based on the time it was posted.

Using the most obscure, least known command called search (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=74304&page=16&nojs=1#goto_threadsearch) may work as well. ~shrug~

[H-Angus]

It might be a good idea for the Moderator to move or copy H'Angus list to the front of this thread. That way new people looking at the thread fresh and wanting to add something can see if it is already listed. Just a thought.

There is a link on the first post in this thread, although it's probably not that clear.

[SRBalliet]

There is a link on the first post in this thread, although it's probably not that clear.

Thanks, I see it now.

[Opie]

There is a link on the first post in this thread, although it's probably not that clear.
Who visits the first post anymore? :confused:

[H-Angus]

Who visits the first post anymore? :confused:

Not sure, people who haven't posted in this thread before maybe?:confused:

[SRBalliet]

Not sure, people who haven't posted in this thread before maybe?:confused:

That was my thought (intention).

[robert.1.hall72202]

Does augi have wiki ability for a thread?
Cleanup and post all the commands in 1 list?

[Opie]

Does augi have wiki ability for a thread?
Cleanup and post all the commands in 1 list?
Not that I know of.

[CADDmanVA]

Does augi have wiki ability for a thread?
Cleanup and post all the commands in 1 list?


Not that I know of.

I think we've kicked that idea around a few times before. Someone on here (if memory serves) actually volunteered to admin for it if AUGI set one up.

[NerdlingOne]

FASTSEL
A little known express tool that will let you select an object and will then select all objects touching that object.

[thair]

How about SKPOLY. Toggles the SKETCH command from individual lines to polylines as you digitize. Very handy but relatively unknown.

[jaberwok]

How about SKPOLY. Toggles the SKETCH command from individual lines to polylines as you digitize. Very handy but relatively unknown.

I didn't think anybody still used Sketch. :shock:

[CADDmanVA]

I didn't think anybody still used Sketch. :shock:

Heh...oldie but goodie ya know.

[H-Angus]

I didn't think anybody still used Sketch. :shock:

Occasionally, to throw a few artistic squiggles about the place on elevations to show trees or hedges in the background. Doesn't work too well if you have to pan or zoom half way through though:(

[CADDmanVA]

...Doesn't work too well if you have to pan or zoom half way through though:(

Shouldn't the invention of shift+middle click have fixed that?

[eldridge]

How about SKPOLY. Toggles the SKETCH command from individual lines to polylines as you digitize. Very handy but relatively unknown.


I still use sketch once in awhile. I've never heard of skpoly. That's a good one. Just when I thought there COULDN'T be any more commands........:roll::beer:

[jaberwok]

How about SKPOLY. Toggles the SKETCH command from individual lines to polylines as you digitize. Very handy but relatively unknown.


I still use sketch once in awhile. I've never heard of skpoly. That's a good one. Just when I thought there COULDN'T be any more commands........:roll::beer:


lol.
... you discover one of the oldest.

Do you know "trace" ?

[eldridge]

lol.
... you discover one of the oldest.

Do you know "trace" ?
______________________________________________________

I have seen a reference to "trace' somewhere in the documentation but a direct answer would be NO. I haven't used it and don't know what it does...

;)

Please enlighten me......

[eldridge]

Hey I just tried trace...... I bet I can use it in Raster Design. :lol:

That will save some time.

[jaberwok]

Electrical draghtsmen used to stick narrow, black, self-adhesive tape onto paper schematics to represent conductor routes - Trace was (I assume) intended to do the same job. Trace and Sketch became pretty much redundant when polylines were introduced.

[framedNlv]

Electrical draghtsmen used to stick narrow, black, self-adhesive tape onto paper schematics to represent conductor routes - Trace was (I assume) intended to do the same job. Trace and Sketch became pretty much redundant when polylines were introduced.


Now we just put the electrical tape on the monitor and trace it with polylines.

How about the command "plan"?

Chris

[CADDmanVA]

Now we just put the electrical tape on the monitor and trace it with polylines.

How about the command "plan"?

Chris

...snicker...the monitor line reminds me of a dumb blond with white-out, but I digress :mrgreen:

I still use PLAN everyday. It's a necessity for me.

[jaberwok]

I use PLAN when rotating the view inside a viewport and when I open someone elses files and linetypes and/or fills don't display properly.

[ccowgill]

I just learned about the LOFT (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=85606) command today, havent had time to mess with it, but it sounds like it could sometimes be useful

[jaberwok]

I used FLATSHOT for the first time yesterday.
Not perfect but pretty good.

[mmccarter]

Flatshot is pretty good as long as you are working with solids and do not require any lines/3d polylines to show up!

On the subject of the PLAN command, the express tool EXPLAN is an excellent one to use. I used to use PLAN all the time, now I use EXPLAN as it does the same as PLAN, but does not zoom extents.

[Opie]

Flatshot is pretty good as long as you are working with solids and do not require any lines/3d polylines to show up!

On the subject of the PLAN command, the express tool EXPLAN is an excellent one to use. I used to use PLAN all the time, now I use EXPLAN as it does the same as PLAN, but does not zoom extents.
You should note EXPLAN as an Express Tool. Not everyone has them installed.

[CADKitty]

Wow, after 33 pages (and yes, I read them all so as not to duplicate commands!) I actually still have some to add.

The system variable IMAGEFRAME is a very handy one when working with raster images. Setting it to '2' allows you to always see the frames around the images but they'll never print. It's set per drawing, though, so make sure it's always set the way you want it! That being said if you set it in an xref the setting will carry over to your working drawings.

FLATTEN is still an oldie but goodie, especially when coupled with the previously mentioned OVERKILL.

I know BURST was mentioned earlier, but it deserves further explanation - when you burst a block it retains the layer settings (i.e. stays on the piping layer you put it on instead of reverting to layer 0) and keeps the attribute values, if any, that were applied to it. That's what makes it favored over basic EXPLODE at times.

[CADDmanVA]

...the express tool EXPLAN is an excellent one to use...


You should note EXPLAN as an Express Tool. Not everyone has them installed.

Umm..he did. Good tip though. I never knew about EXPLAN before now, thanks!

[RobertB]

Ok, here is a modifier (not really a command) that doesn't seem to be on the list.

Did you know you can prefix a coordinate with an asterisk (*) to force world coordinates?

Example, set any goofy UCS, especially one with an origin other than 0,0,0. Now start a line command.

Command: Line
Specify first point: *0,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: *1,1,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: <enter>

Your line will draw from WCS 0,0,0 to WCS 1,1,0 regardless of the currect UCS.

[mmccarter]

Ok, here is a modifier (not really a command) that doesn't seem to be on the list.

Did you know you can prefix a coordinate with an asterisk (*) to force world coordinates?

Example, set any goofy UCS, especially one with an origin other than 0,0,0. Now start a line command.

Command: Line
Specify first point: *0,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: *1,1,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: <enter>

Your line will draw from WCS 0,0,0 to WCS 1,1,0 regardless of the currect UCS.

Great little tip, didn't know of this one.

[JaredRegister]

Wow, after 33 pages (and yes, I read them all so as not to duplicate commands!) I actually still have some to add.

The system variable IMAGEFRAME is a very handy one when working with raster images. Setting it to '2' allows you to always see the frames around the images but they'll never print. It's set per drawing, though, so make sure it's always set the way you want it! That being said if you set it in an xref the setting will carry over to your working drawings.

FLATTEN is still an oldie but goodie, especially when coupled with the previously mentioned OVERKILL.

I know BURST was mentioned earlier, but it deserves further explanation - when you burst a block it retains the layer settings (i.e. stays on the piping layer you put it on instead of reverting to layer 0) and keeps the attribute values, if any, that were applied to it. That's what makes it favored over basic EXPLODE at times.

Well, i havent yet read all of the threads, but i figured I would add a couple to the IMAGEFRAME....since there is also a XCLIPFRAME and DWFFRAME that does the same thing just with the mentioned types of inserts.

[Mamma Jamma]

Alrighty folks, this isn't a new command or obscure command, except, apparently, to a CAD monkey who's been working here for a couple of years. It might be good for a chuckle.
Overheard:
"Stretch command? I've never heard of stretch." Upon incredulity expressed by other user, "Well, I'm sure there are commands YOU never use. What about Offset? What about Extend?" Apparently, said monkey thought those were pretty obscure as well. :shock:
But, as my husband says, "She's cute", which was evidently the criteria for her hire.
:banghead:

I guess you never know what might be considered a new or obsure command.

[jaberwok]

Alrighty folks, this isn't a new command or obscure command, except, apparently, to a CAD monkey who's been working here for a couple of years. It might be good for a chuckle.
Overheard:
"Stretch command? I've never heard of stretch." Upon incredulity expressed by other user, "Well, I'm sure there are commands YOU never use. What about Offset? What about Extend?" Apparently, said monkey thought those were pretty obscure as well. :shock:
But, as my husband says, "She's cute", which was evidently the criteria for her hire.
:banghead:

I guess you never know what might be considered a new or obsure command.

line ?
circle ?

:lol:

[Mamma Jamma]

VTOPTIONS

changes the "zoom" rate, among other things. I never noticed it, but looked it up when someone was complaining that their zoom was slow-mo.

[Mamma Jamma]

line ?
circle ?

:lol:

Seriously!

[robert.1.hall72202]

VTOPTIONS

changes the "zoom" rate, among other things. I never noticed it, but looked it up when someone was complaining that their zoom was slow-mo.

Animated zooming is not a good addition to autocad.
The goal is to increase productivity, not slow down the user.

[eldridge]

VTOPTIONS

This would be more of a setting than a command, correct? I have learned ALOT.... but also enough to know there is a huge amount of settings ..... such as the VTOPTIONS that I have never heard of.

Mirrtext is one I use alot.... Actually can't live with out. I really am not familiar with alot of the settings. Do you have any that you can't live without?

[scott.wilcox]

ZOOMFACTOR controls the amount AutoCAD zooms with each movement of the mouse wheel.

[jgrande26]

I did read all 34+ pages...

How about tjust? It changes the justification of text without moving the text. It's nice if you type something left justified and then change your mind and decide you want it centered for later editing.

_aeclineworkshrinkwrap is a bizarre command. I think it's a vertical command (it's in map3d and LDT). I've never found a use for it but it's interesting to play with.

[eldridge]

PICKBOX Changes the program, Mirrtext changes per drawing. I played with the ZOOMFACTOR ( sweet) and it changes the program. Is there a set way to tell what settings change per drawing and what changes remain in the program?

Scratch this....found the whole list of system variables..... I would imagine that if a variable is on that list it changes the program, not just the drawing.

[Mamma Jamma]

Express Tool command "sysvdlg" lists all variables, and where they're saved - per dwg or in the registry...or not saved, which I assume means it's temporary per command or something like that. Also tells you what they do.

[eldridge]

Express Tool command "sysvdlg" lists all variables, and where they're saved - per dwg or in the registry...or not saved, which I assume means it's temporary per command or something like that. Also tells you what they do.

Cool, I found them in the help files, which doesn't give you as much info.

[scott.wilcox]

PICKBOX Changes the program, Mirrtext changes per drawing. I played with the ZOOMFACTOR ( sweet) and it changes the program. Is there a set way to tell what settings change per drawing and what changes remain in the program?

Scratch this....found the whole list of system variables..... I would imagine that if a variable is on that list it changes the program, not just the drawing.

If you change any of the variables through the OPTIONS dialog, the ones that are set per drawing will have an small icon next to them, indicating they are stored in the drawing, not the system.

[dzatto]

I did read all 34+ pages...

How about tjust? It changes the justification of text without moving the text. It's nice if you type something left justified and then change your mind and decide you want it centered for later editing.

_aeclineworkshrinkwrap is a bizarre command. I think it's a vertical command (it's in map3d and LDT). I've never found a use for it but it's interesting to play with.
It's in ACA also. I use it sometimes. It draws a polyline around a selection of entities. Think of it as "boundary" in reverse. It draws a pline around the outside of the entities.

So, if I have a building with walls and windows and stuff, I go to the reflected display so the doors and windows don't show in the walls, then run the shrinkwrap command. It draws the pline around my building for me. Pretty cool tool.

[H-Angus]

It's in ACA also. I use it sometimes. It draws a polyline around a selection of entities. Think of it as "boundary" in reverse. It draws a pline around the outside of the entities.

So, if I have a building with walls and windows and stuff, I go to the reflected display so the doors and windows don't show in the walls, then run the shrinkwrap command. It draws the pline around my building for me.

I use that occasionally, still seems odd to me that all these AEC commands which deal with standard Acad objects are only in the vertical products, not complaining though. :p



Pretty cool tool.

You're a poet and you know it :)

[jgrande26]

It's in ACA also. I use it sometimes. It draws a polyline around a selection of entities. Think of it as "boundary" in reverse. It draws a pline around the outside of the entities.

So, if I have a building with walls and windows and stuff, I go to the reflected display so the doors and windows don't show in the walls, then run the shrinkwrap command. It draws the pline around my building for me. Pretty cool tool.


When I tried it, it wrapped each individual object, not the selection set as a whole. Is there a setting that I don't know about?

[dzatto]

When I tried it, it wrapped each individual object, not the selection set as a whole. Is there a setting that I don't know about?
Oh, I forgot to mention that if there are any gaps, it will find them! If you are choosing a bunch of objects that don't touch, then it will put a pline around each one. Say you have 4 blocks, not touching. It will wrap each one. But, if you have them all overlapping at some point, it will make one outline around all the blocks. That's why I use it on buildings, because all the walls are joined together so it just does the exterior outline. I hope that makes sense.

[dzatto]

I use that occasionally, still seems odd to me that all these AEC commands which deal with standard Acad objects are only in the vertical products, not complaining though. :p




You're a poet and you know it :)

:beer: .

[lpseifert]

I use C3D 2008 and I thought _aeclineworkshrinkwrap was gone, but I just tried it and it works... but it creates a layer ' C-Detl-Wide' and makes it current. Is this unique to C3D 2008?

[dzatto]

I use C3D 2008 and I thought _aeclineworkshrinkwrap was gone, but I just tried it and it works... but it creates a layer ' C-Detl-Wide' and makes it current. Is this unique to C3D 2008?
Nope.......well, the C in front is(Civil), in architecture, it's A-Detl-Wide. Although, it shouldn't make it current. It will show right after the command because the pline that was created is selected. If you hit escape, it should go back to whatever layer was current. You can also change the layer key associated with the tool or create a new one. Then it will always be created on whatever layer you specified in the key,

[CADDmanVA]

line ?
circle ?

:lol:

On that note, someone's sig on here says he's looking for the DRAW command... :mrgreen:

[dzatto]

On that note, someone's sig on here says he's looking for the DRAW command... :mrgreen:
I've been looking for the "any" key for years. You know, press any key...............:roll:

[lpseifert]

I've been looking for the "any" key for years. You know, press any key...............:roll:
I've been looking for the 'magic' key. Bosses and clients swear there is one, but I haven't found it yet.

[CADDmanVA]

I've been looking for the "any" key for years. You know, press any key...............:roll:

With a box of donuts and some Duff :beer:, you'd look just like that one episode... :mrgreen:

[dzatto]

With a box of donuts and some Duff :beer:, you'd look just like that one episode... :mrgreen:
I'd also need one of those .......well.............I have no idea what it is. It's like a bird looking thing on a pivot that goes back and forth for eternity. So it can hit the "Y" key for me while I sleep. :mrgreen:

[CADDmanVA]

I'd also need one of those .......well.............I have no idea what it is. It's like a bird looking thing on a pivot that goes back and forth for eternity. So it can hit the "Y" key for me while I sleep. :mrgreen:

Those things freak me out! They're just as bad as the squrimel things they sell at Disney. They draw me in, and an hour later the wife is snapping me out of some strange trance. Really weird...

[Mr Cory]

...If only newtons craddles went for ever... :shock:

[CADNate]

SETBYLAYER is a new one that I have found.

It sets everything in your drawing to bylayer, including nested blocks.

[robert.1.hall72202]

SETBYLAYER is a new one that I have found.

It sets everything in your drawing to bylayer, including nested blocks.

Yes, and the settings may be changed to prevent changing the linetypes.
I use this command quite often when I inherit some data from another project.

[eldridge]

SETBYLAYER is a new one that I have found.

It sets everything in your drawing to bylayer, including nested blocks.


This is one of the best commands on here. Maybe we can get the list updated? Someone told me about this command some time ago and I used it a couple of times .... then I forgot about it.. I only remembered what it did...but not what to type in to get it. Thanks!

[Mufasa23]

Well, I'm gonna dig up the past apparently.....I happened to fumble on this thread. How Cool !!!! Cheers to the orginator. This thread is really the coolest thing since sliced bread. Anyway, I didn't see mention of a few commands / variables that I like and wanted to share them and maybe see what else comes about from "raising the dead".

Scaletext is a neat command - it allows you to match text size wothout matching all the properties

Snapang is an oldie but goodie, note you don't have to enter a value when it prompts you on the command line, you can pick two points along a line you want your cross hairs to match

I believe there was mention of the Publish command (listed under your File pulldown)? But it is great too

And don't forget another oldie but goodie of pressing Ctrl+0 to hurt your co-workers head, makes their icons disappear but will re-appear after pressing Ctrl+0 again, I love messing with my peeps :shock:

[andy.manninen]

no mention yet of the good one "BLIPMODE" great for messing with your friends, or how about MTJIGSTRING to change the default text for new MTEXT...

:Cheers:

[Mufasa23]

oh yeah, WOW what a flashback !
Blipmode........ too funny

[NerdlingOne]

Here's an obscure one I've just learned about.
XREF
What? XREF isn't obscure.
Ah, but it is when you use it in Trueview, the free Autodesk viewer.

Normally, you can't type any commands on the command line in Trueview. BUT, if you copy and paste the text "xref" from a program like notepad into the command line, it will bring up the External Reference Manager. Handy for those in your office who just want to look with Trueview and and want to make sure their xrefs are loaded.

[ameador]

Now that is cool!
(the Xref in DwgTrueView)

That'll come in handy.

[charlesg]

UCS followed by inputting V..

This flips the UCS to match the screen. So if you go to a Left, Right, Back or Front view you can draft on its plane as if you were in Plan.

[jaberwok]

UCS followed by inputting V..

This flips the UCS to match the screen. So if you go to a Left, Right, Back or Front view you can draft on its plane as if you were in Plan.

Then you'll love UCS\OBject and UCS\Face.

[RobertB]

Then you'll love UCS\OBject and UCS\Face.Or UCS/Save. I use that one all the time.

[g.erickreed]

how do you enter this into the command line?

[RobertB]

how do you enter this into the command line?
Command: UCS
Current ucs name: *WORLD*
Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z/ZAxis]
<World>: S
Enter name to save current UCS or [?]:

Note there is no "Save" option in the list of options, but is does exist. It is a legacy option that is still very valuable.

[Richard.Kent]

Command: UCS
Current ucs name: *WORLD*
Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z/ZAxis]
<World>: S
Enter name to save current UCS or [?]:

Note there is no "Save" option in the list of options, but is does exist. It is a legacy option that is still very valuable.

Save can be found under NAmed.

[RobertB]

Save can be found under NAmed.Yes, I know. But the option is still available at the root prompt, regardless of the options listed.

Just as ORigin is available, yet it is not a list option anywhere in the command.

[jaberwok]

and UCS\E(ntity) still works in place of OBject and New is still recognised tho it's no longer in the prompt string (because it's the default).

[H-Angus]

Here's an updated list of commands suggested in this thread since 3rd July 2008 to follow on from the previous indexes.

Again where things have been posted more than once I have generally linked to the first post to mention it unless additional information is included in a later post, likewise commands suggested and included in the Indexes Parts 1 or 2 have not been added.

Index Part 1 (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=862595#post862595) A-O upto 03/July/08

Index Part 2 (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=862596#post862596) P-Z up to 03/July/08

Index Part 3 A-Z 03/July/08 - 17/October/08

* Coordinate tip (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878595#post878595)
Aeclineworkshrinkwrap (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878760#post878760)
Bcount (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=866390#post866390)
Blipmode (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=895613#post895613)
Burst (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=863515#post863515)
Change (to reset elevation) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=866390#post866390)
Copy with basepoint (ctrl+) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=870806#post870806)
Dwfframe (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878694#post878694)
Explan (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=877683#post877683)
Fastsel (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=874253#post874253)
Flatten (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=877959#post877959)
Imageframe (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=877959#post877959)
Keyboard shortcuts (more ctrl+) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=870827#post870827)
Laydel (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=865217#post865217)
Line Merge (Plot setting) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=863596#post863596)
Loft (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=877220#post877220)
Mirrtext (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878729#post878729)
OPIESEARCH (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=871736#post871736) ;)
-Pan (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=865996#post865996)
Plan (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=876969#post876969)
Publish (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=895606#post895606)
Quit (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=866390#post866390)
Scaletext (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=895606#post895606)
Shift + Middle mouse button (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=870829#post870829)
Sortents (additional added, also in Part 2) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=870847#post870847)
Skpoly (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=876138#post876138)
Snapang (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=895606#post895606)
Sysvdlg (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878780#post878780)
Tjust (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878760#post878760)
UCS (rotate option) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=866390#post866390)
UCS (v) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=899592#post899592)
UCS (object), UCS (Face). (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=899688#post899688)
UCS (save) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=899718#post899718)
Undefine (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=866390#post866390)
View (with hyperlink) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=871145#post871145)
Vtoptions (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878697#post878697)
Xclipframe (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878694#post878694)
Xref (In Trueview) (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=895668#post895668)
Zoomfactor (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?p=878746#post878746)

[eldridge]

Hey Steve , on behalf of everyone that participated in this link Thanks Buddy! Your just too COOL.

It would be neat if we could download this in some kind of a data base or spread sheet for quick reference.

:beer: Cheers right back @ ya.

Have a good weekend!

Ann

[H-Angus]

Thanks Ann, have a good weekend yourself :beer:

[dzatto]

Steve, you're making us look bad. Quit overacheiving dammit! ;)

[Greywethr]

Shift + middle button = 3D orbit
I think mbuttonpan needs to be set to 1.

The SHIFT key also acts as ORTHO. If you use the middle/wheel button to PAN, holding SHIFT will allow you to pan ORTHOGONALLY. Of course, you have to start panning before holding down shift or you'll go into ORBIT mode.

[Greywethr]

Hmmm... at the risk of repeating someone else's answer, here's some of my favorites. Sorry for being too lazy to browse through a few dozen pages of posts. :D

Holding shift when I PAN lets me PAN orthogonally.
OVERKILL
EXPERT (YES, I DO want to regen!!!)
INSBASE (Found these two when...
INSORIGIN ... vendor screwed up drawings)
EXTRIM (LOVE being able to trim everything inside/outside an object!)

[jaberwok]

EXPERT (YES, I DO want to regen!!!)

REGEN = Auto ?

[StephenJ]

Time

This one crossed my mind this morning. I never really used it. I tried on a few of the drawings that I had open and it said I had been working on them for 2 days 11 hours and the other was 4 days 10 hours. All together I have amassed 26 hours on the drawings. I guess it is from copying one drawing and editing it, instead of starting fresh.

[p.eddington]

I just thought EDGEMODE might be a bit under used. My co-workers used to hate it if I'd ever had to use thier machine as I would often set it but forget to set it back again.

[artisteroi]

Time

This one crossed my mind this morning. I never really used it. I tried on a few of the drawings that I had open and it said I had been working on them for 2 days 11 hours and the other was 4 days 10 hours. All together I have amassed 26 hours on the drawings. I guess it is from copying one drawing and editing it, instead of starting fresh.


TIME

we used to use that one in class doing speed trials against the other students to see who was the fastest at creating specific cad drawings, like angle irons and flanges and stuff.

I can draw an angle iron in 22 seconds.

[Rong Peng]

whipthread, I don't think this one is mentioned yet...

[artisteroi]

whipthread, I don't think this one is mentioned yet...


what does that do?

[dzatto]

Damn over-achiever. :x

Not only did he put the list together, now he has a link in his sig line.

You're making us look bad, Steve!!!

[Rong Peng]

whipthread controls the hyperthreading for the computers CPU...

[irneb]

Hold down Ctrl while selecting allows you to select subentities like attributes in blocks.

And of course holding down Ctrl while double-clicking on an attribute opens the ATTRIB for edit as if it's normal text - no need for that dialog box.

[robert.1.hall72202]

whipthread controls the hyperthreading for the computers CPU...

Never heard of it.

Mental note:
When multithreaded processing is used for redraw operations (value 2 or 3), the order of objects specified with the DRAWORDER command is not guaranteed to be preserved for display but is preserved for plotting.

[Rong Peng]

"ctrl+[" for cancel, I know, I know escape does the same thing, however if you want to have your MS Intelli Mouse use one of it's buttons to be escape then this would be the key command you would use in the mouse settings. In the older software for the mouse "esc" was an option, in the newer version they removed it. For me I have the left side mouse button setup to be escape, now my left hand is free for phoning, faxing, throwing things at co-worker, eating...

[archie.manza]

EATTEXTEDIT

[ameador]

I personally love the "eattext" command!
Extracting attributed info is awesome, especially when we can dump it into a Table!

Also "filedia" was helpful when we lost our ability to "browse" to open a file...didn't like typing in the entire file path name.

[lhulcy]

I didn't read all 40 pages so if you have heard of this sorry! try "overkill"
it helps when you have a bunch of lines drawn over each other. it's amasing what you find.

[Rong Peng]

I didn't read all 40 pages so if you have heard of this sorry! try "overkill"
it helps when you have a bunch of lines drawn over each other. it's amasing what you find.


And if you've ever done CNC programming you'll know how Overkill can save you a lot of trouble, nothing worse then a Cad guy putting 5 or 6 circles on top of each other, programming all of them and then watching the CNC machine drill each hole 6 times... at least the holes will be free of dust when you're done.

[boyerd]

Just heard of this one 'Flatshot'. Allows you to create a 2D image from 3D elements without having to use Solprof.

[robert.1.hall72202]

And if you've ever done CNC programming you'll know how Overkill can save you a lot of trouble, nothing worse then a Cad guy putting 5 or 6 circles on top of each other, programming all of them and then watching the CNC machine drill each hole 6 times... at least the holes will be free of dust when you're done.

That is so hilarious it made my day. I am not a CNC operator, of course.

[dzatto]

Here's one for those of us using ACA. If you hold down CTRL and click on a callout (not the frame, but the actual attribute) it will open the drawing that the callout is linked to. No need to go to PN to find the correct drawing. Sort of like opening an Xref with double click.

[john.lincoln]

Does anybody remember "Dragmode"

[robert.1.hall72202]

Does anybody remember "Dragmode"

Yes, I am guessing it can be set to zero for computers that cannot handle
showing the objects.

0
Does not display an outline of the object as you drag it

1
Displays the outline of the object as you drag it only if you enter drag at the command prompt after selecting the object to drag

2
Auto; always displays an outline of the object as you drag it

[Hrothgar]

41 pages (I read 'em all), and no one has mentioned QLATTACH. The express tool that will associate a Qleader with an Mtext entity to restore the tail on the leader (instead of drawing it separately with a line (GRRR!). No one around this place seems to know about it, unfortunately.

[rick.riggs]

OH, OH, I have one!! Can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.

Pick something, anything so long as the grips are active. Then using your left mouse button you can press & drag to move said object(s) to wherever you want. Want to copy it, press & drag using the right mouse button then choose the "copy here" option.

OK I use this a lot, with a minor variation - This is a Windows OLE function by the way - It works with files, shortcuts, etc...

Hold Ctrl before releasing the Left mouse button, and you'll get the copy functionality.

[rick.riggs]

MINSERT - I would'nt recommend using it, but when all else fails trying to explode a block, they probably used minsert.

[rick.riggs]

Pre - 2007 = (Shift) 2007+ = (Ctrl) plus Mouse release on a grip move causes a copy, but also allows a dynamic array of sorts. make sure ortho, and polar are off, continue holding shift/ctrl and watch it remember rise/run increments.

Great for creating stair treads

[rick.riggs]

Pre - 2007 = (Shift) 2007+ = (Ctrl) plus Mouse release on a grip move causes a copy, but also allows a dynamic array of sorts. make sure ortho, and polar are off, continue holding shift/ctrl and watch it remember rise/run increments.

Great for creating stair treads

Using Shift/Ctrl also works for cycling when combined with the Space Bar.
If you are trying to select one that lies on top of another, try cycling during a copy/move/erase/etc... command, and watch it highlight.

To use select something first, and then shift/ctrl + spacebar to cycle.
When you have found what you are looking for hit Enter.

--Enjoy--

[rick.riggs]

Rename

For all of those people who think _pasteblock is their favorite command, I give your CAD manager all virtual authority to strangle you.

When you do a pasteblock command, you add a block to your drawing that has a name of A$<some Number>.
Now when you do this, and complain that somethings not working, you have no description in your block name (shame on you).

After inserting a block this way, use rename, and clean up after yourself.

[rick.riggs]

A Sort of AutoLisp for dummies.

Lisp can be used on the command line, so you can use this to do some pretty simple but useful things.
on the command line type: (setq myss (ssget)) <Hit Enter>
command: (setq mybp (getpoint)) <Hit Enter>

Run this, and select a bunch of entities, and a basepoint

Then during a copy command
command: Select objects:
type: !myss <Hit Enter>
command: Specify Base Point:
type: !mybp <Hit Enter>

Now left click where you want a copy of your objects.

--------

You can also store your math this way

(setq a 10.5)
(setq b (+ a 2.75))
(setq c (/ (+ a b) 1.5)

now run a command like copy or rotate, etc...
when you want to copy/offset to a certain value type: !a

NOTE:
Your variables will disappear once you close your drawing.

[rick.riggs]

To follow inline with the AutoLisp simple stuff you can do.
When you are on another persons machine, and you want to make shortcuts for yourself.
(eg: you want to set something like "i" to "copy" instead of "insert")
type the following at the command prompt:
(defun c:i () (command "copy")) <Hit Enter>

When the user closes that drawing, your command shortcut goes away, and you wont get yelled at.

[SRBalliet]

MINSERT - I would'nt recommend using it, but when all else fails trying to explode a block, they probably used minsert.

I have used this to put a "small" sense of security for when we are required to send a drawing to a contractor. Usually they can't figure out how to explode it to change things, but they can measure, etc. for things they need to do.

[jaberwok]

I have used this to put a "small" sense of security for when we are required to send a drawing to a contractor. Usually they can't figure out how to explode it to change things, but they can measure, etc. for things they need to do.

You can also insert everything into a fresh file with differing x and y (and z) values for a similarly small degree of security. Scale x=1.000000001, y=0.99999999999.
List and properties will probably report both as being 1.0.

[benjievallejera]

BATTMAN

to open block attribute manager...


ATTSYNC

to syncronize all block inserted

[randall.hanes]

The least known command i know of is burst.

[andrew.handley782323]

Not obscure just annoying...
C for close while in polyline!
Shocks most uses when you show them the line ain't closed otherwise.

[USMCBody]

I started "keeping up" with this thread a while ago, but I have not had the time recently to keep up. So, please excuse me if this "command" has already been said.

shift + right click= brings up object snap selections plus. Basically the object snap toolbar plus "mid between 2 points" and "point filters"

Very helpfull all around B-)

[jallen]

This thread is great. I have added a lot of new commands to my cheat sheet. I have one that I haven't seen here. Not really a command, but really useful.

After you create a dimension, select it, then in the text override box on the properties pallette, type in <>\Xtext\Ptext. (text being whatever you need to write, for example, TYP)

<> uses the measurement of the dimension as the first line.
\X the following text will be placed below the dimension line.
\P creates a line break, followed by the text you enter.

The first two you can only use once per dimension, but you can have as many line breaks as you need.

Be sure to use the back slash, and capital X and P. (Also, if you need to override the dimension measurement, just leave out the <>, and type whatever you need to. The \X and \P still work.

Go into PROPERTIES palette and under the PRIMARY UNITS bar and select the DIM SUFFIX area, now you don't need to add the <>.

Also a few more controls:
\L Underline
\O Over score
\W(?) Text Width followed by numeric value
\H(?) Text Height followed by numeric value
\C(?) Text Color followed by numeric value
\~ Space at end of text

(?) don't work in LT 2007 might work in some other versions?

[chris.newman0]

Haven't gone through all 42 pages but didn't see SKETCH??

[Julesagain]

Since I haven't read the whole thread yet, I'm gonna mention it, but I use COPYTOLAYER for this... select your object, select an object on the layer you want to copy to (or you can get a list of layers), and boom, there it is.


Wow, that does seem easier!!! Thanks, I'll have to remember that.:beer:

PGP file has been changed!! Damn, double post. Boy is my internet connection slacking today.

Or select an object (or whole raft of objects), select the pull-down in the Layer Properties Manager, click the new layer you want move your selection to, done.

I was the only CAD person at several different companies for over 20 years, and for the first time have other CAD people to get tips from. One that I've always used and always seems to surprise people is start up Dtext command by whatever method, set up start point, height, (if not preset in the Styles) type in text as needed, and instead of pressing enter to complete the command, click to a new spot on the screen.

You can continue doing this as many times as you need to. You can drag/pan to new areas and continue clicking. You have to place text manually (no osnaps, snap, etc.) but you won't have to re-enter justification, rotation, etc. each time - they will all be placed at whatever orientation and justification you started the command with.

Jules

[david-k]

Just scanned the list.
Saw quickselect and selectsimilar commands, but I didn't see 'ssx.'
Which is another quick selecting option. I believe it is a lsp program that ships with ACAD.

[jmoore]

QTEXT Command
When QTEXT (Quick Text) is on, each text and attribute object is displayed as a bounding box around the text object. Turning QTEXT mode on reduces the time it takes the program to redraw and regenerate drawings that contain many text objects.

Who would still need this one

[jaberwok]

QTEXT Command
When QTEXT (Quick Text) is on, each text and attribute object is displayed as a bounding box around the text object. Turning QTEXT mode on reduces the time it takes the program to redraw and regenerate drawings that contain many text objects.

Who would still need this one

It's also useful for finding "null" text strings which show as a square when Qtext is ON.

[SRBalliet]

It's also useful for finding "null" text strings which show as a square when Qtext is ON.

I use a third party program to find null text and 0 length lines, but my question is how does null text occur?

[jaberwok]

Start to create a piece of text, hit the spacebar and exit.
Edit a piece of text, delete all the text (not the text object).

[robert.1.hall72202]

QTEXT Command
When QTEXT (Quick Text) is on, each text and attribute object is displayed as a bounding box around the text object. Turning QTEXT mode on reduces the time it takes the program to redraw and regenerate drawings that contain many text objects.

Who would still need this one

I use it to make a print that shows boxes in the place of dimension text.
I can use the print for recording measurements of actual product.

[jaberwok]

I use QTEXT ON to make a print that shows boxes in the place of dimension text.
I can use the print for recording measurements of actual product.

That's a good idea that I never had. ^5

[bberger]

Us the arrow keys to toggle through previously typed text at the command prompt. Can be used to run a previously typed command, or any text string...I've used it to create new layers, re-initiate commands...

[bberger]

Also, the MaxHatch setvariable has been replaced with HPMAXLINES in '09 not sure about '06-'08. I think somebody mentioned MaxHatch..

[andy.manninen]

OFFSETGAPTYPE this variable allows you to offset objects and get "true" offsets, such as offsetting a box and getting curves with a radius of the offset amount on all the corners of the box. Very handy in the Civil engineering/ Land surveying field for showing things like setbacks from buildings.

:Cheers:

[fclao]

To temporarily override filletrad to 0, press shift while inside the commad fillet then select 2 non parallel lines. You don't ever need to set the fillet radius to 0.
This also works with the command chamfer, here's a command that rarely sees any action.

mac

[Openwheeler]

Very nice stuff in this thread!

[hhooper]

To temporarily override filletrad to 0, press shift while inside the commad fillet then select 2 non parallel lines. You don't ever need to set the fillet radius to 0.
This also works with the command chamfer, here's a command that rarely sees any action.

mac

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but holding down the shift key will also temporarily override Ortho mode too.

hh

[Greywethr]

Here's an old chestnut we like to throw out from time to time.
At the command line type -array, pick the object(s), enter, now you are presented with Rectangular or Polar as options, but the old Circular option still works, type C, enter and watch the command line for further options with in that command.

The change command is often over looked by many people. I like to use it to bring ortho lines perpendicular to another line, or maybe more importantly with lines slightly off ortho you can straighten them to be ortho. With ortho on, Change, pick lines, enter, now pick a point to extend or shorten the lines. If you pick lines too far apart you may get some unexpected results.

That's the same as polar array. In the array dialog box, you have 3 choice; # of items & angle to fill, # of items & angle between them, and angle to fill & angle between.

[Greywethr]

Point filters?

I have to burn the midnight oil tonight. I use Osnap and Otrack and as you said I'm constantly changing the settings.... I'll give this one a shot...Now!
I'll try out the other commands too... just not as soon as I would like.

Thanks

You can also access the point filters, as well as osnaps & otrack by Ctrl+right-clicking

[Richard.Kent]

That's the same as polar array. In the array dialog box, you have 3 choice; # of items & angle to fill, # of items & angle between them, and angle to fill & angle between.

umm, Yeah I know that, the obscure part is the Circular option that is not on the command line but still works.

[curunduboy185527]

That is a nice little command, MULTIPLE. I would have never thought of it. Its a default in Microstation that you keep each command until you change it. Sometimes its nice to have that feature and I never knew you could do it in Autocad. Thanks for that one.

[dzatto]

That reminds me, if you offset a line, you can hit M (for multiple) after you start the command and select your line and can offset the line multiple times. You just click on whatever side of the line you want the offsets. you can even go from side to side in the same command. Works great for parking striping.

[murrayc.49304]

The one unknown command that has saved my life recently is -DWGUNITS.

This command truly allows you to set the correct units to a drawing even though you have UNITS set accordingly.

Have you ever tried to INSERT or XREF one drawing into another and noticed it gets scaled up or down even though you have the UNITS set correctly in both drawings? The reason for this is that if a drawing was created with a vertical app like Land Desktop or Arch. Desktop, its units will override whatever the units are set in plain vanilla AutoCAD.

For example, let's say a drawing was created with Arch Desktop, and its units were set to "inches", and when you open that drawing in plain vanilla AutoCAD and try to set the UNITS to "Feet", it will STILL be set to "inches".

To get around this, use -DWGUNITS (note the "-") and follow the prompts accordingly.

[murrayc.49304]

Another great command/sysvar is MEASUREMENT

Have you ever noticed that sometimes your Linetypes aren't displaying properly when using LTScale (along with PSLTSCale)?

Chances are you are trying to create a Metric drawing using Imperial Linetypes (or vice versa).

If MEASUREMENT is set to 0 (zero) it uses the ACAD.lin and ACAD.pat files which is used for Imerial drawings. If it is set to 1 (one), it uses the ACADISO.lin and ACADISO.pat for Metric drawings.

To fix your Linetypes, simply do the following:
1. Enter MEASUREMENT and set accordingly
2. Enter the LINETYPE command and reload all the linetypes in your drawing
3. Set the LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE like you normally would.

[mdemint]

I'm not sure if this one has been mentioned in here, but I use this HOURLY...

Select an object (any object... line, polyline, raster image, block, etc).
Click on any of the hot-grips
With the hot-grip selected, press <SPACE BAR> to toggle through different options (move, rotate, scale, mirror, or stretch [default])

This is one of the coolest things I've EVER found in AutoCAD... and like I said... I use this feature many times every single day...

[murrayc.49304]

Here is a trick using the MATCHPROP command.

You know how you can match the properties of one object to another? Well, did you know you can do that BETWEEN DRAWINGS?

Let's say you have two drawings open, and you want the properties of some objects in one drawing to look like that of another object in another drawing.

Simply do the following:
1. In the "source" drawing, enter the MATCHPROP command and select an object with the desired properties.
2. Then press Ctrl-Tab on your keyboard to switch to the drawing that needs its objects changed.
3. Now simply select the objects you want changed (because the MATCHPROP command is STILL active)

[murrayc.49304]

Here's another "neat unknown option within a well-known command" trick

EVERYONE knows how to use the ROTATE command (Good Lord, I hope so :) ).

When rotating objects either 90, 180, or 270 degrees, you can cut down on your keyboard input by entering N, W, and S (ie. North, West, and South) instead.

Hope this helps.

[murrayc.49304]

The sysvar MAXACTVP (sets the limit for active viewports in PS) was already mentioned here, but was not mentioned are some of the benefits:
1. You can set MAXACTVP before switching to Paperspace. In other words, if you are going from Modelspace to Paperspace and AutoCAD crashes because you have so many Viewports that need to regen, you can set MAXACTVP before switching, and regen time will be quicker.

2. Even though there are a number of Viewports that are "off", you can still plot the drawing accordingly.

[mdemint]

Here is a trick using the MATCHPROP command.

You know how you can match the properties of one object to another? Well, did you know you can do that BETWEEN DRAWINGS?

Let's say you have two drawings open, and you want the properties of some objects in one drawing to look like that of another object in another drawing.

Simply do the following:
1. In the "source" drawing, enter the MATCHPROP command and select an object with the desired properties.
2. Then press Ctrl-Tab on your keyboard to switch to the drawing that needs its objects changed.
3. Now simply select the objects you want changed (because the MATCHPROP command is STILL active)

But this doesn't work if you have multiple sessions open, does it? Does it have to be the same instance of AutoCAD?

[murrayc.49304]

But this doesn't work if you have multiple sessions open, does it? Does it have to be the same instance of AutoCAD?

It has to be the same session of AutoCAD.

[jpaulsen]

The one unknown command that has saved my life recently is -DWGUNITS.
This is great. I never new about this one. It is really handy when you want to change the way the annotation scales display when you reset the list. Set the units to 1 (inches) and the scales will appear like 1/4" = 1'-0" after you reset the list. Set the units to 2 (feet) and the scales will appear like 1"=50' after you reset the list.

I used to AecDwgSerup to do this but it isn't available in C3D as AutoCAD. Is -dwgunits available in vanilla AutoCAD? When I ran it in C3D as AutoCAD it was loaded some AEC apps.

[murrayc.49304]

I'm not sure if this one has been mentioned in here, but I use this HOURLY...

Select an object (any object... line, polyline, raster image, block, etc).
Click on any of the hot-grips
With the hot-grip selected, press <SPACE BAR> to toggle through different options (move, rotate, scale, mirror, or stretch [default])

This is one of the coolest things I've EVER found in AutoCAD... and like I said... I use this feature many times every single day...

I hardly ever have to enter a command anymore thanks to GRIPS.

One of my favourite grip-tips is that there are some objects that can be moved without having to press the spacebar.

Click on one of the following objects with its grips active and learn how to move it...

CIRCLE - select the center grip and drag to desired location
LINE - select the middle grip and drag to desired location
BLOCK - select the insertion grip and drag to desired location
MTEXT - select the insertion grip and drag to desired location

[murrayc.49304]

This is great. I never new about this one. It is really handy when you want to change the way the annotation scales display when you reset the list. Set the units to 1 (inches) and the scales will appear like 1/4" = 1'-0" after you reset the list. Set the units to 2 (feet) and the scales will appear like 1"=50' after you reset the list.

I used to AecDwgSerup to do this but it isn't available in C3D as AutoCAD. Is -dwgunits available in vanilla AutoCAD? When I ran it in C3D as AutoCAD it was loaded some AEC apps.

-DWGUNITS is purely a plain vanilla AutoCAD sysvar

[murrayc.49304]

Here are some more PAPERSPACE related commands (Man... I am on a roll today)

SPACESWITCH - sysvar to allow/prohibit from double-clicking to get inside a viewport
PSVPSCALE - sysvar to create VP at specific predefined scale
WORLDVIEW - sysvar 1=new viewport to current UCS; 0=new viewport to world UCS

[mdemint]

I hardly ever have to enter a command anymore thanks to GRIPS.

One of my favourite grip-tips is that there are some objects that can be moved without having to press the spacebar.

Click on one of the following objects with its grips active and learn how to move it...

CIRCLE - select the center grip and drag to desired location
LINE - select the middle grip and drag to desired location
BLOCK - select the insertion grip and drag to desired location
MTEXT - select the insertion grip and drag to desired location

I agree... I do use the grips to simply move objects around (stretch is the default option)... but I think it's super duper cool that you can rotate, scale, and move any object by any of their hotgrips. You can move objects by their base point with the default stretch command... because they don't stretch at that point, obviously. It is nice though moving objects just by clicking on the right hot-grip.

[jaberwok]

Another feature of Matchprop - when hatching, picking "inherit properties" presets the hatch pattern properties (lines, spacing, etc.). Using Matchprop matches both the hatch pattern properties and the the layer-related properties (layer, colour, etc) at the same time.

[murrayc.49304]

Here are a couple of system variable I use often that I think are "unknown"

OSNAPZ
0 - Osnap uses the Z-value of the specified point

1 - Osnap substitutes the Z-value of the specified point with the elevation (ELEV) set for the current UCS

SELECTLASTMODE
0 - Selects Last Viewable Object created

1 - Selects Last object created

[dzatto]

Here are some more PAPERSPACE related commands (Man... I am on a roll today)

SPACESWITCH - sysvar to allow/prohibit from double-clicking to get inside a viewport
PSVPSCALE - sysvar to create VP at specific predefined scale
WORLDVIEW - sysvar 1=new viewport to current UCS; 0=new viewport to world UCS
Now that one needs to be mentioned on your April Fools thread! :beer:

[jaberwok]

SELECTLASTMODE
0 - Selects Last Viewable Object created

1 - Selects Last object created

So that's what happened. It really p*ss*s me off that acad now picks last created instead of last created AND visible.
Thanks.

[steve.ashton]

DIMSPACE - To space dimensions neatly

DIMBREAK - To break dimension lines where they cross

[dzatto]

DIMSPACE - To space dimensions neatly

DIMBREAK - To break dimension lines where they cross
Those are ony in 2009 and later, right?

[jpaulsen]

SELECTLASTMODE
0 - Selects Last Viewable Object created

1 - Selects Last object created
Thanks so much for this. How do you find these undocumented variables? There is nothing in Help. It appears this setting is saved in the registry.

AutoCAD is released around April right? This must have been an April Fool's prank from Autodesk.

I can picture it now, a couple of developers in a back room saying "Lets make a new variable that causes users to erase objects that they are not aware of and can't see. If we are lucky they will do it several times because the last object on-screen doesn't get erased. Then they will delete many objects that they really wanted to keep. And we won't tell anyone we made the variable and won't put it in Help. hehe"

I am setting this to 0 in my Acaddoc.lsp now. Thanks again.

[murrayc.49304]

Thanks so much for this. How do you find these undocumented variables? There is nothing in Help. It appears this setting is saved in the registry.

AutoCAD is released around April right? This must have been an April Fool's prank from Autodesk.

I can picture it now, a couple of developers in a back room saying "Lets make a new variable that causes users to erase objects that they are not aware of and can't see. If we are lucky they will do it several times because the last object on-screen doesn't get erased. Then they will delete many objects that they really wanted to keep. And we won't tell anyone we made the variable and won't put it in Help. hehe"

I am setting this to 0 in my Acaddoc.lsp now. Thanks again.

For the life of me, I can't remember where I found these two particular sysvars. But whenever I come across gems like this, I immediately write them down in my AutoCAD "cheat sheet" which is simply an ascii file.

As for how they get added and undocumented, one story I've heard over the years [note to autodesk: if I am wrong, please feel free to correct me] is that during the development of each new AutoCAD releases, autodesk will have "summer students" on work experience programs who are working on the new code and create these undocumented features and not bothering to tell anyone.

[jpaulsen]

Those are ony in 2009 and later, right?
DIMSPACE and DIMBREAK were new in 2008.

[murrayc.49304]

Here's another unknown command that comes in quite handy...

In a couple of previous postings in this thread, we've talked about how handy it is to use GRIPS.

Well, did you ever create a selection set of objects to manipulate its grips, and then after hitting the Esc. key, you realized you wanted those objects selected again?

Well, instead of picking the previous selection of objects one-at-a-time again to activate its grips, simply enter the PSELECT command, and enter "P" for "Previous". This will select the previous selection set of objects with its grips active.

(This also works with "L" for the "Last" object created)

[jpaulsen]

Well, instead of picking the previous selection of objects one-at-a-time again to activate its grips, simply enter the PSELECT command, and enter "P" for "Previous". This will select the previous selection set of objects with its grips active.
Man your full of good commands. Unlike SELECT, PSELECT highlights the grips. Very nice.

[murrayc.49304]

Man your full of good commands. Unlike SELECT, PSELECT highlights the grips. Very nice.

Glad you like my tips.

Here's yet ANOTHER grip related command....

If you select hundreds of objects, it can take time to regen all the objects with their grips active and potentially cause a crash.

You can set the sysvar GRIPOBJLIMIT to a low number to prevent this.

[murrayc.49304]

This next trick is not an AutoCAD command but a handy technique nonetheless.

Have you ever wanted to create an electronic list of drawing files in a particular folder?

Here's what you do:

1. With Windows Explorer, navigate to the desired folder.

2. Select the desired drawing files so they are highlighted

3. Right-click on the selected files, and when the pop-up menu appears, select the "Send To" option and then select the "Mail Recipient" option.

4. You will now discover that your email program has launched with the selected files as an attachment. In the body on the email, you will see a listing of the drawing files in the attachment.

5. Highlight the list of drawing files in the email message and copy to the clipboard.

6. Close the email message without saving it.

7. Now simply paste the list of drawing files where you would need it (ie. Word document, etc)

[framedNlv]

This next trick is not an AutoCAD command but a handy technique nonetheless.

Have you ever wanted to create an electronic list of drawing files in a particular folder?

Here's what you do:

1. With Windows Explorer, navigate to the desired folder.

2. Select the desired drawing files so they are highlighted

3. Right-click on the selected files, and when the pop-up menu appears, select the "Send To" option and then select the "Mail Recipient" option.

4. You will now discover that your email program has launched with the selected files as an attachment. In the body on the email, you will see a listing of the drawing files in the attachment.

5. Highlight the list of drawing files in the email message and copy to the clipboard.

6. Close the email message without saving it.

7. Now simply paste the list of drawing files where you would need it (ie. Word document, etc)

Or you could download pathcopy from here: http://www.download.com/Path-Copy/3000-2072_4-10036463.html
You can copy: file name, file name with path,file name with unc path, and others. You can also add custom configurations like adding quotes or changing back slashes to forward slashes.

Chris
custom

[sandeep_koodal]

Hi friends,
After a short time, I wd like to share something for you.
Just read it and give me a smile.... really useful to all.
i got it from a website but i forget!!!
pw to open: iloveaugi
thanks all

[eldridge]

Hi friends,
After a short time, I wd like to share something for you.
Just read it and give me a smile.... really useful to all.
i got it from a website but i forget!!!
pw to open: iloveaugi
thanks all

NICE! Excellent reference.

[mdemint]

I just found this out... and it may be faster than doing a wblock:

If you select any objects in AutoCAD and copy (ctrl+c) then go into windows exporer and paste (ctrl+v) it creates a "scrap" file with no extension. I just did this by accident and it appears to have created something similar to a block. The file opens in AutoCAD on the same co-ordinates as the original drawing. Does anyone know anything about these files? I spend about 20 mins looking it up to no avail...

[irneb]

It forms part of the COPYCLIP command. The Ctrl+C performs COPYCLIP (Copt to Clipboard) ... which places a WMF version of the entities you selected in the clipboard so you can paste it (Ctrl+V) into other programs, as well as doing a temporary WBLOCK to a temp folder with some random unique filename.

If you PASTECLIP (Ctrl+V) into another AutoCAD, then instead of using the WMF (Windows Meta File) in the clipboard is inserts that file into the current drawing and explodes that temporary block. To keep it as a block use PASTEBLOCK (Ctrl+Shift+V). Or to place the entities on the exact same positions as they were in the previous drawing (where you presses Ctrl+C), PASTEORIG (Edit --> Paste to Original Coordinates).

I'd just advise that you use COPYBASE (Ctrl+Shift+C or Edit --> Copy with Base Point) instead of Ctrl+C. As the COPYCLIP generates an insertion point on its own (which could lead to inaccuracy).

[Alex Page]

I havent read everypage of this vast thread - but my tip:

Too create a 2d dwg version of a 3d hidden object
command: HIDE
command: WMFOUT
Select what you want to 'turn' into 2d

then

command: WMFIN

Explode it and you now are a proud owner of a 2d lines which you can then manipulate if required

[paula.romano]

I haven't read all the postings, but I want to add Tedit if it hasn't been posted. If you want to edit multiple text entities, use tedit and select them and they will appear in the edit box in the order chosen just hit enter to get to the next one.

[jpaulsen]

I think Tedit may be a custom command. It does not work in C3D 2009.

In Vanilla AutoCAD Tedit is a dimension command (you must type DIM and enter before typing Tedit). You can also execute it using Dimtedit.

[irneb]

I think it used to be an old command, pre inplace editing. You know, when those dialog boxes poped up to edit text. Can't remember when it was discontinued, but I used it in R14. Maybe TEdit is something else, but it sounds similar.

[paula.romano]

I'm using vanilla 2006 and tedit is still a command. Sorry we haven't upgraded yet.

[murrayc.49304]

I'm using vanilla 2006 and tedit is still a command. Sorry we haven't upgraded yet.

It's funny... I went to this website (http://www.hyperpics.com/commands/index.asp) which has every command listed (new, revised, and retired) from AutoCAD 2000 to AutoCAD 2010, and there is no mention of TEDIT.

So it MUST be a custom routine.

[paula.romano]

Opps...my bad. I guess I've had it on my menu so long I forgot it was a free lsp command from AutoDesk. I would have posted it for you, but there is a disclaimer. Sorry

[JaredRegister]

Well...whether its a lisp routine or not, I dont have it, but am able to do the same thing when I select several Multi Line texts and then go to properties and click on the ... button under contents. It will allow you to edit each one individually and then goes to the next box.

[paula.romano]

Tedit works for all text items whether they are mtext or plain text. In fact they can be chosen at the same time. I couldn't do plain text in the properties box. Maybe I have something set wrong.

[JaredRegister]

I havent tried all scenarios or anything yet...but from what Ive seen, in order for the properties trick to work, you have to have the same time of text chosesn. So if you want to change single line text...choose single line text only, multi line, then select multi line only. Attributes can be done the same way as long as its the same block...the difference is that it will change all of the att text to say the same thing. I have found this extremely helpful in many situations.

[irneb]

You're correct, DText (or rather Plain text) can only be edited one at a time, or all together with the same value through properties.

MText OTOH, works either one at a time, or through PP one after another (as you state TEdit works). Unfortunately, the PP doesn't allow all to be edited at once like it does for DText.

[irneb]

I havent tried all scenarios or anything yet...but from what Ive seen, in order for the properties trick to work, you have to have the same time of text chosesn. So if you want to change single line text...choose single line text only, multi line, then select multi line only. Attributes can be done the same way as long as its the same block...the difference is that it will change all of the att text to say the same thing. I have found this extremely helpful in many situations.Nope, you can have several different things selected at once. Notice the drop-down at the top of PP. This allows you to "filter" by entity type.

If you want to edit attributes all at once, hold down the Ctrl key when selecting them. Then you can select various attribs from different blocks in one go.

[crwnrylcad]

Well I got through about half of this post and started goin dizzy... Here are a few:

WHIPTHREAD
CTRL+ALT+LEFTCLICK - For quick regions
HatchGenerateBoundary
AECPOLYGON - Love the extra functionality for extending/changing
CTRL+LEFTCLICK on an aecpolygon to create abnormal 3dsolids
LDD - Repeats last LDT command
3dpoly

There is also the PROJECT OBJECT from the right click menu when you have a line/pline selected, it will project the object to your current surface, creating a 3dpline

[dzatto]

Well I got through about half of this post and started goin dizzy... Here are a few:

WHIPTHREAD
CTRL+ALT+LEFTCLICK - For quick regions
HatchGenerateBoundary
AECPOLYGON - Love the extra functionality for extending/changing
CTRL+LEFTCLICK on an aecpolygon to create abnormal 3dsolids
LDD - Repeats last LDT command
3dpoly

There is also the PROJECT OBJECT from the right click menu when you have a line/pline selected, it will project the object to your current surface, creating a 3dpline
I never heard of that one before. Pretty slick, but on my machine it creates a 3D solid. Still pretty cool.

[sschwartz85916]

Ok, this is my most favorite "new" command... dimbreak

I nub it ! :beer:

[bruce.jones542083]

BPOLY is a sub-command used by the HATCH command to create a closed PLINE around the boundaries of a selected area, before it hatches that area. This command is very useful when you are building 3D models and have a complex (such as a complex extrusion profile) that you want to extrude. Be certain that the layer you want the 3D extrusion to land on is current when you run BPOLY. The island detection option comes up in the BPOLY window as well (incase you have a closed profile within a closed profile, such as a hollow extrusion) and creates both inner and outer profiles together.

P.S. If the existing shape (formed by several regular lines and arcs) is not entirely closed (a corner may have a small opening, not visible at normal zoom levels) there is another variable that will set the size of the gap BPOLY will "jump". Be careful with this, if it is set too high, you will get unexpected results.

Fun question, thanks,
Bruce Jones

[bruce.jones542083]

I once had to create 3D text that would be shown 50' high (on the silver screen :-)

I used the SPLINE command to trace text, used the "smooth" option, then set the SPLINESEGS value to 50, it defaults to 8, and the extruded spline then extruded with thousand of faces (exactly what I needed to get smooth curves on such huge text.

Saved me hours of manual labor (don't tell my client :-)
Bruce Jones

[bruce.jones542083]

wmfin. wmfout - to convert 3d to 2d

Windows Metafile output I find looses moe information than the dxb plotter format, have you tried it (dxb=Drawing Exchange Binary).

Bruce Jones

[bruce.jones542083]

Those are new to me too. I'm going to print out the thread and try them all though.

I saw that you remember R.10 It seems a long time ago. I learned on R9 & R10. Took 12 or 13 disketts to load the program and that's pretty close to all the hard drives would hold. I had to back up to more disketts. I think I even loaded it off a set of 5 of the what were they 5x5 floppies?

I learned on r2.62, I touched a copy of 1.0 once, it was on a single 5-1/4" true floppie :-) Ah, I can smell the nostalgia. Anyoue out there actually use 1.0?

Bruce Jones

[bruce.jones542083]

Minsert, I have never used it in a real project, but I think its neat.

It is useful for setting building columns on survey points when they are not on a regular (arrayable) patterns :-)

Bruce Jones

[sschwartz85916]

After you put in a dimension, you can right-click it and select from a list... flip arrow. Never used it but I thought it was cool.

[lpseifert]

I Anyoue out there actually use 1.0?
No, but I can remember loading 4 or 5 5 1/4" floppies to run Acad on a computer without a hard drive. I think it was v. 2.1.

[irneb]

Ok, this is my most favorite "new" command... dimbreak

I nub it ! :beer:Have you seen that you can trim / extend a dim as well?

[jaberwok]

Ah, I can smell the nostalgia. Anyone out there actually use 1.0?
Bruce Jones

v2.53 - 3 x 5.5 inch floppies IIRC onto a 20Mbyte hd which I filled up in less than 4 months.

Was v1.0 ever actually sold? Or just shown off at trade shows?

[sschwartz85916]

Have you seen that you can trim / extend a dim as well?

oooooh coool.

[bruce.jones542083]

v2.53 - 3 x 5.5 inch floppies IIRC onto a 20Mbyte hd which I filled up in less than 4 months.

Was v1.0 ever actually sold? Or just shown off at trade shows?

I can not answer that, the story of my encounter with it was almost more interesting in itself. I was in a dealer's office in Atlanta, GA when a client came in and asked for "the free upgrade from any version" that was offered about 10 years ago. The salesperson was protesting that the offer didn't include release 1.0 (which the client had in hand). The owner came out of his office to hear the discussion, walked into the middle of it, and accepted the r1.0 disk in trade.

The next time I was in that office it was in a heavy frame on the wall. My guess is that he ate the cost of the newer version just to have the original 1.0 disk in his collection :-)

Bruce

[bruce.jones542083]

You're correct, DText (or rather Plain text) can only be edited one at a time, or all together with the same value through properties.

MText OTOH, works either one at a time, or through PP one after another (as you state TEdit works). Unfortunately, the PP doesn't allow all to be edited at once like it does for DText.

You can use the CHANGE command to select multiple lines of DTEXT and then edit their content one at a time. NOTE: if you select them with a window or crossing you get them on the command liine in some arbitraty order, if you select them in a particular order (one at a time) you get to edit them in that order.

This btw was the easiest way to create text in an arc or circle in eralier versions; use a polar array with align on a single letter, then select them in order, then use CHANGE to edit them to the final spelling.

Bruce Jones

[jaberwok]

... the easiest way to create text in an arc or circle in earlier versions; use a polar array with align on a single letter, then select them in order, then use CHANGE to edit them to the final spelling.
Bruce Jones

Lol. I'd forgotten that one.

[jlucas]

Has anyone mention 'CAL yet? It a command line calculator that can be used within any command.

[jlucas]

Speaking of obsurity, does anyone out there still use the side bar menu? I see it's still available in 2009.

[jaberwok]

Speaking of obsurity, does anyone out there still use the side bar menu? I see it's still available in 2009.

I gave up on the screen menu about the time I stopped using a tablet.
For a while, the screen menu was re-organised to duplicate the menu tabs which made it pretty much useless. I just looked at it again and it seems to be arranged as it used to be - I might just start using it again.