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

[jlucas]

Yes the screen menu (thanks for the correction) - it does take some getting used to. It's kind of a fun change of pace from icons or command line functions, but it may make you crazy!

Does anyone use the drop down menus to create their drawings? You could in theory use just those to do the work - if you have ample time on your hands.

[bruce.jones542083]

I type more than 90% of my commands (mostly 1 and 2 letter shortcuts) but use the pulldowns for those that I don't know or don't have shortcuts (like Draw Order/Bring to Front) and icons for obscure things like switching from hidden to wireframe views and CAMERA. Typing is the fastest way to travel in CAD.

Does anyone remember GeneriCAD? with left mouse draw & right mouse activated sidebar menu? I was sorry to see that vanish, it was fast too.

[Hammer.John.J]

sysvdlg

brings up system variables :)

tedit is great, i actually went back to 2002 and found the express tools lisp and grabbed it because it's so much faster on attributes....

[Capt. Computer Crasher]

Does anyone remember GeneriCAD? with left mouse draw & right mouse activated sidebar menu? I was sorry to see that vanish, it was fast too.

No but I remember VersaCAD. It was the AutoCAD program (pulldown was exactly the same as far a position of the commands but the names were different. i.e. copy was duplicate) It was sued out of existance by AutoCAD in less than a year.

[irneb]

tedit is great, i actually went back to 2002 and found the express tools lisp and grabbed it because it's so much faster on attributes....You can hold down the Ctrl key and double click on the attribute to edit it without using the dialog.

[ameador]

I'm in ABS 07 and I can't get "tedit" to work. They must have discontinued it.

Same thing with the holding down Cntrl and dbl clicking on an attribute to edit it. We can just dbl click on the attribute (w/o cntrl) and it pops the editor up.

[ccowgill]

I'm in ABS 07 and I can't get "tedit" to work. They must have discontinued it.

Same thing with the holding down Cntrl and dbl clicking on an attribute to edit it. We can just dbl click on the attribute (w/o cntrl) and it pops the editor up.
it hasnt been discontinued, it still works fine in AutoCAD 2010, it could just be that it doesnt work with ABS.
(Tedit I think is an express tool)

[irneb]

Same thing with the holding down Cntrl and dbl clicking on an attribute to edit it. We can just dbl click on the attribute (w/o cntrl) and it pops the editor up.Ctrl+DClick is only available from 2008 onwards ... sorry :roll:

[ameador]

As long as the double click on the attribute still works to edit it I'll be a happy camper.

We do have the express tools drop down loaded.

Wonder if the "tedit" command is loaded differently.
I know that there is a different "item" to click on when you do the install for "custom" installation that deals w/ express tools. I don't know if that was checked or not during installation since I was not involved with that.

[cadtag]

No but I remember VersaCAD. It was the AutoCAD program (pulldown was exactly the same as far a position of the commands but the names were different. i.e. copy was duplicate) It was sued out of existance by AutoCAD in less than a year.

hmm, VersaCAD was most assuredly NOT sued out of existence by the 'Desk. They are still very much a going concern, and have development ongoing. More visible on the Mac platform these days, but there's also a Windows version still around and available for purchase. Versacad had some functionality, especially with selection sets, that AtuoCAD took a while to catch up to. It also had some capability that I did not enjoy.... like using your plotter as a input device for digitizing paper drawings.

IIRC - GenericCADD was purchased by Autodesk, and then shut down. I guess that's one way to beat out the competition.

[Capt. Computer Crasher]

hmm, VersaCAD was most assuredly NOT sued out of existence by the 'Desk. They are still very much a going concern, and have development ongoing. More visible on the Mac platform these days, but there's also a Windows version still around and available for purchase. Versacad had some functionality, especially with selection sets, that AtuoCAD took a while to catch up to. It also had some capability that I did not enjoy.... like using your plotter as a input device for digitizing paper drawings.

IIRC - GenericCADD was purchased by Autodesk, and then shut down. I guess that's one way to beat out the competition.

well OK I was told that they sued. sorry I was wrong. But the version I had access to was exactly like Version 6 or maybe 8 of AutoCAD.

[cadtag]

Autodesk changed their version numbering scheme, and, and went from v2.6 to Release 9. ver 6 or ver 8 were never named or released products.

Mind you, the last time i used VersaCAD was in '87, and at that time it was way ahead of Acad in selection set handling and entity grouping. Not so much with editing commands, but when Acad only had single picks or rectangular Windows, VersaCAD had the equivalent of CP, WP, and Fence in addition to picking.

Pretty much every graphics package, heck even a lot of database programs, back then used a side-bar screen menu, so congruency in appearance was unavoidable. Sorta like every Win98 program had a similar pulldown menu structure.

Generic CAD is (sorta) still alive also. At least spritually.... there's a non-lineal descendant available as Visual CAD, up to Release 5 IIRC. Begun by some of the folks behind GenericCAD who were not happy about their baby being bought out and locked in a vault by the 800lber

[artisteroi]

sysvdlg

brings up system variables :)

tedit is great, i actually went back to 2002 and found the express tools lisp and grabbed it because it's so much faster on attributes....

oh I like this one!

[Capt. Computer Crasher]

Autodesk changed their version numbering scheme, and, and went from v2.6 to Release 9. ver 6 or ver 8 were never named or released products.

Mind you, the last time i used VersaCAD was in '87, and at that time it was way ahead of Acad in selection set handling and entity grouping. Not so much with editing commands, but when Acad only had single picks or rectangular Windows, VersaCAD had the equivalent of CP, WP, and Fence in addition to picking.

Pretty much every graphics package, heck even a lot of database programs, back then used a side-bar screen menu, so congruency in appearance was unavoidable. Sorta like every Win98 program had a similar pulldown menu structure.

Generic CAD is (sorta) still alive also. At least spritually.... there's a non-lineal descendant available as Visual CAD, up to Release 5 IIRC. Begun by some of the folks behind GenericCAD who were not happy about their baby being bought out and locked in a vault by the 800lber

it was about it was summer of 1990 when I used VersaCAD about a year after Learning AutoCAD( I guess Version 9 then way way before icons)

[Hammer.John.J]

pselect is another good one, especially when you change the alias to se

qselect is great and all, but there's few things better than being able to select stuff with out clicking a darn button, after you bring up the properties box


i have a bunch of custom commands, but i think this topic is target at standard cad topics

here's some more i like so much, i made an acaddoc.lsp just for them
mirrtext
-la (silent layer command)
viewres
insunits (I hate this command so much i added to avoid using it, lol)
insunitsdefsource and deftarget (see above)
fielddisplay
plinegen
plinewid
polysides
ucsfollow
rasterthreshold
elevation (this one is SUPER handing for grading and making sure drawings open with the elevation SET TO ZERO!!!)
osnapz

oh, how about MOVEBAK

[sschwartz85916]

The TAB button... typing any first few letter(s) of a command and then hitting the TAB before hitting enter...scrolls thru all commands with that prefix. :beer:

[bruce.jones542083]

Has anyone entered the BPOLY command? It is actually a subcommand of HATCH. It creates the closed PLINE used by HATCH, without the hatch. Once this has been created from an enclosing group of lines, it is the perect EXTRUDE base shape for converting 2D to 3D :-)

Bruce

[dzatto]

Has anyone entered the BPOLY command? It is actually a subcommand of HATCH. It creates the closed PLINE used by HATCH, without the hatch. Once this has been created from an enclosing group of lines, it is the perect EXTRUDE base shape for converting 2D to 3D :-)

Bruce
Yep use it all the time for getting square footages of paving and landscaping on my site plan. Great command.

[scott.wilcox]

Has anyone entered the BPOLY command? It is actually a subcommand of HATCH. It creates the closed PLINE used by HATCH, without the hatch. Once this has been created from an enclosing group of lines, it is the perect EXTRUDE base shape for converting 2D to 3D :-)

Bruce

Yes, but I know it as BOUNDARY. same command.

[andy.manninen]

What about the NAPKIN command? Careful as this will REALLY bloat a file size.... gives lines a hand sketched look when printed.

:Cheers:

[andy.manninen]

OH! What about Land Desktops right click menu SHRINKWRAP and SELECT SIMULAR?! Those are very handy! Although i beleive they are only available in LDT and Civil 3D....:roll:

:Cheers:

[dzatto]

OH! What about Land Desktops right click menu SHRINKWRAP and SELECT SIMULAR?! Those are very handy! Although i beleive they are only available in LDT and Civil 3D....:roll:

:Cheers:
Nope. ACA has them too. I use SS all the time. Only used shrinkwrap on occasion. Good command though. :beer:

[adafchik]

NAPKIN - allows you to make a "napkin sketch" out of whatever linework you select. Great for preliminary presentations, and has a few optional features within it.

[jaberwok]

See here (http://forums.augi.com/showpost.php?t=74304&p=855900). Napkin is not a vanilla acad command. :-(

[USMCBody]

See here (http://forums.augi.com/showpost.php?t=74304&p=855900). Napkin is not a vanilla acad command. :-(

Maybe, but using the visual styles manager you can crate a hand sketch look by playing with a few different variables. Jitter and overhang. Be careful as you may need to play around a bit to see these Edge Modifiers. Some of the options only show up if you have certain other options selected. It dosen't mean you can use them, just that you can't see the to change them. It can be a bit frustrating.

Type in visualstyles to open the visual styles manager to start.

To hopfully get around all of the headach, just click on the new visual style button. Then scroll down to the edge modifers and click on the Jitter and Overhang buttons to turn them on.. Modify as needed. All of this is in the visual styles manager window. Kind of like the properties window and the select objects button.

[jaberwok]

:lol:

only in architecture do people WANT to make lines look inaccurate.

[USMCBody]

:lol:

only in architecture do people WANT to make lines look inaccurate.

I don't know.. I've always liked the look of hand drawn things. But then I liked to buy those MechWarrier books because of the drafting look they had...

[ameador]

:lol:

only in architecture do people WANT to make lines look inaccurate.

Oh that's priceless! :)
Yeah, why don't they want Ortho on and Osnap on when drawing lines....b/c they're afraid of accuracy?? :)

[irneb]

Oh that's priceless! :)
Yeah, why don't they want Ortho on and Osnap on when drawing lines....b/c they're afraid of accuracy?? :)No :mrgreen: We're very adamant about accuracy. The thing is that we have (at least) 2 sets of drawings: Presentations for the client (which are arty and the main emphasis is to look nice, sometimes hand sketches look better than computer linework or even renderings); and secondly we've got technical documents which has to be as accurate as possible - linework is then preferably absolute "straight" lines so it's easier for the contractor to read on site.

This is why these add-ons help in our case. For a presentations the Arch takes a drawing started in mind that it would become a technical doc, applies the sketchy lines & prints this for the client. Obviously saving-as if the add-on actually changes linework. Then the technical doc is still available if the client approves that design & we go ahead with the next phase in design (which may be construction docs if on a fast-track project).

[jaberwok]

No :mrgreen: We're very adamant about accuracy. The thing is that we have (at least) 2 sets of drawings: Presentations for the client (which are arty and the main emphasis is to look nice, sometimes hand sketches look better than computer linework or even renderings); and secondly we've got technical documents which has to be as accurate as possible - linework is then preferably absolute "straight" lines so it's easier for the contractor to read on site.

This is why these add-ons help in our case. For a presentations the Arch takes a drawing started in mind that it would become a technical doc, applies the sketchy lines & prints this for the client. Obviously saving-as if the add-on actually changes linework. Then the technical doc is still available if the client approves that design & we go ahead with the next phase in design (which may be construction docs if on a fast-track project).

Yeah, I know but it's an easy gag.

I did say look inaccurate. :-)

[bruce.jones542083]

Oh that's priceless! :)
Yeah, why don't they want Ortho on and Osnap on when drawing lines....b/c they're afraid of accuracy?? :)

Archkatexz? What are they? The use I have made of the Joggle type programs is to obscure precision drawings (for paranoid business owners) in order to make it harder for competing businesses to copy our designs. (And it looks cool too :-)

Does anyone here know the command to increase the number of itterations between the control points of a B-spline curve (in order to increase the number of faces/smoothness when it is extruded into a solid)?

Bruce

[jaberwok]

Does anyone here know the command to increase the number of itterations between the control points of a B-spline curve (in order to increase the number of faces/smoothness when it is extruded into a solid)?

Bruce

Splinedit\Refine\Elevate order ?

[Liamnacuac]

So when will they come up will a tool that adds coffee cup stains, left hand smudges, electric eraser scrapes, drool stains, and all the other antiquated items you find on hand drawings? C'mon, people aren't impressed with something that looks hand drawn unless you hand draw it in front of them. When I show people a nice rendering, they usually make monkey sounds and point a lot...;)






No :mrgreen: We're very adamant about accuracy. The thing is that we have (at least) 2 sets of drawings: Presentations for the client (which are arty and the main emphasis is to look nice, sometimes hand sketches look better than computer linework or even renderings); and secondly we've got technical documents which has to be as accurate as possible - linework is then preferably absolute "straight" lines so it's easier for the contractor to read on site.

This is why these add-ons help in our case. For a presentations the Arch takes a drawing started in mind that it would become a technical doc, applies the sketchy lines & prints this for the client. Obviously saving-as if the add-on actually changes linework. Then the technical doc is still available if the client approves that design & we go ahead with the next phase in design (which may be construction docs if on a fast-track project).

[jlahmon]

In my opionion, the most obscure/least know command is BURST. I've been using Autocad since version 9 and still have no idea exactly what it does.

[H-Angus]

In my opionion, the most obscure/least know command is BURST. I've been using Autocad since version 9 and still have no idea exactly what it does.

It allows you to explode a block containing attributes but retains the attribute text rather than the attribute prompt.

[irneb]

So when will they come up will a tool that adds coffee cup stains, left hand smudges, electric eraser scrapes, drool stains, and all the other antiquated items you find on hand drawings? C'mon, people aren't impressed with something that looks hand drawn unless you hand draw it in front of them. When I show people a nice rendering, they usually make monkey sounds and point a lot...;)Yeh well ... nothing beats a set of pencils ... and of course a hand capable of using them correctly :lol:.

This is only a quick-fix ... we do have our in-house sketch artist, but it's nice to give him something quickly so he can simply add some look to the presentation instead of drawing it all from scratch.

[bruce.jones542083]

Yeh well ... nothing beats a set of pencils ... and of course a hand capable of using them correctly :lol:.

This is only a quick-fix ... we do have our in-house sketch artist, but it's nice to give him something quickly so he can simply add some look to the presentation instead of drawing it all from scratch.

I think you will appreciate this. A true story I came across while writing my theisis on "The effects of computer generated architectural renderings on the hand rendering market (in Atanta GA between 1980 and 2000). " The American Society of Watercolorists would not allow computer generated architectural images into their anual judging. So one artist created an image in AutoCAD, added graduated tones to look like watercolors, printed it on #300 watercolor paper and won. He then announced that it was done on a computer and they withdrew the win. He of course raised hell about it, and they reinstated his work, and opened their doors to computer generated work. Seems things have gone full circle :-)

[Hammer.John.J]

that is hillarious, so perfect... hand rendering on the computer, lol. I love it when people look at stenciled concrete and say nice pavers.... same thing. If done well enough you can't tell the difference.

[USMCBody]

In my opionion, the most obscure/least know command is BURST. I've been using Autocad since version 9 and still have no idea exactly what it does.

To use the Shrek analagy.

BURST is like an onion... it strips away the core and leaves the outter shell. Where as EXPLODE strips away all the layers but the core.. B-)

[sschwartz85916]

AutoCAD 2009 Tool Palettes --> Right click a block --> top selection is Redefine. Works great when updating my dynamic blocks that are all hosted in a single drawing.

[irneb]

AutoCAD 2009 Tool Palettes --> Right click a block --> top selection is Redefine. Works great when updating my dynamic blocks that are all hosted in a single drawing.Wasn't that also available in Design Center? At least it is in my 2008 ... think it was earlier as well.

So 2009 added this into tool palettes as well? Great! Anyone know if the wish item for redefining more than one block at a time is in the pipeline or working already in 2009/10?

[sschwartz85916]

Wasn't that also available in Design Center? At least it is in my 2008 ... think it was earlier as well.

So 2009 added this into tool palettes as well? Great! Anyone know if the wish item for redefining more than one block at a time is in the pipeline or working already in 2009/10? Not sure if I meant to imply redefining more than one block at a time. I meant when I make an upgrade to the base file and my current drawing contains the block already and redefining it according to the updated base file... (ok my head hurts)

Hmmm I don't know about Design Center. I don't use it except for the rare "create tool palette from folder".

I guess we never know if wishlist items are confirmed until we actually upgrade.

Oooooh new wishlist item: know which wishlist item(s) have been incorporated (or not) into a release! :beer:

[irneb]

Double click on a DWG in Design Center. You're presented with a tree listing the following items inside the DWG:

Blocks
Dimstyles
Layers
Layouts
Linetypes
Tablestyles
Textstyles
XrefsNow selecting any one of those shows what's inside the DWG. Then you can Drag-n-Drop one of the items into your current drawing to add this item.

For the blocks group you can right-click on one block. Then if that block already exists in the current drawing you can "Insert and Redefine" or "Redefine only".

The wish item is to allow the user to select more than one block at a time in DC, then not gray out the Redefine Options in the right-click menu.

BTW, while DC allows you to "import" a layer (as example) from another DWG. It doesn't allow you to "redefine" the layer. If it already exists in the current drawing nothing happens. I'm sure I saw a similar discussion here somewhere - not sure if it was a wish though.

[beardking]

oh, how about MOVEBAK

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't seem to get MOVEBAK to work in 2009. Worked great in 2008, but now I get the message "Unable to transmit selected drawing file." when I save and it's supposed to be relocating my .bak file.

[ridenour]

I haven't yet seen mention of the legacy pan "-p". This has been very useful since the default became the realtime pan. The "-p" allows precise panning especially within viewports.

-p <enter>
"Specify base point or displacement:" this can be a coordinate, osnap or arbitrary point
"Specify second point:" this can be a coordinate, relative coordinate, osnap, arbitrary point or distance

[oliveoil182411]

I think you will appreciate this. A true story I came across while writing my theisis on "The effects of computer generated architectural renderings on the hand rendering market (in Atanta GA between 1980 and 2000). " The American Society of Watercolorists would not allow computer generated architectural images into their anual judging. So one artist created an image in AutoCAD, added graduated tones to look like watercolors, printed it on #300 watercolor paper and won. He then announced that it was done on a computer and they withdrew the win. He of course raised hell about it, and they reinstated his work, and opened their doors to computer generated work. Seems things have gone full circle :-)

Here's another story of computers creating art...

http://www.lanninggallery.com/ArtistGallery/gill/index.htm

[Liamnacuac]

So, does anyone of the unemployed out there want to attempt to make a quick list of all the commands listed here so far?
I would, but my bosses would get mad...

[vmichl]

So, does anyone of the unemployed out there want to attempt to make a quick list of all the commands listed here so far?
I would, but my bosses would get mad...

You can find all AutoCAD commands - including less known and undocumented commands - on:
http://www.cadforum.cz/commands

Vladimir Michl, http://www.xanadu.cz

[sandeep_koodal]

So, does anyone of the unemployed out there want to attempt to make a quick list of all the commands listed here so far?
I would, but my bosses would get mad...

Try it;
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=97794
http://www.hyperpics.com/commands/

[Liamnacuac]

Thanks Vlad, that makes it a heck of a lot easier than scouring through these messages!

[sschwartz85916]

AECTOACAD!!!!!! :beer:

[tyler.kawahara356150]

When drawing a line, how about using the "CAL" command transparently, followed by a shortcut function to get the line where you want it without having to draw construction lines. For example:

LINE -> 'CAL -> MEE -> [enter] Now the command line prompts you to click on 2 endpoints whereupon you have the first point of your line at the middle of the two endpoints. MEE= Middle End End. See below for other shortcut functions. Most of you know that the CAL command has a huge amount of built-in functions that most people never use.

SHORTCUT FUNCTIONS (From the autoCAD help file):

DEE
dist(end,end)
Distance between two endpoints

ILLE
ill(end,end,end,end)
Intersection of two lines defined by four endpoints

MEE
(end+end)/2
Midpoint between two endpoints

NEE
nor(end,end)
Unit vector in the XY plane and normal to two endpoints

PLDEE (d)
pld(d,end,end)
Point at a distance along a line determined by two endpoints (see pld)

PLTEE (t)
plt(t,end,end)
Point at a parametric location on a line determined by two endpoints (see plt)

VEE
vec(end,end)
Vector from two endpoints

VEE1
vec1(end,end)
Unit vector from two endpoints

[tyler.kawahara356150]

You can find all AutoCAD commands - including less known and undocumented commands - on:
http://www.cadforum.cz/commands

Vladimir Michl, http://www.xanadu.cz
Boooooring

[bruce.jones542083]

Here's another story of computers creating art...

http://www.lanninggallery.com/ArtistGallery/gill/index.htm

Thanks for the link, we (in the artsie-fartsie world that was when I went to art school) used to call this "decopage" and we didn't consider it "fine art", and I still don't. But then I like Peter Paul Rubin's women, taste is in the eye of the beholder.

Has anyone out there taken up collecting old hand (analog) drafting pieces and framed them as "art". That work I appreciate more.

[Liamnacuac]

I had found an original print of a 1879 Baldwin locomotive, in cut away. Asbolutely beatiful craftsmanship, and definately a work of art, such as medical illistrations.

Alas, I donated it to a fund raiser. Stupid move..





Thanks for the link, we (in the artsie-fartsie world that was when I went to art school) used to call this "decopage" and we didn't consider it "fine art", and I still don't. But then I like Peter Paul Rubin's women, taste is in the eye of the beholder.

Has anyone out there taken up collecting old hand (analog) drafting pieces and framed them as "art". That work I appreciate more.

[dwescott]

It may not be obscure....but it is my favorite lately.

QUIT

[eldridge]

It may not be obscure....but it is my favorite lately.

QUIT


I'm partial to that one too.8)

[curtwhite10034]

What about the famous "@" for calling up the last picked point?
example: you draw a line, you pan 3 miles away, and you remember you need add a line to the end of the line you just made to where you are now.
You would call up that last point within your command: "line" "@" <select your second point> and you're done! (without having to 'zoom and 'pan back).


I do remember that one...but @ has now been replaced by ENTER....much mo better. :)

Remember BLIPMODE

Catch a coworker away from an 'unlocked' machine sometime, type BLIPMODE enter and then escape a few time to hide your fun. I know it's stupid and childish...but I did it last week. :lol:

[irneb]

It may not be obscure....but it is my favorite lately.

QUITFor the same type of reason I like QQUIT, CLOSEALL, REVERT and SAVEALL as well :lol:

[bruce.jones542083]

Splinedit\Refine\Elevate order ?

Thanks, didn't know that one. I found my old standby for this, the "splsegs" variable.

[framedNlv]

Select an Ole Object and type "oleopen". Lot easier than trying to double click on Ole Objects.



Chris

[hjordan]

\X
to place a return line within dimensions

<> to keep active dimension with added text
the <> places the real dimension in its place but allows you to append the dimension (i.e ,TYP)

[USMCBody]

One that I just heard of but I'm dubious about if it saves any time...

MOCORO

it is basically a command that has the options to move, copy, rotate, scale, bace, undo to the last object placed / selected.

I mean really, if you don't do shortcuts then sure it is a good thing, but if you do do shortcuts not much saving if not a wash all together. Haveing said that It is a cool concept. I know it save's a bit of time by selecting the last thing you did / selected... I don't know we will see what I think of it a few years from now when it grows on me... I can be stubbon sometimes. Go figure a Drafter Stubbern... Never... B-)

[Mamma Jamma]

Cleanscreenon and Cleanscreenoff

Cleanscreenoff is particularly helpful if you accidentally hit the icon for Cleanscreenon and are wondering where your stuff (ribbons, toolbars, etc) all went.
Cleanscreenon is good if you're doing a presentation and want to maximize the viewing area.

[USMCBody]

Cleanscreenon and Cleanscreenoff

Cleanscreenoff is particularly helpful if you accidentally hit the icon for Cleanscreenon and are wondering where your stuff (ribbons, toolbars, etc) all went.
Cleanscreenon is good if you're doing a presentation and want to maximize the viewing area.

just be careful. For some reason when when clean screen was on it flipped my AutoCAD cession to the left monitor and when clean screen was off it flipped my AutoCAD cession back to the right monitor where I normally keep it. Easily fixed, but just so you don't freak out...

[Coolmo]

It may not be obscure....but it is my favorite lately.

QUIT

I wrote a quick lisp command in our ACADDOC.lsp that everyone has but hardly anyone knows about that also QUITs.

When you type "Beer" at the command prompt it puts up an alert box thats says "'bout time you came to your senses..." and then runs the QUIT command.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

[darthyoga]

I wrote a quick lisp command in our ACADDOC.lsp that everyone has but hardly anyone knows about that also QUITs.

When you type "Beer" at the command prompt it puts up an alert box thats says "'bout time you came to your senses..." and then runs the QUIT command.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Can you send that over? Id like to play a joke on a coworker and that is awsome!

[Coolmo]

Can you send that over? Id like to play a joke on a coworker and that is awsome!

It's easier than you think. I assume everone at your place is tied to the server whereas they load a common file like ACADDOC.LSP (which can load commands with every drawing as it's opened)? If so just put a line in there that defines a quick command.

(defun c:beer () (alert ""bout time you came to your senses...") (command "Quit'))

this will simply put up an alert box with an OK button and then runs the quit command. Of course it's launched with a lisp routine so it forces the quit command to the command line (instead of a dialog box) when it asks you to save changes but the fun is still had. Enjoy.

[dtamplen]

Has anyone out there taken up collecting old hand (analog) drafting pieces and framed them as "art". That work I appreciate more.

A company that used to I work for had started out in the ornamental iron business in the 1800’s. We had many of the original ink on vellum and ink on cloth drawings framed and hanging about the lobby and office. The men who drew these were true craftsmen and artist.

Alas, when the company moved to China for cheap labor, all these pieces went in the dumpster.

When art and architecture are gone, they are gone forever.

[murrayc.49304]

I learned this the other day from: http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/do-you-know-the-layer-command-tip7398

An undocumented command called +LAYER (note the "+" sign) is one of the least known AutoCAD commands. And it can be quite useful in some situations. This line command allows to easily switch layer filters (displayed layers) in the palette "Layer Properties Manager". So you can use a command (from a macro, from menu, etc.) to switch on one of the existing layer group filters, properties filters, unreconciled layers, layers with viewport overrides, or display all layers in the layer palette. The command prompts change dynamically - they follow the currently defined layer filters.

[dwescott]

Surprised no one's mentioned "SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK" when doing line work to get a quick popup of osnaps.

When I know I'm going to be snapping to various different objects, I turn OSNAP off...then use SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK and the shortcut for the snap.

example.....nearest: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "r" for the snap
.................node: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "d" for the snap

It's a little clunky until the shortcuts become second nature, pretty quick after that. Quicker than diving into and out of the DDOSNAP box anyway.

[beardking]

Surprised no one's mentioned "SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK" when doing line work to get a quick popup of osnaps.

When I know I'm going to be snapping to various different objects, I turn OSNAP off...then use SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK and the shortcut for the snap.

example.....nearest: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "r" for the snap
.................node: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "d" for the snap

It's a little clunky until the shortcuts become second nature, pretty quick after that. Quicker than diving into and out of the DDOSNAP box anyway.

This assumes that nothing has been customized on your system. My Shift+Right Click only gives me "endpoint". The list pops up for me with CTRL+Right Click.

[jestrada]

Try OVERKILL

[jaberwok]

Surprised no one's mentioned "SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK" when doing line work to get a quick popup of osnaps.

When I know I'm going to be snapping to various different objects, I turn OSNAP off...then use SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK and the shortcut for the snap.

example.....nearest: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "r" for the snap
.................node: SHIFT+RIGHT CLICK, hit "d" for the snap

It's a little clunky until the shortcuts become second nature, pretty quick after that. Quicker than diving into and out of the DDOSNAP box anyway.

I just type the first three letters of the osnap name - but the osnap toolbar is still available even in A2011.

[irneb]

Just did a search in this thread ... no-one's mentioned the most obvious "obscure" command to a newbie ACad-ie. CUI ... makes for all sorts of much quicker actions. Like e.g. setting shortcut keys for your OSnaps (even less work than Shift-Right-Click or moving mouse to toolbar).

[beardking]

Just did a search in this thread ... no-one's mentioned the most obvious "obscure" command to a newbie ACad-ie. CUI ... makes for all sorts of much quicker actions. Like e.g. setting shortcut keys for your OSnaps (even less work than Shift-Right-Click or moving mouse to toolbar).

Now if only I could figure out how to assign a shortcut key for the "Mid Between 2 Points" Osnap.

[RobertB]

Now if only I could figure out how to assign a shortcut key for the "Mid Between 2 Points" Osnap.Um, that's easy.

Launch CUI
Expand the Keyboard Shortcuts node
Locate the Snap, Mid Between 2 Points command
Drag and drop it on to the Shortcut Keys node
Select the Key(s) property ellipsis (...) button
Press the desired key combination (remember to turn Caps Lock off!)
Hit OK to dismiss the dialog.

I've attached a CUI that maps F1 to M2P.

[beardking]

Um, that's easy.

Launch CUI
Expand the Keyboard Shortcuts node
Locate the Snap, Mid Between 2 Points command
Drag and drop it on to the Shortcut Keys node
Select the Key(s) property ellipsis (...) button
Press the desired key combination (remember to turn Caps Lock off!)
Hit OK to dismiss the dialog.

I've attached a CUI that maps F1 to M2P.

Woohoo!! I'm getting all kinds of things tweaked the way I want it today. Thanks a ton.

[Mamma Jamma]

SETBYLAYER
Changes everything to "ByLayer" even within blocks (if you so choose when question arises). There is a settings dialogue box at the command line that gives you the option of excluding color, linetype, lineweight, materials or plot style.

[dwescott]

I just type the first three letters of the osnap name - but the osnap toolbar is still available even in A2011.

You mean I'm the only one that's still turning off all the toolbars and going commando with 4 spaces for the command line? I'm still using R10 in my mind...

[framedNlv]

It's easier than you think. I assume everone at your place is tied to the server whereas they load a common file like ACADDOC.LSP (which can load commands with every drawing as it's opened)? If so just put a line in there that defines a quick command.

(defun c:beer () (alert ""bout time you came to your senses...") (command "Quit'))

this will simply put up an alert box with an OK button and then runs the quit command. Of course it's launched with a lisp routine so it forces the quit command to the command line (instead of a dialog box) when it asks you to save changes but the fun is still had. Enjoy.

You got an extra " in there and one that is ' instead of ".

(defun c:beer () (alert "bout time you came to your senses...") (command "Quit"))

[Coolmo]

You got an extra " in there and one that is ' instead of ".

(defun c:beer () (alert "bout time you came to your senses...") (command "Quit"))


Ffat Fiingerss....:p

[framedNlv]

Ffat Fiingerss....:p

nmloi.. trfeswxzctloiu nf g dfoiedr yupoui.


I mean..... No texting for you. You might want to wait for the I-porch.

[davidmatyas]

typing CONFIG at the command line takes you to the OPTIONS DIA....

'ol rel 9 standard....kinda "not so unusual"....

[davidmatyas]

SETBYLAYER
Changes everything to "ByLayer" even within blocks (if you so choose when question arises). There is a settings dialogue box at the command line that gives you the option of excluding color, linetype, lineweight, materials or plot style.

That was GREAT when recieving files from "not-so-layer-structured" clients and the "M" word files, which uses numbers as opposed to meaningful names....

[Mamma Jamma]

typing CONFIG at the command line takes you to the OPTIONS DIA....

'ol rel 9 standard....kinda "not so unusual"....

Another quick way to get there is to right-click in the command line.
Or, at least it works on mine - not completely sure if it's OoTB setting or not?

[robert.1.hall72202]

SETBYLAYER
Changes everything to "ByLayer" even within blocks (if you so choose when question arises). There is a settings dialogue box at the command line that gives you the option of excluding color, linetype, lineweight, materials or plot style.

Definately one of my favorites..........not everyone understands the power of layers.

[taylorwebb]

just read the first 25 pages and didn't see this one:

LAYDEL

This is one of the more powerful (dangerous) commands out there and should be used carefully. Just type a layer name or select an object on that layer, enter, confirm, enter, and the layer is deleted. Great for those sticky layers that autocad won't let you delete; it doesn't matter whether or not any objects are on the layer, it's gone regardless (except for 0 or Defpoints). If I have several layers to delete, I'll quickly draw a line on each then select them all. Really helps to clean up the drawing when folks copy in all sorts of junk from other files.

Enjoy responsibly.

[Globey]

I don't know how 'rare' it is, but I always have to create my own icon for it, it's a command called 'BURST'.
Which basically acts like explode, when exploding blocks, but it retains all the properties of that block.

[Globey]

I know I'm going to explain it completely backwards,
but there was a trick I learned through AUGI, when labeling something which goes up numerically.
For example, if you have a conveyor system, starting at conveyor M-1, going up through 20, if you just copied M-1, through each section, there was a way to change the properties of all the text at once, instead of one at a time, where you would put something like M1,1,+1, I know I'm not explaining it right, so hopefully someone knows the system I'm referring to, it did save alot of time.

[irneb]

I know I'm going to explain it completely backwards,
but there was a trick I learned through AUGI, when labeling something which goes up numerically.
For example, if you have a conveyor system, starting at conveyor M-1, going up through 20, if you just copied M-1, through each section, there was a way to change the properties of all the text at once, instead of one at a time, where you would put something like M1,1,+1, I know I'm not explaining it right, so hopefully someone knows the system I'm referring to, it did save alot of time.You mean the Express Tools (Automatic Text Numbering) or command TCount.

A "quick" way would be to then use select by fence (i.e. when asked to select the objects, type F<space>). Then draw a poly-line crossing the text in order and follow prompts. Just a warning: it screws with Annotative Scaled Text.

Otherwise there's also quite a few increment lisps floating around.

[irneb]

just read the first 25 pages and didn't see this one:

LAYDELI tend to use LAYMRG in favor of LAYDEL. But that's because I don't want the objects deleted, just placed on the "correct" layer.

[Globey]

You mean the Express Tools (Automatic Text Numbering) or command TCount.

A "quick" way would be to then use select by fence (i.e. when asked to select the objects, type F<space>). Then draw a poly-line crossing the text in order and follow prompts. Just a warning: it screws with Annotative Scaled Text.

Otherwise there's also quite a few increment lisps floating around.
That is exactly what I meant, Thanks Irneb!

[pauljordan]

Sorry if it's been mentioned already but, the Tab key is awesome for finding that command you can't remember the name of.

If you know the first letter or first couple of letters, type them in on the command like, then hit the tab key one click at a time and it will cycle through every command with those letters as the first part.

For example:

Type in "ext"
first tab will result in EXT
next tab will result in EXTEND
next tab will result in EXTERNALREFERENCES
and so on and so on.

It's really awesome for some of those Autocad MEP commands that are 15 characters long...

[ccowgill]

Sorry if it's been mentioned already but, the Tab key is awesome for finding that command you can't remember the name of.

If you know the first letter or first couple of letters, type them in on the command like, then hit the tab key one click at a time and it will cycle through every command with those letters as the first part.

For example:

Type in "ext"
first tab will result in EXT
next tab will result in EXTEND
next tab will result in EXTERNALREFERENCES
and so on and so on.

It's really awesome for some of those Autocad MEP commands that are 15 characters long...
In 2012, that function has been added to the command prompt/dynamic input prompt, if you have it still turned on. As you start typing, a list will appear of commands that start with the what you have entered.

[irneb]

In 2012, that function has been added to the command prompt/dynamic input prompt, if you have it still turned on. As you start typing, a list will appear of commands that start with the what you have entered.Or for those left behind, you can try the origin on the 2012's AutoComplete:

http://www.microconcepts.co.uk/members/technical_news/?artid=375&pageNum=17&blk=177&artitle=LABS%20-%20Command%20Complete%20Bonus%20Tool%20for%20AutoCAD&PHPSESSID=rrbyhlgmbp

[irneb]

Sorry if it's been mentioned already but, the Tab key is awesome for finding that command you can't remember the name of. Also using the arrow keys to step through previous commands instead of using the right-click --> Recent commands option.

[beardking]

Also using the arrow keys to step through previous commands instead of using the right-click --> Recent commands option.

Is there a Sysvar that changes this capability? In ACAD2004 I could do just as mention, but now when I try to do that in ACAD2009 all I get is a list of coordinates. Previously I could start a command and then punch the UP arrow and it would scroll through a list of the previously entered commands/shortcuts or whatever, but now it's just a string of numbers that pop up.

TIA
Beardking

[irneb]

Look for the InputHistoryMode system variable. Mine's set to 15 (the default) - which means all forms of history is turned on. Look in the help for more options on this variable.

[REMTOTT]

Maybe lame, but for me this would be "ATTEDIT". There is no icon for it and I cannot find it in my CUI command list. Brings up a form list of all the attributes in the selected block.

[irneb]

That's the old attribute editor (DOS days, early 90's and before). It's still a command in acad, though the new "enhanced" version is EAttEdit - which is what you get when double-clicking on an attributed block.

If you like it more, then you'll need to add it to your custom CUI. You could even replace it to not use the enhanced version. Though for my preference, I like the enhanced one better.

[REMTOTT]

That's the old attribute editor (DOS days, early 90's and before). It's still a command in acad, though the new "enhanced" version is EAttEdit - which is what you get when double-clicking on an attributed block.

If you like it more, then you'll need to add it to your custom CUI. You could even replace it to not use the enhanced version. Though for my preference, I like the enhanced one better.


I have added it as a new icon. I also use the enhanced version (very helpful tool). Sometimes it is nice not to have all the extra stuff if you just want to edit the values, which ATTIPEDIT is also useful.

[irneb]

I have added it as a new icon. I also use the enhanced version (very helpful tool). Sometimes it is nice not to have all the extra stuff if you just want to edit the values, which ATTIPEDIT is also useful.Yes, the old one works nicely if you want to use the keyboard only (just press Tab to jump from one to the next). Though it's not impossible to do the same in the new one (Enter instead of Tab).

[beardking]

Look for the InputHistoryMode system variable. Mine's set to 15 (the default) - which means all forms of history is turned on. Look in the help for more options on this variable.
Thank you very much, I owe you at least 1 :beer:. :) This has been driving me absolutely nuts since I upgraded to 2009. After a bit of experimenting, it looks like my perfect setting is 4.

[irneb]

Thank you very much, I owe you at least 1 :beer:. :) This has been driving me absolutely nuts since I upgraded to 2009. After a bit of experimenting, it looks like my perfect setting is 4.Awesome! Glad I could help! :beer:

[Brian Myers]

I was teaching an AutoCAD Update class (to 2011) last week and was only slightly surprised when I didn't get a single hand (in a group of 8 ) when I asked this question:

"Has anyone here used the Change command or know what it does?"

I can't blame them for not knowing as it's been years since I used it myself, but there was a day where it was one of the most used commands in the program...and it's essentially been made obsolete / forgotten. For those "newer" users, Change was the answer for so many things before the Properties Tool Palette and other features came along...including the ability to CHANGE the layer, color, etc of existing linework.

[jaberwok]

I was teaching an AutoCAD Update class (to 2011) last week and was only slightly surprised when I didn't get a single hand (in a group of 8 ) when I asked this question:

"Has anyone here used the Change command or know what it does?"

I can't blame them for not knowing as it's been years since I used it myself, but there was a day where it was one of the most used commands in the program...and it's essentially been made obsolete / forgotten. For those "newer" users, Change was the answer for so many things before the Properties Tool Palette and other features came along...including the ability to CHANGE the layer, color, etc of existing linework.

Not to mention the unique abilities to move endpoints of a group of lines to a single point or perpendicular to a common line. Well worth looking in to.

[cadman4christ]

How about REPORTERROR. Controls whether an error report can be sent to Autodesk if the program closes unexpectedly.

[StephenJ]

I was teaching an AutoCAD Update class (to 2011) last week and was only slightly surprised when I didn't get a single hand (in a group of 8 ) when I asked this question:

"Has anyone here used the Change command or know what it does?"

I can't blame them for not knowing as it's been years since I used it myself, but there was a day where it was one of the most used commands in the program...and it's essentially been made obsolete / forgotten. For those "newer" users, Change was the answer for so many things before the Properties Tool Palette and other features came along...including the ability to CHANGE the layer, color, etc of existing linework.

"-ch" = change
I still use it about 1 a year if I am at a users machine and want to change the thickness and elevation of multiple objects. Personally, I have buttons in a custom toolbar that flatten and change the thickness.

[michael.torrey]

I'm a big fan of the Change command for relocating and reorienting text and blocks. I even created a button that calls it and put the button in the Modify tool bar. To me, it's easier than the Move and Rotate commands in that it allows you just to pick a new insertion point, or hit enter past that and pick a new rotation angle, also allows resizing by drag.

[pmedina]

QTEXT - It turns all text into rectangular outline. You might need to do a regen after using it.

[cadtag]

Yeah, & still useful after all this time.

Originally it was in place so slower AT class machines (4.7 Mhz) would not spend precious minutes redpainting each vector involved in displaying text. that doesn't matter much with today's i5 and i7 machines.

But, it's still not uncommon for a text entity to end up with no characters, and somewhere out in space. When that happens, a Zoom Extents may try to display half the planet.

With QTEXT, that empty string will be visible (and selectable) again.

[irneb]

Of course the new Empty text & Zero length object options in -purge do a good job of getting rid of those pesky non-selectable stuff.

[cadtag]

the company software isn't new enough for that....

question: if either Xdata or object data is attached to empty bocks or text strings, does that get purged with the new command? zero-length could be problematic if dealing with drawing/dxf files from non-adesk sources... IIRC some apps use a zero-length line instead of defining a separate point entity.

[jaberwok]

You WILL have to do a regen each time you change the value of QTEXT. :)

[Patriiick]

The most obscure command in AutoCAD is: ``Q?+:$$ &9*^0E#1@2AF5+_R)!/&#<*:''
It was used to destroy handles...
Don't look for another even more obscure command, I won!

[rgorman]

CUSTOMERINVOLVEMENTPROGRAM

Brings up the (obviously) Customer Involvement Program Window. It doesn't really do anything other than allow you sign up for it or decline. Which you already did when you installed the program.

[John.Vukovich688009]

I use FIND within a drawing a lot to change item numbers if you shuffle the BOM.

And since our company's network filing system is a bit... chaotic... I use the FIND button under the TOOLS pulldown in the upper right hand corner of the OPEN dialog box to find things in our Block Library. Our blocks are scattered over 40 - 50 different folders that people have randomly "organized" to suit their needs. If I'm looking for a "Heater" the block might be in the VENDORS folder, the HEATERS folder, or the JIM'S BLOCKS folders (even though Jim went off to another company three or five years ago...).

[sandeep_koodal]

Ahh.. What about TSPACEINVADERS??
It will zoom and highlight all your overlapping text entities in the drawing :)

[tedg]

Ahh.. What about TSPACEINVADERS??
It will zoom and highlight all your overlapping text entities in the drawing :)

Really???? Where did that come from and how did you find it?
That's pretty neat, obviously the autodesk programmers had a liquid lunch that day. :p

[sandeep_koodal]

hmm... I don't remember where I got this exactly, but sure from internet.
Anyway kudos for developers even if they included this for testing purpose :)

[cad2335]

had to retire my tablet, but have the puck hanging on the wall

I have a tablet (digitize board) and still use a 16-button puck. I have buttons programmed for endpoint, intersections, zoom window, zoom previous, etc.. I don't use the digitize board for actual digitizing and use it so my puck works. I prefer the puck rather than the regular mouse while using autocad.

[cad2335]

a 16 button puck was the best and fastest. 16 commands on one hane & keyboard shortcuts with the other. now only if they made a 16 button mouse with a wheel. I never used the tablet for the menus, only the puck.

I agree! 16-button puck is great for using autocad

[ledgehead]

I use;

ssx - similar to qselect, but at the command prompt
PSLTSCALE - Controls the linetype scaling of objects displayed in paper space viewports.
REMEMBERFOLDERS - When you start AutoCAD by double-clicking an icon, if a Start In path is specified for the icon, then that path is used as the default for all standard file selection dialog boxes
MEASUREMENT (loads acad or acadiso files at startup) 1-metric 0-imperial
TRUSTEDPATHS - Specifies which folders listed in the Support File Search Path have permission to load and execute files that contain code.
SYSVDLG - setvar dialagoue

(vlax-dump-object (vla-get-files (vla-get-preferences (vlax-get-Acad-object))) T) ;shows all paths set in autocad, takes 20 seconds to run

WSAUTOSAVE - Saves changes you made to a workspace when you switch to another workspace
SAVETIME - Sets the automatic save interval, in minutes. The current drawing is saved to the path specified by the SAVEFILEPATH system variable.
APPAUTOLOAD - 0 removes apps from autocad startup, makes startup faster, will not affect loaded lisp routines or mnu setup.

NEW ~ for 2015 and 2016 (numbers are my preference / default)
CURSORBADGE - 1 Badges are little images that appear at the upper right of the cross-hair pick box.
COMMANDPREVIEW - 0
SELECTIONEFFECT - 0 Selection preview allows you to see what object would be selected if you completed the current selection action.
SELECTIONPREVIEW 2 - On when a command prompts for object selection.
PRESELECTIONEFFECT 0 - Dashed and thickened lines, no solid fill for faces.
PREVIEWFILTER 0 - Excludes nothing.
HIGHLIGHTSMOOTHING 0 - Turns off anti-aliasing effect on object selection highlighting.
LINESMOOTHING - 0
SYSVARMONITOR - keep an eye on critical system variables that seem to create havoc when they change.
STARTMODE 0 - turns off the start tab
LWDISPLAY off - turns off line-weights of lines

That's all for now, if I think of any more I'll post them.
Hunter

[M.Jamal Khan]

Dear Jmctamney.... insteade of Qselect i use selectsimilar(ss)... vary interesting command.

[Wanderer]

Dear Jmctamney.... insteade of Qselect i use selectsimilar(ss)... vary interesting command.

I fell in love with SelectSimilar back when I was using Map and was really irritated when it was removed from the product (though it was still in ACA and AMEP, I believe). A friend wrote a lisp routine that saved me, until vanilla AutoCAD picked up the functionality in r2011.

Haha, I'll admit that I didn't remember the actual release offhand, I looked up the last AutoCAD Tips and Tricks article I wrote, because I knew I'd referenced it there: https://www.augi.com/library/tales-from-the-dork-side


My favorite tips included in the link above are:
Reference Manager application for batch repathing
DVIEW TWist
Using existing layouts as templates
Filtering selection sets with LayIso, QSelect, Filter, SelectSimilar
Adding custom words to the spell check dictionary
Xclip (and the invert option)
Keeping palettes from docking
Keyboard navigation (between files, programs, layouts & viewports)
The importance of system variables