UCS Permanently OFF

[lonewolfjustin]

I have searched the system variables but haven't found what I am looking for. I am wanting to turn the UCS permanently off. When I open a drawing I go to View and turn it off, but it gets old doing that everytime I open a drawing. Then when I close the drawing and re open it is back. Is there a way to instead have it always off, but let me turn it on when I need it. Thanks in advance!

[tedg]

I have searched the system variables but haven't found what I am looking for. I am wanting to turn the UCS permanently off. When I open a drawing I go to View and turn it off, but it gets old doing that everytime I open a drawing. Then when I close the drawing and re open it is back. Is there a way to instead have it always off, but let me turn it on when I need it. Thanks in advance!
You can have that variable set in an "Acaddoc.lsp", which will set that every time you open a drawing.
(SETVAR "UCSICON" 0)

[lonewolfjustin]

You can have that variable set in an "Acaddoc.lsp", which will set that every time you open a drawing.
(SETVAR "UCSICON" 0)

But would you have to be familiar with writing lisp routines to do that?

[ccowgill]

You can have that variable set in an "Acaddoc.lsp", which will set that every time you open a drawing.
(SETVAR "UCSICON" 0)
that doesnt quite sound like the problem, if you change it off in the drawing and then save and exit, then reopen the same drawing, it should stay off, maybe there is a routine turning it back on everytime you open a drawing

[lonewolfjustin]

that doesnt quite sound like the problem, if you change it off in the drawing and then save and exit, then reopen the same drawing, it should stay off, maybe there is a routine turning it back on everytime you open a drawing

I take it back, if I save with it being off it will not be on when I re-open. I thought it did, but I still would like to know if there is a variable to always have it off.

[lonewolfjustin]

You can have that variable set in an "Acaddoc.lsp", which will set that every time you open a drawing.
(SETVAR "UCSICON" 0)

I took a .lsp in the support folder and copied it with a new name, then put in the (SETVAR "UCSICON" 0) and it worked somewhat. It turned off the UCS in the layout I that defaulted to come open, but the UCS was still there in the model. So it looks like it turns it off in the Layout/Model that opens but that is it. So I am wondering if there is a system variable for it to always be off.

But I did find that useful for other things. What would be the code if a variable has the options 0, 1, and 2? I made one for IMAGEFRAME to be 0 by default but it didn't work on that one.

[BrenBren]

I take it back, if I save with it being off it will not be on when I re-open. I thought it did, but I still would like to know if there is a variable to always have it off.


You can add the line to your acaddoc.lsp, as above. you can also set it as off in your template drawing, it will then be off in all new drawings.

[tedg]

But would you have to be familiar with writing lisp routines to do that?
Not really, check this (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=74115&highlight=acaddoc.lsp) thread out, and maybe do a search on the subject.


I take it back, if I save with it being off it will not be on when I re-open. I thought it did, but I still would like to know if there is a variable to always have it off.
The variable on the command line is "UCSICON", "OFF", but the only way I know of to have that set every time is the acaddoc.lsp option.

You could set up a template (.dwt) with it off and open that everytime?

[BrenBren]

I took a .lsp in the support folder and copied it with a new name, then put in the (SETVAR "UCSICON" 0) and it worked somewhat. It turned off the UCS in the layout I that defaulted to come open, but the UCS was still there in the model. So it looks like it turns it off in the Layout/Model that opens but that is it. So I am wondering if there is a system variable for it to always be off.

But I did find that useful for other things. What would be the code if a variable has the options 0, 1, and 2? I made one for IMAGEFRAME to be 0 by default but it didn't work on that one.


Really, all you had to do was add that line to your acaddoc.lsp file. If you don't have one, you can create it. To see if you have one, type (findfile "acaddoc.lsp") at the command line and see what it returns.

As for layout/paper space; it's the same setvar, it would need to be set in different places, and for that, you'd need a little more advanced lisp...

[rkmcswain]

I took a .lsp in the support folder and copied it with a new name, then put in the (SETVAR "UCSICON" 0) and it worked somewhat. It turned off the UCS in the layout I that defaulted to come open, but the UCS was still there in the model. So it looks like it turns it off in the Layout/Model that opens but that is it. So I am wondering if there is a system variable for it to always be off.

UCSICON *is* the system variable, but each viewport has it's own setting (and MS is considered a viewport)

Follow Brenda's advice and configure your template drawing with this turned off in each viewport.

For existing drawings, you could create a shortcom or a toolbar button to quickly turn it off.

Another idea would be to add (SETVAR "UCSICON" 0) to an existing shortcom. For example, if you defined "ZE" as Zoom, Extents using lisp like this:



(defun C:ZE ()
(command "._zoom" "_E")
(princ)
)

;;; then you could modify this to...

(defun C:ZE ()
(setvar "ucsicon" 0)
(command "._zoom" "_E")
(princ)
)


...which would turn it off each time you ran the shortcom ZE. Of course the shortcom could be for any frequently used command.

[BrenBren]

UCSICON *is* the system variable, but each viewport has it's own setting (and MS is considered a viewport)

Follow Brenda's advice and configure your template drawing with this turned off in each viewport.

For existing drawings, you could create a shortcom or a toolbar button to quickly turn it off.

Another idea would be to add (SETVAR "UCSICON" 0) to an existing shortcom. For example, if you defined "ZE" as Zoom, Extents using lisp like this:



(defun C:ZE ()
(command "._zoom" "_E")
(princ)
)

;;; then you could modify this to...

(defun C:ZE ()
(setvar "ucsicon" 0)
(command "._zoom" "_E")
(princ)
)
...which would turn it off each time you erased something. Of course the shortcom could be for any frequently used command.

Actually, it would work everytime you zoomed to extents using that shortcut ;-)

[rkmcswain]

Actually, it would work everytime you zoomed to extents using that shortcut ;-)

Corrected. There was an error between the chair and the keyboard....:Oops:

[lonewolfjustin]

Thanks everyone, I was able to get a .lsp written to do a multiple things :)

[artisteroi]

I have searched the system variables but haven't found what I am looking for. I am wanting to turn the UCS permanently off. When I open a drawing I go to View and turn it off, but it gets old doing that everytime I open a drawing. Then when I close the drawing and re open it is back. Is there a way to instead have it always off, but let me turn it on when I need it. Thanks in advance!

by the way, why would you want it turned off all the time?

[lonewolfjustin]

by the way, why would you want it turned off all the time?

I hardly ever use it and I am kinda a stickler on having a clean screen. So really it annoys me, so needed to go LOL

[ccowgill]

you could have just made it smaller, i have mine sized at 5 which is the minimum and it doesnt bother me at all

[tedg]

I hardly ever use it and I am kinda a stickler on having a clean screen. So really it annoys me, so needed to go LOL
I'm just the opposite, I like to have it on all the time.
I have my "setvar" turning it on every time. It helps allot when working in rotated views and in 3D, to know what direction you're drawing in. Also it's important to know if you're in the "WCS" vs "UCS" when attaching xrefs, I don't like guessing.

[lonewolfjustin]

I'm just the opposite, I like to have it on all the time.
I have my "setvar" turning it on every time. It helps allot when working in rotated views and in 3D, to know what direction you're drawing in. Also it's important to know if you're in the "WCS" vs "UCS" when attaching xrefs, I don't like guessing.

But at my company we don't do 3D, so everything is just on a x,y axis. So I haven't discovered a need for it.

[ccowgill]

I also use mine to determine if I am accidentally inside a viewport because the icons are different in model and paperspace, even though everything is in 2d, I still rotate it periodically to make it easier to work on certain parts of the drawings

[robert.1.hall72202]

by the way, why would you want it turned off all the time?

2d drawings?

[tedg]

But at my company we don't do 3D, so everything is just on a x,y axis. So I haven't discovered a need for it.
Do you use any xrefs in your 2D world? The USC icon helps in determining if you're in the world coordinate system at a glance. If your'e attaching xrefs, you usually need to line them up in the same coordinates.

Just another great use for UCS icons being "on".

[lonewolfjustin]

Do you use any xrefs in your 2D world? The USC icon helps in determining if you're in the world coordinate system at a glance. If your'e attaching xrefs, you usually need to line them up in the same coordinates.

Just another great use for UCS icons being "on".

I agree there is a need sometimes, but with xrefs we just copy everything at 0,0 and paste at 0,0. So when the Architect sends us there drawings we just insert the xref at 0,0.

[Railrose]

I also use mine to determine if I am accidentally inside a viewport because the icons are different in model and paperspace, even though everything is in 2d, I still rotate it periodically to make it easier to work on certain parts of the drawings

I hear ya. I'm running 2D & we don't use xrefs except for the scanned images that I tweak & set to suit me, anyway. UCS doesn't help a lot on electrical drawings.

[tedg]

I agree there is a need sometimes, but with xrefs we just copy everything at 0,0 and paste at 0,0. So when the Architect sends us there drawings we just insert the xref at 0,0.
Yes, but this will cause the problem I'm referring to, if someone has changed the usc from world in your drawing, the xref will not come in at the expected "0,0".

I just tested this with an example "XREF.dwg" and "PLOT.dwg".
XREF.dwg is set to WCS (World Coordinate System) and PLOT.dwg has a new UCS (user coordinate system), I attached XREF.dwg to PLOT.dwg at 0,0,0 thought the xref manager.
The 0,0,0 (insertion base point) on the xref is inserted on the newly defined 0,0 of the USC (not the 0,0,0 in WCS) hence, they don't line up.

If you have the USCICON shut off, you can't tell that at a glance (= problems).
I suppose you can have your acaddoc.lsp "SETVAR" setting your USC to world and shut the icon off but who wants to take that chance? :p

IMHO

**** EDIT *****
This stands true for just copy and paste using these coordinates too. copybase at 0,0,0 from a drawing with the WCS, and paste at 0,0,0 to a drawing with a UCS (not world) and it will come in at a different place.

[BrenBren]

Yes, but this will cause the problem I'm referring to, if someone has changed the usc from world in your drawing, the xref will not come in at the expected "0,0".

I just tested this with an example "XREF.dwg" and "PLOT.dwg".
XREF.dwg is set to WCS (World Coordinate System) and PLOT.dwg has a new UCS (user coordinate system), I attached XREF.dwg to PLOT.dwg at 0,0,0 thought the xref manager.
The 0,0,0 (insertion base point) on the xref is inserted on the newly defined 0,0 of the USC (not the 0,0,0 in WCS) hence, they don't line up.

If you have the USCICON shut off, you can't tell that at a glance (= problems).
I suppose you can have your acaddoc.lsp "SETVAR" setting your USC to world and shut the icon off but who wants to take that chance? :p

IMHO

**** EDIT *****
This stands true for just copy and paste using these coordinates too. copybase at 0,0,0 from a drawing with the WCS, and paste at 0,0,0 to a drawing with a UCS (not world) and it will come in at a different place.

People who don't use it... Not everyone is the same/does the same work. I never use mine, and I've never had a problem ~shrug~

[Glen_Johnston]

I usually have the UCSICON off about 75% of the time, but I created a tool bar button macro that toggles the UCS on/off for instances when I do need it.

^C^C(setvar "ucsicon" (abs (- (getvar^M;"ucsicon") 1)));

[rkmcswain]

I think everyone agrees that some people want/need it and others don't.

But can we all agree that it's like any other drawing saved sysvar (Gridmode, SPlineSegs, FacetRes, FillMode, VisRetain, etc.)... :)

[tedg]

People who don't use it... Not everyone is the same/does the same work. I never use mine, and I've never had a problem ~shrug~
I suppose.....if you are the only one working in your drawings, and/or pretty much do the same stuff it probably isn't a problem.

I've just been burnt before by not checking, and have had to help people I work with who couldn't figure out what the xrefs weren't lining up. Just pointing out a potential problem.

Like you said, if you haven;t had a problem, let 'er be.

[rkmcswain]

What if it was OFF by default, until the cursor hovered over that area and then it appeared?

Kind of like the page size does in Acrobat Reader 8.x?

http://usera.imagecave.com/thecadmaster/cad/float.gif

[tedg]

What if it was OFF by default, until the cursor hovered over that area and then it appeared?

Kind of like the page size does in Acrobat Reader 8.x?

http://usera.imagecave.com/thecadmaster/cad/float.gif
That would be neat!
You'd still get people who wouldn't want that either :cry:

[jaberwok]

What if it was OFF by default, until the cursor hovered over that area and then it appeared?

Kind of like the page size does in Acrobat Reader 8.x?

http://usera.imagecave.com/thecadmaster/cad/float.gif

Sounds good but when ucsicon is set to Origin and the current UCS ≠ WCS the icon could be anywhere and might appear when not wanted.


Background - I use the ucsicon in 3d but not in 2d.

[tedg]

Sounds good but when ucsicon is set to Origin and the current UCS ≠ WCS the icon could be anywhere and might appear when not wanted.


Background - I use the ucsicon in 3d but not in 2d.
This sounds like a major wish-list item. Maybe have a comprehensive dialog where you can select all kinds of UCS settings to drive all this. You could even toggle R.K's cute little tool on or off.

[Opie]

This sounds like a major wish-list item. Maybe have a comprehensive dialog where you can select all kinds of UCS settings to drive all this. You could even toggle R.K's cute little tool on or off.
Maybe, but why would anyone want a hand floating across their screen? :confused: j/k

Seriously, I just have a lisp routine to toggle the visibility on/off.

[rkmcswain]

Sounds good but when ucsicon is set to Origin and the current UCS ≠ WCS the icon could be anywhere and might appear when not wanted.

True. That is why it's difficult for Autodesk to do a lot of things I suppose. For each person out there with one idea, there are probably 10 others who say "that won't work for me..."

The "hidden" icon that appears on hover would work for me because we either work in WCS or a Z axis rotated version of WCS - and the icon is always NOOrigin.

But your points are valid. Looks like a lot of work for Autodesk, with little gain. But then again, that has been done before.....

[jaberwok]

True. That is why it's difficult for Autodesk to do a lot of things I suppose. For each person out there with one idea, there are probably 10 others who say "that won't work for me..."

The "hidden" icon that appears on hover would work for me because we either work in WCS or a Z axis rotated version of WCS - and the icon is always NOOrigin.

But your points are valid. Looks like a lot of work for Autodesk, with little gain. But then again, that has been done before.....

Yeah. Seems to me that a lot of recent additions have involved a lot of work - especially for the users.

[robert.1.hall72202]

Couldn't the ucs orientation get added to either a toolpalette or the status bar?

It could stay away from model space.