Autocad 2006 Tips and Tricks Booklet

8/6/2019 Autocad 2006 Tips and Tricks Booklet

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P a l e t t e s

U s er I n

t er f a c e

S h e e t S e t s

Lynn Allen’s

Tips &Tricksfor Using AutoCAD® 2006 Software



User InterfaceDynamic InputNow you can have your command lineconveniently follow your cursor! Simplyturn Dynamic Input ON from the statusbar. Select the arrow down key to displayany command options (or use the familiarright-click shortcut menus).

Right-click on DYN to view the DynamicInput tab of the Drafting Settings dialog.Here you can indicate how much (or howlittle) information you want to display.

To display the command line inputand prompts from the cursor makesure “Show command prompting” and“Enable Pointer Input” are toggled ON.

Tip: To turn on Dynamic Input you can alsohit the F12 key.

U s er I n t er f a c e

You can control the input format forcoordinates and input values by selectingSettings (you probably want to stick toRelative and Polar).

Tip: Turn the traditional command lineOn/Off with Control+9.

Creating existing geometry and grip edit-ing now allows you to change the lengthor angle of existing objects by directlyinputting the new value on the screen.“Enable dimension input where possible”needs to be toggled on for this to occur.Note: Use the tab key to toggle bet weenthe two values.

There are five different fields you canchoose to display for grip editing:

Resulting Dimension, Length Change,Absolute Angle, Angle Change and ArcRadius (available by selecting Settingsunder Dimension Input).

Tip: Set the system variable TOOLTIPMERGE to 1 to display both the indicated object snapand the command prompts.

Quick Command and RecentData AccessThe new AutoComplete functionalitywill finish your input for you. This comesin handy should you forget how to spella specific system variable or infrequentlyused command. Simply use the tab key to

cycle through all the p ossibilities.A new Recent Input option appears onyour shortcut menus making it easy torecall a previously used value.

Quick Switch between drawings

When multiple drawings are open, eachdrawing will display as an icon on theWindows taskbar. To switch drawings,simply select the drawing icon (be sureTASKBAR is set to 1).

Rollover Object Selection features

As you move your cursor over an object, the object now highlights, helpingto ensure you select the correct object(also makes it easy to distinguish entireobjects from individual objects such asplines vs. lines).

Windows are distinguishable

Standard and crossing windows are nowdistinguishable by differing coloredtransparent windows. The functionalityis controlled in the Selection tab of theOptions dialog box.



P a l e t t e s

Customizing the Tool paletteusing DesignCenter1. Display Tool palette by pressing Ctrl+3

or by selecting from the Tools menu.

2. Open the DesignCenterTM utility anddrag blocks, xrefs, images, and hatchpatterns one by one to the Tool palette.Or right-click on any drawing name inDesignCenter to create a new tab thatcontains all the content within the draw-

ing.

Creating Tools from existing objects1. Select the object.

2. Drag and drop the object onto thepalette using the right mouse button(the tool will land where the black lineis displayed).

3. The command, properties, and style(where applicable) are now accessiblefrom the palette (great for dimensions,text, and so on).

Creating a palette tool from existing

toolbars1. Right-click on the Tool palette title barand select Customize.

2. Drag and drop the desired commandfrom any existing toolbar button.

Additional Tool palette features1. Right-click on any tool and select

Properties from the shortcut menuto set up the various parameters suchas layer, scale factor, and so on, foreach tool.

2. Control the transparency of the Toolpalette by right-clicking on the palette(not on a tool) and selecting Transpar-ency from the shortcut menu.

3. Control the display and size of theicons by selecting View Options fromthe shortcut menu (set to Icon Only todisplay more tools).

4. Save your tool palettes to disk as anXTP file for others to import using theCUSTOMIZE command (right-clickto find export/import in the shortcutmenu). You can also organize your toolpalettes into specific groups for fasteraccess and organizational purposes.

5. When inserting a block, you can changethe scale and rotation angle from ashortcut menu.

6. You can also set the scale f actor toDIMSCALE or PLOTSCALE byselecting Auxiliary scale factor inProperties (great way to set up a blockor hatch pattern that automaticallyscales).

7. AutoCAD® 2006 allows you to edit theproperties of multiple tools at a time!

8. Add separator bars and descriptive textto help guide the user through task-based processes.

Tip: Use Tool palettes to quickly placedimensions or text of a specific style. Drag adimension/text string onto the Tool palette;name it after the corresponding style.

Locking Toolbars and Tool

palettes in placeIf you have all your toolbars and palettesright where you want them—lock them up!Right-click on the lock at the end of thestatus bar and select what you want to lockfrom the shortcut menu. Use the Controlkey to temporarily override locking.

PalettesTool PalettesTool palettes can be c ustomized to containyour most frequently used blocks, hatchpatterns, images, solid and gradient fills,macros (including LISP and ARX routines),and command tools. These become evenmore powerful when you assign specificproperties such as layer, scale fac tor,rotation angle, and so on, to each tool.

(Fantastic for hatch patterns!)

P a l e t t e s



S h e e t S e t s

Sheet SetsSheet sets were added to AutoCAD® 2005to help you better organize your drawingfiles. You can combine the sheets in anyorder, even group them into subsets. S heetsets make it easy to publish, archive, andeTransmit your project files.

Sheet Set Basics• Each drawing sheet points to one layout.

• You can create several sheets from adrawing with multiple layouts.

• It’s easy to add, remove, and renumbereach sheet.

• Though the drawing files may comefrom many different locations, the SheetSet Manager will keep track of them allfor you.

• Multiple users can access and edit asheet set at the same time, but only oneuser can edit the same sheet.

• Each drawing can belong to only onesheet set.

Creating a Sheet Set1. Open a drawing file.

2. Access the Sheet Set Manager (SSM)from the Tools menu or by pressingCtrl+4.

3. Select New Sheet Set from the Filesmenu or from the Sheet Set M anagerdrop-down list.

4. This will take you to the Create Sheet

Set wizard.

Use the Create Sheet Set wizard to set upthe parameters for your new sheet set.Here you will:

• Choose to use an existing sheet set as anexample, or define your own from exist-ing drawings.

• Choose the name and location for yournew sheet set (extension of .dst).

• Assign any specific properties such astemplate file, callout block, and so on.

Open a sheet by a simple double-click.

Adding SheetsAdding new sheets from existing layouts

1. Right-click on any sheet and selectImport Layout as Sheet.

2. Selec t the drawing name and thelayout(s) you’d like to import.

Adding new sheets from scratch

1. Right-click on the sheet set title or anysheet and select New Sheet.

2. Provide a sheet number and title.

3. Select the desired template file (if prompted).

4. The new sheet is added to the set anda new drawing file has been created.

Importing existing model space viewsinto sheets (Sheet Views)

Even if you don’t use paper space layouts,you can take advantage of sheet sets. It’seasy to place your model space drawingsand views into an existing sheet.

1. Go to the Resource Drawing tabin the Sheet Set Manager.

2. Select Add New Location andadd your drawing directory(or directories).

3. All drawings and any existing nameddrawing views will display.

4. Right-click on the drawing file, or viewand select Place on sheet (or drag anddrop).

5. Drag the view into place, then right-clickto select a specific scale.

6. The view is added and the drawingis now xref’d into the sheet.

7. If you’ve indicated a specific label blockfor views, it will insert automatically.

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Sheet ViewsUse the Sheet Views tab to:

• Rename and renumber your sheet views.

• Add a view label or callout block toa sheet.

• Group the sheet views into categoriesand assign different callout blocks toeach view category.

Tip: As you go forward with your drawings

and sheet sets, you might find it useful torestrict each drawing file to one layout—sinceonly one person can edit a drawing at a giventime.

Organizing SheetsYou can reorder, rename, and remove anyof your existing sheets using the sheet setshortcut menu.

You can also create subsets of sheets forfurther organization purposes.

You can save a set of named sheets forspeedy access.

Note: Removing a sheet does not delete the

DWG file.

Creating a Sheet Index

AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD 2006 willnow automatically create a sheet table.You can quickly go to any sheet listed inthe table by clicking the hyperlinked sheetname.

1. Right-click the title sheet and selectInsert Sheet List Table.

2. Indicate a table style.

3. Place the sheet list table in thedrawing.

Updating the Sheet List Index

Right-click on the table and select UpdateSheet List Table from the shortcut menu.

New to AutoCAD 2006Since Sheet Sets were introduced inAutoCAD 2005, users have submittedwishlist items for fine-tuning sheet sets.Below is a list of these enhancements:

1. You can open or import multiple sheets.

2. Creating a new subset can create acorrelating folder.

3. Renaming a sheet now has the option

of renaming the drawing file.4. New icons indicate if a sheet is locked

(in use) or missing.

5. You can open a sheet as read-only.

6. Callout and label blocks now display apreview image.

7. T he View list can be sorted by viewcategory or by sheet name.

8. Views can now be saved by sheet (lessconfusing).



T a b l e s

TablesNo more drawing grids by hand! AutoCAD2005 and AutoCAD 2006 have a newintelligent TABLE object that will eliminatea lot of tedium and save you time.

Creating Tables Just as you do with dimensions and text,you first set up your table style in the TableStyle dialog box.

1. Select Tablestyle from the Format menu.2. Select New to create a new table style.

3. Set up your table style to reflect yourneeds, such as table direction, textheight, alignment, border properties,and so on.

Now you’re ready to create your table

1. Select Table from the Draw menu.

2. Select your table style.

3. Indicate the number of rows andcolumns.

4. Input specific column width and rowheight, or let AutoCAD determine it bythe table size.

Populating tables

In-place editing makes it easy to fill inthe cells.

• The Tab and arrow keys move acrosscells.

• Double-click a table cell to enter textusing the MTEXT editor.

• You can also insert fields and symbolsfrom the shortcut menu.

• Clicking in a table cell permits you toinsert a block from the shortcut menu.

You can let AutoCAD software fit the blockin the cell or specify a scale factor and the

table will adapt accordingly.• Clicking also allows you to merge cells,

add and delete rows, and so f orth. Youcan use grips to modify the table loca-tion, column width, and row height.

Accessing tables from Excel

1. Copy Excel table data to the clipboard.

2. Select Paste Special from the Edit menu.

3. Select AutoCAD Entities.

4. Place the table in your drawing.

5. Formulas will also come across inAutoCAD 2006.

Exporting AutoCAD tables

The TABLEEXPORT command will save anAutoCAD table out to a comma separatedvalue (CSV). This file caneasily be taken into Excel or Access.

Extracting Block Attribute Data toa Table1. Execute the Attribute Extraction Wizard

(EATTEXT).

2. Indicate which blocks to extract.

3. S elect the attribute information toextract.

4. Preview the table, reorganizecolumns by dragging the headers.The right-click menu allows you to sortby ascending or descending.

5. Select “AutoCAD table” as the output.

The information in the table is linked to theattribute data and is updateable.

Performing Calculationson Table DataYou can apply simple numeric operationssuch as Sum, Average, and Count; createarithmetic expressions; and set cells equalto other cells. Select Insert Formula fromthe shortcut menu.

T a b l e s



S t e p S a v er s

IMAGEFRAMESet IMAGEFRAME to 2 to display but notplot the frame.

XREF Notification simplifiedA simple click on Reload Modified Xrefssaves you time.

Object Snap updates• The new object snap “Mid between 2

points” eliminates the need to otherwisecreate those construction lines. Access itfrom the right-click OSNAP menu or bykeying in M2P or MTP.

• OSNAPZ variable lets you replacethe Z value of an OSNAP point withthe current elevation (also available inOptions).

RectangleThe Rectangle command has twonew options:

• Area option where you define the lengthof one side and then total area

• Rotate option

New Join commandCombines individual segments of likeobjects into a single object. The objects donot have to meet. You can also use Join tocombine lines and arcs with plines (sameas PEDIT). Join works on plines, lines, arcs,elliptical arcs and splines.

More flexible MLINESTrim and Extend now work on MLINES.

Zoom improvements• Quickly zoom to the extents of one

or more objects by selecting the newObject option in the ZOOM command.

• New Smooth Transition Zoom makesit easy to maintain orientation (systemvariable VTENABLE).

• Undo/Redo combines multiple pans andzooms (Options dialog box).

Step Savers

Updates to popularediting commandsUndo options have been added to Copy,Offset, Fillet, Chamfer, Trim, and Extend.

Trim and Extend

• New Select All default to select all visible

objects as cutting/boundary edges.• Crossing/Fence options added as object

selections options for the objects totrim/extend.

• Erase Option in Trim so you can alsoerase those extra objects along the way.

Stretch command

• Now supports multiple crossing windowsand standard object selection.

• Only those objects selected with acrossing window or crossing polygon willphysically be stretched; all other objectswill be moved.

Fillet and Chamfer

If you just want to trim corners, you cannow use the Shift key to force a Zero radiusor distance, which is handy! Select the firstobject, then hold down the Shift key toselect the second object.

Offset

• Allows you to erase the source object.

• You can specify whether the new objectis created on the current layer or thesame layer as the source object.

• New Multiple option lets you continueoffsetting a specific distance (no need toreselect a source object).

Rotate and Scale

• A new Copy option allows you to create acopy while you rotate or scale an object.

• The last rotation angle or scale value isavailable as a default.

• You can now pick any two points tospecify a new angle or sc ale (no longerlimited to the basepoint being one of thereference points).

Customizable Scale ListUse the new SCALELISTEDIT command toadd/delete, edit and rearrange the scalelist used in PLOT, PAGESETUP, Viewporttoolbar, and so on.

FIND commandFIND now permits wildcards!

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• You can edit individual components of a block. You can even assign specificincrements for stretching or rotatingwith minimum and maximum values.

• You can create blocks with multipleinsertion points.

Defining Dynamic BlocksThe new Block Definition Editor(BEDIT) makes it easy to createdynamic blocks or edit your existingblocks.

1. Select an existing block.

2. Right-click and select Block Editor from

the shortcut menu.The Block Authoring Palettes contain thetools to make your blocks dynamic. Theprocess looks like this:

1. Select a Parameter and assign it to aportion of your block.

D yn a mi c B l o c k s

Dynamic BlocksThe new Dynamic Blocks allows you tocreate powerful and flexible blocks likewe’ve never had before. Some of the manyadvantages are:

• One block, multiple definitions thatcould drastically reduce the size of yourblock libraries. For example, one bedblock, many options.

• Create blocks that automatically alignwith existing geometry.

2. Selec t the action you wish to assign tothat parameter. Place the Action some-where near the parameter.

3. Most Parameters must have at least oneAction.

Tip: Try one parameter/action pair at a timeto ensure you are getting the proper results.

ParametersThink of parameters as dimensions thatdrive the block geometry. Examplesinclude:

• Linear parameter to a door block todrive the width of a door (combine withStretch Action).

• Rotation parameter to a chair of a tableand chairs block permits individual rota-tion of the chair after insertion (combinewith Rotate Action).

• Selecting the Properties of a parameterallow you to specify increments as wellas minimum/maximum values.

• Visibility Parameters are used to assignmultiple definitions to one block. LookupParameters might be used to assign mul-tiple sizes of a specific block. A simpleright-click allows the user to change fromone size to another.

ActionsActions drive the geometry in specificways. Use Stretch to change the length of a bolt.

Note: An exclamation point will display to

indicate any parameters with no assigned action.

Finish by closing the block editor andtrying out your new dynamic block!

D y n a m i c B l o c k s



P r o d u c t i vi t yT i p s

Productivity TipsQuickcalc: a handy calculator!Derived from the Geometric C alculatorcommand (CAL), you can:

• Perform a full range of calculations.

• Convert from one system of unitsto another.

• Use the Scientific panel for moreadvanced functions.

• Pass values back and forth to aCommand or the Properties Palette.

• Set Variables for use across AutoCADdrawings and sessions.

• Access quickly by keying in QC orCtrl + 8.

Maximize a ViewportWhile in a paper space layout, you canautomatically maximize a layout to workon your model space drawing, using theentire drawing area. Doing so will notmodify the scale factor or change thelayer settings in any way.

1. Select the viewport.

2. Click the Maximize Viewport button onthe status bar.

3. A fter editing, simply hit the MinimizeViewport button.

Note: Double-clicking on a viewport alsomaximizes it.

Draworder Step Savers• No more regenerating your drawing

to see the results of the DRAWORDERcommand.

• If you create a new object based on anexisting one, the DRAWORDER proper-ties are also inherited (including copy,fillet, explode, and so on).

Layer TipsNew layer filter warning

When you have more than 100 namedlayer filters, the new system variableLAYERFILTERALERT warns you and offersto help you delete any unwanted ones witha dialog box.

Layer properties manager

• Right-click on a column heading to

maximize the column.• Click the new Apply button to

immediately apply layer changes.

• Added column for layer description.

• The new Status column displays whethera layer is current, used, or unused.

• Filters are added to control the list of layers that display in the Layer Proper tiesManager.

• The new Filter Tree view displaysexisting filters.

• Xref layers are automatically filtered.

Note: Selecting the “Indicate Layers in use” option could dramatically slow down thedialog box.

Property filtersAs you did with the previous Namedlayer filter dialog box, you have the abilityto filter out any layer property such asvisibility, color, name, and so on.

1. Select the New Property Filter icon.

2. Name the new filter list.

3. Indicate the desired filters.

4. The list provides a preview update

as you assign filters.5. When finished, the new filter appears in

the Filter Tree view for quick access.

Group filters

It’s easy to divide layers into specific layercategories:

1. Select the New Group Filter icon.

2. Name the new filter.

3. Display all layers by clicking on All.

4. Drag and drop the layers you want tobe added to the new filter, or chooseSelect Layers>Add from the shortcut

menu to select objects from thedrawing. AutoCAD adds the objectlayers to the group.

P r o d u c t i v i t y T i p s



C u s t omi z a t i on

CustomizationNow you can customize your AutoCADapplication with the new, friendly CUIcommand. The old menu files (MNU, MNSand MNC) are out—the new XML-basedCUI is in!

Migrate existing menu filesIt’s easy to migrate your existing menu files

to the new CUI format using the Transfertab in the CUI command.

Use the Customize tab to modify pull-down menus, toolbars, keyboard shortcuts,shortcut menus, and input device buttons.This friendly drag-and-drop system makesit easy to personalize AutoCAD to yourindividual needs.

Basic menu syntax; Enter

/ Pause for user input

^C^C Cancel (to make sure you’reat the command prompt)

* Repeats a menu macro

Temporary overridesNow you can override a particular settingwith a specific combination of keys. Forexample, holding down the Shift keydown toggles Orthomode on and off. Veryhandy! Below are just a few examples—youcan use these or set up your own. Thereare even settings for right- and left-handedusers!

Shift+A toggle object snap mode

Shift+E turns on endpoint osnap only

Shift+M turns on midpoint osnap only

Shift+C turns on center osnap only

Shift+Q toggles Object Tracking

Shift+X toggles Polar Mode

Workspaces Now you can store workspaces for thedifferent ways you choose to work. Forexample, you might like your UI for paperspace to be set up differently than modelspace.

Workspaces control the display of toolbars,menus, all tool and command palettes, andthe command line.

FieldsFields are equivalent to “smart text” thatupdates automatically. Use field data forsuch things as dates, sheet numbers, titles,and so on. Fields can work across sheetsets to update all instances.

Inserting fields

Select fields from a list of predefined fields.These fields can be inserted into textobjects, attributes, or table cells.

There are three methods forinserting a field:

1. Select Insert Field in the shortcut menuwhen prompted for text in MTEX T,DTEXT, ATTDEF, and BATTMAN. Someof these commands also have an “insertfield” button.

2. Press Ctrl+F.

3. Execute the Field command (this willplace the field as MTEXT).

Whichever route you take, simply selectthe field you wish to add. The FIELD-DISPLAY system variable toggles thedisplay of a gray background for field text(intended for easy recognition of Fieldtext).

Editing

Easily edit your fields by double-clicking.The appropriate editing command willappear (DDEDIT, EATTEDIT, and the like).

Updating fields

By default, field values automatically up-date when you open, save, plot, eTransmit,or regenerate a drawing. You can suppressthis automatic evaluation by setting theFIELDEVAL system variable. You can alsouse the UPDATEFIELD command tomanually update.

Tip: It’s easy to grab information from exist-ing objects and assign it to fields. Just select

Objects from the Field category in the Field dialog and select one or more objects. Youcan grab any information about the objects for your field (very handy for identifying thearea of a hatch pattern).

C u s t o m i z a t i o n



Ann o t a t i onT r i c k s

Annotation TricksExpress MTEXT• True in-place editing! The text in the

MTEXT dialog will look identical to theresulting text!

• Tabs and indents have been added.Simply click on the ruler bar to set yourdesired tab settings.

• Bullets, numbering and lettering areavailable and will automaticallyrecalculate if something is added orremoved from the list.

• Control paragraph width by sliding theend of the ruler bar.

• Double-click on the end of the ruler barto resize MTEXT box (like Microsoft® Excel).

• Now you can easily add popular symbols(such as cubed and squared) to yourMTEXT (from the shortcut menu).

Display ControlsText background mask

The background mask option makes iteasy to see your text when it sits on top of other objects.

1. Right-click in the MTEXT editor.

2. Select Background Mask.

3. Choose the opaque fill color (may usebackground) and the width around the

text to cover.Note: You may also use Properties to add abackground mask to MTEXT objects.

Dimension text background mask

Place a background mask on your dimen-sion text in the DIMSTYLEcommand.

1. Text Tab.

2. Set the Fill Color.

New draworder controls for textand dimensions

The new TEXTTOFRONT system variable

allows you to bring all your text or dimen-sions to the front of all the other objects.

Dimension ImprovementsVarying dimension linetypes

Now you don’t have to explode a dimen-sion to change any of the individualdimension or extension lines to a differentlinetype! (Great for center lines.) Makechanges in DIMSTYLE or Properties.

Dimensioning arc lengths

The new DIMARC command lets youdimension the length of a dimension

(complete with an arc length symbol if desired)!

Fixed length extension lines:

Now you can create dimensionsusing extension lines with a consistentlength, regardless of how far awayfrom the part you select (so theextension lines might not even touch thegeometry).

Jogged dimensions

Dimensioning extremely large arcscan be a problem when the center point isoff the screen; now you can specify a jogangle to properly dimension large curves.

Flipping dimension arrows

The right-click shortcut menu now offersthe option of flipping your dimensionarrow(s). Simply select the dimensionnear the arrow you want to flip and chooseFlip Arrow from the right-click menu.

New initial length symbol

AutoCAD 2006 provides a new symbol toindicate initial length (available from theSymbol list in the MTEX T right-click menu).

A n n o t a t i o n T r i c k s



D W F & B o n u s T i p s

DWF & B on u s T i p s

DWFCreate DWF FilesPublish DWFTM (Design Web FormatTM)files from AutoCAD for electronic viewand markup. You can even publish your 3Dmodels to DWF using the preview com-mand 3DDWFPUBLISH.

Viewing and Marking DWF Files2D and 3D DWF files are easily viewed bythe lightweight Autodesk® DWFTM Viewer.This <2mb viewer can be downloaded freeat www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer. TheAutodesk DWF Viewer has the followingcapabilities:

• Fast viewing of all drawing sheets.

• Zooming via window, extents, or in/out,plus easy panning.

• Ability to restore saved views.

• Ability to turn layers on and off.

• Plotting to scale, with full fidelity, andwith tiling if necessary.

• View and Orbit 3D models.

Autodesk DWF Composer

Autodesk® DWFTM Composer takes theAutodesk DWF Viewer several stepsfurther. With it you can measure distancesand areas, access markup and redliningfunctionality, even create a markup filethat easily overlays the original AutoCADdrawing. Autodesk DWF Composerautomatically maintains a list of markupscreated, as well as comments madethroughout the revision process. Expedit-ing modifications has never been easier!

New to the latest AutodeskDWF Composer:

• You can create your own custom symbolsfor markups.

• Completed markups change to yellow.

• A new SNAPSHOT tool has been addedto easily create DWF from

your display.

Bonus Power TipsHere are a few of my all-time-favorite tips(even if you haven’t upgraded to AutoCAD2006 yet).

Keyboard tips

Ctrl + R

Cycles through all of your viewports (very useful when you have a viewport withinanother viewport).

Ctrl + AUse to quickly select all the objects in your drawing. Also selects all the text in theMTEXT editor.

Ctrl + 0 (Zero)

Cleanscreen toggle to hide all thetoolbars, menus, and tool palettes.

Ctrl + PageUp

To move through your layout tabs.(or Page Down)

Ctrl+Tab

To cycle through all the open drawings.

Arrow Up/Down

To recall past commands (great if you mis- spell something). Also works to display pastvalues when Dynamic Input is on.

Tab

To cycle through possible object snaps.

Shift

Holding down the shift key while selectingobjects removes them from a selection set.

MTEXT Editor

Pick outside the MTEXT editor to quicklyclose it.

Grip tips

• Clear grips quickly without touchingthe keyboard by holding down the rightmouse button.

• Hold down the Shift key to select morethan one hotgrip.

• Use the Shift key to repeat distances andangles while in Grip mode.

Cool system variables

PEDITACCEPT

Turns off the extra prompt in PEDIT thatdisplays when you select a line or an arc.

MAXSORT

Set higher if you find your layers are nolonger in alphabetical order.

MTJIGSTRINGUse to customize the MTEXT sample string(defaults to ABC). Set it to your favoriteSports Team, pet, etc.





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D W F & B o n u s T i p s

Lynn Allen’s Tips & Tricks for Using AutoCAD 2006 Software

Part number: 000000000000115422Suggested Retail Price: U.S. $14.95

Lynn Allen, Cadalyst columnist andAutodesk technical evangelist, speaksto more than 30,000 AutoCAD usersworldwide each year. For the past12 years she has written a monthlycolumn in Cadalyst magazine called“Circles and Lines.” Lynn startedusing AutoCAD software withRelease 1.4—more than 20 yearsago. She has taught at the corporateand collegiate level for 14 years andauthored several books aboutAutoCAD. She is consistently one

of the highest-rated speakers atAutodesk University and is a sought-after public speaker with a uniquecomedic style. Visit Lynn Allen’s blogat www.autodesk.com/lynnallen.

Documents

Autocad 2006 Tips and Tricks Booklet