LT2011 New (and older forgotten) Commands: Part 4

Here is the fourth of a series of blog entries on commands (click here for Part1, Part2, and Part3), variables, and other AutoCAD/LT abilities that are either new or just not often used, presented in a list format with a brief description of each. Each command listed in hyperlinked to LT2011's online help file for you to explore and increase your abilities wtihin the program. Note: these commands also apply to any AutoCAD 2011 variant and most may be found in earlier versions.

Drafting variables:

• SKETCHINC: Sets the record increment for the SKETCH command.
• SKTOLERANCE: Determines how closely the spline fits to the freehand sketch.
• BLOCKEDITLOCK: Disallows opening of the Block Editor and editing of dynamic block definitions.
• MIRRHATCH: Controls how MIRROR reflects hatch patterns.
• MIRRTEXT: Controls how the MIRROR command reflects text.
• MTEXTCOLUMN: Sets the default column setting for a multiline text (mtext) object.
• MTEXTFIXED: Sets the display size and orientation of multiline text in a specified text editor.
• MYDOCUMENTSPREFIX: Stores the full path to the My Documents folder for the user currently logged on.
• TABLEINDICATOR: Controls the display of row numbers and column letters when the In-Place Text Editor is open for editing a table cell.

Current Object Settings:

• CLAYER: Sets the current layer. Ideal for macro writers wanting to be on the correct layer.
• CELTSCALE: Sets the current object linetype scaling factor. A setting of 1 is my recommendation.
• CECOLOR: Sets the color of new objects. Recommendation: BYLAYER.
• CELTYPE: Sets the linetype of new objects. Recommendation: BYLAYER.
• CELWEIGHT: Sets the lineweight of new objects. Recommendation: -1 (BYLAYER).
• CETRANSPARENCY: Sets the transparency level for new objects. Recommendation: BYLAYER.
• CPLOTSTYLE: Controls the current plot style for new objects. Recommendation: BYLAYER.
• CTABLESTYLE: Sets the name of the current table style.
• ELEVATION: Stores the current elevation of new objects relative to the current UCS. Recommenation: 0 (zero) for 2D drafting needs.
• PICKFIRST: Controls whether you select objects before (noun-verb selection) or after you issue a command.
• PICKADD: Controls whether subsequent selections replace the current selection set or add to it.
• PICKDRAG: Controls the method of drawing a selection window.
• PICKAUTO: Controls automatic windowing at the Select Objects prompt.
• PICKSTYLE: Controls the use of group selection and associative hatch selection.

Part 5 of the series coming up next will expand into additional system/display/usage variable categories that affect the display and behavior in the AutoCAD window. ◦

LT2011 New (and older forgotten) Commands: Part 4