Wednesday, April 27, 2011

AutoCAD/LT Hatch, commands and variables

There is more to HATCH command than most users are familiar with: this list is here to explore commands, options and settings well outside the single pop-up.

New in AutoCAD/LT2011 and later is a feature that launches a new portion of the screen RIBBON, instead of the traditional pop-up, when you start the HATCH command. On some PCs this is quite taxing to the video card. Below are two command to explore and turn off if your system is having a hard time with the newer versions of AutoCAD/LT:
  • HPDLGMODE variable controls the display of the Hatch and Gradient dialog box and the Hatch Edit dialog box.
  • HPQUICKPREVIEW variable controls whether to display a preview when specifying internal points for a hatch.
Want to avoid having your running Object Snaps selecting hatch points?
  • OSOPTIONS variable automatically suppresses object snaps on hatch objects.
The following Commands allow you to manage and edit hatches outside the dialog pop-up box:
  • HATCHEDIT command Modifies an existing hatch or fill.
  • HATCHGENERATEBOUNDARY command creates a non-associated polyline around a selected hatch.
  • HATCHSETBOUNDARY command redefines a selected hatch or fill to conform to a different closed boundary.
  • HPBOUND variable controls the object type created by HATCH and BOUNDARY commands.
  • HPBOUNDRETAIN variable controls whether boundary objects are created for new hatches and fills.
Active Hatch Display variables and settings you can use with your customizations, or personal preferences, without invoking the HATCH command:
  • HPCOLOR variable sets a default color for new hatches.
  • HPLAYER variable specifies a default layer for new hatches and fills.
  • HPBACKGROUNDCOLOR variable controls the background color for hatch patterns.
  • HATCHTOBACK command sets the draw order for all hatches in the drawing to be behind all other objects.
  • HPDRAWORDER variable controls the draw order of hatches and fills.
Hatch command has many Variables associated with it, explore this list and experiment:
  • HPANG variable sets the angle for new hatch patterns.
  • HPDOUBLE variable specifies hatch pattern doubling for user-defined patterns.
  • HPSPACE variable sets the hatch pattern line spacing for user-defined patterns.
  • HPSCALE variable sets the hatch pattern scale factor.
  • HPANNOTATIVE variable controls whether a new hatch pattern is annotative.
  • HPASSOC variable controls whether hatches and fills are associative.
  • HPGAPTOL variable treats a set of objects that almost enclose an area as a closed hatch boundary.
  • HPINHERIT variable controls the hatch origin of the resulting hatch when using Inherit Properties in HATCH and HATCHEDIT commands.
  • HPMAXLINES variable sets the maximum number of hatch lines that are generated in a hatch operation.
  • HPNAME variable sets the default hatch pattern name.
  • HPOBJWARNING variable sets the number of hatch boundary objects that can be selected before displaying a warning message.
  • HPORIGIN variable sets the hatch origin point for new hatch patterns relative to the current user coordinate system.
  • HPORIGINMODE variable controls how the default hatch origin point is determined.
  • HPSEPARATE variable controls whether a single hatch object or separate hatch objects are created when operating on several closed boundaries.
  • HPTRANSPARENCY variable sets the default transparency for new hatches and fills.
  • HPISLANDDETECTION variable controls how islands within the hatch boundary are treated.
  • HPISLANDDETECTIONMODE variable controls whether internal closed boundaries, called islands, are detected.
Note this control for PUBLISH command:
  • PUBLISHHATCH variable Controls whether hatch patterns published to DWF or DWFx format are treated as a single object when they are opened in Autodesk Impression.

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Tweets this week: File Attachments, Conversions, Lynn and CTRL

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover file Attachment options for LT, LT2012's pagesetups tip, and common variables settings.
  • For many, the following settings work: LTSCALE 1 (or less, your preference). MSLTSCALE 1 PSLTSCALE 1 CELTSCALE 1 CANNOSCALE as needed.
  • Hold down CTRL keyboard key and double-click any attribute in a block: now you edit the attribute in-place just like editing Text objects.
  • Not using LT2012? DWGTRUEVIEW app's TRUECONVERT has a REPLACE PAGE SETUPS option: use it to fix/assign a new page setup to DWG layouts.
  • LT2012's DWGCONVERT command has a REPLACE PAGE SETUPS: use it to assign a new page setup to DWG layouts aiming at a missing printer/plotter
  • LTisACAD Blog: Attach Files in AutoCAD/LT http://dlvr.it/P6RBS
  • Going to see @Lynn_Allen in person at the DC CADD event tonight in Dallas. Y'all come down for a spell too!
  • Need to move/copy to a specific point? @x,y is for relative coordinates. #x,y is absolute to the current UCS. *x,y,z is absolute to WCS.
  • Press/hold middle mouse button down then hold the SHIFT key: you will be in the PAN command in a horizontal or vertical constraint mode.
We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD

Get our Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.
 
Catch a listing of all of your twitter postings HERE. http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week
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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Attach Files in AutoCAD/LT

AutoCAD/LT has the ability to attach and handle many formats like Raster Images, PDF files, DWF as well as Microstation DGN files. These are ideal when you need to include logos, technical documents, images, as well as markups from client or peer reviews in PDF or DWF formats.

We have hyperlinked each command for you to explore each in more depth in HELP in AutoCAD.
  • ATTACH: Inserts an external reference, image, or underlay (DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN files) in the current drawing.
  • DGNATTACH command: Insert a DGN file as an underlay into the current drawing.
  • DWFATTACH command: Insert a DWF or DWFx file as an underlay into the current drawing.
  • IMAGEATTACH command: Inserts a reference to a RASTER image file like JPG, PNG, BMP and more.
  • PDFATTACH command: Insert a PDF file as an underlay into the current drawing.
  • XATTACH command: Inserts DWG files as an external reference (xref).
Control the display of layers with these coommands:
  • DGNLAYERS command: Controls the display of layers in a DGN underlay.
  • DWFLAYERS command: Controls the display of layers in a DWF or DWFx underlay.
  • PDFLAYERS command: Controls the display of layers in a PDF underlay.
  • ULAYERS command: Controls the display of layers in a DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN underlay.
 Manage what parts of the attachments are shown by clipping them inside AutoCAD/LT:
  • CLIP command: Crops a selected external reference, image, viewport, or underlay (DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN) to a specified boundary.
  • DGNCLIP command: Crops the display of a selected DGN underlay to a specified boundary.
  • DWFCLIP command: Crops the display of a selected DWF or DWFx underlay to a specified boundary.
  • PDFCLIP command: Crops the display of a selected PDF underlay to a specified boundary.
  • DGNMAPPING command: Allows users to create and edit user-defined DGN mapping setups.
Yes, you can even Object Snap to components in yur attachments:
  • DGNOSNAP variable: Determines whether object snapping is active for geometry in DGN underlays that are attached to the drawing.
  • DWFOSNAP variable: Determines whether object snapping is active for geometry in DWF or DWFx underlays that are attached to the drawing.
  • PDFOSNAP variable: Determines whether object snapping is active for geometry in PDF underlays that are attached to the drawing.
  • UOSNAP variable: Determines whether object snapping is active for geometry in DWF, DWFx, PDF, and DGN underlays that are attached to the drawing.
More tools to adjust the attachment while inside AutoCAD/LT:
  • ADJUST command: Adjusts the fade, contrast and monochrome settings of the selected image or underlay (DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN).
  • DWFADJUST variable: Adjust the fade, contrast, and monochrome settings of a DWF or DWFx underlay.
  • DGNADJUST variable: Adjust the fade, contrast, and monochrome settings of a DGN underlay.
  • PDFADJUST variable: Adjust the fade, contrast, and monochrome settings of a PDF underlay.
Do you want Frames around your attachments?
  • DGNFRAME variable: Determines whether DGN underlay frames are visible or plotted in the current drawing.
  • DWFFRAME variable: Determines whether DWF or DWFx underlay frames are visible or plotted in the current drawing.
  • FRAME variable: Turns the display of frames on and off for all external references, images, and DWF, DWFx, PDF, and DGN underlays.
  • PDFFRAME variable: Determines whether the PDF underlay frame is visible.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Tweets this week: XLine, Bass, and edits

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover the many abilities of XLINE command, text editing and one CEO's interview.
  • An old post that is still worth a read: reassigning F1 key (or any other keyboard F-key) to other commands in LT: http://ow.ly/1sxdNc  
  • Add some extra text in your dims and still keep the actual dimension: use <> when you edit a dimension's text with DDEDIT or PROPERTIES.
  • When you finish editing Mtext, instead of clicking OK button, just click in the background screen area to accept the changes you made.
  • LTisACAD Blog: OTRACK quick tip for AutoCAD/LT http://dlvr.it/NM0CT  
  • CNBC's interview with Carl Bass, Autodesk CEO:
    http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000016054  
  • XLINE command can create Horizontal, Vertical, set Angle construction lines too: watch the command line for HOR, VER and ANG options.
  • Bisect an angle tip. Use XLINE command’s BISECT option: select the intersection point, then the first leg of the angle then the second.
  • XLINE command's Offset feature: http://ow.ly/1ssCkF  Resulting XLINE’s center point is the start point of the Line or PLine you offset from.
  • Restore any Dismissed Pop-ups that you turned off and now need back on by using OPTIONS command>System Tab>Hidden Messages Settings button
We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States.

 
Catch a listing of all of your twitter postings HERE. http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

OTRACK quick tip for AutoCAD/LT

You can draw objects at specific angles or in specific relationship to other objects along specified directions called alignment paths using OTRACK. You can toggle this feature on and off using the F11 keyboard key.
  1. Start by having some running Osnaps turned on, start with INT and END.
  2. Start the command you wish to use (for example, the LINE command).
  3. Hover (do not click) over the first OSNAP point until a little yellow cross appears.
  4. Repeat the Hover (do not click) on your second point, hovering until the yellow cross appears.
  5. Two tracking lines will now appear.
  6. You can click at their intersection to draw a LINE from that point.
  7. Repeat if the LINE command's second point, hover over two separate points until tracking lines appear then click at their intersection.
  8. Experiment with other points using different Osnaps like QUA and INS among others. Also experiment with other commands, like INSERT.

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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Tweets this week, and ReTweets

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover a variety of tips and how-to command features:
  • Considering a change to Apple hardware? What AutoCAD features are not available in AutoCAD for Mac: http://ow.ly/1sqANR
  • SELECTIONANNODISPLAY turns OFF (or ON) all of the ghosting that occurs if you select an annotative object when using Annotation Scaling.
  • ReTweet @AutoCAD_WS: New post with a tip about using the Timeline in #AutoCAD (AND LT) 2012 http://autode.sk/hVp6WH 
  • Set DIMASSOC to 2 and your dimensions will move along with your objects if you snapped to those objects.
  • LT2012 tip: you can now BIND a DGN file.
  • LTisACAD Blog: Draw with Precision Tools in AutoCAD/LT http://dlvr.it/MdN7t
  • @AutoCADLT 5+reasons to get LT2012: SheetSetMgr, Associative Arrays, Copy Array, BLEND, DupDelete and NCopy, NUDGE, Fillet/Chamfer Preview
  • You can copy Layouts between drawings by either using ADCENTER, or right-click over any layout>Template>File Type>DWG>then find the file.
  • Hidden command: DIMROTATED command, instead of DIMALIGNED, when you need your dimension string to align with an object or specific angle.
We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States.

Catch a listing of all of your twitter postings HERE. http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Draw with Precision Tools in AutoCAD/LT

As this detailed excerpt from HELP in LT2011 shows, you can use a variety of precision drawing tools to help you produce accurate drawings quickly and without performing tedious calculations.
Use Coordinates and Coordinate Systems (UCS) :
For precise coordinate input, you can use several coordinate system entry methods. You can also use a movable coordinate system, the user coordinate system (UCS), for convenient coordinate entry and to establish workplanes.

Use Dynamic Input:
Dynamic Input provides a command interface near the cursor to help you keep your focus in the drafting area.
Snap to Locations on Objects (Object Snaps):
Instead of entering coordinates, you can specify points relative to existing objects such as endpoints of lines or center points of circles.
Restrict Cursor Movement:
Several tools are available that you can use to restrict or lock the movement of your cursor.
Combine or Offset Points and Coordinates:
To specify a new point location, you can combine coordinate values from several points or you can specify offsets from existing objects.

Specify Distances:
When specifying a point, you can enter distances, offsets, and measured intervals.

Extract Geometric Information from Objects:
The inquiry and calculation commands can provide information about objects in your drawing and do useful calculations.

Use a Calculator:
You can access a calculator function as you work with the program. You can use either the QuickCalc calculator interface or the Command prompt calculator.
HELP in AutoCAD/LT is full of this type of information and more: explore and pick up tips from inside the program like never before. ◦
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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Tweets this week

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover a quiet news release, and many user tips:
  • LTisACAD Blog: EXPORT from AutoCAD/LT http://dlvr.it/MFNfw
  • Instead of SAVEAS (moves your current file) use WBLOCK command’s ENTIRE DRAWING option: it creates a new file with all the layouts intact
  • AutoCAD's Design Center (ADCENTER command) can be used to Reverse Search for Xrefs, two tips:: http://ow.ly/1siulw and http://ow.ly/1siulv
  • New word according to iPhone's spell checker: coordinarea. What I meant to write was coordinates. Oh well!
  • Use any copy/paste command to copy XREFs from one file to another: PASTEORIG to locate the Xrefs in the same ccordinarea in the new file.
  • MULTIPLE command is often missed for it's power: type it, then type MOVE and start selecting many lines to MOVE non-stop. ESC to end.
  • HATCH command will display small red circles at the location of every gap in your boundary that will prevent the command from completion.
  • A discreet Sunday Morning announcement by @AutoCAD_WS that the Android version will be out soon http://autode.sk/iewFAD  
We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States.
Catch a listing of all of our twitter postings HERE. http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week  


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Saturday, April 2, 2011

EXPORT from AutoCAD/LT

AutoCAD and LT offer many formats to export: these are ideal if you need to share files with other not running AutoCAD, as well as creating formats to import into other programs (when you need to create a Powerpoint presentation, or an MSWord report or Excel spreadsheet for example).

Note that PLOT command offers many, but not all, of the same capabilities as export and offers additional controls such as controls for Layers information, background colors of the output files and more.

The following commands allow you to quickly export your DWG file to other formats to share with others. They can use the predefined pagesetup of your Layout or Model tab for a quick method of plotting (you can also change the settings in the command). The links below expand on the items with practical applications direct from HELP found in LT:
  • EXPORT command: Saves the objects in a drawing to a different file format (images, DGN, DWF, DWFX, and PDF).
  • EXPORTDWF command: Creates a DWF file and allows you to set individual page setup overrides on a sheet by sheet basis.
  • EXPORTDWFX command: Creates a DWFx file where you can set individual page setup overrides on a sheet-by-sheet basis.
  • EXPORTPDF command: Creates a PDF file where you can set individual page setup overrides on a sheet-by-sheet basis.
  • EXPORTSETTINGS command: Adjusts the page setup and drawing selection when exporting to a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file.
The next set of commands export to Raster formats: ideal for importing into other programs that need a 'picture' of your drawing as well as for posting on the web as images. Remember that Raster images are created by drawing dots, so there is no 'zooming in' these types of formats to get a bigger image. Create the size and view you want the first time:
  • JPGOUT command: Saves selected objects to a file in JPEG file format.
  • PNGOUT command: Saves selected objects to a file in a Portable Network Graphics format. We would recommend this format over JPG, even for web use, as it is loss-less and better quality for a smaller file size.
  • BMPOUT command: Saves selected objects to a file in device-independent bitmap format.
  • TIFOUT command: Saves selected objects to a file in TIFF file format. If you need specific TIFF file formats, explore setting up a custom plotter with your desired setting using PLOTTERMANAGER command's Add-A-Plotter wizard to create the custom Raster driver option.
  • RASTERDPI: Controls paper size and plot scaling when changing from dimensional to dimensionless output devices, or vice versa. The default 100dpi may not be ideal, so experiment and see what best works for you. Realize that the larger the DPI number the larger your resulting file will be: test and experiment before your deadline looms.
The two commands below export your AutoCAD file into external DWG AutoCAD files, but allow you to do more than SAVEAS:
  • -EXPORTTOAUTOCAD command: Creates a new DWG file with all AEC objects exploded. This a great tool when sending files to those still in much earlier AutoCAD/LT versions that cannot use or access any of those new entities found in current LT versions like MLeaders. It's also a great command to 'fix' files received from outside sources that don't seem to allow you to edit or handle objects in the file.
  •  EXPORTLAYOUT command: Creates a visual representation of the current layout in the model space of a new drawing. In short, you can only send that One Paperspace Layout in your very complex drawing file. It creates a stand-alone DWG file. Simply amazing.
The following allow you to preselect choices for some of the commands listed above:
  • EXPORTEPLOTFORMAT: Sets the default electronic file output type: PDF, DWF, or DWFx.
  • EXPORTMODELSPACE: Specifies what part of the drawing to export to a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file from Model space
  • EXPORTPAPERSPACE: Specifies what part of the drawing to export to a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file from paper space.
  • EXPORTPAGESETUP: Specifies whether to export to a DWF, DWFx, or PDF file with the current page setup.

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