Tweets this week: pop-ups and more

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover customizing access to command pop-ups:

• Open the UCS manager command in the tab you want: use +UCSMAN (note the + in the name) then the tab number, 0 thru 2
• VPORTS command allows you to quickly create multiple predefined viewports in model space OR paper space. Customize? explore -VPORTS command.
• Customize AutoCAD/LT: Always open options command in the tab you want. Use +OPTIONS (note the + in the name) then the tab number, 0 thru 7
• Watch the Recording “@autocad: Get your AutoCAD LT questions and bring them to Facecast, Wed. July 13 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time http://t.co/mZ0XTLw”
• LTisACAD Blog: Did you know...? http://dlvr.it/b1K8k
• EXPORTLAYOUT command creates a new DWG modelspace file from your current paperspace layout: http://ow.ly/1uxr9B
• Customize? +SAVEAS command (note the + in the name) lets you specify the file format; the OTHER option lets you specify the version number.

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. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week

 

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Tweets this week: pop-ups and more

Did you know...?

• DIMANGULAR command can create angular dimensions larger than 180 degrees by manually selecting the Specify Vertex sub-option (select the intersection, then opposite ends of each of the two angle-lines).
• ALIGN command: Move, Rotate, and Scale Your Object at once, instead of using move, rotate, and scale separately.
• FILLET and CHAMFER commands can be used to join Plines and Lines (and other Plines) together into a single Pline.
• LAYMRG command can also be used to delete Layers without losing any content: Merge with Layer 0 when prompted.
• HYPERLINK command provides a simple and powerful way to quickly associate a variety of documents (such as other drawings, bills of materials, project schedules, a saved-view in the file or another file, access an external file, create an Email message, start a new drawing and more) with a drawing. It can also be used to only add pop-up information to an object without a 'link'.
• Yes, you can access the Ribbon through keyboard shortcuts too: explore HERE.
• More Selection options: QSELECT command Creates a selection set based on filtering criteria.  FILTER command Creates a list of requirements that an object must meet to be included in a selection set. SELECTSIMILAR command Adds similar objects to the selection set based on selected objects.
• Two ways to convert splines to polylines:
  - Run the WMFOUT command, enter a filename, then select the splines. Now erase the spline, and then run the WMFIN command. Use the upper left corner of the viewport as the insertion point, and then scale it 2X. The resulting entity is a POLYLINE.
  - If you save a drawing as R12 DXF format, all splines will be converted to POLYLINE entities.
• TRIM command can be used on more than just Lines and Plines: trim around text objects, trim hatches back to a cutting plane, trim between Hatch-lines, trim an associative Dimension, and trim using a block's entities as cutting planes without exploding the block.
• Match Properties options:
  MATCHPROP command Applies the properties of a selected object to other objects (using MATCHPROP on viewports transfers their visiblity, on/off, locking, and scale). Control what gets matched by using the Settings option for the command.
  LAYMCH command Changes the layer of a selected object to match the destination layer.
• OSOPTIONS command controls whether Osnaps ignore or snap to Hatches.
• PROPERTIES and QUICKPROPERTIES commands can be used to Filter selections into object types.
• Create a Drawing with X,Y Coordinates from Microsoft Excel: tip HERE.
• DIMROTATED command Creates a rotated linear dimension: when you need your dimension string to be at a fixed angle instead of the limitation of DIMALIGNED command.
• ADCENTER command can be used to copy the following between drawing files (or from your template files): Dimension Styles, Layers, Layouts, Linetypes, Multi-Leader Styles, Table Styles and Text Styles.
• Do you have a folder full of blocks, and want them in a Tool Palette? Use ADCENTER command, browse to that folder, right-click and select CREAT TOOL PALETTE.
• Need a list of ALL the AutoCAD variables? Just type SETVAR [enter] then type ? [enter]. Enter once again to see the whole list.
• Transparent commands enable you to make changes or get information without exiting the current command. These are: ABOUT, ADCENTER, ADCLOSE, APERTURE, ATTDISP, BASE, CAL, COLOR, DIMSTYLE, DIST, DRAGMODE, ELEV, FILL, FILTER, GRAPHSCR, GRID, HELP, ID, LAYER, LIMITS, LINETYPE, LWEIGHT, MATCHPROP, OBJECTSCALE, OSNAP, PAN, QTEXT, REDRAW, REDRAWALL, SCALELISTEDIT, SCRIPT, SETVAR, SNAP, SPELL, STYLE, UNITS, and ZOOM. Just add an ' in front of the name if you type it, or click on the appropriate menu or Ribbon icon.

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Did you know...?

Tweets this week: Export, Suggest, and Hide

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover Export options in LT, Helping Autodesk expand LT's abilities, and a free DWG viewer for iPhone/iPod:

• Up & Ready Installation and Startup Help from Autodesk (free for new purchased installation): http://ow.ly/1urRlN
• ReTweet AutoCAD Our next Facecast will be hosted by @Autodesk 's @katemorrical on July 13. Bring your questions about AutoCAD LT to http://autode.sk/r9umCz
• EXPORT to more than just PDF with AutoCAD/LT: http://ow.ly/1uqeeZ
• ReTweet AutoCAD-WS Want to know the best way to upload your files to #AutoCADWS? - http://autode.sk/qkhIH0
• TurboViewer App: 2D and 3D DWG (Autodesk AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT) and DXF viewing is available 4 free 4 iPhone-iPad: http://ow.ly/1uoOch
• Did you Hide Objects from our last tweet and need them back? use "End object isolation" from the "Isolate" section in the right-click menu.
• Other objects in the way? Choose "Isolate Objects" or "Hide Objects" from the "Isolate" section from the right-click menu to help.
• LTisACAD Blog: Do you need to send DWG files? http://dlvr.it/Z7z3Q
• Are the different annotative scales of your objects in different locations in your file? Need them back to one location? ANNORESET command.
• The AUGI wish list forum is the "Traditional" place to submit your ideas and vote on them: http://www.augi.com/community/autocad/autocad-wishlist/
• Suggestions so far for improving AutoCAD/LT: http://ow.ly/1ujFxF Add yours and be heard by Autodesk.
• Got Ideas for improving AutoCAD/LT? Submit and vote for ideas to improve your experience: http://ow.ly/1ujF5f (does not work with IE9?)

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. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week

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Tweets this week: Export, Suggest, and Hide

Do you need to send DWG files?

In a recent Blog Post HERE, we offered tips and methods of sharing DWG files with others: clients, customers, vendors and contractors among others. But is sending a DWG file necessary?  AutoCAD/LT offeres many commands that create other formats from DWG files (see Export Options), and many recipients may prefer these over a DWG file.

The most common file exchange format in the world is PDF: it's universal, everyone has a free reader installed, and it's easy to view and print. If that's all the functionality your recipient needs, it's the perfect format for them. And you can create the PDF file by using the commands PLOT, PUBLISH, EXPORT or EXPORTPDF from inside AutoCAD/LT.
What if your recipient needs to markup your PDF or add comments? Most PCs are not equipped with such apps, and while a few free PDF Tools exist, they are very basic and do not have many features.

Created by Autodesk, another exchange format has existed for a while and gaining in popularity: DWF (and the Vista/Windows7 friendly DWFx). With the free Autodesk Design Review software, your recipient can not only view your files, but they can add comments, measure distances, and draw over your DWF file to communicate their changes. They can send the file back to you, you can the reference the file and the makups in AutoCAD/LT and edit your file accordingly. If they don't need markup, send DWFx files instead and any Windows Vista or Windows 7 user can view your file with no additional software to install.
Not sure what Windows version they have? All the recipient needs is an internet connection and a link to the Autodesk FREEWHEEL website to open, view and print any DWF file you send.
Or you can upgrade, for free, to the newly announced PROJECT QUICKSHARE: it ts the power in your hands to quickly share design files from anywhere at any time for free. Explore DWF files in real-time using a highly interactive online viewer: View 2D and 3D Design Files Online - Navigate multi-sheet documents, examine properties, hide layers, or review Mark-Up.

What if you need to maintain control of the markups and who accesses the files? And a history of the various comments made by others? AutoCADWS, and internet online secure viewing and reviewing from Autodesk is one solution that works. Pick up a free account HERE, start upload your files from inside AutoCAD/LT 2012 (if you are in a lower AutoCAD version you can do the same from any web browser), invite your clients/consultants, collaborate and markup live and together on the file(s), and save them in the DWG files for access back in AutoCAD/LT. The best thing about AutoCADWS is you  and your recipients do not need to be Windows users: any OS with Web Access, even a smart Phone with the free AutoCAD WS app for iPad, iPhone or Droid phone/Tablet. Explore more desktop customizations HERE.

Sharing files is easier than ever: communicate with your recipient and ask what they prefer to receive and accommodate them the best you can with these free tools. ◦

Do you need to send DWG files?

Tweets this week: Trial, macro tip, and links

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover Object Properties controls, new commands tips and customization help.

• All of our Twitter Posts can be found on our blog site here: http://ow.ly/1ttEXS Explore additional AutoCAD/LT topics http://ow.ly/1ugADt
• LT2012 feature: VPLAYER and LAYER commands can freeze specific layers in all viewports except the current viewport you are in.
• F2 keyboard key toggles the AutoCAD Text Window on/off: you can also use TEXTSCR and GRAPHSCR commands to do the same in custom macros.
• LTisACAD Blog: How do you share DWG files? http://dlvr.it/YGl7L
• ReTweet ASimoes76 AutoCAD LT 2012: Online Trial Is Available, CAD Notes (Blog) http://bit.ly/ln1xzQ
• Control new to-be-drawn object properties w/ the variables CELTSCALE, CLAYER, CECOLOR, CELTYPE, CELWEIGHT, CETRANSPARENCY, and CPLOTSTYLE.
• Using FROM while in a command is very useful when you need to draw/place an object a distance FROM an existing point. http://ow.ly/1u838L

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. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

 

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week

 

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Tweets this week: Trial, macro tip, and links