- FIELDS: you can add, modify and replace fields. What is a field? A field is text that contains instructions to display data that you expect to change during the life cycle of the drawing.
When a field is updated, the latest data is displayed. For example, the value of the FileName field is the name of the file. If the file name changes, the new file name is displayed when the field is updated.
Fields can be inserted in any kind of text (except tolerances), including text in table cells, attributes, and attribute definitions. When any text command is active, Insert Field is available on the shortcut menu.
Some sheet set fields can be inserted as placeholders. For example, you can insert SheetNumberAndTitle as a placeholder. Later, when the layout is added to a sheet set, the placeholder field displays the correct sheet number and title.
Block placeholder fields can be used in block attribute definitions while you’re working in the Block Editor.
Look for a future expanded discussion on Fields on this blog. - LT users can edit Xref Clippings in their files: changing boundaries and locations mostly.
- IMAGEATTACH is finally an ability in LT: you can now attach a Raster Image, like an Xref, instead of the old copy/paste method that bulked up your DWG file.
- Zoom and Pan commands have been enhanced, or screen cluttered, with a new feature called Steering Wheel: a pop-up at your cursor that allows the user to navigate around the drawing. Also has a 'rewind' feature to step back through what you panned or zoomed.
- Non-Rectangular Viewports: LT users can now create these. Just don't expect a panacea, they are still somewhat troublesome like they've always been in full AutoCAD.
- Full Color Book support: you are no longer limited to 256 colors in LT. Color away (just remember to deselect your default plot style table if it is set up to only plot black).
- Of course, they changed the look and feel of the interface: you can go 'back' to the classic look, but you lose some of the many cool features. New icons and button images to learn, if you customize as we do, you might spend a little time 'dolling' up your existing icons selections.
- Right-click Use has been expanded even more than previous: the new rule in LT2009 is, if you can't find it or want to do more, right-click. More features and hidden options appear this way more than anywhere else.
- Drawing/document and Layout Preview: now you can truly look at your file(s) content, instead of a snapshot of a last save that many not be true. And with a right-click, you can turn a Layout into it's own separate DWG file.
- Action Recorder: command customization for the masses is being kept out of LT, about the only users that really need it. Shame.
- Tooltips are no longer one word cryptic descriptions: well, they can be, but you have the option to get a full description of a tool or command just by hovering your mouse over it. Force your delicate 'NEWB' to read Help in a way.
- MLeader imprrovements, Layer command and viewport features and abilities are enhanced. ALso explore the major changes to the Status Bar at the bottom of the LT2009 screen, allows for easier selections without going through many pop-ups.
- PROPERTIES command has a little brother now, Quick Properties, covers just the common basics we all use all the time.
- Miscellaneous additions like Google Earth maps, good Array command previews, and a new format of dwf called DWFx, aimed at Microsoft Vista OS users: you can now send any Vista user a DWFx file and they do NOT have to install any new software to read it. A possible PDF killer in the next couple of years as Vista gains market share and WindowsXP dies away.
Read all about it in more detail HERE.
LT2010 details to follow.
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