AutoCAD LT 2015: Commands and Variables

As with every version, Commands and Variables change: AutoCAD LT 2015 is no different. Below is a list of what we discovered to date that we thought would be of interest to you.

LT 2015 New Commands and System Variables:

• GEOMAPIMAGE: Captures a portion of the online map to an object known as a map image, and embeds it in the drawing area.
• GEOMAPIMAGEUPDATE: Reloads map images from the online maps service and optionally resets their resolution for optimal on-screen viewing.
• NEWTAB: Displays a New Tab which allows direct access to files, learning resources, Autodesk 360 and more.
• ONLINEAUTOCAD360: Launches AutoCAD 360 in your default browser.
• PTYPE: Specifies the display style and size of point objects.
• TEXTALIGN: Aligns multiple text objects vertically, horizontally, or obliquely.
• COLORTHEME: Sets the color theme of the ribbon, palettes, and several other interface elements to dark or light.
• COMMANDPREVIEW: Controls whether a preview of the possible outcome of the command is displayed.
• COMPLEXLTPREVIEW: Controls whether a preview of the complex linetype is displayed during interactive operations.
• HIGHLIGHTSMOOTHING: Controls the anti-aliasing effect on object highlighting.
• HPLINETYPE: Controls the display of linetype in a hatch pattern.
• LAYOUTTAB: Controls whether Model and Layout tabs are displayed or not.
• MTEXTAUTOSTACK: Controls autostacking for the MTEXT command.
• MTEXTDETECTSPACE: Controls whether the keyboard spacebar is used to create list items in the MTEXT command.
• NEWTABMODE: Specifies whether clicking the plus sign (+) on the file tab bar displays the New Tab or opens a new drawing.
• OSNAPOVERRIDE: Determines whether the object snap settings in the OSNAP dialog are enforced.
• POINTCLOUDLIGHTING: Controls the way lighting effects are displayed for a point cloud.
• POINTCLOUDLIGHTSOURCE: Determines the light source for point clouds when lighting is turned on.
• POINTCLOUDLOD: Sets the level of density of point display for point clouds.
• POINTCLOUDPOINTSIZE: Controls the size of the points for new point cloud objects.
• POINTCLOUDSHADING: Specifies whether the brightness of the points in the point cloud are diffuse or specular.
• POINTCLOUDVISRETAIN: Controls whether a legacy drawing (created in AutoCAD 2014) retains the on or off status of individual scans (RCS files) and regions referenced by an attached point cloud project (RCP file).
• SORTORDER: Specifies whether the layer list is ordered using a natural sort order or ASCII values.
• STATUSBARSTATE: Indicates whether the status bar is visible or not.
• TEXTALIGNMODE: Stores the alignment option for aligned text.
• TEXTALIGNSPACING: Stores the spacing option for aligned text.
• TEXTALLCAPS: Controls automatic correction for MTEXT and TEXT/DTEXT when CAPS LOCK is active.
• TEXTAUTOCORRECTCAPS: Controls whether or not Caps Lock is automatically turned off for Multiline text and Text.

LT 2015 Updated Commands and System Variables:

• ARCHIVE: Packages the current sheet set files for storage. Removes the capability for creating EXE files due to security concerns. Files can only be packaged into ZIP files. The ability to add a password has also been removed.
• ATTACH: Inserts references to external files such as other drawings, raster images, and underlays. Removes support for legacy PCG and ISD files.
• CLIP: Crops selected objects such as blocks, external references, images, viewports, and underlays to a specified boundary. No longer supports clipping of point clouds. For point clouds, use POINTCLOUDCROP.
• DWGCONVERT: Converts drawing format version for selected drawing files. Removes the capability for creating EXE files due to security concerns. Files can only be packaged into ZIP files. The ability to add a password has also been removed.
• ETRANSMIT: Packages a set of files for Internet transmission.bRemoves the capability for creating EXE files due to security concerns. Files can only be packaged into .ZIP files. The ability to add a password has also been removed.
• GEOGRAPHICLOCATION: Assigns geographic location information to a drawing file. Prompts and the dynamic display behavior when specifying the location of the geographic marker and the north direction have changed.
• GEOREORIENTMARKER: Changes the north direction and position of the geographic marker in model space, without changing its latitude and longitude. Prompts and the dynamic display behavior when specifying the location of the geographic marker and the north direction have changed.
• GRAPHICSCONFIG: Provides access to display performance-related options. Now displays the Graphics Performance dialog box.
• IMAGEADJUST: Controls the brightness, contrast, and fade values of images. Enhanced to apply to map images.
• MTEXT: Creates a multiline text object. Adds subscripting and superscripting features, and Caps Lock detection. Enhances options for creating numbered and bulleted lists and automatic text stacking.   
• OPTIONS: Customizes the program settings. In the System tab, Balloon Notifications, removes the option to display live update notifications. Live updates are now managed by the Autodesk Application Manager.
• OVERKILL: Removes duplicate or overlapping lines, arcs, and polylines. Also, combines partially overlapping or contiguous ones. Can now be used in the Block Editor.
• POINTCLOUDATTACH: Inserts an indexed rcs (single scan) or rcp (multiple scan project) file from Autodesk ReCap in the current drawing. Removes support for legacy PCG and ISD files.
• PURGE: Removes unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing. Adds support for removing orphaned data such as DGN linestyles.
• DIMCONTINUEMODE: Determines whether the dimension style and layer of a continued or baseline dimension is inherited from the dimension that is being continued. Layer of continued dimension is inherited.
• FRAME: Controls the display of frames for all images, map images, underlays, clipped xrefs, and wipeout objects. Enhanced to apply to map images.
• IMAGEFRAME: Controls whether image frames are displayed and plotted.  Enhanced to apply to map images.
• OSOPTIONS: Controls whether objects snaps are suppressed on hatch objects, geometry with negative Z values, or dimension extension lines. End points of dimension extension lines are ignored by default.
• PICKAUTO: Controls automatic windowing for object selection. Adds Lasso (window and crossing) selection, enabled by default.
• POINTCLOUDAUTOUPDATE: Controls whether a legacy point cloud is regenerated automatically after manipulation, panning, zooming, or orbiting. Applies only to legacy (pre-AutoCAD 2015) point cloud objects.
• POINTCLOUDBOUNDARY: Controls whether the point cloud bounding box is displayed. Added an option to display the bounding box only when the point cloud is selected.
• POINTCLOUDCACHESIZE: Specifies amount of memory (in megabytes) that the internal processing engine will use for point clouds. Value can now be changed to an integer expressing a number of megabytes.
• POINTCLOUDCLIPFRAME: Determines whether point cloud clipping boundaries for legacy (PCG, ISD and RCP) point clouds are visible or plotted in the current drawing. Now affects only legacy point clouds.
• POINTCLOUDDENSITY: Controls the percentage of points displayed for all legacy point clouds in the drawing view. Applies only to legacy (pre-AutoCAD 2015) point cloud objects.
• POINTCLOUDPOINTMAX: Sets the maximum number of points that can be displayed for all point clouds attached to the drawing. Default (and maximum) value now 10 million points. Does not affect legacy (pre-AutoCAD 2015) point clouds.
• POINTCLOUDRTDENSITY: Improves performance by degrading the number of points displayed while zooming, panning, or orbiting. Applies only to legacy (pre-AutoCAD 2015) point cloud objects.
• PREVIEWFILTER: Excludes specified object types from selection previewing. Default value changed from 7 to 3.
• SELECTIONPREVIEWLIMIT: Limits the number of objects that can display preview highlighting during a window or crossing selection. Default value changed from 2000 to 20000.
• STARTUP: Controls what displays when the application is started, or when a new drawing is opened. Updated to support the New Tab design (option 3).
• STATUSBAR: Controls the display of the status bar. The application and drawing status bars are merged.

LT 2015 Removed Commands:

• DASHBOARDSTATE: Determines whether the Dashboard window is active.
• PREVIEWEFFECT: Specifies the visual effect used for previewing selection of objects.
• RIBBONCONTEXTSELECT: Controls how ribbon contextual tabs are displayed when you single- or double-click an object.

LT 2015 Replaced Commands:

• DDEDIT: Edits single-line text, dimension text, attribute definitions, and feature control frames. Replaced by TEXTEDIT.
• DDPTYPE: Specifies the display mode and size of point objects. Replaced by PTYPE.
• DDVPOINT: Sets the 3D viewing direction. Replaced by VPOINT.
• ONLINECOLNOW: Starts an online session with AutoCAD WS, in which people that you invite can simultaneously view and edit your current drawing. Replaced by ONLINEAUTOCAD360, which opens AutoCAD360. 

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AutoCAD LT 2015: Commands and Variables

AutoCAD LT 2015: we Lasso the new features

Autodesk announces the release of the newest AutoCAD LT version today, the 2015 version: they continue what they started in the 2013 and 2014 versions, adding a host of customer driven additions, tweaks, and even some performance enhancements. True, there are no ground-shaking new features being introduced, but based solely on my time with this version to date I have to note that I've been smiling to myself the whole time I've been using it.

User Interface: Dark Scheme Option.
Suffer from Eye-strain? This new option should help: Autodesk introduces the new Dark Scheme for the entire user interface. If you stare at a 25"-27"-30" monitor(s) all day long using AutoCAD, this is going to feel very comfortable. Check out these screenshots.

Don't like it? Can't stand anything new? No fear, you can go back to the 'white' Light Scheme from 2014 and earlier.

New Tab
If you start AutoCAD LT 2015 before you open any drawings, or click on a new drawing tab at the top of the drawing window, you will notice two new startup Tabs:  CREATE to create new and open existing drawings and LEARN, to tap Help and other resources online to learn and understand the product.

HELP is helpful
You have HELP up and you are reading about a command: where do you start looking for it? In AutoCAD LT 2015, where available, simply click on the find tool on the command description page to display an animated arrow in the UI showing the exact location of the command. Check it out.

Classic Workspace: Gone.
AutoCAD LT 2015 is not provided with the old Classic Workspace OOTB (Out Of The Box): if you want it, you will have to create it yourself (most the parts are still in the CUI command) if you cannot transfer it's parts from an older AutoCAD LT version.

Preview Galleries
If you are an active Ribbon user, AutoCAD LT 2015 now offers you previews of blocks in your file when you select the Insert Button. Preview Galleries are also available for the Dimensions, Mleaders, Dimension Styles, Text Styles and Tables and Table Cells.

View Tab
Autodesk cleaned up the Ribbon's View Tab.

Layouts
In AutoCAD LT 2015, you can quickly add a new layout by clicking on the + sign available where your Layout Tabs hang out. Losing track of your Layouts in a file? Now you can quickly display them all too.

Oh, and have you always wanted to change that gray background that hovers all around your "page" in a Layout? AutoCAD LT 2015 now lets you do just that.

Line Smoothing
New variable in AutoCAD LT 2015 enables you to turn on anti-aliasing of drawings in viewports (with 2D wireframe) to make 2D objects look smoother. This is a display-only feature, printing is not affected.

Visual Feedback
AutoCAD LT 2015 offers more visual feedback than previous versions. For example: when you Move an object, the original location of the object is displayed as a faded outline while it moves. Same with Copy, Rotate and more.

Even more complex objects hold their shape when you using any of the same 'modify' tools.

AutoCAD LT 2015 also introduces Badges: little informative icons that appear adjacent objects that are being modified with Move, Copy, Erase, Rotate, List, Area, Scale and Zoom commands.

Lasso Selection
I'm sure you wondered why I used that word in the title of this blog post: In AutoCAD LT 2015 you can click and drag in the drawing window to create a lasso completely free-form selection method around only the objects you want in a very busy drawing area. You can of course turn that feature off if it is too powerful for your daily needs.

Command Preview
You can now preview the results of Trim, Extend, Fillet, Chamfer, Offset, Break and MatchProp commands before actually selecting the objects. Simply hover over the objects to see what you are about to change before doing so.

Model Space Viewports
Do you use them? AutoCAD LT 2015 enhances them and offers more flexibility with their use. Once created, a bright blue boundary clearly identifies the active viewport you are in. You can easily resize any of the viewports by dragging the horizontal or vertical boundaries.

SORTORDER Variable
Layer lists display using natural ordered sorting in AutoCAD LT 2015: so instead of the layer names being sorted as 1, 10, 2, 25, 21, 4, 6 etc. they now are displayed as 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 21, 25 and so on. Dislike this idea? Set this variable to 0 (that's a zero) and the old method is restored.

Quick Isometric Drafting
A new tool on the status bar in AutoCAD LT 2015 provides you with one-click access to set an isometric drafting environment. Turn it on by selecting one of the options from that flyout menu. Turn it off by simply clicking on the icon you previously selected.

MTEXT Enhanced
The Mtext Editor background is transparent (you can see all the objects behind it) if your AutoCAD LT 2015 is using hardware acceleration.

Column Resizing is more intuitive: resize columns height and width by passing the cursor over the bottom or right edges of the text editor then click and resize.

If you turn on Allow Auto Bullets and Numbering in the Mtext Editor Ribbon tab, then when you begin a line with a symbol or with a number or a letter followed by one of these characters and a space or tab, AutoCAD LT 2015 automatically creates a bullet or numbered list: ".", ",", ")", ">", "}" or "]". Pressing backspace immediately after pressing the space or tab key removed automatic bullets and numbering.

The Mtext Editor recognizes the Caps Lock key (assuming you don't type in all caps and have auto-caps turned on in Mtext): AutoCAD LT 2015 automatically turns off the Caps Lock and fixes the first letter that you typed if you pressed the Shift Key then released it. For example: instead of fAVROTES it is corrected to read Favorites.

Autostack in Mtext is easier: enter numbers with a forward slash, like 1/20, and AutoCAD LT 2015 automatically treats it as a fraction and changes it. An icon appears next to it: tap that icon and access all the relevant controls for that stacked fraction (including the option to un-stack it).

tooltips have been added to the tab tool and markers in the Mtext editor to make it easier to create and edit paragraph tabs. A new Modify button in the Paragraph dialog box offers easier editing of existing tabs.

The Mtext Editor now have a Match Properties tool: in fact, it's available for use in Dimsneions and Tables too.

Need to add Subscript or Superscript in your Mtext? Now there are buttons on the Ribbon to create them.

TEXTALIGN command
This new command is used to quickly align single and multi-text and attributes to other text objects or to user-selected points.

Dimensions
These get a small but important fix: in Options command's Drafting Tab, under Object Snap Options, you can set AutoCAD LT 2015 to ignore existing dimension extension lines from being inadvertently snapped to while attempting to pick nearby objects.

Polylines
AutoCAD LT 2015 can now fillet polyline arc segments. You can also press the CTRL key while creating a polyline arc to draw it in the opposite direction.

Geographic Location
If this is an important tool for your work, you cans till use the tool to enter latitude and longitude for the location if you are not logged into Autodesk 360. A new Use Maps button is added at the center of the display in case you need to change.

Design Feed
This new palette provides a way of adding message and images to a drawing, which you can then share with colleagues, project team members, clients and consultants online through Autodesk 360. The Design Feed posts are available in your drawing whether you access them on the desktop, on the web, or a mobile device.
As an alternative to storing drawing files in your Autodesk 360 account, AutoCAD LT 2015 enables you to store your files locally on your PC or company server for use with the Design Feed. You control access to your drawing files with your Server's Permissions settings.

CUI and Customization
You can now use Portable Network Graphics (PNG) files for Ribbon and Toolbar Button images in addition to the old BMP file format.

LT Network Licensing
It was there and now it was gone: Look what we found on the download page of our AutoCAD LT Subscription log-in last week (now pulled and no longer available as an option):

Note: Desktop Subscription seats are tied to the user, not a geographic location. Buy in the U.S. and use it anywhere in the world.  And if you are on subscription you can pick up extra licenses for only US$360/Year each.

OVERKILL command now works in Block Editor.

PURGE command now removes orphaned data such as DGN linestyles.

Application Manager
Get the latest updates for all your Autodesk products with this newly added Windows Desktop Tool that is installed with AutoCAD LT 2015 (unless you spot it and stop it from doing so). No more hunting through Autodesk's website to find them. Note: after about a day this tool's first action is to install it's own update. Remember to change it's behavior to suit your preferences.

Watch this video HERE (if it's still up) for a quick look at the new AutoCAD/LT 2015.

AutoCAD LT 2015 is supported in Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 only, in 32-bit (for very casual users on slow/old hardware) and in 64-bit (recommended for everyone else).

We have more information about this new version of AutoCAD LT in a future blog entry: New Commands and Variable, Renamed or Modified Commands and Variables, as well as Discontinued Commands and Variables. ◦

AutoCAD LT 2015: we Lasso the new features

AutoCAD LT2014 Updated Commands/Variables

The following commands have been updated in LT2014 as follow:

• ARC: Adds the ability to create arcs in a clockwise direction by holding down the Ctrl key as you drag.
• CHAMFER: Now chamfers the first and last segments of an open polyline to create a closed object.
• CONVERTPSTYLES: Now retains spaces in the names of converted plot styles.
• DIMBASELINE: By default, the baseline dimension now inherits the style of the dimension that is being continued. This setting is affected by DIMCONTINUEMODE.
• DIMCONTINUE: By default, the continued dimension now inherits the style of the dimension that is being continued. This setting is affected by DIMCONTINUEMODE.
• EXTERNALREFERENCES: Adds the ability to convert xrefs between overlays and attachments. Also adds the ability to change a path to be absolute.
• FILLET: Now fillets the first and last segments of an open polyline to create a closed object.
• HATCH: Adds Undo to command prompts.
• LAYER: Now uses natural language sorting for the layer list, so that numerals are sorted in order of their values. Also adds the ability to merge selected layers by using the shortcut menu in the Layer Manager
• MTEXT: Annotation scale in the Select Annotation Scale dialog box is set only with a drop-down list (no direct entry).
• NEWSHEETSET: The Creation Date (CreateDate) field in a new sheet now reflects the drawing creation date, not the template creation date.
• PROPERTIES: Xref-dependent linetypes are no longer displayed in the Preferences window.
• TEXT: Adds Left to the Justification prompt options. Retains the last used justification during the session.
• -XREF: Adds Pathtype prompt.

Updated system variables in LT2014:

• ATTDIA: Default value changed from 0 (off) to 1 (on).
• LATITUDE: Now linked to the Latitude setting in the Geographic Location dialog box.
• LONGITUDE: Now linked to the Latitude setting in the Geographic Location dialog box.
• NORTHDIRECTION, which pecifies the angle between the Y axis of WCS and the grid north is now also available in AutoCAD LT.
• ONLINESYNCTIME: Default value changed from 5 to 300 minutes.
• SNAPGRIDLEGACY, which controls whether the cursor snaps to the snap grid only when an operation is in progress, is now also available in AutoCAD LT.

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AutoCAD LT2014 Updated Commands/Variables

AutoCAD LT2014 Obsolete Commands/Variables

The following commands are now obsolete in LT2014:

• AUTOCOMPLETE: Replaced by INPUTSEARCHOPTIONS.
• ONLINEUPLOAD: Replaced by ONLINEOPENFOLDER. In addition, the automatic upload process has been revised. It is now turned on or off for all drawings in the Options dialog box, Autodesk 360 tab.
• OPENONMOBILE, which sent a notification to your mobile devices for opening the current drawing: Notification is now handled by email.

Obsolete System Variables:

• AUTOCOMPLETEDELAY: Replaced by INPUTSEARCHDELAY
• AUTOCOMPLETEMODE: Replaced by INPUTSEARCHOPTIONS
• ONLINEDOCUMENTS, which Stores whether you can open and save drawing files directly to your Autodesk 360 account, has been removed.

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AutoCAD LT2014 Obsolete Commands/Variables

AutoCAD LT2014 New Commands/Variables

Below is a list of new Commands that have been added to LT2014:

• DESIGNFEEDCLOSE: Closes the Design Feed palette.
• DESIGNFEEDOPEN: Opens the Design Feed palette.
• FILETAB: Displays the File tabs at the top of the drawing area.
• FILETABCLOSE: Hides the File tabs at the top of the drawing area.
• GEOLOCATEME: Displays or hides an indicator that shows your current position.
• GEOMAP: Displays a map from an online maps service, in the current viewport.
• GEOMARKLATLONG: Places a position marker at a location defined by a latitude and longitude.
• GEOMARKME: Places a position marker in model space at the spot corresponding to your current position.
• GEOMARKPOINT: Places a position marker at a specified point in model space.
• GEOMARKPOSITION: Places a position marker at a location you specify.
• GEOREMOVE: Removes all geographic location information from the drawing file.
• GEOREORIENTMARKER: Modifies the orientation and position of the geographic marker without changing its latitude and longitude properties.
• INSERTSEARCHOPTIONS: Controls settings for working with AutoComplete and AutoCorrect suggestions on the command line.
• ONLINEOPENFOLDER: Opens your local Autodesk 360 folder in Windows Explorer.

New system variables added to LT2014:

• CGEOCS: Stores the name of the GIS coordinate system assigned to the drawing file.
• CLAYOUT: Sets the current layout.
• DESIGNFEEDSTATE: Indicates whether the Design Feed palette is open or closed.
• DIMCONTINUEMODE: Determines whether the style of a continued dimension is based on the dimension that is being continued or on the current dimension style.
• FILETABPREVIEW: Controls the type of preview, list view or thumbnail view, when you hover over a file tab.
• FILETABSTATE: Indicates the display status of the file tabs at the top of the drawing area.
• FILETABTHUMBHOVER: Specifies whether the corresponding model or layout loads in the drawing window when you hover over a file tab thumbnail.
• GEOMARKPOSITIONSIZE: Specifies the scale factor to use for point objects and multiline text objects when creating position markers.
• HPPICKMODE: Sets whether the default method for identifying what to hatch is to select a point or to select an object.
• INPUTSEARCHDELAY: Sets the number of milliseconds to delay before the command line suggestion list is displayed.
• TOUCHMODE: For those using a touch-enabled screen or interface, controls the display of the Touch panel on the ribbon.
• TEXTJUSTIFY: Displays the default justification used by the TEXT command to create single-line text.

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AutoCAD LT2014 New Commands/Variables

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• Tool Palettes and Object Snaps http://bit.ly/LOn1M5
• Slow startup in AutoCAD/LT with the Ribbon? RIBBONBGLOAD command controls whether the Ribbon tabs are loaded into memory at start-up.
• DWG file redrawing and regenerating extremely slowly? Set VIEWRES command to use 200 to 500 (per drawing variable).
• LT2012: VIEWGO command restores a named view defined in VIEW command http://dld.bz/as8BF
• LTisACAD Blog: AutoCAD/LT and Touchscreens http://dlvr.it/1lPPFb
• UOSNAP command determines whether object snapping is active for geometry in attached DWF, DWFx, PDF, and DGN underlays http://dld.bz/as8B5
• UNDOMARKS command stores the number of marks placed in the UNDO control stream by the Mark option http://dld.bz/as8B4
• LT2012: UPLOADFILES uploads selected files to AutoCAD WS http://dld.bz/as8Bt
• Install the AutoCAD LT Offline Help to your computer or to a local network location http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/i …
• LT2012: UPLOAD command uploads the current drawing to AutoCAD WS and controls whether to automatically upload changes http://dld.bz/as8Bh

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• UPDATEFIELD command manually updates fields in selected objects in the drawing http://dld.bz/as8AW
• UNISOLATEOBJECTS command displays previously hidden objects http://dld.bz/as8AR
• UNGROUP command disassociates the objects from a group http://dld.bz/as8AE
• DIMANGULAR command video tips http://www.nyacad.com/FReeStuffFiles …
• Explore VIEW command and saved views in AutoCAD/LT http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/named-views/al …
• Put A Spell On Your Text Print http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/edit-text/put- …
• ULAYERS commnd controls the display of layers in a DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN underlay http://dld.bz/as8An
• Layers and Old-Timers http://www.cadtutor.net/corner/2012/ju …
• TRACKING (Command Modifier) locates a point from a series of temporary points http://dld.bz/as8Ae
• TEMPOVERRIDES command turns temporary override keys on and off http://dld.bz/as89U

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• TEXTFILL command controls the filling of TrueType fonts while plotting http://dld.bz/as89N
• TABLETOOLBAR commands controls the display of the Table toolbar http://dld.bz/as89D
• TABLEINDICATOR controls the display of row numbers and column letters when the In-Place Text Editor is open for editing a table cell.
• User's Guide: Trim or Extend Objects http://dld.bz/as89p
• TRANSPARENCY controls whether background pixels in an image are transparent or opaque http://dld.bz/as89g
• TPNAVIGATE command displays a specified tool palette or palette group http://dld.bz/as88g
• TINSERT command inserts a block in a table cell http://dld.bz/as88b
• LT2012: TIMELINE provides access to previous versions of the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing http://dld.bz/as87X
• TEXTTOFRONT brings text and dimensions in front of all other objects in the drawing http://dld.bz/as87F
• TASKBAR controls whether multiple open drawings are displayed separately or grouped on the Windows taskbar http://dld.bz/as87A .

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

AutoCAD Tips that work in LT: Part 11

Below are posts from fellow AutoCAD users with tips that are of equal use to LT users. Explore each link and start being more productive tomorrow.

• Lynn Allen Updated my blog on kicking up the IQ of your ?#AutoCAD? Dimensions http://lynn.blogs.com  Don't end up with Dimension Envy!
• R.K. McSwain "@" is useful here on Twitter, but it's also useful in ?#AutoCAD?. Use "@" when prompted for a point to specify the LAST point.
• Jeff Bartels AutoCAD Tip: The center object snap can be used to find the "center" of a referenced image.
• Jeff Bartels AutoCAD Tip: RT-Click a referenced DWG in the XREF Mgr. & use "Path" option to change path type.
• Vladimir Michl New CAD tip: How to create a custom color book (ACB palette) in AutoCAD? http://bit.ly/Lhv581
• Vladimir Michl New CAD tip: Text formatting codes in MText objects. http://bit.ly/Ma4nR3
• Good LT tip “@VMichl: New CAD tip: Setting scale for documentation views in AutoCAD. http://bit.ly/KsaWNp ”
• Lynn_Allen: Move along open ?#AutoCAD? drawings at lightning speed! http://bit.ly/K9Tb6w  (my latest @Cadalyst_Mag video)
• bcbenton Autodesk Updates the Update ReadMe http://ow.ly/1jZdj1
• bcbenton: AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Service Pack 2 Released: If you are running AutoCAD 2012 or… http://goo.gl/fb/ABzlP

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE http://twitter.com/#!/LTisACAD.

Do you use @pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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AutoCAD Tips that work in LT: Part 11

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• STATUSBAR controls the display of the application and drawing status bars http://dld.bz/as872
• STARTUP controls what displays when the application is started, or when a new drawing is opened http://dld.bz/as873 .
• LTisACAD Blog: AutoCAD Abilities You Can Control in LT http://dlvr.it/1dC6Zr
• STATUSBAR controls the display of the application and drawing status bars http://dld.bz/as872
• SHOWPAGESETUPFORNEWLAYOUTS specifies whether the Page Setup Manager is displayed when a new layout is created http://dld.bz/as87m
• SHOWLAYERUSAGE displays icons in the Layer Properties Manager to indicate whether layers are in use http://dld.bz/as87h
• SETBYLAYERMODE controls which properties are selected for the SETBYLAYER command http://dld.bz/as87g
• Selection Modes control how you create selection sets http://dld.bz/as87d

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

Commands for Creating Leaders

Use these commands to create leaders for notes and labels.

Commands

• LEADER Creates a line that connects annotation to a feature. Explore this link to the Leader Settings Dialog Box.

• MLEADERALIGN Aligns and spaces selected multileader objects.
• MLEADERCOLLECT Organizes selected multileaders that contain blocks into rows or columns, and displays the result with a single leader.
• MLEADEREDIT Adds leader lines to, or removes leader lines from, a multileader object.
• MLEADERSTYLE Creates and modifies multileader styles.
• MLEADER Creates a multileader object.
• PROPERTIES Controls properties of existing objects.
• QLEADER Creates a leader and leader annotation.

System Variables

• CMDDIA Controls the display of the In-Place Text Editor for the LEADER and QLEADER commands.
• CMLEADERSTYLE Sets the name of the current multileader style.
• DIMASSOC Controls the associativity of dimension objects and whether dimensions are exploded.
• DIMASZ Controls the size of dimension line and leader line arrowheads. Also controls the size of hook lines.
• DIMCLRD Assigns colors to dimension lines, arrowheads, and dimension leader lines.
• DIMGAP Sets the distance around the dimension text when the dimension line breaks to accommodate dimension text.
• DIMLDRBLK Specifies the arrow type for leaders.
• DIMSCALE Sets the overall scale factor applied to dimensioning variables that specify sizes, distances, or offsets.
• DIMTAD Controls the vertical position of text in relation to the dimension line.
• DIMTXTDIRECTION Specifies the reading direction of the dimension text.
• MLEADERSCALE Sets the overall scale factor applied to multileader objects.

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Commands for Creating Leaders

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• SELECTSIMILARMODE controls which properties must match for an object of the same type to be selected with SELECTSIMILAR http://dld.bz/as87c
• SELECTIONANNODISPLAY controls whether alternate scale representations are temp displayed in a dimmed state when annotative object selected.
• SUBTRACT command combines selected regions by subtraction http://dld.bz/as869
• SKETCH creates a series of freehand line segments http://dld.bz/as86w
• SETBYLAYER changes the property overrides of selected objects to ByLayer http://dld.bz/as855
• SELECTSIMILAR adds similar objects to the selection set based on selected objects http://dld.bz/as85m
• SCALETEXT enlarges or reduces selected text objects without changing their locations http://dld.bz/as844

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

Commands for Publishing Settings

Use these commands and system variables to set options for publishing.

Commands

• EXPORT Saves the objects in a drawing to a different file format.
• PAGESETUP Controls the page layout, plotting device, paper size, and other settings for each new layout.
• PLOTTERMANAGER Displays the Plotter Manager, where you can add or edit a plotter configuration.

• PLOT Plots a drawing to a plotter, printer, or file.
• PUBLISH Publishes drawings to DWF, DWFx, and PDF files, or to printers or plotters. Note that -PUBLISH command is not available in LT.
• SHEETSET Opens the Sheet Set Manager.
• VIEWPLOTDETAILS Displays information about completed plot and publish jobs.

System Variables

• BACKGROUNDPLOT Controls whether background plotting is turned on or off for plotting and publishing. Recommend this always be tuned off/set to 0.
• PUBLISHALLSHEETS Specifies whether to load the contents of the active document or of all open documents in the Publish dialog box.
• PUBLISHCOLLATE Controls whether plotting a sheet set, multi-sheet plot file, or plot spool file can be interrupted by other plot jobs.

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Commands for Publishing Settings

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• RIBBONSELECTMODE command in more detail: http://dld.bz/as83T
• RIBBONSELECTMODE determines whether pickfirst selection set remains selected after ribbon contextual tab is invoked and command is completed
• RIBBONCONTEXTSELLIM limits the number of objects that can be changed at one time with the ribbon property controls http://dld.bz/as83B
• RIBBONCONTEXTSELECT controls how ribbon contextual tabs are displayed when you single- or double-click an object http://dld.bz/as839
• REMEMBERFOLDERS controls the default path displayed in standard file selection dialog boxes http://dld.bz/as834
• RECOVERYMODE controls whether drawing recovery information is recorded after a system failure http://dld.bz/as83z
• REVERSE reverses the vertices of selected lines, polylines, splines, and helixes, which is useful for linetypes with included text and more.
• RECOVERAUTO controls the display of recovery notifications before or after opening a damaged drawing file http://dld.bz/as82F

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited

Commands for Text Styles and Fields

Use these commands and system variables to use fields and styles in text notes and labels.

Commands

• FIELD Creates a multiline text object with a field that can be updated automatically as the field value changes.
• PROPERTIES Controls properties of existing objects.
• STYLE Creates, modifies, or specifies text styles.
• TEXT Creates a single-line text object.
• UPDATEFIELD Manually updates fields in selected objects in the drawing.

System Variables

• CTABLESTYLE Sets the name of the current table style.
• FIELDDISPLAY Controls whether fields are displayed with a gray background.
• FIELDEVAL Controls how fields are updated.
• FONTMAP Specifies the font mapping file to be used for substituting fonts.
• TEXTSTYLE Sets the name of the current text style.

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Commands for Text Styles and Fields

Commands for Layers

These commands and system variables are used to work with Layers in AutoCAD LT:

Commands

• -LAYMCH Changes the layer of a selected object to match the layer of a selected object.
• -PURGE Removes unused named objects, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing using the command line.
• CHANGE Changes the properties of existing objects.
• CHPROP Changes the properties of an object.
• CLASSICLAYER Opens the legacy Layer Properties Manager.
• COPYTOLAYER Copies one or more objects to another layer.
• LAYCUR Changes the layer property of selected objects to the current layer.
• LAYDEL Deletes all objects on a layer and purges the layer.
• LAYERCLOSE Closes the Layer Properties Manager.
• LAYERPMODE Turns on and off the tracking of changes made to layer settings.
• LAYERP Undoes the last change or set of changes made to layer settings.
• LAYERSTATE Saves, restores, and manages sets of layer settings that are called named layer states.
• LAYER Manages layers and layer properties.
• LAYFRZ Freezes the layer of selected objects.
• LAYISO Hides or locks all layers except those of the selected objects.
• LAYMCH nges the layer of a selected object to match the destination layer.
• LAYMCUR Sets the current layer to that of a selected object.
• LAYMRG Opens the Merge Layers dialog box, where you can merge selected layers into a target layer, removing the previous layers from the drawing.
• LAYOFF Turns off the layer of a selected object.
• LAYON Turns on all layers in the drawing.
• LAYTHW Thaws all layers in the drawing.
• LAYULK Unlocks the layer of a selected object.
• LAYUNISO Restores all layers that were hidden or locked with the LAYISO command.
• LAYVPI Freezes selected layers in all layout viewports except the current viewport.
• LAYWALK Displays objects on selected layers and hides objects on all other layers.
• PROPERTIES Controls properties of existing objects, including Layers.
• PURGE Removes unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing.
• RENAME Changes the names assigned to items such as layers and dimension styles.
• ULAYERS Controls the display of layers in a DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN underlay.

System Variables

• CLAYER Sets the current layer.
• LAYEREVALCTL Controls the Unreconciled New Layer filter list in the Layer Properties Manager, which is evaluated for new layers.
• LAYEREVAL Specifies whether the layer list is evaluated for new layers when added to the drawing or to attached xrefs.
• LAYERFILTERALERT Deletes excess layer filters to improve performance.
• LAYERMANAGERSTATE Indicates whether the Layer Properties Manager is open or closed.
• LAYERNOTIFY Specifies when an alert displays when unreconciled new layers are found.
• LAYLOCKFADECTL Controls the amount of fading for objects on locked layers.
• SETBYLAYERMODE Controls which properties are selected for the SETBYLAYER command.
• SHOWLAYERUSAGE Displays icons in the Layer Properties Manager to indicate whether layers are in use.
• VPLAYEROVERRIDESMODE Controls whether layer property overrides for layout viewports are displayed and plotted.
• VPLAYEROVERRIDES Indicates if there are any layers with viewport (VP) property overrides for the current layout viewport.

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Commands for Layers

Commands for Linetypes

These commands and system variables are used to work with Linetypes in AutoCAD LT:

Commands

• -PURGE Removes unused named objects, such as unused linetypes, from the drawing using the command line.
• LINETYPE Loads, sets, and modifies linetypes.
• LTSCALE Sets the global linetype scale factor.
• PURGE Removes unused items, such as block definitions and layersand linetypes, from the drawing.
• RENAME Changes the names assigned to items such as linetypes and more.
• REVERSE Reverses the vertices of selected lines, polylines, splines, and helixes, which is useful for linetypes with included text, or wide polylines with differing beginning and ending widths.
• SETBYLAYER Changes the property overrides of selected objects to ByLayer.

System Variables

• CELTSCALE Sets the current object linetype scaling factor.
• CELTYPE Sets the linetype of new objects.
• LTSCALE Sets the global linetype scale factor.
• MEASUREINIT Controls whether a drawing you start from scratch uses imperial or metric default settings.
• MEASUREMENT Controls whether the current drawing uses imperial or metric hatch pattern and linetype files.
• MSLTSCALE Scales linetypes displayed on the model tab by the annotation scale.
• PLINEGEN Controls how linetype patterns generate around the vertices of a 2D polyline.
• PSLTSCALE Controls the linetype scaling of objects displayed in paper space viewports.

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Commands for Linetypes

Commands for Tables

These commands and system variables are used to work with Tables in AutoCAD LT:

Commands

• -TABLE Creates an empty table object.
• FIELD Creates a multiline text object with a field that can be updated automatically as the field value changes.
• TABLEDIT Edits text in a table cell.
• TABLEEXPORT Exports data from a table object in CSV file format.
• TABLESTYLE Creates, modifies, or specifies table styles.
• TABLE Creates an empty table object.
• TINSERT Inserts a block in a table cell.
• UPDATEFIELD Manually updates fields in selected objects in the drawing.

System Variables

• CTABLESTYLE Sets the name of the current table style.
• FIELDDISPLAY Controls whether fields are displayed with a gray background.
• TABLEINDICATOR Controls the display of row numbers and column letters when the In-Place Text Editor is open for editing a table cell.
• TABLETOOLBAR Controls the display of the Table toolbar.

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Commands for Tables

Commands for Lineweights

These commands and system variables are used to work with Lineweights in AutoCAD LT:

Commands

• LWEIGHT Sets the current lineweight, lineweight display options, and lineweight units.
• SETBYLAYER Changes the property overrides of selected objects to ByLayer.

System Variables

• CELWEIGHT Sets the lineweight of new objects.
• LWDEFAULT Sets the value for the default lineweight.
• LWDISPLAY Controls whether the lineweights of objects are displayed.
• LWUNITS Controls whether lineweight units are displayed in inches or in millimeters.

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Commands for Lineweights

Twitter Posts Revisited

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• PLOTTRANSPARENCYOVERRIDE command controls whether object transparency is plotted http://dld.bz/as8w4
• PLOTROTMODE command controls the orientation of plots http://dld.bz/as8wb
• PLOTOFFSET controls whether the plot offset is relative to the printable area or to the edge of the paper http://dld.bz/as8vU
• PLINEWID command stores the default polyline width http://dld.bz/as8v4
• PELLIPSE command controls the ellipse type created with ELLIPSE http://dld.bz/as8v3
• PEDITACCEPT suppresses display of the Object Selected Is Not a Polyline prompt in PEDIT http://dld.bz/as8vy
• PDMODE command controls how point objects are displayed: try a setting of 3 http://dld.bz/as8vw
• PAPERUPDATE command in more details http://dld.bz/as8ve
• PAPERUPDATE controls display of warning dialog box when attempting to print a layout with a paper size different from paper size specified.
• PALETTEOPAQUE command controls whether palettes can be made transparent (but can cripple weak computer systems) http://dld.bz/as8uE

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
Do you use Pinterest? We pin our favorite AutoCAD/LT news/tips/reviews/Op-Ed webpages to share with all of you at http://pinterest.com/pendeaninc/pins/

 

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Twitter Posts Revisited