Tweets this week

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter.

• Need to breathe life into an older computer to use with AutoCAD/LT? Install Windows 7: http://bit.ly/fBmiAW
• TEXTTOFRONT command brings text, or dimensions, or both of them in front of all other objects in the drawing: http://bit.ly/dUNCny
• RT: One of the best things about #AutoCADWS 1.2 - http://autode.sk/hlPANM
• HATCHEDIT command abilities: Add and Remove Boundaries, Change Type, DrawOrder, Layer, Color, Transparency, Hatch origin and more. TMI
• HATCHEDIT command: use to separate hatch objects. Start the command, select one of the hatches, then check the Separate Hatches box.
• HPSEPARATE variable controls whether your consecutively drawn hatches are treated as one hatch object, or as separate hatch objects.
• At the "Select Objects" prompt, type F (for Fence): it draws a continuous multi-click selection "pline", anything it crosses is selected.

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 SMS by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. ◦

Tweets this week

How to remove AutoCAD/LT from your system

You have experienced installation problems with Autodesk software products after a failed installation or uninstallation of other Autodesk products. In these cases, it is strongly recommended that you completely remove all Autodesk products from the system and then attempt to reinstall them on the cleaned system.

You have a few options. Autodesk provides the following advice:

• How to remove all Autodesk software products from a system to ensure a clean install HERE.
• You are using an AutoCAD® product and you want to know if you should install the latest Service Pack or Update. You also want to know how the Service Pack or Update should be applied. Click HERE.
• Error on startup or AutoCAD is not installed properly? Please reinstall? Try this solution posted HERE.

A 3rd party tool is sometimes easier to use than trying to follow complicated and long instructions as posted above. For clean uninstalls and removal of unwanted or troublesome software I have used versions of the following software for quite some time and have had very good success:

• Remove any unwanted program and all traces (as well as Windows Registry entries) easily with the freeware Revo Uninstaller. Buy the Pro version if you need more add-in features. There is even a Portable version that requires no installation at all (use it from a thumb-drive).
• CCLeaner is another freeware that is very good at optimizing Windows and is one of the few Windows Registry cleaners that does not harm AutoCAD/LT's installation if you need to use that ability.

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How to remove AutoCAD/LT from your system

Tweets this week

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter.

• Free tutorials and webcasts that can help you improve your skills and take full advantage of AutoCAD LT CAD software: http://j.mp/gMnu3x  
• Cut/Paste into MTEXT bring unwanted formatting? Instead of CTRL+V, right-click, select Paste Special, then pick one of three Paste options.
• LTisACAD Blog: AutoCAD/LT Temporary Override Keys http://dlvr.it/GryJ8
• Turn on POLAR TRACKING (F10 key) and set it to 15 instead of using ORTHO (F8 key): think of it as Ortho+extra http://j.mp/f3Bp0r
• Migrating Toolbars to the Ribbon? Start CUI command, right-click over a Toolbar and turn it into a Panel then place it on a Ribbon Tab.
• QVLAYOUT command is the quickest way to preview all of those many Layouts you have in a single DWG file: http://j.mp/emk4qO
• Upgrade from LT2008 before March 15, 2011 and save more than buying direct from Autodesk: http://j.mp/dFNCZt
• Are you using LT2008? Discounted upgrade pricing, 50% off MSRP, expires March 15th. Yes, next month http://j.mp/gpIDVR

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 SMS by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. ◦

Tweets this week

AutoCAD/LT Temporary Override Keys

Temporary Override Keys are used to temporarily turn on or off running drafting settings: these are keyboard buttons or button combinations you can use while in a command to trigger another action. They are called temporary because they stop once you release the keyobard buttons that trigger them.
For example, while in a command holding down the Shift key toggles the current setting of Ortho mode (turn it on if it is off, turn it off if it is running). Another Example: while panning, hold SHIFT to constrain pan to horizontal and vertical movements (works in modelspace and inside viewports).

The following is a list of temporary override keys built into AutoCAD/LT by default and available to everyone:

SHIFT Toggles ORTHOMODE

SHIFT+’  Toggles OSNAP
SHIFT+,  Object Snap Override: Center
SHIFT+.  Toggles Polar Tracking
SHIFT+/  Toggles UCSDETECT (not in LT)
SHIFT+;  Enables Object Snap Enforcement
SHIFT+]  Toggles Object Snap Tracking

SHIFT+A  Toggles OSNAP
SHIFT+C  Object Snap Override: Center
SHIFT+D  Disable All Snapping and Tracking
SHIFT+E  Object Snap Override: Endpoint
SHIFT+L  Disable All Snapping and Tracking
SHIFT+M Object Snap Override: Midpoint
SHIFT+P  Object Snap Override: Endpoint
SHIFT+Q  Toggles Object Snap Tracking
SHIFT+S  Enables Object Snap Enforcement
SHIFT+V  Object Snap Override: Midpoint
SHIFT+X  Toggles Polar Tracking
SHIFT+Z  Toggles UCSDETECT (not in LT)

You can also use the stock F-keys while in most running commands:
F3  Toggles OSNAP
F6  Toggles UCSDETECT (not in LT)
F8  Toggles ORTHOMODE
F9  Toggles SNAPMODE
F10 Toggles Polar Tracking
F11 Toggles Object Snap Tracking
F12 Toggles Dynamic Input

To create a temporary override key : explore HERE.
To modify an existing temporary override key: tap this HELP document for details. ◦

AutoCAD/LT Temporary Override Keys

Tweets this week

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter.

• Lose your LT installation disk? Order product documentation and replacement software here: http://autodeskdocandmedia.com/
• LTisACAD Blog: AutoCAD/LT Shortcut Keys http://dlvr.it/GKcrr
• PICKSTYLE variable controls the use of group selection and associative hatch selection. Explored in the video here http://j.mp/ebvjbb
• Use TINSERT command to place blocks within TABLE cells in your drawing file. Shortcut: select a cell, right-click and click Insert Block.
• HATCHTOBACK selects all hatches in the drawing (plus solid fills and gradient fills) and sets their draw order behind all other objects.
• Use QSELECT to select all text items; open PROPERTIES and change the rotation of the text to one direction. No more head twisting to read.

We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to end users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via SMS by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. ◦

Tweets this week