Between the Lines

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Webcast Videos

Recently Volker and Shawn of Autodesk Support have been holding free AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT webinars. They have posted the recordings of their recent webinars for everyone to benefit from. Introduction to DesignCenter (part 1 of 2) Introduction to DesignCenter (part 2 of 2) Building Blocks: Creating your own reusable content (part 1 of 2) Building Blocks: Creating your own reusable content (part 2 of 2) Precision Drafting: Object Snaps and Object Tracking They plan to have more very soon... Read more →

Change AutoCAD Layout Background Color to Black

So you want you AutoCAD Layout to be black just like you model space background for whatever reason or preference you have? Simple to do and here is how to do it. I this video Autodesk Screencast you can see the command steps I use in real-time and hear my voice instead of just looking at images and and text explanation. The post I wrote back in 2007 & 2010 on this topic is one of the top ten read... Read more →

AutoCAD Shortcuts Guide

Need a fast way to enter a command, want to save keystrokes, and time? Here is the perfect resource for you. http://www.autodesk.com/store/autocad/autocad-shortcuts Read more →

AutoCAD Deployment Tutorial

Do you need to learn how to install; or deploy AutoCAD easily onto computers? Don't go installing one by one on multiple machines wasting your time and others, do it fast and easily whether standalone or network licensed use the deployment feature. Read more →

Disable Cursor Badges in AutoCAD 2015

In AutoCAD 2015 a new User Interface element named Cursor Badges was added. Cursor badges showed a graphical tip next to the cursor on what you were doing. While many appreciated the graphical tip, some users preferred to not have the cursor badges displayed. We have acted on the feedback and added the ability to disable cursor badges in the recently released AutoCAD 2015 SP1 and AutoCAD LT 2015 SP1. http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/Can-cursor-badges-be-turned-off-in-AutoCAD-2015 Read more →

AutoCAD Quick Tip - Rotate Objects

In AutoCAD there are in most cases multiple methods to do something but this one is a super simple way to rotate an object. You could use the ROTATE command, select the object then in the properties palette change the rotation, or use the grips and right-click menu which is the fastest and no need to touch the keyboard at all. Select the object Right-click to bring up the right-click menu and select Rotate. Now set your base point and... Read more →

Working with AutoCAD Xrefs and Autodesk Vault

This video tip comes recommended by Autodesk's Kevin Robinson and produced by training company Ascent. Some AutoCAD users get confused on how to properly work with AutoCAD XREFs and Autodesk Vault, but this video will help clear this confusion up. http://youtu.be/rstxXwn1NKg Cheers, Shaan Read more →

Autodesk University 2013 Classes Online

Learn some new Autodesk product skills for free in this new year from some of the very best speakers and class content anywhere. If you attended Autodesk University 2013 but were unable to attend all the classes you wanted to or were unable to attend AU at all, this is your opportunity to enjoy the classes. There is also other great content like Innovation Forums and the keynotes available to watch on demand. The AU2013 classes are now available online:... Read more →

Drag & Drop Directories in AutoCAD for Mac 2014

It has always been a pleasure to publish a guest post from someone in the Autodesk community. It helps the guest author get more visibility among peers as well as shares some valuable knowledge with the readers of this Between the Lines blog, a win – win for everyone. This guest post is by Jim LaPier - blog www.macncad.com. Jim has been an AutoCAD and AutoCAD for Mac expert with his job using AutoCAD and supporting it. In AutoCAD 2014, a new tab bar was added to the drawing interface. This tab system allows for simple and quick drawing switching and also added the convenience of opening the parent folder of the current AutoCAD for Mac 2014 - Open File Locationdrawing. This may seam like a simple addition but it is one I’ve welcomed with open arms. At one point I even added a lisp routine to my AutoCAD setup that allowed me to accomplish this, so I was quite happy that by simply right-clicking on the tab, you can choose “Open File Location” and an explorer window will open at the files location. Why so happy you might ask? Most firms I’ve worked for use a fairly expansive series of folders to manage their projects. When I’m working in a drawing I often need to look at other files pertaining to the dwg file. pdf’s, images of the site, Excel bill of materials, etc. An option like this makes it so much easier than opening Explorer and navigating from Read more →

Happy Halloween - AutoCAD and Civil 3D Trick or Treats

I received both Tricks and Treats for AutoCAD and Civil 3D after posting for readers to send Autodesk product tips and tricks as Tricks and Treats. There are 8 tricks for AutoCAD based products and 3 treats for Civil 3D for you to try. For the 6 people submitting these tricks and treats I will send them something fun. If they are attending Autodesk University 2013, I will give it to them there and of course buy them a beverage of their choice as a small token of thanks for participating and sharing in the fun. Enjoy the Tricks and Treats! Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - Turn the ViewCube Off for New Drawings

So you mostly work in mostly 2D in AutoCAD, and you are asking "How can I set AutoCAD so that the 3D ViewCube is off when I start a new drawing"? Even in 2D drawing the ViewCube can be helpful in orienting the drawing, but if you really want to disable the ViewCube when you start a new drawing, read further for the solution. When you start a new drawing, AutoCAD uses a template (DWT). To change the ViewCube setting for new drawings, you only need to edit your template(s). Word of warning it is always a good thing to make a backup of existing files before overwriting them, just in case. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - AutoCAPs Option in AutoCAD Can Help You NOT YELL IN EMAIL

IN AUTOCAD WE USE MOSTLY ALL CAPS (UPPERCASE) FOR TEXT FOR READABILITY AND NOT THAT WE ARE YELLING OR SHOUTING IN TEXT. WE SIMPLY FORGET TO CHANGE OUR KEYBOARD CAPLOCK. "Shaan, please stop yelling in uppercase text in email..." Oh sorry about that. See that is the problem that I will show you how to prevent. Sometimes when you exit AutoCAD you still have the CAPS lock on and then go to your email or instant messaging and appear to be shouting, when you are not. Uppercase text typically in email is considered the equivalent of shouting or yelling. You might think that people would notice their uppercase still on, but after hours of working in AutoCAD I think you are honestly text case blind or in a trance. So, how do I turn on Uppercase text in AutoCAD? I want to type in all caps in AutoCAD only. There is an "AutoCAPS" option in the Ribbon Text Editor, in the Tools panel. Start the text command or double click some text to edit, and expand the Tools panel to expose the AutoCAPS option. adskbhsverall Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - Reset Text of Manually Overridden Dimensions

Is there a way to tell just by looking at the dimension when "Dimension Override" is used in AutoCAD? Yes there is! Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - UCS Command Default

If you use an AutoCAD based product for 3D work you will have to consider using the UCS to change views to work on the model. A common question from AutoCAD users when using the UCS is: ”Is there a method to have the UCS command always default to either TOP or WORLD regardless of what view is selected from VIEW TAB?” Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - Disable or Delay AutoComplete

I type too fast and the AutoCAD AutoComplete gets messed up. AutoCAD’s AutoComplete feature controls whether and how the program fills in the rest of the command or system variable name at the Command prompt. The solution is not to slow down your typing or drink less green tea or coffee, but this tip on disabling the AutoComplete or setting the delay time below should help. Read more →

AutoCAD Layer Translator Saves Time Converting Files to CAD Standard Layers

I get asked this frequently and was just asked again which caused me to think, “hey I should blog this.” I received a set of DWG files from a client and want to clean up the layers to my CAD standards, how do I do it and not take days or having to write code? The solution is actually quite simple, and powerful. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip: Command Line is Missing - How to Get It Back

If you have used AutoCAD you have most likely accidently done something like this since AutoCAD enabled the ability to turn off the Command Line aka Command Window. The Autodesk product teams receive several emails from the Autodesk Product Feedback Form. Your feedback goes to the products teams and they read them. In many cases team members respond if there is enough detail and time permitting but they can’t respond to every feedback submission, but do try to help when they can. This solution was by AutoCAD Test Development’s Cliff Young. Read more →

Place your DWG File on a Diet

I received an email from blog reader Steve Roberts with a suggested tip topic on how to reduce the size and clean up DWG drawing files using four AutoCAD commands. I wrote a quick blog post in the topic. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip - Create a Seamless Wood Grain Hatch

SUPERHATCH is a former AutoCAD Express Tool that is now included in the core AutoCAD product. You can create a hatch pattern from most anything without having to learn how to write a hatch pattern definition file. This AutoCAD tutorial is by Autodesk’s own Cliff Young of the AutoCAD Test Development Team. If any readers have a tutorial on an Autodesk product they want to be posted to this blog and read by thousands of readers please email me. Read more →

AutoCAD 2014 & Revit 2014 Free Book Titles Released

Longtime AutoCAD, Revit and Architecture veteran, writer, trainer, consultant, photographer,and friend David Cohn sent me a note that he has released some iBooks on AutoCAD 2014 for those of you with Apple devices. These iBooks are multimedia rich with text, images, and video. There are also Point Cloud and Revit Architecture 2014 titles available free in the iBook store by CADLearning™ by 4D Technologies. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip: How Can I Restore the "Classic" AutoCAD Interface, with Menus and Toolbars?

So you like to have AutoCAD look and feel like previous classic release. This is one of the powerful traits of AutoCAD and that is it can be customized seven ways from Sunday. Read more →

AutoCAD 2014 Tips & Tricks Book by Lynn Allen

If you want to get the latest tips and tricks for the current AutoCAD 2014 then Lynn Allen's Tips and Tricks booklet is the prescription the Doctor ordered. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip: How Do I Get the Old Array Version Back

So you like the way the old pre AutoCAD 2012 Array command worked with the dialog. Even though there is more functionality in the new ARRAY version you don’t want to deal with the learning curve or change your ways. I understand as I still type DDARRAY as old habits are hard to break. No problem here is the solution to get the Classic ARRAY back. Read more →

AutoCAD Tip: My Delete Key, Double Click & Layer Control are Not Working

This has to be one of the most common of all AutoCAD questions and issues encountered by AutoCAD users. They become puzzled when this system variable is set to 0 by accident, errant Lisp or script or perhaps evil coworkers messing with them. The most common clue is their Delete key and double click and Layer control are not working. Read more →

AutoCAD Stacked and Baseline Dimensions

The Autodesk product teams receive several emails from the Autodesk Product Feedback Form. The Product Feedback form is the one that I had mentioned in the a recent post: Send Your Feedback or BBQ Recipe to an Autodesk Product Team. Your feedback goes to the products teams and they read them. In many cases team members respond if there is enough detail and time permitting as they can’t respond to every feedback submission and are not product support but do try to help. The AutoCAD QA Team wanted to address a couple of the common feedback form reported issues they have received in a few blog posts. This post on Stacked and Baseline Dimensions is by AutoCAD Test Development extraordinaire Chris Miller. How do I create Stacked Dimensions? Read more →