AutoCAD LT 2013 User's Guide January 2012
© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by Autodesk, Inc., this publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. Certain materials included in this publication are reprinted with the permission of the copyright holder. Trademarks The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.
Contents Chapter 1 Get Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Find the Information You Need . . . . . . . . . . . . Access and Search the Product Help . . . . . . . Learn the Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View the Product Readme . . . . . . . . . . . . Join the Customer Involvement Program . . . . Join the Customer Involvement Program . Get Information from Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . Obtain General Drawing Information . . . . . . Chapter 2 . . . . . . . .
About Keyboard Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . Control the Drawing Area Interface . . . . . . . . . Interface Themes and Background Color . . . . Interface Themes and Background Color . Cursors in the Drawing Area . . . . . . . . . . Selection Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The UCS Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Coordinates Display . . . . . . . . . . . . Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . Control Status, Layers, Properties, and Content . . . The Status Bar . . . . . .
Chapter 4 Control the Drawing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Change Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pan or Zoom a View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Save and Restore Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Control the 3D Projection Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Define a Parallel Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choose Preset 3D Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Define a 3D View with Coordinate Values or Angles .
Include Information with Projects, Groups, Layouts, and Vi e w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publish Layouts and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use Projects in a Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use Projects in a Multiple Operating System Environment . . Chapter 6 . . . . . 92 . 93 . 94 . 96 Create and Modify Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Control the Properties of Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control the User Coordinate System (UCS) . . . . . . . . . 131 Work with Named UCS Definitions and Preset Orientations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Control the Display of the User Coordinate System Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Enter Coordinates to Specify Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Overview of Coordinate Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Enter 2D Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Enter 3D Coordinates . .
Draw Construction and Reference Geometry . . . . . . . . Draw Reference Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Draw Construction Lines (and Rays) . . . . . . . . . Create and Combine Areas (Regions) . . . . . . . . . . . . Create Revision Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select and Modify Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Objects Individually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select Multiple Objects . . . . . . . .
Work with Dynamic Blocks in Drawings . . . . . . . . . . Overview of Dynamic Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work With Action Parameters in Blocks . . . . . . . Work With Constraint Parameters in Blocks . . . . . Remove Block Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create and Modify Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Define Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create Blocks Within a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . Create Drawing Files for Use as Blocks . . . . . .
Set Property Overrides for Hatches and Fills . . Control the Display of Hatch Boundaries . . . . Control the Draw Order of Hatches and Fills . . Modify Hatches and Fills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modify Hatch Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modify Hatch Alignment, Scale, and Rotation . Reshape a Hatch or Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re-create the Boundary of a Hatch or Fill . . . . Create a Blank Area to Cover Objects . . . . . . . . . Notes and Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of Dimensioning . . . . . . . . Parts of a Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . Associative Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . Use Dimension Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overview of Dimension Styles . . . . . . . Compare Dimension Styles and Variables . Control Dimension Geometry . . . . . . . Control Dimension Text . . . . . . . . . . Control Dimension Values . . . . . . . . Set the Scale for Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . Create Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Select a Printer or Plotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . Specify the Area to Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Set Paper Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Position the Drawing on the Paper . . . . . . . . Specify the Printable Area . . . . . . . . . . Set the Position of the Plot . . . . . . . . . Set Drawing Orientation . . . . . . . . . . Control How Objects Are Plotted . . . . . . . . . Set Plot Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Set Options for Plotted Objects . . . . . . .
Resolve Circular External References . . . . . . . . . . . . 473 Resolve Name Conflicts in External References . . . . . . . 474 Track External Reference Operations (Log File) . . . . . . . 475 Increase Performance with Large Referenced Drawings . . . . . . 477 Overview of Demand Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477 Unload Xrefs in Large Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478 Work with Demand Loading in Large Drawings . . . . . . 478 Work with Layer and Spatial Indexes . . . . . . . . . . . .
Set Isometric Grid and Snap . Draw Isometric Circles . . . . Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . absolute coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . acquired point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . acquisition marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . activate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . adjacent cell selection . . . . . . . . . . . . alias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aligned dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alpha channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BYLAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 candela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 canvas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 cell boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
dimension text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 dimension variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 direct distance entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 drawing area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 drawing extents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 drawing limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 ISO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 isometric snap style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 knot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539 landing gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pick button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 pick-first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 pick-first set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 pick points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 planar projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 plan view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STB file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548 surface associativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548 symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548 symbol library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548 symbol table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548 system variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Get Information 1 Find the Information You Need There are various ways to find information about how to use this program, and multiple resources are available. Access and Search the Product Help The Help system uses a Web browser and is available online and offline. You can access the Help system by doing one of the following: ■ Press Fn-F1. If you press Fn-F1 when a command is active, the appropriate help topic is opened in the Web browser. Otherwise, the landing page of the Help system is displayed.
■ Left Side - Along the left side of a page is the table of contents that allow you to navigate in the current guide. You can also find links sections on the current page as well as related topics in the documentation set. When on the Home page, the left side contains a listing of the guides in the current documentation set. ■ Middle - The middle of the page contains the content for the current topic.
e-Learning Autodesk e-Learning for Autodesk Subscription customers features interactive lessons organized into product catalogs. Autodesk Developer Network The Autodesk Developer (ADN) program provides support for full-time, professional developers who want to build software based on Autodesk products. Consulting Autodesk Consulting provides services that help set up processes and provide critical training that will help increase productivity so you can capitalize on the power of your products.
encounter, and other information helpful to the future direction of the product. See the following links for more information. ■ Learn more about the Autodesk Customer Involvement Program: http://www.autodesk.com/cip ■ Read the Autodesk Privacy Statement: http://www.autodesk.com/cipprivacy When you join, you will be able to view reports that can help you optimize your use of AutoCAD LT.
This information can help you document a drawing and provides the total amount of time spent in the drawing file.
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The User Interface 2 Start a Command Use the menu bar, Tool Sets palette, and Command Line to access many frequently used commands. Parts of the User Interface The user interface consists of palettes and bars around the drawing area. Also, several controls are displayed within the drawing area.
■ Cmd-4 turns the Layers palette on and off ■ Cmd-5 turns the Properties Inspector on and off ■ Cmd-6 turns the Status bar on and off ■ Cmd-7 turns the Reference Manager palette on and off ■ Cmd-0 turns all palettes and bars on and off You can dock palettes by dragging them to the edge of your screen until a blue line appears, and then dropping them into place. You can also undock them by dragging and dropping. The Menu Bar The menu bar contains common commands organized into logical categories.
■ Tool sets The size of the icons on the Tool Sets palette can be adjusted by using the Tool Set & Status Bar Icons slider on the Look & Feel tab of the Application Preferences dialog box (OPTIONS command). Tool Flyouts Some of the tools on the Tool Sets palette have a flyout indicator. Click and hold the flyout to display several options for that command. Tool Groups The tools on the Tool Sets palette are organized into tool groups.
If you right-click the Tool Sets palette, a menu displays that you can use to turn off any tool groups that you don’t need. Tool Sets Click the Tool Sets button to display a list of alternate sets of commands based on your current tasks. For example, clicking the Annotation tool set replaces the commands in the Tool Sets palette with commands associated with dimensioning. Cmd-1 turns the Tool Sets palette on and off. TIP Use the Customize dialog box to customize any tool set, or create your own tool sets.
Using the keyboard, you can enter the following in the Command Line: ■ A command or command abbreviation called a command alias ■ The capitalized letters of an option for a command ■ A setting called a system variable that controls how the program operates by default Many advanced users prefer this method for speed. Also, the Command Line displays prompts and error messages. Cmd-3 turns the Command Line on and off. Enter Commands on the Command Line You can enter a command by using the keyboard.
NOTE When Dynamic Input is turned on and is set to display dynamic prompts, you can enter commands and options in tooltips near the cursor. Dynamic Input can be turned on an off from the status bar. Display Valid Commands and System Variables By default, AutoCAD automatically completes the name of a command or system variable as you type it. Additionally, a list of valid choices is displayed from which you can choose. Use the AUTOCOMPLETE command to control which automatic features that you want to use.
To repeat a recently used command, right-click in the Command Line or click the drop-down arrow to the left of the command input area. This action displays a shortcut menu with a list of recently used commands. You can also repeat a recently used command by cycling through the commands with Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys, and then pressing Enter. To cancel any command in progress, press Esc.
objects automatically replaces the current selection set, or whether they are added to the current selection set. 2 If necessary, press Fn-F1 to view the documentation for that system variable. 3 Enter the setting that you want to use. In the example of PICKADD, enter 0, 1, or 2 to determine how you select multiple objects. Switch Between Dialog Boxes and the Command Line You can display prompts on the command line instead of using a dialog box, or switch back again.
You can expand and collapse the Command History in the Command Line using the indicated control. Within the Command History, use the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys, the scroll bar, or other scrolling method to locate and then highlight previously entered commands, system variables, and text. By default, pressing Cmd-C copies highlighted text to the Clipboard. Pressing Cmd-V pastes text from the Clipboard to the Command Line.
About Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts allow for quick access to drafting aids, file management commands, and the Clipboard. The shortcut keys that AutoCAD LT supports are: Keyboard Shortcut Description Fn-F1 Launches the default Web browser and displays the Landing page or a specific Help topic based on the current context of the program. Fn-F2 Expands or collapses the display of the Command Window. Fn-F3 Toggles object snap mode on and off.
Keyboard Shortcut Description Cmd-6 Toggles the display of the status bar on and off. Cmd-7 Opens or closes the Reference Manager palette. Cmd-0 or Shift-Cmd-F Toggles CleanScreen on and off. Cmd-A or Control-A Selects all objects in the current layout. Cmd-B or Control-B Toggles grid snap mode on and off. Cmd-C or Control-C Copies the selected objects to the Clipboard. Cmd-F Displays the Find and Replace dialog box. Cmd-G Groups the selected objects.
Keyboard Shortcut Description Cmd-R Regenerates the current viewport. Cmd-S or Control-S Saves the current drawing. If the drawing has not been saved yet, the Save Drawing As dialog box is displayed. Cmd-U or Control-U Toggles polar tracking on and off. Cmd-V or Control-V Pastes the contents of the Clipboard to the current layout. Cmd-W Closes the current drawing. Cmd-X or Control-X Removes the selected from the drawing and adds them to the Clipboard.
Keyboard Shortcut Description Shift-Cmd-F Toggles CleanScreen mode on and off. Shift-Cmd-G Ungroups the selected group. Shift-Cmd-H Toggles the display of all palettes on or off. Shift-Cmd-O or Control-L Toggles ortho mode on and off. Shift-Cmd-P Displays the Page Setup Manager. Shift-Cmd-R Regenerates all viewports in the current layout. Shift-Cmd-S Displays the Save Drawing As dialog box. Shift-Cmd-T Toggles object snap tracking on and off. Shift-Cmd-Z Reverses the most recent undo.
Keyboard Shortcut Description Control-I Toggles the coordinates display mode. Control-J Repeats the previous command. Control-L Toggles ortho mode on and off. Control-M Repeats the previous command. Control-N Displays the Select Template dialog box. Select a template to create a new drawing. Control-O Displays the Select File dialog box. Select a drawing file to open. Control-P Displays the Print dialog box, and creates a hard copy or PDF file of the current layout.
Keyboard Shortcut Description Control-Arrow Left Nudges the selected objects to the left in the drawing area. Control-Arrow Right Nudges the selected objects to the right in the drawing area. Control-Arrow Up Nudges the selected objects up in the drawing area. Control-Arrow Down Nudges the selected objects down in the drawing area. Shift-Control-A Toggles group selection mode on and off. Shift-Control-B Toggles grid snap mode on and off.
Control the Drawing Area Interface The drawing area includes several tools and controls for viewing and drawing operations. You can adjust the display of these interface elements. Interface Themes and Background Color Many options are provided for customizing the look and feel of the product, including the color of the icons and the background color of the drawing area. The default color of the icons and palettes are dark gray. If you prefer, you can change this theme to a light color.
4 If you clicked Select Color, the Color Palette dialog box is displayed. At the top of the dialog box, click either Index Color, True Color, or Color Books, and then make your color selection. Click OK to exit the Color Palette dialog box. 5 Click OK. Cursors in the Drawing Area In the drawing area, the appearance of the cursor changes depending on what you are doing.
You can change the behavior of object selection in the Application Preferences dialog box by clicking Cursor & Selection (the OPTIONS command). See also: Select Multiple Objects (page 196) The UCS Icon The drawing area displays an icon representing the XY axis of a rectangular coordinate system called the User Coordinate System, or UCS. You can move or rotate the UCS icon with the UCS command, or by clicking and dragging the icon using the grips that are displayed.
The Coordinates Display The coordinates display is located in the lower-right corner of the active viewport and displays the current location of the crosshair cursor in the drawing area. The display of the coordinates in the active viewport can be toggled in the Units & Guides tab (Application Preferences dialog box). Along with the coordinates displayed in the active viewport, you can also get the current location of the crosshair cursor in a tooltip near the cursor when dynamic input is turned on.
See also: Quick Start for Layouts (page 71) Control Status, Layers, Properties, and Content Use the Status bar, Layers palette, Properties Inspector, and Content palette to change which drafting aids are enabled, modify the layers in the current drawing, the properties of the current drawing or selected objects, and insert blocks or hatch patterns from custom content libraries. The Status Bar The Status bar includes buttons that turn on and off various features.
One of the most important controls on the status bar, highlighted in the illustration, changes the drawing area between model space and paper space layouts. The size of the icons and controls on the status bar can be adjusted by using the Tool Set & Status Bar Icons slider on the Look & Feel tab of the Application Preferences dialog box (OPTIONS command). Cmd-6 turns the status bar on and off. The Status Bar To control the display of buttons on the status bar 1 Right-click any empty area of the status bar.
Cmd-4 turns the Layers palette on and off. Display All Layers and Layer Properties The layers and layer properties in a drawing can be displayed as a matrix, similar to a spreadsheet. Each row contains a layer and each column represents a layer property. Right-click the column header in the Layers list to control which layer properties are displayed. When undocked in this format, the Layers palette can display all layer information simultaneously at the cost of taking up space on the screen.
■ Unreconciled Layers. Lists all the layers that have been recently added to the drawing and need to be reconciled. Use Display Settings in the lower-right corner of the Layers palette to control the display of layer groups in the Layer list. You can also determine which automatic dynamic layer groups should be displayed and where in the Layer list that layer groups should be listed.
3 It is recommended that you delete the text in the Search area when you are done. You can click the magnifying glass icon to display and choose from a list of previous searches. The Properties Inspector With the Properties Inspector, you can display and change the settings and properties for objects and for layers.
■ With one object selected, it displays the properties for that object only, and you can change any of its properties. ■ With more than one object selected, it can either display only the common properties shared by the objects, or all the properties. Any property that you change is applied to all the selected objects.
WARNING If a drawing being referenced by Favorites or a custom library is moved, the reference is maintained but the associated block cannot be inserted into a drawing. See also: Insert Blocks (page 271) Customize the Drawing Environment Many elements of the working environment can be customized to fit your needs. You can change many window and drawing environment settings in the Application Preferences dialog box.
■ Background Colors (Application Preferences dialog box, Look & Feel tab). You specify the background colors used in the Model and named layouts. ■ UCS Icon Style, Size, and Color (UCS Icon dialog box). You can control the appearance of the UCS icon in model space and paper space. ■ Clean Screen. You can expand the drawing area to display only the menu bar with the Clean Screen button on the status bar. Press Ctrl-0 to restore the previous setup.
NOTE If a palette has been turned back on manually and moved, it is not affected by SHOWPALETTES. The placement of palettes can be changed by dragging them on screen. You can control the location a palette is docked by dragging it to the edge of the screen and dropping it when you see a blue bar. You can also drag and drop palettes on a palette that is already docked. Use RESETPALETTES to return all palettes to their default placement.
You can use command line switches to specify several options when you start the program. For example, you can run a script or start with a specified drawing template. Command line switches are parameters you can use to create custom shell scripts to start AutoCAD LT in a specific way. Valid switches are listed in the following table. -b Script name Designates a script to run after you start the program (b stands for batch process). Scripts can be used to set up drawing parameters in a new drawing file.
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Start and Save Drawings 3 Start a Drawing All drawings start from either a default drawing template file or a custom drawing template file that you create. Drawing template files store default settings, styles, and additional data. Overview of Starting a New Drawing Before you start to draw, you need to decide what system of drawing units that you will use in the drawing, and then choose a drawing template file appropriate for those drawing units.
Customize a Drawing Template File By customizing your own drawing template file, you save yourself a lot of work changing settings, and you also ensure that the settings are standardized. You can create several drawing template files for different projects, and you can choose one when you click New.
For example, to convert a drawing created in inches to centimeters, you scale the model geometry by a factor of 2.54. To convert from centimeters to inches, the scale factor is 1/2.54 or about 0.3937. See also: Set the Scale for Dimensions (page 397) Set the Unit Format Conventions You can set the format and the number of decimal places to be used when you enter and display linear and angular units.
Understand Rounding and Precision When you specify the display precision of units, the values for coordinates and distances are rounded off. However, the internal precision of coordinates and distances is always maintained regardless of the display precision. For example, if you set the display precision of decimal-format units to 1 (or 0.0), the display of coordinates is rounded to one place after the decimal point. Thus, the coordinates 0.000,1.375 are displayed as 0.0,1.
■ Linetypes (page 119) ■ Lineweights (page 123) ■ Layouts (page 71) ■ Page setups (page 431) By default, drawing template files are stored in the template folder, where they are easily accessible. You can use the Application Preferences dialog box to set a default for both the template folder and the drawing template file. Add Identifying Information to Drawings You can keep track of your drawings more easily if you add keywords or other information to them.
■ Double-click a drawing in Finder to launch AutoCAD LT® and open the drawing. If the program is already running, the drawing opens in the current session. ■ Drag a drawing from Finder onto the AutoCAD LT icon in the Dock. If you drop a drawing anywhere outside the drawing area—for example, the command line or the blank space next to the toolbars— the drawing is opened.
The following table outlines some of the references that might be missing and describes how to handle them. Missing Reference Types Description External references Missing external references are the result of AutoCAD LT not being able to resolve the last known location of an xref, raster image, or underlay. To resolve a missing external reference, locate the file and update its location using the Reference Manager palette.
file is corrupt, you might be able to recover it. See Repair, Restore, or Recover Drawing Files (page 50). Change the Default Drawing Folder Each time you start AutoCAD LT, the Documents folder is the default path in each standard file selection dialog box. Alternatively, you can start AutoCAD LT in the current folder from the Terminal window. Set REMEMBERFOLDERS to 0 and then start AutoCAD LT from the current folder.
Switch Between Open Drawings Switch between open drawings. You can use one of the following methods to switch between open drawings: ■ On the menu bar, click the Window menu and choose a drawing from the bottom of the menu. ■ In the Mac OS Dock, right-click the AutoCAD LT icon and choose a drawing from the top of the menu. ■ In the Mac OS Dock, right side, click the thumbnail that represents the open drawing. ■ On the status bar, click the Show Drawings & Layouts button.
■ Copy and paste between drawings. ■ Use object snaps and the Copy with Basepoint (COPYBASE) command to ensure accurate placement. Save a Drawing You save drawing files for later use just as you do with other applications. You can also set up automatic saving and backup files and save only selected objects. When you work on a drawing, you should save it frequently. Saving protects you from losing work in the event of a power failure or other unexpected event.
and earlier releases. Visual fidelity is controlled by the SAVEFIDELITY system variable. If you work primarily in model space, it is recommended that you turn off visual fidelity (set SAVEFIDELITY to 0). However, if you need to exchange drawings with other users, and layout fidelity is most important, then visual fidelity should be turned on (set SAVEFIDELITY to 1). NOTE The SAVEFIDELITY system variable does not effect saving a drawing to the AutoCAD LT 2010 drawing or DXF file formats.
Work Internationally If you share drawing files with companies in other countries and regions, the drawing file names might contain characters that are not used in other languages. If a drawing file is created in a different language version of the operating system, the following will occur: ■ If support for the language is installed, the file name characters are visible in Finder. ■ If support for the language is not installed, the file name characters appear as a series of boxes in Finder.
compressed, might be 75MB in size while the same object when uncompressed might be 257MB. In these situations, the drawing cannot be saved to an AutoCAD LT 2007 or earlier file format until the issues are resolved. You can resolve the size limits by breaking the drawing or objects up into several drawings or objects.
The Application tab (Application Preferences dialog box) is where you set the search path that is used by the program to find drawing support files such as text fonts, drawings, linetypes, and hatch patterns. The MYDOCUMENTSPREFIX system variable stores the location of the Documents folder for the current user. The working search path for drawing support files lists paths that are valid and exist in the current system folder structure (including system network mapping).
Repair and Recovery When an error occurs, diagnostic information is recorded in the aclt.err file, which you can use to report a problem. A drawing file is marked as damaged if corrupted data is detected, or if you request that the drawing be saved after a program failure. If the damage is minor, sometimes you can repair the drawing simply by opening it. A recovery notification is displayed while opening drawing files that are damaged and need recovery. You can ■ RECOVER.
Create and Restore Backup Files Backup files help ensure the safety of your drawing data. If a problem occurs, you can restore a drawing backup file. Computer hardware problems, power failures or surges, user mistakes, or software problems can cause errors in a drawing. By saving your work frequently, you can ensure a minimum of lost data if your system fails for any reason. If a problem occurs, you can restore a drawing backup file.
See also: Recover from a System Failure (page 53) Recover from a System Failure A hardware problem, power failure, or software problem can cause this program to terminate unexpectedly. If this happens, you can restore the drawing files that were open. Resolve Drawing Files After a program or system failure, the Files Recovered dialog box opens the next time you start AutoCAD LT.
the error occurred. You can also add other information, such as what you were doing at the time of the error. The REPORTERROR system variable controls whether the error-reporting feature is available.
Control the Drawing Views 4 Change Views You can magnify the details in your drawing for a closer view or shift the view to a different part of the drawing. If you save views by name, you can restore them later. See also: Rotate Views in Layout Viewports (page 82) Pan or Zoom a View You can pan to reposition the view in the drawing area or zoom to change magnification. With the Realtime option of PAN, you pan dynamically by moving your pointing device.
Zoom to Magnify a Specified Rectangular Area You can quickly zoom on a rectangular area of your drawing by specifying two diagonal corners of the area you are interested in. The lower-left corner of the area you specify becomes the lower-left corner of the new display. The shape of the zoom area you specify does not correspond exactly to the new view, which must fit the shape of the viewport. Zoom in Real Time With the Realtime option, you zoom dynamically by moving your pointing device up or down.
ZOOM All displays either the user-defined grid limits or the drawing extents, whichever view is larger. See also: Scale Views in Layout Viewports (page 77) Save and Restore Views When you save specific views by name, you can restore them for layout and plotting or when you need to refer to specific details. A named view created with the VIEW command consists of a specific magnification, position, and orientation.
Save a View When you name and save a view, the following settings are saved: ■ Magnification, center point, and view direction ■ View category that you assign to the view (optional) ■ The location of the view (the Model or a specific named layout) ■ Layer visibility in the drawing at the time the view is saved ■ User coordinate system Restore a Named View You can use named views to do the following: ■ Restore a view that you use frequently while working in model space.
Choose Preset 3D Views You can select predefined standard orthographic and isometric views by name or description. A quick way to set a view is to choose one of the predefined 3D views. You can select predefined standard orthographic and isometric views by name or description. These views represent commonly used options: Top, Bottom, Front, Left, Right, and Back.
Change to a View of the XY Plane You can change the current viewpoint to a plan view of the current UCS, a previously saved UCS, or the WCS. A plan view is a view aimed toward the origin (0,0,0) from a point on the positive Z axis. This results in a view of the XY plane. You can restore the view and coordinate system that is the default for most drawings by setting the UCS orientation to World and then setting the 3D view to Plan View.
objects—partly or entirely—that are located behind the following types of objects: ■ Objects with nonzero thickness ■ Circles ■ Two-dimensional solids ■ Wide polylines ■ Surfaces and 3D solids (when viewing models created in AutoCAD) The illustration below was created with lines that were extruded by giving them a nonzero thickness. Objects on layers that are turned off but not frozen can also hide other objects.
You can create a simple shaded picture of the objects displayed in the current viewport. Shading fills certain objects with a solid color and removes the display of lines that are located behind the shaded objects. Each object is shaded using its current color.
Display Multiple Views in Model Space To see several views at the same time, you can split the drawing area of the Model layout into separate viewing areas called model space viewports. You can save arrangements of model space viewports for reuse at any time.
You can also create viewports on a named (paper space) layout. You use those viewports, called layout viewports, to arrange the views of your drawing on a sheet. You can move and resize layout viewports. By using layout viewports, you have more control over the display; for example, you can freeze certain layers in one layout viewport without affecting the others. For more information about layouts and layout viewports, see Create Multiple-View Drawing Layouts (Paper Space) (page 71).
Select and Use the Current Viewport When you use multiple viewports, one of them is the current viewport, which accepts cursor input and view commands. When a viewport is current, the cursor is displayed as crosshairs rather than an arrow, and the viewport boundary is highlighted. You can change the current viewport at any time except when a View command is in progress. To make a viewport the current viewport, you click inside it or press Ctrl-R to cycle through the existing viewports.
■ The views that the viewports contain ■ The grid and snap settings for each viewport ■ The UCS icon display setting for each viewport You can list, restore, and delete the available viewport arrangements. A viewport arrangement saved on the Model layout can be inserted on a named layout.
Organize Drawings and Layouts 5 Create Single-View Drawings (Model Space) To create a two dimensional drawing that has one view, you can create the drawing and its annotation entirely in model space. This is the traditional method for creating drawings with AutoCAD LT.
With this method, you always draw geometric objects at full scale (1:1) and text, dimensions, and other annotation at a scale that will appear at the correct size when you output the drawing. For information about using annotative objects and scaling annotations automatically, see Scale Annotations (page 304).
Specify the Display Style of Drawing Units Once you have determined a drawing unit for the drawing, you need to specify the style for displaying the drawing unit, which includes the unit type and precision. For example, a value of 14.5 can be displayed as 14.500, 14-1/2, or 1'2-1/2". Specify the display style of drawing units with the UNITS command. The default drawing unit type is decimal.
For example, if you plan to plot at a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot, you would calculate the scale factor 48 as follows: 1/4" = 12" 1 = 12 x 4 1 (plotted unit) = 48 (drawing units) Using the same calculation, the scale factor for 1 centimeter = 1 meter is 100, and the scale factor for 1 inch = 20 feet is 240. Sample Scale Ratios The sample architectural scale ratios in the table can be used to calculate text sizes in model space.
297 x 20 = 5900 mm See also: Specify Units and Unit Formats (page 38) Create Multiple-View Drawing Layouts (Paper Space) Paper space is a sheet layout environment where you can specify the size of your sheet, add a title block, display multiple views of your model, and create dimensions and notes for your drawing. Quick Start for Layouts There are two distinct working environments, or “spaces,” in which you can create objects in a drawing.
You design the subject of your drawing in model space and prepare it for output on a named layout in paper space. A drawing always has at least one named layout. Before you can use a layout, it must be initialized. A layout does not contain any page setup information before it is initialized. Once initialized, layouts can be drawn upon and output. Process Summary When you prepare a layout, you typically step through the following process: ■ Create a model of your subject in model space.
Work in Model Space By default, you start working in a limitless drawing area called model space. In model space, you draw, view, and edit your model. You first decide whether one unit represents one millimeter, one centimeter, one inch, one foot, or whatever unit is most convenient or customary in your business. You then create your model at 1:1 scale. In model space, you can view and edit model space objects. The crosshairs cursor is active over the entire drawing area.
Access Model Space from a Layout Viewport You can access model space from a layout viewport to edit objects, to freeze and thaw layers, and to adjust the view. After creating viewport objects, you can access model space from a layout viewport to perform the following tasks: ■ Create and modify objects in model space inside the layout viewport. ■ Pan the view inside the layout viewport and change layer visibility. The method you use to access model space depends on what you plan to do.
If you set the scale in the layout viewport before you access model space, you can lock the scale to prevent changes. When the scale is locked, you cannot use ZOOM while you work in model space. Create and Modify Layout Viewports You can create a single layout viewport that fits the entire layout or create multiple layout viewports in the layout. Once you create the viewports, you can change their size, their properties, and also scale and move them as needed.
You can use the MVIEW command to create nonrectangular viewports. ■ With the Object option, you can select a closed object, such as a circle or closed polyline created in paper space, to convert into a layout viewport. The object that defines the viewport boundary is associated with the viewport after the viewport is created ■ With the Polygonal option, you can create a nonrectangular layout viewport by specifying points.
Scale Views in Layout Viewports To scale each displayed view in output accurately, set the scale of each view relative to paper space. You can change the view scale of the viewport using ■ The Properties Inspector ■ The XP option of the ZOOM command ■ The Viewports Scale on the status bar NOTE You can modify the list of scales that are displayed in all view and print scale lists with SCALELISTEDIT.
NOTE Viewport scale locking is also available for nonrectangular viewports. To lock a nonrectangular viewport, you must perform an extra step in the Properties Inspector to select the viewport object rather than the viewport clipping boundary. Annotative Objects and Scaling Annotative objects are defined at a paper height instead of a model size and assigned one or more scales.
Thawing the layer restores visibility. The easiest way to freeze or thaw layers in the current viewport is to use the Layers palette. In the Layers palette, on the right side, use the column labeled VP Freeze to freeze one or more layers in the current layout viewport. To display the VP Freeze column, you must be on a layout. Specify the current layout viewport by double-clicking anywhere within its borders.
To assign a screening value to an object, you must assign a plot style to the object, and then define the screening value in that plot style. You can assign a screening value from 0 to 100. The default setting, 100, means no screening is applied, and the object is displayed with normal ink intensity. A screening value of 0 means the object contains no ink and is thus invisible in that viewport.
Scale Linetypes in Layout Viewports You can scale linetypes in paper space either based on the drawing units of the space in which the object was created or based on the paper space units. You can set the PSLTSCALE system variable to maintain the same linetype scaling for objects displayed at different zoom factors in a layout and in a layout viewport. For example, with PSLTSCALE set to 1 (default), set the current linetype to dashed, and then draw a line in a paper space layout.
For angled, horizontal, and vertical alignments, you can move each layout viewport relative to distances defined by the model-space geometry displayed. To adjust the views on a layout with precision, you can create construction geometry, use object snaps on the model space objects displayed in layout viewports, or use one of the drafting aids on the status bar. Rotate Views in Layout Viewports You can rotate an entire view within a layout viewport with the VPROTATEASSOC system variable.
When VPROTATEASSOC is set to 1, the view within a viewport is rotated with the viewport. When VPROTATEASSOC is set to 0, the view remains when the viewport is rotated. You can also rotate an entire view within a layout viewport by changing the UCS and using the PLAN command. With the UCS command, you can rotate the XY plane at any angle around the Z axis. When you enter the PLAN command, the view rotates to match the orientation of the XY plane.
Save a Layout Template Any drawing can be saved as a drawing template (DWT file), including all of the objects and layout settings. You can save a layout to a new DWT file by choosing the Save As option of the LAYOUT command. The template file is saved in the drawing template file folder as defined in the Application tab (Application Preferences dialog box). The layout template has a .dwt or .
With the Project Manager, you can manage drawings as projects. A project is an organized and named collection of layouts, or sheets, from several drawing files. You can import a layout from any drawing into a project or create new sheets from a the Project Manager which creates a new drawing with a named layout. You can manage and publish projects as a unit. Understand the Project Manager Interface Using the controls in the Project Manager, you can create, organize, and manage layouts in a project.
Create Action Button. Displays a popup menu that allows you to perform one of the following actions: ■ Add a new layout to the project or selected group ■ Imports all named layouts from an existing drawing ■ Create a new group ■ Create a new project file Remove Button. Removes the selected group or layout from the project. Removing a layout does not delete the associated drawing file. Show/Hide Details Button. Toggles the display of the Details panel. Project Action Button.
Create a Project You can create a project from scratch or use an existing project to define the properties, items, and structure for a new project. Layouts from specified drawing files can be imported into the project. The associations and information that define a project are stored in a project data (DST) file. When creating a new project, a new folder is created as the default project storage location. This new folder, named AutoCAD LT Projects, is located in the Documents folder.
NOTE Although it is possible to use several layouts from the same drawing file in a project, it is not recommended. This makes concurrent access to each layout by multiple users impossible. This practice can also reduce your management options and can complicate the organization of layouts in the project. Create a Blank Project In the New Project dialog box, when you choose to create a blank project, you provide the minimal information needed to create a new project.
Create and Modify Layouts in a Project There are several options in the Project Manager for creating and modifying layouts directly in the interface or through a shortcut menu. Following are descriptions of common operations when working with layouts in the Project Manager. You can access commands by right-clicking an item in the tree view to display the relevant shortcut menu. ■ Add layout from drawing. After you create a project, you can add one or more layouts from existing drawings.
NOTE You can quickly confirm whether a layout is in the expected folder by looking at the path information of the Drawing Location property and comparing it with the path displayed in the Found Location property of the Details panel. ■ Add label blocks to views. With the Project Manager, you can label views and details automatically as you place them. Label blocks contain data associated with the referenced view. ■ Add callout blocks to layouts.
insert a placeholder field as the value, select the Preset option, and specify a tag. NOTE If you create your own label blocks and callout blocks, set any attribute definitions to Preset to avoid prompts when placing these blocks in a drawing. For more information about fields, see Insert Fields (page 350). See also: Create Multiple-View Drawing Layouts (Paper Space) (page 71) Use Fields in Text (page 350) Work with Views on Layouts Layouts can contain viewports that show named model space views.
Use Groups in Projects Project groups are often associated with a discipline such as architecture or mechanical design. For example, in architecture, you might use a group named Structural; and in mechanical design, you might use a group called Standard Fasteners or Brackets. In some cases, you might also find it useful to create groups associated with a review or completion status. After you create or add layouts or groups, you can reorder them by dragging them in the Project tree view.
Place Project Information on a Layout Information about a project, or the layouts and views in a project can be inserted as a field onto a layout that a project references. When the information in a project is changed, the fields that reference the project are updated to reflect the latest value when the layout is saved, printed, or published. Placeholder fields are used to reference project information in a drawing template or block.
NOTE With page setup overrides, you can use the PUBLISHCOLLATE system variable to control whether printing a layout set can be interrupted by other plot jobs or not. Use Projects in a Team You can use projects in a team that can involve network access and online collaboration. The team can also include people who use software that does not include the Project Manager.
NOTE If two or more users access the same project through different logical drives on a network, each will in turn be prompted to resave the project using their own logical drive. To avoid unnecessary saving, users should map the same logical drives, if possible. Status data for layouts in the current project are also available to other team members. This status data is displayed in the tree view and indicates one of the following conditions: The layout is available for editing. The layout is locked.
Use Projects in a Multiple Operating System Environment Project (DST) files can be used across both the Mac OS X and Windows operating systems. Project files can be used in releases of AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT that support the Sheet Set Manager on Windows or the Project Manager on Mac OS X. The project (DST) file is an XML based file which allows the files to be used between both platforms.
Mac OS X Term Windows Term Description layout sheet A layout selected from a drawing file and assigned to a project. group subset A group of layouts in a project that is often organized by discipline or workflow stage. named view sheet view A named model space view placed on a layout.
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Create and Modify Objects 6 Control the Properties of Objects You can organize objects in your drawing and control how they are displayed and plotted by changing their properties, which include layer, linetype, color, lineweight, transparency, and plot style. Work with Object Properties You can change the object properties in your drawing by using the Properties Inspector palette. Overview of Object Properties Every object you draw has properties.
■ When a property is set to a specific value, that value overrides the value set for the layer. For example, if a line drawn on layer 0 is assigned the color Blue, and layer 0 is assigned the color Red, the line is blue. See also: Control the Color and Linetype Properties in Blocks (page 281) Display and Change the Properties of Objects You can display and change the current properties for any object in your drawing.
Copy Properties Between Objects You can copy some or all properties of one object to other objects using Match Properties. The types of properties that can be copied include, but are not limited to, color, layer, linetype, linetype scale, lineweight, plot style, transparency, viewport property overrides, and 3D thickness. By default, all applicable properties are automatically copied from the first object you selected to the other objects.
By creating layers, you can associate similar types of objects by assigning them to the same layer. For example, you can put construction lines, text, dimensions, and title blocks on separate layers.
such as electrical parts or dimensions. Also, you can lock a layer to prevent objects on that layer from being accidentally selected and modified. Control the Visibility of Objects on a Layer You can make drawing layers invisible either by turning them off or by freezing them. Turning off or freezing layers is useful if you need an unobstructed view when working in detail on a particular layer or set of layers or if you don't want to plot details such as reference lines.
If you set a specific color to the Properties Inspector palette when no objects are selected, that color is used for all new objects, overriding the default color for the current layer. The same is true for Linetype, Lineweight, Transparency, and Plot Style properties on the Properties Inspector palette. The BYBLOCK setting should be used only for creating blocks. See Control the Color and Linetype Properties in Blocks (page 281).
Create and Name Layers You can create and name a new layer for each conceptual grouping (such as walls or dimensions) and assign common properties to each layer. By organizing objects into layers, you can control the visibility and object properties of a large number of objects separately for each layer and make changes quickly. NOTE The number of layers that you can create in a drawing and the number of objects that you can create on each layer are practically unlimited.
Remove Layers You can remove unused layers from your drawing with PURGE or by deleting the layer from the Layers palette. You can delete only unreferenced layers. Referenced layers include layers 0 and DEFPOINTS, layers containing objects (including objects in block definitions), the current layer, and xref-dependent layers. WARNING Be careful about deleting layers if you are working on a drawing in a shared project or one based on a set of layering standards.
When you use Layer Previous, it undoes the most recent layer change or set of changes made. Every change you make to layer settings is tracked and can be undone with Layer Previous. You can use LAYERPMODE to suspend layer property tracking when you don't need it, such as when you run large scripts. There is a modest performance gain in turning off Layer Previous tracking. Layer Previous does not undo the following changes: ■ Renamed layers.
Property override settings for color and lineweight were set on the Wiring layer for the viewport on the left. Notice the wiring is a different color and lineweight than in the right viewport.
Identify Layers with Property Overrides Layers containing property overrides are identifiable in the Layers palette when accessed from a layout. You can see which layers have overrides by the following: ■ A tooltip displays property override information when the cursor is placed over the status icon for the layer containing overrides. ■ A predefined filter named Viewport Overrides is displayed in the tree view where all layers with viewport overrides are listed.
A layer group organizes the display of layer names in the Layers palette. In a large drawing, you can use layer groups to list the layers you need to work with. There are two kinds of layer groups ■ Layer dynamic group Includes layers that have names or other properties in common. For example, you can define a layer group that includes all layers that are red and whose names include the letters mech.
■ Whether layers are frozen or thawed in the active viewport or all viewports ■ Whether layers are locked or unlocked ■ Whether layers are set to be plotted You use wild-card characters to filter layers by name. For example, if you want to display only layers that start with the letters mech, you can enter mech*. See “Wild-Card Characters” for a complete list. The layers in a dynamic layer group may change as the properties of the layers change.
Wild-Card Characters You can use wild-card characters to sort layers by name. Character Definition # (pound) Matches any numeric digit @ (at) Matches any alphabetic character .
Reconcile New Layers Unreconciled layers are new layers that have been added to the drawing and have not yet been acknowledged by the user and manually marked as reconciled. Reconciling new layers is the process of manually reviewing new layers so that you can avoid potential errors before plotting your drawing or when restoring a layer state. Unreconciled layers are new layers that have been added to the drawing or to attached xrefs since the layer list was last evaluated.
Save, Restore, and Edit Layer States You can save the current layer settings in a drawing as a named layer state and restore them later. Saving layer settings is convenient if you need to return to particular settings for all layers during different stages in completing a drawing or for plotting. Save Layer Settings Layer settings include layer states, such as on or locked, and layer properties, such as color or linetype.
■ If a layout viewport is active when a layer state is restored, all layers that need to be visible in the viewport are turned on and thawed in model space. All layers that should not be visible in the viewport are set to VP Freeze in the current viewport and the model space visibility is unchanged. Layer States in Xrefs Although xref layer states can be restored, they cannot be edited.
Work with Colors Color helps to group objects visually. You can assign colors to objects by layer or individually. Set the Current Color You can use color to help you identify objects visually. You can assign the color of an object either by layer or by specifying its color explicitly, independent of layer. Assigning colors by layer makes it easy to identify each layer within your drawing. Assigning colors explicitly provides additional distinctions between objects on the same layer.
Color Books AutoCAD LT includes several standard PANTONE color books. You can also import other color books such as the DIC color guide or RAL color sets. Importing user-defined color books can further expand your available color selections. You install color books on your system by using the Applications tab in the Application Preferences dialog box. Once a color book is loaded, you can select colors from the color book and apply them to objects in your drawings.
■ Change the color assigned to the layer that the object is on. If an object's color is set to BYLAYER, it acquires the color of its layer. When you change the color assigned to a layer, all objects on that layer assigned the BYLAYER color are updated automatically. ■ Specify a color for an object to override the layer's color. You can specify the color of each object explicitly.
Once you have loaded a color book, you can apply any colors that are defined in the book to objects in your drawing. Browse Color Books Color books are organized alphabetically into pages that you can browse through. A page holds up to ten colors. If the color book you are browsing through is not organized into pages, the colors are arranged into pages, with each page containing up to seven colors.
For more information about controlling text in linetypes, see Text in Custom Linetypes. See also: Custom Linetypes in the Customization Guide Load Linetypes At the start of a project, you load the linetypes that are required for the project so that they are available when you need them. If you want to know what linetypes are already available, you can display a list of linetypes that are loaded in the drawing or stored in an LIN (linetype definition) file.
If the current linetype is set to BYBLOCK, objects are created using the CONTINUOUS linetype until the objects are grouped into a block. When the block is inserted into the drawing, those objects acquire the current linetype setting. If you do not want the current linetype to be the linetype assigned to the current layer, you can specify a different linetype explicitly. The program does not display the linetype of certain objects: text, points, viewports, hatches, and blocks.
See also: Override Layer Properties in Viewports (page 107) Control Linetype Scale You can use the same linetype at different scales by changing the linetype scale factor either globally or individually for each object. By default, both global and individual linetype scales are set to 1.0. The smaller the scale, the more repetitions of the pattern are generated per drawing unit. For example, with a setting of 0.
Display Linetypes on Short Segments and Polylines You can center the pattern of a linetype on each segment of a polyline, and you can control how the linetype is displayed on short segments. If a line is too short to hold even one dash sequence, the result is a continuous line between the endpoints, as shown below. You can accommodate short segments by using a smaller value for their individual linetype scales. For more information, see Control Linetype Scale (page 122).
Overview of Lineweights Lineweights are width values that are assigned to graphical objects as well as some types of text. Using lineweights, you can create heavy and thin lines to show cuts in sections, depth in elevations, dimension lines and tick marks, and differences in details. For example, by assigning varying lineweights to different layers, you can easily differentiate between new, existing, and demolition construction.
See also: Draw Polylines (page 173) Display Lineweights Lineweights can be turned on and off in a drawing, and are displayed differently in model space than in a paper space layout. ■ In model space, a 0-value lineweight is displayed as one pixel, and other lineweights use a pixel width proportional to their real-unit value. ■ In a paper space layout, lineweights are displayed in the exact plotting width. Regeneration time increases with lineweights that are represented by more than one pixel.
plotting and scaling in your drawing in the Print dialog box or the Page Setup Dialog Box. Set the Current Lineweight The current lineweight is the lineweight used for any objects you draw until you make another lineweight current. All objects are created using the current lineweight.
When you change the lineweight assigned to a layer, all objects on that layer assigned the BYLAYER lineweight are updated automatically. ■ Specify a lineweight for an object to override the layer's lineweight. You can specify the lineweight of each object explicitly. If you want to override the layer-determined lineweight of an object with a different one, change an existing object's lineweight from BYLAYER to a specific lineweight.
Use Quick Text When you turn on Quick Text mode in drawings that contain a lot of text using complex fonts, only a rectangular frame defining the text is displayed or plotted. Turn Off Lineweights Any lineweight width that is represented by more than one pixel may slow down performance. If you want to improve display performance, turn lineweights off. You can turn lineweights on and off by choosing the Show/Hide Lineweight button on the status bar.
Use TrueType Fonts (page 357) Control the Transparency of Objects You can control the transparency level of objects and layers. Control the Transparency of Objects Set the transparency level of selected objects or layers to enhance drawings or reduce the visibility of areas that are included for reference only. Transparency can be set to ByLayer, ByBlock, or to a specific value. IMPORTANT For performance reasons, plotting transparency is disabled by default.
Added control is available for certain objects: ■ The draw order of all text, dimensions, and leaders in the drawing can be specified separately. (TEXTTOFRONT) ■ The draw order of all hatches and fills in the drawing can also be specified separately. (HATCHTOBACK) NOTE Overlapping objects cannot be controlled between model space and paper space. They can be controlled only within the same space. Control the Display of Objects Control the display of objects by isolating or hiding a selection set.
origin and its X, Y, and Z axes to suit your needs.
Work with Named UCS Definitions and Preset Orientations Create and save as many UCS definitions as you need. Each UCS definition can have its own origin and X, Y, and Z axes. You can also choose from several preset orientations. See also: Overview of the User Coordinate System (UCS) (page 130) Control the User Coordinate System (UCS) (page 131) Control the Display of the User Coordinate System Icon The user coordinate system icon (UCS icon) helps you visualize the current orientation of the UCS.
Display and Hide the UCS Icon In some circumstances, you might need to hide the UCS icon. With the UCSICON command, you can turn off the UCS icon in a single viewport or all viewports. Each layout also provides a UCS icon in paper space. Variations in UCS Icon Types The UCS icon is displayed in various ways to help you visualize the orientation of the work plane. The following figure shows some of the possible icon displays.
Use the 3D UCS icon to help you visualize which plane these coordinates will be projected on; the 3D UCS icon does not use a broken pencil icon. Enter Coordinates to Specify Points When a command prompts you for a point, you can use the pointing device to specify a point, or you can enter a coordinate value at the command prompt. Overview of Coordinate Entry You can enter two-dimensional coordinates as either Cartesian (X,Y) or polar coordinates.
Enter 3D Coordinates (page 139) Use Dynamic Input (page 144) Enter 2D Coordinates Absolute and relative 2D Cartesian and polar coordinates determine precise locations of objects in a drawing. Enter Cartesian Coordinates You can use absolute or relative Cartesian (rectangular) coordinates to locate points when creating objects. To use Cartesian coordinates to specify a point, enter an X value and a Y value separated by a comma (X,Y).
Relative coordinates are based on the last point entered. Use relative coordinates when you know the location of a point in relation to the previous point. To specify relative coordinates, precede the coordinate values with an @ sign. For example, entering @3,4 specifies a point 3 units along the X axis and 4 units along the Y axis from the last point specified. The following example draws the sides of a triangle.
Enter Cartesian Coordinates To enter absolute Cartesian coordinates (2D) ■ At a prompt for a point, enter coordinates in the tooltip using the following format: #x,y If dynamic input is turned off, enter coordinates on the command line using the following format: x,y To enter relative Cartesian coordinates (2D) ■ At a prompt for a point, enter coordinates using the following format: @x,y Enter Polar Coordinates You can use absolute or relative polar coordinates (distance and angle) to locate points when
1<-45. You can change the angle conventions for the current drawing with UNITS. Absolute polar coordinates are measured from the UCS origin (0,0), which is the intersection of the X and Y axes. Use absolute polar coordinates when you know the precise distance and angle coordinates of the point. With dynamic input, you can specify absolute coordinates with the # prefix. If you enter coordinates on the command line instead of in the tooltip, the # prefix is not used.
The following example shows two lines drawn with relative polar coordinates. In each illustration, the line begins at the location labeled as the previous point.
Enter 3D Cartesian Coordinates 3D Cartesian coordinates specify a precise location by using three coordinate values: X, Y, and Z. Entering 3D Cartesian coordinate values (X,Y,Z) is similar to entering 2D coordinate values (X,Y). In addition to specifying X and Y values, you also specify a Z value using the following format: X,Y,Z NOTE For the following examples, it is assumed that dynamic input is turned off or that the coordinates are entered on the command line.
From point: 0,0,5 To point: 3,4 both endpoints of the line will have a Z value of 5. When you begin or open any drawing, the initial default value of Z is greater than 0. Use Absolute and Relative Coordinates As with 2D coordinates, you can enter absolute coordinate values, which are based on the origin, or you can enter relative coordinate values, which are based on the last point entered. To enter relative coordinates, use the @ sign as a prefix.
from the UCS origin, an angle from the X axis in the XY plane, and a Z value. You specify a point using absolute cylindrical coordinates with the following syntax: X<[angle from X axis],Z NOTE For the following examples, it is assumed that dynamic input is turned off or that the coordinates are entered on the command line. With dynamic input, you specify absolute coordinates with the # prefix.
For example, @4<60,2 represents a location that is 4 units along the X axis from the last point measured at 60 degrees from the positive X axis and at 2 units in the positive Z direction. Enter Spherical Coordinates 3D spherical coordinates specify a location by a distance from the origin of the current UCS, an angle from the X axis in the XY plane, and an angle from the XY plane. Spherical coordinate entry in 3D is similar to polar coordinate entry in 2D.
When you need to define a point based on a previous point, enter the relative spherical coordinate values by preceding them with the @ sign.
Turn On or Turn Off Dynamic Input Click the dynamic input button on the status bar to turn dynamic input on and off. Dynamic input has three components: pointer input, dimensional input, and dynamic prompts. Right-click the dynamic input button and click Settings to control what is displayed by each component when dynamic input is on. Pointer Input When pointer input is on and a command is active, the location of the crosshairs is displayed as coordinates in a tooltip near the cursor.
Use the dimensional input settings to display only the information you want to see. When you use grips to stretch objects or when you create new objects, dimensional input displays only acute angles, that is, all angles are displayed as 180 degrees or less. Thus, an angle of 270 degrees is displayed as 90 degrees regardless of the ANGDIR system variable setting (set in the Drawing Units dialog box).
Use Object Snaps Use object snaps to specify precise locations on objects. For example, you can use an object snap to draw a line to the center of a circle or to the midpoint of a polyline segment. You can specify an object snap whenever you are prompted for a point. By default, a marker and a tooltip are displayed when you move the cursor over ™ an object snap location on an object. This feature, called AutoSnap , provides a visual clue that indicates which object snaps are in effect.
You can specify one or more running object snaps on the Object Snaps tab in the Drafting Settings dialog box, which is accessible from the Tools menu. If several running object snaps are on, more than one object snap may be eligible at a given location. Press Tab to cycle through the possibilities before you specify the point. Click the object snap button on the status bar or press Fn-F3 to turn running object snaps on and off.
The AutoSnap markers and tooltips are turned on by default. You can change AutoSnap marker size on the Cursor & Selection tab in the Application Preferences dialog box. Use AutoSnap to Confirm or Change an Object Snap If you have set more than one running object snap, you can press Tab to cycle through all the object snap points available for a particular object. Override Object Snap Settings While you work, you can turn running object snaps on and off temporarily by using an override key.
Temporary override keys are also available for the other drawing aids that you set in the Drafting Settings dialog box.
Restrict Cursor Movement Several tools are available that you can use to restrict or lock the movement of your cursor. Adjust Grid and Grid Snap To enhance drawing speed and efficiency, you can display and snap to a rectangular grid. You can also control its spacing, angle, and alignment. The grid is a rectangular pattern of lines or dots that covers the entire XY plane of the user coordinate system (UCS). Using the grid is similar to placing a sheet of grid paper under a drawing.
To turn off the display of major grid lines, set the frequency of major grid lines to 1. NOTE If the grid is displayed as lines, the grid limits are displayed also as darker lines. Do not confuse these boundaries with major grid lines. NOTE When the grid is displayed as lines and SNAPANG is set to a value other than 0, the grid will not display. SNAPANG does not affect the display of the dotted grid.
Change Grid and Snap Spacing As you work, you can turn Grid and Snap mode on and off, and you can change the grid and snap spacing. You can turn Snap mode on and off temporarily by using an override key. Snap spacing does not have to match grid spacing. For example, you might set a wide grid spacing to be used as a reference but maintain a closer snap spacing for accuracy in specifying points.
As you create or move objects, you can use Ortho mode to restrict the cursor to the horizontal or vertical axis. As you move the cursor, the rubber-band line follows the horizontal or vertical axis, whichever is nearest the cursor. The orientation of the current user coordinate system (UCS) determines the horizontal and vertical directions. In 3D views, Ortho mode additionally restricts the cursor to the up and down directions. In that case, the tooltip displays a +Z or -Z for the angle.
Polar angles are relative to the orientation of the current user coordinate system (UCS) and the setting for the base angle convention in a drawing. The angle base direction is set in the Drawing Units dialog box (UNITS). Use PolarSnap™ to snap to specified distances along the alignment path. For example, in the following illustration you draw a two-unit line from point 1 to point 2, and then draw a two-unit line to point 3 at a 45-degree angle to the line.
The orientation of 0 depends on the angle you set in the Drawing Units dialog box. The direction of snap (clockwise or counterclockwise) depends on the units direction you specify when setting units of measurement. You can turn polar tracking on and off temporarily by using an override key. The direct distance entry method is not available while you are using the temporary override key for polar tracking.
Angle Override: 30 Specify next point or [Undo]: Specify a point The angle you specify will lock the cursor, overriding Grid Snap, Ortho mode, and PolarSnap. Coordinate entry and object snaps have precedence over an angle override. Combine or Offset Points and Coordinates To specify a new point location, you can combine coordinate values from several points or you can specify offsets from existing objects.
Here is the Command prompt sequence: Command: circle Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tangent tangent radius)]: .x of: mid of: Select the horizontal line on the lower edge of the holding plate of: (need YZ): mid of: Select the vertical line on the left side of the holding plate of: Diameter/ Specify the radius of the hole Coordinate filters work only when the program prompts you for a point. If you try to use a coordinate filter at the Command prompt, you see an error message.
Combine Coordinate Values (Coordinate Filters) To use coordinate filters to specify a point in 2D 1 At the prompt for a point, enter a coordinate filter (.x or .y). For example, enter .x to specify the X value first. 2 To extract the first coordinate value, specify a point. For example, if you entered .x in step 1, the X value is extracted from this point. 3 To extract the next coordinate value, specify a different point.
Track to Points on Objects (Object Snap Tracking) You can draw objects at specific angles or in specific relationship to other objects along specified directions called alignment paths. ™ AutoTrack helps you draw objects at specific angles or in specific relationships to other objects. When you turn on AutoTrack, temporary alignment paths help you create objects at precise positions and angles. AutoTrack includes two tracking options: polar tracking and object snap tracking.
Change Object Snap Tracking Settings By default, object snap tracking is set to orthogonal. Alignment paths are displayed at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees from acquired object points. However, you can use polar tracking angles instead. For object snap tracking, object points are automatically acquired. Change Alignment Path Display You can change how AutoTrack displays alignment paths, and you can change how object points are acquired for object snap tracking.
Track to Offset Point Locations (Tracking) You can use tracking to specify a point by offsetting vertically and horizontally from a series of temporary points. You can use the tracking method whenever you are prompted for a point. Tracking uses the pointing device to specify a point by offsetting vertically and horizontally from a series of temporary points.
the distance from the first point. You can enter calculated distances and points using the AutoCAD LT calculator (CAL). You can use direct distance entry to specify points for all commands requiring more than one point. When Ortho mode or polar tracking is on, this method is an efficient way to draw lines of specified length and direction, and to move or copy objects.
■ Specify the number of equal segments (DIVIDE) You can measure or divide lines, arcs, splines, circles, ellipses, and polylines. With both methods, you can identify the intervals by inserting either a point or a block. By specifying points, you can use the Node object snap to align other objects at intervals on the measured or divided object. By specifying blocks, you can create precise geometric constructions or insert custom markers. The blocks can rotate at each insertion point.
Divide an Object into Equal Segments You can divide a selected object into a specified number of equal lengths. You can create points or insert blocks on an object at a specific number of equal intervals. This operation does not actually break an object into individual objects; it only identifies the location of the divisions so that you can use them as geometric reference points. The starting point for measurements or divisions varies with the object type.
To determine the relation between points, you can display the ■ Distance between them ■ Angle between the points in the XY plane ■ Angle of the points from the XY plane ■ Delta, or changed, X, Y, and Z distances between them The ID command lists the X, Y, and Z coordinate values of a specified point. See also: Overview of Coordinate Entry (page 134) Obtain Area and Mass Properties Information You can obtain the area, perimeter, and mass properties defined by selected objects or a sequence of points.
Use Commands to Calculate Area With the MEASUREGEOM and AREA commands, you can specify a series of points or select an object to calculate area. If you need to calculate the combined area of multiple objects, you can keep a running total as you add or subtract one area at a time from the selection set. You cannot use window selection or crossing selection to select objects. Total area and perimeter are saved in the AREA and PERIMETER system variables.
Example: How Various Areas Are Calculated Combined Areas Calculate Combined Areas You can calculate the total area of multiple areas by specifying points or by selecting objects. For example, you can measure the total area of selected rooms in a floor plan.
Subtract Areas from Combined Areas You can subtract more than one area from a combined area as you calculate. For example, if you have calculated the area of a floor plan, you can subtract the area of a room. Example: Subtraction of Areas from a Calculation In the following example, the closed polyline represents a metal plate with two large holes. The area of the polyline is first calculated and then the area of each hole is subtracted.
You can also use REGION to convert the plate and the holes to regions, subtract the holes, and then use the Properties Inspector palette or the LIST command to find the area of the plate. TIP Use the CAL command to convert from one system of area units to another. Calculate Mass Properties With the MASSPROP command, you can analyze 3D solids and 2D regions for their mass properties including volume, area, moments of inertia, center of gravity, and so on.
■ Use object snaps as variables in an expression ■ Convert points between a UCS and the WCS ■ Filter the X, Y, and Z components of a vector ■ Rotate a point around an axis Evaluating Expressions CAL evaluates expressions according to standard mathematical rules of precedence.
Here is the command prompt sequence: Command: circle Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 'cal >> Expression: (mid+cen)/2 >> Select entity for MID snap: Select the notch line (1) >> Select entity for CEN snap: Select the large circle (2) Diameter/: 'cal >> Expression: 1/5*rad >> Select circle, arc or polyline segment for RAD function: Select the large circle (3) Use the Command Prompt Calculator To start the Command prompt calculator Do one of the following: ■ At the Com
Draw Lines You can close a sequence of line segments so that the first and last segments are joined. You can assign properties to lines including color, linetype, and lineweight. For more information about properties, see Work with Object Properties (page 99). You specify the locations that define the endpoints of each line with precision. You can ■ Enter the coordinate values for an endpoint, using either absolute or relative coordinates ■ Specify an object snap relative to an existing object.
Polylines are ideal for applications including the following: ■ Contour lines for topographic, isobaric, and other scientific applications ■ Wiring diagrams and printed cicuit board layouts ■ Process and piping diagrams Polylines can be created with several commands including PLINE, RECTANG, POLYGON, DONUT, BOUNDARY, and REVCLOUD. All of these commands result in a LWPOLYLINE (lightweight polyline) object type.
Intersections of adjacent wide segments are usually beveled. However, nontangent arc segments, acute angles, or segments that use a dash-dot linetype are not beveled. Create Polylines from the Boundaries of Objects You can create a polyline from the boundaries of objects that form a closed area with BOUNDARY. A polyline created using this method is a separate object, distinct from the objects used to create it.
Draw Regular Polygons Use POLYGON to create closed polylines with between 3 and 1,024 equal-length sides. The following illustrations show polygons created using three methods. In each case, two points are specified. See also: Draw Polylines (page 173) Draw Freehand Sketches Sketching is useful for creating irregular boundaries or for tracing with a digitizer. Draw freehand sketches with the SKETCH command. Freehand sketches comprise many line segments that are converted into a line, polyline, or spline.
Draw Curved Objects Curved objects are arcs, circles, polyline arcs, donuts, ellipses, and splines. Draw Arcs To create an arc, you can specify various combinations of center, endpoint, start point, radius, angle, chord length, and direction values. You can create arcs in several ways. With the exception of the first method, arcs are drawn counterclockwise from the start point to the endpoint. Draw Arcs by Specifying Three Points You can create an arc by specifying three points.
Draw Arcs by Specifying Start, Center, End You can create an arc using a start point, center, and a third point that determines the endpoint. The distance between the start point and the center determines the radius. The endpoint is determined by a line from the center that passes through the third point. The resulting arc is always created counterclockwise from the start point. Using different options, you can specify either the start point first or the center point first.
The included angle determines the endpoint of the arc. Use the Start, End, Angle method when you know both endpoints but cannot snap to a center point. Draw Arcs by Specifying Start, Center, Length You can create an arc using a start point, center, and the length of a chord. The distance between the start point and the center determines the radius. The other end of the arc is determined by specifying the length of a chord between the start point and the endpoint of the arc.
Draw Arcs by Specifying Start, End, Direction You can create an arc using a start point, endpoint, and a tangent direction at the start point. The tangent direction can be specified either by locating a point on the desired tangent line, or by entering an angle. You can determine which endpoint controls the tangent by changing the order in which you specify the two endpoints. Draw Arcs by Specifying Start, End, Radius You can create an arc using a start point, endpoint, and a radius.
See also: Draw Polylines (page 173) Break and Join Objects (page 241) Draw Circles To create circles, you can specify various combinations of center, radius, diameter, points on the circumference, and points on other objects. You can create circles in several ways. The default method is to specify the center and the radius. Three other ways to draw a circle are shown in the illustration.
To create a circle tangent at three points, set running object snaps (OSNAP) to Tangent and use the three-point method to create the circle. See also: Use Object Snaps (page 147) Draw Isometric Circles (page 522) Draw Polyline Arcs A polyline is a connected sequence of line segments created as a single object. You can create straight line segments, arc segments, or a combination of the two. Multisegmented lines provide editing capabilities unavailable for single lines.
Create Arc Polylines When you draw arc segments in a polyline, the first point of the arc is the endpoint of the previous segment. You can specify the angle, center point, direction, or radius of the arc. You can also complete the arc by specifying a second point and an endpoint. Create Closed Polylines You can draw a closed polyline to create a polygon. To close a polyline, specify the starting point of the last side of the object, enter c (Close), and press Enter.
object, distinct from the objects used to create it. You can edit it using the same methods used to edit other polylines. To expedite the boundary selection process in large or complex drawings, you can specify a group of boundary candidates, called a boundary set. You create this set by selecting the objects you want to use to define the boundary.
Draw Ellipses The shape of an ellipse is determined by two axes that define its length and width. The longer axis is called the major axis, and the shorter one is the minor axis. The illustrations below show two different ellipses created by specifying axis and distance. The third point specifies only a distance and does not necessarily designate the axis endpoint. If you are drawing on isometric planes to simulate 3D, you can use ellipses to represent isometric circles viewed from an oblique angle.
Draw Splines A spline is a smooth curve that passes through or near a set of points that influence the shape of the curve. SPLINE and BLEND create curves called nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS), referred to as splines for simplicity. By default, a spline is a series of blended curve segments of degree 3 (also called cubic) polynomials. Cubic splines are the most common, and mimic the splines that are created manually using flexible strips that are shaped by weights at data points.
The options available in SPLINE depend on which method is used to create the spline. CVSHOW and CVHIDE determine whether the control vertices are displayed on a spline even when the spline is not selected. Use the triangular grip on a selected spline to switch between displaying control vertices and displaying fit points. You can use the round and square grips to modify a selected spline. For more information, see Modify Splines (page 245).
Create Splines Using Fit Points When you create splines using fit points, the resulting curve passes through the specified points, and is influenced by the spacing of mathematical knots in the curve. You can choose the spacing of these knots with the knot parameterization option, which will result in different curves as shown in the example. NOTE There is no best choice for knot parameterization for all cases.
created with 4 control vertices have the same shape as Bezier curves of degree 3 as shown on the right. You can close a spline so that the start point and end point are coincident and tangent. By default, closed splines are mathematically periodic, meaning that they have the smoothest (C2) continuity at the point of closure. In the example, both splines are closed, and the point of closure is marked with a dot.
Draw Reference Points Point objects are useful as nodes or reference geometry for object snaps and relative offsets. You can set the style of the points and their size relative to the screen or in absolute units.
that line, or you create a construction line at a specific angle to the horizontal axis by specifying an angle and then a point through which the construction line should pass. ■ Bisector. Creates a construction line that bisects an angle you specify. You specify the vertex and the lines that create the angle. ■ Offset. Creates a construction line parallel to a baseline you specify.
■ Combining simple objects into more complex ones with Boolean operations. You can create regions from objects that form closed loops. Loops can be combinations of lines, polylines, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, and splines that enclose an area. You create regions using the REGION command to convert a closed object into a region, and the BOUNDARY command to create a region from an area enclosed by objects. You can combine regions by unifying, subtracting, or intersecting them.
Invalid Boundaries When a boundary cannot be determined, it might be because the specified internal point is not within a fully enclosed area. With the BOUNDARY command, red circles are displayed around unconnected endpoints of the boundary to identify gaps in the boundary. The red circles remain displayed even after you exit the command. They are removed when you specify a closed boundary, or by using REDRAW, REGEN, or REGENALL.
You can create a revision cloud from scratch, or you can convert objects, such as a circle, ellipse, polyline, or spline, to a revision cloud. When you convert an object to a revision cloud, the original object is deleted if DELOBJ is set to 1 (the default). You can set the minimum and maximum default values for the arc lengths of a revision cloud. When you draw a revision cloud, you can vary the size of the arcs by using pick points for the smaller arc segments.
Select Objects Individually At the Select Objects prompt, you can select one or more objects individually. Use the Pickbox Cursor When the square pickbox cursor is in position to select an object, the object is highlighted. Click to select the object. You can control the size of the pickbox in the Application Preferences dialog box, Cursor & Selection tab. Select Overlapping or Close Objects It is sometimes difficult to select objects that overlap or are close together.
Select Multiple Objects At the Select Objects prompt, you can select many objects at the same time. Specify a Rectangular Selection Area Specify opposite corners to define a rectangular area. The background inside the area changes color and becomes transparent. The direction that you drag your cursor from the first point to the opposite corner determines which objects are selected. ■ Window selection.
Specify an Irregularly Shaped Selection Area Specify points to define an irregularly shaped area. Use window polygon selection to select objects entirely enclosed by the selection area. Use crossing polygon selection to select objects enclosed or crossed by the selection area. Specify a Selection Fence In a complex drawing, use a selection fence. A selection fence looks like a polyline and selects only the objects it passes through. The circuit board illustration shows a fence selecting several components.
You can also remove objects from the current selection set by holding down Shift and selecting them again, or by holding down Shift and then clicking and dragging window or crossing selections. You can add and remove objects repeatedly from the selection set. Prevent Objects from Being Selected You can prevent objects on specified layers from being selected and modified by locking those layers. Typically, you lock layers to prevent accidental editing of particular objects.
vertex is selected, SELECTSIMILAR selects other mesh objects, not just the mesh vertices. See also: Customize Object Selection (page 199) Work with Layers (page 101) Customize Object Selection You can control several aspects of selecting objects, such as whether you enter a command first or select objects first, the size of the pickbox cursor, and how selected objects are displayed.
Select Objects First You can use one of two methods to select objects before starting a command: ■ Use the SELECT command, and enter ? to display all selection options. All objects selected are put into the Previous selection set. To use the Previous selection set, enter p at the Select Objects prompt of any subsequent command. ■ When noun/verb selection is turned on, select objects at the Command prompt before entering a command such as MOVE, COPY, or ERASE.
■ Change the size of the pickbox. (PICKBOX) ■ Select all objects in a group when you select one object in that group. ■ Include the boundary in the selection set when you select a hatch. Group Objects A group is a saved set of objects that you can select and edit together or separately as needed. Groups provide an easy way to combine drawing elements that you need to manipulate as a unit.
The objects in your drawing can be members of more than one group, and groups themselves can be nested in other groups. You can ungroup a nested group to restore the original group configuration. When group selection is on (PICKSTYLE system variable set to 1 or 3), selecting a member of an existing group for inclusion in a new group, selects all members of the former group. To enable individual selection of grouped objects turn group selection off (PICKSTYLE set to 0 or 2).
Edit Objects as a Group When group selection is turned on, you can move, copy, rotate, and modify groups just as you can modify individual objects. If you need to edit objects within a group, turn off group selection or use grips to edit individual objects. For more information, see Select Objects in Groups (page 202). Change Group Components, Name, or Description You can specify objects to be added to or removed from a group at any time. You can also rename a group or change it’s description.
Undo Several Actions at Once Use the Mark option of UNDO to mark an action as you work. You can then use the Back option of UNDO to undo all actions that occurred after the marked action. Use the Begin and End options of UNDO to define a set of actions to be treated as a group. You can also undo several actions at once with the Undo list on the Standard toolbar. Reverse the Effect of Undo You can reverse the effect of a single U or UNDO command by using REDO immediately after using U or UNDO.
Delete Duplicate Objects You can remove duplicate and overlapping lines, arcs, polylines, and segments of these object types with OVERKILL. Set a tolerance value and specify whether object properties such as layer, color, or plot style are honored or ignored when comparing suspected duplicate objects. OVERKILL also provides a method to consolidate objects.
Modify Objects You can modify the size, shape, and location of objects. See also: Work with Custom and Proxy Objects (page 512) Modify Existing Dimensions (page 410) Choose a Method to Modify Objects Access object editing options using the following methods: Methods Descriptions Command line Enter a command and then select the objects to modify. Alternatively, select the objects first and then enter a command.
Methods Descriptions and sometimes grip-specific, editing options. See also: Change Text (page 363) Select Objects (page 194) Modify Existing Dimensions (page 410) Display and Change the Properties of Objects (page 100) Work with Custom and Proxy Objects (page 512) Modify Objects Using Grips Grips are displayed at strategic points on selected objects. Use Object Grips You can reshape, move, or manipulate objects in other ways using different types of grips and grip modes.
Objects with Multi-Functional Grips The following objects have multi-functional grips that offer object-specific and, in some cases, grip-specific options: ■ 2D objects: Lines, polylines, arcs, elliptical arcs, and splines. ■ Annotation objects: Dimension objects and multileaders. Important Notes ■ Grips are not displayed on objects that are on locked layers.
■ If you select a quadrant grip to stretch a circle or ellipse and then specify a distance at the Command prompt for the new radius—rather than moving the grip—this distance is measured from the center of the circle, not the selected grip. Limit the Display of Grips to Improve Performance You can limit the maximum number of objects that display grips. For example, when a drawing contains hatch objects or polylines with many grips, selecting these objects can take a long time.
such as a line, and then copy it to any point in the drawing area. Multiple copies continue being made until you turn off grips. NOTE When you use grips to make multiple copies of an annotative object that contains multiple scale representations, only the current scale representation is copied. Define an Offset Snap or a Rotation Snap You can place multiple copies at regularly spaced intervals with an offset snap. The offset snap is defined by the distance between an object and the next copy.
Control Grips in Blocks You can specify whether a block displays a single grip or multiple grips. You can specify whether a selected block reference displays a single grip at its insertion point or displays multiple grips associated with the objects grouped within the block. See also: Use Object Grips (page 207) Move or Rotate Objects You can move objects to a different location, or change the orientation of objects by rotating them by an angle or to other objects.
Move Objects You can move objects at a specified distance and direction from the originals. Use coordinates, grid snap, object snaps, and other tools to move objects with precision. Specify Distance with Two Points Move an object using the distance and direction specified by a base point followed by a second point. In this example, you move the block representing a window. Select the object to be moved (1). Specify the base point for the move (2) followed by a second point (3).
The result is that only the endpoints that lie within the crossing selection move. Nudge Objects Selected objects can be nudged in orthogonal increments by pressing Ctrl + arrow keys. Snap mode affects the distance and direction in which the objects are nudged. ■ Nudge objects with Snap mode turned off: Objects move two pixels at a time; movement is relative and orthogonal to the screen, regardless of the view direction or the UCS orientation.
Rotate an Object to an Absolute Angle With the Reference option, you can rotate an object to align it to an absolute angle. For example, to rotate the part in the illustration so the diagonal edge rotates to 90 degrees, you select the objects to be rotated (1, 2), specify the base point (3), and enter the Reference option. For the reference angle, specify the two endpoints of the diagonal line (4, 5). For the new angle, enter 90.
In the following example, two pairs of points are used to align the piping in 2D using the ALIGN command. Endpoint object snaps align the pipes precisely. Copy, Array, Offset, or Mirror Objects You can create duplicates of objects in your drawing that are either identical or similar to selected objects. Copy Objects You can create duplicates of objects at a specified distance and direction from the originals. Use coordinates, grid snap, object snaps, and other tools to copy objects with precision.
Specify Distance with Relative Coordinates Copy an object using a relative distance by entering coordinate values for the first point and pressing Enter for the second point. The coordinate values are used as a relative displacement rather than the location of a base point. NOTE Do not include an @ sign as you normally would for relative coordinates, because relative coordinates are expected. To copy objects a specified distance, you can also use direct distance entry with Ortho mode and polar tracking.
Array Objects (page 217) Array Objects Create multiple copies of objects that are evenly distributed in a rectangular or circular pattern, or along a specified path. Overview of Arrays Create copies of objects arranged in a pattern called an array.There are three types of arrays: ■ Rectangular ■ Path ■ Polar Control Array Associativity Associativity allows you to quickly propagate changes throughout an array by maintaining relationships between items. Arrays can be associative or non-associative.
■ Non-associative.Items in the array are created as independent objects. Changes to one item do not affect the other items. Create Rectangular Arrays In rectangular arrays, items are distributed into any combination of rows, columns, and levels. A dynamic preview allows you to quickly derive the number and spacing of rows and columns. Add levels to make a 3D array. The following illustration shows a rectangular array with three rows, three columns, and three levels.
NOTE Although you cannot create the objects in this example in AutoCAD LT, you can create an array with multiple levels. By dragging the array grips, you can increase or decrease the number and spacing of the rows and columns in the array. You can rotate the array around the base point in the XY plane. At creation, the row and column axes are orthogonal to each other; for associative arrays, you can later edit the axis angles.
Control Item Distribution The distribution of items along the path can be measured or divided. ■ Measure. The array follows the path when it is edited but the number of objects and spacing do not change. If the path is edited and becomes too short to display all objects, the count is automatically adjusted. ■ Divide. The number of objects and the length of the path determine the spacing of the objects in the array. The objects are always spaced evenly along the entire length of the path.
NOTE Although you cannot create the objects in this example in AutoCAD LT, you can create an array that is aligned along an axis of rotation. The direction in which the array is drawn depends on whether you enter a positive or negative value for the fill angle. For associative arrays, you can change the direction in the Properties Inspector. Edit Associative Arrays Modify associative arrays by editing the array properties, applying item overrides, replacing selected items, or editing source objects.
Array Grips The type of grips and dynamic menu options displayed depend on the type of array. Apply Item Overrides Ctrl-click items in the array to erase, move, rotate, or scale the selected items without affecting the rest of the array. Reset the array to remove all item overrides.
Replace Items Replace selected items with other objects. Any item overrides are maintained. You can also replace all items that reference the original source objects, rather than selecting individual items. Edit Source Objects To edit an item’s source objects, activate an editing state for a selected item. All changes (including the creation of new objects) are instantly applied to all items referencing the same set of source objects. Save or discard your changes to exit the editing state.
Limit the Size of Arrays The number of array elements that can be generated by one ARRAY command is limited to approximately 100,000. This limit is controlled by the MaxArray setting in the registry. If you specify a large number of rows and columns for an array, it may take a long time to create the copies. You can change this limit by setting the MaxArray system registry variable using SETENV and entering a number from 100 through 10000000 (ten million).
TIP An effective drawing technique is to offset objects and then trim or extend their ends. Use OFFSET to offset the following object types: ■ Lines ■ Arcs ■ Circles ■ Ellipses and elliptical arcs (resulting in an oval-shaped spline) ■ 2D polylines ■ Construction lines (xlines) and rays ■ Splines Special Cases for Offset Polylines and Splines 2D polylines are offset as individual line segments, resulting in either intersections or gaps between segments.
Splines are trimmed automatically when the offset distance is larger than can otherwise be accommodated. Mirror Objects You can flip objects about a specified axis to create a symmetrical mirror image. Mirroring is useful for creating symmetrical objects because you can quickly draw half the object and then mirror it instead of drawing the entire object. You flip objects about an axis called a mirror line to create a mirror image. To specify this temporary mirror line, you enter two points.
By default, when you mirror text, hatches, attributes, and attribute definitions, they are not reversed or turned upside down in the mirror image. The text has the same alignment and justification as before the object was mirrored. If you do want text to be reversed, set the MIRRTEXT system variable to 1. MIRRTEXT affects text that is created with the TEXT, ATTDEF, or MTEXT commands; attribute definitions; and variable attributes.
This means you can first create an object such as a line and then later adjust it to fit exactly between other objects. Objects you select as cutting edges or boundary edges are not required to intersect the object being trimmed. You can trim or extend an object to a projected edge or to an extrapolated intersection; that is, where the objects would intersect if they were extended.
When you trim several objects, the different selection methods can help you choose the current cutting edges and objects to trim. In the following example, the cutting edges are selected using crossing selection. The following example uses the fence selection method to select a series of objects for trimming. You can trim objects to their nearest intersection with other objects. Instead of selecting cutting edges, you press Enter.
NOTE You can extend objects without exiting the TRIM command. Press and hold Shift while selecting the objects to be extended. Extend Objects Extending operates the same way as trimming. You can extend objects so they end precisely at boundary edges defined by other objects. In this example, you extend the lines precisely to a circle, which is the boundary edge.
Trim and Extend Wide Polylines 2D wide polylines trim and extend at their centerlines. The ends of wide polylines are always square. Trimming a wide polyline at an angle causes portions of the end to extend beyond the cutting edge If you trim or extend a tapered 2D polyline segment, the width of the extended end is corrected to continue the original taper to the new endpoint. If this correction gives the segment a negative ending width, the ending width is forced to 0.
Resize or Reshape Objects You can resize objects to make them longer or shorter in only one direction or to make them proportionally larger or smaller. You can also stretch certain objects by moving an endpoint, vertex, or control point. Lengthen Objects With LENGTHEN, you can change the included angle of arcs and the length of the following objects: ■ Lines ■ Arcs ■ Open polylines ■ Elliptical arcs ■ Open splines. The results are similar to extending and trimming.
Use object snaps, grid snaps, and relative coordinate entry to stretch with precision. Scale Objects Using a Scale Factor With SCALE, you can make an object uniformly larger or smaller. To scale an object, you specify a base point and a scale factor. Alternatively, you can specify a length to be used as a scale factor based on the current drawing units. A scale factor greater than 1 enlarges the object. A scale factor between 0 and 1 shrinks the object.
You can use the Reference option to scale an entire drawing. For example, use this option when the original drawing units need to be changed. Select all objects in the drawing. Then use Reference to select two points and specify the intended distance. All the objects in the drawing are scaled accordingly. See also: Break and Join Objects (page 241) Fillet, Chamfer, Break, or Join Objects You can change objects to meet in rounded or flattened corners. You can also create or close gaps in objects.
FILLET can be used to round all corners on a polyline using a single command. Also, you can use the Multiple option to fillet more than one set of objects without leaving the command. NOTE Filleting a hatch boundary that was defined from line segments removes hatch associativity. If the hatch boundary was defined from a polyline, associativity is maintained. If both objects being filleted are on the same layer, the fillet arc is created on that layer.
Control the Location of the Fillet Depending on the locations you specify, more than one possible fillet can exist between the selected objects. Compare the selection locations and resulting fillets in the illustrations. Fillet Line and Polyline Combinations To fillet lines with polylines, each line or its extension must intersect one of the polyline line segments. If the Trim option is on, the filleted objects and the fillet arc join to form a single new polyline.
Fillet an Entire Polyline You can fillet an entire polyline or remove fillets from an entire polyline. If you set a nonzero fillet radius, FILLET inserts fillet arcs at the vertex of each polyline segment that is long enough to accommodate the fillet radius. If two linear segments in a polyline are separated by an arc segment between them, FILLET removes the arc segment and replaces it with a new arc segment of the current fillet radius. If you set the fillet radius to 0, no fillet arcs are inserted.
Create Chamfers A chamfer connects two objects to meet in a flattened or beveled corner. A chamfer connects two objects with an angled line. It is usually used to represent a beveled edge on a corner. You can chamfer ■ Lines ■ Polylines ■ Rays ■ Xlines CHAMFER can be used to bevel all corners of a polyline using a single command. NOTE Chamfering a hatch boundary that was defined from line segments removes hatch associativity.
Chamfer by Specifying Distances The chamfer distance is the amount each object is trimmed or extended to meet the chamfer line or to intersect the other. If both chamfer distances are 0, chamfering trims or extends the two objects until they intersect but does not create a chamfer line. You can press and hold Shift while selecting the objects to override the current chamfer distances with a value of 0. In the following example, you set the chamfer distance to 0.5 for the first line and 0.
Chamfer Polylines and Polyline Segments If the two objects you select for chamfering are segments of a polyline, they must be adjacent or separated by no more than one arc segment. If they are separated by an arc segment, as shown in the illustration, chamfering deletes the arc and replaces it with a chamfer line. Chamfer an Entire Polyline When you chamfer an entire polyline, each intersection is chamfered. For best results, keep the first and second chamfer distances equal.
When you chamfer an entire polyline, only the segments that are long enough to accommodate the chamfer distance are chamfered. The polyline in the following illustration has some segments too short to be chamfered. Break and Join Objects You can break an object into two objects with or without a gap between them. You can also join objects to create single object or multiple objects. Break Objects Use BREAK to create a gap in an object, resulting in two objects with a gap between them.
The result of the join operation varies depending on the objects selected. Typical applications include ■ Replacing two collinear lines with a single line. ■ Closing the gap in a line that resulted from a BREAK. ■ Completing an arc into a circle or an elliptical arc into an ellipse. To access the Close option, select a single arc or elliptical arc. ■ Combining several long polylines in a topographic map. ■ Joining two splines, leaving a kink between them.
Explode Polylines When you explode a polyline, any associated width information is discarded. The resulting lines and arcs follow the polyline's centerline. If you explode a block that contains a polyline, you need to explode the polyline separately. If you explode a donut, its width becomes 0. Explode Block References If you explode a block with attributes, the attribute values are lost, leaving only the attribute definitions. The colors and linetypes of objects in exploded block references can change.
■ The segment type (line or arc) ■ The type of Polyline (standard, curve-fit, or spline-fit) Polyline grip menu options Option Animation Stretch or Stretch Vertex. Specify a stretch point. Add Vertex. Specify a point for the new vertex. Remove Vertex. Delete the selected vertex. Convert to Arc. Specify the midpoint of a straight segment to convert it to an arc segment. Convert to Line. Specify the midpoint of an arc segment to convert into a straight segment. Tangent Direction.
See also: Choose a Method to Modify Objects (page 206) Modify Objects Using Grips (page 207) Overview of Constraints (page 248) Trim or Extend Objects (page 227) Break and Join Objects (page 241) Modify Splines Several methods are available for editing splines and changing their underlying mathematical parameters. Edit Splines with Multi-Functional Grips Multi-functional grips provide options that include adding control vertices and changing the tangent direction of the spline at its endpoints.
IMPORTANT Switching from displaying control vertices to fit points automatically changes the selected spline to degree 3. Splines originally created using higher-degree equations will likely change shape as a result. In general, editing a spline with control vertices provides finer control over reshaping a small section of the curve than editing a spline with fit points.
Edit Splines with SPLINEDIT SPLINEDIT provides additional editing options, such as adding a kink to the spline, and joining a spline to another contiguous object, such as a line, arc, or other spline. As shown, objects are joined to splines with C0 continuity.
For more information, see Modify Objects Using Grips (page 207). NOTE Because periodic curves and surfaces are not currently supported, the objects may kink if they are reshaped. See also: Draw Splines (page 186) Break and Join Objects (page 241) Use Object Grips (page 207) Add Constraints to Geometry With parametric drawing, you can add constraints to geometry to ensure that the design conforms to specified requirements.
The following illustration displays geometric and dimensional constraints using the default format and visibility. A blue cursor icon always displays when you move the cursor over an object that has constraints applied to it. In the design phase of a project, constraints provide a way to enforce requirements when experimenting with different designs or when making changes. Changes made to objects can adjust other objects automatically, and restrict changes to distance and angle values.
■ Underconstrained. Some constraints are applied to the geometry. ■ Fully constrained. All relevant geometric and dimensional constraints are applied to the geometry. A fully constrained set of objects also needs to include at least one Fix constraint to lock the location of the geometry.
Constrain Objects Geometrically Geometric constraints determine the relationships between 2D geometric objects or points on objects relative to each other. Overview of Geometric Constraints NOTE This topic has been included for AutoCAD-compatibility purposes only. In AutoCAD LT, parametric drawing technology is limited to displaying and hiding constraints, editing constrained geometry, and changing values at the Command prompt. You can specify geometric constraints between 2D objects or points on objects.
The geometry is not fully constrained, however. Using grips, you can still change the radius of the arc, the diameter of the circle, the length of the horizontal line, and the length of the vertical lines. To specify these distances, you need to apply dimensional constraints. NOTE Constraints can be added to segments within a polyline as if they were separate objects.
■ By default, a gray constraint icon displays near the constrained object as shown in the previous illustration, and a small blue glyph displays with your cursor when you move it over a constrained object Once applied, constraints permit only those changes to the geometry that do not violate the constraints. This provides a method for exploring design options or making design changes while maintaining the requirements and specifications of the design.
The fix, horizontal, and vertical constraint icons indicate whether the constraints are applied to an object or a point. Constraint Point Object Fix Horizontal Vertical The symmetric constraint icons indicate whether it identifying a symmetrical point or object, or the symmetrical line. Constraint Point Object Line Symmetric When rolling over any icon, the constraint point markers are displayed indicating the constrained points.
It is often advisable to specify a fix constraint at an important geometric feature. This locks the location of that point or object, and prevents geometry from relocating when you make changes to the design. When you fix an object, the angle of a line, or the center of an arc or circle is also fixed. Apply Multiple Geometric Constraints You can apply multiple geometric constraints to objects either manually or automatically.
Display and Verify Geometric Constraints You can determine visually what objects are associated with any geometric constraint, or what constraints are associated with any object. Constraint icons provide information about how objects are constrained. A constraint bar displays one or more icons that represent the geometric constraints applied to an object. You can drag constraint bars when you need to move them out of the way, and you can also control whether they are displayed or hidden.
Control the Display of Constraint Bars Geometric constraints and constraint bars can be displayed or hidden, either individually or globally.
Modify Constrained Objects with Grips You can modify constrained geometry using grip editing modes. The geometry will maintain all applied constraints. For example, if a line object is constrained to remain tangent to a circle, you can rotate the line and change its length and endpoints, but the line or its extension will remain tangent to the circle. If the circle was an arc instead, the line or its extension would remain tangent to the arc or its extension.
Modify Constrained Objects with Editing Commands You can use editing commands such as MOVE, COPY, ROTATE, SCALE, and STRETCH to modify constrained geometry. The results maintain the constraints applied to the objects. NOTE The TRIM, EXTEND, BREAK, and JOIN commands in some circumstances can remove constraints. For information about temporarily relaxing constraints, see Overview of Constraints (page 248).
If you change the value of a dimensional constraint, all the constraints on the object are evaluated, and the objects that are affected are updated automatically. Also, constraints can be added directly to segments within a polyline as if they were separate objects. NOTE The number of decimal places displayed in dimensional constraints is controlled by the LUPREC and AUPREC system variables.
The expressions that you define can include a variety of predefined functions and constants. For more information about using variables and equations with constraints, see Constrain a Design with Formulas and Equations (page 263) See also: Overview of Geometric Constraints (page 251) Apply Dimensional Constraints Constrain a Design with Formulas and Equations (page 263) Control the Display of Dimensional Constraints You can display or hide dynamic and annotational constraints within a drawing.
Edit Dimensional Constraint Names, Values, and Expressions You can edit the names, values, and expressions that are associated with dimensional constraints using in-place editing: ■ Double-click the dimensional constraint, select the dimensional constraint and use the shortcut menu, or the TEXTEDIT command ■ Open the Properties Inspector and select the dimensional constraint You can reference other dimensional constraints by selecting them during an in-place editing operation.
Dynamic dimensional constraints are more limited than annotational dimensional constraints in where the text can be located. NOTE Triangular grips are not available for dimensional constraints that reference other constraint variables in expressions. For information about temporarily relaxing constraints, see Overview of Constraints (page 248).
The Length and Width dimensional constraint parameters are set to constants. The d1 and d2 constraints are simple expressions that reference the Length and Width. The Radius dimensional constraint parameter is set to an expression that includes the square root function, parentheses to determine the precedence of operations, the Area user variable, the division operator, and the constant, PI.
List all the parameters in the current drawing ■ Use Operators in Expressions Dimensional constraint parameters and user variables support the following operators within expressions: Operator Description + Addition - Subtraction or unary negation % Floating point modulo * Multiplication / Division ^ Exponentiation () Parenthesis, expression delimiter .
Functions Supported in Expressions The following functions are available for use in expressions: Function Syntax Cosine cos(expression) Sine sin(expression) Tangent tan(expression) Arc cosine acos(expression) Arc sine asin(expression) Arc tangent atan(expression) Hyperbolic cosine cosh(expression) Hyperbolic sine sinh(expression) Hyperbolic tangent tanh(expression) Arc hyperbolic cosine acosh(expression) Arc hyperbolic sine asinh(expression) Arc hyperbolic tangent atanh(expression)
Function Syntax Round down floor(expression) Round up ceil(expression) Absolute value abs(expression) Largest element in array max(expression1;expression2) Smallest element in array min(expression1;expression2) Degrees to radians d2r(expression) Radians to degrees r2d(expression) Logarithm, base e ln(expression) Logarithm, base 10 log(expression) Exponent, base e exp(expression) Exponent, base 10 exp10(expression) Power function pow(expression1;expression2) Random decimal, 0-1 Ran
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Define and Reference Blocks 7 Work with Blocks A block is one or more objects combined to create a single object. Blocks help you reuse objects in the same drawing or in other drawings. Overview of Blocks A block can be composed of objects drawn on several layers with various properties. You can use several methods to create blocks.
When you insert a block you are inserting a block reference. The information is not copied from the block definition to the drawing area. Instead, a link is established between the block reference and the block definition. Therefore, if the block definition is changed, all references are updated automatically. Use PURGE to remove unused block definitions from a drawing. Blocks and Layers A block can be composed of objects drawn on several layers with various colors, linetypes, and lineweight properties.
Insert Blocks When you insert a block, you create a block reference and specify its location, scale, and rotation. Scale Block References You can specify the scale of a block reference using different X, Y, and Z values. A block that uses different drawing units than the units specified for the drawing is automatically scaled by a factor equivalent to the ratio between the two units.
Xrefs contained in a drawing you insert may not be displayed properly unless the xref was previously inserted or attached to the destination drawing. Insert Blocks from Block Libraries You can insert one or more block definitions from an existing drawing file into your current drawing file. Choose this method when retrieving blocks from block library drawings. A block library drawing contains block definitions of symbols with similar functions.
See also: Create Drawing Files for Use as Blocks (page 280) Overview of Blocks (page 269) Add Text and Blocks to Tables (page 373) Work with Dynamic Blocks in Drawings A dynamic block reference can be changed in a drawing while you work. Overview of Dynamic Blocks Dynamic block references contain grips or custom properties that change the way the reference is displayed in the drawing after it is inserted.
Work with Action Parameters Dynamic blocks that contain action parameters display grips that are associated with a point, object, or region in the block definition. When you edit the grip, an associated action is triggered that changes the way the block reference is displayed. You can hover over a grip to display a tooltip or prompt that explains the parameter related to the grip. The display of the tooltip is controlled by the GRIPTIPS system variable.
a value other than one specified in the definition, the parameter will adjust to the closest valid value. Work With Action Parameters in Blocks Use grips or the Properties palette to manipulate a block reference that contains action parameters. Use Grips to Change Blocks Containing Action Parameters You can manipulate a block that contains action parameters with custom grips. For example, when you drag the grip on the chair in the block reference below, the chair moves.
Grip Type How the Grip Can Be Manipulated in a Drawing Alignment Within a plane in any direction; when moved over an object, triggers the block reference to align with the object Lookup Clicked to display a list of items Work with Custom Properties When you select a dynamic block reference, custom properties are listed in the Properties Inspector under Custom. When you change the value of the custom property, the block reference is updated accordingly.
Reset a Block to Display Default Geometry When you reset a block reference, the block changes back to the default specified in the block definition. For example, you can make a block dynamic again if you non-uniformly scale or explode a dynamic block reference. Work With Constraint Parameters in Blocks Parameters in a block reference can be manipulated in the Block Editor. Constraint parameters are authored with mathematical expressions that affect the geometry of the block reference.
Block reference with constraint (gray) and constraint parameter (blue, with grip) You can select a block reference and list its editable parameters with -PARAMETERS. When you change the value of the parameter, the block reference is updated accordingly. Remove Block Definitions To reduce the size of a drawing, you can remove unused block definitions. You can remove a block reference from your drawing by erasing it; however, the block definition remains in the drawing's block definition table.
Create Blocks Within a Drawing After you define a block in a drawing, you can insert a block reference in the drawing as many times as necessary. Use this method to create blocks quickly. Each block definition includes a block name, one or more objects, the coordinate values of the base point to be used for inserting the block, and any associated attribute data. The base point is used as a reference for positioning the block when you insert it.
You can also use the Block Editor to create blocks that are saved within a drawing. See also: Overview of Blocks (page 269) Create Drawing Files for Use as Blocks You can create individual drawing files for use as blocks. You can create drawing files for the purpose of inserting them into other drawings as blocks. Individual drawing files are easy to create and manage as the source of block definitions. Collections of symbols can be stored as individual drawing files and grouped in folders.
Create a New Drawing File You have two methods for creating drawing files: ■ Create and save a complete drawing file using SAVE or SAVEAS. ■ Create and save only selected objects from your current drawing to a new drawing using EXPORT or WBLOCK. With either method, you create an ordinary drawing file that can be inserted as a block into any other drawing file.
Assign Color and Linetype Properties Generally when you insert a block, the color, linetype, and lineweight of objects in the block retain their original settings regardless of the current settings in the drawing. However, you can create blocks with objects that inherit the current color, linetype, and lineweight settings. These objects have floating properties. You have three choices for how the color, linetype, and lineweight properties of objects are treated when a block reference is inserted.
If you want objects in a Create objects on these Create objects with block to layers these properties Inherit individual properties first, then layer properties Any BYBLOCK Floating properties also apply to nested blocks when the nested block references and the objects they contain use the settings required for floating properties.
The only restriction on nested blocks is that you cannot insert blocks that reference themselves. See also: Overview of Blocks (page 269) Create Block Libraries A block library is a collection of block definitions stored in a single drawing file. You can use block libraries supplied by Autodesk or other vendors or create your own. You can organize a set of related block definitions by creating the blocks in the same drawing file. Drawing files used this way are called block, or symbol, libraries.
date of the last modification, and any special instructions or conventions. This creates a visual index of the blocks in the block library drawing. Use the Content palette to view and insert block definitions from the current or an existing drawing. Insert a block from the Content palette does not overwrite an existing block definition in a drawing with one that comes from another drawing.
The attributes in the illustration are single-line attributes. You can also create multiple-line attributes to store data such as addresses and descriptions. Attribute information extracted from a drawing can be used in a spreadsheet or database to produce a parts list or a bill of materials. You can associate more than one attribute with a block, provided that each attribute has a different tag. Attributes also can be "invisible.
Define Block Attributes To create an attribute, you first create an attribute definition, which stores the characteristics of the attribute. The characteristics include the tag, which is a name that identifies the attribute, the prompt displayed when you insert the block, value information, text formatting, location within the block, and any optional modes (Invisible, Constant, Verify, Preset, Lock Position, and Multiple Lines).
the current release, these single line attributes are automatically merged back into a multiple-line attribute. NOTE If a multiple-line attribute makes a round trip to an earlier release, the differences between these two types of attributes might result in truncating very long lines of text and loss of formatting. However, before any characters are truncated, AutoCAD LT displays a message box that lets you cancel the operation.
which you are prompted for attribute information when you insert the block reference. Use Attributes Without Attaching Them to Blocks Stand-alone attributes can also be created. Once attributes have been defined, and the drawing is saved, this drawing file can be inserted into another drawing. When the drawing is inserted, you are prompted for the attribute values.
type, field length, and number of decimal places associated with the information you want to extract. Each field in the template file extracts information from the block references in the drawing. Each line in the template file specifies one field to be written to the attribute extraction file, including the name of the field, its character width, and its numerical precision. Each record in the attribute extraction file includes all the specified fields in the order given by the template file.
Field (C)haracter or (N)umeric data Maximum field length Decimal places Block name C 040 000 Manufacturer C 006 000 Model C 015 000 Cost N 006 002 You can create any number of template files, depending on how you'll use the data. Each line of a template file specifies one field to be written in the attribute extraction file. Follow these additional guidelines: ■ Be sure to place a space between the attribute tag and the character or numeric data.
NOTE The format code for a numeric field includes the decimal point in the total field width. For example, the minimum field width to accommodate the number 249.95 would be 6 and would be represented as N006002. Character fields do not use the last three digits of the format code.
C:QUOTE c (Character string delimiter) C:DELIM c (Field delimiter) The first nonblank character following the C:QUOTE or C:DELIM field name becomes the respective delimiter character. For example, if you want to enclose character strings with double quotes, include the following line in your attribute extraction template file: C:QUOTE " The quote delimiter must not be set to a character that can appear in a character field.
In some complex cases, nested block references cannot be correctly represented with only two scale factors and a rotation angle, for example, if a nested block reference is rotated in 3D. When this happens, the scale factors and rotation angle in the extracted file record are set to zero.
the existing block definition, and all the references to that block in the drawing are immediately updated to reflect the new definition. To save time, you can insert and explode an instance of the original block and then use the resulting objects in creating the new block definition. Update a Block Definition That Originated from a Drawing File Block definitions created in your current drawing by inserting a drawing file are not updated automatically when the original drawing is modified.
Modify the Data in Block Attributes You can edit the values of attributes that are attached to a block and inserted in a drawing. You can use any of the following methods to edit the values of attributes attached to a block: ■ Double-click the block to display the Enhanced Attributes Editor ■ Press Ctrl and double-click the attribute to display the in-place editor ■ Open the Properties Inspector palette and select the block You can also change the location of attributes in a block using grips.
If constant attributes or nested attributed blocks are affected by your changes, use REGEN to update the display of those blocks in the drawing area. Change the Prompt Order for Attribute Values When you define a block, the order in which you select the attributes determines the order in which you are prompted for attribute information when you insert the block. You can use the Block Attribute Manager to change the order of prompts that request attribute values.
Disassemble a Block Reference (Explode) If you need to modify one or more objects within a block separately, you can disassemble, or explode, the block reference into its component objects.
Work with 3D Models 8 Create 3D Models You can display 3D objects from products such as AutoCAD in AutoCAD LT. Creation of 3D objects is limited to objects with 3D thickness or objects that can be displayed using the wireframe visual style. Create Wireframe Models A wireframe model is an edge or skeletal representation of a real-world 3D object using lines and curves. Wireframe models consist only of points, lines, and curves that describe the edges of the object.
be independently drawn and positioned, this type of modeling can be the most time-consuming.
■ Become adept at manipulating the UCS in 3D. The XY plane of the current UCS operates as a work plane to orient planar objects such as circles and arcs. The UCS also determines the plane of operation for trimming and extending, offsetting, and rotating objects. ■ Use object snaps and grid snap carefully to ensure the precision of your model. ■ Use coordinate filters to drop perpendiculars and easily locate points in 3D based on the location of points on other objects.
■ Text (only if created as a single-line text object using an SHX font) ■ Points Modifying the thickness property of other types of objects does not affect their appearance. You can set the default thickness property for new objects you create by setting the THICKNESS system variable. For existing objects, change the thickness property on the Properties Inspector palette. The 3D thickness is applied uniformly to an object; a single object cannot have different thicknesses.
Annotate Drawings 9 Work with Annotations When you annotate your drawings, you can use certain tools and properties to make working with annotations easier. Overview of Annotations Annotations are notes or other types of explanatory symbols or objects that are commonly used to add information to your drawing.
■ Blocks ■ Attributes Scale Annotations You can automate the process of scaling annotations in various layout viewports and in model space. Overview of Scaling Annotations Objects that are commonly used to annotate drawings have a property called Annotative. This property allows you to automate the process of scaling annotations so that they plot or display at the correct size on the paper.
Save to Legacy Drawing File Format Set the system variable SAVEFIDELITY to 1 when you save a drawing that contains annotative objects to a legacy drawing file format (AutoCAD LT 2007 or earlier). This preserves the visual fidelity of the drawing when it is opened in a release earlier than AutoCAD LT 2008 by saving individual representations of each scale of each annotative object. The individual objects are saved to layers that are used to organize objects of the same scale.
You can reset the list of annotative scales in a drawing to the default list of either metric or imperial scales defined in the registry with the Default Scale dialog box. The unused scales in the drawing are purged and the customized list of scales from your user profile are merged into the drawing See also: The Status Bar (page 26) Create Annotative Objects Objects that are commonly used to annotate drawings have a property called Annotative.
Many of the dialog boxes used to create these objects contain an Annotative check box where you can make the object annotative. You can also change existing objects to be annotative by changing the annotative property in the Properties Inspector palette. When you hover the cursor over an annotative object that supports one annotation scale, the cursor displays a icon. When the object supports more than one annotation scale, it displays a icon.
See also: Work with Annotative Styles (page 308) Work with Annotative Styles You can minimize the steps to annotate a drawing by using annotative styles. Work with Annotative Styles Annotative text, dimension, and multileader styles create annotative objects. The dialog boxes used to define these objects contain an Annotative check box where you can make the styles annotative. Annotative styles display a special palette.
Work with Leader Styles (page 347) Create Annotative Leaders and Multileaders (page 311) Create Annotative Text Use annotative text for notes and labels in your drawing. You create annotative text by using an annotative text style, which sets the height of the text on the paper. Create Annotative Text The current annotation scale automatically determines the display size of the text in model space or paper space viewports.
Create Annotative Dimensions and Tolerances Annotative dimension styles create dimensions in which all the elements of the dimension, such as text, spacing, and arrows, scale uniformly by the annotation scale. If you associate a dimension to an annotative object, the associativity of the dimension is lost. You can also change an existing non-annotative dimension to annotative by changing the dimension’s Annotative property to Yes (On).
Create Annotative Leaders and Multileaders Leaders and multileaders are used to add call outs to your drawings. You can create annotative leaders through an annotative dimension style and multileaders through an annotative multileader style. Create Annotative Leaders and Multileaders When you create a leader, you create two separate objects: the leader and the text, block, or tolerance associated with the leader. When you create a multileader, you create a single object.
at the time they are inserted. You should insert annotative block references with a unit factor of 1. You cannot change the Annotative property of individual block references. To set an annotative block’s paper size, you should define the block in paper space or on the Model layout with the annotation scale set to 1:1.
You can define annotative attributes for annotative and non-annotative blocks. Use annotative attributes with non-annotative blocks when you want the geometry in the block to display on the paper based on the scale of the viewport, but you want the attribute text to display at the Paper Text Height defined for the attribute. You can set the orientation of annotative blocks to match the orientation of the paper.
The orientation of annotative hatches always matches the orientation of the layout. See also: Overview of Hatch Pattern Definitions in the Customization Guide Display Annotative Objects For model space or a layout viewport, you can display all the annotative objects or only those that support the current annotation scale. Display Annotative Objects This reduces the need to use multiple layers to manage the visibility of your annotations.
You use the Annotation Visibility button on the right side of the application or drawing status bar to choose the display setting for annotative objects. Annotation visibility is turned on by default. When annotation visibility is turned on, all annotative objects are displayed. When annotation visibility is turned off , only annotative objects for the current scale are displayed.
grips to manipulate the current scale representation. All other scale representations of the object are displayed in a dimmed state when the SELECTIONANNODISPLAY system variable is set to 1 (default). Use the ANNORESET command to reset the location of all scale representations for an annotative object to that of the current scale representation. Set Orientation for Annotations Annotative blocks and text can be set so that their orientation matches the orientation of the layout.
Set Orientation for Annotations Even if the view in the layout viewport is twisted or if the viewpoint is non-planar, the orientation of these objects in layout viewports will match the orientation of the layout. Annotative attributes in blocks match the paper orientation of the block.
Hatches, Fills, and Wipeouts Use hatch patterns, a solid fills, or gradient fills to cover an area. Use wipeout objects to blank out areas. See also: Modify Objects (page 206) Overview of Hatch Pattern Definitions in the Customization Guide Overview of Hatch Patterns and Fills A hatch object displays a standard pattern of lines and dots used to highlight an area, or to identify a material, such as steel or concrete. It can also display a solid fill or a gradient fill.
To maintain associativity, the boundary objects must continue to completely enclose the hatch. The alignment and orientation of a hatch pattern is determined by the current location and orientation of the user coordinate system, in addition to controls in the user interface. Moving or rotating the UCS is an alternate method for controlling hatch patterns. NOTE By default, a preview of the hatch displays as you move the cursor over enclosed areas.
■ Select objects that enclose an area. ■ Specify boundary points using the Draw option of -HATCH. NOTE Enclosed areas can be hatched only if they are in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS. Create Associative Hatches Associative hatches are automatically updated when their boundary objects are modified. Minor changes in the boundary of an associative hatch do not require erasing and re-creating the hatch.
■ No island detection (legacy behavior that is similar to the Ignore style) Using Normal island detection, if you specify the internal pick point shown, islands remain unhatched and islands within islands are hatched. Using the same pick point, the results of the options are compared below. NOTE Text objects are treated as islands. If island detection is turned on, the result always leaves a rectangular space around the text.
Identify Gaps in Hatch Boundaries If the specified internal point is not within a fully enclosed area, red circles are displayed at the unconnected endpoints of the boundary to identify the gaps. The red circles remain displayed after you exit HATCH. They are removed when you specify another internal point for the hatch, or when you use REDRAW, REGEN, or REGENALL.
Control the Appearance of Hatches Specify a hatch pattern or fill, and control its alignment and scale. Choose a Hatch Pattern or Fill Choose from three types of hatch patterns, and two types of fills. ■ Predefined hatch patterns. Choose from over 70 ANSI, ISO, and other industry-standard hatch patterns that are available. You can also use hatch patterns from hatch pattern libraries supplied by other companies. Hatch patterns are defined in the acadlt.pat and acadltiso.pat files.
Control the Hatch Origin Point Each hatch pattern is aligned with an origin point. Changing the origin point shifts the pattern. By default, hatch patterns are aligned with the origin point of the user coordinate system. However, sometimes you need to move the origin point of the hatch object. For example, if you create a brick pattern, you can start with a complete brick in the lower-left corner of the hatched area by specifying a new origin point.
NOTE To prevent accidental creation of an enormous number of hatch lines, the maximum number of hatch lines created in a single hatch operation is limited. This limit prevents memory and performance problems. However, you can change the maximum number of hatch lines with the HPMAXLINES system variable. Similarly the number of enclosed areas in single hatch is limited by the HPMAXAREAS system variable.
■ Trim an existing hatch to objects that cross the edges of the hatch. After trimming, erase the objects. ■ Define hatch boundary points with the Draw option of the -HATCH command. To hide a hatch's boundary objects, assign the boundary objects to a different layer than the hatch object, and then turn off or freeze the layer of the boundary objects. This method maintains hatch associativity.
Modify Hatch Properties Modify the properties of hatch objects directly or copy them from another hatch object. The following tools are available for modifying hatch properties: ■ Hatch visor controls. Display on the visor by selecting a hatch or fill object. ■ Hatch Edit dialog box. Access the dialog box with HATCHEDIT. ■ Properties Inspector. ■ Hatch shortcut menu. Access the menu by right-clicking a hatch object. ■ Hatch dynamic menu.
Reshape a Hatch or Fill Reshape an associative hatch by modifying the boundary objects. Reshape a nonassociative hatch by modifying the hatch object. Modify the Extents of Associative Hatches and Fills If you modify the boundary objects of an associative hatch, and the result maintains a closed boundary, the associated hatch object is automatically updated. If the changes result in an open boundary, the hatch loses its associativity with the boundary objects, and the hatch remains unchanged.
Modify the Extents of Non-associative Hatches and Fills When you select a non-associative hatch, multi-functional grips are displayed on the hatch. Use these grips to modify the hatch extents and some several hatch properties. When you hover over a grip on a nonassociative hatch object, a grip menu displays several edit options based on the type of grip. For example, a linear segment grip has an option to convert the segment to an arc, or to add a vertex.
Create a Blank Area to Cover Objects Create a polygonal area, called a wipeout to mask underlying objects with the current background color. A wipeout object covers existing objects with a blank area to make room for notes or to mask details. This area is defined by the wipeout frame, which you can turn on for editing, and turn off for plotting. Use the WIPEOUT command both for creating a wipeout object, and for controlling whether wipeout frames are displayed or hidden in the drawing.
Notes and Labels You can create and modify several types of text, including text with leaders. You can control most text style settings by defining text styles. Overview of Notes and Labels You can create text in various ways. For short, simple entries, use single-line text. For longer entries with internal formatting, use multiline text (mtext).
Single-Line Text For short entries that do not require multiple fonts or lines, create single-line text. Single-line text is most convenient for labels. Multiline Text For long, complex entries, create multiline, or paragraph text. Multiline text consists of any number of text lines or paragraphs that fit within a width you specify; it can extend vertically to an indefinite length.
determines what part of the text character aligns with the insertion point. Use the TEXT command to enter the text in-place, or enter -text to type text at the Command prompt instead of in-place. You can insert a field in single-line text. A field is text that is set up to display data that might change. When the field is updated, the latest value of the field is displayed. The text styles used for single-line text are the same as those used for multiline text.
See also: Use Fields in Text (page 350) Create Multiline Text A multiline text (mtext) object includes one or more paragraphs of text that can be manipulated as a single object. Overview of Multiline Text You can create a multiline text (mtext) object by entering or importing text. You can create one or more paragraphs of multiline text (mtext) in the In-Place Text Editor. You can also type text at the Command prompt if you use -MTEXT. You can insert text from a file saved in ASCII or RTF format.
The In-Place Text Editor allows you to adjust the bounding box that defines the size of the multiline text object, as well as create and edit tabs and indents on the ruler along the top. The editor is transparent, as you create text, you can see whether the text overlaps other objects. To turn off transparency while you work, right-click in the In-Place Text Editor and click Editor Settings ➤ Opaque Background from the shortcut menu.
Justify Multiline Text Justification of multiline text objects controls both text alignment and text flow relative to the text insertion point. Justification controls both text alignment and text flow relative to the text insertion point. Text is left-justified and right-justified with respect to the boundary rectangle that defines the text width. Text flows from the insertion point, which can be at the middle, the top, or the bottom of the resulting text object.
Format Characters Within Multiline Text You can override the text style and apply different formatting to individual words and characters within multiline text. The format changes affect only the text you select; the current text style is not changed. You can specify a different font and text height and apply boldface, italics, underlining, overlining, and color. You can also set an obliquing angle, change the space between characters, and make characters wider or narrower.
NOTE If you do not want list formatting applied to all text that fits the criteria, clear the Allow Bullets and Lists option. (Right-click in the In-Place Text Editor, click Bullets and Lists ➤ Allow Bullets and Lists.) When Allow Bullets and Lists is not checked, you cannot create new formatted lists in the multiline text object. To create a list, use one of the following methods: ■ Apply list formatting to new or selected text. ■ Use Auto-list (on by default) and type the elements of a list.
Character Description : Colon ) Close parenthesis > Close angle bracket ] Close square bracket } Close curly bracket Paste a List from Another Document If you copy a nested bulleted list (a list within a list) from a word processor and paste the list into a multiline text, the bullets that are displayed as empty circles might not be formatted like other bullets in multiline text. This is because the bullet might be a letter, such as o, instead of a bullet for nested bulleted lists.
Specify the Line Spacing Within Multiline Text Line spacing for multiline text is the distance between the baseline (bottom) of one line of text and the baseline of the next line of text. The line space factor applies to the entire multiline text object, not to selected lines. You can set the spacing increment to a multiple of single line spacing, or as an absolute distance. Single spacing is 1.66 times the height of the text characters.
You use special characters to indicate how selected text should be stacked. ■ Slash (/) stacks text vertically, separated by a horizontal line. ■ Pound sign (#) stacks text diagonally, separated by a diagonal line. ■ Carat (^) creates a tolerance stack, which is stacked vertically and not separated by a line. To stack characters manually within the In-Place Text Editor, select the text to be formatted, including the special stacking character, and right-click. From the shortcut menu, click Stack.
See also: Work with Text Styles (page 353) Create and Edit Columns in Multiline Text You can create and edit multiple columns using the In-Place Text Editor column options and column grips. Multiple columns can be created and edited with the In-Place Text Editor and through grip editing. Editing columns using grips allows you the flexibility of seeing the changes as you make them. Columns follow a few rules. All columns have equal width and equal gutters. A gutter is the space between columns.
height of the column is fixed. To delete the break, highlight and delete it or use the Backspace key right after the break. Editing Columns in the Properties Inspector You will be able to select Static or Dynamic columns, turn off columns and change column and gutter width through the Properties Inspector palette. Changing column width in the palette will exhibit results similar to changing width using grips. The palette is the only place that you can also change gutter setting.
In some cases, a short horizontal line, called a landing, connects text or blocks and feature control frames to the leader line. The landing and leader line are associated with the multiline text object or block, so when the landing is relocated, the content and leader line move along with it. When associative dimensioning is turned on and object snaps are used to locate the leader arrowhead, the leader is associated with the object to which the arrowhead is attached.
A multileader object, or mleader, comprises a leader and a note. It can be created arrowhead first, tail first, or content first. If a multileader style has been used, then the multileader can be created from that style Multileader objects can contain multiple leader lines, each of which can have one or more segments, so that one note can point to multiple objects in your drawing. You can modify the properties of leader segment in the Properties Inspector palette.
Associate Leaders with Objects When associative dimensioning is turned on (DIMASSOC system variable), the leader arrowhead can be associated with a location on an object using an object snap. If the object is relocated, the arrowhead remains attached to the object and the leader line stretches, but the multiline text remains in place.
■ ■ ■ Lengthen Landing to extend the Landing line. ■ Add Leader to add one or more leader lines. From a leader endpoint grip, you can choose: ■ Stretch to move the leader endpoint. ■ Add Vertex to add a vertex to the leader line. ■ Remove Leader to delete the selected leader line. From a leader vertex grip, you can choose: ■ Stretch to move the vertex. ■ Add Vertex to add a vertex on the leader line. ■ Remove Vertex to delete the vertex.
Leaders Containing Multiline Text Leaders can contain multiline text as content. Text can be inserted by default when creating a leader style. Text style, color, height, and alignment can be applied and modified in leader annotations. You can also offset a multiline text object by specifying a landing gap distance in the current leader style. You can create annotative multileaders with text as content. The text content will be scaled according to the specified scale representation.
Middle of text Middle of bottom line Bottom of bottom line Underline bottom line Underline all text Notes and Labels | 349
Leaders Containing Blocks Multileaders can contain blocks as content by applying a multileader style that references a block in your drawing. NOTE Annotative blocks cannot be used as either content or arrowheads in multileader objects. Blocks can be connected to a multileader by attaching the landing to a selected insertion point on the block. You can also connect a multileader to a center point on the selected block. You can create annotative multileaders with blocks as content.
is added to a project, the placeholder field displays the correct layout number and title. A field for which no value is available displays hyphens (----). For example, the PageSetupName field, which is set in the Page Setup Manager, may be blank. An invalid field displays pound signs (####). For example, the CurrentLayoutTitle field, which is valid only in paper space, displays pound signs if it is placed in model space.
FIELDEVAL controls whether fields are updated automatically or on demand. The Date field cannot be updated automatically regardless of the setting of FIELDEVAL. Contextual Fields in Blocks and Xrefs Some fields are contextual; that is, their value is different depending on which space or layout they reside in. For example, because each layout can have a different page setup attached, the value displayed by the PlotOrientation field can be different in different layouts in the same drawing.
For compatibility with previous releases, contextual fields in blocks and xrefs are not updated when you insert them in a drawing; instead, the field displays the last cached value. Therefore, if you want to use a contextual field within a block, for example, a title block, you must insert the field as an attribute. For example, a title block can use the CurrentLayoutNumber field as an attribute.
Overview of Text Styles All text in a drawing has a text style associated with it. When you enter text, the program uses the current text style. The current text style sets the font, size, obliquing angle, orientation, and other text characteristics. If you want to create text using a different text style, you can make another text style current. The table shows the settings for the STANDARD text style.
Create and Modify Text Styles Except for the default STANDARD text style, you must create any text style that you want to use. Text style names can be up to 255 characters long. They can contain letters, numbers, and the special characters dollar sign ($), underscore (_), and hyphen (-). If you don't enter a text style name, the text styles are automatically named Stylen, where n is a number that starts at 1. You can modify an existing text style in the Text Style dialog box by changing the settings.
Formatting Retained? Stacking Yes Underlining Yes Annotative Text Styles Use annotative text for notes and labels in your drawing. You create annotative text by using an annotative text style, which sets the height of the text on the paper. For more information about creating and working with an annotative text, see Create Annotative Text (page 309).
Use TrueType Fonts Several factors affect the display of TrueType fonts in a drawing. TrueType fonts always appear filled in your drawing; however, when you plot, the TEXTFILL system variable controls whether the fonts are filled. By default TEXTFILL is set to 1 to plot the filled-in fonts. The In-Place Text Editor can display only fonts that are recognized by the operating system.
Asian Big Font SHX Files Asian alphabets contain thousands of non-ASCII characters. To support such text, the program provides a special type of shape definition known as a Big Font file. You can set a style to use both regular and Big Font files. Asian Language Big Fonts Included in the Product Font File Name Description @extfont2.shx Japanese vertical font (a few characters are rotated to work correctly in vertical text) bigfont.shx Japanese font, subset of characters chineset.
specifying the font file names, you can change one font without affecting the other, as shown in the following table. Specifying fonts and Big Fonts at the Command prompt Enter this ... To specify this ...
file pair: txt.shx and bigfont.shx. For more information, see Use Text Fonts for International Work (page 357). ® In previous releases, you could display PostScript fonts in the drawing. Because later releases cannot display PostScript fonts, Autodesk has supplied TrueType font equivalents. These PostScript fonts are mapped to the equivalent TrueType fonts in a font mapping file.
Font substitution File extension First mapping order Second mapping order Third mapping order Fourth mapping order .shx Use font mapping table Use font defined in text style Use FONTALT Prompt for new font .pfb Use font mapping table Use FONTALT Prompt for new font Display Proxy Fonts For third-party or custom SHX fonts that have no TrueType equivalent, one of several different TrueType fonts called proxy fonts is substituted.
TrueType Fonts For TrueType fonts, the value specified for text height represents the height of a capital letter plus an ascent area reserved for accent marks and other marks used in non-English languages. The relative portion of text height that is assigned to capital letters and ascent characters is determined by the font designer at the time the font is designed; consequently, it varies from font to font.
Set Horizontal or Vertical Text Orientation Text can be vertical or horizontal. Text can have a vertical orientation only if the associated font supports dual orientation. Lines of text are oriented to be vertical or horizontal. Text can have a vertical orientation only if the associated font supports dual orientation. You can create more than one line of vertical text. Each successive text line is drawn to the right of the preceding line. The normal rotation angle for vertical text is 270 degrees.
Overview of Changing Text Text, whether created with TEXT, MTEXT, or MLEADER can be modified like any other object. You can move, rotate, erase, and copy it. You can change text properties in the Properties Inspector palette. You can also edit the contents of existing text and create a mirror image of it. The MIRRTEXT system variable controls whether text is also reversed when you mirror objects in your drawing.
After you create multiline text, you can use the Properties Inspector palette to change the following: ■ Text style assignment ■ Justification ■ Width ■ Rotation ■ Line spacing In addition, you can use the following to modify individual formatting, such as boldface and underlining, and width for multiline text objects: ■ Text Editor visor ■ In-Place Text Editor ■ Grips Change Text Location You can use many of the common modifying commands and grips to move multiline text objects.
When searching for text in a 3D view, the viewport will temporarily change to a 2D viewport so that text is not blocked by 3D objects in your drawing. With FIND, you can use wild-card characters in your search. Character Definition # (Pound) Matches any numeric digit @ (At) Matches any alphabetic character .
You can check the spelling of all text objects in your drawing, including ■ Single and multiline text ■ Dimension text ■ Multileader text ■ Text within block attributes ■ Text within xrefs With Check Spelling, your drawing or the areas of your drawing’s text that you specify are searched for misspelled words. If a misspelled word is identified, the word is highlighted and the drawing area zooms to that word in a scale that is easy to read.
You can underline text, add a line over text, and create stacked text. You can also change color, font, and text height. You can change the spaces between text characters or increase the width of the characters themselves. To apply formatting, use the format codes shown in the following table. Format codes for paragraphs Format code Purpose Enter this … \0...\o or {\0...} Adds a line above the characters Autodesk \OAutoCAD\o or Autodesk {\OAutoCAD} \L...\l or {\L...
Format codes for paragraphs Format code Purpose Enter this … \Hvaluex; Changes the text height to a multiple of the current text height Autodesk \H3x;AutoCAD \S...^...; Stacks the subsequent text at the /, #, or ^ symbol 1.000\S+0.010^-0.000; \Tvalue; Adjusts the space between characters. Valid values range from a minimum of .75 to 4 times the original spacing between characters. \T2;Autodesk \Qangle; Changes obliquing angle \Q20;Autodesk \Wvalue; Changes width factor to produce wide text \
Tables A table is a rectangular array of cells that contain annotation, primarily text but also multiple blocks. Tables appear in many different forms on many of the sheets that make up drawing sets. In the AEC industry, tables are often referred to as “schedules” and contain information about the materials needed for the construction of the building being designed. In the manufacturing industry, they are often referred to as “BOM” (bills of materials).
Break Tables into Multiple Parts A table with a large amount of data can be broken into primary and secondary table fragments. Use the table breaking grips found at the bottom of your table to make a table span multiple columns in your drawing or to manipulate the different table parts you have already created. Modify a Table Cell You can click inside a cell to select it. Grips are displayed in the middle of the cell borders. Click inside another cell to move selection to that cell.
To select more than one cell, click and drag over several cells. You can also hold down Shift and click inside another cell to select those two cells and all the cells between them. When you click inside a table cell, the Table Cell visor is displayed.
Table styles control the appearance of a table and all of the cells contained in the table, but you can override the style of individual cells. The Cell and Contents sections of the Properties Inspector are used to control the border styles, text formatting, and the size of the cells. The border properties in a table’s cell style control the display of the gridlines that divide the table into cells.
Create Multiline Text (page 334) Use Formulas in Table Cells Table cells can contain formulas that do calculations using the values in other table cells. With a table cell selected, you can insert formulas from the Table Cell visor. You can also open the In-Place Text Editor and enter a formula in a table cell manually. Insert a Formula In formulas, cells are referred to by their column letter and row number. For example, the cell at top left in the table is A1.
automatically entered by entering the first necessary date and dragging the AutoFill grip. Numbers will fill automatically by increments of 1 if one cell is selected and dragged. Similarly, dates will resolve by increments of one day if only one cell is selected. If two cells are manually filled with dates one week apart, the remaining cells are incremented by one week.
NOTE To simplify drawing organization and dimension scaling, it is recommended that you create dimensions on layouts rather than in model space. Parts of a Dimension Here is a list of the parts of a dimension along with their descriptions. Dimensions have several distinct elements: dimension text, dimension lines, arrowheads, and extension lines. Dimension text is a text string that usually indicates the measurement value. The text can also include prefixes, suffixes, and tolerances.
Arrowheads, also called symbols of termination, are displayed at each end of the dimension line. You can specify different sizes and shapes for arrowheads or tick marks. Extension lines, also called projection lines or witness lines, extend from the feature to the dimension line. A center mark is a small cross that marks the center of a circle or arc. Centerlines are broken lines that mark the center of a circle or arc. Associative Dimensions Dimensions can be associative, nonassociative, or exploded.
■ Use the LIST command to display the properties of the dimension. A dimension is considered associative even if only one end of the dimension is associated with a geometric object. The DIMREASSOCIATE command displays the associative and non-associative elements of a dimension.
Use Dimension Styles You can control the appearance of dimensions by changing settings. For convenience and to help maintain dimensioning standards, you can store these settings in dimension styles. Overview of Dimension Styles A dimension style is a named collection of dimension settings that controls the appearance of dimensions, such as arrowhead style, text location, and lateral tolerances.
Use Externally Referenced Dimension Styles The program displays externally referenced dimension style names using the same syntax as for other externally dependent named objects. When you view externally referenced dimension styles using the Dimension Style Manager, the name of the xref displays in the Styles list as Xref:”drawing name” with each xref style appearing below the drawing name. For example, if the drawing file baseplat.dwg has a dimension style called FRACTIONAL-1, and you attach baseplat.
■ Control the distance by which the dimension line extends beyond the extension lines for architectural tick (oblique stroke) arrowheads Control Extension Lines You can control extension line properties including color, lineweight, overshoot, and offset length.
■ Control the extension origin offset, the distance between the extension line origin, and the start of the extension line ■ Specify a fixed length for extension lines, as measured from the dimension line toward the extension line origin ■ Specify a noncontinuous linetype, typically used for centerlines ■ Modify the angle of the extension lines of a selected dimension to make them oblique 382 | Chapter 9 Annotate Drawings
Fixed-Length Extension Lines You can specify a dimension style that sets the total length for extension lines starting from the dimension line toward the dimension origin point. The extension line offset distance from the origin will never be less than the value specified by the DIMEXO system variable.
Control Dimension Arrowheads You can control the arrowhead symbols in dimensions and leaders including their type, size, and visibility. You can choose from many standard types of arrowheads, or you can create your own arrowheads.
NOTE The insertion point a block is defined with affects its placement as a custom arrowhead on a dimension or leader. For information on changing the insertion point of a block, see Create Drawing Files for Use as Blocks (page 280). If you use paper-space scaling, the scale factor is computed before applying it to the arrowhead size value.
The following illustrations show how the program applies a "best fit" for arrowheads and text. If there is no room for text between the extension lines, you can have a leader line created automatically. This is useful in cases where text outside the extension lines would interfere with other geometry, for example, in continued dimensions. Whether text is drawn to the right or the left of the leader is controlled by the horizontal justification setting in the Modify/New Dimension Style dialog box, Text tab.
Control the Location of Dimension Text You can locate dimension text manually and specify its alignment and orientation. The program comes with several justification settings that facilitate compliance with international standards, or you can choose your own location for the text. Many of the settings are interdependent. Example images in the Dimension Style Manager are updated dynamically to illustrate how text appears as you change the settings.
The default alignment is horizontal dimension text, even for vertical dimensions. Position Dimension Text Horizontally The position of the text along the dimension line in relation to the extension lines is referred to as text placement. To place text yourself when you create a dimension, use the Place Text Manually option on the Modify/New Dimension Style dialog box, Fit tab.
If you place text manually, you can place the dimension text anywhere along the dimension line, inside or outside the extension lines, as you create the dimension. This option provides flexibility and is especially useful when space is limited. However, the horizontal alignment options provide better accuracy and consistency between dimensions. Position Dimension Text Vertically The position of the text relative to the dimension line is referred to as vertical text placement.
Control the Appearance of Dimension Text You can include prefixes, suffixes, and user-supplied text in dimensions. You can also control the text style and formatting used in dimension text. The program supports a mixture of user-supplied text, prefixes and suffixes supplied by the dimension style, and generated measurements. For example, you could add a diameter symbol as a prefix to a measurement or add the abbreviation for a unit, such as mm, as a suffix.
Example: User Text in Dimensions In this example, the primary dimension measurement is 5.08, and the alternate dimension measurement is 2.00. The primary units have the suffix H7/h6, and the alternate units have the suffix inches. At the text prompt, while creating the dimension, you enter the following format string: <> H7/h6\XSee Note 26\P[ ] The angle brackets represent the primary units, and the square brackets represent the alternate units. The \X separates text above the dimension line from text below
These settings are available on the Modify/New Dimension Style dialog box, Primary Units tab. Control the Display of Alternate Units You can create dimensions in two systems of measurement simultaneously. A common use of this feature is to add feet and inches dimensions to drawings created using metric units. The alternate units appear in square brackets ([ ]) in the dimension text. Alternate units cannot be applied to angular dimensions.
Round Off Dimension Values You can round off the numeric values in dimensions and lateral tolerances. You can round off all dimension values except those for angular dimensions. For example, if you specify a round-off value of 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit. The number of digits displayed after the decimal point depends on the precision set for primary and alternate units and lateral tolerance values.
number of inches is indicated as zero, no matter which option you select. Thus, the dimension 4'-3/4" becomes 4'-0 3/4".
the deviation tolerance values are equal, they are displayed with a sign and they are known as symmetrical. Otherwise, the plus value goes above the minus value. If the tolerances are applied as limits, the program uses the plus and minus values you supply to calculate a maximum and minimum value. These values replace the dimension value. If you specify limits, the upper limit goes above the lower.
Along with vertical placement of tolerance values, you can also control the horizontal alignment of the upper and lower tolerance values. The upper and lower tolerance values can be aligned using either the operational symbols or decimal separators. You can also control zero suppression as you can with the primary and alternate units. Suppressing zeros in lateral tolerances has the same effect as suppressing them in the primary and alternate units. If you suppress leading zeros, 0.5 becomes .
These settings are available on the Modify/New Dimension Style dialog box, Primary Units tab. Set the Scale for Dimensions You can specify the size of dimensions in your drawing. How you set dimension size depends on the method you use to lay out and print drawings. Dimension scale affects the size of the dimension geometry relative to the objects in the drawing. Dimension scale affects sizes, such as text height and arrowhead size, and offsets, such as the extension line origin offset.
■ . This was the preferred method for complex, multiple-view drawings prior to AutoCAD LT 2002. Use this method when the dimensions in a drawing need to be referenced by other drawings (xrefs) or when creating isometric dimensions in 3D isometric views. To prevent the dimensions in one layout viewport from being displayed in other layout viewports, create a dimensioning layer for each layout viewport that is frozen in all other layout viewports.
Overview of Creating Linear Dimensions Linear dimensions can be horizontal, vertical, or aligned. With aligned dimensions, the dimension line is parallel to the line (imaginary or real) between the extension line origins. Baseline (or parallel) and continued (or chain) dimensions are series of consecutive dimensions that are based on a linear dimension. In all four illustrations, the extension line origins are designated explicitly at 1 and 2, respectively. The dimension line location is specified at 3.
following illustration, a horizontal dimension is drawn by default unless you specify a vertical one. Create Aligned Dimensions You can create dimensions that are parallel to the locations or objects that you specify. In aligned dimensions, the dimension line is parallel to the extension line origins. The illustration shows two examples of aligned dimensioning. The object is selected (1), and the location of the aligned dimension is specified (2). The extension lines are drawn automatically.
Both baseline and continued dimensions are measured from the previous extension line unless you specify another point as the point of origin. TIP Hover over a dimension line endpoint grip to quickly access the Baseline or Continued commands from the grip menu. For more information, see Use MultiFunctional Dimension Line Grips (page 413). Create Rotated Dimensions In rotated dimensions, the dimension line is placed at an angle to the extension line origins.
Extension lines are created perpendicular to the dimension line. However, if the extension lines conflict with other objects in a drawing, you can change their angle after the dimension has been drawn. New dimensions are not affected when you make an existing dimension oblique. Create Radial Dimensions Radial dimensions measure the radii and diameters of arcs and circles with optional centerlines or a center mark.
For horizontal dimension text, if the angle of the radial dimension line is greater than 15 degrees from horizontal, a hook line, also called a dogleg or landing, one arrowhead long, is created next to the dimension text. Control Extension Lines When an arc is dimensioned, the radial or diametric dimension does not have to be positioned along the arc directly.
Control Centerlines and Center Marks Depending on your dimension style settings, center marks and lines generate automatically for diameter and radius dimensions. They are created only if the dimension line is placed outside the circle or arc. You can create centerlines and center marks directly with the DIMCENTER command. You can control the size and visibility of centerlines and center marks on the New/Modify Dimension Style dialog box, Symbols and Arrows tab, under Center Marks.
and the start of the centerline. The size of the center mark is the distance from the center of the circle or arc to the end of the center mark. Create Jogged Radius Dimensions With the DIMJOGGED command, you can create jogged radius dimensions, also called “foreshortened radius dimensions,” when the center of an arc or circle is located off the layout and cannot be displayed in its true location.
Once a jogged radius dimension is created, you can modify the jog and the center location override by ■ Using grips to move the features ■ Changing the locations of the features with the Properties Inspector ■ Using STRETCH NOTE Jogged radius dimensions can be viewed but not edited in versions previous to AutoCAD LT 2006. Also, if you make dramatic changes to the associated geometry, you may get unpredictable results for the jogged radius dimension.
NOTE You can create baseline and continued angular dimensions relative to existing angular dimensions. Baseline and continued angular dimensions are limited to 180 degrees or less. To obtain baseline and continued angular dimensions larger than 180 degrees, use grip editing to stretch the location of the extension line of an existing baseline or continued dimension. Dimension Lines If you use two straight, nonparallel lines to specify an angle, the dimension line arc spans the angle between the two lines.
Create Ordinate Dimensions Ordinate dimensions measure the perpendicular distance from an origin point called the datum to a feature, such as a hole in a part. These dimensions prevent escalating errors by maintaining accurate offsets of the features from the datum. Ordinate dimensions consist of an X or Y value with a leader line. X-datum ordinate dimensions measure the distance of a feature from the datum along the X axis. Y-datum ordinate dimensions measure the distance along the Y axis.
Locate the Leader After you specify the feature location, you are prompted for the leader endpoint. By default, the leader endpoint that you specify automatically determines whether an X- or a Y-datum ordinate dimension is created. For example, you can create an X-datum ordinate dimension by specifying a location for the leader endpoint that is closer to vertical than horizontal. After creating an ordinate dimension, you can easily relocate the dimension leader and text using grip editing.
Create Arc Length Dimensions Arc length dimensions measure the distance along an arc or polyline arc segment. Typical uses of arc length dimensions include measuring the travel distance around a cam or indicating the length of a cable. To differentiate them from linear or angular dimensions, arc length dimensions display an arc symbol by default. The arc symbol, also called a hat or cap, is displayed either above the dimension text or preceding the dimension text.
Modify A Dimension Dimensions can be modified to include more information than just the values of the dimension. Dimensions can also be modified visually by using breaks and by adjusting the spacing between them. Overview of Modifying Dimensions After you place a dimension, there are times when you need to modify the information that the dimension represents.
■ If the associated geometric object undergoes a boolean operation such as UNION or SUBTRACT ■ If grip editing is used to stretch a dimension parallel to its dimension line ■ If the association to a geometric object is specified using the Apparent Intersection object snap, and the geometric object is moved so that the apparent intersection no longer exists In other circumstances, a dimension may become partially associated.
If no angle vertex is shown, definition points are placed at the ends of the lines that form the angle. In the two-line angular example, a definition point is placed at the center point of the dimensioned arc. NOTE Definition points are drawn on a special layer named DEFPOINTS, which is not printed. Use Dimension Line Grips Hover over the grip on the endpoint of a dimension line to quickly access the following functionality: ■ Stretch.
to specify a different base point or copy the dimension line. This is the default grip behavior. ■ Continue dimension. Invokes the DIMCONTINUE command. ■ Baseline dimension. Invokes the DIMBASELINE command. ■ Flip arrow. Flips the direction of the dimension arrowhead. Modify Exploded Dimensions You can edit exploded dimensions as you would any other objects because an exploded dimension is a collection of separate objects: lines, 2D solids, and text.
Reassociate Dimensions to Different Objects With DIMREASSOCIATE, you can select one or more dimensions and step through the extension-line origin points of each dimension. For each extension-line origin point, you can specify a new association point on a geometric object. Association points determine the attachment of extension lines to locations on geometric objects.
Modify Dimension Text Once you've created a dimension, you can change the location and orientation of the existing dimension text or replace it with new text. Once you've created a dimension, you can rotate the existing text or replace it with new text. You can move the text to a new location or back to its home position, which is the position defined by the current dimension style. In the following illustration, the home position is above and centered on the dimension line.
Use Dimension Text Grips Hover over a dimension text grip to quickly access the following functionality: ■ Stretch. This is the default grip behavior: ■ If the text is positioned on the dimension line, Stretch moves the dimension line farther away or closer to the object being dimensioned. Use command line prompts to specify a different base point or copy the dimension line.
Once you add a jog to a linear dimension, you can position it by using grips. To reposition the jog, select the dimension and then select the grip. Move the grip to another point along the dimension line. You can also adjust the height of the jog symbol on a linear dimension on the Properties Inspector under Lines & Arrows.
Dimension Value Dimension value that is displayed is the same value before the inspection dimension is added. The dimension value can contain tolerances, text (both prefix and suffix), and the measured value. The dimension value is located in the center section of the inspection dimension. Inspection Rate Text used to communicate the frequency that the dimension value should be inspected, expressed as a percentage. The rate is located in the rightmost section of the inspection dimension.
■ Ordinate dimensions ■ Multileaders that use straight-line leaders The following dimension and leader objects do not support dimension breaks: ■ Multileaders that use spline leaders ■ Leaders created with the LEADER command The following table explains the conditions where dimension breaks do not work or are not supported. Dimension Break Exceptions Condition Description No break in xrefs or blocks Dimension breaks on dimensions or multileaders in xrefs and blocks are not supported.
■ Leader ■ Line ■ Circle ■ Arc ■ Spline ■ Ellipse ■ Polyline ■ Text ■ Multiline text ■ Blocks but limited to the previously mentioned objects in this list ■ Xrefs but limited to the previously mentioned objects in this list Automatic Dimension Breaks To create dimension breaks automatically, you select a dimension or multileader, and then use the Auto option of the DIMBREAK command.
Dimension breaks that are added manually by picking two points are not automatically updated if the dimension or multileader, or intersecting object is modified. So if a dimension or multileader with a manually added dimension break is moved or the intersecting object is modified, you might have to restore the dimension or multileader, and then add the dimension break again.
Apply a New Dimension Style to Existing Dimensions You can modify existing dimensions by applying a different dimension style. If you make changes to a dimension style, you can choose whether to update the dimensions associated with that dimension style. When you create a dimension, the current dimension style is associated with that dimension. The dimension retains this dimension style unless you apply a new dimension style to it or set up dimension style overrides.
Some dimension characteristics are common to a drawing or to a style of dimensioning and are therefore suited to be permanent dimension style settings. Others generally apply on an individual basis and can be applied more effectively as overrides. For example, a drawing usually uses a single type of arrowhead, so it makes sense to define the arrowhead type as part of the dimension style.
You add geometric tolerances in feature control frames. These frames contain all the tolerance information for a single dimension. Geometric tolerances can be created with or without leader lines, depending on whether you create them with TOLERANCE or LEADER. A feature control frame consists of two or more components.
Material Conditions Material conditions apply to features that can vary in size. The second compartment contains the tolerance value. Depending on the control type, the tolerance value is preceded by a diameter symbol and followed by a material condition symbol. Material conditions apply to features that can vary in size: ■ At maximum material condition (symbol M, also known as MMC), a feature contains the maximum amount of material stated in the limits.
Projected Tolerance Zones Projected tolerances are used to make the tolerance more specific. Projected tolerances are specified in addition to positional tolerances to make the tolerance more specific. For example, projected tolerances control the perpendicularity tolerance zone of an embedded part. The symbol for projected tolerance ( ) is preceded by a height value, which specifies the minimum projected tolerance zone.
In the following illustration, the point where datums A and B intersect is called the datum axis, the point from which the position of the pattern is calculated. A composite tolerance could specify both the diameter of the pattern of holes and the diameter of each individual hole, as in the following illustration.
Plot and Publish Drawings 10 Specify Settings for Plotting Before you plot a drawing, you must specify the settings that determine the output. To save time, you can store these settings with the drawing as a named page setup. Save Plot Settings as Named Page Setups If you want to plot the same layout more than one way, or if you want to specify the same output options for several layouts, use named page setups.
In addition, the page setup also includes many other settings and options such as ■ The orientation of the plot, portrait or landscape ■ The plot scale ■ Whether lineweights should be plotted ■ The shading style By default, the first time you access a layout, it becomes initialized, and a default page setup is assigned to it. Default page setups are assigned names such as *model*, *layout1*, *layout2*, and so on.
Page setup name Description Draft Plot to the draft-quality plotter Final Plot to the high-quality plotter Fit-to-Paper Fit to Paper, A-size sheet Once you specify a named page setup for a layout, whenever you plot the layout, it is plotted with the settings you specified. Specify Page Setup Settings Page setups are associated with model space and with layouts, and are saved in the drawing file. The settings specified in a page setup determine the appearance and format of your final output.
layout. If your plotter is configured for raster output, you must specify the output size in pixels. Determine the Drawing Orientation of a Layout You can specify the orientation of the drawing on the paper using the Landscape and Portrait settings. Landscape orients the drawing on the paper so that the long edge of the paper is horizontal, and Portrait orients the paper so that the short edge is horizontal. Changing the orientation creates the effect of rotating the paper underneath the drawing.
Adjust the Plot Offset of a Layout The printable area of a drawing sheet is defined by the selected output device and is represented by the dashed line in a layout. When you change the output device, the printable area may change. The plot offset specifies an offset of the plot area relative to the lower-left corner (the origin) of the printable area or the edge of the paper. You can offset the geometry on the paper by entering a positive or negative value in the X and Y Offset boxes.
See also: Scale Views in Layout Viewports (page 77) Draw, Scale, and Annotate in Model Space (page 68) Set the Lineweight Scale for a Layout You can scale lineweights proportionately in a layout with the plot scale. Typically, lineweights specify the line width of plotted objects and are plotted with the line width size regardless of the plot scale. Most often, you use the default plot scale of 1:1 when plotting a layout.
your three-dimensional designs to others. You can convey your design intent by choosing how viewports are plotted and by specifying resolution levels. Shaded Viewport Plotting Options With shaded plotting options, you can choose whether to plot a set of shaded objects using the As Displayed, Wireframe, or Hidden option. Shaded viewport plotting options apply to all objects in viewports and model space. If you use the Shaded option, plot style tables included in the page setup do not affect plots.
Am I Printing or Plotting? The terms printing and plotting can be used interchangeably for CAD output. Historically, printers would generate text only, and plotters would generate vector graphics. As printers became more powerful and could generate high-quality raster images of vector data, the distinction mostly disappeared. In addition to paper output, electronic delivery of multiple drawing layouts uses the encompassing term, publishing.
Plot style tables collect groups of plot styles, and save them in a file that you can later apply when plotting. There are two plot style types: color-dependent and named. A drawing can use only one type of plot style table. You can convert a plot style table from one type to the other. You can also change the type of plot style table a drawing uses once it has been set. For color-dependent plot style tables, an object's color determines how it is plotted. These plot style table files have .ctb extensions.
Any settings specified from the Print dialog box, whether you have applied a page setup from the Page Setup list in the Page Setup dialog box, or changed the settings individually, can be saved to the layout for use the next time you plot. See also: Specify Page Setup Settings (page 431) Select a Printer or Plotter Before plotting a drawing, you must select a printer or plotter. The device you select affects the printable area of the drawing.
■ Window. Plots any portion of the drawing you specify. Click the Window button to use a pointing device to specify opposite corners of the area to be plotted, or enter coordinate values. Set Paper Size When plotting a drawing, select the paper size that you want to use. If you plot from a layout, you may have already specified a paper size in the Page Setup dialog box. However, if you plot from the model space, you need to specify a paper size when you plot.
WARNING If you set your plotter to use paper-saving features such as plotting inked area or nesting, your plotter will probably not use the printable area and plot offset specifications. Set the Position of the Plot The printable area of a drawing sheet is defined by the selected printer or plotter, but you can change the position of plot relative to the printable area or to the edge of the paper.
Control How Objects Are Plotted You can control how objects are plotted by setting the plot scale, by using plot styles and plot style tables, and by setting an object's layer properties. Set Plot Scale When you specify a scale to output your drawing, you can choose from a list of real-world scales, enter your own scale, or select Fit to Paper to scale the drawing to fit onto the selected paper size. Usually, you draw objects at their actual size.
Scale the Drawing to Fit the Page When you review drafts, a precise scale is not always important. You can use the Fit to Paper option to plot the view at the largest possible size that fits the paper. The height or width of the drawing is fit to the corresponding height or width of the paper. When you select the Fit to Paper option, the text boxes change to reflect the ratio of plotted units to drawing units.
■ Plot with Plot Styles. Specifies that the drawing is plotted using plot styles. Selecting this option automatically plots lineweights. If you do not select this option, objects are plotted with their assigned properties and not with the plot style overrides. ■ Plot Paper Space Last. Specifies that objects in model space are plotted before those in paper space. ■ Hide Paperspace Objects. Specifies whether the Hide operation applies to objects in the layout viewport.
■ Fill style Using plot styles gives you great flexibility because you can set them to override other object properties or turn off the override as needed. Groups of plot styles are saved in either of two types of plot style tables: color-dependent (CTB) or named (STB). Color-dependent plot style tables set style based on the color of the object. Named plot styles can be assigned to an object independent of color.
NOTE If you insert an xref into your current drawing, all defined plot style tables are also inserted. You can modify the appearance of your objects by editing the attached plot style tables with the Plot Style Table Editor. Manage Plot Style Tables You can use the Plot Style Manager and Plot Style Table Editor to manage plot style tables. Color-dependent (CTB) and named (STB) plot style tables are stored in the Plot Styles folder by default. This folder is also known as the Plot Style Manager.
Table Description fillPatterns.ctb Sets first 9 colors to use first 9 fill patterns, all others to use object's fill grayscale.ctb Converts all colors to grayscale when plotted monochrome.ctb Plots all colors as black None Applies no plot style table screening 100%.ctb Uses 100% ink for all colors screening 75%.ctb Uses 75% ink for all colors screening 50%.ctb Uses 50% ink for all colors screening 25%.
An object whose plot style is set to BYLAYER inherits the plot style assigned to its layer. Use the Properties Inspector palette to change an object's plot style and the Layers palette to change the plot style for a layer. Because different plot style tables can be assigned to each layout and a named plot style table can contain any number of plot styles, an object or layer may have a plot style assigned to it that is not in every plot style table.
NOTE Named plot style tables are available only if the drawing has been set to use named plot style tables. See also: Assign Plot Style Tables to Layouts (page 444) Change Plot Style Settings You can modify plot styles using the Plot Style Table Editor. Changes you make to a plot style affect the objects to which that plot style is assigned. Overview of Plot Style Settings You can open the Plot Style Table Editor by double-clicking a CTB or STB file in the Plot Styles Manager.
NOTE If you use a plot style table saved in AutoCAD LT 2000 or later, the True Color values change to the nearest match in the current release's palette. Use Screening You can select a color intensity setting that determines the amount of ink placed on the paper while plotting. The valid range is 0 through 100. Selecting 0 reduces the color to white. Selecting 100 displays the color at its full intensity. Screening is effective only if your plotter is configured to plot colors or grayscale.
Assign and Display Lineweights When you select the Lineweight field in the Plot Style Table Editor, a sample of the lineweight as well as its numeric value are displayed. The default setting for plot style lineweight is Use Object Lineweight. You can modify an existing lineweight if the one you need is not available. To view plot style lineweights in a layout, select Print with Plot Styles under Plot Style Table in the Page Setup dialog box.
■ Diamond The default setting for Line End Style is Use Object End Style, which is rounded. Assign a line end style in a plot style to override the object's default line end style at plot time. NOTE SHX text plots best with the Round End and Round Join styles. Assign Line Join Style The program includes the following line join style options: ■ Miter ■ Bevel ■ Round ■ Diamond The default setting for Line Join Style is Use Object Join Style, which is rounded.
The default setting for Fill Style is Use Object Fill Style. Assign a fill style in a plot style to override the object's fill style at plot time. You can apply a global scale factor to non-ISO linetypes and fill patterns in plot styles. See also: Modify Hatches and Fills (page 326) Preview a Plot It is good practice to generate a preview of the plotted drawing before sending the drawing to the printer or plotter. Generating a preview saves time and material.
Publish Drawings You can publish a set of drawings as a single, electronic, multi-sheet PDF file or as a hardcopy using the printer assigned to a page setup. Publishing provides a streamlined alternative to opening and plotting multiple drawings. An electronic drawing set published as a PDF file saves time and increases productivity by providing accurate, compressed representations of drawings in a file that's easy to distribute and view.
NOTE You must remove the drawing sheets that you do not want to become a part of the drawing set. Layouts must be initialized before they can be published. (A layout is initialized if its paper size is defined in the page setup to any size other than 0 x 0.) Publish a Project From the Project Manager, you can easily publish an entire project, a group of a layouts, or a single layout.
Share Data Between Files 11 Reference Other Drawing Files Attached xrefs are linked to, but not actually inserted in, another drawing. Therefore, with xrefs you can build drawings without significantly increasing the drawing file size. See also: Reference Manager Palette Overview of Referenced Drawings (Xrefs) You can attach an entire drawing file to the current drawing as a referenced drawing (xref). With xrefs, changes made in the referenced drawing are reflected in the current drawing.
■ Merge (bind) attached referenced drawings permanently with your current drawing when the project is complete and ready to be archived. NOTE Like a block reference, an xref appears in the current drawing as a single object. However, you cannot explode an xref without binding it first. See also: Reference Manager Palette Attach and Detach Referenced Drawings You can perform several operations on referenced drawing files (xrefs).
Receive Notification of Attached Xrefs When one or more xrefs are not found or if any of the xrefs need reloading, a balloon message is displayed near the lower-left corner of the drawing area. Click the link in the balloon message to display the External References palette. Highlight External References in a Drawing To find an external reference in a complex drawing, select an item in the Reference Manager palette to highlight all visible instances in the drawing.
Attach Drawing References (Xrefs) To attach an xref 1 On the Mac OS menu bar, click Tools ➤ Palettes ➤ Reference Manager . 2 In the Reference Manager, click the Attach Reference button. 3 In the Select Reference File dialog box, locate and click the file to be referenced. Click Open. 4 In the Attach External Reference dialog box, select any desired options and then click OK. 5 If necessary, specify the location in the drawing and any other options.
network environment. By overlaying an xref, you can see how your drawing relates to the drawings of other groups without changing your drawing by attaching an xref. In the following illustration, several people are working on drawings referenced by master.dwg. The person working on a.dwg needs to see the work being completed by the person working on b.dwg, but does not want to xref b.dwg because it would then appear twice in master.dwg. Instead, the person overlays b.dwg, which is not included when a.
You can choose from three types of folder path information to save with an attached reference: a full path, a relative path, and no path. Specify a Full (Absolute) Path A full path is a fully specified hierarchy of folders that locates the file reference. For example, a fully specified path to a different volume will look something like this: smb://hostname/directorypath/resource Instead of smb:, you could use afp: , ftp: , or other protocol. This is the most specific but least flexible option.
Specify No Path When no path information is saved with the attached external reference, the following search is initiated in the order shown: ■ Current folder of the host drawing ■ Search paths defined in the Support File Search Paths item on the Application tab in the Application Preferences dialog box Specifying the No Path option is useful when moving a set of drawings to a different folder hierarchy or to an unknown folder hierarchy.
Update and Archive Referenced Drawings You can update referenced drawings (xrefs) to make sure that they are current, and you can choose how xrefs are treated when a drawing is archived. Update Referenced Drawing Attachments When you open a drawing, all drawing references (xrefs) update automatically. You can also update xrefs whenever you want to ensure that the most current versions are displayed in your drawing. When you open a drawing, all xrefs update automatically.
system environment variable using the SETENV command. The value is the number of minutes between 1 and 10080 (seven days). NOTE When changing the value of XNOTIFYTIME, you must enter XNOTIFYTIME with the capitalization as shown. Update Xrefs with Demand Loading Turned On If demand loading is turned on when you load or reload an xref ■ With the XLOADCTL system variable set to 1, the referenced drawing is kept open and locked. No one else can modify the referenced drawing.
When you archive final drawings that contain xrefs, you have two choices: ■ Store the xref drawings along with the final drawing ■ Bind the xref drawings to the final drawing Storing an xref drawing along with the final drawing requires that the drawings always remain together. Any change to the referenced drawing will continue to be reflected in the final drawing. To prevent unintentional updating of archived drawings by later changes to referenced drawings, bind the xrefs to the final drawing.
Clip External References and Blocks You can specify clipping boundaries to display a limited portion of an external reference drawing or block reference. You can clip external references such as raster images, PDF underlays, or block references. With a clipping boundary, you can determine the portions of an external reference or block reference that you want to display by hiding the redundant parts of the reference inside or outside the boundary.
Control the visibility of clipping boundaries. You can control the display of the clipping boundary with a clipping frame. The clipping system variable for XREF, images, and PDF underlays are XCLIPFRAME, PDFFRAME, and IMAGEFRAME respectively. Invert the area to be hidden, inside or outside the clipping boundary When you want the hidden parts of the clipped reference displayed or vice versa, use the grips to alter the display of the external reference or blocks.
In case of rectangular grip editing, you can maintain the closed four-sided rectangle or square shape of the rectangular clipping boundary because two vertices of the same side of the rectangular clipping boundary are edited together. NOTE With Clipping boundaries, you cannot display self-intersecting polygonal boundaries. An error message is displayed and the boundary reverts to the last boundary.
If you need to edit the model space objects in an xref, you can access the xref or a nested xref directly from the Reference Manager or with the XOPEN command. Select the xref, and then using the shortcut menu in the Reference Manager, open the xref’s source file. After you save the edits, close the drawing. In your original drawing, click the Refresh Content button in the Reference Manager, and resume working.
Control the Fading of Objects The XFADECTL system variable controls how objects are displayed while a reference is edited in place. The set of objects extracted from the reference are displayed normally. All other objects in the drawing, including objects in the current drawing and in any references not belonging to the working set, are faded. The value indicates the intensity of display for objects not in the working set. The larger the value is for XFADECTL, the more the objects are faded.
Use the Working Set to Edit Referenced Drawings and Blocks To edit a referenced drawing from within the current drawing, you use the working set to identify objects that belong to the xref or block definition rather than the current drawing. While editing a reference in place, you can add or remove objects from the working set. If you create a new object while editing a reference in place, it is almost always added to the working set automatically.
While editing a block reference in place, you either can save back or discard changes made to the reference. If you save back changes to a reference, the drawing is regenerated. When the changes are saved back, the block definition is redefined and all instances of the block are regenerated to reflect the changes. If you choose to discard the changes, the working set is deleted and the block reference returns to its original state.
Edit Referenced Drawings and Blocks with Nesting or Attributes If the reference you select for editing has attached xrefs or block definitions, the reference and its nested references are displayed and available for selection in the Reference Edit dialog box. Nested references are displayed only if the object chosen for selection is part of a nested reference. Only one reference at a time can be selected for editing.
IIf the name or location of the drawing file has changed, the program cannot locate or reload the xref, and it displays an error message that displays the folder path and name of the missing drawing file. In the drawing, at each insertion of the missing xref, the program displays text that displays the folder path of the missing xref. You can use the XREF Path option to update or correct the path.
If the program detects a circular reference while attaching an xref, a warning is displayed asking you if you want to continue. If you respond with yes, the program reads in the xref and any nested xrefs to the point where it detects the circularity. If you respond with no, the process is halted and the xref is not attached. If a circular reference is encountered while loading a drawing, an error message is displayed and the circular reference for the current session is broken.
When xref-dependent named objects are merged into a drawing through binding, you can use them the same way you use the drawing's own named objects. After you bind an xref-dependent named object, the vertical bar character ( | ) is removed from the name and replaced with two dollar signs ($$) separated by a number (usually zero): for example, the referenced layer, STAIR|STEEL, becomes STAIR$0$STEEL. You can then use the RENAME command to change STAIR$0$STEEL to STEEL.
During a detaching or reloading operation, the program includes the nesting level of all affected xrefs immediately following the title section. To see a reference tree for a set of xrefs in your current drawing, use Detach or Reload and check the resulting entries in the log file. Example: A Sample Log File Entry Showing Nested Xrefs In the following example, the xref ENTRY_DR contains two nested xrefs: HARDWARE and PANELS. The xrefs HARDWARE and PANELS also each contain two xrefs.
Update block symbol table: Appending symbol: STAIR|BOLT Appending symbol: STAIR|BOLT-HALF ... block update complete. Update Ltype symbol table: Appending symbol: STAIR|DASHED Appending symbol: STAIR|CENTER Appending symbol: STAIR|PHANTOM Ltype update complete. Update Layer symbol table: Appending symbol: STAIR|STEEL-HIDDEN Appending symbol: STAIR|OAK ... Layer update complete. STAIR loaded. Track External Reference Operations (Log File) To use the xref log file 1 At the Command prompt, enter xrefctl.
data from the reference drawing that is necessary to regenerate the current drawing is loaded into memory. In other words, referenced data is read in “on demand.” Demand loading works in conjunction with the INDEXCTL, XLOADCTL, and XLOADPATH system variables. Unload Xrefs in Large Drawings When a referenced drawing (xref) is unloaded from the current drawing, the drawing opens much faster and uses less memory.
are thawed, the program reads in that geometry from the reference drawing as required. When demand loading is turned on, the program places a lock on all reference drawings so that it can read in any geometry it needs to on demand. Other users can open those reference drawings, but they cannot save changes to them. If you want other users to be able to modify an xref that is being demand loaded into another drawing, use demand loading with the Copy option.
going to be used as xrefs or partially opened will not benefit from layer and spatial indexing or demand loading. Set Paths for Temporary Xref File Copies When you turn on demand loading with copy, you can control where copies of externally referenced drawings are to be placed. When you turn on demand loading with copy, the XLOADPATH system variable can be used to indicate the path where copies of externally referenced drawings are to be placed.
Convert DXF Files to DWG Format A DXF (drawing interchange format) file is a type of drawing interchange files used to transfer data between various applications. A DXF (drawing interchange format) file is either an ASCII or a binary representation of a drawing file. It is often used to share drawing data between other CAD programs. You can convert a DXF file to DWG format by opening the file and saving it in DWG format.
Use the Visor to Work with Underlays If you select an underlay the PDF Underlay visor is displayed. The visor contains options for adjusting, clipping and displaying underlays. The visor is dismissed automatically after the underlay is deselected. Attach, Scale, and Detach PDF Underlays You can add or remove references to underlays within drawing files, or you can change their relative size. Attach PDF Files as Underlays You can attach a PDF file as an underlay to a drawing file.
Layers in Underlay Files If the underlay file contains layers, you can control how the layers display after attaching the file. If the file does not contain layer information, the Underlay Layers dialog box does not display any layer information. Underlay Files in Xrefs DWG file references (xrefs), in a drawing can include an underlay. In this situation, objects in the underlay are visible in the parent DWG file. For example, drawing A includes a PDF underlay showing some mechanical details.
not displayed or plotted. Unloading an underlay does not remove its link. If you do not have sufficient memory to open multiple underlays in a drawing, underlays are automatically unloaded. Work with PDF Underlays You can control the display of layers, use object snaps, and adjust display settings with attached underlays. Control the Display of Layers in a PDF Underlay You can turn layers on and off in a PDF underlay. By default, all visible layers of an underlay are turned on when you attach the file.
By default, the insertion point of a file is 0,0,0, its scale factor is 1, and its rotation angle is 0. You can use general modify commands such as MOVE, SCALE, ROTATE, MIRROR, ARRAY, and so on. Use Grips with Underlays While underlay behavior generally mimics raster image behavior, one exception is the way that grips work. In this case, the behavior more closely parallels block behavior. Normally, an underlay displays only a base grip. You can use a base grip to reposition an underlay in a drawing.
Object snapping to PDF underlays is similar to object snapping to drawing geometry. However, object snapping might not behave as expected, depending on how the PDF was created. For example, if the PDF was made from scanned architectural plans, the PDF is a raster image, not a vector-based image. Therefore, object snapping does not work. Also, geometry from PDF’s that were created outside of AutoCAD LT may contain nonstandard snapping points, such as circles with no center points.
If you change contrast, fade, and monochrome values, plotted output is affected. Adjust Colors for Background Adjust Colors for Background controls whether the underlay colors are visible against the drawing background color. The default setting of Yes indicates that the background colors of the underlay and the drawing environment are analyzed to see if they are both light or both dark, or is one dark and the other light.
When the clipping boundary is no longer needed, you can delete the clipped boundary from the underlay and the underlay is displayed with its original boundary. You can also invert the area to be hidden inside or outside the clipping boundary. With grips located at the midpoint on the first edge of the clipping boundary, you can invert the display of the clipped reference inside or outside the boundary. You can control the way clipping boundaries and grips display with the clipping frame system variables.
Use the PDFFRAME or FRAME system variables to not only display frames, but also to specify whether or not to plot them. NOTE Underlays can be selected if they are not on a locked layer; for example, if the underlay is part of a named selection set made with the All option when selecting objects. The following foreground example shows the underlay with a visible frame: The foreground example shows the underlay with a visible frame.
View PDF Underlay Information You can view file-specific information about the PDF underlays that are attached to a drawing in the Reference Manager palette. You can also load and unload PDF underlays and perform other operations there. In the Reference Manager palette, you can view information about all the underlays in the drawing in the File References or Details panels. The Show Details button in the upper-right corner of the Reference Manager palette to control the display of the Details panel.
To locate the file, the program searches the following paths and folders in the following order: ■ Path specified when the underlay was attached ■ Folder containing the current drawing file ■ Support search paths specified on the Applications tab of the Application Preferences dialog box ■ Start In folder specified in the program shortcut If you open a drawing that contains a PDF file that is not in the saved path location or in any of the defined search paths, the Reference Manager palette displays N
images with vector files, including scanning documents, faxes, or microfilm drawings; using aerial and satellite photographs; using digital photographs; creating effects such as watermarks and logos; and adding computer-rendered images. Overview of Raster Images Raster images consist of a rectangular grid of small squares or dots known as pixels. For example, a photograph of a house is made up of a series of pixels colorized to represent the appearance of a house.
NOTE Although the file name extension is listed in the following table, the file format is determined from the file contents, not from the file extension. Supported image file formats Type Description and versions File extension BMP Windows and OS/2 bitmap format .bmp, .dib, .rle CALS-I Mil-R-Raster I .gp4, .mil, .rst, .cg4, .cal DDS Microsoft DirectDraw Surface .dds DOQ USGS Digital Orthophoto Quads .doq ECW Enhanced Compression Wavelet .ecw FLIC FLIC Autodesk Animator Animation .flc, .
Supported image file formats Type Description and versions File extension NITF National Imagery Transmission Format .nitf NOTE NITF files containing elevation data require AutoCAD Raster Design OpenEXR Industrial Light & Magic High-Dynamic Range image .exr PCX Picture PC Paintbrush Picture .pcx PICT Picture Macintosh Picture .pct PNG Portable Network Graphic .png PSD Adobe Photoshop Document .psd RLC Run-Length Compressed .rlc TARGA True Vision Raster-Based Data Format .
Images can be referenced and placed in drawing files, but like external references (xrefs), they are not actually part of the drawing file. The image is linked to the drawing file through a path name. Linked image paths can be changed or removed at any time. Once you've attached an image, you can reattach it multiple times, treating it as if it were a block. Each insertion has its own clip boundary and its own settings for brightness, contrast, fade, and transparency.
on which the scale is 1 inch equals 50 feet, or 1:600, and your drawing is set up so that 1 unit represents 1 inch, then in the Attach Image dialog box under Scale, select Specify On-Screen. To scale the image, you clear Specify On-Screen, and then enter 600 in Scale. The image is then attached at a scale that brings the geometry in the image into alignment with the geometry in the drawing.
boundary limits; only the boundary is affected. Showing and hiding image boundaries affects all images attached to your drawing. NOTE When an image frame is turned off, you cannot select images using the Pick or Window options of SELECT. Clip Raster Images You can clip and display specific portions of a raster image in a drawing with a clipping boundary. With a clipping boundary, only the parts of the image that you want visible are displayed.
You can invert the area to be hidden, inside or outside the clipping boundary. With grips located at the midpoint on the first edge of the clipping boundary, you can invert the display of the clipped reference inside or outside the boundary. With IMAGEFRAME system variable, you can control the visibility of the clipping boundary.
Modify Color and Transparency for Bitonal Raster Images Bitonal images are images that consist only of a foreground color and a background color. You can change the foreground color and turn the transparency of the background color on and off. Bitonal raster images are images consisting only of a foreground color and a background color. When you attach a bitonal image, the foreground pixels in the image inherit the current settings for color.
If an image cannot be found, its status is listed as Not Found. A Not Found image is displayed as an image boundary in the drawing even if the IMAGEFRAME system variable is set to off. If the image is unreferenced, no instances are attached for the image. If the image is not loaded, its status is Unloaded. Images with a status of Unloaded or Not Found are not displayed in the drawing.
Change File Paths of Raster Images With the External References palette, you can change the file path to a referenced raster image file or search for a referenced image when it is reported as not found. When you open a drawing with an attached image, the path of the selected image is displayed in the Reference Manager palette in the Details Pane under Found At. The path displayed is the actual path where the image file was found.
Load and Unload Raster Images You can improve performance by unloading images when you do not need them in the current drawing session. Unloaded images are not displayed or plotted; only the image boundary is displayed. Unloading an image does not alter its link. If memory is not sufficient to open multiple attached images in a drawing, images are automatically unloaded.
time. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the only tiled format that the program supports. The TIFF reader supports all image types: ■ Bitonal (1 bit per pixel) ■ Gray scale and indexed color (8 bits per pixel) ■ True Color (24 or 32 bits per pixel) You can save tiled TIFF images with most image scanning tools. The image tiles should be no smaller than 64 x 64 pixels and no larger than 512 x 512 pixels.
You can export a drawing as a DXF (drawing interchange format) file. DXF files are text or binary files that contain drawing information that can be read by other CAD programs. If you are working with consultants who use a CAD program that accepts DXF files, you can share a drawing by saving it as a DXF file. You can control floating-point precision of the DXF format up to 16 decimal places and save the drawing in either ASCII or binary format.
Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects in Previous Releases You can specify that objects maintain visual fidelity when they are viewed in AutoCAD LT 2007 (and earlier releases) with the SAVEFIDELITY system variable. If you work primarily in model space, it is recommended that you turn off visual fidelity (set SAVEFIDELITY to 0). However, if you need to exchange drawings with other users, and layout fidelity is most important, then visual fidelity should be turned on (SAVEFIDELITY set to 1).
If a viewport containing layer property overrides is deleted when the drawing is opened in a previous release, the override settings are not retained and are not available when the drawing is opened in AutoCAD LT 2008. When the VISRETAIN system variable is set to 0 when the drawing is opened in a previous release, xref layers containing viewport property overrides are not retained. If you open an AutoCAD 2008 drawing in a previous release, property overrides may display in a thumbnail image.
■ Fields that wrap across columns ■ Fields that wrap across lines that have new paragraph alignments ■ Paragraphs with non-default alignments in mtext without left object-level justification The following mtext formatting features have some visual fidelity in previous releases (when it’s possible to add white spaces or replace text with white spaces): ■ Paragraphs with non-default alignments (other than justified or distributed) in mtext that has left object-level justification ■ Paragraphs with tabs
support for non-Asian languages is supported for text styles that use SHX fonts with Big Fonts disabled. (The SHX font must define the required characters.) Multiple-language support does not exist in some earlier releases of AutoCAD. For example, when you save a file to AutoCAD 2000 format, the contents of multiple-language multiline text may be corrupted.
Maintain Associativity in Dimensions Associative dimensions created in AutoCAD 2002 or later generally maintain their associativity when saved to a previous release and then reopened in the current release. However, if you modify dimensioned objects using a previous release to the extent that new objects are formed, the dimension associations change when the drawing is loaded into the current release.
Work with AutoCAD Drawings in AutoCAD LT AutoCAD LT offers full compatibility when working with AutoCAD drawings. However, you should understand how AutoCAD LT handles AutoCAD-only features. Work with Fields In AutoCAD, you can insert LispVariables fields, which are not available in AutoCAD LT. However, the drawings created in AutoCAD that contain LispVariables can be opened without errors in AutoCAD LT, and the cached value is displayed.
Work with Constraints Some of the drawings that you work with will contain design requirements enforced within the drawing itself through the use of constraints. Using constraints, you can enforce requirements while experimenting with different designs. A constrained object will move in a predictable manner when edited or moved. A single variable change can cause all related objects to change automatically, enabling you to run through design iterations simply and effectively.
When you place your cursor over a constrained object, you will see a glyph denoting the object is constrained. With AutoCAD LT, you can do the following: ■ View drawings containing constraints created using AutoCAD. ■ View and edit the geometric and dimensional constraints. NOTE You cannot create constraints within AutoCAD LT. Turn Off Perspective View in an AutoCAD Drawing Set the PERSPECTIVE system variable to 0 to turn off perspective view in an AutoCAD drawing that is open in AutoCAD LT.
may not be possible on a proxy object, depending on the application that created it. When you open a drawing, you might see a message listing the total number of proxy objects in the drawing (both graphical and nongraphical) and the name of the missing application and provides additional information about the proxy object type and display state. You can use the dialog box to control the display of proxy objects.
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Collaborate with Others 12 Use the Internet for Collaboration You can access and store drawings and related files on the Internet. Get Started with Internet Access Before you can transfer or save files to an Internet or an intranet location, you have to get access permissions and take security precautions. In this topic and others, the term Internet is used to refer to both the Internet and an intranet. An intranet is a private network that uses the same standards as the Internet.
Work with Drawing Files over the Internet You can open and save drawings to an Internet location, attach externally referenced drawings stored on the Internet, and review files online using AutoCAD WS. Open and Save Drawing Files from the Internet The file input and output commands recognize any valid Uniform Resource Locator (URL) path to a DWG file. You can use AutoCAD LT to open and save files from the Internet.
As a result, operating systems and applications relied on code pages with specific character sets and numbering assigned to countries or regions. To facilitate international compatibility, the Unicode standard was adopted by major industry leaders and is being maintained by the Unicode Consortium. Drawing File Impact Language-specific characters can be used in file names and text within drawing files, or files associated with drawing files.
AutoCAD WS is an application that interfaces directly with AutoCAD. Changes to your local AutoCAD drawings are synchronized with the online copies that you have stored on the AutoCAD WS server. The AutoCAD WS Editor allows you to access and edit the online copies from any computer with a web browser. Multiple users can work on the same drawing file online and in real time.
computer, and attach the Internet drawings to the master drawing as external references (xrefs). When any of the Internet drawings are modified, the changes are included in your master drawing the next time you open it. This is a powerful mechanism for developing accurate, up-to-date composite drawings that can be shared by a design team.
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Render Drawings 13 Draw 2D Isometric Views The Isometric Snap/Grid mode helps you create 2D isometric images that represent 3D objects. The Isometric Snap/Grid mode helps you create 2D images that represent 3D objects. By setting the Isometric Snap/Grid, you can easily align objects along one of three isometric planes; however, although the isometric drawing appears to be 3D, it is actually a 2D representation.
■ Top. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 150-degree axes. ■ Right. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 90-degree axes. Choosing one of the three isometric planes causes Ortho and the crosshairs to be aligned along the corresponding isometric axes. For example, when Ortho is on, the points you specify align along the simulated plane you are drawing on. Therefore, you can draw the top plane, switch to the left plane to draw another side, and switch to the right plane to complete the drawing.
Glossary Commands associated with definitions are shown in parentheses at the end of the definition. absolute coordinates Coordinate values measured from a coordinate system's origin point. See also origin, relative coordinates, user coordinate system (UCS), world coordinates, and world coordinate system (WCS). acquired point In the tracking or object snap tracking methods of locating a point, an intermediate location used as a reference.
alpha channel Alpha is a type of data, found in 32-bit bitmap files, that assigns transparency to the pixels in the image. A 24-bit truecolor file contains three channels of color information: red, green, and blue, or RGB. Each channel of a truecolor bitmap file is defined by 8 bits, providing 256 levels of intensity. The intensity of each channel determines the color of the pixel in the image. Thus, an RGB file is 24-bit with 256 levels each of red, green, and blue.
annotative A property that belongs to objects that are commonly used to annotate drawings. This property allows you to automate the process of scaling annotations. Annotative objects are defined at a paper height and display in layout viewports and model space at the size determined by the annotation scale set for those spaces. anonymous block An unnamed block created by a number of features, including associative and nonassociative dimensions.
associative hatch Hatching that conforms to its bounding objects such that modifying the bounding objects automatically adjusts the hatch. (BHATCH) attribute definition An object that is included in a block definition to store alphanumeric data. Attribute values can be predefined or specified when the block is inserted. Attribute data can be extracted from a drawing and inserted into external files. (ATTDEF) attribute extraction file A text file to which extracted attribute data is written.
baseline dimension Multiple dimensions measured from the same baseline. Also called parallel dimensions. See also baseline. base point 1. In the context of editing grips, the grip that changes to a solid color when selected to specify the focus of the subsequent editing operation. 2. A point for relative distance and angle when copying, moving, and rotating objects. 3. The insertion base point of the current drawing. (BASE) 4. The insertion base point for a block definition.
block instance See block reference. block reference A compound object that is inserted in a drawing and displays the data stored in a block definition. Also called instance. See also block and block definition. (INSERT) bounded area A closed area that consists of a single object (such as a circle) or of multiple, coplanar objects that overlap. You can insert hatch fills within bounded areas. B-spline curve A blended piecewise polynomial curve passing near a given set of control points.
cell style A style that contains specific formatting for table cells. circular external reference An externally referenced drawing (xref) that references itself directly or indirectly. The xref that creates the circular condition is ignored. CMYK For cyan, magenta, yellow, and key color. A system of defining colors by specifying the percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and the key color, which is typically black. coincident grip Grip shared by multiple objects.
constraints Form of parametric design. Rules that govern the position, slope, tangency, dimensions, and relationships among objects in a geometry. construction plane See work plane. continued dimension A type of linear dimension that uses the second extension line origin of a selected dimension as its first extension line origin, breaking one long dimension into shorter segments that add up to the total measurement. Also called chain dimension.
ctrl-cycle Method for cycling between different behaviors while editing geometry, either in a command or when grip-editing. Pressing and releasing the Ctrl key cycles the behavior. For constrained geometry, Ctrl-cycling switches between enforcing and relaxing constraints. current drawing A drawing file that is open in the program, and receives any command or action that you enter. cursor See pointer and crosshairs. cursor menu See shortcut menu.
default A predefined value for a program input or parameter. Default values and options for commands are denoted by angle brackets (<>). See also default value. default drawing See initial environment. default value The value that is accepted when you press Enter at a sub-prompt. The default value is displayed in angle brackets <>. See also default. definition points Points for creating a dimension.
dimension style A named group of dimension settings that determines the appearance of the dimension and simplifies the setting of dimension system variables. (DIMSTYLE) dimension text The measurement value of dimensioned objects. dimension variables A set of numeric values, text strings, and settings that control dimensioning features. (DIMSTYLE) direct distance entry A method to specify a second point by first moving the cursor to indicate direction and then entering a distance.
driven constraint A non-parametric dimension enclosed in parentheses that shows the current value of geometry. The value is updated when the geometry changes size, but it does not control geometry. driving dimension A parametric dimension that determines the size of geometry and resizes the object when its value changes. driving property A lookup property is considered invertible when a manual change in the lookup value for a block reference causes other properties values change.
empty selection set A selection set that contains no objects. explode To disassemble a complex object, such as a block, dimension, solid, or polyline, into simpler objects. In the case of a block, the block definition is unchanged. The block reference is replaced by the components of the block. See also block, block definition, and block reference. (EXPLODE) exploded dimension Independent objects that have the appearance of a dimension but are not associated with the dimensioned object or each other.
field A specialized text object set up to display data that may change during the life cycle of the drawing. When the field is updated, the latest value of the field is displayed. (FIELD) fill A solid color covering an area bounded by lines or curves. (FILL) filters See coordinate filters. fit points Locations that a B-spline must pass through exactly or within a fit tolerance. See also interpolation points and approximation points.
Geometric constraints are coincident, collinear, concentric, equal, fix, horizontal, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, and vertical. geometry All graphical objects such as lines, circles, arcs, polylines, and dimensions. Nongraphical objects, such as linetypes, lineweights, text styles, and layers are not considered geometry. See also named object. graphics area See drawing area. grid An area covered with regularly spaced dots or lines to aid drawing. The grid spacing is adjustable.
Help menu In AutoCAD LT, you can find Help on the Mac OS menu bar or by pressing Fn-F1. horizontal landing An optional line segment connecting the tail of a leader line with the leader content. hot grip A selected grip. initial environment The variables and settings for new drawings as defined by the default drawing template, such as acadlt.dwt or acadltiso.dwt. See also template drawing. interface element A user interface object that can be customized, such as a pull-down menu or tool set.
landing The portion of a leader object that acts as a pointer to the object being called out. A landing can either be a straight line or a spline curve. landing gap An optional space between a leader tail and the leader content. layer A logical grouping of data that are like transparent acetate overlays on a drawing. You can view layers individually or in combination. (LAYER) layer index A list showing the objects on each layer.
lineweight A width value that can be assigned to all graphical objects except TrueType fonts and raster images. ® LL84 coordinate system Common latitude longitudinal-based coordinate system where latitude and longitude are both measured from -90 to 90 degrees. Longitude begins at 0 degrees at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England and is measured from -180 to 180. Latitude is 0 degrees at the equator and is measured from -90 to 90.
multi-functional grip menu options Editing options you can access from the grip menu that appears when you hover over an object grip (not available for all object types). multileader A leader object that creates annotations with multiple leader lines. named object Describes the various types of nongraphical information, such as styles and definitions, stored with a drawing. Named objects include linetypes, layers, dimension styles, text styles, block definitions, layouts, views, and viewport configurations.
object enabler A tool that provides specific viewing and standard editing access to a custom object when the ObjectARX application that created the custom object is not present. See also custom object and proxy object. Object Snap mode Methods for selecting commonly needed points on an object while you create or edit a drawing. See also running object snap and object snap override. object snap override Turning off or changing a running Object Snap mode for input of a single point.
or design work. You design your model using the Model tab. See also model space and viewport. (PSPACE) parametric design Ability to establish relationships between objects, to drive the size and orientation of geometry with model and user-defined parameters. parametric drawing Feature in AutoCAD that assigns constraints to objects, establishing the distance, location, and orientation of objects with respect to other objects. PC3 file Partial plotter configuration file.
pline See polyline. plot style An object property that specifies a set of overrides for color, dithering, gray scale, pen assignments, screening, linetype, lineweight, endstyles, joinstyles, and fill styles. Plot styles are applied at plot time. plot style table A set of plot styles. Plot styles are defined in plot style tables and apply to objects only when the plot style table is attached to a layout or viewport. PMP file Plot Model Parameter.
Polar Snap A precision drawing tool used to snap to incremental distances along the polar tracking alignment path. See also polar tracking (page 545). polar tracking A precision drawing tool that displays temporary alignment paths defined by user-specified polar angles. See also Polar Snap. polygon window selection A multisided area specified to select objects in groups. See also crossing selection and window selection.
redraw To quickly refresh or clean up blip marks in the current viewport without updating the drawing's database. See also regenerate. (REDRAW) reference A definition, known as an external reference or block reference, that is used and stored in the drawing. See also block (BLOCK) and external reference (xref). (XREF) regenerate To update a drawing's screen display by recomputing the screen coordinates from the database. See also redraw.
scale representation The display of an annotative object based on the annotation scales that the object supports. For example, if an annotative object supports two annotations scales, it has two scale representations script file A set of commands executed sequentially with a single SCRIPT command. Script files are created outside the program using a text editor, saved in text format, and stored in an external file with the file extension .scr.
snap resolution The spacing between points of the snap grid. spatial index A list that organizes objects based on their location in space. A spatial index is used to locate what portion of the drawing is read when you partially open a drawing. Saving a spatial index with a drawing also enhances performance when working with external references. The INDEXCTL system variable controls whether layer and spatial indexes are saved with a drawing. STB file For plot style table file.
table style A style that contains a specific table format and structure. A table style contains at least 3 cell styles. temporary files Data files created during an program session. The files are deleted by the time you end the session. If the session ends abnormally, such as during a power outage, temporary files might be left on the disk. tessellation lines Lines that help you visualize a curved surface.
tooltip A small box of text that identifies or explains an object or interface element when the cursor hovers near or over it. tracking A way to locate a point relative to other points on the drawing. transparent command A command started while another is in progress. Precede transparent commands with an apostrophe. UCS See user coordinate system (UCS). UCS definition Each UCS definition can have its own origin and X, Y, and Z axes. Create and save as many UCS definitions as you need.
user parameter Named user-defined variable (real number or an expression) that can be used in expressions for dimensional constraints or other user parameters. UVW The material’s coordinate space. Used instead of XYZ because that is usually reserved for the world coordinate system (WCS). Most material maps are a 2D plane assigned to a 3D surface. The U, V, and W coordinates parallel the relative directions of X, Y, and Z coordinates.
viewport configuration A named collection of model viewports that can be saved and restored. (VPORTS) virtual screen display The area in which the program can pan and zoom without regenerating the drawing. WCS See world coordinate system (WCS). window selection A rectangular area specified in the drawing area to select multiple objects at the same time. See also crossing selection, polygon window selection. wipeout object A polygonal area that masks underlying objects with the current background color.
X,Y,Z point filters See coordinate filters. xref See external reference (xref). zoom To reduce or increase the apparent magnification of the drawing area.
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