2004
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Chapter 1 - Find the Information You Need
- Part 1 - The User Interface
- Part 2 - Start, Organize, and Save a Drawing
- Part 3 - Control the Drawing Views
- Part 4 - Create and Modify Objects
- Chapter 14 - Control the Properties of Objects
- Chapter 15 - Use Precision Tools
- Chapter 16 - Draw Geometric Objects
- Chapter 17 - Change Existing Objects
- Part 5 - Hatches, Notes, and Dimensions
- Chapter 18 - Hatches, Fills, and Wipeouts
- Chapter 19 - Notes and Labels
- Chapter 20 - Dimensions and Tolerances
- Part 6 - Create Layouts and Plot Drawings
- Chapter 21 - Create Layouts
- Chapter 22 - Plot Drawings
- Part 7 - Share Data Between Drawings and Applications
- Chapter 23 - Reference Other Drawing Files (Xrefs)
- Chapter 24 - Link and Embed Data (OLE)
- Chapter 25 - Work with Data in Other Formats
- Chapter 26 - Access External Databases
- Overview of Using AutoCAD with External Databases
- Access a Database from Within AutoCAD
- Link Database Records to Graphical Objects
- Use Labels to Display Database Information in the Drawing
- Use Queries to Filter Database Information
- Share Link and Label Templates and Queries with Other Users
- Work with Links in Files from Earlier Releases
- Part 8 - Work with Other People and Organizations
- Chapter 27 - Protect and Sign Drawings
- Chapter 28 - Use the Internet to Share Drawings
- Chapter 29 - Insert and View Markups
- Chapter 30 - Publish Drawing Sets
- Part 9 - Create Realistic Images and Graphics
- Glossary
- Index
24 | Chapter 2 Menus, Toolbars and Tool Palettes
Update the Icon for a Tool
Icons in tool palettes are not automatically updated if the block or hatch
changes. If you change a block or hatch definition you can update its icon in
a tool palette. In the Tool Properties dialog box, change the entry in the
Source File field for blocks or the Pattern name field for hatches, and then
change the entry back again. This forces an update of the icon for that tool.
Alternatively, you can delete the tool and then replace it using DesignCenter.
Specify Overrides for Tool Properties
In some cases, you may want to assign specific property overrides to a tool.
For example, you may want a hatch to be placed automatically on a pre-spec-
ified layer, regardless of the current layer setting. This feature can save you
time and reduce errors by setting properties automatically when creating
certain objects.
The Tool Properties dialog box provides fields for each potential property
override.
Layer property overrides affect color, linetype, lineweight, plot style, and
plot. Layer property overrides are resolved as follows:
■ If a layer is missing from the drawing, that layer is created automatically.
■ If a layer to which you are dragging a block or hatch is currently turned
off or frozen, the layer is temporarily turned on or thawed.
To display the properties of a tool on a tool palette
1 On a tool palette, right-click a tool and then click Properties on the short-
cut menu.
2 In the Tool Properties dialog box, use the scroll bar to view all tool
properties.
You can also resize the Tool Properties dialog box or expand and collapse
the property categories by clicking the double arrow buttons.
3 Click OK.
To change a property of a tool on a tool palette
1 On a tool palette , right-click a tool and then click Properties on the short-
cut menu.
2 In the Tool Properties dialog box, use the scroll bar to view all tool prop-
erties. Click any property field and specify the new value or setting.
■ Properties listed under the Insert or Pattern category control object-spe-
cific properties such as scale, rotation, and angle.