Datasheet

TIME
TIME gives you the total time during which a drawing has been open for editing. You can
also use it as a running timer by selecting the Reset option before beginning something
new. Use this timer as you try to develop more drawing speed. Pick one object, and draw it
several times using different strategies. The TIME command can tell you if you’re getting
any faster. I’ve also used the TIME function to see if one computer in an office really is
slower than another, or if it’s just the perception of a frustrated user. See Chapter 7,
“AutoCAD Scripts” for a benchmark system to test computers with no user input.
The Save Options
You can save drawing files using any of the following commands: SAVE, QSAVE, SAVEAS,
and WBLOCK. Each of these commands creates a DWG file in different ways, but each
has its own advantages:
SAVEAS When you select Save As from the pull-down menu, or type SAVEAS, AutoCAD
saves to a specified path with a specified name and makes the resulting path and filename
the default. The next time you use a save command, including QSAVE (Ctrl-S), this name
and location will be used.
SAVE The SAVE command, if it’s issued by typing at the command prompt, allows you
to save to a different location or name without redefining the default drawing. (The Save
option on the pull-down actually calls the QSAVE command. I change this whenever I
upgrade AutoCAD.) I wish all Windows software had this kind of save option.
QSAVE The QSAVE (quick save) command automatically saves to the default location
and name. Ctrl-S issues the QSAVE command.
WBLOCK WBLOCK is a save command. It lets you save part of an existing drawing, using
one of three methods. Select the option you want from the dialog box, as shown in Fig-
ure 1.16. Because dialog boxes can’t be used in AutoLISP programs, you should know the
command sequence for WBLOCK. When issued from the command line with FILEDIA
turned off, the -WBLOCK command allows you to make the same selections. See Chap-
ter 5, “Symbols, Tables, and Fields,” for more information on the WBLOCK command.
Backup copies The best method for making backup copies to removable drives (CD, flash,
DVD) as you’re drawing is to type the SAVE command at the command line or use the
Send To function of Windows. Otherwise, you redefine the default name and location.
Right-click any filename in a windows file-management dialog box to select Send To. You
can add a location by creating a shortcut and placing it in the folder C:\Documents and
Settings\%username%\SendTo. Replace %username% with your login name. See Chapter 2,
“Managing Your System,” for automated backup techniques.
GROUP The GROUP command should be used more often, in my opinion. It allows you
to name a selection set so that you can use it again. Once a group is created, you can type
24 ■ chapter 1: AutoCAD Productivity
Figure 1.16
WBLOCK options for
saving a DWG file
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