Datasheet

HELP SYSTEM
I’m not exaggerating when I say I answer many questions from confused users by bringing
up the AutoCAD Help system—often while I’m on the phone with them. The most recent was
a call from a frustrated user who was using AutoCAD 2006 to edit text in a vertical title block.
The version of AutoCAD they had upgraded from displayed the text horizontally; but Auto-
CAD 2006 displayed the text in place, which meant he had to tilt his head to the side to read
it. He was about to rotate the title block for editing when he decided to call me.
I knew the MTEXTED variable would allow him to change the MTEXT editor to the previ-
ous version so he could use horizontal text, but I didn’t remember the correct setting for
doing so. As he was asking the question, I used the Help system to look up the MTEXTED
variable, and then I told him to set it to OldEditor. He sighed and asked, “How can you know
everything about AutoCAD?” When I admitted that in this case my secret was the Help sys-
tem, I think I heard him slap his forehead.
No one can know everything about AutoCAD, but if you want to be the indispensable
AutoCAD go-to user in your office, become familiar with Help. Whether you reveal your
secret source is up to you!
Use Layers with Logical and Consistent Names
Using layers with logical names allows you to separate different kinds of geometry and
different functions. Don’t be one of those people who produce nightmare drawings by
placing all or most entities on a single layer. Layers give you control over a drawing that’s
essential to efficient management. If your layer names are logical, it’s easy to manage
multiple layers.
That logic should be embedded in an office standard and reflected in the use of stan-
dard drawing templates, and a .DWS standards file. There have been many attempts to
standardize layer naming across disciplines. See Chapter 4, “Applying Graphics Stan-
dards,” for more information.
Set All Properties to ByLayer
Unless you have a good reason, avoid the urge to use multiple colors, linetypes, or line-
weights on a single layer. If you get a drawing from someone who has done this, use
FILTER or QSELECT to select and move objects to different layers, and then change their
properties to ByLayer.
Good reasons may include the desire to create a symbol or detail that contains multiple
linetypes and colors. Although this can be done by using objects on different layers, many
users prefer to have all elements of a block definition reside on a single layer so only that
layer controls the appearance of the block. In this case, you can apply a specific color or
linetype to an element before including it in a block definition.
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