Datasheet

LAYER MANIPULATION
Consider the following example from a residential floor plan. Layer names all begin with a
field that designates the floor of the residence: FL1, FL1-DIM; FL2, FL2-DIM; FND, FND-DIM.
Each floor has a number of associated layers for hidden lines, center lines, dimensions, appli-
ances, electrical, and so on.
Because the layer names are uniform, you can use the following syntax either at the com-
mand prompt or within a menu to make the following changes to the layer:
• Thaw all layers.
• Set layer FL1 as the current layer.
• Freeze all layers that don’t start with the characters FL1.
Your code should look like this:
-Layer;T;*;S;FL1;F;~FL1*;;
The * is a wildcard meaning all. The ~ (tilde) is a wildcard meaning all except.
Use the Drafting Tools
Learn to use direct-distance entry, osnaps, object tracking, temporary tracking, and polar
tracking. They’re great tools that can dramatically speed up your work once you under-
stand how they work together. Check out the newer osnaps, like M2P, Temporary Track
Point, Parallel, and Extension. However, don’t overdo the running osnaps. Open the
Drafting Settings dialog box, and uncheck as many as possible in the Object Snap tab.
Figure 1.2
Set properties
to ByLayer.
If you’re drawing lines at unusual angles, and you want to be able to continue with lines that
are perpendicular from the last line segment you drew, set PER as a running osnap and hover
over the end you just selected.
If you find it necessary to apply a color or linetype directly to an object rather than to ByLayer,
I recommend doing so with the Properties palette after the object is created. If you select the
color in the Properties toolbar, you may forget to set it back to ByLayer and continue draw-
ing. You should close the Properties toolbar to avoid using it. See Figure 1.2.
8 ■ chapter 1: AutoCAD Productivity
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