Joe's Top Ten AutoCAD Tips

Tip #10

Concept: Save often access project folder

Procedure:  

• Navigate to Project folder in any file dialog box
• Right-click in folder area
• Select Add Current Folder

Tip #9

Control Button

Concept: Make good use of the Crtl button.

Procedure:  

• Cntl Tab – Toggles you through files within a program.
• Cntl 1 – Toggles Property Palette 
• Cntl 3 – Toggles Tool Palette
• Cntl Shift C – Copy with a basepoint 
• Cntl Z – Undo
• Cntl S – Save

Tip #8

Freezing Xref Layers

Concept: Freeze layers in an Xref by picking an object on the layer.

Procedure: 

• · Use Deep Freeze for Doors within Xref (in Wolski Toolbar)

Tip #7

Finding the Centre

Concept: Find the centre point between two points

Procedure:  

• Use Shift Right click and select Mid between 2 Points (tip: use with Tool Palette block insertions).

 Tip #6

Clip Xrefs

Concept: Clip Xrefs to keep your drawings clean.

Procedure:  

• Right-click on an Xref and select Clip Xref (tip: notice there is an Inverse option).

 Tip #5

Change Objects to Current Layer

Concept: Use with new detail layers to update drawings.

Procedure:  

• Set a layer current and then use the Change to Current Layer command to change objects to this layer. (hint use with new detail layers).

See other fancy Layer tools (like isolate layer) from Layer II toolbar

Tip #4

Block Editor

Concept: Edit a block rather than explode it.

Procedure:  

• Right-click on a block and Block Editor (hint: use with caution).

Tip #3

Keyboard Short-cuts

Concept: Increase your speed with keyboard short-cuts

Procedure:  

• Use shortcuts on left side of keyboard and use thumb on spacebar for Enter
• More details to follow....

Tip #2

Etransmit

Concept: Create transmittal packages.

Procedure:  

• At the command line type ETRANSMIT

Tip #1

Publish Drawing

Concept: Publish allows you to batch print drawings.

Procedure:  

• At the command line type PUBLISH

Customize Folders

Unreconciled Layers

If you are annoyed by the "Unreconciled Layers" message you can turn it off by:

• At the command line type LAYEREVALCTL and then 0 and Enter.

Solid Command vs. Solid Hatch

Ok, the debate rages on regarding using the Solid command vs Solid Hatch, here are some pro of using Solid hatch

Pros:
Way fewer points to pick
Hatch is associated with "boundary" objects
Can handle curved walls

Cons:
Sensitive to small gaps in line geometry

Group Selection

Still hocked on groups? Here is how to ensure that they work properly in AutoCAD LT.

• When you create groups it is important that you make them Selectable

• At the command line type PICKSTYLE and set to 1 (this is a global "on" for selectable groups).

• Plus you may need to press Ctrl Shift A to toggle the Group funtionality on and off.

Fixing Drawing Errors

This is a quick and easy way to fix any errors in your drawing.
I generally do this process when I'm purging my drawing.
After you purge, type in "audit" (enter) and then "y" (enter) to allow autocad to fix any errors. Once its done fixing, it will show you how many errors were in your drawing.
That's all. Nice and easy!

Tool Palette Tips

Here are some tips for maximizing your fun using Tool Palette.

• Ctrl 3 is the easiest way to toggle palettes on (and off).
  
• Control the display settings of your palette, right click in your palette and select View Options...:

• 
  
  Adjust the visibility settings as you desire (smaller icons will allow more blocks to be displayed).
  
  
  

Setting All Palettes ensures that the changes are applied to every palette.

Change Xref Path to Relative

Change to Relative Path
At times you may need to change a path from Absolute to Relative here is how you do it:

• If Xref palette is not visible, type Xref at the command line.
• Select reference and edit path as indicated below: