AutoCAD®2012ForDummies®

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TableofContents

ForewordIntroduction

What’sNot(AndWhatIs)inThisBook

Macattack!

WhoDoIThinkYouAre?HowThisBookIsOrganized

PartI:AutoCAD101PartII:LetThereBeLinesPartIII:IfDrawingsCouldTalkPartIV:AdvancingwithAutoCADPartV:Ona3DSpreePartVI:ThePartofTensButwait...there’smore!

IconsUsedinThisBookAFewConventions—JustinCase

CommandingfromthekeyboardTyingthingsupwiththeRibbon

WheretoGofromHere

PartI:AutoCAD101

Chapter1:IntroducingAutoCADandAutoCADLT

WhyAutoCAD?

TheImportanceofBeingDWGSeeingtheLTCheckingSystemRequirementsSuddenly,It’s2012!

Chapter2:LeTourdeAutoCAD2012

AutoCADDoesWindows(AndOffice)AndThey’reOff:AutoCAD’sOpeningScreens

RunningwithRibbons

GettingwiththeProgram

LookingforMr.StatusBarLetyourfingersdothetalking:ThecommandwindowThekey(board)toAutoCADsuccessKeepingtabsonpalettesDownthemainstretch:Thedrawingarea

FunwithF1

Chapter3:ALaparoundtheCADTrack

ASimpleSetupDrawinga(Base)Plate

DrawingrectanglesontherightlayersCirclingyourplatePlacingyourpolygon

GettingaCloserLookwithZoomandPanModifyingtoMakeItMerrier

Hip-hip-array!StretchingoutCrossingyourhatches

FollowingthePlot

Chapter4:SetupforSuccess

ASetupRoadmap

ChoosingyourunitsWeighingupyourscalesThinkingannotativelyThinkingaboutpaperDefendingyourborder

ATemplateforSuccessMakingtheMostofModelSpace

SettingyourunitsMakingthedrawingareasnap-py(andgrid-dy)SettinglinetypeanddimensionscalesEnteringdrawingproperties

MakingTemplatesYourOwn

Chapter5:PlanningforPaper

SettingUpaLayoutinPaperSpace

Willthatbetabsorbuttons?CreatingalayoutCopyingandchanginglayoutsLostinpaperspaceAview(port)fordrawingin

AboutPaperSpaceLayoutsandPlotting

PartII:LetThereBeLines

Chapter6:ManageYourProperties

ManagingYourProperties

PuttingitonalayerAccumulatingproperties

CreatingnewlayersManipulatinglayers

UsingNamedObjects

UsingAutoCADDesignCenterCopyinglayersbetweendrawings

Chapter7:PreciselinessIsNexttoCADliness

ControllingYourPrecision

Keyboardcapers:CoordinateinputUnderstandingAutoCAD’scoordinatesystemsGrabanobjectandmakeitsnappy

OtherPracticalPrecisionProcedures

Chapter8:DowntheStraightaway

IntroducingtheAutoCADDrawingCommandsTheStraightandNarrow:Lines,Polylines,andPolygons

ToeingthelineConnectingthelineswithpolylineSquaringoffwithrectanglesChoosingyoursideswithpolygon

Chapter9:DangerousCurvesAhead

(Throwing)Curves

GoingfullcircleArc-y-ologySolarellipsesSplines:Thesketchy,sinuouscurvesDonuts:ThecircleswithadifferenceRevisioncloudsonthehorizon

ScoringPoints

Chapter10:GetaGriponObjectSelection

CommandingandSelecting

Command-firsteditingSelection-firsteditingDirectobjectmanipulationChoosinganeditingstyle

GrabIt

One-by-oneselectionSelectionboxesleftandright

PerfectingSelectingObjectSelection:NowYouSeeIt...GetaGrip

AboutgripsAgrippingexampleMoveit!Copy,orakinder,gentlerMoveAwarm-upStretch

Chapter11:EditforCredit

YourAutoCADToolKitTheBigThree:Move,Copy,andStretch

BasepointsanddisplacementsMoveCopyCopybetweendrawingsStretch

MoreManipulations

MirrorRotate

ScaleArrayOffset

Slicing,Dicing,andSplicing

TrimandExtendBreakFilletandChamferandBlendJoin

Chapter12:AZoomwithaView

ZoomandPanwithGlassandHand

NavigatingyourdrawingTimetozoom

AViewbyAnyOtherName...LookingAroundinLayoutLandDegeneratingandRegenerating

PartIII:IfDrawingsCouldTalk

Chapter13:TextwithCharacter

GettingReadytoWrite

SimplystylishtextTakingyourtexttonewheightsOnelineortwo?Yourtextwillbejustified

UsingtheSameOldLineTurningOnYourAnnotativeObjectsSayingMoreinMultilineText

MakingitwithMtextItslices,itdices...

DoinganumberonyourMtextlistsLineupincolumns—Now!ModifyingMtext

GatherRoundtheTables

Tableshavestyle,tooCreatingandeditingtables

BringOutYourInnerLeader

ElectingaleaderMultioptionsformultileaders

Chapter14:EnteringNewDimensions

DiscoveringNewDimensions

AnatomyofadimensionAfieldguidetodimensionsDimensionassociativityFindingyourdimensiontools

DoingDimensionswithStyle(s)

BorrowingexistingdimensionstylesCreatingandmanagingdimensionstylesAdjustingstylesettings

DrawingDimensions

LiningupsomelineardimensionsMakingdimensionsannotativeDrawingotherkindsofdimensions

EditingDimensions

EditingdimensiongeometryEditingdimensiontextControllingandeditingdimensionassociativity

Chapter15:DowntheHatch

BattenDowntheHatches!PushingtheBoundary(of)Hatch

HatchfromscratchGettingitright:HatchangleandscaleHatchingforthe21stcenturyDofencemein:DefininghatchboundariesHavepalette,willhatch

EditingHatchObjects

Chapter16:ThePlotThickens

YouSayPrinting,ISayPlotting

GetwiththesystemConfigureitout

ASimplePlot

Plottingsuccessin16stepsPreviewone,twoInsteadoffit,scaleit

PlottingtheLayoutoftheLand

Thepathtopaperspacelayoutplottingsuccess

PlottingLineweightsandColors

PlottingwithstylePlottingthroughthickandthinPlottingincolor

It’sa(Page)Setup!ContinuingthePlotDialogTroubleswithPlotting

PartIV:AdvancingwithAutoCAD

Chapter17:TheABCsofBlocks

RockingwithBlocks

CreatingblockdefinitionsInsertingblocksAttributes:Fill-in-the-blankblocksExplodingblocksPurgingunusedblockdefinitions

Chapter18:GoingDynamicandExternal

ArrayingAssociatively

ComparingtheoldandnewARRAYcommandsArrayingalongapathAssociativelyediting

ThemeandVariations:DynamicBlocks

Nowyouseeit...Lights!Parameters!!Actions!!!Manipulatingdynamicblocks

GoingExternal

BecomingattachedtoyourxrefsLayer-paloozaCreatingandeditinganexternalreferencefileForginganxrefpathManagingxrefs

Blocks,Xrefs,andDrawingOrganizationMasteringtheRaster

AttachinganimageMaintainingyourimage

YousayPDF,IsayDWF

Chapter19:CalltheParametrics!

MaintainingDesignIntent

DefiningtermsConstrainyourself

UnderstandingDimensionalConstraints

PracticealittleconstraintMakingyourdrawingevensmarterUsingtheParametersManagerDimensionsorconstraints—haveitbothways!

UnderstandingGeometricConstraints

ApplyingalittlemoreconstraintAutoconstrainyourself!

Chapter20:DrawingontheInternet

TheInternetandAutoCAD:AnOverviewSendingStrategies

SenditwithETRANSMITRapideTransmitFTPforyouandmeBadreception?HelpfromtheReferenceManager

DesignWebFormat—NotJustfortheWeb

AllaboutDWFandDWFxePlot,notreplotMakingDWFswithePlotMakingDWFs(orplots)withPUBLISHHyperobjects

AutodeskDesignReview2012

TheDrawingProtectionRacket

PartV:Ona3DSpree

Chapter21:It’sa3DWorldAfterAll

Understanding3DDigitalModelsToolsoftheTrade

WarpspeedaheadEnteringthethirddimensionUntyingtheRibbonandopeningsomepalettes

ModelingfromAbove

Using3DcoordinateinputUsingpointfiltersObjectsnapsandobjectsnaptracking

ChangingPlanes

DisplayingtheUCSiconAdjustingtheUCS

Navigatingthe3DWaters

Orbitàgo-goTakingaspinaroundthecubeGrabbingtheSteeringWheels

Visualizing3Dobjects

Gettingsome(visual)style

Chapter22:FromDrawings...toModels

Is3DforMe?GettingYour3DBearings

Creatingabetter3DtemplateSeeingtheworldfromnewviewpoints

FromDrawingtoModelingin3D

Drawingbasic3DobjectsGainingasolidfoundationDrawingsolidprimitives

AddingtheThirdDimensionto2DObjects

Creating3Dobjectsfrom2Ddrawings

Modifying3DObjects

SelectingsubobjectsWorkingwithgizmosMore3Dvariantsof2DcommandsEditingsolids

Chapter23:OnaRenderBender

VisualizingtheDigitalWorldAddingLighting

DefaultlightingUser-definedlightsSunlight

CreatingandApplyingMaterialsDefiningaBackgroundRenderinga3DModel

PartVI:ThePartofTens

Chapter24:TenGreatAutoCADResources

Autodesk’sFeedbackCommunityAutodesk’sDiscussionGroupsAutodesk’sOwnBloggers

AutodeskUniversityTheAutodeskChannelonYouTubeTheWorldWide(CAD)WebYourLocalATCYourLocalUserGroupAUGIBooks

Chapter25:TenDifferencesbetweenAutoCADandAutoCADLT

Price3DAbilitiesCustomizationOptionsNetworkLicensingExpressToolsParametricsStandardsCheckingDataExtractionMLINEversusDLINEProfilesReferenceManager

Chapter26:TenSystemVariablestoMakeYourLifeEasier

APERTUREDIMASSOCMENUBARMIRRTEXTOSNAPZPICKBOXREMEMBERFOLDERSROLLOVERTIPSTOOLTIPSVISRETAIN

CheatSheet

AutoCAD®2012ForDummies®

byDavidByrnes

ForewordbyHeidiHewett

AutoCADTechnicalMarketingManager

AutoCAD®2012ForDummies®

PublishedbyWileyPublishing,Inc.111RiverSt.Hoboken,NJ07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright©2011byWileyPublishing,Inc.,Indianapolis,Indiana

PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanningorotherwise,exceptaspermittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withouteitherthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher,orauthorizationthroughpaymentoftheappropriateper-copyfeetotheCopyrightClearanceCenter,222RosewoodDrive,Danvers,MA01923,(978)750-8400,fax(978)646-8600.RequeststothePublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030,(201)748-6011,fax(201)748-6008,oronlineathttp://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Trademarks:Wiley,theWileyPublishinglogo,ForDummies,theDummiesManlogo,AReferencefortheRestofUs!,TheDummiesWay,DummiesDaily,TheFunandEasyWay,Dummies.com,MakingEverythingEasier,andrelatedtradedressaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.and/oritsaffiliatesintheUnitedStatesandothercountries,andmaynotbeusedwithoutwrittenpermission.AutoCADisaregisteredtrademarkofAutodesk,Inc.Allother

trademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.WileyPublishing,Inc.,isnotassociatedwithanyproductorvendormentionedinthisbook.

LimitofLiability/DisclaimerofWarranty:Thepublisherandtheauthormakenorepresentationsorwarrantieswithrespecttotheaccuracyorcompletenessofthecontentsofthisworkandspecificallydisclaimallwarranties,includingwithoutlimitationwarrantiesoffitnessforaparticularpurpose.Nowarrantymaybecreatedorextendedbysalesorpromotionalmaterials.Theadviceandstrategiescontainedhereinmaynotbesuitableforeverysituation.Thisworkissoldwiththeunderstandingthatthepublisherisnotengagedinrenderinglegal,accounting,orotherprofessionalservices.Ifprofessionalassistanceisrequired,theservicesofacompetentprofessionalpersonshouldbesought.Neitherthepublishernortheauthorshallbeliablefordamagesarisingherefrom.ThefactthatanorganizationorWebsiteisreferredtointhisworkasacitationand/orapotentialsourceoffurtherinformationdoesnotmeanthattheauthororthepublisherendorsestheinformationtheorganizationorWebsitemayprovideorrecommendationsitmaymake.Further,readersshouldbeawarethatInternetWebsiteslistedinthisworkmayhavechangedordisappearedbetweenwhenthisworkwaswrittenandwhenitisread.

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LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2011926309

ISBN:978-1-118-02440-9

ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

10987654321

AbouttheAuthorDavidByrnesisoneofthosegrizzledold-timersyou’llfindmentionedeveryso

ofteninAutoCAD2011ForDummies.Hebeganhisdraftingcareerontheboardsin1979,andfirstlearnedAutoCADwithversion1.4.DaveisbasedinVancouver,BritishColumbia,whereheworksasacivil/structuraldrafter.HetaughtAutoCADforfifteenyearsatEmilyCarrUniversityofArt+DesignandBritishColumbiaInstituteofTechnologyinVancouver.Davehasauthoredorco-authoredoveradozenAutoCADbooksandhasbeenthesoleauthorofthistitlesinceAutoCAD2008ForDummies.

DedicationIleftthebohemianlifestyleoftheAutoCADconsultantatthebeginningof2008andrejoinedtheengineeringcompanyIlastworkedforin1988(luckilythey’dforgottenallaboutthatchandelier).Workingfull-time(oh!thehorror!)andkeepingupwithAutoCADsoIcanrevisethisbookhasmademesomewhatinaccessiblefor3monthsayear,andI’mforevergratefultoAnnieandDelia,stillandalwaysthetwowomeninmylife,whoremindmethereareotherthingsbesideskeyboardsandmice(andsometimestheyhavetotryreallyhard).

Author’sAcknowledgmentsThanks,firstofall,toformerauthorMarkMiddlebrookforbringingmeintotheAutoCADForDummiesworld.MarkaskedmetotecheditAutoCAD2000ForDummies,thentojoinhimasco-authorofAutoCAD2006ForDummies,andfinallytotakeoverthetitlealtogether.IhopemytorchbearingcomesclosetothehighstandardsthatMarkset,andIwishhimwellinhisnewcareerintheworldoffinewine(what,mejealous?).

Thanks,too,tocolleaguesandfriendsatAutodesk:aboveallGuillermoMelantoni,HeidiHewett,andBudSchroeder,whoneverseemtomindbeingaskedeventhedumbestquestions.Andspeakingofcolleagues,thankstomycubicle-matesatSandwellforshowingmehowthingsaredoneintherealworldofengineering.

AtWiley,AcquisitionsEditorKyleLooperwasareliablesourceofcalmbutfirmdirection.ItwasapleasuretoworkwithprojecteditorPatO’Brienagain,andcopyeditorBarryChild-HeltonpointedoutwhereImixedupmyPsandmyQs.Andthanks,finally,toLeeAmbrosiuswhodidhisusualsterlingjoboftechediting.

Publisher’sAcknowledgmentsWe’reproudofthisbook;pleasesendusyourcommentsthroughouronlineregistrationformlocatedatwww.dummies.com/register/.

Someofthepeoplewhohelpedbringthisbooktomarketincludethefollowing:

Acquisitions,Editorial,andMediaDevelopment

ProjectEditor:PatO’Brien(PreviousEdition:BlairPottenger)

AcquisitionsEditor:KyleLooper

CopyEditor:BarryChilds-Helton

TechnicalEditor:LeeAmbrosius

EditorialManager:KevinKirschner

MediaDevelopmentProjectManager:LauraMoss-Hollister

MediaDevelopmentAssistantProjectManager:JennySwisher

MediaDevelopmentAssociateProducers:JoshFrank,MarilynHummel,DouglasKuhn,andShawnPatrick

EditorialAssistant:AmandaGraham

Sr.EditorialAssistant:CherieCase

Cartoons:RichTennant(www.the5thwave.com)

CompositionServices

ProjectCoordinator:KatherineCrocker

LayoutandGraphics:SamanthaK.Cherolis,JoyceHaughey,LavonneRoberts,CorrieSocolovitch

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PublishingandEditorialforTechnologyDummies

RichardSwadley,VicePresidentandExecutiveGroupPublisher

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MaryC.Corder,EditorialDirector

PublishingforConsumerDummies

DianeGravesSteele,VicePresidentandPublisher

CompositionServices

DebbieStailey,DirectorofCompositionServices

ForewordIfyouarecompletelynewtoAutoCADorjustfeelingalittlerusty,thisbookwillhelpstartthewheelsturningandkeepyourollingintherightdirection.Tidbitsofhistoricalinsightandexplanationshelpyouunderstandnotonly“how”toperformatask,but“why.”David’sfriendlyandhumorouswritingstylemakesthebookeasy(andevenentertaining)toread.Thetopicsarewellorganized,enablingyoutoreaditcovertocoveroruseitasahandyreferencetool.ItincludesacomprehensiveTableofContentsandIndextohelpyouquicklylocatekeytopics.Iconsscatteredthroughoutthebookfurtheraidinyourquestforknowledgebyidentifyingimportantorusefulinformationsuchaswarningsornewfunctionality.And,theAutoCAD2012editionisprintedincolormakingiteveneasiertovisualizeandunderstandkeyconcepts.

HeidiHewett

AutoCADTechnicalMarketingManager

IntroductionIt’samazingtothinkthatAutoCADcameintobeingmorethanaquarterofacenturyago,atatimewhenmostpeoplethoughtthatpersonalcomputersweren’tcapableofindustrial-strengthtaskslikeCAD.(TheacronymstandsforComputer-AidedDrafting,Computer-AidedDesign,orboth,dependingonwhomyoutalkto.)What’sequallyamazingtothegrizzledold-timerwritingthesewordsisthefactthatmanyoftoday’shotshotAutoCADusersweren’tevenbornwhentheprogramfirsthitthestreet!It’salmostasamazingthat,25yearsandcountingafteritsbirth,AutoCADremainsthekingofthemicrocomputerCADhillbyatallmargin,makingitoneofthelongest-livedPCprogramsever.It’sconceivablethatthelong-termfutureofCADmaybelongtospecial-purpose,3D-basedsoftwaresuchastheAutodeskInventorandRevitprograms,butforthepresentandthenearfutureanyway,AutoCADiswheretheCADactionis.

AutoCADhasgrownmorecomplexovertheyears,inparttokeepupwiththeincreasingcomplexityofthedesignanddraftingprocessesthatAutoCADisintendedtoserve.It’snotenoughjusttodrawnice-lookinglinesanymore.IfyouwanttoplayCADwiththebigboysandgirls,youneedtocarefullyorganizetheobjectsyoudraw,theirproperties,andthefilesinwhichtheyreside.YouneedtocoordinateyourCADworkwithotherpeopleinyourofficewhowillbeworkingonormakinguseofthesamedrawings.YouneedtobesavvyaboutshippingdrawingsaroundviatheInternet.YoumayevenneedtobealittlecognizantofworkingwithAutoCADinthreedimensions.

AutoCAD2012providesthetoolsfordoingallthesethings,butit’snotalwayseasytofigureoutwhichhammertopickuporwhichnailtobangonfirst.Withthisbook,youhaveanexcellentchanceofcreatingapresentable,usable,printable,andsharabledrawingonyourfirstorsecondtrywithoutputtingaT-squarethroughyourcomputerscreeninfrustration.

What’sNot(AndWhatIs)inThisBookUnlikemanyotherForDummiesbooks,thisonedoessometimestellyoutoconsulttheofficialsoftwaredocumentation—suchasitis.AutoCADisjusttoobigandcomplicatedforasinglebooktoattempttodescribeitcompletely.

AutoCADisalsotoobigandcomplicatedforabooklikethistocovereveryfeature.Idon’taddressadvancedtopicslikedatabaseconnectivity,customization,orprogramming,intheinterestofbringingyouabookofa

reasonablesize—onethatyou’llreadratherthanstickonyourshelfwiththoseother1,000pagetomes!

Autodesklikestokeepitsusers(andusauthors!)guessingaboutnewfeaturesinfuturereleasesofthesoftware.AutoCAD2009surprisedusersandauthorsalikewithatotallyrevampeduserinterface,replacingthedrop-downmenusandtoolbarsofpreviousversionswithaMicrosoftOffice2007–styleRibbon(happily,Autodeskdoesn’tforceitsuserstoadoptthenewlookthewayMicrosoftdoes—there’sstillan“AutoCADClassic”interfaceavailable).ThenewinterfacegotsometweakinginAutoCAD2010—2009’sMenuBrowser,whichessentiallyduplicatedthepull-downmenustructure,wasreplacedwithabetter-thought-outApplicationMenu.

AutoCAD2010alsodeliveredtwosignificantnewfeatures—parametricdrawingandorganic(orfree-form)3Dmodeling.ThechangesinAutoCAD2012arerelativelyminorcomparedwiththose:AutoCADaddedinferredconstraintstoitsparametrictoolbox,and3Dbenefittedfromtheadditionofamajorsuiteofsurface-modelingtools.Butwhiletheprogrammaynothavechangedthatmuchfromthelastrelease,thebookyouholdinyourhandshaschanged.Foryearsnow,I’vebeenbemoaningthefactthatlackofspacepreventedvirtuallyanycoverageof3Dmodeling.IguesstheeditorsatWileygottiredofmywhining,soAutoCAD2012ForDummiesproudlypresentsthreenewchapterson3Dmodelingandvisualization,writtenby3Dexpert(andAutoCAD2012ForDummiestechnicaleditor!)LeeAmbrosius.

ThisbookfocusesonAutoCAD2012andaddressesitsslightly-less-capablebutmuch-lower-pricedsibling,AutoCADLT2012.Idooccasionallymentiondifferenceswithpreviousreleasessothateveryonehassomecontextandupgraderscanmorereadilyunderstandthedifferences.IalsomentiontheimportantdifferencesbetweenAutoCADandAutoCADLTsoyou’llknowwhatyou—oryourLT-usingcolleagues—aremissingsofarasthisbookisconcerned;themajordifferenceisthealmost-totalabsenceof3DcapabilitiesinAutoCADLT.Thisbookdoesnotcoverthediscipline-specificfeaturesinAutoCAD-basedproductssuchasAutoCADArchitecture2012orAutoCADMechanical2012(exceptforsomegeneraldiscussioninChapter1),butmostoftheinformationinthisbookappliestothegeneral-purposeAutoCADfeaturesintheAutoCAD2012–basedversionsofthoseprogramsaswell.

Macattack!Latein2010,Autodeskreleasedthefirstnon-MicrosoftWindowsversionofAutoCADin20years.AutoCADForMacisouttheretoday,butthisbookcovers

theWindowsversionsonly.Althoughthetwoversionsarefile-compatible,therearemanydifferencesinhowtheylookandwhattheycando.IfyouhaveAutoCADForMac,youshouldbeabletogainsomeunderstandingofconcepts,butyoumightbebetteroffwithaMac-specificbooksuchasMasteringAutoCADForMacbyGeorgeOmuraandRickGraham(SybexPublishing).

WhoDoIThinkYouAre?AutoCADhasalarge,loyal,dedicatedgroupoflong-timeusers.ThisbookisnotforthesortofpeoplewhohavebeenusingAutoCADforadecadeormore,whoplantheirvacationtimearoundAutodeskUniversity,orwhoconsider1,000-page-plustechnicaltomesaboutAutoCADtobepleasurereading.ThisbookisforpeoplewhowanttogetgoingquicklywithAutoCADbutwhoalsoknowtheimportanceofdevelopingproperCADtechniquesfromthebeginning.

However,youdoneedtohavesomeideaofhowtouseyourcomputersystembeforetacklingAutoCAD—andthisbook.YouneedtohaveacomputersystemwithAutoCADorAutoCADLT(preferablythe2012version).AprinterorplotterandaconnectiontotheInternetwillbebighelps,too.

YoualsoneedtoknowhowtouseyourversionofWindowstocopyanddeletefiles,createafolder,andfindafile.Youneedtoknowhowtouseamousetoselect(highlight)ortochoose(activate)commands,howtocloseawindow,andhowtominimizeandmaximizewindows.Makesurethatyou’refamiliarwiththebasicsofyouroperatingsystembeforeyoustartwithAutoCAD.

HowThisBookIsOrganizedAppearancescanbedeceptive.Forexample,hadyouwanderedintomyofficeandseentheapparentlyrandompilesofstuffthatcoveredmydeskwhileIwaswritingthisbook,youmightwonderhowIcouldpossiblyorganizeasentence,letaloneanentirebook.But—givenasuitabledegreeofconcertedthought—Iknowexactlywheretoputmyhandsonthatlistofnewdimensionvariables,mybagof1/2"binderclips,ortherestofthatbagelandcreamcheeseIstartedatcoffeebreak.

Ihopeyou’llfindthatthebookalsoreflectssomeconcertedthoughtabouthowtopresentAutoCADinawaythat’sbotheasy-to-dip-intoandsmoothly-flowing-from-beginning-to-end.

Theorganizationofthisbookintoparts—collectionsofrelatedchapters—isoneofthemostimportant,uh,partsofthisbook.YoureallycangettoknowAutoCADonepieceatatime,andeachpartrepresentsagroupofcloselyrelatedtopics.Theorderofpartsalsosayssomethingaboutpriority;yes,youhavemypermissiontoignorethestuffinlaterpartsuntilyou’vemasteredmostofthestuffintheearlyones.Thiskindofbuilding-blockapproachcanbeespeciallyvaluableinaprogramascomplexasAutoCAD.

Thefollowingsectionsdescribethepartsthatthebookbreaksdowninto.

PartI:AutoCAD101NeedtoknowyourwayaroundtheAutoCADscreen?WhydoesAutoCADevenexist,anyway?WhatareallthedifferentAutoCAD-basedproductsthatAutodesksells,andshouldyoubeusingoneofthem—forexample,AutoCADLT—insteadofAutoCAD?Iseverythingsoslooowbecauseit’ssupposedtobeslow,ordoyouhavetoowimpyamachinetousethiswonderofmodern-daycomputing?Andwhydoyouhavetodothisstuffinthefirstplace?

PartIanswersallthesequestionsandmore.ThispartalsoincludeswhatmayseemlikeagreatdealofexcruciatingdetailaboutsettingupanewdrawinginAutoCAD.Butwhat’sevenmoreexcruciatingisdoingyoursetupworkincorrectlyandthenfeelingasifAutoCADisfightingyoueverystepoftheway.Withalittledrawingsetupworkdoneinadvance,itwon’t.

PartII:LetThereBeLinesInthispart,youdiscoversomeessentialconcepts,includingobjectpropertiesandCADprecisiontechniques.Iknowyou’rerarin’tomakesomedrawings,butifyoudon’tgetahandleonthisstuffearlyon,you’llbeterminallyconfusedwhenyoutrytodrawandeditobjects.Ifyouwanttomakedrawingsthatlookgood,plotgood,andaregood,readthisstuff!

Aftertheconceptspreamble,thebulkofthispartcoversthetrioofactivitiesthatyou’llprobablyspendmostofyourtimeinAutoCADdoing:drawingobjects,editingthem,andzoomingandpanningtoseethembetteronthescreen.Thesearethethingsthatyoudoinordertocreatethegeometry—thatis,theCADrepresentationsoftheobjectsintherealworldthatyou’redesigning.BytheendofPartII,youshouldbeprettygoodatgeometry,evenifyourninth-grademathteachertoldyouotherwise.

PartIII:IfDrawingsCouldTalkCADdrawingsdon’tliveonlinesalone—mostofthemrequirequiteabitoftext,dimensioning,andhatchinginordertomakethedesignintentcleartothepoorchumpwhohastobuildyouramazingcreation.(Whoeversaid“apictureisworthathousandwords”mustnothavecountedupthenumberofwordsontheaveragearchitecturaldrawing!)Thispartshowsyouhowtoaddtheseessentialfeaturestoyourdrawings.

Afteryou’vegussiedupyourdrawingwithtext,dimensions,andhatching,you’llprobablywanttocreateasnapshotofittoshowofftoyourclient,contractor,orgrandma.Normalpeoplecallthisprocessprinting,butCADpeoplecallitplotting.Whateveryoudecidetocallit,Ishowyouhowtodoit.

PartIV:AdvancingwithAutoCADAgoodCADuser,likeagoodkindergartner,playswellwithothers.AutoCADencouragesthisbehaviorwithahostofdrawing-anddata-sharingfeatures.Blocks,externalreferencefiles,andrasterimagesencouragereuseofpartsofdrawings,entiredrawings,andbitmapimagefiles.Youcancreatesymbolswithchangeabletextorappearance,andyoucanapplyparametric“rules”todrawingobjectssotheyhelpmaintaindesignintent.ThispartofthebookendsbyexplaininghowtouseAutoCAD’sInternetfeaturestoenablesharingofdrawingswellbeyondyourharddiskandlocalnetwork.

Thedrawing-anddata-sharingfeaturesinAutoCADtakeyouwaybeyondold-style,pencil-and-paperdesignanddrafting.Afteryou’vediscoveredhowtoapplythetechniquesinthispart,you’llbewellonyourwaytofullCADnerdhood.(Youmaywanttowarnyourfamilybeforehand.)

PartV:Ona3DSpreeInthispart,youlearnthebasicsof3DmodelinginAutoCAD2012.Beginningwiththe3Denvironment—howtochangeitsappearance,howtomovearoundinit,howtoexaminethemodelitselfindifferentways—thechaptersintroducedifferentmodelingtechniques,fromsolidmodels,throughtothelatestsurfacemodelingcommandsincludedwithAutoCAD2012.

PartVI:ThePartofTens

ThispartcontainsaconcisecatalogofdifferencesbetweenAutoCADandAutoCADLT,andlistsofresourcesandsettingsthatcanmakethetimeyouspendinAutoCADlandmoreenjoyable.There’salotofmeatpackedintothesethreechapters—juicytidbitsfromyearsofdrafting,experimentation,andfist-shakingatthingsthatdon’tworkright—nottomentionyearsofcompulsivelist-making.Ihopethattheselistshelpyougetontherighttrackquicklyandstaythere.

Butwait...there’smore!AutoCAD2012ForDummieshasacompanionWebsite.Pointyourbrowseratwww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdtofindmanyofthedrawingfilesIusetodemonstratecommandsandproceduresinthisbook.ThedrawingsarepostedtotheWebsiteinZIPformat;justdownloadandunzipthemandthey’rereadytoopeninAutoCAD.TheZIPfilesarenamedforthechaptersandcontainoneormoredrawingfiles.Forexample,afd03.zipcontainstheversionsofthedrawingforthebaseplateexerciseinChapter3ofthebook(refertothedownloadableReadMefileforanexplanationofthenamingconventionsusedforthedrawingfiles).Notethatnotallchaptershaveassociateddrawingfiles.

ThedrawingfilesaresavedinAutoCAD2010formatandcanbeopenedinAutoCAD2010,AutoCAD2011,orAutoCAD2012(and,ofcourse,AutoCADLT2010,2011,or2012).Ifyou’reusingthisbookwithanearlierrelease,youcandownloadAutodesk’sDWGTrueView,afreeviewing-and-conversionutilityfromwww.autodesk.com/trueview.

Ifyoudon’thaveanyAutoCADreleaseandjustwanttogetatasteoftheprogrambeforeyoubuy,youcanalsodownloadafree30-daytrialversionofeitherAutoCAD2012orAutoCADLT2012.Justbrowseto

www.autodesk.com/autocadorwww.autodesk.com/autocadlt

Youcanalsofindthecheatsheetthat’smentionedhereandthereinthebookat

www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/autocad2012

IconsUsedinThisBookThroughoutthisbook,Ipointoutcertainmorselsofparticularlyimportantorusefulinformationbyplacinghandylittleiconsinthemargin.Naturally,differenticonsindicatedifferenttypesofinformation:

ThisicontellsyouthathereinliesapointedinsightthatcansaveyoutimeandtroubleasyouuseAutoCAD.Inmanycases,TipparagraphsactasafunnelonAutoCAD’simpressivebutsometimesoverwhelmingflexibility:Aftertellingyouallthewaysthatyoucandosomething,Itellyouthewaythatyoushoulddoitinmostcases.

TheTechnicalStufficonpointsoutplaceswhereIdelvealittlemoredeeplyintoAutoCAD’sinnerworkingsorpointoutsomethingthatmostpeopledon’tneedtoknowmostofthetime.Theseparagraphsdefinitelyarenotrequiredreadingthefirsttimethrough,soifyoucometooneofthematatimewhenyou’vereachedyourtechie-detailthreshold,feelfreetoskipoverit.

Thisiconpointsouttextthattellsyouhowtostayoutoftroublewhenlivingclosetotheedge.Failuretoheeditsmessagemayhaveunpleasantconsequencesforyouoryourdrawing—orboth.

There’salottorememberwhenyou’reusingAutoCAD,soI’verememberedtoremindyounottoforgetaboutsomeofthosethingsthatyoushouldremember.Theseparagraphsusuallyrefertoacrucialpointearlierinthechapterorinapreviouschapter.Soifyou’rereadingsequentially,aRememberparagraphservesasafriendlyreminder.Ifyou’renotreadingsequentially,thiskindofparagraphmayhelpyourealizethatyouneedtoreviewacentralconceptortechniquebeforeproceeding.

ThisiconpointstonewstuffinAutoCAD2012(andsometimesAutoCADLT2012).It’smostlydesignedforpeoplewhoaresomewhatfamiliarwithapreviousversionofAutoCADandwanttobealertedtowhat’snewinthisrelease.NewAutoCADusersstartingouttheirCADworkingliveswithAutoCAD2012willfindthisstuffinteresting,too—especiallywhentheycanshowofftheirnewbook-learnin’tothegrizzledAutoCADveteransintheofficewhodon’tyetknowaboutallthecoolnewfeatures.

ThisiconhighlightstextthatshowsthedifferencesbetweenAutoCADLTandAutoCAD.Ifyou’reusingAutoCADLT,you’llfindoutwhatyou’re

missingcomparedto“full”AutoCAD.IfyourfriendisusingLT,you’llknowwheretolooktofindstuffinAutoCADtobragabout.

Thisiconpointsoutplaceswhereyoudon’thavetodrawstufffromscratch.Justvisitthebook’scompanionWebsiteat

www.dummies.com/go/autocad2012

anddownloadthespecifiedfileorfiles.

AFewConventions—JustinCaseYoucanprobablyfigureoutforyourselfalltheinformationinthissection,butherearethedetailsjustincase.

CommandingfromthekeyboardTextyoutypeintotheprogramatthecommandline,inadialogbox,inatextbox,andsoonappearsinboldfacetype.ExamplesofAutoCADpromptsappearinaspecialtypeface,asdoesanyothertextinthebookthatechoesamessage,aword,oroneormorelinesoftextthatactuallyappearon-screen.SequencesofpromptsthatappearintheAutoCADcommandlineareahaveashadedbackground,likeso:

Specifylowerleftcorneror[ON/OFF]<0.0000,0.0000>:

Manyofthefigures—especiallyinChapters8through11—alsoshowAutoCADcommandlinesequencesthatdemonstrateAutoCAD’spromptsandexampleresponses.

ManyAutoCADcommandshavealiases—shortcut(fewer-letter)versionsforthebenefitofthosewholiketotypecommandsattheAutoCADcommandline.Inthisbook,Ishowcommandnamesinuppercaseletters.Chaptersthroughoutthebookincludetableslisting,respectively,themostcommonlyuseddrawingandeditingcommands,andforeachtableIlistboththefullcommandnameanditsaliasinparentheses;forexample,LINE(L),ARRAY(AR),andsoforth.Ifyou’reusingthekeyboardtoentercommands,thismeansyoucantypeeitherLINEorsimplyLandthenpresstheEnterkeytoexecutethecommand.YoucanviewalistofallthecommandaliasesinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLTbyclickingEditAliasesontheManagetab’sCustomizationpanel—butjustlook,andbecarefulnotto

changeanything!

TyingthingsupwiththeRibbonAsyou’venoticedifyou’veskimmedthroughthebookandlookedatafewofthefigures,AutoCAD2012doesn’tlooklikeearlierreleasesyoumaybefamiliarwith.Throughoutthebook,ItellyouwheretofindcommandsonthenewOffice2007–styleApplicationMenuandRibboninterface.(TheRibbonisorganizedintoaseriesoftask-basedtabs,andeachtabhasanumberofpanelscontainingspecifictoolbuttons.)

WheretoGofromHereIfyoureadthisIntroduction,you’relikeme—youliketoread.(Thecut-to-the-chasepeopletendtofliptotheindexrightawayandlookupwhattheyneedtoknowatthatinstant.)Ifyou’reatotalAutoCADnewbie,youcanreadthisbookinorder,fromfronttoback;itfollowsastraightforwardroutefromsettingupyourdrawingenvironment,tooutputtingyourmasterworkstohardcopy,tosharingyourworkwithothers.Ifyou’reanexperienceduser,you’llprobablybeoneofthoseindex-flipperslookingforthemissinginformationyouneedtocompleteaspecifictask.Youcanprobablyfindtheindexonyourown,butIencourageyoutobrowsethroughthebookanyway,withhighlighterorstickynotesinhand,soyoucanfindthoseparticularlyimportantplaceswhenyouneedthemagain.Ifyou’recompetentinmostareasofAutoCADandprettyfamiliarwiththepreviousversion,lookfortheNewIn2012iconsinthemarginstofindoutthelatestfeaturesyouneverknewyoucouldn’tlivewithout.Whicheverrouteyouchoose,IhopeyouenjoyyourtimewithAutoCAD2012ForDummies.And...you’reoff!

PleasenotethatsomespecialsymbolsusedinthiseBookmaynotdisplayproperlyonalleReaderdevices.Ifyouhavetroubledetermininganysymbol,pleasecallWileyProductTechnicalSupportat800-762-2974.OutsideoftheUnitedStates,pleasecall317-572-3993.YoucanalsocontactWileyProductTechnicalSupportatwww.wiley.com/techsupport.

PartI

AutoCAD101

Inthispart...AutoCAD2012ismorethanjustanotherdrawingprogram;it’sacompleteenvironmentfordraftinganddesign.Soifyou’renewtoAutoCAD,youneedtoknowseveralthingstogetofftoagoodstart—especiallyhowtousethecommand-lineareaandhowtosetupyourdrawingproperly.Thesekeytechniquesaredescribedinthispartofthebook.

Ifyou’veusedearlierversionsofAutoCAD,you’llbemostinterestedinthehighpointsofthenewrelease,includingsomenewerinterfacecomponents.Thelowdownonwhat’snewishere,too.

Chapter1

IntroducingAutoCADandAutoCADLT

InThisChapterGettingtheAutoCADadvantage

UsingAutoCADandDWGfiles

MeetingtheAutoCADproductfamily

UsingAutoCADLTinsteadofAutoCAD

Findingoutwhat’snewin2012

Maybeyou’reoneofthefewremainingholdoutswhocontinuetopracticetheancientartofmanualdraftingwithpencilandvellum.Ifso,Imusttellyouthatyoubelongtoadwindlingbreed.Ormaybeyou’recompletelynewtodraftingandyearnforthewealthandfame(wouldIleadyouon?)ofthedrafter’slife.Maybeyou’reanengineerorarchitectwhoneedstocatchupwiththeyoungCADhotshotsinyouroffice.MaybeyoutriedtouseAutoCADalongtimeago,butgaveupinfrustrationorjustgotrusty.Ormaybeyoucurrentlyuseanolderrelease,suchasAutoCAD2006oreven(ifyou’reintoantiques)AutoCAD2000.

Whateveryourcurrentsituationormotivation,IhopethatyouenjoytheprocessofbecomingproficientwithAutoCAD.DrawingwithAutoCADischallengingatfirst,butit’sachallengeworthmeeting.AutoCADrewardsthosewhothinkcreativelyabouttheirworkandlookforwaystodoitbetter.Youcanalwaysfindoutmore,discoveranewtrick,orimprovetheefficiencyandqualityofyourdrawingproduction.

AutoCADfirsthitthebricksintheearly1980s,aroundthesametimeasthefirstIBMPCs.Itwasofferedforabewilderingvarietyofoperatingsystems,includingCP/M(askyourgranddadaboutthatone!),variousflavorsofUnix,andevenApple’sMacintosh.ByfarthemostpopularofthoseearlyversionswasforMS-DOS(yourdadcantellyouaboutthatone).In1997,AutodesksettledonMicrosoftWindowsasthesoleoperatingsystemforAutoCAD,andthatwasthecaseforthenext13years.Then,in2010,Autodeskreleaseditsfirstnon-Windowsversionformanyyears:AutoCADforMac.ThelastversionofAutoCADtorunontheMacwasRelease12,whichappearedaslongagoas1992.It’stakenawhile,butitlooksliketheMacisback!

Inthisbook,IcoveronlytheWindowsversionsofAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012.AutoCADForMacisdifferentenough—inbothcapabilitiesandinterface—fromtheWindowsversionsthatIsimplycan’tcoveritallhere.Ifyou’reaMacuserwithaninterestinrunningAutoCAD,checkoutMasteringAutoCADForMacbyGeorgeOmuraandRickGraham(SybexPublishing).

AutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012aresupportedinthefollowingWindowsflavors,includingboth32-and64-bitversions:

Windows7andWindowsVistaHomePremium

Windows7Professional

Windows7andWindowsVistaEnterprise

Windows7andWindowsVistaUltimate

WindowsVistaBusiness

WindowsXPProfessional

WindowsXPHome(32-bitonly)

Althoughnotofficiallysupported,AutoCAD2012(andAutoCADLT2012)canalsoruninWindowsXPTablet2005Edition,andmakeuseofthetabletfunctionalityincludedinWindowsVistaandWindows7.Tryingtodoproductiondraftingonatabletisn’tagreatideabecauseoflimitationsinthegraphicssystem,butIknowitworks,becauseI’mrunningitthatwaymyself!

BecauseofAutoCAD’sMS-DOSheritageanditsemphasisonefficiencyforproductiondrafters,it’snottheeasiestprogramtomaster,butithasgotteneasierandmoreconsistentoverthepastdecadeorso.AutoCADisprettywellintegratedintotheWindowsenvironmentnow,butyoustillbumpintosomevestigesofitsMS-DOSlegacy—especiallythecommandline(thattextarealurkingatthebottomoftheAutoCADscreen—seeChapter2fordetails).Buteventhecommandline—oops!commandwindow—iskinderandgentlerinAutoCAD2012.Thisbookguidesyouaroundthebumpsandminimizesthebruises.

WhyAutoCAD?AutoCADhasbeenaroundalongtime—since1982,whichIsuspect,dearreaders,islongerthansomeofyou!AutoCADusheredinthetransitionfromreallyexpensivemainframeandminicomputerCADsystemscostingtensofthousandsofdollarstomerelysomewhatexpensivemicrocomputerCADprogramscostingafewthousanddollars.

AutoCAD’s3Dcapabilitieshavegrownbyleapsandboundsoverthelastseveralreleases,and3Dmodelingisbecomingacommonwayofcheckingdesignsbeforethey’redrafted.Nevertheless,AutoCADis,firstandforemost,aprogramforcreatingtwo-dimensionaltechnicaldrawings:drawingsinwhichmeasurementsandprecisionareimportantbecausethesekindsofdrawingsoftengetusedtobuildsomething.ThedrawingsthatyoucreatewithAutoCADmustadheretostandardsestablishedlongagoforhand-drafteddrawings.TheupfrontinvestmenttouseAutoCADiscertainlymoreexpensivethantheinvestmentneededtousepencilandpaper,andthelearningcurveismuchsteeper,too.Sowhybother?ThekeyreasonsforusingAutoCADratherthanpencilandpaperare

Precision:Creatinglines,circles,andothershapesoftheexactdimensions

iseasierwithAutoCADthanwithpencils.

Modifiability:Drawingsaremucheasiertomodifyonthecomputerscreenthanonpaper.CADmodificationsarealotcleaner,too.

Efficiency:CreatingmanykindsofdrawingsisfasterwithaCADprogram—especiallydrawingsthatinvolverepetition,suchasfloorplansinamultistorybuilding.Butthatefficiencytakesskillandpractice.Ifyou’reanaccomplishedpencil-and-paperdrafter,don’texpectCADtobefasteratfirst!

Figure1-1showsseveralkindsofdrawingsinAutoCAD2012.

WhychooseAutoCAD?AutoCADisjustthestartingpointofawholeindustryofsoftwareproductsdesignedtoworkwithAutoCAD.Autodesk(thesoftwarecorporationthatdevelopsandsellsAutoCADalongwithahostofotherdesignsoftware)hashelpedthisprocessalongimmenselybyprovidingaseriesofprogramminginterfacestoAutoCAD(although,alas,nottoAutoCADLT—seethe“SeeingtheLT”sectionlaterinthechapter)thatothercompanies—andAutodeskitself—haveusedtoextendtheapplication.Someoftheadd-onproductsbecamesuchwinnersthatAutodeskacquiredthemandincorporatedthemintoitsownproducts.Whenyoucomparealltheresources—includingtheadd-ons,extensions,trainingcourses,books,andsoon—AutoCADdoesn’thavemuchPCCADcompetition.

Figure1-1:Cities,houses,littletoytrains—whatdoyouwanttodrawtoday?

TheImportanceofBeingDWGTotakefulladvantageofAutoCADinyourworkenvironment,youneedtobeawareoftheDWGfileformat,theformatinwhichAutoCADsavesdrawings.HerearesomeDWGfactstokeepinmind:

Insomecases,anolderreleaseofAutoCADcan’topenaDWGfilethat’sbeensavedbyanewerAutoCADrelease.

AnewerreleaseofAutoCADcanalwaysopenfilessavedbyolderversions.

SomepreviousAutoCADreleasescanopenfilessavedbythesubsequentoneortwoversions.Forexample,AutoCAD2007andAutoCAD2008canopenDWGfilessavedbyAutoCAD2009.That’sbecauseAutodeskdidn’tchangetheDWGfileformatbetweenthosereleases.However,thedrawingfileformatdidchangewithAutoCAD2010,sodrawingscreatedinthecurrentreleasemustbesavedinanolderformattobeopenablein

AutoCAD2009andearlier.

YoucanusetheSaveAsoptioninnewerreleasestosavethefiletosomeolderDWGformats.Infact,AutoCAD2012cansaveasfarbackasAutoCADRelease14,whichdatesallthewaybackto1997!

Table1-1showswhichversions(describedlaterinthischapter)usewhichDWGfileformats.

ThenewfileformatintroducedinAutoCAD2010wasnecessarytohandlenewfeatures—especiallyparametricdrafting,andthatformatprovedmoreefficientatsavingfilesandhandlingmuchlargerobjects.Bestofall,fromtheuser’sperspective,itwasnoticeablyfastertoworkwiththanAutoCAD2009.

WorkingwithAutoCADiseasierwhenyourco-workersandcolleaguesinothercompaniesallusethesamereleaseofAutoCADandAutoCAD-relatedtools.Thatway,yourDWGfiles,add-ontools,andeventhedetailsofyourCADknowledgecanbemixedandmatchedamongyourworkgroupandpartners.Intherealworld,youmayworkwithpeople,probablyfromothercompanies,whouseAutoCAD

releasesasoldasAutoCAD2006—orevenolder.

ManyprogramsclaimtobeDWG-compatible—thatis,capableofconvertingdatatoandfromtheAutoCADDWGformat.Achievingthiscompatibilityis,however,adifficultthingtodowell.Evenasmallerrorinfileconversioncanhaveresultsranginginseverityfromannoyingtoappalling.Everytimeyouopenadrawingfile,AutoCADchecksitsparentageandwarnsyouifthedrawingwascreatedbyanon-Autodeskprogram.IfyouexchangeDWGfileswithpeoplewhouseotherCADprograms,youmayhavetospendtimefindingandfixingtranslationproblems.

SeeingtheLTAutoCADLTisoneofthebestdealsaround,ashiningexampleoftheold80/20rule:roughly80percentofthecapabilitiesofAutoCADforroughly20percentofthemoney.(Actually,withrecentpricecreep,it’snowmorelikea70/30rule.)LikeAutoCAD,AutoCADLTrunsonmainstreamWindowscomputersanddoesn’trequireanyadditionalhardwaredevices.WithAutoCADLT,youcanbeaplayerintheworldofAutoCAD,theworld’sleadingCADprogram,foracomparativelylowstartingcost.

AutoCADLTisaveryclosecousintoAutoCAD.AutodeskcreatesAutoCADLTbystartingwiththeAutoCADprogram,takingoutafewfeaturestojustifychargingalowerprice,andaddingacoupleoffeaturestoenhanceeaseofuseversusfullAutoCAD.Asaresult,AutoCADLTlooksandworksmuchlikeAutoCAD.Thedrawingareas,Ribbons,andApplicationMenuofthetwoprogramsarenearlyidentical.(LTismissingafewRibbontabs,panels,andcommands.)

Infact,themajordifferencebetweentheprogramshasnothingtodowiththeprogramsthemselves.ThemajordifferenceisthatAutoCADLTlackssupportforseveralcustomizationandprogramminglanguagesthatareusedtodevelopAutoCADadd-ons.Thatmeansthatalmostnoneoftheadd-onprogramsorutilitiesofferedbyAutodeskandothersareavailabletoLTusers.

AutoCADLTalsohaslimited3Dsupport.Youcanviewandedit3DobjectsinAutoCADLT,soyoucanworkwithdrawingscreatedinAutoCADthatcontain3Dobjects.However,youcan’tcreatetrue3DobjectsinLT.

AlthoughyoumayhearclaimsthatAutoCADLTiseasiertomasterandusethanAutoCAD,thetruthisthatthey’reaboutequallydifficult(oreasy,dependingon

yourNQ[nerdquotient]).TheLTlearningcurvedoesn’tdiffersignificantlyfromthatofAutoCAD.AutoCADwasoriginallydesignedformaximumpowerandthenmodifiedsomewhattoimproveeaseofuse.AutoCADLTsharesthissameheritage.

Fortunately,theminimaldifferencesbetweenLTandAutoCADmeanthatafteryouclimbthatlearningcurve,youhavethesamegreatview.YouhavealmostthefullrangeoftheAutoCAD2Ddraftingtools,andyoucanexchangeDWGfileswithAutoCADuserswithoutdataloss.

ThisbookcoversAutoCAD2012,butmostoftheinformationinit(exceptforthe3DchaptersinPartV)appliestoAutoCADLT2012aswell.Theiconthatyouseetotheleftofthisparagraphhighlightssignificantdifferences.

CheckingSystemRequirementsIfyou’reupgradingfromAutoCAD2011oranotherrecentrelease,andyouworkmostlyorentirelyin2D,you’reprobablyalreadycurrentwithsystemrequirements.Infact,ifyourworkismostlyorentirely2D—andtherefore,thisappliesespeciallyforLTusers—AutoCAD2012willrunfineonprettywellanycomputerthatwillrunWindows7,Vista,orXP.

AutoCAD’srequirementsforrunninginWindows7orVistaaresubstantiallyhigherthanforrunninginXP.Thissectioncoversthedetails.

YoushouldknowthefollowingbeforeyouupgradefromanyolderAutoCADrelease:

WashthoseoldWindows:AutoCAD2012doesnotsupportolderversionsofWindows,suchasWindows2000,NT,98,orMe.ForAutoCAD2012,youhavethreechoicesofoperatingsystem:

•WindowsXP(HomeorProfessional,SP3orlater)

•WindowsVista(Enterprise,Business,Ultimate,orHomePremium,SP2orlater)

•Windows7(Enterprise,Ultimate,Professional,orHomePremium)

Ifyouliketobecuttingedge,thereare64-bitversionsofAutoCAD

2012andAutoCADLT2012thatruninthe64-bitversionsofXP,Vista,andWindows7.

DWGfilecompatibility:TheAutoCADDWGfileformatchangedwithAutoCAD2010.UsersofthatversioncanopendrawingscreatedinAutoCAD2012,butyouhavetousetheSaveAsoptionontheApplicationMenu,ortheSAVEAScommand,tocreateDWGfilesforusersofAutoCAD2009andearlierversions.YoucansaveasfarbackasRelease14,andifyouneedtogoevenfurtherback,youcansavetotheRelease12DXFformat.Visittheonlinehelpsystemforinstructions.

Applicationcompatibility:Ifyouusethird-partyapplicationswithapreviousAutoCADrelease,theymaynotworkwithAutoCAD2012.AutoCADapplicationsdevelopedwiththe.NETortheObjectARX(AutoCADRuntimeeXtension)interfacesmayormaynotneedtoberecompiled.ManyLSP(AutoLISP)programswrittenforthelastseveralversionsofAutoCADshouldworkwithoutchange.

Built-insupportforVBAapplicationsisnotincludedinAutoCAD2012.YoucancontinuetorunVBAapplications,butyoufirsthavetodownloadandinstalltheVBAinstallerfromtheAutodeskWebsite.Atthetimethisbookwenttopress,theURLhasnotbeenfinalized;justgotowww.autodesk.comandenterVBAinstallerintheSearchbox.Thereare32-and64-bitversions,somakesureyoudownloadtherightoneforyoursystem.

Computersystemrequirements:ForAutoCAD2012,Autodeskrecommendsa1.6GHzorbetterIntelorAMDprocessorwithatleast2GBofRAMifrunninginWindowsXP,anda3.0GHzorbetterchipand2GBofRAMifrunninginWindowsVistaorWindows7.TherecommendedoperatingsystemisWindows7(64-bit).Multipleprocessorsanddualcorearesupported.Youalsoneeda1024x768orhigherdisplayresolutionwithTrueColorgraphics,1GBto2GBofavailableharddiskspace,anInternetconnection,andMicrosoftInternetExplorer7.0orlater.

Additionalrequirementsforworkingin3D:AutoCADrecommendsa3GHzorbetterprocessor;4GBormoreofRAM;aworkstation-class,Direct3D-capablegraphicscardwithatleast128MBofmemory;andanadditional2GBofharddiskspacebeyondthe1GBrequiredforinstallation.

Ifindeventherecommendedsystemrequirementsontheminimalside.Forexample,mydesktopcomputerrunsatascreenresolutionsof1600x1200and1280x1024(yes,Irundualmonitors),andmytabletcomputerrunsat1400x1050.Thefiguresinthisbookwereshotataresolutionof1024x768,andasyoucansee,thingscangetprettycrowdedatthatresolution.

Suddenly,It’s2012!There’sbeenanewreleaseofAutoCADeveryspringsinceAutoCAD2004waslaunchedin2003.That’snotmuchtimeforevenanarmyofprogrammerstodeliveracompellingnewfeaturesetthat’sgoingtoconvinceallusersthattheyjusthavetoupgrade.Whatseemstohavebeenhappeningisaconcentrationonparticularareasinrecentreleases.Forexample,AutoCAD2007wasa3Drelease;the3Dmodelingenginewasmademucheasiertouse,buttherewasrelativelylittletopleasethe2Dcrowd.Bycontrast,AutoCAD2008wasdeemedtobe“thedrafter’srelease”becauseofthenumberofenhancementsto2Ddrawingcapabilities—aboveall,theintroductionofannotativedocumentationobjects.InAutoCAD2009,thenewinterfacegotthelion’sshareofdevelopment(suddenly,it’sOffice2007!);majornewfeatureswerelimitedtosome3Dnavigationtools,theveryusefulQuickPropertiestool,andapalettizedLayerPropertiesManager.AutoCAD2010offeredsignificantenhancementstoboth2Dand3Dusers,inparametricdraftingtools,andfree-formmeshmodeling,andAutoCAD2011introducedsomeworkflowchangesandawelcomenewobjectproperty,transparency.

AutoCAD2012onceagainhaspresentsforboththe2Dandthe3Dcrowds,inthenew“in-canvas”viewportcontrols(notinAutoCADLT),aselectableusercoordinatesystemicon,apowerfulContentExplorerfeature,andtheInventorFusionplug-inthathelpsyougenerate2Ddrawingviewsfromexisting3Dmodels.(Note:InventorFusionisnotincludedinAutoCADLT,andIdon’thaveroomtocoveritinthisbook).Here’sashortlistofsomeofAutoCAD2012’snewfeatures,alongwithwhereyoucangotofindoutmore:

ContentExplorer:Ifyou’rerunninginWindowsVistaorWindows7,you’refamiliarwiththenewandfastSearchfeature.ContentExplorerislikeWindowsSearchfordrawings.YoutagfolderstobewatchedintheContentExplorerpalette.Then,afterthey’vebeenindexed(abackgroundoperationthatcantakesometimetocomplete),youcanfindnamed

blocks,layouts,textstrings,styles,andsoforthprettywellinstantly.Idon’tcoverContentExplorerindetailinthisbook,socheckouttheonlinehelpforspecificinformation.

Autocomplete:Startingtotypeacommandisnowjustlikestartingtotypesomeone’saddressinyoure-mailprogram.AutoCAD2012’sAutocompletefeaturestartssuggestingcommandsasyoutype.Iwasn’tconvincedthatthiswassuchagreatadditionuntilInoticedthatInolongerhadtotype(ormistype!)commandandvariablenameslikeDRAWORDERorREMEMBERFOLDERS.IintroduceyoutoAutocompleteinChapter2.

AutodeskExchange:AutodeskExchangeforAutoCADisanewfrontendfortheprogramthatstarts(bydefault)automaticallywhenyoustartAutoCAD2012.TheHomescreenincludes“what’snew”videosandlinkstovariousAutodeskWebpages.ItalsocontainstheAutoCADversionoftheiTunesstore,whereyoucanpurchaseapps—freeorlow-costadd-instomakeyourworkgomoresmoothly.TheonlinehelpsystemnowrunsintheAutodeskExchangewindow.

Groups:AutoCADandAutoCADLThavehadagroupfunctionformanyyears,butit’sneverbeenthateasytouse.NowasimpleGrouppanelontheHometabmakescreating,viewing,andungroupingobjectsabreeze.IcovergroupsinChapter10.

Copyenhancements:TheCOPYcommandgetsanArrayoptionformakingduplicatesinalinearpattern.AndtheNCOPYcommand,forcopyingobjectsnestedinsideblocks,formerlyanExpressTool,movestothecoreprogram—whichmeansthatAutoCADLTusershaveitforthefirsttime.SeeChapter11formoreinformation.

Deleteduplicates:TheOVERKILLcommandisanotherExpressToolthat’sbeenmovedtothecore(andsoisavailabletoLTusers).Thiscommandsearchesyourdrawingforobjectsdrawnontopofotherobjectsand(asitsnamesuggests)deletesthem.IcoverthisfeatureinChapter11.

Fillets,chamfers,blends,andjoins:FILLETandCHAMFERnowincludeapreviewthatshowsyoutheeffectofchangingafilletradiusorchamferdistancebeforeyoufinishthecommand.ThenewBLENDcommandcreatescurvedtransitionswithtangent-orcurve-continuitybetweenlines,arcs,splines,andpolylines.AndJOINnowincorporatestheJoinoptionofthePEDITcommand:Selectabunchofindividualobjectswithcommonendpoints,andthenruntheJOINcommandtocreateanewpolylineobject.IcoverthesechangedcommandsinChapter11.

Associativearrays:PriortoAutoCAD2012,theARRAYcommandcreatedsimplerectangularorcircularpatternsofselectedobjects.AutoCAD2012replacestheoldARRAYwithanew,complexcommandthatcreatesanewassociativearrayobject.I’moftwomindsonthisone.Ithasitsuses,I’msure,buttheoldARRAYwasprobablymoreusefulineverydaydrafting,andthatcommandisnowhardertousethanitwasinAutoCAD2011.IcoverassociativearraysinChapters11and18.

Onlinetab:BothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012getanewOnlinetab.MostofthetoolsonthistabstarttheAutoCADWSservice.Withanaccountatwww.autocadws.com,youcanuploaddrawingstoandfrommobiledevicesrunningApple’siOS4operatingsystem—thatis,iPhones,iPads,andtheiPodtouch.Formoreinformation,havealookatChapter20.

UCSenhancements:TheUCS(UserCoordinateSystem)iconisnowselectable.Youcangrabitbyselectingthegripandtheoriginandmoveittoanewbasepoint,andyoucanorientyournewUCSbydraggingthegripsontheX-,Y-,andZ-axesoftheicon.IintroduceyoutothisnewwayofsettingupcoordinatesystemsinChapter21.

In-canvasviewportcontrols:ThisisprobablymyfavoritenewfeatureinAutoCAD2012.I’vebarelystartedusingitinthisrelease,andalreadyI’mlookingforitintheAutoCAD2010versionIuseattheofficeeveryday—and,ofcourse,it’snotthere!Youcansimplyclickoneofthelabelsatthetop-leftcornerofaviewporttoswitchviewsorvisualstyles,ortogglebetweenamultipleviewportconfigurationorasingleviewport.IcoverthisnewinterfacefeatureinChapter22.

Chapter2

LeTourdeAutoCAD2012

InThisChapterTouringtheAutoCAD2012screens

BrowsingAutoCAD’smenus

Goingbarhopping:titlebars,themenubar,toolbars,andthestatusbar

UnravelingtheRibbon

NavigatingwithBarandCube

Practicingwithpalettes

Discoveringthedrawingarea

Usingonlinehelp

AutoCAD2012isafull-fledgedandthoroughlyup-to-datememberoftheWindowsworld,butifyourlastkickatthesoftwarewasAutoCAD2008,oryou’reusingWindowsXP,oryou’veyettokickthetiresoftheMicrosoftOffice2007suite,youmaynotrecognizemuchinAutoCAD’snewestrelease.Butthetitlebarsays“AutoCAD2012,”soyoumustbeintherightplace!

Liketherestofthebook,thischapteriswrittenforsomeonewhohasusedotherWindowsprogramsbuthaslittleornoexperiencewithAutoCAD.IfyouareexperiencedwithrecentreleasesofAutoCAD,someofthischaptermaybeoldhat(evenifitdoeslookdifferent).Hereandthroughouttherestofthebook,IshowyouhowtodothingsusingAutoCAD’simplementationofMicrosoft’sFluentUserInterface(orFUIforshort).Inthe“Goingforthatclassiclook”sidebarlaterinthischapter,Ishowyouhowtomakethenewversionlookalotlikeanoldone.

Bydefault,AutoCAD2012opensintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace,andwillcontinuetodosountilyoumakeanotherworkspacecurrent.(Iexplainworkspacesinthesection“AndThey’reOff:AutoCAD’sOpeningScreens,”laterinthischapter.)Ifyou’vebeenawayfromAutoCADforawhile,rightnowyoumaybeaskingyourself,“Wherearemytoolbars?Whereismymenu?”UnlikeolderWindowsprograms,AutoCAD2012sportsjustonetoolbar—theQuickAccessToolbar,ontheapplicationtitlebar,rightnexttotheApplicationbutton(knowninformallyasthe“BigRedA”)—anddoesn’tshowamenubarinthisenvironment.Instead,theDrafting&Annotationworkspacedisplaystwomajorinterfaceitems:

TheApplicationMenu:ClickingtheApplicationbuttonatthetop-leftcorneroftheAutoCADwindowopenstheAutoCAD2012ApplicationMenu.TheApplicationMenupresentsfile-relatedcommandsonly;here

youcancreatenewdrawings,openexistingdrawings,savefiles,orprintyourmasterpieces.

TheRibbon:TheRibbonreplacesthemenus,toolbars,manyofthepalettes,andthedashboardofearlierreleases.WhereastheApplicationMenufocusesonfilemanagement,theRibboniswhereyoufindcommandstocreateandmodifydrawingobjects.TheAutodeskprogrammersmadeabestguessatatask-basedapproachtodraftingandorganizedtheoldinterfaceitemsintopanelsofrelatedtools.

Idiscussbothoftheseitemsinmoredetailinthefollowingsections.Forthedyed-in-the-wooltraditionalists,youcanresettheAutoCAD2012environmentsoitlooksprettymuchlikeitdidinAutoCAD2008.Ishowyouhowinthe“Goingforthatclassiclook”sidebar,inthischapter.

AutoCADDoesWindows(AndOffice)Whetheryou’reatotalnewcomeroranexperienceduserfromafewreleasesback,IcanguaranteethatfindingyourwayaroundAutoCAD2012isgoingtobeachallengingexperience.

Ifyou’realreadyfamiliarwiththeMicrosoftOffice2007suite,youmayrecognizesomeprogramfeatures,suchastheRibbonandtheApplicationMenu,whichyouuseforchoosingcommandsorchangingsystemsettings.ButevenifAutoCAD’snewlookdoesseemalittlefamiliarinplaces,manyaspectsoftheprogram’sappearance—andsomeofthewaysinwhichyouworkwithit—arequitedifferentfromotherWindowsprograms.Dependingontheworkspaceyou’vechosentouse,youcan,inmanycases,telltheprogramwhattodoinatleastfiveways—pickatoolbarbutton,pickfromapull-downmenu,pickatoolbuttonfromaRibbonpanel,typeatthekeyboard,orchoosefromaright-clickmenu—noneofwhichisnecessarilythebestmethodtouseforeverytask.

ProfilingyourdisplayThe illustrationsanddescriptions in thischapterand throughout thebookshow thedefaultconfigurationof theAutoCAD2012Drafting&Annotationworkspace—that is, thewaythescreenlooksifyouusethestandardversionofAutoCAD2012(notaflavoredversion,suchasAutoCAD Architecture 2012 or AutoCAD Mechanical 2012) and don’t change any display

settings.YoucanchangeworkspacesbyclickingeithertheWorkspaceSwitchingbuttononthestatusbarortheWorkspacedrop-downmenuontheQuickAccessToolbar,andchoosingadifferentworkspacefromthemenu.YoucanchangetheappearanceoftheworkspaceitselfwithsettingsontheDisplaytaboftheOptionsdialogbox(clicktheApplicationbutton,andthenclick Options at the bottom of the Application Menu) and by dragging toolbars and otherscreencomponents.

ThemainchangefromAutoCAD’sdefaultsettingsthatI’vemadeforthisbookistoconfigurethedrawingareabackgroundtobewhitebecausethefiguresshowupbetterthatway.ThedefaultbackgroundcolorinbothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012isdarkgray,butmanylongtimeuserspreferapureblackbackgroundbecausetheybelieve there’s lessglare thatway.(ThisismuchlessofanissuewithLCDflat-paneldisplays.)Youmaywanttosetablackorawhitebackgroundonyourownsystemorstaywiththedefaultgraybackground—it’syourchoice,andthere’snorightorwrongway.SomeAutoCADobjectcolorsshowupbetteronalightbackground,andsomearebetteronablackone.

YoucanresetthedefaultAutoCAD2012colorschemefromtheOptionsdialogboxDisplaytab.ClickColorstoopentheDrawingWindowColorsdialogbox,andthenclicktheRestoreClassicColors button. AutoCAD 2012 includes a couple of skin-like color schemes, also accessiblefromtheDisplaytaboftheOptionsdialogbox.Designedtoenhancethe lookoftheRibbon-based interface and ingeniously named Light and Dark, the differences between them areprettysubtleandapplytoWindowselements(suchasthetitleandtaskbar),nottoAutoCADelementslikecrosshairsorbackgroundcolors.

Slickastheyare,navigatingRibbonpanelsandbrowsingthroughtheApplicationMenuaren’talwaysthemostefficientwayofdoingthings.Whenyouwanttogetrealworkdone,youneedtocombinetheRibbonpanelswithothermethods—especiallyenteringoptionsatthekeyboardorchoosingthemfromtheright-clickmenus.Ishowyouhowthroughoutthisbook.

AndThey’reOff:AutoCAD’sOpeningScreens

InadditiontotheDrafting&Annotationworkspace,afewadditionalpreconfiguredworkspacesareavailablefromtheWorkspaceSwitchingbutton.However,formostofthisbook,Istickwiththeout-of-the-boxDrafting&Annotationworkspace(theexceptionisPartV,whichdealswith3Dmodeling),

andIrecommendyoudothesameasyoureadalong.

Aworkspaceisacollectionofmenus,palettes,toolbars,and/orRibbonpanelstailoredforspecifictasks,suchas3Dmodelingor2Ddrafting.

Afteryouswitch,AutoCADrememberswhichworkspaceyoulastusedandopensinthatone.FourstandardworkspacesarecreatedwhenyouinstallAutoCAD2012(onlytwocomewithAutoCADLT2012):

Drafting&Annotation:Thisworkspace(asshowninFigure2-1)isconfiguredfora2Ddraftingenvironment,withRibbontabsandpanelsoptimizedfortechnicaldrawingintwodimensions.

3DBasics:Thisworkspaceisdesignedtohelpyougetyourfeetwetwith3DmodelinginAutoCAD2012.ItleavesouttheSolid,Surface,andMeshobjectcreationtabs,andprovidessimplifiedpanelsintheothertabs.Icovermodelingin3DinPartVofthisbook,andthereIuse(andrecommendthatyoudothesame)thefull3DModelingworkspaceRibbon.Thisworkspaceisn’tincludedinAutoCADLTbecauseLTdoesn’tdo3D.

Figure2-1:Where’smyAutoCAD?:TheAutoCAD2012Drafting&Annotationworkspace.

3DModeling:ThisRibbon-basedworkspaceisconfiguredfora3Dmodelingenvironment,withnavigation,visualization,andmodelingtoolssuitableforworkingin3D.Thisworkspaceisn’tincludedinAutoCADLT,either.

AutoCADClassic:Thisworkspaceisconfiguredfora2Ddraftingenvironment,withtoolbarsandtoolpalettearrangementssimilartothoseinAutoCAD2008andearlier.InAutoCADLT,thisworkspaceiscalledAutoCADLTClassic.

RunningwithRibbonsWhetheryou’rerunningAutoCAD2012inWindows7,Vista,orXP,mostoftheAutoCADdefaultscreen(refertoFigure2-1)isprettydifferentfromtraditionalWindowsfare.Yes,youhavetitlebarsandastatusbar,buttherestoftheinterfacemightlookforeign.Icoverthefamiliarstufffirst.

Ahierarchyoftitlebars

LikemostWindowsprograms,AutoCADhasatitlebaratthetopofitsapplicationwindowthatremindsyouwhichprogramyou’rein(notthatyou’devermistaketheAutoCAD2012windowfor,say,FreeCell—orevenAutoCAD2008!).

AttherightsideoftheprogramtitlebaristhestandardsetofthreeWindowscontrolbuttons:Minimize,Maximize/Restore,andClose.

Eachnon-maximizeddrawingwindowwithintheAutoCADprogramwindowhasitsowntitlebar,asshowninFigure2-2.Youcanusethecontrolbuttonsonadrawingwindow’stitlebartominimize,maximize/restore,orclosethatdrawinginsteadoftheentireAutoCADprogram.

AsinotherWindowsprograms,ifyoumaximizeadrawing’swindow,itexpandstofilltheentiredrawingarea.IntheAutoCAD2012Drafting&Annotationworkspace,amaximizeddrawingwindow’scontrolbuttonshavemigratedsouth,fromthemenubar(whichisn’tthereanymore)totheupper-rightcornerofthedrawingareaitself.Toun-maximize(restore)thedrawingsothatyoucanseeanyotherdrawingsthatyouhaveopen,clickthelowerRestorebutton.

Theprogramtitleanddrawingnamearecenteredinthetitlebarinsteadofbeingofftotheleft,besideaprogramicon.TheAutoCADtitlebaralsohasacoupleofdevicesaddedtoit:

InfoCenter:Locatedattherightsideoftheprogramtitlebar,thisisInformationCentralforAutoCAD.Typeakeywordandthenclickthebinocularsformoreinformation,orsignintoyourAutodeskaccount(ifyouhaveone).TheremainingtwobuttonsbothopentheAutodeskExchangeforAutoCADwindow.Thebuttonthatlookslikeahalf-positive,half-negativeXopenstheExchangewindowHomepagewithlinksto“what’snew”videosandtheAutodeskSubscriptionCenter(alas,notincludedinthepriceofadmission).Youcandownloadfreeorinexpensiveadd-onprogramsfromtheAppspage.Clickingthequestionmarkbuttonin

theInfoCenterarea,asyoucanprobablyfigureoutforyourself,openstheExchangewindowHelppage.

Figure2-2:TheAutoCADscreenwiththedrawingwindowrestored.

QuickAccessToolbar:Thispermanenttoolbar(theonlyonecommontoallworkspaces)containsfrequentlyusedcommandsinaneasilyaccessiblelocation.YoucanaddandremovetoolbuttonsbyclickingthedownarrowattherightendoftheQuickAccessToolbarandselectingordeselectingtheonesyouwanttoaddorremove,respectively.

Ifyou’reflounderingaroundlookingforthecommandsyouusedtobeabletofind,alifepreserverishidinginthedrop-downmenuattherightendoftheQuickAccessToolbar.ClickShowMenuBar,andtheoldfamiliarclassicmenuappearsabovetheRibbon.

GoingforthatclassiclookLikeitornot,theRibbon-baseduserinterfaceisn’tgoingawayanytimesoon.Ididn’tcarefor

the2DDrafting&AnnotationworkspacewhenitfirstshowedupinAutoCAD2008,butthankstotheRibbon,I’mnowsoldonit.AutoCAD2012’sDrafting&AnnotationworkspaceiswhereIspendmostofmytime,andthat’swhatnearlyallthefiguresinthisbook(includingthefigurehere)show.

UnliketheMicrosoftOffice2007suite,whichdraggedlongtimeuserskickingandscreaminginto the new FluentUser Interface,AutoCADusers have the option of stayingwith the oldinterface.Theeasiestwaytogobacktothefutureistoswitchworkspacesusing(whatelse?)theWorkspaceSwitchingbuttononthestatusbar,ortheWorkspacedrop-downmenuontheQuickAccessToolbar.SelectAutoCADClassic,andpresto!—this is (almost)your father’sAutoCAD!Youendupwithamenubar;somefamiliar-lookingtoolbarsdockedtothetop,left,andrightsidesofthedrawingarea;andafloatingtoolpalettenearthemiddleofthedisplay.

TheRibbon-basedinterfaceletsyouaddbitsoftheoldone,too.Youcandisplaytheclassicdrop-downmenu system by clicking the down arrow at the right end of the Quick AccessToolbarandchoosingShowMenuBar.YoucanalsostaymostlyintheRibbonbutdisplayyourfavoriteclassic toolbarsat thesame time.JustclickToolbarson theWindowspanelof theViewtab,clickAutoCADtodisplaytheentirelistoftoolbars,andthenselecttheoneyouwant.

MakingchoicesfromtheApplicationMenu

TheApplicationMenuisaccessiblefromallworkspaces.TheAutoCAD2012ApplicationMenufollowstheMicrosoftFUIguidelinesinplacingfilemanagementcommandshere,andalldrawingandeditingcommandsontheRibbon.TheApplicationMenuisdividedintoninecategories,asfollows:

New:Createanewdrawingfromalistoftemplatesorcreateanewsheetset(anamedcollectionofdrawinglayoutsderivedfromoneormoredrawingfilesthatcanbeprintedorarchivedatonego).SheetsetsareincludedinAutoCADLT2012,butIdon’tcovertheminthisbook.

Open:Openanexistingdrawingorsheetsetforediting,orimportdatafromaMicroStationDGNfileintoanewAutoCADdrawing.

Save:Savethecurrentdrawinginthecurrentlocation;ifthecurrentdrawinghasn’tbeensaved,you’repromptedforafilenameandalocation.

SaveAs:Savethecurrentdrawingtoanewfilenameand/orlocationandmakethenewlynamedorlocatedfilethecurrentdrawing.Alsosavethedrawingasatemplate(DWT)orstandards(DWS)file,orexportapaperspacelayouttoanewdrawing.

UsethenewDWGConverttooltosavedrawingfilestodifferentDWGformatsfromAutoCAD2007backtoRelease14.Yes,youcanalreadydothatwiththeregularSAVEAScommand,butDWGConvertcandobatchconversionsofgroupsoffilesandentirefilefolders.

Export:SavethecurrentdrawingtoavarietyofDesignWebFormat(DWF)files,aPDF,aDGN,orotherfileformat.IdiscussmostoftheseformatsinChapters18and20.

AutoCAD2012exportstoFBXformat(that’soneIdon’tdiscussinthisbook).FBXisspecificallydesignedtoexportlightsandmaterials—evenanimationdata(andhaven’twecomealongwayfromlinesandcircles?)fromAutoCADdrawingstomorespecialized3DprogramslikeAutodeskMayaorMax.Inshort:Ifyouneedthisformat,youalreadyknowaboutit.

Publish:Senda3Dmodeltoanoutside3Dprintingserviceorcreateanarchivedsheetset.(AutoCADLTdoesn’tsupport3D.)UseeTransmittocreateapackagethatincludesallfilesreferencedbytheselecteddrawings,ore-mailthecurrentdrawingusingyourconfigurede-mailclient.

Print:Printasingledrawingorbatchplotmultipledrawings,createormodifynamedpagesetups,andmanageplottersandplotstyles.IcovermostoftheseoperationsinChapter16.

DrawingUtilities:Setfilepropertiesordrawingunits;purgeunusedblocks,layers,andstylesfromthecurrentdrawing;andauditorrecoverdamageddrawings.

Close:Closethecurrentdrawingorclosealldrawings.Ifanydrawingshavebeenchanged,you’repromptedtosavebeforeAutoCADclosesthefile.

Butwait!There’smoreundertheBigRedA

InadditiontotheApplicationMenu’sactualfilemenuitems,afewotherfeaturesareworthamention:

RecentDocuments:Ifyouchoosethisoption,therightpanedisplaysalistofdrawingsthatyourecentlyeditedbutthataren’tcurrentlyopen.Youcanshowtheminasimplelistorasthumbnailimages,asshowninFigure2-3.Youcanalsopinthemtostopthemfromscrollingoffthelist.Naturallyenough,clickingoneoftheiconsopensthedrawing.

OpenDocuments:Choosethisoptiontoseewhat’salreadyopen,andclickanitemtoswitchtoit.ThisisequivalenttopressingCtrl+TabtoswitchbetweenopendocumentsinanyWindowsprogramandworksthesamebasicwayastheQuickViewDrawingsfeature,describedinthe“LookingforMr.StatusBar”section,laterinthechapter.

Options:ClickthisbuttontoopentheOptionsdialogbox,whereyoucanmakehundredsofsystemsettings.YoucanalsoopenOptionsbytypingOP(thealiasfortheOPTIONScommand).

Search:Ifyou’renotsureofacommandnameoryouwanthelponatopic,juststarttypingintheApplicationMenu’ssearchbar.AutoCAD2012veryquicklydisplaysacategorizedlist,completewithlinkstostartcommandsortoaccesstheonlinehelp(seeFigure2-4).

Figure2-3:Findthatdrawingyouknowyouworkedonyesterday.

Figure2-4:Ifyoucan’tfinditintheRibbonortoolbuttons,juststarttyping!

UnravelingtheRibbon

It’sawholenewracetrackinAutoCAD2012.InAutoCAD2008andpriorreleases,

youbouncedaroundabunchofpalettes,toolbars,anddashboardpanelstofindthecommandsyouwanted.Noweverything(well,almosteverything)livesinoneplace:theRibbon.

TheprimaryinterfaceelementintheDrafting&Annotation,3DBasics,and3DModelingworkspacesistheRibbon,anadjustableareathatcontainsdifferentcollectionsoftabbed,task-orientedcollectionsofpanels.Somepanels—thosemarkedwithalittleblacktriangleonthepanellabel—havemoretoolsconcealedonaslideout(seeFigure2-5).Clickthepanellabeltoopentheslideout.Youcanclickthepushpinicontopintheslideoutopen—otherwise,itwillslideawayhomeafteryouclickabutton.

InAutoCAD2012,youcanclickanddragaRibbonpanelandpullitintothedrawingarea.Soif,forexample,youfindyourselfdoingawhackofdimensioning,butyoualsowanttomoveawayfromtheAnnotatetabtootherRibbontabs,youcandragtheDimensionspanelintothedrawing,anditwillstayput,evenasyouswitchtootherpanelsortabs.Justbesuretoputitbackwhereitcamefromwhenyou’refinishedwithit(asyourmomusedtosay).

Figure2-5:MoretoolsthanyoucanwaveaRibbonat.

Autodesk’sprogrammersseetheRibbonasanalternativewayofinteractingwiththeprogram.Theoretically,theRibboneliminatestheneedformenusandseparatetoolbars,althoughthechange-aversemaythinkotherwise.TheRibbonisfullycustomizable,butIdon’tgetintocustomizingAutoCADinthisbook.Ifyouwanttofindoutmore,clickCustomizationGuideintheAutoCAD2012onlinehelpHomepage.

NoExpressservice?IfyourRibbondoesn’tincludetheExpressToolstab(atthefarrightinFigure2-1),youshouldconsiderinstallingtheExpressToolsfromyourAutoCADDVD.(AutoCADLTdoesnotincludeorsupporttheExpressTools.)

WhenyoufirstinstallAutoCAD2012,youchoosebetweenaTypicalandaCustominstallation.IfyouchooseTypical,thenextscreenaskswhetheryouwanttoinstalltheExpressTools.IfyouchooseaCustominstallation, inthenextscreen,makesuretochecktheExpressToolsiteminthelistofcomponents.Ifyoudon’tinstalltheExpressToolsduringinitialsetup,you’llhavetorerunthesetuproutinefromyourAutoCAD2012DVD.Ifyouhaven’tinstalledAutoCADyet,IstronglyrecommendthatyouchoosetheTypicalinstallationoption—oratleastmakesuretheExpressToolscheckboxisselectedcheckedduringaCustominstallation.

Bydefault,theRibbonisdockedatthetopofthescreen,butitcanbedockedagainstanyedge,anchoredtotheleftorrightsideoftheAutoCADwindow,orfloated.Togainsomescreenspace,youcanclickthelittlewhitebuttontotherightofthelasttabontheRibbon’stabbartoreducetheamountofspacetheRibbontakes,orusethedrop-downmenunexttothelittlewhitebuttontotailortheRibbon’sdisplaytojustthewayyouwantit.

InsteadofmenusofgroupedcommandslikeDraw,Modify,Insert,andsoforth,thetabsareorganizedbytaskasfollows:

Home:TheHometabcontainsDraw,Modify,Layers,Annotation,Block,Properties,Groups,Utilities,andClipboardpanels.Somepanelsmaybedisplayedascollapsed,dependingonyourscreenresolution.Asanexample,thefivepanelsattherightendoftheAnnotatetabinFigure2-5areinacollapsedstate.Icovermostofthecommandsinthesepanelsinotherpartsofthebook.

Insert:ThistabgroupsBlockandReferencepanels,aswellaspointcloudtools,Importcommands,andaseriesofcommandsforworkingwithnongraphicalinformation,includingattributes,fields,anddatalinks.Ido

coverblocks(Chapter17)andexternalreferences(Chapter18),butpointclouds,importing,anddatatoolsarebeyondthescopeofthisbookandaren’tcovered.

Annotate:TheAnnotatetabexpandsontheminimalistAnnotationpanelontheHometab,withmanymoreoptionsforcreatingtext,dimensions,leaders,andtables,aswellasmarkupfunctionsandafewannotationscalingtools.

ThenewDrawingViewspanelontheAutoCAD2012Annotatetabcontainsagroupofcommandsthathelpyougenerate2Dviewsofimported3Dmodels.ThispanelisnotincludedinAutoCADLT,andIdon’tcoverthefeatureinthisbook.

Parametric:ThistabishomeforoneofAutoCAD2012’smostpowerfulfeatures—parametricdrawing.Youcanapplygeometricordimensionalparametersorconstraintstodrawingobjectssothat,say,twocirclesarealwaysconcentricorthelengthofarectangleisalwaystwiceitswidth.(AutoCADLTislimitedinthisdepartment:Youcanmodifyordeleteexistingconstraints,butyouneedthefullversiontocreatethem.)IintroduceparametricdrawinginChapter19.

View:TheViewtabcontainstoolsandpanelsforcontrollingdrawingdisplay,workingwithusercoordinatesystemsandviewports,loadingvariouspalettes,andorganizingWindowsfunctionssuchascascadingopenfilesordisplayingdifferentpartsoftheapplicationwindow.Iexplainmostofthefeaturesonthistablaterinthebook.

Manage:ThistabcontainspanelsthataccesstheActionRecorder,CADStandards(neitherofwhichisinAutoCADLT),andasetofdrawingmanagementandcustomizationtools.Idon’tcoveranythingontheManagetabinthisbook.

Output:Panelsonthistaballowyoutogetthosedrawingsoffyourhandsbyprinting,publishing,exportingtoPDForDWF,orsimplysendingthemelectronicallytoothers.IcoversomeofthesefunctionsinChapter16.

Plug-Ins:ThisnewtabispresentinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,althoughinLT,thereisonlyonepanelinsteadoftwo.BothversionshaveaContentpanelwithasingleExplorebuttonthatrunsthenewContentExplorertool.Afteryouletitindexyourfilefolders,ContentExplorercanwinnowthroughallyourdrawingslookingforspecificblocks,layers,

layouts,andeventextstrings.AutoCADitselfalsohasanInventorFusionpanel,fromwhichyoucaneditsolidsandsurfacesinastripped-downversionofAutodeskInventor.

Online:ThisnewtabisalsopresentinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,andthistime,thetabsareidentical.Mostofthebuttonsfireupalog-inscreenfortheAutoCADWSservice.WithanAutoCADWSaccount,youcanuploaddrawingstoasecureWebsite,andthenaccessthemonyouriPad(youdohaveaniPad,right?)oronanycomputerwithaWebbrowser.

ExpressTools:TheExpressToolsareaninvaluablesetofcustomcommandsthatwillstreamlineyourworkproceduresinprettywelleveryaspectofAutoCAD.They’reofficiallyunsupported,butthey’vebeenaninstalloptionformanyreleasesnow,andmostly,theyworkverywell.YougetthistabonlyifyouhavethefullversionofAutoCAD—ExpressToolsaren’tavailableinAutoCADLT.

GettingwiththeProgramInmostofthisbook,Ifocuson2Ddrafting,whichisbyfartheeasiestwayofgettingyourfeetwetwithAutoCAD.(Justdon’tbedrippingwateronyourcomputer.)Andifyou’renotalreadyintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace,IsuggestthatyouusetheWorkspaceSwitchingbuttontoreturntoit.Afteryoumaketheswitchtothisworkspace,AutoCADdisplaystheinterfaceshownearlierinFigure2-1.

LikeallgoodWindowsprograms,AutoCADhastooltips,thoseshortdescriptionsthatappearinlittletextboxeswhenyouhoverthemousepointeroverabutton.InAutoCAD2012,tooltipsdisplaytwolevelsofinformation.Whenyouhoverthemousepointeroveratoolbutton,youfirstseeaquickidentificationofthecommand.Ifyoukeephovering,alongerdescriptionoftheicon’sfunction,oftenwithagraphicimage,appearsinanextendedtooltip.Helpfulastheyarewhenyou’restartingwithAutoCAD,you’llprobablywanttoremovethesetrainingwheelssoonerorlater.YoucandosointheOptionsdialogbox.(Seetheonlinehelpformoreinformation.)

LookingforMr.StatusBarTheapplicationstatusbar(seeFigure2-6)appearsatthebottomoftheAutoCAD

screen.Thestatusbardisplaysandallowsyoutochangeseveralimportantdrawingmodes,aids,andsettingsthataffecthowyoudrawandeditinthecurrentdrawing.Iintroducetheminthissection.

Youcansetstatusbarbuttonstodisplayiconsorthetraditionaltextlabelsthatwillbefamiliartousersofearlierreleases.Toswitchfromonestyletotheother,right-clickanyofthedrawingmodebuttonsattheleftsideofthestatusbarandselectordeselectUseIcons.

Figure2-6:Status(bars)check.

Someofthesestatusbarsettingswon’tmakecompletesenseuntilyou’veusedtheAutoCADcommandsthattheyinfluence,buthere’sabriefdescription,withreferencestodetaileddescriptionsofhowtouseeachsetting,startingattheleftendofthestatusbar(andnotethatnotallbuttonsaredisplayedatalltimes,soFigure2-6doesn’tshowallthebuttonslisted):

Coordinatesofthecrosshairs:ThecoordinatesreadoutdisplaysthecurrentX,Y,Zlocationofthecrosshairsinthedrawingarea,withrespecttotheoriginpoint(whosecoordinatesare0,0,0).(AutoCADLTdisplaysonlytheX,Ycrosshairslocation.)Chapter7describesAutoCAD’scoordinateconventionsandhowtousethisareaofthestatusbar.

Ifthecoordinatesinthelower-leftcornerofthescreenaregrayedout,coordinatetrackingisturnedoff.Clickthecoordinatessothattheyappearindarknumbersthatchangewhenyoumovethecrosshairsinthedrawingarea.

InferConstraints(INFER):ParametricconstraintswerenewinAutoCAD2010,andinferredconstraintsarethefirstmajorenhancementtothisrelativelynewfeature.(TheinferredconstraintsfeatureisnotavailableinAutoCADLT.)WhenInferConstraintsisenabled,youautomaticallysetgeometry-basedconstraintsasyoudraw.IcovergeometricanddimensionalconstraintsinChapter19.

SnapMode(SNAP):Constrainsthecrosshairstoregularlyspacedintervals,enablingyoutodrawobjectsafixeddistanceapartmoreeasily

GridDisplay(GRID):Displaysaseriesofgraphpaper–stylelinesorregularlyspaceddots,whichserveasadistancereference

OrthoMode(ORTHO):Constrainsthecrosshairstohorizontalandverticalmovement,whichmakesdrawingorthogonal(straighthorizontalandvertical)lineseasy

SeeChapter4forinstructionsonhowtoconfigurethesemodesandChapter7forinformationaboutwhy,when,andhowtousetheminactualdrawingoperations.

PolarTracking(POLAR):Polartrackingcausesthecrosshairstojumptocertainangleswhenyoudrawandeditobjects.Thedefaultanglesettingsaremultiplesof90degrees,butyoucanspecifyotherangleincrements,suchas45or30degrees.SeeChapter7forinstructionsonspecifyingthepolartrackinganglesthatyouprefer.ClickingthePolarbuttontogglespolartrackingonandoff.Orthoandpolartrackingaremutuallyexclusive—turningononemodedisablestheother.

ObjectSnap(OSNAP):ObjectsnapisanotherAutoCADtoolforensuringprecisiondrawingandediting.Youuseobjectsnapstograbpointsonexistingobjects—forexample,theendpointofalineorthecenterofacircle.Chapter7containsdetailedinstructionsonhowtousethisfeature.

3DObjectSnap(3DOSNAP):WithAutoCAD’senhanced3Dcapabilities,anextensionofobjectsnapsintothethirddimensionwasagiven(notinAutoCADLT,ofcourse).Enablingthismodeletsyousnaptotheprecisecenterofaface,avertex,themidpointofanedge,oranumberofsimilar3Dpointsyoucan’tgettowithregularobjectsnaps.

ObjectSnapTracking(OTRACK):Whenyouturnonobjectsnaptracking,AutoCADhuntsinamoresophisticatedwayforpointsthatarederivedfromobjectsnappoints.Chapter7brieflydescribesthisadvancedfeature.

Allow/DisallowDynamicUCS(DUCS):Thisone’sfor3Dobjectcreation(andsoisn’tincludedinAutoCADLT).MostAutoCADprimitiveobjects,suchaslines,arcs,andcircles,areplanar,andyouhavetosetanappropriateplaneinthreedimensionsifyouwanttoworkin3D.YoucansetplaneswiththeUCScommand—IexplainhowinChapter22—butenablingDynamicUCSautomaticallysetstheworkplanebysimply

hoveringthemouseoverthefaceofanobject.

DynamicInput(DYN):DynamicInputdisplayscommands,options,prompts,anduserinputinatooltipadjacenttothecrosshairsandenablesyoutokeepfocusedonwhatyou’redrawing.Inaddition,theDynamicInputtooltipdisplayswhatyoutypeinresponsetoprompts.IdescribeDynamicInputlaterinthischapter.

Show/HideLineweight(LWT):OneofthepropertiesthatyoucanassigntoobjectsinAutoCADislineweight—thethicknessthatlinesappearwhenyouplotthedrawing.Thisbuttoncontrolswhetheryouseethelineweightsonthescreen.(Thisbuttondoesn’tcontrolwhetherlineweightsappearonplots;that’saseparatesettinginthePlotdialogbox.)Chapter6givesyoutheskinny(andthewide)onlineweights.

Show/HideTransparency(TPY):Youcanassigntransparencytoindividualobjectsortoallobjectsonagivenlayer.SimilartotheLineweightbutton,thisbuttoncontrolswhetherobjectsassignedthetransparencypropertyappeartransparentoropaque.IintroduceyoutoobjecttransparencyinChapter6.

QuickProperties(QP):WhenQuickPropertiesisenabled,selectinganobjectinthedrawingdisplaysapop-upwindowthatliststhemainpropertiesofthatobject.Youcanchoosewhichpropertiesyouwantdisplayedbyright-clickingtheQPbuttonandchoosingSettings.IfillyouinonobjectpropertiesinChapter6.

InAutoCAD2012,QUICKPROPERTIESisalsoanexplicitcommand.TypeQP(thealiasforQUICKPROPERTIES)andselectanobjecttoopentheQuickPropertiespalette.

SelectionCycling(SC):It’sremarkablyeasyinAutoCADtodrawobjectsontopofotherobjectsandnotbeabletotellyou’vedoneso.WhenSelectionCyclingisenabled,aniconshowingtwooverlappingrectanglesappearsbesidethecrosshairsifAutoCADfindsmorethanoneobjectunderthem.Ifyouthenclicktoselect,aSelectionwindowpopsupshowingyouhowmanyobjects,andofwhattype,areunderthepointthatyoupicked(seeFigure2-7).

ModelorPaperspace(MODEL/PAPER):Clickingthisbuttontogglesbetweenmodelspaceandpaperspace.

AsIdescribeintheupcomingsection“Downthemainstretch:The

drawingarea,”AutoCAD’sdrawingareaiscomposedoftwooverlappingenvironments:Modelspaceiswhereyoucreateyourmodelgeometry,andpaperspaceiswhereyoucomposeyourdrawingsheettodocumentthatgeometry.ClickingthisbuttonwhentheModeltabisactive(thatis,you’reinfull-screenmodelspace)switchesyoutoapaperspacelayout.Acompletedlayoutincludesviewports,whichrevealtheobjectsinmodelspaceataparticularscale.(ItellyoumoreaboutviewportsandlayoutsinChapter5.)Afteryouswitchtoapaperspacelayout,clickingthisbuttontogglesbetweenpaperspaceandmodelspacewithinthelayout.ThebuttonlabelswitchesfromMODELtoPAPERtoshowyouwhichspaceyou’rein.

Figure2-7:OverlappingobjectslistedintheSelectionwindow.

Modeland<Layout>:Note:ThesetwobuttonsdisappearifModelandLayouttabsaredisplayed.ClickingtheModelbuttonswitchesyououtofthelayoutandbacktofull-screenmodelspace.(IfModelandLayouttabsaredisplayed,youclicktheModeltabtoswitchtofull-screenmodelspace.)ClickingLayoutswitchesyoutowhicheverpaperspacelayoutwasactivewhenyouswitchedtomodelspace.AlsonotethatthetooltipfortheLayoutbuttondisplaysthenameofthelayout,whichmightbechangedfromthedefaultLayout1orLayout2.

QuickViewLayouts:Clickingthisbuttondisplaysahorizontalrowofgraphicimagesofalllayoutsinthecurrentdrawing.Clickalayoutimagetomakethatlayoutcurrent.TheQuickViewtoolbarbelowthelayoutimagescontainsbuttonsforpinningtheQuickViewLayoutsbarsoitstaysopen,creatinganewlayout,publishingtheselectedlayout,andclosingQuick

ViewLayouts.IcoverlayoutcreationinChapter5andpublishinginChapter16.

QuickViewDrawings:Clickingthisbuttondisplaysarowofgraphicimagesofallopendrawings.Clickadrawingimagetomakeitactive.(Why,yes,itisthesameasCtrl+Tabbing!)QuickViewDrawingsincludesthesameQuickViewtoolbarasQuickViewLayouts.

Maximize/MinimizeViewport(appearsonpaperspacelayoutsonly):Whenyou’relookingatoneoftheLayouttabsinsteadoftheModeltab,thestatusbardisplaysanadditionalMaximizeViewportbutton.Clickthisbuttontoexpandthecurrentpaperspaceviewportsothatitfillstheentiredrawingarea.Clickthebutton—nowcalledMinimizeViewport—againtorestoretheviewporttoitsnormalsize.(Chapter5describesviewports.)

ThenextsixbuttonscontrolthesizeandappearanceofAutoCAD’sannotativeobjects—thingsliketext,dimensions,hatching,andsoforth.Annotativeobjectsarecomplex,sodon’tworryifyoudon’tunderstandatthispoint.Fornow,justrememberthatinthischapter,I’mjustshowingyouwhatthebuttonsdo.Becauseannotativeobjectsmeanstextmorethananythingelse,IexplainthisfeatureinChapter13.

Lock/UnlockViewport:Whenyou’resatisfiedwiththedisplayinsideyourviewport,andyou’veassignedaviewportscale,usethisbuttontolocktheviewportdisplaysoyoudon’taccidentallypanorzoominsideit.(SeeChapter5formoreonviewports.)

AnnotationScale(appearsinfull-screenmodelspaceonly):ClickingAnnotationScaledisplaysalistofpresetannotationscales;iftheAuto-maticallyAddScalesbuttonistoggledon,changingascaleherecausesallannotativeobjectstoupdatetothenewscale.

ViewportScale:Thisbuttonappearsonlyinalayout,whenamodelspaceviewportisactivated.Iftheviewportislocked,thisbuttonisinactive.Iftheviewportisunlocked,clickingthebuttondisplaysalistofscales;choosethedesiredscalefromthelist.

AnnotationScaleIsNotEqualToViewportScale:Ifthescaleassignedtoannotativeobjectswithintheviewportdiffersfromthescaleassignedtotheviewportitself,clickingthisbuttonwillsynchronizetheannotationscaletotheviewportscale.

AnnotationVisibility:Thisbuttontogglesthevisibilityofannotativeobjects.Whenthelightbulbisoff(gray),onlyannotativeobjectsofthe

currentannotativescalearevisible;whenthelightbulbison(yellow),allannotativeobjectsinthedrawing,regardlessofscale,arevisible.

AutomaticallyAddScales:Whenthisbuttonistoggledon,additionalannotativescalesareautomaticallyaddedtoobjectsinsidetheviewportwhenyouchangetheviewportscale.

WorkspaceSwitching:Clickingthisbuttondisplaysalistofsavedworkspaces,includingthefourdefaultworkspaces(twoinAutoCADLT):AutoCADClassic,Drafting&Annotation,3DBasics,and3DModeling(thelattertwoarenotincludedinAutoCADLT),plusanyuser-definedandsavedworkspaces.

Lock/UnlockToolbar/WindowPositions:“Now,wheredidIleavethatPropertiespalette?”You’llneverhavetoaskyourselfthatquestionagainbecauseyoucanclickthisbuttontolocktheRibbon,toolbars,orpalettesinposition,soyou’llalwaysknowwheretheyare.

HardwareAcceleration:Youcanquicklytogglehardwareaccelerationonandofffromthestatusbar.PriortoAutoCAD2011,youhadtorunthe3DCONFIGcommandandproceedthroughacoupleofdialogboxes.Visittheonlinehelptofindoutmoreaboutimprovedgraphicsperformanceandbetterrenderingoptionsusinghardwareacceleration;hardwareaccelerationisavailableinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT.

Theremainingstatusbaricons,withtheexceptionofCleanScreenattheveryend,liveinaspecialareaofthestatusbarcalledthetray.Thetraydisplaysiconsthatrepresentdrawingservices,andmostdonotappearatalltimes.Thesetrayiconsinclude

TrustedAutodeskDWG:AtrusteddrawingisonecreatedbyAutoCAD,AutoCADLT,oranyprogramdevelopedbyAutodesk.Inrecentyears,moreandmoreprogramshavebeenabletosaveinDWGformat,butinAutodesk’seyes,thesefilesarenottobetrusted.Ifyouopensuchadrawingfile,you’llgetawarningdialogboxandalittleyellowdangersignoverthetrustedDWGicon(makesureyouknowwhereyourwalletiswhenyouworkononeofthesefiles).

ObjectIsolation:Youdon’tneedtoturnalayer—andeverythingonit—offifyouwantaclearerviewofsomethinginacrowdeddrawing.Nowyoucanselectanobjectandeitherhideit(soitdisappears)orisolateit(soeverythingelsedisappears).Ifthelightbulbonthisbuttonisdim,oneormoreobjectsareeitherhiddenorisolated;clickthebuttonandchooseUnisolateObjectstoturneverythingelse—includingthelightbulbicon

—backon.

AssociatedStandardsFile:Youseethisbuttonifyou’veenabledCADstandards-checkingandconfiguredadrawingstandards(DWS)file.ClickingthisbuttondisplaystheCheckStandardsdialogbox.AutoCAD’sCADStandardsfunctionsarenotincludedinAutoCADLT.Idon’tcoverstandardscheckinginthisbook.

ManageXrefs:Youwon’tseethiscombinationbuttonandnotificationsymboluntilyouopenadrawingthatcontainsxrefs(externalDWGfilesthatareincorporatedintothecurrentdrawing).Chapter18tellsyouhowtousexrefsandwhattheManageXrefsbuttondoes.

StatusBarMenu:Whenyouclicktheeasy-to-miss,downward-pointingarrowneartherightendofthestatusbar,youopenamenuwithoptionsfortogglingofforoneachstatusbarbutton.Nowyoucandecorateyourstatusbartoyourtaste.Youcanalsoturnonthedrawingstatusbar.Doingsomovesanyofthesetrayiconsandthethreeannotationscalingbuttonsdescribedabovetoaseparatedrawing-specificstatusbar.(Mypersonalpreferenceistoleaveitturnedoff.)

CleanScreen:No,thisbuttondoesn’tsqueegeeyourmonitor.ClickingthisbuttonfreesupabitmorescreenspacebyfirstmaximizingtheAutoCADwindowandthenturningoffthetitlebar,toolbars,palettes,andtheWindowstaskbar.Clickthebuttonagaintorestorethoseelements.

Severalstatusbarbuttons,includingSnapMode,PolarTracking,ObjectSnap,andObjectSnapTracking,sportright-clickmenusthatofferaspeedierwayofsettingoptions.Withsomeoftheotherbuttons,suchasGridDisplayandDynamicInput,youright-clickthebuttonandchooseSettingstoopentheDraftingSettingsdialogboxtospecifyoptions.Chapters4and6giveyouspecificguidanceaboutwhenandhowtochangethesesettings.

InAutoCAD2012,primaryaccesstothedisplaycommandsisviatheNavigationbarthatappears,bydefault,attherightedgeoftheprogramwindow.AutoCADalsohasaViewCubethatprovidesanalternativetotheOrbittool.(NeithertheViewCubenortheOrbittoolareincludedinAutoCADLT.)Figure2-8showsthedifferencesbetweenthenavigationdevicesinAutoCAD(ontheleft)andAutoCADLT.IintroduceyoutotheNavigationbarbuttonsinthefollowinglist,andexplaintheiroperationmorefullyinChapter12.IgiveyouthedrillontheViewCubeandtheOrbittoolinChapter21.

SteeringWheels:Youwereprobablywonderingwhenthismotoring

metaphorwasgoingtopayoff,right?Well,believeitornot,therereallyisanAutoCADfunctioncalledtheSteeringWheel!(I’mstilllookingfortheGasPedal...oops,ImeanGasPedal.)ASteeringWheelisdescribedintheonlinehelpasatrackingmenu—theideahereisthatyoucombineanumberofdisplayoperationsintoasingleinput“device.”ImentionSteeringWheelsinChapter12butpointoutherethatit’soflittleusein2Ddrafting—which,unfortunately,isallthatAutoCADLTuserscandowithit.

PanandZoom:Thesebuttonsprovideaccesstotwocommonlyuseddisplaycommands,PANandZOOM.PANmovesyouaroundyourdrawingwithoutchangingyourviewingdistance;ZOOMbringsthedrawingobjectsclosersoyoucanseemoredetail,orfartheraway,soyoucanseemoreofthedrawingarea.TheseandotherdisplaycommandsaredescribedinChapter12.

Orbit:TheOrbittool(notavailableinAutoCADLT)isaninteractivedeviceforviewingyour3Dmodelsfromanyangle.Idescribethistoolwiththeother3DviewingoptionsinChapter21.

ShowMotion:TheShowMotiontoolstartsarudimentaryanimationprogram.Astheonlinehelpdescribesit,youcangenerateeffectssimilartothoseinTVcommercialstodressupmotionstudiesofyourdesigns.ShowMotionisn’tincludedinAutoCADLTandisbeyond—wellbeyond—thescopeofthisbook.

Figure2-8:NavigationtoolsinAutoCAD(left)andAutoCADLT(right).

Letyourfingersdothetalking:ThecommandwindowTheinfamouscommandwindow(orcommandline,orcommandprompt,orcommandarea,whateveryouwanttocallit),showninFigure2-9,isathrowbacktothedarkagesofAutoCAD.ItpuzzlesnewcomersanddelightsAutoCADaficionados.DespitethepromiseofAutoCAD’sheads-upDynamicInput,fornowatleast,thehardtruthisthatyouhavetocometolike—oratleasttolerate—thecommandwindowifyouwanttobecomeatallcomfortableusingAutoCAD.

Figure2-9:Obeythecommandwindow.

Youshouldcottononandcozyuptothecommandwindowbecauseit’sstillAutoCAD’sprimarycommunicationsconduitwithyou.AutoCADsometimesdisplaysprompts,warnings,anderrormessagesinthecommandwindowthatDynamicInputdoesn’tshow—theresimplyisn’troomintheDynamicInputtooltiptoshowasmuchinformationasyougetatthecommandwindow.True,whenusingDynamicInput,youcanpressthedown-arrowkeytoseemoreoptions.Butwhichislessefficient:movingyoureyesdownthescreentoglanceatthecommandwindow,ortakingyoureyesrightoffthescreentofindthedown-arrowkeyonyourkeyboard?

Thekey(board)toAutoCADsuccessDespite(orisitbecauseof?)AutoCAD’slongheritageasthemostsuccessfulCADsoftwareforpersonalcomputers,newcomersarestillastonishedattheamountoftypingtheyhavetodo.Somemore-modernprogramshavemuchlessdependencyonthekeyboardthanAutoCAD,butasyougetusedtoit,you’llfindthatnootherinputmethodgivesyouasmuchflexibilityaspoundingtheivories...oops,wrongkeyboard!

Typingatyourcomputer’skeyboardisanefficientwaytorunsomecommandsandtheonlywaytorunafewothers.Insteadofclickingabuttonorchoosingfromamenu,youcanstartacommandbytypingthecommandnameandthenpressingEnter.Evenbetter,formostcommoncommands,youcantypetheshortformfor

acommandnameandpressEnter.Mostoftheshortforms(calledaliases)ofcommandnamesarejustoneortwoletters—forexample,LfortheLINEcommand,andCPfortheCOPYcommand.MostpeoplewhodiscoverhowtousethealiasesforthecommandsthattheyrunmostfrequentlyfindthattheirAutoCADproductivityimprovesnoticeably.Evenifyou’renotworriedaboutincreasingyourproductivitywiththistechnique,severaleverydaycommandsarenowheretobefoundontheRibbon.Ifyouwanttorunthosecommands,youhavetotypethem!

AutoCAD2012’snewAutocompletefeaturepromptsoneresponse:Whydidittakesolong?MostefficientAutoCADjockeysusethekeyboard.ManyhavecustomizedtheirPGPfilessothecommandstheyusethemostareonekeytapaway,butthentherearethoseoccasionallyusedcommands,andthoseevenmoreoccasionallyaccessedsystemvariablesthatdon’tgetquiteenoughusagetojustifyaspecialshortcut.Nowyoucanjuststarttypingletters,andassoonasyourcommandorvariableappears,youcanjustclickit.Handsup,everyonewho’drathertypeAPPLYthanAPPLYGLOBALCAPACITIES!

NotallcommandaliasesareasobviousasLforLINE:Forexample,CPforCOPYor—believeitornot—TforMTEXT.Toseeacompletelistofcommandaliases,lookintheAutoCAD(ortheAutoCADLT)ProgramParameters(PGP)filebygoingtotheManagetabandclickingEditAliasesontheCustomizationpanel.WhenWindowsNotepadopenswiththeacad.pgp(oracadlt.pgp)fileloaded,scrolldowntotheSampleAliasesforAutoCADCommandssection.Idon’trecommendchanginganythinghere,butit’sagoodideatoprintthisfileandpinupthealiasessectionoveryourdesk.

Afteryoustartacommand—whetherfromaRibbonpaneltoolbutton,orbytyping—theDynamicInputtooltipandthecommandwindowarewhereAutoCADpromptsyouwithoptionsforthatcommand.Youactivateoneoftheseoptionsbytypingtheuppercaseletter(s)intheoptionandthenpressingEnter.

Inmanycases,youcanactivateacommand’soptionsbyright-clickinginthedrawingareaandchoosingthedesiredoptionfromthemenuthatappears,insteadofbytypingtheletter(s)fortheoptionandpressingEnter.

IlikeDynamicInput.Really,Ido.Butsometimesitfightswithnormal

commandinput,andthatcanmakethingsreallyconfusing.Inthefollowingchapters,Itellyouwhentobewary.

Thefollowingsequencedemonstrateshowyouusethekeyboardtoruncommandsandtoviewandselectoptions.IfyouhaveDynamicInputtoggledon,yourresultsaregoingtobedifferentfromwhatIsay,soIsuggestyouclickDynamicInputonthestatusbartoturnitoff,temporarilyatleast.Inthefollowingsteps,watchthecommandwindow,andpayattentiontomessagesfromAutoCAD:

1.TypeLandthenpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheLINEcommandanddisplaysthefollowingpromptinthecommandwindow:

LINESpecifyfirstpoint:2.Clickapointanywhereinthedrawingarea.Thecommandwindowpromptchangesto

Specifynextpointor[Undo]:3.Clickanotherpointanywhereinthedrawingarea.AutoCADdrawsthefirstlinesegment.

4.Clickathirdpointanywhereinthedrawingarea.AutoCADdrawsthesecondlinesegmentandprompts

Specifynextpointor[Close/Undo]:Thecommandlinenowdisplaystwooptions:CloseandUndo,separatedbyaslash.

Inthiscase,theCloseandUndooptionsappearinbrackets.TheAutoCADcommandlinealwaysdisplayscommandoptionsinsquarebrackets.Toactivateanoption,typetheletter(s)showninuppercaseandthenpressEnter.Youcantypetheoptionletter(s)inlowercaseoruppercase.

5.TypeUandthenpressEnter.AutoCADundoesthesecondlinesegment.

6.Type3,2(withoutanyspaces)andthenpressEnter.AutoCADdrawsanewlinesegmenttothepointwhoseXcoordinateis3andYcoordinateis2.

7.Clickseveralmorepointsanywhereinthedrawingarea.AutoCADdrawsadditionallinesegments.

8.TypeXandthenpressEnter.Xisn’tavalidoptionoftheLINEcommand,soAutoCADdisplaysanerrormessageandpromptsyouagainforanotherpoint:

Pointoroptionkeywordrequired.

Specifynextpointor[Close/Undo]:

Optionkeywordisprogrammerjargonfortheletter(s)showninuppercasethatyoutypetoactivateacommandoption.ThiserrormessageisAutoCAD’swayofsaying,“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumeanbytypingX.Eitherspecifyapoint,ortypealetterthatIdounderstand.”

9.TypeCandthenpressEnter.AutoCADdrawsafinallinesegment,whichcreatesaclosedfigureandendstheLINEcommand.Ablankcommandlinereturns,indicatingthatAutoCADisreadyforthenextcommand:

Command:10.PressF2.AutoCADdisplaystheAutoCADTextWindow,whichissimplyanenlarged,scrollableversionofthecommandwindow,asshowninFigure2-10.

Thenormalthree-linecommandwindowusuallyshowsyouwhatyouneedtosee,butoccasionallyyouwanttoreviewalargerchunkofcommand-linehistory.(“WhatwasAutoCADtryingtotellmeaminuteago?!”)

11.PressF2again.AutoCADclosestheAutoCADTextWindow.

Figure2-10:My,howyou’vegrown:F2expandsthecommandlinetoacommandtextwindow.

Hereareafewothertipsandtricksforeffectivekeyboarding:

UsetheEsckeytobailoutofthecurrentoperation.Sometimesyoumightgetconfusedaboutwhatyou’redoinginAutoCADand/orwhatyou’reseeinginthecommandwindowortheDynamicInputtooltip.Ifyouneedtobailoutofthecurrentoperation,justpressEsconeormoretimesuntilyouseeablankcommandline—Command:atthebottomofthecommandwindow,withnothingafterit.AsinmostotherWindowsprograms,Escisthecancelkey.UnlikemanyotherWindowsprograms,AutoCADkeepsyouwellinformedofwhetheranoperationisinprogress.TheblankcommandlineindicatesthatAutoCADisresting,waitingforyournextcommand.

PressEntertoacceptthedefaultaction.Somecommandpromptsincludeadefaultactioninangledbrackets.Forexample,thefirstpromptofthePOLYGONcommandis

Enternumberofsides<4>:Thedefaulthereisfoursides,andyoucanacceptitsimplybypressingEnter.(Thatis,youdon’thavetotype4first.)

AutoCADusestwokindsofbracketswhenitprompts.

•Commandoptionsappearinregularsquarebrackets:[Close/Undo].

Toactivateacommandoption,typetheletter(s)thatappearinuppercaseandthenpressEnter.TheDynamicInputtooltipdoesn’tdisplayoptionsinbrackets;instead,youpressthedown-arrowkeytodisplayadditionalcommandoptionsinrowsnexttothecrosshairs.

•Adefaultvalueoroptionappearsinangledbrackets:<4>.

Tochoosethedefaultvalueoroption,simplypressEnter.DefaultvaluesinangledbracketsappearinboththeDynamicInputtooltipandthecommand-lineprompts.

Youdon’talwayshavetopressEntertoforwardyourinputtoAutoCAD.Dependingonwhatyou’redoing,youcanoftenright-clickandchooseEnterfromthetopoftheright-clickmenu.Andmostefficientofall,evenforthemostinepttypists,youcanusethespacebarasanEnterkey—aslongasyou’renotenteringtext.

Watchthecommandline.Youcandiscoveralotabouthowtousethecommandlinesimplybywatchingitaftereachactionthatyoutake.When

youclickatoolbarbuttonormenuchoice,AutoCADdisplaysthenameofthecommandintheDynamicInputtooltipandatthecommandline.Ifyou’rewatchingthecommandline,you’llabsorbthecommandnamesmoreorlessnaturally.

WhenAutoCADechoescommandsautomaticallyinresponsetoyourtoolbarandmenuclicks,itusuallyaddsoneortwoextracharacterstothefrontofthecommandname:

•AutoCADusuallyputsanunderscoreinfrontofthecommandname:forexample,_LINEinsteadofLINE.TheunderscoreisanAutodeskprogrammers’trickthatenablesnon-EnglishlanguageversionsofAutoCADtounderstandtheEnglishcommandnamesthatareembeddedinthemenus.

•AutoCADsometimesputsanapostropheinfrontofthecommandnameandanyunderscore(forexample,‘_ZOOMinsteadofZOOM).Theapostropheindicatesatransparentcommand;youcanrunatransparentcommandinthemiddleofanothercommandwithoutcancelingthefirstcommand.Forexample,youcanstarttheLINEcommand,runtheZOOMcommandtransparently,andthenpickupwhereyouleftoffwiththeLINEcommand.

Leavethecommandlineinthedefaultconfiguration.Thecommandwindow,likemostotherpartsoftheAutoCADscreen,isresizableandmovable.Thedefaultlocation(dockedatthebottomoftheAutoCADscreen)andsize(threelinesdeep)workwellformostpeople.Resistthetemptationtomesswiththecommandwindow’sappearance—atleastuntilyou’recomfortablewithusingthecommandline.

Right-clickinthecommandwindowforoptions.Ifyouright-clickinthecommandwindow,youseeamenuwithsomeusefulchoices,includingRecentCommands—thelastsixcommandsthatyouran.

Presstheup-anddown-arrowkeystocyclethroughthestackofcommandsthatyou’veusedrecently.Thisisanotherhandywaytorecallandrerunacommand.Presstheleft-andright-arrowkeystoeditthecommandlinetextthatyou’vetypedorrecalled.

MostWindowsusersarefamiliarwithAlt-keyshortcuts.PresstheAltkeyintraditionalWindowsprograms,andyourmenubarlightsupwithonecharacterofeachmenuitemunderlined.Youtypetheunderlinedlettertoopenthemenuorexecutethecommand.AutoCAD’simplementationofMicrosoft’sFluentUser

Interfacehasanequivalent—KeyTips—whichworkinmuchthesameway.InFigure2-11,I’vejustpressedtheAltkey.IfInowtaptheAkey,theAnnotatetabwillopenwithanewsetofKeyTips,andIcankeeptappingthekeystoexecuteaspecificcommand.

Figure2-11:HolddowntheAltkeytodisplayakazillionKeyTips.

KeepingtabsonpalettesPalettesarerefined(well-mannered)versionsofdialogboxes.Unlikeregulardialogboxes,whichinsistonyourundividedattentionaslongasthey’reopen,palettesstaydiscreetlyinthebackgroundasyoucarryonwithothertasks.AutoCADstillhasmanydialogboxes,butoverthepastseveralreleases,quiteafewformerdialogboxeshavebeenreplacedbypalettes.

AutoCAD2012containsmorethanadozenpalettes(morethanahalf-dozeninAutoCADLT).Unlessnotedotherwise,youcanopenanyofthesepalettesfromthePalettespaneloftheViewtab.Themorecommonlyusedpalettesare

Properties,DesignCenter,andContentExplorer:Thesepalettesareusedtocontrolobjectpropertiesandfindanddisplaynamedobjects(layers,blocks,andsoon),andcopythembetweendrawings.IcoverthefirsttwoinChapter6.

ToolPalettes:Eachtoolpaletteholdscontent(drawingsymbolsandhatchpatterns)and/orcommands(notregularAutoCADcommands—whatwouldbethepoint?—butmacrosthatmakecommandsdospecificthings)insteadofpaints.Youcancreateyourowntoolpalettes,buttheonesthatcomewithAutoCADcontaindozensofsymbolsyoucandrag

intoyourdrawing—check’emout!

SheetSetManager:Providestoolsformanagingallofaproject’sdrawingsasasheetset.Idon’tcoversheetsetsinAutoCAD2012ForDummies.

ExternalReferences:Usedtoattachexternalfilestothecurrentdrawing;filetypesincluderasterimages,DrawingWebFormat(DWF,orDWFx)files,PDFfiles,MicroStationDGNfiles,andotherdrawingfiles.IdiscussattachingexternalreferencefilesinChapter18.

MarkupSetManager:DisplaysdesignanddraftingreviewcommentsfromusersofAutodeskDesignReview.Formoreinformationonmarkupsets,seetheonlinehelp.

QuickCalc:AhandypushbuttonscientificcalculatorthathidesoutontheHometab’sUtilitiespanel.You’llknowifyouneedthis.

LayerPropertiesManager:Themaincontrolcenterformanagingthelayersonyourdrawing.ThepalettizedLayerPropertiesManagernotonlystaysopenwhileyou’redoingotherthings,butalsoappliesanychangesyoumakeinstantlyinthedrawing.TheLayerPropertiesManagercanbefoundontheLayerspaneloftheHometab.

UsingtheViewandHometabsisonewayofopeningpalettes.Alternatively,severalpaletteshavekeyboardshortcuts.YoucantogglethesebypressingCtrl+1(Properties),Ctrl+2(DesignCenter),Ctrl+3(ToolPalettes),Ctrl+4(SheetSetManager),Ctrl+7(MarkupSetManager),orCtrl+8(QuickCalc).

Downthemainstretch:ThedrawingareaAfterallthesewarm-uplaps,you’reprobablyitchingforthemainevent—theAutoCADdrawingarea.Thisiswhereyoudoyourdrawing,ofcourse.Inthecourseofcreatingdrawings,youclickpointstospecifylocationsanddistances,clickobjectstoselectthemforediting,andzoomandpantogetabetterviewofwhatyou’reworkingon.

Mostofthisbookshowsyouhowtointeractwiththedrawingarea,butyoushouldknowafewthingsupfront.

Modelspaceandpaperspacelayouts

OneoftheinitiallydisorientingthingsaboutAutoCADisthatfinisheddrawings

canbecomposedofobjectsdrawnindifferentspaces,whichAutoCADindicateswitheithertwostatusbarbuttons,ortwoormoretabsatthebottomleftofthedrawingarea:

Modelspace:Whereyoucreateandmodifytheobjectsthatrepresentthingsintherealworld—walls,widgets,waterways,orwhatever.

Paperspace:Whereyoucreateparticularviewsoftheseobjectsforplotting,usuallywithatitleblockaroundthem.Paperspacecomprisesoneormorelayouts,eachofwhichcancontainadifferentarrangementofmodelspaceviewsanddifferenttitleblockinformation.

WhenyouclicktheModelbuttononthestatusbarortheModeltab,youseepure,unadulteratedmodelspace,asshowninFigure2-12.WhenyouclicktheLayoutbutton,youseeapaperspacelayout,asshowninFigure2-13.Acompletedlayoutusuallyincludesoneormoreviewports,whicharewindowsthatdisplayallorpartofmodelspaceataparticularscale.Alayoutalsousuallyincludesatitleblockorotherobjectsthatexistonlyinthelayoutanddon’tappearwhenyouclicktheModeltab.(Thinkoftheviewportasawindowlookingintomodelspaceandthetitleblockasaframearoundthewindow.)Thus,alayoutdisplaysmodelspaceandpaperspaceobjectstogether,andAutoCADletsyoudrawandeditobjectsineitherspace.SeeChapter5forinformationaboutcreatingpaperspacelayoutsandChapter16forthelowdownonplottingthem.

Figure2-12:Abuildingmodelreadyforeditinginmodelspace.

Whenalayoutiscurrent,youcanmovethecrosshairsbackandforthbetweenmodelspaceandpaperspacewhileremaininginthelayout.Youcan’tbeinbothspacesatthesametime,however;ifpaperspaceiscurrent,youcanclickdirectlyontopofamodelspaceobject,butitwon’tbeselected.Similarly,ifmodelspaceiscurrent,youcan’tselectanythinginpaperspace.Tomovebetweenthetwospaces,double-clickinsideaviewporttoswitchtomodelspaceoroutsideaviewporttoswitchtopaperspace.

Thisback-and-forthdouble-clickingisnecessaryonlywhenyou’redrawingthingswhileviewingoneofthepaperspacelayoutsoradjustingtheviewofthedrawingobjectswithintheviewport.Inpractice,youprobablywon’tdrawverymuchusingthismethod.Instead,you’lldomostofyourdrawingontheModeltab,andafteryou’vesetupapaperspacelayout,clickitslayouttabonlywhenyouwanttoplot.

Figure2-13:Freshlylaidoutinpaperspace.

Drawingonthedrawingarea

HereareafewotherthingstoknowabouttheAutoCADdrawingarea:

Efficient,confidentuseofAutoCADrequiresthatyoucontinuallyglancefromthedrawingareatothecommandwindow(toseethoseall-importantprompts!)andthenbackuptothedrawingarea.Thissequenceisnotanaturalreflexformostpeople,andthat’swhytheDynamicInputtooltipatthecrosshairswasintroduced.Butyoustillgetinformationfromthecommandlinethatyoudon’tgetanywhereelse.Getinthehabitoflookingatthecommandlineaftereachactionthatyoutake.

ClickingatrandominthedrawingareaisnotquiteasharmlessinAutoCADasitisinmanyotherWindowsprograms.WhenyouclickintheAutoCADdrawingarea,you’realmostalwaysperformingsomeaction—usuallyspecifyingapointorselectingobjectsforediting.Feelfreetoexperiment,butlookatthecommandlineaftereachclick.Ifyougetconfused,pressEscacoupleoftimestoclearthecurrentoperationandreturntothenakedcommandprompt.

Inmostcases,youcanright-clickinthedrawingareatodisplayamenuwithsomeoptionsforthecurrentsituation.

FunwithF1AutoCAD2012’sratherlimitedHelpmenuisaccessibleonlyasadrop-downlistontheprogramtitlebar.(Asalways,pressingF1atanytimeopenstheonlinehelpwindow.)Clickthedownarrowbesidethequestionmarktoopenthemenu.

ThemainAutoCAD2012Helpsystem,asshowninFigure2-14,isoneofthemajorcomponentsoftheAutodeskExchangeforAutoCADapplication.AutoCADLT’ssetupissimilarexceptthatthereisnoAppspage—justtheHomepageandtheHelpsystem.

AsisthecasewithmostWindowsprograms,AutoCADhelpiscontext-sensitive;forexample,ifyoustarttheLINEcommandandjustdon’tknowwhattodonext,Helpwill,er,help.YoucanbrowsethroughtheonlineProductDocumentationfromtheAutoCAD2012Helppage,ortypeintheSearchboxtolookforspecificwords.Inthisbook,IsometimesdirectyoutotheAutoCADonlinehelpsystemforinformationaboutadvancedtopics.

AutoCADisoneprogramwhereyoureallyneedtotakeadvantageoftheonlinehelpresources.AutoCADcontainsmanycommands,options,andquirks.(Alas,thequirksaren’tlistedintheonlinehelp.)EveryonefromthegreenestbeginnertothemostseasonedexpertcanfindoutsomethingbyusingtheAutoCADonlinehelp.TakeamomenttoperusetheHomepageofthemainhelpsystemsothatyouknowwhat’savailable.Throughoutthisbook,IdirectyoutopagesinthehelpsystemthatIthinkareparticularlyuseful,butdon’tbeafraidtoexploreonyourownwhenyougetstuckorfeelcurious.

Figure2-14:HelpisatyourF1fingertip.

Chapter3

ALaparoundtheCADTrack

InThisChapterSettingupasimpledrawing

Drawingsomeobjects

Zoomingandpanninginyourdrawing

Editingsomeobjects

Plottingyourdrawing

TheprevioustwochaptersintroduceyoutotheAutoCADworldandtheAutoCAD2012interface.Thechaptersthatfollowpresentthetechniquesthatunderliegooddraftingpractice.Bynow,you’reprobablyeagertostartmovingthecrosshairsaroundanddrawsomething!ThischaptertakesyouonagentletourofthemostcommonCADdraftingfunctions:

Settingupanewdrawing

Drawingsomeobjects

Editingthoseobjects

Zoomingandpanningsoyoucanviewthoseobjectsbetter

Plotting(printing)thedrawing

Muchofthestuffinthischaptermaybemysterioustoyou.Don’tworry—Itellyouwheretolookformoreinformationonspecifictopics.Inthischapter,you’resimplytakingAutoCADoutforatestdrivetogetafeelforwhatitcando.Goaheadandkickthetires—anddon’tworryaboutputtingadentinthefender!

Inthischapter,youcreateadrawingofanarchitecturaldetail—abaseplateandcolumn,asshowninFigure3-1.Evenifyoudon’tworkinarchitectureorbuildingconstruction,thisexercisegivesyousomesimpleshapestoworkwithanddemonstratescommandsyoucanuseinmostdraftingdisciplines.

Throughoutthisbook,IshowAutoCADrunningintheRibbon-basedDrafting&AnnotationworkspacethatwasintroducedinAutoCAD2009andpresentinbothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012.Likewise,ItellyouwheretofindcommandsandwhattoselectusingtheRibbon.

Ifyou’refamiliarwithearlierversionsofAutoCADandthepost-AutoCAD2008userinterfacelooksjusttooweird,youcanstraponsometrainingwheelswhileyou’regettingusedtoit.JustclickthedownarrowattherightendoftheQuickAccessToolbar(bydefault,itappearstotherightoftheWorkspacedrop-downlist)andchooseShowMenuBar.Ifyou’rereallyandtrulyaLudditewheretheRibbonisconcerned,youcanreverttothe“classic”wayofdoingthingsbyeitheropeningtheWorkspacedrop-downontheQuickAccessToolbar,orbyclickingtheWorkspaceSwitchingbuttononthestatusbarandchoosingAutoCADClassic(AutoCADLTClassicinthatversion).Prestochange-o—suddenly,it’s2008!

Figure3-1:Howbaseismyplate.

Althoughthedraftingexampleinthischapterissimple,theproceduresthatitdemonstratesarereal,honest-to-CAD-ness,properdraftingpractice.Iemphasizefromthebeginningtheimportanceofproperdrawingsetup,puttingobjectsonappropriatelayers,anddrawingandeditingwithdueconcernforprecision.Someofthestepsinthischaptermayseemabitcomplicatedatfirst,buttheyreflectthewaythatexperiencedAutoCADuserswork.MygoalistohelpyoudevelopgoodCADhabitsanddothingstherightwayfromtheverystart.

Thestep-by-stepproceduresinthischapter,unlikethoseinmostchaptersofthisbook,formasequence.Youmustdothestepsinorder.FiguringouthowtouseAutoCADisalittlelikefiguringouthowtodrive,exceptthatwithAutoCAD,you’refreetostopinthemiddleofthestreetandtakeabreak.

IfyoufindthatobjectselectionoreditingfunctionsworkdifferentlyfromhowIdescribetheminthischapter,you(orsomeoneelse)probablychangedtheconfigurationsettingsontheOptiondialogbox’sSelectiontab.Chapter

10describesthesesettingsandhowtorestoretheAutoCADdefaults.

ASimpleSetupInthischapter,Iwalkyouthroughcreating,editing,viewing,andplottinganewdrawing—refertoFigure3-1ifyouwanttogetanideaofwhatthefinishedproductlookslike.Youcanfollowthesestepsusingeitherimperialormetricunits;Ishowmetricvaluesinbracketsaftertheimperialones,likethis:Type1.5[38]andpressEnter.

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd03.zip.Thezipfilecontainsimperialandmetricversionsofthebaseplateexerciseatvariousstages—theReadMefileonthedownloadstabhasadetaileddescriptionofthefiles.

PayattentiontoAutoCAD’sfeedback.GlanceatthemessagesAutoCADsendsaftereachstepviathecommandwindowatthebottomofthescreenortheDynamicInputtooltipnearthecrosshairssothatyoubegintogetfamiliarwiththenamesofcommandsandtheiroptions.(Ifyoudon’tseeanymessagesnexttothecrosshairsasyouusetheprogram,clicktheDynamicInputbuttononthestatusbar—ifyourstatusbardisplaysbuttoniconsratherthantextlabels,clickthebuttonwiththetooltipthatreads“DynamicInput.”)AsIdescribeinChapter4,drawingsetupisn’tasimpletaskinAutoCAD.Nonetheless,drawingsetupisanimportantpartofthejob,andifyoudon’tgetinthehabitofdoingitright,yourunintoendlessproblemslateron—especiallywhenyoutrytoplot.(SeeChapter16forthelowdownonplottingyourdrawings.)Inthisfirstsetofsteps,youcreateanewdrawingfromatemplate,changesomesettingstoestablisha1:10scale(thatis,1inchor1millimeteronthedrawingisequivalentto10inchesor10millimetersontherealobject),andsavethedrawing:

1.StartAutoCADbydouble-clickingitsshortcutontheWindowsdesktop.Ifyoudon’thaveanAutoCADshortcutonyourdesktop,chooseStart⇒[All]Programs⇒Autodesk⇒AutoCAD2012⇒AutoCAD2012.(ThelasttwowillbeAutoCADLT2012,ifthat’syourversion.)TheworkspacesinAutoCAD2012lookverysimilartooneanother.Tomakesureyou’reinthesameworkspacethatIam,lookattheWorkspacelabelatthe

leftsideoftheAutoCADwindow’stitlebar(ifyou’rerunningataverylowscreenresolution,youmayhavetoclickthelittlearrowattherightoftheQuickAccessToolbar).Ifitdoesn’tsayDrafting&Annotation,clickthelittleblackarrowonthebuttonandthenselectDrafting&Annotationfromthemenu.

2.ClicktheApplicationbutton—that’sthebigredAatthetopleftofthescreen—todisplaytheApplicationMenu.Then,clickNew,orhoverthemousepointeroverNewandselectDrawing.Don’tclicktheNewbuttonontheQuickAccessToolbar—usethemenu.IexplainwhyinChapter4,butjusthumormefornow.TheSelectTemplatedialogboxappearswithalistofdrawingtemplates(DWTfiles),whichyoucanuseasthestartingpointfornewdrawings.Chapter4describeshowtocreateandusedrawingtemplates.

3.Selectacad.dwt[acadiso.dwt],asshowninFigure3-2,andclickOpen.(ForAutoCADLT,selectacadlt.dwt[acadltiso.dwt].)AutoCADcreatesanew,blankdrawingthatusesthesettingsinacad.dwtoracadiso.dwt.Theacad.dwttemplate(acadlt.dwtinAutoCADLT)isAutoCAD’sdefault,plain-Janetemplatefordrawingsinimperialunits(unitsexpressedininchesand/orfeet).Theacadiso.dwt(acadltiso.dwtinAutoCADLT)templateisthecorrespondingversionfordrawingscreatedinmetricunits.Chapter4containsadditionalinformationabouttheseandothertemplates.

Figure3-2:Startinganewdrawingfromatemplate.

4.ClickallthebuttonsonthelefthalfofthestatusbarexceptDynamicInputuntiltheylookdimmed(they’llbegrayinsteadoflightblue).Ifyourstatusbardisplaysbuttoniconsratherthantextlabels,clickthebuttonwiththeDynamicInputtooltip.Someofthesesettingscanmakeselectingpointsdifficult.It’sbesttostartwiththemallturnedoffandthentogglethemonandoffasneeded.Itellyouwhichonestouseinthestepsthatfollow.

Ifyourstatus-barbuttonsshowiconsinsteadoftext,right-clickanybutton,clickUseIconstodeselecttheoptionanddisplaytextlabels.Youcanleavethemthatwayorright-clickandselectUseIconsagaintotoggletheicondisplaybackon.

5.TypeLIMITSandpressEnter.Drawinglimitsdefineyourworkingarea.AutoCADpromptsyoutoresetthemodelspacelimits.Fornow,ignoretheDynamicInputtooltipnexttothecrosshairsandlookatthecommandwindow.Thecommandlinereads

Specifylowerleftcorneror[ON/OFF]<0.0000,0.0000>:

6.PressEntertokeep0,0asthelower-left-cornervalue.AutoCADpromptsfortheupper-rightcorner.Thecommandlinereads

Specifyupperrightcorner<12.0000,9.0000>[<420.0000,297.0000>]:

7.Type100,50[2750,1250](nospaces)andpressEnter.AutoCADechoesthevaluesyouenteratthecommandline.100x50correspondsto10inchesby5inches(alittlesmallerthanan8.5-x-11-inchpieceofpaperturnedonitslongside)timesadrawingscalefactorof10(becauseyou’reeventuallygoingtoplotat1:10scale).Ifyou’reametricmaven,2750x1250correspondsto275mmby125mm(slightlysmallerthananISOA4sheetturnedlengthways)timesadrawingscalefactorof10(becauseyou,too,willeventuallyplotat1:10scale).SeeChapter4formoreinformationaboutdrawingscales.Tobehonest,settinglimitsisn’tveryimportantinAutoCADanymore—moderncomputerscanprocessmuchmoredatathantheycouldinthe1980swhenAutoCADfirstappeared—butitdoesmakeiteasiertoplotadrawingfrommodelspaceasyoudointhischapter.

8.Right-clicktheSnapModebuttononthestatusbarandchooseSettings.Ifyourstatusbardisplaysbuttoniconsratherthantextlabels,right-clickthebuttonwiththeSnapModetooltip.

TheSnapandGridtaboftheDraftingSettingsdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure3-3.(NotethatAutoCADLTlackssomeoptionsthatarepresentinthefullversionofAutoCAD.)

Figure3-3:SnapandGridsettings.

9.ChangethevaluesinthedialogboxsoitlookslikeFigure3-3:•SnapOn:Selected

Snapconstrainsyourcrosshairstomovinginaninvisiblegridofequallyspacedpoints(0.5[10]unitsapartinthiscase).

•GridOn:Selected

Griddisplaysavisiblegridoflittledotsorgridlinesonthescreen(5[100]unitsapartinthiscase),whichyoucanuseasreferencepoints.Thegriddoesn’tappearonprinteddrawings.

•SnapXSpacing:0.5[10]

•SnapYSpacing:0.5[10]

•GridXSpacing:5[100]

•GridYSpacing:5[100]

10.ClickOK.Youseeanetworkofgridlines,5[100]unitsapart,inthedrawingarea.Ifyoumoveyourmousepointeraroundandwatchthecoordinatedisplayareaattheleftsideofthestatusbar,younoticethatthevalueschangein0.5-unit[10-unit]increments.

11.ClickthetinydownarrowbelowtheZoombutton(theonewiththemagnifyingglass)ontheNavigationbar(attherightedgeofthedrawingareainFigure3-1),thenchooseZoomAllfromthemenu.AutoCADzoomsoutsothattheentireareadefinedbythelimitsisvisible.

12.ClicktheSavebuttonontheQuickAccessToolbarorpressCtrl+S.Becauseyouhaven’tsavedthedrawingyet,AutoCADopenstheSaveDrawingAsdialogbox.

13.NavigatetoasuitablefolderbychoosingfromtheSaveIndrop-downlistand/ordouble-clickingfoldersinthelistoffoldersbelowit.Rememberwhereyousavethefilesoyoucangobacktoitlater.

14.TypeanameintheFileNametextboxandclickSave.Forexample,typeDetailorMyPlateisBase.DependingonyourWindowsExplorersettings,youmayormaynotseethe.dwgextensionintheFileNametextbox.Inanycase,youdon’tneedtotypeit.AutoCADaddsitforyou.AutoCADsavesthenewDWGfiletothefolderyouspecifiedinStep13.

Whew—thatwasmoreworkthandiggingaposthole—andalljusttosetupasimpledrawing!Chapter4goesintomoredetailaboutdrawingsetupanddescribeswhyallthesegyrationsarenecessary.

Drawinga(Base)PlateWithaproperlyset-updrawing,you’rereadytodrawsomeobjects.Inthisexample,youusetheRECTANGcommandtodrawasteelbaseplateandcolumn,theCIRCLEcommandtodrawananchorbolt,andthePOLYGONcommandtodrawahexagonalnut.(BoththeRECTANGandPOLYGONcommandscreate

polylines—objectsthatcontainaseriesofstraight-linesegmentsand/orarcsegments.)IdescribethesedrawingcommandsinmoredetailinChapters8and9.

AutoCAD,likemostCADprograms,useslayersasanorganizingprincipleforalltheobjectsthatyoudraw.Chapter6describeslayersandotherobjectpropertiesindetail.Inthisexample,youcreateseparatelayersforthebaseplate,column,anchorbolts,andnuts.Thismightseemlikelayermadness,butwhenyou’redoingcomplexdrawings,youneedtousealotoflayersjusttokeepthingsorganized.

DrawingrectanglesontherightlayersThefollowingstepsdemonstratehowtocreateanduselayers,aswellashowtodrawrectangles.Youalsoseehowtoapplyfilletstoobjectsandoffsetthem.(Chapter6describeslayersindetail,andChapter8coverstheRECTANGcommand.Chapter11explainstheFILLETandOFFSETcommands.)StartbycreatingaColumnlayerandaPlatelayerandthendrawingarectangularcolumnontheColumnlayerandasquarebaseplateonthePlatelayer:

1.MakesurethatyoucompletethedrawingsetupintheprevioussectionofthischapterandhavethedrawingopeninAutoCAD.2.ClicktheHometabontheRibbon.You’llfindthemostfrequentlyusedcommandsfor2DdraftingtasksontheRibbon’sHometab.(Forarefresheronthecontentsoftheothertabs,refertothe“UnravelingtheRibbon”sectioninChapter2.)UnlessIdirectyouotherwise,lookontheHometabforthepanelsandbuttonsIspecifyinthefollowingsteps.

3.OntheLayerspanel,clicktheLayerPropertiesbutton.TheLayerPropertiesbuttonisattheupper-leftcorneroftheLayerspanel.TheLAYERcommandstarts,andAutoCADdisplaystheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.

4.ClicktheNewLayerbutton.AutoCADaddsanewlayertothelistandgivesitthedefaultnameLayer1(seeFigure3-4).

Figure3-4:Creatinganewlayer.

5.Typeamoresuitablenameforthelayeronwhichyou’lldrawthecolumnandpressEnter.Forthisexample,typeColumn.

6.Clickthecolorswatchorname(white)intheColumnlayerrow.TheSelectColordialogboxappears(seeFigure3-5).

Figure3-5:Blueisthecolor—selectitfromthestandardcolortiles.

7.Clickcolor5(blue)inthesingle,separaterowtotheleftoftheByLayerandByBlockbuttons,thenclickOK.TheSelectColordialogboxcloses,andAutoCADchangesthecoloroftheColumnlayertoblue.

8.WiththeLayerPropertiesManagerstillopen,repeatSteps4through7tocreateanewlayernamedPlateandsetitscolorto4(cyan).9.WithlayerPlatestillhighlighted,clicktheSetCurrentbutton(thegreencheckmark).Platebecomesthecurrentlayer,andeverythingyoudrawisplacedonthatlayeruntilyousetadifferentlayercurrent.

10.ClickClose(the“X”atthetop-leftcornerofthepaletteinFigure3-4)to

closetheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.TheLayerdrop-downlistontheHometab’sLayerspaneldisplaysPlateasthecurrentlayer.NowyoucandrawarectangularplateonthePlatelayer.YouprobablyalreadyknowthattheRECTANGcommandwilldrawarectangularplateforyou,butforthenextstep,pretendyoudon’t.

Youcanstartfromthispointwithdrawingafd03a-i.dwg[afd03a-m.dwg]availableintheafd03.zipdownloadatwww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fd.

11.ClicktheApplicationbutton,clickinsidetheSearcheditboxatthetopoftheApplicationMenu,andstarttypingRECT...AsyoutypeintotheSearchbox,AutoCADguesseswhatyoumightbelookingfor.Whenyou’vetypedenoughletters,thecommandyou’reprobablylookingforappearsatornearthetopoftheApplicationMenu.

12.When“Rectangle”appearsintheSearchresults,simplyclickthecommanditem.TheRECTANGcommandstarts,andAutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythefirstcornerpoint.Thecommandlineshows

Specifyfirstcornerpointor[Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:

13.Clickinthedrawingareaatthepoint32,7[800,175].BywatchingthecoordinatedisplayontheDynamicInputtooltip,youcanseethecoordinatesofthecurrentcrosshairslocation.BecauseSnapModeissetto0.5[10]units,youcanlandrightonthepoint32,7[800,175].Pickingthefirstcornerinthislocationgivesyouenoughroomtowork.AutoCADpromptsatthecommandline

Specifyothercornerpointor[Area/Dimensions/Rotation]:

14.Type36,36[900,900](withoutanyspaces)andpressEnter.MakesurethattheDynamicInputbuttonisonforthisstep.Ifit’snot,AutoCADtreatsaninputof36,36asabsolutecoordinates—thatis,36unitsaboveand36unitstotherightoftheorigin.WhenDynamicInputison,aninputof36,36istreatedas36unitsaboveand36unitstotherightofthelastpoint—inotherwords,asrelativetothelastpoint.SeeChapter7formoreinformationabouttypingabsoluteandrelativecoordinates.AutoCADdrawsthe36x36[900x900]rectangle,asshowninFigure3-6.It’sonthePlatelayerandinheritsthatlayer’scyancolor.Youdrawthecolumnnext,butfirstyouhavetochangelayers.

Figure3-6:Your(base)plateisempty.

15.OntheLayerspaneloftheHometab,clicktheLayerdrop-downlisttodisplaythelistoflayers.ClickColumntosetitasthecurrentlayer.UsingtheLayerdrop-downlistsavesyoufromhavingtoopentheLayerPropertiesManager,selectthelayer,andclicktheSetCurrentbutton.BecominganAutoCADmasterisallaboutefficiency!

16.Right-clickinanemptyareaofthescreentodisplaytheshortcutmenu.ChooseRepeatRECTANGtodrawanotherrectangle.Inthenextsteps,youcreateahollowsteelcolumn.

17.AttheSpecifyFirstCornerPointprompt,type44,16[1100,400]andpressEnter.18.AttheSpecifyOtherCornerPointprompt,type12,18[300,450]andpressEnter.Asecondrectangleisdrawninthemiddleofthebaseplate.Next,youroundthecornersofthecolumnwiththeFILLETcommandandthenuseOFFSETtogiveitsomethickness.

19.OntheHometab’sModifypanel,clicktheFilletbutton.TheFILLETcommandstarts,andAutoCADpromptsyoutoselectthefirst

object.Lookatthecommandlinetoseetheoptionsforthiscommand.Inthenextstep,youspecifya2-inch[50mm]radiusfillettoallfourcorners.

20.TypeRandpressEntertosetanewfilletradius.Type2[50]andpressEnter.AutoCADagainpromptsyoutoselectthefirstobject.Youcouldpickeachofthelinesateachcornerthatneedtobefilleted(that’seightpicks),butbecausethecolumnisacontinuouspolyline,inthiscaseamoreefficientmethodistousetheFILLETcommand’sPolylineoptiontofilletallfourcornersinonefellswoop.

21.TypePtochoosethePolylineoption,andthenpressEnter.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselecta2Dpolyline.Asyoumoveyourmousepointerovertherectangle,AutoCADshowsyouapreviewofwhatthefilletwilllooklike.

22.SelecttherectangleyoudrewinSteps16to18.Allfourcornersofthecolumnareroundedwitha2-inch[50-mm]radiusfillet.Next,offsetthepolylinetocreatea3/4-inch[19mm]thicksteelcolumn.

23.OntheModifypanel,clicktheOffsetbutton.24.AttheSpecifyOffsetDistanceprompt,type.75[19]andpressEnter.25.AttheSelectObjecttoOffsetprompt,clicktheroundedrectangle.AttheSpecifyPointonSidetoOffsetprompt,clickanywhereinsidetheroundedrectangle.PressEntertocompletethecommand.AutoCADoffsetstheselectedobjecttowardtheinsideoftheroundedrectangle(seeFigure3-7).

MakesureyourObjectSnapstatusbarbuttonistoggledoffforthisstep,orAutoCADmayoffsetyourobjectbackontopofitself.

26.ClicktheDynamicInputbuttononthestatusbarsothebuttonlooksdimmed.

Nowthatyou’vegivenDynamicInputatestdrive,turnitofffortherestofthischapter.Youknowhowtoturnitoffandon,andifyoulikeit,byallmeans,turnitonagainfortheremainderofthebook.Personally,Ithinkthatitgetsinthewaytoomuchtobetrulyuseful,soIrarelyuseit.

27.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.AutoCADsavesthedrawingandrenamesthepreviouslysavedversiondrawingname.bak—forexample,MyPlateisBase.bak..bakisAutoCAD’sextensionforabackupfile.

Figure3-7:GiveitsomethicknesswithOFFSET.

CirclingyourplateYoucanusetheCIRCLEcommandtodrawa11/2-inchdiameteranchorboltonanAnchorBoltslayerbyfollowingthesesteps:

1.RepeatSteps2through7intheprevioussectiontocreateanewlayerfortheanchorbolts.GivethelayerthenameAnchorBolts,assignitthecolor3(green),setitasthecurrentlayer,andthenclosetheLayerPropertiesManager.TheLayerdrop-downontheLayerspaneldisplaysAnchorBoltsasthecurrentlayer.

2.OntheHometab’sDrawpanel,clicktheCirclebutton.TheCIRCLEcommandstarts,andAutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythecenterpoint.Thecommandlineshows

Specifycenterpointforcircleor[3P/2P/Ttr(tantanradius)]:

3.Clickinthedrawingareaatpoint38,13[950,325].AutoCADasksyoutospecifythesizeofthecircle.Thecommandlineshows

Specifyradiusofcircleor[Diameter]:Youdecidethatyouwant11/2-inch[38mm]diameteranchorbolts.AutoCADisaskingforaradius.Althoughyoucanprobablyfigureouttheradiusofa11/2-inch[38mm]diametercircle,specifytheDiameteroptionandletAutoCADdothehardwork.

4.TypeDandpressEntertoselecttheDiameteroption.AutoCADpromptsyou:

Specifydiameterofcircle:5.Type1.5[38]andpressEnter.AutoCADdrawsthe11/2-inch[38mm]diametercircle.It’sontheAnchorBoltslayerandinheritsthatlayer’sgreencolor(seeFigure3-8).

6.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Figure3-8:AnchoritwithCIRCLE.

PlacingyourpolygonEverygoodboltdeservesanut.UsethePOLYGONcommandtodrawahexagonalshapeonaNutslayer(well,whatelsewouldyoucallit?).Besidesshowingyouhowtodrawpolygons,thesestepsintroduceyoutoacoupleofAutoCAD’smoreusefulprecisiontechniques:objectsnapsandOrthoMode.

1.RepeatSteps2through7inthe“Drawingrectanglesontherightlayers”section,earlierinthischapter,tocreateanewlayerforthenutsandsetthenewlayercurrent.GivethelayerthenameNutsandassignitthecolor1(red).TheLayerdrop-downlistdisplaysNutsasthecurrentlayer.

Youdon’thavetocreateaseparatelayerforeverytypeofobjectthat

youdraw.Forexample,youcoulddrawboththeanchorboltsandnutsonalayercalledHardware.Layernamesandusagedependonindustryandofficepractices,inadditiontoacertainamountofindividualjudgment.Havingtoomanylayersisbetterthanhavingtoofewbecauselumpingtwoormorelayerstogetherismucheasierthandividingtheobjectsononelayerintotwoormorelayers.TheRibbon’sstandardpanelsaren’tbigenoughtocontainabuttonforeverycommand,soAutoCADhidestheonesthatdon’tfitindrop-downbuttonsorslideoutpanelsthatyouopenbyclickingthepanellabel.Asmalldown-pointingtrianglebesidethepanelnamemeansthere’saslideoutwithmorecommandsavailable.

2.OntheHometab’sDrawpanel,clickthePolygonbutton—theonethatlookslikeaplanofthePentagon.Ifthisisthefirsttimeyou’vedrawnapolygon,itsbuttonishidingundertheRectangletoolbutton.Lookforthebuttonshowingarectanglewithlittlecirclesattwocorners.Clickthedownarrowbesidethatbutton,andthenclickPolygon.ThePOLYGONcommandstarts,andAutoCADpromptsyouasfollows:

Enternumberofsides<4>:PeekaheadtoFigure3-9togetanideaofhowthenutwilllookafteryoudrawit.Four-sidednutscanbealittledifficulttoadjustintherealworld,soIstickwiththeconventionalhexagonalsort.

3.Type6andpressEnter.AutoCADnextpromptsyouforthecenterofthepolygon:

Specifycenterofpolygonor[Edge]:Inthenextsteps,youuseoneofAutoCAD’sprecisiondraftingmodes:ObjectSnap.IexplainobjectsnapsindetailinChapter7,butfornow,justfollowalonghere.

4.ClicktheObjectSnapbuttononthestatusbartoturnonObjectSnapmode.WhenObjectSnapisenabled,thebuttonappearslightblueandthecommandpromptshows<Osnapon>.Asyoumovethecrosshairsaroundneartheanchorbolt,noticethatAutoCADtendstopullthecrosshairstocertainpointsonexistingobjects.

5.Movethecrosshairsovertheanchorboltyoujustdrew.AtooltipshouldshowCenterandpullthecrosshairstothecenteroftheanchor-boltcircle.Ifyoudon’tseeaCenterobjectsnapmarkerortooltip,thenright-clicktheObjectSnapbuttonandclickCenter.Youmayalsoseetrackingvectorsacrossthescreenfromthispoint—youcanignorethose.

6.ClickwhenthetooltipreadsCenter—notCenter-Intersectionor

somethingsimilar—justCenter.ThePOLYGONcommanddrawsregularclosedpolygonsbasedonanimaginarycircle;thecenterofthisimaginarycircleisthepointyoujustpicked.AutoCADpromptsyou:

Enteranoption[Inscribedincircle/Circumscribedaboutcircle]<I>:

7.PressEntertoacceptthedefaultInscribedinCircleoption.

TheInscribedoptiondrawsapolygonwhosecornerstouchthecircumferenceoftheimaginarycircle.TheCircumscribedoptiondrawsapolygonwhosesidesaretangenttothecircumferenceofthecircle.AutoCADthenasksyouto

Specifyradiusofcircle:8.TurnonOrthoModebyclickingtheOrthoModebuttononthestatusbaruntilyousee<Orthoon>onthecommandline.Orthomodeforcesthecrosshairstomoveorthogonally—thatis,inaprecisehorizontalorverticaldirection.(IdescribeOrthomodemorefullyinChapter7.)

9.Movethemousepointertotherightsothetopandbottomsidesofthepolygonarehorizontal,butdon’tclickyet!10.Type1.5[38]andpressEnter.AutoCADdrawsthenut,asshowninFigure3-9.It’sontheNutslayerandinheritsthatlayer’sredcolor.

Thedrawingafd03b-i.dwg[afd03b-m.dwg]containedintheafd03.zipdownloadincludesthebaseplate,column,andoneanchorbolt.Ifyournut-and-boltlooksjustlikeFigure3-9,waytogo—youdiditright!If,bychance,yourboltiscompletelyinsidethecircle,youprobablymissedStep4ofthe“Circlingyourplate”section,earlierinthischapter,whereItellyoutousetheCIRCLEcommand’sDiameteroption.

Figure3-9:Boltsandnuts...readytoanchor.

11.TurnoffOrthomodeandobjectsnapbyclickingtheOrthoModeandObjectSnapbuttonsonthestatusbaruntiltheylookdimmedandyousee<Orthooff>and<Osnapoff>onthecommandline.Occasionally,OrthoModeandobjectsnapsinterferewithdraftinginAutoCAD.Disablingthem(asyoudointhisstep)keepsthemfrombeingaproblem.

12.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Notmuchofabaseplateyet,isit?Butdon’tworry—Icovercreatingmorenutsandboltswitheditingcommandsinthesection“ModifyingtoMakeItMerrier,”laterinthischapter.Ifyourbrainisfeelingfull,nowisagoodtimetotakeabreakandgolookoutthewindow.IfyouexitAutoCAD,justrestarttheprogramandreopenyourdrawingwhenyou’rereadytocontinue.

GettingaCloserLookwithZoomandPanTheexampledrawinginthischapterisprettyunclutteredandsmall,butmostrealCADdrawingsareneitherofthose.Technicaldrawingsareusuallyjam-packed

withlines,text,anddimensions.CADdrawingsoftengetplottedonsheetsofpaperthatmeasuretwotothreefeetonaside—that’sinthehundredsofmillimeters,ifyou’reametricmaven.Anyonewhoownsamonitorthatlargeprobablycanaffordtohireawholeroomofdrafters(andthereforeisn’treadingthisbook).Youneedtozoomandpaninyourdrawings—alot.IcoverzoomingandpanningindetailinChapter12.Quickdefinitionsshouldsufficefornow:

Zoommeanschangingthemagnificationofthedisplay.Whenyouzoomin,youmoveclosertothedrawingobjectssoyoucanseedetail,andwhenyouzoomout,youmovefartherawaysoyoucanseemoreofthedrawingarea.

Panmeansmovingfromoneareatoanotherwithoutchangingthemagnification.Ifyou’veusedthescrollbarsinanyapplication,you’vepannedthedisplay.

Zoomingandpanningfrequentlyletsyouseethedetailsbetter,drawmoreconfidently(becauseyoucanseewhatyou’redoing),andeditmorequickly(becauseobjectselectioniseasierwhenazillionobjectsaren’tonthescreen).

Fortunately,zoomingandpanninginAutoCADisassimpleasitisnecessary.ThefollowingstepsdescribehowtouseAutoCAD’sZoomandPanRealtimefeature,whichisprettyeasytooperateandprovidesalotofflexibility.Chapter12coversadditionalzoomandpanoptions.

Tozoomandpaninyourdrawing,followthesesteps:

1.Right-clickinablankareaofthedrawingandchooseZoomfromtheshortcut(right-click)menu.TheRealtimeoptionoftheZOOMcommandstarts.Thecrosshairschangetoamagnifyingglass,andAutoCADpromptsyouatthecommandlineasfollows:

PressESCorENTERtoexit,orright-clicktodisplayshortcutmenu.

2.Movethecrosshairsnearthemiddleofthescreen,pressandholdtheleftmousebutton,anddragthemousepointerupanddownuntilthebaseplatealmostfillsthescreen.Asyoucansee,draggingupincreasesthezoommagnification,anddraggingdowndecreasesit.

3.Right-clickinthedrawingareatodisplaytheZoom/PanRealtimemenu(asshowninFigure3-10),andchoosePanfromthemenu.Themagnifying-glasspointerchangestoahand.

4.Clickanddragtopanthedrawinguntiltheplateismoreorlesscentered

inthedrawingarea.

You’renotmovingtheplate,althoughitmaylooklikeit.You’removingyourviewingpositionwhiletheplatestaysput.Nevermovedrawingobjectsifyoujustwanttoviewthemfromadifferentposition.Youcanusetheright-clickmenutotogglebackandforthbetweenZoomandPanasmanytimesasyoulike.Ifyougetlost,chooseZoomOriginalorZoomExtentstoreturntoarecognizableview.

Figure3-10:TheZoom/PanRealtimeright-clickmenu.

5.Right-clickinthedrawingareaandchooseExitfromtheZoom/PanRealtimemenu.

ThehandpointerreturnstothenormalAutoCADcrosshairs.

ModifyingtoMakeItMerrierWhenyouhaveabetterviewofyourbaseplate(whichItalkaboutintheprecedingsection),youcanedittheobjectsonitmoreeasily.Inthefollowingsections,youusetheARRAYcommandtoaddmoreanchorbolts,theSTRETCHcommandtochangetheshapeoftheplate,andtheHATCHcommandtoaddcrosshatchingtothecolumn.(Asalways,Icoverthesecommandsindetaillaterinthebook.)

Hip-hip-array!UsingtheARRAYcommandisagreatwaytogenerateabunchofnewobjectsfromexistingobjectsatregularanglesorspacing.Thearraypatterncanberectangular(thatis,columnsandrowsofobjects),polar(inacirclearoundacenterpoint,likethespokesofawheelarounditshub),oritcanfollowapath.

AutoCAD2012introducesasophisticatednewmethodofarrayingobjects—IexplainitindetailinChapter18.Inthischapter,Iintroducethesimpler,old-stylearrayfeature.

Inthisexample,youusearectangulararraytocreatethreeadditionalanchorbolts:

1.Type–ARRAYandpressEnter(don’tomitthehyphen!).TypingahypheninfrontofacommandnametellsAutoCADyouwanttousethecommandlineratherthanadialogboxtospecifyvaluesforthearray.Theold-styleARRAYcommandstartsatthecommandline,andAutoCADpromptsyoutoselecttheobjectsyouwanttoarray.

2.Clicktheanchorboltandthenclickthenut.

Ifyouencounteranyproblemswhiletryingtoselectobjects,presstheEsckeyacoupleoftimestocancelthecommand;thenrestartthe–ARRAYcommandandtryagain.AutoCADcontinuestopromptyouatthecommandline:

Selectobjects:1found,2total3.PressEnterorright-clicktoendobjectselection.

YouspecifytheparametersofanarraybyfirsttellingAutoCADwhetheryouwantarectangularorpolar(circular)array.Arectangulararraycreatesregularlyspacedrowsandcolumns.Nextyouspecifythenumberofrowsandthenumberofcolumns,andthenthespacingbetweenrowsandthespacingbetweencolumns.AutoCADprompts:

Enterthetypeofarray[Rectangular/Polar]<R>:4.TypeRandpressEntertoacceptarectangulararray.AutoCADprompts:

Enterthenumberofrows(---)<1>:AutoCADwantstoknowhowmanyrowsandcolumnsyouwant.BecausethesourceobjectisincludedinAutoCADarrays,youmustspecifytworowsandtwocolumnsofbolts.

5.Type2andpressEnter.Atthenextpromptforthenumberofcolumns,type2andpressEnteragain.AutoCADprompts:

Enterthedistancebetweenrowsorspecifyunitcell(---):

Almostdone!TocompletethearrayyoutellAutoCADthespacingbetweenrowsandcolumns.

6.Type24[600]andpressEnter.AttheEnterdistancebetweencolumnsprompt,type24[600]andpressEnteragain.AutoCADaddstheadditionalobjectstothedrawing,asshowninFigure3-11.

7.Ifanythinglookswrong,typeUorclickUndotodeletethearrayandstartagain.Unfortunately,thecommandlineisnotasforgivingasadialogbox!

8.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Figure3-11:Buttoned-downbaseplate.

Perfect!Exceptthatnutbarengineerhasdecidedthecolumnneedstobe18x18inches[450x450mm]insteadof12x18inches[300x450mm—unfortunately,therearejustasmanymetricnutbarsasimperialones].Andthatmeansthebaseplateistoosmall,andtheanchorboltsareinthewrongplace,too.Ifyouwereworkingonthedrawingboard,you’dbegettingoutaneraserrightaboutnowandrubbingoutallyourefforts.AutoCADtotherescue!

Thedrawingafd03c-i.dwg[afd03c-m.dwg]containedintheafd03.zipdownloadaddstheremaininganchorbolts.

StretchingoutTheSTRETCHcommandispowerfulbutalittlecomplicated—itcanstretchormoveobjects,dependingonhowyouselectthem.ThekeytousingSTRETCHisspecifyingacrossingselectionboxproperly.(Chapter10givesyoumoredetailsaboutcrossingboxesandhowtousethemwiththeSTRETCHcommand.)

Followthesestepstostretchthecolumnandbaseplate:

1.OntheModifypanel,clicktheStretchbutton—theonewiththecornerofarectanglebeingstretched.TheSTRETCHcommandstarts,andAutoCADpromptsyoutoselectobjects.Thisisoneofthosetimes(andoneofthosecommands)thatreallydoesrequireyoutolookatthecommandline:

Selectobjectstostretchbycrossing-windoworcrossing-

polygon...

Selectobjects:

2.Clickapointaboveandtotherightoftheupper-rightcorneroftheplate(Point1inFigure3-12).

Figure3-12:SpecifyingacrossingboxfortheSTRETCHcommand.

3.Movethecrosshairsdownandtotheleft.Thepointerchangestoadashedrectangleenclosingarectangulargreenarea,whichindicatesthatyou’respecifyingacrossingbox.AutoCADpromptsyouatthecommandlineasfollows:

Selectobjects:Specifyoppositecorner:

4.Clickapointbelowtheplate,roughlyunderthecenterofthecolumn(Point2inFigure3-12).ThecrossingboxmustcutthroughtheplateandcolumninorderfortheSTRETCHcommandtowork(refertoFigure3-12).AutoCADpromptsyouatthecommandline:

Selectobjects:Specifyoppositecorner:7found

Selectobjects:

5.PressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythebasepoint.

6.Ifthey’renotalreadyon,turnonSnapMode,OrthoMode,andObjectSnapbyclickingtheirrespectivebuttonsonthestatusbaruntiltheyappearhighlighted.7.Moveyourmousepointeroverthelower-rightcorneroftheplate,andclickwhenyouseeasquareboxwithan“Endpoint”tooltip.Thispointservesasthebasepointforthestretchoperation.Chapter11describesbasepointsanddisplacementsingreaterdetail.AutoCADpromptsyouatthecommandline:

Specifysecondpointor<usefirstpointasdisplacement>:

8.Movethecrosshairstotherightuntilthetooltipshowsadisplacementof6[150]unitstotheright,andthenclickinthedrawingspace(seeFigure3-13).AutoCADstretchesthecolumnandplatebythedistancethatyouindicateandmovestheanchorboltsthatwerecompletelyinsidethecrossingwindowrectangle,asshowninFigure3-13.

Ifyourfirststretchdidn’tworkright,pressCtrl+Zandtryagain.STRETCHisanimmenselyusefulcommand—onethatmakesyouwonderhowdraftersusedtodoitallwitherasersandpencils—butitdoestakesomepracticetogetthehangofthosecrossingboxes.

9.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Figure3-13:Stretchingthebaseplate.

Thedrawingafd03d-i.dwg[afd03d-m.dwg]containedintheafd03.zipdownloadisthestretchedversionofthebaseplate.

CrossingyourhatchesYourfinaleditingtaskistoaddsomecrosshatchingtothespacebetweentheinsideandoutsideedgesofthecolumntoindicatethatthedrawingshowsasectionofthecolumn.Todoso,followthesesteps:

1.TurnoffSnap,Ortho,andObjectSnapModesbyclickingtheirrespectivebuttonsonthestatusbaruntiltheylookdimmed.2.RepeatSteps2through7fromthe“Drawingrectanglesontherightlayers”section(earlierinthischapter)tocreateanewlayernamedHatch.Setitscolorto6(magenta)andmakeitthecurrentlayer.3.OntheHometab’sDrawpanel,clicktheHatchbutton—theonethatshowsthefinecrosshatchinginsideasquare.

TheHatchCreationtabappearsontheRibbon.Formoreinformationonthistab,andhatchingingeneral,seeChapter15.

4.IntheHatchCreationtab’sPatternpanel,clicktheHatchPatternbuttonandselectANSI31.Dependingonyourscreenresolutionthepanelsmayshowmoreorlessinformation.YoumayseeanANSI31swatchwithouthavingtoclicktheHatchPatternbutton.Asyoumoveyourcrosshairsoverthedrawingobjects,alivepreviewshowsyoutheresultifyouclickatthecurrentcrosshairposition.AutoCADprompts

Pickinternalpointor[Selectobjects/seTtings]:

5.Movethecrosshairssothey’rebetweentheinsideandoutsideedgesofthecolumn.Zoominifyouneedtogetcloser.ThelivepreviewshowstheANSI31hatchpatternfillingthespacebetweenthetwofilletedrectangles.Livepreviewnotonlyshowsyouthepattern,italsoletsyouadjusthatchangleandscale.Inthiscase,itlookslikethehatchpatternmaybetoofine.

6.IntheScaleboxoftheHatchCreationtab’sPropertiespanel,changethevalueto5andpresstheTabkeytoconfirmit.7.Moveyourcrosshairsbacktothespacebetweenthetwofilletedrectanglestopreviewthehatchagain.Ifitlooksokay,clickwithinthehatchedareatoconfirmthehatchobject,thenpressEntertofinishthecommand.YourfinishedcolumnandbaseplatelookslikeFigure3-14.

Figure3-14:Yourcolumnishatched.

8.ClickthetinyarrowbelowtheZoombuttonontheNavigationbarandchooseZoomAllfromthemenu.AutoCADzoomsoutsothattheentireareadefinedbythelimitsisvisible.

9.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Aftersomedrawingandediting,youmaywonderhowyou’resupposedtoknowwhentoturnofforonthevariousstatusbarmodes(Snap,Grid,Ortho,ObjectSnap,andsoon).You’llstarttogetaninstinctivesenseofwheneachmodeisusefulandwhenitgetsintheway.Insubsequentchaptersofthisbook,Igiveyousomemorespecificguidelines.

Drawingafd03e-i.dwg[afd03e-m.dwg]availableintheafd03.zipdownloadisthecompletedbaseplate.Howdoesitcomparewithyourversion?

FollowingthePlotLookingatdrawingsonacomputerscreenandexchangingthemwithothersviae-mailorWebsitesisallwellandgood.Butsoonerorlater,someone—maybeyou!—willwanttoseeaprintedversion.Printingdrawings—orplotting,asCADgeeksliketocallit—ismuchmorecomplicatedthanprintingaword-processingdocumentoraspreadsheet.That’sbecauseyouhavetoworryaboutthingssuchasdrawingscale,lineweights,titleblocks,andweirdpapersizes.IgodeeperintoplottinginChapter16,butthissectiongivesyouanabbreviatedprocedurethatcanhelpyougeneratearecognizableprinteddrawing.

Thefollowingstepsshowyouhowtoplotthemodelspaceportionofthedrawing.AsChapter5describes,AutoCADincludesasophisticatedfeature—paperspacelayouts—forcreatingarrangementsofyourdrawingthatyouplot.Thesearrangementsusuallyincludeatitleblock.BecauseIpromisedyouagentletourofAutoCADdraftingfunctions,I’vesavedthediscussionofpaperspacelayoutandtitleblocksforabitlater.Whenyou’rereadyforthewholeplottingenchilada,turntoChapter5forinformationabouthowtosetuppaperspacelayouts;seeChapter16forfullplottinginstructions.

Followthesestepstoplotadrawing:

1.ClickthePlotbuttonontheQuickAccessToolbar.TheQuickAccessToolbarisattheleftendoftheprogram’stitlebar,justtotherightoftheApplicationbutton.ThePloticonlookslikeanordinarydesktopprinter.AutoCADopensthePlot-Modeldialogbox,withthetitlebarshowingwhatyou’replotting(modelspace,inthiscase).

2.ClicktheMoreOptionsbutton(inthebottom-rightcornerofthedialogbox,nexttotheHelpbutton).ThePlotdialogboxrevealsadditionalsettings,asshowninFigure3-15.

Figure3-15:ThePlotdialogboxwiththeMoreOptionsareavisible.

3.InthePrinter/Plotterarea,selectaprinterfromtheNamedrop-downlist.4.InthePaperSizearea,usethedrop-downlisttoselectapapersizethat’sloadedinyourprinterorplotter.AnythingLettersize(81/2x11inches)[A4(210x297mm)]orlargerworksforthisexample.

5.InthePlotArea,selectLimitsfromthedrop-downlist.Thisistheentiredrawingarea,whichyouspecifiedwhenyousetupthedrawinginthesection“ASimpleSetup,”earlierinthischapter.

6.InthePlotOffsetarea,selecttheCenterthePlotcheckbox.Alternatively,youcanspecifyoffsetsof0orotheramountsinordertopositiontheplotataspecificlocationonthepaper.

7.InthePlotScalearea,deselecttheFittoPapercheckboxandchoose1:10fromtheScaledrop-downlist.1:10isthescaleusedtosetupthedrawing(whichIexplaininthesection“ASimpleSetup,”earlierinthischapter).Noprizesforguessingthemetricequivalentof1:10!

8.InthePlotStyleTable(PenAssignments)area,clickthedrop-downlist

andchoosemonochrome.ctb.Themonochrome.ctbplotstyletableensuresthatallyourlinesappearsolidblack,ratherthanasdifferentcolorsorweirdshadesofgray.SeeChapter16forinformationaboutplotstyletables,andmonochromeandcolorplotting.

9.ClickYeswhenaquestiondialogboxappears,askingAssignThisPlotStyleTabletoAllLayouts?Youcanleavetheremainingsettingsattheirdefaultvalues(refertoFigure3-15).

Someprintersletyouprintclosertotheedgesofthesheetthandoothers.Tofindouttheactualprintableareaofyourownprinter,movethemousepointertothepostage-stamp-sizepartialpreviewinthemiddleofthePlotdialogboxandpause.Atooltipappears,listingthePaperSizeandPrintableAreafortheprinterandthepapersizethatyouselected.

10.ClickthePreviewbutton.IftheplotscaleyouenteredinthePlotdialogboxisoutofsyncwiththedrawing’sannotationscale,aPlotScaleConfirmdialogboxappears,advisingyouthattheannotationscaleisn’tequaltotheplotscale.Thisdrawingdoesn’tcontainanytextordimensions,andIdidn’tbothermakingthehatchannotative,soit’sfinetoclickContinueandgeneratetheplot.

Annotativescalingcontrolstheprintedsizeoftext,dimensions,hatching,andothertypesofannotationobjectsatplottime—aslongasthedrawing’sannotationscalematchestheplotscale.IexplainannotativeobjectsinChapter13.ThePlotdialogboxdisappearstemporarily,andAutoCADshowshowtheplotwilllookonpaper.Inaddition,AutoCADpromptsyouonthestatusbarasfollows:

Presspickbuttonanddragverticallytozoom,ESCorENTERtoexit,orright-clicktodisplayshortcutmenu.

11.Right-clickinthepreviewareaandchooseExit.12.Ifthepreviewdoesn’tlookright,adjustthesettingsinthePlotdialogboxandlookatthepreviewagainuntilitlooksright.13.ClickOK.ThePlotScaleConfirmdialogboxpopsupagain.YoumaybetemptedtoclickAlwaysContinueUnderTheseConditions,butIrecommendagainstthatuntilyou’vegainedalittlefamiliaritywithannotativeobjects.ThePlotdialogboxcloses.AutoCADgeneratestheplotandsendsittothe

printer.Aftergeneratingtheplot,AutoCADdisplaysaPlotandPublishJobCompleteballoonnotificationfromtherightendofthestatusbar.(AClicktoViewPlotandPublishDetailslinkdisplaysmoreinformationabouttheplotjob.)

14.ClicktheX(Close)buttoninthePlotandPublishJobCompleteballoonnotification.Theballoonnotificationdisappears.

Ifyou’renothappywiththelineweightsofthelinesonyourplotatthispoint,fearnot.Youcanusethelineweightsfeature(Chapter6)orplotstyles(Chapter16)tocontrolplottedlineweights.

15.PressCtrl+Stosavethedrawing.

Congratulations!YousuccessfullyexecutedyourfirstplotinAutoCAD.Chapter16tellsyoumore—muchmore—aboutAutoCAD’shighlyflexible(butoccasionallyperplexing)plottingsystem.

Chapter4

SetupforSuccess

InThisChapter

Developingasetupstrategy

Startinganewdrawing

Settingupmodelspace

Creatingandusingdrawingtemplates

Surprisingly,drawingsetupisoneofthetrickieraspectsofusingAutoCAD.It’saneasythingtodoincompletelyorincorrectly,andAutoCAD2012doesn’tprovidea

simple,one-clicktooltohelpyoudoallofitright.Andyet,drawingsetupisacrucialthingtogetright.Setupstepsthatyouomitordon’tdorightmaycomebacktobiteyoulater.

Sloppysetupreallybecomesapparentwhenyoutrytoplot(print)yourdrawing.Thingsthatseemedmoreorlessokayasyouzoomedaroundonthescreenaresuddenlythewrongsizeorscaleonpaper.AndnothingbrandssomeoneasanaïveAutoCADwannabeasquicklyastheinabilitytoplotadrawingattherightsizeandscale.Chapter5coversplottingsetupprocedures,buttheinformationinthischapterisanecessaryprerequisitetosuccessfulplottingandsheetsetup.Ifyoudon’tgetthisstuffright,there’sagoodchanceyou’llfindthat...theplotsickens.

Thischapterdescribesthedecisionsyouneedtomakebeforeyousetupanewdrawing,showsthestepsfordoingacompleteandcorrectsetup,anddemonstrateshowtosavesetupsettingsforreuse.

Don’tassumethatyoucanjustcreateanewblankDWGfileandstartdrawingthings.Doreadthischapterbeforeyougettoodeepintothelaterchaptersinthisbook.ManyAutoCADdrawingcommandsandconceptsdependonproperdrawingsetup,soyou’llhaveamucheasiertimedrawingandeditingthingsifyou’vedoneyoursetuphomework.Afewminutesinvestedinsettingupadrawingwellcansavehoursofthrashingaroundlateron.

Afteryou’vedigestedthedetaileddrawingsetupproceduresdescribedinthisandthefollowingchapter,usetheAutoCADDrawingSetupRoadmapontheCheatSheet(whichyoucanfindatthisbook’scompanionWebsiteatwww.dummies.com/cheatsheet/autocad2012)asaquickreferencetoguideyouthroughtheprocess.

ASetupRoadmapYouhavetosetupAutoCADcorrectly,partlybecauseAutoCADissoflexibleandpartlybecause,well,you’redoingCAD—computer-aideddrafting(ordesign).Thecomputercan’taidyourdrafting(ordesign)ifyoudon’tclueitinonthingslikesystemofmeasure,drawingscale,papersize,andunits.Inthiscontext,thefollowingfactshelpexplainwhyAutoCADdrawingsetupisimportant:

Electronicpaper:Themostimportantthingyoucandotomakeusing

AutoCADfunistoworkonacorrectly-set-updrawingsothatyourscreenactslikepaper,onlysmarter.Whendrawingonrealpaper,youconstantlyhavetotranslatebetweenunitsonthepaperandthereal-lifeunitsoftheobjectyou’redrawing.ButwhendrawinginAutoCAD’ssmarterpaper,youdrawdirectlyinreal-lifeunits—feetandinches,millimeters,orwhateveryoutypicallyuseonyourprojects.AutoCADcanthencalculatedistancesanddimensionsforyouandaddthemtothedrawing.Youcanmakethemousepointerjumpdirectlytopresetintervalson-screen,andavisible,resizablegridgivesyouabettersenseofthescaleofyourdrawing.However,thissmart-paperfunctionworkswellonlyifyoutellAutoCADsomecrucialparametersforyourspecificdrawing.AutoCADcan’treallydoitsjobuntilyoutellithowtowork.

Dead-treespaper:Creatingagreatdrawingon-screenthatdoesn’tfitwellonpaperisalltooeasy.AfteryoufinishcreatingyourdrawingonthesmartpaperthatAutoCADprovideson-screen,youusuallyhavetoplotitonthegoodold-fashionedreal-worldpaperthatpeoplehaveusedforthousandsofyears.Atthatpoint,youmustdealwiththefactthatpeopleliketousecertainstandardpapersizesanddrawingscales.(Mostpeoplealsolikeeverythingtofitneatlyononesheetofpaper.)IfyousetupAutoCADcorrectly,goodplottingistheautomaticresult;ifnot,plottingtimecanbecomeonecolossalhassle.

Itain’teasy:AutoCADprovidestemplatesandSetupWizardsforyou,butthetemplatesdon’tworkwellunlessyouunderstandthem,andsomeofthewizardsdon’tworkwellevenifyoudounderstandthem.ThisdeficiencyisoneofthemajorweaknessesinAutoCAD.Youmustfigureoutonyourown(withthehelpofthisbook,ofcourse)howtomaketheprogramworkright.Ifyoujustplungeinwithoutcarefullysettingup,yourdrawingandprintingeffortsarelikelytowinduparealmess.

Fortunately,settingupAutoCADcorrectlyisabitlikefollowingaroadmaptoanewdestination.Althoughthedirectionsforperformingyoursetuparecomplex,youcanmasterthemwithattentionandpractice.Evenmorefortunately,thischapterprovidesadetailedandfield-testedroute.Andsoon,you’llknowtheroutelikethebackofyourhand.

Whileyou’reworkinginAutoCAD,alwayskeepinmindwhatyourfinaloutputshouldlooklikeonrealpaper.Evenyourfirstprinteddrawingsshouldlookjustlikehand-drawnones—onlywithoutallthoseerasersmudges.

Beforeyoustartthedrawing-setupprocess,youneedtomakedecisionsaboutyournewdrawing.Thefollowingfourquestionsareabsolutelycritical;ifyoudon’tanswerthemoryouranswersarewrong,you’llprobablyneedtoreworkthedrawinglater:

Whatsystemofmeasure—metricorimperial—willyouuse?

Whatdrawingunitswillyouuse?

Atwhatscale—orscales—willyouplotit?

Onwhatsizepaperdoesitneedtofit?

Insomecases,youcandeferansweringoneadditionalquestion,butit’susuallybettertodealwithitupfront:Whatkindofborderortitleblockdoesyourdrawingrequire?

Ifyou’reinahurry,it’stemptingtofindanexistingdrawingthatwassetupforthedrawingscaleandpapersizethatyouwanttouse,makeacopyofthatDWGfile,erasetheobjects,andstartdrawing.Usethisapproachwithcare,though.Whenyoustartfromanotherdrawing,youinheritanysetupmistakesthatmaylurkinthatdrawing.Also,drawingsthatwerecreatedinmucholderversionsofAutoCADmaynottakeadvantageofcurrentprogramfeaturesandCADpractices.IfyoucanfindasuitabledrawingthatwassetupinarecentversionofAutoCADbyanexperiencedpersonwhowasconscientiousaboutdoingsetupright,thenconsiderusingit.Otherwiseyou’rebetteroffsettingupanewdrawingfromscratch.

ChoosingyourunitsAutoCADisextremelyflexibleaboutdrawingunits;itletsyouhavethemyourway.Usually,youchoosethetypeofunitsthatyounormallyusetotalkaboutwhateveryou’redrawing:feetandinchesforabuildingintheUnitedStates,millimetersforametricscrew,andsoon.

Speakingofmillimeters,there’sanotherchoiceyouhavetomakeevenbeforeyouchooseyourunitsofmeasure,andthat’syoursystemofmeasure.

Enterthemetricsystem. . .or,“Let’s forgeteverythingwe learnedaboutmeasuringstuffandstartoveragain!”All(well,nearlyall)theworldismetric.Insteadofasystemoflinearmeasurebasedontwelves,of

volumemeasurebasedonsixteens,andoftemperaturemeasurebasedonwhoknowswhat,metricbasesall typesofmeasureontens.(Ofcourse,ForDummiesbooksare in themetricvanguardbecauseeverysingleForDummiestitleincludesaPartofTens.)

Themetricsystemfirstgainedatoehold(tentoes,ofcourse)inFranceduringtheRevolution.Overtime,itbecameapparentthatsomestandardizationwascalledfor,andamerecenturyandahalflater,SIMetricbecamethatstandard.SIisshortforSystemeInternationald’Unites.(That’s International System of Units in English. Isn’t it great to speak more than onelanguage?)

TheUnitedStatesmaybelatecomingtotheparty,buttheU.S.federalgovernmenthasmadeacommitment to adopt SI Metric. For more information, point your browser to the NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 814(http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Metric/pub814.cfm).

Mostoftheworldabandonedlocalsystemsofmeasuregenerationsago.Evenwidelyadoptedonesliketheimperialsystemhavemostlyfallenbythewayside,justliketheirdrivingforce,theBritishEmpire.Except,ofcourse,intheUnitedStates,wherefeet,inches,pounds,gallons,anddegreesFahrenheitstillrule.

Duringdrawingsetup,youchoosesettingsforLengthunits(formeasuringlinearobjectsanddistances)andAngleunits(formeasuringanglesbetweennonparallelobjectsorpointsonarcsorcircles)intheDrawingUnitsdialogbox,asshowninFigure4-1.(Ishowyouhowtospecifythesesettingsinthesection“Settingyourunits,”laterinthischapter.)AutoCAD’sLengthunittypesareasfollows:

Architecturalunitsarebasedinfeetandinchesandusefractionstorepresentpartialinches.

Decimalunitsareunitless—thatis,they’renotbasedonanyparticularreal-worldunit.Withdecimalunits,eachunitinthedrawingcouldrepresentaninch,amillimeter,acubit(ifyou’reintobuildingarksincasethatrainydayshouldcome),oranyotherunitofmeasureyoudeemsuitable.

Engineeringunitsarebasedinfeetandinchesandusedecimalstorepresentpartialinches.

Fractionalunits,likedecimalunits,areunitlessandshowvaluesasfractionsratherthandecimalnumbers.

Scientificunitsarealsounitlessandshowvaluesasexponents,usedfordrawingreallytinyorreallylargethings.Ifyoudesignmoleculesor

galaxies,thisistheunittypeforyou.

AutoCAD’sAngleunittypesareasfollows:

DecimalDegreesshowanglesasdecimalnumbersandarebyfartheeasiesttoworkwith—ifyourtypeofworkallowsit!

Deg/Min/Secisbasedontheoldstyleofdividingadegreeintominutesandminutesintoseconds.Butsecondsaren’tfineenoughtodisplayAutoCAD’sprecisioncapabilities,sosecondscanbefurtherdividedintodecimals.

GradsandRadiansaremathematicallybeautiful(soI’mtold)butarenotwidelyusedindrafting.ApparentlytheFrenchartilleryusesgrads,butaslongaswe’refriendswiththem,weshouldn’thavetoworry.

Surveyor’sUnitstypeissimilartoDeg/Min/Sec,butusesquadrants(quartercircles),ratherthanawholecircle,whereanangleinDeg/Min/Secmightmeasure300°0'0.00",thesameangleinSurveyor’sUnitswouldberepresentedasS30°0'0.00"E.

ForthegreatmajorityofAutoCADusers,theunittypestoknowanduseareDecimal,Architectural,andDecimalDegree.You’llknoworbetoldifyouneedtouseoneoftheothertypes!

Figure4-1:TheDrawingUnitsdialogbox.

Afteryouspecifyatypeofunit,youdrawthingson-screenatfullsizeinthoseunitsjustasthoughyouwerelayingthemoutontheconstructionsiteorinthemachineshop.Youdrawan8-foot-highline,forexample,toindicatetheheightofawallandan8-inch-highlinetoindicatethecutoutforadoggiedoor(foradachshund,naturally).Theon-screenlinemayactuallybeonly2incheslongataparticularzoommagnification,butAutoCADstoresthelengthas8feet.ThiswayofworkingiseasyandnaturalformostpeopleforwhomCADistheirfirstdrafting

experience,butitseemsweirdtopeoplewho’vedonealotofmanualdrafting.Ifyou’reinthelattercategory,don’tworry;you’llsoongetthehangofit.

Whenyouusedash-dotlinetypes(Chapter6)andhatching(Chapter15)inadrawing,itmatterstoAutoCADwhetherthedrawingusesanimperial(inches,feet,miles,andsoon)ormetric(millimeters,meters,kilometers,andsoon)systemofmeasure.TheMEASUREMENTsystemvariablecontrolswhetherthelinetypeandhatchpatternsthatAutoCADlistsforyoutochoosefromarescaledwithinchesormillimetersinmindastheplottingunits.MEASUREMENT=0meansinches(thatis,animperial-unitsdrawing),whereasMEASUREMENT=1meansmillimeters(thatis,ametric-unitsdrawing).Ifyoustartfromanappropriatetemplatedrawing(asdescribedinthesection“ATemplateforSuccess,”laterinthischapter),theMEASUREMENTsystemvariablewillbesetcorrectly,andyouwon’teverhavetothinkaboutit.(Foranexplanationofsystemvariablesandhowtosetthem,seeChapter26.)

WeighingupyourscalesThenextdecisionyoushouldmakebeforesettingupanewdrawingischoosingthescaleatwhichyou’lleventuallyplotthedrawing.Thisdecisiongivesyouthedrawingscaleanddrawingscalefactor—twowaysofexpressingthesamerelationshipbetweentheobjectsintherealworldandtheobjectsplottedonpaper.

Thescalefactorfactor

“Okay,”you’resaying,“IunderstandIneedtoprintmydrawingsatascaleacceptabletothedisciplineIworkin.ButifI’mdrawingstufffullsize,whydoIneedtoworryaboutthescalefactor?”Grabyourselfanicemugofcocoaandsettledown’roundthefire,becauseI’mgoingtotellyou.Bynowyouknow(becauseI’vetoldyouso)thatyoudrawrealthingsfullsize,butdrawingscontainotherthingsthatarenotreal,suchastext,dimensions,hatchpatterns,titleblocks,dash-dotlinetypes,andsoforth.Andthosenonrealthingsneedtobelegibleonyourplotteddrawing.

Say,forexample,youwanttodrawaplanofyourgarage.Youneedittofitonan11-x-17-inchsheetofpaper,andyouwanttoaddatitlelike(ifyou’rereallyoriginallikeme)“MyGarage.”Typically,textannotationsare3/32"or1/8"high.Now,ifyoudrawyour6"-widewallfullsize,puta1/8"-hightitlebesideit,andthenprintthedrawingatascaleof,say,1:24(that’s1drawinginchequals24realinches,

usuallyexpressedas1/2"=1'-0"),the6"wallitselfwillmeasure1/4"onthesheet,andthenotewillbeanillegiblelittlespeckbesideit.Youfixitwiththehelpofthedrawingscalefactor;the“Drawingscaleversusdrawingscalefactor”sidebarexplainshowyouarriveatthescalefactor,andTable4-1,inthefollowingsection,presentsalistofacceptablestandardscaleswiththeircorrespondingscalefactorsforbothimperialandmetricsystemsofmeasure.

ThinkingannotativelyAfewyearsback,AutoCADintroducedanewwayofsettingsometypesofannotationobjectstotheappropriateplottedsize.Annotativeobjectspossessaspecialpropertysothatwhenyouchangetheannotationscaleofalayout’sviewportorofthemodeltab,alltheannotativeobjects—includingtext,dimensions,dash-dotlinetypes,hatchpatterns,andsymbolblocks—changeautomaticallytotheircorrectsizeforthechosenscale.ItakeacloserlookatannotativeobjectsinChapter13,butinthemeantime,it’sstillworthwhilegettingfamiliarwithusingdrawingscalefactorsbecausethey’reusefulinafewotherways.

Youshouldn’tjustinventsomearbitraryscalebasedonwhatlooksokayonwhateversizepaperyouhappentohavehandy.Mostindustriesworkwithasmallsetofapproveddrawingscalesthatarerelatedtooneanotherbyfactorsof2or10.Ifyouuseotherscales,atbestyou’llbebrandedacluelessnewbie—andatworstyou’llhavetoredoallyourdrawingsatanacceptedscale.

DrawingscaleversusdrawingscalefactorCADusersemploytwodifferentwaysoftalkingaboutadrawing’sintendedplotscale:drawingscaleanddrawingscalefactor.

Drawingscaleisthetraditionalwayofdescribingascale—traditionalbecauseitexistedlongbefore CAD came to be. Drawing scales are expressedwith an equal sign or colon— forexample,1/8”=1’–0”,1:20,or2:1.Youcantranslatetheequalsignorcolonas“correspondsto.” In all cases, themeasurement to the left of the equal sign or colon indicates a papermeasurement, and the number to the right indicates a real-world measurement. In otherwords, the imperial drawing scale 1/8” = 1’–0” means that 1/8” on the plotted drawingcorresponds to1’–0” in theCADdrawingand in the realworld,assuming that theplotwasmade at the proper scale. Ametric drawing scale is usually expressedwithout units, as asimpleratio.Thus,ascaleof1:20means1unitontheplotteddrawingcorrespondsto20unitsin the real world. In architectural and engineering drawings, the numbers usually refer to

millimeters.

Drawingscalefactorisasinglenumberthatrepresentsamultiplier,suchas96,20,or0.5.Thedrawingscalefactorforadrawingistheconversionfactorbetweenameasurementontheplotandameasurementintherealworld.

Table4-1listssomecommonarchitecturaldrawingscales,usingbothimperialandmetricsystemsofmeasure.Thetablealsoliststhedrawingscalefactorcorrespondingtoeachdrawingscaleandthecommonusesforeachscale.Ifyouworkinindustriesotherthanthoselistedhere,askdraftersorcoworkerswhatthecommondrawingscalesareandforwhatkindsofdrawingsthey’reused.

Table4-1CommonArchitecturalDrawingScales

DrawingScale DrawingScaleFactor CommonUses

1/16"=1'–0" 192 Largebuildingplans

1/8"=1'–0" 96 Medium-sizebuildingplans

1/4"=1'–0" 48 Houseplans

1/2"=1'–0" 24 Smallbuildingplans

1"=1'–0" 12 Details

1:200 200 Largebuildingplans

1:100 100 Medium-sizebuildingplans

1:50 50 Houseplans

1:20 20 Smallbuildingplans

1:10 10 Details

Afteryouchooseadrawingscale,engravethecorrespondingdrawingscalefactoronyourdesk,writeitonyourhand(don’tmixthosetwoup,okay?),andputitonastickynoteonyourmonitor.Youneedtoknowthedrawingscalefactorformanydrawingtasks,aswellasforsomeplotting.Youshouldbeabletorecitethedrawingscalefactorofanydrawingyou’reworkingoninAutoCADwithouteventhinkingaboutit.

Evenifyou’regoingtousethePlotdialogbox’sFittoPaperoption(ratherthanaspecificscalefactor)toplotthedrawing,youstillneedtochooseascaletomakethenon-realthings(suchastext,dash-dotlinetypes,hatchpatterns,andsoon)appearatausefulsize.Chooseascalethat’sinthe

neighborhoodoftheFittoPaperplottingfactor,whichAutoCADdisplaysinthePlotScaleareaofthePlotdialogbox.Forexample,ifyoudeterminethatyouneedtosqueezeyourdrawingdownabout90timestofitonthedesiredsheetsize,chooseadrawingscaleof1/8inch=1'–0"(drawingscalefactor=96)ifyou’reusingarchitecturalunitsor1:100(drawingscalefactor=100)forotherkindsofunits.

ThinkingaboutpaperWithknowledgeofyourindustry’scommondrawingscales,youcanchooseaprovisionalscalebasedonwhatyou’redepicting.Butyouwon’tknowforsurewhetherthatscaleworksuntilyoucompareitwiththesizeofthepaperthatyouwanttouseforplottingyourdrawing.Hereagain,mostindustriesuseasmallrangeofstandardsheetsizes.Threecommonsetsofsizesexist,asshowninFigure4-2andTable4-2:

ANSI(AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute)

Architectural

ISO(InternationalOrganizationforStandardization)

Figure4-2:Relationshipsamongstandardpapersizes.

Table4-2CommonPlotSheetSizes

SheetSize Dimensions Comment

ANSIE 34x44"

ANSID 22x34" Esheetfoldedinhalf

ANSIC 17x22" Dsheetfoldedinhalf

ANSIB 11x17" Csheetfoldedinhalf

ANSIA 81/2x11" Bsheetfoldedinhalf

ArchitecturalLargeE 36x48"

ArchitecturalE 30x42"

ArchitecturalD 24x36" LargeEsheetfoldedinhalf

ArchitecturalC 18x24" Dsheetfoldedinhalf

ArchitecturalB 12x18" Csheetfoldedinhalf

ArchitecturalA 9x12" Bsheetfoldedinhalf

ISOA0 841x1189mm

ISOA1 594x841mm A0sheetfoldedinhalf

ISOA2 420x594mm A1sheetfoldedinhalf

ISOA3 297x420mm A2sheetfoldedinhalf

ISOA4 210x297mm A3sheetfoldedinhalf

Youselectaparticularsetofsheetsizesbasedonthecommonpracticesinyourindustry.Youthennarrowdownyourchoicebasedonthearearequiredbywhatyou’regoingtodraw.Forexample,mostimperial-unitsarchitecturalplansareplottedonArchitecturalorANSID-orE-sizesheets,andmostmetricarchitecturalplansgoonISOA1orA0sheets.

Ifyouknowthedesiredsheetsizeanddrawingscalefactor,youcancalculatetheavailabledrawingareaeasily.Simplymultiplyeachofthesheet’sdimensionsbythedrawingscalefactor.Forexample,ifyouchoosean11-x-17-inchsheetandadrawingscalefactorof96(correspondingtoaplotscaleof1/8"=1'–0"),youmultiply17times96and11times96togetanavailabledrawingareaof1,632inchesx1,056inches(or136feetx88feet).Ifyoursheetsizeisininchesbutyourdrawingscaleisinmillimeters,youneedtomultiplybyanadditional25.4toconvertfrominchestomillimeters.Forexample,withan11-x-17-inchsheetandascaleof1:200(drawingscalefactor=200),youmultiply17times200times25.4and11times200times25.4toget86,360x55,880mmor86.36x55.88m—notquitebigenoughforafootballfield(AmericanorEuropeanfootball).

Conversely,ifyouknowthesheetsizethatyou’regoingtouseandthereal-worldsizeofwhatyou’regoingtodraw,andyouwanttofindoutthelargestplotscaleyoucanuse,youhavetodivide,notmultiply.Dividetheneededreal-worlddrawingarea’slengthandwidthbythesheet’sdimensions.Takethelargernumber—eitherthelengthresultorthewidthresult—androunduptothenearestrealdrawingscalefactor(thatis,onethat’scommonlyusedinyourindustry).Forexample,supposeyouwanttodrawa60-x-40-foot(or720-x-480-inch)floorplanandprintiton11-x-17-inchpaper.Youdivide720by17and480by11toget42.35and43.64,respectively.Thelargernumber,43.64,correspondsinthisexampletotheshortdimensionofthehouseandthepaper.Thenearestlargercommonarchitecturaldrawingscalefactoris48(correspondingto1/4"=1'–0"),whichleavesalittleroomfortheplottingmarginandtitleblock.

TheCheatSheetatthisbook’scompanionWebsite(www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/autocad2012)includestwotablesthatlisttheavailabledrawingareasforarangeofsheetsizesanddrawingscales.Thosetablescanhelpyoudecideonanappropriatepapersizeanddrawingscale;reverttothecalculationmethodforsituationsthatthetablesdon’tcover.Ifyoudon’tkeepafavoriteoldcalculatoronyourphysicaldesktop,don’tdespair:AutoCAD2012hasonelurkingontheRibbon.You’llfinditontheHometab’sUtilitiespanel(hint:Itlookslikeacalculator).YouspeeddemonscantoggleQuickCalcoffandonwiththeCtrl+8keycombo!

Whenyouselectasheetsizeanddrawingscale,alwaysleavesomeextraroomforthefollowingtworeasons:

Marginallowance:Mostplottersandprinterscan’tprintallthewaytotheedgeofthesheet—theyrequireasmallmargin.Forexample,mytrustyoldHewlett-PackardLaserJet4050hasaprintableareaofabout8.0x10.7inchesonan8.5x11-inchANSIA-size(letter-size)sheet.(YoucanfindthisinformationinthePlotdialogbox,asdescribedinChapter16.)Ifyou’reasticklerforprecision,youcanusetheprintableareainsteadofthephysicalsheetareainthecalculationsdescribedearlierinthissection.

Annotations:Mostdrawingsrequiresomeannotations—text,dimensions,gridbubbles,andsoon—outsidetheobjectsyou’redrawing,plusatitleblocksurroundingtheobjectsandannotations.Ifyoudon’tleavesomeroomfortheannotationsandtitleblock,you’llenduphavingtocramthingstogethertoomuchorchangetoadifferentsheetsize.Eitherway,you’llbesloweddownlaterintheproject,whenyoucanleastaffordit.

Someindustriesdealwiththesheet-is-too-small/drawing-scale-is-too-largeproblembybreakingupdrawingsontomultipleplottedsheets.Youmightconsiderdoingthesame.

Don’tbeafraidtostartwithrealpaper.Experienceddraftersoftenmakeaquick,throwawaypencil-and-papersketchindicatingthedimensionsofthesheetofpapertheyintendtoploton,asketchofthetitleblock,andaveryrough,schematicsketchofthethingthey’regoingtodraw.Bysketchingonpaperfirst,you’lloftencatchscaleorsheet-sizeproblemsbeforeyousetupadrawing,whenrepairstakeonlyafewminutes—notafteryou’vecreatedthe

drawing,whenfixingtheproblemcantakehours.

DefendingyourborderThenextdecisiontomakeiswhatkindofborderyourdrawingneeds.Theoptionsincludeafull-blowntitleblock,asimplerectangle,ornothingatallaroundyourdrawing.Ifyouneedatitleblock,doyouhaveone,canyouborrowanexistingone,orwillyouneedtodrawonefromscratch?Althoughyoucandrawtitleblockgeometryinanindividualdrawing,you’llsavetimebyreusingthesametitleblockformultipledrawings.Yourcompanymayalreadyhaveastandardtitle-blockdrawingreadytouse,orsomeoneelsewho’sworkingonyourprojectmayhavecreatedonefortheproject.

ThemostefficientwayofcreatingatitleblockisasaseparateDWGfile,drawnatitsnormalplottedsize(forexample,36incheslongby24incheshighforanarchitecturalD-sizetitleblock,or841mmlongby594mmhighforanISOA1-sizeversion).Youtheninsertorxrefthetitleblockdrawingintoeachsheetdrawing.Iexplaininsertingdrawingsintootherdrawings,orattachingdrawingsasexternalreferencefilesinChapters17and18.

ATemplateforSuccessWhenyoustartineithertheDrafting&Annotationworkspace(asIdothroughoutthisbook)ortheoldAutoCADClassicworkspace,AutoCADcreatesanew,blankdrawingconfiguredfor2Ddrafting.Dependingonwhereyoulive(yourcountry,notyourstreetaddress!)andthedominantsystemofmeasureusedthere,AutoCADwillbasethisnewdrawingononeoftwodefaultdrawingtemplates:acad.dwtfortheimperialsystemofmeasure,asusedintheUnitedStates,oracadiso.dwtforthemetricsystem,usedthroughouttherestofthegalaxy.(InAutoCADLT,thetwodefaulttemplatesareacadlt.dwtandacadltiso.dwt.)WhenyouexplicitlycreateanewdrawingfromwithinAutoCAD,theSelectTemplatedialogbox,asshowninFigure4-3,appearsbydefaultsoyoucanchooseatemplateonwhichtobaseyournewdrawing.

Figure4-3:Atoolboxoftemplates.

YoumaybefamiliarwithMicrosoftWordorExceltemplatefiles,andAutoCADdrawingtemplatesworkprettymuchthesameway—becauseAutodeskstoletheideafromthem(encouraged,ofcourse,byMicrosoft).

AtemplateissimplyadrawingwhosenameendsinthelettersDWT,whichyouuseasthestartingpointforanotherdrawing.Whenyoucreateanewdrawingfromatemplate,AutoCADmakesacopyofthetemplatefileandopensthecopyinanewdrawingeditorwindow.Thefirsttimeyousavethefile,you’repromptedforanewfilenametosaveto;theoriginaltemplatefilestaysunchanged.

Usingasuitabletemplatecansaveyoutimeandworrybecausemanyofthesetupoptionsarealreadysetcorrectlyforyou.Youknowthedrawingwillprintcorrectly;youjusthavetoworryaboutgettingthegeometryandtextright.Ofcourse,allthisoptimismassumesthatthepersonwhosetupthetemplateknewwhatshewasdoing.

ThestocktemplatesthatcomewithAutoCADareokayasastartingpoint,butyou’llneedtomodifythemtosuityourpurposesorcreateyourownfromscratch.Inparticular,thestockAutoCADtemplatesareprobablynotsetupforthescalesyou’llwanttouse.Theinstructionsintherestofthischaptertellyou

howtospecifyscale-dependentsetupinformation.

So,theonlyproblemswithtemplatesarecreatinggoodonesandthenlaterfindingtherightonetousewhenyouneedit.Laterinthischapter,inthe“MakingTemplatesYourOwn”section,Ishowyouhowtocreatetemplatesfromyourownsetupdrawings.HereIshowyouhowtouseanalready-createdtemplate—say,oneofthetemplatesthatcomeswithAutoCAD2012oroneyougetfromaCAD-savvycolleague.Ifyou’relucky,someoneinyourofficehascreatedsuitabletemplatesthatyoucanusetogetgoingquickly.

Followthesestepstocreateanewdrawingfromatemplatedrawing:

1.RuntheNEWcommandbypressingCtrl+NorclickingtheApplicationbuttonandchoosingNew.TheSelectTemplatedialogboxappears.

ThefirstbuttonontheQuickAccessToolbarrunstheQNEW(QuickNEW)commandinsteadoftheordinaryNEWcommand.IfyouorsomeoneelsehaschangedtheDefaultTemplateFileNameforQNEWintheOptionsdialogbox,QNEWwillnotopentheSelectTemplatedialogbox;instead,itsimplypresentsyouwithanew,blankdrawing—possiblynottheoneyouwanted.YoucantakeadvantageofQNEW,though—forinformationabouthow,seethe“MakingTemplatesYourOwn”section,laterinthischapter.

2.ClickthenameofthetemplateyouwanttouseasthestartingpointforyournewdrawingandthenclicktheOpenbutton.Anewdrawingwindowwithatemporaryname,suchasDrawing2.dwg,appears.(Thetemplateyouopenedremainsunchangedonyourharddrive.)Dependingonwhichtemplateyouchoose,yournewdrawingmayopeninapaperspacelayout,notinmodelspace.Ifthat’sthecase,clicktheModelbuttononthestatusbarbeforechangingthesettingsdescribedinthenextsection.(IdescribehowtosetupandtakeadvantageofpaperspacelayoutsinChapter5.)

3.PressCtrl+SorclicktheApplicationbuttonandchooseSavetosavethefileunderanewname.Takethetimetosavethedrawingtotheappropriatenameandlocationnow.

4.Makeneededchanges.WithmostofthetemplatesthatcomewithAutoCAD,considerchangingtheunits,limits,gridandsnapsettings,linetypescale,anddimensionscale.Seethenextsectionforinstructions.

5.Savethedrawingagain.

Ifyou’llneedotherdrawingsinthefuturesimilartothecurrentone,considersavingyourmodifiedtemplateasatemplateinitsownright.Seethesection“MakingTemplatesYourOwn,”laterinthischapter,forthelowdownonsavingtemplates.

AfewoftheremainingtemplatesthatcomewithAutoCADincludetitleblocksforvarioussizesofsheets.Inaddition,mosttemplatescomeintwoversions—oneforpeoplewhousecolor-dependentplotstylesandoneforpeoplewhousenamedplotstyles.Youprobablywantthecolor-dependentversions.(Chapter16describesthetwokindsofplotstylesandwhyyouprobablywantthecolor-dependentvariety.)Iwarnedyouthatthisdrawingsetupstuffwouldbecomplicated!

MakingtheMostofModelSpaceAfteryou’vedecidedondrawingscaleandsheetsize,you’rereadytosetupyourdrawing.Mostdrawingsrequireatwo-partsetup:

1.Setupmodelspace,whereyou’llcreatemostofyourdrawing.2.Createoneormorepaperspacelayoutsforplotting.

AsIexplaininChapter2,modelspaceistheinfinitelylarge,three-dimensionalenvironmentinwhichyoucreatethe“real”objectsyou’redrawing.Youcansetupyourmodelspaceasdescribedinthissection;Chapter5introducesyoutosettingupyourpaperspacelayouts.

SettingyourunitsFirst,setthelinearandangularunitsthatyouwanttouseinyournewdrawing.Thefollowingproceduredescribeshow:

1.ClicktheApplicationbuttonandthenchooseUnitsfromtheDrawingUtilitiesgroup.TheDrawingUnitsdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure4-4.

Figure4-4:Setyourunitshere.

2.ChoosealinearunittypefromtheLengthTypedrop-downlist.Choosethetypeofunitrepresentationthat’sappropriateforyourwork.EngineeringandArchitecturalunitsaredisplayedinfeetandinches;theothertypesofunitsaren’ttiedtoanyparticularunitofmeasurement.Youdecidewhethereachunitrepresentsamillimeter,centimeter,meter,inch,foot,orsomethingelse.Yourchoiceismuchsimplerifyou’reworkinginmetric:ChooseDecimalunits.

AutoCADcanthinkininches!Ifyou’reusingEngineeringorArchitecturalunits(feetandinches),AutoCADinterpretsanydistanceorcoordinateyouenterasthatmanyinches.Youmustusethe’(apostrophe)characteronyourkeyboardtoindicateanumberinfeetinsteadofinches.

3.FromtheLengthPrecisiondrop-downlist,choosethelevelofprecisionyouwantwhenAutoCADdisplayscoordinatesandlinearmeasurements.TheLengthPrecisionsettingcontrolshowpreciselyAutoCADdisplayscoordinates,distances,andpromptsinsomedialogboxes.Forexample,theCoordinatessectionofthestatusbardisplaysthecurrentcoordinatesofthecrosshairsusingthecurrentprecision.

ThelinearandangularprecisionsettingsaffectonlyAutoCAD’sdisplayofcoordinates,distances,andanglesonthestatusbar,indialogboxes,andinthecommandwindowandDynamicInputtooltipareas.FordrawingsstoredasDWGfiles,AutoCADalwaysusesmaximumprecisiontostorethelocationsandsizesofallobjectsthatyoudraw,regardlessofhowmanydecimalplacesyouchoosetodisplayintheDrawingUnitsdialogbox.Inaddition,AutoCADprovidesseparatesettingsforcontrollingtheprecisionofdimensiontext—seeChapter14fordetails.

4.ChooseanangularunittypefromtheAngleTypedrop-downlist.DecimalDegreesandDeg/Min/Secarethemostcommonchoices.TheClockwisecheckboxandtheDirectionbuttonprovideadditionalanglemeasurementoptions,butyou’llrarelyneedtochangethedefaultsettings:Unlessyou’realandsurveyor,measureanglescounterclockwiseanduseeastasthe0-degreedirection.

5.FromtheAnglePrecisiondrop-downlist,choosethedegreeofprecisionyouwantwhenAutoCADdisplaysangularmeasurements.6.IntheInsertionScalearea,choosetheunitsofmeasurementforthisdrawing.Chooseyourbaseunitforthisdrawing—thatis,thereal-worlddistancerepresentedbyoneAutoCADunit.

TheAutoCAD(butnottheAutoCADLT)DrawingUnitsdialogboxincludesaLightingareawhereyouspecifytheunittypetobeusedtomeasuretheintensityofphotometriclights.Iintroducelightingaspartofrendering3DmodelsinChapter23.

7.ClickOKtoexitthedialogboxandsaveyoursettings.

Makingthedrawingareasnap-py(andgrid-dy)Forthelastthreedecades,AutoCAD’sgridconsistedofasetofevenly-spaceddotsthatservedasavisualdistancereference.YoucanstillconfigureadotgridinAutoCAD2012,butstartingwithAutoCAD2011,thedefaultisasnazzygraph-paper-likegridmadeupofanetworkoflines.

AutoCAD’ssnapfeaturecreatesasetofevenlyspaced,invisiblehotspots,whichmakethecrosshairsmoveinnice,evenincrementsasyouspecifypointsinthedrawing.BothGridModeandSnapModeareliketheintersectionpointsofthelinesonapieceofgridpaper,butthegridissimplyavisualreference—itneverprints—whereasSnapconstrainsthepointsthatyoucanpickwiththemouse.Youcan—andusuallywill—setgridandsnapspacingtodifferentvalues.

PriortoAutoCAD2012,whenSnapModewasenabled,itwasonfull-time.Thiscouldbedistractingasyoumovedyourcrosshairsaroundthescreen—anddownrightannoyingwhenyouweretryingtoselectanobjectthatdidn’thappentofallonasnappoint.YounolongerhavetokeeptogglingSnapModeonandoff.It’snowengagedonlywhenyou’reusingacommandthatasksyoutospecifyapoint.Forexample,whenSnapison,youcanmoveyourcrosshairsfreelyaroundthescreen,butwhenyoustarttheLINEcommand,SnapModekicksinandyourcrosshairsjumptotheclosestsnappoint.

SetthegridandthesnapintervalsintheDraftingSettingsdialogboxbyfollowingthesesteps:

1.Right-clicktheSnapModeorGridDisplaybuttononthestatusbarandchooseSettings.TheDraftingSettingsdialogboxappearswiththeSnapandGridtabselected,asshowninFigure4-5.TheSnapandGridtabhassixsections,buttheSnapSpacingandGridSpacingareaswithinthattabareallyouneedtoworryaboutformost2Ddraftingwork.

Figure4-5:Getyourdraftingsettingshere!

2.SelecttheSnapOncheckboxtoturnonSnapMode.Thisactionenablesdefaultsnapshalfaunitapart(tenunitsapartifyou’reworkingwiththedefaultmetrictemplate).

AutoCADusuallyhasseveralwaysofdoingthings.YoucanalsoclicktheSnapModebuttononthestatusbartotogglesnaponandoff;thesamegoesfortheGridDisplaybuttonandthegridsetting.Oryoucouldusethefunctionkeys:F7togglesthegridoffandon,andF9doesthesameforSnapMode.

3.EnterthesnapintervalyouwantintheSnapXSpacingbox.Usetheinformationinthesectionsprecedingthisproceduretodecideonareasonablesnapspacing.

IftheEqualXandYSpacingcheckboxisselected,theYspacingchangesautomaticallytoequaltheXspacing,whichisalmostalwayswhatyouwant.Unchecktheboxifyouwanttospecifyunequalsnapspacing.

4.SelecttheGridOncheckboxtoturnonthegrid.5.EnterthedesiredgridspacingintheGridXSpacingbox.Usetheinformationinthesectionsprecedingthisproceduretodecideonareasonablegridspacing.Aswithsnapspacing,iftheEqualXandYSpacingcheckboxisselected,theYspacingautomaticallychangestoequaltheXspacing.Again,youusuallywanttoleaveitthatway.Xmeasureshorizontaldistance;Ymeasuresverticaldistance.TheAutoCADdrawingareanormallyshowsanXandYiconincaseyouforget.

Ifyou’reanoldAutoCADhandandfindthegraph-papergridtooobtrusive,checktheDisplayDottedGridIn2DModelSpaceboxintheGridStyleareatoswitchtotheold-stylerowsandcolumnsofdots.

6.SpecifyadditionalgriddisplayoptionsintheGridBehaviorarea.IfyouselecttheAdaptiveGridcheckbox,AutoCADchangesthedensityorspacingofthegridlinesordotsasyouzoominandout.IfyoualsoselectAllowSubdivisionBelowGridSpacing,thespacingcangolowerthanwhatyou’veset,anditmaygohigherifyou’rezoomedalongwayoutofyourdrawing.(Ifitdidn’t,youcouldn’tseeyourdrawingforthegrid!)SelectingtheDisplayGridBeyondLimitscheckboxallowsthegridtodisplayovertheentiredrawingarea,nomatterhowfaryou’rezoomedout.ClearingthischeckboxmakesAutoCADbehavethewayit’salwaysbehaved—thatis,thegridisdisplayedonlyintheareadefinedbythedrawinglimits.

TheFollowDynamicUCSoption(notavailableinAutoCADLT)isa3D-specificfeaturethatchangesyourdrawingplaneasyoumouseover3Dobjects.IcoverthisfeatureinChapter22.

7.ClickOKtoclosetheDraftingSettingsdialogbox.

SettinglinetypeanddimensionscalesEventhoughyou’veengravedthedrawingscalefactoronyourdeskandwrittenitonyourhand—notviceversa—AutoCADdoesn’tknowthedrawingscaleuntilyouenterit.KeepingAutoCADinthedarkisfineaslongasyou’rejustdrawing

continuouslinesandcurvesrepresentingreal-worldgeometrybecauseyoudrawtheseobjectsattheirreal-worldsize,withoutworryingaboutplotscale.

However...assoonasyoustartusingnon-continuousdash-dotlinetypes(linepatternsthatcontaingapsinthem),youneedtotellAutoCADhowtoscalethegapsinthelinetypesbasedontheplotscale.Ifyouforgetthis,thedash-dotlinetypepatternscanlookwaaaaytoobigortoosmall.Figure4-6showswhatImean.

Figure4-6:...andthislittlecenterlinelooksjuuuustright!

Thescalefactorthatcontrolsdash-dotlinetypesisfoundinasystemvariablecalledLTSCALE(asinLineTypeSCALE).Youcanchangethissettingatanytime,butit’sbesttosetitcorrectlywhenyou’resettingupthedrawing.

Thefollowingsequenceincludesdirectionsfortypingsystemvariableandcommandnames.Tosetthelinetypescaleatthekeyboard,followthesesteps:

1.TypeLTSCALE(orLTS)andpressEnter.AutoCADrespondswithaprompt,askingyouforthescalefactor.Thevalueattheendofthepromptisthecurrentlinetypescalesetting,asshowninthefollowingcommandlineexample:

Enternewlinetypescalefactor<1.0000>:2.TypethevalueyouwantforthelinetypescaleandpressEnter.Theeasiestchoiceistosetthelinetypescaletothedrawingscalefactor.Somepeople,however,findthatthedashesandgapsindash-dotlinetypesgetabittoolongwhentheyusethedrawingscalefactor.Ifyou’reoneofthosepeople,setLTSCALEtoone-halfofthedrawingscalefactor.(Feelfreetoexperimentwiththisvalue;somepeoplepreferalinetypescaleofthree-quartersthescalefactor.Ifyou’reworkinginmetric,try0.75timesthescalefactorinstead—justaskyourcalculatorifyoudon’tbelieveme.)

Alternatively,youcanspecifylinetypescaleintheLinetypeManagerdialogbox:ClicktheLinetypedrop-downonthePropertiespaneloftheRibbon’sHometabandselectOther.Then,intheLinetypeManagerdialogbox,clicktheShowDetailsbutton,andtypeyourdesiredlinetypescaleintheGlobalScaleFactortextbox.

BesidesLTSCALE,therearethreeothersimilarlynamedsystemvariablesyoucanusetocontrolthedisplayofdash-dotlinetypes:

PSLTSCALE:Makeslinetypespacinglookthesameinpaperspaceviewports,regardlessoftheviewportscale.

CELTSCALE:Changestheeffectivelinetypescalefactorfornewobjects.

MSLTSCALE:Visuallydisplaysdash-dotlinetypesinthemodeltabbasedontheannotativescalesetting.

Ifanyofthesesounduseful—andIhighlyrecommendyouenablePSLTSCALE—checkthemoutintheonlinehelpindex.

Theproceduredescribedhereforsettinglinetypescaleassumesthatyou’restartinganewdrawingfromoneoftheplain-janetemplates(acad.dwtoracadiso.dwtinthefullversion,acadlt.dwtoracadltiso.dwtinAutoCADLT)andusingthedefaultlinetypescale.Don’tchangeLTSCALEinexistingdrawingswithoutknowingexactlywhyyou’redoingitandwhatvaluestosetthemto,incasesomeonebeforeyousettheirvaluesforgoodreasons.

EnteringdrawingpropertiesIrecommendonelastbitofhousekeepingbeforeyou’refinishedwithmodel-spacedrawingsetup:EntersummaryinformationintheDrawingPropertiesdialogbox,asshowninFigure4-7.ClicktheApplicationbutton;intheDrawingUtilitiessection,chooseDrawingPropertiestoopentheDrawingPropertiesdialogbox;thenclicktheSummarytab.Enterthedrawingscaleandthedrawingscalefactoryou’reusingintheCommentsarea,plusanyotherinformationyouthinkuseful.

Don’tconfusedrawingproperties(whicharereallyfileproperties)withyour

drawing’sobjectproperties—they’redifferentthings.Thepropertiesyouenterherecanhelpyouorsomeoneyoulovewhensheopensyourdrawingandwondershowyousetitup.Objectpropertiesareabigenoughtopictomerittheirownchapter—seeChapter6.

Figure4-7:Surveyingyourdrawing’sproperties.

MakingTemplatesYourOwnYoucancreateatemplatefromanyDWGfilebyusingtheSaveDrawingAsdialogbox.Followthesestepstosaveyourdrawingasatemplate:

1.ClickSaveAsontheQuickAccessToolbar.TheSaveDrawingAsdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure4-8.

2.FromtheFilesofTypedrop-downlist,chooseAutoCADDrawingTemplate(*.dwt)orAutoCADLTDrawingTemplate(*.dwt).

Figure4-8:Savingadrawingasatemplateandapplyingoptions.

3.Navigatetothefolderwhereyouwanttostorethedrawingtemplate.TheAutoCAD2012defaultfolderfordrawingtemplatesisburieddeepinthebowelsofyourWindowsuserprofile.SaveyourtemplatesthereifyouwantthemtoappearinAutoCAD’sSelectTemplatelist.Youcansaveyourtemplatesinanotherfolder,butifyouwanttousethemlater,youhavetonavigatetothatfoldereverytimeyouwanttousethem.SeetheTechnicalStuffparagraphthatfollowsthisprocedureforadditionalsuggestions.

4.EnteranameforthedrawingtemplateintheFileNametextboxandclickSave.Adialogboxforthetemplatedescriptionandunitsappears.

5.Specifythetemplate’smeasurementunits(EnglishorMetric)inthedrop-downlist.

Enterthekeyinfonow—youcan’tdoitlaterunlessyousavethetemplatetoadifferentname.Don’tbotherfillingintheDescriptionfield;AutoCADdoesn’tdisplayitintheSelectTemplatedialogbox.Don’tworryabouttheNewLayerNotificationareashowninFigure4-8fornow;ItellyouallaboutdrawinglayersinChapter6.

6.ClickOKtosavethefile.TheTemplateOptionsdialogboxclosesandthetemplateissavedtoyourharddrive.

7.Tosaveyourdrawingasaregulardrawing,clickSaveAsontheQuickAccessToolbar.TheSaveDrawingAsdialogboxappearsagain.

8.FromtheFilesofTypedrop-downlist,chooseAutoCAD2010Drawing(*.dwg).ChoosetheAutoCADLTequivalent,ifthat’syourversion.AutoCAD2012usestheAutoCAD2010DWGfileformat.ChooseapreviousDWGfileformatifyouwanttobeabletoopenyourdrawinginAutoCAD2009orearlier.

9.Navigatetothefolderwhereyouwanttostorethedrawing.Useadifferentfolderfromtheonewithyourtemplatedrawings.

10.EnterthenameofthedrawingintheFileNametextboxandclickSave.Thefileissaved.Now,whenyousaveitinthefuture,theregularfile—notthetemplatefile—getsupdated.

TheQNEW(QuickNEW)command,whenproperlyconfigured,canbypasstheSelectTemplatedialogboxandcreateanewdrawingfromyourfavoritetemplate.ThefirstbuttonontheQuickAccessToolbar—thebuttonwiththeplainwhitesheetofpaper—runsthenewerQNEWcommandinsteadoftheolderNEWcommand.

ToputtheQuickintoQNEW,though,youhavetotellAutoCADwhichdefaulttemplatetouse:

1.ClicktheApplicationbutton,thenclicktheOptionsbuttonatthelower-rightcorneroftheApplicationMenu.2.OntheFilestab,chooseTemplateSettings⇒DefaultTemplateFileNameforQNEW.TheQNEWdefaultfilenamesettingisNone,whichcausesQNEWtoactjustlikeNEW(thatis,QNEWopenstheSelectTemplatedialogbox).Specifythenameofyourfavoritetemplatehere,andyougetanewdrawingfilebasedoniteverytimeyouclickQNEW.

AutoCAD2012storesdrawingtemplatesandmanyothersupportfilesunderyourWindowsuserfolder.Todiscoverwhereyourtemplatefolderishiding,opentheOptionsdialogbox.OntheFilestab,chooseTemplateSettings⇒DrawingTemplateFileLocation,asshowninFigure4-9.

Figure4-9:Seekandyoushallfindyourtemplatefolder.

Youdon’thavetokeepyourtemplatefileswherethatbossyMisterGatestellsyou.Createafolderthatyoucanfindeasily(forexample,C:\Acad-templatesorF:\Acad-custom\templatesonanetworkdrive),putthetemplatesthatyouactuallyusethere,andchangetheDrawingTemplateFileLocationsettingsothatitpointstoyournewtemplatefolder.

Chapter5

PlanningforPaper

InThisChapterSettinguppaperspacelayouts

Buttonsortabsforlayoutfashionistas

Lookingintoviewports

Workinginpaperspace

Mostofwhattheearlierchapterslookatrevolvesaroundsettingupthemodel

spaceenvironment—thatinfinitelylarge,three-dimensionalrealmwhereinyoucreateyourgleamingtowers,yourwondrouselectronicgadgetry...oryourgardenshedoryouranglebracket.However,youmayhavepickedupahinthereortherethatAutoCADhasawholedifferentenvironmentknownaspaperspace.

Thefinalproductofallthissetup,remember,isaprinteddrawingonapieceofpaper.Inmostindustries,paperdrawingsarelegalcontractdocuments,soit’sprettyimportantthattheyareunderstandableandeasilyread.Thefirstpartofthatprocessisconfiguringthesheetlayoutinpaperspace,whichIexplaininthischapter.Fortheactualprocessofoutputtingeithermodelspaceorlayoutstoprinterorplotter,seeChapter16.

Chapter2introducesyoutothetwospaces—modelandpaper—andChapter4explainshowtoconfiguremodelspaceforefficientdrawing.Beforeyouplungeintopaperspace,aquickrecapofmodelspaceisinorder.

Modelspaceisthedrawingenvironmentthat’scurrentwhentheModeltab(nottheModelbutton)onthestatusbarisactive.Modelspaceiswhereyoucreatethe“real”objectsthatyou’redrawing,sotheseobjectsarereferredtoasmodelgeometrywhetherthey’re2Dor3Dentities.WhentheModeltabisactive,youseeobjectsinmodelspaceonly—anythinginpaperspaceisinvisible.

InAutoCAD2012,it’sstillpossibletoignorepaperspacelayoutsentirelyanddoallyourdrawingandplottinginmodelspace.Butyouoweittoyourselftogivelayoutsatry.You’llprobablyfindthattheymakeplottingmoreconsistentandpredictable.They’llgiveyoumoreplottingflexibilitywhenyouneedit.Andyou’llcertainlyencounterdrawingsfromotherpeoplethatmakeextensiveuseofpaperspace,soyouneedtounderstanditifyouplantoexchangedrawingswithanyoneelse.

SettingUpaLayoutinPaperSpaceApaperspacelayoutisarepresentationofadrawingsheet.Althoughthemodelgeometry—therealstuff—goesinmodelspace,the“not-real”drawingobjects(forexample,adrawingborder,titleblock,generalnotes,perhapsviewlabels,andsymbolslikeNortharrows)allgoinpaperspaceonthelayout.Inessence,modelspaceisliketheworld,infinitelylargeandthree-dimensional;paperspaceisfinite

—thesizeofadrawingsheet,infact—andtwo-dimensional,justlikeadrawingsheet.

Asidefromjustanarrangementofyourdrawingsheet,layoutsalsostoreplotinformation.AutoCADsavesseparateplotsettingswitheachlayoutaswellasmodelspacesothatyoucanploteachonedifferently.Inpractice,you’llprobablyneedtouseonlyoneofthepaperspacelayouttabs,especiallywhenyou’regettingstartedwithAutoCAD.

Ratherthanjustreadingaboutit,youmayalsowanttoopenafewoftheAutoCAD2012sampledrawingsandclicktheModelandLayoutbuttonsortabstowitnessthevarietyofwaysinwhichpaperspaceisused.

TheAutoCADandAutoCADLTsampledrawingsarenolongerinstalledwiththeprogram,butthey’restillavailable—online.Downloadthemfromwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samplesorwww.autodesk.com/autocadlt-samples.Theupsideofthechangeisthatusersofeitherprogramnowhaveaccesstotheother’ssamplefiles.

Willthatbetabsorbuttons?TheAutodeskdocumentationsometimesreferstotheModeltabortolayouttabs,andsometimes(likejustasecondago)Idohereaswell.Initsout-of-the-boxcondition,AutoCADdoesdisplayactual,selectabletabsatthelower-leftedgeofthedrawingwindow,clearlylabeledModel,Layout1,andLayout2(refertoFigure5-4).Youcangainafractionmorescreenspaceifyouhidethetabs,butevenwhenthey’rehidden,they’restillreferredtoastabs.Here’showtotogglethewaythattabsaredisplayed:

Tohidelayouttabs:Right-clickthevisibleModeltaboranylayouttab,andchooseHideLayoutandModelTabsfromthepop-upmenu.

Toshowlayouttabs:Right-clicktheModelbutton(theonewiththeiconandtheModeltooltip,nottheModelorPaperSpacebutton,whichissometimesconfusinglylabeledMODEL)—ortheLayoutbuttonrightnextdoor—andchooseDisplayLayoutandModelTabs.

Hidingthetabsdoesgiveyouabitmoredrawingarea,butthere’sadrawback—theLayoutbuttoncanonlycontrolasinglelayout(whicheverlayouthappenstobecurrent).YouhavetousetheQuickViewLayoutsfeature(describedinthenextsection)toswitchbetweenlayouts,butifyourdrawingonlyhasonelayout,

hidingthetabsiswellworthwhile.

Youcanrenamelayouttabs—butnottheModeltab—bydouble-clickingthelayoutnameandtypinganewone.

Thestateofyourtabsisstored—butnotautomaticallysaved—inyourcurrentworkspace.Forexample,ifyou’reworkingintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace,thenswitchtotheAutoCADClassicworkspace,andthenswitchbacktoDrafting&Annotation,thechangeyoumadefromtabstobuttons(orviceversa)willnotberetained.Forinformationonsavingyourowncustomworkspace,lookupworkspaceintheonlinehelpsystem.

ViewlayoutsQuick(View)ly

QuickViewLayoutsisthesecondoftwoAutoCAD2012featuresthatusetheQuickViewimagestriptodisplaypreviewimagesofdrawingsorlayouts.IintroduceQuickViewDrawings—whichpreviewsallyouropendrawingsintheQuickViewstrip—inChapter2.

InearlierversionsofAutoCAD,withbuttonsenabledratherthantabs,youwouldright-clicktheLayoutbuttontoopenashortcutmenulistingthedrawing’slayouts.Butmerewordsinamenuaresoprevious-release!Thefollowingstepsexplainhowtochangebetweenmodelspaceandalayoutorswitchbetweenlayouts:

1.ClicktheQuickViewLayoutsbuttononthestatusbar.TheQuickViewimagestripappearsabovethestatusbaranddisplaysresizableimagepanelsformodelspaceandalllayouts.RightbelowtherowofimagesistheQuickViewtoolbar.Figure5-1showsatypicalarrangementinamulti-layoutdrawing.

Figure5-1:Viewthoselayouts,andmakeitQuick!

Don’tconfusetheQuickViewtoolbarwiththeQuickAccessToolbarthatlivesuptop,nexttotheApplicationbutton.(AutoCADisgettingsoquick,it’shardtokeepupwithit!)TheQuickViewtoolbarcontainsfourbuttonsthatperformthefollowingtasks(buttonslistedfromlefttoright):

•PinQuickViewLayouts:Normallytheimagesdisappearassoonasyouselectalayoutorclickoutsideit.Clickingthisbuttonreorientsthesideviewofthepushpinsoitlookslikeit’spokingaholeinyourscreen(youshouldbeawarethatneitherAutodesknorIamresponsibleforpuncturesinyourmonitor)andforcestheimagepanelstoremainopen.

•NewLayout:Clickthisbuttontocreateanewlayoutwithasingleviewport.Thenewlayoutappearsasanewimageattheendofthestrip.

•Publish:ClickthisbuttontoopenthePublishdialogbox.YouusethePUBLISHcommandifyouhaveawholesetofdrawingsyouwanttooutputandpackageatonetime.IexplaintheAutoCADversionofpublishinginChapter20.

•CloseQuickViewLayouts:UsethisbuttontoclosetheQuickView

Layoutsimagestripifyoupinneditopen.Simplyclickingoutsidetheimagestripclosestheimagestripifit’sunpinned.

2.MoveyourmousepointerovereachimageintheQuickViewpanel.Theimagebackgroundhighlightstoindicatewhichlayoutthepointer’sfocusison.Whenapanelishighlighted,twoiconsappearatthetopcornersofthepanel.ThePublishbuttonattop-rightdoesthesamethingasBatchPlotontheApplicationMenu.IfyouwanttoprinttheindividuallayoutwithoutgoingthroughallthePublishrigmarole,clickthePloticonatthetop-left.

3.Clickthepreviewimageofmodelspaceorthelayoutyouwanttomakecurrent.Theselectedlayoutisactivatedandfillsthedrawingwindow;thepreviewimagestripcloses.

Ifyouhaveawheelmouse,youcanmovebetweenpreviewsbyscrollingthewheelineitherdirection.YoucanalsoresizethepreviewsbymousingoveranimageandthenpressingtheCtrlkeywhilescrollingthewheelbackandforth.

CreatingalayoutCreatingasimplepaperspacelayoutisstraightforward,thankstotheCreateLayoutWizard,asshowninFigure5-2.(Yes!Finally,ausefulAutoCADwizard.)ThecommandnameisLAYOUTWIZARD,andit’smissinginactionfromAutoCAD2012’sdefaultuserinterface.Togettoit,typeLAYOUTWIZARDatthekeyboard(or,ifyou’reusingtheAutoCADClassicworkspace,opentheInsertmenu,chooseLayout,thenCreateLayoutWizard).

Figure5-2:TheCreateLayoutWizard.

AlthoughtheCreateLayoutWizardguidesyou,stepbystep,throughtheprocessofcreatingapaperspacelayoutfromscratch,itdoesn’teliminatethenecessityofcomingupwithasensiblesetoflayoutparameters.Thesheetsizeandplotscalethatyouchooseprovideacertainamountofspaceforshowingyourmodel(seethe“Thinkingaboutpaper”sectioninChapter4),andwizardsaren’tallowedtobendthelawsofarithmetictoescapethatfact.Forexample,amapofAustraliaatascaleof1inch=1footwon’tfitonan81/2-x11-inchsheet,noway,nohow.Inotherwords,garbagein,garbage(lay)out.Fortunately,theCreateLayoutWizardlendsitselftoexperimentation,andyoucaneasilydeletelayoutsthatdon’twork.

Followthesestepstocreatealayout:

1.TypeLAYOUTWIZARDandpressEnter.TheCreateLayoutWizarddisplaysitsfirstpageandpromptsyoutoenteranameforthenewlayout.

2.GivethenewlayoutanameandclickNext.Inplaceofthedefaultname,Layout3,Irecommendsomethingmoredescriptive—forexample,D-SizeSheet.OryoucancallitA1-SizeSheetifyou’reofthemetricpersuasion.

3.ChooseaprinterorplottertousewhenplottingthislayoutandthenclickNext.Thinkofyourchoiceasthedefaultplotterforthislayout.Youcanchangetoadifferentplotterlater—orcreatepagesetupsthatplotthesamelayoutondifferentplotters.(IexplainpagesetupsinChapter16.)

Manyofthenamesintheconfiguredplotterlistshouldlookfamiliarbecausethey’reyourWindowsprinters(systemprinters,inAutoCADlingo).Nameswitha.pc3extensionrepresentnon-systemprinterdrivers.SeeChapter16fordetails.

4.Chooseapapersize,specifywhethertouseinchesormillimeterstorepresentpaperunits,andclickNext.TheavailablepapersizesdependontheprinterorplotterthatyouselectedinStep3.

5.SpecifytheorientationofthedrawingonthepaperandclickNext.TheicondisplayingtheletterAonthepieceofpapershowsyouwhichorientationiswhich.

6.OntheCreateLayout–TitleBlockpage,selectNoneandclickNext.Idon’trecommendselectingoneofthetwoavailabletitleblocks,asoddsareslimthateitherofthosewillfitonthepapersizeyouselectedinStep4.Here’swhy....

EarlierAutoCADreleasesincludedahandysetofpre-drawntitleblocksforarangeofbothimperialandmetricpapersizes.Allbuttwoofthemhavedisappeared,andthosetwoarestilltheonlyonesavailableinAutoCAD2012’sLayoutWizard.Unfortunately,neitherofthemislikelytoworkoutforyou.If,inStep4,youchoseinchesasyourunitsandanypapersizeotherthanARCHD(36.00x24.00inches)—orchosemillimetersasyourunitsandanypapersizeatall—thetitleblockwillnotfitthesheet.

Whenyouknowyourwayaroundtheprogramabit,youcanalwaysdraw,insert,orxrefatitleblocklater.(SeeChapters17and18forinformationaboutinsertingorxrefingatitleblock.)YoucanalsoaddcustomtitleblockdrawingstoyourAutoCADTemplatefolder.Ifyouwanttoknowwheretoputthem,seethesectiononmakingtemplatesinChapter4.

7.DefinethearrangementofviewportsthatAutoCADshouldcreateandselecttheviewportscaleforthemallfromthedrop-downlist.ThenclickNext.Aviewportisawindowfrompaperspaceintomodelspace.Youmustcreateat

leastoneviewporttodisplaythemodelinyournewlayout.Itellyoumoreaboutviewportsinthesection“Aview(port)fordrawingin,”laterinthischapter.

ThedefaultViewportscale,ScaledtoFit,ensuresthatallofyourmodeldrawingobjectsappearintheviewport,butitresultsinanarbitraryscalefactor.Mosttechnicaldrawingsrequireaspecificscale,suchas1:100or1/8"=1'–0".

8.ClickSelectLocationtospecifythelocationoftheviewport(s)onthelayout;thenpicktheviewport’scorners.AfteryouclicktheSelectLocationbutton,theCreateLayoutWizarddisplaysthepreliminarylayoutwithanytitleblockthatyou’vechosen.Picktwopointstodefinearectanglethatfallswithinthedrawingareaofyourtitleblock(orwithintheplottableareaofthesheet,ifyouchosenotitleblockinStep6).AutoCADthenredisplaystheFinishpageoftheCreateLayoutwizard.AutoCADrepresentstheplottableareaofthesheetwithadashedrectangleneartheedgeofthesheet.Ifyoudon’tselectalocationfortheviewport(s),theCreateLayoutWizardcreatesaviewportthatfillstheplottableareaofthesheet.

9.ClickFinish.AutoCADcreatesthenewlayout.Liketheotherwizards,theCreateLayoutWizardisaimedatnewusersorold-timerswhohavesomehowoverlookedtheintroductionofpaperspacelayouts.Youwon’tneedtorunthiswizardeverytimeyoustartanewdrawing,butyoumaywellrunitonceandthensavetheresultingfileasatemplateforfuturedrawings(seeChapter4formoreabouttemplates).

CopyingandchanginglayoutsAfteryoucreatealayout,youcandelete,copy,rename,andotherwisemanipulateitbyclickingQuickViewLayoutsonthestatusbarandright-clickingapreviewimage.Ifyou’reusinglayouttabsratherthanbuttons,right-clickatabtodisplaythemenuorsimplydragthetabtoanewposition.Figure5-3showsthemenuoptionswhenyouright-clickalayouttab.

Figure5-3:TheQuickViewLayoutsright-clickmenu.

TheFromTemplateoptionreferstolayouttemplates.Afteryoucreatelayoutsinatemplate(DWT)oradrawing(DWG)file,youcanusetheFromTemplateoptiontoimporttheselayoutsintothecurrentdrawing.Fordetails,seetheLAYOUTcommand’sTemplateoptionintheCommandReferencesectionofonlinehelp.

Manydrawingsrequireonlyonepaperspacelayout.Ifyoualwaysplotthesameviewofthemodelandalwaysplottothesamedeviceandonthesamesizepaper,asinglepaperspacelayoutshouldsuffice.Ifyouwanttoplotyourmodelindifferentways(forexample,atdifferentscales,withdifferentlayersvisible,withdifferentareasvisible,orwithdifferentplottedlinecharacteristics),youmaywanttocreateadditionalpaperspacelayouts.

LostinpaperspaceAfteryoucreateapaperspacelayout,yousuddenlyhavetwoviewsofthesamedrawinggeometry:theviewinyouroriginalmodelspaceandthenewlayout’sview(perhapsdecoratedwithahandsometitleblockandotheraccoutrementsofplottingnobility).It’simportanttorealizethatbothviewsareofthesamegeometry.Ifyouchangethemodelgeometryononeview,you’rechangingiteverywherebecausealllayoutsdisplaythesamemodelspaceobjects.

Whenyoumakealayoutcurrent,youcanswitchtheactivespacebetweenpaperspace(thatis,drawingandzoomingonthesheetofpaper)andmodelspace(drawingandzoomingonthemodel,insidetheviewport)inseveralways,includingthefollowing:

Inthedrawingarea,double-clickinsideaviewportboundarytomovethecrosshairsintomodelspaceinthatviewport.Alternatively,youcandouble-clickoutsideallviewports(forexample,inthegrayareaoutsidethesheet)tomovethecrosshairsintopaperspace.

ClicktheMaximize/MinimizeViewportbuttononthestatusbar.(Formoreinformation,seeChapter2.)

TypeMSPACE(thecommandaliasisMS)orPSPACE(PS)atthekeyboard.

ClicktheMODEL/PAPERbuttononthestatusbar.

Whenthecrosshairsareinmodelspace,anythingyoudraworeditchangesthemodelinmodelspaceandtherefore,throughtheviewports,onallpaperspace

layouts.Whenthecrosshairsareinpaperspace,anythingyoudrawappearsonlyonthatonelayout.It’sasthoughyouweredrawingonanacetatesheetoverthetopofthatsheetofplotterpaper—themodelbeneathremainsunaffected.

Thisbehaviorcanmakeyourbrainhurtuntilyougetusedtoit.Toavoidconfusion,stickwiththefollowingapproach(atleastuntilyou’remorefamiliarwithpaperspace):

Ifyouwanttoeditthemodel:Dosoinfull-screenmodelspace.ClicktheModeltabiftabsaredisplayed,orclicktheModelbuttoniftabsarehidden.(TheModelbuttonistheonewiththelittleblackicon;don’tconfuseitwiththeMODEL/PAPERbutton,whichswitchesbetweenmodelandpaperspacewithinthesamelayout.)Don’ttrytoeditthemodelinapaperspaceviewport—it’saveryinefficientuseofyourscreenspace.

Ifyouwanttoeditaparticularlayoutwithoutaffectingthemodel:UseoneofthemethodsI’vedescribedtomakethatlayoutcurrent,andmakesurethatthecrosshairsareinpaperspace.

WhatspaceamIin?

Whenyoustartworkinginlayouts,itmaynotalwaysbecrystal-clearwhetheryou’reinmodelspaceorpaperspace.Thestatus-barbuttonwillhelp—itwillsayPAPERifyou’reinpaperspaceorMODELifyou’reintheotherplace.Hereareafewotherwaystotellyourlayoutspacesapart:

Checkthecrosshairs.Ifyou’reinpaperspace,youcanmovethecrosshairsovertheentiredrawingarea.Ifyou’reinmodelspace,youcanmovethecrosshairsonlywithinthecurrentlyactiveviewport;ifyoutrytomovethecrosshairsoutsidetheviewport,theyturnintoaWindowsselectionarrow.

Selectsomemodelgeometry.Tryclickingsomeobjectsyouknowareinmodelspace.Ifyoucanselectthemandtheyhighlight,thenyou’reinmodelspace.Ifnothinghappenswhenyouclickthem,they’reinaccessiblebecauseyou’reinpaperspace.

ChecktheUCSicon.TheUCS(forUserCoordinateSystem)iconisthesymbolatthelower-leftcornerofthedrawingarea.Themodelspaceicontakestheshapeoftwolinesatrightanglestoeachother,withthelettersindicatingthedirectionoftheX-axisandtheY-axis(ifyou’veconfiguredAutoCADtousethe2DUCSicon,theWstandsfortheWorldCoordinateSystem).Thepaperspaceiconistriangular,andtheclosed,three-sided

shaperepresentsaflatplane.Ifyoudon’tseesuchasymbol,typeUCSICONandpressEnter;thentypeeitherONtodisplaytheUCSiconinthelower-leftcornerofthedisplay,orORtodisplayitatthedrawingsorigin(thatis,0,0coordinates),asshowninFigure5-4.IexplainmoreaboutusercoordinatesystemsinChapter7.

Figure5-4showsthe2DUCSicon.Bydefault,AutoCADdisplaysthe3DUCSicon,evenwhenyou’reworkingintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace.Youcanswitchtothe2Dstyle,adjusttheiconsize,andtellAutoCADtodisplaytheiconinasinglecolorbyclickingUCSIcon,PropertiesontheCoordinatespaneloftheRibbon’sViewtabandadjustingthesettingsintheUCSIcondialogbox.

Figure5-4:Displayingthe2DstyleUCSicon.

Aview(port)fordrawinginAviewportisapaperspaceobject—awindowintoyourdrawingsheet—throughwhichyouviewmodelspaceobjectsfrompaperspace.Bydefault,whenyoucreateanewlayout,alargesingleviewportiscreated.

TheviewportsItalkaboutinthischapterarepaperspaceviewports.Youcanalsocreateviewportsinmodelspace,butthey’recompletelydifferentanimals.Modelspaceviewportsarealsoknownastiledviewportsbecause(likebathroomtiles)theycan’thaveanyspacebetweenthem.Youcanusetiledviewportstolookupcloseatwidelyseparatedareasofyourscreen.What’spotentiallyconfusingisthatAutoCADusesthesamecommandname,

andeventhesamedialogbox,forcreatingthetwodifferenttypesofviewports.Forthischapter,makesurethatyou’reinpaperspacewhenyoucreateviewports.

Paperspaceviewportsareassigneddrawingscales,andyoucanhavemultipleviewportswithdifferentscalesonthesamelayout.Forexample,oneviewportcanshowthefloorplanofanexhibitspaceat1/4"toonefoot,andanotherviewportcanshowanenlargedviewofadisplaycabinetat1"=1'.Becausetheindividualviewportsarescaled,theentirelayoutcanbeplottedat1:1.

TheCreateLayoutWizardisfinewhenyou’restartingout,butmostrealdrawingshaveunique,non-standardizedarrangementsofviewports.Whencreatinglayouts,it’softeneasiesttocreateviewportsfromscratch.Thefollowingprocedureexplainshow:

1.Usingoneofthetechniquesdescribedinthe“Creatingalayout”section,earlierinthischapter,createanewlayoutinyourdrawing.Forexample,clickQuickViewLayoutstodisplaythepreviewimages,andthenright-clickanyoftheimagesandchooseNewLayout.Anewlayoutisaddedtotheendoftheimagestrip.

2.Clicktheimageforthenewlayouttoopenit.Anewlayoutappearsinthedrawingwindow,showingthedefaultsheetareaandasinglerectangularviewportcenteredonthesheet.Youaren’tgoingtousethisviewport.

3.Movethecrosshairsovertheviewportboundaryandclicktoselectit.PresstheDeletekey.Althoughtheydon’tbehavelikeotherdrawingobjects,viewportsareobjects,justlikelinesorcircles.Andlikeanyotherdrawingobjects,theycanbeselectedandmoved,copied,arrayed—ordeleted.

4.OntheRibbon,clicktheViewtab;then,intheViewportspanel,chooseRectangular.AutoCADpromptsyoutopickthefirstcornerforthenewviewport.

Youmustbeinpaperspaceforthesestepstoworkasdescribed.IftheRectangularbutton(Iknow,they’reallrectangular—Imeantheonethatsays“Rectangular”)isgrayedout,you’restillinmodelspace.

5.Pickapointsomewhereontheblankpagetolocatethefirstcornerofthenewviewport.AutoCADpromptsyoutopickthesecondcorner.

6.Pickanotherpointtoplacethesecondcornerofthenewviewport.

AutoCADdrawstheviewport,andthemodelspacegeometryappearsinsideit.Next,specifyadrawingscaleforyourviewport(s).Specifyingthecorrectviewportscalesoonerratherthanlaterbestowsacoupleofimportantbenefits:

•Correctlyscalingviewportsallowsyoutouseannotativedocumentationobjectssuchastext,dimensions,hatchpatterns,blocks,andnon-continuous(dash-dot)linetypes.IintroduceyoutoannotativeobjectsinChapter13.

•Correctlyscalingallyourviewportsallowsyoutoeasilyplotthecompletedlayoutatascaleof1:1whileretainingindividual,true-to-scaleviewports.

7.Double-clickinsidetheviewportyouwanttoapplyascaleto.Modelspacebecomesactive,asitmust,becausethat’sthespaceyouhavetoscale.TheViewportScalebuttonappearstowardtherightsideofthestatusbarwhenmodelspaceisactivatedinalayout.

8.ClicktheViewportScalebuttononthestatusbar.ClickingtheViewportScalebuttonopensapop-uplistofeverydrawingscaleregisteredinthescaleslist—includingmetricscalesevenifyou’reworkinginanEnglish-unitsdrawing,andviceversa.

Mostofthetime,formostpeople,therearewaytoomanyscalesinthelistsyouseeintheViewportScalebuttonandthePlotdialogbox.AutoCADhasahandy-dandyEditDrawingScalesdialogboxthatletsyouremovethoseimperialscalesifyouneverworkinfeetandinchesandviceversa,ifyouworkonlyinmetric.Torunthroughyourscales,chooseScaleListfromtheAnnotationScalingpanelontheAnnotatetab,ortypeSCALELISTEDITandpressEntertoopentheEditDrawingScalesdialogbox.Ifyoumakeamistake,theResetbuttonintheEditDrawingScalesdialogboxwillrestoreallthedefaultscales.

9.Findthescaleyouwanttoapplytotheactiveviewportandselectitfromthelist.Thedisplayzoomsinorouttoadjusttothechosenviewportscale.

Rereadthatlastsentenceandthenthinkabouthowoftenyouhavetopanandzoominyourdrawing.Ifyouzoominsideaviewportwhosescaleyou’veset—kaboom!—youjustblewthescaleoffthemap.Luckily,youcanpreventyourselforanyoneelsefrominadvertentlydestroyingyourbeautifullyarrangedandscaledviewportbycompletingthefinalstepsofviewportsetup:

10.Makesureyou’reinpaperspace(checktheUCSiconormovethecrosshairs).11.Selecttheboundaryoftheviewportwhosearrangementyouwanttoprotect.Withtheviewportselected,theViewportScalebuttonreappearswithitsselectablelistofscales,andrightbesideitisanotherbuttonwithayellowunlockedpadlockicon.Asitstooltipindicates,itsfunctionistolockandunlockviewports.

12.ClicktheLock/UnlockViewportbuttontolocktheviewportscale.Theyellowunlockedpadlockchangestoabluelockedpadlock,andtheViewportScalebuttonnowbecomesunselectable.LockingthedisplaysetsAutoCADupforsomeniftyzooming...ifyou’reinpaperspace,anormalzoomisexecuted.Ifyou’reinmodelspaceinsideaviewport,anormalzoomwouldwreckthescale,sowhenyoutrytozoom,AutoCADnear-instantaneouslyswitchestopaperspace,zoomsyouin,andthenswitchesbacktomodelspace.Sheerprestidigitation!

Sometimestheperfectviewportarrangementrequiresthatasmallerviewportbecompletelysurroundedbyalargerone.Easyenoughtocreate,yes,andeasytoselect—aslongasyou’reinpaperspace.However,ifyou’reinmodelspaceandyouwanttoclickfromoneviewporttothenexttomakeitcurrent,it’simpossibletomakemodelspacecurrentinacompletelysurroundedviewportbyclickinginsideit.Letyourfingerscometotherescue:TheCtrl+Rkeycombinationcyclesthroughmodelspaceinalldrawingviewports,evenifthey’recompletelysurroundedbyotherviewports.

Andthereyouhaveyour12-stepprogramtolayoutbliss!Allthatsetuphadapurpose,ofcourse:toenableyoutoprintperfectpaperplots(orplotperfectpaperprints,ifyouprefertoseeitthatway).IcoverplottingindepthinChapter16,butashortintroductorywordheremightbeuseful.

AboutPaperSpaceLayoutsandPlottingAsthischapterdescribes,youcanuseAutoCAD’spaperspacefeaturetocomposeoneormorelayoutsforplottingyourdrawinginparticularways.Eachlayoutlivesonaseparatetab,whichyouclickatthebottomofthedrawingarea—orinasecrethidingplaceifyou’vehiddentheModelandLayouttabs.AutoCADsavesplotsettings(plotdevice,papersize,plotscale,andsoon)separatelyforeachofthelayouts,aswellasmodelspace.

Whethertoplotmodelspaceoralayoutinadrawingdependsentirelyonhowthedrawingwassetup.Ifyouorsomeoneelsewentthroughalayout-setupproceduresimilartotheoneinthischapter,youprobablyshouldplotthelayout.Ifnot,plotmodelspace.

Viewportboundarieswillprintifyoudon’tpayattentiontowhereyoucreatethem.Whatthatmeansisthateachdrawingviewhasanicerectangularborderaroundit.Nice,butadefiniteno-noineverydraftingoffice.InChapter6,Iintroduceyoutoobjectproperties,includingprobablythemostimportantone,layers.Youcandefinealayersothatobjectsonitdonotplot,andthat’swhereyoushouldcreateyourviewports.

Ifyoudon’thaveanypaperspacedrawingshandy,youcanuseoneoftheAutoCADsampledrawings.Refertothetipnearthebeginningofthe“SettingUpaLayoutinPaperSpace”section,earlierinthechapterforwheretofindthesampledrawings.

Somedifferentwaysofplottingthesamemodelcanbehandledinasinglepaperspacelayoutwithdifferentpagesetups.SeeChapter16formoredetails.Ifyourprojectsrequirelotsofdrawings,youcanparlaylayoutsintosheetsets—afeaturethatmakesformoresophisticatedcreation,management,plotting,andelectronictransferofmulti-sheetdrawingsets.

PartII

LetThereBeLines

Inthispart...Lines,circles,andotherelementsofgeometrymakeuptheheartofyourdrawing.AutoCADoffersmanydifferentdrawingcommands,manywaystousethemtodrawobjectsprecisely,andmanypropertiesforcontrollingtheon-screenandplottedappearanceofobjects.Afteryoudrawyourgeometry,you’llprobablyspendatleastasmuchtimeeditingitasyourdesignanddrawingsevolve.Andintheprocess,you’llneedtozoominandoutandpanallaroundtoseehowtheentiredrawingiscomingtogether.

Drawinggeometry,editingit,andchangingthedisplayedviewarethefoundationofthedrawingprocess;thispartshowsyouhowtomakethatfoundationsolid.

Chapter6

ManageYourProperties

InThisChapterManaginglayers

Managingotherobjectproperties:color,linetype,andlineweight

CopyinglayersandothernamedobjectswithDesignCenter

CADprogramsaredifferentfromotherdrawingprograms.Youhavetopayattentiontolittledetailslikeobjectpropertiesandtheprecisionofthepointsthatyouspecifywhenyoudrawandeditobjects.Ifyouignorethesedetailsandjust

startdrawing,you’llendupwithamessofsloppygeometrythat’shardtoedit,view,andplot.

Thischapterintroducesyoutoobjectproperties,onesetofAutoCADtoolsandtechniquesthathelpyoupreventCADmesses.Chapter7explainsthemostimportantprecisiondrawingtechniquesthatyouneedtoobserveinordertocreateusableAutoCADdrawings.Theinformationinthesetwochaptersisessentialtounderstandbeforeyoustartdrawingandeditingobjects,proceduresthatIdescribeinChapters8,9,10,and11.

WhenyoufirststartusingAutoCAD,oneofitsmostoverwhelmingfeaturesisthenumberofpropertysettingsandprecisioncontrolsthatyouneedtopayattentionto—evenwhenyoudrawasimpleline.Unlikemanyotherprograms,it’snotenoughtodrawalineinamore-or-less-adequatelocationandthenslapsomecoloronit.ButallthosesettingsandcontrolscaninspirethefeelingthatyouhavetofindouthowtodriveaFormula1cartomakeatripdownthestreet.(Theadvantageisthatafteryouarecomfortableinthedriver’sseat,AutoCADwilltakeyouonthelong-haultripsandgetyoutherefaster.)

FollowingarethethreekeystogoodCADdrawingpractice:

Properties:Payattentiontoandmanagethepropertiesofeverydrawingobjectthatyoucreate—especiallythelayerthateachdrawingobjectison.Iexplainlayersandotherobjectpropertiesinthenextsection.

Namedobjects:Payattentiontoandusethenamedobjectsineverydrawing—thelayers,textstyles,blockdefinitions,andothernon-graphicalobjectsthatservetodefinethelookofallthegraphicalobjectsinthedrawing.Ienlightenyouinthe“UsingNamedObjects”section,laterinthischapter.

Precision:Payattentiontoandcontroltheprecisionofeverypointanddistancethatyouusetodrawandediteachobject.IfillyouinonAutoCAD’sprecisiondrawingtechniquesinChapter7.

Thesecanseemlikedauntingtasksatfirst,butthefollowingsectionshelpyoucutthemdowntosize.

ManagingYourPropertiesAlltheobjectsthatyoudrawinAutoCADarelikegoodMonopolyplayers:Theyownproperties.InAutoCAD,thesepropertiesaren’tphysicalthings;they’rean

object’scharacteristics,suchaslayer,color,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andplotstyle.Youusepropertiestocommunicateinformationaboutthecharacteristicsoftheobjectsyoudraw,suchasthekindsofreal-worldobjectstheyrepresent,theirmaterials,theirrelativelocationinspace,ortheirrelativeimportance.InAutoCAD,youalsousepropertiestoorganizeobjectsforeditingandplottingpurposes.

Youcanview—andchange—allpropertiesofanobjectinthePropertiespalette,andmanyoftheminQuickPropertiespalette.InFigure6-1,thePropertiespaletteattheleftandtheQuickPropertiespaletteattherightshowpropertiesfortheselectedlineobject.

ThePropertiespalettewasjoinedinAutoCAD2009byitsmorestreamlinedlittlesibling,QuickProperties.WhenQuickPropertiesistoggledoninthestatusbar,selectinganobjectopensafloatingpalettethatdisplaysacustomizableselectionofthatobject’sproperties.(Ifyourstatusbarbuttonsshowtextratherthanicons,lookfortheQPbutton.)

Figure6-1:Comprehensiveorquick?Sometimesyouneedlotsofinformation,andsometimesyoudon’t.

Handyasitis,theQuickPropertiespalettehasaknackofpoppingupontopofdrawingobjectsthatyouneedtosee.InAutoCAD2012,youcankeep

QuickPropertiesmodetoggledoffatthestatusbar,andinsteadusethenewQUICKPROPERTIEScommand.TypeQPandselectanobjecttodisplaytheQuickPropertiespanel.Youcanalsodouble-clickmostobjectstodisplaytheirquickproperties.

TotogglethefullPropertiespaletteonandoff,clickthePropertiesbuttonontheViewtaboftheRibbonorusetheCtrl+1keycombination.Beforeyouselectanobject,thePropertiespalettedisplaysthecurrentproperties—propertiesthatAutoCADappliestonewobjectswhenyoudrawthem.Afteryouselectanobject,thePropertiespalettedisplaysthepropertiesforthatobject.Ifyouselectmorethanoneobject,thePropertiespalettedisplaysthepropertiesthattheyhaveincommon.

PuttingitonalayerEveryobjecthasalayerasoneofitsproperties.Youmaybefamiliarwithlayers—independentdrawingspacesthatstackontopofeachothertocreateanoverallimage—fromusingdrawingprograms.AutoCAD,likemostCADprograms,useslayersastheprimaryorganizingprincipleforalltheobjectsthatyoudraw.Youuselayerstoorganizeobjectsintologicalgroupsofthingsthatbelongtogether;forexample,walls,furniture,andtextnotesusuallybelongonthreeseparatelayers,foracoupleofreasons:

Layersgiveyouawaytoturngroupsofobjectsonandoff—bothonthescreenandontheplot.

Layersprovidethemostefficientwayofcontrollingobjectcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andplotstyle.

So,toworkefficientlyinAutoCAD,youcreatesomelayers,assigningthemnamesandproperties,suchascolorandlinetype.Thenyoudrawobjectsonthoselayers.Whenyoudrawanobject,AutoCADautomaticallyputsitonthecurrentlayer—thelayerthatyouseeintheLayerdrop-downlistontheHometab’sLayerspanelwhennoobjectsareselected.Ifalayeralreadyexistsinyourdrawing,youcanmakeitthecurrentlayerbychoosingitintheLayerdrop-downlist,asshowninFigure6-2.

It’snotabsolutelynecessarytocreateallyourlayersbeforeyoudrawanything,butitwillsaveyousometimeifyoustartwithafewbasiclayersandthenaddnewlayersasneeded.ManyexperiencedAutoCADusersdrawthingsfirstandthencreateappropriatelayersandchangetheobjectstothe

newlayers.Youcaneasilychangeanobject’slayerbyselectingitandthenchoosingthedesirednewlayernamefromtheLayerdrop-downlist.

Figure6-2:Settinganexistinglayerasthecurrentlayer.

MakesurethatnoobjectsareselectedbeforeyouusetheLayerdrop-downlisttochangethecurrentlayer.(PresstheEsckeytwicetobesure.)Ifobjectsareselected,theLayerdrop-downlistdisplays(andletsyouchange)thoseobjects’layers.Whennoobjectsareselected,theLayerdrop-downlistdisplays(andletsyouchange)thecurrentlayer.

StackingupyourlayersHowdoyoudecidewhattocallyourlayersandwhichobjectstoputonthem?Someindustrieshavedevelopedlayerguidelines,andmanyofficeshavecreateddocumentedlayerstandards.Someprojectsevenimposespecificlayerrequirements.(Butbecareful;ifsomeonesays,“Youneed a brick layer for this project,” that can mean a couple of different things.) AskexperiencedCADdrafters inyourofficeor industryhowtheyuse layers inAutoCAD. Ifyoucan’t findanydefinitiveanswer,createachartof layers foryourself.Eachrowin thechartshould list the layer name, default color, default linetype, default lineweight, default

transparency,andwhatkindsofobjectsbelongonthatlayer.Ifyouusenamedplotstylestocontrol your plotted output, add a default plot style to the list— that’s not necessary fortraditionalcolor-basedplotting.

AccumulatingpropertiesBesideslayers,theremainingobjectpropertiesthatyou’relikelytowanttouseoftenarecolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andpossiblyplotstyle.Table6-1summarizesthesefiveproperties.

Table6-1UsefulObjectProperties

Property WhatItControls

Color Displayedcolorandplottedcolororlinewidth

Linetype Displayedandplotteddash-dotlinepattern

Lineweight Displayedandplottedlinewidth

Transparency Displayedandplottedopacityofobjects

Plotstyle Plottedcharacteristics(seeChapter16)

LongbeforeAutoCADcoulddisplaylineweightsonthescreenandprintthosesamelineweightsonpaper,objectcolorscontrolledtheprintedlineweightofobjects.AutoCAD2000introducedamorelogicalsystem,whereyoucouldassignanactualplottedthicknesstoobjects.Aslogicalasthatmethodseems,theoldermethod,inwhichthecolorofobjectsdeterminestheirplottedlineweight,continuestodominate.YoumayfindyourselfworkingthiswayeveninAutoCAD2012,forcompatibilitywithdrawings(andcoworkers)thatusetheoldway.Figure6-3showsyoutheidea.Themodelspaceviewattheleftshowsobjectsindifferentcolors,butwiththesamedefaultlineweight.Thepaperspaceviewattheright(whatyourplotteddrawingwillactuallylooklike)showsthat,althoughthelinesareallblack,theirthicknessesvary,determinedbythemodelspacecolors.Forexample,BlueisverythickandBlackisverythin.

Figure6-3:Changemylinethicknessbutcolormeblack.

AutoCADgivesyoutwodifferentwaysofcontrollingobjectproperties:

ByLayer:Eachlayerhasadefaultcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andplotstyleproperty.UnlessyoutellAutoCADotherwise,objectsinheritthepropertiesofthelayersonwhichthey’recreated.Whenobjectsareselectedinadrawingcreatedusingthissystem,theobjectpropertiesarelistedasByLayer.

ByObject:AutoCADalsoenablesyoutooverrideanobject’slayer’spropertysettingandgivetheobjectaspecificcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,orplotstylethatdiffersfromthelayer’s.

Ifyou’veworkedwithothergraphicsprograms,youmaybeusedtoassigningproperties,suchascolor,tospecificobjects.Ifso,youmaybetemptedtodothesameinAutoCAD.Resistthetemptation.Didyoucatchthat?Onemoretime:Resistthetemptation.

Inalmostallcases,it’sbettertocreatelayers,assignpropertiestoeachlayer,andlettheobjectsoneachlayerinheritthatlayer’sproperties.HerearesomebenefitsofusingtheByLayerapproach:

Youcaneasilychangethepropertiesofagroupofrelatedobjectsthatyouputononelayer.Yousimplychangethepropertyforthelayer,notforabunchofseparateobjects.

ExperienceddraftersusetheByLayerapproach,soifyouworkwithdrawingsfromotherpeople,you’llbemuchmorecompatiblewiththemifyoudoitthesameway.You’llalsoavoidgettingyelledatbyirateCADmanagers,whosejobdutiesincludeharanguinganyhaplessnewbiewhoassignspropertiestoindividualobjects.

IfyoutakemyadviceandassignpropertiesByLayer,allyouhavetodoissetlayerpropertiesintheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette(Itellyouhowinthissection),asshowninFigure6-4.Beforeyoudrawanyobjects,makesuretheColorControl,LinetypeControl,andLineweightControldrop-downlists,andtheTransparencybuttonontheRibbonHometab’sPropertiespanelareallsettoByLayer,asshowninFigure6-5.(Rememberthattheconfigurationofpanelsanddrop-downlistsmayvaryaccordingtotheresolutionofyourdisplay.)Ifthedrawingissettousecolor-basedplotstylesinsteadofnamedplotstyles(seeChapter16),thePlotStyleControldrop-downlistwillbeinactiveandwilldisplayByColor.

Figure6-4:Uselayerpropertiestocontrolobjectproperties.

Figure6-5:ByLayer(nearly)alltheway.

AswithallpalettesinAutoCAD,youcanleavetheLayerPropertiesManageropenwhileyoudootherthingsinthedrawing—unlikethedialogboxmethodofstoppingwhatyou’redoing,openingthedialogbox,makingadjustments,closing

thedialogbox,andthenresumingwhatyouweredoing.Alsolikeotherpalettes,theLayerPropertiesManagercanbesettoauto-hideitselftoitstitlebar,tobeeitherfloatingordocked,ortobeanchored(doyougetthesensethattherearesomeAutoCADprogrammerswho’dratherbesailing?)toeithersideofthescreen.

Ifthedrawingissettousenamedplotstylesinsteadofcolor-basedplotstyles(seeChapter16),thePlotStylecontroldrop-downlistshouldalsodisplayByLayer.

IfyouwanttoavoiddoingthingsthewrongwayandgettingyelledatbyCADmanagers,don’tassignpropertiestoobjectsineitheroftheseways:

Don’tmaketheverycommonbeginner’smistakeofchoosingaspecificcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,orplotstylefromtheappropriatedrop-downlistonthePropertiespaneloftheRibbon’sHometab,orfromthePropertiespalette,andthendrawingtheobjects.

Don’tmakethealso-very-commonbeginner’smistakeofdrawingtheobjects,selectingthem,andthenchoosingapropertyfromthesamedrop-downlists.

Ifyouprefertodothingstherightway(thatis,myway!),assignthesepropertiesByLayer,asIdescribeinthefollowingsection.

AutoCAD’sSETBYLAYERcommandletsyoucorrectthosenon-ByLayerproperties—ontheRibbon’sHometab,clicktheModifypanellabeltoopenthepanelslideout,andthenclickSettoByLayer.Answerthepromptsatthecommandlinetofinishmodifyingobjects.Formoreinformation,refertoSETBYLAYERintheonlinehelp.

CreatingnewlayersIfasuitablelayerdoesn’texist,youneedtocreateoneintheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.Followthesesteps:

1.ClicktheLayerPropertiesbuttonontheLayerspaneloftheRibbon’sHometab,ortypeLAYER(orLA)atthecommandlineandpressEnter.TheLayerPropertiesManagerpaletteappears.Anewdrawinghasonlyone

layer:Layer0.Youneedtoaddthelayersnecessaryforyourdrawing.2.ClicktheNewLayerbutton(itlookslikeasheetofpaperwithalittlesunburstononecorner)tocreateanewlayer.Anewlayerappears.AutoCADnamesitLayer1buthighlightsthenameinaneditboxsoyoucantypeanewnametoreplaceiteasily,asshowninFigure6-6.

Figure6-6:AddinganewlayerintheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.

3.Typeanameforthenewlayer.

Typethelayernamewithinitialcaps(onlythefirstlettersofwordsinuppercase).Layernameswrittencompletelyinuppercasearemuchwider,whichmeansthattheyoftengettruncatedintheLayerControldrop-downlist.

4.Onthesamelineasthenewlayer,clickthecolorblockorcolorname(Whitebydefault)ofthenewlayer.TheSelectColordialogboxappears,asshowninFigure6-7.

Figure6-7:TheSelectColordialogbox.MagentaisselectedfromtheStandardColorslist.

ThenormalAutoCADcolorscheme—AutoCADColorIndex(ACI)—provides255colors.Somanychoicesareoverkillforordinarydrafting.

Fornow,stickwiththefirstninecolors—theonesthatappearinasingle,separaterowtotheleftoftheByLayerandByBlockbuttonsontheIndexColortaboftheSelectColordialogbox—forthefollowingreasons:

•Thesecolorsareeasytodistinguishfromoneanother.

•Usingasmallnumberofcolorsmakesconfiguringyourplotparameterseasier.(IdescribethatprocedureinChapter16.)

IntheSelectColordialogbox,theTrueColortaboffersachoiceofmorethan16millioncolors,whichyoucanspecifybyusingHSL(HueSaturationLuminance)orRGB(RedGreenBlue)numbers.TheColorBookstabenablesyoutousePANTONEandRALcolorschemes,whicharepopularinpublishing.Ifyourworkrequirestonsofcolorsorclosecolormatchingbetweenthecomputerscreenandprintedoutput,you’reprobablyfamiliarwiththerelevantcolorpaletteandhowtouseit.Ifyou’reusingAutoCADforordinarydraftingordesign,stickwiththeAutoCADColorIndexpalette.

5.ClickacolortoselectitasthecolorforthislayerandclickOK.TheSelectColordialogboxcloses,andfocusreturnstotheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.IntheColorcolumn,thenewlayercolorchangestoeitherthenameorthenumberofthecolorthatyouselected.

AutoCAD’sfirstsevencolorshavebothnumbersandstandardnames:1=red,2=yellow,3=green,4=cyan,5=blue,6=magenta,and7=white(whichappearsblackwhendisplayedonawhitebackground).Theremaining248colorshavenumbersonly.

6.Onthesamelineasthenewlayer,clicktheLinetypenameofthenewlayer.TheSelectLinetypedialogboxappears,asshowninFigure6-8.ThedefaultAutoCADlinetypeisContinuous,whichmeansnogapsintheline.

Figure6-8:TheSelectLinetypedialogbox.

Ifyoualreadyloadedthelinetypesyouneedforyourdrawing,orifthetemplatefileyoustartedfromhassomelinetypesloaded,theSelectLinetypedialogboxdisplaysthemintheLoadedLinetypeslist.Ifnot,clicktheLoadbuttontoopentheLoadorReloadLinetypesdialogbox.Bydefault,AutoCADdisplayslinetypesfromthestandardAutoCADorAutoCADLTlinetypedefinitionfile—acad.linforimperial-unitsdrawingsoracadiso.linformetric-unitsdrawings(acadlt.linandacadltiso.lininAutoCADLT).LoadthedesiredlinetypebyselectingitsnameandclickingOK.

Unlessyouhaveareallygoodreason(forexample,yourbosstellsyouso),avoidloadingorusinganylinetypeslabeledACAD_ISO.Theselinetypesarenormallyusedonlyinmetricdrawings—andrarelyeventhen.TheyoverruleeverythingI’mtryingtoshowyouaboutprintedlineweightinwhatfollowsso,ifatallpossible,justsayNOtoACAD_ISO.Ipromiseyou’llfinditeasiertousethelinetypeswiththemoredescriptivenames:CENTER,DASHED,andsoon.

7.ClickthedesiredlinetypeintheLoadedLinetypeslisttoselectitasthelinetypeforthelayer;saythatreallyfastfivetimesandthenclickOK.TheSelectLinetypedialogboxdisappears,returningyoutotheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.IntheNamelist,thelinetypefortheselectedlayerchangestothelinetypeyoujustchose.

8.Onthesamelineasthenewlayer,clickthenewlayer’slineweight.TheLineweightdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure6-9.

Figure6-9:TheLineweightdialogbox.

9.SelectthelineweightyouwantfromthelistandclickOK.Usingthelineweightpropertyisatwo-stepprocess.Afteryou’veassignedalineweighttoalayer,youmustclicktheShow/HideLineweightbuttononthestatusbartoseetheeffect.Youcantogglethefeatureoffandonwiththisbutton.

Thelineweight0.00mmtellsAutoCADtousethethinnestpossiblelineweightonthescreenandontheplot.Irecommendthatfornow,youleavelineweightsettoDefaultandinsteadmapscreencolortoplottedlineweight,asdescribedingreaterdetailinChapter16.AutoCAD2012’stransparencypropertywillprobablybemostappreciatedbypeoplepreparingdrawingsforpresentation.ClickingintheTransparencycolumnopenstheLayerTransparencydialogbox;typeanumericvaluebetween0and90orusethedrop-downlisttosetavalue.Transparency=0isthedefault,andmeansnotransparencyatall—objectsdrawnonalayersettoTransparency=0arecompletelyopaque.Setthevaluetogreaterthan0andyoustartseeingthingsthroughtheobjectsyoudraw.

10.Inthesamelineasthenewlayer,clickthevalueintheTransparencycolumn.Bydefault,layertransparencyissetto0,fornotransparency.Asyouincreasethenumericvalue,thedegreeoftransparencyincreases(themaximumvalueis90).SimilartotheLineweightproperty,youhavetoturnontheTransparencybuttononthestatusbartoseethroughyourobjects.ThePlotStylecolumn’scontentsdependonwhetherthedrawingusesnamedplotstylesorthetraditionalcolor-basedplotting.Drawingssetuptousecolor-basedplottingdisplayanunchangeableplotstylenamebasedonthelayer’scolorproperty.Thegrayed-outstylenamechangesonlywhenthelayercolorchanges.If,ontheotherhand,yourdrawingusesnamedplotstyles,youcanassignanamedplotstyletothelayerinthiscolumn.(Chapter16explainswhyyoumightnotwantto.)ThesettinginthePlotcolumncontrolswhetherthelayer’sobjectsappearonplots.Clickthelittleprintericontotogglethissettingoff(thelittleprintergetsaredbarthroughit)foranylayerwhoseobjectsyouwanttoseeonthescreenbuthideonplots.

11.(Optional)Ifyouwanttoaddadescriptiontothelayer,scrollthelayerlisttotherighttoseetheDescriptioncolumn,clickintheDescriptionboxcorrespondingtoyournewlayer,andtypeadescription.

Myadviceistonameyourlayerssoyoucantellwhat’sonthem.Ifyoudochoosetouselayerdescriptions,stretchtheLayerPropertiesManagerpalettetotherightsothatyoucanseethedescriptionswithouthavingtoscrollthelayerlist.

12.RepeatSteps1through11tocreateanyotherlayersthatyouwant.13.SelectthenewlayerthatyouwanttomakecurrentandclicktheSet

Currentbutton(thegreencheckmark).ChangesyoumakeintheLayerPropertiesManagerpaletteareinstantaneous,unlikeadialogboxinwhichyouhavetoclickOKtoclosethedialogboxandapplythechange.

Don’tforgettotoggleontheLineweightandTransparencybuttonsonthestatusbartoseetheeffectofassigningtheseproperties.Unlikecolorandlinetype,lineweightandtransparencycanbeswitchedoffandon.TheLayerControldrop-downlistnowdisplaysyournewlayerasthecurrentlayer—theoneonwhichAutoCADplacesnewobjectsthatyoudraw.

Afteryoucreatelayers,youcansetanyoneofthemtobethecurrentlayer:Makesurethatnoobjectsareselected,andthenchoosethelayernamefromtheLayerControldrop-downlistontheLayerspanelintheRibbonortheLayerstoolbar.

AloadoflinetypesWhenyouloadalinetype,AutoCADcopiesitslinetypedefinition—aformulaforhowtocreatethedashes,dots,andgapsinthatparticularlinetype—fromtheacad.lin(imperialunits)oracadiso.lin (metric units) file into the drawing. (The files are acadlt.lin andacadltiso.lin,respectively, inAutoCADLT.)Thedefinitiondoesn’tautomaticallyappearinotherdrawings;youhavetoloadeachlinetypethatyouwanttouseintoeachdrawinginwhichyouwant to use it. If you find yourself loading the same linetypes repeatedly into differentdrawings, consider adding them to your template drawings instead. (See Chapter 4 forinformationabouttemplatesandhowtocreatethem.)Afteryouaddlinetypestoatemplatedrawing,allnewdrawings thatyoucreate fromthat templatewillstartwith those linetypesloadedautomatically.

Don’tgooverboardonloadinglinetypes.Forexample,youdon’tneedtoloadallthelinetypesintheacad.linfileontheoffchancethatyoumightusethemallsomeday.Theresultinglinetypelist would be long and unwieldy. Most drawings require only a few linetypes, and mostindustriesandcompaniessettleonahalfdozenorsolinetypesforcommonuse.Yourindustry,office,orprojectmayhaveguidelinesaboutwhichlinetypestouseforwhichpurposes.

If you’re the techno-dweeb type and don’t mind editing a text file that contains linetypedefinitions,youcandefineyourownlinetypesorweedouttheonesyou’llneveruse.PressF1toopenthemainonlinehelpwindow.ThenchooseCustomizationGuide⇒CustomLinetypes.

Manipulatinglayers

Afteryoucreatelayersanddrawobjectsonthem,youcanturnalayerofforontohideorshowtheobjectsonthatlayer.IntheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette,thefirstthreeiconstotherightofthelayernamecontrolAutoCAD’slayervisibilitymodes:

Off/On:Clickthelight-bulbicontotogglevisibilityofallobjectsontheselectedlayer.AutoCADdoesnotregeneratethedrawingwhenyouturnlayersbackon.(IgiveyouthelowdownonregenerationsinChapter12.)

Freeze/Thaw:Clickthesunicontotoggleoffvisibilityofallobjectsontheselectedlayer.Clickthesnowflakeicontotogglevisibilityon.AutoCADregeneratesthedrawingwhenyouthawlayers.

Lock/Unlock:Clickthepadlockicontolockandunlocklayers.Whenalayerislocked,youcanseebutnoteditobjectsonthatlayer.

Youcanrearrangecolumnorderbysimplydragginganddroppingthecolumnlabeltoanewplace.Andyoucanright-clickanycolumnlabeltodisplayamenufromwhichyoucanturncolumnsoffandon.

Off/OnandFreeze/Thawdoalmostthesamething—bothsettingsletyoumakeobjectsvisibleorinvisiblebylayer.Intheolddays,turninglayersoffandonwasoftenafasterprocessthanthawingfrozenlayersbecausethawinglayersalwaysrequiredregeneratingthedrawing.Butmoderncomputers,modernoperatingsystems,andrecentAutoCADreleasesmakeregenerationsmuchlessofanissueonallbutthelargestdrawings.You’llprobablyfinditmakesnoappreciabledifferencewhetheryoufreezeandthawlayersorturnthemoffandon.

Youcanturnlayersoffandon,freezeandthawthem,andlockandunlockthembyclickingtheappropriateiconsintheLayerControldrop-downlistontheRibbon.

Thestateofyourlayers

Sayyouhaveafloorplanofahousethatincludesalayershowingtheframingandanotherlayershowingthewiring.You’dprobablynevershowbothofthoseelementsonthesamedrawing,soyou’dneedtodosomelayermanagementwhenyoushowedyourdrawingtotheframersortheelectricians.Ratherthanturningadozenlayersoffandadifferentdozenlayersonwhenyouwantadifferentviewintoyourdrawing,youcansavegroupsoflayersettingsasanamedlayerstate.YoucanmanageyourlayerstatesintheappropriatelynamedLayerStatesManagerdialogboxbyclickingtheLayerStatesManagerbuttonintheLayer

PropertiesManager.YoucanalsoaccesstheLayerStatesManagerdirectlybyenteringLAYERSTATESatthecommandlineorchoosingManageLayerStatesfromtheLayerStatedrop-downlistintheLayerspanel.

AutoCADfadeslockedlayers,givingyouareallyeffectivevisualreferencewithoutconfusingyouaboutwhichlayersmightbelockedornot.YoucancontroltheamountoffadingbysettinganonzerovalueforthesystemvariableLAYLOCKFADECTL.(SeeChapter26foranexplanationofsystemvariablesandcheckouttheonlinehelpforspecificinfoonthisone.)Youcanturnofffadingbutretainthecurrentsettingforfutureusebyaddingaminussign(–)infrontofthefadevalue,oryoucanturnoffthefadingaltogetherbysettingthisvalueto0.

Ifyoufindyourselfusinglotsoflayers,youcancreatelayerfilterstomakeviewingandmanagingthelayerlisteasier.Agroupfilterissimplyasubsetoflayersthatyouchoose(bydragginglayernamesintothegroupfilternameorbyselectingobjectsinthedrawing).ApropertyfilterisasubsetoflayersthatAutoCADcreatesandupdatesautomaticallyaccordingtolayerpropertycriteriathatyoudefine(forexample,alllayerswhosenamescontainWallorwhosecolorisgreen).Tofindoutmore,moveyourmousepointerintotheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette,pressF1,andclicktheNewPropertyFilterhyperlink.

InbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,youcanaccessasetoflayertoolsthroughtheLayerspaneloftheRibbon’sHometab—seeFigure6-10(youmayhavetoopenthepanelslideouttoseethemall).LayerIsolateandLayerOffareespeciallyuseful—yousimplyclickanobjecttospecifythelayertoisolate(thatis,fadealllayersexceptthechosenone)orturnoffaltogether.Formoreinformationonlayers,opentheonlinehelpsystemandchooseUser’sGuide⇒CreateandModifyObjects⇒ControlthePropertiesofObjects⇒WorkwithLayers⇒UseLayerstoManageComplexity.

Figure6-10:Toolingthroughthelayertools.

TheLAYISOcommandincorporatesthesamelayer-fadingfeaturedescribedintheprecedingtipforlockedlayers—anditlocksthelayersaswell.SetitupthewayyouwantbytypingS(forSettings)andpressingEnter;thentypetheoptionletterforthespecificsettingsyouwant.LookupLAYISOintheonlinehelpIndexformoreinformation.

Insteadofturningoffalayerwhenthereareonlyafewthingsintheway,youcanhideorisolateindividualobjectswithAutoCAD2012’sISOLATEOBJECTSandHIDEOBJECTScommandswhilekeepingnormalvisibilityforotherobjectsonthelayer.IdiscussthesecommandsinChapter10.

UsingNamedObjectsOneofthethingsthatcanmakeAutoCADatoughnuttocrackisthesomewhatcavaliernamingconventionsusedintheprogram’sdocumentation.Foryears,thingslikelines,arcs,andothergraphicalitemswerecalledentities,butmorerecently,theystartedbeingcalledobjects.Fairenough,butobjecthasalsolongbeenusedtodefinecertainnon-graphicalcomponentsofadrawing—thingsthatyou’dhardlyconsidertobeobjectsatall—andthosearethekindof“namedobjects”Idescribeinwhatfollows.

HiddenintheinnardsofeveryAutoCADdrawingfileisasetofnamedobjects.Namedobjectsareorganizedintosymboltables,andthepropertiesthatarecommontoallAutoCADobjectsaredefinedinthesetables.Forexample,allthelineobjectsinadrawingarestoredononeormorelayers,soalayerpropertyiscommontoalllinesandisdefinedinthelayertable.Butthecoordinatesthatdefinethestartandendpointsofagivenlineareuniquetothatline(ortheyshouldbe!)—sothecoordinatepropertiesarenotcommontoalllines.

Layersareoneexampleofanamedobject.Thelayertableinagivendrawingcontainsalistofthelayersinthecurrentdrawing,alongwiththesettingsforeachlayer(color,linetype,on/offsetting,andsoon).

Namedobjectsdon’tappearasgraphicalobjectsinyourdrawing.They’relikethehard-workingpitcrewthatkeepstheracecarsrunningsmoothlybehindthescenes.Thenamedobjectsyou’relikelytousethemostinclude

Layers(coveredinthesection“Puttingitonalayer,”earlierinthischapter)

Linetypes(coveredinthesection“Accumulatingproperties,”earlierinthischapter)

Textstyles(seeChapter13)

Tablestyles(seeChapter13)

Multileaderstyles(seeChapter13)

Multilinestyles(notcoveredinthisbook;seetheonlinehelp)

Dimensionstyles(seeChapter14)

Blockdefinitionsandxrefs(seeChapters17and18)

Layouts(seeChapter5)

Whenyouusecommands,suchasLAYER,LINETYPE,andDIMSTYLE,you’recreatingandeditingnamedobjects.Afteryou’vecreatednamedobjectsinadrawing,AutoCADDesignCenterorthenew-in-2012ContentExplorergiveyouthetoolstocopythemtootherdrawings.

DonaldTrumpmightthinkotherwise,butyoucanhavetoomanyproperties

(atleastinAutoCAD).Youmayhavecreatedlayersorloadedlinetypes,text,ordimensionstylesthatyouendupnotusing.Ifyouthinkyoumayhavesomeofthesesuperfluousnamedobjectsinyourdrawing,thePURGEcommandcanhelpyougetridofthem.ClicktheApplicationbuttontodisplaytheApplicationMenu.ChooseDrawingUtilities,andthenPurgetoopenthePurgedialogbox.Youcanclicktheplussign(+)besideeachcategoryandpurgeindividualitems,oryoucanclickPurgeAllandgetridoftonsofstuffatonce.Visittheonlinehelpformoreaboutpurging.

UsingAutoCADDesignCenterDesignCenterisadumbnameforauseful,ifsomewhatbusy,palette.(Atleasttheydidn’tcallitDesignCenterManager!)TheDesignCenterpaletteishandyforborrowingdatafromallkindsofdrawings.WhereasthePropertiespalette(describedinthesection“ManagingYourProperties,”earlierinthischapter)isconcernedwithpropertiesofgraphicalobjects,theDesignCenterpalettedealsprimarilywithnamedobjects:layers,linetypes,blockdefinitions,textstyles,andotherorganizationalobjectsinyourdrawings.

TheDesignCenterpalette(showninFigure6-11)consistsofatoolbaratthetop,asetofthreetabsbelowthat,atreeviewpaneontheleft,andacontentpaneontheright.ThetreeviewpanedisplaysaWindowsExplorer–likenavigationpanel,showingdrawingfilesandthesymboltablescontainedineachdrawing.Thecontentpaneusuallydisplaysthecontentsoftheselecteddrawingorsymboltable.

Figure6-11:TheAutoCADDesignCenterpalette.

ThethreetabsjustbelowtheDesignCentertoolbarcontrolwhatyouseeinthetreeviewandcontentpanes:

Folders:Thistabshowsthefoldersonyourlocalandnetworkdrives,justliketheWindowsExplorerFolderspanedoes.Usethistabifthedrawingyouwanttocopyfromisn’tcurrentlyopeninAutoCAD.

OpenDrawings:Thistab(currentinFigure6-11)showsthedrawingsthatarecurrentlyopeninAutoCAD.Usethistabtocopynamedobjectsbetweenopendrawings.

History:Thistabshowsdrawingsthatyou’verecentlybrowsedinDesignCenter.Usethistabtojumpquicklytodrawingsthatyou’veusedrecentlyontheFolderstab.

TheAutodeskSeekDesignContentbuttononDesignCenter’stoolbarlinkstopartslibrariesthatareavailableonAutodesk’sWebsites.(AutodeskSeekisalsoaccessiblethroughthenewContentExplorer,whichIintroduceyoutoinChapters1and2.)AutodeskSeekisessentiallyanonlinecatalogofbuildingproducts.Browsetheofferingstoseewhetheranyoftheonlinelibrariescanbeusefulinyourwork.

Thetoolbarbuttonsfurtherrefinewhatyouseeinthetreeviewandcontentpanes.Afewofthesebuttonstoggledifferentpartsofthepanes.

ThefollowingstepsoutlinetheprocedureforusingDesignCentertocopynamedobjectsfromonedrawingtoanother.Seethenextsection,“Copyinglayersbetweendrawings,”foraspecificexample.

1.Ifitisn’talreadyopen,switchtotheRibbon’sViewtab,findthePalettespanel,andclickDesignCentertoopentheDesignCenterpalette.YoucanalsopressCtrl+2toopenthispalette.

2.Selectorloadthedrawing(s)whosecontentyouwanttovieworuseintothenavigationpaneontheleft.Ifthesourcedrawingisalreadyopen,youcanaccessitscontentfromtheOpenDrawingstab.Ifthesourcedrawingisn’topenbutisstoredonyourharddriveornetwork,clickLoadontheDesignCentertoolbarandnavigatetothefile’slocationintheFolderstab.

3.IntheOpenDrawingstab(ifthesourcedrawingiscurrentlyopen)ortheFolderstab(ifthesourcedrawingisnotopen)ofthetreeviewpane,clicktheplussign(+)besidethesourcefiletoexpandthelistofnamedobjectcategories.Thelistofnamedobjectcategoriesappearsinalistinthetreeviewpaneontheleftandasiconsinthecontentpaneontheright.

4.Inthetreeviewpane,selectthecategoryofnamedobjectyouwanttocopy.Thecontentpanenowdisplaystheindividualnamedobjectswithinthenamedobjectcategory.Forexample,inFigure6-11(shownpreviously),theLayerscategoryisselectedinthetreeviewpane,andiconsforeachnamedlayerareshowninthecontentpane.

5.Inthecontentpane,selecttheitemsyouwanttocopy.Right-clickand

chooseAdd[Symbol](orInsertBlockifyou’recopyingblockdefinitions)orsimplydraganddropthemintothedrawingarea.UseShiftorCtrltoselectmultiplenamedobjects.

CopyinglayersbetweendrawingsTheprevioussetofstepsoutlinesthegeneralprocedureforcopyingnamedobjectsfromonedrawingtoanotherbyusingDesignCenter.Thefollowingstepsshowaspecificexample:copyinglayersfromonedrawingtoanother.Youcanusethesametechniquetocopydimensionstyles,layouts,linetypes,tablestyles,textstyles,oranyofthenamedobjectsshowninthetreeviewpaneinFigure6-11.

1.Openthedrawingthatcontainsthelayersyouwanttocopy(thesourcedrawing).2.Openthedrawingtowhichyouwanttocopythelayers(thedestinationdrawing).Ifyoualreadyhadbothdrawingsopen,makesurethatyoucanseethedestinationdrawing.Ifyoucan’t,clickSwitchWindowsintheViewtab’sWindowspanelandchoosethedestinationdrawinginordertobringittotheforeground,ortilethewindows,asshowninFigure6-12,byclickingTileVerticallyinthesameWindowspanel.

Figure6-12:Copyingalayerfromonedrawingtoanother.

3.ClicktheDesignCenterbuttononthePalettespaneloftheRibbon’sViewtaborpressCtrl+2.4.IntheDesignCenterpalette,clicktheOpenDrawingstab.TheDesignCentertreeviewpaneontheleftsideofthepalettedisplaysalistofdrawingsthatyoucurrentlyhaveopeninAutoCAD.

YoucanalsousetheFolderstab,theLoadbutton,ortheSearchbuttontoloadadrawingintoDesignCenterwithoutopeningitinAutoCAD.

5.InthetreeviewpaneoftheDesignCenterpalette,clicktheplussign(+)nexttothenameofthesourcedrawingthatyouopenedinStep1.Alistofsymbolcategoriesthatyoucancopy,includinglayers,appearsinthetreeviewpane.

6.ClickLayersinthelistinthetreeviewpane.Thedisplayinthecontentpaneattherightchangestoshowtheindividuallayersthatarestoredinthesourcedrawing.

7.ClickanddragthedesiredlayerorlayersfromthecontentpaneoftheDesignCenterpaletteintothewindowcontainingthedestinationdrawing

thatyouopenedinStep2,asshowninFigure6-12.

Ifthecurrentdrawingcontainsalayerwhosenamematchesthenameofoneofthelayersyou’recopying,AutoCADdoesn’tchangethecurrentdrawing’slayerdefinition.Forexample,ifyouaddalayernamedDoorswhosecolorisredintoadrawingthatalreadyincludesaDoorslayerwhosecolorisgreen,thedestinationdrawing’sDoorslayerremainsgreen.NamedobjectsfromDesignCenterneveroverwriteobjectswiththesamenameinthedestinationdrawing.AutoCADalwaysdisplaysthemessageDuplicatedefinitionswillbeignoredeveniftherearen’tanyduplicates.

Ifyou’rerepeatedlycopyingnamedobjectsfromthesamedrawingsorfolders,addthemtoyourDesignCenterfavoriteslist.OntheFolderstab,right-clickthedrawingorfolder,andchooseAddtoFavoritesfromthemenu.Thisprocedureaddsanothershortcuttoyourlistoffavorites.

Toseeyourfavorites:ClicktheDesignCentertoolbar’sFavoritesbutton.

Toreturntoafavorite:Double-clickitsshortcutinthecontentpane.

Chapter7

PreciselinessIsNexttoCADliness

InThisChapterTypingcoordinatesatthekeyboard

GettingtoknowAutoCAD’sCoordinateSystems

Snappingtoobjectfeatures

Usingotherprecisiondrawingandeditingtechniques

DrawingprecisionisvitaltogoodCADdraftingpractice,evenmorethanfor

manualdrafting.(Accuracy,ofcourse,isvitaltobothtypesofdrafting—ifyou’resketchyonthedifferencebetweenaccuracyandprecision,lookaheadtothe“CADprecisionversusaccuracy”sidebarinthischapter.)IfyouthinkCADmanagersgetalittletensewhenyouassignpropertiesdirectlytoobjectsinsteadofByLayer,waituntilyouseethemlayintosomeone(Isincerelyhopeit’snotyou!)whodoesn’tuseprecisiontechniqueswhencreatingdrawingsinAutoCAD.

ControllingYourPrecisionInAutoCAD,lackofprecisionmakeslaterediting,hatching,anddimensioningtasksmuchmoredifficultandtimeconsuming.Keepthesefactsinmind:

Smallerrorsinprecisionintheearlystagesofcreatingoreditingadrawingoftenhaveabigeffectonproductivityandprecisionlater.

Drawingsmayguidemanufacturingandconstructionprojects;drawingdatamaydriveautomaticmanufacturingmachinery.Hugeamountsofmoneyandevenlivescanrideonadrawing’sprecision.

Inrecognitionofthesefacts,apassionforprecisionpermeatestheprofession.PrecisionisoneofthecharacteristicsthatseparatesCADfromordinaryillustration-typedrawingwork.ThesooneryougetfussyaboutprecisioninAutoCAD,thehappiereveryoneis.

CADprecisionversusaccuracyYou often hear thewords precision and accuracy used interchangeably, but it’s useful tounderstandthedifference.Inthisbook,Iuseprecisiontomeancontrollingtheplacementofobjectssotheylieexactlywhereyouwantthemtolieinthedrawing.Forexample,lineswhoseendpoints meet must meet exactly, and a circle that’s supposed to be centered on thecoordinates0,0mustbedrawnwith itscenterexactlyat0,0. Iuseaccuracy to refer to thedegreetowhichyourdrawingmatches itsreal-worldcounterpart.Anaccuratefloorplan isoneinwhichthedimensionsoftheCADobjectsequalthedimensionsoftheas-builthouse.Inasense,then,it’snotthedrawingthatshouldbeaccurate—it’sthehouse!

CADprecisionusuallyhelpsproduceaccuratedrawings,butthat’snotalwaysthecase.YoucanproduceapreciseCADdrawingthat’s inaccuratebecauseyoustartedfrominaccurateinformation(forexample,thecontractorgaveyouawrongfieldmeasurement).Oryoumightdeliberatelyexaggeratecertaindistances toconvey the relationshipbetweenobjectsmoreclearlyontheplotteddrawing.Evenwhereyoumustsacrificeaccuracy,aimforprecision.

WhenItalkaboutdrawingthingsprecisely,Imeanusingprecisiontechniquesandtoolstospecifypointsanddistanceswithasmuchexactnessastheprogramallows.Luckily,AutoCADprovidesacomprehensivepackageoftoolsfordoingjustthat.Table7-1liststhemoreimportantAutoCADprecisiontechniques,alongwithvisualcuestothestatusbarbuttonsthatyouclicktotogglesomeofthefeatures.

AsIdescribeinChapter2,youcanswitchthedisplayonstatusbarbuttonsbetweentextandiconsbyright-clickinganyofthosebuttonsandselectingorunselectingUseIcons.Table7-1showstheiconsandliststhetextforbothalternatives.

Precisionisespeciallyimportantwhenyou’redrawingoreditinggeometry—thelines,arcs,andsoonthatmakeupwhateveryou’rerepresentingintheCADdrawing.Precisionplacementusuallyislessimportantwithnotes,leaders,andotherannotationsthatdescribe,notshow.

Beforeyoudrawobjects,alwayscheckthestatusbarbuttonsandsetthem

accordingtoyourprecisionneeds.

Abuttonthatlookslit(thatis,justalittlebrighterthanitsneighbors—typically,alightblue)indicatesthatthefeatureison.

Abuttonthatlooksdimmed(typically,darkgray)indicatesthatthefeatureisoff.

Keyboardcapers:CoordinateinputThemostdirectwaytoenterpointspreciselyistotypenumbersatthekeyboard.AutoCADusesthesekeyboardcoordinateentryformats:

AbsoluteCartesian(X,Y)coordinatesintheformX,Y(forexample,7,4)

RelativeX,Ycoordinatesintheform@X,Y(forexample,@3,2)

Relativepolarcoordinatesintheform@distance<angle(forexample,@6<45)

UnderstandingAutoCAD’scoordinatesystemsAutoCADstoreslocationaldataforeveryobjectinadrawingbasedonacenturies-oldsystemofCartesian,orX,Ycoordinates.

CartesiancoordinatesarenamedforFrenchphilosopherRené“Ithink,thereforeIam”Descartes.InhisDiscourseonMethod,Descartescameupwiththeideaoflocatinganypointonaplanarsurfacebymeasuringitsdistancefromtheintersectionofapairofaxes(that’saxesasinmorethanoneaxis,notthetoolforchoppingwood).Byconvention,theintersectionofthoseaxes(called,alsobyconvention,theX-axisandtheY-axis)areperpendiculartooneanother,andtheirintersectionpointisidentifiedas0,0.ThelogicalnextstepinthissystemofX,Ycoordinatesistointroduceathirdaxis(called,whatelse,theZ-axis),perpendiculartotheplanedefinedbytheX-andY-axes.ThisonesharestheX,Yintersectionpointof0,0andsoitscoordinatesareidentifiedas0,0,0.

Theoretically,anypointinthree-dimensionalspacecanbelocatedbyasetofX,Y,Zcoordinates.And,byextension,everypointinanAutoCADdrawingfilecanbeidentifiedbyitsX,Y,Zcoordinates(inmost2Ddrawings,theZ-coordinateis0).ThissystemofcoordinatesisreferredtoinAutoCADastheWorldCoordinateSystem,orWCS.

IntroducingUserCoordinateSystems

Manytimes,it’sconvenienttodefineadditionalcoordinatesystemstomakedrawingthingsalittleeasier,soAutoCADletsyourollyourown.Thesenon–WorldCoordinateSystemsarecalledUserCoordinateSystems(UCSforshort),andthey’resowidelyusedthatUCSnowreferstoeverycoordinatesysteminAutoCAD.

WhywouldyouwanttodivergefromthestandardWCS?Well,themostcommonreasonisthatyoumightbeworkingin3D,andit’swayeasiertocalculateandentercoordinatesifthey’rebasedontheplaneyouwanttoworkon.Forexample,sayyou’remodelingoneofthoseold-fashionedwedge-shapedrubberdoorstops,andyouwanttoaddthemanufacturer’slogototheslopingsurfaceofthewedge.That’snoteasyifyoustayintheWCS,butAutoCADletsyousetanewUCSbasedonthatslopingsurface.OncethatUCSismadecurrent,youdrawinitjustasyoudrawintheWCS.(IhavemoretosayaboutUCSsin3DinChapter21.)

UCSscanbeusefulontwodimensionsaswellasthree.TheWCSassumesthenorthdirectionisstraightup—90degrees,accordingtoAutoCAD’sdefaults—butyourdrawingmightworkbetteronasheetwherenorthpointedtotheleft.Easyenough—createaUCSwithnorthpointingleft(I’llleaveyoutolookupthisprocessintheonlinehelp—Ionlyhavesomanypages!)

It’sgenerallyeasiertocreateaUCSbytypingoptionsatthecommandline,butoncethey’recreated,they’reeasiertomanagethroughtheUCSdialogbox.ClicktheUCS,NamedUCSbuttonontheViewtab’sCoordinatespanel,ortypeUCSMANandpressEnter.

InAutoCAD2012,it’seveneasiertodragthenewselectableUCSiconintothedrawingandmanipulateitdirectly.IcoverthisnewpropertyoftheUCSiconinChapter21,sinceit’sparticularlyapplicableto3Dwork.

AutoCAD’sUCSiconshowsyouclearlywhetheryou’reinpaperspaceormodelspace,andalmostasclearlywhetheryou’reintheWCSoraUCSifyou’reinmodelspace.Forsomereason,theAutoCADprogrammershavemadethemodelspaceUCSiconhardertoseeinthelastfewreleases.Figure7-1showsAutoCAD2012’svariationsonthetheme.

YoucanusetheUCScommandinpaperspaceaswellasmodelspace,but

it’salmostalwaysabadidea.LeavepaperspaceintheWCStomakeyourplottingawholeloteasier.

TheUCSiconinbothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012isselectable;clickitandgripsappearattheoriginandtheendsoftheaxisindicators.YoucandragtheiconbyitsgripstosetanewUCS.IcoverthisnewfeaturemorefullyinChapter21.

Figure7-1:TheUCSiconshowsyouyourcurrentcoordinatesystem.

Drawingbynumbers

AutoCADlocatesabsoluteX,Ycoordinateswithrespecttothe0,0point(otherwiseknownastheorigin)ofthedrawing—usuallyitslower-leftcorner.AutoCADlocatesrelativeX,Ycoordinatesandrelativepolarcoordinateswithrespecttothepreviouspointthatyoupickedortyped.Figure7-2demonstrateshowtouseallthreecoordinateformatstodrawapairoflinesegmentsthatstartatabsolutecoordinates2,1;thengo3unitstotherightand2unitsuprelativetothefirstpoint;then,relativetothatpoint,go4unitsatanangleof60degrees.

Incaseyou’rewondering,AutoCADalsounderstandsabsolutepolarcoordinatesintheformdistance<angle,butthisformatisalmostneveruseful.

YoucanfindouttheX,Ylocationofyourcrosshairsbymovingthemaroundinthedrawingareaandreadingthecoordinatevaluesattheleftendofthestatusbar.TheX,Ycoordinatesshouldchangeasyoumovethecrosshairs.Ifthecoordinatesdon’tchange,clickthedrawingcoordinatesareauntilyousee<Coordson>inthecommandwindow.

AstuteobserversofthefullversionofAutoCADwillhavenoticedthattherearethreenumbersattheleftendofthestatusbar(AutoCADLTisnumericallydeprived).AutoCADisactuallyshowingyoutheX,Y,Zcoordinatesofthecrosshairs.However,in2Ddrafting,theZvalueis(orshouldbe)0,soyoucancontinuecallingthemX,Ycoordinates.

Figure7-2:Coordinatingfromthekeyboard.

Althoughit’snotapparentatfirst,thereare,infact,threecoordinatedisplaymodes.Clickingthecoordinatesreadoutcyclesthrough

Off(<Coordsoff>):Thestatusbarcoordinatesreadoutisdimmed,andthecoordinatevaluesdon’tupdateuntilyoupickapoint.

On,showingX,Ycoordinates(<Coordson>):Thecoordinatesreadoutappearsblack,andtheabsoluteX,Ycoordinatesupdatecontinuouslyasyoumovethecrosshairs.Ifnocommandisactive,clickingthecoordinatesreadoutalternatesbetweenthismodeand<coordsoff>.

On,showingpolarcoordinates(<Coordson>):Thismode,whichdisplaysdistanceandanglerelativetothelastpointpickedratherthanabsoluteX,Yvalues,appearsifacommandisactiveandAutoCADiswaitingforyoutopickapoint.

IfyoustartacommandsuchasLINE,pickapoint,andthenclicktheCoordinatesareaafewtimes,thedisplaychangesfromcoordinatesofftoliveabsolutecoordinates(X,Yposition)tolivepolarcoordinates(distanceandanglefromthepreviouspoint).Displayinglivepolarcoordinatesisthemostinformativemodemostofthetime.

Whenyoutypecoordinatesatthecommandline,donotaddanyspacesbecauseAutoCADinterpretsaspaceasthoughyou’vepressedEnter.This“Spacebar=Enter”weirdnessisaproductivityfeaturethat’sbeeninAutoCADforever.It’seasiertofindthespacebarthantheEnterkeywhenyou’reenteringlotsofcommandsandcoordinatesinahurry—andit’sespeciallyhandyfortouchtypistswhoareallthumbs.

Ifyou’reworkinginAutoCAD’sArchitecturalorEngineeringunits,thedefaultunitofentryisinches,notfeet.Herearesomethingstoconsideraboutenteringnumericvalueswhenyouworkinfeetandinches:

Tospecifyfeet,youmustenterthesymbolforfeetafterthenumber.Forexample:

6'for6feet.

Youcanenteradashtoseparatefeetfrominches,asarchitectsoftendo:

6'–6"is6feet,6inches.

Boththedashandtheinchmarkareoptionalwhenyou’reenteringcoordinatesanddistances:

6'6"and6'6isthesameas6'–6".

Ifyou’retypingacoordinateordistancethatcontainsfractionalinches,youmustenteradash—notaspace—betweenthewholenumberofinchesandthefraction:

6'6–1/2(or6'–6–1/2)represents6feet,61/2inches.

Ifallthisdashingaboutconfusesyou,enterpartialinchesbyusingdecimalsinstead:

6'6.5isthesameas6'6–1/2"toAutoCAD,whetheryou’reworkinginArchitecturalorEngineeringunits.

Haveyoueverwantedtochecktheaccuracy(orprecision!)ofsomethingthat’salreadydrawn?TheMEASUREGEOMcommandisaone-stopshopwhereyoucanquerydrawingobjectsfordistances,angles,areas,andothergeometricorlocationalinformationaboutdrawingobjects.YoucanfinditontheUtilitiespaneloftheHometab—lookforaniconwithayellowruler.

GrabanobjectandmakeitsnappyAfteryou’vedrawnafewobjectspreciselyinanewdrawing,themostefficientwaytodrawmoreobjectswithequalprecisionistograbspecific,geometricallyprecisepoints,suchasendpoints,midpoints,orquadrants,ontheexistingobjects.EveryobjecttypeinAutoCADhasatleastoneofthesepoints,andyoucan“snap”tothempreciselyasyoudrawbyusingobjectsnaps(osnapsforshortbythoseintheknow).

AutoCADprovidestwowaysofusingobjectsnaps:

Objectsnapoverrides:Anobjectsnapoverrideisactiveforasinglepick.

Runningobjectsnaps:Arunningobjectsnapstaysineffectuntilyouturnitoff.

AutoCAD2011introducedanewsuiteofobjectsnapsspecificallyforworkingin3D(asusual,3DfeaturesarenotincludedinAutoCADLT).IcoverthemfullyinChapter21,butpointthemoutherebecausethenew3DOSNAPstatusbarbuttonisrightnexttotheregularoldOSNAPbutton,andnotsoeasytodistinguishfromit.InAutoCAD2012,thebuttonsarestillthesame,butthemarkersthemselvesarecoloreddifferently,sothey’reatleastalittleeasiertodistinguishinthedrawingitself.

Inthissection,youusetheregularObjectSnapbuttonthatshowsthesquarewiththesunburstatthetop-leftcorner,notthe3D-lookingboxwiththesunburstatthebottom-leftcorner.

Grabbingpointswithobjectsnapoverrides

Here’showyoudrawpreciselinesbyusingobjectsnapoverrides:

1.Openadrawingcontainingsomegeometry.

2.TurnoffrunningobjectsnapmodebyclickingtheObjectSnapbuttononthestatusbaruntilthebuttonappearstobedimmedand<Osnapoff>appearsinthecommandwindow.

Althoughyoucanuseobject-snapoverrideswhilerunningobjectsnapsareenabled,Irecommendthatyouturnoffanyrunningobjectsnapswhileyou’regettingfamiliarwithobjectsnapoverrides.Afteryou’vegotthehangofeachfeatureseparately,youcanusethemtogether.

3.StarttheLINEcommandbyclickingtheLinebuttonontheRibbon’sDrawpanelortypingLINE(orL)andpressingEnter.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectthestartingpointoftheline:Specifyfirstpoint:

4.HolddowntheShiftkey,right-clickanywhereinthedrawingarea,andreleasetheShiftkey.TheObjectSnapmenuappears,asshowninFigure7-3.

Figure7-3:TheObjectSnapright-clickmenu.

5.ChooseanObjectSnapmode,suchasEndpoint,fromtheobjectsnapmenu.TheObjectSnapmenudisappears,andthecommandwindowdisplaysanadditionalprompttoindicatethatyou’vedirectedAutoCADtoseekout,forexample,theendpointsofexistingobjects:_endpof:

6.Movethecrosshairsslowlyaroundthedrawing,pausingovervariouslinesandotherobjectswithoutclickingyet.Whenyoumovethecrosshairsnearanobjectwithanendpoint,acoloredsquareiconappearsattheendpoint,indicatingthatAutoCADcansnaptothatpoint.Ifyoustopmovingthecrosshairsforamoment,atooltipdisplayingtheObjectSnapmode(forexample,Endpoint)appears,toreinforcetheidea.

7.ClickwhentheEndpointobjectsnapsquareappearsonthepointyouwanttosnapto.AutoCADsnapstotheendpoint,whichbecomesthefirstpointofthenewlinesegmentthatyou’reabouttodraw.Thecommandlinepromptsyoutoselecttheotherendpointofthenewlinesegment:Specifynextpointor[Undo]:

Whenyoumovethecrosshairsaroundthedrawing,AutoCADnolongerseeksoutendpointsbecauseObjectSnapoverrideslastforonlyasinglepick.YoucanusetheObjectSnapright-clickmenuagaintosnaptheotherendofyournewlinesegmenttoanotherpointonanexistingobject.

8.UsetheShift+right-clicksequencedescribedinStep4todisplaytheObjectSnapmenuagain.ThenchooseanotherObjectSnapmode,suchasMidpoint,fromtheObjectSnapmenu.Thecommandlinedisplaysanadditionalpromptindicatingthatyou’vedirectedAutoCADtoseek,forexample,midpointsofexistingobjects:_midof:

Whenyoumovethecrosshairsnearthemidpointofanobject,acoloredtriangleappearsatthesnappoint.EachObjectSnaptype(Endpoint,Midpoint,Intersection,andsoon)displaysadifferentsymbol.Ifyoustopmovingthecrosshairs,thetooltiptextremindsyouwhatthesymbolmeans.Figure7-4showswhatthescreenlookslikeduringthisstep.

9.Drawadditionallinesegmentsbypickingadditionalpoints.UsetheObjectSnapright-clickmenutospecifyasingleobjectsnaptypebeforeyoupickeachpoint.TrytheIntersection,Perpendicular,andNearestobjectsnaps.Ifyourdrawingcontainsarcsorcircles,tryCenterandQuadrant.

Figure7-4:Asnappyline.

10.Whenyou’refinishedexperimentingwithobjectsnapoverrides,right-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseEnterfromthemenutoendtheLINEcommand.

There’sadifferencebetweenright-clickingandShift+right-clickinginthedrawingarea:•Right-clicking:Displaysmenuoptionsforthecurrentcommand(orcommoncommandsandsettingswhennocommandisactive).•Shift+right-clicking:AlwaysdisplaysthesameObjectSnapmenu.

Runningwithobjectsnaps

Often,youuseanobjectsnapsetting(suchasEndpoint)repeatedly.Userunningobjectsnapstoaddressthisneed.

Thefollowingstepssetarunningobjectsnap:

1.Right-clicktheOSNAPbuttononthestatusbar.TheObjectSnapmenuappears,asshowninFigure7-5.

Manystatusbarbuttonsdisplayshortcutmenuswhenyouright-click,asshowninFigure7-5.(ObjectSnapandObjectSnapTrackingbothdisplaythemenuofrunningobjectsnaps.)Manysettings,includingallrunningObjectSnaptypes,canbesetbyclickingamenuitem—younolongerneedtoopentheDraftingSettingsdialogbox,makeyoursettings,andthenclickOKtoclosethedialogbox.

Figure7-5:Grabbingmultipleobjectfeaturesisanosnap.

2.ClickinthemenutoselectoneormoreObjectSnapsettings.ActiverunningObjectSnapsettingsshowahighlightedsquarearoundtheicon(seeFigure7-5).

YouclicktheObjectSnapbuttononthestatusbartotoggleRunningObjectSnapmode.AfteryouturnonRunningObjectSnap,AutoCADhuntsforpointsthatcorrespondtotheobjectsnapsyoucheckedontheObjectSnapbutton’sright-clickmenu.AswithObjectSnapoverrides,AutoCADdisplaysaspecialsymbol—suchasasquareforanEndpointobjectsnap—toindicatethatithasfoundanobjectsnappoint.Ifyoukeepthecrosshairsstill,AutoCADalsodisplaysatooltipthatliststhekindofobjectsnappoint.

UseObjectSnapoverridesorrunningobjectsnapstoenforceprecisionbymakingsurethatnewpointsyoupickcoincideexactlywithpointsonexistingobjects.InAutoCAD,it’snotgoodenoughforpointstoalmostcoincideortolookliketheycoincide.Youlosepoints,bothfigurativelyandliterally,ifyoudon’tuseobjectsnapsoroneoftheotherprecisiontechniquescoveredinthischaptertoenforceprecision.

Most,butnotall,ObjectSnapoverrideshaveRunningObjectSnapequivalents.Forexample,Endpoint,Midpoint,andCenterworkaseitheroverridesorrunningobjectsnaps,butMidBetween2PointsworksonlyinOverridemode.

OtherPracticalPrecisionProceduresThefollowingaresomeotherAutoCADprecisiontechniques(refertoTable7-1):

Snap:IfyouturnonSnapmode,AutoCADconstrainsthecrosshairstoanimaginaryrectangulargridofpointsatthespacingthatyou’vespecifiedwhenAutoCADpromptsyoutospecifyapoint.

IneveryAutoCADreleaseuntilthisone,Snapmodewasasmuchnuisanceasdraftingaid.EnablingSnapmodecausedthecursortomoveinsnapincrementsallthetime,andthatcouldpreventyoufromselectingobjectsorpickingthepointyouwanted.WhenyouenableSnapmodeinAutoCAD2012,yourcrosshairsjumptosnappointsonlywhentheprogramasksyoutopickapoint.

FollowthesestepstoturnonSnapmode:

1.Right-clicktheSnapModebuttononthestatusbar.

2.ChooseSettings.

TheSnapandGridtabontheDraftingSettingsdialogboxappears.

3.EnterasnapspacingintheSnapXSpacingfieldandclickOK.

ClicktheSnapModebuttononthestatusbar(labeledSNAPifyourstatus-barbuttonsshowtext)orpressF9totoggleSnapmodeoffandon.TouseSnapeffectively,changethesnapspacingfrequently—changingtoasmallerspacingasyouzoominandworkonsmallerareas.

YoucanswitchbetweenGridSnap(thatis,snappointsinrowsandcolumns)andPolarSnap(snappointsbasedondistancesandangles)byusingtheSnapModebutton’sshortcutmenu.SeethePolarSnapitemlaterinthislistformoreinfo.

Ortho:Orthomodeforcesthecrosshairstomovehorizontallyorverticallyrelativetothecurrentcoordinatesystem’sX-andY-axes.ClicktheOrthoModebutton(ORTHOfortextbuttons)onthestatusbarorpressF8totoggleOrthomode.Becausetechnicaldrawingsoftenincludelotsoforthogonallines,youmayuseOrthomodealot—buttakeacloselookatpolartrackingaswell.

Directdistanceentry(DDE):Thispoint-and-typetechniqueisaneasyandefficientwaytodrawwithprecision.Yousimplypointthecrosshairsinaparticulardirection,typeadistancevalueatthecommandline,andpressEnter.YoucanuseDDEanytimethecrosshairsareanchoredtoapoint,andthecommandlineorDynamicInputtooltippromptsyouforanotherpointoradistance.

You’llusuallyuseDDEwithPolarTrackingturnedontospecifydistancesinparticulardirections(forexample,inangleincrementsof45degrees).YoucanalsocombineDDEwithOrthomodetospecifyadistanceinanorthogonaldirection(0,90,180,or270degrees).

ObjectSnapTracking:Thisfeatureextendsrunningobjectsnapssothatyoucanlocatepointsbasedonmorethanoneobjectsnappoint.Forexample,youcandefineapointatthecenterofasquarebytrackingtothemidpointsoftwoperpendicularsides.ClickObjectSnapTrackingonthestatusbar(ifyou’reshowingtextinsteadoficons,thisbuttonislabeledOTRACK—whichhasnothingatalltodowiththeIrishrailwaysystem)orpressF11totoggleObjectSnapTracking.

PolarTracking:WhenyouturnonPolarTracking,thecrosshairsjumptoincrementsoftheangleyouspecifiedintheDraftingSettingsdialogboxorchoseontheright-clickmenu.Whenthecrosshairsjump,atooltiplabelstartingwithPolar:appears.Right-clickthePolarTrackingbuttononthe

statusbar(POLARonbuttonsthatshowtextlabels)andchoosetheSettingsoptiontodisplaythePolarTrackingtabontheDraftingSettingsdialogbox.SelectananglefromtheIncrementAngledrop-downlistandthenclickOK.ClickthePolarTrackingbuttononthestatusbarorpressF10totogglePolarTrackingmode.

Remember,youcansetapredefinedPolarTrackinganglebyright-clickingthePolarTrackingbuttonandchoosingitfromthemenu.Ifyouwanttoaddananglethat’snotonthelist,youhavetoclickSettingstoopentheDraftingSettingsdialogbox.

PolarSnap:YoucanforcepolartrackingtojumptospecificincrementaldistancesalongthetrackinganglesbychangingthesnaptypefromGridsnaptoPolarSnap.Forexample,ifyouturnonpolartrackingandsetitto45degrees,andthenturnonPolarSnapandsetitto2units,polartrackingjumpstopointsthatareatangleincrementsof45degreesanddistanceincrementsof2unitsfromthepreviouspoint.PolarSnaphasasimilareffectonObjectSnaptracking.

ToactivatePolarSnap,right-clicktheSnapModebuttonandchoosePolarSnapfromthemenu.TospecifyaPolarSnapdistance,followthesesteps:

1.Right-clicktheSNAPbuttononthestatusbar.2.ChooseSettings.TheSnapandGridtabontheDraftingSettingsdialogboxappears.3.ClickthePolarSnapradiobutton,typeadistanceinthePolarDistancetextbox,andthenclickOK.

Whenyouwanttoreturntoordinaryrectangularsnap,asdescribedatthebeginningofthislist,right-clicktheSnapModebuttonandchooseGridSnapfromthemenu.

Temporaryoverrides:Settings,suchasSNAP,ORTHO,andPOLARremainonuntilyouturnthemoff.Youcanalsousetemporaryoverrides,whichlastonlyaslongasyouholddowntheirkeyorkeycombination.Forexample,withorthoturnedoff,holdingdowntheShiftkeyputsAutoCADintoatemporaryOrthomodeforaslongasyoupressShift.Foradditionalinformation,visittheonlinehelpsystem.

Ifyou’renewtoAutoCAD,itswiderangeofprecisiontoolsprobablyseemsoverwhelmingatthispoint.Restassuredthatthere’smorethanonewaytoskinacatprecisely(withcats,accuracyisunimportant),andnoteveryone

needstounderstandalltheways.YoucanmakeperfectlyprecisedrawingswithoutusingeverysingleimplementinAutoCAD’sprecisiontoolkit.Irecommendthesesteps:

1.Getcomfortablewithtypingcoordinates,Orthomode,directdistanceentry,andObjectSnapoverrides.2.BecomefamiliarwithrunningobjectsnapsandtrySnapmode.3.Afteryouhavealltheseprecisionfeaturesunderyourbelt,feelfreetoexperimentwithPolarTracking,PolarSnap,andObjectSnapTracking.

It’seasytoconfusethenamesofthesnapandobjectsnap(osnap)features.Rememberthatsnapconstrainsthecrosshairstolocationswhosecoordinatesaremultiplesofthecurrentsnapspacing.Snapworkswhetherornotthereareobjectsinthedrawing.Objectsnap(osnap)enablesyoutograbpointsonexistingobjects,whetherornotthosepointshappentocorrespondwiththesnapspacing.

Chapter8

DowntheStraightaway

InThisChapterDrawinglinearthingswiththeAutoCADdrawingcommands

Liningupforlinesandpolylines

Closingupwithrectanglesandpolygons

Asyouprobablyrememberfromyourcrayon-and-coloring-bookdays,drawingstuffisfun.CADimposesalittlemorediscipline,butdrawingstuffwithAutoCADisstillfun(trustmeonthisone).Incomputer-aideddrafting,youusuallystartby

drawinggeometry—shapessuchaslines,circles,rectangles,andsoon—thatrepresentsthereal-worldobjectthatyou’redocumenting.Thischaptershowsyouhowtodrawlineargeometry—objectsthatproceedinastraightforwardmannerfromonepointtothenext.InChapter9,Ithrowsomecurvesatyou.

Afteryou’vecreatedsomestraightorcurvygeometry,you’llprobablyneedtoaddsomedimensions,text,andhatching,butthoseelementscomelater(inPartIIIofthisbook).Oryoumaywanttousethatgeometryasthebasisforsomecool3Dmodeling(IintroduceyoutothattopicinPartV).Yourfirsttaskistogetthegeometryright;thenyoucanworryaboutlabelingthings.

DrawinggeometryproperlyinAutoCADdependsonpayingattentiontoobjectpropertiesandtheprecisionofthepointsthatyouspecifytocreatetheobjects.IcoverthesemattersinChapters6and7,soifyoueagerlyjumpedtothischaptertogetrighttothefunstuff,takeamomenttoreviewthosechaptersfirst.

IntroducingtheAutoCADDrawingCommands

Fordescriptivepurposes,I’mdividingthedrawingcommandsintothreegroups:

Straightlinesandobjectscomposedofstraightlines(coveredinthischapter)

Curves(whichIexplaininChapter9)

Points(seeChapter9ifyou’rewonderingwhatthepointis)

Table8-1presentsthemostimportantcommandsfordrawing2DlinearobjectsinAutoCAD.Itlistseachcommandbyname,withtheitsshortform,oralias(whenoneexists),inparentheses.Thetablealsodisplayseachcommand’sgraphicalicon,asfoundontheDrawpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab,andinidenticalformontoolbarbuttonsandpull-downmenusintheAutoCADClassicworkspace.

Ifyou’recomingfromAutoCAD2008orearlier,orevenifyou’vebeenresistingtheRibboninmorerecentreleases,AutoCAD2012’sRibbonisobviouslyverydifferentfromwhatyou’reusedto;it’sevenalittledifferentfromtheRibboninAutoCAD2009.LikemanyRibbonpanels,theDrawpanelhasadditionaltoolbuttonsonaslideoutyoucanuseonceorpinsoitstaysopen—refertoChapter2forarefresheronRibbonpanelsandslideouts.Similarly,manyofthechoicesontheAutoCADDrawmenuopensubmenuscontainingseveralvariationsoneachdrawingcommand.

AutoCAD’sdrawingcommandsarehighlyinteractive.Youneedtoreadandrespondtothepromptsinthecommandwindow(orattheDynamicInputtooltipnexttothecrosshairsifDynamicInputmodeisturnedon).Youcanalsoaccessmanyofthecommandoptionsthatyouseeincommandwindowpromptsbypressingtheup-anddown-arrowkeystodisplaytheoptionsattheDynamicInputtooltip.Youcanevenright-clickandselectcommandoptionsfromthecontext-specificshortcutmenu.

AutoCAD’sDynamicInputsystemdisplaysalotoftheinformationthatyouusedtohavetolookdowntothecommandwindowtosee.TouseDynamicInput,makesuretheDynamicInputbuttononthestatusbaristurnedon(thatis,itlookshighlighted).YoucanalsopresstheF12functionkeytotoggleDynamicInputonandoff.Don’tturnthecommandwindowoffjustyet,though—especiallyifyou’renewtoAutoCAD.Irecommendthatyoukeepthecommandwindowopenanddockedatalltimes.

Sowhat’sthebestcourse:toenterdrawingcommandsfromthecommandline,whichyoucandoinanyworkspace?OrtochoosecommandsfromtheRibbonintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace,ortheAutoCADClassicworkspace’smenusortoolbars?Well...italldepends:

Ifyou’veneverusedAutoCADinyourlife:UsetheRibbon(thatis,thedefaultDrafting&Annotationworkspace)ratherthanthetoolbarsandmenusofthetraditionalAutoCADClassicworkspace.ThankstoMicrosoft’scloutintheuser-interfaceworld,Idon’tthinktheRibbonisgoingaway.Isuspectmoreandmoreprogramsaregoingtoadoptitslook,iffornootherreasonthantoavoidlookingold-fashioned.

Ifyou’reanexperiencedAutoCADuserwho’sbeenawayforareleaseortwo:GivetheRibbonadecenttestdrivebeforeyouswitchtotheAutoCADClassicworkspace.Toeaseyourtransition,youcandisplaytheclassicmenubarabovetheRibbon.SimplyclickthedownarrowattherightendoftheQuickAccessToolbarandchooseShowMenuBar(seeFigure8-1).

Figure8-1:StraponyourAutoCADtrainingwheelswiththeclassicmenubar.

Whicheverkindofuseryouareandregardlessoftheworkspaceyouchoose,it’satruthuniversallyacknowledgedthatthemostefficientwayofworkingwithAutoCADistousethekeyboardtoentercommandaliasesoropenandclosepalettes.Nomatterhowmanytimesthegraphicaluserinterfacechanges,justrememberthatyoucanalwaysusethesystemthat’sbeenpartofAutoCADsinceversion1.0in1982:Usethekeyboardandletyourfingersdothetalking.

TheStraightandNarrow:Lines,Polylines,andPolygons

AsIharponabunchoftimeselsewhereinthisbook,CADprogramsareforprecisiondrawing,soyou’llspendalotofyourAutoCADtimedrawingobjectscomposedofstraight-linesegments.Thisrestofthechaptercoversthesecommands:

LINE(L):Drawsaseriesofstraightlinesegments;eachsegmentisaseparateobject.

PLINE(PL):Drawsapolyline—aseriesofstraightand/orcurvedlinesegments.(Yes,I’mcheatingabithere—curvythingsarecoveredinChapter9—butIdidn’twantyoutohavetoreadaboutonecommandintwodifferentplaces!)Allthesegmentsremainconnectedtoeachotherasasingleobject.

RECTANG(REC):Drawsapolylineintheshapeofarectangle.

POLYGON(POL):Drawsapolylineintheshapeofaregularpolygon(thatis,aclosedshapewithallsidesequalandallanglesequal).

Thefollowingadditionalstraight-linedrawingcommandsarealsoavailableinAutoCAD:

RAY:Drawsalinethatstartsatapointandjustkeepsongoing;araythereforeisalinethatextendsinfinitelyinonedirection.

XLINE(XL):Drawsalinethatpassesthroughapointandextendsinfinitelyinbothdirections.

TheRAYandXLINEcommandsareusedtodrawconstructionlinesthatguidetheconstructionofadditionalgeometry.DrawingconstructionlinesislesscommoninAutoCADthaninsomeotherCADprograms.AutoCAD’smanyprecisiontechniquesoftenprovidemoreefficientmethodsforcreatingnewgeometrythanaddingconstructionlinestoyourdrawingdoes.

ToeingthelineTheLINEcommandinAutoCADdrawsaseriesofoneormorevisuallyconnectedlinesegments.Althoughthelinesappeartobephysicallyconnected,infact,eachsegment,orpieceofalinewithendpoints,isaseparateobject.Thisconstructiondoesn’tseemlikeabigdealuntilyoutrytomove(orotherwiseedit)aseriesofsegmentsthatyoudrewwiththeLINEcommand;youmustselecteverypieceseparately.Toavoidsuchahassle,usepolylines(describedinthefollowingsection),notlines(orlinesandarcs),whenyouwanttheconnectedsegmentstoactasasingleobject.

Ifyou’reusedtodrawinglinesinotherprograms,youmayfinditconfusingat

firstthatAutoCAD’sLINEcommanddoesn’tstopafteryoudrawasinglesegment.AutoCADkeepspromptingyoutospecifyadditionalpointssothatyoucandrawaseriesof(apparently)connectedsegments.Whenyou’refinisheddrawingsegments,justpressEntertofinishtheLINEcommand.

UnlikealotoftheAutoCADdrawingcommands,LINEdoesn’tofferabunchofpotentiallyconfusingoptions.IthasaCloseoptiontocreateaclosedpolygonalshapeandanUndooptiontoremovethemostrecentsegmentthatyoudrew.

Likealldrawingcommands,LINEputsthelinesegmentsthatitdrawsonthecurrentlayerandusesthecurrentcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andplot-styleproperties.Whenyou’redoingrealdrafting,asopposedtojustexperimenting,makesureofthefollowing:

Thinkaboutsettingthesepropertiesbeforeyoustartdrawing.Althoughyoucaneasilychangeanobject’slayerorotherobjectproperties,it’softenmoreefficienttosetpropertiesfirst.(Irecommendthatyousetcolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,and,ifyou’reusingnamedplotstyles,plotstyletoByLayer.)SeeChapter6forinformationonsettingthecurrentpropertieswiththetoolsontheHometab’sPropertiespanel.

MakesurethatyouuseoneofAutoCAD’sprecisiontools,suchasobjectsnaps,typedcoordinates,ortracking,toensurethatyouspecifyeachobjectpointprecisely.Chapter7describesthesetools.

FollowthesestepstodrawaseriesoflinesegmentsbyusingtheLINEcommand:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothelinesegmentsthatyou’lldraw.2.ClicktheHometabontheRibbon.ThepanelsontheHometabcontainthemostcommonlyusedcommandsinAutoCAD.

3.ClicktheLinebuttonontheDrawpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab,ortypeLandpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheLINEcommandandpromptsyoutoselectthefirstpoint.

4.Specifythestartingpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.RemembertouseoneoftheprecisiontechniquesIdescribeinChapter7ifyou’redoingrealdrafting.Forthefirstpoint,objectsnap,snap,andtypingcoordinatesallworkwell.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheotherendpointofthefirstlinesegment.

ThecommandwindowpromptshowsSpecifynextpointor[Undo]:

YoucanalsoseecommandpromptsattheDynamicInputtooltipbesidethecrosshairsbypressingthedown-arrowkey(pressF12orclicktheDynamicInputstatusbarbuttontoenableDynamicInputmode).Thearrowicononthedynamic-inputtooltipisyourindicatorthatthereareoptionsavailable.

5.Specifyadditionalpointsbyclickingortyping.Again,useoneoftheAutoCADprecisiontechniquesifyou’redoingrealdrafting.Forthesecondandsubsequentpoints,allthetechniquesmentionedinStep4workwell,asdoortho,polar,objectsnaptracking,anddirectdistanceentry.Afteryouspecifythethirdpoint,AutoCADaddstheCloseoption.Thecommandpromptshows

Specifynextpointor[Close/Undo]:6.Whenyou’refinisheddrawingsegments,endwithoneofthesesteps:

•EitherpressEnterorright-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseEnterfromtheright-clickmenutoleavethefigureopen.

•TypeCandpressEnterorpressthedownarrowonyourkeyboardandchooseClosefromthemenu(asshowninFigure8-2)toclosethefigure.

Ineithercase,theblankcommandpromptindicatesthattheLINEcommandisfinished:

Command:

Figure8-2:Lineitup—drawinglinesegmentswiththeLINEcommand.

ConnectingthelineswithpolylineTheLINEcommandisfineforsomedrawingtasks,butthePLINEcommandisabetter,moreflexiblechoiceinmanysituations.ThePLINEcommanddrawsaspecialkindofobjectcalledapolyline.YoumayhearCADdraftersrefertoapolylineasapline(rhymeswithbeeline)becauseofthecommandname.

ThemostimportantdifferencesbetweentheLINEandPLINEcommandsarethese:

TheLINEcommanddrawsaseriesofseparatelinesegments.Eventhoughtheyappeartobeconnectedonthescreen,eachsegmentisaseparateobject.Ifyoumoveonelinesegment,theothersegmentsthatyoudrewatthesametimedon’tmovewithit.

ThePLINEcommanddrawsasingle,connected,multisegmentobject.Ifyouselectanysegmentforediting,yourchangesaffecttheentirepolyline.Figure8-3showshowthesamesketchdrawnwiththeLINEandthePLINEcommandsrespondswhenyouselectoneoftheobjects.

Figure8-3:ResultsofdrawingwiththeLINEandPLINEcommands.

UsePLINEinsteadofLINEinmostcaseswhereyouneedtodrawaseriesofconnectedlinesegments.Ifyou’redrawingaseriesofend-to-endsegments,there’sagoodchancethatthosesegmentsarelogicallyconnected—forexample,theymightrepresenttheoutlineofasingleobjectoracontinuouspathway.Ifthesegmentsareconnectedlogically,itmakessensetokeepthemconnectedinAutoCAD.Themostobviouspracticalbenefitofgroupingsegmentstogetherintoapolylineisthatmanyeditingoperationsaremoreefficientwhenyouusepolylines.Whenyouselectanysegmentinapolylineforediting,theentirepolylineisaffected.

ThePLINEcommandcandrawcurvedsegmentsaswellasstraightones.IfyouwantacombinationofseparatelinearandcurvedsegmentsyoumustswitchbackandforthbetweentheLINEandARCcommands(IcoverarcsinChapter9).WithPLINEyoucanswitchbetweenlinearorcircular-curvesectionsbychoosingthecommandoptionsdescribedinthestepsthatcomeafterthislist.

Polylinescanhavewidth.PolylinesegmentwidthisvisuallysimilartoAutoCAD’slineweightobjectproperty,exceptthatpolylinesegmentwidth

canbeuniformortapered.Theabilitytocreatepolylinesegmentswithlinewidthswasmoreimportantintheolddays,beforeAutoCADhadlineweightasanobjectproperty.Peopleusedtodrawpolylineswithasmallamountofwidthtoshowthesegmentsasjustslightlybolderthanregularlines,whicharealwaysdisplayedasasinglepixelwide.Nowadays,it’seasierandmoreefficienttoachievethiseffectwithobjectlineweights(asdescribedinChapter6)orplotstyles(asdescribedinChapter16).

Afteryoucreateapolyline,youcanadjustitssegmentsbygrip-editinganyofthevertexpoints.(ThelittlesquaresontheverticesinFigure8-3arecalledgrips;seeChapter10fordetailsongripediting.)Formorecomplicatedpolyline-editingtasks,youcanusethePEDITcommandtoeditthepolyline,oryoucanconvertthepolylinetoacollectionoflineandarcsegmentsbyusingtheEXPLODEcommand—althoughyouloseanywidthdefinedforeachsegmentwhenyouexplodeapolyline.Formoreinformationonthesetwocommands,lookthemupintheindexoftheonlinehelp.

DrawingpolylinescomposedofstraightsegmentsisprettymuchlikedrawingwiththeLINEcommand,asdemonstratedinthefollowingprocedure.ThePLINEcommandhaslotsofoptions,sowatchtheprompts!IfDynamicInputison,usethedown-arrowkeytoseetheoptionslistedatthecrosshairs,orright-clicktodisplaythePLINEright-clickmenu,orsimplyreadthecommandline.

Todrawapolylinecomposedofstraightsegments,followthesesteps:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothelinesegmentsthatyou’lldraw.

2.ClickthePolylinebuttonontheRibbon’sDrawpanelortypePLandpressEnter.AutoCADstartsthePLINEcommandandpromptsyoutospecifyastartpoint.

3.Specifythestartingpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADdisplaysthecurrentpolylinesegmentlinewidthatthecommandlineandpromptsyoutospecifytheotherendpointofthefirstpolylinesegment:

Currentline-widthis0.0000Specifynextpointor[Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

4.Ifthecurrentlinewidthisn’tzero,changeittozerobytypingWtoselecttheWidthoption,andthenentering0asthestartingandendingwidths,asshowninthefollowingcommand-linesequence:

Specifynextpointor[Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:WSpecifystartingwidth<0.0000>:0Specifyendingwidth<0.0000>:0

Specifynextpointor[Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

Despitewhatyoumaythink,azero-widthpolylinesegmentisn’ttheAutoCADequivalentofdrawingwithinvisibleink.Zerowidthmeans“displaythissegmentusingthenormal,single-pixelwidthonthescreen.”

5.Specifyadditionalpointsbyclickingortyping.Afteryouspecifythesecondpoint,AutoCADaddstheCloseoptiontotheprompt.Thecommandlineshows

Specifynextpointor[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:Inaddition,youcanviewandchooseoptionsfromtheDynamicInputoptionslist,asshowninFigure8-4,bypressingthedownarrowonyourkeyboard.

Figure8-4:MakingaPLINE.

6.Afteryoufinishdrawingsegments,eitherpressEnter(toleavethefigureopen)ortypeCandpressEnter(tocloseit).AutoCADdrawsthefinalsegment.TheblankcommandlineindicatesthatthePLINEcommandisfinished.

Inthefollowingprocedure,Ispicethingsupabitandgiveyouapreviewofcoming(curvy)attractions(inChapter9)byaddinganarcsegmenttoapolyline.

Justsoyouknow,curvedsegmentsinpolylinesarecirculararcs—piecesofcircleswithcenterpointsthatyoucandrawwithAutoCAD’sARCcommand.AutoCADcandrawotherkindsofcurves,includingellipsesandsplines,butnotwithinthePLINEcommand.

Todrawapolylinethatincludescurvedsegments,followthesesteps:

1.RepeatSteps1through5ofthepreviousprocedure.2.Whenyou’rereadytoaddoneormorearcsegments,typeAandpressEntertoselecttheArcoption.Thepromptchangestoshowarcsegmentoptions.MostoftheseoptionscorrespondtothemanywaysofdrawingcirculararcsinAutoCAD;seethesectiononarcsinChapter9.Thecommandlineshows

Specifyendpointofarcor[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/Radius/Secondpt/Undo/Width]:

3.Specifytheendpointofthearcbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADdrawsthecurvedsegmentofthepolyline.Thepromptscontinuetoshowarcsegmentoptions.Youroptionsatthispointinclude

•Specifyingadditionalpointstodrawmorearcsegments.

•Choosinganotherarc-drawingmethod(suchasCenterorSecondpt).

•Returningtodrawingstraight-linesegmentswiththeLineoption.

Inthisexample,youreturntodrawingstraight-linesegments.

Perhapsthemostusefulofthealternativearc-drawingmethodsisSecondpt.Thatgivesyoumorecontroloverthedirectionofthearc,butatthecostoflosingtangencyofadjacentsegments.Sometimesit’sbestnottogooffonatangent,anyway.

4.TypeLandpressEntertoselecttheLineoption.Specifyendpointofarcor[Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/Radius/Secondpt/Undo/Width]:L

Thepromptchangesbacktoshowingstraight-linesegmentoptions.Specifynextpointor[Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:

5.Specifyadditionalpointsbyclickingortyping.6.Afteryou’refinisheddrawingsegments,eitherpressEnterortypeCandpressEnter.

Figure8-5showssomeofthethingsthatyoucandrawwiththePLINEcommandbyusingstraightsegments,arcsegments,oracombinationofboth.

TheLINEandPLINEcommandsworkwellfordrawingaseriesofend-to-endsinglelines,butwhatifyouwanttodrawaseriesofdoublelinestorepresent,forexample,theedgesofawallorroadway?Herearesomeoptions:

Figure8-5:Aplethoraofpolylines.

UsetheAutoCADMLINEcommandtodrawmultilines—seriesoftwoormoreparallelstraightlines.TheAutoCADmultilinefeaturewasfulloflimitationswhenitdebutedwaybackin1994(inthenotoriousRelease13),anddespitesomeminortweaksinAutoCAD2006,ithasn’timprovedsignificantlysincethen.LookuptheMLINEandMLSTYLEcommandsinAutoCAD’sonlinehelpsystemifyou’dliketotanglewiththisfeature,butbepreparedtospendtimeexperimentingandstruggling.

InAutoCADLTonly,usetheDLINE(DL),orDoubleLine,commandtodrawpairsofparallellineand/orarcsegments.AutoCADLTdoesn’tincludetheMLINEcommand,which,givenMLINE’sproblems,ismoreofablessingthanalimitation.AutoCAD,ontheotherhand,doesn’tincludetheDLINEcommand.(Scoreoneforthelittlebrother!)

UsethePLINEcommandtodrawasinglesetofconnectedlineand/orarcsegments,andthenusetheOFFSETcommandtocreateoneormoresetsofparallelsegments.Chapter11coverstheOFFSETcommand.

SquaringoffwithrectanglesYoucanusethePLINEorLINEcommandtodrawarectanglesegmentbysegment.Inmostcases,though,you’llfinditeasiertousethespecial-purposeRECTANGcommand.Thefollowingproceduredemonstrateshow:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothelinesegmentsthatyou’lldraw.

2.ClicktheRectanglebuttonontheHometab’sDrawpanelortypeRECandpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheRECTANGcommandandpromptsyoutospecifyapointforonecorneroftherectangle.Thecommandlineshows

Specifyfirstcornerpointor[Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:

Youcanaddfancyeffectswiththeadditionalcommandoptions.Thedefaultoptionsworkbestformostpurposes.LookupRECTANGintheAutoCADhelpsystemifyouwanttoknowmoreabouttheoptions.

3.Specifythefirstcornerbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheothercorneroftherectangle—theonethat’sdiagonallyoppositefromthefirstcorner.

Specifyothercornerpointor[Area/Dimensions/Rotation]:4.Specifytheothercornerbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.

Ifyouknowthesizeoftherectanglethatyouwanttodraw(forexample,100unitslongby75unitshigh),typerelativecoordinatestospecifythedimensions—forexample,@100,75,orjust100,75ifDynamicInputisenabled.(Chapter7describeshowtotypecoordinates.)AutoCADdrawstherectangle.

UnliketheneglectedMLINEcommand,theRECTANGcommandhasimprovedconsiderablysinceitsdebut.Youcanspecifyarotationangleand—veryhandyforspaceplanners—youcanprovideonedimensionandanarea.RECTANGwillcalculatethelengthoftheothersideanddrawtherectangle.

ChoosingyoursideswithpolygonRectanglesandotherclosedpolylinesaretypesofpolygons,orclosedfigureswiththreeormoresides.TheAutoCADPOLYGONcommandprovidesaquickwayofdrawingregularpolygons—polygonsinwhichallsidesandanglesareequal.

ThefollowingproceduredemonstratesthePOLYGONcommand:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothelinesegmentsthatyou’lldraw.

2.ClickPolygonontheHometab’sDrawpanel’sRectangledrop-downbuttonortypePOLandpressEnter.AutoCADstartsthePOLYGONcommandandpromptsyoutoenterthenumberofsidesforthepolygon.

Enternumberofsides<4>:3.TypethenumberofsidesforthepolygonthatyouwanttodrawandpressEnter.Yourpolygoncanhavebetween3and1,024sides.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythecenterpointofthepolygon.

Specifycenterofpolygonor[Edge]:

YoucanusetheEdgeoptiontodrawapolygonbyspecifyingthelengthofonesideinsteadofthecenterandradiusofanimaginaryinscribedorcircumscribedcircle.Theimaginarycirclemethodismuchmorecommon.

4.Specifythecenterpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifywhetherthepolygonwillbeinscribedin(thatis,thecornerstouchthecircumferenceofthecircle)orcircumscribedabout(thatis,thesidesaretangenttothecircle)animaginarycirclewhoseradiusyouwillspecifyinStep6:

Enteranoption[Inscribedincircle/Circumscribedaboutcircle]<I>:5.TypeI(forinscribed)orC(forcircumscribed),andpressEnter.Thecommandlinepromptsyoutospecifytheradiusofanimaginarycircle.

Specifyradiusofcircle:6.Specifytheradiusbytypingadistanceorclickingapoint.

AutoCADdrawsthepolygon.

Ifyoutypeadistanceoryouclickapointwithorthoturnedon,thepolygonwillbealignedorthogonally,asshowninFigure8-6.

Figure8-6showstheresultsofdrawingplentyofpolygons—apracticeknownaspolygony,which,asfarasIknow,islegalnearlyeverywhere.

Figure8-6:Apolygonalparty.

Chapter9

DangerousCurvesAhead

InThisChapterRoundingthecurveswithcircles,arcs,splines,andclouds

Dabblinginellipses

Dunkingfordonuts

Makingyourpoints

Althoughstraight-linesegmentspredominateinmanyCADdrawings,eventhe

mosthumdrum,rectilineardesignislikelytohaveafewcurves.Andifyou’redrawingAudicarbodiesorGaudíbuildings,yourdrawingsaregoingtocontainalotofcurves!Yourdrawingsshouldalsohaveapoint;infact,theymayhaveseveralpoints,soattheendofthischapter,IfillyouinoncreatingpointobjectsinAutoCAD.Buttobegin,IshowyouhowtousethefollowingAutoCADcurve-drawingcommands:

CIRCLE:Drawscircles.(Youwereexpectinghyperbolicparaboloids,maybe?)

ARC:Drawscirculararcs—arcswithcenterpointsandfixedradii,notarcscutfromellipses,parabolas,orsomeothercomplexcurve.

ELLIPSE:Drawsellipsesandellipticalarcs.

SPLINE:Drawssmoothlyflowingcurvesofavarietyofshapes.

DONUT:Drawsfilled-inringsandcircles.

REVCLOUD:Drawsfreeform“clouds,”themostcommonapplicationofwhichistoindicaterevisedareasinthedrawing.

(Throwing)CurvesTable9-1liststheAutoCADcommandsfordrawingcurvythings.ItshowsyouthetooliconsfoundontheRibbon,toolbars,andmenus,andgivesthecommandnamewithalias(whereoneexists)ifyouliketotype.ItalsotellsyouwheretofindorhowtoenterthecommandsusingboththeRibbonintheDrafting&AnnotationworkspaceandtheDrawtoolbarandDrawmenuintheAutoCADClassicenvironment.

SlideoutpanelsarepartoftheRibboninterfaceinAutoCAD2012’sDrafting&Annotation,3DBasics,and3DModelingworkspaces.Slideoutsarepresentinpanelsthatshowasmalldown-pointingtrianglenexttothepaneltitle.Toopenaslideout,clickthepaneltitlebar(forexample,DrawontheHometab).Thepanelexpandsdownward,andapushpiniconappearsattheleftendofthepaneltitlebar.Afteryouclickatoolbutton,theslideoutpanelcloses.Clickthepushpininthetitlebartopinthepanel—thatis,forceittostayopen.

Ifyou’refamiliarwithearlierAutoCADreleases,youmaysuspectthattheDrawpanelinAutoCAD2012’sRibboninterfaceisalsomissingsomecommands.Well,astheyusedtosayinthe’90s,theparadigmhasshifted!Thosecommandsarestillthere,they’vejustshiftedaroundtoreflectthetask-basedRibbonlayout.For

example,blockcreationandinsertionusedtoliveontheclassicDrawmenuandDrawtoolbar,butintheneweruserinterface,thosetoolshavemovedtotheBlockpanel,whichcanbefoundonboththeInsertandHometabs.Similarly,thetextcommands(whoseclassicinterfacehomewasalsoontheDrawmenuandDrawtoolbar)areontheRibbon’sAnnotateandHometabs.

GoingfullcircleAutoCADoffersaneasyandintuitivewaytodrawcircles,anditalsooffers...otherways.Theeasywayistodefinethecenterpointofthecircleandthentospecifytheradius(thedefaultoption)orthediameter.Youcanalsodefineacirclebychoosingoneofthefollowingoptionsofthecommand(forthoseotherways):

2-Point(2P):Drawsacirclewherethedistancebetweentwospecifiedpointsisequaltothediameterofthecircle.Ifyou’rekeyboarding,enter2Patthecommandprompttochoosethisoption;it’sspelledoutas2-Pointontooltips.

3-Point(3P):Drawsacirclethroughanythreespecifiedpoints.

Tangent-Tangent-Radius(Ttr):Drawsacircletangenttotwoexistingdrawingobjectsandaspecifiedradius.

Tangent-Tangent-Tangent:Drawsacircletangenttothreevalidexistingdrawingobjects.(Byvalid,Imeanit’smathematicallypossibletoconstructacircletangenttothethreeselectedobjects.)Notethatyoucan’tcreatethiskindofcirclebytypingacommandoptionatthecommandlinebecausethereisnosuchcommandoption.ThismethodisactuallyamacroandyourunitbychoosingTan,Tan,TanfromtheCirclebuttonmenuontheHometab’sDrawpanel.

Figure9-1illustratesthesesixdifferentwaysofdrawingcircles.Whethertheseadditionalmethodsareusefulornotdependsonthekindsofdrawingsthatyoumakeandhowgeometryisdefinedinyourindustry.Getfamiliarwiththedefaultcenterpoint/radiusmethodandthentrytheothermethodstoseewhethertheymaybehelpfultoyou.Ifyoufindyourselfgoingaroundincircles,youcanalwaysdrawthemthedefaultwayandmovethemintopositionwithothergeometry.

Figure9-1:PiRsquared;circlesRround.

FollowthesestepstousetheCIRCLEcommand:

1.ClicktheHometabontheRibbon.ThemostfrequentlyusedcommandsinAutoCADarefoundontheRibbon’sHometab.

2.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothecirclesthatyou’lldraw.

3.ClicktheCirclebuttonontheRibbon’sDrawpanelortypeCandpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheCIRCLEcommandandpromptsyoutospecifythecenterpointofthecircle.IfDynamicInputistoggledon,pressthedown-arrowonyourkeyboardtoseetheoptionsatthecrosshairs.Thecommandlineshows

Specifycenterpointforcircleor[3P/2P/Ttr(tantanradius)]:

Thepromptsshowthemethodsotherthan“centerpointplusradius”thatyoucanusetodrawcirclesinAutoCAD.(No,tantanradiusisnotamathematician’sdance.)LookupCIRCLEcommandintheonlinehelpifyouthinkyoumayhaveausefortheseless-commoncircle-drawingtechniques.

4.Specifythecenterpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.

UseoneoftheprecisiontechniquesdescribedinChapter7ifyou’redoingrealdrafting.Objectsnap,snap,andtypingcoordinatesallworkwellforspecifyingthecenterpoint.AutoCADthenpromptsyoutospecifythecircle’sradius.

Specifyradiusofcircleor[Diameter]:

TypeDandpressEnterifyouprefertoenterthediameterratherthantheradiusandyou’veforgottenyourtwo-timestables—or,moreseriously,ifthediameteriseasiertotypeexactlythantheradiusis.

5.Specifytheradiusbytypingadistanceorclickingapoint.AutoCADdrawsyourcircleandreturnstoablankcommandprompt.Thefirstpointyoupickedisthecenter.Thecommandpromptdoesn’ttellyouso,butifyoupickasecondpointinsteadofenteringanumber(ortypingDtoinvoketheDiameteroption),AutoCADinterpretsthedistancebetweenthefirstandsecondpointsastheradiusvalue.

Arc-y-ologyArcsinAutoCADare,quitesimply,piecesofcircles.Aswithcircles,AutoCADoffersyouaneasywaytodefinearcs.Justspecifythreepointson-screentodefinethearc,easyasone-two-three.ThesepointstellAutoCADwheretostartthearc,howmuchtocurveit,andwheretoendit.

Soundsprettyeasy,right?So,where’stheproblem?Thetroubleisthatyounearlyalwayshavetospecifyarcsmoreexactlythanispossiblebyusingthismethod.AutoCADhelpsyouspecifysucharcs,too—buttheprocedureain’teasy.

Youcanstartyourarcbyspecifyingthecenterofthearcorthestartpoint.IfyouchoosetheCenteroption,AutoCADpromptsyouforthecenterpointfirstandthestartpointsecond.AutoCADdefinesarcscounterclockwise,sopickastartpointinaclockwisedirectionfromtheendpoint.Afteryouspecifythecenterandstartpoint,AutoCADpresentsseveraloptionsyoucanchoose,includingthefollowing:

Angle:Specifiestheincludedanglethatthearcsweepsout.A180-degreeangle,forexample,isasemicircle.

Lengthofchord:Specifiesthelengthofanimaginarystraightlineconnectingtheendpointsofthearc.Mostpeopleseldomorneverusethisoption.

Endpoint:Specifieswherethearcends.It’sthedefaultoptionandoftentheeasiesttouse.

Ifyouspecifythestartpointasthefirstoption,youcanchooseamongthefollowingthreecommandoptionsaswell:

Center:Promptsyouforthearc’scenterpointandthenfinisheswiththethreeoptionslistedpreviously.

End:Specifiestheendpointofthearc.Youthenneedtodefinetheanglethatthearccovers,itsdirection,itsradius,oritscenterpoint.

Secondpoint:Thedefaultoption.Thesecondpointyouchooseisn’ttheendpoint;instead,it’sapointonthearcthat,alongwiththestartpointandendpoint,defineshowmuchthearccurves.Afteryouenterthesecondpoint,youmustenteranendpointtocompletethearc.

Togetafeelforhowthesepermutationscanbestrungtogethertocreatedifferentarc-drawingmethods,clickthedownarrowbesidetheArctoolbuttonontheRibbon’sDrawpanelandlookatthedrop-downmenuthatunfurls,asshowninFigure9-2.UsingtheRibbonisalsothemostdirectwayofactuallyusinganyoftheseoptions—atleastuntilyou’rereallyfamiliarwiththeprogramandareadeptatenteringkeyboardshortcuts.

Figure9-2:AdelugeofArcoptions,withtheresultsofusingsomeofthoseoptions.

Thefollowingexampleshowshowyoudrawanarcwiththedefaultstartpoint/secondpoint/endpointmethod:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothearcsthatyou’lldraw.

2.ClicktheArcbuttonontheHometab’sDrawpanel,ortypeAandpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheARCcommandandpromptsyoutospecifythestartpointofthearc.Thecommandlineshows

Specifystartpointofarcor[Center]:3.Specifythestartpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifyasecondpointonthearc.

4.Specifyasecondpointonthearcbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.

Thesecondpointliessomewherealongthecurveofthearc.AutoCADdeterminestheexactcurvatureofthearcafteryouchoosethefinalendpointinthefollowingstep.Toalignthesecondpointwithanexistingobject,usean

ObjectSnapmode.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheendpointofthearc;asyoumovethecrosshairsaround,AutoCADshowshowthearcwilllook.

5.Specifytheendpointofthearcbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADdrawsthearc,asshownpreviouslyinFigure9-2.

Asyoumayrecall,pressingEnterrepeatsthelastcommand.WhatoftenthrowsnewAutoCADusersisthatEnterdoesn’trepeattheoptionsofthelastcommand.IfyoudrawanarcusingtheCenter,Start,Endoption,forexample,pressingEnterisn’tgoingtorepeatthatmethod—it’sgoingtorepeattheARCcommandinitsdefaultform,andthethreepointsyoupickprobablywon’tgiveyouthearcyoumeanttodraw.Bottomline:Watchthecommandline!

SolarellipsesIncaseyou’veforgottenyourninth-grademath,anellipseislikeasquishedcircle(pleaseexcusethetechnicaljargon).Mathematically,anellipseisdefinedbyamajor(long)axisandaminor(short)axis.Theseaxesdeterminetheellipse’slength,width,anddegreeofcurvature.Anellipticalarcisanarccutfromanellipse.

TheAutoCADELLIPSEcommandprovidesastraightforwardwayofdrawinganellipse:Youspecifythetwoendpointsofoneofitsaxesandthenspecifyanendpointontheotheraxis.ButliketheARCcommand,theELLIPSEcommandoffersabunchofotheroptions:

Arc:Generatesanellipticalarc,notafullellipse.Youdefineanellipticalarcjustasyoudoafullellipse.ThemethodsthatIdiscussinthissectionforcreatinganellipseapplytoeither.

Center:Thisoptionrequiresthatyoudefinethecenteroftheellipseandthentheendpointofanaxis.Youcantheneitherenterthedistanceoftheotheraxisorspecifythatarotationaroundthemajoraxisdefinestheellipse.Ifyouchoosethelatter,youcanenter(ordragtheellipseto)aspecificrotationforthesecondaxisthat,inturn,completelydefinestheellipse.

Rotation:Withthisoption,youspecifyananglewhichdefinesthecurvatureoftheellipse—smallanglesmakefatellipses(0degreescreates

acircle,infact),andlargeanglesmakeskinnyellipses.Thenameoftheoption,Rotation,hassomethingtodowithrotatinganimaginarycirclearoundthefirstaxis.Ifyoucanfigureouttheimaginarycirclebusiness,youhaveabetterimaginationthanIdo.

Thefollowingcommandlineexamplecreatesanellipsebyusingthedefaultendpointsoftheaxesmethod.Figure9-3showsanellipseandanellipticalarc.

Command:ELLIPSE

Specifyaxisendpointofellipseor[Arc/Center]:pickortypethe

firstendpointofoneaxis

Specifyotherendpointofaxis:pickortypetheotherendpointofone

axis

Specifydistancetootheraxisor[Rotation]:pickortypethe

endpointoftheotheraxis

Youcancreateellipticalarcs(asopposedtothecirculararcsthattheAutoCADARCcommanddraws)byusingtheArcoptionoftheELLIPSEcommand;it’sperfectfordrawingthosecannonballtrajectories!Alternatively,youcandrawafullellipseandusetheTRIMorBREAKcommandtocutapieceoutofit.

Figure9-3:Tomakeanomelet,sometimesyouhavetobreakafewellipses.

Splines:Thesketchy,sinuouscurves

MostpeopleuseCADprogramsforprecisiondrawingtasks:straightlines,carefullydefinedcurves,preciselyspecifiedpoints,andsoon.AutoCADisnottheprogramtofreeyourinnerartist—unlessyourinnerartistisMondrian.Nonetheless,evenmeticulouslycreatedCADdrawingssometimesneedfreeformcurves.TheAutoCADsplineobjectisjustthethingforthejob.

YoucanuseAutoCADsplinesintwoways:

Eyeballthelocationandshapeofthecurveanddon’tworrytoomuchaboutgettingitjustso.That’sthefreeform,sketchy,not-too-preciseapproachthatIdescribeinthissection.

Specifytheircontrolpointsandcurvaturecharacteristicsprecisely.

Beneaththeireasygoing,informalexterior,AutoCADsplinesarereallyhighlyprecise,mathematically-definedentitiescalledNURBScurves(NonUniformRationalB-Splinecurves).Mathematiciansandsomemechanicalandindustrialdesignerscarealotabouttheprecisecharacteristicsofthecurvestheyworkwith.Forthosepeople,theAutoCADSPLINEandSPLINEDITcommandsincludeanumberofadvancedoptions.LookupsplinecurvesintheAutoCADonlinehelpifyouneedprecisioninyoursplines.

Drawingsplinesisstraightforward,ifyouignoretheadvancedoptions.ThefollowingproceduredrawsafreeformcurvewiththeSPLINEcommand:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrentandsetotherobjectpropertiesthatyouwantappliedtothesplinesegmentsthatyou’lldraw.

2.ClicktheSplineFitbuttonontheHometab’sDrawpanelslideoutortypeSPLandpressEnter.AutoCADstartstheSPLINEcommandandpromptsyoutospecifythestartpointofthespline.Thecommandlineshows

Currentsettings:Method=FitKnots=ChordSpecifyfirstpointor[Method/Knots/Object]:

3.Specifythestartpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifyadditionalpoints:

Enternextpointor[startTangency/toLerance]:4.Specifyadditionalpointsbyclickingortypingcoordinates.Afteryoupickthesecondpoint,pressthedown-arrowkeytodisplayadditionaloptionsattheDynamicInputtooltip.(EnableDynamicInputatthe

statusbarifyouneedto.)Thecommandlineshows

Enternextpointor[endTangency/toLerance/Undo/Close]:

Becauseyou’redrawingafreeformcurve,youusuallydon’tneedtouseobjectsnapsorotherprecisiontechniqueswhenpickingsplinepoints.

5.PressEnterafteryou’vechosentheendpointofyourspline.AutoCADdrawsthespline.

Youcanspecifythestartandendtangencyofthesplinetocontrolthecurvatureofthestartpointsandendpointsofthespline.Ifallyou’reafterisaswoopyfreeformcurve,justpickingpointsasinthisexampleworksfine.

Figure9-4showssomeexamplesofsplines.

Figure9-4:Aslewofsplines.

Afteryou’vedrawnaspline,youcangripeditittoadjustitsshape.SeeChapter10forinformationaboutgripediting.Ifyouneedfinercontroloversplineediting,lookuptheSPLINEDITcommandintheAutoCADonlinehelp.

Donuts:ThecircleswithadifferenceAdonutinAutoCADisanotherspecialtypeofpolylineobjectthatyoucreatewith

(whatelse?)theDONUTcommand.(TherectanglesandregularpolygonsIshowyouinChapter8arealsopolylineobjects.)Creatingadonutisasimplewaytodefineasingleobjectthatconsistsoftwoconcentriccircleswiththespacebetweenthemfilled.

WhenyoustarttheDONUTcommand,AutoCADpromptsyoufortheinsidediameterandtheoutsidediameter—thesizeoftheholeandthesizeofthedonut—asmeasuredacrosstheirwidestpoints.Afteryou’veenteredthesevalues,AutoCADpromptsyouforthecenterpointofthedonut.Butonedonutisrarelyenough,soAutoCADkeepspromptingyouforadditionalcenterpointsuntilyoupressEnter(theAutoCADequivalentofsaying,“no,really,I’mfullnow!”).

Thefollowingexampledrawsaregulation-sizedonut,witha1.5-inchholeand3.5-inchoutsidediameter.

Command:DONUT

Specifyinsidediameterofdonut<0.5000>:1.5

Specifyoutsidediameterofdonut<1.0000>:3.5

Specifycenterofdonutor<exit>:pickortypethecenterpointof

oneormoredonuts

YoucanusetheDONUTcommandtocreateafilledcircle—alsoknownasajelly-filleddonut.Justspecifyaninsidediameterof0.Figure9-5showsbothkindsofdonuts.

Figure9-5:Donuts,plainandjelly-filled.

RevisioncloudsonthehorizonIt’scustomaryinmanyindustriestosubmitasetofdrawingsatdifferentprojectmilestonesorstagesofcompletionandthensubmitthemagainlaterwithrevisions—corrections,clarifications,andrequestedchanges.Usually,therecipientsliketolocatechangedstuffeasily,andacommondraftingconventionistocallattentiontoreviseditemsbydrawingfreeformcloudsaroundthem.TheREVCLOUDcommandmakesquickworkofdrawingsuchclouds.

Drawingrevisioncloudsiseasy,afteryouunderstandthatyouclickonlyonceinthedrawingarea.Thatoneclickdefinesthestartingpointforthecloud’sperimeter.Afterthat,yousimplymovethecrosshairsaround,andthecloudtakesshape.Whenyoureturntonearthepointthatyouclickedinthebeginning,AutoCADautomaticallyclosesthecloud.

Thefollowingcommandlineexampleshowsyouhowtodrawarevisioncloud.Figure9-6showswhatrevisioncloudslooklike.

Command:REVCLOUD

Minimumarclength:0.5000Maximumarclength:0.5000Style:Normal

Specifystartpointor[Arclength/Object/Style]<Object>:picka

pointalongtheperimeterofyourfuturecloud

Guidecrosshairsalongcloudpath...sweepthecrosshairsaroundto

definethecloud’sperimeter

Youdon’tneedtoclickagain.Simplymovethecrosshairsaroundwithoutclicking.AutoCADdrawsthenextarcsegmentofthecloudwhenyourcrosshairsreachtheminimumarclengthdistancefromtheendofthepreviousarcsegment.

Continuemovingthecrosshairsarounduntilyoureturntothepointwhereyouclickedfirst.

Figure9-6:Meanwhile,revisioncloudsweregatheringoverEurope.

Hereareafewtipsforusingrevisionclouds:

It’sagoodideatoputrevisioncloudsontheirownlayersoyoucanchoosetoplotwithorwithoutthecloudsvisible.

You’llprobablyfinditeasiertocontroltheshapeofrevisioncloudsifyouturnoffOrthomodebeforeyoustartthecommand.

Youmayneedtoaddatriangleandnumber,asshowninFigure9-6,toindicatetherevisionnumber.Ablockwithanattributeisagoodwaytohandlethisrequirement:Chapter17coversblocksandattributes.

Iftherevisioncloud’sarcsaretoosmallortoolarge,erasethecloud,restarttheREVCLOUDcommand,andusethecommand’sArcLengthoptiontochangetheminimumandmaximumarclengths.Thedefaultminimumandmaximumlengthsare0.5(or15inmetricdrawings).Ifyoumaketheminimumandmaximumlengthsequal(whichisthedefault),thelobeswillbeapproximatelyequalinsize.Ifyoumakethemunequal,therewillbemorevariationinlobesize—you’llgetfluffierclouds.Fortunately,alltheseoptionsaremorethanmostnon-meteorologistswillneed.

ScoringPointsIthoughtaboutnotcoveringpointsinthisbook,butIdidn’twantyoucomplainingthatAutoCAD2012ForDummiesispointless.

ThewordpointdescribestwodifferentthingsinAutoCAD:

Alocationinthedrawingthatyouspecify(bytypingcoordinatesorclickingwiththemouse)

AnobjectthatyoudrawwiththePOINTcommand

Throughoutthischapterandmostofthebook,Itellyoutospecifypoints—that’sthelocationmeaning.Thissectiontellsyouhowtodrawpointobjects.

ApointobjectinAutoCADcanservetwopurposes:

Pointsoftenidentifyspecificlocationsinyourdrawingtootherpeoplewholookatthedrawing.Apointcanbesomethingthatdisplaysonthescreen,eitherasatinydotorasanothersymbol,suchasacrosswithacirclearoundit.

Youcanusepointsaspreciseobjectsnaplocations.Thinkofthemasconstructionpoints.Forexample,whenyou’relayingoutanewbuilding,youmightdrawpointobjectsatsomeoftheengineeringsurveypointsandthensnaptothosepointsasyousketchthebuilding’sshapewiththePLINEcommand.YouusetheNodeObjectSnapmodetosnaptoAutoCADpointobjects.

WhatmakesAutoCADpointobjectscomplicatedistheiralmostlimitlessrangeofdisplayoptions,providedtoaccommodatethetwodifferentkindsofpurposesjustdescribed(andpossiblysomeothersthatIhaven’tfiguredoutyet).YouusethePointStyledialogbox,asshowninFigure9-7,tospecifyhowpointsshouldlookinthecurrentdrawing.

Figure9-7:ThePointStyledialogboxcontrolsthewaypointobjectsappearon-screen.

ThePointStyledialogboxcanbefoundontheHometab’sUtilitiespanelslideout,orbytypingitscommandname—whichhappenstobeabouttheleastintuitivecommandnameinallofAutoCAD:DDPTYPE(pronouncedddptype).Thetopportionofthedialogboxshowstheavailablepointdisplaystyles.Mostofthe

choicesdoprettymuchthesamething.Justclickoneofthesquaresthatsays,“Hey,that’sagoodpoint!”toyou.

Thefirstchoice,asingle-pixeldot,ishardtoseeonthescreen,andthesecondchoice,invisible(astealthpoint?),isimpossibletosee.Avoidthesechoicesifyouwantyourpointobjectstoshowuponthescreenandonplots.Thesingle-pixeldot,whichisthedefaultdisplaystyle,workswellifyouusepointobjectsasobjectsnaplocationsanddon’twantobtrusivepointsonyourplots.

TheremainingsettingsinthePointStyledialogboxcontrolthesizeatwhichpointsappearonthescreenatdifferentzoommagnifications.Thedefaultsettingsoftenworkfine,butifyou’renotsatisfiedwiththem,clicktheHelpbuttoninthedialogboxtofindouthowtochangethem.

Afteryouspecifythepointstyle,placingpointson-screeniseasy.Thefollowingexampleshowsyouhow;justtypePOINTandpressEnter.

Command:POINT

Currentpointmodes:PDMODE=0PDSIZE=0.0000

Specifyapoint:pickortypethecoordinatesofalocationinthe

drawing

ThePDMODEandPDSIZEitemslistedinthecommandwindowaresystemvariablesthatcorrespondtothepointdisplaymodeanddisplaysizeoptionsinthePointStyledialogbox.Ifyouwanttoknowexactlyhowthesystemvariablescorrespondtothedialogboxchoices,youhaveallthemakingsofasuccessfulCADnerd.ClicktheHelpbuttoninthePointStyledialogboxtofindoutmore(aboutthesystemvariables—notaboutyourself).

Chapter10

GetaGriponObjectSelection

InThisChapterUsingcommand-firstediting

Selectingobjectswithmaximumflexibility

Editingwithgrips

Editingobjectsistheflipsideofcreatingthem,andinAutoCAD,youspendalotoftimeediting—farmorethandrawingobjectsfromscratch.That’spartlybecausethedesignanddraftingprocessis,byitsnature,repetitive,andalso

becauseAutoCADmakesiteasytoeditobjectscleanly.

WhenyoueditobjectsinAutoCAD,youneedtobejustasconcernedaboutspecifyingpreciselocationsanddistancesasyouarewhenyouoriginallycreatetheobjects.Makesurethatyou’refamiliarwiththeprecisiontechniquesdescribedinChapter7beforeyouapplytheeditingtechniquesfromthischaptertorealdrawings.

CommandingandSelectingAutoCADoffersthreestylesofediting:

Command-firstediting

Selection-firstediting

Directobjectmanipulation(gripediting)

AutoCADreferstocommand-firsteditingasverb-nouneditingandtoselection-firsteditingasnoun-verbediting.Whenyouseethisterminology—forexample,intheOptionsdialogboxortheonlinehelpsystem—don’tworry,youhaven’tdroppedbackintoyourfifth-gradeEnglishclass!

Command-firsteditingWithcommand-firstediting,youstartacommandandthenselecttheobjectsonwhichthecommandworks.Thisstyleofeditingmayseembackwardtoyouatfirstunlessyou’realongtimeAutoCADuser.Command-firsteditingworkswellforpoweruserswhoareinahurryandwhoarewillingtomemorizemostofthecommandstheyneedtodotheirwork.It’salsotheonlywaytousesomeoftheeditingcommands(suchasFILLETandBREAK).It’snosurprisethatcommand-firsteditingisthetraditionaleditingstyleinAutoCAD,andtheonemethodwithwhichyouneedtobemostcomfortable.

Selection-firsteditingInselection-firstediting,youperformthesamesteps—inthesameorder—asin

mostWindowsapplications:Selecttheobjectfirst,andthenchoosethecommand.Selection-firsteditingtendstobeeasiertomasterandmakesAutoCADmoreapproachablefornewandoccasionalusers.

DirectobjectmanipulationWithdirectobjectmanipulation,youperformcommoneditingoperationsbyusingthemousetograbtheselectedobjectandperformanactiononit,suchasmovingallorpartofittoadifferentplaceinthedrawing.Nonamedcommandisinvolved;theactofmovingthemouseandclickingthemousebuttonsincertainwayscausestheeditingchangestohappen.AutoCADsupportsdirectobjectmanipulationthroughapowerfulbutsomewhatcomplicatedtechniquecalledgripediting.Gripsarethelittlesquare,rectangular,ortriangularhandlesthatappearonanobjectwhenyouselectit.Youcanusethegripstostretch,move,copy,rotate,scale,orotherwiseedittheobject.

ChoosinganeditingstyleThisbookemphasizescommand-firstediting,butIalsodiscussgripeditinginthesection“GetaGrip,”laterinthischapter.AutoCAD,initsheartofhearts,isacommand-firstprogram.Infact,itstartedoutofferingonlycommand-firsteditingandlateraddedselection-firstmethods;AutoCAD2012inheritsthisancestraltrait.Istresscommand-firsteditingforthefollowingreasons:

It’stheeditingstylethat’sbeeninAutoCADthelongest,andtheonewithwhichexperiencedAutoCADusersaremostfamiliar.

Itworksconsistentlywithalleditingcommands—someeditingcommandsremaincommand-firstonly.

Itprovidesaddedobjectselectionflexibility,whichisusefulwhenyouworkoncomplicated,busydrawings.

Afteryouknowhowtodocommand-firstediting,youcansimplyreversetheorderofmanyeditingoperationstodothemselection-firststyle,instead.Butifyoudon’tgetfamiliarwithcommand-firsteditinginthebeginning,you’llbebewilderedbyafewusefulAutoCADcommandsthatworkonlyinthecommand-firststyle;commandssuchastheseignoreanyalready-selectedobjectsandpromptyoutoselectobjectsbeforeyoucancontinue.

Muchoftheinformationintherestofthisbookassumesthatyou’reusingthe

defaultAutoCADselectionsettings.IfyoufindthatobjectselectionorgripeditingareworkingdifferentlyfromthewayIdescribetheminthischapter,clicktheApplicationbutton,chooseOptionsfromthebottomoftheApplicationMenutoopentheOptionsdialogbox,andthencheckthesettingsontheSelectiontab.Theelevencheckboxsettingslistednextshouldbeselected,asshowninFigure10-1.(Allothercheckboxsettingsshouldbedeselected.)

Figure10-1:SettingselectionoptionsintheOptionsdialogbox.

Noun/VerbSelection

ObjectGrouping

ImpliedWindowing

SelectionPreviewWhenaCommandisActive

SelectionPreviewWhenNoCommandisActive

ShowGrips

ShowGripTips

ShowDynamicGripMenu

AllowCtrl+CyclingBehavior

ShowSingleGriponGroups

ShowBoundingBoxonGroups

Forinformationonwhattheseoptionsdo,hoverthemousepointeroveranoptiontodisplayatooltipwithinformationfromtheonlinehelp.

GrabItPartofAutoCAD’seditingflexibilitycomesfromitsobject-selectionflexibility.Forexample,command-firsteditingoffers16selectionmodes!(Idescribethemostusefulonesinthischapter.)Don’tworry,though;youcangetbymostofthetimewiththreeselectionmodes,eachofwhichIdescribeinthissection:

Selectingasingleobjectbypickingit

Selectingmultipleobjectsbyenclosingtheminawindowselectionboxorpolygon

Selectingmultipleobjectsbyenclosingtheminacrossingselectionboxorpolygon

One-by-oneselectionThemostobviouswaytoselectobjectsistopick(byclicking)themoneatatime.Oneormoreobjectsthatareselectedandreadyforeditingarecalledaselectionset.Youcanbuildaselectionsetcumulativelywiththispick-one-object-at-a-timeselectionmode,butthiscumulativeconventionmaybedifferentfromwhatyou’reusedto.InmostWindowsprograms,ifyouselectoneobjectandthenanother,thefirstobjectisdeselected,andthesecondoneselected;onlytheobjectyouselectlastremainsselected.InAutoCAD,alltheobjectsyouselect,oneatatime,remainselectedandareaddedtotheselectionset,nomatterhowmanyobjectsyoupick.(YoucanchangethisbehaviortomakeAutoCADworklikeotherWindowsprogramsbyturningontheUseShifttoAddtoSelectionoptiononthe

Optiondialogbox’sSelectiontab,butIsuggestthatyoudon’tchangeit.)Mosteditingcommandsaffecttheentiregroupofselectedobjects.

UsetheSELECTSIMILARcommandtoautomaticallyselectsimilarobjectsbasedontheirproperties.Selectanobject,right-click,andchooseSelectSimilarfromtheshortcutmenu,andAutoCADselectsallsimilarobjects.YoucanfilterthepropertiesusedforselectionbytypingSELECTSIMILARatthecommandprompt,thenenteringSEtodisplaytheSelectSimilarSettingsdialogbox(seeFigure10-2).

Figure10-2:Chooseyoursimilarity-selectionsettingshere.

SelectionboxesleftandrightSelectingobjectsoneatatimeworksgreatwhenyouwanttoeditasmallnumber

ofobjects,butmanyCADeditingtasksinvolveeditinglotsofobjects.Doyoureallywanttopick132lines,arcs,andcircles,oneatatime?

LikemostWindowsgraphicsprograms,AutoCADprovidesaselectionwindowfeatureforgrabbingabunchofobjectsinarectangulararea.Asyoumayguessbynow,theAutoCADversionofthisfeatureisabitmorepowerfulthanthesimilarfeatureinotherWindowsgraphicsprogramsandis,therefore,slightlyconfusingatfirst.AutoCADcallsitsversionimpliedwindowing.Here’showyouuseit.

Ifyouclickablankareaofthedrawing—thatis,notonanobject—you’reimplyingtoAutoCADthatyouwanttospecifyaselectionbydraggingawindowaroundtheobjects.Ifyoumovethecrosshairstotherightbeforepickingthenextcorneroftheselectionarea,you’refurtherimplyingthatyouwanttoselectallobjectsthatresidecompletelywithintheselectionarea.Ifyoumovethecrosshairstotheleftbeforepickingthenextcorneroftheselectionarea,you’reimplyingthatyouwanttoselectallobjectsthatresidecompletelyorpartiallywithintheselectionarea.

TheAutoCADterminologyforthesetwokindsofselectionareasgetsalittleconfusing:

Windowobjectselection:Themove-to-the-right,only-select-objects-completely-within-the-areamode

Crossingobjectselection:Themove-to-the-left,select-objects-completely-or-partially-within-the-areamode

Fortunately,AutoCADgivesyouvisualcuesthatthere’sadifference.Asyoumovetotheright,thewindowareaappearsasarectangularorpolygonalareawithabluefillandasolidborder.Asyoumovetotheleft,thecrossingareaappearsasarectangleorpolygonwithgreenfillandadashedborder.

Ifyoureditingmethodofpreferenceisselection-first,AutoCAD2012nowgivesyoutheoptionofdraggingapolygonalwindoworcrossingarea,orsimplydraggingaseriesoflinesthroughtheobjectsyouwanttoselect.Yousimplyclickapointanddragtotheleftorrighttogetrectangularselectionboxesasdescribedabove,oryoucanchoosetheWPolygon,CPolygon,orFenceoptionsbytypingtheappropriateletteratthecommandline.

Figures10-3and10-4showawindowboxandacrossingbox,respectively,inaction.

Figure10-3:Awindowselectionbox,drawnlefttoright,selectsonlyobjectscompletelywithinthebox.

Figure10-4:Acrossingselectionbox,drawnrighttoleft,selectsobjectsthatarecompletelyorpartiallywithinthebox.

Youcanmixandmatchselectingindividualobjects,specifyingawindowbox,andspecifyingacrossingbox.Eachselectionaddstothecurrentselectionset,allowingyoutobuildanenormouslycomplicatedselectionofobjectsandthenoperateonthemwithoneormoreeditingcommands.

YoucanpresstheShiftkeyincombinationwithanyofthethreestandardselectionmodes—singleobject,windowarea,andcrossingarea—toremovealready-selectedobjectsfromtheselectionset.Thisfeatureisespeciallyusefulwhenyou’rebuildingaselectionsetinacrowdeddrawing;youcanselectabigbatchofobjectsbyusingWindoworCrossing,andthenholddowntheShiftkeywhileselectingtoremovetheobjectsthatyouwanttoexcludefromtheeditingoperation.

PerfectingSelectingWhenyoueditincommand-firstmode,youhavealltheselectionoptionsdescribedintheprevioussection—singleobject,windowbox,windowpolygon,crossingpolygon,andcrossingbox—plusaslewofothers.Ifyoutype?andpressEnteratanySelectobjectsprompt,AutoCADlistsalltheselectionoptionsatthecommandline:

Window/Last/Crossing/BOX/ALL/Fence/WPolygon/CPolygon/

Group/Add/Remove/Multiple/Previous/Undo/AUto/

SIngle/SUbobject/Object

Table10-1summarizesthemostusefulcommand-firstselectionoptions.

Table10-1SomeUsefulCommand-FirstSelectionOptions

Option Description

Window Allobjectscompletelywithinarectangularareathatyouspecifybypickingtwopoints

Crossing Allobjectswithinorcrossingarectangularareathatyouspecifybypickingtwopoints

WPolygon Allobjectscompletelywithinapolygonalareawhosecornersyouspecifybypickingpoints

CPolygon Allobjectswithinorcrossingapolygonalareawhosecornersyouspecifybypickingpoints

Fence Allobjectstouchinganimaginarypolylinewhoseverticesyouspecifybypickingpoints

Last Thelastobjectyoudrew(whetherornotit’svisibleinthedisplay)

Previous Thepreviousselectionsetthatyouspecified

ALL Allobjectsonlayersthataren’tfrozenorlockedandthatareinthecurrentspace(modelspaceorpaperspace)

Touseanyofthecommand-firstselectionoptionsattheSelectobjectsprompt,typetheuppercaselettersindicatedinTable10-1thatcorrespondtothedesiredoptionandpressEnter.Afteryou’refinishedselectingobjects,youmustpressEnteragaintotellAutoCADthatyou’vefinishedselectingobjectsandwanttostarttheeditingoperation.

Afteryou’refinishedselectingobjects,youmustpressEnteragaintotellAutoCADthatyou’vefinishedselectingobjectsandwanttostarttheeditingoperation.Say...isthereanechoinhere?Asamatteroffact,Iamrepeatingmyself.OneofthethingsthatmostnewAutoCADusersfindhardesttorememberisthenecessityofpressingEnterafteryoufinishselectingobjects.

AutoCAD’sSelectionpreviewfeaturesremovealotofdoubtaboutwhichobjectsyou’reselecting.Rolloverhighlightingdisplaysindividualobjectswithathick,dashedlineweightasyoumovethecrosshairsoverthem.Areaselectiondisplaysatransparent,coloredhighlightovermultipleselectionswhenyouuseWindowandCrossingoptions.YoucanenableanddisablebothfeaturesontheSelectiontaboftheOptionsdialogbox(refertoFigure10-1).

ThefollowingexampledemonstrateshowtousetheERASEcommandincommand-firstmodewithseveraldifferentselectionoptions.TheselectiontechniquesusedinthisexampleapplytomostAutoCADeditingcommands.

1.Openadrawingthatcontainssomeobjects,orstartanewdrawingandcreatesomelines,arcs,orcircles.Youneedn’tbetooparticulardrawingthesebecauseyou’regoingtoblowthemawayinthefollowingsteps.

2.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

Ifanyobjectsareselectedwhenyoustartaneditingcommand,thecommand,inmostcases,willoperateonthoseobjects(selection-firstediting)insteadofpromptingyoutoselectobjects(command-firstediting).ForthereasonsthatIdescribeinthesection“CommandingandSelecting,”earlierinthischapter,Irecommendthatyouusecommand-firsteditingstyleuntilyou’rethoroughlyfamiliarwithit.Later,youcanexperimentwithselection-firsteditingifyoulike.(JustreversethesequenceofcommandingandselectingthatIdescribeinthischapter.)

3.ClicktheErasebuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.AutoCADdisplaystheSelectobjectspromptatthecommandlineand,ifDynamicInputisenabledonthestatusbar,theDynamicInputtooltip.

4.Selecttwoorthreeindividualobjectsbyclickingeachone.AutoCADaddseachobjecttotheselectionset.Alltheobjectsyouselectremainhighlighted,andAutoCADcontinuestodisplaytheSelectobjectsprompt.

5.Specifyawindowselectionboxthatcompletelyenclosesseveralobjects.Movethecrosshairstoapointbelowandtotheleftoftheobjects,click,releasethemousebutton,movethecrosshairsaboveandtotherightoftheobjects,andclickagain.

Allobjectsthatarecompletelywithintheboxareselected.6.Specifyacrossingselectionboxthatcompletelyenclosesafewobjectsandcutsthroughseveralothers.Movethecrosshairstoapointbelowandtotherightofsomeoftheobjects,click,releasethemousebutton,movethecrosshairsaboveandtotheleftofsomeoftheobjects,andclickandreleaseagain.Allobjectsthatarecompletelywithinorcrossthroughtheboxareselected.AutoCADcontinuestodisplaytheSelectobjectsprompt.

7.TypeWPandpressEntertoactivatetheWPolygonselectionoption.AutoCADpromptsyoutopickpointsthatdefinetheselectionpolygon.

8.PickaseriesofpointsandpressEnter.Figure10-5showsanexample.AfteryoupressEnter,AutoCADselectsallobjectsthatarecompletelywithinthepolygon.AutoCADcontinuestodisplaytheSelectobjectspromptuntilyoupressEnter.

9.PressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADerasesalltheselectedobjectsandreturnstoanemptycommandprompt.

NoticehowyoucoulduseacombinationofobjectselectionmethodstobuildaselectionsetandthenpressEntertoexecutethecommandontheselectedobjects.MostAutoCADeditingcommandsworkthiswayincommand-firstmode.

Figure10-5:LassoingobjectswithaWPolygon.

If,aftererasingaselectionset,youimmediatelyrealizethatyoudidn’treallymeantodoawaywithsomanyobjects,youcanusetheUndobuttonontheQuickAccessToolbartorestorethemall.ButAutoCADhasoneadditionalunerasetrickupitssleeve—theaptlynamedOOPScommand.WhenyoutypeOOPSandpressEnter,AutoCADrestoresthelastselectionsetthatyouerased—evenifyou’verunothercommandsafterERASE.

TheERASEcommandisn’ttheonlywaytoremoveunwantedobjectsfromyourdrawing.EasiestofallinanyworkspaceistosimplyselectanitemandpresstheDeletekey.

It’salltooeasytodrawobjectsontopofotherobjects,andoncethey’rethere,prettywellimpossibletorecognizethattherearemultiplessoyoucanweedouttheonesyoudon’twant.Forthelastcoupleofreleases,holdingdowntheShiftkeyandthespacebartogetherwhileclickingonsuspectedmultipleobjectswillhighlightthem,oneaftertheother;whentheoneyou’reafterlightsup,youpress

Entertoselectit.AutoCAD2011introducedamorepowerfulselectioncyclingmethod.WithSelectionCyclingenabledonthestatusbar,AutoCADdisplaysablueiconshowingoverlappingrectanglesifitdetectsmultipleobjectsunderyourcrosshairs.Andwhenyoupickanobjectwiththisicondisplayed,AutoCADopensaSelectiondialogboxwhereyoucanchoosetheobjectyouactuallywantto.

AutoCAD2011couldfindthoseduplicates,andnowAutoCAD2012willblowthemawayforyou!ClickthenewDeleteDuplicateObjectstool(lookforthebroomontheModifypanelslideoutontheHometab)toruntheaptlynamedOVERKILLcommand.YoucanprocessanentiredrawingatonefellswoopbyenteringALLattheSelectObjectsprompt.TheDeleteDuplicateObjectsdialogboxappears;thereyoucansetanumberofpropertiesandoptions(seeFigure10-6).Checktheonlinehelpformoreaboutthiscommand.

AutoCADLTusers,forsomestrangereason,thetoolbuttonIdescribeintheprecedingparagraphmaynothavemadeitontoLT’sModifypanel.However,youdohaveaccesstothecommand—youjustneedtotypeOVERKILLatthecommandprompttocalluptheDeleteDuplicateObjectsdialogbox.

Likemostgraphicsprograms,AutoCADletsyouselectabunchofobjectsandgatherthemintoagroup,sothatwhenyouclickononeobject,everythinginthegroupisselected.ThenewGroupspanelontheHometabofAutoCAD2012’sRibbonoffersawelcomeupdatefortheoldandcomplicatedObjectGrouping(AutoCAD)andGroupManager(AutoCADLT)dialogboxes.YousimplyselectyourobjectsandclickGroup.Ifyouwant,youcannameyourgroupasyoucreateit.ThebuttonsonthemainGroupspanelletyoucreatenewgroups,togglegroupselectionoffandon,editgroupsbyaddingorremovingindividualobjects,orpermanentlyungroupaselectedgroup.ClickingGroupManagerintheGroupspanelslideoutdisplaystheoldObjectGrouping(inAutoCAD)orGroupManager(inAutoCADLT)dialogboxforevenmoregroupfunctions.

Figure10-6:Weedoutthoseduplicateobjects.

ObjectSelection:NowYouSeeIt...Themanyobject-selectionmodesIdescribeinprevioussections—andsomeIdon’tdescribeatall,suchastheFILTERcommand(checkouttheonlinehelpsystemformoreonthat)—areusefulasfarastheygo.

AutoCAD2012letsyoucontrolthevisibilityofindividualobjects.Thismayormaynotsoundlikeabigdeal,butbelieveme,itis.BeforeAutoCAD2011,theonly

waytocontrolthedisplayofobjectswastoturnofforfreezethelayeronwhichtheyresided.Iftherewereotherobjectsonthatlayerthatyoudidwanttosee...toobad!Threecommandsturnthatlimitationintoancienthistory:

HIDEOBJECTS:Promptsyoutoselectthoseobjectsyouwanttomaketemporarilydisappear

ISOLATEOBJECTS:Promptsyoutoselectthoseobjectsyouwanttoseewhiletemporarilymakingeverythingelsedisappear

UNISOLATEOBJECTS:Endsthehidingandisolatingofobjects

Theprimarymethodofinvokingthesecommandsisviatheright-clickmenu.Usingeithercommand-firstorselection-firstediting(asdescribedinthesection“CommandingandSelecting,”earlierinthischapter),simplyright-clickandyouseetheIsolateitemshowninFigure10-7.Astatusbaricon—alightbulbatthelower-rightcornerofthedisplay—isdimmedwhenobjectsareeitherhiddenorisolated.Clickthisicontoopenamenuthatletsyouturnoffthehidingorisolating.

Ifyou’reworriedaboutthepossibleimplicationsofthis(“Hmm...IwassureIaddedthosecenterlines...doIneedtoaddthemagain?”),relax.Hidingandisolatingobjectsistemporary—itonlylastsaslongasyourcurrentdrawingsession.Ifyouendadrawingwithobjectsisolatedorhidden,theyreappearwhenyoureopenthefile.

Figure10-7:Makethoseobjectsgoaway(butonlytemporarily!).

GetaGripAlthoughcommand-firsteditingisthemostflexibleandwidespreadeditingstyleinAutoCAD,it’snottheonlyway.Gripeditingisausefuladjuncttocommand-firstediting,especiallywhenyouwanttomodifyjustoneortwoobjects.Youmayhaveencounteredgripeditingwhenusingotherkindsofgraphicsprograms.Butevenifyou’reanexperienceduserofothergraphicsprograms,you’veneverseengripsusedinquitethewaythatAutoCADusesthem.

Anythingthatyoucandowithgripeditingcanbedonewithcommand-first

editingaswell.Insomesituations,gripeditingisalittlemoreefficientorconvenientthancommand-firstediting,butcommand-firsteditingalwaysgetsthejobdone.Ifyoumasteronlyonestyleofediting,makeitcommand-firststyle.Inotherwords,feelfreetoskipthissection—atleastuntilyou’recomfortablewithcommand-firstediting.

AboutgripsGripsarethoselittlesquare,rectangular,ortriangularhandlesthatappearonanobjectafteryouselectit.

Intheirsimplestguise,AutoCADgripsworksimilarlytothelittlesquaresongraphicalobjectsinotherWindowsprograms.ButinAutoCAD,insteadofclickinganddraggingagrip,youmustclick,releasethemousebutton,movethecrosshairs,andclickagainatthenewlocation.(Byseparatingtheselectionofbeginningandendingpointsintotwodifferentoperations,AutoCADallowsyoutousedifferenttechniques—suchasdifferentobjectsnaps—toselecteachpoint.)

AutoCADgripsare,forsophisticatedusers,betterthanthegripsfoundinmostotherprogramsbecauseyoucandosomuchmorewiththem.Youcan,forexample,useAutoCADgripstomove,stretch,orcopyanobject.Youalsocanusethemtorotateanobject,scaleittoadifferentsize,ormirroranobject—thatis,createoneormorereversedcopies.Gripsalsoactasvisibleobjectsnaps,orlittlemagnetsthatattractthecrosshairs.

InAutoCAD2012,gripsonlines,arcs,andellipticalarcshavebecomemultifunctional.Hoveringoveranendpointgripdisplaysapop-upmenuthatoffersyouachoiceoflengtheningorstretchingtheobject.Hoveringoverthemidpointgriponanarcoffersthechoiceofstretchingthearcbyitsmidpoint(thatis,keepingthesameendpoints)orchangingitsradius.Ellipticalarcsgainnewtriangulargripsthatletyouincreasethelengthofthearcwithoutchangingitsotherparameters.

AgrippingexampleThefollowingsectionscoverindetailthefivegrip-editingmodes:STRETCH,MOVE,ROTATE,SCALE,andMIRROR.Followthesestepstoexplorethegrip-editingmodes:

1.Drawsomesimplegeometry,suchastheobjectshowninFigure10-8.Here’sagreatplacetopracticesomeofthestraight-lineobjectcreationtoolsIdescribeinChapter8!

2.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected,andthenclickQuickPropertiesonthestatusbartoturnofftheQuickPropertiespalette.TheQuickPropertiespaletteisprettyusefulforeditingthepropertiesofobjects,butmoreoftenthannot,itgetsinthewaywhenyouwanttoedittheobjectsthemselves.AutoCADdisplaysablankcommandprompt—thatis,nocommandiscurrentlyactive.

3.Clickanobjecton-screentoselectitanddisplayitsgrips.Grips—solidbluesquaresontheselectedobject—appearatvariouspointsontheobject.NotethattheAutoCADcommandpromptremainsblank;youhaven’tstartedacommandorgrip-editingoperationyet.

4.Clickanotherobject.Boththenewlyselectedobjectandthepreviouslyselectedobjectdisplaygrips.

5.Clickoneofthegripsoneitherobject.Ifapop-upmenuappearswhenyougetclosetoagrip,ignoreitfornowandgoaheadandclickthegrip.Thebluesquareturnstoadarkredsquare.Thisgripisnowhot,orselectedandreadyforagrip-editingoperation.Grip-editingoptionsnowappearonthecommandline.ThefirstoptiontoappearisSTRETCH.

6.Pressthespacebarrepeatedlytocyclethroughthefivegrip-editingoptionsonthecommandline.

**STRETCH**Specifystretchpointor[Basepoint/Copy/Undo/eXit]:**MOVE**Specifymovepointor[Basepoint/Copy/Undo/eXit]:**ROTATE**Specifyrotationangleor[Basepoint/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]:**SCALE**Specifyscalefactoror[Basepoint/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]:**MIRROR**Specifysecondpointor[Basepoint/Copy/Undo/eXit]:

Thegrip-editingoptiondisplayedonthecommandlineandthedynamic-inputtooltip(ifDynamicInputisenabled)changesasyoupressthespacebar.Ifyoumovethecrosshairs(withoutpicking)inbetweeneachpressofthespacebar,theappearanceofyourselectedobjectchangesasyoudisplayeachoption.ChoosingSTRETCH,forexample,causesastretchedversionoftheobjecttoappearon-screen.

Pressingthespacebarabunchoftimesisagoodwaytobecomefamiliarwiththegrip-editingmodes,butthere’samoredirectwaytochooseaparticularmode.Afteryouclickagriptomakeithot,right-clicktodisplaythegrip-editingmenu.Thatmenucontainsallthegrip-editingoptionsplussomeotherchoices,asshowninFigure10-8.

Figure10-8:Thegrip-editingright-clickmenu.

IfDynamicInputisenabled,pressingthedown-arrowkeywhilecyclingthroughthegrip-editingoptionsdisplaysadynamicmenuatthecrosshairsfromwhichyoucanchooseoptionsspecifictothecurrentgrip-editingfunction.

7.PressthespacebaruntilSTRETCH(ortheoptionyouwant)reappearsasthegrip-editingoption.8.Movethehotgripinthedirectioninwhichyouwanttostretch(orotherwisemanipulate)yourobject.AutoCADdynamicallyupdatestheimageoftheobjecttoshowyouwhatthemodifiedobjectwilllooklikebeforeyouclickthefinallocation.

9.Clickagaintofinishthegrip-editingoperation.Theselectedobjectwiththehotgripupdates.

10.ClickthesamegripthatyouchoseinStep5(nowinadifferentlocation)tomakeithot.11.Thistime,movethecrosshairsnearoneofthegripsontheotherobject.Whenyouseethemagneticpullofthegripontheotherobject,clickagaintoconnectthehotgripwiththeothergrip.Theobjectpointrepresentedbythehotgripnowcoincidesexactlywiththegripontheotherobject.

12.PressEsctodeselectallobjectsandremoveallgrips.

Figure10-9showsahot(red)endpointgripofalinebeingconnectedtotheendpointgripofanotherline.Theangledlineshowstheoriginalpositionofthelinebeingedited,andthethinverticallineshowsthenewposition.UsingagripinthiswayasavisibleobjectsnapoffersthesameadvantageasusingObjectSnapoverrides,asdescribedinChapter7:Itensuresprecisionbymakingsurethatobjectsmeetexactly.

Figure10-9:Usinggripstoconnecttwoobjects.

Youcanexperimentwithallthegrip-editingoptionstofindouthowtheyaffectaselectedobject.BecauseMOVEandSTRETCHarethemostusefulgrip-editingmodes,Icovertheminmoredetail.

Moveit!Backinthedaysofmanualdrafting,movingobjectswasabigpainintheeraser.Youhadtoerasethestuffyouwantedtomoveandredrawtheobjectsintheirnewlocation.Intheprocess,youusuallyendeduperasingpartsofotherstuffthatyoudidn’twanttomoveandleftsmudgedlinesandpilesoferaserdusteverywhere.CADdoesawaywithallthefussandmussofmovingobjects,andAutoCADgripeditingisagreatwaytomakeithappen.Thefollowingstepsdescribehowtomoveobjects:

1.Selectoneormoreobjects.Useanycombinationofthethreeobjectselectionmodes—singleobject,windowselection,andcrossingselection—describedinthe“GrabIt”section,earlierinthischapter.

2.Clickoneofthegripstomakeithot.Atthispointinyoureditingcareer,itdoesn’tmatterwhichgripyouclick.Asyoubecomemorefamiliarwithgripediting,you’lldiscoverthatcertaingripsserveasbetterreferencepointsthanothersforparticulareditingoperations.

3.Right-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseMovefromthecrosshairsmenu.4.Movethecrosshairstoadifferentlocationandclick.Asyoumovethecrosshairsaround,AutoCADdisplaysthetentativenewpositionsforalltheobjects,justasitdoesfortheregularMOVEcommand,asshownpreviouslyinFigure10-9.Afteryouclick,theobjectsassumetheirnewpositions.

5.PressEsctodeselectallobjectsandremoveallgrips.

Copy,orakinder,gentlerMoveIfyouwerepayingattentionduringthesection“Agrippingexample,”earlierinthechapter,youmayhavenoticedwhilepressingthespacebarthatcopywasnotamongthefivegrip-editingmodes.Whynot?Becauseeverygripmodeincludesacopyoption(asthecommand-linepromptsshowinthe“Agrippingexample”section).Inotherwords,youcanSTRETCHwithcopy,MOVEwithcopy,ROTATEwithcopy,SCALEwithcopy,andMIRRORwithcopy.

Thecopyoptionleavestheselectedobjectsinplaceanddoestheeditingoperationonanewcopyoftheobjects.

ByfarthemostcommonuseforthecopyoptioniswiththeMOVEgrip-editing

mode.Ifyouthinkabout“MOVEwithcopy”forabouttwoseconds,you’llrealizethatit’sjustacomplicatedwayofsaying“copy.”Thefollowingstepsshowhowtocopyobjectsquicklybyusinggripediting:

1.Selectoneormoreobjects.2.Clickanyoneofthegripstomakeithot.3.Right-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseMovefromthemenu.4.Right-clickagainandchooseCopyfromthemenu.5.Movethecrosshairstoadifferentlocationandclick.Afteryouclick,newobjectsappearinthenewlocation.

6.Movethecrosshairstoadditionallocationsandclickthereifyouwanttomakeadditionalcopies.7.PressEsctwice—oncetoendthecopyingoperationandoncetodeselectallobjectsandremoveallgrips.

Awarm-upStretchTheSTRETCHgrip-editingmodeworksdifferentlyfromtheothermodes.Bydefault,itaffectsonlytheobjectwiththehotgriponit,notallobjectswithgripsonthem.YoucanoverridethisdefaultbehaviorbyusingtheShiftkeytopickmultiplegripsandmakethemhot.FollowthesestepstogetacquaintedwithusingtheSTRETCHgrip-editingmodetostretchoneormoreobjects:

1.MakesurethatOrthoModeistoggledoffonthestatusbarbyclickingtheOrthoModebuttonuntil<Orthooff>appearsonthecommandline.Orthomodeforcesstretchdisplacementstobeorthogonal—thatis,paralleltolinesrunningat0and90degrees.Duringrealeditingtasks,you’lloftenwanttoturnonOrthomodebutwhileyougetacquaintedwithstretching,leavingOrthomodeoffmakesthingsclearer.

2.Selectseveralobjects,includingatleastoneline.3.Ononeofthelines,clickoneoftheendpointgripstomakeithot.Alltheobjectsremainselected,butasyoumovethecrosshairs,onlythelinewiththehotgripchanges.Figure10-10showsanexample.

Figure10-10:Draggingaline’sendpointinthemiddleoftheSTRETCHgrip-editingoperation.

4.Clickanewpointforthehotendpointgrip.Thelinestretchestoaccommodatethenewendpointlocation.

5.Onthesameline,clickthemidpointgriptomakeithot.Asyoumovethecrosshairs,theentirelinemoves.UsingtheSTRETCHgrip-editingmodewithaline’smidpoint“stretches”theentirelinetoanewlocation.

6.Clickanewpointforthehotmidpointgrip.Thelinemovestothenewmidpointlocation.

7.HolddowntheShiftkey.Ononeofthelines,clickoneoftheendpointgripstomakeithot.8.StillholdingdowntheShiftkey,clickoneoftheendpointgripsonadifferentlinetomakeithot.TwogripsontwodifferentlinesarenowhotbecauseyouhelddowntheShiftkeyandthenclickedbothgrips.

YoucancreatemorehotgripsbyholdingdowntheShiftkeyandclickingmoregrips.

9.ReleasetheShiftkeyandre-pickanyoneofthehotgrips.ReleasingtheShiftkeysignalsthatyou’refinishedmakinggripshot.Re-pickingoneofthehotgripsestablishesitasthebasepointforthestretchoperation.

10.Clickanewpointforthegrip.AlltheobjectswithhotgripsstretchbasedonthedisplacementofthegripthatyouclickedinStep9(seeFigure10-11).

Figure10-11:Stretchingmultipleobjectswithmultiplehotgrips.

11.TurnonOrthomodebyclickingitsstatusbarbuttonuntil<Orthoon>appearsonthecommandline.RepeatSteps2through10toseetheeffectofOrthomodeonstretching.

Chapter11

EditforCredit

InThisChapterMoving,copying,andstretchingobjects

Manipulatingwholeobjects

Changingpiecesofobjects

Editingobjectproperties

InChapter10,youdiscoverthatAutoCADhasseveraldifferentmethodsof

modifyingdrawingobjects.Youalsoreadhowtoselectthoseobjectsinthefirstplacesoyoucaneditthem.Nowit’stimetorollupyoursleevesandgetdirty—inthischapter,IintroducetheprimaryeditcommandsinAutoCAD.

ThefollowingsectionscoverthemostimportantAutoCADeditingcommands,usingcommand-firsteditingmode.

AsIexplaininChapter10,command-firstediting—orverb-nouneditinginAutoCAD-ese—isoneofthreedifferentapproachestomodifyingobjectsinAutoCAD.Iconcentrateonthismethod,whereyoustartacommandandthenyoupicktheobjectsonwhichthecommandwillact,becauseit’stheonlymethodthatworksforalleditingcommandsinAutoCAD.

YourAutoCADToolKitTable11-1listsAutoCAD’smost-frequently-usededitingcommands.ItshowsthetooliconsfoundontheRibbon,theclassictoolbar,andtheclassicmenu,anditgivestheofficialcommandnamewithcorrespondingalias(whereoneexists)forthetypistsintheroom.RibbonbuttonsareontheHometab’sModifypanelintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace.IntheAutoCADClassicworkspace,lookforthesecommandsontheModifyorModifyIItoolbarandModifymenu.

TheARRAYcommandhasundergoneamassiverevisioninAutoCAD2012—somuchsothatithardlyqualifiesasaModifycommandanymore.IcoverthenewassociativearrayfeatureinChapter18.However,Ithinkthere’sstillaneedforsimplearrays—thatis,copiesofobjectsinregularpatterns—soIexplainhowtodothose(andit’sjustalittlemoredifficultthanitusedtobe)inthischapter.TheiconsandinputlocationsforthefourArraycommandsshownTable11-1runthenewassociativearraycommandswhichIcoverinChapter18;Iincludethemherebecausethey’restillgroupedwiththeotherModifycommands.

WhetheryoustartanAutoCADeditingcommandbyclickingaRibbonbuttonortypingacommandnameoralias,inalmostallcasesAutoCADpromptsyouforpoints,distances,andoptionsinthecommandwindow.Readthepromptsduringeverystepofthecommand,especiallywhenyou’refiguringouthowtouseaneweditingcommand.Otherwiseyou’reunlikelytocompletethecommandsuccessfully.

AutoCAD’sDynamicInputsystemdisplayscommandoptionsatthecrosshairs.WhenyouseeaDynamicInputtooltipwithadown-arrowicon,pressthedown-arrowkeyonthekeyboardtodisplaythecommandoptions.Youthencanusethemousetoselectanoption(seeFigure11-1).Pressingtheup-arrowkeydisplayspreviousinput.

AsIdescribeinChapter7,maintainingprecisionwhenyoudrawandeditiscrucialtogoodCADwork.Ifyou’veusedadrawingprogramandareaccustomedtomoving,stretching,andotherwiseeditingobjectsbyeye,you’llneedtosuppressthathabitwhenyoueditinAutoCAD.Nothingruinsadrawingfasterthaneyeball-editing,inwhichyoushoveobjectsarounduntiltheylookokay,withoutworryingaboutprecisedistancesandpoints.

Figure11-1:ChoosingcommandoptionsfromtheDynamicInputmenu.

UsersofWindowsPaintandotherbitmapdrawingprogramswillbefamiliarwiththeconceptof“nudging”—selectingsomeobjectsandusingthearrowkeysonyourkeyboardtomovethemacertainnumberofpixelshorizontallyorvertically.Forbetterorworse,AutoCADhasjoinedthenudgingparty.Nowyoucanmoveobjectsapixel’s-worththiswayorthatbyholdingdownCtrlandpressinganarrowkey.Whetherthat’sagoodthingornotisdebatable.InthisbookItrytoteachyoutried-and-trueprecisiondraftingtechniques,andmovingobjectsbythepixelinsteadofbyreal-worldunitsistheoppositeofprecise.Itmightbeokaytomoveapieceoftextbynudgingit,butyoushouldnevermoveactualdrawinggeometrythatway.

TheBigThree:Move,Copy,andStretchMoving,copying,andstretchingare,formanydrafters,thethreemostcommoneditingoperations.AutoCADobligesthisneedwiththeMOVE,COPY,andSTRETCHcommands.

BasepointsanddisplacementsTheMOVE,COPY,andSTRETCHcommandsallrequirethatyouspecifyhowfarandinwhatdirectionyouwanttheobjectsmoved,copied,orstretched.Afteryou’vestartedthecommandandselectedtheobjectstobeedited,AutoCADpromptsyoufortwopiecesofinformation:

Specifybasepointor[Displacement]<Displacement>:

Specifysecondpointor<usefirstpointasdisplacement>:

Inanot-so-clearway,thesepromptssaythattwopossiblemethodsexistforyoutospecifyhowfarandinwhatdirectionyouwanttheobjectscopied,moved,orstretched:

Themostcommonwayistopickortypethecoordinatesoftwopointsthatdefineadisplacementvector.AutoCADcallsthesepointsthebasepointandthesecondpoint.Imagineanarrowpointingfromthebasepointtothesecondpoint—thatarrowdefineshowfar,andinwhatdirection,theobjectsgetcopied,moved,orstretched.

TheotherwayistotypeanX,Ypairofnumbersthatrepresentsadistanceratherthanapoint.Thisdistanceistheabsolutedisplacementthatyouwanttocopy,move,orstretchtheobjects.

HowdoesAutoCADknowwhetheryourresponsetothefirstpromptisabasepointoradisplacement?Itdependsonhowyourespondtothesecondprompt.(Isthatconfusing,orwhat?)First,youpickapointon-screenorentercoordinatesattheBasepointprompt.Next,thereareacoupleofpossibilities:

Ifyouthenpickortypethecoordinatesofapointatthesecondpointprompt,AutoCADsaystoitself,“Aha—displacementvector!”andmovestheobjectsaccordingtotheimaginaryarrowpointingfromthebasepointtothesecondpoint.

IfyoupressEnteratthesecondprompt(withouthavingtypedanything),AutoCADsays,“Aha—displacementdistance,”andusestheX,Ypairofnumbersthatyoutypedatthefirstpromptasanabsolutedisplacementdistance.

WhatmakesthisdisplacementbusinessevenmoreconfusingisthatAutoCADletsyoupickapointatthefirstpromptandpressEnteratthesecondprompt.AutoCADstillsays,“Aha—displacementdistance,”butnow

ittreatsthecoordinatesofthepointyoupickedasanabsolutedistance.Ifthepointyoupickedhasrelativelylargecoordinates,theobjectscangetmovedwayoutsidethenormaldrawingareaasdefinedbythelimits.Theobjectsflyoffintospace,andyouprobablywon’tseewherethey’vegonebecauseyou’rezoomedintopartofyournormaldrawingarea;itjustlookstoyouliketheobjectshavevanished!Inshort,becarefulwhenyoupressEnterduringtheMOVE,COPY,andSTRETCHcommands.PressEnterinresponsetothesecondpromptonlyifyouwantAutoCADtouseyourresponsetothefirstpromptasanabsolutedisplacement.Ifyoumakeamistake,clickUndoorpressCtrl+Ztobackupandtryagain.YoucanuseZoomExtents(describedinChapter12)tolookforobjectsthathaveflownoffintospace.

MoveThefollowingstepsdemonstratecommand-firsteditingwiththeMOVEcommand,usingthebasepointmethodofindicatinghowfarandinwhatdirectiontomovetheselectedobjects.Thisprocedurealsogivesdetailedrecommendationsonhowtouseprecisiontechniqueswhenyouedit.

1.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

2.ClicktheMovebuttonontheModifypaneloftheHometab.ThecommandlinedisplaystheSelectobjectsprompt.

3.Selectoneormoreobjects.Youcanuseanyoftheobjectselectiontechniquesdescribedinthe“PerfectingSelecting”sectioninChapter10.

4.PressEnterwhenyou’refinishedselectingobjects.AutoCADdisplaysthefollowingprompt:

Specifybasepointor[Displacement]<Displacement>:5.Specifyabasepointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.Thispointservesasthetailendofyourimaginaryarrowthatindicateshowfarandinwhatdirectionyouwanttheobjectsmoved.Afteryoupickabasepoint,it’sfairlyeasytoseewhat’sgoingonbecauseAutoCADdisplaysatemporaryimageoftheobjectthatmovesaroundasyoumovethecrosshairs.Figure11-2showswhatthescreenlookslike.

Specifyabasepointsomewhereonorneartheobject(s)thatyou’removing.YoucanuseanObjectSnapmodetochooseapointexactlyononeoftheobjects.

AutoCADdisplaysthefollowingprompt:

Specifysecondpointor<usefirstpointasdisplacement>:

Figure11-2:DraggingobjectsinthemiddleoftheMOVEcommand.

6.Specifythesecondpointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.Thesecondpointservesasthearrowendofyourimaginarydisplacementarrow.Afteryouspecifythesecondpoint,AutoCADmovestheobjects.

Don’tpressEnteraloneatthisprompt!Ifyoudo,AutoCADtreatstheX,Ycoordinatesofthefirstpointyoupickedasanabsolutedisplacement,andtheobjectsflyoffunpredictably.Irepeat:Don’tpressEnteraloneatthisprompt!PressingEnterwithoutpickingapointortypingcoordinatesatthispromptisoneofthemostcommonerrorsnewAutoCADusersmake,anditcanreallypolluteyourdrawingwithunwantedobjects.

Thesearecommonprecisiontechniquesforspecifyingthesecondpoint:

UseanObjectSnapmodetopickasecondpointexactlyonanotherobject

inthedrawing.

Typearelativeorpolarcoordinate,asdescribedinChapter7.Forexample,ifyoutype–6,2,AutoCADmovestheobjects6unitstotherightand2unitsup.Ifyoutype–3<45,AutoCADmovestheobjects3unitsatanangleof45degrees.

Usedirectdistanceentrytomoveobjectsinanorthogonalorpolar-trackingdirection.SeeChapter7forinstructions.

Copy

TheCOPYcommandworksalmostidenticallytotheMOVEcommand,exceptthatAutoCADleavestheselectedobjectsinplaceandmakesnewcopiesoftheminthenewlocation.

TheCOPYcommandcreatesmultiplecopiesbydefault.Ifyouwantonlyonecopy,pressEnterafterplacingitinthedrawing.ChoosingmOdeatthecommandpromptortheDynamicInputoptionslistletsyouswitchbetweenmakingasinglecopyandmultiplecopies.Ifyoumostlymakemultiplecopiesormostlymakesinglecopies,you’llappreciatebeingabletochangethedefaultsetting.

TheCOPYcommandnowincludesanArrayoption.Inadditiontoplunkingcopiedobjectsdownjustanywhere,typingAtochoosetheArrayoptionletsyouspecifyspacingforanevenly-laid-outlineararray.That’sgoodasfarasitgoes,butyou’llstillneedtheARRAYcommand(whichIdescribelaterinthechapter)tocreaterowsandcolumnsorcircularpatternsofcopiedobjects.

TheCOPYcommandincludesanUndooptionwithwhichyoucanrollbackmultiplecopieswithinasingleCOPYoperation.

CopybetweendrawingsYoucan’tcopyobjectsfromonedrawingtoanotherwiththeCOPYcommand.Instead,youusetheCOPYCLIPcommandtogetherwithitscompanioncommand,PASTECLIP.

COPYCLIPandPASTECLIPusetheWindowsClipboardtotemporarilystore

drawingobjectsfromonefilesotheycanbepastedintoanotherfile.TheClipboardpanelontheRibboncontainsCut,Copy,andPastetools,thethreestandardClipboardbuttonsyoufindineveryWindowsprogram.

Asyou’refiguringoutwherethingsarehidingintheAutoCAD2012Ribbon,rememberthatthestandardWindowskeyboardshortcuts—Ctrl+X(cut),Ctrl+C(copy),andCtrl+V(paste)—arestillavailableandareoftenthemostefficientwayofusingtheWindowsClipboard—evenafteryou’vefoundtheClipboardpanel!

Table11-2summarizesAutoCAD’smostimportantClipboard-relatedcommands,alongwiththeequivalentchoicesontheright-clickmenuandRibbon’sClipboardpanel.(TheclassicStandardtoolbarbuttons’tooltipsdisplaythesamenames.)

Stretch

TheSTRETCHcommandissuperficiallysimilartoCOPYandMOVE;ithasthesameinscrutablebasepointanddisplacementprompts,anditshiftsobjects—orpartsofobjects—tootherlocationsinthedrawing.ButitalsohasimportantdifferencesthatoftenconfoundnewAutoCADuserstothepointthattheygiveuptryingtofigureouthowtouseSTRETCH.That’samistakebecauseSTRETCHisavaluablecommand.Withit,youcanperformeditingoperationsinseconds,whereasothercommandswouldtakemanyminutestouse.HerearethethingsyouneedtoknowtomakeSTRETCHyourfriend:

Selectingobjectstostretch:TouseSTRETCH,youmustselectobjectsbyusingacrossingselectionbox(orcrossingpolygon),asdescribedinChapter10.SeeFigure11-3foravisualexplanation.

Definingpoints:STRETCHoperatesonthedefiningpointsofobjects—endpointsofaline,verticesofapolyline,thecenterofacircle,andsoon—accordingtothefollowingrule:Ifadefiningpointiswithinthecrossingselectionboxthatyouspecify,AutoCADmovesthedefiningpointandupdatestheobjectaccordingly.

Figure11-3:Useacrossingselectionboxtoselectobjectsforstretching.

Forexample,ifyourcrossingselectionboxsurroundsoneendpointofalinebutnottheotherendpoint,STRETCHmovesthefirstendpointandredrawsthelineinthenewpositiondictatedbythefirstendpoint’snewlocation.It’sasthoughyouhavearubberbandtackedtothewallwithtwopins,andyoumoveoneofthepins.

Compressingandstretching:STRETCHcanmakelineslongerorshorter,dependingonyourcrossingselectionboxanddisplacementvector.Inotherwords,theSTRETCHcommandreallycombinesstretchingandcompressing.

Gettinginthemode:It’sagoodideatoturnonOrthoorPolarTrackingmodebeforestretching.Otherwiseyou’llendupstretchingobjectsinstrangedirections,asshowninFigure11-4.

Figure11-4:Thehazardsofstretchingwithoutorthoorpolartrackingturnedon.

Thefollowingstepsdescribehowtostretchlines:

1.DrawsomelinesinanarrangementsimilartothedarklinesshowninFigure11-5.

Figure11-5:DraggingobjectsinthemiddleoftheSTRETCHcommand.

Startyourstretchingwithsimpleobjects.Youcanworkuptomorecomplicatedobjects—polylines,arcs,andsoon—afteryou’velimberedupwithlines.

2.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

3.ClicktheStretchbuttonontheModifypaneloftheRibbon’sHometab.ThecommandlinedisplaystheSelectobjectspromptwithawarningtousetheCrossingorCPolygonobject-selectionmode:

Selectobjectstostretchbycrossing-windoworcrossing-

polygon...

Selectobjects:

4.Pickpointstospecifyacrossingselectionboxthatenclosessome,butnotall,endpointsofthelines.Figure11-5showsasamplecrossingselectionboxthatcompletelyenclosesthetwoverticallinesontherightsideofthefigure.Thiscrossingselectionboxcutsthroughthefourhorizontallines,enclosingonlyoneendpointofeach.

Youspecifyacrossingselectionboxbypickingapoint,movingyourmousetotheleft,andpickingasecondpoint.

5.PressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADdisplaysthefollowingprompt:

Specifybasepointor[Displacement]<Displacement>:6.SpecifyabasepointbyobjectsnappingtoapointonanexistingobjectorbytypingabsoluteX,Ycoordinates.AutoCADdisplaysthefollowingprompt:

Specifysecondpointor<usefirstpointasdisplacement>:

ToggleOrthomodeonandthenoffbyclickingtheOrthoModebuttononthestatusbar;trymovingthecrosshairsaroundfirstwithorthoonandthenwithitofftoseethedifference.Figure11-5showswhatthescreenlookslikeasyoumovethecrosshairsaroundwithoutbenefitoforthoorpolartracking.

7.ToggleOrthomodeon(ifitisn’talready),andthenspecifythesecondpoint—usuallybyusingdirectdistanceentry.YoucanalsospecifythesecondpointbyobjectsnappingtoapointonanexistingobjectorbytypingrelativeX,Ycoordinates.Afteryoupickthesecondpoint,AutoCADstretchestheobjects.NoticethattheSTRETCHcommandmovedthetwoverticallinesbecausethecrossingselectionboxcontainedbothendpointsofbothlines.STRETCHlengthenedorshortenedthefourhorizontallinesbecausethecrossingselectionboxenclosedonlyoneendpointofeach.

TheSTRETCHcommandtakessomepractice,butit’sworththeeffort.Drawsomeadditionalkindsofobjectsandpracticestretchingwithdifferentcrossingselectionboxlocationsaswellasdifferentbasepointsandsecondpoints.

TheSTRETCHcommandpromptsaysSelectobjectstostretchby

crossing-windoworcrossing-polygonbutpickingpointsasinStep4doesn’tgiveyouthecrossing-polygonoption.(SeeChapter10ifyouneedarefresheroncrossing-polygonselection.)Touseapolygonalcrossingselection,typeCPattheSelectobjectspromptandpressEnter.

MoreManipulationsThecommandsinthissection—MIRROR,ROTATE,SCALE,ARRAY,andOFFSET—provideotherways(inadditiontoMOVE,COPY,andSTRETCH)ofmanipulatingobjectsorcreatingnewversionsofthem.Theproceduresforeachcommandassumethatyou’refamiliarwiththeobjectselectionandeditingprecisiontechniquespresentedintheMOVE,COPY,andSTRETCHprocedures(seeChapter10andtheprevioussectionsinthischapter).

MirrorTheMIRRORcommandcreatesareversecopyofoneormoreobjects.Afteryouselectyourobjects,AutoCADpromptsyoutoselecttwopointsthatdefinealineaboutwhichtheobjectswillbemirrored.Youthenhavetheoptiontoretainordeletethesourceobjects.FollowthesestepstousetheMIRRORcommand:

1.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

2.ClicktheMirrorbuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.3.Selectoneormoreobjects,andthenpressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADpromptsyoutodefinethemirrorlinebypickingpoints:

Specifyfirstpointofmirrorline:4.Specifythestartofthemirrorlinebyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADprompts

Specifysecondpointofmirrorline:5.Pickasecondpoint.Mostofthetimeyou’llwanttohavePolarTrackingorOrthoModeenabledsoyoucanmirroryourobjectsprecisely.ThemirroredcopiestemporarilydisappearandAutoCADprompts

Erasesourceobjects?[Yes/No]<N>:IfyoutypeYatthefinalprompt,thesourceobjectsdisappearandyou’releft

withthenewmirroredcopy.AcceptthedefaultNooptionifyouwanttoretainthesourceobjectsalongwiththemirroredcopies.

Normallywhenyoumirrortextordimensions,thewordscomeoutbackwards.ThesystemvariableMIRRTEXTcanhandlethatlittleproblem.Bydefault,MIRRTEXTisturnedoff(thatis,itsvalueis0)sothetextitselfstillreadstherightwayaroundaftertheobjectsaremirrored.Ifyoureallywantyourdrawingtexttobebackwards,changethevalueofMIRRTEXTto1.(IcoversystemvariablesinalittlemoredetailinChapter26.)

RotateTheROTATEcommandpivotsoneormoreobjectsaroundapointthatyouspecify.FollowthesestepstousetheROTATEcommand:

1.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

2.ClicktheRotatebuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.3.SelectoneormoreobjectsandthenpressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADpromptsyouforthebasepointforrotatingtheselectedobjects:

Specifybasepoint:4.Specifyabasepointbyclickingapointortypingcoordinates.ThebasepointbecomesthepointaroundwhichAutoCADrotatestheobjects.Youalsohavetospecifyarotationangle:

Specifyrotationangleor[Copy/Reference]<0>:5.SpecifyarotationanglebytypingananglemeasurementandpressingEnter,orjustpressEntertoacceptthedefaultvalueshowninanglebrackets.Alternatively,youcanindicateanangleonthescreenbymovingthecrosshairsuntiltheCoordinatessectionofthestatusbarindicatesthedesiredangleandthenclicking.Ifyouchoosethisalternative,youwillneedtouseOrthomodeorPolarTrackingtoindicateapreciseangle(forexample,90or45degrees)oranobjectsnaptorotateanobjectsoitalignspreciselywithotherobjects.Afteryouspecifytherotationanglebytypingorpicking,AutoCADrotatestheobjectsintotheirnewposition.TheROTATEcommand’sCopyoptionmakesarotatedcopywhileleavingthesourceobjectinplace.

ScaleIfyoureadallmyharpingaboutdrawingscalesandscalefactorsinChapter4,youmaythinkthattheSCALEcommandperformssomemagicalscaletransformationonyourentiredrawing.Nosuchluck.Itmerelyuniformlyscalesoneormoreobjectsupordownbyafactorthatyouspecify.Here’showitworks:

1.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.

2.ClicktheScalebuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.3.SelectoneormoreobjectsandthenpressEntertoendobjectselection.AutoCADpromptsyouforthebasepointaroundwhichitwillscalealltheselectedobjects:

Specifybasepoint:4.Specifyabasepointbypickingapointortypingcoordinates.Thebasepointbecomesthepointaroundwhichtheobjectsarescaled.AutoCADpromptsyouforthescalefactor:

Specifyscalefactoror[Copy/Reference]<1.0000>:

Don’tassumethatAutoCADwillscaletheobjectsbutleavethemmoreorlesswheretheyareinthedrawing.AutoCADscalesthedistancebetweenobjectsaswellastheobjectsthemselves.Forexample,ifyouselectacircletoscale,pickapointoutsidethecircleasthebasepointandthenspecifyascalefactorof2.AutoCADnotonlymakesthecircletwiceasbig,butalsomovesthecircletwiceasfarawayfromthebasepointthatyouspecified.Ifyouwanttomakeacirclebiggerbutleaveitwhereit’scurrentlylocated,makesureyouselectitscenterpointasthebasepointforthescaleoperation.

5.TypeascalefactorandpressEnter.AutoCADscalestheobjectsbythefactorthatyoutype,usingthebasepointthatyouspecified.Numbersgreaterthan1increasetheobjects’sizes.Numberssmallerthan1decreasetheobjects’sizes.

JustliketheROTATEcommand,SCALEalsohasacopyoptionwithwhichyoucanmakeenlargedorreducedduplicatesofselectedobjects—withoutalteringthesourceobjects.AndbothSCALEandROTATErememberthelastscalefactororrotationangleenteredthroughoutthedrawingsession.

ArrayTheARRAYcommandislikeasuperchargedCOPY:YouuseittocreatearectangulargridofobjectsatregularXandYspacingsoraradialarrangementofobjectsaroundacenterpointataregularangularspacing.Forexample,youcanuserectangulararraystopopulateanauditoriumwithchairsorapolararraytopopulateabicyclewheelwithspokes.

ThekindofarrayIdescribeinthischapteristheold-style—butstillveryuseful—non-associativearray.(Icoverthenew-stylearrayinChapter18).Non-associativearraysaresimplycopiesofthesourceobject;theydwellonthesamelayersastheirsource,andtheycanbeeditedindividually,eveninolderreleasesofAutoCAD.

Thefollowingstepsdescribehowtocreatearectangulararray,whichyou’llprobablydomoreoftenthancreatingapolararray:

1.PressEsctomakesurethatnocommandisactiveandnoobjectsareselected.2.Type-ARRAY(don’tforgetthehyphen)andpressEnter.TypingahypheninfrontofanAutoCADcommandnormallytellstheprogramtorunatthecommandlineratherthaninadialogbox.InAutoCAD2012,typingARRAYrunsthenewassociativearraytool,whereastyping-ARRAYrunstheold,non-associativeversion.First,AutoCADpromptsyoutoselecttheobjectsyouwanttoarray.

3.Selectoneormoreobjects;thenpressEnter.Next,AutoCADpromptsyoutochoosethetypeofarrayyouwant:

Enterthetypeofarray[Rectangular/Polar]<R>:4.TypeRandpressEntertocreatearectangulararray.Next,youspecifythenumberofrowsandcolumnsyouwant,andthedistancebetweeneachofthem.AutoCADprompts:

Enterthenumberofrows(---)<1>:5.EnteravalueandpressEnter.AutoCADnextasksthenumberofcolumns,thedistancebetweenrows,andfinallythedistancebetweencolumns.TheRowsandColumnsnumbersincludetherowandcolumnoftheoriginalobjectsthemselves.Inotherwords,entriesof1don’tcreateanynewobjectsinthatdirection.

6.Entervaluesforthenumberofcolumns,andthedistancesbetweenadjacentrowsandcolumns,thenpressEnter.

AutoCADcreatesregularlyspacedcopiesoftheselectedobjectsinneatrowsandcolumns.

Tocreateregularlyarrayedobjectsinrowsandcolumnsorarrangedaroundacenterpoint,youmustusethecommand-lineversionofARRAYbytypingahypheninfrontofthecommandname.TypingARRAYwithoutthehyphencreatesnew-styleassociativearrayobjects.

OffsetYouuseOFFSETtocreateparallelorconcentriccopiesoflines,polylines,circles,arcs,orsplines.FollowthesestepstouseOFFSET:

1.ClicktheOffsetbuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.AutoCADdisplaysthecurrentcommandsettingsandpromptsyoufortheoffsetdistance—thedistancefromtheoriginalobjecttothecopyyou’recreating:

Currentsettings:Erasesource=NoLayer=SourceOFFSETGAPTYPE=0

Specifyoffsetdistanceor[Through/Erase/Layer]<Through>:

2.TypeanoffsetdistanceandpressEnter.Alternatively,youcanindicateanoffsetdistancebypickingtwopointsonthescreen.Ifyouchoosethismethod,youshouldnormallyuseobjectsnapstospecifyaprecisedistancefromoneexistingobjecttoanother.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselecttheobjectfromwhichyouwanttocreateanoffsetcopy:

Selectobjecttooffsetor[Exit/Undo]<Exit>:3.Selectasingleobject,suchasaline,apolyline,oranarc.NotethatyoucanselectonlyoneobjectatatimewiththeOFFSETcommand.AutoCADaskswhereyouwanttheoffsetobject:

Specifypointonsidetooffsetor[Exit/Multiple/Undo]<Exit>:

4.Pointtoonesideortheotheroftheobjectandthenclick.Itdoesn’tmatterhowfarawayfromtheobjectthecrosshairsarewhenyouclick.You’resimplyindicatingadirection.AutoCADrepeatstheSelectobjectprompt,incaseyouwanttooffsetotherobjectsbythesamedistance:

Selectobjecttooffsetor[Exit/Undo]<Exit>:

5.GobacktoStep3ifyouwanttooffsetanotherobjectorpressEnterifyou’refinishedoffsettingobjectsfornow.

Figure11-6showstheOFFSETcommandinprogress.Forinformationonthecommandoptions—andMultiple,Erase,andLayerareallusefuloptions—lookupOFFSETintheonlinehelp’sCommandReferencesection.

Figure11-6:Offsettingapolyline.

Ifyouwanttooffsetaseriesofconnectedlines(forexample,arectangularhouseplanoutlineoronesideofapathwayonamap),makesurethatyoueitherdrawitasapolylineorconverttheindividuallineand/orarcsegmentsintoapolylinewiththeJOINcommand.(IcoverJOINlaterinthischapter.)IfyoudrawaseriesoflinesegmentswiththeLINEcommandandthentrytooffsetit,youhavetopickeachsegmentandoffsetitindividually.Evenworse,thecornersusuallyaren’tfinishedoffinthewaythatyou’dexpectbecauseAutoCADdoesn’ttreatthesegmentsasconnected.Youavoidallthese

problemsbyoffsettingapolyline,whichAutoCADdoestreatasasingleobject.Figure11-6showsanoffsetpolyline.SeeChapter8formoreinformationaboutthedifferencesbetweenlinesandpolylines.

Slicing,Dicing,andSplicingThecommandsinthissection—TRIM,EXTEND,BREAK,FILLET,CHAMFER,andJOIN—areusefulforshorteningandlengtheningobjects,forbreakingthemintwo,andforputtingthembacktogetheragain.

TrimandExtendTRIMandEXTENDarethetwincommandsformakinglines,polylines,andarcsshorterandlonger.They’retheyinandyang,theLaurelandHardy,theJackSpratandhiswifeoftheAutoCADeditingworld.Thetwocommandsandtheirpromptsarealmostidentical,sothefollowingstepscoverboth.IshowthepromptsfortheTRIMcommand;theEXTENDpromptsaresimilar:

1.ClicktheTrimorExtendbuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectcuttingedgesthatwilldothetrimming(or,ifyouchoosetheEXTENDcommand,boundaryedgesforextendingto):

Currentsettings:Projection=UCS,Edge=None

Selectcuttingedges...

Selectobjectsor<selectall>:2.PressEntertoacceptthedefaultoptiontoselectalldrawingobjects,orselectindividualobjectsbypickingthem.PressEntertoendobjectselection.TheobjectsyouselectinthisstepbecomethecuttingedgeoftheTRIMcommandortheboundarytowhichobjectswillbeextendedbytheEXTENDcommand.Figure11-7showsacuttingedge(forTRIM)andaboundaryedge(forEXTEND).AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectobjectsthatyouwanttotrimorextend(EXTENDdoesn’thavetheeRaseoption):

Selectobjecttotrimorshift-selecttoextendor[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]:

3.Selectasingleobjecttotrimorextend.ChoosetheportionoftheobjectthatyouwantAutoCADtotrimawayortheendoftheobjectthat’sclosertotheextend-toboundary.

AutoCADtrimsorextendstheobjecttooneoftheobjectsthatyouselectedinStep2.IfAutoCADcan’ttrimorextendtheobject—forexample,ifthetrimmingobjectandtheobjecttobetrimmedareparallel—thecommandlinedisplaysanerrormessagesuchasObjectdoesnotintersectanedge.

YoucanselectmultipleobjectstotrimandextendbytypingFandpressingEntertousetheFenceobjectselectionmodeorbyenteringCtouseCrossingselection.Evenbetter,youcanuseimpliedwindowinganddragaselectionboxtoselectmultipleobjects.RefertoChapter10formoreonmultipleobjectselection.

Figure11-7:AnatomyoftheTRIMandEXTENDoperations.

Thecommandlinecontinuestopromptyoutoselectotherobjectstotrimorextend:

Selectobjecttotrimorshift-selecttoextendor[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]:

4.ChooseadditionalobjectsorpressEnterwhenyou’refinishedtrimmingor

extending.

Here’satriple-threattip:Ifyouaccidentallytrimorextendthewrongobjectandyou’restillintheTRIMorEXTENDcommand,typeUandpressEntertoundothemostrecenttrimorextend.YoucanswitchbetweenTRIMandEXTENDwithoutexitingthecommandbyholdingdowntheShiftkeyfortheothertool.Andfinally,ifyoufindyourselfwitharemnantthatwon’ttrimbecauseitdoesn’tcrossthecuttingedge,typeR(foreRase)andpressEntertoeraseitwithoutleavingtheTRIMcommand.

TheexampleinFigure11-7showstrimmingtoasinglecuttingedge,inwhichtheendofeachtrimmedlinegetsloppedoff.AnothercommonuseoftheTRIMcommandisfortrimmingoutapieceofalinebetweentwocuttingedges.Inthetwo-cutting-edgesscenario,TRIMcutsapieceoutofthemiddleofthetrimmedline.ThedefaultoptionforselectingcuttingedgesorboundariesisALL,whichworkswellinthisscenario.PressingEntertoacceptthedefaultoptionselectsallobjectsinthedrawingasacuttingedgeifyou’reintheTRIMcommand,oraboundaryifyou’reintheEXTENDcommand.

TheLENGTHEN(LEN)commandprovidesotherusefulwaystomakelines,arcs,andpolylineslonger(orshorter).Youcanspecifyanabsolutedistance(ordelta)tolengthenorshortenby,apercentagetolengthenorshortenby,oranewtotallength.LookuptheLENGTHENcommandinAutoCAD’shelpsystemformoreinformation.

AsIdescribeinChapter10,LENGTHENisnowanoptiononthenewGrippop-upmenusonlinesandarcs.Todisplaythemenu,justhoveryourmousepointeroveranendpointgriponeitherofthoseobjecttypesoroveroneofthenewtriangulargripsonanellipticalarcandclickLengthen.

BreakTheBREAKcommandisn’twhatyouusebeforeheadingoutforcoffee.(AutoCADdoesn’thaveacommandforthatyet,butIkeephoping.)It’sforcreatinggapsinlines,polylines,circles,arcs,orsplines.BREAKalsocomesinhandyifyouneedtosplitoneobjectintotwowithoutactuallyremovinganyvisiblematerial.

ThefollowingexampleshowshowyouBREAKanobject(don’tworry—inAutoCAD,youwon’thavetopayforit):

1.OntheRibbon’sHometab,clickthelabeloftheModifypaneltoopenitsslideoutandthenclicktheBreakbutton.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectasingleobjectthatyouwanttobreak.

2.Selectasingleobject,suchasaline,apolyline,oranarc.

Thepointyoupickwhenselectingtheobjectservesdoubleduty:Itselectstheobject,ofcourse,butitalsobecomesthedefaultfirstbreakpoint(thatis,itdefinesonesideofthegapthatyou’llcreate).Thus,youshouldeitheruseoneoftheAutoCADprecisiontechniques,suchasanobjectsnap,topicktheobjectataprecisepointorusetheFirstpointoption(describedinthenextstep)torepickthefirstbreakpoint.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythesecondbreakpointortotypeFandpressEnterifyouwanttorespecifythefirstbreakpoint:

Specifysecondbreakpointor[Firstpoint]:3.Ifthepointthatyoupickedintheprecedingstepdoesn’talsocorrespondtoabreakpoint(seethepreviousTip),typeFandpressEntertorespecifythefirstbreakpoint.Thenpickthepointwithanobjectsnaporotherprecisiontechnique.IfyoudotypeFandpressEnterandthenrespecifythefirstbreakpoint,AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectthesecondbreakpoint:

Specifysecondbreakpoint:4.Specifythesecondbreakpointbypickingapointortypingcoordinates.AutoCADcutsasectionoutoftheobject,usingthefirstandsecondbreakpointstodefinethelengthofthegap.

Ifyouwanttocutanobjectintotwopieceswithoutremovinganything,clicktheBreakatPointbuttonontheModifypanel’sslideout.YoufirstselecttheobjectandthenchooseapointthatdefineswhereAutoCADbreakstheobjectintwo.Youcanthenmove,copy,orotherwisemanipulateeachsectionoftheoriginalobjectasaseparateobject.

AsindicatednearthebottomofTable11-1,AutoCADhasanEXPLODEcommand.Aswithallthingsexplosive,approachthiscommandwithcaution.EXPLODEbreaksupcomplexobjectsintoAutoCADprimitives.Mostofthetime,thosecomplexobjectsarecreatedthatwayforareason.Thethingsyoucanexplode(butshouldn’tunlessyouhaveareally,reallygoodreason)includepolylines,blocks,3Dsolids,associativearrays,tables,andmultilinetext.AndeventhoughAutoCADwillletyou,youshouldnever,everexplode

dimensionsorleaders.

FilletandChamferandBlendWhereasTRIM,EXTEND,andBREAKalteroneobjectatatime,theFILLETandCHAMFERcommandsmodifyapairofobjects.AsFigure11-8shows,FILLETcreatesacurvedcornerbetweentwolines,whereasCHAMFERcreatesabeveledcorner.(Incaseyouwondered,it’spronouncedFILL-et,notfill-AY.Sayingthatyouknowhowtofill-AYmaygetyouajobinabutchershop,butitwillgetyoustrangelooksinadesignoffice.)

Figure11-8:CleaningupthosecornerswithFILLETandCHAMFER.

FILLETandCHAMFERnowshowapreviewoftheresultsoftheoperationassoonasyouselecttheobjectstomodify.Inearlierreleases,youhadtoactuallyfinishthefilletorchamfer,andifitdidn’tlookright,youhadtoundoandstartagain.InAutoCAD2012,ifthefilletradiusorthechamferdistancesdon’tlookrightinthepreview,youcanchangetheirvaluesbeforecompletingthecommand.

ThefollowingstepsdescribehowtousetheFILLETcommand.TheCHAMFERcommandworkssimilarlyexceptthat,insteadofspecifyingafilletradius,youspecifyeithertwochamferdistancesorachamferlengthandangle.

1.ClicktheFilletbuttonontheHometab’sModifypanel.FILLETandCHAMFERshareaflyoutbutton;ifyouseeastraight-linecornerinsteadofaroundedone,clicktheflyoutarrowtoselectFILLET.AutoCADdisplaysthecurrentfilletsettingsandpromptsyoutoselectthefirstobjectforfilletingorspecifyoneofthreeoptions:

Currentsettings:Mode=TRIM,Radius=0.0000

Selectfirstobjector[Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/

Multiple]:2.TypeRandpressEntertosetthefilletradius.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythefilletradiusthatitusesforfuturefilletoperations:

Specifyfilletradius<0.0000>:3.TypeafilletradiusandpressEnter.Thenumberyoutypewillbetheradiusofthearcthatjoinsthetwolines.AutoCADthenasksyoutoselectthefirstobject:

Selectfirstobjector[Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]:

4.Selectthefirstlineofthepairthatyouwanttofillet.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectthesecondobjectforfilleting:

Selectsecondobjectorshift-selecttoapplycorneror[Radius]:

5.Selectthesecondlineofthepairthatyouwanttofillet.AutoCADfilletsthetwoobjects,drawinganarcoftheradiusthatyouspecifiedinStep3.

FILLEThasmoretricksupitssleeve.Youcanfillettwolinesandspecifyaradiusofzerotomakethemmeetatapoint.Ifyouhavelotsoflinestofillet,whetherwithazeroorthesamenonzeroradius,usetheFILLETcommand’sMultipleoptiontospeedtheprocess.IfyoustartFILLETandselecttwoparallellines,yougetanice180degreearcjoiningthem.Youcanaddfilletstoarcsand(newinAutoCAD2012)splines.AndyoucanfilletalltheverticesonapolylineatonetimebychoosingthePolylineoptionbeforeyouselecttheobject.

HoldingdowntheShiftkeybeforepickingthesecondlineautomaticallygivesyouacleanintersection,thesameasifyou’dsetthefilletradiusto0.TheCHAMFERcommandhasthesameShift-selectoption.

ThenewBLENDcommandjoinsCHAMFERandFILLET,offeringyetanothermethodforcreatingtransitionsbetween2Ddrawingobjects.WhereCHAMFERcreatesbeveledcorners(thatis,straightlines),andFILLETcreatesroundcorners(circulararcs),BLEND’scornersaresplineobjects.Figure11-9showsthetwotypesofavailableblend;thefeatureisconnectingthegreenlines.ChoosingtheTangentoptionproducedtheredspline,andchoosingtheSmoothoptionproducedthebluespline.UnlikeCHAMFERandFILLET—

bothofwhichwouldmodifythesourceobjectsinordertomakearadiusedorbeveledtransition,BLENDleavesthesourceobjectsintact.Blendsaregoingtoappealtoindustrialdesignersandotherpurveyorsofswoopyshapes.Ifyou’reamechanicaldrafter,it’susuallybesttostickwithfilletsandchamfers.

Figure11-9:Blendingsmoothly(ortangentially).

JoinUsetheJOINcommandtofillgapsinlines,arcs,ellipticalarcs,splines,andpolylines.Ifthelinesarecollinear(thatis,theylieinthesamestraightline),orthearcs,splines,polylines,orellipticalarcsareonasimilarlycurvedpath,JOINwillcreateasinglenewentitytoreplacetheexistingseparatepieces,asshowninFigure11-10.

Inearlierreleases,JOINwasmorelimited;forexample,youwerelimitedtojoiningcollinearlinesintoanewlineobject,orarcsthatwerepartofthesameimaginarycircleintoanewarc.InAutoCAD2012youcanuseJOINto

createpolylinesfromarcsornon-collinearlines.

Figure11-10:Joiningsunderedpieces.

ThefollowingstepsdescribehowtousetheJOINcommand:

1.ClicktheModifypaneltitleatthebottomedgeoftheRibbon’sHometabtoopentheModifypanel’sslideout,thenclicktheJoinbutton.Ifyouforeseedoingalotofjoinery,youcanpintheslideoutopen,asshowninFigure11-10.AutoCADpromptsyoutoselectthesourceobject.

2.Selectthesourceobject—thatis,theobjectyouwanttojoinotherobjectsto.AutoCADpromptsaccordingtotheobjecttypeselected.Ifyouselectaline,thecommandpromptorDynamicInputtooltipshows

Selectsourceobjectormultipleobjectstojoinatonce:

3.Selectvalidobjectstojointotheoriginalsourceobject.Forexample,ifyouselectedalineasyoursourceobject,AutoCADcontinuespromptingforadditionaladjoininglinesuntilyoupressEntertoendobject

selection.4.PressEntertoendthecommand.AutoCADjoinstheselectedobjectsintoasingleobject.Thenewobjectwillinheritrelevantpropertiessuchasthelayerorlinetypeofthesourceobject.

YoucanturnanarcintoacircleoranellipticalarcintoafullellipsewithJOIN’scLoseoption.

PolishingthosepropertiesWhenyouthinkofeditingobjects,youprobablythinkfirstabouteditingtheirgeometry:moving,stretching,makingnewcopies,andsoon.That’sthekindofeditingIcoverinthischapter.

Anotherkindofeditingischangingobjects’properties.AsIdescribeinChapter6,everyobjectinanAutoCADdrawinghasasetofnon-geometricalproperties,includinglayer,color,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andmaybeplotstyle.Sometimesyouneedtoeditthoseproperties—whenyouaccidentallydrawsomethingonthewronglayer,forexample.Here’sahandfulofwaysofeditinganobject’spropertiesinAutoCAD:

ThePropertiespalette:Thisisthemostflexiblewaytoeditproperties.Selectanyobject(or objects), right-click in the drawing area, and choose Properties from the menu. TheProperties palette displays the names and values of all properties. Click in the appropriatevaluecelltochangeaparticularproperty.

TheQuickPropertiespalette: IfQuickProperties isenabledbyclicking its statusbarbutton,apalettepopsupnearthecrosshairswhenyouselectanobject.LikethePropertiespalette, the Quick Properties palette contains value cells that you can click to change thespecificproperty.YoucanchoosehowmanylinesofinformationyouwantQuickPropertiestodisplaybyright-clickingtheQuickPropertiesstatusbarbuttonandchoosingSettings.

Layers and Properties control lists: Another way to change properties is to selectobjectsandthenchoosefromthedrop-downlists(Layer,Color,andsoon)onthePropertiespalette. It’s fine tochange layers thisway,butdon’tbeslapdashaboutchanging theotherproperties—seeChapter6formoreinformation.

MatchProperties:YoucanuseMatchPropertiestocopythepropertiesfromasourceobjecttooneormoreotherobjects.YoucanfindtheMatchPropertiesbuttonontheClipboardpaneloftheAutoCAD2012Ribbon’sHometab.MatchPropertiesworkssimilarlytotheFormatPainter button in Microsoft applications. Match Properties works even when the objectsresideindifferentdrawings.

ChangeSpace:IintroducetheconceptsofmodelspaceandpaperspaceinChapters4and5.Sometimesyouaddsomegeometrytopaperspaceandthenrealizeitshouldhavebeeninmodelspace,orviceversa.TheCHSPACEcommandcancometotherescue—you’llfinditontheModifypanelslideoutontheRibbon’sHometab.Formoreinformation,lookupCHSPACEintheCommandReferenceoftheonlinehelp.

TheREVERSEcommandprovidesaneasywayofreversingthedirectionoflinesandpolylines.Whydoesthatmatter?Well,mostofthetimeitdoesn’t,butifyouhappentobeusingacomplexlinetypethatusestextoradirectionalarrowblock,youprobablywantthetexttoreadright-way-upandthearrowtopointintherightdirection.Lines,polylines,andotherentitytypeshavestartpointsandendpoints,andtherefore,adirectionthatrunsfromtheformertothelatter.Insteadofredrawingyourlineworksoyourtextorsymbolsappeartherightwayup,usetheREVERSEcommandtoflipthestartandendpoints.

TheDeleteDuplicateObjectstool(akatheOVERKILLcommand)hasbeenpresentinthefullversionofAutoCADforyearsasanExpressTool.InAutoCAD2012,OVERKILLhasbeenrolledintothecoreprogram,whichmeansit’savailabletoAutoCADLTusersforthefirsttime.DeleteDuplicateObjectsiscertainlymoredescriptiveofwhatthiscommanddoes:Itlooksforfullyorpartiallyoverlappingobjects,andeithercombinesthemordeletesthem—it’sagreatwaytocleanupyourdrawings.AutoCADLTusersmayneedtotypethecommandname;attimeofwriting,thetoolbuttonwasmissingfromLT’sModifypanel.

Chapter12

AZoomwithaView

InThisChapterZoomingandpanning

Namingandrestoringviews

Zoomingandpanninginpaperspacelayouts

Regeneratingthedisplay

OneofAutoCAD’sadvantagesovermanualdrawingisitsabilitytoshowyou

differentviewsofyourdrawing.Youcanzoominclose,zoomouttoagreatdistance,andpanaround.Infact,notonlycanyouzoomandpaninyourdrawing,butinmostkindsofdrawings,youmustdoitfrequentlytobeabletodrawandediteffectively.

Technicaldrawingsarejam-packedwithlines,text,anddimensions.Zoomingandpanningfrequentlyenablesyoutoseethedetailsbetter,drawmoreconfidently(becauseyoucanseewhatyou’redoing),andeditmorequickly(becauseobjectselectioniseasierwhentherearen’tazillionobjectsonthescreen).ThischaptercoversAutoCAD’smostusefuldisplaycontrolfeatures.

ZoomandPanwithGlassandHandMovingyourviewpointintogetacloserviewofyourdrawingdataiscalledzoomingin;movingyourviewpointbacktogetamoreexpansiveviewiscalledzoomingout.Movingyourviewpointtoanotherpartofyourdrawingwithoutzoominginoroutiscalledpanning.

Changingyourviewingpositionletsyoudodetailedworkontinyobjectsandthenzoomoutandmovearoundrooms,houses,orneighborhoodsfromanOlympianperspective.EarlyversionsofAutoCADincludedasampledrawingofoursolarsystem,drawntoscalewithkilometersasunits,whichprovedthis.Ifyouzoomedallthewayout,youcouldseePluto’sorbit(yes,kids,Plutowasaplanetbackthen),andyoucouldzoomincloseenoughtoEarth’smoontoreadtheinscriptionontheplaqueleftbytheApollo11astronauts!

Panningmeanschangingyourviewingpositionwithoutchangingthemagnificationoftheview.Ifyouzoominenoughthatsomeofyourdrawingnolongershowsupon-screen,you’regoingtowanttopanaround—moveleft,right,up,anddowninyourdrawing—withoutzoominginandout.AutoCADmakespanningeasywithscrollbarsandrealtimepanning.Andincaseyou’rewonderingwhatrealtimepanningmightbe(asopposedtopretendtimepanning,maybe?),itsimplymeansyoucanseetheobjectsmovingaroundthescreenasyoudragthemouseupanddownorbackandforth.(Ofcourse,it’syourviewpointthat’smoving,nottheobjects!)

Bothpanningandzoomingchangetheview—thecurrentlocationandmagnificationoftheAutoCADdepictionofyourdrawing.Eachtimeyouzoomorpan,youestablishanewview.Youcangiveanametoaspecificviewtomakereturningtothatvieweasy,asIdemonstrateinthesection“AViewbyAnyOtherName...,”laterinthischapter.

You’llgetabettersenseofpanningandzoomingaroundadrawingifyouactuallyhaveadrawingtolookat.Drawsomeobjectsonthescreen,openoneofyourownexistingdrawings,orlaunchoneofAutoCAD’ssampledrawings.(Ifyouhaven’tdonesoalready,youcandownloadthesamplefilesfromwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samples;theAutoCADLTsamplefilesarealsoonlinenow,atwww.autodesk.com/autocadlt-samples.)

NavigatingyourdrawingYoumaythinkthatAutoCADisallaboutdrawing,andmaybe,occasionally,evenabouterasing.Inthatcase,itmaysurpriseyoutolearnthattwoofthemostfrequentlyusedcommandsinallofAutoCADarePANandZOOM.ThesecommandsandafewotherscanbefoundonaninterfacecomponentcalledtheNavigationbar.

TheNavigationbarislinkedbydefaulttoanotherinterfacecomponentnamedtheViewCube.(AutoCADLTusersgettheNavigationbar,butnottheViewCube.)Figure12-1showstheupper-rightcorneroftheAutoCADwindowwiththeViewCubeandNavigationbarintheirdefaultlocations.

Figure12-1:BellyuptotheNavigationbar.

IfillyouinontheViewCubeinChapter21,sinceit’samoreusefultoolinthreedimensionsthanintwo.IalsocovertheSteeringWheelsandShowMotioncommands(thelatterisnotpresentinAutoCADLT)inPartVofthisbook.

Controllingyourcube

ApartfromthebigchunkofscreenspacetheViewCubeandNavigationbaroccupy,thecubeitselfhassomedisconcertingbehaviors.IfyouclicktheHomebutton,forexample,youautomaticallyswitchtoapreset3Disometricview—notthathelpfulifyou’redoinga2Ddrawing.

Ithinkthecube-barcomboisworthwhilewhenyou’redoing3Dmodeling,butmoreintrusivethanusefulfor2Ddrafting.Luckily,AutoCADoffersquiteabitofcontroloverboththeViewCubeandtheNavigationbar.Youcanturnoffthenavigationbuttonsyoudon’tuse,andyoucanturnofftheViewCubeitself,eitherforthedrawingsessionorpermanently.

Toturnoffnavigationbuttons:OpentheNavigationbar’smenubyclickingthedownarrowatitsbottom-rightcorner(refertoFigure12-1)anduncheckingSteeringWheels,Orbit,andShowMotion.

ToturnofftheViewCubeinthecurrentviewport:GototheViewtab’sWindowspanel,clickUserInterface,anduncheckViewCube.Reversetheproceduretoturnitonagain.

ToturnofftheViewCubepermanently:OpentheOptionsdialogbox,andselectthe3DModelingtab.IntheDisplayToolsInViewportarea,uncheck2DWireframeVisualStyleandAllOtherVisualStylesunderDisplayTheViewCube.

InadditiontotheNavigationbar,theNavigateandNavigate2DpanelsoftheRibbon’sViewtabcontainsaPanbuttonandadrop-downsetofZoomtoolbuttons(inmyopinion,notaveryconvenientlocationforsuchfrequentlyusedcommands!).

AutoCADoffers11differentwaysofzoomingaroundinyourdrawing;Iexplainthemostimportantonesinthenextsection.ThefollowingstepsdescribehowtouseAutoCAD’sZoomandPanRealtimefeature,whichiseasytooperateandprovidesalotofflexibility:

1.ClickthelowerpartoftheZoomsplitbuttonontheNavigationbarandchooseZoomRealtimefromthemenu.TheRealtimeoptionoftheZOOMcommandstarts.Thecrosshairschangetoamagnifyingglass,andAutoCADpromptsyouatthecommandline:

Specifycornerofwindow,enterascalefactor(nXornXP),or[All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object]<realtime>:

PressESCorENTERtoexit,orright-clicktodisplayshortcutmenu.2.Movethemagnifyingglasscursornearthemiddleofthescreen,pressandholddowntheleftmousebutton,anddragthecursorupanddownuntiltheobjectsyouwanttoseealmostfillthescreen.Draggingupincreasesthezoommagnification,anddraggingdowndecreasesit.

3.Right-clickinthedrawingareaandchoosePanfromthemenuthatappears(asshowninFigure12-2).

Figure12-2:TheZoom/PanRealtimeright-clickmenu.

BecauseAutoCADLTdoesn’tdo3D,there’sno3DOrbitchoiceonLT’sright-clickmenu.Themagnifyingglasscursorchangestoahand.

4.Clickanddragtopanthedrawinginanydirection.

Youcanusetheright-clickmenutotogglebetweenZoomandPanasmanytimesasyoulike.Ifyougetlostinyourdrawing,chooseZoomOriginalorZoomExtentstoreturntoamorefamiliarview.

5.Right-clickinthedrawingareaandchooseExit.TheZoomorPanRealtimecursorreturnstothenormalAutoCADcrosshairs.

Intheprecedingexample,youstartedwithzoomingandendedwithpanning.Youalsohavetheoptionofdoingthereverse:ClickthePanbuttonontheNavigationbar,andafteryou’vepanned,usetheright-clickmenutoswitchtozooming.Howeveryoustartit,theimportantthingtorealizeisthatZoomandPanRealtimeisasingleAutoCADfunction.Atanytime,youcanswitchbetweenpanningandzooming(orswitchtoarelatedfunction,suchasZoomWindow)byusingtheright-clickmenu.

Youalsocanpanandzoombyusingyourmouse’sscrollwheel(ifithasone)orthemiddlebuttonofathree-buttonmouse:

Topan:Holddownthescrollwheelorthemiddlebuttonasyoumovethemouse.

Tozoominandout:Rollthescrollwheelforwardandbackward.

Tozoomtotheextentsofyourdrawing:Double-clickthescrollwheelorthemiddlebutton.

ThescrollwheelormiddlemousebuttonzoomandpanoperationsdescribedintheprecedinglistdependonanobscureAutoCADsystemvariablenamedMBUTTONPAN.WhenMBUTTONPANissetto1—thedefaultvalue—youcanusethemiddlebuttontopanandzoomasIdescribeintheprecedinglist.Unlessyoursystemhasbeencustomizedbysomeone,ifyouchangeMBUTTONPANto0,clickingthemiddlemousebuttondisplaysanObjectSnapmenuatthecrosshairs,asitdidinolderAutoCADreleases.Ifyoucan’tzoomorpanwithyourmiddlemousebutton,setMBUTTONPANbackto1.(WithMBUTTONPANsetto1,youuseShift+right-clicktodisplaytheObjectSnapmenuatthecrosshairs.)

Realtimezoomingandpanningistheeasiest,mostinteractivewaytogetaroundinyourdrawings.Insomesituations,though,thismethodislessefficientorprecisethantheold-fashionedmethods,themostimportantofwhichIdescribeinthenextsection.

AnotherwaytopaninAutoCADshouldbefamiliarfromotherWindowsprograms—thescrollbarsinthedrawingarea.ScrollingisthesameinAutoCADasinanyotherWindowsprogram;clickthearrowsintherightandbottomscrollbarsonthebordersofthedrawingwindowtoscroll,orpan,a

stepatatime;orclickanddragthelittlescrollboxestopanaslittleorasmuchasyouwantto.Toturnscrollbarsofforon,chooseOptionsintheApplicationMenu(ortypeOPTIONSorOP)todisplaytheOptionsdialogbox.OntheDisplaytab,selectordeselecttheDisplayScrollBarsinDrawingWindowcheckbox.Myownpreferenceisnottousescrollbarsandregainthescreenspacetheyoccupy,sothat’swhyyoudon’tseetheminmostfiguresinthisbook.

TimetozoomRealtimezoomingisgoodasfarasitgoes,butyougetmuchmorecontroloverthedisplayifyouusesomeofZOOM’salternativemethods.BecausezoomingissuchafrequentactivityinAutoCAD,it’sworthknowingsomeofthosealternativewaysofdoingit.

InadditiontotheNavigationbarbuttonIdescribeabove,you’llfindtoolbuttonsforalltheZOOMoptionsontheViewtab’sNavigate2Dpanel(thispaneliscalled,simply,NavigateinAutoCAD’s3DModelingworkspace).Themagnifying-glassbuttonhasamenu—clickthedownarrowbesidethemagnifyingglass,andamenuwiththeotheroptionsopens(seeFigure12-3).

Figure12-3:Amenuformagnifying.

TheZOOMcommandhas11differentoptions,themostimportantofwhicharethefollowing:

ExtentsandAll:ZoomExtents(thebuttonwiththefour-headedarrowandthemagnifyingglass)zoomsoutjustfarenoughtoshowalltheobjectsinthecurrentdrawing.ZoomAll(thebuttonshowingthesheetwiththefolded-overcorner)doesthesamething,unlessthedrawing’slimitsarelargerthantheextents,inwhichcase,ZoomAllzoomstoshowtheentirerectangularareadefinedbythelimits.Thesetwooptionsareespeciallyusefulwhenyouzoomintoosmallorpanoffintoemptyspaceandwanttoseeyourentiredrawingagain.

It’sagoodideatoZoomAllorZoomExtentsandthensavethedrawingbeforeyoucloseit.Byperformingthesesteps,youensurethefollowing:

•Thenextpersonwhoopensthedrawing—whetherit’syouorsomeoneelse—canseethefulldrawingassoonastheystartworking.

•Ifyou’veaccidentallycopiedsomeobjectswaybeyondwheretheyshouldbe,ZoomAllorExtentswillmakethemshowupsoyoucandeletethem.

•ThedrawingpreviewthatappearsintheSelectFiledialogboxdisplaysthefulldrawing,insteadofjustatiny,unidentifiablecornerofit.

Window:Thisoptionisgreatforzoominginquicklyandprecisely.Itzoomstoasectionofyourdrawingthatyouspecifybyclickingtwopoints.Thetwopointsdefinethediagonalofawindowaroundtheareayouwanttolookat.

NotethattheZOOMcommand’sWindowoptionisnotaclick-and-dragoperation—unlikeinsomeotherWindowsprogramsand,confusingly,unlikeintheZoom/PanRealtimeZoomWindowoption.WiththeZOOMcommand’sWindowoption,youclickonecorner,releasethemousebutton,andthenclicktheothercorner.

Realtime:Realtimezooming,thetechniquedescribedpreviously,

enablesyoutozoominandoutbystartingarealtimezoomandthendraggingthemagnifyingglasscursorup(tozoomin)ordown(tozoomout).

Previous:Thisoptionundoesthelastzoomand/orpansequence,takingyoubacktowhereyoustarted.

Object:Thisoptionzoomsincloseenoughtoshowselectedobjectsaslargeastheycanbedisplayedon-screen.UsingZOOMObjectislikeputtingtheselectedobjectsunderAutoCAD’smicroscope.

AutoCADprovidessmoothviewtransitionswheneveryouusethenon-realtimepanandzoomcommands.SometimesyoucangetlostifyoudoaZOOMAllfromasmall,highlymagnifiedarea.It’sabadideatoleaveatrailofbreadcrumbsacrossyourscreen,sotheseslow-motionpansandzoomsmaybefine,atleastuntilyoudoknowyourwayoutoftheforest...oryourdrawing.If,likeme,youfindthatthisfeaturegetsoldfast,there’saViewTransitionsdialogbox(typeVTOPTIONStoopenit)inwhichyoucanturnitoff.JustunchecktheEnableAnimationforPan&Zoomoption.

Someofthezoomoptionstakesomegettingusedto.Irecommendthatyouuserealtimezoomandpanformostofyourzoomingandpanning.SupplementitwithZoomWindowtomovequicklyintoaprecisearea,ZoomPrevioustogobackinzoom/pantime,andZoomAllorZoomExtentstoviewyourwholedrawing.

Ifyou’rewonderingaboutthoseotherZOOMcommandoptions—theonesIsuggestarelessimportant(Dynamic,Center,Scale,InandOut),lookupZOOMintheonlinehelp’scommandreferencesection.ZoomDynamicisanold,oldcommandoptionthat’sbeenmaderedundantbytheRealTimeoption.Asfortheremainingoptions,andyoucanprobablygettotheviewyouwantbydeftmovementswithyourwheelmouse(youareusingawheelmouse,aren’tyou?)

AViewbyAnyOtherName...Ifyoufindyourselfrepeatedlyzoomingandpanningtothesamearea,youcanprobablygettherefasterwithanamedview.Afteryounameandsaveaviewofaparticularareaofyourdrawing,youcanreturntothatareaquicklybyrestoring

theview.YouusetheVIEWcommand,whichdisplaystheViewManagerdialogbox,tocreateandrestorenamedviews.

TheViewManagermanagesshotsaswellasviews.ViewshavebeenapartofAutoCADfromveryearlydays,butshotsarearecentaddition.Whileviewsarestatic,shotsaremotion-based.(InregularAutoCAD,butnotAutoCADLT,youmayhavenoticedtheShowMotionbuttonontheNavigationbar.)Andnotonlycanyoucreateanimatedscenes,youcanevenaddfancytransitionslikejumpcutsandfades.Iintroduceyoutoshots(thenon-potablekind!)andtheShowMotioncommandinPartVofthisbook.

Followthesestepstocreateanamedview:

1.Zoomandpanuntilyoufindtheareaofthedrawingthatyouwanttoassignanameto.2.OntheRibbon’sViewtab,chooseViewManagerfromtheViewspanel.TheViewManagerdialogboxappears.

3.ClickNew.TheNewView/ShotPropertiesdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure12-4.

Figure12-4:Saveaviewintoyourdrawing.

4.TypeanameintheViewNametextbox.

5.(Optional)TypeanewcategoryintheViewCategoryboxorselectanexistingonefromthedrop-downlist.YoucreateyourownViewCategoriestoorganizeviewsandcertaindisplaycharacteristicsofviews.Thisfeatureisusedmainlyinsheetsets.Ifyouaren’tusingsheetsets,youcanleavethisboxblank.

6.MakesuretheViewTypedrop-downissettoStill.VisittheonlinehelpifyouwanttoknowmoreabouttheCinematicandRecordedWalkoptions.

AutoCADLTdoesn’tsupportviewtypes.TheNewViewdialogboxinLTismissingtheViewTypelistbox,mostoftheSettingsdrop-downs,andtheBackgroundareashowninFigure12-4.

7.IntheBoundaryarea,selecttheCurrentDisplayradiobutton,ifit’snotselectedalready.

Ifyouwanttosaveadifferentviewboundary,selecttheDefineWindowradiobuttoninstead,clicktheDefineViewWindowbuttontotherightofit,andpicktwocornersoftheregion’sboundary(asifyouwerezoomingwindows).

8.ConfirmorchangethechoicesintheSettingsarea.IfyouselecttheSaveLayerSnapshotwithViewcheckbox,whenyoulaterrestoretheview,AutoCADalsowillrestorethelayervisibilitysettings(on/offandfreeze/thaw)thatwereineffectwhenyoucreatedtheview.(Chapter6describesthelayervisibilitysettings.)TheLiveSectionandVisualStylesettingsareprimarilyfor3Ddrawings;thesetwosettingsarenotincludedinAutoCADLT.

9.ClickOK.TheNewView/ShotProperties(NewViewinAutoCADLT)dialogboxdisappears,andyouseeyournewnamedviewinthelistintheViewManagerdialogbox.

10.ClickOK.TheViewManagerdialogboxdisappears.

Torestoreanamedview,proceedasfollows:

1.GobacktotheRibbon’sViewtabandchooseViewManagerfromtheViewpanel.Alternatively,typeVIEW(orV)andpressEnter.TheViewManagerdialogboxappears.

2.IntheViewslist,expandeitherModelViewsorLayoutViews(dependingonwhereyousavedyourview).3.Clickthenameoftheviewthatyouwanttorestore,clicktheSetCurrentbutton,andthenclickOKtoclosethedialogbox.

Youalsocanplottheareadefinedbyanamedview.SeeChapter16forinstructionsonplottingviews.

NewinAutoCAD(butnotAutoCADLT)thistimearoundisanextremelyhandysetofmodelspaceviewportcontrols.Therearethreeofthesein-canvascontrolsatthetopleftcornerofthedrawingarea:

[-][+]:Double-click[-]totogglebetweenasinglemodelspaceviewportthatfillsthedrawingareaand(bydefault)fourequally-sizedviewportsconfiguredfor3Dviewing.Clickoncetodisplayamenuwithoptionstoreconfiguretheviewportlayout,andtotogglethedisplayoftheViewCube,SteeringWheels,andNavigationBar.

[Viewname]:Clickthecurrentviewname([Top],forexample)toopenamenulistingalldefaultandcustomviewsinthedrawing.Clickamenuitemtoswitchtoadifferentview.YoucanalsoopentheViewManager,andswitchtheviewprojectionbetweenparallelandperspective.

[VisualStyle]:Clickthecurrentvisualstylename([2DWireframe],forexample)toopenamenulistingallthevisualstylesdefinedinthedrawing(visualstylesaremostusefulin3Dmodeling,andIdiscusstheminChapter21).Clickamenuitemtoswitchtoadifferentvisualstyle,ortoopentheVisualStylesManagerpalette.

InbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,youcansetnamedviewscurrentwithouthavingtoopentheViewManagerdialogbox.JustgototheViewspanelontheViewtabandchooseanamedviewtorestorefromthelist.

LookingAroundinLayoutLandAllthezoom,pan,andviewoperationsIdescribeinthischapterworkinpaperspacelayoutsaswellasinmodelspace.(Chapters4and5describethe

differencesbetweenmodelspaceandpaperspaceandhowtonavigatebetweenthetwo.)Onelittlecomplicationexists,though:Inapaperspacelayout—thatis,anydrawingareatabexceptfortheModeltab—it’spossibleforthecrosshairstobeineitherpaperspaceorinmodelspaceinsideaviewport.Zoomingandpanningproducedifferenteffectsdependingonwhichspaceyourcrosshairsareinatthemoment.YouswitchbetweenthetwospacesusingtheMSPACE(MS)andPSPACE(PS)commands.

Experimentwiththedifferenteffectsbyfollowingthesesteps:

1.Openadrawingthatcontainsatleastonepaperspacelayoutwithatitleblockandoneormoreviewports.Ifyoudon’thaveanysuchdrawingshandy,tryusingoneoftheAutoCADsampledrawingsthatyoucandownloadfromwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samples.Forexample,havealookatarchitectural_-_annotation_scaling_and_multileaders.dwg.

2.ClickQuickViewLayoutsonthestatusbarandthenclickoneofthelayoutpreviewimages—thatis,anyimageotherthantheModelpreviewimage.AutoCADdisplaysthepaperspacelayout,includinganytitleblockandviewports.ClicksomewhereawayfromanimagetodismisstheQuickViewimagebar.

3.TypePSPACE(orPS)andpressEnter.AutoCADwilleitherswitchtopaperspaceortellyouthatyou’realreadythere.

Alternatively,youcandouble-clickinthegraypartofthedrawingareaoranywhereoutsidetheviewport.YoushouldseethetriangularpaperspaceUCSiconatthelower-leftcornerofthedisplay.Ifyoudon’tseeanicon,clicktheViewtabontheRibbonandthenclickShowUCSIconorShowUCSIconatOriginontheCoordinatespanel’sShowUCSIcondrop-downmenu.

AutoCAD’sprogrammersdecidedtoremovetheCoordinatespanelfromtheViewtabintheDrafting&Annotationworkspace.Thegoodnewsis,youcanputitback!Todoso,withtheViewtabcurrent,right-clickinthegrayareaattherightendoftheribbonandchooseShowPanelsfromtheshortcutmenu.SelectCoordinatestopermanentlyaddthispaneltotheViewtab.Thecrosshairsarenowinpaperspace,sozoomingandpanningchangestheappearanceofalltheobjectsinthelayout,includingthetitleblock.

4.TypeZ,pressEnter,thentypeA,thenpressEnter.

AutoCADdisplaystheentirelayout,asshowninFigure12-5.

Figure12-5:Thefulllayout.

Asanalternativetotyping—ortonavigatingthroughRibbonpanels—here’saneasierwaytochoosefromalistofallavailableZOOMoptions:TypeZandpressEnter,thenright-clickinthedrawingareatoseetheright-clickmenu,asshowninFigure12-6.

Figure12-6:All(andExtents,andWindow)isrevealedwhenyouright-click.

5.Zoomandpanbyusinganyofthetechniquesdescribedinthischapter.Whileyou’reinpaperspace,zoomingandpanningchangethemagnificationofthewholedrawinglayout,asshowninFigure12-7.Theeffectissimilartomovingaplottedsheetinandoutandallaroundinfrontofyourface.

Figure12-7:Zoominginpaperspace.

6.Returntoazoomed-allviewusinganyofthesetechniques;ortypeZandpressEnter,thentypeAandpressEnter.AutoCADdisplaystheentirelayoutagain.

7.TypeMSPACE(orMS)andpressEnter.Alternatively,youcandouble-clickwiththecrosshairsoveraviewport.YoushouldseethemodelspaceUCSiconatthelower-leftcornerofthedisplay(refertoStep3ifyoudon’tseeanicon).Thecrosshairsarenowinmodelspace,insidetheviewport,sozoomingandpanningchangeonlythedisplayoftheobjectsthatarevisibleintheviewport.Thedisplayofthetitleblockdoesn’tchange.

8.Zoomandpanusinganyofthetechniquesdescribedinthischapter.

Zoomingandpanningdon’tchangetheappearanceofthetitleblock,asshowninFigure12-8.Theresultlooksasifyou’removingapictureofthemodelspacegeometryinandoutandallaroundbehindaframe.

Inrealdrawings,youusuallyshouldn’tzoomandpaninsideviewportsafterthey’vebeensetup(seeChapter5).Doingsochangesthescaleoftheviewport,whichmessesupplotting.I’maskingyoutodoithereonlytoillustratethedifferencebetweenzoominginpaperspaceandzoominginamodelspaceviewport.

Figure12-8:Showingnothingbutthekitchensinkinamodelspaceviewport.

Ifthetitleblockchangeswhenyouzoomandpan,itmeanssomeonehaslockedtheviewporttopreventthekindofmischiefthatIwarnagainstinthepreviousparagraph.(YoualsoseethecommandpromptViewportisview-locked.SwitchingtoPaperspace.)RefertoChapter5forinformationonlockingandunlockingviewports.

9.ChooseZoomPrevioususingyourfavoriteZOOMtechniqueoneormoretimesuntilyou’verestoredtheoriginalview.10.TypePSandpressEnter.Alwaysleavethecrosshairsinpaperspacewhenyou’rereadytocalladrawing

finished.11.ClicktheClosewindowcontrolintheupper-rightcornerofthedrawingarea.ClickNotoclosethedrawingwithoutsavingchanges.Inthisexample,Ihaveyouclosethedrawingwithoutsavingchangesjustincaseyoudidmessuptheviewportzoomscale.

Inmostcases,yousetupapaperspacelayoutonce(asdescribedinChapter5)andthenjustreturntoittoplot.Youshouldn’tbespendingalotoftimezoomingandpanninginpaperspacelayouts.Youzoomandpantogetabetterviewofwhatyou’redrawingandediting,andthat’swhatfull-screenmodelspaceisfor.Butifyoudowanttozoominpaperspace—togetabetterlookatpartofyourtitleblock,forexample—makesurethatyou’redoingitwiththetriangularpaperspaceUCSiconondisplayatthelower-leftcornerofthedrawingarea.

Thein-canvasviewportcontrolsIdescribeearlierinthechapterareformanipulatingmodelspace,ortiled,viewports.TheVPMAXandVPMINcommandsallowyoutomaximizeandminimizeaviewportinthecurrentlayout.ThesecommandsprovideanalternativetoswitchingbetweentheModelandLayoutbuttonswithoutthepotentialproblemsofzoominginsideofpaperspaceviewports.TheeasiestwaytorunVPMAXorVPMINistoclicktheMaximizeViewport/MinimizeViewportbuttonlocatedonthestatusbar,totherightoftheModelandLayoutbuttons.

DegeneratingandRegenerating

Asyouzoomandpanaroundyourdrawing,youmaywonderhowtheimagethatyouseeon-screenisrelatedtotheDWGfilethatAutoCADsavesontheharddisk.Well,maybeyoudon’twonderaboutthat,butI’mgoingtotellyouanyway!

Whenyoudrawandeditobjects,AutoCADstoresalltheirgeometricalproperties(thatis,locationandsize)inahighlypreciseform—technically,doublefloating-pointprecision.TheprogramalwaysmaintainsthatprecisionwhenyousavetheDWGfile.Forcomputerperformancereasons,however,AutoCADdoesnotusethathigh-precisionformofthedatatodisplayyourdrawingon-screen.Instead,AutoCADconvertsthehighlyprecisenumbersintheDWGfileintoslightlylesspreciseintegersinordertocreatetheviewthatyouseeon-screen.

Thehappyconsequenceofthisconversionisthatzooming,panning,andotherdisplaychangesarealotfasterthantheywouldbeotherwise.Theunhappyconsequenceisthattheconversion,whichisaregeneration(orregenforshort),occasionallyleavesyouwithsomeon-screendebristodealwith.

Inmostcases,AutoCADperformsregenerationsautomaticallywhenitneedsto.Youwillsometimesseecommand-linemessageslikeRegeneratingmodelorRegeneratinglayout,whichindicatethatAutoCADistakingcareofregensforyou.

If,ontheotherhand,youseethecommand-linemessageRegenqueued,AutoCADiswarningyouthatit’snotperformingaregeneration,eventhoughonemightbeadvisablenow.Inaddition,youmightseeawarningdialogboxwiththemessageAbouttoregen--proceed?ThesemessagesareAutoCAD’swayofsaying,“Whatyourdrawinglookslikeonthescreenatthemomentmaynotexactlymatchtherealversionofthedrawingdatabasethatgetsstoredwhenyousavethedrawing.I’llupdatethedisplayversionatthenextregeneration.”YoucancontrolwhetherregenerationshappenautomaticallywiththeREGENMODEsystemvariable—seetheonlinehelpformoreinformationonthisvariableandrefertoChapter26formoreinformationonsystemvariablesingeneral.

TheREGENALL(REA)command(onceagain,onlyavailablefromthecommandline)regeneratesallviewportsinapaperspacelayout.IfyouruntheREGENALLcommandinmodelspace,ithasthesameeffectastheordinaryREGENcommand.

PartIII

IfDrawingsCouldTalk

Inthispart...Text,dimensions,andhatchinghavelongbeenimportantclarifyingelementsindrafting.InAutoCAD,theseelementsareflexiblealmosttoafault—andyoucaneditandupdatethemquicklyasyouchangethegeometrybeneaththem.Thetext,dimension,andhatchingannotationsthatyouadd“speak”aboutthegeometrysootherscanunderstandexactlywhat,howbig,andhowfar.

Afteryou’vemadesomedrawingsthattalk,you’llprobablysendthemessagearoundbyprinting—or,asCADuserscallit,plotting—them.Chapter16isyourguidebooktonavigatingtheplotprocess,understandinghowthelegacyofAutoCADplottingstillinfluencescurrentpractice,andmostofall,gettingagood-looking,properlyscaledplotontopaper.

Chapter13

TextwithCharacter

InThisChapterCreatingannotativetext

Usingtextstylestocontroltextappearance

Creatingsingle-lineandmultilinetext

Usingfieldsandbackgroundmaskswithtext

Makingnumberedandbulletedlists

Workingwithcolumnsandparagraphs

Editingtextcontentsandproperties

Creatingtables

Drawingmultileaders

Itusedtobesaidthat“apictureisworthathousandwords.”(Whatwithinflationandcostoflivingincreases,apictureisnowactuallyworth4,061words!)Theoppositeisoftentrueaswell:Addingafewwordstoyourdrawingcansaveyoufromhavingtodrawthousandsoflinesandarcs.It’saloteasiertowriteSimpsonA35framingclipnexttoasimple,schematicrepresentationofaclipthantodrawoneinmicroscopicdetailandhopethatthecontractorcanfigureoutwhatitis!

MostCADdrawingsincludesometextintheformofexplanatorynotes,objectlabels,andtitles.Thischaptershowsyouhowtoaddgeneraldrawingtextandleaders(descriptivenoteswitharrowsthatpointtospecificdrawingobjects)toyourdrawings.IshowyouhowtotakeadvantageofAutoCAD’sannotativetextobjectsandtextstyles,aswellashowtofindspecifictextandcheckyourdrawingforspellingerrors.Chapter14coverstextthat’sconnectedwithdimensions.

Inmostcases,addingtext,dimensions,andotherdescriptivesymbolsissomethingthatyoushoulddolaterinthedraftingprocess,afteryou’vedrawnatleastsomeofthegeometry.InCADdrawings,textandotherannotationsareusuallyintendedtocomplementthegeometry,nottostandalone.Thus,yougenerallyneedtohavethegeometryinplacebeforeyouannotateit.Manydraftersfindthatit’smostefficienttodrawasmuchgeometryaspossiblefirst,andthentoaddtextannotationsanddimensionstoallthegeometryatthesametime.Inthisway,youdeveloparhythmwiththetextanddimensioningcommandsinsteadofbouncingbackandforthbetweendrawinggeometryandaddingannotations.

AsImentioninChapter4,AutoCAD’sannotativeobjectspresentastreamlinedwayofaddingnotes,dimensions,andotherannotationstoyourdrawings.Thischapterintroducesannotativetext,andsubsequentchapterscoverannotativedimensionsandhatches.Seethe“Annotativelyyours”sidebar,laterinthischapter,forsomebackground.

GettingReadytoWriteInAutoCAD,addingtexttoadrawingisonlyslightlymorecomplicatedthan

addingittoaword-processingdocument.Herearethebasicsteps,whichIexplaininmoredetailinthesectionsthatfollow:

1.SelectanexistingAutoCADtextstyle,orcreateanewstyle,thatincludesthefontandothertextcharacteristicsyouwanttouse.Justlikeawordprocessor,AutoCADusesstyles—collectionsofformattingproperties—tocontroltheappearanceofdrawingtext.Iexplaintextstylesinthenextsection.

2.Makeanappropriatelayercurrent.

TomakeyourAutoCADdrawingefficientandeasytoeditforbothyouandothers,createtextonitsownlayer.MostdraftingofficesalreadyhaveasetofCADstandardsthatestablishspecificlayersfortextandotherobjecttypes.

3.Runoneofthesecommandstodrawtext:•TEXT:Drawssingle-linetext

•MTEXT:Drawsparagraph(alsocalledmultiline)text

4.Specifythetextalignmentpoints,justification,and(ifnecessary)height.5.Typethetext.6.(Optional)Forannotativetext,assignannotationscalestothetextyoujusttyped.

AnnotativelyyoursOneof thegreat thingsaboutAutoCADis that itoffersmultiplewaysofaccomplishingyourdraftingtasks.Thedrawback,ofcourse,isthatit’smuchmorecomplicatedtolearn.Youcouldmasteroneofthewaysandthenfindyourselfworkinginanofficewhereyou’reexpectedtouseadifferentway,one thatyou’venever tried.Thesolution—one that thisbook tries toprovide—istogiveyouatleastatasteofthemostcommonmethods.

AutoCADsupportsthreedifferentmethodsforaddingannotationstoyourdrawings:

Add text anddimensions inmodel space,multiplying thedrawing scale factor (seeChapter 4 for details) times the desired plotted text height. For example, assume thatsomeonehasdrawnafloorplanatascaleof1/4”=1’–0”(correspondingtoadrawingscalefactorof48),andyouwantyournotestoappear1/8”highwhenthedrawingisplottedtoscale.Youneedtocreatetextthat’s48times1/8”,or6”,high.Andthatworksfine—untilyouneedtoplotyourdrawingatadifferentscale.

Addtextanddimensionsinlayoutsinpaperspace.Becausepaperspaceisplottedat1:1, you create annotations at their actual plotted size. The scale calculations are simple(“What’s1/8”times1,boss?”),butsometimesit’sbeneficialtohavedrawingannotationsinthe

samespaceasthedrawinggeometry,andyoumayhavetoduplicatenotesineachlayout.

Addtextanddimensionsinmodelspaceusingannotativetextanddimensionstyles.Create your annotations at their actual plotted size— referred to aspaper text height byAutoCAD—andthenassignannotationscalesforallyourdesiredplotscales.Changingtheannotationscaleonthestatusbarautomaticallychangesthevisibleannotationscale inthedrawing.

Usingannotativeobjectsmakesthemostsensetome,astheycancoverallplotscales.Also,becausethey’reinmodelspace,theydon’thavetobeduplicatedonmultiplelayouts.Asyou’relearningAutoCAD,oneofthemoredifficultconceptstograspisthenecessityofscalingtextanddimensionstoapparentlyludicroussizes(6”-highdrawingtext,forexample)sothattheyplot correctly. Annotative objects allow you to keep your annotations in model space andspecifythepapersize;AutoCADdoesthescalecalculationsforyou.

Annotative object types include both single-line andmultiline text (covered in the sections“UsingtheSameOldLine”and“SayingMoreinMultilineText,”respectively,inthischapter),leaders (covered in thesection“BringOutYour InnerLeader,” in thischapter), dimensions(coveredinChapter14),hatches(seeChapter15),andblocksandattributes(refertoChapter17). By default, only annotative objects at the current annotation scale as set on theapplication or drawing status bar are displayed, but a handy toggle beside the AnnotationScalelistletsyouviewannotativeobjectsatallscalesifyouneedto.

The annotative workflow does require an additional step compared with the other twomethodslistedpreviously.Insteadof justcreatingyourtext(orotherannotativeobject)andstoppingthere,youcreateitasusualandthenaddannotationscalestotheobjects.Idescribetheprocessindetailinthestepsinthischapterandinthefollowingchapters.

You’reprobablyfamiliarwithmostofthesestepsalready—especiallyifyou’veeverusedawordprocessor.Inthenextfewsectionsofthischapter,IreviewtheparticularitiesofAutoCADtextstyles,thetwokindsofAutoCADtext,andwaysofcontrollingheightandjustification.

SimplystylishtextAutoCADassignstextpropertiestoindividuallinesorparagraphsoftextbasedontextstyles.Thesetextstylesaresimilartotheparagraphstylesinawordprocessor;theycontainfontandothersettingsthatdeterminethelookandfeeloftext.AnAutoCADtextstyleincludes

Thefont

Atextheight,whichyoucansettoaspecificvalueorleaveat0forlaterflexibility

Specialeffects(whereavailable),suchasitalics

Reallyspecialeffects,suchasverticalandupsidedown,whichalmostnobodyuses

Beforeyouaddtexttoadrawing,usetheTextStyledialogboxtoselectanexistingstyleorcreateanewonewithsettingsthatareappropriatetoyourpurpose.

YoucanassigntheannotativepropertytotextstylesinolddrawingsbyopeningtheTextStyledialogboxinthedrawing,selectingtheindividualtextstyleyouwanttoupdate,selectingtheAnnotativecheckbox,andthensavingthedrawinginAutoCAD2012.

Mostdrawingsrequireveryfewtextstyles.Youcancreateonestyleforallnotes,objectlabels,andannotationsandanothertextstyleforspecialtitles.Youmayalsowanttocreateauniquetextstyleforyourdimensions(refertoChapter14formoreondimensiontext).Atitleblockmayrequireoneortwoadditionalfonts,especiallyifyouwanttomimicthefontusedinacompanylogoorprojectlogo.

Aswithlayers,yourofficemayhaveitsownstandardsfortextstyles.Ifso,you’llmakeeveryonehappybyfollowingthosestandards.Oneofthebestwaystomakeyouruseoftextstylesefficientandconsistentistocreatetheminatemplatedrawingthatyouusetostartnewdrawings.(Ifyourofficeiswellorganized,itmayalreadyhaveatemplatedrawingwiththecompany-approvedstylesdefinedinit.)SeeChapter4forinformationaboutcreatingandusingtemplates.AnotherhandytechniqueistocopyexistingtextstylesfromonedrawingtoanotherbyusingtheDesignCenterpalette.SeeChapter6forinstructions.

Fontfollies

WhenyoucreateatextstyleinAutoCAD,youhaveachoiceofahugenumberoffonts.AutoCADcanusetwodifferentkindsoffonts:nativeAutoCADSHX(compiledshape)fontsandWindowsTrueTypefonts:

SHX:IntheTextStyledialogbox,SHXfontnamesappearwithadrafting

compasstotheleftofthenameanddisplaythe.shxfileextension.SHXfontsusuallyprovidebetterperformancebecausethey’reoptimizedforAutoCAD’suse.

TrueType:IntheTextStyledialogbox,TrueTypefontnamesappearwithaTTsymboltotheleftofthenameandnofileextension.TrueTypefontsgiveyoumoreandfancierfontoptions,buttheycanslowdownAutoCADwhenyouzoom,pan,orselectandsnaptoobjects.TrueTypefontsalsocancausegreatercomplicationswhenyouexchangedrawingswithotherAutoCADusers.

It’sokaytouseaTrueTypefontsparinglyforsomethinglikeatitle-blocklogo,butingeneral,youshouldstickwithstandardAutoCADSHXfontswheneverpossible.

ThemostpopularAutoCADfontisRomans.shx(RomanSimplex).(YoumayalsorunintoSimplex.shx,anolderversionofRomanSimplex.)Romans.shxisagood,general-purposefontfordraftinginAutoCAD.Avoidcomplicated,thickfonts.TheycanslowdownAutoCAD,andthey’reusuallymoredifficulttoreadthanthesimplerfonts.Remember,you’redoingCADhere,notfancygraphicdesignorreproductionsofmedievalmanuscripts!

Wheneverpossible,avoidcustomfonts,whicharefontfilesthatdon’tcomewithAutoCADorAutoCADLT(bothprogramscomewiththesamefonts).AutoCADinstallsitsstandardSHXfontsintheC:\ProgramFiles\Autodesk\AutoCAD2012-English\Fontsfolder(C:\ProgramFiles\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2012-English\FontsinAutoCADLT);aslongasyouhaven’taddedanycustomfontstothatfolder,youcanrefertoitforalistofstandardfonts.AutoCADdoesn’tembedfontfilesindrawings;instead,itmustrefertothefontfilesinstalledlocallyundereitherAutoCAD(forSHXfonts)orWindows(forTrueTypefonts).Ifyouuseacustomfontofeithertype,exchangingyourdrawingswithotherpeoplewillbemorecomplicated.Ifyoumustuseacustomfont,makeanoteofitandremembereithertosenditwheneveryousendtheDWGfile(assumingthatthefontisn’tcopyrighted,whichmanycustomfontsare)ortowarntherecipientsthatthetextwillappeardifferentontheirsystems.It’sfarlesshassletoavoidcustomfontsaltogether.SeeChapter20foradditionalinformationabouthowtodealwithfontswhenyousendandreceivedrawings.

Getinstyle

Thefollowingstepsdescribehowtoselectanexistingtextstyleorcreateanewonebeforeyouentertextintoadrawing.Ifyouwanttoexperimentwithanexistingdrawingthatcontainsavarietyoftextstyles,youcandownloadtheAutoCAD2012sampledrawingsfromwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samples.Lookforarchitectural_-_annotation_scaling_and_multileaders.dwg.

1.OntheRibbon’sHometab,clicktheAnnotationpanel’slabeltoopentheslideoutandthenclickTextStyle.TheTextStyledialogboxappears,asshowninFigure13-1.

Figure13-1:Text—withstyle.

2.IntheStyleslist,selecteachstyleinturntoexaminethepropertiesofthetextstylesthathavebeencreatedinthisdrawing.NotethefontnameandlookatthePreviewpanelinthelower-leftcornerofthedialogboxtogetafeelforwhatthedifferentfontslooklike.

3.Ifyoufindasuitabletextstyle,selectitintheStyleslist,clickSetCurrent,andthenskiptoStep9.Whatmakesatextstylesuitabledependsonindustrypractices,officestandards,andpersonalpreferencesabouthowthetextshouldlook.Theinformationinprecedingsectionsmayhelpyoudecide.Ifnot,askanexperienceddrafterinyourofficeorlookatsomeprinteddrawingsandtrytomatchthetextonthose.Ifyou’restartingfromscratch,Ihighlyrecommend

thatyouuseannotativestyles—lookforthetriangularsymbolbesidethestylename.

4.Ifyoudon’tfindasuitabletextstyleorifyouprefertocreateyourowntextstyle,clickNew.

Payattentiontothestylethat’scurrentwhenyouclickNew.Ifit’sanannotativestyle,thenyournewstylewillbeannotative;ifthecurrentstyleisn’tannotative,thenewstylewon’tbe,either.It’seasyenoughtoselectordeselecttheAnnotativecheckbox,butyoumayoverlookthisactionatfirst.TheNewTextStyledialogboxappears,withatextboxforyoutotypeaname.

5.TypeanameforyournewtextstyleandthenclickOK.YournewtextstyleisaddedtotheStyleslistandbecomesthecurrentstyle.

6.ChooseafontfromtheFontNamelist.Romans.shxisthebestall-purposefontformostdraftingwork.Ifyouwanttouseadifferentfont,reviewthefontsuggestionsandwarningsintheprevioussection.Thefontthatyouchoosebecomesthefontthat’sassignedtoyournewtextstyle.

7.Tocreateanannotativetextstyle,selecttheAnnotativecheckbox.Clearthecheckboxfornon-annotativetext.ClicktheiiconnexttotheAnnotativelabeltoopenAutoCAD’sonlinehelpandfindoutmore.

8.Adjusttheremainingtextstylesettings.ThetextstyleshowninFigure13-1hasthefollowingsetup:

•PaperTextHeight(justHeightfornon-annotativestyles)=0.0

•WidthFactor=1.0

•ObliqueAngle=0

•AllcheckboxesotherthanAnnotativearedeselected.

Atextstyleheightof0.0makesthestylevariableheight,whichmeansthatyoucanspecifytheheightseparatelyforeachtextobject.Assigningafixed(thatis,nonzero)heighttoatextstyleforcesalltextthatusesthestyletobethesameheight.Variableheightstylesaremoreflexible,butfixedheightstylesusuallymakeiteasiertodrawtextofconsistentheight.Thedecisiontousestylesofvariableheightversusfixedheightisanotheraspectoftextthatdependsonofficepractice;ifyouworkwithotherAutoCADusers,askaround.

Dimensionsusetextstylestoformattheappearanceofthedimension

text.Whenyoucreateatextstylethatyouthinkyoumightuseforyourdimensions,youmustsetaheightof0.Otherwisethesettingthatcontrolsthedimensiontextwon’twork,andyourdimensiontextislikelytobeeitherenormousormicroscopic.Thisoneshouldbeadoublewarningbecauseit’soneofthemostcommonmistakesmadebynewAutoCADdrafters!

9.ClickApplyandthenclickClose.TheTextStyledialogboxcloses,andthetextstylethatyouselectedorcreatedisnowthecurrentstylefornewtextobjects.

TakingyourtexttonewheightsOntheoffchancethatyou’rechoosingnottouseannotativetextstyles,thissectionshowsyouwhyyoumightwanttochangeyourmind.

InChapter4,Idescribetheimportanceofchoosinganappropriatedrawingscalewhenyousetupadrawing.Iwarnyouthatyouneedtoknowthedrawingscalefactorfortasksdescribedinotherchaptersofthisbook.Thisisoneofthosechapters,andI’mabouttoexplainoneofthosetasks!AndwhenI’mdone,remember—youcanavoidallthearithmeticbyusingannotativetext—it’sjustacheckboxaway!

Drawingscaleisthetraditionalwayofdescribingascalewithanequalsignorcolon—forexample1/4"=1'–0",1:20,or2:1.Thedrawingscalefactorrepresentsthesamerelationshipwithasinglenumber,suchas48,20,or0.5.Thedrawingscalefactoristhemultiplierthatconvertsthefirstnumberinthedrawingscaleintothesecondnumber.

Makeitapointtodeterminethedrawingscalefactorofadrawingbeforeyouaddnon-annotativetexttoit.

Plottedtextheight

Mostindustrieshaveplottedtextheightstandards(AutoCADreferstopapertextheight,whichmeansthesamething).Aplottedtextheightof1/8"or3mmiscommonfornotes.Somecompaniesuseslightlysmallerheights(forexample,3/32"or2.5mm)tosqueezemoretextintosmallspaces.

Calculatingnon-annotativeAutoCADtextheight

Tocalculatenon-annotativetextheight,youneedtoknowthedrawingscalefactor,thedesiredplottedtextheight,andthelocationofthemultiplicationbuttononyourcalculator.Usethefollowingstepstofigureouttextheight:

1.Determinethedrawingscalefactor.Ifyousetupthedrawing,youshouldknowitsdrawingscale,asdescribedinChapter4.Ifsomeoneelsesetupthedrawing,andisstillaround,askthatperson!

Othermethodsoffiguringoutadrawing’sscalefactorincludesearchingthedrawingforabarscaleoratextnotethatindicatesthedrawingscale,orifaprintoutisavailable,measuringdimensioneddistancesonthehardcopywithanarchitecturalorengineeringscale.Finally,ifthedrawingdimensionsareinmodelspace,youcancheckthevalueoftheDIMSCALEvariable(thesystemvariablethatcontrolsdimensionscale),asdescribedinChapter14.

2.Determinetheheightthatyournotesshouldappearwhenyouplotthedrawingtoscale.Seethepreceding“Plottedtextheight”sectionforsuggestions.

3.MultiplythenumbersthatyoufiguredoutinSteps1and2.AfteryouknowtheAutoCADtextheight,youcanuseittodefinetheheightofatextstyleorofanindividualtextobject.

Ifyouassignanonzeroheighttoatextstyle(Step8inthe“Getinstyle”section,earlierinthischapter),alltextthatyoucreatewiththatstylewillusethefixedheight.Ifyouleavethetextstyle’sheightsetto0,AutoCADasksyouforthetextheightwhenyoudrawsingle-linetextobjects.

Thisdiscussionoftextheightassumesthatyou’readdingnon-annotativetextinmodelspace.Inadditiontoannotativetextinmodelspace,there’sathirdalternative.Youcanaddannotativeornon-annotativetexttoapaperspacelayout—forexample,whenyoudrawtextinatitleblockoraddasetofsheetnotesthatdoesn’tdirectlyrelatetothemodelspacegeometry.Whenyoucreatetextinpaperspace,youspecifytheactual,plottedpaperheightinsteadofthescaled-upheight.

Onelineortwo?Forhistoricalreasons(namely,becausetheAutoCADtextcapabilitiesusedtobemuchmoreprimitivethantheyarenow),AutoCADofferstwodifferentkindsof

textobjectsandtwocorrespondingtext-drawingcommands.Table13-1explainsthetwocommands,withtheiraliasesshowninparentheses.

Althoughyoumaybeinclinedtoignoretheoldersingle-linetextoption,it’sworthknowinghowtousebothkindsoftext.TheTEXTcommandisquiteabitsimplerthantheMTEXTcommand,andit’sstillusefulforenteringshort,single-linepiecesoftextsuchasobjectlabelsandone-linenotes.Andit’sthecommandofchoiceforCADcomedianswhowanttodocumenttheirone-liners!

Ifyouworkinanofficewithpeoplewho’vebeenAutoCADusersformorethanafewyears,youwillprobablyhearthemreferringtoDTEXT.Forthelastfewreleases,TEXThasbeenanaliasfortheDTEXT(DforDynamic)command.However,lurkingupinAutoCAD’satticisathirdtextcreationcommand,alsonamedTEXT(confusedyet?);ifyouwanttoexperiencethiscreakyoldcommand,type–TEXT.UnlikethecurrentTEXT(formerlyknownasDTEXT)command,with–TEXTyougetnoon-screenfeedbackatall.

YourtextwillbejustifiedBoththeTEXTandMTEXTcommandsofferabewilderingarrayoftextjustificationoptions—inotherwords,whichwaythetextflowsfromthepointorpointsthatyoupickinthedrawingtolocateit.Formostpurposes,thedefaultLeftjustificationforsingle-linetextorTopLeftjustificationforparagraphtextworksfine.Occasionally,youmaywanttouseadifferentjustification,suchasCenterfor

labelsortitles.Bothcommandsprovideoptionsforchangingtextjustification.IpointouttheseoptionswhenIdemonstratethecommandslaterinthischapter.

UsingtheSameOldLineDespiteitslimitations,theTEXTcommandisusefulforlabelsandothershortnotesforwhichMTEXTwouldbeoverkill.ThefollowingprocedureshowsyouhowtoaddtexttoyourdrawingbyusingAutoCAD’sTEXTcommand.

YoucanuseTEXTformultiplelinesoftext:JustkeeppressingEnterafteryoutypeeachlineoftext,andTEXTputsthenewlinebelowthepreviousone.TheproblemwiththisapproachisthatTEXTcreateseachlineoftextasaseparateobject.Ifyouwanttoaddorremovewordsinthosemultiplelineslateron,AutoCADcan’tdoanyword-wrappingforyou;youhavetoediteachlineseparately,cuttingwordsfromonelineandaddingthemtotheadjacentline.

TheTEXTcommanddoesn’tuseadialogbox,afancyformattingtoolbar,oracontextualRibbontabliketheMTEXTcommand’sIn-PlaceTextEditor.YousetoptionsbytypingthemintothecommandlineortheDynamicInputtooltip.

Here’showyouaddtextwiththeTEXTcommand:

1.Setanappropriatetextstylecurrent,asdescribedinthesection“Simplystylishtext,”earlierinthischapter.It’spossibletosetanalready-createdtextstylecurrentattheTEXTcommandprompt,butit’susuallymorestraightforwardtosetthestylebeforestartingthecommand.

AnalternativetoopeningtheTextStyledialogboxtomakeanexistingstylecurrentistoclicktheTextStyledrop-downlistandchoosethestylethere.LookfortheTextStyledrop-downlistontheAnnotationpanel’sslideout(Hometab)ortheTextpaneloftheAnnotatetab.

2.(Optional)UsetheObjectSnapbuttononthestatusbartoenableordisablerunningobjectsnaps.Youmayormaynotwanttosnaptexttoexistingobjects.Forexample,you’d

wanttouseaCenterobjectsnaptolocatealetterornumberpreciselyatthecenterofacircle.

3.OntheHometab’sAnnotationpanel,clickthelowerpartofthebigbuttonlabeledText,thenchooseSingleLinefromthedrop-downmenutostarttheTEXTcommand.Don’tclicktheupperpartoftheTextbutton—thatstartsthemultilinetextcommand,MTEXT,whichIcoverinthenextsection.Ifyourtextstyleisannotativeandthisisthefirstannotativeobjectyou’recreatinginthisdrawingsession,AutoCADdisplaysaSelectAnnotationScaledialogbox,whichadvisesyouthatyouareindeedcreatinganannotativeobjectandasksyoutosetthescaleatwhichyouwanttheannotationtoappear;clickOKtocontinue.AutoCADtellsyouthecurrenttextstyleandheightsettingsandpromptsyoutoselectastartingpointforthetextortochooseanoptionforchangingthetextjustificationorcurrenttextstylefirst:

Currenttextstyle:“Standard”Textheight:0.2000Annotative:

No

Specifystartpointoftextor[Justify/Style]:Ifthetextstyleisannotative,thetextheightdisplayedinthepromptisthemodelspaceheight,nottheultimateplottedtextheight.Forexample,ifthetextstyleiscreatedwithafixedpapertextheightof0.2000,andtheannotationscaleissetto1:2,theAutoCADpromptwillreadTextheight:0.4000.

4.Ifyouwantadifferentjustificationfromthedefault(Left),typeJ,pressEnter,andchooseoneoftheotherjustificationoptions.Lookupcreatesingle-linetextintheonlinehelpsystemifyouneedhelpwiththejustificationoptions.

5.Specifytheinsertionpointforthefirsttextcharacter.Youcanenterthepoint’scoordinatesfromthekeyboard,usethemousetoclickapointon-screen,orpressEntertolocatenewtextimmediatelybelowthemostrecentsingle-linetextobjectthatyoucreated.AutoCADpromptsyouforthetextheight(orthepaperheightifthetextstyleisannotative):

Specifyheight<0.2000>:6.Specifytheheightforthetext.

Thispromptdoesn’tappearifyou’reusingatextstylewithafixed(thatis,nonzero)height.Seethe“Simplystylishtext”section,earlierinthischapter,forinformationaboutfixedversusvariabletextheights.AutoCADpromptsyouforthetextrotationangle:

Specifyrotationangleoftext<0>:7.SpecifythetextrotationanglebytypingtherotationangleandpressingEnterorbyrotatingthelineon-screenwiththemouse.AutoCADpromptsyoutotypethetext.

8.TypethefirstlineoftextandpressEnter.9.Typeadditionallinesoftext,pressingEnterattheendofeachline.Figure13-2showstextappearingon-screenasyoutypeit(oritwouldifthisbookhadanimatedpages).

10.Tostopenteringtextandreturntothecommandprompt,pressEnteratthestartofablankline.AutoCADaddsthenewsingle-linetextobject—orobjects,ifyoutypedmorethanoneline—tothedrawing.

Figure13-2:Single-linetextappearsletterbyletter.

Toalignlinesoftextexactly,makesurethatyoutypeallthelinesinoneinstanceoftheTEXTcommand,pressingEnteraftereachlinetomakethenextlineappearjustafterit.Otherwise,aligningdifferentlinesoftextpreciselyishardertodo(unlessyousetyoursnapjustrightorusea

complicatedcombinationofobjectsnapsandpointfilters).Toeditsingle-linetextafteryou’vecreatedit,selectthetext,right-click,andchooseEdit(ordouble-clickthetext)toopentheIn-PlaceTextEditor.(In-placesimplymeansthatyouedittextatitsexactsizeandlocationinthedrawing.)Itellyoumoreaboutin-placetexteditinginthesection“MakingitwithMtext,”laterinthischapter.

Anin-placeeditingboxhighlightstheselectedtextobject,enablingyoutoeditthecontentsofthetextstring.Ifyouwanttoeditothertextpropertiessuchastextheight,selectthetext,right-click,andchoosePropertiestodisplaythePropertiespalette.UsethePropertiespalettetochangeparametersasneeded.

IftheQuickPropertiesbuttononyourapplicationstatusbarisenabled,clickingasingle-linetextobjectopenstheQuickPropertiespanel,allowingyoutochangesome(butnotall)ofthesamepropertiesasthePropertiespalette.

TurningOnYourAnnotativeObjectsAsIdescribeinthe“Annotativelyyours”sidebar,earlierinthechapter,youhaveacoupleofextrastepsintheworkflowinordertotakeadvantageofsingle-lineormultilinetextyoucreateusingannotativestyles.Youhavetoassignthescalesyou’relikelytouseinyourdrawingtothetextobjectsandthensettheannotationscaleaccordingly.Thefollowingstepsexplainhowtoassignannotationscalestotextthathasbeencreatedusinganannotativetextstyle:

1.Makesurethetextisannotativebyhoveringthecrosshairsoverit.Ifthetextwascreatedwithanannotativestylethathasn’thadanyannotationscalesappliedtoit,youseeasingletriangularsymbolbesidethecrosshairs.(Thesymbolrepresentstheendviewofatriangularengineeringscale.)Ifthere’snosymbol,thetextisn’tannotative.

IfQuickPropertiesisenabledatthestatusbar,youcanmakeindividualtextobjectsannotativeevenifthey’vebeencreatedusinganon-annotativestylebyselectingthetextandchangingtheAnnotativepropertyfromNotoYesintheQuickPropertiespalette;youcandothesameinthePropertiespalettebyselectingthetextandpressingCtrl+1.Theremaybetimeswhenyouwouldwanttodothis,butthey’reprobablyfewandfarbetween.Untilyoubecomeveryfamiliarwithannotativeobjectsanddecidehowyouwanttouse

theminbothnewandolddrawings,Irecommendthatyousticktocreatingyourannotativetextbyusingannotativetextstylesratherthanassigningtheannotativepropertytoindividualtextobjectscreatedwithnon-annotativestyles.

2.Clickatextobjecttoselectit,thenright-clickandchooseAnnotativeObjectScale⇒Add/DeleteScales.TheAnnotationObjectScaledialogboxappearsandshowsalistofallannotativescalesassignedtotheselectedobject.Inthecaseofanewtextorotherannotativeobject,theonlyscalelistedonthestatusbarwillbewhateverannotationscaleissetcurrently.

3.IntheAnnotationObjectScaledialogbox,clickAdd.TheAddScalestoObjectdialogboxappears,displayingalistofalldrawingscalevaluesstoredinthedrawing.

4.Selectthedesiredscalesfromthelist,holdingdowntheCtrlkeytoselectmorethanone,andthenclickOK.TheAnnotationObjectScaledialogboxreappears,withthescalesyouaddeddisplayedinthelistbox.

AutoCADwillhappilyletyouselectallthescalesinthebox,butyourdrawingswillbeeasiertomanageifyouselectonlythescalesyou’relikelytouse—youcanalwaysgobackandaddanotherscalelater.

Mostofthetime,formostpeople,therearewaytoomanyscaleslistedintheAddScalestoObjectdialogbox.AutoCADhasahandydandyEditDrawingScalesdialogboxthatletsyouremovethoseimperialscalesfromyourcurrentdrawingifyouneverworkinfeetandinches.(Andviceversa,forthemetricallychallenged.)Torunthroughyourscales,chooseScaleListontheAnnotationScalingpaneloftheRibbon’sAnnotatetab.Ifyoumakeamistake,theResetbuttonwillrestoreallthedefaultscales.YoucanremovethoseextrascalesforallyourdrawingintheDefaultScaleListdialogbox,accessibleontheUserPreferencestaboftheOptionsdialogbox.

5.ClickOK.Afteryouassignannotativescalestotext(oranyannotativeobject),you’llseeapairoftriangularannotativeobjectsymbols.Don’tworry—althoughyouareseeingdouble,you’vedoneitright!

6.OpentheAnnotationScalelistontheapplicationordrawingstatusbarandselectoneofthescalesyouaddedtotheobject.Theannotativeobjects(textinthiscase)willchangetheirsizeasyouchangetheannotationscale.Ifyouselectascalefromthelistthatyoudidnotassign

totheobjectinStep3,theannotativeobjectsdisappearunlessyouturnontheAnnotationVisibilitytoggleonthestatusbar.Thisisacomplexfeaturewithalotofoptions,amessofsettings,andaslewofsystemvariables.Tofindoutmoreaboutannotativeobjects,clickHelpontheapplicationtitlebarandtypescale,annotationsintheSearchHelpResourcestextbox.

Youcandisplaythedrawingstatusbar(showninFigures13-2and13-3)byclickingthedownarrowneartherightendoftheapplicationstatusbartoopentheapplicationstatusbarmenu,andthenchoosingDrawingStatusBar.

Figure13-3:Annotativeobjectsresizeautomaticallyastheannotationscalechanges.

Figure13-3showstwoversionsofthesamedrawing,withthesametextobjects(thebulletednotesandwindowssizes)andwallhatchingdisplayingatthedifferentannotationscalesspecifiedinthetwostatusbars.Thenon-annotativetext(theroomlabel)remainsunchanged.(IcoverhatchingyourdrawingsinChapter15.)

SayingMoreinMultilineTextWhenyoujustcan’tshoehornyourcreativegeniusintooneormoreone-linepiecesoftext,AutoCAD’smultilinetextobjectgivesyouroomtogoonandonandon.ThefollowingprocedureshowsyouhowtocreatemultilinetextwiththeMTEXTcommand.

MakingitwithMtext

ThefirstpartoftheMTEXTcommandpromptsyouforvariouspointsandoptions.Theorderisabitconfusing,soreadthesestepsandthepromptscarefully.

Here’showyouusetheMTEXTcommand:

1.Setanappropriatetextstylecurrentand(optionally)turnoffrunningobjectsnaps,asdescribedinSteps1and2inthe“UsingtheSameOldLine”section,earlierinthischapter.Ifyou’redoingrealdrafting,youshouldalsosetanappropriatelayercurrent.

2.OntheHometab’sAnnotationpanel,clicktheupperpartofthesplitbuttonlabeledTexttostarttheMTEXTcommand.Thecommandlinedisplaysthecurrenttextstyleandheightsettings,andpromptsyoutoselectthefirstcornerofanimaginaryrectanglethatwilldeterminetheword-wrappingwidthforthetextobject:

Currenttextstyle:“Standard”Textheight:0.2000Annotative:

No

Specifyfirstcorner:3.Pickapointinthedrawing.Thecommandlinepromptsyoufortheoppositecornerofarectanglethatwilldeterminetheword-wrappingwidth;italsogivesyoutheoptionofchangingsettingsfirst:

Specifyoppositecorneror[Height/Justify/Linespacing/Rotation/Style/Width/Columns]:

4.TypeHandpressEntertochangethedefaulttextheight.Thecommandlinepromptsyouforanewdefaulttextheight:

Specifyheight<0.2000>:5.Typeanappropriatetextheight.

Seethe“Takingyourtexttonewheights”section,earlierinthischapter,forinformation.Ifyou’readdingtextinmodelspace,Ihighlyrecommendthatyouuseannotativetext.ThepromptfortheoppositecorneroftheMtextrectanglereappears.Thecommandlineshows

Specifyoppositecorneror[Height/Justify/Linespacing/Rotation/Style/Width/Columns]:

6.Ifyouwantadifferentjustificationfromthedefault(topleft),typeJ,pressEnter,andchooseoneoftheotherjustificationoptions.Enterjustifymultilinetextinthesearchboxoftheonlinehelpsystemifyouwantanexplanationoftheotherjustificationoptions.

7.Pickanotherpointinthedrawing.

Don’tworryabouttheheightoftherectanglethatyoucreatebychoosingthesecondpoint;thewidthoftherectangleisallthatmatters.AutoCADadjuststheheightofthetextrectangletoaccommodatethenumberoflinesofword-wrappedtext.Don’tworrytoomuchaboutthewidth,either;youcanadjustitlater.TheIn-PlaceTextEditorframelesswindowappearswiththetabandindentruleraboveit,andapreviouslyhiddenTextEditorcontextualtabappearsontheRibbon,asshowninFigure13-4.(Ifyoudon’tseethetabandindentruleratthetopofyourTextEditorwindow,right-clickinsidethewindowandchooseEditorSettings,thenShowRulerfromtheright-clickmenu.)

Newisn’talwaysbetter;youmayprefertheclassicTextFormattingtoolbarovertheRibbon’sTextEditorcontextualtab.Ifyouwanttogivetheclassicversionatestdrive,changethevalueofthesystemvariableMTEXTTOOLBAR.Thedefaultvalue(2)displaystheTextEditortabonly;settingitto1displaysboththetabandthetoolbar.Idon’trecommendsettingthisvariableto0—thatturnsofftheTextFormattingtoolbarinallworkspaces.Formoreaboutsystemvariables,seeChapter26.

WhenyoucreatemultilinetextineitherAutoCADorAutoCADLT,yourtextobjectsdefaulttoDynamicColumnmode.Youcantellthat’swhatyou’regoingtogetiftheIn-PlaceTextEditordisplaysadouble-headed-arrowsymbolinthecenterofthebottomborderoftherectangleyoudefine(refertoFigure13-4).Thisisausefuldefaultifyoureallyarewritinganovel,butformostdrawingnotations,Irecommendyouturnoffcolumns.Todoso,clickColumnsontheTextEditorpanel(ortheText

Editingtoolbarifthat’syourpreference)andchooseNoColumns.SettingthesystemvariableMTEXTCOLUMNto0willforcetheMTEXTcommandtocreatenon-columnizedtext.

8.Verifythetextfontandheight.ThetextfontandheightshouldberightifyoucorrectlyperformedSteps1,4,and5.Ifnot,youcanchangethesesettingsintheFontdrop-downlistandtheTextHeighttextboxontheTextEditortab(ortheclassicTextFormattingtoolbar).

Figure13-4:Addingimmortalmultilinetext.

9.TypetextintothetextareaoftheIn-PlaceTextEditor.AutoCADword-wrapsmultilinetextautomatically.Ifyouwanttoforcealinebreakataparticularlocation,pressEnter.

10.Ifyouwantotherformattingoptions,selecttext,right-click,andmakeanappropriatechoicefromthemenu(asshowninFigure13-5).

Byconventioninmostindustries,textindrawingsisalwaysuppercase.HowmanytimeshaveyouforgottentopresstheCapsLockkeybeforeenteringdrawingtext?HowmanytimeshaveyouforgottentoturnCapsLockoffagainwhenit’stimetotypeyoure-mail?Tosaveyourselfsomeagony,right-clickintheIn-PlaceTextEditorandchooseAutoCAPSfromthemenu.

11.ClickCloseTextEditor(orOKintheclassicTextFormattingtoolbar).TheIn-PlaceTextEditorwindowcloses,andAutoCADaddsyourtexttothedrawing.

Youcanclosethetexteditormuchmoreeasilybysimplyclickingoutsideitswindow.Butifyoulikeclickingbuttonsinstead,AutoCADhasamplyprovidedforyou.

12.Addannotationscalestothenewmultilinetextobject.Thestepsarethesameformultilinetextasforsingle-linetext.Refertothe“TurningOnYourAnnotativeObjects”section,earlierinthischapter,ifyouneedarefresher.

Figure13-5:Right-clickyourwaytotextualexcellence.

AsyoucantellbylookingattheTextEditortab(ortheTextFormattingtoolbar)andmultilinetextright-clickmenu,theMTEXTcommandgivesyouplentyofotheroptions.Youcanshoworhidethetoolbar,theruler,ortheOptionsbuttons,andyoucangivetheIn-PlaceTextEditoranopaquebackground.Othertoolbuttonsgiveyouaccesstocolumnsandnumberedorbulletedlists(botharecoveredinthesection“DoinganumberonyourMtextlists,”laterinthischapter).

Betweenthem,theTextEditortab(ortheTextFormattingtoolbar)andtheright-clickmenualsoincludeaStack/Unstackfeatureforfractions,aFindandReplaceutility,toolsforchangingbetweenlowercaseanduppercase,optionsforapplyingbackgroundmasksandinsertingfields,aspecialSymbolsubmenu,andanImportTextoptionforimportingtextfromaTXT(ASCIItext)fileorRTF(RichTextFormat)file.Idiscussbackgroundmasksandfieldsinthenextsection.Ifyouthinkyoumayhaveauseforanyoftheseotherfeatures,chooseCommandReference⇒Commands⇒MCommands⇒MTEXTinAutoCAD’sonlinehelpbrowsertofindoutmoreaboutthem.

Itslices,itdices...Twomoreusefuloptionsonthemultilinetextright-clickmenuareBackgroundMaskandInsertField.

Mtextdonsamask

Whenyouturnonbackgroundmasking,AutoCADhidestheportionsofanyobjectsthatlieunderneaththemultilinetext.Usethesestepstoturnonandcontrolthisfeature:

1.Right-clickintheIn-PlaceTextEditorandchooseBackgroundMaskfromthemenu.TheBackgroundMaskdialogboxappears.

2.ClicktheUseBackgroundMaskcheckboxsothatthisoptionisturnedon.3.EitherclickUseDrawingBackgroundColor(tomakethemaskthesamecolorasthedrawingarea’sbackgroundcolor)orchooseacolorfromthedrop-downlist(tomakethetextappearinasolidrectangleofthespecifiedcolor).4.ClickOKtoreturntotheIn-PlaceTextEditor.

OneofthemostirritatingfeaturesoftheUseBackgroundMaskdialogboxwasitsconstantbeliefthatyoualwayswantedafixed-sizeboundaryaroundthemask,and—evenworse—thatitshouldbered(99%ofthetime,peoplewantthebackgroundmasktobethesamecoloras...er,thebackground.)UseBackgroundMaskisnowsmartenoughtorememberthelastboundarydistance,and—evenbetter—thatyoureallydowantthebackgroundcolorforthemasktobeBackground.

Ifyou’veturnedonbackgroundmaskingbutitisn’thavingthedesiredeffect,usetheTEXTTOFRONTcommandtomovethetextontopofotherobjects.ClicktheBringtoFrontdrop-downbuttonontheHometab’sModifypanelslideoutandchooseBringTexttoFront.

Mtextplaysthefield

TheInsertFieldoptionontheIn-LineTextEditor’sright-clickmenucreatesatextfieldthatupdatesautomaticallyeverytimeyouopen,save,plot,orregeneratethe

drawing.Fieldscancontaindatasuchasthedate,filename,orauthor.Fieldsdrawinformationfromtheoperating-systemsettings,DrawingPropertiesdialogbox,sheetsetsfeature(notcoveredinthisbook),andAutoCADsystemvariables.(Formoreinformationaboutsystemvariables,seeChapter26.)Usethefollowingproceduretoaddafieldwhileyou’recreatingmultilinetext:

1.Right-clickintheIn-PlaceTextEditorandchooseInsertFieldfromthemenu.TheFielddialogboxappears.

2.ChooseaFieldNameintheleftcolumn.3.ChooseaFormatintherightcolumn,orfordatefields,typeaformatintheDateFormatbox.4.ClickOK.AutoCADaddsthefieldtotheMtextobjectthatyou’recreatingorediting.

DoinganumberonyourMtextlistsMtextsupportsbulletedandnumberedlists.Thisfeatureisespeciallyusefulforcreatinggeneraldrawingnotes,asshowninFigure13-6.AutoCADautomatestheprocessofcreatingnumberedlistsalmostcompletely.Here’show:

1.FollowSteps1through8intheearliersection,“MakingitwithMtext,”toopentheIn-PlaceTextEditor.2.Typeatitle—forexample,DESIGNCRITERIA.Ifyouwantyourtitleunderlined,clickUnderlineontheFormattingpanel(ortheTextFormattingtoolbar)beforeyoutypethetitle;clickUnderlineagaintoturnitoff.PressEntertogotothenextlineandpressEnteragaintoleavealittlemorespace.

3.OntheParagraphpaneloftheTextEditortab,clicktheBulletsandNumberingdrop-downbutton;verifythatAllowAuto-List,UseTabDelimiterOnly,andAllowBulletsandListsareselected;andthenclickNumbered,asshowninFigure13-6.Thenumber1followedbyaperiodappearsonthecurrentline,andthecursorjumpstothetabstopvisibleintheruleratthetopoftheIn-PlaceTextEditorwindow.

EnablingNumberedplacesnumeralsfollowedbyperiodsinfrontofitemsinalist.(Bulletedplacesbulletcharactersinfrontofitemsinalist.)Auto-Listenablesautomaticnumbering—eachtimeyoupressEntertomove

toanewline,AutoCADincrementsthenumber.

Figure13-6:Tabs,indents,andautomaticnumberingsettocreatenumberedlists.

4.Typethetextcorrespondingtothecurrentnumberorbullet.AsAutoCADwrapsthetext,thesecondandsubsequentlinesalignwiththetabstop,andthetextisindentedautomatically.

5.PressEnterattheendoftheparagraphtomovetothenextline.Justlikecreatingnumberedlistsinyourfavoritewordprocessor,AutoCADautomaticallyinsertsthenextnumberatthebeginningofthenewparagraph,witheverythingperfectlyaligned.

TocreatenestednumberedorbulleteditemsasshowninFigure13-6,simplypressTabatthestartoftheline.Ifyouchangeyourmind,youcanbumpanestedtextitemupalevelbyselectingtheitemintheIn-PlaceTextEditorandpressingShift+Tab.

6.RepeatSteps4and5foreachsubsequentnumberedorbulleteditem.

Forlegibility,yousometimeswanttoaddspacesbetweenthenotes.IfyoupressEntertwicetogiveyourselfablankline,AutoCAD—likeeverygoodwordprocessor—thinksyou’refinishedwithyourlistandturnsnumbering

off.AutoCADissmart,soyouneedtobesmarter.IfyouputthecursorattheendofthefirstnoteandpressEnter,yougetablankline.Theproblemis,theblanklineisnownumbered,andyourintendedNote2isnowNote3.JustpresstheBackspacekey.Thenumberontheblanklinedisappears,andNote2isbacktobeingNote2again.Whenyoudeleteanumbereditem,theremainingnumbersadjustautomatically.Ifyoudon’tlikethehorizontalspacingofthenumbersorthealignmentofsubsequentlines,youcanadjustthemeasilybymanipulatingthetabandindentmarkersintheIn-PlaceTextEditor’sruler.

7.Intheruler,dragtheupperslider(thetrianglepointingdown)totherightashortdistance.Dragthelowerslider(thetrianglepointingup)aslightlygreaterdistancetotheright.Theupperslidercontrolstheindentationofthefirstlineineachparagraph.Thelowerslidercontrolstheindentationofthesecondandsubsequentlines.Anindentofonetotwooftheshort,verticaltickmarksusuallyworkswellforthefirstline.Anindentoftwotofourtickmarksworkswellforthesecondandsubsequentlines.

8.Clickintherulerjustabovethelowerslider.AsmallLappearsabovethelowerslider.TheLshowsthetabstop.MakesurethatthecorneroftheLalignshorizontallywiththepointofthelowerslidertriangle.Ifnot,clickanddragtheLuntilitaligns.

Ifyouprefertotypetabandindentdistances,notadjustthemwiththecursor,opentheParagraphdialogboxbyeither

ClickingthelittlearrowattherightendoftheParagraphpanellabel(inAutoCADese,it’scalledaPanelDialogBoxLauncher).

Right-clickinginsidetheIn-PlaceTextEditorandchoosingParagraph.

Whicheverwayyoudoit,ifyouselecttextfirst,thetabandindentchangesapplytotheselectedtext.Ifyoudon’tselecttextfirst,thechangesapplytonewtextfromthatpointinthemultilinetextobjectforward.

Lineupincolumns—Now!AutoCADisgettingmoreandmorewordprocessor–like.Afewreleasesback,itwassimpleindents,thencamenumberedandbulletedlists.Themostrecentadditioniscolumnsinmultilinetext.

Columnscomeintwoflavors:staticanddynamic.

Static:Youspecifythenumberofcolumnsintowhichyouwanttoflowyourtext.Columnsarealwaysthesameheight,andtextisallowedtooverflowthefinalcolumnifthere’stoomuchofit.

Dynamic:Asyoumightexpect,thesecolumnsarefriendlier,moreflexible,andthelifeofanyparty.Youcanindividuallyadjustcolumnheights,andnewcolumnsareaddedautomaticallytoaccommodatethetext.

SelectingeithercolumntypealsooffersyouaColumnSettingsdialogboxwhereyoucanspecifyvaluesnumericallyinsteadofbydragginggrips.

Figure13-7showsablockofmultilinetextimportedasanRTFfilefromawordprocessorandthenformattedindynamiccolumnswiththeManualHeightoption.

Settingupcolumnsisprettystraightforward—thefollowingstepsexplainhow:

1.Openadrawingthatcontainsalargemultilinetextobjectorcreatealargemultilinetextobjectinanewdrawing.

Ifyoualreadyhavedrawingspecificationsorgeneralnotesinawordprocessordocument,orevenatextfile,youcanright-clickinsidetheMTEXTcommand’sIn-PlaceTextEditorandchooseImportText.TheSelectFiledialogboxopens,givingyouthechoiceofRichTextFormat(RTF)orASCIItext(TXT)files.

2.IftheIn-PlaceTextEditorisnotalreadyopen,double-clickthetext,orselectit,thenright-clickandchooseMtextEdit.

Figure13-7:Dynamicallycolumnizingyourtext.

3.ClickColumnsintheInsertpanelandchooseeitherDynamicColumnsorStaticColumns.IfyouchooseDynamicColumns,selecteitherAutoHeightorManualHeight.SelectingManualHeightputsgripsoneachcolumnsoyoucanadjusttheirheightindividually(refertoFigure13-7).AutoHeightdisplaysasinglegrip,sotheheightsofallcolumnsremainthesame,butnewcolumnsarestilladdedasrequiredbytheamountoftext.IfyouchooseStaticColumns,selectthenumberofcolumnsyouwantfromthemenu.Clicking2,forexample,createstwocolumnsregardlessofthelengthofyourtext—youmayendupwithoverflowingtextoremptycolumns.

4.ClickCloseTextEditor(orOKintheTextFormattingtoolbar)whenyou’resatisfiedwiththecolumnarrangement.Youcanreverttoanon-columnararrangementbyclickingtheColumnsbuttonintheInsertpanelandchoosingNoColumns.

ModifyingMtext

Afteryoucreateamultilinetextobject,youcanedititinthesamewaysasasingle-linetextobject:Selecttheobject,right-click,andchooseMtextEditorProperties.

MtextEdit:SelectingthisoptionopenstheIn-PlaceTextEditorwindowsothatyoucanchangethetextcontentsandformatting.

Properties:SelectingthisoptionopensthePropertiespalette,whereyoucanchangeoverallpropertiesforthetextobject.

QuickProperties:EnablethissettingonthestatusbartomakesimplyselectingamultilinetextobjectopentheQuickPropertiespalette,inwhichyoucanmodifyasubsetoftheMtextobject’sproperties.

Theeasiestwaytochangetheword-wrappingwidthofaparagraphtextobjectistogrip-editit.Selectthetextobject,clickoneofthecornergrips,releasethemousebutton,movethecrosshairs,andclickagain.Chapter10describesgripeditingindetail.

Justlikeanygoodwordprocessorortexteditor,AutoCADincludesbothaspellcheckerandafind-and-replacetoolfortextordimensions.Tocheckthespellingofselectedobjectsortheentiredrawing,clicktheAnnotatetabontheRibbonandchooseCheckSpellingfromtheTextpaneltodisplaytheCheckSpellingdialogbox.Onthesamepanel,clickingFindText,ortypingFINDandpressingEnterdisplaystheFindandReplacedialogbox.Handily,FindandReplaceandSpellCheckarebothalsoaccessiblefromtheTextEditortab’sSpellCheckandToolspanels—incaseyoujustwanttoreplacetextorcheckspellingwithinasinglemultilinetextobject.LookupSPELLorFINDintheonlinehelpifyouneedmoreinformationoneithercommand.

GatherRoundtheTablesYoudon’tknowthemeaningofthewordtediousunlessyou’vetriedtocreateacolumn-and-rowdatatableinolderversionsofAutoCADusingtheLINEandTEXTcommands.AutoCAD’stableobjectandtheTABLESTYLEandTABLEcommandsforcreatingitmakethejobalmostfun.

TableobjectsinAutoCAD2012arenotannotative,soyouhavejusttwomethodsofaddingthemtodrawings:Youcancreatetheminmodelspace,scalingthemupbythedrawingscalefactor(seeChapter4forarefresher),or

—andthisseemsmoresensibletome—youcancreatetheminalayout,inpaperspace,definingthembytheiractualplotted(paper)dimensions.

Tableshavestyle,tooYoucontroltheappearanceoftables—boththetextandthegridlines—withtablestyles(justasyoucontroltheappearanceofstandalonetextwithtextstyles).UsetheTABLESTYLEcommandtocreateandmodifytablestyles.Followthesestepstocreateatable:

1.OntheHometab,clicktheAnnotationpanel’slabeltoopenitsslideoutandthenchooseTableStyle.TheTableStyledialogboxappears.

2.IntheStyleslist,selecttheexistingtablestylewhosesettingsyouwanttouseasthestartingpointforthesettingsofyournewstyle.Forexample,selectthedefaulttablestylenamedStandard.

3.ClicktheNewbuttontocreateanewtablestylethat’sacopyoftheexistingstyle.TheCreateNewTableStyledialogboxappears.

4.EnteraNewStyleNameandclickContinue.TheNewTableStyledialogboxappears,asshowninFigure13-8.

Figure13-8:Settingthetable.

5.IntheCellStylesarea,withDatashowinginthelistbox,specifysettingsforthedataalignment,margins,text,andborders.Thesettingsyou’relikelytowanttochangeareTextStyle,TextHeight,andperhapseitherTextColor(allthreeareontheTexttab)orGridColor(ontheBorderstab).IfyouleavecolorssettoByBlock,thetextandgridlineswillinheritthecolorthat’scurrentwhenyoucreatethetable.Thatcolorwillbethecurrentlayer’scolor,ifyoufollowmyadviceinChapter6.

6.IntheCellStylesarea,openthedrop-downlistandrepeatStep5fortheHeaders(thatis,thecolumnheadings)andtheTitle.7.ClickOKtoclosetheNewTableStyledialogbox.TheTableStyledialogboxreappears.

8.ClickClose.YournewtablestylebecomesthecurrenttablestylethatAutoCADusesforfuturetablesinthisdrawing,andtheTableStyledialogboxcloses.Nowyou’rereadytocreateatable,asdescribedinthenextsection.

YoucanaccesstheManageCellStylesdialogboxdirectlyfromtheCell

Stylesdrop-downlistoftheNewTableStyledialogbox.TheTableCellFormat(ontheGeneraltab,Formatrow,clicktheellipsisbutton)dialogboxprovidesanumberofadditionaloptionsforformattingcellsbydatatype.

AutoCADstorestablestylesintheDWGfile,soastylethatyoucreateinonedrawingisn’timmediatelyavailableinothers.YoucancopyatablestylefromonedrawingtoanotherwithDesignCenter.(UsetheprocedureforcopyinglayersbetweendrawingsoutlinedinChapter6,butsubstituteTablestylesforLayers.)

CreatingandeditingtablesAfteryoucreateasuitabletablestyle,addingatabletoyourdrawingiseasywiththeTABLEcommand.Here’show:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrent.Assumingthatyouleavethecurrentcolor,linetype,andlineweightsettoByLayer,asIrecommendinChapter6,thecurrentlayer’spropertieswillcontrolthepropertiesofanypartsofthetablethatyouleftsettoByBlockwhenyoudefinedthetablestyle.(SeeStep5intheprecedingsection,“Tableshavestyle,too.”)

2.OntheHometab’sAnnotationpanel,chooseTable.TheInsertTabledialogboxappears.

3.ChooseatablestylefromtheTableStyledrop-downlist.4.ChooseanInsertionBehavior:

•SpecifyInsertionPoint:Theeasiestmethod.Youpickthelocationofthetable’supper-leftcorner(orlower-leftcornerifyousetTableDirectiontoUpinthetablestyle).Whenyouusethismethod,youspecifythedefaultcolumnwidthandnumberofrowsintheInsertTabledialogbox.

•SpecifyWindow:Youpicktheupper-leftcornerandthenthelower-rightcorner.Whenyouusethismethod,AutoCADautomaticallyscalesthecolumnwidthsanddetermineshowmanyrowstoinclude.

5.SpecifyColumn&RowSettings.IfyouchoseSpecifyWindowinStep4,AutoCADsetstheColumnWidthandnumberofDataRowstoAuto,whichmeansthatAutoCADwillfigurethemout,basingthosevaluesontheoverallsizeofthetablethatyouspecifyinSteps7and8.

6.ClickOK.

AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheinsertionpointofthetable.7.Clickapointortypecoordinates.IfyouchoseSpecifyInsertionPointinStep4,AutoCADdrawsthetablegridlines,placesthecursorinthetitlecell,anddisplaystheTextEditortabontheRibbon.

8.IfyouchoseSpecifyWindowinStep4,specifythediagonallyoppositecornerofthetable.AutoCADdrawsthetablebasedonthetablesizeyouindicatedandchoosesthecolumnwidthandnumberofrows.

9.Typeatitleforthetable.10.Typevaluesineachcell,usingthearrowkeysorTabkeytomoveamongcells.Thecellright-clickmenuoffersmanyotheroptions,includingcopyingcontentsfromonecelltoanother,mergingcells,insertingrowsandcolumns,changingformatting,andinsertingablock(thatis,agraphicalsymbol—seeChapter17forinformationaboutblocks).

Thefieldsfeaturedescribedearlierinthischapterworksfortabletext,too—youcaninsertafieldintoatablecell.Forexample,youmightusethisfeaturetocreatepartofatitleblock,withfieldsservingasthe“date”and“drawnby”data.

11.ClickCloseTextEditorontheRibbon(orclickOKontheTextFormattingtoolbar).Figure13-9showsacompletedtable,alongwiththeInsertTabledialogbox.

Youcaneditcellvalueslater,simplybydouble-clickinginacell.Tochangecolumnwidthorrowheight,clickthetablegridandthenclickandmovethebluegrips.(Tochangethewidthofonecolumnwithoutalteringtheoverallwidthofthetable,holddowntheCtrlkeywhileyoumovethegrip.)Ifyouwanttochangeotheraspectsofatableorindividualcellsinit,selectthetableorcellandusetheQuickPropertiespaletteorthePropertiespalettetomakechanges.

Figure13-9:TheInsertTabledialogboxandoneresultofusingit.

YoucanimporttablesfromMicrosoftExcelinsteadofusingtheInsertTabledialogbox.ToimportExceldata,inExcel,selectthedesiredcellsandchooseEdit⇒Copy.TheninAutoCAD,choosePasteSpecialfromtheHometab’sClipboardpanel(it’sonthePastedrop-downbutton)andthenchooseAutoCADEntitiesinthePasteSpecialdialogbox.AutoCADattemptstocopytheExcelspreadsheet’sformattingalongwiththecelldata,butyou’llprobablyhavetoadjustcolumnwidthsandperformothercleanupchoresontheimportedtable.

Youcangotheotherdirection—fromAutoCADtoExceloranotherprogram—viaaCSV(CommaSeparatedValue)file.LookupTABLEEXPORTcommandinAutoCAD’sonlinehelp.

Youcanextractattributedatatotables.SeeChapter17forinformationaboutblocksandattributes.Youcanalsoperformsimplecalculationsintablesbyusingpredefinedfunctionsoryourownarithmeticalexpressions.

LookupUseFormulasinTableCellsinAutoCAD’sonlinehelp.

BringOutYourInnerLeaderDon’tworry;I’mnotgoingtomakeyouwalkacrossabedofred-hotcoalsorgiveyouasalespitchaboutofficepoliticsorpersonalgrowthopportunities!No,I’mtalkingaboutthosenoteswitharrowsthatpointtodrawingobjectsthatyouneedtoembellishwithsomeverbiage.

Multileaders—mleadersforshort—areavastimprovementoverold-styleleadersavailablepriortoAutoCAD2008.Infact,they’resogood,theyshouldberunningtheUnitedNations!Mleaders,unliketheold-styleleaders,aresingleobjects.Theyarealsoabletopointinmultipledirectionsatonce(justdon’taskthemwhichwayisthebusstation).Finally,multileaders—justliketext,dimensions,hatching,andotherobjectsyouusetodocumentyourdrawing—canbeannotative.

Therearetwoolder-styleleadersstoredinAutoCAD’sattic(Autodeskhatestothrowanythingaway).Thesesemi-retiredleadersarenolongeraccessibleonmenusortoolbars,butthey’restilllurkinguptherewaitingto...er,leadyouastray.Ifyou’vebecomeattachedtotypingcommands,youmaybeinclinedtotypeeitherLEADERorLEtocreatethosepointy-headedthingies.Ifyoudo,beawarethatLEADERrunsthepositivelyancientcommandforcreatingnotes-with-arrows.Therearenooptions,soonlystraightleaderlinesandinfinitelylongtextstringsarewhatyouget.LE(thealiasfortheQLEADERcommand)runsthemerelyelderlycommandforcreatingnotes-with-arrows;thisonehasaSettingsdialogboxwhereyoucansetsomeoptions,anditdoesaskyoutospecifyawidthforyourMtextnote.However,unlikemultileaders,bothLEADERandLEcreatetheleaderlinesandthetextastwoseparateobjects.

ElectingaleaderYoucandrawmultileaderobjectsthatconsistofleaderlinesandmultilinetextatthesametimebyusingtheMLEADERcommand,asdescribedinthefollowingsteps:

1.Setamultileaderstyle—onethat’sappropriateforyourneeds—current.

ChooseanexistingstylefromtheMultileaderStyledrop-downlistontheHometab’sAnnotationpanelslideout,orcreateanewstylebyclickingtheMultileaderStylebuttonontheAnnotationslideout.Visittheonlinehelpfortipsoncreatingnewmultileaderstyles.

2.ChooseMultileaderfromtheAnnotationpanel.Thecommandlinepromptsyoutoselectthelocationforthepointyendoftheleaderarrowhead:

Specifyleaderarrowheadlocationor[leaderLanding

first/Contentfirst/Options]<Options>:Theinitialdefaultmethodistolocatethearrowheadfollowedbytheleaderlanding(thatis,theshorthorizontallinebetweentheleaderlineandthetext),atwhichpointAutoCADdisplaystheIn-PlaceTextEditor,andyouenterthetextofyournote.Ifyou’dratherplacetheleaderlandingfirst,typeLandpressEnter.Ifyou’drathertypethecontentfirst,typeCandpressEnter.Ifyouwanttodrawspline-curvedratherthanstraightleaderlines,specifythenumberofpickpointsfortheleaderlinesandpressEntertodisplaymultileaderoptionsatthecommandlineorthedynamic-inputtooltip.Refertotheonlinehelpformoreinformationonthecommandoptions.

3.Pickalocationinthedrawingthatyouwanttheleadertopointto.IfyouuseanObjectSnapmode,suchasNearestorMidpoint,topickapointonanobject,AutoCADassociatestheleaderwiththeobject.Ifyoulatermovetheobject,AutoCADupdatestheleadersothatitpointstothenewlocation.Thecommandlinepromptsyouforthenextpoint.

4.Pickasecondpoint.AutoCADdrawsashaftfromthearrowheadtothispoint.

Ifyoupickasecondpointthat’stooclosetothearrowheadpointandAutoCADdoesn’thaveenoughroomtodrawthearrowhead,itomitsthearrowhead.Bydefault,AutoCADletsyoupicktwopointsfortheleaderline:Thefirstpointlocatesthearrowhead,andthesecondpointlocatesthestartoftheshorthorizontalleaderlanding.Ifyouneedmorepointsthanthat,restartthecommandandchooseOptions,Maxpointsandsetanewvalue.Afteryoupickthepointfortheleaderlanding,AutoCADopenstheIn-PlaceTextEditor.

5.Typeyourtext.You’renowinthesameIn-PlaceTextEditorIdescribeearlierinthischapter,withthesameTextEditortabandoptions.

6.ClickClose.TheIn-PlaceTextEditorwindowclosesandaddsyourtexttothedrawing,nexttotheleader.

Figure13-10showsseveraldifferentleaderswithnotes.

Youcanusegripstomanipulateamultileader’sindividualcomponents,justasifitwereseveralobjectsinsteadofasingleobject.HolddowntheCtrlkeyandclickamultileadertoselectdifferentpieces.YoucanevenusegripstoadjustthewidthofmultileadertextasifitwereaplaineverydayMtextobject.

MultioptionsformultileadersInadditiontotheMLEADERcommanditself,whichIwalkyouthroughintheprecedingsteps,multileaderscomewithaslewofformatting,drawing,andeditingcommands:

Figure13-10:Nolossfor(multi)leaders.

MLEADEREDIT:Usethiscommandtoaddorremoveleaderlinesfrommultileaderobjects.You’llfindeachofthosefunctionsontheMultileaderdrop-downlist(refertoFigure13-10).

MLEADERSTYLE:Multileaders,liketext,tables,anddimensions,areformattedaccordingtonamedstyles.TodisplaytheMultileaderStyleManagerdialogbox(whichlooksalotlikeasimplifiedversionoftheDimensionStyleManager)clickMultileaderStyleontheHometab’sAnnotationslideout.

MLEADERALIGN:AtediouschoreinearlierAutoCADversionswasgettingalltheleaderstolineup;itusuallyinvolveddrawingaconstructionlineandthenusingobjectsnapstomovecommonpointsontheleaderstotheconstructionline.Tolineupmultileaders,chooseAlignfromtheMultileaderdrop-downlist.

MLEADERCOLLECT:Multileaderscancontainblocksaswellastext(IcoverblocksinChapter17).ChooseCollectfromtheMultileaderdrop-downlisttogatheragroupofleaderscontainingblocks;they’llrearrangethemselvesasasinglemultileadercontainingthemultipleblocks.

Formoreinformationonanyofthesecommands,lookthemupbynameintheCommandReferencesectionoftheonlinehelp.

Multileadersandmultileaderstylescanbeannotativeornon-annotative.Makingthemannotativeandassigningappropriateannotationscalesisahugetimesaverforcreatingdetailviewsthatyoumightwanttoplotatdifferentscales.

Chapter14

EnteringNewDimensions

InThisChapterUnderstandingdimensionpartsandtypes

Usingdimensionstylesfromotherdrawings

Creatingandmodifyingyourowndimensionstyles

Choosingadimensioningmethod

Drawingandmodifyingannotativedimensions

Editingdimensions

Indrafting—eitherCADormanualdrafting—dimensionsarespecialtextlabelswithattachedlinesthattogetherclearlyindicatethesizeofsomething.Althoughit’stheoreticallypossibletodrawallthepiecesofeachdimensionbyusingAutoCADcommands,suchasLINEandMTEXT,dimensioningissocommonadraftingtaskthatAutoCADprovidesspecialcommandsfordoingthejobmoreefficiently.Thesedimensioningcommandsgroupthepartsofeachdimensionintoaconvenient,easy-to-editpackage.Evenbetter,asyoueditanobject—bystretchingit,forexample—AutoCADautomaticallyupdatesthemeasurementdisplayedinthedimensiontextlabeltoindicatetheobject’snewsize,asshowninFigure14-1.Andperhapsbestofall,AutoCAD’sannotativedimensionschangetheirsizeautomaticallyasyouchangetheannotationscaleonthemodeltabortheviewportscaleinalayout.IexplainthegeneralprinciplesofannotativeobjectsinChapter13;inthischapter,Itakeacloserlookatannotativedimensions.

AutoCADcontrolsthelookofdimensionsbymeansofdimensionstyles,justasitcontrolsthelookoftextwithtextstyles,andtableswithtablestyles.(AutoCADalsousestextstylestocontroltheappearanceofthetextindimensions.)Butdimensionstylesaremuchmorecomplicatedthantextstylesbecausedimensionshavesomanymorepiecesthatyouneedtocontrol.Afteryoufindorcreateanappropriatedimensionstyle,youuseoneofseveraldimensioningcommandstodrawdimensionsthatpointtotheimportantpointsonanobject(thetwoendpointsofaline,forexample).

Figure14-1:Changingobjectsautomaticallyupdatesdimensions.

AutoCADdimensioningisabig,complicatedsubject.(It’ssocomplicated,infact,thatAutodeskhasanespeciallywisepersoninchargeofdimensioninginAutoCAD—thispersoniscalledthedimwit.)Everyindustryhasitsowndimensioningconventions,habits,andquirks.Asusual,AutoCADtriestosupportthemalland,insodoing,makesthingsabitconvolutedforeveryone.Thischaptercoverstheessentialconceptsandcommandsthatyouneedtoknowtostartdrawingdimensions.Bepreparedtospendsomeadditionaltimestudyinghowtocreateanyspecializedtypesofdimensionsthatyourindustryuses.Whoknows—ifyouworkveryhardandpracticeeveryday,youtoocouldbecomeanAutoCADdimwit!

Youadddimensionstoadrawingafteryou’vedrawnatleastsomeofthegeometry;otherwiseyouwon’thavemuchtodimension!Yourdimensioningandoveralldraftingefficiencyimproveifyouadddimensionsinbatchesratherthandrawaline,drawadimension,drawanotherline,drawanotherdimension....

WhydimensionsinCAD?YoumaythinkthatCADwouldhaverenderedtextdimensionsobsolete.Afterall,youcomplywithallmysuggestionsaboutusingAutoCADprecisiontechniqueswhenyoudrawandedit,andyou’recarefultodraweachobjectatitstruesize,right?ThecontractorormachinistcanjustuseAutoCADtoquerydistancesandanglesintheDWGfile,right?Sorry,butno(tothelastquestion,anyway).HereareafewreasonswhythetraditionaldimensioningthatCADdraftinghasinheritedfrommanualdraftingislikelytobearoundforawhile:

Somepeopleneedtoorwanttousepaperdrawingswhentheybuildsomething.EvenwithiPadsandAutoCADWS,we’restillsometimeawayfromthedaywhencontractorshaulcomputersaroundon their tool belts (nevermindmousingaroundadrawingwhilehangingfromscaffolding).

Inmany industries,paperdrawingsstill rule legally.YourcompanymaysupplybothplotteddrawingsandDWGfilestoclients,butyourcontractsprobablyspecifythattheplotteddrawingsgovern in thecaseofanydiscrepancy.Thecontractsprobablyalsowarnagainstrelying on any distances that the recipient of the drawings measures— using measuringcommandsintheelectronicdrawingfileorascaleontheplotteddrawing.Thetextdimensionsaresupposedtosupplyallthedimensionalinformationthat’sneededtoconstructtheobject.

Dimensionssometimescarryadditionalinformationbesidesthebasiclengthorangle.Forexample,dimensiontextcanindicatetheallowablemanufacturingtolerancesorshowthataparticulardistanceistypicalofsimilarsituationselsewhereonthedrawing.

DiscoveringNewDimensionsBeforediggingintothetechniquesthatyouusetocreatedimensionstylesandthedimensionsthemselves,here’ssomeAutoCADdimensioningterminologythatyouneedtounderstand.Ifyou’realreadyfamiliarwithCADdimensioninglingo,justskimthissectionandlookatthefiguresinit.Otherwise,readon.

AnatomyofadimensionAutoCADusesthenamesshowninFigure14-2anddescribedinthefollowinglisttorefertothepartsofeachdimension:

Dimensiontext:Thenumericvaluethatindicatesthetruedistanceoranglebetweenpointsorlines.Dimensiontextcanalsoincludeotherinformationinadditiontoorinsteadofthenumber.Forexample,youcanaddasuffix,suchasTYP.,toindicatethatadimensionistypicalofseveralsimilarconfigurations.AutoCAD’sdefaultsettingsfordimensionstylescenterthedimensiontextverticallyandhorizontallyonthedimensionlines,asshowninFigure14-2,butyoucanchangethosesettingstomakethetextappearinadifferentlocation—sittingoveranunbrokendimensionline,asshownpreviouslyinFigure14-1,forexample.Seethesection“Adjustingstylesettings,”laterinthischapter,forinstructions.

Figure14-2:Thepartsofadimension.

Dimensionlines:Inlineardimensions,thedimensionlinesindicatethetruedistancebetweenpoints.Lineardimensionlinescanbehorizontal,vertical,rotatedataspecificangle,oralignedwiththeobjectbeingdimensioned.Angulardimensionshavecurveddimensionlineswiththecenterofthecurveatthevertexpointoftheobjectsbeingdimensioned.Forradiusanddiameterdimensions,thedimensionlinesimplypointsattheobjectbeingdimensioned(seeFigure14-3forexamplesofthesedimensiontypes).

Arrowheads:Thedimension’sarrowheadsappearattheendorendsofthedimensionlinesandemphasizetheextentofthedimensionedlength.

AutoCAD’sdefaultarrowheadstyleistheclosed,filledtypeshowninFigure14-2,butyoucanchooseothersymbols,suchasdotsortickmarks,toindicatetheendsofthedimensionlines.(Don’tgettickedoff,butAutoCADcallsthelineendinganarrowheadevenwhen,asinthecaseofatickmark,itdoesn’tlooklikeanarrow.)

Figure14-3:Commontypesofdimensions.

Extensionlines:Theseextendoutwardfromthedefinitionpoints(alsoknownasdefpoints)thatyouselect(usuallybysnappingtopointsonanobject)tothedimensionlines.Bydraftingconvention,asmallgapusuallyexistsbetweenthedefpointsandthebeginningoftheextensionlines.Alsobyconvention,theextensionlinesusuallyextendjustpastthedimensionlines—seeFigures14-2and14-3forexamples.Youcanmakeasetofdimensionslooktidierbyassigningfixedlengthsfortheextensionlines.Andifyouneedtodimensiontocirclesorcenterlines,youcanassigndash-dotlinetypestoeitherorbothextensionlines.

Defpoints:Whenyoucreateanykindofdimension,AutoCADplacesoneormoredefinitionpoints(universallyknownasdefpoints)onaspeciallayernamed(whatelse?)Defpoints,whichtheprogramcreateswhenadimensioncommandisissuedforthefirsttime.Thesepointsareusuallyinvisiblebecausetheobjectsbeingdimensionedareontopofthem,butyoucanseewheretheysitbyselectingadimensiontoturnonitsgrips.

Thegripsontheobjectsbeingdimensionedareonthedimension’sdefinitionpoints.Becauseyouwouldn’twantthesepointstoappearwhenyouplotyourdrawings,theDefpointslayerhasaspecialproperty:NothingcreatedontheDefpointslayerwillprint.

BecauseoftheDefpointslayer’snon-printingproperty,experiencedusershavebeenusingitforyearsasaplacetoputsketches,guidelines,andimportantnotes(forexample,“Don’tforgettobuybreadonthewayhome!”).Idon’tendorsethispracticebecauseaconvolutedrelationshipexistsbetweentheDefpointslayerandLayer0—itcanbeveryhardtotellwhat’sonwhichlayer,andthatcanmakethedrawinghardertoedit.Ifyouwanta“scratch”layerforthoseimportantnotes,createonenamedScratchandsetittoNoPlotintheLayerPropertiesManagerpalette.(FormoreaboutlayersandtheLayerPropertiesManager,seeChapter6.)

AfieldguidetodimensionsAutoCADprovidesseveraltypesofdimensionsandcommandsfordrawingthem.Figure14-3,earlierinthischapter,showsthemostcommontypes,andthefollowinglistdescribesthem:

Lineardimensions:Indicatethelinearextentofanobjectorthelineardistancebetweenobjects.Mostlineardimensionsareeitherhorizontalorvertical,butyoucandrawdimensionsthatarerotatedtootherangles,too.

Aligneddimensions:Similartolineardimensions,butthedimensionlinetiltstothesameangleasalinedrawnthroughtheoriginpointsofitsextensionlines.

Radialdimensions:Aradiusdimensionshowstheradiusofacircleoranarc,andadiameterdimensioncallsoutthediameterofacircleoranarc.Youcanpositionthedimensiontextinsideoroutsidethecurve,asshowninFigure14-3.Ifyoupositionthetextoutsidethecurve,AutoCAD(bydefault)drawsalittlecrossatthecenterofthecircleorarc.AsshowninFigures14-2and14-3,AutoCADautomaticallyaddsthediameterandradiussymbolstotheappropriatedimensiontype.

Ifyou’rewonderingwhenyoushouldusewhich,becauseradiusanddiameterdimensionsseemtodothesamething,theconventioninmostdraftingdisciplinesistousediameterdimensionsforwholecircles(for

example,ahole)andradiusdimensionsforpartcirclesorarcs(forexample,afillet).

Angulardimensions:Indicatetheangularmeasurementbetweentwolines,thetwoendpointsofanarc,ortwopointsonacircle.Thedimensionlineappearsasanarcthatindicatesthesweepofthemeasuredangle.

Othertypesofdimensionsanddimension-likeannotationsyoucanaddtoAutoCADobjectsincludearclengthandordinatedimensions,tolerances,inspectiondimensions,andcentermarks.Formoreinformationaboutother,lessfrequentlyusedkindsofdimensions,clickHelptoopentheExchangewindow’sHelptab,thenchooseUser’sGuide⇒AnnotateDrawings⇒DimensionsandTolerances.

DimensionassociativityBydefault,AutoCADgroupsallthepartsofeachdimension—theextensionlines,dimensionlines,arrowheads,andtext—intoaspecialassociativedimensionobject.Associativemeanstwothings:

Thedifferentpartsofthedimensionfunctionasasingleobject.Whenyouclickanypartofthedimension,AutoCADselectsallitsparts.

Thedimensionisconnectedtothepointsontheobjectthatyouspecifiedwhenyoudrewthedimension.Ifyouchangethesizeoftheobject(forexample,stretchaline),thedimensionupdatesappropriately—thelinesandarrowsmove,andthetextchangestoreflecttheline’snewsize.

TheassociativedimensionsI’mtalkingaboutherefirstappearedinAutoCAD2002.Beforethat,AutoCADhadamoreprimitivekindofdimensioning.Dimensionsweresingleobjects,andtheydidupdateifyoustretchedanobjectaslongasyouwereverycarefultoincludethedimensionitselfinthecrossingselectionfortheSTRETCHcommand.Here’swherethingscangetabitconfusing:AutoCADusedtocalltheseold-style,single-objectdimensionsassociativebutnowcallsthemnon-associative,andwhatusedtobecallednon-associativedimensionsbeforeAutoCAD2002arenowcalledexplodeddimensions.FormoreinformationabouthowtodeterminewhichkindofdimensionAutoCADdraws,seethe“Controllingandeditingdimensionassociativity”section,laterinthischapter.

FindingyourdimensiontoolsBoththeAnnotationpanelontheRibbon’sHometabandtheDimensionspanelontheAnnotatetabprovideaccesstoAutoCAD’smostfrequentlyusedbasicdimensioningcommands.(Ifyou’reanAutoCADClassicworkspaceuser,you’llfindthemontheclassicDimensionmenuandDimensiontoolbar.)

AsmuchasIliketheDrafting&AnnotationworkspaceandtheRibbon,onetaskwheretheclassicinterfacejustmightbemoreefficientisindimensioning.TheclassicDimensiontoolbarprovidesaccesstomoredimensiontoolsthantheRibbon,anditdoessowhilemaintainingconsistentone-clickaccesstoeachcommand.WiththeRibbon,youmayfindittakesacoupleofclickstogettothecommandyouwant,andsomedimensioncommandsaren’teventhere.

Here’showtoturnontheDimensiontoolbarinaRibbon-basedworkspace:

1.ClicktheViewtabontheRibbon.2.OntheWindowspanel,clickToolbars.AutoCADdisplaysamenuofloadedcustomizationfiles.IfyoursystemdoesnothavetheExpressToolsinstalled,orifyou’reusingAutoCADLT,youmayseeonly“AutoCAD”(or“AutoCADLT”)onthismenu.Ifyou’reworkingforalargecompany,youmaywellseeadditionalcustommenusonthislist.

3.ClickAutoCADorAutoCADLTtodisplayalistofclassictoolbars.4.ChooseDimensionfromthemenu.AutoCADclosestheToolbarsmenuandtheclassicDimensiontoolbarappearseitherfloatingordockedonanedgeofthedrawingarea.

Alldimensioningcommandshavelongcommandnames(suchasDIMARC,DIMLINEAR,andDIMRADIUS)andcorrespondingcommandaliases(suchasDAR,DLI,andDRA,respectively—doyouseeapattern?)thatyoucantypeatthecommandprompt.Ifyoudolotsofdimensioninganddon’twanttotoggletheDimensiontoolbaronandoffrepeatedly,memorizetheabbreviatedformsofthedimensioncommandsthatyouusefrequently.YoucanfindalistofthelongcommandnamesintheCommandReferencesectionoftheAutoCADhelpsystem.OntheHelphomepage,chooseCommandReference⇒Commands⇒DCommands.

DoingDimensionswithStyle(s)CreatingausabledimensionstylethatgivesyouthedimensionlookyouwantisthebiggestchallengeinusingAutoCAD’sdimensioningfeatures.Eachdrawingcontainsitsowndimensionstyles,sochangesyoumaketoadimensionstyleinonedrawingaffectonlythatdrawing.However,afteryougetthedimensionstylesrightinadrawing,youcanuseitasatemplateorstartingpointforlaterdrawings.

Adimensionstyle(ordimstyleforshort)isacollectionofdrawingsettingscalleddimensionvariables,whichareaspecialclassofthesystemvariablesthatIdescribeinChapter26.

Youcancreatedimensionstyleswiththeannotativeproperty—thestepstocreatingbothannotativeandnon-annotativedimensionstylesarespelledoutinthefollowingsections.Althoughit’spossibletochangeindividualnon-annotativedimensionstoannotativeintheQuickPropertiesorthePropertiespalettes,it’sfarmoreefficienttoassigntheannotativepropertytoadimensionstylesothatalldimensionscreatedinthatstylewillbeannotative.

BorrowingexistingdimensionstylesIfyou’reluckyenoughtoworkinanofficewheresomeonehassetupdimensionstylesthatareappropriateforyourindustryandproject,youcanskipthepainandstrainofcreatingyourowndimensionstyles.Bearinmind,however,thatsinceannotativeobjectswereintroducedinAutoCAD2008,dimensionstylescopiedfrompre-AutoCAD2008drawingsarenotgoingtobeannotative.Iftheready-madedimensionstylethatyouneedhappenstoliveinanotherdrawing,youcanusetheDesignCenterpalettetocopyitintoyourdrawing.ForarefresheronusingDesignCenter,seethesections“UsingAutoCADDesignCenter”and“Copyinglayersbetweendrawings”inChapter6—justsubstituteDimstyles.

CreatingandmanagingdimensionstylesIfyoudoneedtocreateyourowndimensionstylesoryouwanttotweakonesthatyoucopiedfromanotherdrawing,usetheDimensionStyleManagerdialogbox,asshowninFigure14-4.

Figure14-4:Yetanothermanager,thisonefordimensionstyles.

EverydrawingcomeswithadefaultdimensionstylenamedStandard(forimperial[feet-and-inches]drawings)orISO-25(formetricdrawings).AlthoughyoucanuseandmodifytheStandardorISO-25style,Isuggestthatyouleavethemas-isandcreateyourowndimensionstyle(s)forthesettingsthatareappropriatetoyourwork.Thisapproachensuresthatyoucanusethedefaultstyleasareference.Moreimportant,itavoidsapotentialnamingconflictthatcanchangethewayyourdimensionslookifthecurrentdrawinggetsinsertedintoanotherdrawing.(Chapter17describesthispotentialconflict.)

NewdrawingscreatedinAutoCAD2012orAutoCADLT2012usingeithertheimperialtemplate(acad.dwtoracadlt.dwtinAutoCADLT)orthemetrictemplate(acadiso.dwtoracadltiso.dwtinLT)containtwodimensionstyles.Asnotedpreviously,imperialdrawingshaveastylenamedStandard,andmetricdrawingssportastylenamedISO-25;inaddition,bothhaveastylecalledAnnotative.TheAnnotativestyleisacloneofStandardorISO-25withthesingledifferencebeingthevaluesoftheoverallscalefactor(alsoknownastheDIMSCALEsystemvariable).

Thefollowingstepsdescribehowtocreateyourowndimensionstyle(s):

1.OntheRibbon’sHometab,clickthelabeloftheAnnotationpaneltoopenthepanelslideout,thenclicktheDimensionStylebutton.Alternatively,ifthatjustsoundsliketoomuchwork,youcouldtypeDandpressEnter.TheDimensionStyleManagerdialogboxappears.

2.IntheStyleslist,selecttheexistingdimensionstylewhosesettingsyouwanttouseasthestartingpointforthesettingsofyournewstyle.Forexample,selectthedefaultdimensionstylenamedStandardorISO-25.

3.ClicktheNewbuttontocreateanewdimensionstylethat’sacopyoftheexistingstyle.TheCreateNewDimensionStyledialogboxappears.

4.EnteraNewStyleNameandselectordeselecttheAnnotativecheckbox.ClickContinue.SelecttheAnnotativecheckboxtocreateanannotativedimensionstyle,ordeselectitforanon-annotativestyle.RefertoChapter13formoreaboutannotativeobjects.TheNewDimensionStyledialogboxappears.(ThisdialogboxisvirtuallyidenticaltotheModifyDimensionStyledialogboxshowninFigure14-5inthefollowingsection.)

5.ModifydimensionsettingsonanyoftheseventabsintheNewDimensionStyledialogbox.Seethedescriptionsofthesesettingsinthenextsectionofthischapter.

6.ClickOKtoclosetheNewDimensionStyledialogbox.TheDimensionStyleManagerdialogboxreappears.

7.ClickClose.TheDimensionStyleManagerdialogboxcloses,andyournewdimensionstylebecomesthecurrentdimensionstylethatAutoCADusesforfuturedimensionsinthisdrawing.

8.Drawsomedimensionstotestyournewdimensionstyle.

Avoidchangingexistingdimensionstylesthatyoudidn’tcreateunlessyouknowforsurewhatthey’reusedfor.Whenyouchangeadimensionstylesetting,alldimensionsthatusethatstylechangetoreflecttherevisedsetting.Thus,onesmalldimensionvariablesettingchangecanaffectalargenumberofexistingdimensions!Toplayitsafe,insteadofmodifyinganexistingdimensionstyle,createanewstylebycopyingtheexistingoneandmodifyingthenewone.

Afurthervariationonthealreadyconvoluteddimensionstylespictureisthatyoucancreatedimensionsubstyles(alsocalledstylefamilies)—variationsofamainstylethataffectonlyaparticulartypeofdimension,suchasradialorangular.IfyouopentheDimensionStyleManagerdialogboxandseenamesofdimensiontypesindentedbeneaththemaindimensionstylenames,beawarethatyou’redealingwithsubstyles.

AdjustingstylesettingsAfteryouclickNeworModifyintheDimensionStyleManagerdialogbox,AutoCADdisplaysatabbedNewDimensionStyleorModifyDimensionStyledialogbox(thetwodialogboxesareidenticalexceptforthetitlebar)withamind-boggling—andpotentiallydrawing-bogglingifyou’renotcareful—arrayofsettings.Figure14-5showsthesettingsontheLinestab,whichI’vemodifiedfromtheAutoCADdefaultstoconformtooneoffice’sdraftingstandards.

Figure14-5:ModifyingextensionlinesettingsontheLinestab.

Fortunately,thedimensionpreviewthatappearsonalltabs—aswellasonthemainDimensionStyleManagerdialogbox—immediatelyshowstheresultsofmostsettingchanges.Withthedimensionpreviewandsometrial-and-errorchangingofsettings,youcanusuallyhomeinonanacceptablegroupofsettings.Formoreinformation,usethedialogboxhelpfeature:Justhoveryourmousepointeroverthesettingthatyouwanttoknowmoreabout.

Beforeyoustartmessingwithdimensionstylesettings,it’simportanttoknowwhatyouwantyourdimensionstolooklikewhenthey’replotted.Ifyou’renotsurehowit’sdoneinyourindustry,askothersinyourofficeorprofession,orlookataplotteddrawingthatsomeoneintheknowrepresentsasbeingagoodexample.

ThefollowingsectionsintroduceyoutothemoreimportanttabsintheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogboxesandhighlightusefulsettings.Notethatwheneveryouspecifyadistanceorlengthsetting,youshouldenterthedesiredplottedsize.Fordimensionscreatedwithannotativestyles,thesearetheactualpaper(plotted)sizes.Fordimensionswithnon-annotativestyles,AutoCADscalesallthesenumbersbytheoverallscalefactorthatyouenterontheFittab.

Followinglinesandarrows

ThesettingsontheLinestabandtheSymbolsandArrowstabcontrolthebasiclookandfeelofallpartsofyourdimensionsexcepttext.Usethesetabstochangethetypeandsizeofarrowheadsorthedisplaycharacteristicsofthedimensionandextensionlines.

Tabbingtotext

UsetheTexttabtocontrolhowyourdimensiontextlooks—thetextstyleandheighttouse(seeChapter13)andwheretoplacethetextwithrespecttothedimensionandextensionlines.YoumaywanttochangetheTextStylesettingfromthedefaultArialTrueTypefonttothemoretraditionalRomans.shxfont.ThedefaultTextHeightistoolargeformostsituations—setitto1/8",3mm,oranotherheightthatmakessense.Figure14-6showsonecompany’sstandardtextsettings.

Figure14-6:Whipyourdimensiontextintoshape.

Ifyou’renotopposedtodefacingbooks,getoutabrightredmarkerandputacirclearoundthiswarning(unlessyouborrowedthebookfromthelibrary,ofcourse).Heregoes:Youmustdefinethetextstylethatyouspecifyforadimensionstylewithaheightof0intheTextStyledialogbox.(SeeChapter13formoreinformationaboutvariable-heightandfixed-heighttextstyles.)Ifyouspecifyafixed-heighttextstyleforadimensionstyle,thetextstyle’sheightwilloverridetheTextHeightsettingintheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogboxes.Useazero-heightstyletoavoidtheproblem—andbearinmindthatusingnonzero-heighttextstylesindimensionsisoneofthemostcommonmistakesmadebynewAutoCADusers.

Industryorcompanystandardsusuallydictatethesizeofdimensiontext.

(Forexample,1/8"or3mmiscommoninthearchitecturalindustry.)Inanycase,makesureyoupickaheightthat’snottoosmalltoreadonyoursmallestcheckplot.

TheTexttabintheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogboxsportsaViewDirectionoption.WhensettoLeft-to-Right,horizontaldimensiontextreadsright-way-up,andverticaltextreadsfromtherightsideofthedrawing.Thisisnearlyalwayswhatyouwant,butoccasionallyyoumightneedtorotateanentiredrawingviewby90degreessoitfitsyourdrawingsheet(maybeyoudrawelevatorshafts?),andatsuchtimes,someofyourdimensiontextmayreadthewrongwayaround.YoucancreateawholeAutoCADdimensionstyleforthis,andyoucanalsomodifytheviewdirectionofindividualdimensionsinthePropertiespalette(seeChapter6formoreonobjectproperties).

Gettingfit

TheFittabincludesabunchofconfusingoptionsthatcontrolwhenandwhereAutoCADshovesthedimensiontextifitdoesn’tquitefitbetweenthedimensionlines.ThedefaultsettingsleaveAutoCADin“maximumattemptatbeinghelpful”mode—thatis,AutoCADmovesthetext,dimensionlines,andarrowsaroundautomaticallysothatthingsdon’toverlap.Iftheseguessesseemlessthansatisfactorytoyou,trythemodifiedsettingsshowninFigure14-7:SelecttheOverDimensionLine,WithoutLeaderradiobuttonunderTextPlacementandtheDrawDimLinebetweenExtLinescheckboxunderFineTuning.(Youcanalwaysmovethetextyourselfbygrip-editingit,asIdescribeinthesection“Editingdimensiongeometry,”laterinthischapter.)

Evenatitsmosthelpful,AutoCADsometimesmakesabadfirstguessabouthowyouwantyourdimensiontextandarrowsarranged.Ifyou’rehavingproblemsgettingthelookyouwant,don’tflipyourwig—flipyourarrowstotheothersideofthedimensionlinesbyselectingthedimension,andchoosingFlipArrowfromthemultifunctiongriponthearrow.

Mostimportant,theFittabincludestheAnnotativecheckbox,asshowninFigure14-7.Usingannotativedimensions,asIrecommendinthischapter,willmakeyourdimensioninggoalotmoresmoothly!

Justaswithtext,asIexplaininChapter13,youcanchooseoneofthreedifferentmethodsfordimensioningyourdrawings:

Youcandimensioninmodelspaceusingannotativedimensions.Assignannotationscalestothedimensions,andtheychangesizeasyouchangeAnnotationscalesonthestatusbar.Ithinkthissystemhasthemosttoofferbothnewandexperiencedusers.

Figure14-7:KeepFitanddon’tforgettheAnnotativesetting.

Youcandimensioninmodelspaceusingnon-annotativedimensions.Ifyourdrawingincludesareasofdifferentscales,youcancreatemultipledimensionstyles,oneforeachscale.Thisisprobablytheleastconvenient—althoughthelongestestablished—method,especiallyinadrawingwithmultiplescaleviews.

Youcandimensioninpaperspaceusingeitherannotativeornon-annotativedimensions.SelecttheScaleDimensionstoLayoutradiobuttonontheDimensionStyleManager’sFittabanddrawdimensionsinapaperspacelayout.

Irecommendthatyougetcomfortablewithannotativedimensioninginmodelspacefirst.Lateron,ifyouwanttotrydimensioninginpaperspace,lookintheAutoCADhelpsystem:FromtheExchangewindow’sHelppage,chooseUser’sGuide⇒AnnotateDrawings⇒DimensionsandTolerances⇒UseDimensionStyles⇒SettheScaleforDimensions.Asforold-style(thatis,non-annotative)dimensioning,it’sstillpartoftheprogram,andmanyofficeswillprobablykeepdoingitthatwayforawhiletocome.

TheUseOverallScaleOfsettingcorrespondstotheDIMSCALEsystemvariable,andyou’llhearAutoCADdraftersrefertoitassuch.WheneitherScaleDimensionstoLayout(forpaperspacelayoutdimensioning)orAnnotative(forrescalablemodelspacedimensioning)isselected,DIMSCALEisautomaticallysetto0.Formoreinformationaboutadditionaldimension-scaleoptions,lookuptheDIMSCALEsystemvariableintheAutoCADhelpsystem.

Usingprimaryunits

ThePrimaryUnitstabgivesyouhighlydetailedcontroloverhowAutoCADformatsthecharactersinthedimensiontextstring.YouusuallywanttosettheUnitformatandPrecisionandmaybespecifyasuffixforunitlessnumbersifit’snotclearfromyourdrawingwhatunitsyou’reusing.YoumayalsochangetheZeroSuppressionsettings,dependingonwhetheryouwantdimensiontexttoread0.5000,.5000,or0.5.(“ZeroSuppression!”alsomakesagreatrallyingcryfororganizingyourfellowAutoCADdrafters.)

AutoCAD2010introducedaninterestingtweaktodimensiontext:Dimensionsubunits.Ifthemainunitofmeasureonyourdrawingismeters,ratherthanhaveabunchofsmallerdistancesdimensionedas,say,0.450,youcouldcreateacentimetersubunitsothatanydimensionoflessthan1meterwouldbeshownincentimeters.Now,ineveryofficeI’veeverworkedin,there’saverystrictdraftingstandardthatsaysthatalldimensionsonadrawingmustbeinthesameunits—inotherwords,inadrawingwith

metersasthedimensionunit,0.45wouldbecorrect,and45cmwouldbeincorrect.Checkyourownofficestandardsbeforeyouincorporatethisfeature,whichyoucanfindonthePrimaryUnitstaboftheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogbox.

Otherstylesettings

Ifyourworkrequiresthatyoushowdimensionsintwodifferentsystemsofmeasure(suchasinchesandmillimeters),usetheAlternateUnitstabtoturnonandcontrolalternateunits.Ifyourworkrequireslistingconstructiontolerances(forexample,3.5+/–0.01),usetheTolerancestabtoconfigurethetoleranceformatthatyouwant.Unlikesubunits(describedintheprecedingparagraph),alternateunitsdisplaybothdimensionsatonce;subunitsreplacesoneunit(say,meters),withanotherunit(say,centimeters).

TheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogboxTolerancestabsettingsareforaddingmanufacturingtolerances(forexample,+0.2or-0.1)tothetextofordinarydimensions—thekindofdimensionsIcoverinthischapter.AutoCADalsoincludesaseparateTOLERANCEcommandthatdrawsspecialsymbolscalledgeometrictolerances.Ifyouneedthesesymbols,youprobablyknowit;ifyou’veneverheardofthem,justignorethem.LookupGeometricTolerancedialogboxintheAutoCADhelpsystemformoreinformation.

DrawingDimensionsWhew!Thehardpartisgettingittolookright.Afteryou’vecopiedorcreatedasuitabledimensionstyle,you’rereadytodimension.Fortunately,addingdimensionstoadrawingwithexistingdimensionstylesisusuallyprettystraightforward.

WhenyouwanttodimensionsomethinginAutoCAD,youcaneitherselecttheobject,suchasalineorpolylinesegment,orselectpointsonthatobject,suchastheendpointsofthelineorpolylinesegment.Ifyouselectanobject,AutoCADfindsthemostobviouspointsonittodimension,suchastheendpointsofaline.Ifyouchoosetoselectindividualpointsinstead,useobjectsnaps(seeChapter7).Whenyouchangethesizeoftheobject(forexample,bystretchingit),AutoCADautomaticallymovesthedimension’soriginpointsandupdatesthedimensiontexttoshowthenewlength.

Ifyoudon’tuseobjectsnapsoranotherAutoCADprecisiontechniquetochoosedimensionpoints,thedimensiontextprobablywon’treflecttheprecisemeasurementoftheobject.Thislackofprecisioncancauseseriousproblems.Whenindoubt,OSNAPtoit!

Whenyousetupanewdrawingandyouwanttouseannotativedimensions,makesuretheAnnotativeboxisselectedontheFittabintheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogbox(refertoFigure14-7).Foranewdrawingwithnon-annotativedimensions,changetheUseOverallScaleOfsettingontheFittabsothatitmatchesthedrawingscalefactor.Beforeyoudrawanydimensionsinadrawingthatyoudidn’tsetup,checkthissettingtomakesureit’scorrect.

TheAutoCADdimensioningcommandspromptyouwithusefulinformationatthecommandlineordynamic-inputprompts.Readthepromptsduringeverystepofthecommand,especiallywhenyou’retryingadimensioningcommandforthefirsttime.

Liningupsomelineardimensions

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd14.zip.Thedrawingnamedafd14a.dwgcontainsthemechanicalpartshowninFigure14-1.

Lineardimensionsarethemostcommontypeofdimensions,andhorizontalandverticalarethemostcommonofthose.Thefollowingexampledemonstratesalltheimportanttechniquesforcreatinghorizontalandverticallineardimensions,aswellasaligneddimensions(whicharesimilartolineardimensions):

1.UsetheLINEcommandtodrawanon-orthogonalline—thatis,alinesegmentthat’snothorizontalorvertical.Anangleofabout30degreesworkswellforthisexample.Ifyouwanttoapplydimensioningtoanobjectotherthanaline,usethesestepsasageneralguideline,fillingintheappropriatecommandsanddataasapplicabletoyourdrawing.

2.Setalayerthat’sappropriatefordimensionsascurrent.Justaswithtext,it’sagoodideatohaveadedicatedlayerfordimensionsin

everydrawing.SeeChapter6fordetailsonsettingalayerascurrent.3.Setadimensionstylethat’sappropriateforyourneedsascurrent.ChooseanexistingdimensionstylefromtheDimensionStyledrop-downlistontheAnnotationpanelslideoutontheRibbon’sHometab,orcreateanewstylebyusingtheprocedureinthesection“Creatingandmanagingdimensionstyles,”earlierinthischapter.

4.OntheAnnotatetab’sDimensionspanel,clickthelowerhalfoftheDimensionsplitbuttonandchooseLinear,ortypeDLIandpressEnter.AutoCADpromptsyou:

Specifyfirstextensionlineoriginor<selectobject>:

5.Tospecifytheoriginofthefirstextensionline,snaptothelower-leftendpointofthelinebyusingendpointobjectsnap.Ifyoudon’thaveendpointasoneofyourcurrentrunningobjectsnaps,specifyasingleendpointobjectsnapbyholdingdowntheShiftkey,right-clicking,andchoosingEndpointfromthemenu.(SeeChapter7formoreaboutobjectsnaps.)AutoCADpromptsyou:

Specifysecondextensionlineorigin:6.Tospecifytheoriginofthesecondextensionline,snaptotheotherendpointofthelinebyusingendpointobjectsnapagain.AutoCADdrawsahorizontaldimension—thelengthofthedisplacementintheleft-to-rightdirection—ifyoumovethecrosshairsaboveorbelowtheline.Itdrawsaverticaldimension—thelengthofthedisplacementintheup-and-downdirection—ifyoumovethecrosshairstotheleftorrightoftheline.AutoCADpromptsyou:

Specifydimensionlinelocationor[Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]:

7.Movethemousetogeneratethetypeofdimensionyouwant,horizontalorvertical,andthenclickwhereveryouwanttoplacethedimensionline.AutoCADdrawsthedimension.

Whenyou’respecifyingthedimensionlinelocation,youusuallydon’twanttoobjectsnaptoexistingobjects—youwantthedimensionlineandtexttositinarelativelyemptypartofthedrawingratherthanhaveitbumpintoexistingobjects.Ifnecessary,temporarilyturnoffrunningobjectsnap(forexample,clicktheOSNAPbuttononthestatusbar)inordertoavoidsnappingthedimensionlinetoanexistingobject.

Ifyouwanttobeabletoalignsubsequentdimensionlineseasily,turnonSnapModeandsetasuitablesnapspacing—moreeasilydonethansaid!—beforeyoupickthepointthatdeterminesthelocationofthedimensionline.SeeChapter4formoreinformationaboutSnapMode.

8.RepeatSteps4through7tocreateanotherlineardimensionoftheoppositeorientation(verticalorhorizontal).

9.OntheAnnotatetab’sDimensionspanel,clickthelowerhalfoftheDimensionsplitbuttonandchooseAlignedfromthedrop-downmenu,ortypeDALandpressEnter.Thepromptincludesanoptiontoselectanobjectinsteadofpickingtwopoints(youcanusethistechniquewiththeLinearDimensioncommand,too):

Specifyfirstextensionlineoriginor<selectobject>:

10.PressEntertochoosetheSelectObjectoption.AutoCADpromptsyou:

Selectobjecttodimension:11.Selectthelineorotherobjectthatyouwanttodimension.AutoCADautomaticallyfindstheendpointsofthelineandusesthemastheextensionline’soriginpoints(thatis,thedefpoints),asshowninFigure14-8.(ThebrokenextensionlineiscreatedwiththeDIMBREAKcommand,whichIdescribeinthesection“Morefinetweaking,”laterinthischapter.)

Figure14-8:Drawinganaligneddimensionbyselectinganobject.

AutoCADpromptsyou:

Specifydimensionlinelocationor[Mtext/Text/Angle]:

12.Clickwhereveryouwanttoplacethedimensionline.AutoCADdrawsthedimension.

MakingdimensionsannotativeIfyou’vecreatedyourdimensionsusinganannotativestyle,youcansetthemupsothattheychangetotheappropriateplotted(paper)sizewhenyouchangethedrawing’sannotationscale.Theprocessisthesamefordimensionsasitisfortext(coveredinChapter13)orforhatching(coveredinChapter15).RefertoChapter13fordetails.

DrawingotherkindsofdimensionsAfteryouhavethehangofordinarylineardimensions,youshouldbeabletomasterothercommondimensiontypesquickly.Drawsomelines,arcs,andcirclesandtrytheotherdimensioncommandsontheHometab’sAnnotationpanelorthefullersetontheAnnotatetab’sDimensionspanel.You’llfindmoredimensioncommandsontheDimensiontoolbar(see“Findingyourdimensiontools,”earlierinthischapter,forinstructionsonloadingit).

Ifyouwanttobesuper-efficient,learnthethree-letteraliasesforthedimensioncommandsyouusethemost.

Todrawaseriesofside-by-sidedimensionswhosedimensionlinesareperfectlyaligned,usetheDIMCONTINUEcommand.Todrawanoveralldimensionaboveoneormoresmallerdimensions,useDIMBASELINE.Todrawadimensionthatdoesnotshowtheactualmeasureddistancethat’sindicatedbythedimensionvalue,useDIMJOGLINE.SeeFigure14-9forexamplesoftheseandotherdimensiontypes.

TheQDIM(QuickDIMension)commandprovidesaquickwaytodrawlotsofdimensionsthat,whennecessary,canformatthemselvesautomaticallyintocontinuedandbaselinedimensionsinonefellswoop.YoucanfindQDIMontheAnnotatetab’sDimensionspanelinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT.

EditingDimensionsAfteryoudrawdimensions,youcaneditthepositionofthevariouspartsofeachdimensionandchangethecontentsofthedimensiontext.AutoCADgroupsallthepartsofadimensionintoasingleobject.

Figure14-9:Examplesofadditionaldimensioningcommands.

EditingdimensiongeometryTheeasiestwaytochangethelocationofdimensionpartsistousegripediting,whichIdescribeinChapter10.Justclickadimension,clickoneofitsgrips,andmaneuveraway.You’lldiscoverthatcertaingripscontrolcertaindirectionsofmovement.Ingeneral,selectingadimensiondisplaysgripsatthetext,theendsofthedimensionlines,andthedefpoints.Experimentforafewminutestoseehowtheywork.

InAutoCAD2012,dimensionsjointhegroupofobjectsthatfeaturemulti-functiongrips.Clickthetextgriponalineardimensionandusethegripmenutoadjustthetextlocation.Clickanarrowgripandyoucancreateacontinuousorbaselinedimensionfromthatendofthedimension,oryoucanflipthearrow.YoucandothesethingsbyselectingadimensionandchangingitemsinthePropertiespalette,butthemulti-functiongripsmakeita

lotmoreefficient.

Ifyouwanttochangethelookofacomponentofaspecific,individualdimension(forexample,substituteadifferentarrowheadorsuppressanextensionline),usethePropertiespalette.(SeeChapter11formoreonthePropertiespalette.)AllthedimensionsettingsintheNew/ModifyDimensionStyledialogboxes(see“Adjustingstylesettings,”earlierinthischapter)areavailableinthePropertiespalettewhenyouselectoneormoredimensions.

Morefinetweaking

Inmanualdrafting,it’sconsideredbadformtocrossobjectlines(thatis,realgeometry)withdimensionlinesorextensionlines.DimensionBreak(DIMBREAK)promptsyoutoselectadimensionandthenanobjecttobreakit.InFigure14-8,earlierinthischapter,therightextensionlineofthe3.50horizontaldimensionisbrokenbythelowerextensionlineofthe1.50verticaldimension.

TheDimensionSpace(DIMSPACE)commandappliesaspecifiedseparationbetweenexistinglinearorangulardimensions.Spacingdimensionsequally—ifyoudon’tusetheDIMBASELINEcommandasthey’recreated—requirestediousmanipulationwithSnapandMOVE.

Ifyouselectoneormoredimensionsandright-click,themenudisplaysanumberofusefuloptionsforoverridingdimensionsettingsorassigningadifferentstyle.

WhenyouchangeasettinginthePropertiespalette,you’reoverridingthedefaultstylesettingforthatdimension.Ifyouneedtomakethesamechangetoabunchofdimensions,it’susuallybettertocreateanewdimensionstyleandassignthatstyletothem.YoucanusethePropertiespaletteortheright-clickmenutochangethedimensionstylethat’sassignedtooneormoredimensions.

YoucanusethePropertiespalettetoturnonAutoCAD’sbackgroundmaskfeature(describedinChapter13)forthetextofindividualdimensions:Selectthedimensions,displaytheTextareainthePropertiespalette,andfindtheFillColoritem.Clickinthelistbox,scrolldown,andselectBackgroundtousethedrawingbackgroundcolor(whichusuallygivesthebestresults).Toensurethatdimensiontextliesontopofotherobjects,usetheDRAWORDERorTEXTTOFRONTcommand—seeChapter13formoreinformation.

TheAutoCADEXPLODEcommandontheHometab’sModifypanelwillblowadimensiontosmithereens—oratleastintoabunchoflineandmultilinetextobjects.Don’tdoit!ExplodingadimensionmakesitmuchhardertoeditcleanlyandeliminatesAutoCAD’sabilitytoupdatethedimensiontextmeasurementautomatically.

EditingdimensiontextInmostcases,youshouldn’thavetoeditdimensiontext.Assumingthatyoudrawyourgeometryaccuratelyandpickthedimensionpointsprecisely,AutoCADdisplaystherightmeasurement.Ifyouchangethesizeoftheassociatedobject,AutoCADupdatesthedimensionanditsmeasurement.However,youmayoccasionallywanttooverridethedimensiontext(thatis,replaceitwithadifferentmeasurement)oraddaprefixorasuffixtothetruemeasurement.

AutoCADcreatesdimensiontextasmultilinetext,sodimensiontexthasthesameeditingoptionsasordinarytext.Unfortunately,theright-clickmenufordimensionobjectsdoesn’tincludeaTextEditoption.YoucanusetheTextOverridefieldinthePropertiespaletteortypeED(thekeyboardshortcutfortheDDEDITcommand)toeditdimensiontextintheIn-PlaceTextEditor.

AutoCADdisplaysthetruedimensionlengthastextintheactualdimension(andkeepsthetextuptodateifyouchangethesizeorlocationoftheobject).Youcanoverridethetruelengthbytypingaspecificlengthorothertextstring.Youcanpreservethetruelengthbutaddaprefixorsuffixbyinserting<>(thatis,theleftandrightangle-bracketcharacters)asplaceholdersforthedimensionvalue.Forexample,ifyouenter<>Max.,andtheactualdistanceis12.00,AutoCADdisplays12.00Max.forthedimensiontext.Ifyoustretchtheobjectlateronsotheactualdistancechangesto14.50,AutoCADchangesthedimensiontextautomaticallytoread14.50Max.Nowyoucanappreciatetheimportanceofdrawingandeditinggeometryprecisely!

Avoidthetemptationtooverridethedefaultdimensiontextbyreplacingtheangledbracketswithanumericvalue.DoingsoeliminatesAutoCAD’sabilitytokeepdimensionmeasurementscurrent,butevenworse,yougetnovisualcuethatthedefaultdistancehasbeenoverridden(unlessyoueditthedimensiontext).Ifyou’reoverridingdimensiontextalot,it’sprobablyasignthatthecreatorofthedrawingdidn’tpayenoughattentiontousingprecisiontechniqueswhendrawingandediting.I’mnotgoingtopointanyfingers,but

youprobablyknowwhomtotalkto.

ControllingandeditingdimensionassociativityWhenyouadddimensionsbyselectingobjectsorbyusingObjectSnapmodestopickpointsontheobjects,AutoCADnormallycreatesassociativedimensions,whichareconnectedtotheobjectsandmovewiththem.ThisisthecaseinnewdrawingsthatwereoriginallycreatedinanyreleaseofAutoCADstartingwith2002.

IfyouhavetoworkondrawingscreatedorlasteditedinversionsolderthanAutoCAD2002,youmustsettheDIMASSOCsystemvariableto2beforeAutoCAD2012willcreateassociativedimensions.AneasywaytomakethischangeforthecurrentdrawingistoopentheOptionsdialogbox(clicktheApplicationbuttonandchooseOptionsfromthebottomoftheApplicationMenu),clicktheUserPreferencestab,andturnontheMakeNewDimensionsAssociativesetting.Beawarethatthissettingaffectsonlynewdimensionsthatyoudrawfromnowon—tomakeexistingnon-associativedimensionsassociative,usetheDIMREASSOCIATEcommanddescribedinthefollowinglist.LookupDIMASSOCsystemvariableintheAutoCADhelpsystemformoreinformation.

Youaren’tlikelytoneedanyofthesethreecommandsveryoften,butifyoudo,lookupthecommandnameintheonlinehelpsystem:

DIMREASSOCIATE:Ifyouhavedimensionsthataren’tcurrentlyassociative(probablybecausetheywerecreatedinolderversionsofAutoCAD)orareassociatedwiththewrongobjects,youcanusetheDIMREASSOCIATEcommandtoassociatethemwithpointsontheobjectsofyourchoice.DIMREASSOCIATEcanbefoundontheAnnotatetab’sDimensionspanelslideout,oryoucanjusttypeDREandpressEnter.

DIMDISASSOCIATE:YoucanusetheDIMDISASSOCIATE(DDA)commandtosevertheconnectionbetweenadimensionanditsassociatedobject.

DIMREGEN:Inafewspecialcircumstances,AutoCADdoesn’tautomaticallyupdategeometry-drivenassociativedimensions.(MaybeAutodeskshouldcallthem“usually-fully-awake-but-occasionally-asleep-at-the-wheelassociativedimensions.”)Inthosecases,theDIMREGEN(nocommandalias)commandwillfixthings.

Chapter15

DowntheHatch

InThisChapterAddinghatchingtoyourdrawings

Copyingexistinghatches

Usingpredefinedanduser-definedhatchpatterns

Makingsolidandgradientfills

Usingannotativehatching

Choosinghatchingboundaries

Editinghatches

Ifyouwerehopingtohatchaplot(orplotahatch),seeChapter16instead.Ifyouwanttohatchanegg,lookforRaisingChickensForDummies,byKimberlyWillisandRobertT.Ludlow(WileyPublishing,Inc.).Ifyouneedtofillinclosedareasofyourdrawingswithspecialpatternsoflinesorsolidfills(knownashatching),thisisyourchapter.

Draftersoftenusehatchingtorepresentthetypeofmaterialthatmakesupanobject,suchasinsulation,metal,concrete,andsoon.Inothercases,hatchinghelpsemphasizeorclarifytheextentofaparticularelementinthedrawing—forexample,showingthelocationofwallsinabuildingplanorhighlightingaswampyareaonamapsoyouknowwheretoavoidbuildingaroad.Figure15-1showsanexampleofhatchinginastructuraldetail.

AsImentioninChapter13,hatchingisanothercomponentofAutoCAD’sannotativeobjects.Hatchpatternshaveascalefactor(asIexplaininthe“Gettingitright:Hatchangleandscale”section,laterinthischapter)andcanbecreatedsothatthehatchscaleupdatesastheannotationscalechanges.

Figure15-1:Abigbatcho’hatch.

AnAutoCADhatchisaseparateobjectthatfillsaspace,hasanappearancedictatedbythehatchpatternassignedtoit,andbydefaultisassociatedwiththeobjectsthatboundthespace,suchaslines,polylines,orarcs.Ifyoumoveorstretchtheboundaries,AutoCADnormallyupdatesthehatchingtofilltheresizedarea.

Hatchpatternsaredefinedbyexternalfilesnamedacad.patoracadlt.pat(imperialunits),oracadiso.patoracadltiso.pat(metricunits).EachfileincludesdefinitionsforeightANSIhatchpatterns(mostlyvariationsondiagonallines),14ISOpatterns,and50otherpredefinedpatterns.(IrecommendyouavoidtheISOpatternsforthesamereasonasIsuggestedyoustayclearofISOlinetypesinChapter6.)Youcancreateyourownhatchpatterns—theonlinehelpsystem’sCustomizationGuideexplainshow—oryoucanbuylibrariesofcustomhatchpatterns.Anypatternsnotdefinedin

acad.patoracadiso.patarereferredtoascustompatterns.

HatchinginAutoCADhasprogresseddramaticallyoverthelasthalf-dozenreleases.We’vegonefromakeyboard-onlycommand,throughseveraldifferentiterationsoftheHatchdialogbox,to(whatelse?)acontextualRibbontabforhatching.AmongtheothermorerecentHatchimprovementsIdescribeinthischapterare

Hatchpreview:StarttheHATCHcommandandmoveyourmousepointeroverthedrawing.AutoCADpresentsapreviewofthecurrenthatchpatternasyoumoveovereachclosedarea.

Hatchproperties:Hatches—evensolidhatches—canbetransparent,andallhatchobjectscanhaveaseparatebackgroundcolor.

SendHatchestoBack:ThisvariantoftheDRAWORDERcommandletsyougathereveryhatchobjectinyourdrawingandsendthemallbehindotherdrawingobjects.

Mirroredhatches:Anewsystemvariable(MIRRHATCH)letsyoumirrordrawinggeometrythatincludeshatcheswithoutmirroringthehatchangle.

Don’tgooverboardwithhatching.Thepurposeofhatchingistoclarify,notoverwhelm,theothergeometryinthedrawing.Ifyourplotslooklikeapatchworkquiltofhatchpatterns,it’stimetosimplify.

Hatchingisanotherkindofannotationofyourgeometry,similarinpurposetotextanddimensions.AsIdescribeatthebeginningofChapter13,you’llusuallybemoreefficientifyousaveannotationforlaterinthedraftingprocess.Drawasmuchgeometryaspossiblefirst,andthenhatchthepartsthatrequireit.Inotherwords,batchyourhatch.

BattenDowntheHatches!ThissectionoutlinesthestepsyouusetoaddhatchingtoadrawingwiththeHatchCreationcontextualRibbontab,asshowninFigure15-2.Youcanusethisinformationtogetstartedquicklywithhatching.Whenyouneedmoreinformationaboutanypartoftheprocess,jumptotherelevantsectionsof“PushingtheBoundary(of)Hatch,”laterinthischapter.

Figure15-2:TheHatchCreationcontextualRibbontab.

Thefollowingstepsshowyouhowtohatchanenclosedareabyusingthe“pickpoints”methodofselectingthehatcharea:

1.Openadrawingcontaininggeometrythatformsfullyclosedboundaries,ordrawsomeboundariesbyusingthedrawingcommandsdescribedinChapters8and9.Theareasyouwanttohatchshouldbecompletelyenclosed.TheCIRCLE,POLYGON,andRECTANGcommands,andtheLINEandPLINEcommandswiththeCloseoption,makegreathatchboundaries(seeChapters8and9fordetails).

2.StarttheHATCHcommandbytypingHandpressingEnter.Alternatively,clicktheHatchbuttonontheDrawpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab.TheHatchCreationcontextualRibbontab(asseeninFigure15-2)appears.

3.SelectanypredefinedhatchpatternonthePatternpanel.Alternatively,youcanclicktheHatchTypebuttonatthetopleftofthePropertiespanelandchooseCustomorUserDefined.IfyouchooseUserDefined,youdon’tneedtochooseapattern.(YoucanalsochooseUserfromtheendofthePatternpaneldrop-downmenu.)Custompatternsappearafterthepredefinedpatterns;ifyoudon’thaveanycustompatternsonyoursystem,ZIGZAGwillbethelastpredefinedonelisted,justbeforeUser.

4.SpecifyanAngleandScaleforthehatchpattern.(Or,ifyouchoseUserDefinedinStep3,specifyAngleandSpacing.)Seethesection,“Gettingitright:Hatchangleandscale,”laterinthischapter,formoreinformation.

5.Selecthatchoptionsasrequired.Forthisexample,leavetheAnnotativebuttonunselected.Tryittheold-fashionedwayfirstandthenhavealookatthe“Hatchingforthe21stcentury”sectionlaterinthechapter.

Don’tconfuseAnnotativewithAssociative,eventhoughbotharepolysyllabicwordsthatstartwithAandarerightnexttooneanotherintheHatchCreationtab’sOptionspanel.Annotativehatchobjectsrescale

themselveswhenyouchangetheannotationscaleinmodelspaceorinaviewport.Associativehatchobjects(enabledbydefault)updatetothenewareawhenyouchangethehatchboundary.Bydefault,whenyouselectanumberofclosedareasandthenpressEnter,thehatchedareaswillbecreatedasasingleobject;chooseCreateSeparateHatchesontheOptionsslideoutpanelifyouwanttobeabletomodifyeachhatchedareaindividually.SettheDrawOrderdrop-downlisttospecifywhetherthehatchobjectsareinfrontoforbehindthehatchboundaryorotherdrawingobjects(seeFigure15-3).

6.Movethecrosshairsovertheareayouwanthatched.Asyoumovethecrosshairsoverthedrawing,thehatchpatternandotheroptionsyouchoseintheprecedingstepsaredisplayedovereveryclosedareawherethecrosshairspause.Thefollowingpromptappearsatthecommandline:

Pickinternalpointor[Selectobjects/seTtings]:7.Pickapointinsidetheboundaryoftheareayouwanttohatch.AutoCADanalyzesthedrawingandhighlightstheboundarythatitfinds.

8.Right-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseEnterfromthemenutoindicatethatyou’refinishedselectingpoints.AutoCADhatchestheareainsidetheboundary.

Figure15-3:Hatchoptionsforeveryoccasion.

AutoCADisstillreluctanttohatchsupposedlyclosedareaswhereevenaspeckofdaylightgetsthrough,butAutoCAD2012atleastshowsyouwhereyouneedtofixaleakyboundary.TheHatchroutinedisplaysoneormoreredcirclesatgapsinthenot-quite-enclosedareayouwanttohatch.Evenifitwon’tfixthegaps,itdoesshowyouwhereyoushouldfixthem.

PushingtheBoundary(of)HatchTheremainderofthischaptershowsyouhowtorefinethetechniquespresentedintheprecedingsection.Idescribehowtocopyexistinghatching,takeadvantageofthevariousoptionsintheHatchandGradientdialogbox(whichoffersabitmorecontrolthantheHatchCreationcontextualtab),andchoosemorecomplicatedhatchingboundaries.

Catchahatch:CopyinghatchpropertiesOneslickwaytohatch isbyusing theMatchPropertiesbuttonon theOptionspanelof theHatchCreationtab,ortheInheritPropertiesbuttonintheHatchandGradientdialogbox,tocopyhatchpropertiesfromanexistinghatchobject.Thinkofitaspoint-and-shoothatching.Ifsomeone—suchasyou—addedsomehatchinginthepastthat’sjustlikewhatyouwanttouse now, click the Inherit Properties or Match Properties button and pick the existinghatching.

Inherit Properties (Match Properties) updates the hatch pattern settings in the Hatch andGradient dialog box to make them the same as the existing hatch pattern object that youpicked.Youcanuse theclonedhatchpatternspecificationsas theyareormodify thembymakingchangesintheHatchandGradientdialogbox.

Consistencyisagoodthingindrafting,especiallyincomputer-aideddrafting,inwhichsomeorallyourdrawingmaybeusedforalongtime.Thus,it’sgoodtousethesamehatchpatterns,scales,andanglesforthesamepurposesinallyourdrawings.Findoutwhetheryourproject,office,company,orprofessionhashatchingstandardsthatapplytoyourwork.

HatchfromscratchAnalternativetotheRibbonistheHatchandGradientdialogboxasshowninFigure15-4.Youdon’tseeyourhatchobjectupdatingasyouchangesettingsthewayyoudowiththeRibbon,butyoudohaveabitmorecontroloverwhatyou’regoingtoendupwith.TodisplaytheHatchandGradientdialogbox,clickthedialogboxlauncher(theteenyarrowattherightendoftheOptionspaneloftheRibbon’sHatchCreationtab).

Figure15-4:TheHatchtaboftheexpandedHatchandGradientdialogbox.

Youcanusepredefined,user-defined,orcustomhatchpatterns.Mostofthetime,you’llchooseeitherpredefinedoruser-definedhatchpatterns,unlesssomegeneroussoulgivesyouacustompattern.

Bydefault,therightthirdoftheHatchandGradientdialogboxishidden;toseetheadditionalhatchoptionsattherightsideofthedialogbox,asshowninFigure15-4,clicktheMoreOptionsarrowbesidetheHelpbutton.

Pickapattern,anypattern:Predefinedhatchpatterns

TouseAutoCAD’spredefinedhatchpatterns,selectPredefinedfromtheTypedrop-downlistatthetopoftheHatchtabintheHatchandGradientdialogbox.Thisselectionsetsthestageforchoosingthehatchpattern.

Youspecifyapredefinedhatchpatterninoneoftwoways:

Patterndrop-downlist:Ifyouknowthenameofthehatchpattern,selectitfromthePatterndrop-downlist.Thelistisalphabetical,exceptthatSOLID(thatis,asolidfill)isattheverybeginning.

Patternbutton:Ifyoudon’tknowthepattern’snameorifyoupreferthevisualapproach,clickthePatternbutton(thetinybuttonwiththeellipsis[threedots]totherightofthePatterndrop-downlistandpatternname)todisplaytheHatchPatternPalettewithpatternpreviewsandnames.

Figure15-5showsthesomeoftheOtherPredefinedhatchpatterns,whichcovereverythingfromEarthtoEschertoStars.

Figure15-5:Plentyofhatchpatterns.

Afteryou’veselectedapattern,specifyangleandscale,asIdescribeinthe

section,“Gettingitright:Hatchangleandscale,”laterinthischapter.

Althoughyoumaynotguessit,AutoCADtreatsfillinganareawithasolidcolorasatypeofhatching.SimplychooseSOLIDfromthetopofthePatterndrop-downlist.

Likeanyotherobject,asolidhatchtakesonthecurrentobjectcolor—orthecurrentlayer’scolorifyouleavecolorsettoByLayer.Therefore,checkwhetherthecurrentobjectlayerandcoloraresetappropriatelybeforeyouusetheSolidhatchingoption(seeChapter6fordetails).

AutoCAD’stransparencyobjectpropertyisprobablymostuseful(in2Danyway)whenappliedtosolidhatches.Youcanusetransparentsolidhatchestodemarcateareasonarchitecturalfloorplansoraerialphotographsofprojectsites.InadditiontothesettingsIlistintheprecedingparagraph,makesurethecurrentobjectorlayertransparencyissetcorrectlytoo.

It’suptoyou:User-definedhatches

Auser-definedhatchpatternmakesahatchpatternoutofparallellines.Usethisoptiontocreateasimplepatternandspecifythespacebetweenthelinesinpaperunitsforannotativehatchesordrawingunitsfornon-annotativehatches.Forexample,youcanhatchawallinabuildingplanwithanannotativeuser-definedpatternandspecifythatthehatchlinesbe1/8"apart.

AfteryouchooseUserDefinedfromtheTypedrop-downlistintheHatchandGradientdialogbox,youspecifytheangleandspacingofthelines.YoucanselecttheDoublecheckboxtoachieveacrosshatchingeffect(twoperpendicularsetsofhatchinglines).

User-definedpatternsrequirethatyouenteranangleandspacing,notangleandscale.

Gettingitright:HatchangleandscalePredefinedandcustomhatchpatternsrequirethatyouentertheangleandscaleforAutoCADtogeneratethehatching.Usually,youwon’thaveanytroubledecidingonanappropriateangle,butasuitablescalecanbetricky.Because(withafewexceptions)AutoCAD’shatchpatternsdon’trepresentrealobjects,you

don’thavetobethatpreciseaboutscalingthem—youcanjustmakethemlookgood.Butwheredoyoustart?

Theanswertothatquestiondependsonwhetheryou’reusingAutoCAD’sannotativehatchingortheold-style,non-annotativehatching.Ifyou’reanup-to-the-minuteCADgalorguy,checkoutthenextsection,“Hatchingforthe21stcentury.”Fornon-annotativehatching,youneedtocalculatethehatchscalebasedonthedrawingscalefactor,asdescribedinChapter4.Asageneralrule,hatchpatternslookbestatsomewherebetweenone-halfandthree-quartersofthedrawingscalefactor.Forexample,theEARTHpattern(intheOtherPredefinedtaboftheHatchPatternPalette,asshowninFigure15-5andasusedinanactualdrawingbackinFigure15-1)looksprettygoodinafull-scale(1=1)drawingwithahatchscaleof0.75.Ifyou’readdingEARTHpatternhatchingtoa1"=1'–0"detail(drawingscalefactorequals12),tryusingahatchscaleof0.75´12,or9.0.Usingaconsistentmultiplierlike0.5or0.75appliedtothedrawingscalefactorensuresthathatchinglooksconsistent(thatthespacesbetweenthelinesarethesame)atallscaleswhenyouplot.

AutodeskcreatedthehatchpatternswhosenamesbeginwithAR-particularlyforuseinarchitecturaldrawings,andunlikethenon-ARpatterns,theydorepresentrealobjectssuchasbrickandroofshakes.TheAR-patternsweredesignedwithafinalhatchscaleof1.0inmind,butinsomecases,you’llhavetoadjustupordowninordertoachieveasuitablescale.

Hatchingforthe21stcenturyWithannotativehatching,youstartwiththepaperscale(becausethat’swhereallyourfancyCADgeometryisgoingtoendup)of1:1.Onceagain,mostpatternslookbetteratbetweenhalfandthree-quartersofthepaperscale,sotrysettingthehatchscaleto,say,0.75.Thefollowingstepsexplainhowtocreateannotativehatching:

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd15.zip.Thedrawingnamedafd15a.dwgcontainsthearchitecturaldetailshowninFigure15-6.

1.Openadrawingcontaininggeometrythatformsfullyclosedboundaries,ordrawsomeboundariesbyusingthedrawingcommandsdescribedin

Chapters8and9.Theareasyouwanttohatchshouldbecompletelyenclosed.TheCIRCLE,POLYGON,andRECTANGcommands,andtheLINEandPLINEcommandswiththeCloseoption,makegreathatchboundaries(seeChapters8and9fordetails).

2.Setanappropriatelayercurrent,asdescribedinChapter6.3.StarttheHATCHcommandbytypingHandpressingEnter.Alternatively,clicktheHatchbuttonontheDrawpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab.AutoCADprompts:

Pickinternalpointof[Selectobjects/seTtings]:4.TypeTtoselecttheseTtingsoptionandpressEnter.TheHatchandGradientdialogboxasseeninFigure15-4appears.

5.ChoosePredefined,UserDefined,orCustomfromtheTypedrop-downlist.Predefinedworksbestformostpurposes.Seethe“Hatchfromscratch”section,earlierinthischapter,fordetails.

6.IfyouchosePredefinedorCustominthepreviousstep,selectanypredefinedorcustomhatchpatternfromthePatterndrop-downlist.IfyouchoseUserDefined,youdon’tneedtochooseapattern.

7.SpecifyanAngleandScaleforthehatchpattern.(Or,ifyouchoseUserDefinedinStep5,specifyAngleandSpacing.)Seetheprevioussection,“Gettingitright:Hatchangleandscale,”formoreinformation.

8.IntheOptionsareaofthedialogbox,selecttheAnnotativecheckbox.Thistimeyou’regoingtocreateannotativehatchobjects.

9.ClicktheAdd:PickPointsbutton.TheHatchandGradientdialogbox(temporarily)disappears,andyourdrawingreappearswiththefollowingpromptatthecommandline:

Pickinternalpointor[Selectobjects/seTtings]:10.Pickapointinsidetheboundaryoftheareayouwanttohatch.AutoCADanalyzesthedrawinganddecideswhichboundariestouse.Inacomplexdrawing,thisanalysiscantakeseveralseconds.AutoCADhighlightstheboundarythatitfindsandpreviewsthehatchedarea.

11.Right-clickanywhereinthedrawingareaandchooseEnterfromthemenutoindicatethatyou’refinishedselectingpoints.AutoCADhatchestheareainsidetheboundary.Ifyou’vecorrectlycreatedanannotativehatchobject,youseetheannotativeobjectsymbol(theendofatriangulardrawingscale)besidethecrosshairsifyoumoveyourcrosshairs

overthehatch.12.Selectthehatchobject;thenright-clickandchooseAnnotativeObjectScale,thenAdd/DeleteScalestoassignannotativescalestothehatchobject.TheAnnotationObjectScaledialogboxappears,showingalistofallannotativescalesassignedtotheselectedobject.Inthecaseofanewhatchobject,theonlyscalelistedwillbethecurrentannotationscale;ifyou’redoingthisinanewdrawing,thescalewillprobablybe1:1,thedefaultvalue.

13.IntheAnnotationObjectScaledialogbox,clickAdd.TheAddScalestoObjectdialogboxappears,displayingalistofalldrawingscalevaluesstoredinthedrawing.

14.Selectthedesiredscalesfromthelist,holdingdowntheCtrlkeytoselectmorethanone,andthenclickOK.TheAnnotationObjectScaledialogboxreappears,withthescalesyouaddeddisplayedinthelistbox.

Don’tgooverboardandselecteveryscaleinthelist—selectonlythescalesyou’relikelytouse.

15.ClickOK.Afteryou’veassignedannotativescalestoahatch(oranyannotative)object,youseeapairoftriangularannotativeobjectsymbols.Don’tworry—althoughyouareseeingdouble,you’vedoneitright!

16.OpentheAnnotationScaledrop-downlistontheapplicationordrawingstatusbarandselectoneofthescalesyouaddedtotheobject.Theannotativehatchobjectswillchangetheirspacingasyouchangetheannotationscale.Ifyouselectascalefromthelistthatyoudidn’tassigntotheobjectinStep14,thehatchrevertstothedefault1:1scale.

Figure15-6showstwoversionsofthesamedrawing,dressedupwithannotativeandnon-annotativehatchpatterns.Astheannotationscalesdisplayedonthedrawingstatusbarsshow,theannotativehatcheschangetheirscalewhilethenon-annotativehatchesremainunchanged.BeforeannotativehatchingfirstappearedinAutoCAD2008,theonlywaytogettheeffectinthesetwoviewswastocreatetwoseparatelayers,oneforeachhatchscale,andhatchtheobjecttwice.

Figure15-6:Hatchesannotative(andnot).

Dofencemein:DefininghatchboundariesAfteryouspecifythehatchpattern,angle,andscaleyouwanttouse,youdefinetheboundary(orboundaries)intowhichyouwanttopourthathatchpatterninoneoftwoways:

Pickingpointswithinthearea(s)youwanthatched

Selectingobjectsthatsurroundthoseareas

Theactualoperationinvolvedinusingeitheroftheseoptionsisconfusingtomostpeople.You’llprobablyneedalittlepracticebeforeyougetusedtoit.

Theideabehindeitherdefinitionoptionissimplewhenappliedtosimpleareas—thatis,closedareaswithnoadditionalobjectsinsidethem.Todefinethehatchboundaryforasimplearea,dooneofthesetwothings:

ClicktheAdd:PickPointsbuttonintheHatchandGradientdialogboxand

thenclickapointinsidetheboundary.

ClicktheAdd:SelectObjectsbuttonandselectoneormoreobjectsthatformafullyclosedboundary.

Thissimplehatchinggetsmorecomplicatedifyouhaveoneclosedobjectinsideanother,asshowninFigure15-7.TheAutoCADhatchpreviewandabitofexperimentationwillclarifyallthesepotentiallypuzzlingpermutations.

AsIwarnearlierinthischapter,boundariesmustbecompletelyclosedbeforeAutoCADwillhatchthem.That’soneofthereasonsyoushouldemploytheprecisiontechniquesfromthisbookwheneveryoudraworeditobjects.Ifthelinessurroundingyourboundarydon’teithermeetexactlyorcross,AutoCADscoldsyouwithanAClosedBoundaryCouldNotBeDeterminederrormessage.

TheAClosedBoundaryCouldNotBeDeterminederrormessagemeansthatyouneedtorepairlinesorotherobjectssothey’reafullyclosedboundary.SometimesyoucanusetheFILLETcommandwithazerofilletradiustoforcetwolinestomeetexactly.Anotherpossibilityistousegripeditingtoalignoneendpointpreciselywithanother.Chapter10discussesthesetwoeditingtechniques.

AutoCAD2010madegrip-editingnon-associativehatchesabreeze—infact,theybecameeasiertomanagethanassociativehatches.AutoCAD2011addedgripfunctionsthatmakeassociativeandnon-associativehatcheseasytoedit.Hoveringyourmousepointerovertheroundcentergrip(inAutoCAD2011andAutoCADLT2011andlater)givesyouquickaccesstochangingthehatchorigin,angle,andscale,allwithoutrunningtheHATCHEDITcommand.Don’tbemisledbytheStretchoptionontheright-clickmenu,though—youcanonlymoveahatchwiththisoption.

Figure15-7:Getpickyaboutyourhatching.(Xindicatesapickpoint.)

Havepalette,willhatchWithtoolpalettes(describedinChapter2),youcancreateclick-and-draghatchpalettes.Withahatchpalette,youclickatool(aswatch)anddragintoanenclosedboundarytohatchthearea.Ifyourhatchingneedsaresimple,youcancreateatoolpaletteforthepatternsandscalesyouoftenuse.Seehatches,addingtotoolpalettesinAutoCAD’sonlinehelpformoreinformation.

EditingHatchObjectsEditinganexistinghatchpatternissimpleonceyou’refamiliarwiththeRibbon’sHatchCreationtab.Followthesesteps:

1.Selectthehatchobject.AutoCADopenstheHatchEditorcontextualRibbontabanddisplaysthehatchobject’scurrentsettings.

2.Makeanydesiredchangesandwatchthereal-timepreviewasyoudo.Whenyou’rehappy,clickCloseHatchEditortokeepthechanges.

Alternatively,youcanusethePropertiespaletteortheQuickPropertiespalette(describedinChapter6)tomakemostexistinghatchpatternchanges.Bydefault,AutoCADopenstheQuickPropertiespaletteanddisplaystheHatchEditortabwhenyoudouble-clickahatchobject.TheQuickPropertiespaletteisespeciallygoodforchangingseveralhatchesatonce.

WithoutevenopeningtheHatchEditortab,youcanmakeonehatchlooklikeanotherbyusingtheMatchPropertiesbuttononClipboardpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab.

ThemultitudeofoptionsintheHatchCreationandHatchEditorRibbontabsletyoutweakyourhatchpatternsinallsortsofusefulandsemi-usefulways.Youcaneasilysetaneworiginpointforhatchobjects,youcanhatchareasthatarenotfullyvisibleon-screen,andyoucanoptionallyhatchmultipleboundariesatonegoandhavethosehatchestreatedasindividualobjects.

YoucanfindtheareaofanyhatchobjectbysimplyselectingthehatchobjectandthenopeningthePropertiespalette.TheareaislistedintheGeometrysection,nearthebottomofthepalette.

Chapter16

ThePlotThickens

InThisChapterConfiguringprintersandplotters

Plottingmodelspace

Plottingtoscale

Plottingpaperspacelayouts

Plottinglineweightsandcolors

Controllingplottingwithplotstyles

Troubleshootingplotting

Despitetheinfinitesimallysmallnumberofofficeswithoutacomputer(ortwo)oneverydesk,manypeoplestillwantorneedtoworkwitheasily-readableelectronicdrawings(canyouspellPDF?)oractual,dead-treepaperdrawings.Youmayneedtogivehard-copyprintsorPDFstoyourless-savvycolleagueswhodon’thaveAutoCAD.Youmaywanttomakesomequickpaperprintstoporeoverduringyourbusridehome.Youmayevenfindthatcheckingdrawingstheold-fashionedway—withahard-copyprintandaredpencil—turnsuperrorsthatmanagedtoremainhiddenonthecomputerscreen.

Whateverthereason,you’llwanttoprintdrawingsatsomepoint—probablysoonerratherthanlater.Dependingonwhereyouareinaproject,plottingisthepopquiz,midterm,orfinalexamofyourdrawing-makingsemester.Thischapterhelpsyouacethetest.

YouSayPrinting,ISayPlottingPlottingoriginallymeantcreatinghard-copyoutputonadevicethatwascapableofprintingonlargersheets,suchasDsizeorEsize(orA1orA0forthemetricallyinclined),thatmeasureseveralfeet(orameterormore)onaside.(SeeChapter4forinformationaboutdrafting-papersizes.)Theseplottersoftenusedpenstodraw,robot-fashion,onlargesheetsofvellumordraftingfilm.Thesheetscouldthenberunthroughdiazobluelinemachines—copyingmachinesthatcreatebluelineprints—inordertocreateless-expensivecopies.Printingmeantcreatinghard-copyoutputonordinaryprintersthatusedordinary-sizedpaper,suchasAsize(lettersize,81⁄2x11inches)orBsize(tabloidorledgersize,11x17inches)—that’sA4orA3foryoumetricfolk.

Nowadays,AutoCADandmostCADusersmakenodistinctionbetweenplottingandprinting.AutoCADveteransusuallysay“plotting,”soifyouwanttobecool,youcandoso,too.

Whateveryoucallit,plottinganAutoCADdrawingisconsiderablymorecomplicatedthanprintingaword-processingdocumentoraspreadsheet.CADhasalargerrangeofdifferentplottersandprinters,drawingtypes,andoutputproceduresthanothercomputerapplications.AutoCADtriestohelpyoutamethevastjungleofplottingpermutations,butyou’llprobablyfindthatyouhavetotakesometimetogetthelayofthelandandclearapathtoyourdesiredhard-copyoutput.

GetwiththesystemOneofthecomplicationsyoufaceinyourattemptstocreateahardcopyisthatAutoCADhastwodistinctwaysofcommunicatingwithyourplottersandprinters.Operatingsystems,andtheprogramsthatrunonthem,useaspecialpieceofsoftwarecalledaprinterdrivertoformatdataforprintingandthensendittotheprinterorplotter.WhenyouconfigureWindowstorecognizeanewprinterconnectedtoyourcomputeroryournetwork,you’reactuallyinstallingtheprinter’sdriver.AutoCAD,likeotherWindowsprograms,workswiththeprintersyou’veconfiguredinWindows.AutoCADcallsthesesystemprintersbecausethey’repartoftheWindowsoperatingsystem.

ButAutoCAD,unlikeotherWindowsprograms,can’tleavewellenoughalone.Someoutputdevices,especiallysomelargerplotters,aren’tcontrolledveryefficientlybytheWindowssystemprinterdrivers.Forthatreason,AutoCADcomeswithspecializednon-systemdrivers(thatis,driversthatarenotinstalledaspartoftheWindowssystem)forplottersfromcompaniessuchasHewlett-Packard,Xerox,KIP,andOcé.ThesedriversignorethetidyrulesforcommunicatingwithWindowsprintersinordertogetthingsdoneabitmorequicklyandflexibly.

Mostofthetime,usingalready-configuredWindowssystemprintersiseasiest,andtheyworkwellwithmanydevices—especiallydevicessuchaslaserandinkjetprintersthatprintonsmallerpaper.However,ifyouhavealarge-formatplotter,youmaybeabletogetfasterplotting,betterplotquality,ormoreplotfeaturesbyinstallinganon-systemdriver.Tofindoutmore,chooseInstallation&Deployment⇒DriverandPeripheralGuide⇒UsePlottersandPrintersontheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem’shomepage.

ConfigureitoutFornow,youshouldsimplymakesurethatAutoCADrecognizesthedevicesthatyouwanttouseforplotting.Thefollowingstepsshowyouhow:

1.LaunchAutoCADandopenanexistingdrawingorstartanew,blankdrawing.2.ChooseOptionsontheApplicationMenu,ortypeOPandpressEnter,toopentheOptionsdialogbox;thenclickthePlotandPublishtab.3.Clickthedrop-downarrowtoviewthelistjustbelowtheUseasDefaultOutputDeviceoption,asshowninFigure16-1.Thelistincludestwokindsofdeviceconfigurations,designatedbytwotiny,

difficult-to-distinguishiconstotheleftofthedevicenames:•AlittleprintericonwithasheetofwhitepapercomingoutthetopindicatesaWindowssystemprinterconfiguration.

•Alittleplotter-with-legsiconwithapieceofpapercomingoutthefrontindicatesanon-system(thatis,AutoCAD-specific)configuration.

Thenon-systemconfigurationnamesalwaysendin.pc3becausethey’restoredinspecialAutoCADPlotterConfigurationversion3files.So,ifyoucan’tdistinguishthedifferencebetweentheicons,lookforthe.pc3attheendofthename.

Figure16-1:Systemandnon-systemprinterconfigurations.

4.VerifythatthelistincludestheprintersandplottersthatyouwanttohaveavailableinAutoCAD.Ifthey’renotinthelist,howyouaddonedependsonyouroperatingsystem:

•InWindowsXP,chooseStart⇒PrintersandFaxesandclicktheAddaPrinterlinkunderPrinterTasksontheleftsideofthewindow.

•InWindowsVista,chooseStart⇒ControlPanel⇒HardwareandSound⇒Printers⇒AddaPrinter,andthenclickAddaLocalPrinter.

•InWindows7,chooseStart⇒DevicesandPrinters⇒AddaPrinter,andthenclickAddaLocalPrinter.

Ifyourprinterisn’tinthedefaultWindowslist,cancelthewizardandhuntdownadriverdiskthatcamewithyourprinter,orbetteryet,downloadthecurrentdriverfromtheprintermanufacturer’sWebsite.

5.Choosetheoutputdevicethatyouwanttomakethedefaultfornewdrawings.6.ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxandretainanychangesthatyoumadeinthepreviousstep.

YouusetheAutoCADPlotterManager’sAdd-a-PlotterWizardtocreatenon-systemdriverconfigurations.(ChoosePlotterManageronthePlotpaneloftheRibbon’sOutputtabtodisplayanExplorerwindowcontainingashortcuttothewizard.)ThiswizardissimilartotheWindowsAddPrinterWizard;ifyoucanhandleaddinganordinaryprinterinWindows,youcanprobablyhandleaddinganon-systemplotterconfigurationtoAutoCAD.Whenyoucompletethewizardsteps,AutoCADsavestheinformationinaPC3(PlotterConfigurationversion3)file.IfyouaddanHPDesignjetprinterorcertainOcéwide-formatprinters,youwillbeadvisedbytheAdd-a-PlotterWizardtoexitandinsteadinstallthedeviceasaWindowssystemprinter(formoreinformation,chooseInstallation&Deployment⇒DriverandPeripheralGuide⇒UsePlottersandPrinters⇒SetUpPlottersandPrintersfromtheonlinehelpsystem’shomepage).Manypeoplefindthatthestandarddriversworkfine,butasImentionlaterinthischapter,customdriversmayincludeadditionalpapersizesaswellasotherhandysettings.

ASimplePlotOkay,soyoubelieveme.Youknowthatyou’renotgoingtomasterAutoCADplottinginfiveminutes.Thatdoesn’tchangethefactthatyourboss,employee,wife,husband,constructionforeman,or11-year-olddaughterwantsaquickcheckplotofyourdrawing.

Plottingsuccessin16stepsHere’sthequick,cut-to-the-chaseprocedureforplottingasimpledrawing—amere16steps!Thisprocedureassumesthatyouplotinmodelspace—thatis,thatclickingtheModelbuttononthestatusbarshowsyouthedrawinginawaythatyouwanttoplot.(Icoverplottingpaperspacelayouttabsinthesection“PlottingtheLayoutoftheLand,”laterinthischapter.)Thisproceduredoesn’t

dealwithcontrollingplottedlineweights—seethe“PlottingLineweightsandColors”section,laterinthischapter,forthosedetails.Itshould,however,resultinapieceofpaperthatbearssomeresemblancetowhatAutoCADdisplaysonyourcomputermonitor.

Followthesestepstomakeasimple,not-to-scale,monochrome(black-and-white)plotofadrawing:

1.OpenthedrawinginAutoCAD.

2.ClickModel(nottheMODEL/PAPERbutton)onthestatusbartoensurethatyou’replottingthemodelspacecontents.IfyouhavetheModelandLayouttabsdisplayed,ratherthanthestatus-barbuttons,clicktheModeltab.IexplainmodelspaceandpaperspaceinChapters4and5,andhowtoplotpaperspacelayoutsinthesection“PlottingtheLayoutoftheLand,”laterinthischapter.

3.Zoomtothedrawing’scurrentextents;clicktheZoomExtentsbuttonontheNavigationbar(ifnecessary,clickthetinydown-arrowbelowtheZoombuttonandchooseZoomExtentsfromthemenu).OrtypeZ,pressEnter,thentypeEandpressEnteragain.Theextentsofadrawingconsistofarectangularareajustlargeenoughtoincludealltheobjectsinthedrawing.

4.TodisplaythePlotdialogbox,clickthePlotbuttonontheQuickAccessToolbar.ThePlotdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure16-2.

AutoCADautomaticallyappendswhateveryou’reabouttoplotinthedialogbox’stitlebar.Forexample,inFigure16-2thedialogboxtitleisPlot–Model.Ifyou’replottingalayoutandhaven’tchangedthelayoutname,thetitlemightbePlot–Layout1.Ifyouhavechangedthelayoutname,thedialogboxtitlewillbePlot–FirstFloorPlanorwhateveryou’verenameditto.InthisbookIcallit,simply,thePlotdialogbox.

5.InthePrinter/Plotterarea,selectadevicefromtheNamedrop-downlist.6.InthePaperSizearea,selectapapersizethat’sloadedinyourprinterorplotter.Makesurethatthepapersizeislargeenoughtofitthedrawingatthescaleatwhichyouwanttoplotit.Forexample,ifyouwanttoplotaD-sizedrawing,butyouhaveonlyaB-sizeprinter,you’reoutofluck—unlessyouresorttomultiplepiecesofpaperandlotsoftape.

Figure16-2:ThePlotdialogbox.

7.InthePlotAreaarea(sponsoredbytheDepartmentofRedundancyDepartment),selectExtentsfromtheWhattoPlotdrop-downlist.IfyousetyourdrawinglimitsasIdemonstrateinChapter3,youcanselectLimitsinsteadtoplotthedrawingareathatyoudefined.TheWindowoption—thatis,plotawindowwhosecornersyoupick—isusefulwhenyouwanttoplotjustaportionofyourdrawing.

8.InthePlotOffset(OriginSettoPrintableArea)area,selecttheCenterthePlotcheckbox.Alternatively,youcanspecifyoffsetsofzeroorotheramountsinordertopositiontheplotataspecificlocationonthepaper.

9.InthePlotScalearea,eitherselecttheFittoPapercheckboxordeselectFittoPaperandspecifyascale(bychoosingfromthedrop-downlistortypingintothetwotextboxes).Formostrealplotting,you’llplottoaspecificscale,butfeelfreetoselecttheFittoPapercheckboxfornow.Ifyoudowanttoplottoaspecificscale,seethe“Insteadoffit,scaleit”sectionlaterinthischapterforguidance.

10.ClicktheMoreOptionsbutton(atthebottom-rightcornerofthedialogbox,nexttotheHelpbutton).ThePlotdialogboxrevealsadditionalsettings,asshowninFigure16-3.

Figure16-3:TheexpandedPlotdialogbox.

11.InthePlotStyleTable(PenAssignments)area,choosemonochrome.ctbormonochrome.stbfromthedrop-downlist.

AutoCADmayaskwhetheryouwantto“Assignthisplotstyletabletoall

layouts?”AnswerYestomakemonochrome.ctb(ormonochrome.stb)thedefaultplotstyletableforthepaperspacelayouttabsaswellastheModeltab,oranswerNotomakethechangeapplyonlytothecurrenttab.The“Plottingwithstyle”section,laterinthischapter,describesplotstyletables.

12.InthePlotOptionsarea,makesurethatthePlotwithPlotStylescheckboxisselectedandthattheSaveChangestoLayoutcheckboxisdeselected,asshowninFigure16-3.LeavingtheSaveChangestoLayoutcheckboxdeselectedtellsAutoCADtouseanyplotsettingschangesthatyoumakeonlyforthisplot—AutoCADwillreverttotheoriginalplotsettingsthenexttimeyouplotthedrawing.

13.IntheDrawingOrientationarea,choosePortraitorLandscape.

Afteryoubecomeconfidentwithplotting,youmaywanttoselectthischeckboxsothatAutoCADdoessaveyourplottingsettingschangesasthedefault.Alternatively,clicktheApplytoLayoutbuttontomakethecurrentplotsettingsthedefaultforfutureplottingofthistab(thatis,theModeltab)inthisdrawing.Theicon(theletterAonasheet)inthelower-rightcornermayhelpyoudecideontherightorientation.Ifnot,thefullpreviewinthenextstepwilltellyouforsure.

14.ClickthePreviewbuttonandchecktomakesurethedrawingappearsonthepaperatthecorrectorientationandsize,asshowninFigure16-4;thenright-clickandchooseClosePreviewWindowtoreturntothePlotdialogbox.

Figure16-4:Apreviewofcomingplot-tractions.

15.Ifyoufoundanyproblemsinthepreview,adjusttheplotsettings(forexample,PlotArea,PlotScale,orDrawingOrientation)andrepeatthepreviewuntiltheplotlooksright.16.ClickOKtocreatetheplot.WhenAutoCADfinishesgeneratingandsendingtheplot,itdisplaysaPlotandPublishJobCompleteballoonnotificationfromthestatusbar.Ifyoudecidethatyoudon’twanttoseethesenotifications,right-clickthePlot/PublishDetailsReportAvailableiconneartherightendofthestatusbaranddeselectEnableBalloonNotification.

There—16steps,aspromised.If(forsomereason)yourplotdidn’twork,well,IwarnedyouthatAutoCADplottingwascomplicatedandtemperamental!Readtherestofthischapterforallthedetailsaboutthenumerousotherplottingoptionsthatcancauseplottingtogoawry.Ifyou’reinabighurry,turndirectlytothetroubleshootingsection,“TroubleswithPlotting,”laterinthischapter.

Previewone,two

OneofthekeystoefficientplottingisliberaluseofAutoCAD’spreviewfeature.(Tomaintainpoliticalbalance,IrecommendconservativeuseofsomeotherAutoCADoptionselsewhereinthebook.)

Thepostagestamp–sizedpartialpreviewinthemiddleofthePlotdialogboxisaquickrealitychecktomakesureyourplotfitsonthepaperandisturnedintherightdirection.Iftheplotareaatthecurrentscaleistoolargeforthepaper,AutoCADdisplaysthickredwarninglinesalongtheside(s)ofthesheetwherethedrawingwillbetruncated.

ClickthePreviewbuttontoseeafullpreviewinaseparatewindow.Youseeexactlyhowyourdrawinglaysoutonthepaperandhowthevariouslineweights,colors,andotherobjectplotpropertieswillappear.Youcanzoomandpanaroundthepreviewbyusingtheright-clickmenu.

Anyzoomingorpanningthatyoudowon’taffectwhatareaofthedrawinggetsplotted—zoomingandpanningisjustawaytogetabetterlookatdifferentareasoftheplotpreview.

Insteadoffit,scaleitInmostrealplottingsituations,youwanttoplottoaspecificscaleratherthanletAutoCADchoosesomeoddballscalethatjusthappenstomaximizethedrawingonthepaper.Andifyou’regoingtoplottheModeltabofadrawingtoscale,youneedtoknowitsdrawingscalefactor.Chapter4describessetupconcepts,andChapter13providessometipsfordeterminingthescalefactorofadrawingthatsomeoneelsecreated.

Ifyourdrawingwascreatedatastandardscale,suchas1:50or1/4"=1'–0",thenyousimplychoosethescalefromthehandyScaledrop-downlistinthePlotdialogbox.Ifyourscaleisn’tinthelist,typetheratiobetweenplotteddistanceandAutoCADdrawingdistanceintothetwotextboxesbelowtheScaledrop-downlist,asshowninFigure16-5.Usuallytheeasiestwaytoexpresstheratioistotype1intheupperboxandthedrawingscalefactorinthelowerbox.(SeeChapter4formoreinformation.)

YourCADmanagermayhaveeditedtheScaledrop-downlisttoadduncommonscalesorremovescalesthatyourcompanyneveruses.Ifyou’redesigningespressomachinesinMilano,forexample,you’llprobablynever

needtoplotyourdrawingsat1/128"=1'–0".

Figure16-5:Lotsofwaystoscale.

Creatinghalf-sizeplotsforsomepurposesiscommoninsomeindustries.Toplotmodelspacehalf-size,doublethedrawingscalefactor.Forexample,a1/8"=1'–0"drawinghasadrawingscalefactorof96,whichisequivalenttoaplotscaleof1=96.Tomakeahalf-sizemodel-spaceplotofit,specifyaplotscaleof1=192(orchoose1/16"=1'–0"fromtheScaledrop-downlist).

Evenifyouworkwithdrawingsthatarecreatedtobeplottedataspecificscale,plottingwithaFittoPaperscalemaybethemostefficientwaytomakeareduced-sizecheckplot.Forexample,draftersinyourofficemightcreatedrawingsthatgetplottedonD-sizesheets(24x36inches),whereasyouhaveaccesstoalaserprinterwithaB-size(11x17inches)papertray.ByplottingtheD-sizedrawingsscaledtofitonB-sizepaper,youendupwithcheckplotsthatareslightlysmallerthanhalfsize.Youwon’tbeabletomeasuredistancesonthecheckplotswithascale,butyoucangivethemavisualcheckforoverallcorrectness.

PlottingtheLayoutoftheLandInthesection“Plottingsuccessin16steps,”earlierinthischapter,IshowyouhowtoplotthemodelspacerepresentationofyourdrawingbymakingsurethattheModeltabisactivewhenyouopenthePlotdialogbox.Inmostindustries,however,modelspaceplottingwentthewayofthedodo20yearsago.Paperspacegivesyoumanyadditionaloptionsforcontrollingthelookofyouroutputwithouthavingtomodifytheunderlyinggeometry.Somostofthetime,youwillwanttoplotapaperspacelayoutinstead.

Paperspaceistheenvironmentthat’sspecificallydesignedforoutputtinghardcopyofyourdrawings.Ifyouneedarefresheronpaperspaceorlayouts,haveanotherlook(orafirstlook!)atChapter5.

ThepathtopaperspacelayoutplottingsuccessAsIexplaininChapter5,AutoCADgivesyoutwoalternativewaysofswitchingbetweenfull-screenmodelspaceandthepaperspacelayoutsstoredinthedrawing.IfyouchoosetodisplaytheModelandLayouttabs,yousimplyclicktheappropriatetabtoselecttheoneyouwant.IfinsteadyouhidetheModelandLayouttabs,usetheModelandLayoutbuttons,plusQuickViewLayouts,onthestatusbar.ForthecompletelowdownonusingQuickViewLayouts,refertoChapter5.Inthissection,Iexplainusingthisfeaturetoprintyourpaperspacelayouts.

Plottingapaperspacelayoutisprettymuchlikeplottingmodelspaceexceptthat

youneedtofindtheappropriatelayoutfirstandmakesurethatitstabisselectedbeforeyouopenthePlotdialogbox,asfollows:

1.ClickQuickViewLayoutsonthestatusbarandscrollthroughtheimagepanel.TheQuickViewimagepanelopensinthelowerpartofthedrawingareaanddisplaysapreviewpanelofmodelspaceandeachlayoutstoredinthedrawing.

2.MoveyourmousepointeracrosstheimagesintheQuickViewpanelandpauseovertheimageofthelayoutyouwanttoplot.Asyoumoveyourmouseovereachimage,iconsappear:Publishattheupper-rightcornerandPlotattheupperleft.IdescribethePUBLISHcommandbrieflyinChapter20.Inthischapter,I’mstickingwithPLOT.

3.ClickthePlotbuttonintheupper-leftcorneroftheimagepanelofthelayoutyouwanttoplot.ThePlotdialogboxappearswiththenameofthelayouttobeplotteddisplayedinthetitlebar.(InFigure16-6,I’mplottingalayoutnamedD-SizeLayout.)

Ifnoonehassetupalayoutyet,AutoCADcreatesadefaultlayout.(IftheShowPageSetupManagerforNewLayoutssettingontheDisplaytaboftheOptionsdialogboxisturnedon,you’llseethePageSetupManagerdialogboxfirst—justclicktheClosebutton.)Thedefaultlayoutprobablywon’tbeusefulforrealprojects,butyoucanuseittofindoutaboutthelayoutplottingprocedure.RefertoChapter5forinstructionsoncreatingareallayout.

4.SpecifyaPrinter/PlotterNameandaPaperSize.

Ifyoudon’thaveaprintercapableofoutputtinglargerthanletter-ortabloid-sizesheets,youcanstillexperimentbyselectingadevicethatoutputstofile,suchasDWGToPDF.pc3.

5.IntheWhattoPlotdrop-downlist,chooseLayout,asshowninFigure16-6.TheLayoutoptionisavailableonlywhenplottingalayouttab;LimitsisavailableonlywhenplottingtheModeltab.

6.SpecifythePlotOffset(suchas0inboththeXandYdirections).SpecifyingthePlotOffsetas0inbothXandYdirectionsplacesthelower-leftcorneroftheplotteddrawingatthelower-leftcorneroftheprintablearea.

7.InthePlotScalearea,select1:1fromtheScaledrop-downlist,asshowninFigure16-6.

Oneofthebigadvantagesoflayoutsisthatyoudon’tneedtoknowanythingaboutdrawingscaleinordertoplotthedrawing—hencethenamepaperspace.Figure16-6showsthepropersettingsforplottingalayout.

Figure16-6:Settingsforplottingapaperspacelayout.

Tocreateahalf-sizeplotofalayout,select1:2fromtheScaledrop-downlist.Inaddition,selecttheScaleLineweightscheckboxinordertoreducelineweightsproportionally.(Icoverplottinglineweightsinthenextsection.)Ifyoufindthatthelayoutistoobigforyourplotter’slargestpapersizeataplotscaleof1:1,youcanselectExtentsfromtheWhattoPlotdrop-downlist

andthenselecttheFittoPapercheckboxinthePlotScalearea.Alternatively,youcanclosethePlotdialogboxandfixtheproblemifyouwanttohaveapaperspacelayoutthatpermanentlyreflectsanewpapersize.UsethePageSetupdialogboxtomodifythelayoutsettings,orcopythelayoutandmodifythenewcopy.

8.ClicktheMoreOptionsbuttonandchangeanyadditionalplotoptionsthatyouwantto.RefertoSteps11through13intheearliersection,“Plottingsuccessin16steps.”

9.ClickthePreviewbutton,ensurethatthedrawingdisplaysonthepaperatthecorrectorientationandsize,andthenright-clickandchooseExittoreturntothePlotdialogbox.Ifyoufoundanyproblemsinthepreview,changeyourplotsettingsandpreviewagainuntilitlooksright.

10.ClickOKtocreatetheplot.

PlottingLineweightsandColorsInprevioussectionsofthischapter,Ihelpyougainsomeplottingconfidence.Thosesectionsshowyouhowtocreatescaled,monochromeplotswithuniformlineweightsinmodelspaceorpaperspace.Thoseskillsmaybeallyouneed,butifyoucareaboutcontrollingplottedlineweightsandcolorsoraddingspecialeffectssuchasscreening(plottingshadesofgray),readon.

PlottingwithstylePlotstylesprovideawaytooverrideobjectpropertieswithalternativeplotproperties.(SeeChapter6forinformationaboutobjectproperties.)Thepropertiesincludeplottedlineweight,plottedcolor,andscreening(plottingshadesofgray).Figure16-7showsthefullrangeofoptions.Plotstylescomeintwoexcitingflavors:

Color-dependentplotstyles

Namedplotstyles

Color-dependentplotstylesarebasedonthestandardwayofplottinginearlierversionsofAutoCAD(beforeAutoCAD2000),whereasnamedplotstylesprovideanewerway.

Figure16-7:Editingacolor-dependentplotstyletable.

It’sremotelypossiblethatyouwon’tneedtobotherwithplotstyles.Ifthedrawingsyouwanttoplothavelayerandobjectproperties(especiallylineweight)thatreflecthowyouwantobjectstoplot,youcandispensewithplotstyles.Butmostpeopleandmostdrawingsuseplotstyles,soyoushouldatleastbefamiliarwiththem.

Acoupleofcommonreasonsforusingplotstylesareto

Mapscreencolorstoplottedlineweights.Ifthisideaseemscompletely

loonytoyou,trytosuspendjudgmentuntilyou’vereadthe“Plottingthroughthickandthin”section,abitlaterinthischapter.

Createscreenedlinesonmonochromeplots.Linesthatarescreeneddisplayinvariousshadesofgray,notblack.Drafterssometimesusescreenedlinestode-emphasizesecondaryobjectsthatotherwisewouldoverwhelmthemainobjectsinthedrawing.Screeningisexpressedasapercentage,with100percentbeingcompletelyblackand0percentbeinginvisible.

Usingplotstyles

Ifyouwantobjectsinyourdrawingtoplotwithpropertiesthatdifferfromtheirdisplayproperties,youneedplotstyles.Forexample,youcanplotwithdifferentlineweightsorcolorsfromtheonesyou’reusingfordisplaypurposes.Or,asImentionintheprecedingsection,youmayneedtomapdisplaycolorstoplottedlineweights.AutoCADgroupsplotstylesintoplotstyletables,eachofwhichisstoredinaseparatefile.

Color-basedplotstylesliveincolor-dependentplotstyletable(CTB)files,andtheymapthe255AutoCADdisplaycolorsto255plotstyles.AutoCADautomaticallyattachesthecolor-dependentplotstylestoeveryobject,basedon—youguessedit—theobject’scolor.(ArethoseAutoCADprogrammersbrilliant,orwhat?)Color-dependentplotstyletablesmimictheoldcolor-mapped-to-lineweightplottingapproachofAutoCADR14andearlierreleases;thisremainsthemostcommonmethodinmostcompanies.

NamedplotstyleswereintroducedinAutoCAD2000,andareobjectproperties,justlikecolor,linetype,andlineweight.Namedplotstyleslivein(wouldn’tyouknowit?)namedplotstyletable(STB)files.Afteryou’vecreatedanamedplotstyletable,youcreateoneormoreplotstylesandgivethemanynamesyoulike.Thenyoucanassignthenamedplotstylestolayersortoindividualobjects.(SeeChapter6formoreinformationaboutobjectandlayerproperties.)

Tousetheplotstylesinaplotstyletable(whetherthey’recolor-dependentornamed),youmustattachtheplotstyletabletomodelspaceorapaperspacelayout.Theattachedplotstyletableaffectsplottingonlyforthatlayoutorformodelspace.Thisapproachletsyouplotthesamedrawingindifferentwaysbyattachingdifferentplotstylestodifferenttabs.

YoucanattachaplotstyletomodelspaceorapaperspacelayoutbyselectingitsimageintheQuickViewLayoutspanelandopeningthePlotdialogbox,orbyright-clickingoveranimageandchoosingPageSetupManager,thenclickingthe

Modifybutton.ChoosetheplotstyletablenameinthePlotStyleTable(PenAssignments)areaoftheexpandedPageSetuporPlotdialogbox.Seethesection“Controllingplottedlineweightswithscreencolors,”laterinthischapter,foranexample.

Whenyoustartanewdrawingintheusualway—thatis,byusingatemplatedrawing(seeChapter4)—thetemplatedrawing’splotstylebehaviordetermineswhetheryoucanchooseCTBorSTBfiles.Ifyouwanttochangefromcolor-dependentplotstylestonamedplotstyles(orviceversa)inaparticulardrawing,usetheCONVERTPSTYLEScommand.

Creatingplotstyles

Ifyou’relucky,someonewillprovideyouwiththeplotfilesyouneed.Ifthat’sthecase,youmustputtheCTBorSTBfilesinyourPlotStylesfolderinorderforAutoCADtorecognizethem.(TofindthelocationofyourPlotStylesfolder,opentheOptionsdialogbox,choosetheFilestab,andlookforthePrinterSupportFilePath⇒PlotStyleTableSearchPathsetting.)

Ifyou’renotlucky,you’llneedtobesmart—thatis,you’llwanttoknowhowtocreateyourownplotstyletablefiles.Here’show:

1.ClicktheApplicationbuttontoopentheApplicationMenu,choosePrint,andthenchooseManagePlotStyles.Usethetinydownarrowatthebottomofthelisttoscrollfurtherdownifnecessary.ThePlotStylesfolderopensinaseparateWindowsExplorerwindow.

2.Double-clicktheAdd-a-PlotStyleTableWizardprogramshortcut.3.ReadtheopeningscreenandthenclickNext.4.OntheAddPlotStyleTable–Beginpage,choosetheStartfromScratchoptionoroneoftheotherthreeoptionsifyouwanttostartwithsettingsfromanotherfile.ThenclickNext.TheremainingstepsinthisprocedureassumethatyouchoseStartfromScratch.Ifyouchoseanotheroption,simplyfollowthewizard’sprompts.

IfthecreatorofadrawingprovidesyouwithanAutoCADR14/AutoCADLT98PC2(version2)orAutoCADR12/AutoCADLT95PCP(version1)file,choosetheUseaPCPorPC2Fileoption.Withthisoption,thewizardimportscolor-to-plotted-lineweightsettingsautomatically.

5.OntheAddPlotStyleTable–PickPlotStyleTablepage,choosewhetheryouwanttocreateacolor-dependentplotstyletable(CTBfile)oranamedplotstyletable(STBfile).ThenclickNext.ChooseColor-DependentPlotStyleTableinordertomapscreencolorstoplottedlineweights.ChooseNamedPlotStyleTableinordertocreatenamedplotstylesthatyoucanapplytolayersorobjects.

6.OntheAddPlotStyleTable–FileNamepage,typeanameforthenewCTBorSTBfileandthenclickNext.7.ClickthePlotStyleTableEditorbuttonontheAddPlotStyleTable–Finishpage.ThePlotStyleTableEditordialogboxopenstotheFormViewtabifyou’recreatingacolor-dependentplotstyletable(refertoFigure16-7),ortotheTableViewtabifyoucreateanamedplotstyletable.

IfyouchooseanamedplotstyleinStep5,thePlotStyleTableEditordialogboxopensinTableView,withoneplotstylenamedNormalinthefirstdatacolumn,ablankcolumntoitsright,andAddStyleandDeleteStylebuttonsatthebottom.Newnamedplotstylesthatyoucreatecontinuetobeaddedincolumnstotherightofthepreviouscolumn.Formoreinformation,clicktheHelpbuttoninthePlotStyleTableEditor.

8.Ifyoucreatedacolor-dependentplotstyletable,assignLineweight,Screening,orotherplotpropertiestoeachcolorthat’susedinthedrawing.Ifyoucreatedanamedplotstyletable,clicktheAddStylebuttonandthenassignplotpropertiestoeachofthenamedstylesthatyoucreate.Todeterminewhichcolorsareusedinadrawing,switchtotheAutoCADwindowandopentheLayerPropertiesManagerpalettebyclickingtheLayerPropertiesbuttonlocatedontheLayerspaneloftheRibbon’sHometab.

Tochangeasettingforallcolorsornamedstyles,selectthemallfirstbyclickingthefirstcolorornamedstyle,holdingdowntheShiftkey,scrollingtotheendofthelist,andthenclickingthelastcolorornamedstyle.Anysubsequentchangesyoumakegetappliedtoalltheselectedcolorsornamedstyles.

9.ClicktheSave&ClosebuttontoclosethePlotStyleTableEditordialogbox.ThenclickFinishtocompletethestepsforthewizard.ThePlotStylesfoldernowdisplaysyournewCTBorSTBfile.

10.ClosethePlotStylesfolderbyclickingtheXinitstitlebar.

Creatingyourfirstplotstyletablecanbeaharrowingexperiencebecauseyou

havesomanyoptions.Justrememberthatyourmostlikelyreasonforcreatingoneistomapscreencolorstoplottedlineweights(asIdescribeingreaterdetailinthenextsection).AlsorememberthatyoumaybeabletominimizeyoureffortbygettingaCTBorSTBfilefromthepersonwhocreatedthedrawingthatyouwanttoplot.

InChapter6,IrecommendthatyoulimityourselftothefirstnineStandardAutoCADColorswhendefininglayers,andnotapatchworkofthe255colorsthatAutoCADmakesavailable.Ifyoufollowmyadvice,yourworktocreateacolor-dependentplotstyletablewillbemuchreducedbecauseyou’llhavetoassignplotpropertiesforonly9colors,ratherthanworryingabout255ofthem.

ForsystematictestingofyourCTBfiles,youcandownloadthefilenamedplot_screening_and_fill_patterns.dwgfromtheAutoCAD2010SampleFilesgroupatwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samples(LTusers,feelfreetohelpyourselvestothisfiletoo—it’snotincludedwiththedownloadsatwww.autodesk.com/autocadlt-samples).Thisdrawingshowsanarrayofcolorswatchesforall255AutoCADcolors.Thelayouts(suchasGrayscaleandScreening25%)demonstratehowdifferentCTBfilesattachedtothesamelayoutproduceradicallydifferentresults.

Namedplotstylesholdalotofpromise,butthereareatleastacoupleofplaces—dimensionsandtables—wheretheydon’tworkaswellastraditionalcolor-basedplotting.Dimensionpropertiesallowyoutoassigndifferentcolorstodimensionlines,extensionlines,andtext.Thepurposeforthisistoallowdifferentpartsofadimensionobjecttoprintwithdifferentlineweights;forexample,youcanhaveyourdimensiontextprintwithamediumlineweight,thesameasyourannotationtext,whilekeepingextensionanddimensionlinestoafinelineweight.Butbecausenamedplotstylesarebasedonobjectsorlayers,youdon’thavethatlineweightcontroloverindividualdimensioncomponents.Thesamelimitationappliestotables,whereyoucansetyourtexttobeonecolorandyourgridlinestobeanother.

Ifyoureallygetcarriedawayanddecidetotakeadvantageofthe16million-oddcolorsinAutoCAD’sTrueColororColorBookmodes,you’renotgoingtobecontrollinglineweightswithcolor-dependentplotstyles.CTBplotstylesaffectthelineweightsonlyofobjectsthatusethetraditional255colorsoftheAutoCAD

ColorIndexset.IfyouwantTrueColororColorBookcolors,useobjectlineweightsornamedplotstylestocontrolplottedlineweight.

PlottingthroughthickandthinLongago,manualdraftersdevelopedthepracticeofdrawinglinesofdifferentthicknesses,orlineweights,inordertodistinguishdifferentkindsofobjects.Manualdraftersdiditwithdifferenttechnicalinkpennibdiametersorwithdifferenthardnessesofpencilleadandvaryingdegreesofpressureonthepencil.Becauseacomputermouseusuallydoesn’tcomewithmouseballsofdifferentdiameters,theAutoCADdevelopershadtofigureouthowtoletusersindicatelineweightson-screenandonaplot.Theycameupwithtwodifferentwaystoindicatelineweight:

Mappingon-screencolorstoplottedlineweights.IdescribethiscommonapproachinChapter6.

Displayinglineweightson-screentomatchwhattheusercanexpecttoseeontheplot.ThisapproachfirstappearedinAutoCAD2000.

PlottingwithploddersColor-as-colorandlineweight-as-lineweightseemlikegreatideas,butAutodeskknewwhenitadded object lineweights back in 1999 that longtime users of AutoCAD weren’t going toabandontheoldcolors-mapped-to-lineweightsapproachovernight.ThusyoucanstillcontrolplottedlineweightbydisplaycolorinAutoCAD.

AutoCADveterans,byandlarge,havechosentostickwiththeoldwayfornow.They’vedonesoforavarietyofreasons,includinginertia,plottingproceduresanddrawingsbuiltaroundtheoldway,third-partyapplicationsthatdon’tfullysupportthenewermethods,andtheneedtoexchangedrawingswithclientsandsubcontractorswhohaven’tupgraded.Insummary,therippleeffectofthosewhoneedtoorwanttocontinueusingcolors-mapped-to-lineweightsislastingalongtime.Don’tbesurprisedifyoufindyourselfgoingwiththeflowforawhile.

ThedefaultsettinginAutoCAD2012istoplotobjectlineweights,sothat’stheeasiestmethodifyoudon’thavetoconsiderthehistoricalpracticesorpredilectionsofotherpeoplewithwhomyouexchangedrawings.Mappingscreencolorstolineweightsrequiressomeinitialworkonyourpart,butafteryou’vesetupthemappingscheme,theadditionaleffortisminimal.

Controllingplottedlineweightswithobjectlineweights

Plottingobjectlineweightsistrivial,assumingthatthepersonwhocreatedthedrawingfirsttookthetroubletoassignalineweightpropertytolayersorobjects(seeChapter6fordetails).JustmakesurethatthePlotObjectLineweightscheckboxintheexpandedPlotdialogboxisselected.YoumayalsowanttodeselectthePlotwithPlotStylescheckboxbecauseplotstylescanoverridetheobjectlineweightswithdifferentplottedlineweights.YoucanalsomakethesesettingsinthePageSetupdialogboxfortheappropriateLayoutorModeltab.ToaccessthePageSetupManager,right-clicktheQuickViewLayoutsbuttononthestatusbarandchoosePageSetupManager.

Ifyouwantobjectlineweightstocontrolplottedlineweights,makesurethatthePlotObjectLineweightscheckboxisselectedinthePlotOptionsareaofthePlotorPageSetupdialogbox.Ifyoudon’twanttoplotthelineweightsassignedtoobjects,youmustdeselectboththePlotObjectLineweightsandPlotwithPlotStylescheckboxesinthePlotorPageSetupdialogbox.SelectingPlotwithPlotStylesselectsPlotObjectLineweightsaswell.

Controllingplottedlineweightswithscreencolors

Tomapscreencolorstoplottedlineweights,youneedacolor-dependentplotstyletable(CTBfile),asIdescribeinthesection“Plottingwithstyle,”earlierinthischapter.Ifyou’replottingadrawingcreatedbysomeoneelse,thatsomeoneelsemaybeabletosupplyyouwiththeappropriateCTBfileor,atleast,withaPCPorPC2filefromwhichyoucancreatetheCTBfilequickly.Attheveryleast,thecreatorofthedrawingshouldbeabletogiveyouaprintedchartshowingwhichplottedlineweighttoassigntoeachAutoCADscreencolor.Usetheinstructionsinthe“Plottingwithstyle”sectiontocopyorcreatetherequiredCTBfile.

Unfortunately,noindustry-widestandardsexistformappingscreencolorstoplottedlineweights.Differentofficesdoitdifferently.That’swhyit’ssousefultoreceiveaCTB,PCP,orPC2filewithdrawingsthatsomeonesendsyou.

AfteryouhavetheappropriateCTBfilestoredinyourPlotStylesfolder,followthesestepstouseit:

1.ClicktheQuickViewLayoutsbuttononthestatusbartoopentheQuickViewLayoutspanel.Movethemousepointertotheimageofmodelspaceorthelayoutthatyouwanttoplot.

Asyoumovethepointerovereachimagepanel,iconsforthePLOTandPUBLISHcommandsappearattheuppercorners.

2.ClickthePlotbuttonintheupper-leftcorneroftheselectedimage.ThePlotdialogboxopens.ClicktheMoreOptionsbuttonifthedialogboxdoesn’topeninexpandedmode,asshowninFigure16-8.

3.InthePlotStyleTable(PenAssignments)areaonthePlotdialogbox,selecttheCTBfilefromthedrop-downlist,asshowninFigure16-8.Thisactionattachestheplotstyletable(CTBfile)tothelayoutormodelspacetabthatyouclickedinStep1.

Figure16-8:Selectingaplotstyletablethatmapsscreencolorstoplottedlineweights.

4.ClicktheApplytoLayoutbutton.AutoCADrecordstheplotsettingchangewiththecurrentlayout’sconfigurationinformation.Assumingthatyousavethedrawing,AutoCADusestheCTBthatyouselectedasthedefaultplotstylewhenyou(orotherpeople)plotthatlayoutinthefuture.

5.Continuewiththeplottingproceduresdescribedearlierinthischapter.

Ifyourdrawingusesanamedplotstyletableinsteadofacolor-dependentplot

styletable,youfollowthesameprocedure,exceptthatyouselectanSTBfileinsteadofaCTBfileinStep3.

Youcantellwhetherthecurrentdrawingwassetuptousecolor-dependentplotstylesornamedplotstylesbylookingatthePropertiespanelontheRibbon’sHometab.Iftheupper-rightdrop-downlistisgrayedout,showsByColor,anddoesn’tdisplayatooltip,thedrawingusescolor-dependentplotstyles.Ifthislistisn’tgrayedoutanddisplaysthePlotStyletooltip,thedrawingusesnamedplotstyles.

PlottingincolorPlottingthecolorsthatyouseeon-screenrequiresnospecialtricks.Intheabsenceofaplotstyletable(thatis,ifyouselectedNonefromthedrop-downlistinthePlotStyleTable[PenAssignments]areainthePlotorPageSetupdialogbox),AutoCADsendscolorinformationasitappearson-screentotheplotter.Aslongasyouroutputdevicecanplotincolor,whatyouseeshouldbewhatyouget.

Ifyouattachaplotstyletabletothelayoutthatyou’replotting(asdescribedintheprevioussection),youcan—ifyoureallywantto—mapscreencolorstodifferentplottedcolors.Inmostcases,youdon’twantthatkindofconfusion.Instead,leavetheColorpropertyintheplotstyletablesettoUseObjectColor.

Ifyourgoalisnottoplotcolor,makesurethatyousettheColorpropertyforallplotstylestoBlack.Ifyoutrytoplotcolorsonamonochromedevice,youmayfindthatobjectsappearinvariousshadesofgray,withlightercolorsmappedtolightershadesofgrayanddarkercolorstodarkershadesofgray.Thisprocessofmappingcolorstoshadesofgrayiscalleddithering,anditusuallyisnotwhatyouwantinaCADdrawing.Tooverrideit,usethePlotStyleTableEditor,asdescribedinthesection“Creatingplotstyles,”earlierinthischapter,tosettheColoroptionforallcolorstoBlack.(ThedefaultsettingisUseObjectColor.)Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveaplotstyletablethatyouwanttouse,selectmonochrome.ctbforcolor-basedplotstylesorselectmonochrome.stbfornamedplotstyles—bothofwhichcomewithAutoCAD—fromthedrop-downlistinthePlotStyleTable(PenAssignments)areaofthePlotdialogbox.

ToseethefullrangeofAutoCADcolorsavailableonyourplotter,ortoseehowaparticularplotstyletableaffectsplotting,openandthenplotthesamplefileplot_screening_and_fill_patterns.dwgwhichyoucandownloadfromwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samples.TheScreening100%layoutinthisdrawingcontainscolorswatchesforall255AutoCADcolors(andthisfileisavailabletoAutoCADLTusersaswell).

It’sa(Page)Setup!Pagesetupsspecifytheplotter,papersize,andotherplotsettingsthatyouusetoplotaparticularlayoutorthemodelspaceofadrawing.AutoCADmaintainsseparatepagesetupsformodelspaceandforeachpaperspacelayout.WhenyouclicktheApplytoLayoutbuttoninthePlotdialogbox(orselecttheSaveChangestoLayoutcheckboxandthenclickOKtoplot),AutoCADstoresthecurrentplotsettingsasthepagesetupforthecurrentlayout.

Whenindoubt,senditoutWhetheryouplot toscaleornot,withdifferent lineweightsornot, incolorornot,considerusing a service bureau for some of your plotting. In-house plotting on your office’s outputdevicesisgreatforsmallcheckplotsonfasterlaserorinkjetprinters.Large-formatplotting,ontheotherhand,canbeslowandtime-consuming.Ifyouneedtoplotlotsofdrawings,youmay find yourself spending an afternoon loading paper, replenishing ink cartridges, andtrimmingsheets.

Goodplottingservicebureaushavebig,fast,expensiveplottersthatyoucanonlydreamaboutowning.Also,they’reresponsibleforbabysittingthosefancydevices,feedingthem,andfixingthem.As a bonus, service bureaus canmakeblueline prints from your plots if you need todistributehard-copysetstootherpeople.

Theonlydownsideisthatyouneedtocoordinatewithaservicebureautomakesureitgetswhatitneedsfromyouandcandeliverthekindsofplotsyouneed.Someservicebureausplotdirectly from your DWG files while others ask you to make PLT (plot) files. Some servicebureaus specialize in color plotting while others are more comfortable with monochromeplottingandmakingbluelinecopies.

Whenyou’rechoosingaservicebureau, look forone that traditionallyhasserveddrafters,architects, and engineers. These service bureaus tend to be more knowledgeable aboutAutoCAD,andtheyshouldhavemoreplottingexpertisethanthedesktop-publishing,printing,andcopyingshops.

Whomeveryouchoose,dosometestplotswellbeforethedaythatimportantsetofdrawingsisdue.Talktotheplottingpeopleandgetacopyoftheirplottinginstructions.Havetheservicebureaucreatesomeplotsofacoupleofyourtypicaldrawingsandmakesurethey lookthewayyouwantthemto.

Ifyoudo lotsofplottingwithaservicebureau, look intowhetheryoucancharge it toyourclientsasanexpense(justlikebluelinesorcopying).

Youcanalsogivepagesetupsnamesandsavethem.Theadvantageofdoingsoisthatyoucanswitchquicklybetweendifferentplotsettingsandcopyplotsettingsfromonedrawinglayouttoanother.Namedpagesetupsarestoredwitheachdrawing,butyoucancopythemfromanotherdrawingintothecurrentonewiththePageSetupManagerdialogbox(describedlaterinthissection).

Ifyouwanttogetfancier,youcancreatenamedpagesetupsinordertoplotthesamelayout(ormodelspace)indifferentways,ortocopyplotsettingsfromonelayouttoanotheroronedrawingtoanother.ClicktheAddbuttoninthePageSetupareaofthePlotdialogboxtocreateanamedpagesetupfromthecurrentplotsettings.Afteryoucreateanamedpagesetup,youcanrestoreitsplotsettingsbychoosingitfromthePageSetupNamedrop-downlist.

Forevengreatercontrol,right-clickQuickViewLayoutsonthestatusbarandchoosePageSetupManagertocreate,change,andcopypagesetups.InthePageSetupManagerdialogbox,asshowninFigure16-9,youcancreatenewpagesetupsandmodifyexistingones.ClicktheModifybuttontoopenthePageSetupdialogbox,whichisalmostidenticaltothePlotdialogbox.Theprimarydifferenceisthatyou’rechangingplotsettingsratherthanactuallyplotting.TheSetCurrentbuttoncopiesthepagesetupthatyou’veselectedonthePageSetupslisttothecurrentlayouttab.WiththeImportbutton,youcancopyapagesetupfromanotherdrawingordrawingtemplate(DWT)file.

Figure16-9:ThePageSetupManagerdialogbox.

ContinuingthePlotDialogInprevioussectionsofthischapter,IcovermostoftheimportantoptionsinthePlotdialogbox.Thissectionrevealsafewmorefinepointsthatwillmakeyourplottinglifeeasier.Idon’tcovereveryminute,obscure,useful-only-at-cocktail-party-discussionsdetail.(Andifthissoundslikeyourkindofcocktailparty,remindmethatI’mbusythatnight!)Idopointoutsomeoccasionallyusefuloptionsthatwillincreaseyourvocabularywhenyou’recommunicatingwiththePlotdialogbox.

UsethePlotdialogbox’stooltipstofindoutmoreaboutanypartofthedialogbox:

1.Hoveryourmousepointeroverthepartofthedialogboxthatyouwanttoknowmoreabout.2.PressF1orclicktheHelpbuttonatthebottomofthedialogboxifthepop-uphelpisn’tenough.

3.Foramoreconceptualtakeonplotting,clicktheLearnaboutPlottinglinktoviewtheQuickStarttoPlottingsectionoftheonlinehelp.

Thefollowinglistexplainsmostoftheremainingcontrols,checkboxes,andlistsinthePlotdialogbox:

Printer/Plotter:AsIdescribeinthesection“Configureitout,”earlierinthischapter,youusetheNamedrop-downlisttoselecttheWindowssystemprinterornon-systemdriverconfigurationthatyouwanttouseforplotting.

ClickingthePropertiesbuttonopensthePlotterConfigurationEditordialogbox,withwhichyoucanchangemedia(typeofpaper)andotherpropertiesthatareuniquetothecurrentlyselectedplotterorprinter.Inparticular,youcandefinecustompapersizes.

AsifAutoCAD’sPlotdialogboxsettingsweren’toverwhelmingenough,dependingonyourplotdevice,youmayalsohavetodealwiththePlotterConfigurationEditordialogbox.Someplotterdrivershideimportantsettingsinthisdialogbox.Toaccessthem,youtypicallyclicktheCustomPropertiesbuttonnearthebottomofthePlotterConfigurationEditordialogbox.Forexample,ifyou’reusingtheenhancedWindowssystemdriverforHPplotters,availableatwww.designjet.hp.com,youcanclicktheCustomPropertiesbuttonandthentheMoreSizesbuttontospecifywhichpapersizesareavailabletoyouonthePaperSizedrop-downlistofthemainPlotdialogbox.

Tomakemattersevenmoreconfusing,ifyoumakeanychangesinthePlotterConfigurationEditordialogbox,AutoCADpromptsyoutosavethechangestoaseparatePC3file.YoushouldchooseSaveChangestotheFollowingFile(thatis,createanewAutoCAD-specificconfigurationthatincludestherevisedsettings)andtypeaconfigurationnamethatyou’ll

recognizelater.Whenyouwanttoplotwithcustomsettings,remembertochoosetheAutoCAD-specificPC3configurationneartheendofthePrinter/PlotterNamedrop-downlist,andnottheoriginalWindowssystemprinterconfigurationnearthebeginningofthelist.

PlottoFile:Ifyouneedtoplottoafile,ratherthandirectlytoyourplotterornetworkprinterqueue,selectthePlottoFileoption.WhenyouclickOKtoplot,AutoCADasksyouforaplotfilenameandlocation.Youmayneedtousethisoptiontocreatefilestosendtoaplottingservicebureau.

AutoCAD2009addedDWFxtoitsePlotoptions.DWFxisaflavoredversionofDWFthatconformstoMicrosoft’sXPSpagedescriptionlanguage.Formostpeople,thehandiestthingaboutthisformatisthatifyouplottoDWFx,theresultingfilecanbedisplayedinWindowsExplorer(aslongasyou’rerunninginWindowsVistaorlater).

PlottingtotheDWGtoPDF.pc3filecreatesversionsofyourdrawingfilesthatcanbeopenedandviewedinthefreeandwidelyavailableAdobeReadersoftware.

PlotStampOn:UsethisoptiontoturnonandoffandconfigurethecontentsofatextstringthatAutoCADaddsautomaticallytothecornerofeachplot.Theplotstampcanincludeusefulinformation,suchasthedrawing’sfilenameandplotdateandtime.

PlotArea:Specifytheareaofthedrawingtoplot.YourchoicesincludeDisplay,Extents,andWindow,regardlessofwhetheryou’replottingapaperspacelayoutormodelspace.Ifyoudefinednamedviewsinthedrawing,AutoCADaddsaViewoption.TheadditionalchoiceisLayoutforapaperspacelayoutorLimitsformodelspace.

•Display:Thedrawingasit’scurrentlydisplayedinthedrawingwindow(includinganyemptyspacearoundthedrawingobjects).

•Extents:Therectangularareacontainingalltheobjectsinthedrawing.

•Limits(full-screenmodelspaceonly):Themodelspaceareathatyoumayormaynothavespecifiedwhenyousetupthedrawing.Ifyoudidnotspecificallysetyourdrawing’slimits(asIdemonstrateinChapter3),thenplottinglimitswillgiveunpredictableresults.Useoneoftheotheroptionsinstead.

•Layout(Layoutsonly):Thepaperspaceareayoudefinedwhenyousetupthelayout.

•Window:Arectangularareathatyouspecify.

•View:Anamedviewwhichyouselectfromadrop-downlist.(Chapter12describesnamedviewsandhowtocreatethem.)

Usually,you’llchoosetoplotLayoutinpaperspace.Formodelspace,thechoicedependsonhowthedrawingwassetupandwhatyouwanttoplot.Ifyou’retryingtoplotadrawinginwhichthelimitsweren’tset,tryExtentsinstead.UseWindoworViewifyouwanttoplotjustaportionofmodelspace.

PlotOffset:AplotoffsetofX=0andY=0positionstheplotatthelower-leftcorneroftheplottablearea.Ifyouwanttomovetheplotfromthisdefaultpositiononthepaper,enternon-zeronumbersorselecttheCenterthePlotcheckbox.(TheCenterthePlotcheckboxisnotavailableifyouselectLayoutfromtheWhattoPlotdrop-downlist.)

ShadedViewportOptions:Ifyourdrawingincludesviewportsshowingshadedorrendered3Dmodels,usethisareatocontroltheplottedappearance.

PlotOptions:ThePlotObjectLineweightsandthePlotwithPlotStylescheckboxescontrolwhetherAutoCADusesthefeaturesdescribedinthe“Plottingwithstyle”and“Plottingthroughthickandthin”sections,earlierinthischapter.

TheHidePaperspaceObjectscheckboxcontrolswhetherAutoCADhidesobjectsthatarebehindotherobjectswhena3Dmodelisdisplayedinaviewport.

PlotUpside-Down:Selectthischeckboxifyouwanttorotatetheplot180degreesonthepaper.(It’sahandyoptionforplottinginthesouthernhemisphereorforavoidinghavingtocockyourheadatanuncomfortableangleasyouwatchplotscomeoutoftheplotter.)

AutoCADnormallygeneratesplotsintheforeground—thatis,theplottingprocesstakesovertheprogramfortheentiretimethattheprogramiscreatingtheplot.AutoCAD2012includesabackgroundplottingfeaturethatreturnscontroloftheprogramtoyoumorequickly.Ifyouhaveareasonablyfastcomputerwithadequatememory,turnonthisfeatureintheOptionsdialogbox:TypeOPTIONS(orOP)andpressEnter,clickthePlotandPublishtab,andintheBackgroundProcessingOptionsarea,selectPlotting.

Ifyouwanttoautomateplottingforabatchofdrawings,checkoutthesheetsetsfeatureinAutoCADandAutoCADLT.Oneofthetasksthatsheetsetsaredesignedtoaccomplishisthepublishingofasetofdrawingsheetsatonefellswoop.Ifthissoundslikeyourtickettoplottingbliss,gototheonlinehelpsystemandtypeWorkwithSheetsinaSheetSetintheSearchHelpResourcesbox.

TroubleswithPlottingNomatterhowmanytimesyoureadthischapterorhowcarefullyyoustudytheAutoCADdocumentation,you’lloccasionallyrunintoplottingproblems.You’reespeciallylikelytoencounterproblemswhentryingtoplototherpeople’sdrawingsbecauseyoudon’talwaysknowwhatplottingconventionstheyhadinmind.(Plottingconventionsaren’twherespiesmeet;they’reastandardizedapproachtoplottingissues.)Table16-1describessomeofthemorecommonplottingproblemsandsolutions.

Table16-1PlottingProblemsandSolutions

Problem PossibleSolution

Nothingcomesoutoftheplotter(systemprinterdriver).

CheckwhetheryoucanprinttothedevicefromotherWindowsapplications.Ifnot,it’snotanAutoCADproblem.TrytheWindowsPrintTroubleshooter(WindowsXP:Start⇒HelpandSupport⇒PrintingandFaxing⇒FixingaPrintingProblem⇒PrintingTroubleshooter;WindowsVistaandWindows7:Start⇒HelpandSupport,typeprintingtroubleshootingintheSearchboxandpressEnter,thenclickTroubleshootPrinterProblemsorOpenthePrintertroubleshooter).

Nothingcomesoutoftheplotter(non-systemprinterdriver).

ChoosePlotterManageronthePlotpaneloftheRibbon’sOutputtab,double-clicktheplotterconfiguration,andcheckthesettings.

Objectsdon’tplotthewaytheyappearon-screen. Checkforaplotstyletablewithweirdsettingsortryplottingwithoutaplotstyletable.

Objectsappearghostedorwithwashed-outcolors. Intheplotstyletable,setColortoBlackforallcolors.

ScaledtoFitdoesn’tworkrightinpaperspace. ChangetheWhattoPlotdrop-downlistfromLayouttoExtents.

TheHP-enhancedWindowssystemdriverthatyoudownloadedfromHP’sWebsitedoesn’thavetherightpapersizes(forexample,noarchitecturalpapersizes).

InthePlotdialogbox’sPrinter/Plotterarea,clickthePropertiesbuttontodisplaythePlotterConfigurationEditordialogbox,clicktheCustomPropertiesbutton(nearthebottom),andthenclicktheMoreSizesbuttontospecifythestandardandcustompapersizes.

Somethingelseiswrong. Checktheplotlog:ClickthePlot/PublishDetailsReportAvailableiconneartherightendofthestatusbarandlookforerrormessages.

PartIV

AdvancingwithAutoCAD

Inthispart...Afteryougetthelinesandtextright,youmaybejustifiedinthinkingthatyourworkinAutoCADisdone.ButAutoCADenablesyoutodosomuchmore!Blocksandexternalreferenceshelpyoumanagedatawithindrawings,betweendrawings,andacrossanetwork.Parametricdrawingletsyoumaintaintheintentofyourdesigns.Ifyouplantosharedrawings(whetheramongyourownprojects,withpeopleinyouroffice,orwithfolksinothercompanies),youneedtothinkaboutconsistencyinpresentationanddrawingorganization.

TheInternetisthebiggestongoingswapmeetinhumanhistory,andAutoCADofferssomeuniquetradingpossibilities—andpotentialpitfalls—viae-mailandtheWeb.Withtheinformationinthispart,you’llbeteachingAutoCADhowtogiveandreceiveinnotime.

Chapter17

TheABCsofBlocks

InThisChapterIntroducingblocks

Creatingblockdefinitions

Insertingblocks

Usingattributesinblocks

UsingPURGEtoremoveunwantedblockdefinitions

Chapter11showsyouhowtocopyobjectswithinadrawing,oreventoanotherdrawing.That’sonewaytouseAutoCADtoimprovedraftingefficiency.YoucancopyaDWGfileandthenmodifyittocreateasimilardrawing—anevenbetterproductivitybooster,aslongasyou’reinthehabitofmakingsimilardrawings.ButallthosearebabystepscomparedtothetechniquesthatIcoverinthischapterandChapter18:treatingdrawings,partsofdrawings,drawingssavedinWebformat(DWF,orDesignWebFormat),PDFs,MicroStationDGNfiles,andrasterimagesasreusableandupdateablemodules.IfyouwanttomakedraftingproductionmoreefficientwithAutoCAD,youwanttoknowhowtouseblocks,xrefs,PDFs,DWFs,DGNs,andrasterfiles.

Ablockisacollectionofobjectsgroupedtogethertoformasingleobject.Youcaninsertthiscollectionmorethanonceinthesamedrawing,andwhenyoudo,allinstancesoftheblockremainidentical.Byredefiningtheblockdefinition,youcanautomaticallychangeallinstancesoftheblockinsertion(officiallycalledablockreference)atonce.Althoughablockliveswithinaspecificdrawing,youcantransfercopiesofitintootherdrawings.Andyoucanaddfill-in-the-blanktextfields,calledattributes,toblocks.

Youcancreatesinglelineormultilineattributes;inadditiontohavingmorethanoneline,multilineattributeshavemanyoftheformattingoptionsofmultilinetext.Andblocksbothwithandwithoutattributescanbedefinedasannotativeobjectstoboot.(SeeChapter13forarundownonannotativeobjects.)

Inthischapter,IpresenttheABCsofblocks—basiccreationandinsertion,addingattributes,andgettingridofblockdefinitionsyounolongerneedorwant.InChapter18,Ishowyouhowtomakeevenmoreofalready-createddrawingdata,includingdynamicblocks,associativearrayobjects,andseveralflavorsofexternalreferencefiles(includingPDFsandMicroStationDGNfiles)andrasterimages.

Blocks,alongwithexternalreferences,DWFandPDFunderlays,rasterimages,andDGNfiles,enableyoutoreuseyourworkandtheworkofothers,givingyouthepotentialtosavetremendousamountsoftime—ortocausetremendousproblemsifyouchangeafileonwhichotherpeople’sdrawingsdepend.Usethesefeatureswhenyoucantosavetime,butdosoinanorganizedandcarefulwaysoastoavoidproblems.

Howyouuseblocksandxrefsdependsalotontheprofessionandofficeinwhichyouwork.Somedisciplinesandcompaniesusethesedrawingorganizationfeaturesheavilyandinahighlyorganizedway,butothersdon’t.Askyourcolleagueswhatthelocalcustomsareandfollowthem.

RockingwithBlocksFirst,alittlemoreblocktheory,andthenyoucanrockrightintothoseblocks.Touseablockinadrawing,youneedtwothings:ablockdefinitionandoneormoreblockinsertions.AutoCADdoesn’talwaysmakethedistinctionbetweenthesetwothingsveryclear,butyouneedtounderstandthedifferencetoavoidterminalconfusionaboutblocks.(Maybethissyndromeshouldbecalledblockheadedness?)

Ablockdefinitionlivesinaninvisibleareaofyourdrawingfilecalledtheblocktable.(It’soneofthosesetsofnamedsymbolsthatIdescribeinChapter6.)Theblocktableislikeabookofgraphicalrecipesformakingdifferentkindsofblocks.Eachblockdefinitionislikearecipeformakingonekindofblock.Whenyouinsertablock,asdescribedinthesection“Insertingblocks,”laterinthischapter,AutoCADcreatesaspecialobjectcalledablockreference.TheblockreferencepointstotherecipeandtellsAutoCAD,“Hey,drawmeaccordingtotheinstructionsinthisrecipe!”

Althoughablockmaylooklikeacollectionofobjectsstoredtogetherandgivenaname,it’sreallyagraphicalrecipe(theblockdefinition)plusoneormorepointerstothatrecipe(oneormoreblockreferences).Eachtimeyouinsertaparticularblock,youcreateanotherpointertothesamerecipe.

Theadvantagesofblocksinclude

Groupingobjectstogetherwhentheybelongtogetherlogically:Youcandrawascrewusinglinesandarcsandthenmakeablockdefinitionoutofalltheseobjects.Whenyouinsertthescrewblock,AutoCADtreatsitasasingleobjectforpurposesofcopying,moving,andsoon.

Savingtimeandreducingerrors:Insertingablockis,ofcourse,muchquickerthanredrawingthesamegeometryagain.Andthelessgeometryyoudrawfromscratch,thelessopportunitythereistomakeamistake.

Efficiencyofstoragewhenyoureusethesameblockrepeatedly:Ifyou

insertthesamescrewblock15timesinadrawing,AutoCADstoresthedetailedblockdefinitiononlyonce.The15blockreferencesthatpointtotheblockdefinitiontakeupmuchlessdiskspacethan15copiesofallthelines,polylines,andarcs.

Theabilitytoeditallinstancesofasymbolinadrawingsimplybymodifyingasingleblockdefinition:Ifyoudecidethatyourdesignrequiresadifferentkindofscrew,yousimplyredefinethescrew’sblockdefinition.Withthisnewrecipe,AutoCADthenreplacesall15screwsautomatically.That’saheckofalotfasterthanerasingandrecopying15screws!

Varyingtheappearanceofblockreferencesbyusingdynamicblocks:Ifyourdesignrequiresadifferentkindofscrew,yousimplychangetheviewofthescrewtotheotherkind(assuming,ofcourse,you’vedefinedyourscrewasadynamicblock).Everyinstanceofthescrewinthedrawingcouldshowadifferentkindofscrew.Andthat’saheckofalotmoreefficientthancreating15differentblockdefinitions!Forthelowdownoncreating,inserting,andmanipulatingdynamicblocks,seeChapter18.

Blocksaren’tallthatgreatfordrawingelementsthatmightbeusedinmultipledrawingshowever,especiallyifseveralpeopleareworkingonandsharingpartsofdrawingswithoneanother.That’sbecauseblocks,aftertheygetintomultipledrawings,stayineachdrawing;alatermodificationtoablockdefinitioninonedrawingdoesnotautomaticallymodifyalltheotherdrawingsthatusethatblock.Ifyouuseablockwithyourcompany’slogoina

numberofdrawingsandthenyoudecidetochangethelogo,youmustmakethechangewithineachdrawingthatusestheblock.

Ifallyouneedtodoisgroupsomeobjectssothatyoucanmoreeasilyselectthemforcopying,moving,andsoon,useAutoCAD’sGroupfeature,whichIdescribealittlemorefullyinChapter10.TypeGROUP(orthecommandaliasG)andpressEnter,orsimplyclicktheGroupbuttonontheHometab’sGroupspanel(newinAutoCAD2012).Thenjustselectsomeobjectsandyou’redone.Whenyou’reeditingdrawingsthatcontaingroups,pressCtrl+Shift+Atotoggle“group-ness”onoroff.Ifyou’vetoggledgroup-nesson,pickinganyobjectinagroupselectsallobjectsinthegroup.Ifyou’vetoggleditoff,pickinganobjectselectsonlythatobject,evenifithappenstobeamemberofagroup.Formoreinformation,refertoChapter10

orvisittheonlinehelpindex.

CreatingblockdefinitionsTocreateablockdefinitionfromobjectsinthecurrentdrawing,usetheBlockDefinitiondialogbox.(Theotherwaytocreateablockdefinitionisbyinsertinganotherdrawingfileintoyourcurrentdrawingasablock,whichIexplaininthenextsection.)ThefollowingstepsshowyouhowtocreateablockdefinitionbyusingtheBlockDefinitiondialogbox:

1.OntheRibbon’sHometab,clicktheCreatebuttonontheBlockpanel.TheBlockDefinitiondialogboxappears(seeFigure17-1).

Figure17-1:TheBlockDefinitiondialogbox.

Payattentiontolayerswhenyoucreatetheobjectsthatmakeupablock.Asarule,blockgeometrycreatedonmostlayersretainsthecolor,linetype,lineweight,transparency,andplotstylepropertiesofthoselayers.TheexceptiontotheruleisobjectgeometrycreatedonLayer0.Ifyoucreatea

blockusinggeometrydrawnonLayer0,thentheblocktakesonthefeaturesofanylayerintowhichyouinsertit.

2.Typetheblockdefinition’snameintheNametextbox.Ifyoutypethenameofanexistingblockdefinition,AutoCADwillwarnyouwhenyouclickOKattheendoftheprocessandaskifyouwanttoreplacethatblockdefinitionwiththenewobjectsyouselect.Thisprocessiscalledblockredefinition.

Toseealistofthenamesofallthecurrentblocksinyourdrawing,opentheNamedrop-downlist.

3.Specifythebasepoint(alsoknownastheinsertionpoint)oftheblock,usinganyofthefollowingmethods:

•EnterthecoordinatesoftheinsertionpointintheX,Y,andZtextboxes.

•ClickthePickPointbuttonandthenspecifyapointonthescreen.(Inthiscase,useanobjectsnaporotherprecisiontechnique,asdescribedinChapter7,tograbaspecificpointononeoftheblock’sobjects.)

Thebasepointisthepointontheblockbywhichyouinsertitlater,asIdescribeinthenextsection.

Useanobviousandconsistentpointonthegroupofobjectsforthebasepoint,suchasthelower-leftcorner,sothatyouknowwhattoexpectwhenyouinserttheblock.

4.ClicktheSelectObjectsbuttonandthenselecttheobjectsthatyouwantaspartoftheblock.AutoCADusestheselectedobjectstocreateablockdefinitionanddisplaysaniconshowingthoseobjectsnexttotheblockname.Figure17-2showsthebasepointandgroupofselectedobjectsduringtheprocessofcreatinganewblockdefinition.

Figure17-2:Buildingablock.

5.IntheObjectsarea,selectoneoftheradiobuttonstotellAutoCADwhattodowiththeobjectsusedtodefinetheblock:retaintheminplace,convertthemintoablockinstance,ordeletethem.Thedefaultchoice,ConverttoBlock,isusuallythebest.SeeStep9foradescriptionofwhathappenswitheachchoice.

6.SpecifytheinsertunitstowhichtheblockwillbescaledintheBlockUnitdrop-downlist.WhenyouorsomeoneelsedragstheblockfromonedrawingintoanotherviatheDesignCenterpalette(seeChapter6)orToolPalettes(describedlaterinthischapter),theunitsyouspecifyhereandtheunitsofthedrawingyou’redraggingintowillcontrolthedefaultinsertionscalefactor.

ThreeadditionalfeaturesinAutoCAD’sBlockDefinitiondialogboxgiveyouevenmorecontroloverwhathappenstoyourblocksasthey’reinserted:

•IftheAnnotativecheckboxisselected:YoucanassignmultipleplotteddrawingscalestotheblockandthendisplaytheinsertedblockatthedifferentscalerepresentationsbychoosingonefromtheAnnotationscalelistonthestatusbar.(IexplainthenutsandboltsofannotativeobjectsinChapter13.)

•IftheScaleUniformlycheckboxisselected:BlockswillbeinsertedwiththesameX,Y,orZscalefactors.(ScaleUniformlyisselectedautomaticallyifAnnotativeisselected.)

•IftheAllowExplodingcheckboxisselected:Blockscanbeexplodedduringoraftertheirinsertioninadrawing.

7.EnteradescriptionfortheblockintheDescriptiontextarea.Youdon’thavetoenteradescriptiontocreateablock,butit’snotabadidea.

Thinklikeadatabasemanagerandenterausefuldescriptionthatwillidentifytheblocktoyourselfandothers.

8.MakesurethattheOpeninBlockEditorcheckboxisdeselected.Youdon’tneedtousetheEditBlockDefinitiondialogboxunlessyou’regoingtoadddynamicfeaturestotheblock(seeChapter18tofindoutmoreaboutdynamicblocks).

9.ClickOKtocompletetheblockdefinitionprocess.AutoCADstorestheblockdefinitioninthecurrentdrawing’sblocktable.TheradiobuttonsyouchoosefrominStep5dothefollowing:

•IfyouselecttheConverttoBlockradiobutton(thedefault)inStep5,AutoCADcreatesablockreferencepointingtothenewblockdefinition—theobjectslookthesameon-screen,buttheyarenowaninstanceoftheblockratherthantheoriginalseparateobjects.Mostofthetime,thisisyourbestchoice.

•IfyouselecttheRetainradiobutton,theobjectsremaininplacebutaren’tconvertedintoablockreference—theyremainindividualobjectswithnoconnectiontothenewblockdefinition.

•IfyouselecttheDeleteradiobutton,theobjectsdisappear(buttheblockdefinitionstillgetscreated).

Whenyoudefineablock,youcanincludeaspecialkindofvariabletextobjectcalledanattributedefinition.Whenyouinsertablockthatcontainsoneormoreattributedefinitions,AutoCADpromptsyoutofillinvaluesforthetextfields.Attributesareusefulforvariabletitleblockinformation(sheetnumber,sheettitle,andsoon)andsymbolsthatcontaindifferentcodesorcallouts.Idescribehowtocreateanduseattributedefinitionslaterinthischapter.

Keepyourcommonsymboldrawingsinoneormorespecificfoldersthatyousetasidejustforthatpurpose.Youmaywanttouseoneofthefollowingtechniquestodevelopalibraryofsymbolsthatyouusefrequently:

CreateaseparateDWGfileforeachblock.

StoreabunchofsymbolsasblockdefinitionsinonedrawinganduseDesignCentertoimportblockdefinitionsfromthisdrawingwhenyouneedthem.

InsertingblocksAutoCADprovidesanumberofwaystoinsertablockorawholedrawingfile,butthemostcommonlyusedandmostflexibleistheInsertdialogbox.Here’stheprocedureforinsertingablock:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrent,asdescribedinChapter6.It’sagoodideatoinserteachblockonalayerthathassomethingtodowiththeblock’sgeometryorpurpose:•Ifalltheobjectsintheblockdefinitionresideononelayer,it’susuallybesttoinserttheblockonthatlayer.•Iftheblockgeometryspansseverallayers,chooseoneofthemtoinserttheblockon.

Ifanyoftheblockdefinition’sgeometrywascreatedonLayer0,thatgeometrywillinheritthecolor,linetype,andotherobjectpropertiesofthelayeronwhichyouinserttheblock.It’slikethechameleonchangingcolortomatchitssurroundingsorapoliticianchanginghispositiontomatchtheday’sopinionpolls.

2.OntheRibbon’sHometabclicktheInsertbuttonontheBlockpanel.TheInsertdialogboxappears,asshowninFigure17-3.

Figure17-3:TheInsertdialogbox.

3.Entertheblockdefinitionname(orexternalfilename)byusingoneofthefollowingmethods:

•UsetheNamedrop-downlisttoselectfromalistofblockdefinitionsinthecurrentdrawing.

•ClicktheBrowsebuttontoselectanexternalDWGfileandhaveAutoCADcreateablockdefinitionfromit.

Youcanuseanexternaldrawingtoreplaceablockdefinitioninyourcurrentdrawing.IfyouclickBrowseandchooseafilewhosenamematchesthenameofablockdefinitionthat’salreadyinyourdrawing,AutoCADasksyoutoconfirmtheupdateand,ifyouagree,updatestheblockdefinitioninyourdrawingwiththecurrentcontentsoftheexternalfile.Thisprocessiscalledblockredefinition,andAutoCADautomaticallyupdatesallblockreferencesthatpointtotheblockdefinition.

4.Entertheinsertionpoint,scale,androtationangleoftheblock.YoucaneitherselecttheSpecifyOn-Screencheckboxineachareatospecifytheparameterson-screenatthecommandprompt,ortypethevaluesyouwantinthetextboxesintheInsertionPoint,Scale,andRotationareas.

SelecttheUniformScalecheckboxtoconstraintheX,Y,andZscalingparameterstothesamevalue(whichiswhatyouwantinalmostallcases).

5.IfyouwantAutoCADtocreateacopyoftheindividualobjectsintheblockinsteadofablockreferencethatpointstotheblockdefinition,selecttheExplodecheckboxandclickOK.6.IfyouselectedtheSpecifyOn-Screencheckboxfortheinsertionpoint,scale,orrotationangle,answerthepromptsonthecommandlinetospecifytheseparameters.

Afteryouinsertablock,alltheobjectsdisplayedintheblockreferencebehaveasasingleobject.Whenyouselectanyobjectintheblockreference,AutoCADhighlightsalltheobjectsinit.

AnotherwaytoinsertablockistodragaDWGfilefromWindowsExploreranddropitanywhereinthecurrentdrawingwindow.AutoCADthenpromptsyoutochooseaninsertionpointandoptionallychangethedefaultscalefactorandrotationangle.Similarly,youcandragablockdefinitionfromtheBlockssectionoftheDesignCenterpaletteanddropitintothecurrentdrawingwindow.(Chapter6describesDesignCenter.)

AutoCADprovidesoneadditionalwayofinsertingblocks:theToolPaletteswindow,whichIdescribeinChapter2.Asistrueofusingatoolpaletteforhatching(Chapter15),youfirstmustcreateandconfigureappropriatetools.Theeasiestmethodisright-clickingadrawinginDesignCenterandchoosingCreateToolPalette.AnewtabbedpageisaddedtotheToolPaletteswindow,containingalltheblockdefinitionsfromthedrawingthatyouright-clicked.Simplyclickanddragatooltoinsertitscorrespondingblockintoadrawing.Draggingblocksfromatoolpalettedoesn’tgiveyouthechancetospecifyadifferentinsertionscale,norcanyouuseallAutoCAD’sprecisiontoolstospecifytheinsertionpointprecisely—youmayneedtomovetheblockintoplaceafterinsertingit.Irecommendthatyoufirstmastertheotherblockinsertionmethodsdescribedinthischapter—especiallytheInsertdialogboxandDesignCenterpalette.Then,ifyoufindyourselfinsertingthesameblocksfrequently,considercreatingatoolpalettecontainingthem.Checkout“AddContentwithDesignCenter”intheAutoCADonlinehelpsystemformoreinformation.

AlthoughtheprecedingparagraphreferstotheToolPaletteswindow,palettesinAutoCADarenotlikeregularwindowsordialogboxes.Theyaremodeless,whichmeanstheycanstayopenwhileyoucarryonwithothertasksoutsidethem.Theofficialprogrammer-esetermforpalettesisenhancedsecondarywindow,orESWforshort.(IthinkI’mstickingwithpalettes.)

Becarefulwhenyouinsertonedrawingintoanother.Ifthehost(orparent)drawingandtheinserted(orchild)drawinghavedifferentdefinitionsforlayersthatsharethesamename,theobjectsintheinserteddrawingtakeonthelayercharacteristicsofthehostdrawing.Forexample,ifyouinsertadrawingwithlinesonalayercalledWallsthat’sblueanddashedintoadrawingwithalayercalledWallsthat’sredandcontinuous,theinsertedlinesontheWalllayerwillturnredandcontinuousafterthey’reinserted.Thesamerulesapplytolinetypes,textstyles,dimensionstyles,tablestyles,multileaderstyles,andblockdefinitionsthatarenestedinsidethedrawingyou’reinserting.Asyouprobablyrememberfromwhenyouwerelittle...parentsrule!

Ifyouneedtomodifyablockdefinitionafteryou’veinsertedoneormoreinstancesofit,usetheBlockEditor(BEDITcommand);chooseBlockEditorontheHometab’sBlockpanel.LookupBEDITintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem.

LocateUsingGeographicDataisanoptioninAutoCAD’sInsertdialogbox.GeographicdatareferstolocatingdrawinggeometrywithreferencetospecificlocationsonplanetEarth(sofar)definedinoneofanumberofrecognizedglobalcoordinatesystems.Thisfeaturepromisestobeverybiginthecivilengineeringcommunity,orpossiblyforverylargearchitecturalprojects,whereaground-basedcoordinatesystemisinplace.Ifitsoundslikesomethingyouneed,lookintheonlinehelp(andvisityourlocaldealerortrainingcenterforfurtherdirection).

Attributes:Fill-in-the-blankblocksYoumaythinkofattributesasthegood(orbad)qualitiesofyoursignificantother,butinAutoCAD,attributesarefill-in-the-blanktextfieldsthatyoucanaddtoyourblocks.Whenyoucreateablockdefinitionandtheninsertitseveraltimesinadrawing,alltheordinarygeometry(lines,circles,regulartextstrings,andsoon)inalltheinstancesareexactlyidentical.Attributesprovidealittlemoreflexibilityintheformoftextstringsthatcanbedifferentineachblockreference.

Forexample,supposethatyoufrequentlydesignatepartsinyourdrawingsbylabelingthemwithadistinctnumberorletterinacircleforeachpart.Ifyouwanttocreateablockforthissymbol,youcan’tsimplydrawthenumberorletterasregulartextusingtheMTEXTorTEXTcommand.Ifyoucreateablockdefinitionwitharegulartextobject(forexample,theletterA),thetextstringwillbethesameineveryinstanceoftheblock(alwaystheletterA).That’snotmuchhelpindistinguishingtheparts!

Instead,youcreateanattributedefinition,whichactsasaplaceholderforatextstringthatcanvaryeachtimeyouinserttheblock.Youincludetheattributedefinitionwhenyoucreatetheblockdefinition(refertothe“Creatingblockdefinitions”section,earlierinthischapter).Theneachtimeyouinserttheblock,AutoCADpromptsyoutofillinanattributevalueforeachattributedefinition.

Whentheywerefirstintroduced,andforalongtimeafterward,blockattributevalueswerelimitedtoasinglelineofvariabletextwithamaximumof255characters.AutoCAD2008andlatersupportmultilineattributes;aswellasofferingmorethanoneline,multilineattributeshavemanyoftheformattingoptionsofmultilinetext.Formoreinformationoncreatingandinsertingblockswithmultilineattributes,lookupDefineBlockAttributesintheonlinehelpsystem.

TheAutoCADdocumentationanddialogboxesoftenusethetermattribute

toreferindiscriminatelytoanattributedefinitionoranattributevalue.Iattributealotoftheconfusionaboutattributestothissloppiness.Justrememberthatanattributedefinitionisthetextfieldorplaceholderintheblockdefinition,andanattributevalueisthespecifictextstringthatyoutypewhenyouinserttheblock.

Creatingattributedefinitions

YouusetheAttributeDefinitiondialogboxtocreateattributedefinitions(clever,eh?).Theprocedureissimilartocreatingatextstringexceptthatyoumustsupplyalittlemoreinformation.Createattributedefinitionswiththefollowingsteps:

1.Changetothelayeronwhichyouwanttocreatetheattributedefinition.2.ChooseDefineAttributesontheHometab’sBlockpanelslideouttoruntheATTDEFcommand.TheAttributeDefinitiondialogboxappears,asshowninFigure17-4.

YourarelyneedtouseanyofthefirstfourModesettings(Invisible,Constant,Verify,orPreset).Justleavethemdeselected.Ifyou’recuriousaboutwhatthemodesdo,hoveryourmousepointeroveranitem;ifthatdoesn’tgiveyouenoughinformation,usethedialogboxHelpbuttontofindoutmore.

3.SelectordeselecttheLockPositioncheckbox.IfLockPositionisselected,theattributescan’tberelocatedwithintheblockreference—thewholethingistreatedasasingleobject.DeselectingLockPositionallowsattributestobemovedbydraggingtheirgrips,withoutmovingtheblockreferenceasawhole.

Figure17-4:TheAttributeDefinitiondialogbox.

4.SelectordeselecttheMultipleLinescheckbox.SelectingMultipleLinesintheModeareadisablesthe“Default”textboxanddisplaysabuttontoopentheMultilineEditor.Bydefault,youdon’tgetthewholepanoplyofformattingoptionsthatyougetintheMTEXTcommand’sIn-PlaceTextEditor,butyoucanoverscoreorunderscoretext,andaright-clickmenuletsyouimporttext,assignabackgroundmask,orchoosefromanumberofotheroptions.SettingthevalueofthesystemvariableATTIPEto1enablesallformattingoptionsintheIn-PlaceTextEditor—refertotheonlinehelpsystemformoreinformation.

5.IntheAttributearea,typevaluesforthetag(theuniqueidentifierfortheattribute),theuserprompt,andthedefaultvalue.

ThenameyoutypeintotheTagtextboxcan’tcontainanyspaces.ThePromptandDefaulttextboxesmaycontainspaces.

Attributevaluescanincludefieldsthatautomaticallyupdate,suchasdate,filename,orsystemvariablesettings.ClicktheInsertFieldbuttontotherightoftheDefaulttextboxtoinsertafield.SeeChapter13formoreinformationonfields.

6.(Optional)IfyouselectedtheMultipleLinescheckboxinStep4,clicktheMultilineEditorbutton(itshowsthreeperiods)toenterthemultilinedefaultattributevalueandaddanyformatting;thenclickOK.Thevalueyouenterhereisthedefaulttextstoredintheattributedefinition,andyoucanchangeitwhenyouinserttheblock.

7.IntheTextSettingsarea,specifytheJustification,TextStyle,Annotativeproperty,TextHeight,Rotation,andBoundaryWidth(thelastformultilineattributesonly).Thetextpropertiesforattributedefinitionsarethesameasthosefortextobjects—seeChapter13.

8.SelectSpecifyOn-Screentochooseaninsertionpointfortheattributedefinition.Anattributedefinition’sinsertionpointislikeatextstring’sbasepoint.Remembertousesnap,objectsnap,oranotherprecisiontoolifyouwanttheeventualattributevaluestobelocatedataprecisepoint.

9.ClickOKtocreatetheattributedefinition.10.RepeatSteps1through9foranyadditionalattributedefinitions.

Ifyouneedtocreateaseriesofattributedefinitionsinneatrows,createthefirstoneusingSteps1through9andthenselecttheAlignBelowPreviousAttributeDefinitioncheckboxforthesubsequentdefinitions.Tomakeaseriesofnon-adjacentattributes,createthefirstoneusingSteps1through9andthencopythefirstattributedefinitionandeditthecopywiththePropertiespalette.YoucanpreventyourattributesfrombeingdraggedaroundtheblockbyselectingtheLockPositioncheckboxintheAttributeDefinitiondialogbox.

Definingblocksthatcontainattributedefinitions

Afteryoucreateoneormoreattributedefinitions—andanyothergeometrythatyouwanttoincludeintheblock—you’rereadytocreateablockdefinitionthatcontainsthem.Followthestepsinthesection“Creatingblockdefinitions,”earlierinthischapter.

AtStep4inthesection“Creatingblockdefinitions,”youcanselectanyattributedefinitionsbeforeorafteryouselecttheothergeometry.However,youshouldselecteachattributedefinitiononebyone(clickingeachattributedefinition

ratherthanselectingmultipleattributeswithaselectionwindow)intheorderthatyouwanttheattributevaluepromptstoappearintheEditAttributesdialogbox(seeFigure17-5inthenextsection).Ifyoudon’tselecttheattributesonebyone,yourblockandattributeswillstillwork,buttheorderoftheattributepromptsintheEditAttributesdialogboxmaynotbewhatyouwant.

YoucanusetheBlockAttributeManagertoreordertheattributedefinitionsinablockdefinition.ChooseAttribute,BlockAttributeManagerontheHometab’sBlockpanelslideout.Youalsocanusethisdialogboxtoeditotherattributedefinitionsettings,suchastheprompt,textstyle,orlayer.

Insertingblocksthatcontainattributedefinitions

Afteryoucreateablockdefinitionthatcontainsattributedefinitions,youinsertitjustlikeanyotherblock.Followthestepsinthesection“Insertingblocks”earlierinthischapter.Attheendofthesteps,AutoCADdisplaystheEditAttributesdialogbox,asshowninFigure17-5.Thedialogboxcontainsonerowforeachoftheattributedefinitionsandhasanydefaultvaluesfilledin.YousimplyeditthevaluesandthenclickOK.

Figure17-5:TheEditAttributesdialogbox.

TheATTDIA(ATTributeDIAlogbox)systemvariablecontrolswhetherAutoCADpromptsforattributevaluesinadialogbox(ATTDIA=1)oratthecommandline(ATTDIA=0).Ifyouinsertablockandseecommand-linepromptsforeachattributevalue,typeavalueandpressEnterforeachattributevalueyouwanttoset.Whenyoureturntothecommandprompt,typeATTDIA,pressEnter,type1,andpressEnteragain.Whenyouinsertblockswithattributesintothisdrawinginthefuture,AutoCADdisplaystheEditAttributesdialogboxinsteadofpromptingyouatthecommandline.

Editattributevalues

Afteryouinsertablockthatcontainsattributes,youcanedittheindividualattributevaluesinthatblockreferencewiththeEATTEDITcommand.ClicktheSingledrop-downbuttonontheHometab’sBlockpanelandclickanyobjectintheblockreference.AutoCADdisplaystheEnhancedAttributeEditordialogboxwiththecurrentattributevalues,asshowninFigure17-6.Themostcommon

attributeeditingoperationistoeditthetextvalue—thatis,thetextstringthatappearsintheblockreference.Youalsocanchangepropertiesoftheattributes,suchaslayerandtextstyle.

Figure17-6:TheEnhancedAttributeEditordialogbox.

ManypeopleuseattributesinthewayI’vedescribedsofar—asfill-in-the-blanktextfieldsinblocks.Butattributesalsocanserveasdataextractiontools.Forexample,youcanexportattributevalues,suchaspartnumbersandquantities,toatableobjectinAutoCADortoatext,spreadsheet,ordatabasefileforanalysisorreporting.

Extractingdata

SelectingExtractDatafromtheLinking&ExtractionpanelontheRibbon’sInserttabstartstheDataExtractionWizard.Youcanfindoutmuchmoreaboutthisspecializedfunctionintheonlinehelp.CheckoutUser’sGuide⇒ShareDatabetweenFiles⇒ExtractDatafromDrawingsandSpreadsheets.And,AutoCADLTusers,althoughyoudon’thavethiswizard,youcanstillextractattributeinformationtospace-orcomma-delimitedtextfilesbyusingtheAttributeExtractiondialogbox.Formoreinformation,visittheonlinehelp.

ExplodingblocksInregularblockdefinitions(notdynamicblocks),theobjectsineachblockreferenceactlikeawell-honedmarchingsquadron:Ifyoumoveorotherwiseeditoneobjectintheblockreference,allobjectsmoveorchangeinthesameway.Usuallythiscohesionisanadvantage,butoccasionallyyouneedtobreakupthesquadroninordertomodifyoneobjectwithoutaffectingtheothers.

Toexplodeablockreferenceintoindividualobjects,clickExplodeontheHometab’sModifypanelortypeXandpressEnter,andthenselecttheblockreference.Whenyouexplodeablockreference,AutoCADreplacesitwithalltheobjects—lines,polylines,arcs,andsoon—specifiedintheblockdefinition.Youthencanedittheobjectsindividuallyorperhapsusethemtomakemoreblockdefinitions.

Ifyouexplodeablockthatcontainsattributes,theattributevalueschangebacktoattributedefinitions.Thisusuallyisn’tthesortofchangethatyouwant.Ifyoureallyneedtoexplodetheblockreference,you’llprobablywanttoerasetheattributedefinitionsanddrawregulartextstringsintheirplace.Ifyou’veinstalledtheAutoCADExpressTools(notavailableinAutoCADLT),youcanperformthistaskautomaticallywiththeBURSTcommand.JusttypeBURSTandpressEnter.

BothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012haveanewNCOPYcommandthatletsyoucopyobjectscontainedwithinblockswithouthavingtoexplodetheblock.(AutoCADusersfamiliarwiththeExpressToolsmayalreadybefamiliarwithNCOPY;thecommandisnowinthecoreoftheprogramandthereforeavailabletoLTusersforthefirsttime.Inbothversions,youcanfindtheCopyNestedObjectstoolontheHometab’sModifypanelslideout(oryoucansimplytypeNCOPY).

PurgingunusedblockdefinitionsEachblockdefinitionslightlyincreasesthesizeofyourDWGfile,asdoothernamedobjectssuchaslayers,textstyles,anddimensionstyles.Ifyoudelete(orexplode)alltheblockreferencesthatpointtoaparticularblockdefinition,thatblockdefinitionnolongerservesanypurpose.

YoushouldrunthePURGEcommandperiodicallyineachdrawingandpurge

unusedblockdefinitions.ClicktheApplicationbuttontoopentheApplicationMenu,chooseDrawingUtilitiesontheleftside,thenchoosePurgetodisplaythePurgedialogbox.ClickthePurgeAllbuttontopurgeallunusednamedobjectsinthecurrentdrawing.

PURGEisn’tonlyforblocks—youcanalsoremoveemptylayers,blanktextstrings,zero-lengthlines,emptygroups(newinAutoCAD2012),andunusedstyledefinitions.InFigure17-7,thePurgedialogboxshowstheunuseddimension,multileader,andtextstylesthatcanberemovedfromthisdrawingwithaclickofthePurgeAllbutton.

Figure17-7:Purgingyourdrawingofunneedednamedobjects.

Chapter18

GoingDynamicandExternal

InThisChapterIntroducingassociativearrays,dynamicblocks,externalreferences(xrefs),

andrasterimages

Creatingassociativearrays

Authoringdynamicblocks

Attachingandmanagingxrefs,DWFs,andPDFs

Controllingxrefpaths

Attachingandmanagingrasterimagefiles

InChapter17,IintroduceblocksascollectionsofobjectgeometrythataretreatedassingleentitiesinAutoCAD.Inthatchapter,Ialsodescribegivingblocksalittlemoreoomphbyaddingattributes—changeabletexttagsthatcandifferwitheachinsertion.Otherthanthatkindofslightvariation,though,theblocksIdescribeinChapter17tendtobeprettystatic.

Butblocksdon’thavetobestaticcreations.Insteadofhavingahalf-dozenregularblocksforahalf-dozendifferentdoorsizes,youcancreateasingledynamicblockthatincludesallthosesizes.Unlikearegularblock,inwhicheveryinstanceofaparticularblockisgeometricallyidentical,eachinstanceofadynamicblockcandisplaygeometricvariations.Forexample,youcaninsertonefurnitureblockthreetimesandhaveoneinstancedisplayasasofa,oneasaloveseat,andoneasanarmchair.Iintroduceblockauthoring—theprocessforcreatingandeditingdynamicblocks—inthischapter.

There’snoquestionthatcreatingpractical,efficient,easilyuseabledynamicblocksisacomplexprocess.Asimplerwayofachievingsimilarresults(andwithoutthehassleofcreatingdynamicblocks)isAutoCAD2012’snewassociativearrayfeature.Associativearraysarealsodynamic—youcaneditthembychangingthenumberofitemsorbyadjustingvariousotherparameters.Associativearraysareinnowayasubstitutefordynamicblocks,buttheybridgethegapbetweenthesimplearraysIexplaininChapter11,andfull-blowndynamicblocksasdescribedinthischapter.

Anexternalreferencedrawing,orxref,islikeanindustrial-strengthblock.Anxrefisapointertoaseparatedrawingoutsidethedrawingyou’reworkingon.Whenyouattachareferencedrawing,itappearson-screenandonplotsaspartofyourdrawing,butitcontinuestoliveasaseparatedocumentonyourharddriveornetwork.Ifyouedittheexternallyreferenceddrawing,theappearanceofthedrawingchangesinalldrawingsthatreferenceit.

Arasterimagefilestoresagraphicalimageasaseriesofdots.Rasterfilesaregoodforstoringphotographs,logos,andotherimages,whereasAutoCADvectorfilesaregoodforstoringgeometricalobjectssuchaslinesandarcs,alongwithtextandotherannotationsfordescribingthegeometry.Sometimesit’shandytocombinerasterimageswithAutoCADvectorfilesbyattachingthemtoyourdrawingfiles,andtheExternalReferencespalettemakestheprocessstraightforward.

BeforeAutoCAD2007,externalreferencesmeantAutoCADdrawingfiles(andonlyAutoCADdrawingfiles)thatyouattachedtoyourcurrentdrawing.Imageswere(andstillare)rastergraphicsfilesthatyouattachedinasimilarwaybutwithadifferentcommand.InAutoCAD2007andlater,ExternalReferencesisthenameofthepalettewithwhichyouattachandmanagenotonlyexternallyreferencedAutoCADdrawings(xrefs)and2DMicroStationDGNdrawingfiles,butalsoimagefilesandDWForPDFunderlays.(DWFstandsforDesignWebFormat;aDWFisa“lightweight”versionofaDWGfileintendedfordesignrevieworpostingonaWebsite.)IdiscussattachingDWFsorPDFsasexternalreferencesattheendofthischapter,anddescribetheWebfunctionsofDWFsinChapter20.

BothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012enableyoutoattachDGNfilestocurrentdrawingsviatheExternalReferencespalette.DGNfilesaredrawingfilescreatedbyoneofAutoCAD’smajorcompetitors:MicroStationfromBentleySystems.(YoucanalsoimportandexportDGNdrawingdatainbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT.)Ifyou’renewtoAutoCAD,you’renotsolikelytoencounterDGNfilesunlessyou’reworkingforalargecompanythatexchangesalotofdrawingswithpartnersandconsultants.FormoreinformationonDGNfilesinAutoCAD2012,enterDGNFilesintheSearchboxatthetopoftheonlinehelpHomepage.

AsImentioninChapter17,blocks,externalreferences,DWFunderlays,PDFunderlays,rasterimages,andDGNfilesenableyoutoreuseyourworkandtheworkofothers,givingyouthepotentialtosavetremendousamountsoftime—ortocausetremendousproblemsifyouchangeafileonwhichotherpeople’sdrawingsdepend.Usethesefeatureswhenyoucantosavetime,butdosoinanorganizedandcarefulwaysoastoavoidproblems.

ArrayingAssociativelyThingsusedtobesosimple,backaround...oh,AutoCAD2011.ARRAYwasunequivocallyamodifyingcommand,justlikeCOPYorROTATE.Youfilledinvaluesinadialogbox,andafterabitoftweaking,youendedupwithmultiplecopiesofthesourceobjects,neatlyarrangedingeometricpatterns:eitherinevenlyspacedrowsandcolumns,orevenlydistributedradiallyaboutacenterpoint.ThenAutodesk’sprogrammersdecidedold-fashionedarraysweren’tenough.TheytooktheoldARRAYcommandintothelab,wiredelectrodestoitsbrainandthrewtheswitch—anduprosethenewsuperARRAY!

ComparingtheoldandnewARRAYcommandsTheresultsofusingthenewARRAYcommandaresodifferentfromthoseyougotinpreviousreleasesthatIreallywishthey’dgivenitanewname.I’mgoingtodomybesttoclarifythemuddywaters,sohere’stheterminologyI’musinginthisbook:

ARRAY:ThenewAutoCAD2012commandforcreatingassociativeandnon-associativerectangular,polar,pathand3Darraysofexistingobjects.TheARRAYRECT,ARRAYPATHandARRAYPOLARaresubsetsoftheARRAYcommand.

–ARRAY:Thecommand-promptversionoftheoriginalARRAYcommandpresentinAutoCADforthelasttwentyyears.ThisversiononlycreateswhatIrefertoas“simple”arrays.

Associativearray:New-in-2012objecttypecreatedasasingleobjectfromseparatesourceobjects.Associativearrays(thinkofthemasdynamicarrays)ignorethesourceobjectlayersandarecreatedonthecurrentlayer.TheycanbeeditedonlyinAutoCAD2012usingthenewARRAYEDITcommandandappearasanonymousblocksinearlierreleases.

Non-associativearray:Individualcopiesofsourceobjectscreatedinregularrectangularorpolarpatternsoralongapathusingthenon-associativeoptionofthenewARRAYcommand.

Simplearray:Individualcopiesofsourceobjectscreatedinregularrectangularorpolarpatternsusingthe–ARRAYcommand.

Theresultsofsimplearraysandnon-associativearraysareidentical;onlythemethodofcreatingthemisdifferent.

Herearesomeofthedifferencesbetweensimplearraysandnew,AutoCAD2012-styleassociativearrays:

Simplearraysmustbecreatedatthecommandlinebytyping–ARRAY;tocreateanassociativeornon-associativearray,youcantypeARRAY(withoutthehyphen)orclickoneofthethreeArraybuttonsontheHometab’sModifypanelandchoosetheassociativityoptionatthecommandprompt.

SimplearrayscanbeeitherRectangular(thatis,inevenly-spacedrowsandcolumns)orPolar(evenlyarrangedaroundacenterpoint).Associativeandnon-associativearrayshaveanewPathoptionaswellasRectangular

andPolarpatterns.

Whenyouarrayobjectswith–ARRAY,thesourceobjectsaresimplycopiedinrectangularorradialpatterns—theyremainasseparatelinesorcirclesorwhatevertheoriginalentitytype.Whenyoucreateanassociativearray,thesourceobjectsaredeletedfromthedrawingandreplacedbyanewassociativearrayobject.Non-associativearraysbehavethesameassimplearrays.

Whenyouuse–ARRAYondrawingobjects,thecopiesareplacedonthesamelayersasthesource.Withthenewassociativearray,thesourceobjectlayersareignored,andthenewobjectisplacedonwhateverlayerhappenstobecurrent.Again,non-associativearraysbehavethesameassimplearrays.

AssociativearrayobjectsarerecognizedassuchinAutoCAD2012only.AvoidusingthemifyouhavetosharedrawingswithusersofAutoCAD2011orearlier.Inearlierreleases,associativearraysaretreatedasanonymousblocks,andthecontentcanonlybeeditedbyexplodingthem.

ArrayingalongapathInChapter3Ishowyouhowtocreateasimplerectangulararray,andinChapter11Iexplainhowtocreateanequallysimplepolararray.Theconceptsandthepatterntypesarethesameforassociativeandnon-associativearraysastheyareforsimplearrays,sointhissectionIdemonstratethebrand-newPatharray.

Unlikerectangularandpolararrays,whichrequireonlysourceobjectsandsomeinputparameters,patharraysrequireanadditionalpieceofdrawinggeometry—apath.Apathcanbeassimpleasalineoracircle,oritcanbeasplineora2Dor3Dpolyline.Inthefollowingsteps,Ibringsomechairstotheellipticaldiningroomtableandusethetableitselfasthepath.Youcanusethissequencetocreateanassociativepatharrayofanyobjects.

ARRAYPATHisacomplicatedcommand,withseverallevelsofcommandprompt.Andit’snotmadeanyeasierbyAutodesk’sdecisionstoremovethedialogboxfromearlierreleases,andtoprovidenohelpfulcontextualRibbonpanel.It’salldoneatthecommandprompt,andifyougetoneentrywrong,youhavetocancelandstartalloveragain(thisshouldgivethenewbiesa

tasteofwhatAutoCADwaslikeacoupleofdecadesago!).Thisexampleshowsoneparticularroutethroughthecommandprompts;feelfreetotryalternativemethods—andremember:Theonlinehelpisyourfriend!

1.Openadrawingcontainingsomeobjectsyouwanttoarrayalongapath,ordrawsomesimplegeometryforyoursourceobject,andanopenorclosedsplineorpolylineforyourpath.

Youcanalsoopendrawingafd18a.dwgwhichyoucanfindonthisbook’scompanionwebsite(seeFigure18-1).Pointyourbrowseratwww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd18.zip,thenunzipthecontentstoafolderonyourlocalcomputer.(Thedrawingnamedafd18b.dwgcontainsthecompletedarray.)

Figure18-1:Dinnerforone—gettingreadytoarray.

2.OntheHometab’sModifypanel,choosePathArrayontheArraydrop-downbutton.Choosingthespecificarraytypefromthedrop-downsavesyoufromansweringonepromptyou’dgetifyoutypedARRAY.Andthat’sworthsomething,becausefromhereon,theprocedureiscommandline(orDynamicInput)only.

3.AttheSelectobjectsprompt,selectoneormoreobjectsthatyouwantto

arrayalongapath.AutoCADprompts:

Type=PathAssociative=YesSelectpathcurve:

Thefirstlineisinformationonly.Ifyoureallydon’twantapatharrayyouronlyoptionistocancel.Ifyouwantanon-associativeratherthananassociativearray,youhavetowaituntiltheverylastprompttoswitch.

4.Selecttheobjectyouwanttoserveasthepath.Validobjecttypesincludelines,polylines,splines,arcs,circles,andellipsesaswellashelixesand3Dpolylines.Youdon’thavetopressEntertoselectthepath—AutoCADimmediatelyprompts:

Enternumberofitemsalongpathor[Orientation/Expression]<Orientation>:

Ifyounowdragyourcrosshairsalongthepathcurve,AutoCADdynamicallypreviewsthearrayasdefinedbythecurrentsettings.

5.Enterthenumberofinstancesofyoursourceobjectsyouwanttobearrayed.Asyoudragyourcrosshairsalongthepath,AutoCADupdatesthedynamicpreviewuptothespecifiednumberofinstances.AutoCADnextwantstoknowhowyouwanttheobjectsspacedalongthepath:

Specifythedistancebetweenitemsalongpathor[Divide/Total/Expression]<Divideevenlyalongpath>:

Ifyouknowyouwantyourgueststositprecisely36inchesapart,youcanenterthatvalue,oryoucanpressEntertodistributethearrayedsourceobjectswithequalspacingbetweenthem.Younowgetyourlastchancetotweakyourarraybeforeexitingthecommand.AutoCADprompts:

PressEntertoacceptor[ASsociative/Basepoint/Items/Rows/Levels/Alignitems/Zdirection/eXit]<eXit>:

6.PressEntertoconfirmthepatharrayisexactlythewayyouwantit,ortypeanoptionlettertotweakit.AtthispointyoucantypeAStochangethearrayfromassociativetonon-associative.Doingsomeanstheduplicatedsourceobjectsareindependentofeachotherandhavenorelationshipwiththepathcurve.YoucanalsochangetheItemsoptiontoaddorremovecopiesofthesourceobjects,orchangetheAlignmentsoallcopiesarealignedthesamewayasthesourceobjects.

Figure18-2showsthediningtablewithadozenseatsplaceddynamicallyusinganassociativepatharray.

Figure18-2:Dinnerfortwelve—bringontheturkey!

IfyouworkwithusersofAutoCAD2011andearlier,youshouldchoosetomakeyourarraysnon-associative.Otherwise,usersofthoseearlierreleaseswillhavetoexplodeyourarraysbeforetheycanedityourobjects.

Associativelyediting

Youneedaspecialtoolfortinkeringwithassociativearrays,andAutoCADprovidesitwiththeARRAYEDITcommand.SelectinganymemberofanassociativearraydisplaystheArraycontextualtabontheRibbon(andhowhelpfulwouldthathavebeenwhileyou’reactuallycreatingassociativearrays?).Figure18-3showsthetabwithitssixpanelsthroughwhichyoucanmodifyjustabouteveryaspectofthearray.Andnomatterhowmuchtinkeringyoudo,youcanalwaysreverttotheoriginalstatebyclickingResetArrayontheOptionspaneloftheArraytab.

ThemeandVariations:DynamicBlocks

Youcanaddvarietytoyourblocksbymakingthemdynamic.Thetwomostusefulapplicationsfordynamicblocksaremultiplepresentationsofsimilarobjectsandmanipulationofcomponentswithinindividualblockinserts.

AutoCAD’sdynamicblocksfeaturegivesagreatdealofflexibilitytoblockcreationandinsertion.Butit’salsoaverycomplicatedsystem,withitsownsetofcommandsandsystemvariables.Irecommendthatyoubecomeveryfamiliarwithregularblockcreationandinsertiontechniquesforcreatingandinsertingblocks(whichIdescribeinChapter17)beforeyoutackledynamicblocks.

Figure18-3:EditingafterthefactwiththeArraycontextualRibbontab.

Spendsometimeplanningyourdynamicblocks.Sketchoutthegeometryforeachvariationinappearance(orvisibilitystate)anddecidewherethecommonbasepointshouldbe.Unlessyou’realotsmarterthanIam,you’llprobablyfindthatcreatingdynamicblocksiscomplexenoughwithouttryingtodesignyourblocksasyougo.

Nowyouseeit...

Ifyourdrawingshowssixdifferentkindsofwindows,oneapproachistocreatesixdifferentstandardblockstorepresentthemall.Alternatively,youcancreateasingledynamicblockanddefinevisibilitystatestocoverallsixdifferenttypes.Thefollowingstepsshowyouhowtomakeyourblocksdodouble(orsextuple?)dutybyusingtheEditBlockDefinitiondialogbox:

1.Openadrawingthatcontainssomeblockdefinitionsyou’dliketocombine,ordrawsomesimplegeometrytomakesomesimilartypesofobjects.

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd18.zip.Thedrawingnamedafd18b.dwgcontainsthethree-piecefurnituresuite(seeFigure18-4)Iusetocreateadynamicblock.Youcancreatedynamicblocksfromscratch,oryoucanworkwithexistingstandard(thatis,non-dynamic)blockdefinitions.Figure18-4showsadrawingwiththreenon-dynamicblocks.

Figure18-4:Threeblockstomakethreeseats.

2.OntheBlockpaneloftheHometab,chooseBlockEditortoopentheEditBlockDefinitiondialogbox.3.IntheBlockToCreateOrEditbox,specifyanewblocknameorselect<CurrentDrawing>andthenclickOKtodisplaytheBlockEditorwindow.TheBlockEditorisaspecialauthoringenvironmentwithitsownRibbontabplusapasselofcommand-linecommands.YoualsohaveaccesstotherestoftheRibbontabs,soyoucandrawandeditjustlikeyouwouldintheregulardrawingwindow.Thebackgroundcolorisdifferentfromthedrawingeditor’sbackgroundcolortohelpyourememberwhereyouare.TheBlockEditortab’sGeometric,Dimensional,andManagepanels(seeFigure18-5)areelementsofAutoCAD’sparametricdrawingfeature.(AutoCADLTdoesn’tfullysupportparametricdrawing,soLT’sBlockEditorlackstheGeometricandDimensionalpanelsandgetsamini-versionoftheManagepanel.)Inthisbook,Idon’thaveroomtocoverparametricconstraintsindynamicblocks,butIdocoverparametricdraftinginChapter19.Theconceptsareprettysimilartoaddingparametricfeaturestodynamicblocks.Ifyouenteranewblockname,AutoCADdisplaysanemptyblock-authoringenvironmentwhereyoudrawgeometryorinsertexistingblocks.IfyouinsteadselectCurrentDrawing,AutoCADplacesalldrawingobjectsinsidetheblockauthoringenvironment.

4.Createsomegeometryforthefirstvisibilitystate.Alternatively,clicktheHometab,chooseInsertontheBlockpanel,andselectanexistingblockdefinitiontoserveasthefirstvisibilitystate.Whencreatinggeometryfromscratch,payattentiontowherethecommonbasepointshouldbe.Althoughyouusedifferentblockstoassembleamultiple-viewblock,theyshouldallhavethesamebasepoint(0,0isagoodoneforblocks).Youdon’twantyourchairsjumpingaroundbetweendifferentinsertionpoints!

5.IfyouinsertedanexistingblockinStep4,deselectallthreeSpecifyOn-Screencheckboxes,makesurethattheExplodecheckboxisnotselected,andthenclickOK.6.RepeatSteps4and5,drawingorinsertingallthenecessarygeometry.Atthispoint,yourdrawingscreenmaylookprettystrange(seeFigure18-5).Don’tworry;you’regoingtofixitupinthenextsteps.

Figure18-5:ThreeseatsintheBlockEditor.

7.ClicktheParameterstaboftheBlockAuthoringPalettesandthenclickVisibility(refertoFigure18-5).Ifthepalettesaren’topen,clickAuthoringPalettesontheManagepanelonthehighlightedBlockEditorcontextualtaboftheRibbon.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheparameterlocation.

8.ClicktoplacetheparametermarkersomewhereotherthanthebasepointlocationyouchoseinStep4.AutoCADplacesaparametermarkerattheselectedpointandreturnstothecommandline.AsshowninFigure18-5,thelabelVisibility1appearsnexttotheVisibilityParametermarker,andayellowAlertsymbolindicatesthatnoactionhasbeenassignedtotheparameteryet.ThecontrolsontheRibbon’s

Visibilitypanelbecomeactive.

Theparameterlocationyouspecifywillbethespotontheblockwherethedynamicblockoptiongripwillbedisplayed.It’snotcrucialwhereyoulocatethispoint,buttrytopickasensiblelocationontheobject.Ifyouspecifythesamepointfortheparameterlocationasthebasepointfortheblock,youmayhaveahardtimeselectingthedynamicoptiongrip.

9.ClickVisibilityStatesontheVisibilitypanel.ClickRenameandchangeVisibilityState0tosomethingmoredescriptive.ClickOK.AsisthecasewithothernamedobjectsinAutoCAD,it’sgoodproceduretoassignuseful,descriptivenamesratherthanacceptthedefaultgenericlabels.

10.OntheVisibilitypanel,clicktheMakeInvisiblebutton.AttheSelectObjectsprompt,selectthegeometryorblockinsertsthatshouldbeinvisibleinthecurrentvisibilitystate—thatis,thosethatarenotassociatedwiththecurrentvisibilitystate—andthenpressEnter.AutoCADprompts:

Hideforcurrentstateorallvisibilitystates[Current/All]<Current>:C

11.ClickVisibilityStatesagainandthenclickNewtocreateanewvisibilitystate.IntheNewVisibilityStatedialogbox,enteradescriptivename.SelecttheShowAllExistingObjectsinNewStateradiobuttonandthenclickOK.Allyourgeometryshouldreappear.

12.RepeatSteps9and10tocreateadditionalvisibilitystatesassociatedwiththeremaininggeometryorblocks.Thegeometryorblockinsertassociatedwiththelast-createdvisibilitystateshouldbevisibleon-screen.

13.ClickOKtoclosetheVisibilityStatesdialogbox,thenclickCloseBlockEditorontheRibbon.Savethechangestoyournewblockorto<CurrentDrawing>.AutoCADdisplaysanalertboxaskingifyouwanttosavechangestoyourblock.ClickCanceltoreturntotheblockeditororDiscardtheChangestoclosetheBlockEditorwithoutsavingyourchanges.ClickSavetheChangestoupdatetheblockandexit.AutoCADclosestheblockauthoringenvironmentandreturnstothestandarddrawingeditorwindow.

AutoCAD2012’sBlockEditortabincludesaTestBlocktoolthatletsyouseewhatyourfinishedproductwilllooklikewithoutthehassleofclosingtheeditorandinsertingormanipulatingtheblockinsidethedrawingeditor.Test

Blockdisplaysthegeometryandletsyoutrydifferentparameters;theneasilyreturntotheBlockEditortotweakyourmasterpiece.You’llfindtheTestBlockbuttonontheOpen/SavepaneloftheBlockEditorcontextualtab.

Lights!Parameters!!Actions!!!Youcanmodifytheappearanceofindividualinstancesofthesameblockbydefiningparametersandactionstomove,rotate,flip,oralignpartsofthem.Youcanadjusttheblock’sappearanceasyouinsertitoratanytimeafterward.ThefollowingstepsshowyouhowtousetheBlockEditortoaddsomeactiontoablockdefinition:

1.Openadrawingthatcontainssomeblockdefinitionswhoseappearanceyou’dliketospiceupalittle,ordrawsomesimplegeometrythatmightmakeasuitablydynamicblock.Actionparametersaremosteffectiveinblockdefinitionsthatcontaingroupsofrelatedobjects—forexample,anofficedeskandchairorafurniturearrangement.

2.OntheBlockpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab,chooseBlockEditortoopentheEditBlockDefinitiondialogbox.3.IntheBlockToCreateOrEditbox,typeanewblocknameorselect<CurrentDrawing>,andthenclickOK.4.Createsomegeometryorinsertsomeblocks.Whenyouinsertblocks,remembertomakesurethattheExplodecheckboxatthelower-leftcorneroftheInsertdialogboxisnotselected,andthenclickOK.Drawthegeometryorinserttheblocksinagroupsuchthatyoucaninsertthefinishedarrangementintoyourdrawings—forexample,Figure18-6showsthecreationofadynamicblockforacoffeeshoporcafeteria.

5.RepeatStep4untilyou’vedrawnalltheneededgeometryorinsertedallthenecessaryblocks.6.ClicktheParameterstaboftheBlockAuthoringPalettesandthenclickRotationParameter.AutoCADpromptsyoutospecifytheparameterlocation.

7.Clicktoplacetheparametermarkersomewhereontheobjectgeometryotherthanthebase-pointlocation.Ifyouspecifythesamepointfortheparameterlocationasthebasepointfortheblock,youmayhaveahardtimeselectingthedynamicoptiongrip.

8.AutoCADplacesaparametermarkerattheselectedpointandreturnstothecommandline,promptingyoutospecifytheradiusoftherotation

parameterandthedefaultrotationangle.Theparametermarker’slabelappearsnexttotherotationparametermarker.

9.ClicktheActionstaboftheBlockAuthoringPalettesandthenclickRotateAction.SelecttheRotateParameter,selecttheobjectsthatshouldbemodifiedwhenthegripisused,andspecifyapointfortheaction’slabel.AutoCADreturnstothecommandprompt.Atthispoint,it’sfinetogowithdefaultvaluesandon-screenpickpoints.

10.RepeatSteps6through9,tryingdifferentparametersandactions.Forexample,chooseaPointParameterandaMoveAction.Figure18-6showsasetofblockcomponents,severalofwhichhaveactionparametersassignedtothem.Aftertheblockisinserted,youcanmanipulatethecomponentstowhichyou’veaddedparameterstovarytheappearanceoftheblocks.Iexplainhowalittlelaterinthischapter.

Figure18-6:Apasselofparametersreadyforaction.

11.ClickCloseBlockEditorontheRibbonandsaveordiscardyourchanges.AutoCADclosestheblock-authoringenvironmentandreturnstothestandarddrawingeditorwindow.

ManipulatingdynamicblocksAfteradynamicblockhasbeeninsertedinadrawing,youcanselectitandmodifyitsdisplaythroughaspecialsetofcustomgrips.(That’swhatAutoCADcallsthem,soI’mfollowingsuit.)

Whenyouselectanon-dynamicblock,youseeasinglegripattheinsertionpoint.Whenyouselectadynamicblock,youseeatleasttwo—andmaybemore—customgrips,aswellastheinsertionpointgrip.Thecustomgripsusuallylookdifferentfromtheregularobjectgrips,butnotalways,sotakecarewhileclickinggrips.

Thefollowingstepsshowyouhowtomakeyourdynamicblocksdothethingsyoujustspentallthistimeteachingthemtodo:

1.Insertafewblocksthatcontainsomedynamicparameters,suchasvisibilityoractionparameters.Ifyourblockinsertsdon’thaveanyactionparameters,gotoStep4.

2.Selectablockthatincludessomeactionparameters.Theblockinsertdisplaysanumberofgrips(seeFigure18-7).Iftheinsertdisplaysonlyasinglesquaregrip,itisn’tadynamicblock.

Figure18-7:Variationsondynamicblocks(originalontheright,andahandygriptiponachairatleftcenter).

3.Clickoneofthecustomgrips—forexample,clickingaroundgripopenstherotationparameteroftheobject.Rotatethecomponentasrequired.4.Selectablockthatincludesavisibilityparameterandthenclickthevisibilitygrip.Choosethedesiredvisibilitystatefromtheright-clickmenu.Foradditionalinformationonmanipulatingactionsandvisibilitystates,lookupDynamicBlocksintheonlinehelpsystem.

Dynamicblocks,asI’vesuggestedmorethanonce,areapowerful—andcomplicated—feature.PriortoAutoCAD2010,theBlockAuthoringPalettescontained10selectableparameters,8actions,and20parametersets.AutoCAD2010added12geometricconstraintsand6dimensionalconstraints.I’mthinkingofwritinganewbookcalledAutoCADBlockAuthoringForDummies(although,truthbetold,itmayneverhappen).UntilIdo,AutoCAD’sonlinehelpsystemisyourbestresourceformoreinformationonallthepossibilitiesofdynamicblocks.ThequickestandmostdirectwaytoAutoCAD’sownhelponthesubjectistotypeDynamicBlocksintotheSearchboxontheprogramtitlebar.

GoingExternalInAutoCAD,anxref,orexternalreference,isareferencetoanother,externaldrawingfile—oneoutsidethecurrentdrawing—thatyoucanmakeactas

thoughit’spartofyourdrawing.Technically,areferenceissimplyapointerfromonefiletoanother.Thexrefistheactualpointer,butmanypeoplecallthecombinationofthepointerandtheexternalfilethexref.

InbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,externaldrawingfilesarejustoneoffivedifferentfiletypesyoucanattachtoyourcurrentdrawingbyusingtheSelectReferenceFiledialogbox.YouusethisdialogboxtoattachexternallyreferencedAutoCADdrawings(xrefs),rasterimagefiles,DWFandDWFXfiles,PDFfiles,andMicroStationDGNdrawingfiles.

UsetheAttachbuttonontheInserttab’sReferencepaneltoopentheSelectReferenceFiledialogbox.Whenyouattachanexternaldrawingtoyourcurrentdrawing,youbecomethehostoftheexternalfile.Noneedtobreakoutthecocktailsandcanapés,though...it’sactuallyyourcurrentdrawingthat’sdoingthehosting,andinAutoCAD,it’scalled(whatelse?)thehostdrawing.Youcanthinkoftheattachedxrefsasguests,butmostofthetimethey’reprettywell-behavedones,andlikethebestofguests,theygoawayassoonasyouwantthemto.

Xrefshaveabigadvantageoverblocks:Ifadrawingisinsertedasablockintoanotherdrawing,itsgeometrydoesn’tchangeiftheoriginaldrawingischangedinanyway—italwayslooksthewayitlookswhenit’sinserted.Ifthatdrawingisattachedasanxref,however,AutoCADwillautomaticallyupdateeveryhostdrawingtowhichit’sattachedwhenthehostdrawingisreopened.Youcanalsomanuallyreloadthechangedxrefifyoudon’twanttocloseandreopenthehostdrawing.

Whenyouopenadrawingthatcontainsxrefs,AutoCADdisplaysalittlesymbol(whichlookslikepaperswithabinderclip)ontherightendofthestatusbar.Thissymbolalertsyoutothefactthatsomeofthethingsyouseeinthedrawingareactuallypartsofother,xrefeddrawings.Ifanxrefchangeswhileyouhavethehostdrawingopen(becauseyouorsomeoneelseopensandsavesthereferenceddrawing),thestatusbarxrefsymboldisplaysanExternalReferenceFilesHaveChangedballoonnotification.SimplyclicktheReloadlinkintheballoonnotificationtoshowtheupdatedxrefs.(IfyouwanttochangehowAutoCADchecksforchanges,lookupXREFNOTIFYintheonlinehelp.)

Anotheradvantagethatxrefshaveoverblocksisthattheircontentsaren’tstoredinyourdrawingevenonce.Thediskstoragespacetakenupbytheoriginaldrawing(thatis,thexref)isn’tduplicated,nomatterhowmanyhostdrawingsreferenceit.Thischaracteristicmakesxrefsmuchmoreefficientthanblocksforlargerdrawingsthatarereusedseveraltimes.

Youcanalwaysbuyalargerharddrive,however,sothestorageissueisn’tcrucial.Thekeybenefitofxrefsisthattheyenableyoutoorganizeyourdrawingssothechangesyoumaketoasingledrawingfileautomatically“ripplethrough”allthehostdrawingsintowhichit’sxrefed.Thisbenefitisevengreateronlargerprojectsinvolvingmultipledrafters,eachofwhoseworkmaybeincorporatedinpartorinwholeintheworkofothers.

Theautomaticupdatefeatureofxrefsisabigadvantageonlyifyou’reorganizedabouthowyouusexrefs.Supposethatanarchitectcreatesaplandrawingshowingabuilding’swallsandothermajorfeaturesthatarecommontothearchitectural,structural,plumbing,andelectricalplandrawings.Thearchitectthentellsthestructural,plumbing,andelectricaldrafterstoxrefthisbackgroundplanintotheirdrawingssothateveryoneisworkingfromaconsistentandreusablesetofcommonplanelements.Ifthearchitectdecidestorevisethewalllocationsandupdatesthexrefeddrawing,everyonewillseethecurrentwallconfigurationandbeabletochangetheirdrawings.Butifthearchitectabsentmindedlyaddsarchitecture-specificobjects(toiletsandfurniture,forexample)tothexrefeddrawing,orshiftsalltheobjectswithrespectto0,0,everyoneelsewillhaveproblems.Ifdifferentpeopleinyourofficesharexrefs,createaprotocolforwhoisallowedtomodifywhichfilewhen,andwhatcommunicationneedstotakeplaceafterasharedxrefismodified.

BecomingattachedtoyourxrefsAttachinganexternalreferencedrawingissimilartoinsertingablock,andalmostaseasy.Justusethefollowingsteps:

1.Setanappropriatelayercurrent,asdescribedinChapter6.It’sagoodideatoinsertxrefsonaseparatelayerfromallotherobjects.Notethatifyoufreezethelayeranxrefisinsertedon,theentirexrefdisappears.(Thisbehaviorcanbeeitherahandytrickoranastysurprise.)

2.IftheExternalReferencespaletteisn’talreadyopen,clickitsicon(itlookslikeasheafofpaperswithabulldogclipandasilhouetteduser)onthePalettespaneloftheViewtabtoopenit.ThetoolbaratthetopofthepaletteletsyouattachanexternalDWGfile,aDWFunderlay,aPDFunderlay,aMicroStationDGNdrawingfile,orarasterimagefile.IcoverattachingimagesandDWFsorPDFslaterinthischapter.IfyouneedtoattachDGNfiles,visittheonlinehelp.

3.ClickAttachDWG.(Clickthedownarrowifthetooltipofferstoattachsomethingelse—seeFigure18-8.)TheSelectReferenceFiledialogboxappears.

4.Browsetofindthefileyouwanttoattach,selectit,andthenclickOpen.TheAttachExternalReferencedialogboxappears.

5.Specifytheparametersforthexrefinthedialogbox.Parametersincludetheinsertionpoint,scalingfactors,locationbasedongeographicdata,androtationangle(IdescribegeographiclocationbrieflyinChapter17).Youcansettheseparametersinthedialogboxorspecifythemon-screen,justasyoucandowheninsertingablock,asdescribedinChapter17.

YoucanselecttheAttachmentorOverlayradiobuttontotellAutoCADhowtohandlethexref.Thechoicemattersonlyifyoucreateadrawingthatusesxrefs,andthenyourdrawingis,inturn,usedasanxref.Attachmentisthedefaultchoice,anditmeansthatthexrefedfilewillalwaysbeincludedwithyourdrawingwhensomeoneelseusesyourdrawingasanxref.Overlay,theotherchoice,meansthatyouseethexrefeddrawing,butsomeonewhoxrefsyourdrawingwon’tseetheoverlaidfile.BychoosingOverlay,youcanxrefamap,forexample,toyourdrawingofahousebutnothavethemapshowupwhensomeoneelsexrefsyourhousedrawing.(Thatpersoncanxrefthemap,ifneedbe.)IrecommendthatyouusethedefaultAttachmentreferencetypeunlessyouhaveaspecificreasontodootherwise.

Figure18-8:UsingtheExternalReferencespalettetoattachanxref.

ThePathTypedrop-downlistprovidesmoreflexibilityinhowthexrefpathgetsstored.Seethe“Forginganxrefpath”section,laterinthischapter,formoreinformation.Fornow,IrecommendthatyouchooseRelativePathinsteadofthedefaultFullPath.

6.ClickOK.Theexternallyreferencedfileappearsinyourdrawing.

Indrawingsthatcontainalotofxrefs,itcanbedifficulttolocatetheoneyouwant.AutoCAD2011addedanenhancementtotheExternalReferencespalette:Whenyouselectanobjectthat’spartofanxrefinthedrawingarea,thexref’snamehighlightsintheExternalReferencespalette.Likewise,selectinganxrefintheExternalReferencespalettehighlightstheattachedfilegeometryinthedrawingeditor.

Layer-paloozaWhenyouattachoroverlayanxref,AutoCADaddsnewlayerstoyourcurrentdrawingthatcorrespondtothelayersinthexrefedDWGfile.Thenewlayersareassignednamesthatcombinethedrawingnameandlayername;forexample,ifyouxrefthedrawingMYSCREW.DWG,whichhasthelayernamesGEOMETRY,TEXT,andsoon,thexrefedlayerswillbenamedMYSCREW|GEOMETRY,MYSCREW|TEXT,andsoon.Bycreatingseparatelayerscorrespondingtoeachlayerinthexrefedfile,AutoCADeliminatesthepotentialproblemwithblocksIwarnyouaboutinChapter17,whenlayershavethesamenamebutdifferentcolororlinetypeinthetwodrawings.

CreatingandeditinganexternalreferencefileTocreateafilethatyoucanuseasanexternalreference,justcreateadrawingandsaveit.That’sit.Youcanthencreateoropenanotherdrawingandcreateanexternalreferencetothepreviousone.Thexrefeddrawingappearsinthehostdrawingasasingleobject,suchasablockinsert.Inotherwords,ifyouclickanyobjectinthexref,AutoCADselectstheentirexref.Youcanmeasureorobjectsnaptothexrefedgeometry,butyoucan’tmodifyordeleteindividualobjectsinthexref—youopenthexrefdrawinginordertoedititsgeometry.

TheXOPENcommandprovidesaquickwaytoopenanxrefeddrawingforediting.Youjuststartthecommandandpickanyobjectinthexref.Alternatively,

youcanselectthexrefintheExternalReferencespaletteandthenright-clickandchooseOpentoopenoneormorexrefsforediting.Seethe“Managingxrefs”section,laterinthischapter,formoreinformation.

AnalternativetoopeningthexrefedfilewhenyouneedtoedititistousetheREFEDITcommand.REFEDIT(shortforReferenceEdit)letsyouedittheexternalfilefromwithinthehostdrawing,ratherthanhavingtoopenthereferenceinitsownwindow.LookupREFEDITintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem’sCommandReference.

Withseveralxrefsattachedtoyourdrawing,itcanbedifficulttotellwhichobjectsbelongtothedrawingyou’recurrentlyediting,andwhicharepartofthexref.Forseveralreleasesit’sbeenpossibletofadeareferencefilewhileusingREFEDIT.InAutoCAD2012,youcanfadeyourxrefsatalltimes,notjustwhenyou’reeditingthem,asfollows:

1.Openadrawingcontaininganexternalreferencedrawing.Alternatively,youcanattachadrawingtoyourcurrentdrawingbyfollowingthestepsinthe“Becomingattachedtoyourxrefs”section,earlierinthischapter.

2.OntheInserttab,clicktheReferencepanellabeltoopentheReferenceslideout.TheReferenceslideoutalsocontainstheEditReferencebuttonwhichrunstheREFEDITcommanddescribedintheprevioussection.

3.ClicktheXrefFadingbuttontotogglereferencefadingoffandon.4.DragtheXrefFadingslidertoincreaseordecreasetheleveloffadinginthereferencefile.Thedefaultvalueis70;increasingthevaluetoward90(themaximum)increasesthedegreeoffading,whileloweringitreducesthefadelevel.

ForginganxrefpathWhenyouattachanxref,AutoCAD,bydefault,storesthexref’sfullpath—thatis,thedriveletterandsequenceoffoldersandsubfoldersinwhichtheDWGfileresides—alongwiththefilename.ThisdefaultbehaviorcorrespondstotheFullPathsettinginthePathTypedrop-downlist.(Figure18-9showsthethreexrefpathoptions.)FullPathworksfineaslongasyounevermovefilesonyourharddriveornetworkandneversendyourDWGfilestoanyoneelse—whichistosay,italmostneverworksfine!

Figure18-9:Followthepathlesstraveledwhenyouattachanxref.

Attheotherendofthepathspectrum,theNoPathoptioncausesAutoCADnottostoreanypathwiththexrefattachment—onlythefilenameisstored.Thisistheeasiestandbestoptionifthehostdrawingsandthexrefsresideinthesamefolder.However,ifthehostandthexrefareindifferentfolders,youhavetobrowsetofindthereferencefileeverytimeyouopenthehostdrawing.

IfyouprefertoorganizetheDWGfilesforaparticularprojectinmorethanonefolder,you’llappreciateAutoCAD’sRelativePathoption,asshowninFigure18-9.ThisoptionpermitsxrefingacrossmorecomplexfolderstructuresbutavoidsmanyoftheproblemsthattheFullPathoptioncancause.Forexample,youmayhaveahostdrawing,H:\Project-X\Plans\Firstfloor.dwg,thatxrefsH:\Project-X\Common\Columngrid.dwg.IfyouchooseRelativePath,AutoCADwillstorethexrefpathas..\Common\Columngrid.dwginsteadofH:\Project-X\Common\Columngrid.dwg.Thisway,ifyoudecidetomovethe\Project-Xfolderanditssubfolderstoadifferentdrive(orsendthemtosomeoneelsewhodoesn’thaveanH:drive),AutoCADcanstillfindthexrefs.

WhenyouuseRelativePath,you’llseexrefpathsthatincludethespecialcodes.and..(singleanddoubleperiod).Thesingleperiodmeansthishostdrawing’sfolder,andthedoubleperiodmeansthefolderabovethishostdrawing’sfolder.

YoucanreportonandchangexrefpathsforasetofdrawingswiththeReferenceManager(notinAutoCADLT).SeeChapter20formoreinformation.

Ifallthesepathoptionsandperiodsleaveyoufeelingpunchy,youcankeepyourlifesimplebyalwayskeepinghostandxrefdrawingsinthesamefolderandusingtheNoPathoptionwhenyouattachxrefs.

ManagingxrefsTheExternalReferencespaletteincludesmanymoreoptionsformanagingxrefsafteryouattachthem.Manyoftheseoptionsarehidinginright-clickmenus.Importantoptionsinclude

Listofexternalreferences:YoucanchangebetweentheListviewandTreeviewofyourdrawing’sexternalreferencesjustbyclickingtheappropriatebuttonatthetopofthepalette(refertoFigure18-8).Youcanresizethecolumnsbydraggingthecolumndividersorre-sortthelistbyclickingthecolumnheadernames,justasinWindowsExplorer.

Unload:Right-clickanxrefandchooseUnloadtomaketheselectedxrefdisappearfromtheon-screendisplayofyourdrawingandfromanyplotsyoudoofit,butretainthepointerandattachmentinformation.Right-clickagainandchooseReloadtoredisplayanunloadedxref.

Reload:Right-clickanxrefandchooseReloadtoforceAutoCADtorereadtheselectedxrefedDWGfilefromthediskandupdateyourdrawingwithitslatestcontents.Thisfeatureishandywhenyousharexrefsonanetworkandsomeonehasjustmadechangestoadrawingthatyou’vexrefed.

Detach:Right-clickanxrefintheExternalReferencespaletteandchooseDetachtocompletelyremovetheselectedreferencetotheexternalfilefromyourdrawing.

Bind:Right-clickanxrefandchooseBindtobringtheselectedxrefinto

yourdrawingandturnitintoablock.Youmight,forexample,usethisfunctiontorollupacomplexsetofxrefsintoasinglearchivedrawing.

Inmanyoffices,bindingxrefswithoutanacceptablereasonfordoingsoisacrimeasheinousasexplodingblocksindiscriminately.Inbothcases,you’reeliminatinganimportantdata-managementlink.Findoutwhatthepoliciesareinyourcompany.Whenindoubt,keepyourselfoutofabind.Andevenwhenyoudohaveagoodreasontobind,yougenerallyshoulddoitonacopyofthehostdrawing.

Open:Right-clickanxrefandchooseOpentoopenoneormorexrefdrawingsinseparatedrawingwindows.Afteryoueditandsaveanxrefdrawing,returntothehostdrawingandusetheReloadoptionintheExternalReferencespalettetoshowthechanges.

Noneoftheseoptions(otherthanopeningandeditingthexref)affectsthexrefeddrawingitself;itcontinuestoexistasaseparateDWGfile.IfyouneedtodeleteormovetheDWGfilethatthexrefrefersto,doitinWindowsExplorer.

Thefactthatthexrefeddrawingisaseparatefileisapotentialsourceofproblemswhenyousendyourdrawingtosomeoneelse;thatsomeoneelseneedsallthefilesthatyourdrawingdependson,oritwillbeuseless.Makesuretoincludexrefedfilesinthepackagewithyourdrawing.SeeChapter20foraprocedure.

BothAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012includeanadditionalxreffeaturecalledxrefclipping:Youcanclipanykindofexternallyreferencedfileorblockinsertionsoonlypartofitappearsinthehostdrawing.UsetheCLIPcommandtotrimawayunwantedpartsofxrefdrawings,DWFandDWFxfiles,rasterimages,MicroStationDGNfilesorPDFs.Youcanevenclipblockinsertions.Formoreinformation,lookupCLIPintheonlinehelp’sCommandReferencesection.

Blocks,Xrefs,andDrawingOrganizationBlocksandxrefsareusefulfororganizingsetsofdrawingstouseandupdaterepeatedelements.It’snotalwaysclear,though,whentouseblocksandwhentousexrefs.Applicationsforxrefsinclude

Thepartsofatitleblockthatarethesameonallsheetsinaproject.

Referenceelementsthatmustappearinmultipledrawings(forexample,walloutlines,sitetopography,columngrids).

Assembliesthatarerepeatedinoneormoredrawings,especiallyiftheassembliesarelikelytochangetogether(forexample,repeatedframingassemblies,bathroomlayouts,andmodularfurniturelayouts).

Pastingupseveraldrawings(forexample,detailsoracoupleofplans)ontooneplotsheet.

Temporarilyattachingabackgrounddrawingforreferenceortracing.

Ontheotherhand,blocksremainusefulinsimplercircumstances.Situationsinwhichyoumightstickwithablockare

Componentsthataren’tlikelytochange.

Smallcomponents.

Asimpleassemblythat’susedrepeatedlybutinonlyonedrawing.

Whenyouwanttoincludeattributes(variabletextfields)thatyoucanfillineachtimeyouinsertablock.Blocksletyouincludeattributedefinitions;xrefsdon’t.RefertoChapter17forthelowdownonattributes.

Everyoneinacompanyorworkgroupshouldaimforconsistencyastowhenandhowtheyuseblocksandxrefs.Checkwhetherguidelinesexistforusingblocksandxrefsinyouroffice.Ifso,followthem;ifnot,itwouldbeagoodideatodevelopsomeguidelines.

MasteringtheRasterAutoCADincludesfourmorexref-likefeatures:theabilitytoattachrasterimages,DWFfiles,PDFfiles,andDGNfilestodrawings.IcoverDWFandPDFfilesinthenextsectionandreferyoutotheonlinehelpifyoushouldfindsomeDGNfilesonyourhands.Theimagefeatureisusefulforaddingarasterlogotoadrawingtitleblockorplacingaphotographedmaporscenebehindadrawing.Araster,orbitmapped,imageisonethat’sstoredasafieldoftinypoints.

MostAutoCADdrawingsarevectorfiles.Avectordrawingisagraphicfiledefinedbystoringgeometricaldefinitionsofabunchofobjects.Typicalobjectsincludealine(definedbyitstwoendpoints)andacircle(definedbyitscenterpointandradius).Vector-basedimagesaretypicallysmaller(intermsofthediskspacethey

occupy)andmoreflexiblethanrasterimages,butalsoarelesscapableofdisplayingvisuallyrichimages,suchasphotographs.

Rasterimagesoftencomefromdigitalcamerasorfromotherprograms,suchasPhotoshop.Rasterimagesalsocancomeintothecomputerfromsomekindofscannerthatimportsabluelineprint,photograph,orotherimage.

Whetheryou’redoingyourownscanningorhavingaservicebureaudoitforyou,youneedtoknowthatAutoCADhandlesmostofthepopularimagefileformats,including:theWindowsBMPformat;thepopularWebgraphicsformatsGIFandJPEG;commonprintformatssuchasPCX,PNG,andTIFF;thelesspopularDIB,FLC,FLI,GP4,MIL,RLE,RST,TGAformats,andseveralevenmoreobscureones.

Herearethreescenariosinwhichyoucouldincorporaterasterimagesinyourdrawing:

Smallstuff:Youcanaddlogos,specialsymbols,andothersmallimagesthatyouhaveinrasterfiles.

Photographsandmaps:Youcanaddphotographs(suchasafuturebuildingsite)andmaps(forexample,showingtheprojectlocation).

Vectorization:Toconvertarasterimageintoavectordrawingbytracinglinesintherasterimage,youcanattachtherasterimageinyourdrawing,tracetheneededlinesbyusingAutoCADcommands,andthendetachtherasterimage.(Thisprocedureisokayforasimplerasterimage;add-onsoftwareisavailable,fromAutodeskandothers,tosupportautomaticorsemiautomaticvectorizationofmorecompleximages.)

Usingrasterimagesismuchlikeusingexternalreferences.Therasterimageisn’tstoredwithyourdrawingfile;areferencetotherasterimagefileisestablishedfromwithinyourdrawing,likeanxref.Youcancliptheimageandcontrolitssize,brightness,contrast,fade,andtransparency.Thesecontrolsfine-tunetheappearanceoftherasterimageon-screenandonaplot.

Whenyouattachrasterimages,youhavetomakesurethatyousendtherasterfilesalongwhenyousendyourdrawingtosomeoneelse.

AttachinganimageFollowthesestepstobringarasterimageintoAutoCAD:

1.IftheExternalReferencespaletteisn’talreadyopen,clickitsicononthePalettespaneloftheViewtabtoopenit.Usethedrop-downlistonthefirsttoolbarbuttontoattachadrawing,animage,aDWFfile,aPDFfile,oraDGNfile.

2.ClickAttachImageandlocatetheimagefileyouwanttoattach.TheSelectReferenceFiledialogboxappears,asshowninFigure18-10.

Figure18-10:TheSelectReferenceFiledialogbox.

3.Browsetofindthefileyouwanttoattach,selectit,andthenclickOpen.TheAttachImagedialogboxappears.

ClicktheShowDetailsbuttonintheAttachImagedialogboxtoseemoreinformationabouttheresolutionandimagesizeoftheimageyou’reattaching.

4.Specifytheparametersfortheattachedimageinthedialogbox.Parametersincludetheinsertionpoint,scalefactor,androtationangle.Youcansettheseparametersinthedialogboxorspecifythemon-screen,similartowhatyoucandowithblocksandexternalreferences,asdescribedearlierinthischapter.TheAttachImagedialogboxincludesthesameFullPath,RelativePath,andNoPathoptionsasthoseforattachingxrefs.(Seethe“Forginganxrefpath”section,earlierinthischapter.)

5.ClickOK.Theimageappearsinyourdrawing.

6.Ifyouneedtoensurethattherasterimagefloatsbehindotherobjectsinthedrawing,selecttherasterimage,right-click,chooseDrawOrder,andthenchooseSendtoBack.

TheDRAWORDERcommandprovidesadditionaloptionsforwhichobjectsappearontopofwhichotherobjects.Ifyouneedthiskindofflexibility,lookupDRAWORDERcommandintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem.

MaintainingyourimageYoumanagetheimagesinyourdrawingwiththeExternalReferencespalette.Youcanviewalistofimagefilesthatappearinthecurrentdrawing,detach(remove)imagereferences,andunloadandreloadimageswhenneeded.Youcan’tbindanimagetoyourdrawing;italwaysremainsanexternalfile.

Youcanclipimagessothatonlypartoftheimageisdisplayedinyourdrawing.ChooseClipontheInserttab’sReferencepanelandfollowthepromptstocliptheimage.Youcanhavemultipleoverlappingordistinctpiecesofanynumberofimagesinyourdrawing,andonlythepartsyouneedareloadedintomemorywhenyouhaveyourdrawingopen.

RasterimagefilesoftenarelargerthanDWGfilesofcorrespondingcomplexity;rasterfilesizecanaffectperformancewithinAutoCADbecausetherasterfileloadsintomemorywhenyou’reworkingonyourdrawing.Someworkaroundsspeedupoperations:

Attachrasterimageslateintheproductionprocess.

Createalower-resolutionversionoftherasterfile,justlargeenoughtocreatethedesiredeffectinyourdrawing.

Right-clickoveranimageintheExternalReferencespaletteandchooseUnloadtotemporarilyhideanimagewithoutlosingtheattachmentinformation.

Inaddition,rasterfilescanincreasethetimethatAutoCADtakestogenerateplots(andtheplotfilesizes)dramatically.BeforeyousettleonusinglargerasterfilesinyourAutoCADdrawing,dosometestingonzooming,editing,andplotting.

YousayPDF,IsayDWFAdobe’sPDFformathasbeenaroundforaverylongtime,andforawhile,itseemedlikeAutodeskwastryingtosupplantitwithitsown“universal”fileformat—DWF.Thatdidn’thappen,butifyoucan’tbeatthem...AutoCADnowincludesaveryacceptablePDFprinterdriver,andbothPDFandDWFaresuitablecandidatesforexternalreferencefiles.

DWFstandsforDesignWebFormat.YoucouldthinkofaDWFas“DWGLite”becauseitlooksjustlikeadrawingfileandcontainssomeoftheactualdrawingfiledata.ItalkmoreabouttheWebsideofDWFsinChapter20;inthissection,IexplainhowyoucanuseDWFsaswellasPDFsasreferencefilesinyourowndrawings.(SomepeoplecallDWFfilesdwiffs,butI’mgoingtoholdoffonthatoneuntilIstarthearingDWGfilescalleddwiggs.)

YoucreatebothDWFsandPDFsfromwithinAutoCADinoneoftwoways.EitherchoosePlotandselectaDWForPDFoptioninthePrinter/Plotternamelist,orchoosePrint⇒BatchPlotfromtheApplicationMenuandselectDWF,DWFx,orPDFinthePublishToareaofthePublishdialogbox.Bothfiletypesarecompactandsecure:Youcan’tediteitherPDFsorDWFsinAutoCAD.Bothformatsareidealfortwopurposes:YoucanpostDWFsorPDFsontheWeb,andyoucansendyourdrawingstoconsultantsandclientsinaformthattheycan’tmessup.YoucanattachPDFsorDWFstoyourdrawingfilesinprettymuchthesamewayyouattachdrawingsasexternalreferences.DWFsandPDFsattachedtodrawingfilesarereferredtoasDWFunderlaysorPDFunderlays.

AswithDWFandDGNattachments,youcanobject-snaptoentitiesinthePDFunderlaybyenablingtheSnaptoUnderlaysfunctionintheReferencepanelslideoutontheInserttab.SettingPDFparametersisvirtuallyidenticaltosettingDWFparameters,andyoucanattachaPDFtoyourdrawingusingexactlythesamestepsastheonesthatfollow.

TheprevioussectionsshowhowtoattachaDWGandarasterimage.FollowthesestepstoattachaDWF(oraPDF!)fileasanunderlay:

1.IftheExternalReferencespaletteisn’talreadyopen,clickitsicononthePalettespaneloftheViewtabtoopenit.Thetoolbaratthetopofthepaletteletsyouattachanexternalfileasanxref,arasterimagefile,oraDGNorDWFunderlay.Icoverattachingxrefsandimagesearlierinthischapter.SeetheonlinehelpforinformationonattachingDGNfiles.

2.ClickAttachDWForAttachPDFandlocatethefileyouwanttoattach.

TheSelectReferenceFiledialogboxappears.3.Browsetofindthefileyouwanttoattach,selectit,andthenclickOpen.TheAttachDWFUnderlayorAttachPDFUnderlaydialogboxappears.

4.SpecifytheparametersfortheDWForthePDFinthedialogbox.Parametersincludespecifyingasheet,theinsertionpoint,scalingfactors,rotationangle,andpathtype(seeFigure18-11).Youcansettheseparametersinthedialogboxorspecifythemon-screen,justasyoucandowheninsertingablock,attachinganxref,orattachinganimage,asdescribedearlierinthischapter.

Figure18-11:TheAttachPDFUnderlaydialogbox.

5.ClickOK.TheexternallyreferencedDWForPDFfileappearsinyourdrawing.

NeitherPDFnorDWFfilesareaspreciseasDWGs—that’swhythey’realotsmaller.WhenusingobjectsnapstolocatepointsinDWFs,youmayseethewordapproximateontheObjectSnaptooltip.Ifthisisaproblem,youcanincreasetheprecisionofyourDWFfilewhenyoucreateit.

Chapter19

CalltheParametrics!

InThisChapter

Introducingparametricdrawing

Understandingconstraints

Applyinggeometricanddimensionalconstraints

Usinginferredconstraints

Editingparametricdrawings

Acoupleofreleasesback,AutoCAD2010includedasetofparametricdrawingtoolsand,offhand,Ican’tthinkofamoresignificantnewfeatureinrecentyears.(Don’tworry,I’mgoingtoofferadefinitionofparametricinjustafewmoreparagraphs.)Infact,ifyouworkprimarilyin2D,andespeciallyifyou’reinthemanufacturingbusiness,parametricsinAutoCAD(and,toaverylimiteddegree,inAutoCADLT)mightjustbethemostsignificantnewfeatureever.

IfyouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,you’reprobablyprettyinterestedinfindingoutmoreaboutwhatyoucandowithparametricsinAutoCAD.If,ontheotherhand,youthinkparametricsarethefolkswhoshowupwhenyoudial911,thefollowingparagraphsshouldstraightenyouout.

MaintainingDesignIntentParametric(rule-based)drawingisbyfarthebestwayofenforcingdesignintentin2Ddrafting.DesignintentinAutoCAD(oranyotherengineeringsoftware)meansthatwhendrawingsareedited—thispartmadewider,thatholemadelarger—alltheattachedorrelatedobjectsbehaveinapredictablewaythathonorsthedesigner’sintentionswhenshecreatedthedrawinginthefirstplace.

BeforeAutoCAD2010,therewassimplynowayofmaintainingthedesignconceptsthatwentintoadrawing.YoucoulduseAutoCAD’sdrawingandeditingcommandstodrawaccurate,preciseplans,sections,anddetails,butasfarasAutoCADwasconcerned,theywerejustabunchoflinesandcircles.

Take,forexample,thatbase-platedrawingexampleinChapter3.Maybetheengineerhashadasecondlookanddeterminedthatthose11⁄2-inch(38mmforthemetriccrowd)boltsaren’tquiteuptothejob—theyneedtobechangedto13⁄4inch(44mm).TorevisethedrawingusingAutoCADinthetraditionalway,youdrawanew,largercirclefortheboltanderasetheoldone.Nowthenutistoosmall,andsoistheholeintheplate(maybeyoucan’tseeit,butyouknowandIknowit’sthere).There’sawholelotofeditingrequiredtofixthisdrawing.

InAutoCAD2012,youcanaddsomeintelligencetothoselinesandcirclesbyapplyingconstraintstothem.Forexample,youcouldapplyadimensionalconstrainttotheboltcircleandtheholecirclesuchthattheholecircleisalways1⁄16"(2mm)biggerthantheboltcircle.Andwhileyou’reatit,you’dprobablywanttoapplyaconcentricgeometricconstraintbetweenthecirclessothatwhenevertheboltcirclemoved,theholecirclemovedwithit.

Nowthatisintelligentdesign!

DefiningtermsAsyoumighthaveguessed,theadjectiveparametricisderivedfromthenounparameter(andsoendethtoday’sEnglishlesson).Ifyoulookupparameterinmostdictionaries,you’llgetanexplanationintermsofpuremath—andthat’swaaaaydeeperthanyouneedtogo.ForthepurposesofmakingdrawingsinAutoCAD,thinkofaparameterasarule—andthereforethinkofparametricdrawingasrule-baseddrawing.

AutoCAD’sparametricrules—officiallythey’recalledconstraints—fallintotwocategories:

Dimensionalconstraints:Basedondimensioneddistancesonorbetweenobjectsorpointsonobjects.Forexample,youcouldapplyadimensionalconstrainttotwolinesthatrepresentawallthicknesssothatregardlessofwhereyoumovedthemorhowyourotatedthem,theywouldalwaysbe6"or150millimetersapart.

Geometricconstraints:Basedonobjecttypesandrelationshipsbetweenobjects;differentobjecttypeshavedifferentpotentialconstraints.Forexample,youcanapplyaconcentricconstrainttoanarcandacirclesothatwhenyoumoveone,itmaintainsitspositioninrelationtotheother.

BothAutoCADandAutoCADLTsupportconstraints,butasisusuallythecase,thefeatureislimitedinLT.Ifyouusethefullversion,youcancreateandmodifygeometricanddimensionalconstraints,asIdescribeinthestepsinthischapter.Ifyou’reusingLT,youcan’tcreateeithertypeofrestraint,butyoucanworkwithexistingconstraintsindrawingsthatwerecreatedinAutoCADitself.Figure19-1showsthedifferencebetweentheAutoCADandAutoCADLTParametrictabs.

Ifyou’reusingAutoCADLT,orifyoujustwanttocheckoutsomeready-madeparametricpossibilities,youcandownloadthesampledrawingdatasetsfromeitherwww.autodesk.com/autocad-samplesorwww.autodesk.com/autocadlt-samples.Theparametricsamplesarearchitectural_example-imperial.dwg,civil_example-imperial.dwg,andmechanical_example-imperial.dwg.

Figure19-1:ParametrictabsinAutoCAD(above)andAutoCADLT(below).

ConstrainyourselfYoucanapplydimensionalorgeometricconstraintstonewgeometryasyoucreateit,oryoucanassignconstraintstoexistinggeometryinolddrawings.Youcanevenconvertexistingassociativedimensionstodynamicdimensionalconstraints.Thefollowingsectionsdescribetheavailableconstraintsineachofthetwocategories.Istartwithdimensionalconstraints,asthey’reconceptuallyalittleeasiertounderstand,andnearlyallofthemhaveanalogstoregulardimensioncommands(whichIcoverinChapter14).

UnderstandingDimensionalConstraintsThenormalpracticeinAutoCADistocreatesomegeometry—ofcourse,usingalltheprecisiontechniquesIdiscussinChapter7—andthenapplydimensionsasIdescribeinChapter14.Assumingthatyou’reusingfullyassociativedimensions,youcantheneditthegeometryandwatchthedimensionsupdateautomatically.Thelengthofthelineortheradiusofthecircleareincontrol,andthose

dimensionsarecalleddrivendimensionsbecausetheychangewhentheobjectgeometrychanges.

Dimensionalconstraints,unlikeregularAutoCADdimensions,aredrivingdimensions,whichmeansthatwhenyouchangethevalueofadynamicdimensiononaline,thelinechangestomatch—inotherwords,thelengthofthelineisbeingdrivenbythedimension,nottheotherwayaround.

Thereareonlyeightdimensional-constraintoptions,buttheycoverallthebases.Table19-1liststhemanddescribestheirpurposes.

Table19-1DimensionalConstraints

ButtonIcon

ConstraintName

Description

Linear Appliesahorizontalorverticaldimensionalconstraint(similartoDIMLINEAR)

Horizontal AppliesadimensionalconstraintalignedwiththeX-axisofthecoordinatesystem(similartoDIMLINEAR’sHorizontaloption)

Vertical AppliesadimensionalconstraintalignedwiththeY-axisofthecoordinatesystem(similartoDIMLINEAR’sVerticaloption)

Aligned Appliesadimensionalconstraintalignedwiththeobjectorwiththepointsbeingdimensioned(similartoDIMALIGNED)

Radial Appliesasetvalueorformulatotheradiusofanarcorcircle(similartoDIMRADIUS)

Diameter Appliesasetvalueorformulatothediameterofanarcorcircle(similartoDIMDIAMETER)

Angular Appliesasetvalueorformulatotheanglebetweentwolinesorthreepoints(similartoDIMANGULAR)

Convert Convertsanexistingassociativedimensionobjecttoadimensionalconstraint

Practicealittleconstraint

TheobjectsyouaddtoyourdrawingfromtheDimensionalpanelarenotthesameasthedimensionobjectsyouaddfromtheAnnotatetab.Dimensionalconstraintsaredrivingdimensions—thatmeanswhenyouchangethevalueofoneofthesedimensions,thegeometrychanges.

Alotishappeningbehindthescenesasyouapplyparametricconstraints.

YoucangetagreatsenseofhowtheseconstraintsworkatkeepingyourdrawingobjectsinorderbytryingtheSTRETCHcommandonobjectsafteryouapplyaconstrainttothem.

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd19.zip.Thedrawingnamedafd19a.dwgcontainstheunconstrainedgeometry,anddrawingafd19b.dwgcontainstheendproduct.

Thefollowingstepspresentaverysimpleexampleofdimensionalconstraints:

1.StartanewdrawingandmaketheRibbon’sParametrictabcurrent.Turnonsomeappropriateprecisiondrawingaidsonthestatusbar,suchasSnap,Ortho,andOsnap.

2.DrawsomereasonablyprecisegeometryusingsomeofthoseprecisiontechniquesIdescribeinearlierchapters.Inthefollowingexample,I’veusedtheRECTANGandCIRCLEcommandstodrawthegeometryyouseeinFigure19-2.Therectangleis10unitssquare,andthe2.5-unit-radiuscircleisdeliberatelydrawnawayfromthemiddleofthesquare.

3.OntheDimensionalpaneloftheParametrictab,clickthetoppartoftheLinearsplitbutton.AlineardimensioniconappearsbesidethepickboxandAutoCADpromptsyoutospecifythefirstconstraintpointorpickanobject.JustliketheDIMLINEARcommand,theLineardimensionalconstrainttoolisinferential—whichwayyoudragthecrosshairscontrolswhetheryougetahorizontalorverticaldimension.Also,justlikeDIMLINEAR,youcanpressEnteratthecommandpromptandselectanobjecttodimension.

4.PressEnteratthecommandprompttoconfirmyouwanttoselectanobjectandthenselectthebottomhorizontallinesegment.

Ifyouseeredmarkersatthemidpointandendsofthebottomline,youdidn’tpressEnter,andyou’reinpoint-selectionratherthanobject-selectionmode.AutoCADgeneratesapreviewofadimensionalconstraintandpromptsyouforalocation.

Figure19-2:Simplegeometrybadlyinneedofconstraining.

5.Clicktolocatethedimensionposition.AutoCADdrawsadimensionalconstraintwithahighlightedtextfielddisplayingthedimensionname(d1inthisexample)andthevaluereturnedbyAutoCAD.Youcouldtypeanewvalueintheeditbox,butfornow,justpressEntertoconfirmthevalueandthedimensionlocation(seeFigure19-3).

Ifyourdimensionalconstraintsdisappearassoonasyouplacethem,clicktheShowAllbuttonontheParametrictab’sDimensionalpanel(asshowninFigure19-3).

Dimensionalconstraintsarenotregulardimensionobjects—they’renotgoingtoplot,soitdoesn’treallymatterwhereyouputthemorwhattheylooklike.(Ishowyouhowtoturndimensionalconstraintsintoproperlystyled,plottabledimensionsinthenextsection.)

6.RepeatSteps3–5andaddadimensionalconstrainttotherightverticaledgeoftherectangle.AutoCADdrawsaseconddimensionalconstraint,thisonenamedd2.

AsyoumouseovertheLinearbutton,youcanseethatunlikeitsAlignedneighbor,it’ssplitintotwoparts.Youcanforcealineardimensionalconstrainttobeeitherhorizontalorvertical(ratherthandependentonthedirectioninwhichyoudragyourcrosshairs)byclickingthebottompartoftheLinearbuttonandmakingyourchoicefromthedrop-downmenu.

Figure19-3:Placingadimensionalconstraint.

MakingyourdrawingevensmarterIfthiswereatraditionalmechanicaldrawingthatfollowedtherulesofdrafting,thosetwodimensionswouldbeenough—whoeverisreadingyourdrawingunderstandsthatifsidesareparallelandperpendicular,adimensionononesideappliestotheoppositesideaswell.Butinthischapter,I’mtalkingaboutintelligentdrawingsthatrespectdesignintent,notdumbcollectionsoflinesandcircles,eveniftheydofollowtherulesofdrafting!

Ifyoutrystretchingtherectangleinvariousways(fromtheupper-leftcorner,forexample),youcanseethatonlythebottomandrightsidesareconstrainedto10

unitsinlength.Youcouldaddtwomorelineardimensionalconstraintstotheunconstrainedsides,butthenyou’dhavetoremembertoeditbothdimensions.Ratherthanconstrainingbothsidestobe10unitslong,thewaytomaintaindesignintentistomakebothsidesequalinlength.

Youcanmakethetwosidesequalusingeitherdimensionalorgeometricconstraints.It’ssometimesagoodideatoapplysomegeometricconstraintstoyourdrawingsoobjectsareatleastalittlelockeddown.Infact,inareal-worldworkflow,you’dbeusingbothgeometricanddimensionalconstraintsasyouproduceyourdesign.

Icovergeometricconstraintsinalittlemoredetailinthe“UnderstandingGeometricConstraints”sectionlaterinthechapter,butfornow,I’mgoingtoapplythreegeometricconstraintssothedrawingbehavesmorepredictably.

1.OntheGeometricpaneloftheParametrictab,clickFix(thepadlockicon)andclickthelower-leftcorneroftherectangle.

2.OntheGeometricpanel,clickHorizontalandclickthebottomsideoftherectangle.ThenclickVerticalandclicktheleftside.Iconsappearnearthedrawinggeometry,showingthatthosethreegeometricconstraintsareactive(seeFigure19-6afewpagesahead).Iexplainthoseicons—andgeometricconstraints,ingeneral—inthenextsection,butI’mgoingbacktodimensionalconstraintstofinishthisdrawing.

3.OntheDimensionalpaneloftheParametrictab,clickLinearandaddadimensionalconstrainttothetophorizontalline.4.Clicktolocatethedimension,typed1,andpressEnterwhenAutoCADpromptsforthedimensiontext.Insteadofhavingnumericvalueslikethefirsttwolinearconstraints,thisnewdimensionalconstraintdisplaysfx:d3=d1.

Themainpartofthisexpressionsetsthed3dimensiontoequalthevalueofthed1dimension.Thefx:istherejusttoremindyouthatothervariablesinotherdimensionsarebeingreferenced.

5.RepeatSteps3and4,thistimeaddingaconstrainttotheverticallineattheleftandenteringd2asthedimensiontext.Allfourdynamicdimensionalconstraintsdisplaytheirnames,plusavalueorexpressionforeach.

Dimensionalconstraintshavenamesaswellasvalues.Theycanalsoincludeexpressionsorformulas.Youcansetthedefaultappearanceofdynamicdimensionalconstraintsbyclickingthedialog-boxlauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendoftheDimensionalpanellabel)toopentheConstraintSettingsdialogboxwiththeDimensionaltabactive(seeFigure19-4).Theoptionsare

Name:Thefirstlineardimensionisnamedd1,thesecondd2,andsoforth.Youusethedimensionnamesinexpressions.

Value:ThenumericvaluethatyouenterintothedimensionalconstraintorthatAutoCADentersifyoudon’toverrideit.

NameandExpression:Thedimensionnameshownasequaltoanexpression.Theexpressioncanbeavalue,asinthisexample,oritcanbeaformula.

Figure19-4:FormattheappearanceofdimensionalconstraintsintheConstraintSettingsdialogbox.

UsingtheParametersManagerBothAutoCADandAutoCADLTincludetheParametersManagerpalette,accessibleontheManagepanelsoftheirRibbon’sParametrictab.YoucanusetheParametersManagertogiveallthosedimensionalconstraintsmoresensiblenamesthand1andd2,butevenmoreusefully,youcanenterexpressionsinsteadofplainnumericvalues,asIexplaininthefollowingsteps.

1.ClickParametersManagerintheManagepanel.TheParametersManagerpaletteappears,showingalistofdimensional

constraintscurrentlyappliedinthedrawing(seeFigure19-5).InFigure19-5,theExpressioncolumnshowsthenumericvaluesIspecifiedford1andd2andtheexpressionsIenteredford3andd4.Theread-onlyValuecolumnshowsthecalculatedvalue.Youcan’tchangeavalueintheValuecolumn(it’sgrayedouttoremindyou);youcanonlyeditthecellsintheExpressioncolumn.

2.Inthed1row,clickintheExpressionfieldtohighlightthecurrentvalue(10inthisexample),thenclickagainandtypeanewvalue.Forexample,type13andpressEnter.Therectangleresizesitselfinthedrawingeditor,andbecausethed3constraintonthetopsidewasmadeequaltothed1constraintonthebottomside,bothsideschangeequally.

Figure19-5:TheParametersManagerpalette.

Next,useanequationasanexpression.3.Inthed2row,clickintheExpressionfieldtohighlightthecurrentvalueandthentypeanexpression.Forexample,typed1*0.75andpressEnter.Theread-onlyValuecolumnandthedrawinggeometryshowthatthenewd1distanceof13hasbeenmultipliedby0.75andisnow9.75(seeFigure19-6).

Figure19-6:EditingconstraintsintheParametersManager.

4.ClosetheParametersManager.Finally,constrainthecirclesoitscenterisalwaysatdeadcenteroftherectangle,nomatterhowtherectangle’ssizechanges.

5.Applyahorizontaldimensionalconstraintfromtheupper-leftcorneroftherectangletothecenterofthecircle.Locatethedimensionandthentyped3/2andpressEnter.Becausetherectangleisnowdimensionallyconstrainedonallfoursides,itdoesn’treallymatterwhichcorneryoustartfrom.Andnotethatyoudon’thavetotypethewholeexpressiond5=d3/2.AutoCADknowswhatyoumean!

6.RepeatStep5,thistimeaddingaverticalconstraintfromoneofthecornerstothecenterofthecircle.Locatethedimensionandthentyped4/2.Figure19-7showstheobjectgeometrywithallconstraintsaddedinthissection.Whoknewthatdraftingcouldbesuchfun?

Figure19-7:Alllockeddown—dimensionally,atleast.

Ifyourdrawingstartsgettingoverwhelmedwithparameters,youcanaddparameterfiltersintheParametersManagerpalette.Right-clickanyparameterandchooseShowFilterTree,orclickthedoublerightarrowatthetopleftofthepalettetoopentheFilterspane.Clickthefunneliconinthetoolbartocreateanewfiltergroup,thensimplydraganddropparametersintothegroup.Figure19-8showsthetwoconstraintsaddedinSteps5and6draggedintoanewgroupfilter.

Figure19-8:Filteryourparameterstokeepthemorganized.

Dimensionsorconstraints—haveitbothways!Afterallthathardworkaddingdimensionalconstraintstoyourdrawings,itwouldbeadownrightshametohavetogobackandapplyregulardimensions,wouldn’tit?Well—youdon’thaveto—youcanmakedimensionalconstraintslookandbehavelikeregulardimensions.Youcangotheotherwaytoo,andmakeyourregulardimensionsactlikedimensionalconstraints.

Dimensionalconstraintsareavailableintwoflavors:

Dynamicconstraints:Thedefaultform.Dynamicconstraintsappeargray

withapadlockiconnexttotheminthedrawingarea.YoucanmakethemappearanddisappearbyclickingShowAllintheDimensionalpanel.Theydon’tplot,andtheyresizeasyouzoominandoutofthedrawingsothey’realwayslegible.

Annotationalconstraints:Thisformiscontrolledasanobjectproperty,soyouhavetosetitinthePropertiespalette.Annotationalconstraintsdoplot,don’tresizeasyouzoominandout,anddon’tdisappearasyoutoggletheShowAllbuttononandoff.Annotationalconstraintsconformtodimensionstylesettings.

ThedimensionnameformatofannotationalconstraintscanbesettoName,Value,orNameandExpression,justlikedynamicconstraints(refertoFigure19-4foranotherlookattheConstraintSettingsdialogbox).Ifyou’regoingtoplotyourdrawingwithannotationalconstraints,remembertoresettheformatsoitdoesn’tshowthedimensionnameortheexpression.

Here’showtoturndynamicdimensionalconstraintsintoannotationalconstraints.

1.Openadrawingthatcontainssomegeometrywithdimensionalconstraints.Youcanalsostartanewdrawing,drawsomesimplegeometry,andaddadimensionalconstrainttotwo.

2.Selectadynamicconstraint,right-click,andchooseProperties.ThePropertiespaletteopenswiththeobjectpropertiesoftheselecteddimensionalconstraintlistedintableform.

3.ClickintheConstraintFormfieldandinthedrop-downlist,changeDynamictoAnnotational(seeFigure19-9).Thedynamicconstraintbecomesannotational,andtakesontheappearanceofthecurrentdimensionstyle.IfyouchangethedimensionstyleinthePropertiespalette,theannotationalconstraintupdatestothenewdimensionstyleformat.Youcangotheotherwaytoo,fromregulardimensionobjectstodimensionalconstraints.

4.Addalinear,radius,diameter,aligned,orangulardimension(thatis,aregulardimension,notadimensionalparameter)toyourdrawinggeometry.Nearlyeverytypeofdimensionobjecthasaparametricanalog;theexceptionsarearclength,joggedradius,joggedlinear,andordinatedimensions.

5.ClickConvertintheDimensionalpanel,selectoneofthedimensiontypesinStep4,andpressEnter.TheDimensionalConstrainttextboxdisplaysassoonasyouclickanassociativedimension,andthedimensionbecomesadynamicconstraintassoonasyoupressEnter.

Theonlycluethatadimensionisanannotationalconstraintratherthanaregularoldassociativedimensionisthepadlockiconthatappearsnexttothedimensionvalue.YoucanturnoffthedisplayofthepadlockintheConstraintSettingsdialogbox,butIrecommendyouleaveiton.Itdoesn’tplotanyway,andyoumightdecidetodeletethedimensionwithoutrealizingit’scontrollingyourobjectgeometry.

Figure19-9:Turningdynamicconstraintsintoannotationalones.

UnderstandingGeometricConstraintsAddinggeometricconstraintstoobjectgeometrymaytakealittlegettingusedtobecauseit’sunlikeanythingAutoCADhasofferedbefore.

Inafewcases,AutoCAD’sgeometricconstraintshaveequivalentobjectsnaps.Therearetangent,parallel,andperpendicularobjectsnapsandtangent,parallel,andperpendiculargeometricconstraints.Thedifferencebetweentheserelationsasobjectsnapsandgeometricconstraintsisthatconstraintsarepersistent.

Forexample,youcandrawalineatanyangle,startanotherline,turnonparallelobjectsnap,andcreateasecondlinethat’sparalleltothefirst.Butthenyoucaneasilyrotateeitherlinesothey’renolongerparallel.If,however,youapplyaparallelconstrainttothesecondline,itwillrotatewiththefirstline,alwaysmaintainingthatparallelrelationuntilyoudeletetheconstraint.

Thereare12geometricconstraintsyoucanapplytoyourdrawingobjects,andtheeasiestwaytoapplythemisbyclickingbuttonsontheGeometricpaneloftheRibbon’sParametrictab.Table19-2presentsalistofthegeometricconstraintsandexplainswhattheydo.

Table19-2GeometricConstraints

ButtonIcon

ConstraintName

Description

Coincident Forcestwoormorepoints,suchasendpointsormidpoints,tocoincide;canalsoconstrainapointtolieanywhereonanobject

Collinear Forcestwoormorelinestoliealonganinfinitelylongprojectionofthefirstlineselected

Concentric Forcesthecentersoftwoormorearcs,circles,ellipses,orarcsegmentsofpolylinestocoincide

Fix Locksthelocationofanobjectorapointonanobjecttoaspecificlocationinthedrawing

Parallel Forcestwolinestobeparallel;thesecondlineselectedbecomesparalleltothefirstline

Perpendicular Forcestwolinestobeperpendiculartooneanother

Horizontal Forcesalineortwopointstobehorizontalrelativetothecurrentcoordinatesystem

Vertical Forcesalineortwopointstobeverticalrelativetothecurrentcoordinatesystem

Tangent Forcesanobjecttobetangenttoaselectedarcorcircle

Smooth Joinsaselectedsplineobjectwithanotherspline,line,arc,orpolylinewhilemaintainingcurvature(alsoknownasG2)continuity

Symmetric Forcestwoobjects,ortwopointsonobjectstobesymmetricalaboutanimaginaryline

Equal Forcestwolinesorlinearpolylinesegmentstobethesamelength;forcestwoarcsorcirclestohavethesameradius

Textobjectscanalsobegeometricallyconstrained.Youcanapplyhorizontalorverticalconstraintstotext,andyoucanmaketextparallel,perpendicular,orcollinearwithlines.Anyonewho’shadtolabelutilitylinesoncivilengineeringdrawingsinearlierreleasessothetextalignswiththelinework(who...moi??)willbeveryhappywiththisfeature!

ApplyingalittlemoreconstraintIfyou’reusingthefullversionofAutoCAD(notAutoCADLT),youcanconstraindrawingobjectsgeometricallybyclickingbuttonsontheGeometricpaneloftheParametrictab.Inthefollowingsteps,Ishowyouhowtogetstartedwithgeometricconstraints.

YoucanfindthefilesIuseinthissequenceofstepsatthisbook’scompanionwebsite.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/autocad2012fdanddownloadafd19.zip.Thedrawingnamedafd19c.dwgcontainstheunconstrainedgeometry,anddrawingafd19d.dwgcontainstheendproduct.

1.Startanewdrawing.MaketheRibbon’sParametrictabcurrentandturnoffSnap,Ortho,Polar,Osnap,andOtrackatthestatusbar.Forrealdrafting,youprobablywanttousetheseprecisionaids,butforthisexample,yougetabettersenseofparametricswithareallyimprecisedrawing.

2.DrawsomelineworkusingthePLINEcommandandaddacoupleofcircles.DrawsomethingsimilartoFigure19-10ifyouwanttofollowclosely.

Figure19-10:Randomshapesthatbadlyneedconstraining.

Everydrawingisgoingtobetackleddifferently,andit’sagoodideatothinkaheadandfigureoutthemostefficientwaytoapplytheconstraintsyouneedsothatyourdesignintentismaintained.Inthisexample,Iwanttoendupwithtwoconcentriccirclesinthemiddleofasquare.

AsImentionearlier,you’llfinditaloteasiertoapplyconstraintsifatleastonepointonthegeometryisfixedinspace.Inmanycases,oneofthefirstconstraintsyoushouldthinkaboutapplyingisFix,theonethatconstrainsapointtoonelocationinthedrawingarea.Inthisexample,I’mgoingtolockoneoftheendpointsofthepolylineintoposition.

3.ClickFixintheGeometricpanelandthenclickapointyouwanttofixinspace.Abluepadlockiconisdisplayedbesidethepickbox,andtheredpickpointmarkerappearswhenyou’reoverapointyoucanconstrain(seeFigure19-11).Inthisexample,Iclickoneoftheendpointsonthepolyline.Apadlockiconappearsintheconstraintbarindicatingtheendpointofthepolylinesegment

isfixedinplace.Withatleastonepointonthegeometryfixedinplace,Istartconstrainingthegeometrybyclosingthegapinthelinework.

Figure19-11:Lockingdownanobjectindrawingspace.

4.ClickCoincidentintheParametrictab’sGeometricpanel.Youuseacoincidentconstrainttomaketwopointscoincide.Ablue

coincidenticonappearsnearthepickboxand,asyoumoveyourcrosshairsoveranobject,amarkerappearsoverrelevantpoints—inthecaseoflinesorpolylinesegments,attheendpointsandmidpoint.

Useappropriatedrawingcommandsbasedonyourdesignintent.Iuseapolylineinthisexamplebecausetheendsofthesegmentsarealreadycoincident-constrainedbybeingpartofasinglepolylineobject.IfIdrawthisshapewithlines,Ihavetoapplyindividualcoincidentconstraintstoeachcorner.

5.Clickanendpointonthefirstpolylinesegmentyouwanttoconnectandthenclickanendpointonthesecondsegment.Theendpointofthesecondpolylinesegmentjumpstotheendpointofthefirstline,andasmallbluesquare—themarkerforcoincidentconstraints—appearsattheintersection.(Ifyoudon’tseethelittlebluesquare,clickShowAllintheGeometricpanel.)Next,Iapplysomeorthographicparameterssomylineworkstartstolookalittlemorelikearectangle.

6.ClickHorizontalintheParametrictab’sGeometricpanelandthenclickalineorpolylinesegmentyouwanttobealignedwiththedrawing’sX-axis.Inthisexample,Ipickedthebottomsegmentofthepolyline.Thesegmentrealignsitselfhorizontallyfromtheendpointnearesttowhereyoupickedtheline(unlessaFixconstraintisaddedfirst),andahorizontalconstraintmarker—officiallycalledaconstraintbar—appearsneartheobject.

7.ClickVerticaltoalignalineorpolylinesegmentwiththedrawing’sY-axis.Inthisexample,Ipickedtheleftverticalishpolylinesegment.Thesegmentrealignsitselfat90degreestothehorizontalsegment,andaconstraintbarshowingaverticalconstraintappears.Withonehorizontallyandoneverticallyconstrainedlinesegment,you’rehalfwaytoageometricallypreciserectangle!Becauserectangleshaveparallelandperpendicularsides,nextIapplythoseconstraintstomylinework.

8.ClickParallelintheParametrictab’sGeometricpanel,clicktheverticallyconstrainedlinesegment,andthenclickthelinesegmentopposite.Becausethere’salreadyaverticalconstraintappliedtoonesegment,itdoesn’tmatterwhichlineyoupickfirst.Ifneitherlinehadanexistingconstraint,the

secondlineyoupickedwouldbecomeparalleltothefirstline.

Alwayskeepyourdesignintentinmindasyouthinkaboutwhichconstraintstoapplyandwhentoapplythem.Asageneralrule,it’sgoodtostartwiththemostimportantanddrilldowntotheleastimportant.And,asIremindyouearlierinthechapter,applyingafixconstraintearlyinthegamecanpreventyourgeometryrearrangingitselfinwaysyoudon’texpect.Tomakethefinalsideofthealmost-rectangleorthogonalwiththeotherthree,Icoulduseanotherparallelconstraintandclickthebottomline.However,Idon’twanttowearoutmyParallelbutton,soI’llusePerpendicularonthefinalsegment.

9.ClickPerpendicularontheGeometricpanel,clickeitheroftheverticalsides,andthenclickthenon-orthogonalside.Again,becausethreeofthefoursidesarealreadyconstrainedtohorizontalandvertical,itdoesn’tmatterwhichsegmentyoupickfirst.

Todeleteaconstraint,movethemousepointerovertheconstraintmarkertodisplaytheconstraintsbar(seeFigure19-12),right-clickandchooseDelete.Fromfournonorthogonal,not-even-closedlinesegments,applyingahandfulofconstraintsyieldsaperfectrectangle—butIreallywantasquare!Here’swheretheEqualconstraintcomesin.

10.ClickEqualontheGeometricpanel,clickthebottomside,andthenclickeitheroftheverticalsides.Aperfectsquare!NowIwanttoconstrainthosecircles.Mydesignintentinthisexampleistohavethecirclesbeconcentricandtolocatetheircentersintheexactcenteroftherectangle.Firsttheeasypart:Makingthecirclesconcentric.

11.ClickConcentricintheGeometricpanel,clickonecircle,andthenclicktheother.Thetwocirclesareconcentricallyconstrained(trysayingthattentimesinahurry!),andanewconstraintbarappearsintheirvicinity.Trymovingonecirclebyclickingitandwatchtheothertagalong.

Figure19-12:Constrainingtoorthogonal.

AsIsuggested,concentricwastheeasyconstraint.I’dlovetobeabletousetheMidBetween2Pointsobjectsnapandjustclicktwodiagonallyoppositecornerstolocatethecirclesdeadcenterintherectangle.However,sinceyoucanconstrainonlyobjectsorpointsonobjects,I’mgoingtohavetoaddsomeconstructiongeometryinordertomaintainmydesignintent.

12.DrawalinebetweendiagonallyoppositecornersusingEndpointobjectsnapsandthenapplycoincidentconstraintsbetweentheendpointsofthislineandthecornersoftherectangle(seeFigure9-13).

DrawconstructiongeometryonaseparatelayerandsetthatlayertoNoPlotintheLayerPropertiesManager.Ifyoudon’twanttoevenseeit,letalonenotplotit,youcanturnoffyourconstructiongeometrylayerorevenfreezeit—thegeometricconstraintswillstillwork.

13.ClickCoincidentintheGeometricpanel.Clickeithercirclesotheparametricmarkerappearsinthecenter,movethepickboxovertheconstructionline,andclickwhentheparametricmarkerisoverthemidpointoftheline.You’redone(whew!).YoucantestyourdesignintentbyusingtheSTRETCHcommandonthecorneroftherectanglethatdoesn’tdisplayalittlesquare,bluecoincidenticon.Asyoudragthecorner,youshouldseethetwocirclesmovingtoo,alwaysmaintainingtheirpositioninthemiddleoftherectangle(seeFigure19-14).

Figure19-13:Addingsomeconstructiongeometry.

Figure19-14:Full-ongeometricconstraints.

ParametricswasanewfeatureinAutoCAD2010,anditgotaconsiderableenhancementinAutoCAD2011withtheadditionofinferredconstraints.Astatusbarbutton(totheleftoftheSnapbutton)togglesInferConstraintsmodeoffandon.WhenInferConstraintsmodeisenabled,youdon’tevenhavetospecificallyapplygeometricconstraints.Forexample,inAutoCAD2010,ifyouwantedtomakesuretheendpointofalinewasalwayscoincidentwiththecenterofacircle,youhadtoselecttheCoincidenttoolandclickthetwopoints.Withinferredconstraints,AutoCADautomaticallyappliesa

coincidentconstrainttothesetwopoints.InferredConstraintsmodeisapowerfulcomponentofparametricdraftinginAutoCAD,butIrecommendthatfirstyoumakeyourselffamiliarwithmanuallyapplyingconstraintsinthewaysIshowinthischapter.

Autoconstrainyourself!

ThegeometricconstraintslistedinTable19-2aremeanttobeappliedoneatatime.It’sgreattohavethatflexibility,butitcanbeprettydarnedtime-consumingtogoaroundacomplexobject,tryingtofigureoutwhatthebestconstraintoptionwouldbeandthenapplyingit.

TheAutoConstrainbuttonontheParametrictab’sGeometricpanelcanapplyawhackofconstraintstoaselectionofobjectswithasingleclick—butbeforeyouexecutethatsingleclick,it’sworthtakingalookattheAutoConstrainsettings.Clickthedialogboxlauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendoftheGeometricpanellabel)toopentheConstraintSettingsdialogboxandmaketheAutoConstraintabactive(seeFigure19-15).Choosewhichconstraintsyouwanttoapplyautomatically,andwhatorderyouwanttheminthelistsotheonesthatshouldtakeprecedencehaveahigherpriority.

Figure19-15:Auto-constrainablegeometricrelationsintheConstraintSettingsdialogbox.

AutoConstrainworksonlywithgeometricconstraints,notwithdimensionalconstraints.

ThethreebuttonsattherightsideofAutoCAD’sGeometricpanel—andtheonlybuttonsonAutoCADLT’sGeometricpanel—areforcontrollingthevisibilityofgeometricconstraintmarkers.ShowAllshowsthemall,andHideAll(surprise!)hidesthemall.UsetheShow/Hidebuttontodisplaytheconstraintsonselectedobjects.Thislastbuttonisalittleclunky.Itwouldbenicetobeabletohoverthemousepointeroveranobjectandhavetheconstraintsshow,butyouactuallyhavetoclickanobjectandthenpressEntertoseeanyresults.

InthischapterIpresentthetwovarietiesofparametricconstraintsseparately,butyou’llgetthemostmileagefromthisfeaturewhenyouincorporatebothgeometricanddimensionalconstraintswithallthoseotherprecisiontechniquesItellyouaboutinChapter7.Infact,ifyoustartadrawingusingSnap,Ortho,Osnap,andotherprecisiontechniquesbeforeyoustartaddingdimensionalandparametricconstraints,you’llbewellonthewaytocreatingalibraryofintelligentdrawingsthatmaintainyourdesignintent.

Chapter20

DrawingontheInternet

InThisChapterUnderstandingAutoCADInternetfeatures

Exchangingdrawingfilesviae-mailandFTP

UsingtheReferenceManagertoviewandfixfiledependencies

UsingDesignWebFormatandePlot

MakingmultipleWebandpaperplotswithBatchPlot

Protectingdrawingswithpasswordsanddigitalsignatures

Unlessyou’vebeenlivingunderarockforthepast20years,youknowthattheInternetiscausingmajorchangesinthewaypeoplework.BecauseoftheNet,mostofuscommunicatedifferently,exchangefilesmorerapidly,andphoneoutforpizzalessfrequently.

Inthischapter,IshowyouhowandwhentouseAutoCAD’sInternetfeatures.IalsocoverhowtheInternetfeaturescanconnectwithtraditionalCADtasks,suchasplotting.Theemphasisofthischapterisonuseful,no-nonsensewaystotakeadvantageoftheInternetinyourCADwork.

TheInternetandAutoCAD:AnOverviewAswithallthingsWebby,theInternetfeaturesinAutoCADareahodgepodgeofthegenuinelyuseful,theinterestingbutstillsomewhatimmatureordifficulttouse,andthedownrightfoolish.Inthischapter,Isteeryoutowardfeaturesandtechniquesthatarereliableandwidelyusedtoday,andawayfromfeaturesthat(toputitkindly)mightnotbereadyforprimetime.Ontheotherhand,afewoftoday’squestionablefeaturesmaybecomethereliable,commonplaceonesoftomorrow.Igiveyouenoughcontexttoseehoweverythingworksandwhereitmaylead.Table20-1summarizesAutoCAD’sInternetfeaturesandtellsyouwhereinthisbook(ortheonlinehelp)tofindmoreinformation.

ThenewSHAREcommand(inbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT)offersaccesstoanewonlineservicecalledAutoCADWSviatheRibbon’snewOnlinetab.AutoCADWSletsyousharedrawingsviaasecureWebsite.YouuploaddrawingsfromyourlocalcomputerornetworktotheAutoCADWSsite,andcanthenreviewthemonanyInternet-connectedcomputerorApplemobiledevice(atpresent,onlyiPads,iPhones,andtheiPodToucharesupported).

YouneedtwothingstosharedrawingswithAutoCADWS:Anaccountatwww.autocadws.com,andtheAutoCADWSappthatyoucandownloadfromtheiTunesstoreandsynctoyourmobiledevice.Idon’thaveenoughpagesinthis

booktocoveralltheoptionsandcapabilitiesofthisnewservice,butforathoroughoverview,checkoutthosefrequentlyaskedquestionsatwww.autocadws.com/faq—andsignupforyourfreeaccount!

SendingStrategiesE-mailandFTP(FileTransferProtocol)havelargelyreplacedbluelineprintsandovernightdeliveryasthestandardmeansofexchangingdrawings.SomecompaniesevenusespeciallydesignedWeb-basedservices,suchasAutodesk’sBuzzsaw,asarepositoryforprojectdrawingsfromallthecompaniesworkingonaparticularproject.Whetheryou’reexchangingdrawingsinordertoreuseCADobjectsorsimplytomakehard-copyplotsofsomeoneelse’sdrawings,youneedtobecomfortablesendingandreceivingdrawingselectronically.

SendingandreceivingDWGfilesdoesn’tdiffermuchfromsendingandreceivingotherkindsoffiles,exceptforthefollowing:

DWGfilestendtobebiggerthanwordprocessingdocumentsandspreadsheets.Consequently,youmayneedtoinvestinafasterInternetconnection.Forinstance,ifyou’restillrelyingondialupmodemaccesstotheInternet,it’sprobablytimetoupgradetobroadband.

Youcaneasilyforgettoincludeallthedependentfiles.Itellyouinthenextsectionhowtomakesurethatyousendallthenecessaryfiles—andhowtopesterthepeoplewhodon’tsendyoualltheirnecessaryfiles.

It’softennotcompletelyobvioushowtoplotwhatyoureceive.ReadChapter16andthe“Badreception?”section,laterinthischapter,tosolveplottingpuzzles.

WheneveryousendDWGfilestogether,followtheGoldenRuleofDrawingExchange:“Sendfilesuntoothersasyouwouldhavethemsentuntoyou.”ThatmeanssendingallthedependentfilesalongwiththemainDWGfiles,sendingplottingsupportfiles(CTBorSTBfiles—seeChapter16),andincludingadescriptionofwhatyou’resending.Andasktherecipienttotryopeningthedrawingsyousentrightawaysoyoubothhavemoretimetorespondifthere’sanyproblem.

SenditwithETRANSMIT

ManypeoplenaivelyassumethatanAutoCADdrawingisalwayscontainedinasingleDWGfile,butthat’softennotthecase.EachdrawingfilecreatedinAutoCADcancontainreferencestootherkindsoffiles,themostimportantofwhicharedescribedinTable20-2.Thus,beforeyoustartexchangingdrawingsviae-mailorFTP,youneedaprocedureforassemblingthedrawingswithalltheirdependentfiles.

AsyoucanseefromTable20-2,theconsequencesofnotincludingacustomfontaren’tthatdire:Therecipientwillstillseeyourtext,butthefontwillbedifferent.Ofcourse,thenewfontmaylookoddorcausetext-spacingproblemswithinthedrawing.If,ontheotherhand,youforgettosendxrefsorrastergraphicsthatareattachedtoyourmaindrawing,theobjectscontainedonthoseattachedfilessimplywillbegonewhentherecipientopensyourdrawing.Notgood!

Table20-2doesn’texhaustthetypesoffilesthatyourDWGfilesmightreferto.Customplottersettings(suchascustompapersizes)mayresideinPC3orPMPfiles.Ifyouusesheetsets,aDSTfilecontainsinformationaboutthesheetstructure.AnFMPfilecontrolssomeaspectsoffontmapping.LookupsheetsetsandtheFONTALTandFONTMAPsystemvariablesintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystemfordetailedinformation.

RapideTransmit

Fortunately,AutoCAD’sETRANSMITcommandpullstogetherallthefilesthatyourmainDWGfiledependson.FollowthesestepstoassembleadrawingwithallitsdependentfilesbyusingETRANSMIT:

1.OpenthedrawingthatyouwanttorunETRANSMITon.Ifthedrawingisalreadyopen,saveit.ETRANSMITpromptsyoutosavebeforeyouproceed;it’snotessentialtodothis,butit’susuallyagoodidea.

2.ClicktheApplicationbuttonandchoosePublish,theneTransmitfromtheApplicationMenu.TheCreateTransmittaldialogboxappears,asshowninFigure20-1.

Figure20-1:RapideTransmit.

3.OntheFilesTreeorFilesTabletab,removethecheckmarknexttoanyfilethatyouwantETRANSMITnottocopywiththemaindrawing.

Unlessyouhaveassignedcustomfontmapping,youcanomittheAcad.fmpfile.(Ifyou’reanAutoCADLTuser,theequivalentfileisnamedAcadlt.fmp.)

4.Selectatransmittalsetupfromthelist.

TransmittalsetupscontainsettingsthatcontrolhowETRANSMITprocessesthedrawingsandcreatesthetransmittalpackage.ClicktheTransmittalSetupsbuttontocreatenewormodifyexistingsetups.ThedefaultStandardtransmittalsetupworksfineformanypurposes,exceptthatyouprobablywanttoturnontheIncludeFontssetting,asdescribedinthenextparagraph.Inanycase,youshouldviewthesettings(clicktheModifybutton)justtoseewhatoptionsyoucanchangeifyouneedtolater.

IfyouwantAutoCADtoincludeSHXandTTFfontfiles,includinganycustomfontsthatyou’reusing,youmustturnontheIncludeFontssettinginthetransmittalsetup.(ClickTransmittalSetups,clickModify,andchecktheIncludeFontscheckbox.)Note,however,thatmanySHXandTTFfilesarecustomfonts,whichworklikelicensedsoftware:SendingthemtoothersisjustlikesharingyourAutoCADprogramDVDwithothers.No,Idon’tmeanthatit’seasyandfun;Imeanthatit’sillegalandunethical.Beforeyousendacustomfontfiletosomeoneelse,findoutthelicensingrestrictionsonthefontandworkwithinthem.

5.ClicktheViewReportbutton.YouseeareportlistingthefilesthatETRANSMITwillcopy,alongwithwarningsaboutanyfilesthatitcan’tlocate.

6.ReviewthereportandmakesurethatETRANSMITwasabletofindallthefiles.7.ClickOK.ETRANSMITdisplaysafiledialogboxsothatyoucanspecifythenameandlocationofthetransmittalpackage.

8.ClickSave.ETRANSMITcreatesthetransmittalpackage(whichisaZipfilebydefault).Zippingcreatesasingle,tidypackageofallyourDWG,DGN,DWF,PDF,rasterimage,plotstyletable,andfontfiles.

FTPforyouandme

FTP,orFileTransferProtocol,isasimple-but-robustprotocolforcopyingfilesovertheInternet.Acomputerthat’sconnectedtotheInternetcanactasanFTPserver,whichmeansthatpartofitsharddiskisaccessibleovertheInternet.ThepersonwhoconfigurestheFTPservercanplacerestrictionssothatonlypeoplewhoenteraparticularlogonnameandpasswordcanseeanddownloadfiles.FTPovercomesthefilesizelimitationsthatoftenoccurwithe-mail.

BecauseofalltheseFTPbenefits,it’sincreasinglycommonforpeopleatlargercompaniestoplacedrawingfilesontheircompany’sFTPsiteandtellyoutogogetthem.Thisapproachrelievesthemofhavingtoe-mailyouthefiles,andrelievesyouofwaitingforthat10MBe-maildownloadwhenyouleastexpectedit.

Inmostcases,thepersonmakingthefilesavailabletoyouviaFTPwillsendyouaUniformResourceLocator(URL)thatlookslikeaWeb-pageaddress,exceptthatitstartswithftp://insteadofhttp://.IfyouopenyourWebbrowserandentertheFTPURLintotheaddressfield,thebrowserconnectstotheFTPsite,asksyouforalocationandnametouseforthefilewhenitgetscopiedtoyoursystem,andbeginsdownloadingthefile.IftheFTPsiteusespasswordprotection,you’llhavetoenteralogonnameandpasswordfirst.

IfyouwantfancierFTPdownloadoptions,youcanuseanFTPutilitysuchasFileZilla(http://filezilla-project.org).

Badreception?Othersectionsinthischapterfocusonsendingfilestoothers.Whathappenswhenyou’reonthereceivingend?NoteveryonewillbeasconscientiousasyouareaboutfollowingtheGoldenRuleofDrawingExchange.You’llreceivedrawingswithmissingdependentfilesandnoinformationorsupportfilesforplotting.

Whenyoureceiveane-mailmessageorFTPdownloadthatcontainsdrawings(zipped,Ihope!),copythefiletoanewfolderonyourharddiskoranetworkdiskandunzipthefiles.

Checkatleastafewofthedrawingsinthepackagetomakesurethatallthexrefsandotherreferencefiles,fonts,andrasterimagefileswereincluded.Youcanperformthischeckbyopeningeachmaindrawinginthatfolder.Afteryouopeneachfile,presstheF2keytoviewtheAutoCADtextwindowandlookformissingfontandxreferrormessagesofthefollowingsort:

Substituting[simplex.shx]for[helv.shx].

ResolveXref“GRID”:C:\Here\There\Nowhere\grid.dwg

Can’tfindC:\Here\There\Nowhere\grid.dwg

ASubstituting...messageindicatesthatAutoCADcouldn’tfindafontandissubstitutingadifferentfontforit.ACan’tfind...messageindicatesthatAutoCADcouldn’tlocateanxref.Anymissingrasterfilesappearasrectangularboxeswiththenamesoftheimagefilesinsidetherectangles.MissingDWFsappearasanerrormessageattheinsertionpoint.Alternatively,youcanopentheExternalReferencespalette,whichrevealsanymissingreferencedfiles.(SeeChapter18fordetails.)

Writedowneachmissingfileandthentellthesendertogetontheball(inaniceway,ofcourse)andsendyouthemissingpieces.Whileyou’reatit,tellthatpersontobuythisbookandreadthischapter!Orbuyitforthemyourself!

IfyoureceivedrawingswithcustomTrueTypefontfiles(fileswhoseextensionsareTTF),youmustinstallthosefilesinWindows(notAutoCAD)beforeWindowsandAutoCADwillrecognizethem.RefertoyourWindowsversion’sonlinehelpforinstructionsoninstallingfonts.

HelpfromtheReferenceManagerInChapter18,IwarnyouaboutthecomplicationsofxrefpathsandthepotentialperilsofAutoCADnotbeingabletolocatexrefsifyoumoveprojectfoldersaroundortransferdrawingstoorfromsomeoneelse.AsimilardangerexistsforrasterimagefilesandDWF/DWFx,DGN,andPDFunderlays(Chapter18)andforfontfiles(Chapter13).TheETRANSMITcommand,describedinthesection“RapideTransmit,”earlierinthischapter,doesagoodjobofgatheringdependentreferencefiles,rasterfiles,andfontfiles,butitcan’tgatherwhatAutoCADcan’tlocate.

AutoCAD’sReferenceManagerutility(notincludedwithAutoCADLT)isareallifesaverifyoufindyourselfsufferingfromfile-pathperils—whethertheyoccurinyourowncompanyorwhensendingfilestoorreceivingthemfromothers.

ReferenceManagerisaseparateprogram,notacommandinsideAutoCAD.FollowthesestepstolaunchtheutilityfromyourWindowsdesktop:

1.ChooseStart⇒AllPrograms⇒Autodesk⇒AutoCAD2012⇒ReferenceManager.TheReferenceManagerprogramopens,asshowninFigure20-2.

Figure20-2:TheReferenceManager.

2.ClicktheAddDrawingsbuttontoaddoneormoreDWGfilestotheDrawingspaneontheleft.Navigatetothefolderthatcontainsthedrawingsyouwanttosend,selectthem,andclickOpen.

3.IntheReferenceManager–AddXrefsdialogbox,chooseAddAllXrefsAutomaticallyRegardlessofNestingLevel.TheReferenceManagerprocessesthedrawingsanddisplaysallreferencedobjectsinitsrightpane.

4.ClickExportReporttocreateatextreportlistingallthedependentfilesandtheirpaths,orclickEditSelectedPathstomodifypathsofselectedreferencefiles.5.Ifyoudochoosetomodifyanyselectedpaths,clickApplyChanges.Whenyou’refinishedexportingreportsandrepathingreferencefiles(orjustcheckingoutthisprogramyoumayneversuspectedyouhad),closetheReferenceManagerwindow.ClicktheHelpbuttoninReferenceManagertofindoutmoreabouttheutility’scapabilities.

IfyoualwayskeepparentandchildDWGfilesinthesamefolder—thesimplestapproachtodealingwithxrefpaths—youprobablywon’tneedtousetheReferenceManager.

DesignWebFormat—NotJustfortheWeb

Earlierinthischapter,Iexplainhowyoucanexchangedrawingsviae-mailandFTP.That’salltheInternetconnectivitythatmanyAutoCADusersneed,butifyou’recuriousaboutconnectingdrawingstotheWeborsharingdrawingswithpeoplewhodon’thaveAutoCAD,thissectionisforyou.

TheAutoCADWebfeaturesarebuiltonthreepiecesoftechnology:

Aspecial“lightweight”drawingformatcalledDWFthatAutodeskoriginallydevelopedespeciallyforputtingdrawingsontheWeb.

Anupdated,XML-compliantversionoftheDWFformatcalledDWFxthatcanbeviewedusingtheMicrosoftXPSViewerthat’sbuiltintoWindowsVistaandWindows7oravailableasaplug-inforWindowsXP.

AfreeprogramfromAutodeskcalledAutodeskDesignReview2012thatenablesanyonetoview,markup,andprintDWFfileswithouthavingAutoCAD.

AllaboutDWFandDWFxTheAutoCADDWGformatworkswellforstoringdrawinginformationonlocalandnetworkdisks,butthehighprecisionandlargenumberofobjectpropertiesthatAutoCADusesmakeforcomparativelylargefiles.

ToovercomethissizeproblemandencouragepeopletopublishdrawingsontheWeb,AutodeskdevelopedanalternativelightweightvectorformatforrepresentingAutoCADdrawings:DWF(DesignWebFormat).ADWFfileisamorecompactrepresentationofaDWGfile.DWFuseslessspace—andlesstransfertimeovertheWebande-mail—becauseit’slesspreciseanddoesn’thavealltheinformationthat’sintheDWGfile.

DWFxisaversionofregularDWFthat’scompliantwithMicrosoft’sXMLPaperSpecification(orXPSforshort—hadyourfillofalphabetsoupyet?).EverythingaboutDWFinthischapteralsoappliestoDWFx.TheDWFFORMATcommanddetermineswhetherthePUBLISH,3DDWF,andEXPORTcommandsoutputtoDWForDWFx.Ifthissoundslikesomethingthatmightbeimportantinyourwork,lookupDWFFORMATintheonlinehelpsystem.WindowsVistaandWindows7includeanXPSViewer,andthelongandtheshortofthisfeatureisthatdrawingsplottedtoDWFxcanbeviewedautomaticallyintheseWindowsversionswithoutAutoCADoranyspecialviewingsoftware.

YoucancreateDWForDWFxfilesfromyourdrawingsandsendthosefilestopeoplewhodon’thaveAutoCAD.YourrecipientscanviewandplottheDWFfilesaftertheydownloadthefreeAutodeskDesignReview2012program,whichisavailableonAutodesk’sWebsite,www.autodesk.com.

DWFsandDWFxscanbeusedjustlikeexternalreferences.Here’sonemorefiletype—andonemorereason—touseReferenceManagerorETRANSMITtopackageupyourdrawingsbeforeyousendthemout.FormoreonDWF/DWFxunderlays,seeChapter18.

ePlot,notreplotADWFfilecapturesasingle,plottedviewofyourdrawing,so,unlikeaDWGfile,itcanprovideaclear-cutsnapshotofwhatyouwanttoseeonpaper.WithaDWGfile,ontheotherhand,youhavetoprovidelotsofinformationtootherpeople—drawingview,scale,plotstylesettings,andsoon—inorderforthemtogetthesameplottingresultsthatyoudid.

PotentialePlottingscenariosincludethefollowing:

ArchitectsandotherconsultantsonabuildingprojectperiodicallyuploadDWFfilestotheprojectWebsite.ArchitectsandengineerswithsomeminimalCADknowledgecanreviewthedrawingson-screenandcreatetheirownhard-copyplots,ifnecessary.Principalsandclientswhodon’twantanythingtodowithCAD,orevenwithcomputers,canhavetheiremployeescreatehard-copyplotsforthemtoexamine.

WhenInternet-savvypeopleneedhard-copyprintsofyourdrawings,youe-mailazippedfilecontainingDWFfiles,alongwiththeURLforAutodeskDesignReviewandsimpleinstructionsforcreatingplotsfromtheDWFfiles.(Bereadytowalkthemthroughtheprocessbyphonethefirsttimeortwotoreduceanxietyoneveryone’spart.)

ACADplottingservicebureauencouragesitscustomerstosendDWFfilesinsteadofDWGfilesforplotting.TheDWFfilesaremuchsmallerandrequirelessinterventiononthepartoftheservicebureau’semployees.

AutodeskhopestoestablishePlotandtheDWF/DWFxformatasastandardforCADdocumentssimilartowhatAdobe’sPDFhasbecomeforwordprocessingdocuments.ItremainstobeseenwhetherePlottingwillbecomea

popularwaytogeneratehard-copyoutput(althoughDWFxwillcertainlypushitthatway).Inparticular,manypeopleoutsideCAD-usingcompaniesdon’thaveaccesstolarge-formatplotters.They’relimitedto8-1/2x11-inch—or,atbest,11x17-inch—reduced-sizecheckplots.Consequently,manypeoplewon’tbeabletoplotyourDWFfilestoscaleandmaynotevenbeabletoplotthemlargeenoughtoreadeverything.

Don’tbeafraidtotryePlottingwithcolleaguesinsideoroutsideyourcompany,butdon’tbecometoodependentonituntilyouseewhethertherestoftheCADworldsharesyourenthusiasm.Otherwiseyouriskbecomingtheonlyonewho’swillingtouseyourDWFfilesforplotting—inwhichcase,thenextversionofthefeaturewillbecalledmePlot.

MakingDWFswithePlotAsIdescribeintheprecedingsection,AutoCADtreatsDWFfileslikeelectronicplots,orePlots.YoucreateaDWFfilefromthecurrentdrawingjustasifyouwereplottingittoapieceofpaper,asIdescribeinChapter16.Theonlydifferenceisthat,inthePlotdialogbox’sPrinter/Plotterarea,youchooseoneoftwoplotterconfigurations:DWF6ePlot.pc3orDWFxePlot(XPSCompatible).pc3,asshowninFigure20-3.Whenyoudoso,AutoCADautomaticallyturnsonthePlottoFilesetting.Then,whenyouclickOKtogeneratetheePlot,AutoCADdisplaysadialogboxinwhichyouspecifyafilenameandlocationfortheDWFfilethatgetscreated.ThelocationcanbeafolderonaharddriveoraWebserver.

Figure20-3:“Lookma,nopaper!”PlottingtoaDWFfile.

WhenyoumakeDWFswithePlot,payparticularattentiontotheScalesettinginthePlotScalearea.Ifyou’recreatingaDWFsimplyforviewinginabrowser,youcanselecttheFittoPapercheckboxratherthanworryaboutaspecificplotscale.IfyouwanttoenableotherstoplotyourDWFfiletoscale(asdescribedearlierinthischapter),chooseanappropriateplotscalefactor(Chapter16describeshow).

MakingDWFs(orplots)withPUBLISHTheePlotmethodofcreatingDWFfilesdescribedintheprevioussectionworksfineforsingledrawings.ButifyouwanttocreateDWFfilesforalotofdrawingsorplotabunchofdrawingsthegoodold-fashionedway(onpaper,thatis),youcanusethePublishdialogbox,asshowninFigure20-4,tospeedtheprocess.

YouaccessPUBLISHfromtheAutoCAD2012ApplicationMenu—clickthe

Applicationbutton,choosePrint(notPublish!),andthenchooseBatchPlot.PDFisalsoaPUBLISHoutputoption,andpracticallyeverythingIdescribehereappliestobothDWFandPDF.

Figure20-4:Hotoffthepresses:AutoCAD’sPublishdialogbox.

AlthoughthePublishdialogboxiswiredtosupportDWF,DWFx,andPDFaswellasregular(paper)plotting,fornow,morepeoplearelikelytouseitforpaperplotting.(Analternativeuseiscreatingplotfilestosendtoaplottingservicebureau.)Butifyoudodecidetogointolarge-scaleDWFpublishing,includingmultisheetDWForPDFfiles,usethePublishdialogbox,asshowninthefollowingsteps:

1.ClicktheApplicationbutton,choosePrint,andthenBatchPlot.ThePublishdialogboxappears(refertoFigure20-4).Thedialogboxlistsalltabs(modelandpaperspacelayouts)ofallcurrentlyopendrawingsforplotting.ThePublishdialogboxreferstoeachtabasasheet.

2.Clickthebuttonsabovethesheetlisttopreviewanysheet,addsheets

fromotherdrawings,removesheetsfromtheto-be-plottedlist,orrearrangetheplottingorder.Withtheadditionalbuttons,youcansaveandrecalllistsofsheets.SeeStep4formoreinformation.

3.Afteryouselectthesheetsthatyouwanttoplot,specifywhetheryouwanttoplotthemtoanactualplotterorplot(PLT)fileortoaDWF/DWFxorPDFfile.YoucanselectaspecificplotterconfigurationforeachsheetbychoosingaPageSetupintheSheetList.SeeChapter16formoreinformationaboutpagesetups.

4.ClickthePublishOptionsbuttontodisplayadialogboxcontainingadditionalsettings.Mostoftheseoptionsareofconcernonlyifyou’recreatingDWF/DWFxorPDFfiles.TheoneexceptionisDefaultOutputDirectory,whichalsoappliestocreatingplot(PLT)files.

5.Ifyouanticipatehavingtopublishthesamegroupofdrawingsagain,clicktheSaveSheetListbuttontosavethecurrentdrawingsandsettingslist.6.ClickthePublishbuttontostarttheprocess.

Don’tconfusethePUBLISHcommandwiththelittle-usedPUBLISHTOWEBcommand.(Don’tworryaboutstartingitaccidentally;unlessyou’reworkingintheAutoCADClassicworkspace,youhavetotypethewholecommandnametostartthiscommand.)ThePUBLISHcommandcreatessetsofDWF,DWFx,orPDFfiles,plotfiles,oractualplots.ThePUBLISHTOWEBWizardcreatesaWebpagecontainingimagesofyourdrawings.Theresultsofthiswizardwon’tputanyWebdesignersorprogrammersoutofwork,butyoucanuseittocreateprimitiveWebpagepaste-upsofyourdrawings.(SeePUBLISHTOWEBcommandintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystemifyou’dliketogiveitawhirl.)

HyperobjectsNoWebfileformatwouldbecompletewithouthyperlinks,andDWFhasthose,too.YoucanattachahyperlinktoanydrawingobjectinAutoCAD,notjusttoatextstring.Asyoupassthecrosshairsoveranobjectwithahyperlink,thecursorchangesfromtheordinarypointertoaglobeandtwolinksofachain(asin“WorldWideWeb”and“link,”not“world-widechaingang”).Right-clicktheobjectandselecttheHyperlinkoptionfromthemenu,whichopensyourbrowserandnavigatestotheURLthat’sattachedtotheobject.IfyoucreateaDWFfilethat

includesobjectswithhyperlinks,AutodeskDesignReview2012displaysthemintheDWFfilesothatyoucanclicktonavigatetothem.

Hyperlinksonobjectsareaclevertrick,butthey’reoflimitedpracticalvalueinmostDWGandDWFfiles:

Thedrawingimagesaresosmallthatit’sdifficulttodistinguishthehyperlinkononeobjectfromthehyperlinkonanotherobject.

Mostpeoplearen’tusedtoassociatinghyperlinkswithindividuallinesandotherobjects.Theinterfaceislikelytoleavethemperplexed.

Ifyou’dliketoexperimentwithhyperlinksonobjects,lookupHYPERLINKcommand,aboutintheonlinehelpsystem.

AutodeskDesignReview2012AfteryoucreateDWFfiles,whetherwithePlotorPUBLISH,youortherecipientofyourDWFfilescanuseAutodeskDesignReviewtoviewandprintthem.(AutodeskDesignReview2012,thecurrentrelease,isafreeviewerfromAutodesk.)IfyousendDWFstopeoplewithoutAutoCAD,theycandownloadDesignReview2012fromAutodesk’sWebpage,www.autodesk.com.

WhenyouinstallAutoCAD2012,thesetupprogram,bydefault,installsAutodeskDesignReview2012,aswell.FromyourWindowsdesktop,chooseStart⇒AllPrograms⇒Autodesk⇒AutodeskDesignReview2012—orsimplydouble-clickaDWFfileinWindowsExplorertolaunchtheviewer.

TheDrawingProtectionRacketWhetheryou’resendingDWGorDWFfiles,youmaybeconcernedabouttheirmisuse(thatis,bythewrongpeopleorforthewrongpurposes);abuse(forexample,modificationwithoutyourconsent);orreuse(onotherprojectsorbyotherpeoplewithoutduecompensationtoyou).AutoCADhastwofeaturesforsecuringyourdrawingswhenyousendthemtoothers:

Passwordprotection:EnablesyoutolockaDWGorDWFfilesothatonlythosewhotypethepasswordthatyou’vespecifiedcanopen,insert,orxrefit(AutoCADLTuserscan’tapplyapassword,buttheycanopenpassword-protectedfiles.Iftheyknowthepassword,ofcourse!).

Addpasswordprotectiontodrawingsonlywhenyoureallyneedit:

•Ifyouforgetthepassword,you’llnolongerbeabletoopenthedrawing.NeitherAutoCADnorAutodeskhasanymagicalwaytoextractthepasswordorunlockthedrawing.

•Afteryoupassword-protectadrawing,otherscan’tinsertthedrawingasablockorattachitasanxref.

Ifyou’reusingapassword,youprobablyshoulddoitonacopyofthedrawingthatyousend;keepanunprotectedversionforyourself.

Digitalsignature:Ahigh-techwaytoaddanelectronicmarkertoaDWGfilethatverifiesthatsomeoneapprovedthedrawing.Youmustfirstgetanaccountwithadigital-certificateprovider,whoservestoauthenticateyouandyourcomputer.Ofcourse,forthisfeaturetobeuseful,youneedtosenddrawingstosomeonewhowantstoreceivedigitallyauthenticateddrawingsfromyou(orviceversa)andwhohasthetechnologicalsavvytodealwithdigitalcertificates.Formoreinformation,seedigitalsignatures,aboutintheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem.

Toactivateeitheroftheseoptionsforthecurrentdrawing,opentheApplicationMenuandchooseSaveAs,andthenchooseAutoCADDrawingtodisplaytheSaveDrawingAsdialogbox;thenchooseTools⇒SecurityOptionstodisplaytheSecurityOptionsdialogboxbeforeyousavethefile.IfyouwanttoaddadigitalsignatureandyouhaveadigitalIDfromacertificateprovider,enteryourinformationontheDigitalSignaturetaboftheSecurityOptionsdialogbox.Ifyouwanttoaddapasswordtothecurrentdrawing,justtypeitinthetextfieldonthePasswordtaboftheSecurityOptionsdialogbox.

Afteryoupassword-protectandsaveaDWGfile,anyonewhotriestoopen,insert,orxrefitwillseeadialogboxsimilartotheoneshowninFigure20-5.

Topassword-protectaDWFfile,usethePUBLISHcommandandclickthePublishOptionsbuttoninthePublishdialogbox.IntheDWFDataOptionssection,clickDisabledandchooseSpecifyPassword,thentypeyoursecretwordintothePasswordfield.

Althoughelectronicsecurityfeaturessuchastheonesdescribedinthissectioncanbeusefulaspartofastrategytoprotectyourworkfrommisuse,they’renotasubstituteforcommunicatingclearly—preferablyintheformof

writtencontracts—whatconstitutesappropriateuseofdrawingsthatyousendtoorreceivefromothers.

Figure20-5:Password,please.

PartV

Ona3DSpree

Inthispart...Yourworldisn’tflat,andyourdrawingsdon’tneedtobeeither!It’sbeennothingbutXsandYsupuntilnow,butthere’sawholenewaxisoutthere,andyou’reabouttoshinnyup(ordown)itinthischapter.Inthechaptersinthispartofthebook,youdiscoverhowyourAutoCADdesignscanescapetheboundsoftheX,Y

planeandgainsomeheightaswellaslengthandbreadth.YougiveyourdesignssomevolumebyspecifyingZ-coordinatesalongwithX-andY-values.YoucandosomerapidvisualizationbychangingtooneofAutoCAD2012’spredefinedvisualstyles.

Youcanplantyourdesignsinreallocations,too,andrendertheminawaybasedonthatlocationaswellasontimeofyearandhourofday.Allinall,AutoCADhastakendraftingalongwayfromthedrawingboard!

Chapter21

It’sa3DWorldAfterAll

InThisChapterUnderstandingthebasicsof3Dmodeling

Accessingthemodelingtools

Specifyingcoordinatesin3D

Managingusercoordinatesystems

Changingthecurrentworkingplane

Navigatinginthreedimensions

Applyingvisualstyles

Theadditionofathirdcoordinate—theZ-coordinate—releasesyourdesignworkinAutoCADfromtheplanarworldoftwodimensionsintoamuchmorelifelikethree-dimensionalspace.AutoCAD’s3DcapabilitieshavegrownbyleapsandboundssinceAutoCAD2007appearedwithasouped-up3Dengine.Notonlyhaveitsmodelcreationandeditingtoolsadvanced;AutoCADisnowadabhandatvisualizationandrendering.Youcanviewyour3Dmodelsfromanyangle,orslicethroughthemtoseewhattheylooklikeinside.Andfinally,sincetheworldoftechnicaldrawingisstillatwo-dimensionalone,youcanuseAutoCAD’sviewingoptionstocreate2Dviewsfrom3Dmodels.

Ifyou’reanAutoCADLTuser,you’regoingtohavetositoutmostofthisandthenexttwochapters.OneofthemajorareaswhereAutoCADLTdiffersfromregularAutoCADisinitsextremelylimited3Dfunctionality.Evenviewing3DmodelsismuchmoredifficultinAutoCADLTthanitneedbe.LTuserscanacquirenearlyallthe3DviewingcapabilitiesofthefullversionofAutoCAD,butyouneedaseparate—andfree—programtodoso.Justgotowww.autodesk.com/trueviewanddownloadDWGTrueview.

ThischaptertakesalookatsomeofthetoolsavailableinAutoCAD2012’s3DModelingworkspaceandintroducesyoutomanyofthegeneralconceptsofcreating3Dobjects.Youalsodiscoverhowtolookatyourmodelfromdifferentviewpoints,andhowtochangethewayitappearson-screen.

3Dmodelingandvisualizationisalotmoredemandingoncomputerhardwarethan2Ddraftingis.3Dmodelstendtobebiggerthan2Ddrawings,soyoumayneedmorediskspace.Andyou’llcertainlybehappierwithmorethanthebareminimumofRAMrequiredfor2DinAutoCAD.InChapter2,IlistAutoCAD2012’ssystemrequirementsandpointouttheincreasedresourcesneededfor3Dwork.

Understanding3DDigitalModelsTherearethreebasictypesof3Dcomputermodel:

Wireframemodels:Consistofedgesandverticesonly.Althoughtheydo

occupy3Dspace,they’retotallyunrealisticanddifficulttoreadcorrectly.AutoCADdoesn’tcreatewireframemodels,althoughyoucanviewthemassuch.

Surfacemodels:Consistofinfinitelythinskinsthatstretchfromedgetoedgeofamodel.AutoCADcancreatetwodifferenttypesofsurfaces:Meshsurfaces,composedofthousandsandthousandsof3-or4-sidedfaces,andNURBSsurfaces(Non-UniformRationalB-Splines,ifyoumustknow).Meshsurfacestendtobealittleimprecise;they’remostoftenusedfor3Danimationorterrainmodeling.NURBSsurfacesarefarmoreprecise(asyou’dexpectwithanamelikethat!)andarefrequentlyusedinproductdesign.Duetospacelimitations,Idon’tcovereithertypeofsurfacemodelinginAutoCAD2012ForDummies.

Solidmodels:Haveedges,surfacesandmass.Solidmodelsarethemostcomplextype(althoughprecisesurfacemodelscanbemoredifficulttoconstruct).Solidmodelscanbeassignedphysicalmaterialpropertiessuchassteeloraluminum,andsomass,centersofrotation,etccanbecalculatedbythecomputeranddisplayedvisually.

Whilesurfaceandsolidmodelsarecreatedandmodifieddifferently,the3Dobjectsthatmakeupthemodelsaremadeupofthesamesubobjects.Thesubobjectsthata3Dobjectismadeupofare

Vertex:The3DequivalentofanAutoCADpointobject.VerticesaredefinedbyasingleX,Y,Zcoordinate,canexistanywherein3Dspaceandarelocatedwheretheedgesofa3Dobjectmeet.

Edge:Theboundaryofaface,asdefinedbytwoX,Y,Zcoordinates,oneateachvertex.

Face:Thesurfaceareaboundedbythreeormoreedges.

Figure21-1showsasimple3Dobject—asix-sidedcubicshapecreatedwithAutoCAD’sBOXcommand—anditssubobjects.

Figure21-1:Subobjectsofa3Dobject.

ToolsoftheTradeAutoCADincludesaplethoraoftoolsforcreating,editing,viewing,andvisualizing3Dmodels.Youcanfindthemostcommonlyusedtoolsfor3Dmodelingonthe3DModelingworkspace’sRibbon.

AutoCAD2012comeswithtwo3Dworkspaces:3DModelingand3DBasics.Isupposetheideaisthatifyou’renewto3D,yougetyourfeetwetwiththe3DBasicsworkspaceandthengraduatetothe3DModelingworkspaceafteryou’vegainedsomeexperience.Personally,Ithinkthe3DBasicsworkspaceisawasteoftime;mypreferenceistohavethewholeenchiladaavailablefromtheget-go.Forthisbook,Iwillbeworkingexclusivelywiththe3DModelingworkspace.

AutoCAD’s3Denvironmentisalotlikeits2Dversion,buttherearesomeimportantdifferences.Youshouldbeawareofthefollowingprogramsettingsandelements:

HardwareAcceleration:Graphicsfunctionssuchaschangingvisualstylesandrunning3DOrbitcanbeprocessedonthemainCPU,or,ifhardwareaccelerationisenabled,onthegraphicscarditself.Turningonhardwareacceleration(whichIcoverinthenextsection)nearlyalways

improves3Dperformance.

Workspaces:AutoCAD2012comeswithtwo3Dworkspaces;Ihighlyrecommendyouusethe3DModelingworkspace(IintroduceworkspacesinChapter2).Formoreaboutthetoolsinthe3DModelingworkspace,see“EnteringtheThirdDimension”laterinthischapter.

DrawingWindow:Thedrawingwindow’sbackground,crosshairs,anddynamictooltipcolorschangewhenyouswitchbetween2Dand3Dviews,andin3Dviews,whenyouswitchbetweenparallelandperspectiveprojection.ClickOptionsontheApplicationMenu,selecttheDisplaytab,andthenclicktheColorsbuttontoaccesscolorsettingsforthedifferentinterfaceelements.NotethatI’vetweakedthebackgroundcolorsonmysystemsothey’reclearerontheprintedpage.Unlessyou’vemadechangesalready,you’llbelookingataverydarkgraybackground,ratherthanthelightgrayoneinthischapter’sfigures.

UCSIcon:Whenworkingin3D,theUCSiconshowstheorientationofthecurrentXYplaneandthedirectionoftheZ-axis.ForinformationonusingtheUCSicon,see“ChangingPlanes”laterinthischapter.

PriortoAutoCAD2012,theUCSiconmerelyshowedyoutheorientationoftheX-,Y-,andZ-axes.IfyouusedtheUCScommandtosetanewUCS,theiconreorienteditselfaccordingly.InAutoCAD2012,thenew,selectableUCSiconisinthedriver’sseat—youcandirectlymanipulatetheicontochangetheUCS.IintroduceyoutothenewUCSiconinthe“ChangingPlanes”sectionlaterinthechapter.

WarpspeedaheadWhenyoustartAutoCADforthefirsttimeafterinstallingit,theprogramassessesyourcomputer’sgraphicscard,and—ifit’suptothetask—enableshardwareacceleration.Withhardwareacceleration,youcanchangetheviewofyourmodel—evenmodelswithlightingandappliedmaterials—inrealtime,withoutanydeteriorationinquality.Hardwareaccelerationalsobooststheoverallvisualqualityofdrawingobjects,aswellasregenerationperformance.

Autodesktestsawiderangeofcardsanddriverswitheachnewrelease.TofindoutwhetheryourgraphicscardissupportedforAutoCAD,checkoutthegraphicshardwarelistonlineat(www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard).

EnteringthethirddimensionIfyou’renewtothe3Dgame,andyou’vebeenworkingin2Dupuntilnow,thereareacoupleofthingsyouneedtodobeforeyoucanstartanew3DmodelinAutoCAD.Youhavetochangetheworkspace,andthenyouhavetoopenanewfileusinga3Dtemplate.Thefollowingstepsexplainhow:

1.OpentheWorkspacesdrop-downlistontheQuickAccessToolbar,orclicktheWorkspaceSwitchingbuttononthestatusbar,andchoose3DModeling.Toolbars,palettes,andRibbonpanelsflashonandoff,andsoonAutoCADsettlesdowntodisplaytheRibbon,asconfiguredforthe3DModelingworkspacewithafewadditionalpanels.

2.ClicktheApplicationbuttonandchooseNew,thenclickDrawing.TheSelectTemplatedialogboxappears.

3.Chooseacad3d.dwtifyou’reworkinginimperialunitsoracadiso3d.dwtifyou’reworkinginmetric.ClickOpen.A3Dmodelingspaceappears(seeFigure21-2)where,insteadoflookingstraightdownatthedrawingarea,youlookatitatananglefromabove.

4.Toswitchfrom3Dtothe2Dworld,simplyreversethestepsjustgiven.

Figure21-2:AscendingtheZ-axis.

UntyingtheRibbonandopeningsomepalettesMostofAutoCAD’s3DmodelingtoolscanbeaccessedfromtheRibbonand3D-relatedpalettes.ThefollowinglistintroducesyoutotheRibbontabsandpalettesavailableinthe3DModelingworkspace(notethatnotallitemsinthislistarevisibleinFigure21-2):

Hometab:Containsasubsetofthemostfrequentlyused3Dtoolsforcreatingandeditingsolids,surfaces,andmeshesaswellasusercoordinatesystemcommandoptions,viewtools,2Ddrawingandeditingcommands,andlayerandgrouptools.

Solidtab:Containstoolsforcreatingandmodifying3Dsolids.IshowyousomeofthefinerpointsofsolidmodelinginChapter22.

Surfacetab:Containstoolsusedtocreate,edit,andanalyzeNURBSsurfaces.

Meshtab:Containstoolsusedtocreateandmodifymeshes,convertthem

tosolids,andgeneratelivesections.

Rendertab:Containstoolstoaddlightingandmaterialstoa3Dmodel,andgeneraterenderedoutput.Chapter23presentsthebasicsofrenderinginAutoCAD2012.

Viewtab:Containstoolstonavigate,visualizeandchangethecurrentviewandUCSofa3Dmodel.Icovernavigationtools,coordinatesystems,andvisualstylesinthischapter.

Outputtab:Containstoolstooutputa3DmodeltoaDWForPDFfileorevengeneratea3Dprint.Icoverplotting2DdrawingsinChapter16,andoutputting3Ddesignstopaperisnotsignificantlydifferent—Ireferyoutotheonlinehelpforspecifics.(Idon’tcoverexportingto3DDWFor3Dprintinginthisbook.)

Plug-instab:ContainstheInventorFusionpanelwiththesingleEditinFusionbutton.InventorFusionisafreestanding3Dmodelingapplicationinstalled(optionally)withAutoCAD2012.TheInventorFusionplug-inletsyouselect3DobjectsfromyourAutoCADdrawing,edittheminFusion,andthenreturntoAutoCADwhenyou’redone.

MaterialsBrowserpalette:Usedtoapplymaterialstotheobjectsinthecurrentmodel,andtomanagematerialsinsavedmateriallibraries.

MaterialsEditorpalette:Usedtoapply,create,andmodifymaterialsinthecurrentmodel.Chapter23introducesyoutomaterials.

AdvancedRenderSettingspalette:Usedtomanagerenderingpresets.

VisualStylesManagerpalette:Usedtocreate,modify,andmanagevisualstylesinthecurrentmodel.

LightsinModelpalette:Usedtomanagelightsinthecurrentmodel.

SunPropertiespalette:UsedtospecifythelightingsettingsfortheSunlightsysteminthecurrentmodel.

ModelingfromAboveSofarinthisbook,you’vebeenworkingwithX-andY-coordinatesonly.X-andY-coordinatesbythemselvesdefineatwo-dimensionalplaneknown(logicallyenough)astheX,Yplane.

Inthisandthefollowingtwochapters,yousupplyathirdvalue,aZ-coordinate,inordertolocategeometryaboveorbelowtheX,Yplane.YouusethesamemethodstospecifyCartesian(X,Y,Z)coordinatesastheonesIsetoutinChapter7—youjustaddacommaandanothernumber.Thefollowingtechniquescanbeusedtospecifypointsin3D:

Coordinateanddirectdistanceentry

Pointfilters

Objectsnaps

3Dobjectsnaps

Object-snaptracking

Using3DcoordinateinputIintroduceyouto2DcoordinateentryinChapter7.Torecap,theinputformatsare:

AbsoluteCartesiancoordinates:ExpressedasX,Y—thedistancesalongtheX-andY-axesfromtheorigin(0,0).

RelativeCartesiancoordinates:Expressedas@X,Y—thedistancesparalleltotheX-andY-axesfromlastpoint.

Relativepolarcoordinates:Expressedas@d<a—thedistanceandangleintheX,Yplanefromthelastpoint.

Whileyoucanusethese2Dcoordinateinputmethodsin3D,youusuallyhavetogiveAutoCADjustalittlemoreinformationwhenyouwanttoworkinthreedimensions.YoucanuseabsoluteorrelativeCartesiancoordinatesbysimplyaddingaZ-coordinatetotheend.Inaddition,therearetwo3D-onlycoordinateformats,bothbasedon2Dpolarcoordinates.Youcanenter3Dcoordinatesusingthefollowingmethods:

AbsoluteCartesiancoordinates:ExpressedasX,Y,Z.Workingwithabsolutecoordinatesin3Dshouldlookfamiliarbecausetheinputislikeworkingin2D,exceptyouaddaZ-coordinateattheend.

RelativeCartesiancoordinates:Expressedas@X,Y,Z.Relativecoordinatesin3Dworkjustliketheydoin2D,exceptyouaddtheZ-coordinate.

Cylindricalcoordinates:Expressedas@d<a,z.Cylindricalcoordinatesaresimilartorelativepolarcoordinates(disthedistanceandatheanglefromthelastpointintheX,Yplane)withtheadditionofaCartesianZ-coordinatetolocatethepointaboveorbelowtheX,Yplane.

Sphericalcoordinates:Expressedas@d<a1<a2.Sphericalcoordinatesarealsobasedonrelativepolarcoordinates,butinsteadofaZ-coordinatetospecifyalocationaboveorbelowtheX,Yplane,youspecifyananglefromtheX,Yplane.

UsingpointfiltersCoordinateentryasdescribedintheprevioussectionisfineifyoualreadyknowthecoordinatevaluesordistancesin3Dspacewhereyouwanttolocateyourpoints.Often,however,youmayneedtoderive3Dpointsfromexistinggeometrywithoutknowingthoseexactvalues.Usingpointfilters,youcanlocatenewpointsbasedonexistingpoints.Youcanusepointfilterstoconstruct2Dand3Dcoordinates.

WhenAutoCADpromptsyoutospecifyapoint,youcaneitherenterpointfiltervaluesatthecommandline,orbringuptheright-clickmenuandchooseafilteroptionfromthePointFilterssubmenu.Afterselectingapointfilteroption,specifyapointtofilteroutpartofthecoordinatevalueandthenentertherequestedvalue.Forexample,usethe.XYfiltertoenteryourownZ-coordinatevalueafterspecifyingapointonthecurrentworkingplane.

ObjectsnapsandobjectsnaptrackingObjectsnapsallowyoutoaccuratelyspecifypointsonexistingobjectsina

3Dmodel.Youcanuseobjectsnapssuchasendpoints,midpoints,andcenteron3Dobjects,butAutoCADalsoprovidesasetofobjectsnapsspecificto3Dmodeling.

3Dobjectsnapsallowyoutospecifypointson3Dobjectsthatregularobjectsnapswon’trecognize—forexample,thecenterofaface,oravertex.Youenable3Dobjectsnapsbyclickingthe3DObjectSnapbuttononthestatusbar.Right-clickthe3DObjectSnapbuttonandchoosetherunning3Dobject-snapmodesyouwanttouse.

Objectsnaptrackingallowsyoutocalculatepointsthatarenotonanobjectbyusingobjectsnappointsonexistingobjects.Whenworkingin3D,youcannot

onlytrackpointsonthecurrentX,YplanebutalsoalongtheZ-axis.WhiletrackingpointsalongtheZ-axis,AutoCADprovidesfeedbackintheformofatooltipthatletsyouknowyouaremovingalongtheZ-axisinthepositiveornegativedirection.

TheELEVATIONsystemvariableallowsyoutospecifyaheightaboveorbelowthecurrentworkingplane.Whenyouentera2Dcoordinate,AutoCADusesthevalueassignedtoELEVATIONsystemvariable(bydefault,it’s0)tocreatea3Dcoordinate.YoucansettheOSNAPZsystemvariableto1,tosubstitutetheZ-coordinatevalueofapointspecifiedusinganobjectsnapwiththevalueofELEVATION.

ChangingPlanesComeflywithmewhileIexplainchangingplanesinAutoCAD.(JuststepthroughthismetaldetectoroverherewhileIx-rayyourbags.)

Okay,it’snotthatkindofplane.Thissectioncoversusingtheusercoordinatesystem(UCS)tocontrolthecurrentworking(orX,Y)plane.TheUCSicondisplayedeitheratthelower-leftcornerofthedrawingwindoworattheorigin(0,0,0)showsyoutheorientationofthecurrentworkplaneandthepositivedirectionoftheZ-axis.

DisplayingtheUCSiconBydefault,theUCSiconisdisplayedinboth2Dand3Dviews.Youcanloseyourbearingsprettyeasilywhenworkingin3D,andIstronglyrecommendyoukeeptheUCSiconinyoursightsatalltimes.Ifyoudon’tseeaUCSicon,youcanturnitonfromtheCoordinatespaneloftheViewtab.Clickthebuttonwiththeburned-outlightbulbandchooseeitherShowUCSIconorShowUCSIconatOrigin.

InadditiontocontrollingthedisplayoftheUCSicon,youcanalsotweakitssize,color,andlocationusingtheUCSIcondialogbox.TodisplaytheUCSIcondialogbox,chooseUCSIcon,PropertiesontheCoordinatespaneloftheHometab.

InpreviousreleasestheUCSiconwasmerelyagraphicindicatorofthe

currentcoordinatesystem.Ifyousetanewusercoordinatesysteminmodelspace,theUCSiconadjusteditselftoshowyoutheorientationofthenewX,YplaneandZ-axis.Inotherwords,theUCSiconwasdrivenbythecurrentcoordinatesystem.InAutoCAD2012,theUCSiconmovesacrosstothedriver’sseat!YoucannowselecttheUCSiconandseenewmulti-functiongripsthatallowyoutosetanewUCSbydraggingthegripsontheoriginandthelegsoftheicon.There’salsoanewright-clickmenu.YoucanenableordisableUCSiconselectabilityontheSettingstaboftheUCSdialogbox—typeUCSMANtoopenit.Inthenextsection,IshowyouhowtocreateanewusercoordinatesystembyselectingandmanipulatingtheUCSicon.

AdjustingtheUCSEverydrawingyoucreateutilizestheworldcoordinatesystem(WCS),butwhenworkingin3Dyouneedtocreateadditionalworkplanes.Usercoordinatesystems(UCSs)arehelpfulwhenyouneedtodrawobjectsonworkplanesotherthantheWCS.TraditionalUCSsarestatic;createoneanditstayscurrentuntilyouchangeittoadifferentone.Bydefault,suchcoordinatesystemsareunnamed,butyoucanassignanameandsaveitforfutureuse.Acoupleofreleasesback,AutoCADintroduceddynamicUCSs.Sincedynamicistheoppositeofstatic,whatyougetisatemporarycoordinatesystemthatchangesasyoumoveyourmousepointeroverdifferentplanarfacesofa3Dobject.UsethestatusbarAllow/DisallowDynamicUCSbuttononthestatusbar,orpresstheF6functionkeytotoggledynamicUCSonandoff.

NamethatUCS

TheUCScommandofferstenoptionstohelpyoudefineanewUCS.AccesstheUCScommandoptionsfromtheCoordinatespanelsoneithertheVieworHometaboftheRibbon.

ThemostcommonlyusedoptionsoftheUCScommandarelistedbelow.AfteryouselectoneoftheseoptionsfromtheRibbon,followthecommandpromptsatthecommandlineortheDynamicInputprompt.

World:AligntheUCStomatchtheworldcoordinatesystem(WCS).

Face:AligntheUCStothefaceofa3Dsolid.

View:AligntheUCSsotheX,Yplaneisperpendiculartoyourcurrentviewingdirection.

3Point:SpecifyaneworiginfortheUCS,andthenthepositivedirectionoftheX-andY-axes.Alternatively,usethemulti-functiongripsonAutoCAD2012’sUCSicontocreateanewUCSbymovingandrealigningtheicon.

FormoreinformationonalltheUCScommand’soptions,refertoAutoCAD’sonlinehelpsystem.

ThemoreUCSsinyourdrawing,themoreyouneedhelpmanagingthem.AutoCADoffersahandydandyUCSdialogboxfordoingjustthat.Openitbyclickingthedialogboxlauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendofthepanellabel)ontheCoordinatespaneloftheVieworHometab,orsimplytypeUCSMANandpressEnter.TherearethreetabsintheUCSdialogbox:

NamedUCSs:ListsWorldandotherusercoordinatesystems.SetaUCScurrentwiththeSetCurrentbutton,orright-clickaUCStorenameordeleteanamedUCS.(Youcan’trenameordeletetheWorldUCS.)

OrthographicUCSs:Liststhesixdefaultorthographiccoordinatesystems(frontandback,leftandright,topandbottom)relativetotheWCS.TheseUCSsareautomaticallycreatedbyAutoCADandcan’tbedeletedorrenamed.

Settings:ControlspropertiesofboththeUCSiconandtheUCSitself.

AfteryoudefineaUCSyouthinkyoumightwanttouseagain,youcansaveitintheUCSdialogbox.Iexplainhowinthefollowingsteps,whichyoubeginbycreatingasolidbox.

1.Startanew3Ddrawingselectingacad3d.dwt(oracadiso3d.dwtforthemetriccrowd)foryourtemplate,andensurethe3DModelingworkspaceiscurrent.Refertothestepsinthe“Enteringthethirddimension”sectionearlierinthechapterifyouneedarefresher.

2.OntheModelingpaneloftheHometab,clickBox.AutoCADprompts:

Specifyfirstcorneror[Center]:3.Type0,0,0andpressEnter.AutoCADanchorsthefirstcorneroftheboxattheoriginoftheWCSandprompts:

Specifyothercorneror[Cube/Length]:4.Dragyourcrosshairsawayfromthefirstcornerandclickapointtoset

thelengthandwidthofthebox.Exactdistancesdon’tmatterinthisexample.And,hey!Ifyou’reworkinginmetric,youcandragandclicktosetanewcornertoo!AutoCADprompts:

Specifyheightor[2Point]:5.Dragthecrosshairsupwardfromthesecondcornerandclicktosettheheightofthebox.AutoCADcreatesthe3Dboxandexitsthecommand.Preliminariesareover—nowit’stimetostartmakingsomeUCSs!

6.MovethecrosshairsovertheUCSicon.TheUCSiconcurrentlyshowstheorientationoftheWorldCoordinateSystem.Asyoumovethecrosshairsovertheicon,itturnsagreenish-goldcolor,indicatingthatitcanbeselected.

7.ClicktoselecttheUCSicon.Asquaremulti-functiongripappearsattheorigin,androundmulti-functiongripsappearattheendsoftheicon’slegs.

8.Movethecrosshairsovereachmulti-functiongripandlookatthegripmenus.Hoveringoveroneoftheroundgripsattheendofalegletsyouchoosebetweenrealigningtheselectedaxis,orrotatingtheUCSaroundoneoftheunselectedaxes.HoveringthemousepointerovertheorigingripletsyoumovetheUCSorigintoanewlocationandeitherwhilekeepthecurrentalignmentoftheX-andY-axesorrealignthem.Thethirdgripoption,World,restorestheWCS.NowyouusetheUCSicon’smulti-functiongripstosetanewUCS.

9.ClicktheUCSicontoselectit,thenmovethecrosshairsoverthesquaremulti-functiongripattheorigin.Thecrosshairsjumptotheoriginandthegripmenuappears.

10.Fromthegripmenu,chooseMoveandAlign.AutoCADprompts:

**MOVEANDALIGN**Specifyoriginpointoraligntoface,surface,ormesh:

Movethecrosshairstoadifferentcornerofthebox,andwhentheUCSiconoriginisoverthecorner,clicktosettheneworigin.Ifyouwish,youcandragtheroundgripsontheaxestorealignthenewUCS.Onceyou’vegotitthewayyouwant,it’sworthsavingit.Thenextstepsshowhow.

11.OntheCoordinatespaneloftheHometab,chooseUCS,NamedUCS.AutoCADdisplaystheUCSdialogbox.

12.WiththeNamedUCSstabcurrent,selectUnnamedintheUCSslist.Thenew,unnamedUCSisthecurrentUCSinthedrawingandislistedatthetopofthelist.

13.Right-clickUnnamedandselectRenamefromtheshortcutmenu.Anin-placeeditorisdisplayedthatallowsyoutorenametheUCS.

14.TypeanameforthenewUCSpressEnter.TheUnnamedUCSisrenamed(seeFigure21-3).

15.ClickOK.TheUCSdialogboxclosesandthenewUCSissavedinthedrawing.

Figure21-3:NamingacustomUCS.

16.OntheCoordinatespaneloftheHometab,chooseUCS,World.ThecurrentUCSisnowalignedwiththeWCS.

17.OntheCoordinatespaneloftheHometab,clickintheNamedUCSdrop-downlistandchoosethenameoftheUCSyoujustsaved.ThenewUCSisrestored.

AutoCADlikesgivingyoulotsofchoices.YoucanalsorestoreanamedUCSarefromtheUCSdrop-downlistatthebottomoftheViewCube.(IfillyouinontheViewCubeinthe“Takingaspinaroundthecube”sectionlaterinthischapter.)Oryoucanright-clicktheUCSicon,chooseNamedUCS,andthenselecttheUCSfromthemenu.

UsingDynamicUCS

AnamedUCSallowsyoutoworkondifferentworkplanes,butitcantakeabitofefforttosetupandthatcandistractyouwhenyou’refocusedon3Dmodeling.WithDynamicUCS,youcanfocusonmodeling,notoncreatingaUCS.ToenableordisablethedynamicUCSfeature,clicktheDynamicUCSbuttononthestatusbar.

Figure21-4showsanexampleofdrawingacircleonthesideofa3Dsolid.WithDynamicUCSenabled,AutoCADhighlightsthefaceofthe3DsolidthattheUCSwillbealignedwith.ClickoverthefacetoaligntheUCSwiththeface,andthenfinishthecommand.Thecircleisalignedwiththefaceofthe3DsolidandthepreviousUCSisthenrestored.

Figure21-4:DynamicallycreateaUCSon3Dsolids.

Navigatingthe3DWatersIfyou’rebrandnewto3DinAutoCAD,youmaybewonderinghowtolookatwhateveritisyou’remodelingfromwhateverangleyoudesire.

OnewaytochangeviewpointsthatworksinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLTistousethepresetviewsfromtheRibbonbyselectingtheViewtab,thenclickingthedownarrowonthe3DPresetViewsdrop-downmenuontheViewspanel(showninFigure21-5)toswitchtooneofthestandardorthographic3Dviewsoranisometricview.

Thesixstandardorthographic(straight-on)viewsareTop,Bottom,Left,

Right,Front,Back.

ThefourstandardisometricviewsareSW(left-front),SE(right-front),NE(right-back),andNW(left-back).(Anisometricviewisoneinwhichyouseetheobjectfromabove—orbelow,butAutoCAD’sstandardviewsdon’tdobelow.)

Anisometricviewisanunrealistic3Dviewsincealllinesthatareparallelinrealityarealsoparallelintheview.Inaperspectiveview,linesthatareparallelinrealityappeartomeetatavanishingpoint,asparallellinesappeartodoinreality(thinkofrailroadtracksheadingacrosstheprairie).TheisometricviewsImentionedpreviouslyareparallelprojectionviews,andyoucanview3DmodelsusingthoseviewsineitherthefullversionofAutoCADorAutoCADLT.

Figure21-5:3DPresetViewsdrop-downmenu.

ThiswarningisforAutoCADLTusers(usersofthefullversionofAutoCADdon’tneedtoworry).AsI’vealreadypointedout,AutoCADLTcanopendrawingscreatedinthefullversion.ThoseAutoCADdrawingscanbesavedwithperspectiveprojectioncurrent,andifyouopensuchadrawinginAutoCADLT,youcanseeitinperspective.YoucanswitchfromperspectivetoparallelprojectionbychangingthePERSPECTIVEsystemvariable’svaluefrom1to0.Beverycarefulifyoudothis,becauseyoucan’tchangeitbackagain!YoucoulduseUNDOtoreversethechange,butifyousaveandclose

thedrawing,you’resunk.

Thesixorthographicandfourisometricviewsworkwellforshowing3Dmodelsofcommonobjectssuchasmechanicalcomponentsandbuildings.(Youcanalsochangetoplanview,whichisatop-downviewofeithertheworldcoordinatesystemorausercoordinatesystem.)

AutoCADLThaslimited3Dviewingcapabilities.ThesamepresetviewsareinbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,andthere’salsoaViewpointPresetsdialogbox(DDVPOINTcommand)inwhichyousetaviewingpositionbyspecifyinganglesinandfromtheXYplane.Finally,there’sthereallyuglycommand-lineonlyVPOINTcommand(Man,thatone’ssoooouglyit’snotevenontheRibbon!).

Orbitàgo-go

Presetviewsarefineformany3Dmodelingtasks,butifyoureallywanttohavefun,3DOrbit(notinAutoCADLT)isyourtickettoit.(Orbitinga3DmodelinAutoCADissimilarinconcepttoorbitingaroundtheEarthinasatellite—onlyalotcheaper.)Therearetwoorbitermodes:ConstrainedandFree.ConstrainedmodeisprettymuchliketheFreemodewithtrainingwheels.

FreeOrbitdisplaysanarcballonthescreen—acirclerepresentingaspherearoundyourobject.Youclickvariousplacesinside,outside,andonthearcballandthendragtochangethe3Dview.Theideaisthatyou’respinninganimaginaryspherecontainingyourmodel.Asyoudragthecursor,AutoCADupdatesthescreendynamically.

YoucanstartConstrainedorbiting,the3DOrbitcommand,byholdingtheSHIFTkeydownandthenholdingthemiddlemousebuttonwhiledraggingthemouse.

Youmightalsowanttoexperimentwithdifferentprojectionmodes:

ParallelprojectionisthedefaultAutoCADprojection—linesthatareparallelinthe3Dobjectremainparallelintheprojectedviewonthescreen.

Perspectiveprojectionmakesobjectslookmorerealistic(forexample,traintracksappeartoconvergeinthedistance),butlinesthatareparallelinthemodeldon’tappearparallelinperspectiveprojection.

Ifyoumanageto3DOrbitoutofcontrolandcannolongerseeyourmodel,right-clicktodisplaythe3DOrbitshortcutmenuandchooseZoomExtents.TheZoom,Pan,andPresetViewsoptionsofferotherwaysofgettingyourmodelbackinyoursights.

Whenyoustartorbitingwithnoobjectsselected,AutoCADtriestoupdatethedisplayofeverythinginyourmodel,andthiscantakesometime.Tospeedthingsuportosimplyregainyourbearings,tryselectingsomeobjectsbeforeyoustartorbiting.ThenAutoCADupdatesthedisplayoftheselectedobjectsonly.Whenyouexitorbitmode,theentiremodelredisplaysbasedonthenewviewpoint.

TakingaspinaroundthecubeWithsomuchtalkabouthybriddevicesthesedays,AutodeskdecidedtocreateitsownintheformoftheViewCube(notinAutoCADLT).TheViewCube(seeFigure21-6)isaninteractivetoolthatprovidesvisualfeedbackaboutthecurrentviewpoint,allowsyoutosetapresetviewcurrentororbitthemodel,restoreanamedUCS,anddefineandrestoretheHomeviewofamodel.

Figure21-6:ViewCube,themultifunctionalviewingdevice.

TochangetheviewofthemodelusingtheViewCubeyoucandooneofthefollowing:

Clickacorner,edge,orfacetoalignthecurrentviewwiththesameviewpointrepresentedontheViewCube.

ClickanddragthemainareaoftheViewCubetoorbittheviewofthemodel.

Clickoneoftherollarrowstorotatethecurrentview90degrees.

Clickoneoftheadjacentfacetrianglestoswitchtotheadjacentorthographicviewthatisindicatedbythetriangle.

Clickoneoftheletters(N,E,S,W),orclickanddragthecompasstorotatetheviewaroundthecenterofthedrawing.

TheHomeviewisaspecialviewthatyoucandefinesoyouhaveaknownreferenceviewinthemodel.Soifyouloseyourbearings,youalwayshaveawaytogetbackhome.YoucanrestoretheHomefromtheViewCubeortheSteeringWheels(seethenextsection)right-clickmenus.

GrabbingtheSteeringWheels

SteeringWheelsactasakindofnavigationhubthatallowsyoutoaccessseveraldifferent2Dand3Dnavigationtoolsfromasingleuserinterface.(AutoCADLTincludesonlythe2DNavigationwheel.)AutoCAD(thefullversion)comeswiththe2DNavigationwheelandthreeotherwheelsthataredesignedtobeusedwith3Dmodeling.Thethreeadditionalwheelsare

ViewObject:Containstoolstocenteramodelinthecurrentview,zoominandout,ororbitaroundamodel.

TourBuilding:Containstoolstomovetheviewpointforwardandbackward,lookaroundthemodelfromafixedlocation,andchangetheelevationofthecurrentviewpoint.

FullNavigation:Containsacombinationofthetoolsfoundonthe2DNavigation,ViewObject,andTourBuildingwheelswiththeadditionoftoolstowalkaroundorflythroughamodel.

AllwheelsincludeaRewindtoolwhichallowsyoutorestoreapreviousview.TheRewindtoolissimilartothePreviousoptionoftheZOOMcommand.

Whenawheelisactive,movethecursoroverthewedgethatcontainsthetoolyouwanttouse.Formanyofthetoolsyoueitherclickoverthetool,orclickanddragtousethetool.SometoolssupportalternateversionsofthemselveswhenyoupressandholdtheShiftkey.Togetanideaofwhateachtooldoes,hoverthecursoroverthetooltodisplayatooltipmessage.Tolearnmoreabouteachofthewheelsandthetoolsonthem,seeAutoCAD’sonlinehelp.Todisplaythehelpspecifictothewheels,right-clickwhenawheelisdisplayedandchooseHelpfromtheshortcutmenu.

Visualizing3DobjectsItreallydoesn’tseemlikethatlongagowhentheonlywayofviewing3Dmodelswaswireframemode.ButthelastseveralreleaseshavedramaticallyimprovedAutoCAD’svisualizationcapabilities.Therearealmostadozendifferentdisplaymodes—calledvisualstyles—thatyoucansetwiththeclickofadrop-downmenu.Figure21-7showsthedefaultvisualstyles—andyoucanaddyourownif

youwant—intheVisualStylesManagerpalette.

Gettingsome(visual)styleVisualstylesarecollectionsofsettingsthatbuildontheSHADEMODEsettingsfoundinearlierincarnationsofAutoCAD.AutoCAD2008introducedfivedefaultvisualstyles,andthatnumberdoubledwithAutoCAD2011toatotaloften:

Figure21-7:Somenewstylestotryon.

2DWireframe:AutoCAD’sclassic2Dviewingmode:fullwireframe,dot-basedgrid,the2DUCSicon,andnoperspective.

Conceptual:Anillustrativekindofshadedview.Colorsareunrealisticandedgesareheavy,butyougetagoodsenseofthemodel’sform.Figure21-3

showsanexampleoftheConceptualvisualstyle.

Hidden:Looksslightlylikeawireframeview(nosurfacesarevisible)butedgesbehindfacesarehidden.

Realistic:Fullyshaded,butnotrenderedvisualstyle;edgesarenotdisplayed,andadefaultambientlightinghighlightsthefaceswithdifferentintensitiesoftheobjectcolor.Materialsandtexturesarevisibleifthey’vebeenapplied.HavealookatFigure21-8foranexample.

Shaded:SimilartoRealistic,butwithmoresubduedlighting.Texturesdonotappearinthisvisualstyle.

ShadedwithEdges:SameastheShadedvisualstyle,exceptIsolinesaresettobedisplayed.

ShadesofGray:LikeShaded,onlyallobjectcolorsarechangedtodifferentintensitiesofgray.

Sketchy:Visualstylethatdoesnotapplyanyshadingtothefacesof3Dobjectsbutgivetheedgesof3Dobjectshandsketchlook.

Wireframe:Prettymuchthesameas2Dwireframe,exceptforbackgroundcolor,optionalperspective,andthe3Dratherthanthe2DUCSicon.Figure21-4showsasimplemodelinWireframevisualstyle.

X-ray:SimilartoShadedwithEdges,exceptMaterialsandTexturesareappliedliketheRealisticvisualstyleandfacesaresetto50%opacity.

AutoCAD2012’stenpreconfiguredvisualstylesareonlythebeginning.YoucanmodifyanyofthestylesorcreatenewonesintheVisualStylesManagerpalette(seeFigure21-8).

Figure21-8:Amanagerforyourvisualstyles.

TodisplaytheVisualStylesManager,clickthedialogboxlauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendofthepanellabel)ontheVisualStylespaneloftheViewtab,orsimplytypeVSMandpressEnter.

Chapter22

FromDrawings...toModels

InThisChapterEscapingfromtheXYplane

Understanding3Dprosandcons

Settingupa3Dworkingenvironment

Creating3Dsolidgeometry

Editing3Dmodels

Formillennia,peoplehavedocumentedthedesignandconstructionofthree-

dimensionalobjectsbydrawingtwo-dimensionalviewsofthem.Mostpeoplehavecontinuedtousethese“classical”methodswithCADdraftingbecausethemethodsarewellunderstoodandworkreasonablywell.Afterall,if2DdrawingwasgoodenoughforguyslikeLeonardodaVinciandAndreaPalladio,itshouldbegoodenoughforus,right?

Nonetheless,forthelastdecadeorso,there’sbeenatrendtowardcreating3DCADmodelsandlettingthesoftwaregeneratethe2Dviewsmore-or-lessautomatically.Thisapproachseemsmorelogical,especiallyiftheprojectdocumentationrequiresnumerous,complexviewsofthesameobject.3Dmodelingalsoisanabsolutenecessitywhenyouwanttocreaterenderedviewsforpresentationpurposes.

WhiletheAutoCAD’s3Dconstructionandvisualizationtoolshaveimproveddramaticallyovertheyears(trustme—youshouldhaveseenwhattheywerelikeasrecentlyasAutoCAD2006!),it’sstillacomplexprocessthatrequiressophisticationonthepartoftheAutoCADuser.Although3Dmodelingrequiresonlyonemoredimensionthan2Ddrafting,developing3DCADmodelsisconsiderablymorecomplicated.Usersmustmasternewtechniquesandcontendwiththe2Dlimitationsofmostdisplayscreensandinputdevices.

Inthepreviouschapter,Ishowedyouhowtomovearoundmodelsthatothershavemade,andexplainedtheprinciplesof3DcoordinatesystemsthatyouneedtounderstandtoworkinAutoCAD’s3Denvironment.Thischapterintroducesyoutotheconcepts,tools,andtechniquesofAutoCAD3Dmodelingitself;hereyoucangetyourfeetwetcreatingyourown3Dobjects.

Full3DsupportisoneofthemaindifferencesbetweenfullAutoCADandAutoCADLT.Ifyou’reusingAutoCADLT,youcanlookatandplot3DmodelscreatedinAutoCAD,butyoucan’tdomuch3Dobjectcreationoreditingyourself.Also,viewing3DmodelsislessflexibleinAutoCADLTbecauseitlacksnearlyallthe3DnavigationtoolsinthefullversionofAutoCAD.

Is3DforMe?Traditional2Ddrawingsprovidecluestohelptheviewer’smindconstructa3Dmodelfromthe2Dimageonpaper.Multipleviewsfromdifferentviewpointsin3Dspacegiveexperienceddesigners,drafters,andbuilderstheinformationtheyneedtomake3Dsenseof2Ddrawings.Designanddraftinghavesucceededprettywellbyusing2Drepresentationsastheguidetocreating3Dobjects.Butatsome

point,nothingcanreplaceatrue3Dmodel,suchasinhelpingsomeoneunderstandhowabuildingwilllookwhenconstructedorhowtwopartsfittogether.

Whatdoesusing3DinAutoCADmean?Fundamentally,itmeanscreatingmodelsinsteadofdrawings.Ratherthangeneratecrosssectionsofanobjectorindividualviewsofitfromcertainperspectives,youcreateathree-dimensionalmodeloftheobject.This3DdepictionofeachobjectincludesallthenecessaryinformationforAutoCADtocreateadrawingviewfromanypointofview.Withaproperlyconstructed3Dmodel,AutoCADcanoutputcommandstomachinestocreateactual3Dobjects,whetherplasticprototypescarvedfromatankofjellyby3Dprinters,oranactualbolt,valve,orpistoncreatedbycomputer-controlledmachinetools.

AsIexplaininChapter21,AutoCADcancreatethreetypesof3Dmodels:Wireframe,Surface,andSolid.Inmostpracticalapplicationsof3D,youselectoneofthesetypesforallormostoftheobjectsinthedrawing,basedoneaseofconstructionandintendeduseofthemodel.However,AutoCADdoesn’tpreventyoufrommixingallthreetypesof3Dobjectsinthesamedrawing.

Afteryoudeterminethetypeof3Drepresentationtouse,youdecideontheappropriatelevelofdetailandconstructthemodel,usingthecommandsandtechniquesintroducedinthischapter.Ifyouneedto,youcangoonfromtheretocreateanyrequired2Dand/orrenderedviewsforplottingorviewingon-screen.

GettingYour3DBearingsThefirstchallengein3Dmodelingisbeingabletoseeyourthree-dimensionalmodelonatwo-dimensionalcomputerscreen.ThenormalmodelspaceviewontheModeltabinthedrawingareashowsasingle,projected2Dviewofyourmodel—thetop-down,“plan”viewbydefault.

AutoCADprovidestwomodelspacecapabilitiesthatenableyoutoescapethisvisualflatland:

Withviewports,youcancarvethemodelspacedrawingareaintosmallerrectangularareas,eachofwhichshowsadifferentviewofthemodel.

Withviewpoints,youcanchangethepointin3Dspacefromwhichyoulookatthemodel.Bysettingadifferentviewpointineachviewport,youcanlookatseveralsidesofyourmodelatthesametime.It’slikelookingat

oneofPicasso’scubistpaintings,onlywhatyouseeismoreorderly.

Nomatterhowmuchorhowlittle3Dmodelingyou’rethinkingaboutdoing,it’swellworthyourwhiletosetupatemplate.(IfillyouinondrawingtemplatesinChapter4.)Ifyou’veeverstartedanewdrawing,you’reprobablyawarethatAutoCADalreadycomeswithatemplatefor3Dmodelingnamedacad3d.dwt(oracadiso3D.dwtforthemetricallyinclined).Thisisfineasfarasitgoes,butitonlyshowsyouasingleviewofyourmodel.Thenextsectionexplainshowtoimproveonthistemplate.

Creatingabetter3DtemplateModelspaceviewportsenableyoutoseeseveralviewsofyourmodelatonetime,eachfromadifferentviewpoint.Forthisreason,modelspaceviewportsareespeciallyusefulwhenyou’recreatingandeditingobjectsin3D.Asyoudrawandedit,thedifferentviewshelpensurethatyou’repickingpointsthatarelocatedcorrectlyin3Dspace.

Chapter5discussesviewportsinpaperspace,whichareusefulforcreatinglayoutsforuseinplotsandpresentationsinboth2Dand3D.Modelspaceviewports,cousinsofpaperviewports,arelessflexiblebutsimpler,andareagreathelpinconstructing3Dmodels.

Modelspaceviewportsdividethescreenintoseparaterectangleswithnogapsbetweenthem.Unlikewithpaperspaceviewports,youcan’tmove,stretch,oroverlapthem.Youcan’tplotmultiplemodelspaceviewports(that’swhatpaperspaceisfor).And,unlikethesituationinlayouts,alayerthat’svisibleinonemodelspaceviewportalwaysisvisibleinallofthem.

Youmayhearorreadreferencestotiledviewports,whichisjustanothernameformodelspaceviewports.Tiledreferstothewayinwhichmodelspaceviewportsalwaysfillthedrawingarea,withnogapsandnooverlappingallowed.Conversely,paperspaceviewportsaresometimescalledfloatingviewportsbecauseyoucanmovethemaround,leavegapsbetweenthem,andoverlapthem.

OneofthebestnewfeaturesinAutoCAD2012gobythesomewhatobscuretitleofin-canvasviewportcontrols.Thoselittletextlabelsthatyoumayhavenoticedatthetop-leftcornerofthegraphicsarea(refertoFigure22-1for

example)areclickablecontrolsthatletyousetthevisualstyleandtheview.What’sespeciallyniftyisthatdouble-clickingtheplusorminussigntogglesthedrawingareabetweenmultipletiledviewportsalreadyconfiguredfor3Dviewing,andasingle,maximizedviewport.Outofthebox,double-clickingtheminus(–)signswitchestofourequalsizedviewportsshowingdifferentviewsofthegeometry.Figure22-1illustrateswhatI’mtalkingabout:Inthisexample,youseefourviewports,fourdifferentviewpoints,andfourdifferentvisualstyles.That’sabitextremeforeverydaywork,butitgivesyouanideaofthepossibilities.

Figure22-1:3Dviewingfromeverywhichway.

Ihighlyrecommendworkingwithmultipleviewportswhenyou’remodelingin3D—thatwayyougettoseeexactlywhatyou’redoinginallthreedimensions,inrealtime.Myownpreferenceistoworkmostlyintheisometricviewport,soImakethatonelargerthantheotherthree.Thein-canvasviewporttogglewillswitchbackandforthbetweenthelastmultipleviewportyousetup,andamaximizedviewport.Inthefollowingsteps,Iexplainhowtosetupthetiled-viewportconfigurationyouseeinFigure22-3.

1.Ifyou’renotalreadyinthe3DModelingworkspace,clicktheWorkspace

drop-downlistintheQuickAccessToolbarandselect3DModeling.YoucanalsoclicktheWorkspaceSwitchingbuttononthestatusbarandagain,select3DModeling.IftheMaterialsBrowserpaletteopens,closeit.

2.ClickNewontheQuickAccessToolbartoopentheSelectTemplatedialogbox.Ifanewblankdrawingappearsandyoudon’tseetheSelectTemplatedialogbox,someonehasassignedadefaulttemplatetothisbuttonintheOptionsdialogbox.Inthatcase,clicktheApplicationbutton(theBigRedA)andchooseNew,thenchooseDrawingfromthesubmenu.

3.Chooseacad.dwt(chooseacadiso.dwtifmetricisyourpreference),andclickOpen.Yes,Iknowthereareready-made3Dtemplates(acad3d.dwtandacadiso3d.dwt),buttrustme—it’seasiertostartthissetupfroma2Dtemplate.

4.FromtheViewportspanelontheRibbon’sViewtab,chooseNamed.TheViewportsdialogboxappears.

5.ClicktheNewViewportstabtomakeitcurrent,thenchooseFour:Left(mypreference)orFour:RightfromtheStandardViewportslistbox.ThePreviewpanelshowsalarge,squarishviewportoccupyingmostoftheworkarea,withthreesmallsquarishviewportsstackedontheleft(orright).Thedefault2Dsetupshowsthevisualstyleofallfourviewportsas“2DWireframe.”(IexplainvisualstylesinChapter21.)

6.FromtheSetupdrop-downlist,choose3D.Thevisualstylesremainas2DWireframe,buttheviewdirection(listedas“Current”in2DSetup)isnowSEIsometricinthelargeviewport,whilethethreesmallviewportsshowTop,Front,andRightorthographicviews.

Whenmodelingin3D,it’snearlyalwayshelpfultolookatyourobjectsindifferentwaysatthesametime.Whenlookingatorthographicviews,sameaswithadrafteddrawing,youprobablywanttoseeallyourlinework.Butyoucangetabettersenseofthethree-dimensionalityofyourmodelbylookingatitinashadedview.Withmultipleviewports,youcandobothatthesametime.

7.InthePreviewarea,clickinsidethelargeSEIsometricviewport,thenchooseConceptualfromtheVisualStyledrop-down.You’realmostfinishedinhere.Ratherthangothroughthissetupeverytimeyouwanttodosomemodeling,giveyournewviewportconfigurationaname.

8.IntheNewNameboxatthetopoftheViewportsdialogbox,enteraname—V3D,forexample—fortheconfiguration.

Figure22-2showsthenew,namedviewportconfiguration.AfteryouclosetheViewportsdialogbox,youcanrestorethisconfigurationatanytimebyclickingtheNamedViewportstab,choosingV3D,andclickingOK.

Figure22-2:Settingupa3DworkenvironmentintheViewportsdialogbox.

9.ClickOKtosavetheviewportconfigurationandclosetheViewportsdialogbox.InFigure22-3,I’veturnedoffthegridinthethreesmallorthoviewports,butwhetheryouleaveitonorturnitoffisamatterofpersonalpreference.

Figure22-3:2Dand3Dallatthesametime.

TheViewCube’sHomebuttoncantripyouupbychangingtoaviewyoudon’texpect.(IintroducetheViewCubeinChapter21.)IfyouwanttokeepthecurrentSEIsometricviewpoint,besuretoresettheHomeview.Andbecauseyou’vegonetothetroubleofsettingupashaded3Dviewport,whynotmakeitalittlemorerealisticandturnonperspectivemodeatthesametime?

10.Inthelarge3Dviewport,right-clicktheViewCubetodisplayitsshortcutmenu,thenclickPerspectiveWithOrthoFaces(seeFigure22-4).SelectingPerspectiveshowsyourorthographicviewsinperspectivemode,andusuallyyoudon’twantthat.SelectingPerspectiveWithOrthoFacesresetstheprojectionmodefromperspectivetoparallelwhenyouswitchtoanorthographicview.

Figure22-4:ChangingsettingsintheViewCube’sright-clickmenu.

11.RepeatStep10,thistimeselectingSetCurrentViewAsHome.Nowyoucanreadilyreturntothisviewportconfiguration,keepingthesameviewpointinallviewports,perspectiveprojectioninthe3Dviewport,andparallelprojectionintheorthographicviewports.Toreturntoasingleviewportlater,simplyclicktheplus(+)signonthein-canvasviewportcontrol.Thelastthingtodoissavetheconfigurationyou’vejustsetupasatemplate(.dwt)file.

12.ClickSaveontheQuickAccessToolbar.OntheFilesOfTypedrop-downmenu,chooseAutoCADDrawingTemplate(*.dwt)andenterafilename.ClickSave.AutoCADsavesyournew3Dtemplatefileinthesameplaceasyourothertemplatessoit’salwaysthereforyoutoselectwhenyouwanttodosomeserious3Dmodeling.

SeeingtheworldfromnewviewpointsWhenyouchoose3DintheViewportsdialogbox’sSetupdrop-downlist,youdirectAutoCADtochangetheviewpointineachviewport.Thedefaultviewpointswhenyouchooseafourviewportarrangementaretop,front,right,andSE

(“southeast”)isometric.Theseviewpointsworkwellforviewingandconstructingsimplemodels,buteventually,you’llprobablywanttospecifyyourowncustomviewpointinaparticularviewport.

InbothAutoCADandAutoCADLT,thebest—butnottheeasiest—waytochangeviewpointsistousethedrop-downlistontheViewspaneloftheViewtab(asshowninFigure22-5)toswitchtooneofthestandardorthographic3Dviewsoranisometricview:

Thesixstandardorthographic(straight-on)viewsareTop,Bottom,Left,Right,Front,Back.

ThefourstandardisometricviewsareSW(left-front),SE(right-front),NE(right-back),andNW(left-back).Anisometricviewisoneinwhichyouseetheobjectfromabove,butnottoohighabove—asthoughyouwerehoveringinalow-flyinghelicopter.

Figure22-5:Thepresetviewsdrop-downmenu.

Theeasiest—butnotthebest—waytochangeviewpointsistoclickoneofthenamedfacesontheViewCube(notavailableinAutoCADLT).Idon’trecommendthisbecausetheViewCubeisaviewingaid,andnothingbut.You

usuallychangetoanorthographicviewbecauseyouwanttodosomedrawingormodelingthere,andforthat,yourUCS(usercoordinatesystem)oughttoorientitselfwiththeview(seeChapter21fortheskinnyonUCSs).ClickingFrontontheViewCubeshowsyouanicefrontviewofyourmodel,butitleavestheUCSunchanged,andthatcanmakedrawinganythingdifficult.ClickingFrontontheViewtab’sViewspaneldoeschangetheUCStoFrontsoitmatchestheviewandletsyoudrawwithoutdifficulty.

Thesetenviewsarecalled“standard”becausethey’reoftenusedinmanualdraftingandrenderingwork.Theyworkwellforshowing3Dmodelsofcommonobjectssuchasmechanicalcomponentsandbuildings.Youcanalsochangetoplanview,whichisatop-downviewofeithertheworldcoordinatesystemorausercoordinatesystem.(IdescribecoordinatesystemsinChapter21.)

ThefullversionofAutoCADhastheViewCube,the3DORBITcommand,andtheShift+Middlebuttonmethodofchanging3Dviewpoints(allaredescribedinChapter21).AutoCADLT’soptionsaremuchmorelimited.LTuserscansetnonstandardviewpointsbytypingDDVPOINTandpressingEnter.IntheViewpointPresetsdialogboxthatappears,specifythefollowingsettings:

AviewingangleintheXYplane(imaginemovingacameraonadollyaroundanobject,whilekeepingthecameraatthesameelevation)

AnanglefromtheXYplane(imagineusingaboomtoswoopthecamerauptoadifferentheightsothatyou’relookingattheobjectfromincreasinglysteepangles)

AutoCADuserscansetviewpointsthesameway,butit’sgrosslyinefficientcomparedtotheotherviewingoptions.

Bydefault,AutoCADshows3Dmodelsin2Dwireframemode,evenifyou’vecreatedsurfaceorsolidobjects.Ifyouwanttobettervisualizewhichobjectsareinfrontofwhichotherobjects,especiallyinanisometricorothernon-orthogonalview,youhaveacoupleofoptions:

SelectashadedvisualstylesuchasRealistic,Conceptual,X-Ray,orShadesofGray,fromtheVisualStylesdrop-downontheVisualStylespaneloftheViewtab.(SeeChapter21forthelow-downonvisualstyles.)

Renderthemodel,asdescribedinChapter23.

AutoCADLTdoesn’tincludevisualstyles,becausethey’renotmuchusein2Ddrafting.AdrawingsavedinavisualstyleinthefullversionofAutoCADdoesdisplaythatstylewhenit’sopenedinAutoCADLT—however,there’snowayofchangingitto2Dwireframe(oranythingelse)soyoucanactuallyworkonit.

FromDrawingtoModelingin3DThissectionintroducesthreetechniquesforcreating3Dobjects:drawing3Dlinesandpolylines,creating3Dobjectsfrom2Dgeometry,andcreatingsolids.(InAutoCADLTyoucanusethefirsttwotechniquesonly.)AutoCADisalsoverycapableatsurfacemodeling,offeringbothfreeformmeshandNURBSsurfaces.Ifyou’reinterestedineitherofthese,checkouttheonlinehelpsystem—navigatetoUser’sGuide,thenchooseWorkwith3DModels,andthenCreate3Dmodels.Topicsincludecreatingsurfacesandmeshesfromscratch,andcreatingsolidsandsurfacesfrom2Dobjects.

Whenyoudraw3Dobjects,justlikewhenyoudraw2Dobjects,putthemonappropriatelayersanduseprecisiontechniquestospecifyeachpointanddistance.(SeeChapter5formoreinformation.)

Drawingbasic3DobjectsThemostbasicformsof3Dgeometryarewireframe-likeobjectscreatedbypickingpointsorenteringX,Y,Zcoordinates.Suchobjectshavenosurfaces,solookthesamein2DWireframemodeoraphotorealisticrendering.Theyaremostusefulaspathsforsweepsandlofts,orasedgesforsurfacecreation.Suchobjectsinclude

Lines.Linesarereally2Dobjects;althoughyoucanspecifydifferentz-coordinatesforstart-andendpointssotheyarenotcoplanarwiththeworldcoordinatesystem,eachindividualsegmentisbasedonitsown2Dplane.Youcan,however,uselinesforconstructingobjectsin3Dspace.

3DPolylines.Createdwiththe3DPOLYcommand.Similartothe2DpolylinesIdescribeinChapter8,excepttheverticesof3Dpolylinescanhavedifferentz-coordinates(2Dpolylinesmustbeplanar).3Dpolylinesareusefulaspathsforsweepsorforfly-throughs(Idon’tcoverwalk-

throughsorfly-throughsinthisbook).

Splines.Splinesarefreeformcurves,createdwiththeSPLINEcommandandIdescribethemina2DcontextinChapter9.Splinesare3Dobjectsandverticescanhavedifferentz-values.Splinesareabetteroptionthan3Dpolylinesforsweepsbecausetheycanhavesmoothercurves.

Helixes.Helixescanbeeither2D(thinkofamosquitocoil,ortheelementonanelectricrange)or3D(thinkofMr.Slinky).Helixesareespeciallyusefulaspathsforthreadedobjects.

YoucanfindtheLINE,3DPOLY,andSPLINEcommandsontheDrawpaneloftheRibbon’sHometab;theHELIXcommandisonthatpanel’sslideout.

The3DPOLYcommandissimilartothePLINE(plainold2Dpolylines)command.Bothcommandsdrawaseriesofconnectedlinesegments,buttheyhavedifferentcapabilities:

The3DPOLYcommandaccepts3Dpointsforthelinesegments’vertices.ThePLINEcommandrequiresthatallverticesbeonthesameplane.

3DPOLYislimitedtostraightlinesegments.PLINEcandrawarcsegmentsandcreatesegmentswithuniformortaperedwidth.

Segmentscreatedwith3DPOLYcan’tdisplaydash-dotlinetypes;3Dpolylinesegmentsalwaysdisplayascontinuouslines.

Thecommandsequencefordrawing3DsegmentswiththeLINEor3DPOLYcommandisthesameasfordrawing2DsegmentswiththeLINEorPLINEcommand;seeChapter8ifyouneedarefresherondrawinglines.Theonlydifferenceisthatyouspecify3Dcoordinatesinsteadof2Dones.Figure22-6showsanexample.

Figure22-6:Entering3Dcoordinatestodrawa3Dpolyline.

Creating2Drepresentationsinthiswayisstraightforward,thoughtediousforallbutthesimplestobjects.Moreimportant,awireframemodelbecomesincreasinglydifficulttodecipherasthecomplexityofthemodelincreases.Youseeamassoflinesrepresentingtheedges,andyouhavedifficultytellingwhichpartsofwhichedgesareinfrontofothers.Toreducethisvisualconfusion,youneedtograduatetosurfaceorsolidmodelingcommands.Iintroduceyoutosolidmodelinginsubsequentsectionsofthischapter.

GainingasolidfoundationSolidmodelingisinmanywaystheculminationof3DCAD.Solidsmoreaccuratelyrepresentmostreal-worldobjectsthandowireframesorsurfaces.Andevenwhenrepresentationalaccuracyisn’tthemainissue,it’seasiertoconstructmanykindsofmodelswithsolids.

Manyspecial-purposesolidmodelingprogramsuseacombinationofsolidandsurfacemodelingtechniquesformaximumflexibilityinconstructingand

editing3Dmodels.Thesekindsofprograms—andsolidmodelingingeneral—arebecomingespeciallypopularinmechanicaldesign.

Constructingthebasicbuildingblocks—orsolidprimitives—forasolidmodelinAutoCADisn’tdifficult.Justfollowthesesteps:

1.DefineasuitableUCS(usercoordinatesystem).Seethe“ChangingPlanes”sectioninChapter21.TheUCScontrolstheconstructionplaneandbasic3Dorientationofthesolid.

2.ClicktheleftmostbuttonontheModelingpaneloftheHometab,andthenchooseasolidprimitivefromthelowerhalfofthesplitbutton.AsshowninFigure22-7,yourchoicesareBox,Cylinder,Cone,Sphere,Pyramid,Wedge,andTorus.

Whenyouseea3Dobjectinadrawing,youcan’ttellbylookingwhetherit’sa2Dextrudedobject,surfacemesh,orsolid.Ifyouwanttofindout,openthePropertiespaletteandselecttheobject.Thedrop-downlistatthetopofthepaletteshowsthetypeofobjectthatyouselected.

Figure22-7:Everythingyouneedforasolidfoundation.

DrawingsolidprimitivesSolidsaretheeasiestkindofobjecttoworkwithifyou’renewto3D.Therearetwotypesof3Dsolidobject:

Primitivesolids:Themostbasicof3Dbuildingblocks,suchasboxes,cones,andspheres.Primitivesolidsarebasedonsimplegeometricshapeslikelinesandcircles.

Complex(orcompound)solids:MadebycombiningprimitivesolidsandoptionallyeditingthemwithBooleanoperations.Thefollowingsectionsfocusoncreatingandmodifying3Dsolids.

Booleaneditingoperations(namedfortheVictorianEnglishmathematicianGeorgeBoole)usearithmetic-likefunctionstocombinesolidobjectsorremovepartsofthem.ThethreeprimaryBooleancommandsinAutoCADareUNION,SUBTRACT,andINTERSECT.See“Booleanoperations”laterinthischapterformoreinformation.

AddingtheThirdDimensionto2DObjectsAutoCAD’s2Drootsrundeep.Draftingcontinuestobetheprimaryfocusoftheprogram,butrecentAutoCADreleaseshaveshiftedfocus,andtheprogramhasbecomemoreandmoreadeptat3Dmodeling.Thissectioninvitesyoutotakewhatyouprobablyhaveanabundanceofrightnow(2Dobjects)andcreatenew3Dobjectsfromthem.

Creating3Dobjectsfrom2DdrawingsYoucancreate3Dobjectsfrom2Dobjectsbyusinganumberofdifferenttechniques.Youcanaddthicknessorextrudeanopen2Dobjecttocreateasurface,ortakemultiple2Dcrosssectionsandcreatealoftedobjectthatadaptstotheshapeandsizeofeachcrosssectionselected.EverythingmentionedhereappliestoAutoCADonly(notAutoCADLT),withtheexceptionofthethicknessproperty.

Addthicknesstoa2Dobject

Most2Dobjects,suchaslinesandcircles,haveathicknessproperty.Changinga2Dobject’sthicknesspropertydoesnotcreateatrue3Dobject,butitdoescreateapseudo-surfacethatlookslikea3Dsurface.Thesepseudo-surfacescanhideobjectsbeyondthem,buttheydohavelimitations.Ifyouaddthicknesstoacircle,anopencylinderiscreatedwithoutcapsonthetopandbottom.Youcanalsochangethethicknessofapolylinetocreateanopenboxthathasnotoporbottom.

Extrudeopenandclosedobjects

Thicknessisonewayofaddingheighttoanobject,butextrudinganobjectisusuallyabetterapproach.Youcanextrudeopenorclosed2Dobjectstocreatea3Dobject.Extrudingaclosed2Dobject,suchasapolyline,spline,ellipse,circle,orregion,createsa3Dsolid;extrudinganopen2Dobject,suchasapolyline,spline,line,orarc,createsasurface.Figure22-8showsresultsofextrudingopenandclosedobjects.

Toextrudeanopenorclosed2Dobject,clickExtrudeontheSolidpaneloftheSolidtab,orclicktheExtrudesplitbuttonontheHometab’sModelingpanel(ifyouseeabuttonlabeledLoft,Revolve,orSweep,clickthelowerpartofthesplitbuttonandchooseExtrudefromthedrop-downmenu).UsetheMOdeoptiontocontrolwhetheryoucreateasurfaceor3Dsolidfromaclosedobject,selecttheobjectsyouwanttoextrude,andspecifyanextrusionheightordistancetocreatethe3Dsolid.

TheDELOBJsystemvariablecontrolswhetherthe2Dobjectsyouusetocreate3Dsolidsisretainedorerased.Mostofthetime,youprobablywanttokeepthesourcegeometry,butthedefaultDELOBJsettingerasesit.Ifyouwanttokeeptheoriginal2Dgeometry,typeDELOBJandsetitsvalueto0.(SeeChapter26formoreaboutsystemvariables.)DELOBJalsocontrolswhetherornotthesourceobjectsforassociativearrays(introducedinChapter18)areretainedordeleted.

Figure22-8:2Dto3Dbyextrusioniseasyas1,2,3.

Pressandpullclosedboundaries

ThePRESSPULLcommandallowsyoutocreate3Dgeometrybyextrudingaclosedboundary.PRESSPULLdiffersfromEXTRUDEinthattheEXTRUDEcommandrequires2DgeometrywhilePRESSPULLcanuseclosedboundariesformedbyother3Dsolids.

Topressorpullwithinaclosedboundarytocreatea3Dobject,clickPresspullontheSolidtab’sSolidpanel,andthenclickasrequiredtospecifyaclosedboundary.Afteryou’veclickedinaclosedboundary,dragorspecifythedistanceontheextrusionyouwanttocreate.

Loftopenandclosedobjects

Loftingallowsyoutoselectaseriesof2Dcross-sectionstocreateasurfaceor3Dsolid.Theselectedcross-sectionsareusedtodefinetheoutersurfacethat’sgenerated.Youmustselectaminimumoftwocross-sections.Ifyouselectopen

objects,theresultingloftisasurface;ifyouselectclosedobjects,theresultingloftcanbeeitherasurfaceor3Dsolid,dependingonthecurrentvalueoftheMOdeoptionfortheLOFTcommand.

Youcanloftobjectsalongapathusingguidecurves,orjustbetweentheselectedcross-sections(seeFigure22-9).Toloftopenorclosed2Dobjects,opentheSweep/Loftdrop-downontheSolidtab’sSolidpanel.UsetheMOdeoptiontocontrolwhetheryoucreateasurfaceor3Dsolidfromaclosedobjectcross-sections,andspecifyhowtheloftobjectshouldbecalculated.

Figure22-9:Usingcross-sectionstocreatedaloftedobject

Sweepopenandclosedobjectsalongapath

Sweepingissimilartoextrudinga2Dobject,exceptyouspecifyapath,ratherthanaheightordistance.Theobjectusedasthepathcanbeeitheranopenorclosed2Dobject,andcanbeonlyasingleobject(seeFigure22-10).Ifyousweepanopenobject,theresultingsweptobjectisasurface;ifyousweepaclosedobject,theresultingsweptobjectisasurfaceor3DsolidbasedonthecurrentvalueoftheMOdeoptionoftheSWEEPcommand.

Tosweepanopenorclosed2Dobject,opentheSweep/Loftdrop-downontheSolidpaneloftheSolidtab.UsetheMOdeoptiontocontrolwhetheryoucreateasurfaceor3Dsolidfromaclosedobject,selecttheobjectstosweep,andspecifyapathforthesweep.

Figure22-10:Sweepingaclosedobjectalongapath.

Revolveopenorclosedobjectsaroundanaxis

Revolvingallowsyoutocreateasurfaceor3Dsolidbyturningselectedobjectsaroundanaxis(seeFigure22-11).Ifopenobjectsareselected,theresultingrevolvedobjectisasurface;ifyouselectclosedobjects,theresultingrevolvedobjectisa3Dsolid.

Torevolveanopenorclosed2Dobject,clickRevolveontheSolidpaneloftheSolidtab,orclicktheRevolvesplitbuttonontheHometab’sModelingpanel(ifyouseeabuttonlabeledLoft,Extrude,orSweep,clickthelowerpartofthesplitbuttonandchooseRevolvefromthedrop-down).UsetheMOdeoptiontocontrolwhetheryoucreateasurfaceor3Dsolidfromaclosedobject,selecttheobjectstorevolve,andspecifytheaxistouse.

Figure22-11:Revolvingaclosedobjectaroundanaxis.

Modifying3DObjectsManyofthemodificationtechniquesandcommandsthatyouusein2Ddraftingcanbeappliedto3Dmodeling.Inaddition,aspecializedsetof3Deditingcommandsisavailable.AllthesecommandsarelocatedontheModifypaneloftheHometabwhenthe3DModelingworkspaceiscurrent.

Selectingsubobjects3Dobjectsthemselvesarecomplexobjectsthatcanbemadeupofseveralhundred—eventhousandsof—objects.Althoughtheseobjectsneverstrayfromtheirparent,youcanaccessthemindividuallyoringroupsthroughsubobjectselection.Subobjectselectionmeansselectingavertex,edge,orfaceofa3Dobject.Afteryouselectasubobject,youcanusegripeditingandthe3Dgizmostomanipulateit.Idiscussthe3Dgizmosinthefollowingsection.

Tomakeiteasiertoselectsubobjects,youcanenablesubobjectfilteringfromtheRibbon.Vertex,edge,andfacefiltersarelocatedontheSubobjectSelectionFiltersplitbuttonontheSelectionpaneloftheHomeandSolidtabs.

TheCULLINGOBJandCULLINGOBJSELECTIONsystemvariableshelplimitobjectselectiontothefacesthatarevisibleinthecurrentviewbyignoringfacesaroundthebackoftheobjectsbeingviewed.Bydefault,bothofthesevariablesareturnedoff,soyoucanselectobjectsinfrontandbehind.Ifyouhaveacomplexmodel,turncullingon.Toturncullingon,clickCullingontheSelectionpaneloftheHometab.Toturnitoff,clicktheCullingbuttonagain.Thebuttonisshadedbluewhenthefeatureisenabled.

Ifyoujustneedtoselectafaceona3Dobject,pressandholdtheCtrlkeyandselectthefaceyouwanttoselect.Thiscanbefasterthanturningsubobjectfiltersonandoff.

WorkingwithgizmosAlthoughyoucanusetheMOVE,ROTATE,andSCALEcommandstomodify3Dobjects,theycansometimesgiveunexpectedresultsin3D.Enterthe3DMOVE,3DROTATE,and3DSCALEcommands,whichallutilizeagizmoorgriptoolwhenanon-orthographicviewiscurrent(seeFigure22-12).

Figure22-12:Usinggizmostomodifyobjectsin3D.

ThegizmosrestrictorconstrainmovementalongtheX,YplaneandtheZ-axis.Touseagizmo,clickoneoftheaxesonthetooltorestrictmovementtothataxis.Youcanaccessthethreegizmosbyusingthefollowingmethods:

3DMOVE:Click3DMoveontheHometab’sModifypanel,ortype3DMOVEatthecommandline.

3DROTATE:Click3DRotateontheModifypanel(Hometab),ortype3DROTATEatthecommandline.

3DSCALE:Click3DScaleontheModifypanel,ortype3DSCALEatthecommandline.

YoucanalsoaccesstheMove,Rotate,andScalegizmosin3Dbyselectingobjectswhennocommandisactive.Youcansetthedefaultgizmothatisdisplayedwhenyouusegripsin3DbyopeningtheGizmodrop-downintheHometab’sSelectionpanelandselectingthegizmoyouwanttobeactive.Right-clickingoveragizmoallowsyoutoswitchbetweendifferentgizmosandconstraints.

More3Dvariantsof2DcommandsMoving,rotating,andscalingobjectsarecertainlythebigthreeoperationsof3Dediting,butanumberofother3Dvariationson2Deditingcommandsarehidinginthewings,awaitingtheirturninthespotlight(formoreaboutspotlights,seeChapter23!).

Gettingyour3Dducksinarow

Gettingobjectstoalignwitheachotherin3Dcanbeachallengeattimes,especiallyifyouneedtonotonlymoveanobjectin3D,butalsorotateandscaleitbasedonthespecifiedalignment.AutoCADhastwocommandsthatcanbeusedtoalignobjects:

ALIGN:Usedtoalign2Dand3Dobjectsbasedonone,two,orthreepairsofpoints.Basedonthenumberofpairsofpointsspecifiedandhowthey’reselected,theALIGNcommandmightmoveandrotatetheselectedobjectsintoplace.Itcanalsobeusedtoscaleobjectsaswell.OntheHometab,chooseAlignfromtheModifypanelslideout.

3DALIGN:AnimprovedversionoftheALIGNcommandthatincludesadditionaloptions,aswellastheabilitytomoveandrotateacopyoftheselectedobjectsanduseDynamicUCSwiththecommand.Click3DAlignontheModifypaneloftheHometab.

Holdingupamirror

TheMIRRORcommandislimitedtoworkingontheX,Yplane.Ifyouwanttomirrorobjectsin3D,youneedtousetheMIRROR3Dcommand.Click3DMirrorontheModifypaneloftheHometab.TheMIRROR3Dcommandissimilartothe

MIRRORcommand,butyoucancontroltheplaneonwhichthemirroringisperformed.

Associativearrays,whichIdiscussinChapter18,workin3Daswellas2D.AutoCADhaslonghada3DARRAYcommand;it’sstillthere,andissimilartotheoldstyleARRAYcommand(refertoChapter10forthatone)inthatitdoesn’tcreateanassociativearrayobject.Forinformationoncreatingrectangular,polar,andpatharrayobjects,refertotheonlinehelp.

Editingsolids3Dsolidscanbeeditedinavarietyofdifferentwaysthatotherobjectscan’tbe.Youcanusegrip-editingtochangetheshapeof3Dsolids,orBooleanoperationsona3Dsolidtocreatecomplexmodels.Youcanfilletandchamfertheedgesofa3DsolidusingtheFILLETEDGEandCHAMFEREDGEcommands.

Usinggripstoeditsolids

Grip-editingisoneofthemostdirectwaystomodifyanobject.Toedita3Dsolidbyusinggrips,selectthe3Dsolidwhennocommandisrunning,andthenselectthegripyouwanttousetoeditthesolid.Paycloseattentiontothegripyouselect;somegripsgiveyoucontroloverchangingtheoverallsizeofasolid;othersmightchangeonlypartofasolid,suchasthefaceortopradiusofacone.Figure22-13showsapyramidwithitstopradius(I’llbetyoudidn’tknowthatpyramidshadradiuses!)beingeditedwithgrips.

Figure22-13:Grip-editingapyramid.

Booleanoperations

AsImentioninthe“Drawingsolidprimitives”sectionearlierinthischapter,youcanjoin3DsolidsbyusingtheUNIONcommandtocreateanew3Dsolid.Youcanalsosubtractvolumefroma3Dsolidbyusinganotherintersecting3DsolidtodeterminewhatshouldberemovedwiththeSUBTRACTcommand.TheINTERSECTcommandcanbeusedtocalculateanew3Dsolidbasedontheintersectingoftwoormore3Dsolids.SeeFigure22-14forexamples.YoucanfindthesethreecommandsontheBooleanpaneloftheSolidtab.

Figure22-14:Solidprimitivesontheleft,andtheresultfromUNION,SUBTRACT,andINTERSECTcommands.

Filletingandchamfering

Sincefilletsandchamfersarecommonreal-worldfeatures,it’slogicalthattoolsforcreatingthemareavailable.Youcanfilletorbeveltheedgesofa3DsolidbyclickingtheFilletEdge(orChamferEdge)splitbuttonontheSolidtab’sSolidEditingpanel.

Bothcommandsallowyoutoselectmultipleedgestofilletorbevel.Whenyouselectanedge,AutoCADgivesyoufeedbackonhowtheselectededgewillbeaffected.Figure22-15showsanL-shaped3Dsolidthat’sbeenfilletedandchamfered.

Figure22-15:Beforeandafterfilletingandchamferinga3Dsolid.

YoucanremoveafilletorchamferbystartingtheERASEcommandand,attheSelectObjectsprompt,holdingdowntheCtrlkeyandselectingthefilletorchamfertoberemoved.Forfillets,youmayneedtoalsoremovenearbyfilletedcornersthatmighthavebeencreatedduringtheapplicationofthe

fillet.

TheFILLETEDGEandCHAMFEREDGEcommandswerenewinAutoCAD2011.YoucanstillusetheFILLETandCHAMFERcommandson3Dsolids,butthenewcommandsaremuchmoreefficient.

Slice

TheSLICEcommandallowsyoutocuta3Dsolidalongaplane.Youcanslicea3Dsolidbyusingaplanarcurvesuchasacircle,2Dpolyline,orasurface,amongmanyothers.Whenyouslicea3Dsolid,youcanchoosewhichpartofthe3Dsolidiskept—oryoucankeepboth.Figure22-16showsasolidmodelthat’sbeenslicedinhalf.TostarttheSLICEcommand,chooseSlicefromtheSolidEditingpaneloftheSolidtab.Afterthecommandisstarted,specifya3Dsolidtoslice,anaxisorobjecttodefinethecuttingplane,andthenfinallywhichnew3Dsolidstokeep.

Figure22-16:CarvingupasolidmodelwiththeSLICEcommand.

Chapter23

OnaRenderBender

InThisChapterVisualizinga3Dmodel

Lightingyourmodels

Applyingmaterials

Assigningabackground

Renderinga3Dmodel

Inthecomputergraphicsworld,renderingistheprocessofilluminatingasetof3Dobjectswithoneormoreimaginarylightsandthencreatingamore-or-lessrealisticpictureoftheresults.(No,computerprogrammersdidn’thavelardontheirmindswhentheyborrowedthewordrendering.Hand-drawnpicturesofbuildingfacadeswerecalledrenderingslongbeforecomputersgotintotheact.)

Asingleexampleofthistechniqueiscalledastillrendering.Multipleframesstrungtogetherproducecomputeranimation.TheobjectsthatyouseeinmoviessuchasWALL-EorToyStory3arefirstcreatedas3Dmodelsandthenrenderedframebyframe—aprocessthatcantakeimmenseamountsoftimeevenonultrafastgraphicsworkstations—toproducethebeautifully,well-renderedimagesyousee.

AutoCADisbestatcreatingstillrenderings.Ifyouwanttocreatephotorealisticrenderedanimations,youneedtouseothersoftwareprogramssuchasAutodesk3dsMax.Evenifyouuseotheranimationprograms,AutoCADcanstillbeusefulfordevelopingtheinitial3Dmodels.

RenderinghassteadilyimprovedinspeedandusabilityasPCshavebecomefasterandprogrammersimprovedtheirrenderingalgorithms.RenderingofsimplescenesisnowpracticalonamainstreamPC,andafastpersonalcomputercancreatesomeimpressiveimagesinareasonableamountoftime.Renderedimagesareusefulforpreviewinghowyourmodelswillworkinreallifeandalsocanbepowerfultoolsforsalesandmarketingcommunicationsforyourcompany.A(rendered)picturecanbeworthquiteabitmorethanathousandwords.

Peoplewhodoalotofrenderingandwanthigherquality,photorealisticresultsusuallyuseprogramsotherthanAutoCADtorendertheirmodels.Autodesk3dsMax,Cinema4D(Maxon),andAccuRender(RobertMcNeel&Associates)arethreepopularphotorealisticrenderingprograms.Mostrenderingprogramscanimport3DmodelsfromAutoCADDWGfiles,butsomepeopleusespecialized3Dmodelingprogramstodotheirmodelingaswell.

VisualizingtheDigitalWorldRenderingallowsyoutoseehowafinalproductmightlookbeforeitismanufacturedorbuiltintherealworld(seeFigure23-1);itdefinitelyhelpstosellaconcepttoaclient.Whileyoucanshowaclientahiddenlineorshadedviewofa3Dmodel,aphotorealisticrenderjusthelpsmakeitfeelthatmuchmorerealwhenlookingatit.

Figure23-1:RenderingcomparedtoConceptualvisualstyle.

Beforerenderinga3Dmodel,youneedtodothefollowing:

Addlightingtohighlightfeaturesanddefineshadows

Applymaterialsto3Dobjectsbyface,object,orlayer

Setupabackgroundforyour3Dmodeltoberenderedagainst

Alltheabove-mentioneditemshelptobringrealismtoa3Dmodel.Thischapterfocusesoneachofthesetasksbeforecoveringthestepstocreatearendering.

AddingLightingOneofthekeyingredientsinthesoupthatmakesarenderinglookgoodislighting.Lightinghelpsgiveamodeldepththroughtheuseofhighlightsandshadows.Justasintherealworld,objectsthatareclosesttothelightsourceappearthebrightestandthosethefarthestawayappearthedarkest.

ThetwotypesoflightinginAutoCADaredefaultanduser-defined.Defaultlighting,asitsnamesuggests,isonandavailableineverydrawing,andit’swhatgivessomebasicformtoyour3DmodelwhenyouclicktheRenderbuttonbeforeyouaddlightingofyourown.Alltypesofuser-definedlightscancastshadows.MostofthetoolsthatyouusetocreateandeditlightsarelocatedontheLightsandSun&LocationpanelsontheRendertab.

DefaultlightingOverthepastfewyears,AutoCAD’sdefaultlightinghasimprovedinquality.Prior

toAutoCAD2007,defaultlightingconsistedofasingledistantlightsource,alwaysdirectedtowardthetargetofyourcurrentviewfrombehindyourback.AutoCAD2007addedaseconddefaultlighttohelpincreasethelightinglevel,andtobalancethelightinginaviewport.

Defaultlightingcan’tcastshadows,soIdon’trecommendusingitforfinalrenderings.Itdoesworkprettywellforquickconceptualrenderings,however.Youcancontrolthebrightness,contrast,andmidtoneslevelsfordefaultlightingwiththeslidercontrolsontheslideoutoftheLightspanelontheRendertabofRibbon(seeFigure23-2).

Figure23-2:AutoCADtolights,extrabrightnessisago.

TheDEFAULTLIGHTINGsystemvariableisusedtoenableanddisabletheuseofdefaultlightinginthecurrentviewport.SetDEFAULTLIGHTINGto0whenyouwantuser-definedlightingtorenderyour3Dmodel.Ifyouareusingdefaultlighting,theDEFAULTLIGHTINGTYPEsystemvariablecontrolswhetheroneortwodefaultdistantlightsareused.Whensetto0,onedefaultlightisused;whensetto1,twodefaultlightsareused.

User-definedlightsDefaultlightsarefineforquickrenderings,buttheydon’tbringyourrenderingstolifeinthewaythatuser-definedlightscan.User-definedlightsarelightsthatyoucreate—withoneexception—andmodifyinyour3Dmodel.Theonlyuser-definablelighttypethatyoucanenableandmodify,butcan’tcreate,isthesunlightsystem.

Thefirsttimethatauser-definedlightisplacedinadrawing,theLighting–ViewportLightingModealertboxisdisplayed,advisingyouthatyouneedtoturnoffdefaultlightinginordertoseelightfromuser-definedsources.ClickTurnOfftheDefaultLightingtodisabledefaultlighting.(Toturndefaultlightingbackon,opentheLightspanelslideoutontheRendertabandclickDefaultLighting.)Youshouldalwaysdisabledefaultlightingwhenusinguser-definedlights;otherwiseyoucanendupover-lightingyourmodel,makingitlookunnatural.

Thetwotypesofuser-definedlightsthatyoucancreatearegenericandphotometric:

Genericlights:Provideadvancedcontroloverhowtheyemitlightandaremuchmorecomplexthanphotometriclights

Photometriclights:Moreconvenienttouseastheyaredefinedtorepresenthowlightsworkinthephysicalworld

TheLIGHTINGUNITSsystemvariablecontrolswhetheruser-definedlightsinyourdrawingarerepresentedasgenericorphotometriclights.WhenLIGHTINGUNITSissetto0,genericlightsareused.WhenLIGHTINGUNITSissetto1or2,photometriclightsareused;1indicatesAmericanlightingunits,and2indicatesInternationallightingunits.Lightsdon’thavetoberemovedandaddedtoswitchbetweengenericandphotometriclights;youjustneedtoswitchthesystemvariable.

Toaddauser-definedlighttoyourdrawing,clickthelowerhalfoftheCreateLightsplitbuttonontheLightspaneloftheRendertab.Youcanchoosefromfourdistincttypesoflightsontheflyout(forthedifferencesbetweenthelighttypes,seeFigure23-3):

Pointlight:Emitslightuniformlyinalldirections,buttheemittedlightfallsoffthefartheritgetsfromthesource.Apointlightissimilartoacandleoralantern.

Spotlight:Emitslightinaspecificdirection.Aslighttravelsfartherfromthesource,itspreadsoutintheshapeofacone.Youcandefinethehotspot—thebrightestpartoftheemittedlight—andthefall-offofthelight.

Distantlight:Emitslightalongaspecifiedvectoranddoesn’tdecayorfallofflikeotheruser-definedlightsdo.Adistantlightissimilartothesun.

Weblight:Acrossbetweenapointlightandaspotlight.Weblightsareavailableonlywhenusingphotometriclights,andthewaytheyemitlightisdeterminedbyanIESfile.IESfilesareprovidedbylightingcompaniesforuseinproductslikeAutoCADtomimicthelightsthattheymanufacture.

AutoCADandIbothstronglyadviseagainstusingdistantlightswhenusingphotometriclighting.Ifyoudecidetoignorethiswarning,makesuretoturndowntheintensityfactorofthedistantlighttoavoidwashingoutyourrendering.

Pointlights,spotlights,andweblightscanbeselectedandediteddirectlyinadrawingbecauseaglyphisdisplayedtoshowwherethelightislocated.Distantlightsdonothaveanassociatedglyph.(Aglyphisanonprintingobjectdisplayedinadrawingthatenablesyoutoselectanobjectthatisnotpartoftheactualmodel.)

Figure23-3:Lightingprimitiveswiththefourtypesofuser-definedlights.

Shadows...ornoshadows?

AutoCADallowsyoutodefinelightsthatcan’tgenerateshadows.Thismightseemillogicalbecauseshadowsarecastwhenlightisobscuredbyanobject.Thisisimportantbecauseyoumaywanttofillanareawithlightbutnothaveitaffectthewayshadowsarecast.

Tocontroltheshadowsalightcangenerate,selectalight,right-click,andthenchoosePropertiestoopenthePropertiespalette.TheShadowsoptionintheGeneralcategoryenablesordisablesshadowcreationfromtheselectedlight.TheRenderedShadowDetailscategorygivesyoualargedegreeofcreativecontrolovershadowappearance.Formoreinformationonputtingyourobjectsintheshade,opentheonlinehelpandsearchon“Render3DObjectsforRealism”.

Youcanalsocontrolhowobjectsthemselvesaffectshadows.Selecta3Dobject,right-click,andchooseProperties.Inthe3DVisualizationcategoryofthePropertiespalette,clicktheShadowDisplaydrop-down;youcanconfigureyourobjectstocastshadows,receiveshadows,castandreceiveshadows,orignoreshadowsaltogether.

TheLightsinModelpalette

Inacomplexdrawingoroneinwhichyoumighthaveaddedadistantlight,you’llwanttousetheLightsinModelpalette(seeFigure23-4).TheLightsinModelpaletteallowsyoutoselect,delete,andaccessthePropertiespaletteforselectedlights.TodisplaytheLightsinModelpalette,clicktheLightspanellauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendoftheLightspanellabel).

Figure23-4:Ah...yes,you’reonthelightslist.

Sunlight

YoucansimulatesunlightviatheSunPropertiespalette(seeFigure23-5).Addingsunlighttoadrawingallowsyoutoperformsunlightstudiesaswellasaddsomerealismtobothindoorandoutdoorrenderings.

TheSunPropertiespaletteallowsyoutolocatethesun’spositionbasedonthenearestlargecity,orbyenteringlatitudeandlongitudevalues.YoucanalsouseGoogleEarthKMLorKMZfilestospecifyyourlocation.Inadditiontolocation,youcandesignatethenortherndirectioninyourdrawingtogetthecorrectdailymovementofthesunlightinyourdrawing.Toadjustthesunlightinadrawing,opentheSunPropertiespalettebyclickingtheSun&Locationpanellauncher(thelittlearrowonthepanellabel).

Figure23-5:TheSunPropertiespalettegivesyoutopowertocontroldayandnight.

CreatingandApplyingMaterialsMaterialscanbringyourmodeltolife.Materialscanbeassimpleaspaint—matteorglossyoranywherebetween.Theycanbeopaque,transparent,reflective,ornonreflective.Youcanapplyrepresentationsofrealistic,real-worldmaterialslikestone,marble,glass,polishedmetal,fabric...thelistisalmostendless.AutoCAD2012comeswithamateriallibraryofliterallythousandsofdifferentmaterialtypes,andassigningthemtoobjectscanbeassimpleasdraggingfromapaletteanddroppingonanobject.Oritcanbeascomplexasyoucaretomakeit.

PriortoAutoCAD2011,youcreatedandstoredmaterialsinindividualdrawings,whichmadethemdifficulttomanage.AutoCAD2011introducedtheMaterialsBrowser,whichmakesmanagingmaterialsmucheasier.PartneredwiththeMaterialsBrowseristhenewMaterialsEditor,accessiblefromatoolbuttonintheMaterialsBrowser.

ThenewmaterialslibrariesintroducedinAutoCAD2011tookupvastamountsofharddiskspace.Thatwasseenaswastefulforpeoplewhoneverdidrenderings,soinAutoCAD2012,mostofthemateriallibrariesareonline.ThefirsttimeyouclicktheRenderbuttoninAutoCAD2012,AutoCADaskswhetheryouwanttogoonlinetoinstalltheMediumMaterialLibrary.Ifrenderinglooksinterestingtoyou,goaheadandinstallthelibrary.

UsetheMATBROWSERcommandtodisplaytheMaterialsBrowserpalette(seeFigure23-6),fromwhichyoucancreate,edit,andmanageinthecurrentdrawingormateriallibraries.Youaddmaterialstoyourdrawingbyusingapreconfiguredmaterialorcreatingacustommaterial.

Followthesestepstocreateandmanageanewmaterial:

1.OntheRendertab,chooseMaterialsBrowserfromtheMaterialspanel.2.OntheMaterialsBrowserpalettethatopens,clickCreateaMaterial(intheupper-left)andthenchoosethematerialtemplateyouwanttostartwith.Forexample,chooseMetallicPaint.TheMaterialsEditorpaletteisdisplayed(seeFigure23-6).

3.OntheMaterialsEditorpalette,clickintheNamefieldlocatedbelowthepreviewofthematerialandenteraname.4.Enternewvaluesintheappropriateattributesforthematerial.Theattributesthatyoucaneditvary,baseduponthetypeofmaterialtemplatethatyouchoosetostartwith.Whenyoufinisheditingthematerial,youcancloseorhidetheMaterialsEditorpalette.Thematerialisautomaticallyaddedtothecurrentdrawing.

Figure23-6:Addingcolorandtexturetoa3DmodelwiththeMaterialsBrowserpaletteandtheMaterialsEditorpalette.

5.(Optional)Savethematerialinalibrarytouseitinmorethanonedrawing.OntheMaterialsBrowserpalette,atthebottom,clickManage,thenselectCreateNewLibrary.TheCreateLibrarydialogboxisdisplayed.

6.Enteranameandlocationforthenewlibrary.ClickSave.7.OntheMaterialsBrowserpalette,dragthecustommaterialyoucreated

ontothenameofthenewlibrary.Nowyoucanaccessthematerialfromanydrawing.Youcancreatecategoriesifyouwanttomanagemultiplematerialswithinalibrary.IntheMaterialsBrowser,right-clickthelibraryname,chooseCreateCategory,andthenenteranameforthenewcategory.Afterthecategoryiscreated,simplyselectthematerialfromtherightsideoftheMaterialsBrowseranddragittothenewcategory.

YoucanopentheMaterialsEditordirectlyfromtheRibbonbyclickingtheMaterialspanellauncher(thelittlearrowattherightendoftheMaterialspanellabel).

Whichmaterialsyouuseinamodeldependsonwhatyou’retryingtorepresent.Forexample,youmightchoosetomakeamaterialsemitransparenttocommunicateanidearatherthanatruematerialselection.Afteryoucreateamaterial,youcanapplyittotheobjectsinyour3Dmodel.Youcanapplymaterialstoobjectsinthefollowingways:

ByLayer:Globallyassignmaterialstoallobjectsonaparticulardrawinglayerbyassigningamaterialtothelayer.Toassignmaterialsbylayer,opentheMaterialsslideoutontheRendertabandchooseAttachByLayer.

ByObject:Assignmaterialstoanobjectbyselectingtheobject,thenright-clickingthematerialyouwanttoassignintheMaterialsBrowserpalette.Fromtheright-clickmenu,chooseAssigntoSelection.YoucanalsodraganddropamaterialfromtheMaterialsBrowserpaletteontoanobjectinadrawingorchangeanobject’sMaterialpropertyusingthePropertiespalette.

ByFace:Assignmaterialstoindividualfacesofa3Dsolid.SelectafaceusingSubobjectfilteringbyholdingdowntheCtrlkeyandselectingthefaceyouwanttoapplyamaterialto.Right-clickthematerialyouwanttoassignintheMaterialsBrowserpaletteandthenchooseAssigntoSelection.

DefiningaBackgroundWhileyourmodelmightnowbelookingalittlemorerealisticwithsomeuser-definedlightingandcustommaterialsassignedtoit,itssettingmightlookalittle...empty.Youcanassignbackgroundstofillthatemptyspacebeyondthe3D

modelinyourscene.Abackgroundisapropertyofnamedviews,andyoucansetthemupintheViewManagerdialogbox(IcovertheVIEWcommandandViewManagerdialogboxinChapter12).Youcandefineabackgroundasasolidcolor,agradient(twoorthreecolors),arasterimage,oraskywithasun(availableonlywhenusingphotometriclighting).

Followthesestepstocreateanewnamedviewandassignabackgroundtoit:

1.OntheViewspaneloftheViewtab,clickNamedViews.TheViewManagerdialogboxappears.

2.ClickNewtodisplaytheNewView/ShotPropertiesdialogbox.Forarefresheroncreatingnamedviews,refertoChapter12.

3.IntheBackgroundarea,clicktheDefaultdrop-down,chooseanoptiontooverridethedefaultbackground,andthenclickOK.ChooseSolidorGradientifyouwantastudio-typescene,orchooseImageifyouhaveasuitablerasterimagetohighlightyourmodel.AnyoftheseoptionsdisplaystheBackgrounddialogboxwhereyoumakeyoursettings(seeFigure23-7).ChooseSun&Skyifyouwanttoplaceyourmodelinthegreatoutdoors(andit’salwaysfairweatherinAutoCAD!).ChoosingthelastoptiondisplaystheAdjustSun&SkyBackgrounddialogbox,asshowninFigure23-8.

Figure23-7:Paintingthecanvasofthedrawingwindow.

4.Afterthebackgroundisdefined,selecttheviewfromtheViewstreeandclickSetCurrent.5.WhentheViewManagercloses,thenewbackgroundshouldbedisplayed.FormoreinformationontheViewManager,seeChapter12.

Ifyoudon’twanttocreateanamedviewfirst,entertheBACKGROUNDcommandatthecommandlinetodisplaytheBackgrounddialogbox.

Figure23-8:Herecomesthesun.

Renderinga3DModelAfteryouaddlights,applymaterials,anddefineabackgroundforyour3Dmodel,you’rereadytopressthemagicbutton!ClickingRendertellsAutoCADtoroundupallthematerialsandapplythemtotheobjectsandfacestowhichthey’reassigned.Aftermaterialsareassigned,thebackgroundisappliedtothecurrentviewport,andthenfinallyAutoCADcalculateslightandshadowsbasedonall

thosepropertysettingsyoumadeearlierinthechapter.

Bydefault,renderingisperformedintheRenderWindow(seeFigure23-9).Tostartrenderingyourvirtualfatintodigitallard(andhow’sthatforagrislyimage?),clickRenderontheRendertab’sRenderpanel(anotherofferingfromtheDepartmentofRedundancyDepartment).

Tohelpmakerenderingaseasyaspossible,AutoCADcomeswithfiverenderpresets.Arenderpresetisaconfigurationofrenderingsettingsthatyoucanusetogetpredictableresultswhenrenderingamodel.Thepresetsrangeinqualityofoutput,fromDraft,throughLow,Medium,andHigh,toPresentationquality.

Figure23-9:RenderingarenderingintheRenderWindow.

Tosetarenderpresetcurrent,choosetheRenderPresetsdrop-downontheRendertab’sRenderpanel.ChooseManageRenderPresetsatthebottomoftheRenderPresetsdrop-downtoopentheRenderPresetsManagerdialogbox.TheRenderPresetsManagerallowsyoutocreateandeditcustomrenderpresets.Youcanstartwithanexistingrenderpresetwhenyoucreateanewone.

Iftherenderpresetsdon’tseemtoofferthelookyou’restrivingfor,youcanexperimentwiththeAdvancedRenderSettingspalette(seeFigure23-10).Whenyougetthesettingsyoulike,youcansavethemtoarenderpreset.

InadditiontorenderingastillimagewiththeRENDERorRENDERCROPcommands,youcancreateananimatedwalkthroughofyourmodelusingtheANIPATH.Tofindoutmoreaboutcreatinganimations,seetheAutoCADonlinehelpsystem.

Figure23-10:TheAdvancedRenderSettingspalettegivesyoucontroloverallthesettingsoftherenderingprocess.

PartVI

ThePartofTens

Inthispart...Tenssoundsalotliketense,andtenseishowAutoCADmaymakeyoufeelsometimes.Tensalsomayremindyouofthemetricsystem,andifyou’renotusedtoit,thatmayalsomakeyoufeeltense.Butneverfear—helpisontheway!ATopTenListisagoodwaytoquicklyspotthebest—ortheworst—ofalmostanything,AutoCADincluded.ThisPartofTensfeaturesliststhathelpyouunderstandsomeofthenutsandboltsthatmakeAutoCADwork,figureoutwhetheryoushouldbeusingAutoCADorAutoCADLT,andhuntforthemostvaluableAutoCADresources.

Chapter24

TenGreatAutoCADResources

MuchasI’dliketomakeaclaimtothecontrary,youprobablydoneedjustateensybitmorethanthisbookandacopyofthesoftwaretoreachtheveryhighestpeaksofAutoCADmastery!Thischapterliststenlikelysuspectsifyouwanttofindoutmoreaboutyourfavoritesoftwareprogram.

Autodesk’sFeedbackCommunityInterestedinhelpingshapefuturereleasesofAutoCAD?Ifso,visitAutodesk’sFeedbackCommunityPortal(https://beta.autodesk.com)andsignup.Inreturnfor

small—orsometimesconsiderable—timecommitments,youcancontributeyourideastotheAutoCADFuturesgrouporapplytobeta-testthenextreleaseofAutoCAD.

Autodesk’sDiscussionGroupsAlthoughtherearestillsomeindependent,newsreader-baseddiscussiongroupsoutthere,themajorityoftheAutoCADactionnowadayshappensonAutodesk’sownmoderateddiscussiongroups.Theseareuser-to-usergroups,butevenso,youfrequentlyseeAutodeskemployeesjumpingintoanswerquestionsintheirareasofexpertise—sometimesontheirowntime!

Toseewhat’sthere,pointyourbrowsertowww.autodesk.com/discussion.Thereareproduct-baseddiscussiongroupsforAutoCADandAutoCADLT.

Autodesk’sOwnBloggersSeveralofAutodesk’semployeesruntheirownblogsthroughthecompany’sservers,andthey’rechockablockwithtips,techniques,andsomeoccasionallyhighlyentertainingdigressions.ForalistofallAutodesk’sblogs,gotowww.autodesk.com/blogs.TheAutoCAD-basedblogsIhighlyrecommendareShaanHurley’sBetweentheLines,HeidiHewitt’sAutoCADInsider,KateMorrical’sLTUnlimited,andLynnAllen’sBlog(that’swhatit’scalled,honest!).

AutodeskUniversityAutodeskUniversityisanannualevent,sponsoredbyAutodesk,thatusuallyrunsforthreeorfourdaysaroundtheendofNovember.Forthelastfewyears,theeventhassettledinLasVegas,Nevada.Thedaysarefilledwitheducationalsessionsinadozenormoredifferentdisciplines,andthenightsarefilledwithsocializingandtakinginthelocalattractions.Checkouthttp://au.autodesk.comtofindouthowtoschmoozelikeaproandcomehomeaguru!

TheAutodeskChannelonYouTube

IfyouuseGoogletosearchtheWebforsolutionstoparticularAutoCADissues,it’sprettylikelyyou’vealreadydiscoveredYouTube’sAutodeskChannel.TherearedozensanddozensofvideoclipsherethatcovernotonlyAutoCADandAutoCADLT,butotherAutodeskproductslikeInventorandRevit.Youcansubscribeandreceivee-mailnotificationsofnewvideoseverycoupleofweeks.Checkitoutatwww.youtube.com/autodesk.

TheWorldWide(CAD)WebI’mreluctanttolistanyspecificsites;Ijustwentlookingforanoldfavorite,andit’snotthereanymore.Yoursearchenginewillbeyourbestfriendhere.ApartfromAutodesk’sownWebpresence,therearethousandsuponthousandsofothersitesscatteredaroundtheworld.SearchonAutoCADtutorialsforonlineexercises,ortryAutoCADblogsforsomeindependentviewsandopinionsaswellastipsandtricksforusingAutoCAD.

YourLocalATCAutodesk’sAuthorizedTrainingCenters,orATCs,arelocatedaroundtheworldinbothprivateinstitutionsandpubliccollegesandinstitutes.AtanATC,youattendscheduled,instructor-ledclasseswhereyoulearnAutoCADfromthegroundup.Coursesaredesignedforrankbeginnersorexperienceduserswhowanttolearnthelatestcustomizationtechniques.TofindthelocationofyournearestATC,browsetowww.autodesk.com/atc.

YourLocalUserGroupAutoCADhashadanincrediblyloyalfollowinginthequarter-centurysinceitsinitialrelease.Therearemanyreasonsforthis,butoneofthemainoneswastheespeciallyenthusiasticindividualswhowouldarrangetomeetuponeeveningamonthandtalkaboutwhatthey’ddiscoveredtheycoulddowithAutoCAD.Thosefolksarestilloutthere—althoughsomeareabitgrayerandmorewrinkledthantheyusedtobe—andtheystilllovetogettogetherandtalkaboutAutoCAD.Andmostareespeciallywelcomingtonewcomers!Myownlocalgroup,theVancouverAutoCADUsersSociety(www.vaus.org),happenstobetheoldestusergroupinexistence,anditsnewslettergrewandgrewuntilitbecameCadalystmagazine!Tofindanearbygroup,enter“AutoCADusergroup”andyourcityinyourbrowser’s

searchbox.

AUGIAUGI(theacronymforAutodeskUserGroupsInternational)istheumbrellaorganizationfortheglobalusergroupcommunity.Youdon’tevenhavetobelongtoagrouptoparticipate—individualscanjointoo,andmembershipisfree.AUGIisprobablybestknownfortheannualwishlistitpresentstoAutodesk;thelistiscompiledfromrequestsfrommembersforchangesornewfeaturesinAutoCAD.It’softenthecasethattopwish-listitemsfindtheirwayintonewreleasesofAutoCAD,sohere’sanotherplacewhereyoucanhelptoshapefuturereleases.Browsetowww.augi.comtofindoutmore.

BooksAlthoughI’dliketofillyouinonallthewondersofAutoCAD,there’sonlysomuchIcandoina500-pagebook.AsIexplainintheintroduction,Isimplydon’thavethespacetocoverthingslikedatalinkingandcustomization(notthateitherofthoseareofmuchusetoAutoCADLTusersanyway).TherearedozensofbooksonAutoCAD—justgotowww.amazon.comandsearchonAutoCADifyoudon’tbelieveme!ForamorecomprehensivelookatAutoCAD(whichathousandpagesallows!),haveaganderatEllenFinkelstein’sAutoCAD2012andAutoCADLT2012Bible(WileyPublishing,Inc.).

Chapter25

TenDifferencesbetweenAutoCADandAutoCADLT

ThisbookisaimedatusersofboththefullversionofAutoCADandAutoCADLT.Throughoutthetext,youcanfindiconsinthemarginthathighlightplacesinmydescriptionsorstepsthataresignificantlydifferentbetweenthetwoversions.

Ratherthanmakeyougothroughtheentiretext(notthatitwouldn’tbeahighlyrewardingtask!)lookingfortidbitsofinformation,inthischapter,Igatherthetenmostsignificantdifferencesbetweenthetwoversions.

PriceMostimportanttomanypeople—especiallyifyouworkin2Ddrafting

exclusivelyanddon’tseeaneedtospendalotoftimelearningAutoCAD’scustomizationlanguages—isthemuchlowercostofAutoCADLT.Youcanbuyeitherversiononline(visitwww.autodesk.comandclickPurchase,thenShopOnline)andinthefirstmonthof2011,AutoCADlistedat$3,995andAutoCADLTat$1,200(bothpricesareforboxedpackagesanddon’tincludeasubscription).

3DAbilitiesThismaybethemostsignificantdifferenceforsomeusers.Ifyouwanttomodelin3D,youhavenochoicebuttousethefullversion.InAutoCADLT,youcanopenandview3DmodelscreatedinthefullversionofAutoCAD,butyoucan’teditthemorcreatenewones.Theonly3DconstructionyoucandoinAutoCADLTistoapplyathicknesspropertytolinework.(InAutoCAD,thicknessmeansperpendiculartothedrawingplane;don’tconfuseitwithwidth,whichappliestoobjectsonthedrawingplane.)

Andevenifyoucanopen3DmodelsfromthefullversioninAutoCADLT,it’snoteasytoviewthem.Thereareonlyalimitednumberofpresetviewingpositions,unlikethefullversionwhereyoucanrotateororbitaroundyourmodeltoyourheart’scontent.

Finally,becauseAutoCADLTisreallya2Ddraftingprogram,therearenovisualizationorpresentationcapabilities,unlikethefullprogram,whichhasseveralbuilt-invisualstyles,suchasConceptualandRealistic,aswellasahumongousmaterialslibraryforrenderingmodels.

CustomizationOptionsThisoneisalsoabiggieformanypeople.TalktoseasonedAutoCADusersatworkoryourlocalusergroup,andyou’llfindthattheirkeytohappinessisbeingabletocustomizeAutoCADsoitdoeswhattheywantwiththeminimumamountoftimeoreffort.ThefullversionofAutoCADsupportsanumberofApplicationProgrammingInterfaces,orAPIs.TheseincludeAutoCAD’sveryownprogramminglanguage—AutoLISP—anditsmarginallyfriendliersiblingVisualLISP,ActiveXAutomation,andcompiledlanguageprogrammingusingObjectARXorMicrosoft’s.NETframework.

AlthoughyoucandofairlysimplecustomizationinAutoCADLT—forexample,creatingormodifyingtoolbars,writingscripts,orusingcustomhatchpatternsor

linetypes—noneofthehigher-levelprogrammingdescribedintheprecedingparagraphispossibleinLT.

NetworkLicensingOnceagain,theparadigmis“bigengineeringcompany”versus“home-officedoodler”,andtheassumptionisthatAutoCADLTusershavenoneedforanetworklicense.WithtenseatsofregularAutoCAD,youcangetanetworklicensethatmakesthingsprettyeasytoadminister.Ifyou’reanLTuserandfindthatyouneedtenseats,thenyouneedtenindividualcopies.

ExpressToolsTheExpressToolsareasetofofficiallyunsupportedbutneverthelessprettyreliable“bonus”commands.TheExpressToolsareanoptionalitemwhenyouinstallAutoCAD,andIhighlyrecommendyouchoosetoincludethem.Thereareadditionaldrawingandeditingcommands,afarmoreelaboratehatchroutinethantheregularHATCHcommand,andcommandsforworkingwithblocksandxrefs,text,dimensions,andlayouts.

BecausemostoftheExpressToolsarewrittenusingtheAPIsmentionedintheearlier“CustomizationOptions”section,theywon’tworkinAutoCADLT.Onthepositiveside,sometimesafewoftheExpressToolsaremovedintothecoreoftheAutoCADexecutable;becausethey’renotusingoneofthoseAPIsImentionearlier,theycanbemadeavailabletoAutoCADLT.Forexample,AutoCADLT2012nowincludestheOVERKILLcommandforweedingoutduplicateobjectsthathadpreviouslybeenanExpressTool.

ParametricsIcoverparametricsinChapter19ofthisbook,andIpointoutthatAutoCADLTisextremelylimitedinthisarea.Yes,there’saParameterstab,andaParametersManager,butinLT,theManagerdoesn’thavealotofclout.Youcan’tcreateparameterswithLT,butyoucandeletethem,andthereforedoalotofdamagetoahelplessDWGfile.Ifyouliketheideaofyourdrawinggeometrychangingwhenyouchangethevalueofadimension,thenyoureallyoughttothinkaboutthefullversionofAutoCADratherthanLT.

StandardsCheckingStandards—asindraftingstandards—areimportantthingstomaintainindesignoffices.Withstandardschecking,youconfigureaDWSfile(thatis,aDWGfilesetupwithyourstandardlayers,textanddimensionstyles,layouts,andsoforth),andthencompareyourcurrentdrawing,ordrawingsdonebyoutsideconsultants,withthatDWSfiletoensuretheyconformtoyourofficestandards.

DataExtractionAsIexplaininChapter17,attributesarevariabletextstringsthatyoucreateaspartofablockdefinition.ThedataintheattributescanbeeditedorextractedeasilyinregularAutoCAD,andnearlyaseasilyinAutoCADLT(AutoCADLTlacksthefullversion’sDataExtractionWizard,whichextractsinformationfromobjectsandfromattributedornon-attributedblocks.)IfbeingabletouseallthedatainyourAutoCADdrawings,choosingthefullversionwouldbeabetterbet.

MLINEversusDLINEHere’sacasewhereAutoCADLTbeatsitsbigsibling!AutoCAD(fullversion)includesanextremelyunwieldycommandcalledMLINEfordrawingmultipleparallellines.YoucandrawsuchlinesinthesamewayyoupickpointsfortheLINEcommand,butmultilinesareunintuitivetoconfigureandprettydarneddifficulttoedit.

AutoCADLTdoesn’thaveMLINE,butitdoeshaveadifferentcommandcalledDLINE.DLINE(asinDoubleLINE)maynotdrawmorethantwoparallellines,anditcan’taddcoloredfills,butit’slogicaltouseandmucheasiertoedit.Andsorry,AutoCADusers(I’vebeenwaitingtowritethatforthewholebook!),butyoudon’thaveDLINE.

ProfilesThroughoutthebookImakereferencetotheOptionsdialogbox.Thisistheplacewhereyoumakebothdrawing-specificandsystem-widesettingssoyoucanconfiguretheprogramtoworkthewaythatyouwant.Inthefullversionof

AutoCAD,youcansavethesesettingsasnamedprofiles,andswitchbetweenthemontheProfilestaboftheOptionsdialogbox.Forexample,youcanhaveoneprofilewithawhitedrawingbackground,andanotherwithadarkbackground.Oryoucanhavedifferentprofilesthatpointtodifferentclientsupportfiles.Ifmorethanonepersonsharesacomputer,eachpersoncanhavehisorherownprofile.

Onlyinthefullversion,though—thereisnoProfilestabinAutoCADLT’sOptionsdialogbox,becauseAutoCADLTdoesnotsupportprofiles.AnychangesyoumaketoLT’soptionsbecomethecurrentdefaults,buttheycan’tbesavedandrestoredlater.

ReferenceManagerReferenceManagerisafree-standingprogram,notpartofAutoCADorAutoCADLT.Ifyouhavethefullversioninstalled,you’llfindReferenceManagerontheWindowsStartmenu.ReferenceManagerhelpsyoumakesurethatanydependentfiles(forexample,fontfiles,images,orxrefs)areincludedwhenyoushipasetoffilesanywhere.There’snotechnicalreasonwhyAutoCADLTshouldn’tincludetheReferenceManager.Butitdoesn’t.

Chapter26

TenSystemVariablestoMakeYourLifeEasier

SystemvariablesaresettingsthatAutoCADchecksbeforeitdecideshowtodosomething.Forexample,ifyousetthesystemvariableSAVETIMEto10,AutoCADsavesyourdrawingfileautomaticallyeverytenminutes;ifyousetSAVETIMEto60,thetimebetweenautomaticsavesisonehour.HundredsofsystemvariablescontrolAutoCAD’soperations.

Tochangethevalueofasystemvariable,justtypeitsnameattheAutoCADcommandpromptandpressEnter.AutoCADdisplaysthecurrentvalueofthesystemvariablesettingandpromptsforanewvalue.PressEntertoconfirmtheexistingsetting,ortypeavalueandpressEntertochangethesetting.

Beingabletochangesystemvariablesbytypingtheirnamesisaboontopowerusers,andoccasionallyanecessityforeverybodyelse.Theonlyproblemisfindingorrememberingwhatthenamesare.Inmostcases,you’llbetoldwhatsystemvariable’snameyouneedtotype—bymeinthisbookorbythelocalAutoCADguruinyouroffice.

Herearethethreekindsofsystemvariables:

ThosesavedintheWindowsRegistry:Ifyouchangethiskindofsystemvariable,itaffectsalldrawingswhenyouopenthemonyoursystem,butnotnecessarilyonothercomputers.

Thosesavedinthedrawing:Ifyouchangethiskindofsystemvariable,thechangeaffectsonlythecurrentdrawing,butonanycomputer.

Thosethataren’tsavedanywhere:Ifyouchangethiskindofsystemvariable,thechangelastsonlyforthecurrentdrawingsession.

TheSystemVariablessectionoftheonlinehelp’sCommandReferencetellsyouwhichkindofsystemvariableeachoneis.Thereareseveralhundredsystemvariables,butunderstandingthetenlistedinthischapterwillgoalongwaytomakingyouahappyCADster.

APERTUREAPERTUREcontrolshowclosethecrosshairsmustgettoanobjectbeforeanobject-snapmarkerappears(IdiscussobjectsnapsinChapter7).YoucansetAPERTUREatthecommandlineanywherefrom0to50pixels,oryoucansetitintheOptionsdialogboxbyadjustingaslidertoamaximumof20pixels.Theinitialvalueis10,butIfind20pixelsisjustaboutrightforme.APERTUREisstoredintheWindowsRegistry.

DIMASSOCDIMASSOCcontrolshowAutoCAD’sdimensionobjectsarecreated(seeChapter14forthelowdownondimensioning).WhenDIMASSOCis0,AutoCADcreatesexplodeddimensionsofseparatelines,2Dsolids,andtext.Youreallydon’twanttoworkonDIMASSOC=0drawings.WhenDIMASSOC=1,dimensionsarereferredto

asnon-associative—thatmeansthatthey’resingleobjects,buttheyusuallydon’tupdateifyouchangeanobject’ssize.WhenDIMASSOC=2(thedefault),AutoCADcreatesfullyassociativedimensions.YoucansetthisvalueatthecommandlineorselecttheMakeNewDimensionsAssociativecheckboxinOptions⇒UserPreferences.Ifyouworkwitholderdrawings,you’lllikelyfindthattheDIMASSOCvalueis1,whichisthebestthatreleasespriortoAutoCAD2002couldmanage.TheDIMASSOCsettingisstoredinthedrawing.

MENUBARWhenMENUBARis1,AutoCADdisplaysitstraditionalclassicmenubarbelowtheapplicationtitlebar.IfMENUBARissetto0(thedefault),themenubardoesn’tappear.MENUBARissetautomaticallywhenyouswitchbetweentheAutoCADClassicandDrafting&Annotationworkspaces.

Ifyou’vebeenawayfromAutoCADforafewyearsandfeelinneedoftrainingwheelswhileyougetusedtotheRibbon,displayingtheclassicmenubarisagoodapproach.(IdescribethedifferencesbetweenthetraditionalAutoCADClassicandthenewerRibbon-basedworkspacesinChapter2.)

MIRRTEXTYou’vegottoloveitwhenasystemvariable’snamegivesyouaclearindicationofwhatitdoes(ROLLOVERTIPS,anyone?).You’llfrequentlywanttobuildupadrawingbymirroringalready-drawncomponentsofit.That’swhattheMIRRORcommanddoes,butunfortunately,iftextordimensionsareincludedinwhatyou’remirroring,thoseendupbeingreversedaswell.Havingtouseamirrortoreadthetextonyourdrawingiscounterproductive,soyoucaninvokeMIRRTEXTtofixthings.WhenMIRRTEXTis0(thedefault),textismirroredalongwitheverythingelse;settingitto1meanseverythinggetsmirroredbutthetextstillreadstherightwayaround.MIRRTEXTisstoredinthedrawing.

OSNAPZSometimesdrawingin3Dcanbealittlepuzzling,especiallyifyou’relookingat3Dobjectsinorthographicviews.Sayyouhaveawireframecubethatyou’relooking

atinPlanview,andyouwanttodrawalinebetweentwodiagonalcornersonthetopofthecube.Usingobjectsnapstopickthecorners,asoftenasnotyou’llfindthatyouhavealinethat’snotontheplaneofthetopofthebox,butstartsatatopcornerandendsatabottomcorner.OnewayaroundthisproblemissettheOSNAPZvariableappropriately.Bydefault,OSNAPZissetto0,whichmeansAutoCADwillfindtheX-,Y-,andZ-coordinateofthesnapped-topoint.Butoftenyoudon’twantthattohappen.SetOSNAPZto1,andAutoCADreplacestheZ-valueofthepickedpointwiththecurrentelevation—ortheZ-valueofthefirstpointpicked.

SinceOSNAPZonlyaffectsdrawinginthreedimensions,it’snotavailableinAutoCADLT.

PICKBOXThepickboxisthelittlesquareboxthatthecrosshairsturnintowhenAutoCADpromptsyoutoselectsomething.YoucontrolpickboxsizebysettingavalueinpixelsforthePICKBOXvariable.TheinitialsettingofPICKBOXis3,whichisfineforalowerscreenresolutionlike1024x768.Butwhenyoustartrunningathigherresolutions—orwhenyourhairisgrayer,yourfacemorewrinkled,andyourvisionnotquiteasacuteasitoncewas,ahighersettingmightbemoreuseful.Myofficecomputerrunsat1600x1200resolution,andIhavetosetPICKBOXto5tobeabletouseiteffectively.Mylaptoprunsat1400x1050,andPICKBOX=4isfineforthat.Astheysay,yourmileagemayvary.

REMEMBERFOLDERSSometimesyoudon’twantAutoCADtostartinthesameDocumentsfolderwhereeveryotherprogramstoresitsfiles.Maybeyouworkonanumberofprojectsandwouldlikeaseparatedesktopiconforeachtostartinaparticularfolder.REMEMBERFOLDERSisyourtickettonirvana.Bydefault,it’ssetto1,whichmeansitdefaultstostoringfilesinMyDocuments(justplainDocumentsinWindowsVistaandWindows7).Setitto0,anditwillopenfromandsavetothefolderyouspecifyinyourdesktopiconwhenyoustart,andthelastfolderyouvisitasyouwork.REMEMBERFOLDERSisapermanentsettingthat’sstoredintheWindowsregistry(permanent,thatis,untilyouchangeittosomethingelse).

ROLLOVERTIPSYouwerewaitingforthisone,weren’tyou?ROLLOVERTIPScontrolsthetooltip-likemessageboxesyouseewhenyouhoverthemousepointeroverobjectsinthedrawingeditor.IfROLLOVERTIPSis1,mousingoveryourdrawingdisplaysatemporarypanelshowingtheobjecttypewithitslayer,color,andlinetype.If,likeme,youfindthisalittleintrusive,setitsvalueto0.

Youcangetdouble-dutyfromthiscommand.NotonlycanyoukeyitintoAutoCAD,butifyouhaveadognamedTips,youcanuseittoteachhimaneatpettrick!ROLLOVERTIPSisstoredintheWindowsregistry.(Andbelieveitornot—andI’llbetyouwon’t—there’sanothersystemvariablecalledNOMUTT!CouldthatbeAutoCAD-eseforBADDOGTIPS!?)

TOOLTIPSTooltipsthemselvesarethelittletextboxesthatappear(bydefault,anyway)whenyouhoveryourmousepointeroveratoolbarorRibbonbutton,orjustaboutanywhereinadialogbox.Tooltipsarereallyusefulwhenyou’regettingtoknowyourwayaroundaprogram,butwhenyouhaveasenseofwherethingsare,theycangetintheway.Bydefault,TOOLTIPSissetto1,whichmeanstheyappearwhenyouhoverthemousepointeroversomething.SetTOOLTIPSto0ifyoudon’twanttoseethemagain.TheTOOLTIPSsettingisstoredintheWindowsregistry.

VISRETAINIfyouworkwithxrefs(refertoChapter18),youknowthepotentialforcompetinglayerproperties.Sometimesyouwantyourxreftolookdifferentfromyourcurrentdrawingsoyoucantellwhichiswhich.YoucanchangelayercolorsofxrefsintheLayerPropertyManager,butwhetheryouhavetodothateverytimeyouopenadrawingwithanattachedxrefdependsonthesettingoftheVISRETAINsystemvariable.WhenVISRETAINissetto0,thelayerpropertiesinthexreftakeprecedence,whichmeansyouwouldhavetomakethosechangeseverytimeyouopenedthehostdrawing.WhenVISRETAINissetto1(thedefaultvalue),changesyoumaketolayerpropertiesinthehostdrawingremainintacteverytimeyouopenthathostdrawing;however,thosechangeshavenoeffectontheexternalfileitself.TheVISRETAINvalueisstoredinthecurrentdrawing.

Toaccessthecheatsheetspecificallyforthisbook,gotowww.dummies.com/cheatsheet/autocad2012.

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