Do you love AutoCAD but could use a few more tricks up your sleeve, such as flattening a drawing and copying and pasting exact details? Check out these five quick-and-easy AutoCAD video tips, and stay tuned for more from Line//Shape//Space’s best-of-video content series.
1. Copying and Pasting with an Original Insertion Point
When copying and pasting a block from one drawing to another, you can retain the original insertion point for your block by using Shift + Control + C. AutoCAD will allow you to indicate the insertion point you want for your block. You can use this method to copy and paste any geometry—not just blocks—and retain the original insertion point.
Courtesy of Lynn Allen and Cadalyst. Access the full collection of 100-plus AutoCAD video tips at Cadalyst.com.
2. Flattening a 3D Model into a 2D Drawing Using Flatshot
To make a construction or production document of your 3D model using Flatshot, you’ll want to use ViewCube. First, select the view of the model you want to see when it’s flattened—in most cases, the top view. From the Home tab, select Flatshot, and then select Insert New Block—unless you want to export it to a new file, which is also an option. Select a location and press enter to accept the defaults for x, y, and rotation angle. Now you have a 2D drawing to which you can add dimensions and annotation.
From AutoCAD Tips and Tricks by Autodesk
3. Extending Lines Using the Extend Command with Fence Option
Using the Fence option is an easy way to extend lines around oddly shaped objects. Create a shape around your drawing to use as the boundary edge. From the Home tab, select Extend. Select your exterior boundary edge and press enter. Right-click and select Fence, and it will allow you to select which lines to extend to the end of the boundary shape by connecting them via a fence. Any object that crosses the fence will be extended. Check out the video here:
From AutoCAD Tips and Tricks by Autodesk
4. Customizing AutoCAD’s Ribbon and Panels
The AutoCAD Ribbon is customizable, allowing you to put all the tools you use the most on it. Save your workspace, use the Manage tab and select CUI to change the tabs and panels on your Ribbon.
From Lynda.com
5. Managing Layers with Quick Filters
You can more easily manage layers inside the Layer Properties Manager using Quick Filters. You can change properties of all layers of a certain type using the master list in the Layer Properties Manager.
The CADGeek
Want the mother lode of AutoCAD tips? CAD-Notes offers 100 more:
http://cad-notes.com/2010/06/100-autocad-tips-you-should-know/
By Jeff Yoders, Line//Shape//Space
This article was originally published on Line//Shape//Space, an official Autodesk blog, and is reprinted here with kind permission.
Jeff Yoders has covered IT, CAD, and BIM for Building Design + Construction, Structural Engineer, and CE News magazines. Jeff has won six American Society of Business Publications Editors awards and was part of the reporting team for the 2012 Jesse H. Neal Award for best subject-related series of stories.
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