AutoCAD Tips and Tricks

AutoCAD training can provide insight into the best way to use the software you may not otherwise gain on your own. As the software progresses there is always something new to learn and a more efficient way of doing things. A way to keep on top of these changes can be from regular AutoCAD training

Here are some useful tips and tricks to get you started.

The Command Line
The command line has more to offer than just loading your commands for you. It can set the current Layer; insert the Block you need and prepare AutoCAD to place the desired Hatch pattern. (Make sure Dynamic Input is turned off. F12).

If I type, Layer, my Command Line suggestion list will offer me a choice of available layers.

If I’d typed in the name of the layer, it, together with other similar layers, would have appeared too!

If I now type in the name of a Block, which is available within the drawing, the Command Line suggestion list will list the Blocks matching the name.

Typing in the name of a Hatch Pattern will also appear within a suggestion list, and when selected will automatically load the Hatch command.

The ability for AutoCAD to do all of the above, and more, is configured within the Input Search Options Dialog box. There is a list of items which can be activated is this way. Right Click within the command window will provide access to this dialog box.

System Variables

So, while we’re in a typing mood, here are a couple system variables which you may find useful.

HPLAYER will set the layer to be used when the Hatch command is used. The name of an existing layer can be typed and used, or if the layer doesn’t exist AutoCAD will create it for future use.

A similar acting system variable is DIMLAYER. It too will determine the layer used when activating any dimension command. If the layer exists already, AutoCAD will use it thereafter, if not, the layer is created for future use.

…and finally! “Why isn’t the Mirror command on my Right Click Menu after I’ve selected something? All the other usual suspects are!”

Where’s the Mirror?

Let’s get this sorted.

In AutoCAD, within the command line type CUI [Return].

Expand the Shortcut Menu section followed by the Edit Menu section.

In the Command List section, bottom left, type Mirror within the search box.

Click and drag the Mirror command up to and into the Edit Menu list just below the Rotate command.

Now select OK to close the CUI dialog box. Select objects within the drawing, Right-Click and…...

It’s sorted!!

That’s it for now. Hope you found these AutoCAD Tips and Tricks useful and you learnt something new.

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