/pcq/media/agency_attachments/L8pkS8gpnodJThOdAfv1.jpg)
Follow UsAutoCAD 14 is the most popular
version of AutoCAD, though there are still several users of version 12 around. Release 14
brought about a shift from DOS to Windows, bringing in the new GUI interface. As this
shift is only partial, it retains the command prompt too. Most of these tips are generic,
and work across several versions of AutoCAD
Restoring erased objects
If you leave the retain objects option unchecked when using
the block command, the source objects you selected will disappear. Restore them with the
oops command. It can also restore accidentally erased objects, even if you have made any
movements or used other commands after the last erase.
Using easily visible point styles
It sometimes becomes necessary to highlight a point
overlapped by an object. You can set the point display by Format>Point style. An
easy-to-see point style is useful, especially with divide and measure commands.
Using parts of external references
You may want to see only parts of external references
(xref). The xclip command makes clipping easier, especially in a very large xref
drawing. To clip an xref, choose Modify> Object>Clip or External Reference Clip from
the Reference toolbar. When AutoCAD prompts you to select Objects, pick the xref you want.
Mirroring objects with text
At times you may want to mirror a group of objects that
also contain some text. But this operation causes the text to be mirrored too, that is,
appear backward. You can change the settings to make the text read normally. Type mirrtext
at the command prompt and change the default value of 1 to 0.
Your own arrowhead
It’s possible to create your own arrowhead. Just draw
the arrowhead once and convert it into a block. Then go to Style in the Dimension toolbar
and click on Geometry in the Dimension Style dialog. In the first and second drop-down
lists of arrowheads, choose User arrow. Type the name of the block you have created in the
dialog that appears.
Repositioning dimension-text
To reposition the dimension-text, dimedit command is
used. This changes the position of the written text to left, right or to any other
required position. Go for it by clicking Dimension>Align text or typing dimedit
at the command prompt.
Spellchecker
AutoCAD 14 has a spellchecker, like in any word processor.
Click on the spelling icon on the standard toolbar or type sp in the command box.
At the select object prompt, select a text object. When the spell-checker encounters a
word it doesn’t recognize, the check spelling dialog box appears.
Quick stretching of objects
Grips can be used to stretch or de-stretch any object,
except blocks. Just press Enter in the command prompt, without writing any command. Square
boxes will appear on the current object. Click on the required box and drag it as
required.
Dividing large drawings into parts
You can create four or more views of a large drawing, after
creating the title block–for example, for each quadrant of the drawing. This helps
you move quickly from one section of the drawing to another. When you determine the need
for more specific views, you can add more.
Trim multiple objects
It can be quite cumbersome, trimming several objects along
a single cutting edge. Use the fence object selection command by typing F at the command
prompt instead. It will ask for the fence points (two or more points that cross all the
objects to be trimmed, and is outside the cutting edge). The command is used after the
cutting edge has been defined.