Learning Objectives. About the Speaker. So You Think Your Version is Enough? Jeanne Aarhus Aarhus Associates, LLC AC6405-V

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1 Jeanne Aarhus Aarhus Associates, LLC AC6405-V If you are using an older version of the software and you can t decide when or what to upgrade to, or you still use the current version like an old version you abandoned long ago, you need to attend this class. This class is filled with time-saving tips and features from the latest releases of AutoCAD software, featuring Use the knowledge from this class to return home with the ammunition to upgrade both yourself and your software. Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to: Use tips that apply to versions of AutoCAD ranging from Use the new features efficiently and productively Simplify those 3D models and layouts Use the new features of old commands About the Speaker Jeanne is known for keeping her training sessions fast moving and fun. She is a nationally known speaker and expert in CAD, and presents seminars and workshops on CAD productivity for managers and users in both corporate and college settings. She has over 25 years experience involving production drafting, user support, standards coordination, programming, and training in various CAD applications. Jeanne is an independent consultant offering training and implementation services and is certified in several Autodesk and Bentley products. She continues to be actively involved in international, national, and local CAD user groups and has been a popular speaker at AU for several years. jeanne@aarhusassociates.com 1

2 About this document: Secret available in AutoCAD 2010 Secret available in AutoCAD 2011 Secret available in AutoCAD 2012 Secret available in AutoCAD 2013 SECRET OOPS 2

3 Module 1: The Interface 1-1 The Command Line So You Think Your Version is Enough? Using AutoCAD 2013 offers a new command line from the one we have all used since the beginning of time! Don t panic out there, the old command line still exists, however, I think you might want to try this one out it is way cool! Maybe there is something to gain from the MAC world eh? New Command Line Interface Single Line Floating Command Line This new "look and feel" is the default command line appearance, and it has some very powerful new options, check this out: The new design significantly reduces the amount of screen real-estate required for full use of the command line. The magnetic feel improves the placement and re-location of the command line. The un-useful COMMAND: prompt is gone, and new helpful text is displayed that tells you what command is running. Key-in command options are colorized to make it easier for new users to identify the keyboard shortcuts. The command keyboard shortcuts are also links so you can actually select them just like a button Controlling the Appearance Use the Options Display Colors settings to control the appearance of the new command line interface. There are several new settings available. 3

4 Traditional Command Line The old command line "look and feel" can be accessed simply by docking the new command line; at which time it will look and feel revert to the old appearance. Using F2 while in this mode will also revert the list box to the old look and feel. Command Line Shortcuts F2 Displays the temporary command history window Ctrl+F2 Displays the traditional command history window System Variables (2013 only) CLIPROMPTLINES When an undocked command window is set to display only the prompt line, a short history of the most recent prompts temporarily expands up or down from the window. Saved In: Registry 0 (minimum) 3 (default) (default) 50 (maximum) CLIPROMPTUPDATE Controls whether the command line displays the progress as a command or script is run. Saved In: Registry 0 Turns OFF the display off messages during a command or AutoLISP routine. 1 Turns ON the display of messages during a command or AutoLISP routine. 4

5 1-2 AutoComplete When typing a command in the command line (or with dynamic input), AutoCAD will automatically complete the key-in when you pause. A pop-up menu will appear allowing you to select the required command from the list. You can customize user preferences for the new Auto- Complete feature by issuing a <Right-Click> in the command line. Using AutoCAD 2013, use the new TOOL button to access the CUSTOMIZE AutoComplete options. Auto-Append Controls whether commands and system variables are automatically completed as you type. Suggestion List Controls whether a list of valid commands and system variables is displayed as you type. Display Icons Controls whether the corresponding icon for a command is displayed in the list. The same icon is used for all system variables. Display System Variables Controls whether system variables are also included with the Append and List features. Delay Time Sets a time delay in seconds before the Append and List features take effect. Command Line Options ON Enables the AUTOCOMPLETE command. If you are a quick command line typist, you might want to increase the delay time so that the autocomplete list only appears when you pause in your typing for help. When using the new AUTOCOMPLETE command, AutoCAD remembers the previous command choice and selects that command automatically in the list. OFF Disables the AUTOCOMPLETE command. 5

6 Invisible Command Line? Using AutoCAD 2013, you can use the command line in its invisible form to get all the benefits and none of the headaches! If you make the command line almost completely transparent it only displays when you hover over it. So You Think Your Version is Enough? Command Options I can Select? Using AutoCAD 2013 also provide new methods for access command options using the command line. See the BLUE characters? You can even select them with the cursor now! 6

7 Module 2: 2-1 Viewport Controls More Interface So You Think Your Version is Enough? Every once in a while Autodesk comes up with something that I didn t even know I wanted, and this is one of them! If you work in 2D or 3D, this is a great way to navigate through various views without having to use any key-in commands or buttons. I always had the following two toolbars open for easy access; VIEWS and VISUAL STYLES. Not any longer! Check this out! Views [-] Use the [-] viewport control to access the commands RESTORE VIEWPORT, and to control the display of the VIEWCUBE, STEERING WHEELS, and NAVIGATION BAR. [Top] Use the [Top] viewport control to access the view orientation commands and the VIEW MANAGER dialog. 7

8 [2D Wireframe] Use the [2D Wireframe] viewport control to access the VISUAL STYLE commands. Access Named Views Use the new Viewport Controls to quickly access saved views. Viewports Use the <Right-Click> menu in a viewport to access additional viewport control commands. <Double-Click> on the to quickly display 4 viewports or the previously specified viewport configuration. <Double-Click> on the + to quickly maximize a viewport <Double-Click> on the to return to the previous viewport configuration. Options Use the OPTIONS dialog to customize the color, size and visibility of these new Viewport Controls. Display Tab Color 3D Modeling Tab Visibility 8

9 2-2 ViewCube Using AutoCAD 2012 and higher, the ViewCube is now supported in the 2D Wireframe visual style. So you can easily rotate your 2D view dynamically using this great tool. Try it out in a viewport too! AutoCAD 2011 or earlier! The ViewCube is not available in any viewport that is copied from an existing viewport. Autodesk has acknowledged this problem and hopefully it will be fixed soon. GOOD NEWS!!!! This is fixed in AutoCAD 2012 & 2013!!!! 9

10 2-3 Shortcuts Using the SPACEBAR Key Simulate ENTER Use the <SPACEBAR> to simulate the <ENTER> key and to recall commands quickly. The one exception to this functionality is when you are using a TEXT command. Cycle Objects When you have overlapping objects you can use the <SPACEBAR> to cycle between overlapping objects. Just hover on an overlapping object and use the combination <SHIFT>+<SPACEBAR> to cycle between them. Hold down the <SHIFT> key and press the <SPACEBAR> quickly until the correct object highlights for selection. Cycle Grip commands When using grip editing in AutoCAD you can select any grip and use the <SPACEBAR> to cycle between the following commands. The selected grip becomes the basepoint for the selected modification. Stretch, Move, Copy, Scale, Mirror Cycle Faces When working with 3D objects you can use the combination of <CTRL>+<SPACEBAR> to cycle between object faces. Hold down the <CTRL> key and press the <SPACEBAR> quickly until the correct face (or sub-object) for selection. Cycle Gizmos When working in a 3D environment you can uses the <SPACEBAR> to cycle between three available gizmos, the 3D MOVE, 3D ROTATE and 3D SCALE gizmos. These new gizmos are available when using the following commands. 10

11 Using the SHIFT Key ORTHO Override Use the <SHIFT> to access the ORTHO temporary override key while executing a command. Just start the line command and hold down the <SHIFT> key to toggle to ORTHO rather than POLAR. OSNAP Override Use the <SHIFT> + <Right-Click> to access the OSNAP pop-up menu to select a single-shot OSNAP command. Object Selection Use the <SHIFT> key to modify a selection set. Using the <SHIFT> key will allow you to ADD and REMOVE an object from the selection set without requiring a key-in option (A or R). FILLET and CHAMFER Override Use the <SHIFT> key to override the current radius value to 0 (zero). TRIM and EXTEND Override Use the <SHIFT> key to switch between a TRIM or EXTEND operation when in either the TRIM or EXTEND commands. Saves having to use both commands to perform each operation. Cycle Object Selection Use the <SHIFT>+<SPACEBAR> key combination to cycle between overlapping objects for better control when selecting objects. Using the CTRL Key Sub-Object Selection Use the <CTRL> key to select sub-objects, even in 2D! For example, if you have a rectangle object, you can use the <CTRL> key to select a single edge for manipulation, without exploding it first 11

12 Module 3: So You Think Your Version is Enough? Productivity Tools 3-1 The Contextual Ribbon Tabs There is a new feature available starting in 2011 to allow you to define a CONTEXTUAL TAB STATE to the ribbon interface. Using the CONTEXTUAL TAB you can control what happens to the ribbon when an object is created, selected or edited based on the object type. Assign Contextual Tab For example, you can change what happens to the ribbon when a text object is selected, and modify what tools are displayed based on the type of object selected. The old DTEXT command creates SINGLE LINE TEXT objects while the new MTEXT command creates MULTI- LINE TEXT objects. When selecting MULTI-LINE TEXT objects, you can alter what the ribbon displays using the following modification. STEP 1: STEP 2: Drag the RIBBON TAB TEXT EDITOR CONTEXTUAL TAB and drop it on to the list item CONTEXTUAL TAB STATE TEXT, MULTILINE SELECTED Pick APPLY and OK to save these changes. Select the MULTI-LINE object and note the changes to the ribbon. If you select the DTEXT (SINGLE LINE) object the ribbon will not change. 12

13 Modify Contextual Tab Using the CUI Editor, expand the RIBBON section. STEP 3: STEP 4: STEP 5: Expand the CONTEXTUAL TAB STATE section Expand the text multiline selected section and select TEXT EDITOR CONTEXTUAL TAB to populate the PROPERTIES panel in the CUI dialog. Using the PROPERTIES panel, modify the CONTEXTUAL DISPLAY TYPE to one of the following options. Full Merged System Variables RIBBONCONTEXTSELECT Controls how ribbon contextual tabs are displayed when you single-click or double-click on an object. Saved In: User Settings 0 When an object or selection set is single-clicked or double-clicked, the focus is not automatically switched to ribbon contextual tabs as defined in contextual tab states. 1 (default) When an object or selection set is single-clicked, the focus is switched to the first ribbon contextual tab defined in contextual tab states. 2 When an object or selection set is double-clicked, the focus is switched to the first ribbon contextual tab defined in contextual tab states. 13

14 RIBBONSELECTMODE Determines whether a selection set remains selected after a ribbon contextual tab is invoked and the command is completed. Saved In: User Settings 0 The pickfirst selection set does not remain selected after a command is executed from a ribbon contextual tab. 1 (default) The pickfirst selection set remains selected after a command is executed from a ribbon contextual tab. RIBBONCONTEXTSELLIM Suppresses the display of ribbon contextual tabs when the selection set includes more than the specified number of objects. The valid range is 0 to 32,767. For example, when set to 1, ribbon contextual tabs are not displayed when more than one object is selected. When set to 0, ribbon contextual tabs are always displayed. Saved In: User Settings 2500 (default) 0-32,767 Ribbon Options The above mentioned system variables can also be controlled using the following options settings. STEP 6: STEP 7: Use the OPTIONS SELECTION dialog to set your preferences for working with the 2011 ribbon interface. Pick the CONTEXTUAL TAB STATES button 14

15 3-2 Quick Access Toolbar So what can we do to improve the out-of-the-box ribbon? Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) Layer Tools Using AutoCAD 2011 and higher, the QAT delivers the WORKSPACE control tool. A better choice here might be to include the LAYER control tool. This allows the user to change the active layer while on any ribbon tab. In previous versions, I always turned on the LAYER toolbar in conjunction with the ribbon interface to get the necessary access to the common layer tools. Now I can use the CUI dialog to re-arrange the tools on the QAT. 15

16 3-3 Layer Manager Enhancements Modeless Dialog Layer manager is now a modeless dialog allowing you to leave it open while working. This allows you to dock it, hide it or anchor it like other dialogs. The new layer manager is also dynamic; so no more APPLY button since you can see your changes live. Freeze Columns You can FREEZE columns in the dialog so that when you need to scroll all the way to the right to see other columns your favorite columns won t disappear off the dialog. Sorry you can only freeze one column at a time. Try using this one on the LAYER NAME column! Restore Layer Properties If you find a file that has layer property overrides applied; you can reset those properties to the global settings in layer manager on the <Right-Click> menu using the REMOVE VIEWPORT OVERRIDES for ALL LAYERS or SELECTED LAYERS. 16

17 Module 4: 4-1 Smarter Copy Productivity So You Think Your Version is Enough? The COPY command has been enhanced to allow you to perform a multiple copy using the new ARRAY option. Use the new option to create a linear array during the copy command. 4-2 Smarter Join The already productive JOIN command has been enhanced to allow for easier use with multiple objects. Join now supports standard selection methods (such as crossing) or picking objects in any order! Try using the JOIN command on ALL objects in the file to clean up the segmented graphics. Way too cool! Example: Using this command I just decreased the number of objects in a file from 690 to 241. However, the file size after performing a save is actually bigger. I am guessing it is due to more complicated objects types, such as polylines and splines. 17

18 4-3 Smarter Fillets/Chamfers Using AutoCAD 2011 and higher provides display previews when passing the cursor over the second object while using the FILLET or CHAMFER commands making it easier to confirm and change the radius or distance before completing the command! Connecting Objects Fillet Now includes a PREVIEW of the final result. Chamfer Now includes a PREVIEW of the final result. You can also fillet and chamfer spline objects. If the polyline is not CLOSED, the final endpoints will not fillet or chamfer until the polyline is defined as CLOSED. Join The JOIN command has been updated to allow for the selection of multiple objects. Blend The new BLEND command allows you to create a spline object between two objects. Use the CONTINUITY command option to select either TANGENT or SMOOTH blend options. 18

19 4-4 Smarter Hatch Invalid Boundary Icons AutoCAD 2010 provides new red circle icons if a boundary object is not closed when attempting to hatch an area. Finally, you can immediately see where the problem is! New Grips Another new feature for hatch objects are additional grips available on an associated hatch. Edit Vertex grip Allows you to MOVE or REMOVE the vertex. Use the <CTRL> key to toggle between the available command options. Edit Edge grip Allows you to ADD or CONVERT an edge between a line or an arc. Use the <CTRL> key to toggle between the available command options. Smarter Hatches The Hatch Grip functionality is amazing. The new center grip allows direct manipulation of hatch objects. Hover over the grip to stretch, move, or change the origin, angle or scale. Hatch Layer We often want our hatches to all reside on a specific layer. Now you can set a default layer for hatches that overrides the current layer. 19

20 4-5 Annotation Multi-Leaders You can now extend the horizontal landing leader line all the way to the end of the text using this new style setting. Text Frames in Leaders You can control the frame margins when using a frame around text content in a leader object using this new style setting. Yes, the frame shrinks and grows when you edit the text! 20

21 Dimension Styles You can easily remove style overrides for a selected dimension using the new <Right-Click> menu command options. Dimension Enhancements There are several enhancements to dimension styles and properties that provide more control over the display and placement of dimension text. The Text tab of the Dimension Style dialog box has been updated with a new text placement option that enables you to position dimension text below the dimension line. You can control the direction of the text using the new View Direction option in which you can specify that the text be displayed from Left-to-Right or Right-to-Left. Strike Through Text Using AutoCAD 2013, provides the ability to format text as STRIKE THROUGH TEXT during the editing process. 21

22 Module 5: More Productivity Tools 5-1 Multi-line Attributes Use this new feature added in AutoCAD 2009 to create blocks with attributes that contain multiline strings of text. You can even use UNDERLINE, OVERLINE and FIELDS to improve your block functionality. Use the OPEN MULTILINE EDITOR button to access the editor to key in a multi-line string of text. The text will not wrap automatically, by default, so you need to use the <ENTER> key to begin a new line. You can use the display RULER tool to define the paragraph width for automatic text wrapping. Drag the ruler arrows to the right to define the automatic paragraph width. ATTMULTI Controls whether multiline attributes can be created.. Saved In: Registry 0 Turns off all access methods for creating multiline attributes. They can still be viewed and edited. 1 (default) Turns on all access methods for creating multiline attributes. 22

23 5-2 Selection Cycling Overlapping objects has always been an issue when trying to select a specific object. Over the years there have been many methods used to solve this problem; and AutoCAD are no exceptions. In fact, AutoCAD offer a new, more obvious method for selecting overlapping objects. Use the status bar to activate the new SELECTION CYCLING tool. When you hover on multiple objects, an icon appears to indicate that more than one object exists at that location. Use the <Right-Click> menu on the new <Single- Clicked> tool in the status bar to access the SELECTION CYCLING settings. No Title Bar 23

24 5-3 Multi-Function GRIPS Additional grip functionality has been added to the following object types: Lines Hover on an endpoint grip to gain access to the new STRETCH and LENGTHEN commands. Arcs Hover on an endpoint grip to gain access to the STRETCH and LENGTHEN commands. Hover on a midpoint grip to gain access to the STRETCH and RADIUS commands. Dimensions Hover on an arrow grip to gain access to the STRETCH, CONTINUE DIMENSION, BASELINE DIMENSION and FLIP ARROW commands. Hover on a text grip to gain access to the STRETCH, MOVE WITH DIM LINE, MOVE TEXT ONLY, MOVE WITH LEADER, ABOVE DIM LINE, CENTER VERTICAL and RESET TEXT POSTION commands. 24

25 That's probably more than I have time for.but hopefully not more that you wanted to know! aarhus ASSOCIATES Thank you for your time Hope you enjoyed the session! Looking for customized Training and Standards consulting using your company standards and procedures? Call for affordable and flexible rates and schedules. Contact: AARHUS ASSOCIATES, LLC Quai Drive Bellevue, NE Jeanne Aarhus (402) jeanne@aarhusassociates.com Copyright 2012 Aarhus Associates, LLC. Aarhus Associates and the Aarhus Associates Logo are registered trademarks of Aarhus Associates. All other product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Aarhus Associates believes the information in this document is accurate as of its publication date. Such information is subject to change without notice and is subject to applicable technical product descriptions. Aarhus Associates is not responsible for inadvertent errors. 25