Lynn Allen's Blog

AutoCAD 2018 Tips and Tricks Booklet is here!

Have you been on the edge of your seat waiting?  Well wait no more (and I really hope you weren't on the edge of your seat because that just sounds so uncomfortable).

Now you can download my latest AutoCAD Tips and Tricks booklet filled with all the great features in AutoCAD 2018!  And you'll find all the great features from AutoCAD 2017 hiding in there as well (a special bonus just for you...well...ok...for everyone.)

Download here:

 

A 2017 Tip on Importing Layers from One AutoCAD Drawing to Another

Happy New Year!  I'm crossing my fingers that 2017 will be a great year for you and for me (are you in?).  Let me help you kick it off by sharing a tip that will enable you to quickly bring layers from one drawing into another!

Note:  You can also use these techniques to bring in dimension styles, text styles, blocks, etc!

 Check out my Cadalyst video below for the super speedy technique (and just let me apologize in advance for my gravely voice - just getting over a cold!)

 

My AutoCAD 2017 Tips and Tricks booklets is here!

I know you want it...how can you resist?  Nearly all the latest features in AutoCAD 2017 in one convenient booklet.  What a great Father's Day Present!  : )

Download it here!

 

 

P.S.  AutoCAD 2016 tips are also included in this booklet! 

Taking control of the 3DORBIT command in AutoCAD

Do you 3D?  If you do, you most assuredly are familiar with the 3DORBIT command (or at least one would hope!)  

For years - AutoCAD has determined the centroid of the display when orbitting based on the center of the entire model.  This center doesn't always work effectively when you have objects off in one or more directions.

AutoCAD 2015 introduced an option so YOU could control the centroid and consequently orbit about any part of your model you see fit!  Check out my Cadalyst video and take control of the 3DORBIT command for yourself!

 

Do you feel powerful now?

A St. Patrick's Day Tip on Squaring Off Corners in AutoCAD

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!  I hope you are all wearing green today (must avoid that pesky pinching!).

I was hoping to go out and enjoy some Guinness tonight - but that just isn't in the cards tonight.  Maybe I'll stay home and dye my dog green (she'll love that).  

I'm sure you find yourself squaring off corners from time to time in your AutoCAD drawings - let's make sure you're doing this the fastest way possible! Then you can take all the time you're saving - and have yourself a proper Irish beverage tonight!

Check out my Cadalyst video:

 

And don't worry...I'd never really dye my dog green!  

Automatically repeating commands in AutoCAD

Do you ever get tired of hitting that pesky "enter" key to repeat the previous command?  If so,  you should check out the handy MULTIPLE command in AutoCAD.  Run it before any command to automatically repeat it (Escape to exit).  Who wants to type out such a long command?  Put that baby on a toolbar, panel or better yet the Quick Access toolbar for speedy access!

Check out my latest Cadalyst video!

 

A New Year and a New AutoCAD Tip for Adding Your Own Panel to the Ribbon

I am certainly behind on blogging! I haven't posted since the holidays!  I seem to be more of a Twitter-holic these days...so if I'm late on blogging - you can get your fix by following me on twitter @Lynn_Allen

 

Adding your own panel to the AutoCAD ribbon:

You have your favorite commands - those you use all the time!  Make it easy on yourself by creating your own custom Panel filled with your most frequently used commands for speedy access.  I promise you - you won't know how you survived without it!

Check out my Cadalyst video for more info:

 

And a Happy New Year to each of you!!!  It looks like my New Year's resolution should be to blog more!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I'm wishing you a wonderful holiday - full of (really) great cheer and lots of happiness!  I'm looking forward to sharing another year of AutoCAD tips and Autodesk news with you!

A Thanksgiving Tip on Cleaning up your lines with the Top Secret CHANGE command!

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US!  The awesome Volker Cocco reminded me of this cool trick for cleaning up your lines using the good old (top secret) CHANGE command in AutoCAD.  You can go to many webinars that Volker and the Autodesk Knowledge Network team do to brush up on all your Autodesk Product skills! 

 We all end up dealing with drawings that were drawn poorly - ends don't meet or the lines are not quite orthogonal.  And you may not be aware that the CHANGE command is a handy tool that can help you fix them...Check out my latest Cadalyst video and add another cool tip to your repertoire!  

 

 

3 Ways to Put a Frame Around Your Text in AutoCAD

It's not uncommon to need to frame various text objects in AutoCAD - why not learn all the ins and outs about doing so?  Check out my latest Cadalyst Video where I show you three different ways to do exactly that.   Hint:  It's easiest in AutoCAD 2016!