Lynn Allen's Blog

An AutoCAD Roadshow in India and an AutoCAD Hip Tip on Draworder

This week I am embarking on a three city roadshow in India.  Stop one - is Delhi which coincidentally also happens to be where the Commonwealth games are being held this week.  It's been over 6 years since I've been to India and I'm looking forward to the super smart users found here.

I have a day before my first presentation so I thought I'd post a quick AutoCAD Hip Tip on two great commands that make it easy to control the display of text, dimensions and hatching.

An AutoCAD Hip Tip on Draworder

Most of us spend time controlling the drawing order of objects - especially text, dimensions and hatching.  We often want text and dimensions to be placed on the very top of our drawing objects, while we might prefer ourcrosshatching to be sent to the back.  Rather then fight with the DRAWORDER command - AutoCAD has added twocommands specifically to help us accomplish these three goals!

TEXTTOFRONT:  Use this command to bring text and/or dimensions in front of all the other objects in the drawing.

    Command: TEXTTOFRONT
    Bring to front [Text/Dimensions/Both] <Both>:

Note: Text and dimensions within blocks or xrefs can't be brought to the front separately from their containing object.  Multileader and table text aren't supported either.

HATCHTOBACK:  Use this command to send hatch objects behind all the other objects. Even hatches on locked layers will be affected.

Note:  Only in AutoCAD 2011

If you are using the ribbon - you can find these on the Home tab as seen below:

 Enjoy - I'm off to enjoy some fabulous curry!

 

More AutoCAD Hip Tips on Fast Zooming

Cadalyst just released my latest Tips and Tricks Tuesday video on super fast Zooming.  Be sure to check it out if you haven't already!  Forgive the AU commercial at the front of video (but I just LOVE Autodesk University and want you all to go!).  Personally - I'm not too keen on the hairstyle so please forgive...(ick!)

 Here you'll learn a few more tips about Zooming. I'll discuss the system variable ZOOMFACTOR and how the assigned setting can speed up or slow down your Zooms.  You'll discover how to turn your mouse into a Joystick as well as the ZOOMWHEEL system variable that allows you to control the zoom direction when using the wheel on your mouse.  And of course - you'll discover a couple of ways to torture your coworkers (but I will deny everything!).

I recently took a much needed vacation to Kauai with three of my girlfriends, who I've known since we were 5 years old, (a mere 20 years ago - in my dreams!).  We enjoyed a great week of relaxing and activities (although mostly activities).  I thought I'd share a nice pic of the four of us enjoying a beautiful sunset at the Beach House restaurant.

 Definitely a good time was had by all.  We certainly enjoyed reconnecting after all of these years!

Check out my Zooming Tips and I'll see you back here on my next post!