Lynn Allen's Blog

Quick Tip - Quick Access to Open Drawings

Use Control+Tab to cycle through all of your open drawings.  If you have AutoCAD 2005 you can also display your open drawings along the Taskbar by setting the system variable TASKBAR to 1 (not the most creative name).  Either one of these methods is much faster than using the menu!

Quick Tip - Getting Osnaps to Ignore Hatch Patterns

Tired of your object snaps grabbing your crosshatching when you are trying to select something else?  Set the new system variable OSNAPHATCH to 0 and AutoCAD will ignore your hatch patterns.  This can also be set in the Options dialog, Drafting tab (AutoCAD 2005 only).

Quick Tip - Count your Blocks

If you've ever found yourself manually counting the blocks in your drawing you should try the Express Tool BCOUNT.  This great command will save you loads of time as it lists out the total count of any or all of your blocks.

Annoying PEDIT question

Do you use the PEDIT command to turn lines and/or arcs into polylines?  Don't you find it annoying when AutoCAD points out that you've selected an object that is not a polyline and asks you if you want to turn it into one?  Duh - of course you do!  You can turn off that annoying prompt by setting PEDITACCEPT to 1...a must for everyone!

Quick Tip - Cleanup corners

Most of you probably know this one - but this is great for anyone who needs to clean up their corners.  Use the FILLET command (set the radius to 0) to delete any overhang or spaces.

Quick Tip - Delete stubborn layers!

Do you find it frustrating when the PURGE command won't let you delete a layer you are certain you don't need anymore?  The LAYDEL Express Tool (comes with AutoCAD 2004 and 2005) will go where PURGE will not!  It's happy to delete any layer (except for 0 and defpoints), even if the layer has objects on it (so watch what you ask for!).

Quick Tip - UCSFOLLOW

If you are on AutoCAD 2004 or AutoCAD 2005, you may have noticed that the UCS icon keeps jumping to the plan view whenever the UCS is changed.  If this is not to your liking, set the system variable UCSFOLLOW to 0.

Quick Tip - Clear Grips

I know we're all programmed to hit the Escape key about 10 times to clear our grips but here's an alternate method which burns fewer calories:  Simply hold down the right mouse button until they disappear!

Note:  If you've turned on your time sensitive right-click menus - this tip won't work for you...sorry!

Quick Tip - Trim at Lightening Speed!

Try hitting an enter when the Trim Command prompts you for cutting edges...this will select all the objects in the display as a cutting edge and will save you from manually selecting them...perfect for the Lazy AutoCAD user (like me!)...incidentally - the same thing works for the Extend command (boundary edges).

Quick Tip - Cycle through your Layouts

Did you know you can use Ctrl+Page Up and Ctrol+Page Down to cycle through your layout tabs?  Great for you keyboard junkies!

And...Happy New Year!  I know of one resolution I need to set - get my Cadalyst columns written on time...(my editor would pass out)