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February 2005

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Page 1 AutoCAD ® Command Reference 2006 February 2005...
Page 2 MATERIALS DESCRIBED HEREIN. Autodesk, Inc., reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication, and may not reflect the product at all times in the future.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Chapter 1 Introduction..............1 Using AutoCAD Documentation.............1 Using This Reference................1 Executing Commands..............1 References to Other Sections............5 Typographical Conventions..............5 Chapter 2 3D..................7 3DARRAY....................18 3DCLIP....................20 Adjust Clipping Planes Window............20 3DCONFIG.....................22 3DCORBIT....................28 3DDISTANCE..................28 3DDWFPUBLISH ...................29 3D DWF Publish Dialog Box............29 3DFACE....................30 3DMESH....................32 3DORBIT....................33 3D Orbit Cursor Icons..............34 3DOrbit Shortcut Menu..............35 3DORBITCTR..................38...
Page 4 Search Dialog Box................54 ADCNAVIGATE..................57 ALIGN.....................57 AMECONVERT..................59 APERTURE....................60 APPLOAD....................61 Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box..........61 Startup Suite Dialog Box..............63 ARC......................64 ARCHIVE....................69 Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box............69 Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box..........73 Archive - Set Password Dialog Box..........76 ARCHIVE Command Line..............76 AREA.......................77 ARRAY....................80 Array Dialog Box................80 ARRAY Command Line..............86 ARX......................88...
Page 5 Block Attribute Manager..............128 Edit Attribute Dialog Box.............130 Settings Dialog Box..............133 BATTORDER..................134 Attribute Order Dialog Box............134 BAUTHORPALETTE................135 BAUTHORPALETTECLOSE..............136 BCLOSE....................136 BCYCLEORDER..................136 Insertion Cycling Order Dialog Box..........137 BEDIT....................137 Edit Block Definition Dialog Box..........138 Block Editor..................139 BEDIT Command Line..............149 BGRIPSET.....................150 BHATCH....................150 BLIPMODE...................150 BLOCK....................151 Block Definition Dialog Box............151 BLOCK Command Line..............154 BLOCKICON..................156 BLOOKUPTABLE..................156...
Page 6 Use Points and Vectors................191 Use AutoLISP Variables................193 Use System Variables in Calculations..........193 Convert Units of Measurement............194 Use Standard Numeric Functions............194 Calculate a Vector from Two Points............195 Calculate the Length of a Vector............196 Obtain a Point by Cursor..............197 Obtain the Last-Specified Point............197 Use Snap Modes in Arithmetic Expressions.........197 Convert Points Between UCS and WCS..........198 Calculate a Point on a Line..............199...
Page 7 COPYHIST....................240 COPYLINK....................240 CUI.......................240 Customize User Interface Dialog Box..........240 Transfer Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box)...241 Customize Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box)..................242 Button Editor Dialog Box.............245 Display Filters Dialog Box............247 Find and Replace Dialog Box............247 Find Tab (Find and Replace Dialog Box)......247 Replace Tab (Find and Replace Dialog Box)......248 CUIEXPORT..................250 CUIIMPORT..................250...
Page 8 Link Template Properties Dialog Box...........302 New Label Template Dialog Box..........302 New Link Template Dialog Box...........303 New Query Dialog Box..............304 Replace Dialog Box...............305 Select a Database Object Dialog Box..........306 Select Data Object Dialog Box............306 Sort Dialog Box................307 Synchronize Dialog Box...............307 DBLCLKEDIT..................309 DBLIST....................309 DDEDIT....................310 Edit Text Dialog Box..............310...
Page 9 DIVIDE....................382 DONUT....................384 DRAGMODE..................385 DRAWINGRECOVERY.................385 Drawing Recovery Manager............385 DRAWINGRECOVERYHIDE..............387 DRAWORDER..................387 DSETTINGS..................388 Drafting Settings Dialog Box............389 Pointer Input Settings Dialog Box..........400 Dimension Input Settings Dialog Box.........401 Tooltip Appearance Dialog Box...........402 DSVIEWER....................403 Aerial View Window..............404 DVIEW....................406 DWGPROPS..................416 Drawing Properties Dialog Box............417 Add Custom Property Dialog Box..........423 DXBIN....................423 Chapter 7 EATTEDIT..............425...
Page 10 FILL.......................468 FILLET....................469 FILTER....................473 Object Selection Filters Dialog Box..........474 FIND.....................476 Find and Replace Dialog Box............477 Find and Replace Options Dialog Box.........479 FOG......................480 Fog/Depth Cue Dialog Box............480 Chapter 9 GOTOURL..............483 GRADIENT...................483 GRAPHSCR...................483 GRID.....................483 GROUP....................485 Object Grouping Dialog Box............485 Order Group Dialog Box..............489 GROUP Command Line...............490 Chapter 10 HATCH.................493...
Page 11 Image Adjust Dialog Box..............537 IMAGEADJUST Command Line...........539 IMAGEATTACH..................539 Image Dialog Box.................540 IMAGECLIP..................543 IMAGEFRAME..................544 IMAGEQUALITY..................545 IMPORT....................545 INSERT....................546 Insert Dialog Box................546 INSERT Command Line...............549 INSERTOBJ...................553 Insert Object Dialog Box..............554 INTERFERE...................555 INTERSECT...................557 ISOPLANE.....................558 Chapter 12 JOIN................561 JPGOUT....................562 JUSTIFYTEXT..................562 Chapter 13 LAYER................565 Layer Properties Manager..............565 Layer Filter Properties Dialog Box............574 Layer Filter Examples..............576 Layer States Manager................578...
Page 12 North Location Dialog Box............610 Shadow Options Dialog Box............611 Sun Angle Calculator Dialog Box..........612 Geographic Location Dialog Box..........614 LIMITS....................615 LINE......................615 LINETYPE.....................617 Linetype Manager.................617 Load or Reload Linetypes Dialog Box..........620 LINETYPE Command Line............621 LIST.......................623 LOAD....................623 LOGFILEOFF..................624 LOGFILEON..................624 LSEDIT....................624 Landscape Edit Dialog Box............625 LSLIB.....................626 Landscape Library Dialog Box............626 Landscape Library Edit Dialog Box..........627...
Page 13 MLEDIT....................667 Multiline Edit Tools Dialog Box...........667 MLEDIT Command Line..............677 MLINE....................678 MLSTYLE....................681 Multiline Style Dialog Box............681 Create New Multiline Style Dialog Box........683 New, Modify Multiline Style Dialog Boxes........684 Load Multiline Styles Dialog Box..........688 MODEL....................689 MOVE....................689 MREDO....................690 MSLIDE....................691 MSPACE....................691 MTEDIT....................691 MTEXT....................692 In-Place Text Editor ..............692 Indents and Tabs Dialog Box............702 Background Mask Dialog Box............702 Replace Dialog Box...............703...
Page 14 OPEN....................744 Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes...........745 Buzzsaw Location Shortcuts Dialog Box........749 Log In to Buzzsaw Dialog Box............750 Create a Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Box......751 Edit a Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Box......751 Select a Buzzsaw Location Dialog Box.........752 Find Dialog Box................752 Add/Modify FTP Locations Dialog Box........755 Partial Open Dialog Box...............756 OPEN Command Line..............759...
Page 15 Import Page Setups Dialog Box............824 PAN.......................825 Panning in Real Time..............826 PAN Command Line..............827 Pan Shortcut Menu...............827 PARTIALOAD..................828 Partial Load Dialog Box..............828 PARTIALOAD Command Line.............831 PARTIALOPEN..................833 PASTEASHYPERLINK................835 PASTEBLOCK..................835 PASTECLIP....................835 PASTEORIG..................836 PASTESPEC...................836 Paste Special Dialog Box...............837 PCINWIZARD..................838 PEDIT....................838 PFACE....................854 PLAN.....................855 PLINE....................857 PLOT.....................863 Plot Dialog Box................864 Add Page Setup Dialog Box............875 Changes to a Printer Configuration File Dialog Box (Plot)..875...
Page 16 PNGOUT....................908 POINT....................909 POLYGON....................910 PREVIEW....................912 PROPERTIES..................914 Properties Palette................915 General Properties of Objects............917 Cell Border Properties Dialog Box..........919 Add Distance or Angle Value Dialog Box........920 PROPERTIESCLOSE................920 PSETUPIN.....................920 PSETUPIN Command Line............921 PSPACE....................921 PUBLISH....................921 Publish Dialog Box...............922 Publish Options Dialog Box............926 Publish Block Template Dialog Box (Publish)......929 Block Template Options Dialog Box (Publish)......930 Changes to a Printer Configuration File Dialog Box (Publish)..................930...
Page 17 RECOVER.....................957 RECTANG.....................958 REDEFINE.....................960 REDO....................960 REDRAW....................961 REDRAWALL..................961 REFCLOSE.....................962 REFEDIT....................963 Reference Edit Dialog Box............963 REFEDIT Command Line.............966 REFSET....................967 REGEN....................968 REGENALL....................968 REGENAUTO..................969 REGION....................970 REINIT....................970 Re-initialization Dialog Box............970 RENAME....................971 Rename Dialog Box..............971 RENAME Command Line.............972 RENDER....................973 Render Dialog Box................973 Render Window................976 Windows Render Options Dialog Box.........978 RENDSCR.....................980 REPLAY....................980 Image Specifications Dialog Box..........981...
Page 18 Photo Real Render Options Dialog Box........1015 Photo Raytrace Render Options Dialog Box......1018 File Output Configuration Dialog Box........1021 RSCRIPT....................1022 RULESURF..................1023 Chapter 20 SAVE................1025 SAVEAS....................1025 Save to Earlier Versions..............1026 Template Description Dialog Box..........1026 Saveas Options Dialog Box............1027 SAVEAS Command Line.............1029 SAVEIMG....................1029 Save Image Dialog Box...............1030 TGA Options Dialog Box............1032 TIFF Options Dialog Box............1032 SCALE....................1033...
Page 19 SHAPE....................1065 SHEETSET...................1066 Sheet Set Manager..............1066 Sheet List Tab..............1067 View List Tab..............1070 Resource Drawings Tab............1072 Subset Properties Dialog Box............1073 Select Layout as Sheet Template Dialog Box......1075 New Sheet Dialog Box..............1075 Rename & Renumber Sheet Dialog Box........1077 Rename & Renumber View Dialog Box........1078 Import Layouts as Sheets Dialog Box.........1078 Insert Sheet List Table Dialog Box..........1079 Sheet Set Properties Dialog Box..........1081...
Page 20 CAD Standards Settings Dialog Box...........1147 STATS....................1148 Statistics Dialog Box..............1148 STATUS....................1150 STLOUT....................1152 STRETCH....................1153 STYLE....................1154 Text Style Dialog Box..............1154 STYLE Command Line...............1158 STYLESMANAGER................1159 Add-a-Plot-Style-Table Wizard...........1159 Plot Style Table Editor..............1160 General Tab (Plot Style Table Editor).........1161 Table View and Form View Tabs (Plot Style Table Editor)................1162 Edit Lineweights Dialog Box............1166 SUBTRACT..................1167...
Page 21 TOOLBAR...................1204 TOOLBAR Command Line............1204 TOOLPALETTES..................1206 View Options Dialog Box............1209 Tool Properties Dialog Box............1209 Add Actions Dialog Box.............1211 TOOLPALETTESCLOSE..............1212 TORUS....................1212 TRACE....................1213 TRANSPARENCY................1214 TRAYSETTINGS..................1214 Tray Settings Dialog Box............1215 TREESTAT...................1215 TRIM....................1216 Chapter 22 U.................1221 UCS.....................1221 UCSICON...................1229 UCS Icon Dialog Box..............1231 UCSMAN....................1232 UCS Dialog Box................1233 Orthographic UCS Depth Dialog Box........1238 UCS Details Dialog Box..............1238 UNDEFINE..................1239...
Page 22 View Dialog Box.................1258 New View Dialog Box..............1261 View Details Dialog Box.............1262 VIEW Command Line..............1264 VIEWPLOTDETAILS................1266 Plot and Publish Details Dialog Box..........1266 Plot and Publish Status Bar Icon Shortcut Menu.......1268 VIEWRES....................1269 VLISP....................1270 VPCLIP....................1270 VPLAYER....................1271 VPMAX....................1273 VPMIN....................1273 VPOINT....................1273 VPORTS....................1275 Viewports Dialog Box..............1275 VPORTS Command Line............1279 VPORTS Command Line - Model Space Viewports...1279 VPORTS Command Line - Layout Viewports.....1281...
Page 23 XOPEN....................1315 XPLODE.....................1315 XREF....................1317 Xref Manager................1318 Bind Xrefs Dialog Box..............1321 XREF Command Line..............1322 Chapter 26 ZOOM.................1325 Zoom Shortcut Menu.................1329 Chapter 27 Coordinate Filters (Command Modifier)....1331 Direct Distance Entry (Command Modifier)........1331 FROM (Command Modifier)..............1331 MTP (Command Modifier)..............1332 TRACKING (Command Modifier)............1332 Object Snaps (Command Modifier)...........1333 Selection Modes (Command Modifier)..........1333 Chapter 28 ACADLSPASDOC............1335...
Page 25: Chapter 1 Introduction
Introduction The Command Reference, a comprehensive guide to AutoCAD commands, lists all AutoCAD commands in alphabetical order. In addition to the command listings, the Command Reference covers several topics in the appendixes: command aliases, system variables, dimension variables, utilities, standard libraries, graphical database objects, and Unicode fonts.
Page 26 As you work with commands, note that right-clicking in the drawing area either acts as ENTER or displays a shortcut menu. You can control this behavior in the Options dialog box or with the SHORTCUTMENU system variable. Starting Commands You can start a command by doing one of the following: Select the command from a menu, toolbar, status bar, or shortcut menu.
Page 27 In the Command Reference, the command access sections identify commands that you can use transparently. Suppressing Dialog Boxes Many commands provide both command line and dialog box interfaces. In most cases, when both a command line and dialog box interface are available, the command line version is preceded with a hyphen character.
Page 28 Selecting Options on the Command Line To select one of the options contained within the straight brackets, you can enter the entire option name or only the capitalized letters, and then press ENTER or SPACEBAR . To select the default option enclosed in angle brackets (<>), if available, press ENTER or SPACEBAR .
Page 29: References To Other Sections
References to Other Sections At the end of most command descriptions, you’ll find a section called “See Also.” This section includes references to chapters in other AutoCAD guides and other AutoCAD commands and system variables related to the current command. Typographical Conventions To orient you to AutoCAD features as they appear on the screen, specific terms are set in typefaces that distinguish them from the body text.
Page 31 Creates three-dimensional polygon mesh objects in common geometric shapes that can be hidden, shaded, or rendered Draw menu: Surfaces 3D Surfaces Command line: 3d Enter an option [Box/Cone/Dish/Dome/Mesh/Pyramid/Sphere/Torus/Wedge]: Creates a 3D box polygon mesh. Specify corner point of box: Specify length of box: Specify a distance Specify width of box or [Cube]: Specify a distance or enter c length width...
Page 32 Rotation Angle Rotates the box about the first corner specified. If you enter 0, the box remains orthogonal to the current X and Y axes. Reference Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an angle you specify.
Page 33 Reference Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an angle you specify. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box. Specify the reference angle <0>: Specify a point, enter an angle, or press ENTER You can define a reference angle by specifying two points or an angle from the X axis on the XY plane.
Page 34 top radius height base radius Radius for Top Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone. Specify height of cone: Specify a distance Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Diameter for Top...
Page 35 Radius for Top Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces a cone. A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone. Specify height of cone: Specify a distance Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Diameter for Top Defines the top of the cone by its diameter.
Page 36 radius diameter Dome Creates the upper half of a spherical polygon mesh. Specify center point of dome: Specify a point (1) Specify radius of dome or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d Radius Defines the dome by its radius. Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dome: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER...
Page 37 Specify first corner point of mesh: Specify a point (1) Specify second corner point of mesh: Specify a point (2) Specify third corner point of mesh: Specify a point (3) Specify fourth corner point of mesh: Specify a point (4) Enter mesh size in the M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256 Enter mesh size in the N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256 Pyramid...
Page 38 Ridge Defines the top of the pyramid as a ridge line. The two endpoints must lie in the same direction as the base points to prevent a self-intersecting wireframe. Specify first ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (1) Specify second ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (2) ridge points Defines the top of the pyramid as a rectangle.
Page 39 top points Sphere Creates a spherical polygon mesh. Specify center point of sphere: Specify a point (1) Specify radius of sphere or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d Radius Defines the sphere by its radius. Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER...
Page 40 Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER diameter Torus Creates a toroidal polygon mesh that is parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS.
Page 41 Radius Defines the tube by its radius. Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Diameter Defines the tube by its diameter.
Page 42: 3Darray
Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value greater than 1 or press ENTER Wedge Creates a right-angle, wedge-shaped polygon mesh with a sloped face tapering along the X axis.
Page 43 rows columns Rectangular Array Copies objects in a matrix of rows (X axis), columns (Y axis), and levels (Z axis). An array must have at least two rows or two columns or two levels. Enter the number of rows (—) <1>: Enter a positive value or press ENTER Enter the number of columns ( | | | ) <1>: Enter a positive value or press ENTER Enter the number of levels ( .
Page 44: 3Dclip
objects not rotated objects rotated 3DCLIP Starts the interactive 3D view and opens the Adjust Clipping Planes window 3D Orbit toolbar: Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area, and choose More Adjust Clipping Planes. Command line: 3dclip The Adjust Clipping Planes Window is displayed.
Page 45 Adjust Clipping Planes Shortcut Menu To choose any of the following options, right-click in the Adjust Clipping Planes window. Adjust Front Clipping Adjusts only the front clipping plane. The line near the bottom of the window adjusts the front clipping plane. If a check mark is displayed next to Front Clipping On, you can see the clipping in the 3D Orbit view as you move the line up or down.
Page 46: 3Dconfig
clipping planes, and then choose Create Slice. You can then move the front and back clipping planes as one unit. Displays the pan cursor, a hand cursor that you can use to pan the clipping plane. Hold down the pick button and drag the cursor in any direction. The pan cursor stays active until you click another button.
Page 47 Provides a command-line interface to the 3D graphics system’s configuration settings If you enter 3dconfig at the Command prompt, the following prompt is displayed on the command line: Enter option: [Adaptive Degradation/Dynamic Tesselation/Render Options/Geometry/Acceleration/Exit] <Adaptive degradation>: Enter the configuration you want to change or press ENTER to change adaptive degradation settings.
Page 48 Wireframe Specifies that the display can change to wireframe. This uses less of the system resources and allows the drawing to move at a faster speed. Bounding Box Specifies that the display can change to a bounding box. A box is displayed in place of each object in your view.
Page 49 Number of Tessellations to Cache Configures your system according to memory and performance requirements. A cache is a special memory subsystem that stores frequently accessed information. The 3D cache always stores at least one tessellation. When the number of tessellations to cache is set to 1, the tessellation for all viewports is the same and may cause some objects in the drawing to be regenerated as you zoom in and out.
Page 50 Backgrounds Specifies that backgrounds will be displayed in 3D views while navigating and editing. Configure: Textures Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want textures turned on or off Configure: Transparency Enter mode [Low/Medium/High] <Low>: Select a transparency level If Materials is turned on, you can also configure textures and transparency. Enable Textures In 3D views, shows textures attached to objects using the RMAT and SETUV commands.
Page 51 see the back face even when it is present. The effect of discarding back faces is visible on objects such as those that don’t have a top. Discarding back faces enhances performance. Acceleration Specifies whether you want to use software or hardware acceleration in 3D. Configure: Acceleration Enter option [Hardware/Software/eXit] <Hardware>: Specify whether you want to configure hardware or software...
Page 52: 3Dcorbit
Using geometry acceleration makes more efficient use of the graphics card. With this option turned on, you are drawing in single precision. Use this option only if you know that your drawing is within the single-precision limit. Anti-alias Lines Specifies using anti-aliasing lines. Lines appear smoother and less gradient. Exit Exits the 3DCONFIG command.
Page 53: 3Ddwfpublish
Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area, and choose More Adjust Distance. Command line: 3ddistance 3DDISTANCE changes the cursor to a line with one arrow pointing up and one pointing down. Click and drag the cursor vertically toward the top of the screen to move the camera closer to the objects, making them appear larger.
Page 54: Chapter 2 3D
3D DWF file after you click OK. 3D DWF Organization ™ Specifies how to group objects in the DWF file for viewing in Autodesk DWF Viewer. Group Individual Objects By Specifies how to group individual objects in the DWF file for viewing in Autodesk DWF Viewer.
Page 55 Specify First Point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (1) or enter i First Point Defines the start point for the 3D surface. After entering the first point, enter the remaining points in a natural clockwise or counterclockwise order to create a normal 3D face. If you locate all four points on the same plane, a planar face is created that is similar to a region object.
Page 56: 3Dmesh
3DMESH Creates a free-form polygon mesh Surfaces toolbar: Draw menu: Surfaces 3D mesh Command line: 3dmesh Enter size of mesh in M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256 Enter size of mesh in N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256 NOTE 3DMESH is designed primarily for programmers.
Page 57: 3Dorbit
must supply the coordinate locations for each vertex in row m before specifying vertices in row m + 1. Vertices may be any distance from each other. The M and N orientation of a mesh depends on the position of its vertices. open mesh 3DMESH polygon meshes are always open in both M and N directions.
Page 58: 3D Orbit Cursor Icons
While the command is active, you can access additional 3DORBIT options from a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the drawing area, or choosing buttons on the 3D Orbit toolbar. See “3DOrbit Shortcut Menu” on page 35. 3D Orbit Cursor Icons View rotation is determined by the placement and appearance of the cursor as follows: Circular Arrow...
Page 59: 3Dorbit Shortcut Menu
When you move the cursor over one of the small circles on the top or bottom of the arcball, it becomes a vertical ellipse. Clicking and dragging from either of these points rotates the view around the horizontal or X axis through the middle of the arcball.
Page 60 Compass Draws a 3D sphere within the arcball composed of three lines representing the X, Y, and Z axes. Continuous Orbit Changes the cursor to a sphere with two continuous lines encircling it and enables you to set the objects into continuous motion. See 3DCORBIT. Flat Shaded Shades the objects in the 3D Orbit view between the polygon faces.
Page 61 Orbit Maintains Z Keeps the Z axis in its current orientation when dragging horizontally within the arcball circle, or when dragging from the small circles on the left or right side of the arcball. When using 3D Orbit, use this option to keep the object from tumbling end-over-end.
Page 62: 3Dorbitctr
the cursor to draw a window around the area you want to select. When you release the pick button, the drawing is zoomed in and focused on the area you selected. Projection Provides the projection options. A check mark displayed in front of an option indicates that the option is selected.
Page 63: 3Dpoly
Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Pan. Command line: 3dpan 3DPAN changes the cursor to a hand cursor. When you click and drag the cursor, the view moves in the direction that you drag. You can drag the view vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Page 64: 3Dsin
Close Draws a closing line from the endpoint back to the first point, and then ends the command. To be closed, a 3D polyline must contain at least two lines. closing segment 3DSIN Imports a 3D Studio (3DS) file Insert menu: 3D Studio Command line: 3dsin The 3D Studio File Import dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed.
Page 65 Available Objects Displays the names of all objects in the 3D Studio (3DS) file. You can select up to 70 objects. Adds the objects currently selected in the Available Objects list to the Selected Objects list. Add All Adds all of the objects in the Available Objects list to the Selected Objects list.
Page 66 By Object Color Creates a layer for each object color in the 3D Studio file. Each 3D Studio object is placed on the layer corresponding to its color. The name of the layer is COLOR nn, where nn is the 3D Studio color index. If the 3D Studio file contains objects with no color, these objects are placed on a layer called COLORNONE.
Page 67: 3Dsout
Multiple Material Objects 3D Studio assigns materials by face, element, or object. AutoCAD assigns materials by object only. When AutoCAD encounters a 3D Studio object assigned multiple materials, AutoCAD must find a way to handle the assignment. Always Prompt Displays the Material Assignment Alert dialog box for each object with multiple materials.
Page 68 Defines the source of 3D objects, converts blocks into 3D objects, and performs smoothing and welding during the export process. NOTE 3DSOUT cannot convert a selection set containing more than 65,535 vertices. If necessary, simplify the geometry using the Auto-Welding option (see the Welding option).
Page 69: 3Dswivel
Degrees Specifies the threshold angle for smoothing. If the angle between two face normals is greater than this value, the face normals are not smoothed. Layer Creates an object from the objects on each AutoCAD drawing layer. The name of the new object is based on the layer name. Override (Each Block Is One Object) Overrides the current Derive setting and converts each block into a single 3D Studio object.
Page 70: 3Dzoom
Command line: 3dswivel 3DSWIVEL changes the cursor to an arched arrow and simulates the effect of turning a camera on a tripod. This command changes the target of the view. For example, if you were pointing a camera at an object and then turned the camera to the right, the object would move to the left in your viewing area.
Page 71: Chapter 3 About
ABOUT Displays information about AutoCAD Help menu: About Command line: about (or 'about for transparent use) Copyright information and product information is displayed. Product information includes the version number and service pack, serial number, license type and expiration date, and the text of the license agreement. You can save the product information as a text file.
Page 72: Adcenter
™ Closes the DesignCenter window. ADCENTER Manages and inserts content such as blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns Standard toolbar: Tools menu: DesignCenter Command line: adcenter DesignCenter Windowis displayed. DesignCenter Window Tools menu: DesignCenter Command line: adcenter Browses, finds, and previews content, and inserts content, which includes blocks, hatches, and external references (xrefs).
Page 73 Content Area (DesignCenter) Displays the content of the "container" currently selected in the tree view. A container is a network, computer, disk, folder, file, or web address (URL) containing information accessible by DesignCenter. Depending on the container selected in tree view, the content area typically displays the following: Folders containing drawings or other files Drawings...
Page 74 styles, and layouts. You can drag blocks and hatches from DesignCenter to tool palettes. NOTE You can access relevant content area and tree view options on a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the tree view or the content area. Load Displays the Load dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes).
Page 75 Search Displays the Search Dialog Box, where you can specify search criteria to locate drawings, blocks, and nongraphical objects within drawings. Search also displays custom content saved on your desktop. Favorites Displays the contents of the Favorites folder in the content area. The Favorites folder contains shortcuts to items you access often.
Page 76 Displays and hides a preview of the selected item in a pane below the content area. If there is no preview image saved with the selected item, the Preview area is empty. Description Displays and hides a text description of the selected item in a pane below the content area.
Page 77 Refresh (Shortcut Menu Only) Refreshes the display in the content area to reflect any changes you have made. Right-click the content area background and click Refresh on the shortcut menu. Tree View (DesignCenter) Displays the hierarchy of files and folders on your computer and network drives, a list of open drawings, custom content, and a history of the last locations you accessed.
Page 78: Search Dialog Box
Search Dialog Box Tools menu: DesignCenter Command line: adcenter Searches for content such as drawings, hatch patterns, and blocks. All Files Finds all the files that match the criteria you specify on other tabs, regardless of creation date or date modified. This is the default setting. Between Searches for files created or modified between the dates you specify.
Page 79 Containing Text Specifies the text you want to search for. During the Previous Day(s) Searches for files created or modified within the number of days you specify. During the Previous Month(s) Searches for files created or modified within the number of months you specify.
Page 80 Search for the Word(s) Specifies the text string to look for in the field you specify. Use the asterisk and question mark wild-card characters to broaden your search. * (Asterisk): Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search string.
Page 81: Adcnavigate
ADCNAVIGATE Loads a specified DesignCenter drawing file, folder, or network path Command line: adcnavigate Enter pathname <current>: The path or drawing file name you specify is loaded in the tree view of the DesignCenter Folders tab. At the prompt, you can enter a path in any of the following formats: Folder path: c:\project files\electrical Folder path and a file name: c:\project files\electrical\circuit2.dwg UNC (universal naming convention) network path: \\server1\campus_project...
Page 82 result two points specified ALIGN Using Two Pairs of Points Specify first source point: Specify a point (1) Specify first destination point: Specify a point (2) Specify second source point: Specify a point (3) Specify second destination point: Specify a point (4) Specify third source point: Press ENTER Scale objects based on alignment points [Yes/No] <No>: Enter y or press ENTER objects selected...
Page 83: Ameconvert
NOTE If you use two source and destination points to perform a 3D alignment on nonperpendicular working planes, you get unpredictable results. ALIGN Using Three Pairs of Points Specify first source point: Specify a point (1) Specify first destination point: Specify a point (2) Specify second source point: Specify a point (3) Specify second destination point: Specify a point (4) Specify third source point: Specify a point (5)
Page 84: Aperture
Because of increased accuracy in the new solid modeler, AME models may look slightly different after conversion. This difference is noticeable where the previous version of the solid modeler identified the surfaces of two different shapes as so close as to be considered in the same plane. The new solid modeler’s finer tolerance may interpret these surfaces as being slightly offset.
Page 85: Appload
APERTURE controls the object snap target box, not the pickbox displayed at the Select Objects prompt. The object selection pickbox is controlled by the PICKBOX system variable. APPLOAD Loads and unloads applications and defines which applications to load at startup Tools menu: Load Application Command line: appload The Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box.
Page 86 The options at the top of this dialog box are derived from the Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes. Following are descriptions of the additional options provided by the Load/Unload Applications dialog box: Add to History Adds any applications that you load to the history list. You may prefer to clear this option when loading applications with the AutoCAD web browser, because these applications are unavailable once the cache for the application’s temporary location is emptied.
Page 87: Startup Suite Dialog Box
Load/Unload Applications dialog box. You can drag files into this list from the files list or from any application with dragging capabilities, such as Microsoft Windows Explorer. If you use the AutoCAD web browser to load an application, the web browser downloads the application to a temporary location on your machine.
Page 88: Arc
Displays the Add File to Startup Suite dialog box. You can use this dialog box to select files to add to the startup suite. List of Applications Displays an alphabetical list (by file name) of the application files to load at startup.
Page 89 NOTE If you press ENTER without specifying a point, the endpoint of the last drawn line or arc is used and you are immediately prompted to specify the endpoint of the new arc. This creates an arc tangent to the last drawn line, arc, or polyline. Specify second point of arc or [CEnter/End]: Second Point Draws an arc using three specified points on the arc’s circumference.
Page 90 included angle Chord Length Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line between the start point and endpoint. If the chord length is positive, the minor arc is drawn counterclockwise from the start point. If the chord length is negative, the major arc is drawn counterclockwise.
Page 91 Specify included angle: Enter an angle in degrees or specify an angle by moving the pointing device counterclockwise angle Direction Begins the arc tangent to a specified direction. It creates any arc, major or minor, clockwise or counterclockwise, beginning with the start point (1), and ending at an endpoint (2).
Page 92 Angle Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (2) using a center point (1) with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is drawn. Specify included angle: included angle Chord Length Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line between the start point and endpoint.
Page 93: Archive
ARCHIVE Packages the current sheet set files to be archived Command line: archive The Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box is displayed. If you enter -archive at the Command prompt, ARCHIVE displays ARCHIVE Command Line. Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box Command line: archive Packages the files associated with the current sheet set so that they can be archived.
Page 94 Files Tree Tab Lists the files to be included in the archive package in a hierarchical tree format. By default, all files associated with the current drawing (such as related xrefs, plot styles, and fonts) are listed. You can add files to the archive package or remove existing files.
Page 95 Files Table Tab Displays the files to be included in the archive package in a table format. By default, all files associated with the current drawing (such as related xrefs, plot styles, and fonts) are listed. You can add files to the archive package or remove existing files.
Page 96 Add a File Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can select an additional file to include in the archive package. This button is available on both the Files Tree tab and the Files Table tab. Enter Notes to Be Included with This Archive Provides a space where you can enter notes related to the archive package.
Page 97: Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box
Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box Command line: archive Archive Package Type Specifies the type of archive package created. Browse Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to specify a source root folder. Folder Creates an archive package of uncompressed files in a new or existing folder. Include Fonts Includes any associated font files (TXT and SHX) with the archive package.
Page 98 Increment File Name if Necessary Uses a logical default file name. If the file name already exists, a number is added to the end. This number is incremented each time a new archive package is saved. Keep Files and Folders As Is Preserves the folder structure of all files in the archive package.
Page 99 Use Organized Folder Structure Duplicates the folder structure for the files being transmitted. The root folder is the top-level folder within a hierarchical folder tree. The following considerations apply: Relative paths remain unchanged. Relative paths outside the source root folder retain up to one level of the folder path above them, and are placed in the root folder.
Page 100: Archive - Set Password Dialog Box
Browse Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to a location where you create the archive package. Archive File Name Specifies the method for naming the archive package. Displays the default file name for the archive package. This option is not available if the archive package type is set to Folder.
Page 101: Area
Sheet Set name or [?] <current>: Enter a predefined sheet set name, enter ? to display a list of sheet sets, or press ENTER The sheet set name specifies a sheet set to use for the archive package. This option is available only when a sheet set is open. AREA Calculates the area and perimeter of objects or of defined areas Inquiry toolbar:...
Page 102 If you do not close the polygon, the area is calculated as if a line were drawn from the last point entered to the first. When the perimeter is calculated, that line length is added. Object Calculates the area and perimeter of the selected object. You can calculate the area of circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, polygons, regions, and solids.
Page 103 defined area to be added new area First Corner Point Calculates the area and perimeter you define by selecting points. All points must lie in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS. Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total (ADD mode): Specify a point Specify points to define a polygon (3).
Page 104: Array
Subtract Turns on Subtract mode and keeps a running balance of the total area as you subtract specified areas. Subtract Similar to the Add option, but subtracts areas and perimeters. selected area to be remaining area subtracted ARRAY Creates multiple copies of objects in a pattern Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Array Command line: array...
Page 105 Rectangular Array Creates an array of rows and columns of copies of the selected object. distance between rows object selected distance between columns Rows Specifies the number of rows in the array. If you specify one row, you must specify more than one column. If you specify a large number of rows and columns for the array, it might take a while to create the copies.
Page 106 Columns Specifies the number of columns in the array. If you specify one column, you must specify more than one row. If you specify a large number of rows and columns for the array, it might take a while to create the copies.
Page 107 Pick Column Offset Temporarily closes the Array dialog box so that you can use the pointing device to specify the distance between columns. ARRAY prompts you to specify two points and uses the distance and direction between the points to specify the value in Column Offset. Pick Angle of Array Temporarily closes the Array dialog box so that you can specify the angle of rotation by entering a value or using the pointing device to specify two...
Page 108 Method Sets the method used to position objects. This setting controls which of the Method and Value fields are available for specifying values. For example, if the method is Total Number of Items & Angle to Fill, the related fields are available for specifying values;...
Page 109 More/Less Turns the display of additional options in the Array dialog box on and off. When you choose More, additional options are displayed, and the name of this button changes to Less. Object Base Point Specifies a new reference (base) point relative to the selected objects that will remain at a constant distance from the center point of the array as the objects are arrayed.
Page 110: Array Command Line
is redisplayed, and the number of objects selected is shown below the Select Objects button. NOTE If you select multiple objects, the base point of the last selected object is used to construct the array. Preview Area Shows a preview image of the array based on the current settings in the dialog box.
Page 111 Enter the number of rows (---) <1>: Enter a nonzero integer or press ENTER Enter the number of columns (|||) <1>: Enter a nonzero integer or press ENTER If you specify one row, you must specify more than one column and vice versa.
Page 112: Arx
Specify center point of array or [Base]: Specify a point or enter b to specify a new base point Center Point Creates an array defined by a center point. Base Specifies a new reference (base) point relative to the selected objects that will remain at a constant distance from the center point of the array as the objects are arrayed.
Page 113: Assist
Loads, unloads, and provides information about ObjectARX applications Command line: arx Enter an option [? - List Applications/Load/Unload/Commands/Options]: ? - List Applications Lists the currently loaded ObjectARX applications, which can be third-party programs or internal applications such as Render. Load Displays the ObjectARX/DBX File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes).
Page 114: Info Palette Shortcut Menu
Opens Quick Help in the Info palette, which provides context-sensitive information Help menu: Info Palette Command line: assist (or 'assist for transparent use) Quick Help in the Info palette continually monitors the commands in progress and displays information that is directly related to the active command or dialog box.
Page 115: Attachurl
ATTACHURL Attaches hyperlinks to objects or areas in a drawing Command line: attachurl Enter hyperlink insert option [Area/Object] <Object>: Enter a or press ENTER Area Creates the URLLAYER layer, draws a polyline on that layer, and attaches a URL to the polyline. First corner: Click in the drawing to indicate the lower-left corner of the area Other corner: Click to indicate the upper-right corner of the area Enter hyperlink <current drawing>: Enter a URL...
Page 116 Command line: attdef Defines the mode; attribute tag, prompt, and value; insertion point; and text options for an attribute. Mode Sets options for attribute values associated with a block when you insert the block in a drawing. The default values are stored in the AFLAGS system variable. Changing the AFLAGS setting affects the default mode for new attribute definitions and does not affect existing attribute definitions.
Page 117 Invisible Specifies that attribute values are not displayed or printed when you insert the block. ATTDISP overrides Invisible mode. Justification Specifies the justification of the attribute text. See TEXT for a description of the justification options. Preset Sets the attribute to its default value when you insert a block containing a preset attribute.
Page 118: Attdef Command Line
Verify Prompts you to verify that the attribute value is correct when you insert the block. Specifies the X coordinate of the attribute’s insertion point. Specifies the Y coordinate of the attribute’s insertion point. Specifies the Z coordinate of the attribute’s insertion point. Attribute Sets attribute data.
Page 119 Current Attribute Modes: Invisible=current Constant=current Verify=current Preset=current Lock position=current Enter an option to change [Invisible/Constant/Verify/Preset/Lock position] <done>: Enter Attribute Tag Name: Enter any characters except spaces or exclamation points Enter Attribute Prompt: Enter the text for the prompt line or press ENTER (this prompt is not displayed if you turned on Constant mode) Enter Default Attribute Value: Enter the appropriate text or press ENTER (this prompt is not displayed if you turned on Constant mode)
Page 120: Attdisp
Attribute Prompt Specifies the prompt that is displayed when you insert a block containing this attribute definition. If you press ENTER , the attribute tag is used as the prompt. If you turn on Constant mode, this prompt is not displayed. Default Attribute Value Specifies the default attribute value.
Page 121: Attedit
Normal Retains the current visibility of each attribute. Visible attributes are displayed. Invisible attributes are not displayed. Makes all attributes visible. Makes all attributes invisible. attribute ATTDISP on ATTDISP off ATTEDIT Changes attribute information Modify menu:Object Attribute Single Command line: attedit Select block reference: Select a block with attributes The Edit Attributes Dialog Box is displayed to edit attribute values for a specific block.
Page 122: Edit Attributes Dialog Box
If you enter -attedit at the Command prompt, ATTEDIT displays ATTEDIT Command Line to edit attribute values and properties independent of a block. Edit Attributes Dialog Box Modify menu: Object Attribute Single Command line: attedit Edits the attributes in a block. To change attribute properties such as position, height, and style, use -ATTEDIT.
Page 123: Attedit Command Line
ATTEDIT Command Line If you enter -attedit at the Command prompt, ATTEDIT displays prompts on the command line. Edit attributes one at a time? [Yes/No] <Y>: Enter y or press ENTER to edit attributes one at a time, or enter n to edit attributes globally Edits attributes one at a time.
Page 124 attributes selected The first attribute in the selection set is marked with an X. You can change any properties of the attribute you select. Enter an option [Value/Position/Height/Angle/Style/Layer/Color/Next] <N>: Enter the property to change, or p ress ENTER for the next attribute If the original attribute was defined with aligned or fit text, the prompt does not include Angle.
Page 125 Replace Substitutes a new attribute value for the entire attribute value. Enter new attribute value: E nter a new attribute value or press ENTER If you press ENTER , the attribute value is empty (null). Position Changes the text insertion point. position changed Specify new text insertion point: Specify a point or press ENTER If the attribute is aligned, ATTEDIT prompts for both ends of a new text...
Page 126 angle changed Specify new rotation angle <current>: Enter a value, specify a point, or press ENTER If you specify a point, the text is rotated along an imaginary line between the specified point and the start point of the text. Style Changes the style setting.
Page 127 Red, Green, Blue: Enter three integer values from 0 to 255 separated by commas to specify a true color Color Book Specifies a color from a loaded color book to be used for the selected object. Enter Color Book name: Enter the name of a color book that has been installed, such as PANTONE If you enter a color book name, you are prompted to enter the color name in the color book.
Page 128: Attext
Enter string to change: Enter string to change or press ENTER Enter new string: Enter replacement string or press ENTER Either string can be empty (null). The ? and * characters are interpreted literally, not as wild-card characters. Edits attributes whether they are visible or not. Changes to attributes are not reflected immediately.
Page 129: Attribute Extraction Dialog Box
Attribute Extraction Dialog Box Command line: attext Specifies the file format for the attribute information, the objects from which you want to extract information, and the template and output file names for the information. File Format Sets the format for the file into which you are extracting the attribute data. Comma Delimited File (CDF) Generates a file containing one record for each block reference in the drawing that has at least one matching attribute tag in the template file.
Page 130: Attext Command Line
Select Objects Closes the dialog box so you can use the pointing device to select blocks with attributes. When the Attribute Extraction dialog box reopens, Number Found shows the number of objects you selected. Number Found Indicates the number of objects you selected using Select Objects. Template File Specifies a template extraction file for CDF and SDF formats.
Page 131: Attredef
SDF: Space-Delimited File Generates a file containing one record for each block reference in the drawing. The fields of each record have a fixed width; therefore, field separators or character string delimiters are not used. In the Select Template File dialog box, enter the name of an existing attribute extraction template file.
Page 132: Audit
Modify II toolbar: Command line: attsync Enter an option [?/Name/Select] <Select>: You are prompted for the names of blocks you want to update with the current attributes defined for the blocks. ATTSYNC does not change any values assigned to attributes in existing blocks. Entering ? displays a list of all block definitions in the drawing.
Page 133: Chapter 4 Background
BACKGROUND Sets up the background for your scene Render toolbar: View menu: Render Background Command line: background The Background Dialog Box. Background Dialog Box View menu: Render Background Command line: background Defines the type, color, effects, and position of the background for your drawing.
Page 134 Gradient Specifies a two- or three-color gradient background. Use the color controls and Horizon, Height, and Rotation to define the gradient. A three-color gradient is the default. To create a two-color gradient, set Height to 0 so that Render uses only the Top and Bottom colors. Image Uses a bitmap file for the background.
Page 135 Name Specifies the name of the image file to use. You can also use Find File to select a file. Name Specifies the image file name to create the raytraced environment. Select Color Displays the Select Color Dialog Box. To define the color of the background, you can select from the 255 AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) colors, true colors, and color book colors.
Page 136: Adjust Background Bitmap Placement Dialog Box
Horizon Represents the percentage of unrotated height. Use the box or scroll bar to set the value. Only available for gradient backgrounds. Height Represents a percentage of the second color in a three-color gradient. Use the box or scroll bar to set the value. The start point of the second color is determined by the Horizon setting.
Page 137: Baction
Fit to Screen Fits the image to your screen. If you select Use Image Aspect Ratio, the program fits the larger dimension to the screen while maintaining the image’s aspect ratio. Use Image Aspect Ratio Uses the aspect ratio of the image file. You can still change Offset and Scale, but the Maintain Aspect Ratio option is locked to the On setting.
Page 138 change when the custom properties of a block reference are manipulated in a drawing. You associate actions with parameters. Select parameter: Select a parameter in the block definition with which to associate the action Select action type [“Array” on page 114/“Move” on page 114/“Scale” on page 116/“Stretch”...
Page 139 If you selected a point parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Specify selection set for action Select objects: Select objects for the action’s selection set Specify action location or [Multiplier/Offset]: Specify a location in the block definition for the action If you selected a linear or polar parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Specify parameter point to associate with action or enter [sTart point/Second point] <Second>: Specify a parameter point to associate with the action or press...
Page 140 Scale Adds a scale action to the current dynamic block definition. A scale action can only be associated with a linear, polar, or XY parameter. Specifies that the selection set of objects will scale relative to the base point defined by the scale action when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference.
Page 141 Specifies whether the distance applied to the action is the XY parameter’s X distance, Y distance, or XY distance from the parameter’s base point. Enter XY distance type [X/Y/XY] <XY>: Enter the distance type or press ENTER to select XY Stretch Adds a stretch action to the current dynamic block definition.
Page 142 Offset Increases or decreases the angle of the associated parameter, by a specified number, when the action is triggered. Enter angle offset <0>: Enter a value or press ENTER to select 0 Specifies whether the distance that is applied to the action is the XY parameter’s X distance, Y distance, or XY distance from the parameter’s base point.
Page 143 Rotate Adds a rotate action to the current dynamic block definition. A rotate action can only be associated with a rotation parameter. Specifies that the selection set of objects will rotate when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference.
Page 144: Bactionset
action to the block definition, the “Property Lookup Table Dialog Box” on page 157 is displayed Specify action location: Specify a location in the block definition for the action BACTIONSET Specifies the selection set of objects associated with an action in a dynamic block definition Shortcut menu: Select an action in the block definition.
Page 145: Bactiontool
Modify If you selected a move, scale, rotate, flip, or array action, the following prompt is displayed: Select objects to add to action set or [Remove]: Select objects to add to or remove from the action’s selection set that will rotate only and not stretch If you selected a stretch action, the following prompts are displayed: Specify first corner of stretch frame or [CPolygon]: Specify the first corner of the stretch frame or enter cpolygon to create a polygon of any shape as the stretch...
Page 146 selection set of objects will array when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference. Select parameter: Select a parameter in the block definition to associate with the action Specify selection set for action Select objects: Select objects for the action’s selection set If you selected a linear or polar parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Enter the distance between columns (|||): Enter a value for the distance between the columns of arrayed objects...
Page 147 Select parameter: Select a parameter in the block definition to associate with the action If you selected a point parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Specify selection set for action Select objects: Select objects for the action’s selection set Specify action location or [Multiplier/Offset]: Specify a location in the block definition for the action If you selected a linear or polar parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Specify parameter point to associate with action or enter [sTart point/Second...
Page 148 Rotate Adds a rotate action to the current dynamic block definition. A rotate action can only be associated with a rotation parameter. Specifies that the selection set of objects will rotate when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference.
Page 149 Specify action location or [Base type]: Specify a location in the block definition for the action or enter base type to specify the type of base point If you selected an XY parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Select parameter: Select a parameter in the block definition to associate with the action Specify selection set for action Select objects: Select objects for the action’s selection set...
Page 150 the selection set of objects will stretch or move when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference. Select parameter: Select a parameter in the block definition to associate with the action If you selected a linear or polar parameter, the following prompts are displayed: Specify parameter point to associate with action or enter [sTart point/Second point] <Second>: Specify a parameter point to associate with the action or press ENTER to associate the action with the second point...
Page 151: Base
Enter XY distance type [X/Y/XY] <XY>: Enter the distance type or press ENTER to select XY Polar Stretch Adds a polar stretch action to the current dynamic block definition. A polar stretch action can only be associated with a polar parameter. Specifies that the selection set of objects will stretch or move when the action is triggered in a dynamic block reference.
Page 152: Bassociate
The base point is expressed as coordinates in the current UCS. When you insert or externally reference the current drawing into other drawings, this base point is used as the insertion base point. BASSOCIATE Associates an action with a parameter in a dynamic block definition Command line: bedit bassociate...
Page 153 Manages the attribute definitions for blocks in the current drawing. You can edit the attribute definitions in blocks, remove attributes from blocks, and change the order in which you are prompted for attribute values when inserting a block. Attributes of the selected block are displayed in the attribute list. By default, Tag, Prompt, Default, and Mode attribute properties are displayed in the attribute list.
Page 154: Edit Attribute Dialog Box
Remove Removes the selected attribute from the block definition. If Apply Changes to Existing References is selected in the Settings dialog box before you choose Remove, the attribute is removed from all instances of the block in the current drawing. The Remove button is not available for blocks with only one attribute.
Page 155 Block Name Displays the name of the block whose attributes are to be edited. The Edit Attribute dialog box contains the following tabs: “Attribute Tab (Edit Attribute Dialog Box)” on page 131 “Text Options Tab (Edit Attribute Dialog Box)” on page 132 “Properties Tab (Edit Attribute Dialog Box)”...
Page 156 Sets the identifier assigned to the attribute. Prompt Sets the text for the prompt that is displayed when you insert the block. Default Sets the default value assigned to the attribute when you insert the block. Text Options Tab (Edit Attribute Dialog Box) Sets the properties that define the way an attribute’s text is displayed in the drawing.
Page 157: Settings Dialog Box
Properties Tab (Edit Attribute Dialog Box) Defines the layer that the attribute is on and the color, lineweight, and linetype for the attribute’s line. If the drawing uses plot styles, you can assign a plot style to the attribute using the Properties tab. Layer Specifies the layer that the attribute is on.
Page 158: Battorder
Clear All Clears all properties. Display in List Specifies the properties to be displayed in the attribute list. Only the selected properties are displayed in the list. The Tag property is always selected. Emphasize Duplicate Tags Turns duplicate tag emphasis on and off. If this option is selected, duplicate attribute tags are displayed in red type in the attribute list.
Page 159: Bauthorpalette
Attribute Definitions Lists the attribute definitions in the current block. Move Down Moves the selected attribute definition down in the list. Move Up Moves the selected attribute definition up in the list. BAUTHORPALETTE Opens the Block Authoring Palettes window in the Block Editor. Block Editor toolbar: Command line: bedit bauthorpalette...
Page 160: Bauthorpaletteclose
Actions tab Parameter Sets tab BAUTHORPALETTECLOSE Closes the Block Authoring Palettes window in the Block Editor Block Editor toolbar: Command line: bedit bauthorpaletteclose You can close the Block Authoring Palettes window only from the Block Editor. If you enter bauthorpaletteclose on the command line while you are not in the Block Editor, the following message is displayed, “BAUTHORPALETTECLOSE command only allowed in Block Editor.”...
Page 161: Insertion Cycling Order Dialog Box
Insertion Cycling Order Dialog Box Specifies the grip-cycling order for the insertion point of a dynamic block reference. When you insert a dynamic block reference in a drawing, you can use the CTRL key to cycle through the grips that have cycling turned on in the block definition.
Page 162: Edit Block Definition Dialog Box
Opens the Edit Block Definition dialog box and then the Block Editor Standard toolbar: Tools menu: Block Editor Shortcut menu: Select a block reference. Right-click in the drawing area. Click Block Editor. Command line: bedit The “Edit Block Definition Dialog Box” on page 138 is displayed. Select a block definition to edit or entering a name for a new block definition to create, then click OK to open the Block Editor.
Page 163: Block Editor
Description Displays the block definition description specified in the Block area of the Properties palette in the Block Editor. Name Specifies the name of the block to edit or create in the Block Editor. If you select <Current Drawing>, the current drawing is opened in the Block Editor. After you add dynamic elements to the drawing, you can then save it and insert it as a dynamic block reference in a drawing.
Page 164 Shortcut menu: Select a block reference. Right-click in the drawing area. Click Block Editor. Tools menu: Block Editor Command line: bedit You use the Block Editor to define dynamic behavior for a block definition. In the Block Editor, you add parameters and actions, which define custom properties and dynamic behavior.
Page 165 BCYCLEORDER BGRIPSET BLOOKUPTABLE BPARAMETER BSAVE BSAVEAS BVHIDE BVSHOW BVSTATE When the BLOCKEDITLOCK system variable is set to 1, the Block Editor cannot be opened. The Block Editor also provides a Block Editor Toolbar and Block Authoring palettes that contain tools for creating dynamic blocks. The Block Authoring Palettes window contains the following tabs: “Parameters Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)”...
Page 166 Name Displays the name of the current block definition. Authoring Palettes Displays or hides the Block Authoring palettes, which provide tools for adding parameters and actions to the dynamic block definition. Parameter Runs the BPARAMETER command, which adds a parameter to the dynamic block definition.
Page 167 Make Visible Runs the BVSHOW command, so that you can make objects visible for the current visibility state or for all visibility states. Make Invisible Runs the BVHIDE command, so that you can make objects invisible for the current visibility state or for all visibility states. Manage Visibility States Displays the “Visibility States Dialog Box”...
Page 168 and the angle. In the Block Editor, a polar parameter looks similar to an aligned dimension. XY Parameter Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom horizontal and vertical distance properties for the block reference. An XY parameter shows the X and Y distances from the base point of the parameter.
Page 169 Lookup Parameter Runs the BPARAMETER command, Lookup parameter option, which adds a lookup parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom lookup properties for the block reference. A lookup parameter defines a custom property that you can specify or set to evaluate to a value from a list or table you define.
Page 170 Polar Stretch Action Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Polar Stretch action option, which adds a polar stretch action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a polar parameter. A polar stretch action rotates, moves, and stretches objects a specified angle and distance when the key point on the associated polar parameter is changed through a grip or the Properties palette Rotate Action...
Page 171 prompts on the command line to associate the action with a selection set of geometry. Point Move Runs the BPARAMETER command, Point parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a point parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a move action associated with the point parameter. Linear Move Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition.
Page 172 Polar Stretch Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a stretch action associated with the polar parameter. Polar Array Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition.
Page 173: Bedit Command Line
XY Stretch Box Set Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with four grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds four stretch actions, one associated with each key point on the XY parameter. XY Array Box Set Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with four grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition.
Page 174: Bgripset
Block Name Specifies the name of a block saved in the current drawing to open in the Block Editor or specifies the name of a new block to create. ?—List Previously Defined Blocks Lists the block names in the text window. Enter block(s) to list <*>: Enter a name list or press ENTER BGRIPSET Creates, deletes, or resets grips associated with a parameter...
Page 175: Block
When Blip mode is on, a temporary mark in the shape of a plus sign (+) appears where you specify a point. BLIPMODE is off by default. objects drawn with objects drawn with BLIPMODE on BLIPMODE off To remove marker blips, use REDRAW, REGEN, ZOOM, PAN, or other commands that redraw or regenerate the drawing.
Page 176 Name Names the block. The name can have up to 255 characters and can include letters, numbers, blank spaces, and any special character not used by Microsoft Windows and the program for other purposes, if the system variable EXTNAMES is set to 1. The block name and definition are saved in the current drawing.
Page 177 Convert to Block Converts the selected objects to a block instance in the drawing after you create the block. Delete Deletes the selected objects from the drawing after you create the block. Description Specifies the text description of the block. Hyperlink Opens the Insert Hyperlink Dialog Box, which you can use to associate a hyperlink with the block definition.
Page 178: Block Command Line
Specifies the Y coordinate value. Specifies the Z coordinate value. Objects Specifies the objects to include in the new block and whether to retain or delete the selected objects or convert them to a block instance after you create the block. Settings Specifies settings for the block.
Page 179 The point specified as the base point is used for subsequent insertions of the block. Typically, a base point is the center of the block or its lower-left corner. The base point is also the point about which you can rotate the block during insertion.
Page 180: Blockicon
where xrefname is the name of an externally referenced drawing. The following terms are used in the list: User Blocks: Number of user-defined blocks in the list. External References: Number of xrefs in the list. Dependent Blocks: Number of externally dependent blocks in the list. Unnamed Blocks: Number of unnamed (anonymous) blocks in the drawing.
Page 181: Property Lookup Table Dialog Box
Property Lookup Table Dialog Box The Property Lookup Table dialog box provides a lookup table for the dynamic block definition. You use the lookup table to control the values available for a lookup parameter (lookup property). The lookup table also allows the values of lookup parameters to be controlled by the values of other parameters (input properties).
Page 182: Add Parameter Properties Dialog Box
Input Properties Specifies the input properties for the dynamic block. Each parameter (except a lookup, alignment, or base point parameter) in the dynamic block can be displayed as a column under Input Properties. When a parameter’s value matches a value in its corresponding input property column in the lookup table, the corresponding lookup property on the right side of the table is assigned to the block reference.
Page 183: Bmpout
Parameter Properties Displays a list of parameters not yet added to the lookup table. Select a parameter and click OK to add it to the lookup table. Property Type Specifies the type of property to add to the lookup table. Add Input Properties When selected, the Parameter Properties list displays the available input property parameters that can be added to the lookup table.
Page 184: Boundary
Select objects or <all objects and viewports>: Press ENTER to select all objects and viewports or use an object selection method and press ENTER A bitmap file that contains the objects you select is created. The file reflects what is displayed on the screen. NOTE When the FILEDIA system variable is set to 0 (Off), prompts are displayed on the command line.
Page 185: Boundary Command Line
Pick Points Determines a boundary from existing objects that form an enclosed area around the specified point. Island Detection Controls whether BOUNDARY detects internal closed boundaries, called islands. Object Type Controls the type of the new boundary object. BOUNDARY creates the boundary as a region or a polyline object.
Page 186: Box
Enter an option [Boundary set/Island detection/Object type]: Enter an option or press ENTER to return to the previous prompt Boundary Set Defines the set of objects BOUNDARY analyzes when it creates a boundary from a specified point. For information about defining a boundary set on the command line, see the HATCH command line option.
Page 187 Corner Specifies the other corner of the box. Specify height: Specify a distance Entering a positive value draws the height along the positive Z axis of the current UCS. Entering a negative value draws the height along the negative Z axis. height Cube Creates a box with sides of equal length.
Page 188 Length Creates a box with length, width, and height values you specify. The length corresponds to the X axis, the width to the Y axis, and the height to the Z axis. Specify length: Specify a distance Specify width: Specify a distance Specify height: Specify a distance Entering a positive value draws the length, width, or height along the positive X, Y, and Z axes of the current UCS.
Page 189: Bparameter
Cube Creates a box with sides of equal length. Specify length: Specify a distance Entering a positive value draws the length along the positive X, Y, and Z axes of the current UCS. Entering a negative value draws the length along the negative X, Y, and Z axes.
Page 190 Command line: bedit bparameter You can use the BPARAMETER command only in the “Block Editor” on page 139. A parameter defines custom properties for the block reference. After you add a parameter, you must associate an action with the parameter to make the block dynamic.
Page 191 Tangent Specifies that the dynamic block reference aligns tangent to objects in a drawing. Base Adds a base point parameter to the current dynamic block definition. You do not associate any actions with a base point parameter. The base point parameter defines the base point for the dynamic block reference in relation to the geometry in the block.
Page 192 Chain Specifies the Chain Actions property for the parameter. The point parameter may be included in the selection set of an action that is associated with a different parameter. When that parameter is edited in a block reference, its associated action may trigger a change in the values of other parameters included in the action’s selection set.
Page 193 Name Specifies the parameter name. The parameter name is displayed in the Properties palette when you select the parameter in the Block Editor. Enter parameter name <default>: Enter a name for the parameter or press ENTER to use the default name Label Specifies the parameter label, which defines the custom property name added to the block.
Page 194 Startpoint Specifies that the start point of the parameter remains fixed when the endpoint of the parameter is edited in the block reference. Midpoint Specifies a midpoint base location for the parameter. This midpoint is indicated by an X in the block definition. When you edit the linear parameter in the block reference, the midpoint of the parameter remains fixed, and the start point and endpoint of the parameter move simultaneously equal distances from the midpoint.
Page 195 Specify base point or [Name/Label/Chain/Description/Palette/Value set]: Specify a start point for the parameter or enter an option Specify endpoint: Specify an endpoint for the parameter Specify label location: Specify a location for the parameter label Enter number of grips [0/1/2] <2>: Specify the number of grips for the parameter If you specify one grip for the parameter, the grip is added to the endpoint of the parameter.
Page 196 in the Block Editor. In a drawing, when you select the custom property name (parameter label) for the block reference in the Properties palette, the description is displayed at the bottom of the Properties palette. Enter property description: Enter a description for the parameter Palette Specifies whether or not the parameter label is displayed in the Properties palette when the block reference is selected in a drawing.
Page 197 Specify base point or [Name/Label/Chain/Description/Palette/Value set]: Specify a base point for the parameter or enter an option Specify endpoint: Specify an endpoint for the parameter Enter number of grips [0/1/2/4] <1>: Specify the number of grips for the parameter If you specify one grip for the parameter, the grip is added to the endpoint of the parameter.
Page 198 Description Specifies the description for the custom property name (parameter label). This description is displayed in the Properties palette when you select the parameter in the Block Editor. In a drawing, when you select the custom property name (parameter label) for the block reference in the Properties palette, the description is displayed at the bottom of the Properties palette.
Page 199 Specify base point or [Name/Label/Chain/Description/Palette/Value set]: Specify a base point for the parameter or enter an option Specify radius of parameter: Specify a radius for the parameter Specify default rotation angle or [Base angle] <0>: Specify a base angle for the parameter Specify label location: Specify a location for the parameter label Enter number of grips [0/1] <1>: Specify the number of grips for the parameter...
Page 200 Evaluate associated actions when parameter is edited by another action? [Yes/No] <No>: Enter y or press ENTER Description Specifies the description for the custom property name (parameter label). This description is displayed in the Properties palette when you select the parameter in the Block Editor.
Page 201 Specify base point of reflection line or [Name/Label/Description/Palette]: Specify a base point for the reflection line or enter an option Specify endpoint of reflection line: Specify an endpoint for the reflection line Specify label location: Specify a location for the parameter label Enter number of grips [0/1] <1>: Specify the number of grips for the parameter Name Specifies the parameter name.
Page 202 Visibility Adds a visibility parameter to the current dynamic block definition and defines a custom visibility property for the block reference. A visibility parameter allows you to create visibility states and to control the visibility of objects in the block. A visibility parameter always applies to the entire block and needs no action associated with it.
Page 203: Break
a custom property that you can specify or set to evaluate to a value from a list or table you define. You associate a lookup action with a lookup parameter. Each lookup parameter you add to the block definition can be added as a column in the “Property Lookup Table Dialog Box”...
Page 204 Modify menu: Break Command line: break Select object: Use an object selection method, or specify the first break point (1) on an object The prompts that are displayed next depend on how you select the object. If you select the object by using your pointing device, the program both selects the object and treats the selection point as the first break point.
Page 205: Browser
Lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ellipses, splines, donuts, and several other object types can be split into two objects or have one end removed. The program converts a circle to an arc by removing a piece of the circle starting counterclockwise from the first to the second point. BROWSER Launches the default web browser defined in your system’s registry Web toolbar:...
Page 206: Bsaveas
Command line: bedit bsave Saves changes to the current block definition. You can only use the BSAVE command in the “Block Editor” on page 139. BSAVEAS Saves a copy of the current block definition under a new name Block Editor toolbar: Command line: bedit bsaveas...
Page 207: Bvhide
Block Name Specifies a new name under which to save a copy of the current block definition. Description Displays the block definition description specified in the Block area of the Properties palette in the Block Editor. Preview Displays a preview of the selected block definition. BVHIDE Makes objects invisible in the current visibility state or all visibility states in a dynamic block definition...
Page 208: Bvstate
Shortcut menu: Select objects to make visible for visibility states. Right-click in the Block Editor drawing area. Click Object Visibility Show for Current State or click Object Visibility Show for All States Command line: bedit bvshow Allows you to make objects visible for visibility states. You can only use the BVSHOW command in the “Block Editor”...
Page 209 Delete Deletes the selected visibility state. Move Down Moves the selected visibility state down in the list. Move Up Moves the selected visibility state up in the list. Displays the “New Visibility State Dialog Box” on page 186 Rename Renames the selected visibility state. Set Current Sets the selected visibility state as the current state to display in the Block Editor.
Page 210: Bvstate Command Line
New Visibility State Dialog Box Creates a new visibility state. Hide All Existing Objects in New State Specifies that all objects in the block definition will be hidden in the new visibility state. Leave Visibility of Existing Objects Unchanged in New State Specifies that the visibility of objects in the new visibility state will be the same as in the current visibility state on which the new state is based.
Page 211 Enter an option [“New” on page 187/“Set” on page 187/“Delete” on page 187] <New>: Enter an option or press ENTER Creates a new visibility state. Enter name of new visibility state: Enter a name for the new visibility state Enter object visibility for new state [Hide all/Show all/Current visibility] <Current visibility>: Enter object visibility for new state Hide All Specifies that all objects in the block definition will be hidden in the new...
Page 213: Chapter 5 Cal
Evaluates mathematical and geometric expressions Command line: cal (or 'cal for transparent use) CAL is an online geometry calculator that evaluates point (vector), real, or integer expressions. The expressions can access existing geometry using the object snap functions such as CEN, END, and INS. You can insert AutoLISP variables into the arithmetic expression and assign the value of the expression back to an AutoLISP variable.
Page 214: Format Feet And Inches
(5.8^2) + PI Vector Expressions A vector expression is a collection of points, vectors, numbers, and functions combined with the operators in the following table. Vector operators Operator Operation Groups expressions & Determines the vector product of vectors (as a vector) [a,b,c]&[x,y,z] = [ (b*z) –...
Page 215: Format Angles
5’-9-1/2” or 5’ 9-1/2” or 5’9-1/2” 5’-9 1/2” or 5’ 9 1/2” or 5’9 1/2” To designate inches for linear calculations, entering double quotes (“) is optional. For example, instead of entering 5’9-1/2”, you could enter 5’9-1/2. WARNING With imperial units, CAL interprets a minus or a dash (-) as a unit separator rather than a subtraction operation.
Page 216 Formatting Points and Vectors A point or vector is a set of three real expressions enclosed in brackets ([ ]): [r1,r2,r3] The notation p1, p2, and so forth designates points. The notation v1, v2, and so forth designates vectors. In drawings, points are displayed as dots, and vectors are displayed as lines with arrows.
Page 217: Use Autolisp Variables
Use AutoLISP Variables You can use AutoLISP variables within arithmetic expressions. The variables must be one of the following types: real, integer, or 2D or 3D point (vector). This example defines a point positioned 5 units in the X direction and 1 unit in the Y direction from the point stored in AutoLISP variable A+[5,1] If you enter an AutoLISP variable with a name containing a character with...
Page 218: Convert Units Of Measurement
getvar(viewctr) With this method, you can also access the user system variables, USERI1-5 and USERR1-5. For example, to retrieve the value stored in USERR2, enter the following: getvar(userr2) Convert Units of Measurement function converts either a number or a point from one unit of cvunit measurement to another.
Page 219: Calculate A Vector From Two Points
Numeric functions Function Description abs(real) Absolute value of the number round(real) Number rounded to the nearest integer trunc(real) Integer portion of the number r2d(angle) Angles in radians converted to degrees; for example, r2d(pi) converts the pi radians to 180 degrees d2r(angle) Angles in degrees converted to radians;...
Page 220: Calculate The Length Of A Vector
Examples of vector and point calculations Expression Meaning vec1(a,b) Determines unit vector direction from point a to point b. L*vec1(a,b) Determines vector of length L in the direction from point a to point b. Determines point b, which is a translation of the point a through vector v.
Page 221: Obtain A Point By Cursor
Obtain a Point by Cursor To enter a point using the pointing device, use the cur function. The program prompts you to specify a point and uses the coordinate values of the point in the expression. The point coordinate values are expressed in terms of the current UCS.
Page 222: Convert Points Between Ucs And Wcs
CAL Snap modes Abbreviation Snap mode INSERT INTERSECTION MIDPOINT CENTER NEAREST NODE QUADRANT PERPENDICULAR TANGENT The following example uses the Center and Endpoint Snap modes in a CAL expression: (cen+end)/2 CAL prompts for a circle or arc and an object. It then determines the midpoint between the center of the circle or arc and the end of the selected object.
Page 223: Calculate A Point On A Line
w2u(p1) Converts point p1 expressed in the WCS to the current UCS. You can use w2u to find the WCS origin in terms of the current UCS: w2u([0,0,0]) Filtering the X, Y, and Z Components of a Point or Vector The following functions filter the X, Y, and Z components of a point or vector.
Page 224: Rotate A Point About An Axis
pld(p1,p2,dist) Calculates a point on the line passing through points p1 and p2. The parameter dist defines the distance of the point from the point p1. plt(p1,p2,t) Calculates a point on the line passing through points p1 and p2. The parameter t defines the parametric position of the point on the line.
Page 225: Obtain An Intersection Point
origin Obtain an Intersection Point The ill and ilp functions determine intersection points. ill(p1,p2,p3,p4) Determines the intersection point between two lines (p1,p2) and (p3,p4). All points are considered three-dimensional. ilp(p1,p2,p3,p4,p5) Determines the intersection point between a line (p1,p2) and a plane passing through three points (p3,p4,p5).
Page 226 The following example returns half the distance between the centers of two selected objects: dist(cen,cen)/2 The following example finds the distance between the point 3,2,4 and a plane you define by selecting three endpoints: dpp([3,2,4],end, end, end) dpl(p,p1,p2) Determines the shortest distance between point p and the line passing through points p1 and p2.
Page 227: Obtain A Radius
Obtain a Radius The rad function determines the radius of a selected object. Determines the radius of a selected object. The object can be a circle, an arc, or a 2D polyline arc segment. The following example uses rad with the CIRCLE command. The radius of the new circle is two-thirds of the radius of the selected polyline arc segment: Command: circle Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tangent tangent radius)]: cen...
Page 228 ang(p1,p2) Determines the angle between the X axis and the line (p1,p2), oriented from p1 to p2. The points are considered 2D, projected on the XY plane of the current UCS. ang(v) Determines the angle between the X axis and vector v. The vector v is considered 2D, projected on the XY plane of the current UCS.
Page 229: Calculate A Normal Vector
>> Expression: ang(end,end,end) Select the apex of the angle, and then select the two opposite vertices. Calculate a Normal Vector The nor function calculates the unit normal vector (a vector perpendicular to a line or plane), not a point. The vector defines the direction of the normal, not a location in space.
Page 230: Use Shortcut Functions
nor(v) nor (p1,p2) nor (p1,p2,p3) The following example sets the view direction perpendicular to a selected object. The program displays the object in plan view and does not distort the object by the parallel projection. Command: vpoint Current view direction: VIEWDIR=current Specify a view point or [Rotate] <display compass and tripod>: 'cal >>...
Page 231: Camera
Shortcut functions Function Shortcut for Description dist(end,end) Distance between two endpoints ille ill(end,end,end,end) Intersection of two lines defined by four endpoints (end+end)/2 Midpoint between two endpoints nor(end,end) Unit vector in the XY plane and normal to two endpoints pldee (d) pld(d,end,end) Point at a distance along a line determined by two endpoints (see pld)
Page 232: Chamfer
camera at A, target at B camera location and target point camera at B, target at A CHAMFER Bevels the edges of objects Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Chamfer Command line: chamfer (TRIM mode) Current chamfer Dist1 = current, Dist2 = current Select “First Line”...
Page 233 Select second line or shift-select to apply corner: Use an object selection method or hold down SHIFT and select an object to create a sharp corner If you select lines or polylines, their lengths adjust to accommodate the chamfer line. You can hold down SHIFT while selecting the objects to override the current chamfer distances with a value of 0.
Page 234 chamfered edge edge selected select edge Loop Switches to Edge Loop mode. Select an edge loop or [Edge]: Select an edge, enter e , or press ENTER Edge Loop Selects all edges on the base surface. chamfered edge selecting edge loop edge loop selected loop Edge...
Page 235 The intersecting polyline segments are chamfered at each vertex of the polyline. Chamfers become new segments of the polyline. If the polyline includes segments that are too short to accommodate the chamfer distance, those segments are not chamfered. selected polyline result Distance Sets the distance of the chamfer from the endpoint of the selected edge.
Page 236: Change
chamfer distance first selected angle second selected Trim Controls whether CHAMFER trims the selected edges to the chamfer line endpoints. Enter Trim mode option [Trim/No trim] <current>: NOTE Trim sets the TRIMMODE system variable to 1; No Trim sets TRIMMODE to 0.
Page 237 If you select lines and other changeable objects in the same selection set, you get varying results depending on the object selection sequence. The easiest way to use CHANGE is to select only lines in a selection set or select only objects other than lines in a selection set.
Page 238 Specifying a new location repositions the text. Pressing ENTER leaves the text in its original position. Enter new text style <current>: If the text has a fixed height, the height prompt is not displayed. Specify new height <current>: Specify new rotation angle <current>: Enter new text <current>: The next object is highlighted and prompts are displayed.
Page 239 Enter property to change [Color/Elev/LAyer/LType/ltScale/LWeight/Thickness/PLotstyle]: NOTE The Plotstyle option is displayed only when you are using named plot styles. If you select several objects with different values for the property you want to change, varies is displayed as the current value. You can change several properties at a time.
Page 240 Elev = 0 Elev = 2 Layer Changes the layer of the selected objects. Enter new layer name <current>: Ltype Changes the linetype of the selected objects. Enter new linetype name <current>: If the new linetype is not loaded, the program tries to load it from the standard linetype library file, acad.lin.
Page 241: Checkstandards
Plotstyle Changes the plot style of the selected objects. A plot style is a collection of property settings that is saved in a plot style table. Enter Plot Style or [?] <current>: Enter a name or enter ? Plot Style Assigns the plot style to the selected objects.
Page 242: Chprop
Close Closes the Check Standards dialog box without applying a fix to the standards violation currently displayed in Problem. Fixes the nonstandard object using the item currently selected in the Replace With list, and advances to the next nonstandard object in the current drawing.
Page 243 Changes the color, layer, linetype, linetype scale factor, lineweight, thickness, and plot style of an object Command line: chprop Select objects: Enter property to change [“Color” on page 219/“Layer” on page 219/“Ltype” on page 220/“Ltscale” on page 220/“Lweight” on page 220/“Thickness” on page 220/“Plotstyle”...
Page 244 Ltype Changes the linetype of the selected objects. Enter new linetype name <current>: If the new linetype is not loaded, the program tries to load it from the standard linetype library file, acad.lin. If this procedure fails, use LINETYPE to load the linetype.
Page 245: Circle
Plot Style Assigns the plot style to the selected objects. When you plot the drawing, objects are plotted with the properties defined in the designated plot style. Plot styles assigned to objects can be overridden by other plot style assignments. ?—List Plot Styles Lists all the plot styles defined in the drawing.
Page 246 Diameter Draws a circle using the center point and a specified distance for the diameter. Specify diameter of circle <current>: Specify a point (2), enter a value, or press ENTER diameter 3P (Three Points) Draws a circle based on three points on the circumference. Specify first point on circle: Specify a point (1) Specify second point on circle: Specify a point (2) Specify third point on circle: Specify a point (3)
Page 247: Cleanscreenon
TTR (Tangent, Tangent, Radius) Draws a circle with a specified radius tangent to two objects. Specify point on object for first tangent of circle: Select a circle, arc, or line Specify point on object for second tangent of circle: Select a circle, arc, or line Specify radius of circle <current>: tan, tan, radius Sometimes more than one circle matches the specified criteria.
Page 248: Cleanscreenoff
CLEANSCREENOFF Restores display of toolbars and dockable windows (excluding the command line) View menu: Clean Screen Command line: cleanscreenoff Restores the state of the display before CLEANSCREENON was used. Use CLEANSCREENON to clear the screen of toolbars and dockable windows (excluding the command line).
Page 249: Select Color Dialog Box
The Select Color Dialog Box is displayed. If you enter -color at the Command prompt, COLOR displays COLOR Command Line. Select Color Dialog Box Format menu: Color Command line: color (or 'color for transparent use) Define the color of objects. You can select from the 255 AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) colors, true colors, and Color Book colors.
Page 250: True Color Tab (Select Color Dialog Box)
Bylayer Specifies that new objects assume the color assigned to the layer on which you create them. When BYLAYER is selected, the color of the current layer is displayed in the Old and New color swatches. Byblock Specifies that new objects use the default color (white or black, depending on your background color) until you group the objects into a block and insert the block.
Page 251 Color Slider Specifies the brightness of a color. To specify color luminance, adjust the bar on the color slider or specify a value in the Luminance box. Color Spectrum Specifies the hue and purity of a color. To specify a hue, move the crosshairs from side to side over the color spectrum.
Page 252: Color Books Tab (Select Color Dialog Box)
RGB Color Model Specifies the RGB color model for selecting colors. The options available on the True Color tab are dependent on whether the HSL or RGB color model is specified. Colors can be broken down into components of red, green, and blue. The values specified for each component represent the intensity of the red, green, and blue components.
Page 253: Color Command Line
RGB Equivalent Indicates the value for each RGB color component. Color Indicates the currently selected color book color. You can search for a specific color in a color book by entering the number of the color swatch and pressing TAB. This action updates the New color swatch with the requested color number.
Page 254: Commandline
True Color Specifies a true color to be used for the selected object. Red, Green, Blue: Enter three integer values from 0 to 255 separated by commas to specify a true color Color Book Specifies a color from a loaded color book to be used for the selected object. Enter Color Book name: Enter the name of a color book that has been installed, such as Pantone If you enter a color book name, you are prompted to enter the color name in...
Page 255: Cone
The Select Shape or Font File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed. Enter the SHP or PFB file name in the dialog box. The compiled file is assigned this name with the file extension .shx. CONE Creates a 3D solid with a circular or elliptical base tapering symmetrically to a point Solids toolbar: Draw menu: Solids...
Page 256 height radius Height Defines the height of the cone. Entering a positive value draws the height along the positive Z axis of the current UCS. Entering a negative value draws the height along the negative Z axis. Apex Specifies the apex of the cone, which defines the height of the cone and the orientation with respect to the Z axis.
Page 257 Specify apex point: Specify a point (2) Elliptical Creates a cone with an elliptical base. Specify axis endpoint of ellipse for base of cone or [Center]: Specify a point (1) or enter c Axis Endpoint Creates the elliptical base of the cone using its axes. Specify a second point to define the diameter of one axis and a third point to specify the radius of the other axis.
Page 258 Center Creates the elliptical base of the cone using its center point and the radius of each axis. Specify center point of ellipse for base of cone <0,0,0>: Specify a point (1) or press ENTER Specify axis endpoint of ellipse for base of cone: Specify a point (2) Specify length of other axis for base of cone: Specify a point (3) Specify height of cone or [Apex]: Specify a distance or enter a Height...
Page 259: Convert
CONVERT Optimizes 2D polylines and associative hatches created in AutoCAD Release 13 or earlier Command line: convert Enter type of objects to convert [Hatch/Polyline/All] <All>: Enter h for hatches, p for polylines, or a for both Hatch Converts all hatches in the drawing. Enter object selection preference [Select/All] <All>: Enter s to select specific objects to convert or a to convert all objects in the drawing Polyline...
Page 260: Convertctb
creating the hatch. When updating hatches with CONVERT, it is recommended that you use the Select option so that you can check your results. In most cases, you do not need to update polylines with CONVERT. By default, the PLINETYPE system variable specifies that polylines are updated automatically when you open an older drawing.
Page 261: Convertpstyles
CONVERTCTB gives the plot styles in the new named plot style table generic names such as STYLE 1, STYLE 2. You can modify these generic plot style names in the the Plot Style Table Editor. Click the Edit button on the Plot Device tab in the Page Setup Dialog Box.
Page 262: Copy
you should select the named plot style table that was converted from the color-dependent plot style table that was assigned to the same drawing. CONVERTPSTYLES attaches the selected named plot style table to model space and to all layouts. Drawing layers are each assigned a named plot style (from the converted plot style table) that has the same plot properties that their color-dependent plot style had.
Page 263: Copybase
2 units in the X direction and 3 units in the Y direction from their current position. The COPY command repeats for convenience. To exit the command, press ENTER. Displacement Specify displacement <last value>: Enter coordinates to represent a vector The coordinate values that you enter specify a relative distance and direction.
Page 264: Copyhist
COPYCLIP copies all objects you select to the Clipboard. You can paste the contents of the Clipboard into a document or drawing as an OLE object. NOTE You can also use CTRL+C to run COPYCLIP. If the cursor is in the drawing area, the selected objects are copied to the Clipboard.
Page 265: Transfer Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box)
Manages customized user interface elements such as workspaces, toolbars, menus, shortcut menus, and keyboard shortcuts. Transfer Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box) Customize Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box) Transfer Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box) Transfers user interface elements to or from a main or partial customization (CUI) file, where your interface element data is stored.
Page 266: Customize Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box)
Customizations In panes When you type cuiimport on the command line, displays the main CUI file (acad.cui by default) in the right pane. You open a CUI or MNU file in the left pane to transfer data. When you type cuiexport on the command line, displays the main CUI file in the left pane.
Page 267 Advanced Displays the DIESEL strings, aliases, and element IDs that you can define for each user interface element. Appearance For toolbars, determines whether the toolbar is on by default (Hide or Show), the toolbar orientation (Floating,Top, Bottom, Left, Right), and the number of rows the toolbar displays.
Page 268 Images For toolbar command, menu commands, mouse buttons, and image tile menus, displays a small image and large image box, where you can define an image’s resource image (Yes or No) and name (where you browse to your user-defined images). Information Describes selected user interface elements that do not have properties (such as the Toolbars node, Menus node, and Shortcut Menus node).
Page 269: Button Editor Dialog Box
Command List Pane Displays a list of commands that are loaded in the program. Properties Pane Displays user interface properties that you can view, edit, or delete. Button Editor Dialog Box Tools menu: Customize Interface Shortcut menu: Right-click any toolbar and click Customize Command line: cui Modifies or creates buttons.
Page 270 Erase Sets pixels to white. Click and drag over colored pixels to change them to white. Line Creates lines using the current color. Click and drag to set the start point and draw the line. Release to complete the line. Pencil Edits one pixel at a time using the current color.
Page 271: Display Filters Dialog Box
Display Filters Dialog Box Tools menu: Customize Interface Command line: cui Displays or hides user interface elements that you can customize in the Available Customizations In tree view. Select the check box next to each item to display it in the tree view, or clear the check box to hide it in the tree view. Display in Tree Displays or hides toolbars, menus, shortcut menus, keyboard shortcuts, LISP files, mouse buttons, and legacy user interface elements (tablet menus,...
Page 272: Replace Tab (Find And Replace Dialog Box)
Find Next Locates the next instance of the search string in the Name, Description, or Macros box in the Properties pane. If you search in the Command List pane, only commands in the list are located. If you search in the tree view in the Customizations In pane, the search starts in the tree view and continues to the commands in the Command List pane.
Page 273 Find Next Locates the next instance of the search string in the Name, Description, or Macros boxes in the Properties pane. If you search in the Command List pane, only commands in the list are located. If you search in the tree view in the Customizations In pane, the search starts in the tree view and continues to the commands in the Command List pane.
Page 274: Cuiexport
Restrict Search To Limits the search to the CUI file you select from the drop-down list. By default, the main CUI file (acad.cui by default) is searched. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from acad.cui to an enterprise or partial CUI file Tools menu: Customize Export Customizations Command line: cuiexport...
Page 275: Customize
Command line: cuiunload Opens the Load/Unload Customizations Dialog Box, where you can unload a CUI file to make its contents unavailable in AutoCAD. CUSTOMIZE Customizes tool palettes Tools menu: Customize Tool Palettes Shortcut menu: Right-click any tool palette and choose Customize. Command line: customize The Customize Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 276: Cutclip
Import a group Palettes Lists all available palettes. Click and drag a palette to move it up or down in the list. Right-click a palette in the list to rename, delete, or export the palette. (When you export a palette, it’s saved to a file with an .xtp extension.) Right-click in the Palettes area to import a palette or to create a new, blank one.
Page 277 Specify Center Point for base of cylinder or [Elliptical] <0,0,0>: Specify a center point (1), enter e , or press ENTER Center Point Defines the center of the circular base of the cylinder. Specify radius for base of cylinder or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d Radius Defines the radius of the circular base of the cylinder.
Page 278 height radius Diameter Defines the diameter of the circular base of the cylinder. Specify diameter for base of cylinder: Specify height of cylinder or [Center of other end]: Specify a distance or enter c Height Defines the height of the cylinder. Entering a positive value draws the height along the positive Z axis of the current UCS.
Page 279 Specify axis endpoint of ellipse for base of cylinder or [Center]: Specify a point (1) or enter c Axis Endpoint Defines the axes of the elliptical base of the cylinder. Specify second axis endpoint of ellipse for base of cylinder: Specify a point (2) Specify length of other axis for base of cylinder: Specify a point (3) The second point defines the diameter of one axis.
Page 280 Specify axis endpoint of ellipse for base of cylinder: Specify a point (2) Specify length of other axis for base of cylinder: Specify a point (3) Specify height of cylinder or [Center of other end]: Specify a distance (4) or enter Height Defines the height of the cylinder.
Page 281: Dbcclose
DBCCLOSE Closes the dbConnect Manager Tools menu: Click dbConnect when the dbConnect Manager is open. Command line: dbcclose DBCLOSE closes the dbConnect Manager and removes the dbConnect menu from the menu bar. DBCONNECT Provides an interface to external database tables Tools menu: dbConnect Command line: dbconnect The dbConnect Manager is displayed and the dbConnect menu is added to...
Page 282: Dbconnect Manager
“Format Dialog Box” on page 289 “Import Query Set Dialog Box” on page 290 “Import Template Set Dialog Box” on page 290 “Label Template Dialog Box” on page 291 “Label Template Properties Dialog Box” on page 293 “Link Conversion Dialog Box” on page 294 “Link Manager”...
Page 283 When you open the dbConnect Manager, a small red X is displayed in the lower right corner of each database and data object. The X indicates that these objects are currently unconnected. To connect to a database or data object, double-click it in the dbConnect Manager.
Page 284 New Query Displays the New Query Dialog Box. This button is not available unless a single table, link template, or query is selected. If a query is selected, you can use this button to display the Query Editor, in which you can edit the query.
Page 285 Export Query Set Opens the Export Query Set Dialog Box, in which you can save all queries stored in the drawing to an external file. The exported query set is saved with the file extension .dbq. Import Query Set Opens the Import Query Set Dialog Box, in which you can import a set of queries stored in an external file with the file extension .dbq.
Page 286 Delete Deletes the selected database object. Available for link templates, label templates, and queries. Duplicate Makes a copy of the selected database object and inserts it in the current drawing. Available for link templates, label templates, and queries. Rename Opens a dialog box in which you can rename the selected database object. Available for link templates, label templates, and queries.
Page 287 Synchronize Verifies that all links in the current drawing based on the selected link template contain valid values. Any detected problems are reported in the Synchronize Dialog Box. Available only for link templates. Reload Refreshes the field values of all labels associated with the selected label template in the current drawing, updating them to reflect any changes made in the source database table.
Page 288: Data View Window
Synchronize Opens the Synchronize Dialog Box. Available only for connected data sources. Configure Opens the Configure a Data Source Dialog Box where you can configure a new data source or edit an existing one. Available only for disconnected data sources. View Table Opens the selected database table in Read-only mode.
Page 289 Shortcut menu: Right-click a link template or a database table in the dbConnect Manager and choose View Table or Edit Table. Double-click a database table or a link template in the dbConnect Manager. Double-clicking a link template that has no links created in the drawing it’s associated with opens the Link Template Dialog Box.
Page 290 Link Links the currently selected database table row or rows to one or more graphical objects. The link and, if desired, the label from the currently selected link and label templates are created in the Data View window. To change the current link creation setting, choose the Link and Label Settings button.
Page 291 View Linked Records in Table Selects records in the Data View window that are linked to the current selection set of graphical objects. AutoView Linked Objects in Drawing Displays linked objects automatically in the current drawing as you select rows from the database table. AutoView Linked Records in Table Displays linked records automatically in the Data View window as you select graphical objects in the current drawing.
Page 292 button’s tooltip is Query, and choosing it opens the New Query dialog box. If the Data View window was opened to return the results of a query, this button’s tooltip is Return to Query, and choosing it returns you to the Query Editor.
Page 293 Column Shortcut Menu Displays the following options when you right-click one or more selected column headers. Sort Opens the Sort Dialog Box, in which you can select a combination of up to five columns to use in specifying a sort order for the Data View. Hide Removes all selected columns from the Data View display.
Page 294 limited to the values stored in the currently selected column. Available only for database tables that are opened in Edit mode. Cell Shortcut Menu Displays the following options when you right-click the selected cell. View Linked Objects Indicates graphical objects in the current drawing that are linked to the selected database record.
Page 295 Copy Copies the value from the current cell to the Clipboard. Paste Inserts the value currently stored on the Clipboard into the selected cell. Available only for database tables that are opened in Edit mode. Clear Deletes the value in the current cell. Available only for database tables that are opened in Edit mode.
Page 296 Clear All Marks Clears record selection marks from the selected records in the Data View window. Grid Header Shortcut Menu Displays the following options when you right-click the grid header. Commit Saves all changes made in the Data View window to the source database table and closes the Data View window.
Page 297 Navigation Controls Cycle quickly through the records in the Data View window. The following controls are available: First Button Selects the first record. Previous Button Selects the previous record. Next Button Selects the next record. Last Button Selects the last record. Data View Print Preview Window Loads into the Data View window a preview image of how the current table appears when you print it.
Page 298 Print Opens the default system Print dialog box. Next Page Presents a preview image of the next page of the database table. Prev Page Restores the preview image of the previous page of the database table. Two Page Toggles the display between one and two preview pages. If you choose Two Page, the name of the button changes to One Page and vice versa.
Page 299: Query Editor
Query Editor Consists of a series of four tabs that you can use to build and execute queries. If you are creating a new query, the New Query Dialog Box is displayed first. You can open the Query Editor using the following methods: dbConnect buttons: Select a database table or a link template in the dbConnect Manager and choose the New Query button.
Page 300 Close Closes the dialog box without issuing the query. Execute Issues the finished query and closes the dialog box. Field Lists the fields from the current database table, from which you can select one to apply to the query. Indicate Objects in Drawing Indicates linked objects that match your search criterion in the current drawing.
Page 301: Range Query Tab (Query Editor)
Operator Displays a list of available operators that can be applied to the query. For information about operators, see “Construct Simple Queries” in the User’s Guide. Options Opens the Data View and Query Options Dialog Box. Store Saves the query with the current drawing. Value Specifies a value for the field that you are using to construct your query.
Page 302: Query Builder Tab (Query Editor)
Field Lists the fields from the current database table, from which you can select one to apply to the query. From Specifies the first value of the range. The query returns all records or graphical objects that are greater than or equal to this value. Indicate Objects in Drawing Indicates linked objects that match your search criterion in the current drawing.
Page 303 Query Builder Grid Provides a space for you to construct queries based on multiple search parameters. Field Provides a space where you can select the field or fields to include in your query. Double-click in the Field cell of the current row to display a list of available fields from the current database table that you can use in constructing your query.
Page 304 cell that you want to group. To insert an end parenthesis, click in the cell to the right of the last Value cell that you want to group. Value Provides a space where you can specify a value for the query condition of the current row.
Page 305: Sql Query Tab (Query Editor)
Ascending/Descending Sort Reverses the sort order for the currently selected field. If an ascending sort order is currently applied, choosing this button reverses the sort to descending order, and vice versa. Indicate Records in Data View Indicates records that match your search criteria in the Data View Window. Indicate Objects in Drawing Indicates linked objects that match your search criteria in the current drawing.
Page 306 [...] Button Returns a list of available values for the specified field from the selected database table in the Column Values Dialog Box, from which you can select a value to apply to the query. Add (Fields) Adds the selected field to the SQL text editor. Add (Operator) Adds the selected operator to the SQL text editor.
Page 307 Execute Issues the finished query and closes the dialog box. Fields Displays a list of the fields in the selected database table. You can add fields to the SQL text editor by double-clicking them, by selecting them and choosing Add in the Fields area, or by dragging them from the Fields list to the SQL text editor.
Page 308: Column Values Dialog Box
Column Values Dialog Box Lists values for the selected database column; you can select a value to apply to the current operation. Column Values Lists all values for the selected database column. Select a value from the list and choose OK to apply it to the current operation. If you are constructing a query using the In operator, you can add additional values to the query by pressing the CTRL or SHIFT key as you select values.
Page 309 Data View menu: Options. (The Data View menu is available only if you currently have a database table open in the Data View Window.) AutoPan and Zoom Control how linked objects are displayed in the current drawing when you select their corresponding records in the Data View Window. Accumulate Record Set in Data View Adds additional records to the record set as you select additional graphical objects.
Page 310 Automatically Zoom Drawing Zooms the drawing automatically so that all objects associated with the current record set are displayed. Mark Indicated Records Applies a marking color to linked Data View records to clearly differentiate them from records without links. Marking Color Specifies the marking color to apply to linked Data View records.
Page 311: Export Links Dialog Box
Accumulate Options Control the accumulation of selection and record sets. Export Links Dialog Box Exports a set of links that are associated with a selection set of graphical objects. You can open this dialog box using the following method: dbConnect menu: Links Export Links If more than one link template exists for the set of graphical objects that you select, the Select a Database Object Dialog Box is displayed, in which you can...
Page 312: Export Query Set Dialog Box
Export Query Set Dialog Box Exports a set of queries that are associated with the current drawing. You can open this dialog box using the following methods: dbConnect menu: Queries Export Query Set Shortcut menu: In the dbConnect Manager, right-click the drawing node of a drawing that contains one or more queries and choose Export Query Set.
Page 313: Format Dialog Box
Data View menu: Find. (The Data View menu is available only if you currently have a database table open in the Data View Window.) Shortcut menu: Right-click a record header or a single cell in the Data View window and choose Find. Direction Toggles the direction that the program searches for the specified value in the Data View window.
Page 314: Import Query Set Dialog Box
Preview Displays how the current Format option values look when applied to the Data View window. Size Specifies the size in points that is applied to the current font. Textcolor Specifies the color that is applied to the Data View table records. Import Query Set Dialog Box Imports a set of queries into the current drawing.
Page 315: Label Template Dialog Box
Shortcut menu: Right-click a drawing node in the dbConnect Manager and choose Import Template Set. File Name Specifies the name of the template set to import. Files of Type Specifies the file extension of the template set that you’re importing. Template sets always have the .dbt extension.
Page 316 Label Fields Tab (Label Template Dialog Box) Specifies which database table fields are displayed when you create labels based on this template. Adds the selected field in the Field list to the label. Field Displays a list of available fields from the current database table that you can include in your label.
Page 317: Label Template Properties Dialog Box
freestanding labels, the Tip Offset specifies the X and Y offset from the insertion point you specified for the label. Label Offset Tab (Label Template Dialog Box) Defines X and Y coordinate offsets for the insertion point of both your label and, if it is an attached label, its associated leader object.
Page 318: Link Conversion Dialog Box
Table Displays the name of the database table specified for the selected label template. You can select a new database table from this list to apply to the label template. Template Name Displays the name of the selected label template. Link Conversion Dialog Box Converts links created in AutoCAD Release 12, Release 13, and Release 14 to AutoCAD 2000 (and later) format.
Page 319 AutoCAD 2000 and later. Similar mappings must be established between all old ASE link values and the new values that you want substituted for them. Link Format Specifies the format of the link that you are converting. Different fields are displayed depending on whether you select R12 or R13/R14.
Page 320: Link Manager
Schema Lists available schemas that you can select for the converted link. Table Specifies the database table used by the link that you’re converting. Table Specifies the database table used by the link that you’re converting. Table Lists available database tables that you can select for the converted link. Old Link Format (R12) Specifies the path to the database table used by the link that you’re converting.
Page 321: Link Select Dialog Box
Delete Deletes the currently selected link from the graphical object it’s associated with. Displays the key fields of the currently selected link template. Link Templates Lists all link templates that are associated with the selected graphical object. Select the link template whose link values you want to view or edit. Value Displays all key values that are defined for the selected link.
Page 322 dbConnect menu: Links Link Select Shortcut menu: Right-click a link template in the dbConnect Manager and choose Link Select. The Link Select dialog box contains the Quick Query, Range Query, and Query Builder tabs from the Query Editor, and the following additional controls. Applies a Link Select operator to the current query or selection set.
Page 323 Subtract A–B Subtracts the results of the new query or drawing selection from the existing running selection. Subtract B–A Subtracts the existing running selection from the results of the new query or drawing selection. Union Adds the results of the new query or selection set to the running selection set.
Page 324: Link Template Dialog Box
Drawing option is selected, the Select button is displayed. After choosing the Execute or Select button, you can apply more queries or select additional graphical objects to further refine your selection set. Venn Diagram Displays a diagram of the currently selected Do operation. Reset Clears the Link Select dialog box and discards all previous actions so that you can begin a new Link Select operation.
Page 325 dbConnect menu: Templates New Link Template. Navigate to and select a database table from the Select a Database Object Dialog Box and choose Continue. Shortcut menu: Right-click a database table in the dbConnect Manager and choose New Link Template. Double-click a link template in the dbConnect Manager. This method opens the Link Template dialog box directly, without first displaying the New Link Template dialog box.
Page 326: Link Template Properties Dialog Box
Template Name Displays the name of the link template. Link Template Properties Dialog Box Displays the full data source path to a link template’s table. You can use this dialog box to update a link template with new data source information. Before the Link Template Properties dialog box opens, the Select a Database Object Dialog Box is displayed, from which you can select a link template.
Page 327: New Link Template Dialog Box
dbConnect Manager buttons: Select a database table and choose the New Label Template button. Data View buttons: Choose New Label Template from the Label Template list, and then choose either the Create Freestanding Label or the Create Attached Label button flyout. If there is no link template defined for the selected database table in the current drawing, the program displays the New Link Template Dialog Box.
Page 328: New Query Dialog Box
dbConnect menu: Templates New Link Template. Navigate to and then select a database table in the Select Data Object Dialog Box and choose Continue. Shortcut menu: Right-click a table in the dbConnect Manager and choose New Link Template. After you enter a name for the link template and choose Continue, the Link Template Dialog Box opens, in which you specify the key fields that the link uses.
Page 329: Replace Dialog Box
New Query Name Specifies a name for the query. Replace Dialog Box Searches for specified text or a numeric value in the currently loaded Data View table. You can specify a replacement value that overwrites the value that you’re searching for. The search is limited to a single database table column. It is not possible to conduct a global search that scans all columns in the database table.
Page 330: Select A Database Object Dialog Box
Select a Database Object Dialog Box Displays a list of the database objects, such as link templates, label templates, or queries, that are associated with the current drawing. You can select a database object from this list to apply to the current operation. You can open this dialog box using the following methods: dbConnect menu: Templates New Label Template, Edit Link Template, Edit...
Page 331: Sort Dialog Box
Sort Dialog Box Specifies a sort order that is applied to the database table records displayed in the Data View Window. You can select a combination of up to five columns to apply to the sort order. You can open this dialog box using the following method: Shortcut menu: Right-click a column header in the Data View window and choose Sort.
Page 332 from the Synchronize dialog box. Other errors (such as links that point to nonexistent records) must be fixed in the source database table. You can open this dialog box using the following methods: dbConnect menu: Synchronize Shortcut menu: Right-click a link template in the dbConnect Manager and choose Synchronize.
Page 333: Dblclkedit
DBLCLKEDIT Controls double-click behavior Command line: dblclkedit Enter double-click editing mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: If double-click editing is turned on, one of several dialog boxes may be displayed, depending on the object type that is double-clicked. When you double-click most objects, the Properties palette is displayed. Double-clicking some types of objects displays specialized editors that are more powerful, convenient, or frequently used.
Page 334: Ddedit
DDEDIT Edits single-line text, dimension text, attribute definitions, and feature control frames Text toolbar: Modify menu: Object Text Edit Double-click a text object. Shortcut menu: Select a text object, right-click in the drawing area, and click Edit. Command line: ddedit Object Selection or [Undo]: Object Selection Displays the appropriate editing method for the type of text you select:...
Page 335: Edit Attribute Definition Dialog Box
When the DTEXTED system variable is set to 1, modifies text created with TEXT or DTEXT. Enter the new text and click OK. To add a field to the text, right-click the text where you want to insert the field and click Insert Field on the shortcut menu to display the Field Dialog Box.
Page 336: Point Style Dialog Box
Point Style Dialog Box Format menu: Point Style Command line: ddptype (or 'ddptype for transparent use) Shows the current point style and size. Change the point style by selecting an icon. Point Display Images Specifies the image used to display point objects. The point style is stored in the PDMODE system variable.
Page 337: Ddvpoint
DDVPOINT Sets the three-dimensional viewing direction View menu: 3D Views Viewpoint Presets Command line: ddvpoint The Viewpoint Presets Dialog Box is displayed. Viewpoint Presets Dialog Box View menu: 3D Views Viewpoint Presets Command line: ddvpoint Defines 3D view settings. Set Viewing Angles Sets the direction of the view relative to either the world coordinate system (WCS) or a user coordinate system (UCS).
Page 338: Delay
Absolute to WCS Sets the view direction relative to the WCS. Relative to UCS Sets the view direction relative to the current UCS. X Axis Specifies the angle from the X axis. XY Plane Specifies the angle from the XY plane. From Specifies viewing angles.
Page 339: Dim And Dim1
Command line: detachurl Select objects: Use an object selection method, and press ENTER to end selection Hyperlinks are removed from the selected objects. If an area is selected, the polyline is deleted. You can use PURGE to remove the URLLAYER layer. DIM and DIM1 Accesses Dimensioning mode Command line: dim or dim1...
Page 340: Dimaligned
Dimensioning mode command equivalents Dimensioning mode Equivalent command command ALIGNED DIMALIGNED ANGULAR DIMANGULAR BASELINE DIMBASELINE CENTER DIMCENTER CONTINUE DIMCONTINUE DIAMETER DIMDIAMETER HOMETEXT DIMEDIT Home HORIZONTAL DIMLINEAR Horizontal LEADER LEADER NEWTEXT DIMEDIT New OBLIQUE DIMEDIT Oblique ORDINATE DIMORDINATE OVERRIDE DIMOVERRIDE RADIUS DIMRADIUS RESTORE -DIMSTYLE Restore...
Page 341 Creates an aligned linear dimension Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Aligned Command line: dimaligned Specify first Extension Line Origin or <Object Selection>: Specify a point for manual extension lines, or press ENTER for automatic extension lines After you specify either manual or automatic extension lines, the following prompt is displayed: Specify “Dimension Line Location”...
Page 342 offset from origin stored in DIMEXO object selected dimension line location designated If you select a circle, the endpoints of its diameter are used as the origins of the extension line. The point used to select the circle defines the origin of the first extension line.
Page 343: Dimangular
Enter the dimension text, or press ENTER to accept the generated measurement. To include the generated measurement, use angle brackets (< >) to represent the generated measurement. If alternate units are not turned on in the dimension style, you can display alternate units by entering square brackets ([ ]).
Page 344 Dimension menu: Angular Command line: dimangular Select Arc Selection, Circle Selection, Line Selection, or <Three-Point Specification>: Select an arc, circle, or line, or press ENTER to create the angular dimension by specifying three points After you define the angle to dimension, the following prompt is displayed: Specify Dimension Arc Line Location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Arc Selection Uses points on the selected arc as the defining points for a three-point angular...
Page 345 angle vertex Line Selection Defines the angle using two lines. Select second line: The program determines the angle by using each line as a vector for the angle and the intersection of the lines for the angle vertex. The dimension line spans the angle between the two lines.
Page 346 Dimension Arc Line Location Specifies the placement of the dimension line and determines the direction to draw the extension lines. After you specify the location, DIMANGULAR ends. Mtext Displays the In-Place Text Editor, which you can use to edit the dimension text.
Page 347: Dimarc
Angle Changes the angle of the dimension text. Specify angle of dimension text: Enter an angle. For example, to rotate the text 45 degrees, enter 45. DIMARC Creates an arc length dimension Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Arc Length Command line: dimarc Select arc or polyline arc segment: Use an object selection method Specify Arc Length Dimension Location or [Mtext/Text/Angle/Partial/“Leader”...
Page 348 The current dimension style determines the appearance of the generated measurements. Text Customizes the dimension text at the command line. The generated dimension measurement is displayed within angle brackets. Enter dimension text <current>: Enter the dimension text, or press ENTER to accept the generated measurement. To include the generated measurement, use angle brackets (<...
Page 349: Dimbaseline
DIMBASELINE Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the baseline of the previous dimension or a selected dimension Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Baseline Command line: dimbaseline If no dimension was created in the current session, you are prompted to select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the base for the baseline dimension.
Page 350: Dimcenter
angular baseline dimensioning linear baseline dimensioning Feature Location Uses the endpoint of the base dimension as the endpoint for the baseline dimension; you are prompted for the next feature location. When you select a feature location, the baseline dimension is drawn and the Specify Feature Location prompt is redisplayed.
Page 351: Dimcontinue
Dimension menu: Center Mark Command line: dimcenter Select arc or circle: Use an object selection method You can choose between center marks and centerlines and specify their size when you set up the dimension style. See DIMSTYLE. You can also change center mark settings using the DIMCEN system variable.
Page 352 Second Extension Line Origin Uses the second extension line origin of the continued dimension for the first extension line origin of the next dimension. The current dimension style determines the appearance of the text. After you select a continued dimension, the Specify a Second Extension Line Origin prompt is redisplayed.
Page 353: Dimdiameter
Select Prompts you to select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the continued dimension. After you select a continued dimension, the Specify a Second Extension Line Origin prompt or the Specify Feature Location prompt is redisplayed. To end the command, press ESC . DIMDIAMETER Creates diameter dimensions for circles and arcs Dimension toolbar:...
Page 354: Dimdisassociate
Text Customizes the dimension text at the command line. The generated dimension measurement is displayed within angle brackets. Enter dimension text <current>: Enter the dimension text, or press ENTER to accept the generated measurement. To include the generated measurement, use angle brackets (< >) to represent the generated measurement.
Page 355 Command line: dimedit Enter type of dimension editing [“Home” on page 331/New /“Rotate” on page 332/Oblique] <Home>: Enter an option or press ENTER Home Moves rotated dimension text back to its default position. Select objects: Use an object selection method to select dimension objects before Home after Home The selected dimension text is returned to its default position and rotation...
Page 356 not turned on in the dimension style, you can display them by entering square brackets ([ ]). For more information about formatting dimension text, see Change Existing Objects in the User’s Guide. Rotate Rotates dimension text. This option is similar to the Angle option of DIMTEDIT.
Page 357: Dimjogged
DIMJOGGED Creates jogged radius dimensions Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Jogged Command line: dimjogged Select arc or circle: Select an arc, circle, or polyline arc segment DIMJOGGED measures the radius of the selected object and displays the dimension text with a radius symbol in front of it. The origin point of the dimension line can be specified at any convenient location.
Page 358 Dimension Line Location Determines the angle of the dimension line and the location of the dimension text. Mtext Displays the In-Place Text Editor, which you can use to edit the dimension text. To add a prefix or a suffix, enter the prefix or suffix text before or after the generated measurement.
Page 359: Dimlinear
Locates the middle point of the jog. The transverse angle of the jog is determined by the Dimension Style Manager. DIMLINEAR Creates linear dimensions Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Linear Command line: dimlinear Specify first First Extension Line Origin or <Object Selection>: Specify a point or press ENTER to select an object to dimension After you specify the extension line origin points or the object to dimension, the following prompt is displayed:...
Page 360 Dimension Line Location Uses the point you specify to locate the dimension line and determines the direction to draw the extension lines. After you specify the location, the dimension is drawn. dimension line location designated Mtext Displays the In-Place Text Editor, which you can use to edit the dimension text.
Page 361 Dimension text properties are set on the Text tab of the New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style dialog boxes. Angle Changes the angle of the dimension text. Specify angle of dimension text: Enter an angle. For example, to rotate the text 90 degrees, enter 90. before Angle after Angle Horizontal...
Page 362 Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or enter an option Dimension Line Location Uses the point you specify to locate the dimension line. After you specify the location, the dimention is drawn. Mtext, Text, Angle These text editing and formatting options are identical in all dimension commands.
Page 363: Dimordinate
If you select a line or an arc, the line or arc endpoints are used as the origins of the extension lines. The extension lines are offset from the endpoints by the distance you specify in Offset from Origin in the Lines and Arrows tab of the New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style dialog boxes.
Page 364 Dimension menu: Ordinate Command line: dimordinate Specify feature location: Specify a point or snap to an object Specify Leader Endpoint Specification or [Xdatum/Ydatum/Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or enter an option Leader Endpoint Specification Uses the difference between the feature location and the leader endpoint to determine whether it is an X or a Y ordinate dimension.
Page 365: Dimoverride
to enter special characters or symbols. See “Control Codes and Special Characters” on page 1194. To edit or replace the generated measurement, delete the text, enter the new text, and then click OK. If alternate units are not turned on in the dimension style, you can display them by entering square brackets ([ ]).
Page 366: Dimradius
Dimension Variable Name to Override Overrides the value of the dimensioning system variable you specify. Enter new value for dimension variable <current>: Enter a value or press ENTER If you enter a new value, the Dimension Variable Name to Override prompt is redisplayed.
Page 367: Dimreassociate
the generated measurement. Use control codes and Unicode character strings to enter special characters or symbols. See “Control Codes and Special Characters” on page 1194. To edit or replace the generated measurement, delete text, enter the new text, and then click OK. If alternate units are not turned on in the dimension style, you can display them by entering square brackets ([ ]).
Page 368 current dimension is not associated to a geometric object, the marker appears as an X; if the definition point is associated, the marker appears as an X inside a box. NOTE The marker disappears if you pan or zoom with a wheel mouse. Press ESC to terminate the command without losing the changes that were already specified.
Page 369: Dimregen
Linear Specify first extension line origin or [Select object] <next>: Specify an object snap location, enter s and select a geometric object, or press ENTER to skip to the next prompt Specify second extension line origin <next>: Specify an object snap location, or press ENTER to skip to the next dimension object, if any Ordinate Specify feature location <next>: Specify an object snap location, or press ENTER...
Page 370: Dimension Style Manager
Styles toolbar: Format menu: Dimension Style Dimension menu: Style Command line: dimstyle The Dimension Style Manager is displayed. If you enter -dimstyle at the Command prompt, DIMSTYLE Command Line. Dimension Style Manager Format menu: Dimension Style Dimension menu: Style Command line: dimstyle Creates new styles, sets the current style, modifies styles, sets overrides on the current style, and compares styles.
Page 371 Styles Lists dimension styles in the drawing. The current style is highlighted. Right-click in the list to display a shortcut menu with options to set the current style, rename styles, and delete styles. You cannot delete a style that is current or in use in the current drawing.
Page 372: Create New Dimension Style Dialog Box
Modify Displays the “New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style Dialog Boxes” on page 349, in which you can modify dimension styles. Dialog box options are identical to those in the New Dimension Style dialog box. Override Displays the “New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style Dialog Boxes” on page 349, in which you can set temporary overrides to dimension styles.
Page 373: New, Modify, And Override Dimension Style Dialog Boxes
New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style Dialog Boxes Format menu: Dimension Style Dimension menu: Style Command line: dimstyle Set properties for dimension styles. When you choose Continue in the Create New Dimension Style dialog box, the New Dimension Style dialog box is displayed.
Page 374 Dimension Lines Sets the dimension line properties. Color Displays and sets the color for the dimension line. If you click Select Color (at the bottom of the Color list), the Select Color Dialog Box is displayed. You can also enter a color name or number. (DIMCLRD system variable) You can select colors from the 255 AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) colors, true colors, and Color Book colors.
Page 375 extension Baseline Spacing Sets the spacing between the dimension lines of a baseline dimension. Enter a distance. For information about baseline dimensions, see DIMBASELINE. (DIMDLI system variable.) spacing Suppress Suppresses display of dimension lines. Dim Line 1 suppresses the first dimension line;...
Page 376 You can select colors from the 255 AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) colors, true colors, and Color Book colors. Linetype Ext 1 Sets the linetype of the first extension line. (There is no system variable for this setting.) Linetype Ext 2 Sets the linetype of the second extension line.
Page 377: Symbols And Arrows Tab
offset Fixed Length Extension Lines Sets the total length of the extension lines starting from the dimension line toward the dimension origin. There is no system variable for this setting. However, the extension-line offset (DIMEXO system variable) sets the minimum offset distance from the extension-line origin points regardless of the setting for fixed-length extension lines.
Page 378 Arrowheads Controls the appearance of the dimension arrowheads. First Sets the arrowhead for the first dimension line. When you change the first arrowhead type, the second arrowhead automatically changes to match it. (DIMBLK1 system variable) To specify a user-defined arrowhead block, select User Arrow. The Select Custom Arrow Block dialog box is displayed.
Page 379 To specify a user-defined arrowhead block, select User Arrow. The Select Custom Arrow Block dialog box is displayed. Select the name of a user-defined arrowhead block. (The block must be in the drawing.) Arrow Size Displays and sets the size of arrowheads. (DIMASZ system variable) Center Marks Controls the appearance of center marks and centerlines for diameter and radial dimensions.
Page 380: Text Tab
None Suppresses the display of arc length symbols. Radius Dimension Jog Controls the display of jogged (zigzag) radius dimensions. Jogged radius dimensions are often created when the center point is located off the page. Jog Angle Determines the angle of the transverse line that connects the extension and dimension lines of a radius dimension.
Page 381 Text Appearance Controls the dimension text format and size. Text Style Displays and sets the current style for dimension text. Select a style from the list. To create and modify styles for dimension text, choose the [...] button next to the list. (DIMTXSTY system variable) Text Style Button Displays the Text Style Dialog Box, in which you can define or modify text styles.
Page 382 Fill Color Sets the color for the text background in dimensions. If you click Select Color (at the bottom of the Color list), the Select Color Dialog Box is displayed. You can also enter color name or number. You can select colors from the 255 AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) colors, true colors, and Color Book colors.
Page 383 JIS: Places the dimension text to conform to a Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) representation. centered above outside Horizontal Controls the horizontal placement of dimension text along the dimension line, in relation to the extension lines. (DIMJUST system variable) Horizontal position options include the following: Centered: Centers the dimension text along the dimension line between the extension lines.
Page 384 Over Ext Line 2: Positions the text over or along the second extension line. text over first text over second extension line extension line Offset from Dim Line Sets the current text gap, which is the distance around the dimension text when the dimension line is broken to accommodate the dimension text.
Page 385: Fit Tab
Aligned with Dimension Line Aligns text with the dimension line. ISO Standard Aligns text with the dimension line when text is inside the extension lines, but aligns it horizontally when text is outside the extension lines. Preview Displays sample dimension images that show the effects of changes you make to dimension style settings.
Page 386 Fit Options Controls the placement of text and arrowheads based on the space available between the extension lines. When space is available, text and arrowheads are placed between the extension lines. Otherwise, text and arrowheads are placed according to the Fit options. (DIMATFIT, DIMTIX, and DIMSOXD system variables) Either Text or Arrows (Best Fit) Moves either the text or the arrowheads outside the extension lines based...
Page 387 When enough space is available for arrowheads only, places them between the extension lines and places text outside the extension lines. When space is available for neither text nor arrowheads, places them both outside the extension lines. Arrows Moves arrowheads outside the extension lines first, then text. When enough space is available for text and arrowheads, places both between the extension lines.
Page 388 Suppress Arrows If They Don’t Fit Inside Extension Lines Suppresses arrowheads if not enough space is available inside the extension lines. (DIMSOXD system variable) Text Placement Sets the placement of dimension text when it is moved from the default position, that is, the position defined by the dimension style. (DIMTMOVE system variable) Beside the Dimension Line If selected, moves the dimension line whenever dimension text is moved.
Page 389: Primary Units Tab
Use Overall Scale Of Sets a scale for all dimension style settings that specify size, distance, or spacing, including text and arrowhead sizes. This scale does not change dimension measurement values. (DIMSCALE system variable) Scale Dimensions to Layout Determines a scale factor based on the scaling between the current model space viewport and paper space.
Page 390 Linear Dimensions Sets the format and precision for linear dimensions. Unit Format Sets the current units format for all dimension types except Angular. (DIMLUNIT system variable) The relative sizes of numbers in stacked fractions are based on the DIMTFAC system variable (in the same way that tolerance values use this system variable).
Page 391 Round Off Sets rounding rules for dimension measurements for all dimension types except Angular. If you enter a value of 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit. If you enter a value of 1.0, all dimension distances are rounded to the nearest integer.
Page 392 as two inches. The value does not apply to angular dimensions and is not applied to rounding values or to plus or minus tolerance values. (DIMLFAC system variable) Apply to Layout Dimensions Only: Applies the measurement scale value only to dimensions created in layout viewports. Except in unusual circumstances, this setting should remain off.
Page 393: Alternate Units Tab
Preview Displays sample dimension images that show the effects of changes you make to dimension style settings. Alternate Units Tab Specifies display of alternate units in dimension measurements and sets their format and precision. Display Alternate Units Adds alternate measurement units to dimension text. Sets the DIMALT system variable to 1.
Page 394 Precision Sets the number of decimal places for alternate units. (DIMALTD system variable) Multiplier for Alternate Units Specifies the multiplier used as the conversion factor between primary and alternate units. For example, to convert inches to millimeters, enter 25.4. The value has no effect on angular dimensions, and it is not applied to the rounding value or the plus or minus tolerance values.
Page 395: Tolerances Tab
Zero Suppression Controls the suppression of leading and trailing zeros and of feet and inches that have a value of zero. (DIMALTZ system variable) Leading Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, 0.5000 becomes .5000. Trailing Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, 12.5000 becomes 12.5, and 30.0000 becomes 30.
Page 396 Tolerance Format Controls the tolerance format. Method Sets the method for calculating the tolerance. (DIMTOL system variable) None: Does not add a tolerance. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 0. Symmetrical: Adds a plus/minus expression of tolerance in which a single value of variation is applied to the dimension measurement.
Page 397 plus sign (+) precedes the tolerance value entered in Upper Value, and a minus sign (–) precedes the tolerance value entered in Lower Value. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 1. The DIMLIM system variable is set to 0. Limits: Creates a limit dimension.
Page 398 Lower Value Sets the minimum or lower tolerance value. (DIMTM system variable) Scaling for Height Sets the current height for the tolerance text. The ratio of the tolerance height to the main dimension text height is calculated and stored in the DIMTFAC system variable.
Page 399 Leading Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, 0.5000 becomes .5000. Trailing Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, 12.5000 becomes 12.5, and 30.0000 becomes 30. 0 Feet Suppresses the feet portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the distance is less than 1 foot.
Page 400: Compare Dimension Styles Dialog Box
Preview Displays sample dimension images that show the effects of changes you make to dimension style settings. Compare Dimension Styles Dialog Box Format menu: Dimension Style Dimension menu: Style Command line: dimstyle Compares the properties of two dimension styles or displays all properties of one style.
Page 401: Dimstyle Command Line
With Specifies the second dimension style for the comparison. If you set the second style to <none> or to the same style as the first, all the properties of the dimension style are displayed. Comparison results are displayed automatically under the following headings: Description of the dimension style property System variable that controls the property...
Page 402 displayed, with the current setting in the first column, and the setting of the compared style in the second column. After the differences are displayed, the previous prompt returns. ?—List Dimension Styles Lists the named dimension styles in the current drawing. Enter dimension style(s) to list <*>: Enter a name, a partial name with wild-card characters, or press ENTER to list all dimension styles After the named dimension styles are listed, the previous prompt returns.
Page 403 Variables Lists the dimension system variable settings of a dimension style or selected dimensions without modifying the current settings. Enter a dimension style name, [?] or <select dimension>: Enter a name, enter ? , or press ENTER to select dimensions Name Lists the settings of dimension system variables for the dimension style name you enter.
Page 404: Dimtedit
DIMTEDIT Moves and rotates dimension text Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Align Text Command line: dimtedit Select dimension: Select a dimension object You are prompted for the new location of the dimension text. Specify Location for Dimension Text or [Left/Right/Center/Home/Angle]: Specify a point or enter an option dimension text with left dimension text...
Page 405 before Left after Left Right Right-justifies the dimension text along the dimension line. This option works only with linear, radial, and diameter dimensions. before Right after Right Center Centers the dimension text on the dimension line. Home Moves the dimension text back to its default position. before Home after Home Angle...
Page 406: Dist
The center point of the text does not change. If the text moves or the dimension is regenerated, the orientation set by the text angle is retained. Entering an angle of 0 degrees puts the text in its default orientation. DIST Measures the distance and angle between two points Inquiry toolbar:...
Page 407 Draw menu: Point Divide Command line: divide Select object to divide: Use an object selection method Enter Number of Segments or [Block]: Enter a value from 2 through 32,767, or enter Number of Segments Places point objects at equal intervals along the selected objects. The illustration shows a polyline divided into five parts.
Page 408: Donut
block not aligned block aligned DONUT Draws filled circles and rings Draw menu: Donut Command line: donut Specify inside diameter of donut <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER If you specify an inside diameter of 0, the donut is a filled circle. Specify outside diameter of donut <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER Specify center of donut or <exit>: Specify a point (1) or press ENTER to end the command...
Page 409: Dragmode
DRAGMODE Controls the way dragged objects are displayed Command line: dragmode (or 'dragmode for transparent use) Enter new value [On/Off/Auto] <current>: Enter an option or press ENTER Permits dragging, but you must enter drag where appropriate in a drawing or editing command to initiate dragging. DRAGMODE on Ignores all dragging requests, including those embedded in menu items.
Page 410 Command line: drawingrecovery The Drawing Recovery Manager displays a list of all drawing files that were open at the time of a program or system failure. You can preview and open each drawing or backup file to choose which one should be saved as the primary DWG file.
Page 411: Drawingrecoveryhide
Collapse All Collapses all top-level drawing nodes. Access this option by right-clicking a blank area in the Backup Files area. Expand All Expands all top-level drawing nodes. Access this option by right-clicking a blank area in the Backup Files area. Open Opens the selected drawing or backup file for drawing recovery.
Page 412: Dsettings
Command line: draworder Select objects: Use an object selection method Enter object ordering option [Above Objects/Under Objects/Front/Back] <Back>: Enter an option or press ENTER Above Objects Moves the selected object above the specified reference objects. Select reference objects: Use an object selection method Under Objects Moves the selected objects below the specified reference objects.
Page 413: Drafting Settings Dialog Box
The Drafting Settings Dialog Box is displayed. Drafting Settings Dialog Box Tools menu: Drafting Settings Shortcut menu: Right-click Snap, Grid, Polar, Osnap, Otrack, or Dyn on the status bar and click Settings. Command line: dsettings (or 'dsettings for transparent use) Specifies drafting settings organized for drawing aids in four categories: Snap and Grid Tab (Drafting Settings Dialog Box), Polar Tracking Tab (Drafting Settings Dialog Box), Object Snap Tab (Drafting Settings Dialog Box), and...
Page 414 Snap On Turns Snap mode on or off. You can also turn Snap mode on or off by clicking Snap on the status bar, by pressing F9 , or by using the SNAPMODE system variable. Snap Controls an invisible grid that restricts cursor movement to specified intervals. Snap X Spacing Specifies the snap spacing in the X direction.
Page 415 Grid Controls the display of a dot grid that helps you visualize distances. NOTE The limits of the dot grid are controlled by the LIMITS command. Grid X Spacing Specifies the dot spacing in the X direction. If this value is 0, the grid assumes the value set for Snap X Spacing.
Page 416 Polar Tracking On Turns polar tracking on and off. You can also turn polar tracking on or off by pressing F10 or by using the AUTOSNAP system variable. Polar Angle Settings Sets the alignment angles for polar tracking. (POLARANG system variable) Increment Angle Sets the polar increment angle used to display polar tracking alignment paths.
Page 417 List of Angles If Additional Angles is selected, lists the additional angles that are available. To add new angles, click New. To remove existing angles, click Delete. (POLARADDANG system variable) Adds up to 10 additional polar tracking alignment angles. NOTE Before adding fractional angles, you must set the AUPREC system variable to the appropriate decimal precision to avoid undesired rounding.
Page 418 Object Snap Tab (Drafting Settings Dialog Box) Controls running object snap settings. With running object snap settings, also called Osnap, you can specify a snap point at an exact location on an object. When more than one option is selected, the selected snap modes are applied to return a point closest to the center of the aperture box.
Page 419 Endpoint Snaps to the closest endpoint of an arc, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline segment, spline, region, or ray, or to the closest corner of a trace, solid, or 3D face. selection point snap point Midpoint Snaps to the midpoint of an arc, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline segment, region, solid, spline, or xline.
Page 420 Quadrant Snaps to a quadrant point of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc. snap point selection point Intersection Snaps to the intersection of an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline, ray, region, spline, or xline. Extended Intersection is not available as a running object snap.
Page 421 Extension Causes a temporary extension line or arc to be displayed when you pass the cursor over the endpoint of objects, so you can specify points on the extension. Insertion Snaps to the insertion point of an attribute, a block, a shape, or text. Perpendicular Snaps to a point perpendicular to an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline, ray, region, solid, spline, or xline.
Page 422 NOTE When you use the From option in conjunction with the Tangent snap mode to draw objects other than lines from arcs or circles, the first point drawn is tangent to the arc or circle in relation to the last point selected in the drawing area.
Page 423 Enable Pointer Input Turns on pointer iput. When pointer input and dimensional input are both turned on, dimensional input supersedes pointer input when it is available. (DYNMODE system variable) Pointer Input Displays the location of the crosshairs as coordinate values in a tooltip near the cursor.
Page 424: Pointer Input Settings Dialog Box
Dimension Input Displays a dimension with tooltips for distance value and angle value when a command prompts for a second point or a distance. The values in the dimension tooltips change as you move the cursor. You can enter values in the tooltip instead of on the command line.
Page 425: Dimension Input Settings Dialog Box
cannot use the direct distance method when this option is selected. (DYNPICOORDS system variable) Always—Even When Not in a Command Always displays tooltips when pointer input is turned on. (DYNPIVIS system variable) As Soon As I Type Coordinate Data When pointer input is turned on, displays tooltips only when you start to enter coordinate data.
Page 426: Tooltip Appearance Dialog Box
Visibility Controls which tooltips are displayed during grip stretching when dimensional input is turned on. (DYNDIVIS system variable) Absolute Angle Displays an angle dimensional tooltip that is updated as you move the grip. Angle Change Displays the change in the angle as you move the grip. Arc Radius Displays the radius of an arc, which is updated as you move the grip.
Page 427: Dsviewer
Previews Displays an example of the current tooltip appearance settings. Color Controls the color of tooltips. Layout Color Displays the Select Color Dialog Box, where you can specify a color for tooltips in layouts. Model Color Displays the Select Color Dialog Box, where you can specify a color for tooltips in model space.
Page 428: Aerial View Window
The Aerial View Window is displayed. Aerial View Window View menu: Aerial View Command line: dsviewer Displays the entire drawing; the current view is marked with a wide outline box. View Menu (Aerial View Window) Changes the magnification of the Aerial View by zooming in and out of the drawing or by displaying the entire drawing in the Aerial View window.
Page 429 Global Displays the entire drawing and the current view in the Aerial View window. Realtime Zoom Updates the drawing area in real time when you zoom using the Aerial View window. Zoom In Increases the magnification of the drawing in the Aerial View window by zooming in by a factor of 2, centered on the current view box.
Page 430: Dview
Options Menu (Aerial View Window) Provides toggles for automatic viewport display and dynamic updating of the drawing. All of the menu options are also available from a shortcut menu you can access by right-clicking in the Aerial View window. DVIEW Defines parallel projection or perspective views by using a camera and target Command line: dview “Object Selection”...
Page 431 target camera plan view 3D perspective view Object Selection Specifies objects to use in the preview image as you change views. Selecting too many objects slows image dragging and updating. DVIEWBLOCK If you press ENTER at the Select Objects prompt, DVIEWBLOCK displays a preview image.
Page 432 Point Specification Rolls the view under the camera. The point you select with your pointing device is a start point for the dragging operation. Your viewing direction changes about the target point as you move the pointing device. Enter direction and magnitude angles: Enter angles between 0 degrees and 360 degrees, or specify a point with your pointing device Enter both angles, separated by a comma.
Page 433 camera at A plan view camera rotated to B The illustration shows the camera rotating to the left from its initial position, leaving its angle from the XY plane unchanged. Toggle (Angle From) Switches between two angle input modes. Entering an angle on the command line locks the cursor movement so you see only the positions available for that angle.
Page 434 below. A target angle of 0 degrees means that the target is parallel to the XY plane of the UCS. After you toggle the angle input mode or specify the angle from the XY plane, you are returned to the previous prompt. Toggle (Angle In) Switches between two angle input modes.
Page 435 Toggle (Angle From) Switches between two angle input modes. Entering an angle on the command line locks the cursor movement so you see only the positions available for that angle. Toggle unlocks the cursor movement for the angle, and you can use the cursor to rotate the target. Distance Moves the camera in or out along the line of sight relative to the target.
Page 436 camera at A plan view camera at B The illustration shows the effect of moving the camera along the line of sight relative to the target, where the field of view remains constant. Points Locates the camera and target points using X,Y,Z coordinates. You can use XYZ point filters.
Page 437 camera at A, target at B camera location and target point camera at B, target at A For information about entering direction and magnitude angles, see “Point Specification” on page 408. Shifts the image without changing the level of magnification. Specify displacement base point: Specify a point Specify second point: Specify a point Zoom...
Page 438 the lens length is similar to switching to a telephoto lens. Decreasing the lens length widens the field of view, as with a wide-angle lens. Specify lens length <50.000mm>: Specify a value or press ENTER A slider bar along the top of the drawing area is labeled from 0x to 16x, with 1x representing the current lens length.
Page 439 walls that you can position perpendicular to the line of sight between the camera and target. Enter clipping option [Back/Front/Off] <Off>: Enter an option or press ENTER Back Obscures objects located behind the back clipping plane. Specify distance from target or [ON/OFF] <current>: Specify a distance, enter an option, or press ENTER Distance from Target Positions the back clipping plane and turns on back clipping.
Page 440: Dwgprops
Turns off front clipping. This option is available only when perspective viewing is off. back clip front clip camera position of clipping planes view resulting from camera position Turns off front and back clipping. If perspective viewing is on, front clipping remains on at the camera position.
Page 441: Drawing Properties Dialog Box
Command line: dwgprops The Drawing Properties Dialog Box is displayed. Drawing Properties Dialog Box File menu: Drawing Properties Command line: dwgprops Displays read-only statistics or general information about your drawing, assigns summary properties, and assigns names and values to custom properties. These custom properties can help you identify your drawing.
Page 442 File Name Shows the file icon and the file name. File Type, Location, Size Shows the file type, the file location, and the size of the file. MS-DOS Name, Created, Modified, Accessed Shows MS-DOS name, when the file was created, and the date and time it was last modified and last accessed.
Page 443 Hidden Indicates that the file is hidden; you cannot see or use it unless you know its name. System Indicates that the file is a system file. A drawing cannot have the System attribute set. Summary Tab (Drawing Properties Dialog Box) Displays properties such as author, title, and subject that are predefined.
Page 444 NOTE If the program detects that the drawing was last saved using an application other than Autodesk software, a warning message is displayed. This value is stored in the DWGCHECK system variable.
Page 445 Created Displays the date and time the drawing was created. This value is stored in the TDCREATE system variable. Modified Displays the date and time the drawing was last modified. This value is stored in the TDUPDATE system variable. Last Saved By Displays the name of the last person who modified the file.
Page 446 Custom Tab (Drawing Properties Dialog Box) Assigns custom properties to the drawing. For example, you could create a custom property called Project and assign the actual project name as the value. To assign the same custom properties to a group of drawings, create the custom properties in a drawing template file.
Page 447: Add Custom Property Dialog Box
Add Custom Property Dialog Box File menu: Drawing Properties Command line: dwgprops Adds a custom property to the drawing file. Custom Property Name Specifies a unique name for the custom property. The name can contain up to 255 characters. The following characters are not permitted: asterisk (*), equal sign (=), less-than and greater-than signs (<...
Page 449: Chapter 7 Eattedit
EATTEDIT Edits attributes in a block reference Modify II toolbar: Modify menu: Object Attribute Single Command line: eattedit Select a block: You are prompted to select a block in the drawing area. After you select a block with attributes, the Enhanced Attribute Editor is displayed. If the block you select does not contain attributes, or if you select something that is not a block, an error message is displayed, and you are prompted to select another block.
Page 450 Tag identifying the attribute. The Enhanced Attribute Editor contains the following tabs: “Attribute Tab (Enhanced Attribute Editor)” on page 426 “Text Options Tab (Enhanced Attribute Editor)” on page 426 “Properties Tab (Enhanced Attribute Editor)” on page 427 Attribute Tab (Enhanced Attribute Editor) Displays the tag, prompt, and value assigned to each attribute.
Page 451: Eattext
Backwards Specifies whether or not the attribute text is displayed backwards. Upside down Specifies whether or not the attribute text is displayed upside down. Width Factor Sets the character spacing for the attribute text. Entering a value less than 1.0 condenses the text. Entering a value greater than 1.0 expands it. Oblique Angle Specifies the angle that the attribute text is slanted away from its vertical axis.
Page 452: Attribute Extraction Wizard
Exports block attribute information to a table or to an external file Modify II toolbar: Tools menu: Attribute Extraction Command line: eattext The Attribute Extraction Wizard is displayed. Attribute Extraction Wizard Tools menu: Attribute Extraction Command line: eattext Provides step-by-step instructions for extracting information from block attributes in the current drawing or other drawings.
Page 453 settings in the template file. You can change these settings. On the Finish page, you can choose whether to save the new settings. Template Name Specifies an attribute extraction template (BLK) file. Click the [...] button to select the file in a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes. Select Drawings Specifies the drawing files and the blocks from which to extract information.
Page 454 Additional Settings Displays the “Attribute Extraction - Additional Settings Dialog Box” on page 432, where you can specify whether to include nested blocks and block in xrefs and specify which blocks to count. Select Attributes Specifies the blocks and the attributes and properties to be extracted. Exclude Blocks Without Attributes Filters the Blocks list.
Page 455 The Display Name column provides a place to enter an optional alternative name for the property to appear in the extracted information. Select a property, right-click in the list, and click Edit Display Name. The Type column displays one of three categories for the property. General designates ordinary block properties, for example, color or layer.
Page 456: Attribute Extraction - Additional Settings Dialog Box
Enter a Title for Your Table Specifies a title for the table. This row is not overwritten when the table is updated. The default table style, STANDARD, includes a title row. If the selected table style does not include a title row, this option is not available. Select Table Style Specifies the table style.
Page 457: Filter Dialog Box
Block Settings Provides options for which blocks to include in the attribute extraction and the block count. Include All Blocks from Entire Drawing Counts all block instances in the entire drawing. Available only when the current drawing or multiple drawings is selected. On by default. Include Blocks in Xrefs Includes blocks in externally referenced (xref) files.
Page 458: Edge
Specifies the rows to show in the table. The Values in the column are listed and checked. Uncheck any row that you do not want to be displayed in the table or the file. EDGE Changes the visibility of three-dimensional face edges Surfaces toolbar: Draw menu: Surfaces Edge...
Page 459: Edgesurf
Selects the hidden edges of all 3D faces in the drawing and displays them. If you want to make the edges of the 3D faces visible once again, use the Edge option. You must select each edge with your pointing device to display it.
Page 460: Elev
Draw menu: Surfaces Edge Surface Command line: edgesurf Current wire frame density: SURFTAB1=current SURFTAB2=current Select object 1 for surface edge: Select object 2 for surface edge: Select object 3 for surface edge: Select object 4 for surface edge: You must select the four adjoining edges that define the surface patch. The edges can be lines, arcs, splines, or open 2D or 3D polylines.
Page 461: Ellipse
Specify new default thickness <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER The thickness sets the distance to which a 2D object is extruded above or below its elevation. A positive value is extruded along the positive Z axis; a negative value is extruded along the negative Z axis. with elevation with thickness ELEV controls only new objects;...
Page 462 Specify other endpoint of axis: Specify a point (2) Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Specify a distance by entering a value or locating a point (3), or enter r Distance to Other Axis Defines the second axis using the distance from the midpoint of the first axis to the endpoint of the second axis (3).
Page 463 Specify other endpoint of axis: Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Specify a distance or enter r The descriptions of the Distance to Other Axis and Rotation options match those of the corresponding options under Center. Center Creates the elliptical arc using a center point you specify. Specify center of elliptical arc: Specify endpoint of axis: Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Specify a distance or enter r...
Page 464 Parameter Requires the same input as Start Angle, but creates the elliptical arc using the following parametric vector equation: p(u) = c + a* cos(u) + b* sin(u) where c is the center of the ellipse and a and b are its major and minor axes, respectively.
Page 465: Erase
Distance to Other Axis Defines the second axis as the distance from the center of the ellipse, or midpoint of the first axis, to the point you specify. Rotation Creates the ellipse by appearing to rotate a circle about the first axis. Specify rotation around major axis: Specify a point, or enter an angle value between 0 and 89.4 Specify start angle or [Parameter]: Specify an angle or enter p...
Page 466: Etransmit
Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Erase Shortcut menu: Select the objects to erase, right-click in the drawing area, and click Erase. Command line: erase Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish selecting objects The objects are removed from the drawing. object selected object erased ETRANSMIT...
Page 467 All files to be included in the transmittal package are indicated by a check mark next to the file name. Right-click in the file display area to display a shortcut menu with several options. Sheets Tab Lists the sheets to be included in the transmittal package in a hierarchy based on sheet subsets.
Page 468 Sheet Set Files. Lists the support files associated with the sheet set. Current Drawing. Lists the files associated with the current drawing. User Added Files. Lists the files that have been added manually with the Add File option. Files Table Tab Displays the files to be included in the transmittal package in a table format.
Page 469 Add File Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can select an additional file to include in the transmittal package. This button is available on both the Files Tree tab and the Files Table tab. Enter Notes to Be Included with This Transmittal Package Provides a space where you can enter notes related to a transmittal package.
Page 470: Transmittal Setups Dialog Box
View Report Displays report information that is included with the transmittal package. Includes any transmittal notes that you entered and distribution notes automatically generated that detail what steps must be taken for the transmittal package to work properly. For example, if SHX fonts are detected in one of the transmittal drawings, you are instructed where to copy these files so that they can be detected on the system where the transmittal package is being installed.
Page 471: Import Transmittal Setups Dialog Box
New Transmittal Setup Name Enter the name of the new transmittal setup. Rename Renames the currently highlighted transmittal setup. Modify Displays the Modify Transmittal Setup Dialog Box, in which you can specify options for the transmittal package. Delete Removes the currently highlighted transmittal setup. Import In a sheet set context, opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to a sheet set data (DST) file.
Page 472: Modify Transmittal Setup Dialog Box
Imports selected transmittal setups from a specified sheet set data file. List of Transmittal Setups Displays a list of transmittal setups. Check the ones that you want to import into the current sheet set. Overwrite with Current Storage Location When checked, replaces the imported sheet set storage locations with the storage location of the current sheet set.
Page 473 Transmittal Package Type Specifies the type of transmittal package created. Bind External References Binds all external references to the files to which they were attached. Browse Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to specify a source root folder. Folder Creates a transmittal package of uncompressed files in a new or existing folder.
Page 474 Include Fonts Includes any associated font files (TTFand SHX) with the transmittal package. NOTE Because TrueType fonts are proprietary, you should make sure that the recipient of the transmittal package also owns the TrueType fonts. If you are not sure whether the recipient owns the TrueType fonts, clear this option. If any required TrueType fonts are not available to the recipient, the font specified by the FONTALT system variable is substituted.
Page 475 Send E-mail with Transmittal Launches the default system email application when the transmittal package is created so that you can send an email that includes the transmittal package as an attachment. Set Default Plotter to ‘None’ Changes the printer/plotter setting in the transmittal package to None. Your local printer/plotter settings are usually not relevent to the recipient.
Page 476: Transmittal - Set Password Dialog Box
Creates a transmittal package of files as a compressed ZIP file. To restore the files to the folder location that you specify, you need a decompression utility such as the shareware application PKZIP or WinZip. File Format Specifies the file format to which all drawings included in a transmittal package will be converted.
Page 477: Etransmit Command Line
Password for Compressed Transmittal Provides a space for an optional password for the transmittal package. When others attempt to open the transmittal package, they must provide this password to access the files. Password protection cannot be applied to folder transmittal packages. Password Confirmation Provides a space to confirm the password that you entered in the Password field.
Page 478: Explode
Report Only Creates a report (TXT) file without creating a transmittal package. This report file is based on the current transmittal setup. Sheet Set Specifies a sheet set and transmittal setup to use for the transmittal package. This option is available only when a sheet set is open. Sheet Set name or [?] <current>: Enter a predefined sheet set name, enter ? to display a list of sheet sets, or press ENTER Choose Transmittal Setup or [?] <current>: Enter a predefined transmittal setup...
Page 479 3D Solid Explodes planar surfaces into regions. Nonplanar surfaces explode into bodies. If within a nonuniformly scaled block, explodes into elliptical arcs. Block Removes one grouping level at a time. If a block contains a polyline or a nested block, exploding the block exposes the polyline or nested block object, which must then be exploded to expose its individual objects.
Page 480: Export
Multiline Text Explodes into text objects. Polyface Mesh Explodes one-vertex meshes into a point object. Two-vertex meshes explode into a line. Three-vertex meshes explode into 3D faces. Region Explodes into lines, arcs, or splines. EXPORT Saves objects to other file formats File menu: Export Command line: export The Export Data dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is...
Page 481 Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Extend Command line: extend Select boundary edges... “Boundary Object Selection” on page 457 or <select all>: Select one or more objects and press ENTER, or press ENTER to select all displayed objects Select Object to Extend or Shift-Select to Trim or [Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/“Undo”...
Page 482 NOTE Some crossing selections of objects to be extended are ambiguous. EXTEND resolves the selection by following along the rectangular crossing window in a clockwise direction from the first point to the first object encountered. Project Specifies the projection method used when extending objects. Enter a projection option [None/Ucs/View] <current>: Enter an option or press ENTER objects to...
Page 483 projection of arcs that intersect with boundary edge onto current UCS View Specifies projection along the current view direction. left viewport right viewport Edge Extends the object to another object’s implied edge, or only to an object that actually intersects it in 3D space. selected object to selected boundary extend...
Page 484: Extrude
extended No Extend Specifies that the object is to extend only to a boundary object that actually intersects it in 3D space. not extended Undo Reverses the most recent changes made by EXTEND. EXTRUDE Creates unique solid primitives by extruding existing two-dimensional objects Solids toolbar: Draw menu: Solids Extrude...
Page 485 Specifies the objects to extrude. You can extrude planar 3D faces, closed polylines, polygons, circles, ellipses, closed splines, donuts, and regions. You cannot extrude objects contained within a block or polylines that have crossing or self-intersecting segments. A polyline must contain at least 3 but not more than 500 vertices. If a selected polyline has width, the width is ignored and the polyline is extruded from the center of the polyline path.
Page 486 Path Selects the extrusion path based on a specified object. The profile of the selected object is extruded along the chosen path to create solids. path profile Select extrusion path: Use an object selection method Lines, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, polylines, or splines can be paths. The path should not lie on the same plane as the profile, nor should it have areas of high curvature.
Page 487: Chapter 8 Field
FIELD Creates a multiline text object with a field that can be updated automatically as the field value changes Insert menu: Field Shortcut menu: Right-click while any text command is active, and click Insert Field. Command line: field The Field Dialog Box is displayed. Field Dialog Box Insert menu: Field Shortcut menu: Right-click while any text command is active, and click Insert...
Page 488 Field Value Displays the current value of the field, or displays an empty string (----) if the field value is invalid. The label for this item changes with the field name. For example, when Filename is selected in the Field Names list, the label is Filename and the value is the name of the current drawing file.
Page 489 Evaluate Updates the value in Preview when you have manually changed the text in Formula. Field Category Sets the types of fields to be listed under Field Names. Field Expression Displays the expression that underlies the field. The field expression cannot be edited, but you can learn how fields are constructed by reading this area.
Page 490 Names, lists the properties of the selected object that are available as fields. When a block with attributes is selected, the attribute names are displayed in the list of properties. Sheet Navigation Tree Displays a tree view of sheets or sheet views from the Sheet Set Manager, from which you can select an item for the field.
Page 491: Field Format Dialog Box
Field Format Dialog Box Insert menu: Field Shortcut menu: Right-click while any text command is active, and click Insert Field. Command line: field Provides additional formatting options for fields. Current Value Displays the field value in base drawing units. Preview Displays the field value that will be displayed in Preview when you return to the Fields dialog box.
Page 492: Fill
Leading Suppresses leading zeros in all decimal field values. For example, 0.5000 becomes .5000. Thousands Inserts a comma to group thousands in a field value. Trailing Suppresses trailing zeros in all decimal field values. For example, 12.5000 becomes 12.5, and 30.0000 becomes 30. Zero Suppression Controls the suppression of leading and trailing zeros, and of feet and inches that have a value of zero.
Page 493: Fillet
Fill mode off FILLET Rounds and fillets the edges of objects Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Fillet Command line: fillet Current settings: Mode = current, Radius = current Select First Object or [Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: Use an object selection method or enter an option First Object Selects the first of two objects required to define a 2D fillet or selects the edge of a 3D solid to round or fillet the edge.
Page 494 polyline segment, FILLET deletes the segment that separates them and replaces it with the fillet. More than one fillet can exist between arcs and circles. Select the objects close to where you want the endpoints of the fillet. selection points result (with radius greater than 0) FILLET does not trim circles;...
Page 495 results (with radius greater than 0) selection points If you select a 3D solid, you can select multiple edges, but you must select the edges individually. Enter fillet radius <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER Select an edge or [Chain/Radius]: Select edge(s), enter c , or enter r Edge Selects a single edge.
Page 496 Chain Changes from selection of single edges to selection of sequential tangent edges, called a chain selection. Select edge chain or <Edge/Radius>: Select an edge chain, enter e , or enter r Edge Chain Selects a tangential sequence of edges when you select a single edge. For example, if you select an edge on the top of a 3D solid box, FILLET also selects the other tangential edges on the top.
Page 497: Filter
before after Radius Defines the radius of the fillet arc. Specify fillet radius <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER The value you enter becomes the current radius for subsequent FILLET commands. Changing this value does not affect existing fillet arcs. Trim Controls whether FILLET trims the selected edges to the fillet arc endpoints.
Page 498: Object Selection Filters Dialog Box
Object Selection Filters Dialog Box Command line: filter (or 'filter for transparent use) Selects, edits, and names filters for object selection. Filter Property List Displays a list of the filter properties that compose the current filter. The current filter is the filter that you select in Current in the Named Filters area. Select Filter Adds filter properties to the current filter.
Page 499 Delete Current Filter List Deletes a filter and all its properties from the default filter file. Object Types and Logical Operators Lists object types that you can filter and logical operators (AND, OR, XOR, and NOT) for grouping the filter expressions. If you use logical operators, make sure that you pair and balance them correctly in the filter list.
Page 500: Find
X, Y, Z Parameters Define additional filter parameters depending on the object. For example, if you select Line Start, you can enter the X, Y, and Z coordinate values that you want to filter. In the filter parameters, you can use relative operators such as < (less than) or >...
Page 501: Find And Replace Dialog Box
Find and Replace Dialog Box Edit menu: Find Shortcut menu: End any active commands, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Find. Command line: find Specifies the text you want to find, replace, or select and controls the scope and results of the search. Context Displays and highlights the currently found text string in its surrounding context.
Page 502 in the Context area. Once you find the first instance of the text, the Find option becomes Find Next, which you can use to find the next instance. Object Type Specifies the type of object the text was found in. Options Displays the Find and Replace Options Dialog Box, in which you can define the type of objects and words that you want to find.
Page 503: Find And Replace Options Dialog Box
Select Objects Button Closes the dialog box temporarily so that you can select objects in your drawing. Press ENTER to return to the dialog box. When you select objects, Search In displays Current Selection. Status Displays confirmation of find and replace searches. Zoom To Displays the area in the drawing that contains the results of a find or replace search.
Page 504: Fog
Include Specifies the type of objects you want to include in the search. By default, all options are selected. Match Case Includes the case of the text in Find Text String as part of the search criteria. Provides visual cues for the apparent distance of objects Render Toolbar: View menu: Render Command line: fog...
Page 505 Enable Fog Turns fog on and off without affecting the other settings in the dialog box. Fog Background Applies fog to the background as well as to the geometry. Color System Controls whether the red, green, blue (RGB) color system or the hue, lightness, saturation (HLS) color system is used.
Page 506 Red, Green, Blue Adjusts the individual red, green, and blue components of the selected color. Red, green, and blue are the primary light colors shaded from black to the full intensity of the color. Moving one scroll box affects the mix of the three colors. The result is displayed in the Color Selected swatch.
Page 507: Chapter 9 Gotourl
GOTOURL Opens the file or web page associated with the hyperlink attached to an object Command line: gotourl Select an object that has an attached hyperlink. The file or web page (URL) that is associated with the hyperlink opens. GRADIENT Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a gradient fill Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Gradient...
Page 508 Grid Spacing (X) Sets the grid to the specified value. Entering x after the value sets the grid spacing to the specified value multiplied by the snap interval. Turns on the grid using the current spacing. GRID turned on Turns off the grid. GRID turned off Snap Sets the grid spacing to the snap interval specified by the SNAP command.
Page 509: Group
GRID set to Aspect GROUP Creates and manages saved sets of objects called groups Command line: group The Object Grouping Dialog Box. If you enter -group at the Command prompt, GROUP displays GROUP Command Line. Object Grouping Dialog Box Command line: group Displays, identifies, names, and changes object groups.
Page 510 Group Name Displays the names of existing groups. Selectable Specifies whether a group is selectable. When a group is selectable, selecting one object in the group selects the whole group. Objects on locked or frozen layers are not selected. When the PICKSTYLE system variable is set to 0, no groups are selectable.
Page 511 Find Name Lists the groups to which an object belongs. Pick a member of a group: Select one object The Group Member List dialog box is displayed, showing the groups to which the object belongs. Group Name Specifies the group name. Group names can be up to 31 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and the special characters dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_) but not spaces.
Page 512 You can either change the numerical position of individual group members or ranges of group members or reverse the order of all members. The first object in a group is number 0, not number 1. Remove Removes objects from the selected group. To use this option, clear the Selectable option.
Page 513: Order Group Dialog Box
Create Group Specifies properties of new groups. Change Group Modifies existing groups. Order Group Dialog Box Command line: group Reorders objects in groups. Description Displays the description of the selected group. Enter New Position Number for the Object (0–n) Specifies the position to which the object moves. Group Name Displays the names of all groups.
Page 514: Group Command Line
Number of Objects (1–n) Specifies the object number or range of numbers to reorder. Re-Order Changes the numerical order of objects as specified. Remove from Position (0–n) Specifies the current position of the object to reorder. Reverse Order Reverses the order of all group members. GROUP Command Line If you enter -group at the Command prompt, GROUP displays prompts on the command line.
Page 515 Reverse Order Reverses the order of all members in a group. Adds objects to a group. Enter a group name or [?]: Enter a name or enter ? to list all groups Select objects to add to group... Select objects: Remove Removes objects from a group.
Page 516 Create Creates a group. Enter a group name or [?]: Enter a name or enter ? Group names can be up to 31 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and special characters dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_) but not spaces.
Page 517: Hatch
HATCH Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Hatch Command line: hatch The Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box is displayed. If you enter -hatch at the Command prompt, HATCH displays HATCH Command Line.
Page 518: Add: Pick Points
“Options” on page 496 “Inherit Properties ” on page 497 “Preview” on page 497 Add: Pick Points Determines a boundary from existing objects that form an enclosed area around the specified point. The dialog box closes temporarily, and you are prompted to pick a point.
Page 519: Remove Boundaries
object selected hatch boundary result When you use the Select Objects option, HATCH does not detect interior objects automatically. You must select the objects within the selected boundary to hatch or fill those objects according to the current island detection style. object selected text selected result...
Page 520: Recreate Boundary
Select Objects Removes temporary boundary objects for hatching or filling as you select them. internal point selected object removed result Add Boundaries Adds temporary boundary objects for hatching or filling as you select them. Recreate Boundary Creates a polyline or region around the selected hatch or fill, and optionally associates the hatch object with it.
Page 521: Hatch Tab (Hatch And Gradient Dialog Box)
Create Separate Hatches Controls whether a single hatch object or multiple hatch objects are created when several separate closed boundaries are specified. (HPSEPARATE system variable) Draw Order Assigns the draw order to a hatch or fill. You can place a hatch or fill behind all other objects, in front of all other objects, behind the hatch boundary, or in front of the hatch boundary.
Page 522 Type and Pattern Specifies the type of hatch and the pattern. [...] Button Displays the Hatch Pattern Palette Dialog Box, in which you can view preview images for all predefined patterns at once to help you make a selection. [...] Button Displays the Hatch Pattern Palette Dialog Box, in which you can view preview images for all custom patterns at once to help you make a selection.
Page 523 Click to Set New Origin Specifies the new hatch origin point directly. Custom Pattern Lists the available custom patterns. The six most recently used custom patterns appear at the top of the list. The name of the selected pattern is stored in the HPNAME system variable.
Page 524 Spacing Specifies the spacing of lines in a user-defined pattern. HATCH stores the spacing in the HPSPACE system variable. This option is available only if you set Type to User Defined. Specified Origin Specifies a new hatch origin. Click this option to make the following options available.
Page 525: Gradient Tab (Hatch And Gradient Dialog Box)
Gradient Tab (Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box) Defines the appearance of the gradient fill to be applied. Color Angle Specifies the angle of the gradient fill. The specified angle is relative to the current UCS. This option is independent of the angle specified for hatch patterns.
Page 526: More Options (Hatch And Gradient Dialog Box)
Color Swatch Specifies the color for the gradient fill. Click the Browse button [...] to display the Select Color Dialog Box, where you can select an AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) color, true color, or color book color. The default color displayed is the current color in the drawing.
Page 527 Islands Specifies the method used to hatch or fill objects within the outermost boundary. If no internal boundaries exist, specifying an island detection style has no effect. Because you can define a precise set of boundaries, it is often best to use the Normal style. Current Viewport Defines the boundary set from everything in the current viewport extents.
Page 528 Island Detection Controls whether internal closed boundaries, called islands, are detected. Prompts you to select the objects that define the boundary set. Normal Hatches or fills inward from the outer boundary. If HATCH encounters an internal island, it turns off hatching or filling until it encounters another island within the island.
Page 529 Retain Boundaries Creates boundary objects from the temporary hatch boundaries and adds them to the drawing. Use Current Origin Uses the current hatch origin setting Use Source Hatch Origin Uses the hatch origin of the source hatch The Normal, Outer, and Ignore options are also available from a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the drawing area while you specify points or select objects to define your boundaries.
Page 530: Hatch Pattern Palette Dialog Box
gaps equal to or smaller than the value you specify are ignored, and the boundary is treated as closed. (HPGAPTOL system variable) Inherit Options When you create a hatch with Inherit Properties, these settings control the location of the hatch origin. Hatch Pattern Palette Dialog Box Draw menu: Hatch Command line: hatch...
Page 531: Hatch Command Line
Displays all ISO patterns shipped with the product. Other Predefined Displays all patterns other than ANSI and ISO shipped with the product. Preview Displays a preview image of the selected custom pattern. HATCH Command Line If you enter -hatch at the Command prompt, HATCH displays prompts on the command line.
Page 532 Pattern(s) to list <*>: Enter a name list or press ENTER Solid Specifies a solid fill and redisplays the first HATCH command line prompt, where you can define a boundary. User Defined Specifies a user-defined pattern. Enter u, followed by an optional hatch style code.
Page 533 Select Objects Removes objects from the boundary definition. Add Boundaries Adds objects to the boundary definition. Advanced Sets the method used to create the hatch boundary. Enter an option [Boundary set/Retain boundary/Island detection/Style/Associativity/Gap tolerance/separate Hatches]: Enter an option or press ENTER to return to the previous prompt Boundary Set Defines the set of objects to be analyzed when defining a boundary from a specified internal point.
Page 534 Nearest Runs a line from the point you specify to the nearest object and then traces the boundary in a counterclockwise direction. Runs a line in the positive X direction from the point you specify to the first object encountered and then traces the boundary in a counterclockwise direction.
Page 535 ray casting direction (+Y) Runs a line in the negative Y direction from the point you specify to the first object encountered and then traces the boundary in a counterclockwise direction. ray casting direction (-Y) Angle Runs a line at the specified angle from the point you specify to the first object encountered and then traces the boundary in a counterclockwise direction.
Page 536 Ignore IIgnores all internal objects and hatches or fills through them. You can also set the Ignore style by adding ,I to the pattern name in the HPNAME system variable. Outer Hatches or fills inward from the outer boundary. HATCH turns hatching or filling off if it encounters an internal island.
Page 537 Associativity Specifies that the new hatch pattern is updated when its boundaries are modified. A new hatch pattern’s associativity is set by the HPASSOC system variable. Changing the associativity setting here also changes the setting in the HPASSOC system variable. Do you want associativity? [Yes/No] <current>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER Gap Tolerance Sets the maximum size of gaps that can be ignored when objects are used as...
Page 538: Hatchedit
[Use current origin/Set new origin/bottom Left/bottom Right/top rIght/top lEft/Center] <current>: Enter an option, or press ENTER to accept the default and return to the previous prompt Set new origin Specifies the new hatch origin point directly. Default to boundary extents Calculates a new origin based on the rectangular extents of the hatch.
Page 539 Modifies the characteristics of an existing hatch or fill. The Hatch Edit dialog box displays the current properties of the selected hatch or fill object. You can modify only the properties in the Hatch Edit dialog box that are available. Boundaries Modifies the boundaries of a hatch or fill.
Page 540: Hatchedit Command Line
For information about these options, see the Hatch Tab (Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box) in the Hatch and Gradient dialog box. Inherit Properties Assigns the hatch or fill properties from another hatch object. For more information, see the “Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box” on page 493.
Page 541 Enter hatching style [Ignore/Outer/Normal] <current>: Ignore Ignores all internal objects and hatches or fills through them. You can also set the Ignore style by adding ,I to the pattern name in the HPNAME system variable. Outer Hatches or fills inward from the outer boundary. HATCH turns hatching or filling off if it encounters an internal island.
Page 542 Add Boundaries Modifies the boundaries of a hatch or fill by adding boundaries. For more information, see Add: Pick Points or Add: Select Objects. Remove Boundaries Modifies the boundaries of a hatch or fill by removing boundaries. For more information, see Remove Boundaries. Recreate Boundary Creates a polyline or region around the selected hatch or fill, and optionally associates the hatch object with it.
Page 543: Help
Use current origin Sets the value of the HPORIGINMODE system variable. The last 5 options listed below correspond to the values 1-5. [Use current origin/Set new origin/bottom Left/bottom Right/top rIght/top lEft/Center] <current>: Enter an option, or press ENTER to accept the default and return to the previous prompt Set new origin Specifies the new hatch origin point directly.
Page 544: Hlsettings
View menu: Hide Command line: hide When you use VPOINT, DVIEW, or VIEW to create a 3D view of your drawing, a wireframe is displayed in the current viewport. All lines are present, including those hidden by other objects. HIDE eliminates the hidden lines from the screen.
Page 545: Hidden Line Settings Dialog Box
The Hidden Line Settings Dialog Box is displayed. The settings in this dialog box affect the display properties of hidden lines. Hidden Line Settings Dialog Box Command line: hlsettings Sets the display properties of hidden lines. These settings are visible only when the HIDE command or the Hidden option of the SHADEMODE command is used.
Page 546 High (double) Sets the hide precision to high (double), which produces more precise hides, but also uses more memory and can affect performance, especially when hiding solids. Linetype Lists the available linetypes to apply to obscured lines. Unlike regular linetypes, obscured linetypes are not affected by zoom level. (OBSCUREDLTYPE system variable) Low (single) Sets the hide precision to low (single), which uses less memory.
Page 547: Hyperlink
Hide Precision Controls the accuracy of hides and shades. Hides can be set to either low (single) precision or high (double) precision. (HIDEPRECISION system variable) HYPERLINK Attaches a hyperlink to an object or modifies an existing hyperlink Insert menu: Hyperlink Shortcut menu: To edit a hyperlink, select an object that contains a hyperlink, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Hyperlink Edit Hyperlink.
Page 548 Existing File or Web Page Tab (Insert Hyperlink Dialog Box) Creates a hyperlink to an existing file or web page. Type the File or Web Page Name Specifies the file or web page to associate with the hyperlink. The file can be stored locally, on a network drive, or on an Internet or intranet location.
Page 549 Web Page Opens the browser, in which you can navigate to a web page that you want to associate with the hyperlink. Target Opens the Select Place in Document Dialog Box, in which you can select a named location in a drawing to link to. Path Displays the path to the file associated with the hyperlink.
Page 550 Select a View of This Displays an expandable tree view of the named views within the current drawing, from which you can select one to link to. E-mail Address Tab (Insert Hyperlink Dialog Box) Specifies an email address to link to. When the hyperlink is executed, a new email is created using the default system email program.
Page 551: Edit Hyperlink Dialog Box
E-mail Address Specifies an email address. Subject Specifies a subject for the email. Recently Used E-mail Addresses Lists recently used email addresses, from which you can select one to use for the hyperlink. Edit Hyperlink Dialog Box Insert menu: Hyperlink Shortcut menu: To edit a hyperlink, select an object that contains a hyperlink, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Hyperlink Edit Hyperlink.
Page 552: Hyperlink Command Line
HYPERLINK Command Line If you enter -hyperlink at the Command prompt, HYPERLINK displays options on the command line. The command line version of HYPERLINK inserts hyperlinks to areas or to selected objects and also removes hyperlinks. Enter an option [Remove/Insert] <Insert>: Enter an option or press ENTER Remove Removes the hyperlink from the selected objects.
Page 553: Hyperlinkoptions
Enter named location <none>: Enter the named location, or press ENTER to create the hyperlink without one Enter description <none>: Enter a description, or press ENTER to create the hyperlink without one Object Specifies graphical objects to attach the hyperlink to. Select objects: Select graphical objects in the drawing Enter the path to the file you want associated with the hyperlink.
Page 555: Image
Displays the coordinate of a location Tools menu: Inquiry ID Point Command line: id (or 'id for transparent use) Point: Use the pointing device to specify a point The UCS coordinate of the location is displayed on the command line. ID lists the X, Y, and Z values of the specified point and stores the coordinate of the specified point as the last point.
Page 556 Lists all the image files attached to the current drawing. You can view image details such as pixel width, color depth, and resolution of the selected image. You can attach new image files and detach, locate, reload, and unload attached images.
Page 557 external references (xrefs). Image names can include up to 255 characters and can contain letters, digits, spaces, and any special characters not used by Microsoft Windows or this program. The image name can be identical to the file name, but changing the image name does not change the file name.
Page 558 Unload Unloads image data from working memory without erasing the image objects from the drawing. It is recommended that you unload images no longer needed for editing to improve performance. An unloaded image cannot be displayed or plotted. You can selectively load and unload individual images from a working list of images associated with the drawing file.
Page 559: Image Command Line
image’s status changes to Not Found. If you do not click Save Path after editing the path, the original image path is used the next time you load the drawing. IMAGE Command Line If you enter -image at the Command prompt, IMAGE displays prompts on the command line.
Page 560 Unload Removes image data from working memory so that the images are not displayed, thus improving performance. All information associated with the image remains stored with the drawing. The image frame of each attached image remains visible. Enter list of images to unload: E nter a loaded image name, or enter * to unload all images Attach Attaches a new image or a copy of an attached image to the current drawing.
Page 561: Imageadjust
extension, and uses the first name found. If no image name or image file is found, the message “Image Not Found” is displayed and the prompt is repeated. To specify a long file name that does not conform to this program’s naming rules, enter the name as follows: "imagename=filename"...
Page 562 Brightness Controls the brightness, and indirectly the contrast, of the image. Values range from 0 through 100. The greater the value, the brighter the image and the more pixels that become white when you increase contrast. Moving the slider to the left decreases the value; moving the slider to the right increases the value.
Page 563: Imageadjust Command Line
IMAGEADJUST Command Line If you enter -imageadjust at the Command prompt, IMAGEADJUST dis-plays prompts on the command line. With the command line version of IMAGEADJUST, you can select more than one image to adjust. Select image (s): Select one or more images Enter image option [Contrast/Fade/Brightness] <Brightness>: Enter c or f , or press ENTER to adjust brightness If you selected a single image, the default values for Brightness, Contrast, and...
Page 564: Image Dialog Box
Insert menu: Raster Image Command line: imageattach The Select Image File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed. Once you select an image file, the Image Dialog Box is displayed. Image Dialog Box Insert menu: Raster Image Command line: imageattach Locates, inserts, names, and defines the parameters and details of attached images.
Page 565 Current AutoCAD Unit Displays information about the default units of the selected image. The image is displayed at the default width and height in pixels. Found In Displays the path where the image file was located. Full Path Specifies the absolute path to the image file. Image Size in Pixels Displays information about the width and height in pixels of the selected image.
Page 566 Sets the Y coordinate value. Sets the Z coordinate value. Path Type Specifies one of three types of folder path information to save with an attached image: an absolute path, a relative path, and no path. For a complete description of each option, see “Set Paths to Externally Referenced Drawings” in the User’s Guide.
Page 567: Imageclip
IMAGECLIP Uses clipping boundaries to define a subregion of an image object Reference toolbar: Modify menu: Clip Image Shortcut menu: Select an image to clip, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Image Clip. Command line: imageclip Select image to clip: Select an edge of an image Enter image clipping option [On/Off/Delete/New Boundary] <New>: Enter an option or press ENTER The boundary you specify must be in a plane parallel to the image object.
Page 568: Imageframe
Polygonal Uses specified points to define a polygonal boundary. Specify first point: Specify a point Specify next point or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u Specify next point or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Specify a point, or enter c or u You must specify at least three points to define a polygon.
Page 569: Imagequality
Image frames are displayed but not plotted. IMAGEQUALITY Controls the display quality of images Reference toolbar: Modify menu: Object Image Quality Command line: imagequality Enter image quality setting [High/Draft] <current>: Enter an option or press ENTER The quality setting affects display performance; high-quality images take longer to display.
Page 570: Insert
In Files of Type, select the format type to import. In File Name, select the file to import. The file is imported into the drawing. The following input types are available: WMF—Windows metafile (see WMFIN) SAT—ACIS solid object file (see ACISIN) 3DS—3D Studio file (see 3DSIN) For the WMF file type, choosing Options from the Tools menu in this dialog box displays the WMF In Options Dialog Box.
Page 571 The last block you insert during the current editing session becomes the default block for subsequent uses of INSERT. The position of the inserted block depends on the orientation of the UCS. Name Specifies the name of a block to insert, or the name of a file to insert as a block. Angle Sets a rotation angle for the inserted block.
Page 572 Specify On-Screen Specifies the scale of the block using the pointing device. Specify On-Screen Specifies the rotation of the block using the pointing device. Uniform Scale Specifies a single scale value for X, Y, and Z coordinates. A value specified for X is also reflected in the Y and Z values.
Page 573: Insert Command Line
Block Unit Displays information about the block units. Explode Explodes the block and inserts the individual parts of the block. When Explode is selected, you can specify a uniform scale factor only. Component objects of a block drawn on layer 0 remain on that layer. Objects having color BYBLOCK are white.
Page 574 definition is used for subsequent insertions of that block. You can replace an existing block definition with an external file by entering the following at the Enter Block Name prompt: block name=file name Updating a Block Definition: If you make changes to a block file that is inserted in your drawing and you want to change the existing block definition without creating a new block insertion, enter the following at the Specify Insertion Point prompt (following the Enter Block Name...
Page 575 Specify opposite corner: Specify a point Specify rotation angle <0>: Sets X, Y, and Z scale factors. Specify X scale factor or [Corner] <1>: Specify a nonzero value, enter c , or press ENTER X Scale Factor: Defines X, Y, and Z scale factors for the block or drawing. Specify Y scale factor or <use X scale factor>: Enter a scale factor or press ENTER Enter Z scale factor <use X scale factor>: Enter a scale factor or press ENTER...
Page 576 Sets the Y scale factor. Specify Y scale factor: Enter a nonzero value Specify insertion point: Specify rotation angle <0>: Sets the Z scale factor. Specify Z scale factor: Enter a nonzero value Specify insertion point: Specify rotation angle <0>: Rotate Sets the angle of insertion for the block.
Page 577: Insertobj
The descriptions of the X Scale Factor, Corner, and XYZ options under PX match the descriptions of the corresponding options under Insertion Point. Sets the scale factor for the Y axis to control the display of the block as it is dragged into position.
Page 578: Insert Object Dialog Box
Insert menu: OLE Object Command line: insertobj The Insert Object Dialog Box is displayed. Insert Object Dialog Box Insert menu: OLE Object Command line: insertobj Inserts a linked or embedded object. Options vary, depending on whether you select Create New or Create from File. Create New Opens the application that's highlighted in the Object Type list so that you can create a new object to insert.
Page 579: Interfere
Display as Icon Displays the source application’s icon in the drawing. Double-clicking the icon displays the linked or embedded information. File Specifies the path and name of the file to be embedded or linked. Link Creates a link to the selected file rather than embedding it. Object Type Lists available applications that support linking and embedding.
Page 580 Draw menu: Solids Interference Command line: interfere Select the first set of solids: Use an object selection method first solid selected INTERFERE highlights 3D solids that overlap. If you define a single selection set, INTERFERE checks all the solids in the set against one another. If you define two selection sets, INTERFERE checks the solids in the first selection set against those in the second selection set.
Page 581: Intersect
If there are more than two interfering 3D solids, it may not be clear which pairs are interfering if all the interfering 3D solids are highlighted at once. Highlight pairs of interfering solids? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER If there is more than one interfering pair, the following prompt is displayed: Enter an option [Next pair/eXit] <Next>: Enter x or n , or press ENTER Entering n or pressing ENTER cycles through the interfering pairs of 3D...
Page 582: Isoplane
is not coplanar with the first region and all subsequent coplanar regions, and so on until all regions belong to a subset. regions before region after INTERSECT INTERSECT ISOPLANE Specifies the current isometric plane Command line: isoplane (or 'isoplane for transparent use) Enter isometric plane setting [Left/Top/Right] <Top>: Enter an option or press ENTER The isometric plane affects the cursor movement keys only when Snap mode...
Page 583 Selects the top face of the cube, called the top plane, defined by the 30-degree and 150-degree axis pair. Right Selects the right-hand plane, defined by the 90-degree and 30-degree axis pair. Insert Object Dialog Box | 559...
Page 585: Chapter 12 Join
JOIN Joins objects to form a single, unbroken object Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Join Command line: join Select source object: Select a line, polyline, arc, elliptical arc, or spline Depending on the source object selected, one of the following prompts is displayed: Line Select lines to join to source: Select one or more lines and press ENTER...
Page 586: Jpgout
Spline Select splines to join to source: Select one or more splines and press ENTER The spline objects must lie in the same plane, and must be contiguous (lying end-to-end). JPGOUT Saves selected objects to a file in JPEG file format Command line: jpgout The Create Raster File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed.
Page 587 The justification point options shown above are described in the TEXT command. The justification point options for single line text are similar to those for multiline text except that the Align, Fit, and Left text options are equivalent to the bottom left (BL) multiline text attachment point. | 563...
Page 589: Chapter 13 Layer
LAYER Manages layers and layer properties Layers toolbar: Format menu: Layer Command line: layer (or 'layer for transparent use) The Layer Properties Manager is displayed. If you enter -layer at the Command prompt, LAYER displays LAYER Command Line. annotations dimensions objects sample layers Layer Properties Manager...
Page 590 Apply Applies changes that have been made to layers and filters but does not close the dialog box. Apply to Layers Toolbar Controls the display of layers in the list of layers on the Layers toolbar by applying the current layer filter. Current Layer Displays the name of the current layer.
Page 591 Indicate Layers in Use Displays icons in the list view to indicate whether layers are in use. In a drawing with many layers, clear this option to improve performance. (SHOWLAYERUSAGE system variable) Invert Filter Displays all layers that do not meet the criteria in the selected layer property filter.
Page 592 Set Current Sets the selected layer as the current layer. Objects that you create are drawn on the current layer. (CLAYER system variable) Status Line Shows the name of the current filter, the number of layers displayed in the list view, and the number of layers in the drawing. The Layer Properties Manager has two panes: “Tree View”...
Page 593 Frozen: Objects on the layer are not displayed and not plotted but do hide other objects when you use HIDE. The drawing is regenerated when you thaw the layer. Lock Controls whether the objects on the layers in the selected filter can be modified.
Page 594 New Properties Filter Displays the Layer Filter Properties Dialog Box, where you can create a new layer filter based on layer names and settings; for example, on or off, color, or linetype. New Group Filter Creates a new layer group filter named GROUP FILTER1 and adds it to the tree view.
Page 595 List View Displays layers and layer filters and their properties and descriptions. If a layer filter is selected in the tree view, the list view displays only the layers in that layer filter. The All filter in the tree view displays all layers and layer filters in the drawing.
Page 596 Linetype Changes the linetype associated with the selected layers. Clicking the linetype name displays the Select Linetype Dialog Box. Lineweight Changes the lineweight associated with the selected layers. Clicking the lineweight name displays the Lineweight Dialog Box. Plot Style Changes the plot style associated with the selected layers. If you are working with color-dependent plot styles (the PSTYLEPOLICY system variable is set to 1), you cannot change the plot style associated with a layer.
Page 597 Maximize Column Changes the width of the column to maximize display of the column content. This option is available on the shortcut menu that is displayed when you right-click a column heading. Maximize All Columns Changes the width of all columns to maximize display of the column content.
Page 598: Layer Filter Properties Dialog Box
Select All Selects everything displayed in the list view. Clear All Removes selection from all items in the list view except the most recently selected layer or filter. Select All but Current Selects everything displayed in the list view except the current layer. Invert Selection Selects everything displayed in the list view except the items that are currently selected.
Page 599 Filter Name Provides a space to enter a name for the layer properties filter. Show Example Displays the examples of layer property filter definitions in “Layer Filter Examples”. Filter Definition Displays the properties of layers. You can use one or more properties to define the filter.
Page 600: Layer Filter Examples
Plot Style Click the [...] button to display the Select Plot Style Dialog Box. Status Click the In Use icon or the Not In Use icon. Filter Preview Displays the results of the filter as you define it. The filter preview shows which layers will be displayed in the layer list in the Layer Properties Manager when you select this filter.
Page 601 Example 2 The filter named “Red Yellow White” displays layers that meet all of the following criteria: Are on Are thawed Are red or yellow or white Layer Filter Properties Dialog Box | 577...
Page 602: Layer States Manager
Layer States Manager Format menu: Layer Command line: layer (or 'layer for transparent use) Saves, restores, and manages named layer states. 578 | Chapter 13...
Page 603 Clear All Removes selection from all the settings. Close Closes the Layer States Manager and saves changes. Delete Removes the selected named layer state. Export Displays a standard file selection dialog box, where you can save the selected named layer state to a layer state (LAS) file. Import Displays a standard file selection dialog box, where you can load a previously exported layer state (LAS) file into the current drawing.
Page 604: New Layer State To Save Dialog Box
Layer States Lists the named layer states that have been saved in the drawing, the space in which they were saved, and an optional description. Displays the New Layer State to Save dialog box, where you can provide a name and a description for the new named layer state. Restore Restores state and property settings of all layers in a drawing to previously saved settings.
Page 605: Lineweight Dialog Box
Displays linetypes available in the current drawing. Load Displays the Load or Reload Linetypes Dialog Box, in which you can load selected linetypes into the drawing and add them to the list of linetypes. Loaded Linetypes Displays the list of linetypes loaded in the current drawing. Lineweight Dialog Box Format menu: Layer Command line: layer (or 'layer for transparent use)
Page 606: Layer Command Line
Lineweights Displays the available lineweights to be applied. Available lineweights consist of fixed values that are most commonly used in drawings. Select a lineweight to apply it. Displays the new lineweight assigned to the layer. Original Displays the previous lineweight. The default lineweight assigned when a layer is created is DEFAULT (which plots to a default value of 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm).
Page 607 ?—List Layers Displays a list of the currently defined layers, showing their names, states, color numbers, linetypes, lineweights, and whether they are externally dependent layers. Enter layer name(s) to list <*>: Enter a name list, or press ENTER to list all layers Make Creates a layer and makes it current.
Page 608 Color Changes the color associated with a layer. Enter color name or number (1-255)[Truecolor/COlorbook]: Enter a color name or a number from 1 through 255, enter t , or enter co True Color Specifies a true color to be used for the selected object. Red, Green, Blue: Enter three integer values from 0 to 255 separated by commas to specify a true color Color Book...
Page 609 If you enter a valid lineweight, the current lineweight is set to the new value. If you enter a lineweight that is not valid, the current lineweight is set to the nearest fixed lineweight value. If you would like to plot an object with a custom width not found in the list of fixed lineweight values, you can use the Plot Style Table Editor to customize plotted lineweights.
Page 610 Enter a name list of layer(s) to thaw: Lock Locks layers, preventing editing of objects on those layers. Enter a name list of layer(s) to lock or <select objects>: Enter a name list or press ENTER and select objects Unlock Unlocks selected locked layers, permitting editing of objects on those layers.
Page 611: Layerp
Enter name of layer state to edit or [?]: Enter the layer state name or enter ? to see a list of saved layer state names Enter states to change [On/Frozen/Lock/Plot/Newvpfreeze/Color/lineType/lineWeight/plotStyle]: Enter the settings that you want to change and then press ENTER Name Changes the name of a saved layer state.
Page 612: Layerpmode
LAYERP (Layer Previous) does not undo the following changes: Renamed layers: If you rename a layer and change its properties, Layer Previous restores the original properties but not the original name. Deleted layers: If you delete or purge a layer, using Layer Previous does not restore it.
Page 613 Enter layout name for copy <default>: Delete Deletes a layout. The most current layout is the default. Enter name of layout to delete <current>: The Model tab cannot be deleted. To remove all the geometry from the Model tab, you must select all geometry and use the ERASE command. Creates a new layout tab.
Page 614: Layoutwizard
Enter layout to save to template <current>: The last current layout is used as the default for the layout to save as a template. If the FILEDIA system variable is set to 1, a standard file selection dialog box is displayed in which you can specify the template file in which to save the layout.
Page 615: Laytrans
LAYTRANS Changes a drawing's layers to layer standards you specify CAD Standards toolbar: Tools menu: CAD Standards Layer Translator Command line: laytrans The Layer Translator is displayed. Layer Translator Tools menu: CAD Standards Layer Translator Command line: laytrans In the Layer Translator, you specify the layers in the current drawing that you want to translate, and the layers to translate them to.
Page 616 Load Loads layers in the Translate To list using a drawing, drawing template, or standards file that you specify. If the specified file contains saved layer mappings, those mappings are applied to the layers in the Translate From list and are displayed in Layer Translation Mappings. You can load layers from more than one file.
Page 617: Settings Dialog Box
Map Same Maps all layers that have the same name in both lists. Translate To Lists the layers you can translate the current drawing’s layers to. Layer Translation Mappings Lists each layer to be translated and the properties to which the layer will be converted.
Page 618: Edit/New Layer Dialog Box
displayed in the drawing area. If this option is cleared, all layers in the drawing are displayed. Translate Objects in Blocks Specifies whether or not objects nested within blocks are translated. If this option is selected, nested objects in blocks are translated. If this option is cleared, nested objects in blocks are not translated.
Page 619 Creates a line that connects annotation to a feature Command line: leader Specify leader start point: Specify next point: A leader line segment is drawn and prompts for points and options are displayed. Specify Point Specification or [Annotation/Format/Undo] <Annotation>: Specify a point, enter an option, or press ENTER Point Specification Draws a leader line segment to the point specified and continues to prompt...
Page 620 Copy Copies text, a multiline text object, a feature control frame with geometric tolerances, or a block and connects the copy to the end of the leader line. The copy is associated with the leader line, meaning that if the copied object moves, the end of the leader line moves with it.
Page 621 from Dim Line on the Text tab of the New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style Dialog Boxes. If the offset specified is negative, the multiline text is enclosed in a box as a basic dimension. TRUE POSITION PER DATUM REFERENCE After you specify the text, LEADER ends.
Page 622: Lengthen
Undo Undoes the last vertex point on the leader line. The previous prompt is displayed. LENGTHEN Changes the length of objects and the included angle of arcs Modify menu: Lengthen Command line: lengthen Object Selection or [Delta/Percent/Total/Dynamic]: Select one object or enter an option Object Selection Displays the length and, where applicable, the included angle of the object.
Page 623 delta length object selected Angle Changes the included angle of the selected arc by the specified angle. Enter delta angle <current>: Specify an angle or press ENTER Select an object to change or [Undo]: Select one object or enter u The prompt repeats until you press ENTER to end the command.
Page 624 total length object selected Total Length Lengthens the object to the specified value from the endpoint that is closest to the selection point. Select an object to change or [Undo]: Select one object or enter u The prompt repeats until you press ENTER to end the command. Angle Sets the included angle of the selected arc.
Page 625: Light
LIGHT Manages lights and lighting effects in model space Render toolbar: View menu:Render Light Command line: light The Lights Dialog Box is displayed. NOTE In the 3DCONFIG command, under Render Options, the Lights option must be set to ON for lights to appear in your drawing. Lights Dialog Box View menu: Render Light...
Page 626 Modify Modifies the selected light. The program displays the New or Modify Point Light Dialog Box, New or Modify Distant Light Dialog Box, or New or Modify Spotlight Dialog Box, depending on the type of light you select. Delete Deletes the selected light from the drawing. Select Closes the dialog box while you use the pointing device to select a light.
Page 627: New Or Modify Point Light Dialog Box
point light block distant light block spotlight block North Location Displays the North Location Dialog Box, in which you can set the north direction. Ambient Light Controls background light that provides constant illumination of all the surfaces in your model. Keep ambient light low to avoid saturating or dulling your image.
Page 628 Light Name Specifies the name of the light. The name must be no more than eight characters long. Intensity Sets the intensity or brightness of the light. Entering 0 turns off a light. The maximum point light intensity depends on the attenuation setting and the extents of the drawing.
Page 629 Inverse Square Sets attenuation to be the inverse of the square of the distance from the point light. For example, at a distance of 2 units from a point light, light is one quarter as strong as at the point light; at a distance of 4 units, light is one sixteenth as strong.
Page 630: New Or Modify Distant Light Dialog Box
Attenuation Controls how light diminishes over distance. The farther away an object is from a point light, the darker the object appears. Shadows Controls shadows and shadow mapping. New or Modify Distant Light Dialog Box View menu: Render Light Command line: light Creates a new distant light or modifies the selected distant light.
Page 631 Color Uses RGB values to control the color of the distant light. The color swatch shows the current color. Modify Temporarily closes the dialog box so you can use the pointing device to define a light source vector by specifying two points. Select Color Displays the Select Color Dialog Box.
Page 632: New Or Modify Spotlight Dialog Box
When you enter values or use the scroll bars to adjust the azimuth and altitude, the diagrams change to represent them visually. You can also change the values of Azimuth or Altitude by clicking positions in the diagrams themselves. Light Source Vector Displays the light source vector that results from the light position you set using Azimuth and Altitude.
Page 633 Intensity Sets the intensity or brightness of the light. The maximum spotlight intensity depends on the attenuation setting and the extents of the drawing. If attenuation is none, maximum intensity is 1. If attenuation is inverse linear, maximum intensity is the value of twice the extents distance: the distance from the minimum lower-left coordinate to the maximum upper-right coordinate.
Page 634: North Location Dialog Box
Shadow On Makes the spotlight cast shadows. The type of shadow depends on the current renderer type and on the settings in the Shadow Options dialog box. Shadow Options Displays the Shadow Options Dialog Box. Show Displays the Show Light Position dialog box, which displays the X,Y,Z coordinates of the light’s location and target.
Page 635: Shadow Options Dialog Box
By default, north is the positive Y direction in the world coordinate system (WCS). To change it, enter a new angle, or use the scroll bar. The Y axis is 0 degrees, the X axis is 90 degrees, and so on clockwise. You can also specify north in a user coordinate system (UCS) if there are any named in your drawing.
Page 636: Sun Angle Calculator Dialog Box
Shadow Map Size Controls the size, in pixels, of one side of the shadow map. Select from a range of values between 64 and 4096. The larger the map size, the more accurate the shadows, but the longer it takes to render them. Shadow Softness Controls the softness or fuzziness of shadow-mapped shadows.
Page 637 The right side of the dialog box shows the azimuth, altitude, and solar time resulting from the local time you select. (You cannot alter the azimuth and altitude directly as you can in the New Distant Light or Modify Distant Light dialog box.) You specify time on the left side of the dialog box.
Page 638: Geographic Location Dialog Box
Geographic Location Dialog Box View menu: Render Light Command line: light Specifies the sun’s latitude and longitude indirectly by using a city or a location on a map. The map panel shows one of several maps. Use the list above the map to select the map you want.
Page 639: Limits
Nearest Big City Finds the city nearest the map position that you click and makes that city current. LIMITS Sets and controls the limits of the grid display in the current Model or layout tab Format menu: Drawing Limits Command line: limits (or 'limits for transparent use) Specify Lower-Left Corner or [On/Off] <current>: Specify a point, enter on or off , or press ENTER Lower-Left Corner...
Page 640 Draw menu: Line Command line: line Specify first point: Specify a point or press ENTER to Continue from the last drawn line or arc Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Continue Continues a line from the endpoint of the most recently drawn line. before pressing ENTER after pressing ENTER If the most recently drawn line is an arc, its endpoint defines the starting...
Page 641: Linetype
before entering C after entering C Undo Erases the most recent segment of a line sequence. before entering U after entering U Entering u more than once backtracks through line segments in the order you created them. LINETYPE Loads, sets, and modifies linetypes Format menu: Linetype Command line: linetype (or 'linetype for transparent use) The Linetype Manager is displayed.
Page 642 Loads linetypes and sets the current linetype. Linetype Filters Determines which linetypes to display in the linetype list. You can filter linetypes based on whether they are xref-dependent, or whether they are referenced by objects. Appearance Displays a sample of selected linetypes. Current Object Scale Sets linetype scale for newly created objects.
Page 643 Global Scale Factor Displays the global scale factor for all linetypes. (LTSCALE system variable) Invert Filter Displays linetypes based on the opposites of the criteria you select. Linetypes that fit the inverse filter criteria are displayed in the linetype list. ISO Pen Width Sets the linetype scale to one of a list of standard ISO values.
Page 644: Load Or Reload Linetypes Dialog Box
Current Sets the selected linetype to be the current linetype. Setting the current linetype to BYLAYER means that an object assumes the linetype that is assigned to a particular layer. Setting the linetype to BYBLOCK means that an object assumes the CONTINUOUS linetype until it is grouped into a block.
Page 645: Linetype Command Line
Available Linetypes Displays the linetypes available to load. To select or clear all of the linetypes on the list, right-click and choose Select All or Clear All. File Button Displays the Select Linetype File dialog box, in which you can select a different linetype (LIN) file.
Page 646 Enter name of linetype to create: The Create or Append Linetype File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed. Specify the file to which you want the linetype added. Descriptive text: Enter optional descriptive text Enter a linetype description up to 47 characters long. The description can be a comment or a series of underscores, dots, dashes, and spaces to show a simple representation of the linetype pattern.
Page 647: List
Specifies linetype name or [?] <current>: Enter a linetype name, ? to list all loaded linetype names, bylayer , or byblock , or press ENTER The linetype you enter becomes the current linetype. All new objects are drawn with this linetype, regardless of the current layer. If the linetype you request is not loaded, the program searches for its definition in the acad.lin file.
Page 648: Logfileoff
The Select Shape File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed. Enter the shape file name, or select a file name from the list. You must load a shape (SHP) file the first time you need it; it is loaded automatically thereafter.
Page 649: Landscape Edit Dialog Box
View menu: Render Landscape Edit Command line: lsedit Select a landscape object: Use an object selection method When you select a landscape object, the Landscape Edit Dialog Box is displayed. Landscape Edit Dialog Box View menu: Render Landscape Edit Command line: lsedit Previews landscape objects and defines the geometry and height of the objects.
Page 650: Lslib
LSLIB Maintains libraries of landscape objects Render toolbar: View menu: Render Landscape Library Command line: lslib The Landscape Library Dialog Box is displayed. Landscape Library Dialog Box View menu: Render Landscape Library Command line: lslib Defines libraries of landscape objects. In order to view changes made with the LSNEW, LSEDIT, and LSLIB commands, the view must be a non-plan view (use VPOINT or DDVPOINT), and you must run the RENDER command.
Page 651: Landscape Library Edit Dialog Box
Library Contents Lists the objects in the current library. Select one to modify or delete. Modify Displays the Landscape Library Edit Dialog Box. Changes the image files associated with the selected object (or double-click the object name). All landscape objects require both an image file and an opacity map file to define the see-through areas of the image.
Page 652 Default Geometry Specifies the geometry and alignment of the object. The geometry of an object depends on its number of faces and alignment. A single-face view-aligned object appears in the drawing as a triangle. You cannot use grips to rotate it. A single-face fixed object appears as a rectangle that you can rotate with grips.
Page 653: Lsnew
Image File Specifies a file name. You can click Find File to display “Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes” on page 745 in which you can locate the file you want. Opacity Map File Specifies a file name. You can click Find File to display “Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes”...
Page 654 A landscape object is an extended-entity object with a bitmap image mapped onto it. You can manipulate the object directly in the drawing as well as in the Landscape New dialog box. The geometry of the object depends on whether you choose one or two faces for it and whether it is view aligned.
Page 655: Ltscale
to rotate it. A single-face fixed object appears as a rectangle that you can rotate with grips. This type of object also displays its name either forward or backward to indicate its orientation to the camera, which is helpful for signs. A crossing-face object always appears as two triangles intersecting at right angles.
Page 656: Lweight
LTSCALE = 1 LTSCALE = .5 LTSCALE = .25 LWEIGHT Sets the current lineweight, lineweight display options, and lineweight units Format menu: Lineweight Shortcut menu: Right-click the Lwtbutton on the status bar and choose Settings. Command line: lweight (or 'lweight for transparent use) The Lineweight Settings Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 657 Lineweights Displays the available lineweight values. Lineweight values consist of standard settings including BYLAYER, BYBLOCK, and DEFAULT. The DEFAULT value is set by the LWDEFAULT system variable, which has an initial value of 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm. All new layers use the default setting. The lineweight value of 0 plots at the thinnest lineweight available on the specified plotting device and is displayed at one pixel wide in model space.
Page 658: Lweight Command Line
Default Controls the DEFAULT lineweight for layers. The initial DEFAULT lineweight is 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm. (LWDEFAULT system variable) Adjust Display Scale Controls the display scale of lineweights on the Model tab. On the Model tab, lineweights are displayed in pixels. Lineweights are displayed using a pixel width in proportion to the real-world unit value at which they plot.
Page 659 ?—List Lineweights Displays a list of valid lineweight values in the current lineweight units. NOTE If you save a drawing using the AutoCAD Release 14, or earlier, format, the drawing preview displays lineweights even though the drawing saved in the earlier format does not display lineweights.
Page 661: Chapter 14 Markup
MARKUP Displays the details of markups and allows you to change their status Standard toolbar: Tools menu: Markup Set Manager Command line: markup Opens the Markup Set Manager. Markup Set Manager Tools menu: Markup Set Manager Command line: markup Displays information about loaded markup sets and their status. You can show or hide markups and their originating drawing files in your drawing area.
Page 662 Details Changes the Markup Preview area to the Markup Details area, which provides information about the selected node in the Markups area. You can click the Preview button to change the area back to the Markup Preview area. Done Indicates an individual markup that has an assigned status of Done. When a markup has been implemented and reviewed, you can change the status to Done.
Page 663 For Review: After you have implemented a markup, you can change the status to For Review to indicate that the markup creator should review the changes to the drawing sheet and the status of the markup. Done: After a markup has been implemented and reviewed, you can change its status to Done.
Page 664 Preview Changes the Markup Details area to the Markup Preview area and displays a thumbnail image of the selected drawing sheet or markup. You can click the Details button to change the area back to the Markup Details area. Question Indicates an individual markup that has an assigned status of Question.
Page 665 DWF file. Republish Markup DWF Provides options for republishing the marked-up DWF file. If any sheets were added to the DWF file in Autodesk DWF Composer, those sheets will not be included in the republished DWF file. View Redline Geometry Displays or hides redline markup geometry in the drawing area.
Page 666 When you double-click either a sheet that was added in Autodesk DWF Composer or a markup for that sheet, that sheet in the DWF file will open in Autodesk DWF Viewer (or in Autodesk DWF Composer, if you have it installed).
Page 667: Markupclose
Markup Preview Displays a thumbnail preview of the currently selected drawing sheet or markup. MARKUPCLOSE Closes the Markup Set Manager Standard toolbar: Tools menu: Markup Set Manager Command line: markupclose Closes the Markup Set Manager window. MASSPROP Calculates the mass properties of regions or solids Inquiry toolbar: Tools menu: Inquiry Region/Mass Properties...
Page 668 Regions The following table shows the mass properties that are displayed for all regions. Mass properties for all regions Mass property Description Area The surface area of solids or the enclosed area of regions. Perimeter The total length of the inside and outside loops of a region. The perimeter of a solid is not calculated.
Page 669 Additional mass properties for coplanar regions Mass property Description Principal Calculations that are derived from the products of inertia and that have moments and the same unit values. The moment of inertia is highest through a certain X,Y,Z directions axis at the centroid of an object. The moment of inertia is lowest about centroid through the second axis that is normal to the first axis and that also passes through the centroid.
Page 670: Matchcell
Mass properties for solids Mass property Description X,Y,Z directions through the second axis that is normal to the first axis and that also about centroid passes through the centroid. A third value included in the results is somewhere between the high and low values. Calculations Based on the Current UCS The following table shows the parameters that control the units in which mass properties are calculated.
Page 671: Property Settings Dialog Box
Applies the properties of a selected object to other objects Standard toolbar: Modify menu: Match Properties Command line: matchprop or painter (or 'matchprop for transparent use) Select source object: Select the object whose properties you want to copy Current active settings: Currently selected matchprop settings Select destination object(s) or [Settings]: Enter s or select one or more objects to copy properties to Destination Object(s)
Page 672 Hatch In addition to basic object properties, changes the hatch properties of the destination object to that of the source object. To match the hatch origin, use Inherit Properties in HATCH or HATCHEDIT. Available only for hatch objects. Layer Changes the layer of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects.
Page 673: Matlib
Text In addition to basic object properties, changes the text style of the destination object to that of the source object. Available only for single-line and multiline text objects. Thickness Changes the thickness of the destination object to that of the source object. Available only for arcs, attributes, circles, lines, points, 2D polylines, regions, text, and traces.
Page 674 Current Drawing Displays the materials currently in the drawing. A new drawing contains only the GLOBAL material. The GLOBAL material is a set of default material values. A material can be in the drawing but not assigned to any object. Such a material is called unattached or unassigned.
Page 675: Reconcile Imported Material Names Dialog Box
Save As Displays the Library File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box), where you can specify the name of the materials library (MLI) file in which to save the Current Library list. Current Library Displays the materials in the currently selected library file. The default library is render.mli.
Page 676: Reconcile Exported Material Names Dialog Box
New Material from Library Displays the name of the material in the Current Library list. You can always edit this name. If Overwrite Existing Material is not selected, you must enter a different name for the new material. Old Material in List Displays the name of the material in the Current Drawing list.
Page 677: Measure
Options Determines how the material you are reconciling and the objects selected are treated. New Material from List Displays the name of the material in the Current Drawing list. You can always edit this name. If Overwrite Existing Material is not selected, you must enter a different name for the new material.
Page 678 You can use the Node object snap to draw an object by snapping to the point objects. You can then remove the points by entering erase previous. The markers are placed in the user coordinate system (UCS) of the object being measured (except for 3D polylines in the current UCS).
Page 679: Menu
Block Places blocks at a specified interval along the selected object. Enter name of block to insert: Enter the name of a block currently defined in the drawing Align block with object? [Yes/No] <Y>: Enter y or n or press ENTER If you enter y, the block is rotated about its insertion point so that its horizontal lines are aligned with, and drawn tangent to, the object being measured.
Page 680: Menuload Command Line
Browse Displays the Select Menu File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes), in which you can select a menu file to load. File Name Specifies the file to load when you choose Load. You can either enter the file name or choose Browse to display the Select Customization File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes).
Page 681 Inserts multiple instances of a block in a rectangular array Command line: minsert Enter block name or [?]: Enter a name, enter ? to list the currently defined blocks in the drawing, or enter ~ to display the Select Drawing File dialog box NOTE You cannot precede the name of a block with an asterisk to explode the block’s objects during insertion, as you can with INSERT.
Page 682 Corner Sets the scale factor by using the block insertion point and the opposite corner. Specify opposite corner: Specify a point Specify rotation angle <0>: The rotation angle sets the angle of the individual block inserts and also sets the angle of the entire array. Enter number of rows (---) <1>: Enter a positive value Enter number of columns (| | |) <1>: Enter a positive value If you specify more than one row, the following prompt is displayed:...
Page 683 Scale Sets the scale factor for the X, Y, and Z axes. The scale for the Z axis is the absolute value of the specified scale factor. Specify scale factor for XYZ axes: Enter a nonzero value Specify insertion point: Specify rotation angle <0>: The rotation angle sets the angle of the individual block inserts and also sets the angle of the entire array.
Page 684 The rotation angle sets the angle of the individual block inserts and also sets the angle of the entire array. Enter number of rows (---) <1>: Enter a positive value Enter number of columns (| | |) <1>: Enter a positive value If you specify more than one row, the following prompt is displayed: Enter distance between rows or specify unit cell (---): Enter a value, or specify two points to define a box whose width and height represent the distance between rows...
Page 685 Enter number of rows (---) <1>: Enter a positive value Enter number of columns (| | |) <1>: Enter a positive value If you specify more than one row, the following prompt is displayed: Enter distance between rows or specify unit cell (---): Enter a value or specify a distance If you specify more than one column and no unit cell, the following prompt is displayed:...
Page 686 PScale Sets the scale factor for the X, Y, and Z axes to control the display of the block as it is dragged into position. Specify preview scale factor for XYZ axes: Enter a nonzero value Specify insertion point: Enter X scale factor, specify opposite corner, or [Corner/XYZ] <1>: Enter a value, enter an option, or press ENTER The descriptions of the X Scale Factor, Corner, and XYZ options match those of the corresponding options under Rotate.
Page 687: Mirror
The descriptions of the X Scale Factor, Corner, and XYZ options match those of the corresponding options under Rotate. PRotate Sets the rotation angle of the block as it is dragged into position. Specify preview rotation angle: Specify insertion point: Enter X scale factor, specify opposite corner, or [Corner/XYZ] <1>: Enter a value, enter an option, or press ENTER The descriptions of the X Scale Factor, Corner, and XYZ options match those...
Page 688: Mirror3D
original objects retained Places the mirrored image into the drawing and erases the original objects. original objects deleted To manage the mirror properties of text objects, use the MIRRTEXT system variable. The default setting of MIRRTEXT is 1 (on), which causes a text object to be mirrored just like any other object.
Page 689 Object Uses the plane of a selected planar object as the mirroring plane. Select a circle, arc, or 2D-polyline segment: Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER If you enter y, the reflected object is placed into the drawing and the original objects are deleted.
Page 690 View Aligns the mirroring plane with the viewing plane of the current viewport through a point. Specify point on view plane <0,0,0>: Specify a point or press ENTER Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER If you enter y, the reflected object is placed into the drawing and the original objects are deleted.
Page 691: Mledit
Specify first point on mirror plane: Enter a point (1) Specify second point on mirror plane: Enter a point (2) Specify third point on mirror plane: Enter a point (3) Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER If you enter y, the reflected object is placed into the drawing and the original objects are deleted.
Page 692 Closed Cross Creates a closed-cross intersection between two multilines. Select first mline: Select the foreground multiline Select second mline: Select the intersecting multiline The closed-cross intersection is completed and the following prompt is displayed: Select first mline or [Undo]: Select another multiline or enter u First Mline Edits another multiline.
Page 693 first mline selected second mline selected result First Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Second Mline prompt is displayed. first mline selected second mline selected result First Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Second Mline prompt is displayed. first mline selected second mline selected result Multiline Edit Tools Dialog Box | 669...
Page 694 First Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Second Mline prompt is displayed. result first mline selected second mline selected First Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Second Mline prompt is displayed. second mline selected result first mline selected First Mline Edits another multiline.
Page 695 first mline selected result second mline selected First Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Second Mline prompt is displayed. first mline selected second mline selected result Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Mline prompt is displayed again. mline selected result Multiline Edit Tools Dialog Box | 671...
Page 696 Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Mline prompt is displayed again. mline selected result Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Mline prompt is displayed again. result second point selected first mline selected Mline Edits another multiline. The Select Mline prompt is displayed again. result second point selected first mline selected...
Page 697 result second point selected first mline selected Undo Undoes the closed-cross intersection. The Select First Mline prompt is displayed. Undo Undoes the open-cross intersection. The Select First Mline prompt is displayed. Undo Undoes the merged-cross intersection. The Select First Mline prompt is displayed.
Page 698 Undo Undoes the cut. The Select Mline prompt is displayed. Undo Undoes the cut. The Select Mline prompt is displayed. Undo Undoes the weld. The Select Mline prompt is displayed again. Open Cross Creates an open-cross intersection between two multilines. Breaks are inserted in all elements of the first multiline and only the outside elements of the second multiline.
Page 699 Select first mline: Select the multiline to trim Select second mline: Select the intersecting multiline The closed-tee intersection is completed, and the following prompt is displayed: Select first mline (or Undo): Select another multiline or enter u Open Tee Creates an open-tee intersection between two multilines. The first multiline is trimmed or extended to its intersection with the second multiline.
Page 700 The corner joint is completed, and the following prompt is displayed: Select first mline (or Undo): Select another multiline or enter u Add Vertex Adds a vertex to a multiline. Select mline: Select a multiline A vertex is added at the selected point, and the following prompt is displayed: Select mline or [Undo]: Select another multiline or enter u Delete Vertex Deletes a vertex from a multiline.
Page 701: Mledit Command Line
Select mline: Select a multiline The selection point on the multiline is used as the first cut point, and the following prompt is displayed: Select second point: Specify the second cut point on the multiline All elements of the multiline are cut, and the following prompt is displayed: Select mline or [Undo]: Select another multiline or enter u Weld All Rejoins multiline segments that have been cut.
Page 702: Mline
Creates a merged-cross intersection between two multilines. The order in which you select the multilines is not important. Creates a closed-tee intersection between two multilines. The first multiline is trimmed or extended to its intersection with the second multiline. Creates an open-tee intersection between two multilines. The first multiline is trimmed or extended to its intersection with the second multiline.
Page 703 Draw menu: Multiline Command line: mline Current settings: Justification = current, Scale = current, Style = current Specify Start Point or [Justification/Scale/Style]: Specify a point or enter an option Start Point Specifies the next vertex of the multiline. Specify next point: Specify next point or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u If you create a multiline with two or more segments, the prompt includes the Close option.
Page 704 Justification Determines how the multiline is drawn between the points you specify. Enter justification type [Top/Zero/Bottom] <current>: Enter an option or press ENTER Draws the multiline below the cursor, so that the line with the most positive offset is at the specified points. Zero Draws the multiline with its origin centered at the cursor, so that the MLSTYLE Element Properties offset of 0.0 is at the specified points.
Page 705: Mlstyle
also alters the scale by the absolute value. A scale factor of 0 collapses the multiline into a single line. For information about the multiline style definition, see MLSTYLE. scale at 1 scale at 2 Style Specifies a style to use for the multiline. See “Draw Multiple-Line Objects” in the User’s Guide, and see MLSTYLE.
Page 706 Current Multiline Style Displays the name of the current multiline style to be used for subsequently created multilines. Delete Removes the currently selected multiline style from the Styles list. It does not delete the style from the MLN file. You cannot delete the STANDARD multiline style, the current multiline style, or a multiline style that is in use.
Page 707: Create New Multiline Style Dialog Box
NOTE You cannot edit the element and multiline properties of the STANDARD multiline style or any multiline style that is being used in the drawing. To edit an existing multiline style, you must do so before you draw any multilines that use the style.
Page 708: New, Modify Multiline Style Dialog Boxes
Names the new multiline style and specifies the multiline style from which to start the new one. Continue Displays the New, Modify Multiline Style Dialog Boxes. New Style Name Names a new multiline style. The element and multiline properties are unavailable until you enter a new name and click Continue.
Page 709 Adds a new element to the multiline style. Not available until color or linetype has been selected for a multiline style other than STANDARD. Angle Specifies the angle of the end caps. without Angle with Angle Color Displays and sets the color for elements in the multiline style. When you choose Select Color, the Select Color Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 710 Description Adds a description to a multiline style. You can enter up to 255 characters, including spaces. Fill Color Sets the background fill color of the multiline. When you choose Select Color, the Select Color Dialog Box is displayed. Inner Arcs Displays an arc between pairs of inner elements.
Page 711 Linetype Displays and sets the linetype for elements in the multiline style. When you choose Linetype, the Select Linetype Properties dialog box is displayed, which lists loaded linetypes. To load a new linetype, click Load. The Load or Reload Linetypes Dialog Box is displayed. Offset Specifies the offset for each element in the multiline style.
Page 712: Load Multiline Styles Dialog Box
Caps Controls the start and end caps of the multiline. Fill Controls the background fill of the multiline. Display Joints Controls the display of the joints at the vertices of each multiline segment. A joint is also known as a miter. Display Joints on Display Joints off Elements...
Page 713: Model
File Displays a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes in which you can locate and select another multiline library file. List Lists the multiline styles available in the current multiline library file. To load another multiline style, select a style from the list and click OK. MODEL Switches from a layout tab to the Model tab Command line: model...
Page 714: Mredo
Shortcut menu: Select the objects to move, and right-click in the drawing area. Click Move. Command line: move Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish Specify base point or [Displacement]<Displacement>: Specify a base point or enter Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: Specify a point or press ENTER The two points you specify define a vector that indicates how far the selected...
Page 715: Mslide
MSLIDE Creates a slide file of the current model viewport or the current layout Command line: mslide The Create Slide File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed. Enter a file name or select a slide (SLD) file from the list. A slide file is a raster image of a viewport.
Page 716: Mtext
Command line: mtedit Select an MTEXT object: The “In-Place Text Editor” on page 692is displayed. MTEXT Creates paragraphs of text as a single multiline text (mtext) object Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Text Multiline Text Double-click a multiline text object. Command line: mtext Current text style: current Text height: current Specify first corner: Specify opposite corner or [Height/Justify/Line spacing/Rotation/Style/Width]:...
Page 717 The In-Place Text Editor includes a Text Formatting Toolbar and a “Options Menu” on page 699. When a table cell is selected for editing, the In-Place Text Editor displays column letters and row numbers. If the text you enter overflows the bounding box you defined, a dashed line indicates the defined width and height.
Page 718 Custom fonts and third-party fonts are displayed in the editor with Autodesk-supplied proxy fonts. A sample drawing (TrueType.dwg) showing each font is provided in the sample directory.
Page 719 Redo Redoes actions in the In-Place Text Editor, including changes to either text content or text formatting. You can also use CTRL + Y . Stack Creates stacked text, for example, fractions, if the selected text contains stack characters. Also, unstacks text if stacked text is selected. When the stack characters, carat (^), forward slash (/), and pound sign (#), are used, the text to the left of the stack character is stacked on top of the text to the right.
Page 720 Closes the editor and saves any changes that you made. Alternatives: click in the drawing outside the editor or press CTRL + ENTER . To close the In-Place Text Editor without saving changes, press ESC . Options Displays a menu of options. Left, Center, Right Sets justification and alignment for the left and right text boundaries.
Page 721 Creates a list using uppercase letters with periods. If the list has more items than the alphabet has letters, the sequence continues by using double letters. NOTE To make a list using lowercase letters, right-click in the editor. Click Bullets and Lists Lettered Lowercase.
Page 722 Commonly used symbols are listed on the submenu, along with their control code or Unicode string. Click Other to display the Character Map dialog box, which contains the entire character set for each font available on your system. Select a character and click Select to place it in the Characters to Copy box.
Page 723 Options Menu Controls the display of the Text Formatting toolbar and provides additional editing options. The following options are specific to the Options menu and are not available on the Text Formatting toolbar. Show Toolbar Controls display of the Text Formatting toolbar. To restore display of the toolbar, right-click in the editor and click Show Toolbar.
Page 724 Bullets and Lists Displays options for creating lists. (Not available for table cells.) The list is indented to align with the first selected paragraph. Off: When checked, removes letters, numbers, and bullets from selected text that has list formatting applied. Indentation is not changed. Lettered: Applies list formatting that uses letters with periods for the items in the list.
Page 725 When you clear the check mark, any list formatting in the multiline text object is removed and the items are converted to plain text. Allow Auto-list is turned off, and all the Bullets and Lists options are unavailable except Allow Bullets and Lists. Background Mask Displays the Background Mask Dialog Box.
Page 726: Indents And Tabs Dialog Box
Indents and Tabs Dialog Box Draw menu: Text Multiline Text Command line: mtext Sets indentation for paragraphs and the first lines of paragraphs and sets tab stops. You can also set indentation by moving the sliders on the ruler and set tab stops by clicking on the ruler.
Page 727: Replace Dialog Box
Border Offset Factor Specifies the margin around the text for the opaque background. The value is based on the text height. A factor of 1.0 exactly fits the multiline text object. A factor of 1.5 extends the background by 0.5 times the text height. Fill Color Specifies the color for the background.
Page 728: Stack Properties Dialog Box
Replace Replaces the highlighted text with the text in Replace With. Replace All Finds all instances of the text specified in Find What and replaces it with the text in Replace With. Replace With Defines the text string to replace the text in Find What. Stack Properties Dialog Box Draw menu: Text Multiline Text...
Page 729 Fraction (Diagonal) Stacks the selected text with the first number on top of the second number separated by a diagonal line. NOTE Releases of AutoCAD earlier than AutoCAD 2000 do not support diagonal fractions. If a multiline text object contains diagonal fractions, the fractions are converted to horizontal fractions when you save the drawing to pre-AutoCAD 2000 releases.
Page 730: Autostack Properties Dialog Box
Text Size Controls the size of the stacked text as a percentage of the size of the current text style (from 25 to 125 percent). Default text size is 70 percent. Defaults Saves the new settings as defaults or restores the previous default values to the current stacked text.
Page 731: Mtext Command Line
NOTE Whether AutoStack is on or off, the pound character is always converted to a diagonal fraction, and the carat character is always converted to a tolerance format. Don’t Show This Dialog Again; Always Use These Settings Suppresses display of the AutoStack Properties dialog box. The current property settings are used for all stacked text.
Page 732 Specify height <current>: The default height, if nonzero, is the height of the current style; otherwise, it is the height stored in the TEXTSIZE system variable. Character height is calculated in drawing units. Changing the height updates the value stored in TEXTSIZE.
Page 733 top left: top center: top right: center-justified, right-justified, left-justified, spills down spills down spills down middle left: middle center: middle right: center-justified, right-justified, spills left-justified, spills up and spills up and down up and down down bottom center: bottom right: bottom left: center-justified, right-justified,...
Page 734 At Least Adjusts lines of text automatically based on the height of the largest character in the line. When At Least is selected, lines of text with taller characters have added space between lines. Enter line spacing factor or distance <current>: Spacing Factor: Sets the line spacing to a multiple of single-line spacing.
Page 735: Symbols And Special Characters
Enter style name or [?] <current>: Style Name Specifies a text style name. Text styles can be defined and saved using the STYLE command. ?—List Styles Lists text style names and characteristics. The previous prompt is redisplayed until you specify the opposite corner of the text boundary.
Page 736 Text symbols and Unicode strings Name Symbol Unicode String Almost equal \U+2248 Angle \U+2220 Boundary line \U+E100 Centerline \U+2104 Delta \U+0394 Electrical phase \U+0278 Flow line \U+E101 Identity \U+2261 Initial length \U+E200 Monument line \U+E102 Not equal \U+2260 \U+2126 Omega \U+03A9 Plate/property line \U+214A...
Page 737: Multiple
These text symbols are available in the following True Type (TTF) and SHX fonts: Simplex RomanS Isocp Isocp2 Isocp3 Isoct Isoct2 Isoct3 Isocpeur (TTF only) Isocpeur italic (TTF only) Isocteur (TTF only) Isocteur italic (TTF only) MULTIPLE Repeats the next command until canceled Command line: multiple Enter command name to repeat: The command that you enter is repeated until you press ESC .
Page 738 View menu: Viewports 1 Viewport, 2 Viewports, 3 Viewports, 4 Viewports Command line: mview Specify Corner of Viewport or [On/Off/Fit/Shadeplot/Lock/Object/Polygonal/Restore/2/3/4] <Fit>: Enter an option or specify a point In a layout, you can create as many viewports as you want, but only up to 64 viewports can be active at one time (see MAXACTVP).
Page 739 Shadeplot Specifies how viewports in layouts are plotted. Shade plot? [As displayed/Wireframe/Hidden/Rendered] <As displayed>: Enter a shade plot option As Displayed Specifies that a viewport is plotted the same way it is displayed. Wireframe Specifies that a viewport is plotted wireframe regardless of the current display.
Page 740 Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Length/Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option Adds arc segments to the polygonal viewport. [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Line/Radius/Second pt/Undo/Endpoint of arc] <Endpoint>: Enter an option or press ENTER For a description of the options for creating arc segments, see the Arc option in PLINE.
Page 741 Specify first corner or [Fit] <Fit>: Specify a point or press ENTER 2/vertical First Corner Positions and sizes new viewports using the window selection method; the viewports are fit into the selected area. Sizes the viewports to fill the drawing area. Divides the specified area into three viewports.
Page 742: Mvsetup
Sizes the viewports to fill the drawing area. Divides the specified area horizontally and vertically into four viewports of equal size. Specify first corner or [Fit] <Fit>: Specify a point or press ENTER First Corner Positions and sizes new viewports using the window selection method; he viewports are fit into the selected area.
Page 743: Mvsetup On The Model Tab
To easily specify all layout page settings and prepare your drawing for plotting, you can also use the Page Setup dialog box, which is automatically displayed when you select a layout in a new drawing session. MVSETUP on the Model Tab When the TILEMODE system variable is on (the default), the following prompt is displayed: Enable paper space? [No/Yes] <Y>: Enter n or press ENTER...
Page 744 The next two prompts specify the distance and angle from the base point to the second point. Specify the distance and angle to the new alignment point in the current viewport where you specified the base point. Specify distance from base point: Specify a distance Specify angle from base point: Specify an angle Horizontal Pans the view in one viewport until it aligns horizontally with a base point...
Page 745 Select the objects to delete... Select objects: Select the viewports to delete and press ENTER Create Viewports Displays options for creating viewports. Available layout options: 0: None 1: Single 2: Std. Engineering 3: Array of Viewports Enter layout number to load or [Redisplay]: Enter an option number ( 0 – 3 ), or enter r to redisplay the list of viewport layout options Layout Number to Load Controls creation of viewports.
Page 746 Standard engineering viewports Quadrant View Lower-right Right side (YZ plane of UCS) Entering 3 defines a matrix of viewports along the X and Y axes. Specifying points at the next two prompts defines the rectangular area of the drawing that contains the viewport configuration. If you have inserted a title block, the Specify First Corner prompt also includes an option for selecting a default area.
Page 747 Interactively Selects one viewport at a time and displays the following prompts for each: Enter the number of paper space units <1.0>: Enter a value or press ENTER Enter the number of model space units <1.0>: Enter a value or press ENTER For example, for an engineering drawing at a scale of 1:4, or quarter scale, enter 1 for paper space units and 4 for model space units.
Page 748 Title Block Prepares paper space, orients the drawing by setting the origin, and creates a drawing border and a title block. Enter title block option [Delete objects/Origin/Undo/Insert] <Insert>: Enter an option or press ENTER Delete Objects Deletes objects from paper space. Select the objects to delete .
Page 749 Title Block to Load Inserts a border and a title block. Entering 0 or pressing ENTER inserts no border. Entering 1 through 13 creates a standard border of the appropriate size. The list includes ANSI and DIN/ISO standard sheets. Adds title block options to the list. Selecting this option prompts you to enter the title block description to be displayed in the list and the name of a drawing to insert.
Page 751: Chapter 15 Netload
NETLOAD Loads a .NET application Command line: netload The Choose .NET Assembly dialog box, a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes, is displayed. Creates a new drawing File menu: New Command line: new The behavior of the NEW command is determined by the Startup setting on the System Tab (Options Dialog Box) in the Options dialog box.
Page 752 Start from Scratch Starts an empty drawing using default imperial or metric settings (MEASUREINIT system variable). You can change the measurement system for a given drawing by using the MEASUREMENT system variable. The Drawing1.dwg that opens when you start the program is a drawing that is started from scratch.
Page 753 Preview Displays a preview image of the selected file. Quick Setup Displays the Quick Setup Wizard, in which you can specify the units and area for your new drawing. The Quick Setup wizard also changes settings, such as text height and snap spacing, to an appropriate scale. Select a Template Lists all DWT files that currently exist in the drawing template file location, which is specified in the Options Dialog Box.
Page 754: Quick Setup Wizard
Use a Wizard Sets up a drawing using a step-by-step guide. You can choose from two wizards: Quick Setup and Advanced Setup. Quick Setup Wizard File menu: New Command line: new 730 | Chapter 15...
Page 755 Defines the units and area of your drawing. The Quick Setup wizard has two pages: Units and Area. As you work in this wizard, choose Back and Next to switch between pages; choose Finish on the last page to close the wizard and create the new drawing with the settings you specified.
Page 756: Advanced Setup Wizard
Fractional Displays measurements in mixed-number (integer and fractional) notation. Scientific Displays measurements in scientific notation (numbers expressed in the form of the product of a decimal number between 0 and 10 and a power of 10). Area Indicates the width and length in full-scale units of what you plan to draw. This setting limits the area of the drawing covered by grid dots when the grid is turned on.
Page 757 to navigate between pages; choose Finish on the last page to close the wizard and create the new drawing with the settings you specified. You can later change units, angle, angle measure, and angle direction using the UNITS command, and you can change area using the LIMITS command. Units Indicates the unit format and precision.
Page 758: New Command Line
South Specifies the compass direction south as the 0 angle. Surveyor Displays angles in surveyor’s units. West Specifies the compass direction west as the 0 angle. Angle Measure Indicates the direction of the 0 angle for the entry of angles. When you enter an angle value, the angle is measured either counter-clockwise or clockwise from the compass direction that you select on this page.
Page 759 Insert menu: File New Sheet Set Tools menu: Wizards New Sheet Set Sheet Set Manager control: New Sheet Set Command line: newsheetset The Create Sheet Set wizard contains a series of pages that step you through the process of creating a new sheet set. You can choose to create a new sheet set from existing drawings, or use an existing sheet set as a template on which to base your new sheet set.
Page 761: Chapter 16 Offset
OFFSET Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves Modify toolbar: Modify menu: Offset Command line: offset Current settings: Erase source = current Layer = current OFFSETGAPTYPE = current Specify Offset Distance or [Through/“Erase” on page 738/“Layer” on page 739] <current>: Specify a distance, enter an option, or press ENTER polyline with polyline...
Page 762 Exit Exits the OFFSET command. Multiple Enters the Multiple offset mode, which repeats the offset operation using the current offset distance. Undo Reverses the previous offset. Through Creates an object passing through a specified point. Select object to offset or <exit>: Select one object or press ENTER to end the command Specify through point or [Exit/Multiple/Undo]<exit or next object>: Specify a point (1) through which you want the offset object to pass or enter a distance...
Page 763: Olelinks
Layer Determines whether offset objects are created on the current layer or on the layer of the source object. Enter layer option for offset objects [Current/Source]<current>: Enter an option OLELINKS Updates, changes, and cancels existing OLE links Edit menu: OLE Links Command line: olelinks The Links Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 764: Convert Dialog Box
Break Link Severs the link between the object and the original file. The object in your drawing is changed to WMF (Windows metafile format), which is not affected by future changes to the original file. Change Source Displays the Change Source dialog box (a standard file dialog box), in which you can specify a different source file.
Page 765: Change Icon Dialog Box
Activate As Opens the embedded object as the type selected under Object Type but returns the object to its current type after editing. Change Icon Displays the Change Icon Dialog Box. This option is available only if you select Display as Icon. Convert To Converts the embedded object to the type specified under Object Type.
Page 766: Olescale
Command line: olelinks Changes the icon that represents an embedded or linked object in a drawing. Icon Specifies an icon to represent an embedded or linked object. Current Specifies the currently selected icon. Default Specifies the default icon for the source application. From File Specifies an icon from a file (valid types include EXE, DLL, and ICO).
Page 767: Ole Text Size Dialog Box
Command line: olescale The OLE Text Size Dialog Box is displayed. NOTE You must select an OLE object before entering the OLESCALE command. OLE Text Size Dialog Box Shortcut menu: With an OLE object selected, right-click and click Text Size. Command line: olescale Maps the point size of one of the fonts in an OLE object to a text height in the drawing.
Page 768: Open
Command line: oops OOPS restores objects erased by the last ERASE command. erased objects before OOPS after OOPS You can also use OOPS after BLOCK or WBLOCK because these commands can erase the selected objects after creating a block. However, you cannot use OOPS to restore parameters, actions, or grips in the “Block Editor”...
Page 769: Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes
Right-click in Places to display a shortcut menu with options for adding, removing, and modifying icons or restoring default icons that have been removed. You cannot remove the Autodesk Buzzsaw icon. Changes to Places affect all standard file selection dialog boxes.
Page 770 Add to Favorites Creates a shortcut to the current Look In location, or to the selected file or folder. The shortcut is placed in the Favorites folder for the current user profile, which you can access by choosing Favorites in the Places list. Add/Modify FTP Locations Displays the Add/Modify FTP Locations Dialog Box, in which you can specify the FTP sites to make available for browsing.
Page 771 existing FTP location, click Tools Add/Modify FTP Locations Dialog Box in the dialog box. History Displays shortcuts to the files most recently accessed from the dialog box. It is recommended that you periodically remove unwanted shortcuts from the History list. Select History, then select the unwanted shortcuts in the Files list and click Delete.
Page 772 Security Options Provides options for a digital signature and password that are invoked when you save a file. Look In/Save In Displays the current folder or drive. Click the arrow to view the hierarchy of the folder path and to navigate up the path tree or to other drives, network connections, FTP locations, or web folders (either Web Folders or My Network Places, depending on the version of your operating system).
Page 773: Buzzsaw Location Shortcuts Dialog Box
Files List Displays the files and folders in the current path and of the selected file type. Use the Views menu in the dialog box to switch between List view and Details view. Preview Displays a bitmap of the selected file when you choose Views Preview in the dialog box.
Page 774: Log In To Buzzsaw Dialog Box
Buzzsaw Location Shortcuts Lists the location of existing Buzzsaw shortcuts. Close Closes the selected shortcut location. Delete Removes the selected shortcut. Modify Opens the Log In to Buzzsaw Site dialog box, where you can change settings for the selected shortcut. Opens the Log In to Buzzsaw Site dialog box.
Page 775: Create A Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Box
Create a Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Sets a shortcut to a Buzzsaw location. Provides access to a new Autodesk Buzzsaw location that you specify. You can open drawings or save drawings at this location. If a sheet set is open, the Autodesk Buzzsaw location is associated with your current sheet set.
Page 776: Select A Buzzsaw Location Dialog Box
Provides edit access to an Autodesk Buzzsaw location that you specify. If a sheet set is open, the Autodesk Buzzsaw location is associated with your current sheet set. The only Buzzsaw locations displayed are those associated with the current sheet set.
Page 777 Name & Location Tab Filters the file search based on file type, file name, and location. Named Specifies the full or partial file names to include in the search. When entering multiple file names, enclose each name in quotation marks. Use the following wild-card characters to broaden your search: * (Asterisk): Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search string.
Page 778 Browse Displays the Browse for Folder dialog box, in which you can navigate to a location for the search. Include Subfolders Searches all subfolders within the Look In location. Date Modified Tab Filters the file search based on the file’s creation or modified date. All Files Searches without a date filter.
Page 779: Add/Modify Ftp Locations Dialog Box
To browse the sites that you add, select FTP from the Places list in the standard file selection dialog box. Name of FTP Site Specifies the site name for the FTP location (for example, ftp.autodesk.com). Log On As Specifies whether to log on to the FTP site anonymously or with a specific user name.
Page 780: Partial Open Dialog Box
User Logs you on to the FTP site using the specified user name. Password Specifies the password to use to log on to the FTP site. Adds a new FTP site to the list of FTP locations available from the standard file selection dialog box.
Page 781 View Geometry to Load Displays the selected view and available views in the drawing. Only model space views are available for loading. You can load paper space geometry by loading the layer that the paper space geometry is drawn on. Clear All Loads no geometry from any layer when the drawing is opened.
Page 782 Load Geometry Loads geometry from the layer when the drawing is opened. Spatial Index Displays whether the selected drawing file contains an index that organizes objects based on their location is space. Use Spatial Index Controls whether a spatial index is used when partially opening a drawing. A spatial index can be used to locate what portion of the drawing is read;...
Page 783: Open Command Line
You can use the PARTIALOAD command to load additional geometry into a partially open drawing. NOTE When a drawing is partially open, named objects are still loaded into the file along with the specified geometry from the selected layers. All layers are still available in the partially open drawing, but only geometry from the layers specified to load appears in the drawing.
Page 784: Opensheetset
and click Open, the Markup Set Manager is displayed. The markup set from the selected DWF file is loaded into the Markup Set Manager. OPENSHEETSET Opens a selected sheet set File menu: Open Sheet Set Sheet Set Manager control: Open Command line: opensheetset The Open Sheet Set dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) is displayed.
Page 785 Current Drawing Displays the name of the current drawing above the tabs. (DWGNAME system variable) Current Profile Displays the name of the current profile above the tabs. To set the current profile, create a new profile, or edit an existing profile, use the Profiles tab. (CPROFILE system variable) Drawing Icon Signifies that an option is saved with the drawing.
Page 786: Files Tab (Options Dialog Box)
“User Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box)” on page 783 “Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)” on page 786 “Selection Tab (Options Dialog Box)” on page 789 “Profiles Tab (Options Dialog Box)” on page 793 Files Tab (Options Dialog Box) Lists the folders in which the program searches for support, driver, menu, and other files.
Page 787 Working Support File Search Path Displays the active directories that the program searches for support files specific to your system. The list is read-only and displays valid paths from the Support Files Search Path that exist within the current directory structure and network mappings..
Page 788 Default Template for Sheet Creation and Page Setup Overrides Specifies the default template file that is used for creating new sheets and to store page setup overrides that can be applied to Publish operations from the Sheet Set Manager. Drawing Template File Location Specifies the path to locate drawing template files used by the Start Up wizard and New dialog box.
Page 789 Print Spool Executable Specifies the application to use for print spooling. You can enter the executable file name as well as any command line arguments you want to use. For example, you can enter myspool.bat %s to spool plot files to myspool.bat and have a unique plot file name automatically generated.
Page 790 Color Book Locations Specifies the path for color book files that can be used when specifying colors in the Select Color dialog box. You can define multiple folders for each path specified. This option is saved with the user profile. Data Sources Location Specifies the path for database source files.
Page 791: Display Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Temporary External Reference File Location Specifies the location of external reference (xref) files. This location is used for the copy of the xref when you select Enabled with Copy in the Demand Load Xrefs list on the Open and Save tab. (XLOADPATH system variable) Texture Maps Search Path Specifies the folders to search for rendering texture maps.
Page 792 Window Elements Controls display settings specific to the drawing environment. Apply Solid Fill Displays solid fills in objects. You must regenerate the drawing for this setting to take effect. This setting is saved in the drawing. Clear this option to optimize performance. (FILLMODE system variable) Objects affected by FILL include hatches (including solid-fill), two-dimensional solids, wide polylines, multilines, and traces.
Page 793 Contour Lines per Surface Sets the number of contour lines per surface on objects. A higher number decreases display performance and increases rendering time. The valid range is 0 to 2047. The default setting is 4. This setting is saved in the drawing. (ISOLINES system variable) Create Viewport in New Layouts Creates a single viewport automatically when you create a new layout.
Page 794 Pan and Zoom with Raster and OLE Controls the display of raster images and OLE objects when you use Realtime PAN and ZOOM. Clear this option to optimize performance. If dragging display is turned on and you select Pan and Zoom with Raster and OLE, a copy of the object moves with the cursor as you reposition the original.
Page 795: Open And Save Tab (Options Dialog Box)
display. This setting is saved in the drawing. Select this option to optimize performance. (QTEXTMODE system variable) Show Tooltips Displays tooltips when you move the cursor over buttons on the toolbar. Use Large Buttons for Toolbars Displays buttons in a larger format at 32 by 30 pixels. The default display size is 16 by 15 pixels.
Page 796 File Save Controls settings related to saving a file. Allow Other Users to Refedit Current Drawing Determines whether the current drawing file can be edited in place if it is being referenced by another drawing or multiple drawings. This setting is saved in the drawing.
Page 797 For information about using backup files, see “Create and Restore Backup Files” in the User’s Guide. Demand Load ObjectARX Apps Specifies if and when a third-party application is demand-loaded if a drawing contains custom objects created in that application. (DEMANDLOAD system variable) Disable Load on Demand: Turns off demand-loading.
Page 798 File Extension for Temporary Files Specifies a unique extension for temporary save files. The default extension is .ac$. Full-Time CRC Validation Specifies whether a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) should be performed each time an object is read into the drawing. CRC is an error-checking mechanism.
Page 799 Retain Changes to Xref Layers Saves changes to layer properties and states for xref-dependent layers. When the drawing is reloaded, the properties currently assigned to xref-dependent layers are retained. This setting is saved in the drawing. (VISRETAIN system variable) Save As Displays the valid file formats used when saving a file with SAVE, SAVEAS, and QSAVE.
Page 800: Plot And Publish Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Plot and Publish Tab (Options Dialog Box) Controls options related to plotting and publishing. Default Plot Settings For New Drawings Controls default plotting settings for new drawings or drawings created in AutoCAD Release 14 or earlier that have never been saved in AutoCAD 2000 or later format.
Page 801 Enable Background Plotting When Specifies whether or not background plotting is turned on for plotting and publishing. Plotting: Specifies that plot jobs are processed in the background. This setting is also affected by the BACKGROUNDPLOT system variable. Publishing: Specifies that published jobs are processed in the background. This setting is also affected by the BACKGROUNDPLOT system variable.
Page 802 System Printer Spool Alert Controls whether you are alerted when the plotted drawing is spooled through a system printer because of an input or output port conflict. Always Alert (And Log Errors): Alerts you and always logs an error when the plotted drawing spools through a system printer.
Page 803 Background Processing Options Specifies options for background plotting and publishing. You can use background plotting to start a job you are plotting or publishing and immediately return to work on your drawing while your job is plotted or published as you work. Backround plot and publish details are available through the Plot and Publish Status Bar Icon Shortcut Menu.
Page 804: System Tab (Options Dialog Box)
General Plot Options Controls options that relate to the general plotting environment, including paper size settings, system printer alert behavior, and OLE objects in a drawing. Specify Plot Offset Relative To Specifies whether the offset of the plot area is from the lower-left corner of the printable area or from the edge of the paper (PLOTOFFSET system variable).
Page 805 For all other layouts, regenerations still occur when you switch to those tabs. Check Web for Live Enablers Checks the Autodesk website for object enablers. Current 3D Graphics Display System Lists the available 3D graphics display systems. The default is the Heidi 3D graphics display system (GSHEIDI10).
Page 806 Display OLE Text Size Dialog Displays the OLE Text Size dialog box when OLE objects are inserted into drawings. Load acad.lsp with Every Drawing Specifies whether the acad.lsp file is loaded into every drawing. If this option is cleared, only the acaddoc.lsp file is loaded into all drawing files. Clear this option if you do not want to run certain LISP routines in specific drawing files.
Page 807: User Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Store Links Index in Drawing File Stores the database index in the drawing file. Select this option to enhance performance during Link Select operations. Clear this option to decrease drawing file size and to enhance the opening process for drawings with database information.
Page 808 Windows Standard Behavior Controls keystroke and right-click behavior. Display Background of Fields Displays fields with a light gray background that is not plotted. When this option is cleared, fields are displayed with the same background as any text. (FIELDDISPLAY system variable) Display Hyperlink Cursor, Tooltip, and Shortcut Menu Displays the hyperlink cursor and tooltip whenever the pointing device pauses over an object that contains a hyperlink.
Page 809 Keyboard Entry Specifies that coordinate entry overrides running object snaps at all times. You can also select this option by setting OSNAPCOORD to 1. Keyboard Entry Except Scripts Specifies that coordinate entry overrides running object snaps, except in scripts. You can also select this option by setting OSNAPCOORD to 2. Make New Dimensions Associative When selected, creates associative dimensions, which automatically adjust their locations, orientations, and measurement values when the geometric...
Page 810: Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Fields Sets preferences related to fields. Priority for Coordinate Data Entry Controls how the program responds to input of coordinate data. (OSNAPCOORD system variable) Associative Dimensioning Controls whether associative dimension objects or legacy-style, nonassociative dimension objects are created. Hyperlink Controls settings that relate to the display properties of hyperlinks. Undo/Redo Controls Undo and Redo for Zoom and Pan.
Page 811 AutoSnap Settings Controls settings that relate to the visual aids, called AutoSnaps, that are ™ displayed when you use object snaps. AutoSnap settings are saved in the registry. When the cursor, or aperture box, is on an object, you can press TAB to cycle through all the snap points available for that object.
Page 812 Display AutoTrack Tooltip Controls the display of the AutoTrack tooltip. The tooltip is a label that displays the tracking coordinates. (AUTOSNAP system variable) Display Full-Screen Tracking Vector Controls the display of tracking vectors. Tracking vectors are construction lines from which you can draw objects at specific angles or in specific relationships to other objects.
Page 813: Selection Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Shift to Acquire Displays tracking vectors when you press SHIFT and move the aperture over an object snap. AutoSnap Marker Size Sets the display size for the AutoSnap marker. Object Snap Options Specifies options for object snaps. (OSNAP command) AutoTrack Settings ™...
Page 814 Pickbox Size Controls the display size of the pickbox. The pickbox is the object selection tool that appears in editing commands. (PICKBOX system variable) Selection Preview Highlights objects as the pickbox cursor rolls over them. The PREVIEWEFFECT system variable controls the appearance of the highlighted objects. Associative Hatch Determines which objects are selected when you select an associative hatch.
Page 815 a drawing significantly affects performance. Clear this option to optimize performance. (GRIPS system variable) Enable Grips within Blocks Controls how grips are displayed on a block after you select it. If this option is selected, all grips are displayed for each object in the block. If this option is cleared, one grip is displayed at the insertion point of the block.
Page 816 ARRAY ERASE ROTATE BLOCK EXPLODE SCALE CHANGE LIST STRETCH CHPROP MIRROR WBLOCK COPY MOVE Object Grouping Selects all objects in a group when you select one object in that group. With GROUP you can create and name a set of objects for selection. You can also set this option by setting the PICKSTYLE system variable to 1.
Page 817: Profiles Tab (Options Dialog Box)
Use SHIFT to Add to Selection Adds an object to or removes it from the selection set when you press SHIFT and select an object. To clear a selection set quickly, draw a selection window in a blank area of the drawing. (PICKADD system variable) Visual Effect Settings Displays the Visual Effect Settings Dialog Box.
Page 818 Add to List Displays the Add Profile Dialog Box to save the selected profile under a different name. Available Profiles Displays a list of the available profiles. To set the current profile, select a profile and choose Set Current. Delete Deletes the selected profile (unless it is the current profile).
Page 819: Alternate Font Dialog Box
Rename Displays the Change Profile Dialog Box for changing the name and description of the selected profile. Use Rename when you want to rename a profile but keep its current settings. Reset Resets the values in the selected profile to the system default settings. Set Current Makes the selected profile the current profile.
Page 820: Color Options Dialog Box
Font Name Lists the font family name for all registered TrueType fonts and all SHX fonts in the Fonts folder. When you select a name from the list, the program reads the file for the specified font. Font Style Specifies font character formatting, such as italic, bold, or regular. If the missing font is a Big Font, this option changes to Big Font and lists all available Asian-language Big Font files.
Page 821 Layout Tabs Displays the current settings for window elements in layouts. To change the color of a layout tab window element, click the specific element in the Layout Tabs area or select it from the Window Element list, and then select a color from the Color list.
Page 822: Command Line Window Font Dialog Box
Model Tab Background Specifies the window color in model space. Model Tab Pointer Specifies the crosshairs color in model space. Plot Preview Background Specifies the background color of the plot preview window. The default setting is the Windows standard window text color. Color Lists the available color settings to apply to the list of window elements.
Page 823: Thumbnail Preview Settings Dialog Box
Font Lists the system fonts available for selection. Font Style Lists the styles available to apply to the current font. Size Lists the font sizes available for the current font. Thumbnail Preview Settings Dialog Box Tools menu: Options (Options dialog box, Open and Save tab) Shortcut menu: Right-click in the command window, or (with no commands active and no objects selected) right-click in the drawing area, and choose Options.
Page 824: Plot Style Table Settings Dialog Box
Performance-Accuracy Slider Sets the UPDATETHUMBNAIL system variable, which specifies when thumbnails are updated and which thumbnails are updated. When the dialog box is opened, the slider reflects the current setting of UPDATETHUMBNAIL. Save a Thumbnail Preview Image Displays an image of the drawing in the Preview area of the Select File dialog box.
Page 825 Default Plot Style for Objects Sets the default plot style that is assigned when you create new objects. The list displays BYLAYER, BYBLOCK, and Normal styles, and any plot styles defined in the currently loaded plot style table. (DEFPLSTYLE system variable) Default Plot Style Table Specifies the default plot style table to attach to new drawings.
Page 826: 3D Graphics System Configuration Dialog Box
Options, and then click the System tab. Command line: options AutoCAD uses the Heidi 3D Graphics System developed by Autodesk as the default graphics display system. Specifies options for maintaining speed during view manipulation by using a less detailed rendering mode.
Page 827 Shortcut menu: Right-click in the command window, or (with no commands active and no objects selected) right-click in the drawing area, and choose Options. Command line: options Controls whether right-clicking in the drawing area displays a shortcut menu or has the same effect as pressing ENTER . If you are accustomed to using the right-click method for ENTER while a command is active, you might prefer to disable Command shortcut menus from this dialog box.
Page 828: Field Update Settings Dialog Box
Repeat Last Command Disables the Default shortcut menu. As a result, right-clicking in the drawing area when no objects are selected and no commands are in progress is the same as pressing ENTER , which repeats the last issued command. Repeat Last Command Disables the Edit shortcut menu.
Page 829: Visual Effect Settings Dialog Box
eTransmit Automatically updates fields when the file is sent using ETRANSMIT. Open Automatically updates fields when the file is opened. Plot Automatically updates fields when the file is plotted. Regen Automatically updates fields when the file is regenerated. Save Automatically updates fields when the file is saved. Visual Effect Settings Dialog Box Tools menu: Options (Options dialog box, Selection tab) Shortcut menu: Right-click in the command window, or (with no commands...
Page 830: Advanced Preview Options Dialog Box
Dash Displays dashed lines when the pickbox cursor rolls over an object. This selection previewing indicates that the object would be selected if you clicked. Dashed lines are the default display for selected objects. (PREVIEWEFFECT system variable) Indicate Selection Area During window or crossing selection indicates the selection area with a different background color.
Page 831: Add Profile Dialog Box
Exclude Objects on Locked Layers Does not display selection previewing for objects on locked layers. This option is on by default. (PREVIEWFILTER system variable) Exclude Turns off selection previewing for the selected object types. (PREVIEWFILTER system variable) Groups Excludes objects in groups from selection previewing. This option is off by default.
Page 832: Change Profile Dialog Box
Profile Name Assigns a new profile name to the selected profile. Change Profile Dialog Box Tools menu: Options (Options dialog box, Profiles tab) Shortcut menu: Right-click in the command window, or (with no commands active and no objects selected) right-click in the drawing area, and choose Options.
Page 833: Osnap
Status bar: Ortho Command line: ortho (or 'ortho for transparent use) Enter mode [ON/OFF] <current>: Enter on or off , or press ENTER In the illustration, a line is drawn using Ortho mode. Point 1 is the first point specified, and point 2 is the position of the cursor when the second point is specified.
Page 834 Current osnap modes: current Enter list of Object Snap Modes: Enter names of object snap modes separated with commas, or enter none or off Object Snap Modes Specify one or more object snap modes by entering the first three characters of the name.
Page 835: Pagesetup
PAGESETUP Controls the page layout, plotting device, paper size, and other settings for each new layout File menu: Page Setup Manager Shortcut menu: Right-click the Model tab or a layout tab and click Page Setup Manager. Command line: pagesetup The Page Setup Manager is displayed. Page Setup Manager Layouts toolbar: File menu: Page Setup Manager...
Page 836 Current Layout or Current Sheet Set Lists the current layout to which the page setup will be applied. If the Page Setup Manager is opened from the Sheet Set Manager, displays the name of the current sheet set. If the Page Setup Manager is opened from a layout, displays the name of the current layout.
Page 837 Import Displays the Select Page Setup From File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box), in which you can select a drawing format (DWG), DWT, or ™ drawing interchange format (DXF) file from which to import one or more page setups.
Page 838 Plot Size Displays the plot size and orientation specified in the currently selected page setup. Plotter Displays the type of plot device specified in the currently selected page setup. Set Current Sets the selected page setup as the current page setup for the current layout. You cannot set the current layout as the current page setup.
Page 839: New Page Setup Dialog Box
New Page Setup Dialog Box File menu: Page Setup Manager Shortcut menu: Right-click the Model tab or a layout tab and choose Page Setup Manager. Command line: pagesetup Specifies a name for the new page setup, as well as the page setup to use as a starting point.
Page 840: Page Setup Dialog Box
<Previous Plot> Specifies that the new page setup uses the settings specified in the last plot job. Page Setup Dialog Box File menu: Page Setup Manager Shortcut menu: Right-click the Model tab or a layout tab and choose Page Setup Manager. Command line: pagesetup Specifies page layout and plotting device settings.
Page 841 Page Setup Displays the name of the current page setup. Center the Plot Automatically calculates the X and Y offset values to center the plot on the paper. This option is not available when Plot Area is set to Layout. Description Displays descriptive text about the output device specified in the currently selected page setup.
Page 842 Hide Paperspace Objects Specifies whether the HIDE operation applies to objects in the paper space viewport. This option is available only from a layout tab. The effect of this setting is reflected in the plot preview, but not in the layout. Icon Displays a DWG icon when the Page Setup dialog box is opened from a layout, and displays a sheet set icon when the Page Setup dialog box is...
Page 843 Name Displays the name of the current page setup. Name Lists the available PC3 files or system printers from which you can select to plot or publish the current layout or sheet. An icon in front of the device name identifies it as a PC3 file or a system printer. PC3 file icon: Indicates a PC3 file.
Page 844 Plot Upside-Down Orients and plots the drawing upside-down. Plot with Plot Styles Specifies whether plot styles applied to objects and layers are plotted. When you select this option, Plot Object Lineweights is automatically selected also. Plotter Displays the plot device specified in the currently selected page setup. Portrait Orients and plots the drawing so that the short edge of the paper represents the top of the page.
Page 845 Custom: Sets rendered and shaded model space views to be plotted at the resolution setting that you specify in the DPI box, up to the current device resolution. Scale Defines the exact scale for the plot. Custom defines a user-defined scale. You can create a custom scale by entering the number of inches (or millimeters) equal to the number of drawing units.
Page 846 Window Plots any portion of the drawing that you specify. When you specify the two corners of the area to plot, the Window button becomes available. Click the Window button to use the pointing device to specify the two corners of the area to be plotted, or enter coordinate values. Command: Specify first corner: Specify a point Specify other corner: Specify a point Specifies the plot origin in the X direction relative to the setting of the Plot...
Page 847 Plot Offset Specifies an offset of the plot area relative to the lower-left corner of the printable area or to the edge of the paper, depending on the setting made in the Specify Plot Offset Relative To option (Options dialog box, Plot and Publish Tab (Options Dialog Box)).
Page 848: Changes To A Printer Configuration File Dialog Box
Preview Displays the drawing as it will appear when plotted on paper by executing the PREVIEW command. To exit the print preview and return to the Page Setup dialog box, press ESC, press ENTER, or right-click and click Exit on the shortcut menu.
Page 849: Pan
When you import page setups into a page setup overrides file for a sheet set, only page setups with Plot Area set to Layout or Extents are listed. Description Displays descriptive text about the output device specified in the currently selected page setup.
Page 850: Panning In Real Time
View menu: Pan Realtime Shortcut menu: With no objects selected, right-click in the drawing area and choose Pan. Command line: pan (or 'pan for transparent use) The following prompt is displayed; you can Panning in Real Time. Press ESC or ENTER to exit, or right-click to display a Pan Shortcut Menu. If you enter -pan at the Command prompt, PAN displays alternative PAN Command Line, and you can specify a displacement to pan the drawing display.
Page 851: Pan Command Line
PAN Command Line If you enter -pan at the Command prompt, PAN presents alternative prompts on the command line. This version of PAN works in two ways. You can specify a single point, indicating the relative displacement of the drawing with respect to the current location, or (more commonly) you can specify two points, in which case the displacement is computed from the first point to the second point.
Page 852: Partiaload
Zoom Switches to ZOOM in real time. Zoom Extents Zooms to display the drawing extents. Zoom Original Restores the original view. Zoom Window Zooms to display an area specified by a rectangular window. PARTIALOAD Loads additional geometry into a partially opened drawing File Menu: Partial Load Command line: partiaload The Partial Load Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 853 View Geometry to Load Displays the selected view and available views in the drawing. Views available for loading include only views defined in model space. You can load paper space geometry by loading the layer on which the paper space geometry is drawn.
Page 854 Load Geometry Specifies whether geometry from a layer is loaded into the drawing or not. If Load Geometry is selected, the geometry from the layer is loaded into the drawing. Any information that is currently loaded into the file cannot be unloaded.
Page 855: Partiaload Command Line
PARTIALOAD Command Line When a drawing is partially open and you enter -partiaload at the Command prompt, PARTIALOAD displays prompts on the command line. Specify First Corner or [View]: Specify a point or enter v First Corner Specifies the first corner of a user-defined view. Specify opposite corner: Specify a point Geometry from the defined view is loaded into the partially open drawing.
Page 856 View Loads the geometry from the specified view into the current drawing. Enter view to load or [?] <*Extents*>: Enter a view name, enter ? , or press ENTER to load the Extents view View to Load Loads the geometry from the specified view into the partially open drawing. Enter layers to load or [?] <none>: Enter a layer name, enter ? , or press ENTER Layers to Load Loads geometry from the layer or layers into the current drawing.
Page 857: Partialopen
If you enter yes, no external references are loaded into the drawing. If you enter no, all external references are loaded into the drawing. ?—List Layers A list of layer names available in the current drawing is displayed. Enter one or more layer names. If no layer geometry is specified, no layer geometry is loaded into the drawing, including geometry specified to load from a view.
Page 858 Layers to Load Loads geometry from one or more layers into the current drawing. To load geometry from multiple layers, use a comma between layer names. If no layer geometry is specified, no layer geometry is loaded into the drawing, including geometry specified to load from a view.
Page 859: Pasteashyperlink
Loads all external references into the drawing. ?—List Layers Displays a list of layers available in the selected drawing. Enter one or more layer names. To enter multiple layers, separate the layer names with a comma. Unload all Xrefs on open [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER Does not load any external references into the drawing.
Page 860: Pasteorig
Inserts data from the Clipboard Standard toolbar: Edit menu: Paste Shortcut menu: End any active commands, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Paste. Command line: pasteclip Specify insertion point: If the Clipboard contains ASCII text, the text is inserted as a multiline text (mtext) object using the MTEXT defaults.
Page 861: Paste Special Dialog Box
Edit menu: Paste Special Command line: pastespec The Paste Special Dialog Box is displayed. Paste Special Dialog Box Edit menu: Paste Special Command line: pastespec Sets file formats and linking options for pasted files. Displays applicable formats in which you can paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current drawing.
Page 862: Pcinwizard
Source Displays the name of the document that contains the information you copied. It may also show the specific section of the document you copied. PCINWIZARD Displays a wizard to import PCP and PC2 configuration file plot settings into the Model tab or current layout Tools menu: Wizards Import Plot Settings...
Page 863 If you enter y, the object is converted into a single-segment 2D polyline that you can edit. You can use this operation to join lines and arcs into a polyline. When the PEDITACCEPT system variable is set to 1, this prompt is suppressed, and the selected object is automatically converted to a polyline.
Page 864 Enter a vertex editing option Enter join type [Extend/Add/Both}<Extend>: Enter e , a , or b Extend Joins the selected polylines by extending or trimming the segments to the nearest endpoints. Joins the selected polylines by adding a straight segment between the nearest endpoints.
Page 865 Pressing ENTER accepts the current default, which is either Next or Previous. beginning vertex Next Moves the X marker to the next vertex. The marker does not wrap around from the end to the start of the polyline even if the polyline is closed. Previous Moves the X marker to the previous vertex.
Page 866 Deletes any segments and vertices between the two vertices you specify and returns to Edit Vertex mode. segment deleted Exit Exits Break and returns to Edit Vertex mode. Insert Adds a new vertex to the polyline after the marked vertex. Specify location for new vertex: Specify a point (1) marked vertex before Insert...
Page 867 before Regen after Regen Straighten Saves the location of the marked vertex while you move the X marker to any other vertex. If you want to remove an arc segment that connects two straight segments of a polyline and then extend the straight segments until they intersect, use the FILLET command with a fillet radius of 0.
Page 868 Tangent Attaches a tangent direction to the marked vertex for use later in curve fitting. The following prompt is displayed: Specify direction of vertex tangent: Specify a point or enter an angle Width Changes the starting and ending widths for the segment that immediately follows the marked vertex.
Page 869 Spline Uses the vertices of the selected polyline as the control points, or frame, of a curve approximating a B-spline. This curve, called a spline-fit polyline, passes through the first and last control points unless the original polyline was closed. The curve is pulled toward the other points but does not necessarily pass through them.
Page 870 EXTEND changes the frame by adding a new vertex where the initial or final line of the frame intersects the boundary geometry. BREAK and TRIM generate a polyline with only the fit spline, which is consistent with fit curves, where the curve fitting is permanent. EXPLODE deletes the frame and generates lines and arcs to approximate the spline-fit polyline.
Page 871 You can examine or change the fineness or coarseness of the spline approximation with the SPLINESEGS system variable, or you can use AutoLISP . The default value is 8. If you set the value higher, a greater number of line segments are drawn and the approximation to the ideal spline becomes more precise.
Page 872 Ltype Gen set to Off Ltype Gen set to On Undo Reverses operations as far back as the beginning of the PEDIT session. 3D Polyline Selection If you select a 3D polyline, the following prompt is displayed: Enter an option [Close/Edit vertex/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo]: Enter an option or press ENTER If the polyline you select is closed, Open replaces the Close option in the prompt.
Page 873 Previous Moves the X marker to the previous vertex. The marker does not wrap around from the start to the end of the polyline, even if the polyline is closed. Break Saves the location of the marked vertex while you move the X marker to any other vertex.
Page 874 Straighten Saves the location of the marked vertex while you move the X marker to any other vertex. Enter an option [Next/Previous/Go/eXit] <current>: Enter an option or press ENTER Next Moves the X marker to the next vertex. Previous Moves the X marker to the previous vertex. Deletes any segments and vertices between the two vertices you select, replaces them with single straight line segments, and returns to Edit Vertex mode.
Page 875 3D polyline after curve-fitting original 3D polyline Decurve Removes extra vertices inserted by a fit or spline curve and straightens all segments of the polyline. Retains tangent information assigned to the polyline vertices for use in subsequent fit curve requests. If you edit a spline-fit polyline with a command such as BREAK or TRIM, you cannot use the Decurve option.
Page 876 vertex to edit N = right/left M = up/down repositioned in 3D space Next Moves the X marker to the next vertex. The marker does not wrap around from the end to the start of the mesh, even if the mesh is closed. Previous Moves the X marker to the previous vertex.
Page 877 Regen Regenerates the polygon mesh. Exit Exits Edit Vertex mode. Smooth Surface Fits a smooth surface. The SURFTYPE system variable controls the type of surface this option fits. The types of surfaces include quadratic B-spline, cubic B-spline, and Bezier. original polygon quadratic cubic B-spline Bezier...
Page 878: Pface
closed N direction Nopen Opens the N-direction polylines if the polygon mesh is closed in the N direction. Undo Reverses operations as far back as the beginning of the PEDIT session. PFACE Creates a three-dimensional polyface mesh vertex by vertex Command line: pface Specify Vertex Location 1: Specify a point Specify location for vertex 2 or <Define Faces>: Specify a point or press ENTER...
Page 879: Plan
meshes, which you can edit in the same manner as fully visible polyface meshes. You can create polygons with any number of edges. PFACE automatically breaks them into multiple face objects with the appropriate invisible edges. Faces with one or two vertices behave like point or line objects without the special properties of Point Display modes or linetypes.
Page 880 current display View menu: 3D Views Plan View Command line: plan Enter an option [Current UCS/UCS/World] <Current>: Enter an option or press ENTER Current UCS Regenerates a plan view of the display so that the drawing extents fit in the current viewport of the current UCS.
Page 881: Pline
World Regenerates a plan view of the display so that the drawing extents fit on the screen of the world coordinate system. World PLINE Creates two-dimensional polylines Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Polyline Command line: pline Specify start point: Specify a point (1) Current line-width is <current>...
Page 882 PLINEGEN set to 0 PLINEGEN set to 1 Next Point Draws a line segment. The previous prompt is repeated. Adds arc segments to the polyline. Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/Radius/Second pt/Undo/Width]: Specify a point (2) or enter an option NOTE For the Center option of the PLINE command, enter ce;...
Page 883 Endpoint of Arc Specifies the endpoint and draws the arc segment. Center Specifies the center of the arc segment. Specify center point of arc: Radius Specifies the radius of the arc segment. Specify radius of arc: Specify a distance Specify direction of chord for arc < current >: Specify a point or press ENTER Center Specifies the center of the arc segment.
Page 884 Direction Specifies a starting direction for the arc segment. Specify the tangent direction from the start point of arc: Specify a point (2) Specify endpoint of arc: Specify a point (3) Halfwidth Specifies the width from the center of a wide polyline segment to one of its edges.
Page 885 Radius Specifies the radius of the arc segment. Specify radius of arc: Specify a distance Specify endpoint of arc or [Angle]: Specify a point or enter a radius Endpoint of Arc Specifies the endpoint and draws the arc segment. Angle Specifies the included angle for the arc segment.
Page 886 width The starting width becomes the default ending width. The ending width becomes the uniform width for all subsequent segments until you change the width again. The starting and ending points of wide line segments are at the center of the line. Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled.
Page 887: Plot
Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled. No beveling is performed for nontangent arc segments or very acute angles or when a dot-dash linetype is used. Length Draws a line segment of a specified length at the same angle as the previous segment.
Page 888: Plot Dialog Box
Plots a drawing to a plotter, printer, or file Standard toolbar: File menu: Plot Shortcut menu: Right-click the Model tab or a layout tab and click Plot. Command line: plot The Plot Dialog Box is displayed. Click OK to begin plotting with the current settings.
Page 889 You can display more options in the Plot dialog box by clicking the More Options button. Plot Dialog Box | 865...
Page 890 Page Setup Displays a list of any named and saved page setups in the drawing. You can base the current page setup on a named page setup saved in the drawing, or you can create a new named page setup based on the current settings in the Plot dialog box by clicking Add.
Page 891 Description Displays descriptive text about the output device specified in the currently selected page setup. You can edit this text in the Plotter Configuration Editor. Display Plots the view in the current viewport in the selected Model tab or the current paper space view in the layout.
Page 892 Inch(es) =/mm =/Pixel(s) = Specifies the number of inches, millimeters, or pixels equal to the specified number of units. Inch/mm/pixel Specifies inches or mm for display of units in the Plot dialog box. The default is based on the paper size and changes each time a new paper size is selected. Pixel is available only when a raster output is selected.
Page 893 determined by whether the current drawing is in color-dependent or named mode. Partial Preview Shows an accurate representation of the effective plot area relative to the paper size and printable area. The tooltip displays the paper size and printable area. Plot in Background Specifies that the plot is processed in the background.
Page 894 Plot to File Plots output to a file rather than to a plotter or printer. The default location for plot files is specified in the Plot and Publish Tab (Options Dialog Box), under Default Location for Plot-to-File Operations. If the Plot to File option is turned on, when you click OK in the Plot dialog box, the Plot to File dialog box (a standard file navigation dialog box) is displayed.
Page 895 Preview: Sets rendered and shaded model space views to be plotted at one quarter of the current device resolution, to a maximum of 150 dpi. Normal: Sets rendered and shaded model space views to be plotted at one half of the current device resolution, to a maximum of 300 dpi. Presentation: Sets rendered and shaded model space views to be plotted at the current device resolution, to a maximum of 600 dpi.
Page 896 Units Specifies the number of units equal to the specified number of inches, millimeters, or pixels. View Plots a view that was previously saved with the VIEW command. You can select a named view from the list. If there are no saved views in the drawing, this option is unavailable.
Page 897 Paper Size Displays standard paper sizes that are available for the selected plotting device. If no plotter is selected, the full standard paper size list is displayed and available for selection. If the selected plotter doesn't support the layout's selected paper size, a warning is displayed, and you can select the plotter's default paper size or a custom paper size.
Page 898 Plot Scale Controls the relative size of drawing units to plotted units. The default scale setting is 1:1 when plotting a layout. The default setting is Fit to Paper when plotting from the Model tab. NOTE You can modify the list of scales with SCALELISTEDIT. Preview Displays the drawing as it will appear when plotted on paper by executing the PREVIEW command.
Page 899: Add Page Setup Dialog Box
Drawing Orientation Specifies the orientation of the drawing on the paper for plotters that support landscape or portrait orientation. The paper icon represents the media orientation of the selected paper. The letter icon represents the orientation of the drawing on the page. NOTE Drawing orientation is also affected by the PLOTROTMODE system variable.
Page 900: Plot Job Progress Dialog Box
Command line: plot Notifies you that you have made changes to an existing plotter configuration (PC3) file. You can cancel your changes, choose OK to overwrite the PC3 file, or specify a new file name for the modified PC3 file. Apply Changes for the Current Plot Only Uses the changes you’ve made to the PC3 file in the current plot but does not save them in the PC3 file.
Page 901 Device For each selection you make under Printer Name, the corresponding device driver name is displayed in this column, as follows: For a selected plotter or printer, this column displays the device driver name stored in the plotter or printer’s PC3 file. For a selected PC3 file, this column displays the device driver name stored in the PC3 file.
Page 902: Plot Command Line
If you enter a new device name without an extension, the program assumes that the device is a PC3 file (Autodesk HDI plotter configuration file). If no PC3 file is found, the program searches for a Windows system printer with that device name.
Page 903 Enter paper units [Inches/Millimeters] < current >: The Enter Paper Units prompt is not displayed if you are plotting a raster image, such as a BMP or TIFF file, because the size of the plot is assumed to be in pixels. Enter drawing orientation [Portrait/Landscape] <...
Page 904 View Plots a view saved previously with the VIEW command. You can select a named view from the list provided. If there are no saved views in the drawing, this option is unavailable. Window Plots any portion of the drawing you specify. This option prompts you to specify the corners of the window.
Page 905 in a layout tab, use the Shadeplot option of the -vports command when you create a viewport. Enter shade plot setting [As displayed/Wireframe/Hidden/Rendered] <As displayed>: Enter a shade plot option Specifies how model space views are plotted. As Displayed Specifies that a model space view is plotted the same way it is displayed. Wireframe Specifies that a model space view is plotted in wireframe regardless of display.
Page 906: Plotstamp
Specifies whether the Hide operation applies to objects in the paper space viewport. This option is available only from a layout tab. Proceed with plot [Yes/No] <Y>: PLOTSTAMP Places a plot stamp on a specified corner of each drawing and logs it to a file Command line: plotstamp The Plot Stamp Dialog Box is displayed.
Page 907 Device Name Includes the current plotting device name in the plot stamp information. Drawing Name Includes the drawing name and path in the plot stamp information. Layout Name Includes the name of the layout in the plot stamp information. Load Displays the Plotstamp Parameter File Name dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) in which you can specify the location of the parameter file you want to use.
Page 908: User Defined Fields Dialog Box
example, you might populate one list with media types or prices and the other with job names. If the user-defined value is set to <none>, then no user-defined information is plotted. Plot Stamp Parameter File Stores plot stamp information in a file with a .pss extension. Multiple users can access the same file and stamp their plots based on company standard settings.
Page 909 Determines the location, text properties, and units of the plot stamp. You can also create a log file and set its location. The dialog box is displayed when you choose the Advanced button in the Plot Stamp dialog box. Location and Offset Determines the plot stamp location, the orientation of the plot stamp, and the offset you want to apply relative to either the printable area or the paper border.
Page 910 Offset Relative to Printable Area Calculates the offset values that you specify from the corner of the printable area of the paper (not the corner of the paper). Orientation Indicates the rotation of the plot stamp in relation to the specified page. The options are Horizontal and Vertical for each of the locations (for example, Top Left Horizontal and Top Left Vertical).
Page 911: Plotstamp Command Line
Plot Stamp Units Specifies the units used to measure X offset, Y offset, and height. You can define units using inches, millimeters, or pixels. Two sets of values for the plot stamp size and location are saved in the PSS file: one for the dimensionless file formats and the other for dimensional file formats.
Page 912 Fields Specifies the plot stamp field information you want to apply to the current plot stamp. Stamp drawing name? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp layout name? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp date and time? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp login name? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp plot device name? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp paper size? [Yes/No] <Yes>: Stamp plot scale? [Yes/No] <Yes>: User Fields...
Page 913: Plotstyle
Enter text orientation [Horizontal/Vertical] <Horizontal>: Horizontal: Plot stamp will be horizontal relative to the page. Vertical: Plot stamp will be vertical relative to the page. Stamp upside-down [Yes/No] <No>: Specify plot stamp offset <0.1000,0.1000>: Specifying an offset relative to the paper border calculates the offset values that you specify from the corner of the paper.
Page 914: Current Plot Style Dialog Box
If no selection set exists, the Current Plot Style Dialog Box is displayed. If a selection set exists, the Select Plot Style Dialog Box is displayed If you enter -plotstyle at the Command prompt, PLOTSTYLE displays a PLOTSTYLE Command Line. Current Plot Style Dialog Box Command line: plotstyle Specifies the plot style for new objects.
Page 915: Select Plot Style Dialog Box
Plot Style List Displays the available plot styles that can be assigned to an object, including the default plot style, NORMAL. A plot style is a collection of overrides for color, dithering, gray scale, pen assignments, screening, linetype, lineweight, end styles, join styles, and fill styles. Select Plot Style Dialog Box Command line: plotstyle Specifies the plot style to be assigned.
Page 916: Plotstyle Command Line
Displays the new plot style to be assigned. Original Displays the originally assigned plot style. Plot Styles Displays the available plot styles, including the default plot style, NORMAL. A plot style is a collection of property settings used in plotting. PLOTSTYLE Command Line If you enter -plotstyle at the Command prompt, PLOTSTYLE displays a prompt on the command line.
Page 917: Add-A-Plotter Wizard
Add-a-Plotter Wizard File menu: Plotter Manager Command line: plottermanager Adds new plotters and printers. The wizard produces a PC3 file that you can edit in the Plotter Configuration Editor. Your configurations are stored in the Plotters folder. Plotter Configuration Editor File menu: Plotter Manager Command line: plottermanager Modifies a PC3 file’s plotter port connections and output settings, including...
Page 918: General Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor)
Configuration Search Path file. Under Printer Configuration Search Path, click the path name to view the location of your plotter files.) Choose Edit Plotter Configuration from within the Add-a-Plotter wizard. Choose Properties in the Page Setup dialog box. Choose Properties in the Plot dialog box. Depending on your configured plotting device, additional options may be available on the Device and Document Settings tab.
Page 919 Description Displays information you want to include about the plotter. Driver Information Displays the following information: Plotter driver type (system or nonsystem), name, model, and location HDI driver file version number (AutoCAD specialized driver files) UNC name of the network server (if the plotter is connected to a network server) I/O port (if the plotter is connected locally) Name of the system printer (if the configured plotter is the system printer)
Page 920: Ports Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor)
Plotter Configuration File Name Displays the file name you assigned in the Add-a-Plotter wizard. Ports Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor) Changes communication settings between the configured plotter and your computer or network system. You can specify whether you want to plot through a port, plot to a file, or use AutoSpool.
Page 921: Device And Document Settings Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor)
Browse Network Displays the network choices so you can connect to another instance of a nonsystem plotter. Configure Port Displays either the Configure LPT Port Dialog Box or the Settings for COM Port Dialog Box. Plot to File Sends the drawing to the file specified in the Plot dialog box. Plot to the Following Port Sends the drawing to the plotter through the selected port.
Page 922 NOTE Only the settings available for the configured device are displayed in the tree view. In addition, you might not be able to edit some settings if the device handles the setting through Custom Properties or doesn’t support the capability. Media Node Specifies a paper source, size, type, and destination.
Page 923 size that is larger than the paper sizes offered in the Plotter Configuration Editor, verify that the plotter is capable of plotting the new dimensions. Add: Starts the Custom Paper Size wizard. When you add a paper size, you can either create a new paper size from scratch or create a new one based on the listing of available paper sizes for the selected configured plotter.
Page 924 Media Destination Displays a list of available media destinations for the configured plotter, such as collating, cutting, and stapling. These options are available only for plotters that support this function. Media Type Displays a list of the media types supported by the plotter configuration. Merge Control On raster plotters, controls the appearance of lines that cross.
Page 925 Area Fill Correction: Enables the program to compensate for pen widths when plotting filled areas and wide polylines. Each polygon is shrunk by half of the width of the pen used to draw it. This option prevents the plotter from oversizing the filled area when using a wide pen and ensures precision.
Page 926 Specifying pen characteristics here doesn’t replace the pen tables you might have imported from PCP, PC2, or CFG files from AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD LT 98, or earlier releases. For more information about importing these settings, see Change Plot Style Settings in the User’s Guide. Plotter Calibration Starts the Plotter Calibration wizard.
Page 927 and the \10 sends a line feed character. The remainder of the text string is sent literally. Raster Graphics (Non-Pen Plotters Only) Specifies trade-offs between plotting speed and output quality when plotting raster objects. If you reduce the image quality, you increase output speed. If your system resources are limited, reducing image quality can reduce the chance of running out of memory while plotting.
Page 928 TrueType Text On Windows system printers, specifies whether to plot TrueType text as a graphic image or as text. Plotting as a graphic guarantees that the text is printed as displayed, at the expense of slowing down the plotter and using more memory.
Page 929 amounts of installed RAM, you can provide that information to improve performance. Custom Properties Node Modifies the device-specific properties for the plotter configuration. The settings for each plotter vary. If the plotter manufacturer has not included a Custom Properties dialog box for the device driver, the Custom Properties option is disabled.
Page 930: Configure Lpt Port Dialog Box
Save As Saves a PC3 File to a new file name. Defaults Restores the settings on the Device and Document Settings tab back to the default settings. Configure LPT Port Dialog Box File menu: Plotter Manager Command line: plottermanager Specifies the time that the program waits for the plotter buffer to empty before sending more data.
Page 931: Advanced Settings For Com Port Dialog Box
Flow Control Sets the flow control for your plotter. The default flow control setting is XON/XOFF (software handshaking) for compatibility with previous versions of the program. If you select Hardware handshaking, you can specify additional settings in the Advanced Settings for COM Port Dialog Box that correspond to different pins on the RS232 connector.
Page 932: Pngout
Disabled Disables the DTR line when the device is opened. Enabled Enables the RTS line when the device is opened. Enabled Enables the DTR line when the device is opened. Handshake Enables RTS handshaking. The driver raises the RTS line when the input buffer is less than one-half full and lowers the RTS line when the buffer is more than three-quarters full.
Page 933: Point
POINT Creates a point object Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Point Command line: point Specify a point: Points can act as nodes to which you can snap objects. You can specify a full three-dimensional location for a point. The current elevation is assumed if you omit the Z coordinate value.
Page 934: Polygon
height. A positive PDSIZE value specifies an absolute size for the point figures. A negative value is interpreted as a percentage of the viewport size. The size of all points is recalculated when the drawing is regenerated. After you change PDMODE and PDSIZE, the appearance of existing points changes the next time the drawing is regenerated.
Page 935 radius Specifying the radius with your pointing device determines the rotation and size of the polygon. Specifying the radius with a value draws the bottom edge of the polygon at the current snap rotation angle. Circumscribed about Circle Specifies the distance from the center of the polygon to the midpoints of the edges of the polygon.
Page 936: Preview
edge PREVIEW Shows how the drawing will look when it is plotted Standard toolbar: File menu: Plot Preview Command line: preview PREVIEW displays a full-page preview of the current drawing. The preview is based on the current plot configuration, as defined by the settings in the Page Setup Dialog Box or Plot Dialog Box dialog box.
Page 937 Plot Plots the drawing as it is displayed in the full-sheet preview, and then exits Plot Preview. Zoom Displays the zoom cursor, a magnifying-glass cursor that you can use to enlarge or reduce the preview image. To enlarge the image, hold down the pick button and drag the cursor toward the top of the screen.
Page 938: Properties
Plot Plots the drawing as it is displayed in the full-sheet preview, and then exits Plot Preview. Displays the pan cursor, a hand cursor that you can use to pan the preview image. Hold down the pick button and drag the cursor in any direction. The pan cursor stays active until you click another option on the shortcut menu.
Page 939: Properties Palette
Pointing Device: Double-click most objects Command line: properties The Properties Palette is displayed. The Properties palette lists properties of the selected object or set of objects. You can also view or modify properties of third-party application objects that are based on AutoCAD application programming interface (API) standards. There are eight General Properties of Objects common to all objects.
Page 940 Displays the properties of the selected object or set of objects. When more than one object is selected, the Properties palette displays only those properties common to all objects in the selection set. When no objects are selected, the Properties palette displays only the general properties of the current layer and layout, the name of the plot style table attached to the layer, the view properties, and information about the UCS.
Page 941: General Properties Of Objects
Move Displays a four-headed arrow cursor that you can use to move the palette. The palette does not dock. Object Type Displays the type of object that is selected. Quick Select Displays the Quick Select Dialog Box. Use Quick Select to create selection sets based on filtering criteria.
Page 942 Hyperlink Attaches a hyperlink to a graphical object. If a description has been assigned to the hyperlink, the description is displayed. If no description has been assigned, the URL is displayed (see HYPERLINK). Layer Specifies the current layer of the object. The list shows all layers in the current drawing (see LAYER).
Page 943: Cell Border Properties Dialog Box
Cell Border Properties Dialog Box Pointing device: With a table cell selected and the Properties palette open, click in the value cell for Border Lineweight or Border Color, and click the [...] button. Sets the properties of the borders of table cells. Border Properties Controls the properties of the borders of the selected table cells.
Page 944: Add Distance Or Angle Value Dialog Box
Preview Displays the results of the current settings. Click a gridline in the preview to apply properties to it. Add Distance or Angle Value Dialog Box Adds distance or angle values to a parameter’s value set in a dynamic block definition.
Page 945: Psetupin Command Line
When you select the drawing file that you want to use, the Import Page Setups Dialog Box is displayed. PSETUPIN Command Line If you enter -psetupin at the Command prompt, PSETUPIN displays prompts on the command line. Enter file name: Enter user defined page setup to import or [?]: PSPACE Switches from a model space viewport to paper space...
Page 946: Publish Dialog Box
Publishes drawings to DWF files or plotters Standard toolbar: File menu: Publish Command line: publish The Publish Dialog Box is displayed. Click Publish to begin publishing the current drawing sheets to either a DWF file or a plotting device. To display information about the published sheets, click the Plotting Details Report Available icon in the tray on the right side of the status bar.
Page 947 Sheets to Publish Contains the list of drawing sheets to be included for publishing. Click the page setup to change it. Use the shortcut menu to add sheets or make other changes to the list. DWF file Indicates that the list of sheets will be published as a DWF file. Layout Tabs Specifies whether all layouts are included when drawing sheets are added.
Page 948 Plotter Named in Page Setups Indicates that the output devices given for each drawing sheet in the page setups will be used. Selected Page Setup Information Displays the following information about the selected page setup: plot device, plot size, plot scale, and details. Selected Sheet Information Displays the following information about the selected sheet: source drawing, drawing location, and layout name.
Page 949 Move Sheet Up Moves the selected drawing sheets up one position in the list. Move Sheet Down Moves the selected drawing sheets down one position in the list. Load Sheet List Displays the Load Sheet List dialog box (a “Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes”...
Page 950: Publish Options Dialog Box
Publish To Defines how to publish the list of sheets. You can publish to either a multisheet DWF file (an electronic drawing set) or to the plotter specified in the page setup (a paper drawing set or a set of plot files). Include When Adding Sheets Specifies whether the model and layouts contained in a drawing are added to the sheet list when you add sheets.
Page 951 current user’s profile. When the name of the current sheet set is shown, changes made in the dialog box are saved with the sheet set. Default Output Directory (DWF and Plot-to-File) Specifies the output folder location where Design Web Format (DWF) and plot files are saved when you publish drawing sheets.
Page 952 Password Specifies that published DWF files have a password applied to them. A recipient of a DWF file that has a password applied to it must have the password to open the DWF file. Prompt for Name Indicates that you will be prompted for a name and location for published multisheet DWF files.
Page 953: Publish Block Template Dialog Box (Publish)
Publish Block Template Dialog Box (Publish) File menu: Publish Command line: publish Specifies which blocks and their properties and attributes to include in the published DWF file. Current Template Displays the name of the current block template. Block Source Drawings Displays all block source drawings that have been loaded into the Publish Block Template dialog box.
Page 954: Block Template Options Dialog Box (Publish)
Properties of Selected Blocks Displays properties of selected blocks found in block source drawings. Unique Blocks from Source Drawings Displays unique blocks found in block source drawings. Options Opens the Block Template Options dialog box where you can specify additional settings.
Page 955: Dwf Password Dialog Box
Save Changes to the DWF PC3 File Specifies that the changes you made in the Plotter Configuration Editor are saved to the DWF PC3 file. DWF Password Dialog Box File menu: Publish Command line: publish Specifies the password to apply to the DWF file. DWF passwords are case sensitive.
Page 956: Publish Command Line
PUBLISH Command Line Command line: -publish The command line version of PUBLISH provides a scriptable interface for publishing drawing sheets. It also provides a simplified method for regenerating DWF files or plotted output from existing DSD files. With the FILEDIA system variable set to 0 (or if you are running a script or other automation), enter -publish or +publish at the Command prompt.
Page 957: Publish To Web Wizard
Command line: publishtoweb The Publish to Web Wizard is displayed. Publish to Web Wizard File menu: Publish to Web Command line: publishtoweb Creates a formatted HTML page. You can choose from a number of different formatting options that control the layout of your completed HTML page. After creating an HTML page, you can use the wizard to publish the page to an Internet or intranet location.
Page 958 View Items You Can Purge Switches the tree view to display a summary of named objects in the current drawing that you can purge. Confirm Each Item to Be Purged Displays the Confirm Purge dialog box when you purge an item. Items Currently Used in Drawing Lists named objects that cannot be removed from the drawing.
Page 959: Purge Command Line
Purge Nested Items removes items only when you select one of the following options: All Items or Blocks in the tree view The Purge All button Purge Nested Items Removes all unused named objects from the drawing even if they are contained within or referenced by other unused named objects.
Page 961: Qcclose
QCCLOSE Closes QuickCalc Command line: qcclose Closes the QuickCalc calculator. QDIM Quickly creates a dimension Dimension toolbar: Dimension menu: Quick Dimension Command line: qdim Use QDIM to quickly create or edit a series of dimensions. The command is particularly useful for creating a series of baseline or continued dimensions, or for dimensioning a series of circles and arcs.
Page 962: Qleader
Diameter Creates a series of diameter dimensions. Datum Point Sets a new datum point for baseline and ordinate dimensions. Select new datum point: Specify a point The program returns to the previous prompt. Edit Edits a series of dimensions. You are prompted to add or remove points from existing dimensions.
Page 963 Limit the number of leader points Constrain the angle of the first and second leader segments If associative dimensioning is turned on with DIMASSOC, the leader start point can be associated with a location on an object. If the object is relocated, the arrowhead remains attached to the object and the leader line stretches, but the text or feature control frame remains in place.
Page 964: Leader Settings Dialog Box
Enter block name or [?]: Enter the name, or enter ? to display a list of blocks defined in the drawing Specify insertion point or [Scale/X/Y/X/Rotate/PScale/PX/PY/PZ/PRotate]: Specify the block insertion point or enter an option For a description of the insertion options, see “INSERT Command Line” on page 549.
Page 965 Annotation Type Sets the leader annotation type. The type you select changes the QLEADER leader annotation prompt. MText Prompts you to create multiline text (mtext) annotation. Copy an Object Prompts you to copy a multiline text, single-line text, tolerance, or block reference object and connects the copy to the end of the leader line.
Page 966 Annotation Reuse Sets options for reusing leader annotation. None Does not reuse leader annotation. Reuse Next Reuses the next annotation you create for all subsequent leaders. Reuse Current Reuses current annotation. This option is automatically selected when you reuse annotation after selecting Reuse Next. Leader Line &...
Page 967 Arrowhead Defines the leader arrowhead. Select an arrowhead from the Arrowhead list. The arrowheads are the same ones that are available for dimension lines. See DIMSTYLE. If you select User Arrow, a list of blocks in the drawing is displayed. Select one of the blocks to use it as a leader arrowhead.
Page 968: Qnew
Top of Top Line Attaches the leader line at the top of the top multiline text line. Middle of Top Line Attaches the leader line at the middle of the top multiline text line. Middle of Multiline Text Attaches the leader line at the middle of the multiline text. Middle of Bottom Line Attaches the leader line at the middle of the bottom multiline text line.
Page 969: Qsave
Do Not Show the Startup Dialog Box: Displays the Select Template dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes) or starts the new drawing using the default drawing template file. If the system variable, FILEDIA, is set to 0 instead of 1, a NEW Command Line is displayed.
Page 970: Quick Select Dialog Box
Quick Select Dialog Box Tools menu:Quick Select Shortcut menu: End any active commands, right-click in the drawing area, and choose Quick Select. Command line: qselect Specifies the filtering criteria and how you want to create the selection set from that criteria. Append to Current Selection Set Specifies whether the selection set created by QSELECT replaces or is appended to the current selection set.
Page 971 Otherwise, the list includes only the object types of the selected objects. If an application such as Autodesk Map was used to add a feature classification to an object, you can select a classification. Operator Controls the range of the filter.
Page 972: Qtext
Value Specifies the property value for the filter. If known values for the selected property are available, Value becomes a list in which you can choose a value. Otherwise, enter a value. NOTE QSELECT supports custom objects (objects created by another application) and their properties.
Page 973: Quickcalc Calculator
Command line: quickcalc Displays the “QuickCalc Calculator” on page 949. QuickCalc Calculator Performs a full range of mathematical, scientific, and geometric calculations, creates and uses variables, and converts units of measurement. The QuickCalc calculator contains the following areas: “Toolbar” on page 949 “History Area”...
Page 974 Get Coordinates Calculates the coordinates of a point location that you have clicked in the drawing. Distance Between Two Points Calculates the distance between two point locations that you have clicked on an object. Angle of Line Defined by Two Points Calculates the angle of two point locations that you have clicked on an object.
Page 975 More/Less Button Hides or Displays all QuickCalc function areas. You can also right-click the button to select the individual function areas to hide or display. Number Pad Provides a standard calculator keypad where you enter numbers and symbols for arithmetic expressions. Enter values and expressions, and then click the equal (=) sign to evaluate the expression.
Page 976 Control Description Stored in Memory) If a value is currently stored in the QuickCalc memory, the (Restore value is restored to the Input box. Memory Value) MC (Clear Clears the value currently stored in the QuickCalc memory. Memory) Scientific Area Evaluates trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, and other expressions commonly associated with scientific and engineering applications.
Page 977 Control Description Converts angles in radians to degrees; for example, r2d (pi) (Convert converts the value of pi to 180 degrees. Radians to Degrees) Converts angles in degrees to radians; for example, d2r (Convert (180) converts 180 degrees to radians and returns the value Degrees to of pi.
Page 978 Variables Area Provides access to predefined constants and functions. You can use the Variables area to define and store additional constants and functions. Variables Tree Stores predefined shortcut functions and user-defined variables. Shortcut functions are common expressions that combine a function with an object snap.
Page 979: Variable Definition Dialog Box
Variable Definition Dialog Box Defines a variable to store in the variables tree. Variable Type Specifies the type of variable. Cancel Closes the dialog box without applying the current settings. Constant Stores the new variable as a constant. Description Stores a description for the variable. Function Stores the new variable as a function.
Page 980: Category Definition Dialog Box
Category Definition Dialog Box Defines a category to organize the variables in the variables tree. Category Properties Defines the properties of the new category. Cancel Closes the dialog box without applying the current settings. Description Stores a description for the category. Help Displays Help.
Page 981: Chapter 19 Ray
Creates a semi-infinite line Draw menu: Ray Command line: ray Specify start point: Specify a point (1) Specify through point: Specify a point for the ray to pass through (2) The ray is extended to the edge of the display in the direction defined by the starting point and the through point.
Page 982: Rectang
RECTANG Draws a rectangular polyline Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Rectangle Command line: rectang or rectangle Current settings: Rotation = 0 Specify First Corner Point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: Specify a point or enter an option First Corner Point Specifies a corner point of the rectangle. Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]: Specify a point or enter an option Other Corner Point...
Page 983 Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]: Move the cursor to display one of four possible locations for the rectangle and click the one that you want Dimensions Creates a rectangle using length and width values. Specify length for rectangles <0.0000> Enter a non-zero value Specify width for rectangles <0.0000>...
Page 984: Redefine
The value becomes the current fillet radius for subsequent RECTANG commands. Thickness Specifies the thickness of the rectangle. Specify thickness for rectangles <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER The value becomes the current thickness for subsequent RECTANG commands. Width Specifies the polyline width of the rectangle to be drawn.
Page 985: Redraw
REDO reverses the effects of a single UNDO or U command. REDO must immediately follow the U or UNDO command. REDRAW Refreshes the display in the current viewport Command line: redraw (or 'redraw for transparent use) When BLIPMODE is on, marker blips left by editing commands are removed from the current viewport.
Page 986: Refclose
REFCLOSE Saves back or discards changes made during in-place editing of a reference (an xref or a block) Tools menu: Xref and Block In-Place Editing Save Reference Edits, or Xref and Block In-Place Editing Close Reference Shortcut menu: With no objects selected during in-place reference editing, right-click in the drawing area and choose Close Refedit Session.
Page 987: Refedit
NOTE When you edit and save xrefs in place in a drawing, the preview image for the original reference drawing is no longer available unless you open and save the drawing again. REFEDIT Selects an external reference or block reference for editing Refedit toolbar: Tools menu: Xref and Block In-place Editing Edit Reference In-Place...
Page 988 Reference Name Displays the reference selected for in-place editing and any references nested within the selected reference. Nested references are displayed only if the selected object is part of a nested reference. If multiple references are displayed, choose a specific xref or block to modify.
Page 989 Automatically Select All Nested Objects Controls whether nested objects are included automatically in the reference editing session. If this option is checked, all the objects in the selected reference will be automatically included in the reference editing session. Prompt to Select Nested Objects Controls whether nested objects must be selected individually in the reference editing session.
Page 990: Refedit Command Line
Lock Objects Not in Working Set Locks all objects not in the working set. This prevents you from accidentally selecting and editing objects in the host drawing while in a reference editing state. The behavior of locked objects is similar to objects on a locked layer. If you try to edit locked objects, they are filtered from the selection set.
Page 991: Refset
A working set is formed with the objects you have selected for editing. The working set includes objects that can be saved back to update the xref or block definition. When you save back changes, changes made to the objects in the reference file are saved without actually opening the reference drawing or recreating the block.
Page 992: Regen
Remove Removes objects from the working set. Select objects: Select the objects you want to remove An object that is removed from the working set is removed from the reference when changes are saved back; the object is also removed from the current drawing.
Page 993: Regenauto
View menu: Regen All Command line: regenall REGENALL regenerates the entire drawing and recomputes the screen coordinates for all objects in all viewports. It also reindexes the drawing database for optimum display and object selection performance. before REGENALL after REGENALL REGENAUTO Controls automatic regeneration of a drawing Command line: regenauto (or 'regenauto for transparent use)
Page 994: Region
REGION Converts an object that encloses an area into a region object Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Region Command line: region Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish Regions are two-dimensional areas you create from closed shapes or loops. Closed polylines, lines, and curves are valid selections.
Page 995: Rename
Device File Initialization Reinitializes the digitizer and the acad.pgp file. I/O Port Initialization Reinitializes the I/O port for the digitizer. RENAME Changes the names of named objects Format menu: Rename Command line: rename The Rename Dialog Box is displayed. If you enter -rename at the Command prompt, RENAME displays RENAME Command Line.
Page 996: Rename Command Line
Items Displays named objects of the type specified in Named Objects. Select the name you want to change. Named Objects Lists named objects in a drawing by category: blocks, dimension styles, layers, linetypes, plot styles, table styles, text styles, UCSs, views, and model space viewport configurations.
Page 997: Render
Enter new object name: Enter the new name RENDER Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a three-dimensional wireframe or solid model Render toolbar: View menu: Render Render Command line: render The Render Dialog Box is displayed and the Render Window is opened minimized.
Page 998 Rendering Type Lists Render, Photo Real, Photo Raytrace. Scene to Render Lists scenes, including the current view, that you can select for rendering. A scene is a combination of a named view and one or more lights. Rendering Procedure Controls how RENDER behaves by default. Apply Materials Applies the surface materials you define and attach to an object or AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) in the drawing.
Page 999 File Renders to a file. For information about how to use RFILEOPT to create a script to render to a file, see the function in “Externally Defined render Commands” in the AutoLISP Reference. More Options Displays a dialog box that varies depending on whether you have selected Render, Photo Real, or Photo Raytrace.
Page 1000: Render Window
Viewport Renders to a viewport. Light Icon Scale Controls the size of the light blocks in the drawing. The value is the current scale factor (in drawing units) of rendering blocks in the drawing. Enter a real number to rescale the blocks. The scale factor affects the following blocks: OVERHEAD, DIRECT, and SH_SPOT.
Page 1001 Renders objects. Rendered images can be saved, printed, and copied. Using the Windows Render Options, you can modify the bitmap information and color screen resolution. File Menu Opens, saves, and prints rendered images. Copy Copies an image from the active Render window to the Clipboard. See “Copy Rendered Images to the Clipboard”...
Page 1002: Windows Render Options Dialog Box
Options Displays the Windows Render Options Dialog Box, in which you can select the bitmap size, color depth, and resolution for bitmap images. Print Prints to the device currently configured in the Control Panel. Choosing Print displays the Print dialog box, in which you can adjust the location and the size of the image on the page and select the number of pages to print.
Page 1003 Controls resolution information, such as the color depth (8-bit or 24-bit color screen resolution), screen size (in pixels), and whether the render image fits in the display window. Other than Fit In Window, these options do not affect the image currently displayed.
Page 1004: Rendscr
Horizontal Specifies the horizontal resolution (in pixels). Available only when User is selected. User Sets a user-defined size up to a maximum of 4096 x 4096 pixels. Vertical Specifies the vertical resolution (in pixels). Available only when User is selected. Viewport Size Sets image size to the size of the viewport in pixels.
Page 1005: Image Specifications Dialog Box
Tools menu: Display Image View Command line: replay The Replay dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) is displayed. Enter a file name. Valid file names must have one of the following extensions: .bmp : Indicates a device-independent bitmap file. .tga : Indicates a compressed 32-bit RGBA image format used by the SAVEIMG command.
Page 1006: Resetblock
Image Offset Defines the X and Y coordinate of the image’s lower-left corner position. Use positive values not exceeding the screen size. Image Size Defines the size of the image area in pixels. Reset Cancels, changes, or restores size and offset to the original values. Screen Displays the size of the screen or viewport and a preview image.
Page 1007: Revcloud
REVCLOUD Creates a polyline of sequential arcs to form a cloud shape Draw toolbar: Draw menu: Revision Cloud Command line: revcloud Minimum arc length: 0.5000 Maximum arc length: 0.5000 Specify start point or [Arc Length/Object/Style] <Object>: Drag to draw the revision cloud, enter an option, or press ENTER Guide crosshairs along cloud path...
Page 1008: Revolve
The maximum arc length cannot be set to more than three times the minimum arc length. Object Specifies an object to be converted to a revision cloud. Select object: Select the closed object to convert to a revision cloud Reverse direction [Yes/No]: Enter y to reverse the direction of the arcs in the revision cloud, or press ENTER to leave the arcs as is Revision cloud finished Style...
Page 1009 Specify endpoint of axis: Specify a point (2) Specify angle of revolution <360>: Specify an angle or press ENTER Individual loops of the region are revolved to the specified angle. selected axis points full circle specified angle Object Selects an existing line or single segment of a polyline that defines the axis about which to revolve the object.
Page 1010: Revsurf
X axis full circle specified angle Uses the positive Y axis of the current UCS as the positive axis direction. Specify angle of revolution <360>: Specify an angle or press ENTER specified angle Y axis full circle REVSURF Creates a revolved surface about a selected axis Surfaces toolbar: Draw menu: Surfaces Revolved Surface...
Page 1011 axis of revolution path curve The path curve is swept about the selected axis to define the surface. The path curve defines the N direction of the surface mesh. Selecting a circle or a closed polyline as the path curve closes the mesh in the N direction. The vector from a polyline’s first vertex to its last vertex determines the rotation axis.

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