tips and techniques autocad 2006

8/9/2019 Tips and Techniques AutoCAD 2006

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Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin ResortOrlando, Florida

11/30/2005 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Room:N. Hemispheres (Salon B/C) (Dolphin

Tips and Techniques for AutoCAD 2006

This class will introduce both new and experienced users to many of the capabilities, features, tips,and techniques in AutoCAD 2006. If you're still using earlier versions of AutoCAD or if you're lookingto enhance your productivity with AutoCAD 2006, this session is for you. Learn to use features andcommands such as improved tables and fields, data-extraction enhancements, new hatching objects,and Tool Palettes We'll also look at drawing annotation improvements, Dynamic Blocks, InterfaceLocking, polar and object tracking, workspaces, DWF enhancements and publishing, an overview ofSheet Sets, and much more! See first-hand how these and other features can work for you.

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About the Speaker:

J.C. Malitzke - Moraine Valley Community College

J.C. Malitzke is professor of Mechanical Drafting and Design, and serves as the department chair ofthe Computer Integrated Technologies Department at Moraine Valley Community College in Chicago.He also manages and teaches for the Premier Authorized Autodesk Training Center at MoraineValley. He was a founding member of the Autodesk Training Center Executive Committee, whichconsults with Autodesk on training matters. He is a recipient of two National Science Foundation

grants and several educator awards. This is his 12th year presenting at Autodesk University. He holdsa bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Industrial Technology from Illinois StateUniversity.


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AutoCAD 2006 will again change the paradigm for the way we draft, design or engineer. In this session, we willlook at new tips and techniques for AutoCAD 2006 as well as some oldies but goodies.

First and foremost, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD 2006 are DWG compatible and can be loadedon your computer together.

Lets start of with a few oldies but goodies.

XLINE (Been around for a long time!)

A helpful trick is to create construction geometry with XLINES that are perpendicular to an object.

XLINE that i s Perpend icu lar t o an ob jec t

The Interface look and feel of AutoCAD.

The new user or the experienced user always needs a short review of the interface. In AutoCAD 2006 changes tothe interface impact us all. Demonstrate the layout of the screen, the palettes, toolbars, and the menu structureand especially take time with the new Dynamic Input.


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Dynamic inputis the new tool for heads-up design. It is the interface between AutoCAD and the user

Dynamic input offers the user "heads-up" design by allowing you to input command information on screen at thecursor location,

Many of the commands will be attached to the cursor. Some time is need for discussion and demonstration whenusing the new dynamic input interface. Some simple rules are: Do NOT turn off this feature! It really saves time

when drawing!

Example: To draw a line 5 units in the X direction and 5 units in the Y direction you type 5,5 NOT @5,5. The newdynamic input interface defaults to relative movements! Likewise, type 3


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What are you looking at?

When you are introducing AutoCAD to new users or seasoned veterans you usually look at the interface. Whenthe experienced user is updating his or her skills to the latest release you usually go over the interface first. Thesecond topic you should look at is viewing your drawing. What are the tools we really need to learn?

Roll the mouse wheel away from you. Roll the mouse wheel towards you. Hold the mouse wheel down to andpan your drawing. Double click quickly the mouse wheel to zoom extents. Now try holding down the [CTRL] keywith your left hand while holding down the mouse wheel. You are in Joy Stick mode. Pan your drawing and seewhat happens. Stay close to your pick and you pan slowly, Move you cursor away from the center of the pickand your drawing pans faster!

Intellimouse covers most of the entire zoom and pan commands. If you do not have a wheel mouse for scrolling,buy one!

Set your VTOPTION variable options for the new view transitions delay.


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Using the zoom fly-out can help in viewing your drawing, but time should only be spent on learning the newZOOM Object tool. The ZOOM Object tool should really be customized on to the Standard Toolbar replacing thereal-time zoom and pan commands. The real-time zoom and pan tools are superseded by the mouse wheel!

The Zoom Toolbar is a cool tool to use. But only if you really need to use it. Use the mouse wheel!

The View menus have many tools you can use. Using this menu takes time. Use the mouse wheel whenever

possible.


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When was the last time you taught the creation of named views? If you are going to use Sheet Sets, views canplay an important role in the creation and usage of sheets. Also, if you have a very large drawing, you can savetime by creating named views. Just restore the view you need instead of zooming and panning your drawing.

Running Osnaps, Osnap overrides, Tracking/TT, TK, and other methods for input.

When we first learned how to drawing lines and circles, we learned the use of direct distance entry. This methodis the simplest method to draw lines. Just pick a point, move your cursor and type in our distance. But what do

we learn next. Many learn the absolute, relative and polar coordinate systems. NO!

We should look at the use of the basic Osnaps, then tracking! (3,3 @3,3 #3,3 @3


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TKis more versatile. When you need to position an object in relationship to other objects, type TK BEFORE youplace your first point. In the example below, you start the circle command and type TK, select the intersection ofthe two lines and move your cursor vertically up. Type 2 and press enter, then move your cursor to the left andtype 2, press enter twice. Enter the value for the circle radius or diameter. You have created a circle from the

intersection of the two lines 2 units up and two units to the left!

The use of the FROM OSNAP modifier can be used also to accomplish the same task. Give it a try.


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Tracking

Learn Otrack and Polar tracking also. I always tell my users to keep these tracking tools on all the time.

The example below is using Otrack with running Osnaps on. It is then quite easy to copy circles to the midpointlocations as needed. Notice the two tracking lines for midpoint circle placement.

Tracking is a way for you to locate a point relative to another point in space.Tracking has been improved because of its graphical front end. We can see exactly what is happening when weare using any of the varieties oftracking. Tracking consists of the following:

o Tracking Paths Extension and Alignmento Tracking Pointso Temporary Tracking Pointo Object Trackingo Polar Trackingo Tracking Tool Tipso TRACKPATH system variable

o Status bar changes

A system variable TRACKPATH is used to display the length or the tracking path. Think of the tracking path as atemporary construction vector showing direction. The default setting is 0. Set the TRACKPATH to 1 to reduce thelength of the tracking path. Many beginners set the TRACKPATH to 1.

0 Displays full screen object snap tracking path1 Displays object snap tracking path only between the alignment point and from point to cursor location2 Does not display polar tracking path3 Does not display polar or object snap tracking paths

The drawing below had a change order to punch in four new holes and to punch in the two new slots. Usingobject tracking, extension, center, endpoint and midpoint running Osnaps it should take only 30 seconds or less to

create the changes. Give this a try!


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After you have taught running Osnaps, Osnap overrides, Tracking/TT, TK, and other methods for input it is time toteach absolute, relative and polar movements!

Forget a command or system variable name?

Type the first letter(s) of the command or system variable and press the [TAB] key. You will cycle through thecommands and system variable names!

Text styles, TEXT, MTEXT, Dimensioning in paper space, FIELDS, TABLES and AttributeExtraction

Discuss with your users what text is and how to create different styles of text. Do NOT use the standard styles in

AutoCAD ever!Always create you own text styles.

TEXT=DTEXT. MTEXT for paragraphs, text imports, cut and pastes and greater customization for the use of text.

FIELDS should be used whenever possible also!


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TEXT usage for one line at a time. Show your users how easy it is to create text and how to double click to editText. In the example below is a simple string of text created. If you double click on the string you get the newediting box.

The MTEXT editor is frameless. The user has many new tools and the ability to pan and zoom in the drawingwhen the MTEXT editor is present. Time should be spent teaching as many of the features as possible of theMTEXT editor!

When editing MTEXT, select the text and right click. Show all the different options for editing MTEXT. Bullets areone example.

Background Masks

Another example is the use of background masks in MTEXT.


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Background in Dimensions

One new feature is to cut/copy and paste from a word document into AutoCAD. Just launch Microsoft Word andopen a document. Cut/copy and paste you document to the clipboard. Paste the contents into the MTEXTeditor. Notice that all the bullets from Microsoft Word appear in AutoCAD.


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definition point. This works in both model space and paper space. Use your grips to stretch a rectangle andwatch your dimensions change. We could not do this in previous releases of AutoCAD.

Dimensioning in Paper Space.

Transpatial References or Transpatial dimensioning. If you have been applying your dimensions in Model spaceyou now can dimension in Paper Space. Give it a try!DIMASSOC is a new system variable. The settings are:

2 enables associative dimensioning1 creates non-associative dimensioning0 creates exploded dimensions

Also, you can set this variable in OPTIONS.

Use the DIMREGEN command to force an update of all associative dimensions in the current drawing.Use the DIMREASSOCIATE command to associate a non-associative dimension to an object or object snap

points on geometry.Use the DIMDISASSOCIATE command to remove any associations for a set of dimensions.

Dimensioning enhancement in AutoCAD 2006

The following are new AutoCAD 2006 enhancements.

Arc Length Dimension, Jogged Radius Dimension, Fixed Length Extension Lines, Vary dimension linetypes, FlipDimension Arrow and Initial Length Symbol. Check out the new Dimension Dialog box settings for these needfeatures.


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Fields

The use of Fields in AutoCAD can really change the way we user AutoCAD. We should spend time learningmany of the different permutations of this feature. Fields are place holders for text. Fields are import in the factthat they might change during the lifetime of a drawing. As the drawing changes, the field could automaticallyupdate. Field data can include drawing properties such as author or date, system variables, object properties andsheet set date. Custom fields can be created at the sheet level and the sheet set level.

Fields can also be cells in Tables, block attributes, MTEXT and drawing title blocks.

Fields in tables.


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Fields in MEXT strings.

Fields in title blocks. The SHEET TITLE is a field. Use Fields for alltitle block information. You should re-designall of your title blocks using fields! Notice the custom fields created for this title block. (Drawing By, Drawing title,Drawing Number, etc.)

Another simple use for fields that we can teach is the creation of a simple plot stamp. Use standard fields and acustom field for a plot stamp in the lower left corner of your sheet. The plot stamp WILL preview when you plot.

Fields for area calculations

One simple trick I use for introducing fields is linking a field to an area of an object in model space. I then useanother trick to copy and paste the field code to paper space.


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Fields for Layouts

When we create a viewport and scale the viewport, we need to lock the scale. We can use the Display Viewportlocked function or we can set a dynamic field attached to the viewport. If we rescale the view in the viewport thefield updates!

Tables

Table are can now be a standard part of a drawing. You do not have to draw every line to create a table. Tablesuse text and fields for each cell. Use the Table command!

You can create custom tables. Create unique rows and columns as shown. Each row and column can bemodified.

Table lists from Sheet Sets any be created on the fly!


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Cut and Past from Excel to create a table. In AutoCAD, use Edit>Paste Special>AutoCAD Entities!

New to AutoCAD 2006 you can extract attributes directly to a table. Delete some of the blocks with attributes inyour drawing and the table will update showing the changes.


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By extracting data directly to an AutoCAD Table you also get an notification bubble when the table need updating.

You can also extract data from a whole sheet set.

Hatching in AutoCAD 2006

Boundary hatching in AutoCAD has improved functionality. Hatch Edit and Boundary Hatch Fill dialog boxeshave new controls. New to AutoCAD is the ability to pre-assign the draworder of hatch objects to create hatchesthat are above or below the boundary geometry. The new Hatch Origin can also be set so hatches do not bleedtogether. Separate hatches can be used instead of having one large pattern across a drawing.

You can also trim your hatch. Just use the trim command and press return before you select the hatch pattern.


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In previous releases of AutoCAD, when hatching you must have closed and bounded geometry. Not anymore.AutoCAD 2000/2006 lets the user set a gap tolerance.

Select the Advanced tab and set the Gap Tolerance to the size of the opening or just slightly larger! Your hatch

works!

Use HATCHEDIT for separating hatches.


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Presentation Drawings

True color and gradient fills have been added to AutoCAD for hatching. True Color provides WYSIWYG on thescreen and eventually when you plot. The gradient options give the design enhanced capabilities to createpresentation quality output.

Gradient Fills are controlled by a Gradient tab on the BHATCH/HATCH dialog box. When you want to create aBoundary Hatch, gradients fill are available from the AutoCAD Color Index, defined by Hue, Saturation andLuminance (HSL), by 256 colors RGB or by color books such as Pantone.

An example of a drawing using a solid filled hatch with gradient fills.


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Tool Palettes

Organization at its best! Keep your blocks, images, tables, custom hatches, your favorite commands on ToolPalettes. Tool Palettes in AutoCAD 2006 has been enhanced again. You can add AutoCAD commands, dragand drop content from Design Center or the Web onto a Tool Palette such as hatch patterns, Xrefs, blocks,

images and hatch gradients. In AutoCAD 2006, you can add text and separator bars for tool palette grouping.When you drag and drop content from a drawing onto a Tool Palette, you create a tool by example. Theproperties of the content that is dragged and dropped onto the Tool Palette is maintained! You also have theability to set individual properties to each Tool Palette object. Just right click and set the properties. A goodexample is a block that may have a different scale factor! Tool Palettes can be transparent as well as docked. In

AutoCAD, you can create Tool Palette groups. These groups help in the organization of design content. Rightclick in the Tool Palette. Set Auto-hide, transparency or View Options. You can delete or rename a Tool Palette.You can create a new Tool Palettes!

Learn how to create new Tool Palettes. Review all the various options with tool palettes.


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Once you select Customize, you can populate a Tool Palette with important content. Tool Palette groups can alsobe created.


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In this example, Design Center is used to drag to the Tool Palette.

Blocks, hatch patterns, images and web content onto the tool palette. The example below has transparency setto -75%.

Design Center was been with us in the previous releases of AutoCAD. Some new improvements to the Palette are a morestreamlined, XPish look and feel. The ability to use DC Online to find various symbol libraries via the Web is also added.

Use DC Online for importing content via the Autodesk Web site. Also, Google to sites the have AutoCAD i-drop technology forblock insertion directly onto your drawing or directly on to your Tool Palettes.

The Edits Commands, Layers and the Quick Calculator

Many of the editing commands in AutoCAD 2006 have been enhanced. You need to spend time looking over thefollowing commands: the new JOIN command, COPY, Recent Displacement Value, STRETCH, ROTATE andSCALE, OFFSET, TRIM and EXTEND, RECTANGLE, FILLET and CHAMFER.


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Multiple Redo/Undo

You can redo and Undo multiple commands. A history is remembered in lists for both Redo and Undo. New dropdown menus have been provided for us.

Maximize Viewport

Use the icon at the bottomof your screen tomaximize your viewports!

Layers

The layer dialog has been improved. Right click in the dialog as shown and create layer groups. Just drag anddrop layers into your new groups.


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The new Geometric calculator

The new geometric calculator is designed to improve your design focus. You do not need a calculator next to youwhen you work. If you are a user of the old CAL command, you can use this calculator.

The new calculator is used to perform mathematical and trigonometric calculations and unit conversions. You candefine Calculator variables and store information in memory.

You can also use the calculator when editing in the Properties Palette.


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Blocks, Dynamic Blocks, External References and Hyperlinks

New for AutoCAD 2006 is the use of Dynamic blocks.

Dynamic blocks are blocks that can change their appearance when you grip-edit them or when you change theircustom properties. Regular blocks are made dynamic by using the BEDIT command and by adding parametersand actions to the block definition in the new BEDIT Command-Block Editor.

The advantages for using Dynamic blocks are the streamlining of your existing Block Libraries into singular blockswith varying parameters and actions and for nested block solutions. You can increase your productivity by usingthe new automatic alignment feature, the ability to cycle the insertion point and use in place editing techniques.

There is a sample folder of dynamic blocks included in the installation of AutoCAD 2006.

Have your users review the different permutations of dynamic blocks.


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Once you have understood the various concepts of dynamic blocks, use the new BEDIT command to edit blocksor create or edit dynamic blocks.

(NOTE: When creating dynamic blocks for the first time, use YOUR existing blocks to work from. Do notstart by creating NEW BLOCKS. Get a good understanding of how Dynamic blocks work and then starton creating new ones!)

External Reference Improvements

Enhancements to external references include the Xref Notification Icon in the Communication Center area, anexternal Xref Manager, the XOPEN command and modifications to the REFEDIT command. AutoCAD now loadsXrefs in a first ready, first in, sequence.

You can now attach an Xref with a relative path. (This is a preferred method used by many especially when theymove drawings around their offices or send drawings with Xrefs to others). When you attach an Xref using arelative path, the Xref's location becomes relative to the host drawing. You must save your host drawing first to itslocation, then Xref in a drawing using the relative path option.


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An Xref notification icon is displayed in the communications area when an Xref is attached to a drawing. The Xrefnotification icon provides the user with a visual clue about the status of Xrefs. If an Xref gets modified and savedby another person, an alert balloon will appear.

The XOPENcommand gives you the ability to open an Xref that is currently in your drawing. A separate windowopens for you to work with the Xref for modifications or changes. Once you save this drawing the notificationballoon should appear to all users that have checked out the Xref. (Note: You can use the XOPEN command forXref editing and the REFEDIT command for block editing).

In-Place Reference Editing

How would you like to edit a block that is in your drawing with out exploding it? With the feature of In-Placereference editing, you can! What XOPEN is to Xrefs, REFEDIT is to blocks. Also, BEDIT is to blocks!

You can:o Edit geometry in assemblies and layoutso Edit portions or all of a blocko Copy geometry from other referenceso Use dimming featureo XEDIT turns off refediting.

!


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HyperlinksUse a hyperlink in you drawing to navigate to a Web site, another drawing, a Word document or and Excelspreadsheet.

If the Hyperlink in typed wrong or has the wrong URL, you select and right click on the Hyperlink attached areaand edit the Hyperlink.

Options, Workspaces and Personal Scripts

Setting your OPTIONS and saving your profile

Profiles store drawing or system environment settings. Settings that relate to the drawing have the blue drawing symbol next tothe setting in the OPTIONS dialog box. You can create profiles for different users or projects and share profiles by importing andexporting profile files. Important OPTION settings are: Plotter locations, Plot styles locations, PMP file locations, Autosave pathlocations. Set these locally or on a network drive.


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The second group of options to set is for your templates. This is very important so your users can crate a new drawing withYOUR standard template drawing. The QNEW setting is for creating a new drawing from the default template settings forQNEW. Just type QNEW at the command prompt and the default template launches.

Right Click Enter Customization

You can turn on time sensitive Right Click option in the options dialog box. A quick right click brings back ENTER. A delayedright click (pause) opens the shortcut pop-up menu. Set time in milliseconds.

SecuritySetting the Security option for a password or digital signature can be to your advantage or disadvantage. If you wanted yourusers to turn in a drawing that had a password attached to the drawing file, this would lock the file so only the people that know


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the password can open it. However, passwords do have drawbacks. What happens if you forget the password? YOU AREOUT OF LUCK! No backdoors here!

Interface LockingCan now lock toolbars and palettes

Display Visual EffectsSet the highlight of an object when you hover over a specific object. Window and crossing have new colors.

Area selection, selection preview and zoom transitions have new visual cue for the user.

Continue to select ALL the OPTIONS dialog box tabs and make the settings changes that are important to your and you users.Export these setting as your profile. Your users can then recall their profile as needed.


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Personal Profiles and Scripts (Part1)

You the User,, you the CAD Manager. You are both! (Well at times! ).You need to create a common profile for yourself or company. I have my users also create a profile forthemselves.(review what was discussed above in regards to OPTIONS settings).Go to Tools>Options.

Set UNIQUE paths for each Files tab. Do this for ALL OF THE TABS! I have one for my school and my personalone for me!


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Create a script for resetting you system variables. (Part 2)

Do Part 1 first.

(The following is from Shaan Hurleys web site).

Go on-line and download the following from Shaan Hurleys website. His website for this file ishttp://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2005/05/updated_system_.htmlSpecial thanks to Shaan Hurley at Autodesk for his blog site. (Check out this really cool site for AutoCAD tips,tricks and techniques!)

Updated System Variable Dialog Express Tool for AutoCAD 2006

The System Variable Editor is a tool included in the AutoCAD Express Tools which are an option whenInstalling AutoCAD 2006. Lee Ambrosius has graciously updated the data file for the AutoCAD 2006system variables because we had for some reason missed updating it when we released AutoCAD2006. I have written previously on the System Variable Editor and its nice features.

Download sysvdlg.dat

Place the sysvdlg.dat file in the \Express directory such as the location for my install of AutoCAD 2006:C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2006\Express\

Express menu:Tools System Variable EditorCommand line:SYSVDLGThank you Lee!

Then go to Express>System Variable Editor to create a SCR file. You will launch a personal script to set allsystem variables. Do PART 1 and PART 2 at your school.With a custom profile and a custom script file your users can maintain a well organized drawing environment. Thisis a manual way to keep your CAD stations set to a classroom standard!


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Select the Save All button to save your variables to a script file (*.scr)

Type SCRIPT at the command line and select your script file. This will reset all your system variables.

This is an example of the script file that was created.

Run the script file to re-set the system variables when they get corrupted or when you want to reset youcomputer. Also, import your profile. These two files keep your system organized!


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Workspaces

Workspaces are your menus, toolbars, palettes that are organized so that you can work in your custom drawingenvironment. Its how your AutoCAD screen drawing layout environment looks!

Workspaces are not the same as profiles. Think of Workspaces as what you want on and what you want off inregards to the appearance of your AutoCAD screen.

Set up your AutoCAD with the toolbars you need, the palettes you need, etc and save your workspace. Use theWorkspaces toolbar to save your workspace.

By keeping an updated Profile, Workspace and personal script file, you will keep your CAD station well organized!

Templates

Templates are your key to good drawing management. You as the user/CAD Manager must create a standardtemplate file for your users to use. (DO NOT have your users create their own templates). YOU create templatefiles and have your users use YOUR standard! (Note: template file creation by your users is done in advancedclasses or CAD management classes. Your users can modify your template file, but only with permission fromyour).

Template files in AutoCAD 2006 store all the tools for drawing creation. Show your users the location of yourtemplates and how to use them. Set OPTIONS for template file location.

Template files should include the following minimum settings: Layers, colors, linetypes, blocks, layouts/sheets,Page Setups, text styles, dimensions styles, tables styles, title blocks, Xrefs.


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Plotting and Publishing - DWFs and Markups

Publishing DWFs and Sheet Sets in AutoCAD 2006

Publishing drawings in AutoCAD 2006 is improved over AutoCAD 2004/2005. Publishing drawings allows you toput together a collection of you drawings and plot them directly to you plotter or printer (for batch plotting usage)or to publish to a DWF (Design Web Format) file. Using the PUBLISH command, you can create a digital set ofdrawings saved to one DWF file or in a Multi-Sheet DWF file! You can use the new and improved DWF Viewer toview a single DWF file or a Multi-Sheet DWF file.

New to AutoCAD 2006 is the ability to Publish Sheet Sets. From the Sheet Set Manager, you can easily publishan entire Sheet Set, subsets of the Sheet Set, or publish a single sheet. Publishing ALL the sheets in the SheetSet Manager at one time is so much quicker than using the Publish dialog box.

When you publish from the Sheet Set Manager, you can publish a Multi sheet DWF file, or you can publish apaper set of your drawings directly to your plotter named in thepage setup that is associated with each drawingsheet. If you do not have an associated page setup attached to each drawing you do have the ability to publishyour sheets using a page setup that is saved in the page setup overrides DWT file associated with the Sheet Set.By using a page setup override, the current page setup assigned to the drawing is overridden.

When you open the Publish dialog box from the Sheet Set Manager, the Publish dialog box lists the sheets youselected in the Sheet Set. You can then modify the Sheet Set for publishing.

Type PUBLISH at the command prompt in AutoCAD. Select the Add Sheets button and select the drawings afolder as shown below. Press the Select button after you have selected all the drawing you want to publish.


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Batch Plotting

You can also use the Publish command to act as a batch plotter. The key to batch plotting is to have the page

setups properly created and specified. (The dialog box shown below is set to ). This means that all thedrawings will be published using their assigned page setups! If the Page Setups are properly configured in thePublish Drawing Sheets Dialog box, the Publisher becomes a great tool for batch plotting! Also, make sure youhave selected the Plotter Named in Page Setups radio button. Look in the Users Guide for Publishing DrawingSets.

DWFs and Markups

When you create a DWF file for Multi sheet DWF file you can use the Markup tool for revisions or for gradingdrawings. Publish a drawing to a DWF file as shown above. Then launch the DWF Composer program. (This isNOT the DWF viewer program that is free. You must purchase DWF Composer)


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DWG TrueView and DWG TrueConvert

DWG TrueView

From the Autodesk website at: http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview

Share AutoCAD drawings easily and accurately amongengineers and architects with DWG TrueView. View and plotDWG and DXF files, and then publish them as DWF files forquick and easy review and markup in Autodesk DWFComposer. And youll always get full drawing fidelity because theDWG viewer is built on the same viewing technology as

AutoCAD 2006 software

DWG TrueView can open DWG and DXF files.

DWG TrueConvert

From the Autodesk website: http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueconvert

DWG TrueConvert translates any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file forcompatibility with AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i,

AutoCAD 2002, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005, and AutoCAD 2006 versions.The DWG TrueConvert software allows conversion of pen widths to lineweightsand the addition of page setups.

The operating systems are:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Microsoft Windows XP Home


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Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC

Microsoft Windows 2000

New 3D features

Here are just a couple of newer features for 3D in AutoCAD. You should add these features to your 3D classes.

New system variable

OSNAPZ

When set to a value of 1, specifies that object snaps ignore the Z-value of the object snap location and use the Z-value of the elevation set for the current UCS. This can also can be set from Options dialog> Drafting Tab.

Shaded Viewport Plotting and 3D View Representation

You can plot your 3D objects in a viewport to your plotter by using the Shaded Viewport Plotting feature. Thisfeature provides WYSIWYG hardcopy output of shaded and rendered viewports. You could have 2D viewportsand 3D viewports! Select the viewport and right click. Set to Rendered (See below).


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Below is a plot preview of the 3D object!

When viewing and object in 3D, you can set Obscured lines, Halo gap percentage, Face intersections and Hideprecision. (See below).


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Once you have made these settings, HIDE the view and your view reflects the settings. (See below).


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3D Osnap

A new system variable OSNAPZ can be set to a value of 1 which specifies that object snaps ignore the Z-valueof the object snap location and use the Z-value of the elevation set for the current UCS. This setting can also befound in the Options dialog, Drafting Tab setting location.

Backgrounds

Backgrounds have been enhanced for 2D AND 3D in a model space view. Go to OPTIONS>System>select theCurrent 3D Graphics Display Properties button. Turn on Render Options and Enable Backgrounds. TypeBACKGROUND and set your background.


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The Sheet Set Manager

New improvement for AutoCAD 2006:

Refresh sheet status

Open multiple selected sheets simultaneously

Open sheets as read-only

Display status icons for locked or missing

Rename associated dwgs to match sheet name Import sheets from multiple drawings

Previous button on the Rename and Renumber Sheet dialog

Create folder to correspond with new subset

Preview image of callout and label blocks

Sort view list by view category or sheet name

The Sheet Set Manager a review!

The Sheet Set Manager organizes your drawings in a logical structured order for each project. A Sheet Set is adeliverable communication project information item. Your Sheet Set is organized by the layouts you create ineach drawing. So, a layout in a drawing = a sheet. The Sheet Set manager organizes the sheets. You create

Sheet Sets that are grouped based on each projects content. Sub groups can also be created. The SSM canquickly open, view, sort, delete, manage, number, link, organize, publish, archive drawing projects and has theability to add drawings/sheets to the Sheet Set manager.

1. You organize your projects in a folder structure that all can access.

2. You can create sub groups of your sheets in a project.


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3. You import existing layouts from existing drawings or new drawings to create the Sheet Sets.

4. You can assign custom Sheet Set properties.

5. Use utilize Fields for custom look and feel throughout all sheets in the Sheet Set.

6. You can automate title blocks.

7. You can automate each sheet by using Fields in blocks used in each sheet.

8. You can create Sheet List Tables that use Fields to list all sheets in the Sheet Set and apply to the TitlePage.

9. You can create Archive sets.

10. You can create e-transmittal sets.

11. You use default, create new or import page setups for plotting or publishing.

.

Think about thisin the future will be opening drawings or open Sheet Sets?

Creating a Sheet Set

The following is an example for creating a sheet set of drawings organized in two folders.

Go to file and create a new Sheet Set.


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Select the appropriate radio buttons to create a new Sheet Set.

This is a simple example of organizing your templates so users can access just what they need to crate a newdrawing.

Select the templates you need!

Confirm your selection. And Finish.

Your Sheet Set is saved as a DST file in the folder you specified. Double click on a sheet to launch.


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A simple Sheet Set I created in AutoCAD 2005 was that of my templates for my users. My users would go to thefile menu and select Open Sheet Set. They would select My Templates. They would then double click on theappropriate template. When it was time to save their drawings, they would save to their home directory.

CUI instead of MNU, MNS and MNC

For AutoCAD 2006, the new ACAD>CUI file replace the ACAD.mnu/mns/mnc files. The ACAD.MNR file is stillused.

You need to spend a little time reviewing how these files work with your users.

There are two tabs you work with. The Ccustomize Tab creates, renames or removes UI components.

The transfer Tab transfer existing MNU-based menus to the new CUI-based format. Old MNS/MNC file should

transfer to the new CUI format when loaded. You use the CUI command to menuload in your custom CUI files.

The old MENU and MENULOAD commands still work. However, it is recommended that you use the new CUIcommand.

Remember, nevercustomize the ACAD.CUI file. Create you own CUI files and menuload them into your session.

Use the new CUI editor to do this!


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The MAIN Customization file vs the Enterprise Customization file in AutoCAD 2006

The Main Customization (CUI) file replaces the ACAD.MNU, ACAD.MNS and ACAD.MNC files. This file is anXML-based file that stores customization data. You modify this file through the CUI dialog box. The Main

customization file is a writable CUI file that defines most of the user interface including the drop down menus,toolbars, keyboard accelerators, etc. The ACAD.CUI file which is the default file is automatically loaded when youstart AutoCAD.

An enterprise CUI file stores customization information that is shared by many users but is controlled by a CADmanager. It usually resides on network sharable drive. The CAD Manager can control all aspects of the menucustomization process from one location. One simple way to start this process is to create an Enterprise CUI fileby creating an Enterprise CUI file from an existing CUI file. By copying the main customization file (ACAD.CUIfile), you start with a file that contains all of the interface elements your users can access the file but they cannotmodify the file.


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The ALIGN command for 2D(Been around for a long time!)

You can use the ALIGN command to align raster to vector in a drawing.

If you have an aerial JPEG and the equivalent vector DWG, you insert the raster image and use the ALIGNcommand using two points and select YES to scale the two points. The vector drawing is on top of the rasterdrawing. Remember to use DRAWORDER to place the raster image BACK of the vector image.

Creating a monochrome only PC3 file

If you plot to a HP color plotting device and want your drawing to plot in monochrome (black and white) you canattach a monochrome plot style table. However, you can create a monochrome ONLY pc3 file. To do this youmust edit the pc3 file and change the color setting. To do this, select Custom Properties-Options-Color Controland check the Convert colors to pure black. Save the new pc3 file with Monochrome as part of the name and youhave created a pure monochrome pc3 file plot driver. (See below)


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Who has your file and Taskbar set to 1

If you are working in a network environment and need to know who has a file, type in WHOHAS at the commandprompt. The dialog box returns your needed information! Try it!

Set the Taskbar system variable to 1 to have your AutoCAD drawings listed in order at the bottom for yourcomputer screen!

The final tip!

Google this: AutoCAD 2006 tips and tricks. Guess what you will find???!!!

Web site for more information

Check out the Autodesk web site for white papers on productivity gains, AutoCAD 2006 features, Installation and other topics.(www.autodesk.com/autocad) Also, check out these web sites for more information and articles on AutoCAD 2006.

http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/

http://www.autodesk.com/lynnallen

http://www.tenlinks.com(sign up go get their daily newsletter)

Hope you had a great time!

tips and techniques autocad 2006

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