AutoCAD's SPLINEDIT command gives you the ability to modify the characteristis of SPLINE objects. The curve of a spline results for a combination of two sets of points--the data points which reside along the spline itself and the control points which "pull" the spline curve. SPLINEDIT allows you to edit either data or control points.
In most applications, you're safer editing a spline by manipulating the data points rather than the control points. When you move a data point, you can precisely control how it affects the spline shape. To edit data points, execute SPLINEDIT, select the spline, and type f for Fit data. Then, use the Move option (m), along with the Next (n) and Previous (p) options to change the location of the spline data points.
Quickly trimming objects in AutoCADWhen you use the TRIM command, you ordinarily select the trimming object, followed by the object you need to trim. However, if you simply press [Enter] when AutoCAD presents the Select Cutting Edges prompt, AutoCAD will use the nearest possible cutting edge to trim the series of objects you select following the Select Object To Trim prompt. Doing so allows you touse multiple cutting edges without explicitly selecting each edge in advance.
Quick Partial Regeneration (Release 14)AutoCAD has a REGENERATION command that allows you to refresh your drawing on the screen to clean it up after manipulation. While useful, this command can sometimes be tedious because of the time needed for more detailed drawings to regenerate. You can avoid the tedium of the VIEW/REGEN command, and still refresh the drawing on the screen. Delete the drawing on your screen that needs to be regenerated and then issue the EDIT/UNDO command. Objects recovered from the database are refreshed as they are placed on the screen. This takes much less time than a full regeneration of the view.
How to avoid docking of toolbars for easier placement (Release 14)AutoCAD allows for generous movement and selection of toolbars for ease in accessing the many commands. The placement of toolbars about the drawing enables quick access to the most frequently used commands. To view the different toolbar options go into the View menu and choose Toolbars....
In order to move toolbars around on the screen there is a click and drag feature that allows you to click on the toolbar border and drag it to a new position. If you do not wish to have the border docked along the outer edges of the drawing, depress the CNTRL key when you click on the toolbar. This feature keeps the toolbar accessible, but able to be moved partially off the screen hidden until it is needed. If the CNTRL key is not depressed when the toolbar is moved, the toolbar will be docked along the side of the drawing.
How to determine the length of an arc (Release 14)There are two quick ways to determine the length of an arc. The first is to select the arc on the screen and then go into the Modify menu and then click on Properties. This will bring you to the Properties window for the Arc. In this window, there is a parameter for Arc length.
The second method for determining arc length is to type PEDIT at the command line and then select the arc. Next, choose to turn the arc into a polyline by typing Y or if <Y> is the default hit [Enter]. You will be presented with options for polylines. Simply type X, if it's not the default to exit this option. Next, type AREA at the command line and hit [Enter]. Then type O for Object as the option and select the arc. The area and length of the arc will be shown.
VIEWRES--Regeneration or Redraw (Release 14)One feature within AutoCAD Release 14 is the VIEWRES command. This command when typed at the main prompt gives you the choice of selecting fast zooms by typing Y for yes or N for no. If you answer no to this option, AutoCAD will perform regenerations for all of the following: zoom, pan, and view restore. If you answer yes to fast zooms, AutoCAD will perform zoom, pan and view restore commands at redraw speed. The next choice you will be presented with is Enter Circle Zoom Percent (1-20,000). The default will be in parenthesis. This option controls the appearance of circles and arcs using short vectors. The larger the number vectors, the smoother the appearance of the circle or arc on the screen. However, it is important to remember the larger the number vectors, the longer it will take for regeneration on the screen. This feature allows you to trade smoothness of appearance for speed.
AutoCAD allows you to copy the command line history window to the clipboard
by using the COPYHIST command. The command line history is the window just
above the command line. This way you can keep track of previous commands
already executed in case you want to repeat what you did, or not repeat
what you did, or just see what you did. After typing COPYHIST and hitting
[Enter], simply go to another windows application and paste in the information.
First, create a file configuration by setting up your units, dimension variables, and any other set up configurations. Then, choose the Save As feature from the File menu to save your drawing configurations as a template. Templates are stored in the AutoCAD template folder. If you do not want your template removed if you uninstall AutoCAD, then place that file in another location. Now, when you open a new drawing and see the Set up Wizard, choose Use a Template and open the template file you created.
Showing map details in a confined area (AutoCAD R14)Try using locator "flags" in a congested view on a map for objects that are located in such a way that that they appear to be on top of each other. This method can be useful in graphically displaying all items in an area rather than creating and maintaining separate layers for all of the different symbols used to represent items in that area. These "flags" are lines that snap to the center of the location of the item they are referencing and then to the center of the item's symbol. In order to see where the item is on the map, zoom in for a closer view. The flag will point directly to the location of the object on the map and then toits corresponding symbol. This way items with a much smaller scale than the full map scale can still be referenced without having to zoom in and out all the time.
Once you have picked a group of entities, no matter what command you're in, there's an easy way to toggle between Remove and Add during selection.
If you accidentally include some items in a selection set while you were in the Add mode, simply hold down the Shift key and select those items that you accidentally included. This operation will Remove those accidentally selected items from the set. Letting go of the Shift key will put you back in the Add mode.
Overloaded toolbars--we've got the cure...Sometimes when you load and attach too many toolbars at the bottom of
your screen, you can run into the problem of not being able to access all
the toolbars. No amount of turning them off and on will make them reappear.
Don't worry, they're not gone, they're just hiding. To fix this problem,
undock the command line area. This is done the same way you'd undock a
toolbar; simply click on the command line box border and drag it to another
portion of your screen. The toolbars previously tucked under the command
line will come back.