Take your CAD skills up a notch. Work smarter, not harder, with AutoCAD.
AutoCAD Tips & Tricks provides tips, techniques, and workarounds to make designers like you more effective and more productive.
Learn how to use AutoCAD features in exciting new ways, customize the workspace and shortcuts to save time, create more accurate drawings with the measurement and organization tools, and more.
Expert insights give you that competitive edge you can't get from a regular training manual.
Contents
Tips & Tricks
- Using ARRAY and ARRAYCLASSIC
- Using FIELDS in MTEXT
- Freezing layers in the current viewport
- Using WBLOCK to edit and replace blocks
- Using DesignCenter with AutoCAD blocks
- Using measure to obtain accurate drawing information
- Using layer properties for layer management
- Using the new centerline commands
- Using DIMREASSOCIATE to maintain dimension accuracy
- Using the QAT to set up a customized workspace
- Using markup tools to create a revision schedule
- Utilizing named views to manage the Model tab
- Using the AutoCAD calculator to your advantage
- Using Quick Select to speed up the selection process
- Using layer settings for effective layer control
- Setting AutoCAD point styles
- Setting multiple point objects
- Using the MEASURE command
- Using the DIVIDE command
- Creating different revision cloud types
- Creating a region from 2D objects
- Using EXTRUDE to create 3D solids
- Using visual styles to develop 3D views
- Using Match Properties effectively
- Using transparency in AutoCAD drawings
- Using Hide and Isolate to draw effectively
- Using the Group Manager to set up groups in AutoCAD
- Using LTGAPSELECTION in AutoCAD
- Using SELECTIONOFFSCREEN in AutoCAD
- Using PDFSHXTEXT in AutoCAD
- Using the DIMBREAK command
- Using the DIMSPACE command
- Creating a dimension jog line
- Using DesignCenter
- Working with insertion scales
- Creating a simple block palette
- Creating named views
- Working with batch plotting (PUBLISH)
- Working with BYLAYER
- Rotating with Copy and Reference
- Working with layer settings
- Using the OFFSET command
- Setting up a metric text style
- Setting up a metric dimension style
- Setting up a metric multileader style
- Using the STARTUP variable
- Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
- Adding your own AutoCAD workspace
- Working with the new AutoCAD 2018.1 XREF commands
- Working with the new AutoCAD 2018.1 view and viewport commands
- Demonstrating the hi-res monitor support in AutoCAD 2018.1
- Working with the 3D graphics support on the AutoCAD 2018.1 update
- Working with the PDFSHXTEXT command
- Converting text to MTEXT with the TXT2MTXT command
- Enclosing text with an object such as a circle slot or rectangle
- Developing and extruding a simple region in a 3D solid
- Using the layer controls in the Layers panel in the ribbon
- Adding blocks to a tool palette for design reuse
- Changing the INSUNITS variable when working with blocks
- Using the Sheet Set Manager to develop a sheet set
- Working with the interface panel and display options
- Using AutoCAD tools to fix broken reference paths
- Finding and replacing reference files
- Working with AutoCAD centerlines and adjusting their settings
- Working with the Named Views panel
- Using the PUBLISH command
- Using the ETRANSMIT command
- Working with the ARRAYPATH command
- Working with the FIELD command to display object data
- Creating tool palettes from drawings in AutoCAD DesignCenter
- Using the Markup Set Manager in AutoCAD with Autodesk Design Review
- Creating blocks with attributes for design content
- Working with the Enhanced Attribute Editor to enhance block attributes
- Using Quick Select to find and select objects quickly
- Using the SPELL command to check and review AutoCAD designs
- Interface: Editing Polar Arrays
- Interface: Editing rectangular arrays
- Content: Using DWG Compare
- Content: Working with DWG Compare results
- Content: Creating DWG Compare tables
- Management: Working with AutoCAD options
- Content: Calculating areas
- Content: Layer and panel tools
- Content: Invisible block attributes
- Content: Editing block attributes
- Plotting: Simple batch plotting
- Interface: Automatic dimensioning
- Interface: Using edge extensions
- Interface: Editing path arrays
- Using the DWG Compare command
- Working with your Autodesk Account
- Saving your files to AutoCAD web and AutoCAD mobile
- Setting up model space viewports with a 3D model
- Using named views to navigate your AutoCAD drawings
- Using a DWS file to check standards in your AutoCAD drawings
- Working with the Page Setup Manager in AutoCAD
- Exporting your DWG files to DWF and PDF file formats
- Using the DIMREASSOCIATE command
- Working with the Layer States Manager
- Setting up an effective METRIC dimension style
- Setting up an effective IMPERIAL dimension style
- Working with annotative dimensions in your AutoCAD drawings
- Using shared views in AutoCAD
- Using the Autodesk Viewer
- Using Arc Aligned
- Converting text to MTEXT
- Using the Modify Text drop-down menu tools
- Using the Move/Copy/Rotate command in Express Tools
- Using Auto Number with AutoCAD text objects
- Enclosing text inside objects with the Enclose in Object command
- Aligning your layout viewports with the Align Space command
- Matching up layout viewports with the Synchronize Viewports command
- Using the Merge Layout command to merge layout viewports
- Using the Save to Web & Mobile command
- Taking a DWG file in to AutoCAD web app
- A brief introduction to using DWG files in AutoCAD web app
- Using the drawing utilities provided by AutoCAD in a DWG file
- Use layer states to highlight objects in drawings
- Use the LAYISO and LAYUNISO commands in your drawings
- Use auto constrain and add and remove other constraints
- Work with constraints in your drawings
- Work with dimensional constraints in your drawings
- Convert dimensions to dimensional constraints in your drawings
- Add parameters and expressions to dimensional constraints
- Show and hide constraints in your AutoCAD drawings
- Develop PDF page setups using the Page Setup Manager
- Use the new blocks palette in AutoCAD 2020
- Work with the WBLOCK command in AutoCAD 2020
- Use DWG Compare in AutoCAD 2020
- Use the QDIM command for quicker dimensioning
- Fast data response with the new Quick Measure tool in AutoCAD 2020
- Work with geometric constraints in an AutoCAD drawing
- Work with dimensional constraints in an AutoCAD drawing
- Use the Parameters Manager to manage constraints in a drawing
- Use the calculator provided in AutoCAD
- Use Quick Select for easy object selection in drawings
- Generate 2D views from a 3D object in the layout tab
- Scale the 2D views generated in the layout tab
- Use the enhanced PURGE command in AutoCAD 2020
- Design reuse: Working with insertion options in the BLOCK command
- Drafting: The advantages of using polylines
- Drafting: Enjoying your donuts
- Drafting: Working with regions
- Drafting: Aligning objects in 2D
- Layout: Adding named views to a layout
- Annotation: Generating an annotative dimension style
- Web: Saving a drawing to use in the AutoCAD web app
- Design Reuse: Using PDFs in your drawings
- Layout: Freezing layers in the current viewport
- Interface: Working with the Interface panel
- Annotation: Spell-checking your drawings
- Annotation: Reassociating your dimensions
- Parametric: Using the Parameters Manager
- Human interface: Using MBUTTONPAN, ZOOMWHEEL, and ZOOMFACTOR
- Human interface: Customizing the right-hand mouse butto
- Drafting: Running object snaps (OSNAPs)
- Interface: Using the QUICKCALC command in AutoCAD
- Drafting: Working with the snap overrides in AutoCAD
- Drafting: Using the REGION command to your advantage
- Interface: Using the Visual Effect Settings dialog in AutoCAD
- Selection: Using selection settings in AutoCAD
- Selection: Working with GRIPS and grip editing in AutoCAD
- Drafting: Working with OFFSET and its command options
- Layers: Using the LAYTRANS command in AutoCAD
- Layers: Using the LAYWALK command in AutoCAD
- EXPRESS TOOLS – Using The SUPERHATCH command from the Express Tools tab
- INTERFACE – Using the scale list In viewports and annotation
- BLOCKS – Using DesignCenter and palettes for blocks in AutoCAD
- DRAFTING TECHNIQUES – Working with orthographic projection in AutoCAD
- DRAFTING TECHNIQUES – Using first angle projection in AutoCAD
- LAYOUT – Using third angle projection in AutoCAD
- LAYOUT – Working with the Create View tools in the Layout tab
- LAYOUT – Working with the Modify View tools in the Layout tab
- LAYOUT – Updating views created in the layout with the Update panel tools
- LAYOUT – Working with the Styles and Standards panel in the layout
- LAYOUT – Working with different types of viewports in your layouts
- LAYOUT – Adding named views to your layouts in your drawings
- Blocks palette: Working with blocks in a current drawing
- Blocks palette: Working with blocks from recent drawings
- Blocks palette: Working with blocks from other drawings
- Blocks: Using the Block Attribute Manager (BATTMAN); no cape needed!
- Annotation: Working with fields to add useful data to AutoCAD tables
- Annotation: Using the DIMENSION command for quick annotation
- Modify: Streamlined Trim and Extend (AutoCAD 2021)
- Annotation: REVCLOUD enhancements (AutoCAD 2021)
- Modify: Break objects at a single point (AutoCAD 2021)
- Measure geometry: Working with the new Quick Measure option (only AutoCAD 2021)
- Management: Managing DWG file history using DWG History support (subscription only)
- System: The new RTREGENAUTO system variable (AutoCAD 2021)
- Blocks: Syncing AutoCAD blocks in the Blocks palette (AutoCAD 2021), part 1
- Blocks: Syncing AutoCAD blocks in the Blocks Recent folder location (AutoCAD 2021), part 2
- Blocks: The new Blocks Libraries function (AutoCAD 2021)
- External references: XREF Compare function (AutoCAD 2021)
- Collaboration: DWG Compare, working with snapshots (AutoCAD 2020)
- Management: Working and saving back with older DWG file formats (AutoCAD 2020)
- Annotation: Working with the DIMASSOC system variable allows for different types of dimension annotation
- Annotation: Working with associative dimensions in your AutoCAD drawings
- Annotation: Working with annotative dimensions in your AutoCAD drawings
- Annotation: Working with some of the other useful tools in the Dimensions panel
- Annotation: Working with subfamilies in your dimension styles in AutoCAD
- Layers: Using layer states to enhance your AutoCAD drawings
- Annotation: Using viewport scales to set your annotative scaling in your drawing
- Annotation: Working with annotative object scales to add annotative scales to dimension objects in your drawings
- Annotation: Using the DIMBREAK and DIMSPACE commands in your AutoCAD drawings
- Annotation: Working with the MLEADER command to develop and use annotative multileaders in your drawings
- Properties: Using the LTSCALE value in your object properties to enhance object display in your layout tabs
- Management: Using the DWGCONVERT command to change the DWG file format of your drawings
- Output: Using the PUBLISH command to print and plot multiple drawings and saving the settings for future output
- Output: Setting up a simple titleblock with PDF page setup and viewports
- Annotation: Using fields to occupy table data cells
- Customization: Working with the AutoCAD cursor and UCS
- Web App: Opening your web app DWG file in your AutoCAD desktop
- Catalogs: AutoCAD Electrical, using the Catalog Browser
- Interface: Using sticky panels and saving workspaces
- 3D Design: Generating a section plane and creating section views
- 3D Design: Applying materials to surfaces using the Materials Browser to enhance your renders
- 3D Design: Using visual styles to enhance your 3D model views
- 3D Design: Setting up a camera view and adding it to a layout titleblock
- 3D Design: Generating 3D solids using regions, Presspull, and Extrude
- 3D Design: Using Boolean functions In 3D AutoCAD
- Interface: Using your file tabs in AutoCAD
- Project: Developing a simple gasket plate with polylines and circles in 2D
- Project: Converting a 2D gasket plate to AutoCAD regions
- Project: Using 3D Boolean functions to tidy up AutoCAD regions
- Project: Using EXTRUDE and PRESSPULL in 3D to convert a 2D region to a 3D solid
- Project: Developing a title block with four viewports
- Project: Working with 3D views and visual styles
- Project: Adding annotation styles for text and dimensioning
- Project: Working with annotative dimensioning
- Project: Setting up page setups for your title block
- Project: Working with page setups to plot drawings
- Project: Working with PUBLISH to batch plot drawings
- Project: Working with eTRANSMIT to publish project drawings
- Project: Working with Design Review to check and review design intent
- Markup: Working with the WIPEOUT command in your drawings
- Markup: Working with the REVCLOUD command in your drawings
- History: Using DWG History to maintain a DWG audit trail
- Mobile: Saving your drawings to the web and mobile apps
- Express tools: Replacing blocks in your AutoCAD drawings
- Interface: Working with the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) and workspaces
- Interface: Creating your own AutoCAD workspace with sticky panels
- MANAGEMENT - Working with and optimizing your AutoCAD options
- Customization: Setting up the AutoCAD Status Bar to suit your drafting needs
- Utilities: Using MEASURE to calculate distances and areas in your drawings
- Utilities: Using Quick Select to work smarter and faster in your AutoCAD drawings
- Content: Using the COUNT command to calculate the number of blocks in your drawings (AutoCAD 2022 only)
- Collaborate: Using the TRACE function in AutoCAD for markup and review (AutoCAD 2022 only)
- Interface: Working with the floating drawing tabs in AutoCAD (AutoCAD 2022 only)
- Collaborate: Sharing your current drawing to the AutoCAD web app (AutoCAD 2022 only)
- Collaborate: Sending drawings to Autodesk Docs (AutoCAD 2022 only)
- Collaborate: Creating shared views in your AutoCAD drawings
- Modify: Updating associative arrays in your AutoCAD drawings
- Content: Using the Blocks palette to centralize your block libraries
- Modify: Using the STRETCH command to move openings in your AutoCAD drawings
- Measure: Using the Measure tools in AutoCAD to calculate room areas
- Measure: Tabulating polyline areas using the FIELD command
- Annotation: Using annotative text labels in the Model tab
- 3D Modeling: Using FLATSHOT to create 2D snapshots of your 3D model in your drawing
- Interface: Working with your file tabs
- Annotation: Working with the DIMENSION tool in AutoCAD
- Interface: Using your tooltips in AutoCAD
- Graphics: Working with Windows and GRAPHICSCONFIG
- Interface: Mouse customization and MBUTTONPAN
- Express Tools: Working with the Layout panel in Express Tools
- 3D Modeling: Working with section tools and your 3D model
- Drafting: Drafting different drawing views using drafting standards
- 3D Modeling: Creating 3D primitives
- 3D Modeling: Using TABSURF to generate a mesh from a line or a curve
- 3D Modeling: Using PROJECTGEOMETRY in your 3D models
- Collaboration: Using the cloud to store your DWG files, using web and mobile folders and Microsoft OneDrive
- Design reuse: Developing a cloud-based blocks library
- Design reuse: Setting up your Blocks palette to use your block libraries (AutoCAD 2022)
- Design reuse: Working with the Blocks palette and blocks libraries (AutoCAD 2022)
- Tool palettes: Setting up a simple tool palette for your AutoCAD blocks
- Tool palettes: Customizing your tool palettes with a block library drawing
- Tool palettes: Getting tool palettes out to your team
- Tool palettes: Creating a command tool palette
- Design reuse: Working with AutoCAD DesignCenter
- Design reuse: Quick tool palette creation from DesignCenter
- Design reuse: Setting up multiunit tool palettes with blocks
- Design reuse: Reusing blocks with the INSUNITS setting
- Design reuse: Counting blocks in your drawings
- Automation: Using the command macros palette to automate design processes in AutoCAD 2023
- Layout: Joining viewports in the Model tab
- Output: Developing your own transmittal style for eTransmit
- Utilities: Using the Quick Measure and Measure Area tools
- Annotate: Working with center marks, centerlines, and their associated settings