THE FILE TOOLBAR

NEW
Creates a new drawing.
Syntax:
Command: new

The behavior of the NEW command is determined by the Startup setting on the System tab of the Options dialog box.

 Show the Startup Dialog Box: NEW displays the Create New Drawing dialog box.
 Do Not Show the Startup Dialog Box: NEW displays the Select Template dialog box (a standard file selection
dialog box).

OPEN
Opens an existing drawing file.
Syntax:
Command: open

The Select File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) is displayed.
You can open and load a portion of a drawing, including geometry on a specific view or layer. In the Select File dialog
box, click the arrow next to Open and choose Partial Open or Partial Open Read-Only to display the Partial Open
dialog box.

CLOSE
Closes the current drawing.
Syntax:
Command: close

AutoCAD closes the current drawing. If you modified the drawing since it was last saved, AutoCAD prompts you to
save or discard the changes.
You can close a file that has been opened in Read-only mode if you have made no changes or if you are willing to
discard changes. To save changes to a read-only file, you must use the SAVEAS command.

SAVE
Saves the current drawing using the file format specified in the Options dialog box.
Syntax:
Command: qsave

The QSAVE command is equivalent to clicking Save on the File menu.

If the drawing is named, AutoCAD saves the drawing using the file format specified on the Open and Save tab of the
Options dialog box and does not request a file name. If the drawing is unnamed, AutoCAD displays the Save Drawing
As dialog box (see SAVEAS) and saves the drawing with the file name and format you specify.
If the drawing is read-only, use the SAVEAS command to save the changed file under a different name.

SAVE AS
Saves a copy of the current drawing under a new file name.
Syntax:
Command: saveas

The Save Drawing As standard file selection dialog box is displayed. Enter a file name and type. Saving an AutoCAD
2004 file to any DXF format affects performance. Set the Save As option to AutoCAD 2004 Drawing to optimize
performance while saving.

Note AutoCAD 2000 is the drawing file format used by the AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, and AutoCAD 2002
releases.

E –TRANSMIT
Creates a transmittal set of a drawing and related files.
Syntax:
Command: etransmit

AutoCAD displays the Create Transmittal Dialog Box.

PUBLISH TO WEB
Creates HTML pages that include images of selected drawings.
Syntax:
Command: publishtoweb

The Publish to Web wizard is displayed.

EXPORT

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Saves objects to other file formats.
Syntax:
Command: export

The Export Data dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) is displayed.

In Files of Type, select the format type to export objects to. In File Name, enter the name of the file to create.
AutoCAD exports the objects to the specified file format using the specified file name.

The following output types are available:

 WMF—Windows® Metafile (see WMFOUT)
 SAT—ACIS solid object file (see ACISOUT)
 STL—Solid object stereolithography file (see STLOUT)
 DXX—Attribute extract DXF® file (see ATTEXT)
 BMP—Device-independent bitmap file (see BMPOUT)
 3DS—3D Studio® file (see 3DSOUT)
 DWG—AutoCAD drawing file (see WBLOCK)

PAGE SETUP
Specifies the plotting device, paper size, and settings for each new layout.
Syntax:
Command: pagesetup

The Page Setup dialog box is displayed.

PLOTTER MANAGER
Displays the Plotter Manager, where you can add or edit a plotter configuration.
Syntax:
Command: plottermanager

AutoCAD displays the Plotter Manager where you can perform the following tasks:
 Double-click the Add-a-Plotter wizard to add and configure plotters and printers.
 Double-click a plotter configuration (PC3 file) to start the Plotter Configuration Editor

PLOT STYLE MANAGER

Displays the Plot Style Manager.
Syntax:
Command: stylesmanager

The Plot Style Manager is displayed.

In the Plot Style Manager, you can double-click the Add-a-Plot-Style-Table wizard to add plot style tables. Double-
click a plot style table (STB or CTB file) to start the Plot Style Table Editor.

PLOT PREVIEW
Shows how the drawing will look when it is plotted.

PREVIEW displays a full-page preview of the current drawing. The preview is based on the current plot configuration,
as defined by the PAGESETUP command.

Syntax:
Command: preview
Press ESC or ENTER to exit, or right-click in the preview area to access the Plot Preview shortcut
menu, which offers additional preview options.

AutoCAD displays the preview, and the cursor changes to a magnifying glass with plus (+) and minus (–) signs.
Dragging the cursor towards the top of the screen while holding down the pick button enlarges the preview image.
Dragging towards the bottom of the screen reduces the preview image.

PLOT
Plots a drawing to a plotter, printer, or file.
Syntax:
Command: plot

The Plot dialog box is displayed. Choose OK to begin plotting with the current settings and display the Plot Progress
dialog box.

PUBLISH
Creates multi-sheet drawing sets for publishing to a single multi-sheet DWF (Design Web
Format) file, a plotting device, or a plot file.

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Syntax:
Command: publish

The Publish Drawing Sheets dialog box is displayed. Click Publish to begin publishing the current drawing sheets to
either a DWF file or a plotting device.
The Publishing Complete dialog box provides information about the published drawing set. It displays a message
about the status of the publishing process ("Publish completed successfully" or "Errors and Warnings found, save and
review log file for details"). The dialog box also allows you to save the log file that was generated during the
publishing process, and it allows you to view the DWF file.

DRAWING UTILITIES
 Audit
Evaluates the integrity of a drawing.

AUDIT is a diagnostic tool for examining the current drawing and correcting errors. For every error
detected, AutoCAD provides a description of the error and recommends corrective action.
Syntax:
Command: audit
Fix any errors detected? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n, or press ENTER

For easy access, AUDIT places all objects for which it reports errors in the Previous selection set.
However, editing commands affect only the objects that belong to the current paper space or model
space.
If you set the AUDITCTL system variable to 1, AUDIT creates an ASCII file describing problems and the
action taken and places this report in the same directory as the current drawing, with the file extension
.adt.
If a drawing contains errors that AUDIT cannot fix, use RECOVER to retrieve the drawing and correct
its errors

 Recover
Repairs a damaged drawing.

If AutoCAD determines that a drawing you're opening is damaged based on the drawing's header
information, OPEN automatically repairs it.
Syntax:
Command: recover

In the Select File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box), enter the drawing file name or select
the damaged drawing file. AutoCAD begins recovery and displays the results in the text window

Note: The RECOVER command performs recoveries or audit operations on DWG files only. Performing
a recover on a DXF file will only open the file.

 Update Block Icons

Generates preview images for blocks displayed in DesignCenter
Syntax:
Command: blockicon
Enter block names <*>: Specify block names, or press ENTER to update all
blocks
Use this command to generate icons for blocks created with an earlier release of AutoCAD. You can
enter a series of comma-delimited block names or wild-card characters. For example, enter b1,?2, to
specify that block B1 and all two-character blocks ending with 2 should be updated.
After you enter the block names, AutoCAD displays a message describing the process as it proceeds.
Press ESC at any time to stop.

 Purge
Removes unused named items, such as block definitions and layers, from the
drawing.
Syntax:
Command: purge

The Purge dialog box is displayed.

SEND
Sending via electronic mail.

DRAWING PROPERTIES

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Sets and displays the properties of the current drawing.
Syntax:
Command: dwgprops

The Drawing Properties dialog box is displayed.

EXIT
Exits AutoCAD.

Syntax:
Command: quit

Quits AutoCAD if there have been no changes since the drawing was last saved. If the drawing has been
modified, AutoCAD prompts you to save or discard the changes before quitting.
You can quit a file that has been opened in read-only mode if you have made no modifications or if you are
willing to discard them. To save modifications to a read-only drawing, use the SAVEAS command to save
the drawing under another name.

THE EDIT TOOLBAR

UNDO
Reverses the effect of commands.

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Reverses your last action. To reverse more than one action at a time, click the arrow next to the Undo button on the
Standard toolbar and select the last in the sequence of actions you want to undo.
You can use the options of UNDO on the command line to undo more than one action at a time. Begin and End
define a number of actions as a group, and Mark and Back work together to undo all actions back to a predetermined
point.
When you use Back or Number to undo multiple actions, AutoCAD regenerates or redraws the drawing, if necessary.
This occurs at the end of the UNDO command; therefore, entering undo 5 causes one regeneration, and u u u u u
could cause as many as five.
UNDO has no effect on some commands and system variables, including those that open, close, or save a window or
a drawing, display information, change the graphics display, regenerate the drawing, or export the drawing in a
different format.

Syntax:
Command: undo
Enter the number of operations to undo or [Auto/Control/BEgin/End/Mark/Back]: Enter a
positive number, enter an option, or press ENTER to undo a single operation

UNDO displays the command or system variable name on the command line to indicate that you have stepped past
the point where the command was used.

REDO
Reverses the effects of previous UNDO or U commands.
Syntax:
Command: redo

REDO reverses the effects of a single UNDO or U command. REDO must immediately follow the U or UNDO
command.

CUT
Copies objects to the Clipboard and removes the objects from the drawing.
Syntax:
Command: cutclip
Select objects:

CUTCLIP moves the selected objects to the Clipboard, removing them from the drawing. You can paste the
contents of the Clipboard into a document or drawing as an embedded OLE object (see PASTECLIP and
PASTESPEC). CUTCLIP does not create OLE link information.

COPY
Copies objects to the Clipboard.
Use COPYCLIP to copy objects or command line text from an AutoCAD drawing to another Windows® application.
Syntax:
Command: copyclip
Select objects:
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, AutoCAD copies
the selected objects to the Clipboard. If the cursor is on the command line or in the text window,
AutoCAD copies the selected text to the Clipboard.

COPY WITH BASE POINT

Copies objects with a specified base point.
Use COPYBASE to specify a base point when copying objects. The base point enables you to position the copied
objects precisely when pasting them within the same drawing or into another drawing.
Syntax:
Command: copybase
Specify base point:
Select objects:

The selected objects are copied to the Clipboard. Use PASTECLIP to move the copied objects from the
Clipboard to a location in the same document or to another document. When you paste an object copied with
COPYBASE, AutoCAD places it relative to the specified base point.

COPY LINK
Copies the current view to the Clipboard for linking to other OLE applications.
Syntax:
Command: copylink

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 COPYLINK copies the current view to the Clipboard. You can paste the contents of the Clipboard into a
document as an OLE object.

PASTE
Inserts data from the Clipboard.
You can paste AutoCAD objects, text, and files in various formats, such as metafile, bitmap, and multimedia, into a
drawing.
Syntax:
Command: pasteclip

PASTE AS BLOCK
Pastes copied objects as a block.
Syntax:
Command: pasteblock
Specify insertion point: Specify a point

AutoCAD pastes the objects copied to the Clipboard into the drawing as a block at the specified insertion
point.

PASTE AS HYPERLINK
Attaches hyperlinks to graphical objects.
Syntax:
Command: hyperlink

PASTE TO ORIGINAL COORDINATES

Pastes a copied object in a new drawing using the coordinates from the original drawing
Syntax:
Command: pasteorig

AutoCAD pastes the object copied to the Clipboard into the drawing at the same coordinates used in the original
drawing.
PASTEORIG functions only when the Clipboard contains AutoCAD data from a drawing other than the current
drawing.

PASTE SPECIAL
Inserts data from the Clipboard and controls the format of the data.
AutoCAD supports the Windows® object linking and embedding (OLE) feature. When an object is inserted into an
AutoCAD drawing from an application that supports OLE, the object can maintain a connection to its source file.
PASTESPEC inserts a linked or embedded object from the Clipboard into an AutoCAD drawing.

Syntax:
Command: pastespec

CLEAR
Removes objects from a drawing.
Syntax:
Command: erase
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish selecting
objects

SELECT ALL
Selects all the drawings in the model.

OLE LINKS
Updates, changes, and cancels existing OLE links.
AutoCAD supports the Windows® feature called object linking and embedding (OLE). When you use
PASTESPEC to insert a linked object into an AutoCAD drawing from an application that supports OLE, the
object maintains a connection with its source file.
You can set AutoCAD to update links automatically or manually when information in the source document
changes.
Syntax:
Command: olelinks

The Links dialog box is displayed. If there is no existing OLE link in the drawing, OLE Links is not available on the
Edit menu and the Links dialog box is not displayed. To specify a different source application for an embedded object,
right-click the embedded object and click Convert on the shortcut menu to display the Convert dialog box.

FIND
Finds, replaces, selects, or zooms to specified text.
You can find, replace, select, or zoom to text contained in any loaded object in model space and in any layout
defined in the current drawing.
If you partially opened the current drawing, FIND does not consider objects that you did not load.

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Syntax:
Command: find

The Find and Replace dialog box is displayed.

THE VIEW TOOLBAR

REDRAW
Refreshes the display in the current viewport
Syntax:

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 Command: redraw (or 'redraw for transparent use)

Redraws the current viewport, removing marker blips and display artifacts (stray pixels) left by editing
commands.

REGEN
Regenerates the entire drawing from the current viewport
Syntax:
Command: regen

REGEN regenerates the entire drawing and recomputes the screen coordinates for all objects in the
current viewport. It also reindexes the drawing database for optimum display and object selection
performance.

REGEN ALL
Regenerates the drawing and refreshes all viewports.
Syntax:
Command: 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

ZOOM
Increases or decreases the apparent size of objects in the current viewport.
Syntax:
Command: zoom (or 'zoom for transparent use)
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or
[All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window] <real time>:

PAN
Moves the view in the current viewport
Syntax:
Command: pan (or 'pan for transparent use)
AutoCAD displays the following prompt; you can pan the drawing display in real time

Press ESC or ENTER to exit

If you enter -pan at the Command prompt, PAN displays alternative prompts on the command line,
and you can specify a displacement to pan the drawing display

AERIAL VIEW
Displays the entire drawing; AutoCad marks the current view with a wide outline box.
Syntax:
Command: dsviewer

VIEWPORTS
Creates new viewport configurations, or names and saves a model viewport configuration. The
options available in this dialog box depend on whether you are configuring model viewports (on
the Model tab) or layout viewports (on a layout tab).
Syntax:
Command: vports

Tabs for model viewports: New Viewports—Tiled, Named Viewports—Tiled

Tabs for layout viewports: New Viewports—Floating, Named Viewports—Floating

NAMED VIEWPORTS
Saves and restores named views and orthographic views
Syntax:
Command: view
The View dialog box includes the following tabs
 Named Views
 Orthographic and Isometric Views

3D ORBIT
Controls the interactive viewing of objects in 3D.
Syntax:
Command: 3dorbit, 3do

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 3DORBIT activates a 3D view in the current viewport. If the user coordinate system (UCS) icon is on,
a shaded 3D UCS icon representing the current UCS appears in the 3D Orbit view.

HIDE
Regenerates a three-dimensional model with hidden lines suppressed.
Syntax:
Command: hide
HIDE considers the following to be opaque surfaces that hide objects: circles, solids, traces, text,
regions, wide polyline segments, 3D faces, polygon meshes, and the extruded edges of objects with
nonzero thickness.

SHADE
Controls the display of solid object shading in the current viewport.
Syntax:
Command: shademode
Enter option [2D wireframe/3D wireframe/Hidden/Flat/Gouraud/fLat+edges/
gOuraud+edges] <current>: Enter an option

RENDER
Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a three-dimensional wireframe or solid
model.
Syntax:
Command: render
AutoCAD displays the Render dialog box, and then opens and minimizes the Render window

THE INSERT TOOLBAR

BLOCK
Places a drawing or named block into the current drawing.

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Syntax:
Command: insert

EXTERNAL REFERENCE
Attaches an external reference to the current drawing.
Syntax:
Command: xattach

AutoCAD displays the Select Reference File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box). The
External Reference dialog box is displayed after a file is selected.

RASTER IMAGE
Attaches a new image to the current drawing
IMAGEATTACH opens the Select Image File dialog box without displaying the Image Manager first. You can view and
attach raster or bitmapped bitonal, 8bit gray, 8-bit color, or 24-bit color image files to a drawing. Attaching an image
creates an image definition, loads the image into memory, and displays the image.
Syntax:
Command: imageattach

AutoCAD displays the Select Image File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box). Once you
select an image file, AutoCAD displays the Image dialog box.

LAYOUT

 New Layout, Layout from Template

Creates and modifies drawing layout tabs.
A layout is used to compose or lay out your drawing for plotting. A layout may consist of a title block, one
or more viewports, and annotations.
Note: Many of these options are available by right-clicking a layout tab name.
Syntax:
Command: layout
Enter layout option [Copy/Delete/New/Template/Rename/SAveas/Set/?]
`<set>:

 LayOut Wizard
Creates a new layout tab and specifies page and plot settings.
Syntax:
Command: layoutwizard

3D STUDIO
Imports a 3D Studio (3DS) file.
3DSIN reads 3D Studio® geometry and rendering data (3DS files), including meshes, materials, mapping, lights, and
cameras. 3DSIN cannot import 3D Studio procedural materials or smoothing groups.
Imported objects are assigned an AutoCAD color as close as possible to the object's 3D Studio color.
3D Studio lights are converted to the nearest AutoCAD equivalent. Ambient light loses its color. Omni lights become
point lights. Spotlights become AutoCAD spotlights. 3D Studio cameras become AutoCAD named views.
If the name of any 3D Studio object conflicts with a name already in the AutoCAD drawing, the 3D Studio name is
assigned a sequence number to resolve the conflict. The name might be truncated to resolve the conflict.
Syntax:
Command: 3dsin
AutoCAD displays the 3D Studio File Import dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box). After you
choose a file to import, AutoCAD displays the 3D Studio File Import Options dialog box.

ACIS FILE
Imports an ACIS file.
ACIS (a solid modeler produced by Spatial Technology, Inc.) provides a solid modeling file format that AutoCAD can
use. AutoCAD reads the model stored in the ACIS file format and creates a body object, solid, or region in the
AutoCAD drawing.
Syntax:
Command: acisin
AutoCAD displays the Select ACIS File dialog box. Select the file to import in the File Name list.
AutoCAD imports the SAT (ASCII) ACIS file into your AutoCAD drawing.

DRAWING EXCHANGE BINARY

Imports specially coded binary files.
Syntax:
Command: dxbin

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WINDOWS METAFILE
Imports a Windows metafile.
Unlike bitmaps or raster files, metafiles contain vector information, which can be scaled and
printed without loss of resolution.
Syntax:
Command: wmfin

The Import WMF dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box) is displayed. Enter a file name. AutoCAD adds the
.wmf file extension.

In the Import WMF dialog box, if you choose Tools Options, AutoCAD displays the WMF In Options dialog box.
You can also open this dialog box directly by using WMFOPTS. After opening the selected WMF file, AutoCAD
displays the following prompt:

Specify insertion point or [Scale/X/Y/Z/Rotate/PScale/PX/PY/PZ/PRotate]: Specify a

point or enter an option

OLE OBJECT
Inserts a linked or embedded object.
When you insert an object into an AutoCAD drawing from an application that supports OLE, the object can maintain a
connection with its source file.
A linked object remains associated with its source file. When you edit a linked object in AutoCAD, the source file
changes. When you edit the object in the source file, the linked object in AutoCAD changes.
An embedded object is not associated with its source file. You edit the embedded data in the AutoCAD drawing using
the source application; the source file does not change.
Linked or embedded objects are displayed in AutoCAD and can be printed or plotted using Windows system drivers.
Syntax:
Command: insertobj

MARK UP
Matches the markup layouts in the markup (RML) file with available layouts in your drawing.
Syntax:
Command: rmlin

XREF MANAGER
Controls external references to drawing files.
An external reference (xref) is a drawing that you attach to or overlay on your current drawing. When you open or plot
a drawing containing xrefs, AutoCAD automatically reloads the latest version of each xref.
Attaching or overlaying an xref is similar to inserting an entire drawing as a block. The contents of the specified
drawing, and any attached xrefs within it, are copied into a new block definition. Instances of the xref in the drawing
are block references. If the xref has overlaid, not attached, xrefs within it, they are not displayed when the xref is
attached to or overlaid on another drawing.
Because the xref is linked to but not inserted in the drawing, attaching an xref does not significantly increase the
drawing file size.
Syntax:
Command: xref

IMAGE MANAGER
Manages images.
In the Image Manager, you can attach or detach a raster or bit-mapped bitonal, 8-bit gray, 8-bit color, or 24-bit color
image file to a drawing. You can reload and unload images, as well as specify a new path for the images. You can
view image details such as pixel width, color depth, and resolution of the selected image. IMAGE can combine
images in a variety of formats (including BMP, TIFF, RLE, JPG, PCX, and TGA) with AutoCAD drawings. You can
display more than one image in any viewport. AutoCAD does not limit the number and size of images.
Syntax:
Command: image

HYPERLINK
Attaches a hyperlink to an object or modifies an existing hyperlink.
Syntax:
Command: hyperlink
Select objects: Use an object selection method

THE FORMAT TOOLBAR

LAYER
Manages layers and layer properties.
Syntax:

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 Command: layer (or 'layer for transparent use)
The Layer Properties Manager is displayed
If you enter -layer at the Command prompt, LAYER displays prompts on the command line

COLOR
Sets the color for new objects.
Syntax:
Command: color (or 'color for transparent use)
The Select Color dialog box is displayed.
If you enter -color at the Command prompt, COLOR displays prompts on the command line

LINETYPE
Loads, sets, and modifies linetypes.
Syntax:
Command: linetype (or 'linetype for transparent use)
The Linetype Manager is displayed.
If you enter -linetype at the Command prompt, LINETYPE displays prompts on the command line.

LINEWEIGHT
Sets the current lineweight, sets the lineweight units, controls the display and display scale of
lineweights in the Model tab, and sets the DEFAULT lineweight value for layers.
Syntax:
Command: lweight (or 'lweight for transparent use)
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

TEXT STYLE
Creates, modifies, or sets named text styles.
Syntax:
Command: style (or 'style for transparent use)

DIMENSION STYLE
Creates new styles, sets the current style, modifies styles, sets overrides on the current style,
and compares styles.
Syntax:
Command: dimstyle

PLOT STYLE
Modifies the plot styles in a plot style table. If the plot style table is attached to a layout or the
Model tab, and you change a plot style, any objects that use that plot style are affected. If the
plot style table is color-dependent, the file extension is CTB. If the plot style table is named, the
file extension is STB.
Syntax:
Command: stylesmanager

POINT STYLE
Shows the current point style and size. Change the point style by selecting an icon.
Syntax:
Command: ddptype (or 'ddptype for transparent use)

MULTILINE STYLE
Defines the style and properties of multilines. The Multiline Styles dialog box displays multiline
style names, makes them current, loads them from a file, and saves, adds, and renames them.
You can also create or edit a description of a style.
Syntax:
Command: mlstyle

UNITS
Defines the unit and angle formats
Syntax:
Command: units (or 'units for transparent use)

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THICKNESS
 Thickness is a property of objects that simulates surfaces in AutoCAD.
 The thickness of an object is the distance that object is extruded, or extended, above or
below its location in space. Positive thickness extrudes upward in the positive Z
direction; negative thickness extrudes downward (negative Z). Zero (0) thickness means
no extrusion. The Z direction is determined by the orientation of the UCS at the time the
object was created. Objects with thickness can be shaded and can hide other objects
behind them.
 Thickness changes the appearance of circles, lines, polylines (including spline-fit
polylines, rectangles, polygons, boundaries, and donuts), arcs, 2D solids, and points.
Modifying the thickness of other types of objects does not affect their appearance.

Syntax:
Command: THICKNESS

DRAWING LIMITS
Sets and controls the limits of the drawing boundaries and grid display in the current Model or
layout tab.
Syntax:
Command: limits (or 'limits for transparent use)
Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <current>: Specify a point, enter on or off, or press ENTER

RENAME
Changes the names of objects.
Syntax:
Command: rename
The Rename dialog box is displayed
If you enter -rename at the Command prompt, RENAME displays prompts on the command line

THE TOOLS TOOLBAR

CAD STANDARDS
Specifies additional settings for the Configure Standards dialog box and the Check Standards
dialog box

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Syntax:
Command: standards or checkstandards

SPELLING
Corrects the spelling in text objects created with TEXT, MTEXT, LEADER, and ATTDEF. The
Check Spelling dialog box is displayed only if AutoCAD finds a misspelled or unknown word in
the specified text.
Syntax:
Command: spell (or 'spell for transparent use)

QUICK SELECT
Specifies the filtering criteria and how you want AutoCAD to create the selection set from that
criteria.
Syntax:
Command: qselect

DISPLAY ORDER
Changes the display order of images and other objects.
Syntax:
Command: draworder
Select objects: Use an object selection method
Enter object ordering option [Above object/Under object/Front/Back] <Back>: Enter an
option or press ENTER

INQUIRY

 Distance
Measures the distance and angle between two points.
Syntax:
Command: dist (or 'dist for transparent use)
Specify first point: Specify a point
Specify second point: Specify a point
Distance = calculated distance, Angle in XY plane = angle,
Angle from XY plane = angle
Delta X = change in X, Delta Y = change in Y, Delta Z = change in Z

 Area
Calculates the area and perimeter of objects or of defined areas.
Syntax:
Command: area
Specify first corner point or [Object/Add/Subtract]: Specify a point (1) or enter an option

 Region/Mass Properties
Converts an object that encloses an area into a region object.
Regions are two-dimensional areas you create from closed shapes or loops. Closed polylines, lines, and
curves are valid selections. Curves include circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and splines.

Syntax:
Command: region
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish

 List
Displays database information for selected objects.
AutoCAD lists the object type, object layer, and X,Y,Z position relative to the current user coordinate system
(UCS) and whether the object is in model space or paper space.
Syntax:
Command: list
Select objects: Use an object selection method

 ID Point
Displays the coordinate of a location.
o The UCS coordinate of the location is displayed on the command line.
o ID lists the X, Y, and Z values of the specified point and stores the coordinate of the specified point
as the last point. You can reference the last point by entering @ at the next prompt that requests a
point.

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 o If you snap to an object in 3D space, the Z coordinate value is the same as that of the selected
feature of the object
Syntax:
Command: id (or 'id for transparent use)
Point: Use the pointing device to specify a point

 Time
Displays the date and time statistics of a drawing
Syntax:
Command: time (or 'time for transparent use)

 Status
Displays drawing statistics, modes, and extents
o All coordinates and distances are displayed by STATUS in the format specified by UNITS.
o STATUS reports the number of objects in the current drawing. This includes graphical objects such
as arcs and polylines, and nongraphical objects such as layers and linetypes, and block definitions.
When used at the DIM prompt, STATUS reports the values and descriptions of all dimensioning
system variables.
Syntax:
Command: status (or 'status for transparent use)

 Set Variable
Lists or changes the values of system variables.
Syntax:
Command: setvar (or 'setvar for transparent use)
Enter variable name or [?] <current>: Enter a variable name, enter ?, or press ENTER

ATTRIBUTE EXTRACTION
Specifies the set of blocks from which to extract block attribute information, the types of block
attribute information you want, and the block attributes to be extracted.
Syntax:
Command line: eattext

PROPERTIES
Controls properties of existing objects.
Syntax:
Command: properties
Shortcut menu: Select the objects whose properties you want to view or modify, right-
click in the drawing area, and choose Properties. Alternatively, you can double-click most
objects to display the Properties palette

The Properties palette is displayed. The Properties palette lists properties of the selected
object or set of objects.

DESIGN CENTER
o Browses, finds, and previews content, and inserts content, which includes blocks,
hatches, and external references (xrefs).
o Use the buttons in the toolbar at the top of DesignCenter for display and access options.

Syntax:
Command: adcenter

TOOL PALLETES WINDOW

Tool palettes are tabbed areas within the Tool Palettes window that provide an efficient method
for organizing, sharing, and placing blocks and hatches. Tool palettes can also contain custom
tools provided by third-party developers.
Syntax:
Command: toolpalettes

DBCONNECT
Provides an AutoCAD interface to external database tables
Syntax:
Command: dbconnect
o AutoCAD displays the dbConnect Manager and adds the dbConnect menu to the menu bar.

15
 o The four primary interfaces (the dbConnect Manager, the Data View window, the Query Editor,
and the Link Select dialog box) are described first, followed by descriptions of each additional
dialog box presented in alphabetical order. The Column Values dialog box, a sub-dialog box of
the Query Editor, is described in the Query Editor section. The section describing each dialog
box contains a list of methods that you can use to access it.

LOAD APPLICATION
o Loads and unloads applications and specifies applications to be loaded at start-up.
o The options at the top of this dialog box are derived from the standard file selection
dialog box.
Syntax:
Command: appload

RUN SCRIPT
Executes a sequence of commands from a script file.
Syntax:
Command: script (or 'script for transparent use)
o AutoCAD displays the Select Script File dialog box (a standard file selection dialog box). Enter the
file name of a script to run that script.
o When FILEDIA is set to 0 (zero), SCRIPT displays the following prompt on the command line.

Enter script file name <current>:

MACRO
 Macros
Runs, edits, or deletes a VBA macro. You can also create new macros, set the VBA
options, and display the VBA Manager.
Syntax:
Command : vbarun

 Load Project
Loads a global VBA project into the current AutoCAD session.
Syntax:
Command: vbaload

 VBA Manger
Loads, unloads, saves, creates, embeds, and extracts VBA projects.
Syntax:
Command: vbaman

 Visual Basic Editor

Displays the Visual Basic Editor.
Syntax:
Command: vbaide

AUTO LISP
 Load
Loads and unloads applications and specifies applications to be loaded at start-up.
Syntax:
Command: appload

 Visual Lisp Editor

Displays the Visual LISP interactive development environment (IDE).
Syntax:
Command: vlisp

DISPLAY IMAGE
 View
Displays a BMP, TGA, or TIFF image.
Syntax:
Command: replay

16
  Save
Defines the format and position of a rendered image.
Syntax:
Command line: saveimg

NAMED UCS
Displays and modifies defined and unnamed user coordinate systems, restores named and
orthographic UCSs, and specifies UCS icon and UCS settings for viewports.
Syntax:
Command line: ucsman
Option:
 Named UCS
 Orthographic UCS
 Settings
NEW UCS
Manages user coordinate systems.
Syntax:
Command: ucs
Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/Save/Del/Apply/?/World] <World>:

WIZARDS
 Publish to Web
o 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.
o You can also use the wizard to modify existing HTML pages that were created
using the PUBLISHTOWEB command/
Syntax:
Command: publishtoweb

 Add Plotter
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 AutoCAD 2004\plotters
folder.

Syntax:
Command: plottermanager

 Add Plot Style Table

o Adds new plot style tables. Plot style tables contain and define plot styles, which
can be assigned to objects. When complete, the wizard produces an STB or CTB
file depending on the type of table you are creating. You can edit these files in the
Plot Style Table Editor. To use your new plot style table, the selected options on
the Plotting tab of the Options dialog box must be appropriate for the type of
table (named or color-dependent) you created.
o You can create a plot style table from scratch, use an existing plot style table as a
starting point, use settings from your AutoCAD Release 14 CFG file, or use
settings from a PCP or PC2 file.
o You can create either a named plot style table or a color-dependent plot style
table. With a named plot style table, you can add and define plot styles as you
like; the file name has the extension .stb. A color-dependent plot style table
creates 255 plot styles based on color; the file name has the extension .ctb. You
can specify whether you want to use a plot style table for new drawings or for
pre-AutoCAD 2000 drawings when they are saved in a later format.
Syntax:
Command: stylesmanager

 Create Layout
o You can create a new layout using the Create Layout wizard. The wizard prompts
you for information about the layout settings.

Syntax:

17
 Command: LAYOUTWIZARD

 Import Plot Style Settings

o Displays a wizard to import PCP and PC2 configuration file plot settings into the
Model tab or current layout.
Syntax:
Command: pcinwizard

DRAFTING SETTINGS
Specifies drafting settings organized for drawing aids in three categories: Snap and Grid, Polar
Tracking, and Object Snap.
Syntax:
Command: dsettings (or 'dsettings for transparent use)

TABLET
Calibrates, configures, and turns on and off an attached digitizing tablet.
Syntax:
Command: tablet
Enter an option [ON/OFF/CAL/CFG]:

CUSTOMIZE
Customizes toolbars, buttons, and shortcut keys.
Syntax:
Command: customize

OPTIONS
Customizes the AutoCAD settings.
Syntax:
Command: options

THE DRAW TOOLBAR

LINE
Draws a straight line.
Syntax:
Command: line

18
 Specify first point:
Specify next point or [Undo]:
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:

RAY
Draws a ray and continues to prompt for through points so you can create multiple rays. The ray
is extended to the edge of the display in the direction defined by the starting point and the
through point. Press ENTER to end the command.

Syntax:
Command : ray
Specify start point:
Specify through point:

CONSTRUCTION LINE
Creates an infinite line
Syntax:
Command: xline
Specify a point or [Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Offset]: Specify a point or enter an
option

MULTILINE
Creates multiple parallel lines.
Syntax:
Command: mline
Specify start point or [Justification/Scale/STyle]: Specify a point or enter an option
Current settings: Justification = current, Scale = current, Style = current

POLYLINE
Creates two dimensional polylines.
Syntax:
Command: pline
Specify start point: Specify a point (1)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: Specify a
point (2) or enter an option

3D POLYLINE
Creates a polyline of line segments in 3D space.
Syntax:
Command: 3dpoly
Specify start point of polyline: Specify a point (1)
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option

POLYGON
Creates an equilateral closed polyline.
Syntax:
Command: polygon
Enter number of sides <current>: Enter a value between 3 and 1024 or press
ENTER
Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: Specify a point (1) or enter e

RECTANGLE
Draws a rectangular polyline.
Syntax:
Command: rectang or rectangle
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:
Enter an option or specify a point

ARC
Creates an arc.
Syntax:
Command: arc

19
 Specify start point of arc or [CEnter]: Specify a point, enter ce, or press ENTER to start tangent to
last line, arc, or polyline

CIRCLE
Creates a circle.
Syntax:
Command: circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P (Three Points)/2P (Two Points)/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: Specify a
point or enter an option

DONUT
Draws filled circles and rings.
Syntax:
Command: donut
Specify inside diameter of donut <current>: Specify a distance or press ENTER
(Note: 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

SPLINE
Creates a nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curve.
Syntax:
Command: spline
Specify first point or [Object]: Specify a point or enter o

ELLIPSE
Creates a ellipse or an elliptical arc..
Syntax:
Command: ellipse
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center/Isocircle]: Specify a point or enter an option

BLOCK
Creates a block definition from objects you select.
Syntax:
Command: block
The Block Definition dialog box is displayed
If you enter –block at the Command prompt, BLOCK displays prompts on the command line.

POINT
Creates a point object.
Syntax:
Command: point
Specify a point:
(Note: 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.)
The PDMODE and PDSIZE system variables control the appearance of point objects. PDMODE values
0, 2, 3, and 4 specify a figure to draw through the point. A value of 1 specifies that nothing is displayed.
HATCH
Fills an area with a non-associative hatch pattern.
Syntax:
Command: hatch
Enter a pattern name or [?/Solid/User defined] <current>: Enter a predefined or custom pattern
name, enter an option, or press ENTER

BOUNDARY
Creates a region or polyline from an enclosed area.
Syntax:
Command: boundary
The Boundary Creation dialog box is displayed
If you enter -boundary at the Command prompt, BOUNDARY displays prompts on the command line.

REGION
Converts an object that encloses an area into a region object.
Syntax:
Command: region

20
 Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
(Note: Regions are two-dimensional areas you create from closed shapes or loops. Closed polylines,
lines, and curves are valid selections. Curves include circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and
splines.)

WIPEOUT
Covers existing objects with a blank area.
Syntax:
Command: wipeout
Specify first point or [Frames/Polyline]<Polyline>: Specify a point or an option
First Point
Determines the polygonal boundary of the wipeout object from a series of points

Next point: Specify the next point or press ENTER to exit

Frames
Determines whether the edges of all wipeout objects are displayed or hidden.

ON/OFF:<varies> Enter on or off

Enter on to display all wipeout frames. Enter off to suppress the display of all wipeout frames.
Polyline
Determines the polygonal boundary of the wipeout objects from a selected polyline.

Select a closed polyline: Use an object selection method to select a closed polyline

Erase polyline? [Yes/No]<N>: Enter y or n

Enter y to erase the polyline that was used to create the wipeout object. Enter n to retain the
polyline.

REVISION CLOUD
Creates a polyline of sequential arcs to form a cloud shape.
Syntax:
Command line: revcloud
(Note: Minimum arc length: 0.5000 Maximum arc length: 0.5000)

Specify start point or [Arc length/Object] <Object>: Drag to draw the revision cloud, enter an
option, or press ENTER
Guide crosshairs along cloud path...

When the start and end lines meet, the following message is displayed on the command line..
Revision cloud finished

TEXT
Single line text
Creates a single-line text object.
Syntax:
Command line: text
Specify start point of text or [Justify/Style]: Specify a point or enter an option

If TEXT was the last command entered, pressing ENTER at the Specify Start Point of Text prompt skips the
prompts for height and rotation angle and immediately displays the Enter Text prompt. The text is placed
directly beneath the previous line of text. The point specified at the prompt is also stored as the insertion
point of the text.

Multi-line text
Creates or modifies multiline text objects and imports or pastes text from other files.
Syntax:
Command line: mtext

The Multiline Text Editor includes a Text Formatting toolbar and a shortcut menu

THE DIMENSION TOOLBAR

Dimensioning is the process of adding measurement annotation to a drawing. AutoCAD

provides many ways to dimension objects and many ways to format dimensions. You can create
dimensions for a wide variety of object shapes in many different orientations. You can create

21
dimension styles to format dimensions quickly and ensure that dimensions in your drawing
conform to industry or project standards.

Dimensions show the measurements of objects, the distances or angles between objects, or the
distance of a feature from an origin you specify. AutoCAD provides three basic types of
dimensioning: linear, radial, and angular. Dimensions can be horizontal, vertical, aligned,
rotated, ordinate, baseline, or continued.

You can dimension objects, such as lines, arcs, circles, and polyline segments, or you can
dimension between point locations.

AutoCAD places dimensions on the current layer. Every dimension assumes the current
dimension style, which controls characteristics such as arrowhead style, text location, and
lateral tolerances. With dimension styles, you can make subtle modifications to a base
dimension style for different types of dimensions. With dimension style overrides, you can
modify these characteristics for a specific dimension.

QUICK DIMENSION
You can use Quick Dimension (QDIM) to dimension multiple objects at one time or edit existing
dimensions. However, dimensions created with this method are nonassociative.
Syntax:
Command: QDIM

LINEAR
Creates linear dimensions
Syntax:
Command: dimlinear
Specify first extension line origin or <select object>: 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

Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]: Specify a

point or enter an option

ALIGNED
Creates an aligned linear dimension.
Syntax:
Command: dimaligned
Specify first extension line origin or <select object>: 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 or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or enter an

option

ORDINATE
Creates ordinate point dimensions.
Syntax:
Command: dimordinate
Specify feature location: Specify a point or snap to an object
Specify leader endpoint or [Xdatum/Ydatum/Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point
or enter an option
RADIUS
Creates radial dimensions for circles and arcs.
Syntax:
Command: dimradius

DIAMETER
Creates diameter dimensions for circles and arcs.
Syntax:
Command: dimdiameter
Select arc or circle:

22
 Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or enter
an option

ANGULAR
Creates an angular dimension (angles).
Syntax:
Command: dimangular
Select arc, circle, line, or <specify vertex>: Select an arc, circle, or line, or
press ENTER to create the angular dimension by specifying three points

Specify dimension arc line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]:

BASELINE
Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the baseline of the previous dimension or
a selected dimension.
Syntax:
Command: dimbaseline

If no dimension was created in the current session, AutoCAD prompts you to select a linear, ordinate,
or angular dimension to use as the base for the baseline dimension.

Select base dimension: Select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension

Otherwise, AutoCAD skips this prompt and uses the dimension object that was last created in the
current session. If the base dimension is linear or angular, the following prompt is displayed

Specify a second extension line origin or [Undo/Select] <Select>: Specify a point, enter
an option, or press ENTER to select a base dimension.

If the base dimension is ordinate, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify feature location or [Undo/Select] <Select>:

To end the command, press ENTER twice, or press ESC. The current dimension style determines the
appearance of the text.

CONTINUE
Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the second extension line of the previous
dimension or a selected dimension.
Syntax:
Command: dimcontinue

If no dimension was created in the current session, AutoCAD prompts you to select a linear, ordinate,
or angular dimension to use as the base for the continued dimension.

Select continued dimension: Select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension

Otherwise, AutoCAD skips this prompt and uses the dimension object that was last created in the
current session. If the base dimension is linear or angular, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify a second extension line origin or [Undo/Select] <Select>: Specify a point, enter
an option, or press ENTER to select a base dimension

If the base dimension is ordinate, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify feature location or [Undo/Select] <Select>:

To end the command, press ENTER twice, or press ESC. The current dimension style determines the
appearance of the text.

LEADER
Customizes the QLEADER command and sets leader and annotation format.
Syntax:
Command: qleader

The Leader Settings dialog box includes the following tabs: Annotation, Leader Line & Arrow,
Attachment

23
TOLERANCE
Creates geometric tolerances.
 Geometric tolerances define the maximum allowable variations of form or profile, orientation, location, and
runout from the exact geometry in a drawing. They specify the required accuracy for proper function and fit
of the objects you draw in AutoCAD.
 AutoCAD adds geometric tolerances to a drawing in feature control frames. These are frames divided into
compartments that contain the geometric characteristic symbols followed by one or more tolerance values.
Where applicable, the tolerance is preceded by the diameter symbol and followed by datums and symbols
for their material conditions.

Syntax:
Command: tolerance

The Geometric Tolerance dialog box is displayed

CENTER MARK
Creates the center mark or the centerlines of circles and arcs.
Syntax:
Command: 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.

OBLIQUE
AutoCAD creates extension lines perpendicular to the dimension line. However, if the extension
lines conflict with other objects in a drawing, you can change their angle after the dimension has
been drawn. New dimensions are not affected when you make an existing dimension oblique.
Syntax:
Command: DIMEDIT

ALIGN TEXT
Moves and rotates dimension text.
Syntax:
Command: dimtedit
Select dimension: Select a dimension object

AutoCAD prompts you for the new location of the dimension text
Specify new location for dimension text or [Left/Right/Center/Home/Angle]: Specify a
point or enter an option

STYLE
Names the new dimension style, sets the style on which to start the new one, and indicates the
dimension types to which you want the new style to apply.
Syntax:
Command: dimstyle

OVERRIDE
Set properties for dimension styles. After you choose Continue in the Create New Dimension
Style dialog box, the New Dimension Style dialog box is displayed. You define the properties for
the new style in this dialog box. The dialog box initially displays the properties of the dimension
style that you selected to start the new style in the Create New Dimension Style dialog box.

Choosing either Modify or Override in the Dimension Style Manager displays the Modify
Dimension Style or the Override Dimension Style dialog box. The content of these dialog boxes
is identical to the New Dimension Style dialog box, although you are modifying or overriding an
existing dimension style rather than creating a new one. The sample image on each tab
displays the effects of each option
Syntax:
Command: dimstyle

REASSOCIATE DIMENSIONS
Associates selected dimensions to geometric objects. With DIMREASSOCIATE, a
nonassociative dimension can be associated to geometric objects, or the existing associations
in an associative dimension can be changed.
Syntax:
Command: dimreassociate

24
 Select dimensions to reassociate: Select dimension objects

Each selected dimension is highlighted in turn, and prompts for association points appropriate for the selected
dimension are displayed. A marker is displayed for each association point prompt. If the definition point of the current
dimension is not associated to a geometric object, the marker appears as an X; but 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. Use UNDO to restore
the previous state of the changed dimensions.

THE MODIFY TOOLBAR

PROPERTIES
Controls properties of existing objects
Syntax:
Command: properties

25
MATCH PROPERTIES
Specifies properties to be copied with MATCHPROP. Select one or more of the these settings.

1. Color
Changes the color of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects except OLE
objects.

2. Layer
Changes the layer of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects except OLE
objects.

3. Linetype
Changes the linetype of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects except
attributes, hatches, multiline text, OLE objects, points, and viewports.

4. Linetype Scale
Changes the linetype scale factor of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects
except attributes, hatches, multiline text, OLE objects, points, and viewports.

5. Lineweight
Changes the lineweight of the destination object to that of the source object. Available for all objects.

6. 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.

7. Plot Style
Changes the plot style of the destination object to that of the source object. If you are working in color-dependent
plot style mode ( PSTYLEPOLICY is set to 1), this option is unavailable. Available for all objects except OLE
objects.

8. Dimension
In addition to basic object properties, changes the dimension style of the destination object to that of the source
object. Available only for dimension, leader, and tolerance objects.

9. Polyline
In addition to basic object properties, changes the width and linetype generation properties of the destination
polyline to those of the source polyline. The fit/smooth property and the elevation of the source polyline are not
transferred to the destination polyline. If the source polyline has variable width, the width property is not
transferred to the destination polyline.

10. 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.

11. Viewport
In addition to basic object properties, changes the following properties of the destination paper space viewport to
match those of the source viewport: on/off, display locking, standard or custom scale, shade plot, snap, grid, and
UCS icon visibility and location. The settings for clipping and for UCS per viewport and the freeze/thaw state of
the layer are not transferred to the destination object.

12. Hatch
In addition to basic object properties, changes the hatch pattern of the destination object to that of the source
object. Available only for hatch objects.

Syntax:
Command: matchprop or painter (or 'matchprop for transparent use)

OBJECT
You can easily modify the size, shape, and location of objects.

 External Reference

o Bind
Binds one or more definitions of named objects in an xref to the current drawing.

26
 An external reference (xref) is a drawing that you attach to or overlay on your current drawing. In
xrefs, dependent definitions are named objects such as blocks, dimension styles, layers, linetypes,
and text styles.
XBIND adds the selected dependent definitions to the current drawing and saves them with the
drawing at the end of the session. You can manipulate them as you would any other named object.
AutoCAD replaces the vertical bar symbol (|) from each dependent definition name with three new
characters: a number (usually 0) between two dollar signs ($).
If you specify a layer whose associated linetype is not CONTINUOUS, AutoCAD also binds the
referenced linetype. If you apply XBIND to a block, all named objects that are referenced by the
objects in the block are also bound. If the block contains a reference to an xref, AutoCAD binds that
xref and all of its dependent definitions.
Note Use the Bind option of XREF binds the xref file. Use XBIND for individual dependent
definitions.
Syntax:
Command: xbind

o Frame
AutoCAD treats an xref as a type of block definition with some important
differences. When you insert a drawing as a block reference, it is stored in the
drawing and is not updated if the original drawing changes. When you attach a
drawing as an xref, you link that referenced drawing to the current drawing; any
changes to the referenced drawing are displayed in the current drawing when it is
opened.
A drawing can be attached as an xref to multiple drawings at the same time.
Conversely, multiple drawings can be attached as external references to a single
drawing.

Xref Clipping Boundaries

Drawings created with AutoCAD Release 14 or later can include xrefs that are
clipped. If you want to see the clipping boundary in AutoCAD, you can turn on the
XCLIPFRAME system variable.

Type: Integer
Saved in: Drawing
Initial value: 0
Controls the visibility of xref clipping boundaries.
0 Clipping boundary is not visible
1 Clipping boundary is visible
Syntax:
Command: xclipframe

 Image

Controls how the image is displayed by adjusting the brightness, contrast and fade
settings of the selected image. Adjusting these values changes the display of the image
but does not change the image file itself.
Syntax:
Command: imageadjust

 Hatch
Modifies the characteristics of an existing hatch or gradient fill. The Hatch Edit dialog
box displays the current properties of the selected hatch or fill object. You can modify
only the available properties.
Syntax:
Command: hatchedit

 Polyline

27
 Edits polylines and three-dimensional polygon meshes.
Syntax:
Command: pedit
Select polyline or [Multiple]: Use an object selection method or enter m
The remaining prompts depend on whether you have selected a 2D polyline or, 3D
polyline, or 3D polygon mesh.
If the selected object is a line or an arc, AutoCAD prompts:
Object selected is not a polyline.
Do you want it to turn into one? <Y>: Enter y or n, or press ENTER

 Spline
Edits a spline or spline-fit polyline.
Syntax:
Command: splinedit
Select spline:
Enter an option [Fit data/Close/Move vertex/Refine/rEverse/Undo]:

 Multiline
Edits multiple parallel lines.
Multiple parallel lines are called multilines. MLEDIT controls intersections between
multilines.
Syntax:
Command: mledit

 Attribute
o Single
Edits attributes in a block reference.
Syntax:
Command: eattedit

o Global
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

o Block Attribute Manager

Edits attribute properties of a block definition.
Syntax:
Command: battman

o Block Description
You can redefine block definitions in your current drawing. Redefining a block
definition affects both previous and future insertions of the block in the current
drawing and any associated attributes.
There are two methods for redefining a block definition:
 Modify the block definition in the current drawing.
 Modify the block definition in the source drawing and reinsert it into the
current drawing.
Syntax:
Command: BLOCK

o Text
 Edit
Edits text, dimension text, attribute definitions, and feature control frames.
An attribute is informational text associated with a block. An attribute
definition is a template for creating an attribute. A feature control
frame is a container for the tolerance information for a single
dimension.
Syntax:

28
 Command: ddedit

 Scale
Enlarges or reduces selected text objects without changing their
locations.
Syntax:
Command: scaletext
Select objects: Use an object selection method, and press ENTER when
you finish
Enter a base point option for scaling
[Existing/Align/Fit/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC/M
R/BL/BC/BR]<Existing>: Specify a location to serve as a base
point for scaling
 Justify
Changes the justification point of selected text objects without changing
their locations.
Syntax:
Command: justifytext
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when
you finish

You can choose single line text objects, multiline text objects, leader text
objects, and attribute objects.

Enter a justification option

[Existing/Align/Fit/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC
/MR/BL/BC/BR]<Existing>: Specify a location to serve as the
new justification point

CLIP
Controls properties of existing clip objects.

 Image
Creates new clipping boundaries for an image object
With IMAGECLIP, you can define a subregion of an image for display and plotting.
Syntax:
Command: 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.

 XRef
Defines an xref or block clipping boundary and sets the front or back clipping planes.
XCLIP is used on external references and blocks to set both a clipping boundary and a front or back clipping
plane. A clipping boundary consists of planar straight line segments. Clipping boundaries can also be
generated from polylines. If the polyline has arcs, the clipping boundary is created as if it had been decurved
before it was used as a clipping boundary. If the polyline is a curve-fit polyline, the clipping boundary is
created as a straight-edged representation of the curve-fit polyline. When a clipping boundary is defined by a
splined polyline, the spline is recognized, and it is not converted back to a straight-edged representation.
XCLIP can be applied to single or multiple external references or blocks, and it can generate or delete a
clipping boundary, generate a polyline from the clipping boundary, or suppress the appearance of the clip on
an external reference. When XCLIP is turned off for an xref or a block, the clipping boundary is ignored and
the entire xref or block is displayed.
Syntax:
Command: xclip
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
selecting objects.
Enter clipping option [ON/OFF/Clipdepth/Delete/generate
Polyline/New boundary] <New>: Select an option or press ENTER

 Viewport
Clips viewport objects
Clips the specified viewport objects. Reshapes the viewport border to conform to a user-
drawn boundary
Syntax:
Command: vpclip

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XREF AND BLOCK EDITING
Modifies external references to drawing files. An external reference (xref) is a drawing that you
attach to or overlay on your current drawing. When you open or plot a drawing containing xrefs,
AutoCAD automatically reloads the latest version of each xref. Attaching or overlaying an xref is
similar to inserting an entire drawing as a block. The contents of the specified drawing, and any
attached xrefs within it, are copied into a new block definition. Instances of the xref in the
drawing are block references. If the xref has overlaid, not attached, xrefs within it, they are not
displayed when the xref is attached to or overlaid on another drawing. Because the xref is linked
to but not inserted in the drawing, attaching an xref does not significantly increase the drawing
file size.

 Open Reference
Creates an infinite line.
XLINE creates infinite lines, which are commonly used as construction lines.
Syntax:
Command: xline
Specify a point or [Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Offset]: Specify a point or enter an option

 Edit Refernce In-Place

Selects a reference for editing.
REFEDIT prompts you to select an external reference or block reference to edit from
within the current drawing. You can make minor changes to xrefs and blocks without
having to open the reference drawing or explode and redefine the block.
Syntax:
Command: refedit
Select reference: Select an xref or a block in the current drawing

ERASE
Removes objects from a drawing.
Syntax:
Command: erase
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish selecting
objects.

COPY
Duplicates objects.
Syntax:
Command: copy
Select objects: Select objects and press ENTER
Specify base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: Specify a point for a single copy or
enter m for multiple copies

MIRROR
Creates a mirror image copy of objects.
Syntax:
Command: mirror
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER to finish
Specify first point of mirror line: Specify a point (1)
Specify second point of mirror line: Specify a point (2)
Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter y or n, or press ENTER

OFFSET
OFFSET creates a new object at a specified distance from an existing object or through a
specified point.
Syntax:
Command: offset

ARRAY
Creates multiple copies of objects in a pattern. Each object in an array can be manipulated
independently. If you select multiple objects from which to construct the array, AutoCAD counts
the objects as one item to be copied and arrayed.
Syntax:
Command: array

MOVE
Displaces objects a specified distance in a specified direction.

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Syntax:
Command: move
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
Specify base point or displacement: Specify a base point (1)
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: Specify a
point (2) or press ENTER

ROTATE
Moves objects about a base point.
Syntax:
Command: rotate
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=current ANGBASE=current
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
Specify base point: Specify a point (1)
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: Specify an angle, specify a point, or enter r

SCALE
Enlarges or reduces selected objects proportionally in the X, Y, and Z directions.
Syntax:
Command: scale
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
Specify base point: Specify a point (1)
The base point you specify identifies the point that remains in the same location as the selected objects change size
(and thus move away from the stationary base point). Drag the cursor to make the image larger or smaller.

STRETCH
Moves or stretches objects.
Syntax:
Command: stretch
Select objects to stretch by crossing-window or crossing-polygon...
Select objects: Use the cpolygon or crossing object selection method (1 and 2) and press ENTER
when you finish

AutoCAD stretches arcs, elliptical arcs, lines, polyline segments, 2D solids, rays, traces, and splines that cross the
selection window. STRETCH moves the endpoints that lie inside the window, leaving those outside the window
unchanged. STRETCH also moves vertices of traces and 2D solids that lie inside the window and leaves those
outside unchanged. Polylines are handled segment by segment, as if they were primitive lines or arcs. STRETCH
does not modify 3D solids, polyline width, tangent, or curve-fitting information.

AutoCAD moves any objects entirely within the window or polygon, as if you were using MOVE.

Specify base point or displacement: Specify a point (3) or press ENTER

Specify second point of displacement: Specify a point (4) or press ENTER

If you enter a second point, the objects are stretched the vector distance from the base point to the second point. If
you press ENTER at the Second Point of Displacement prompt, STRETCH treats the first point as the X,Y
displacement value.

LENGTHEN
Changes the length of objects and the included angle of arcs. LENGTHEN does not affect
closed objects. The extrusion direction of the selected object need not be parallel to the Z axis
of the current user coordinate system (UCS).
Syntax:
Command: lengthen

TRIM
Trims objects at a cutting edge defined by other objects
Syntax:
Command: trim
Current settings: Projection = current Edge = current
Select cutting edges..
Select objects: Select one or more objects and press ENTER, or press ENTER to select all
objects (implied selection)
Select object to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]: Select an object to trim, press SHIFT and
select an object to extend, or enter an option.

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EXTEND
Extends an object to meet another object.
Syntax:
Command: extend
Select boundary edges.
Select one or more objects and press ENTER or press ENTER to select all
objects (implied selection)
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]: Select an
object to extend, or hold down SHIFT and select an object to trim, or enter an option

BREAK
Breaks the selected object between two points.
Syntax:
Command: break
Select object: Use an object selection method, or specify the first break point (1) on an object
Specify second break point or [First point]: Specify the second break point (2) or enter f

CHAMFER
Bevels the edges of objects. If both objects you want to chamfer are on the same layer,
AutoCAD creates the chamfer on that layer. Otherwise, AutoCAD creates the chamfer line on
the current layer. This is also true for color, linetype, and lineweight.
Syntax:
Command: chamfer
TRIM mode) Current chamfer Dist1 = current, Dist2 = current
Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method/mUltiple]:

FILLET
Rounds and fillets the edges of objects. FILLET rounds the edges of two arcs, circles, elliptical
arcs, lines, polylines, rays, splines, or xlines with an arc of a specified radius. FILLET also
rounds the edges of 3D solids.
Syntax:
Command: fillet
Current settings: Mode = current, Radius = current
Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim/mUltiple]: Use an object selection method or
enter an option.

3D OPERATION
 3d Array
Creates a three-dimensional array.
Syntax:
Command: 3darray
Select objects: Use an object selection method
The entire selection set is treated as a single element in the array.
Enter type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>: Enter an option or press ENTER

 Mirror 3D
Creates a mirror image of objects about a plane.
Syntax:
Command: mirror3d
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER to finish
Specify first point of mirror plane (3 points) or
[Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: Enter
an option, specify a point, or press ENTER

 Rotate 3D
Moves objects about a three-dimensional axis.
Syntax:
Command: rotate3d
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
Specify first point on axis or define axis by
[Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: Specify a point,
enter an option, or press ENTER

 Align

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 Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D. Use ALIGN to move, rotate, or scale
objects into alignment with other objects. Add source points to the objects you want to
align, and add destination points to the objects to which you want the source objects to
align. You can add up to three pairs of source and destination points to align an object.

Syntax:
Command: align
Select objects: Select the objects you want to align and press ENTER
Specify either one, two, or three pairs of points to align the selected objects.

SOLIDS EDITING
 Union
Combines selected regions or solids by addition. A composite region is the result of
combining the total area of two or more existing regions. A composite solid is the result
of combining the total volume of two or more existing solids. You can join regions or
solids that do not share a common area or volume.

Syntax:
Command: union
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
selecting objects

 Subtract
Combines selected regions or solids by subtraction.
Syntax:
Command: subtract
Select solids and regions to subtract from...
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish
Select solids and regions to subtract...
Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish

AutoCAD subtracts objects in the second selection set from objects in the first selection set. A single new
solid or region is created.
You can only subtract regions from other regions that are on the same plane. However, you can perform
simultaneous SUBTRACT actions by selecting sets of regions on different planes. AutoCAD then produces
separate subtracted regions on each plane. AutoCAD rejects regions for which there are no other selected
coplanar regions.

 Intersect
Creates composite solids or regions from the intersection of two or more solids or
regions and removes the areas outside of the intersection.
Syntax:
Command: intersect
Select objects: Use an object selection method

You can select only regions and solids for use with INTERSECT.
INTERSECT calculates the overlapping area of two or more existing regions and the common volume of two
or more existing solids.
The selection set can contain regions and solids that lie in any number of arbitrary planes. AutoCAD divides
the selection set into subsets and tests for intersections within each subset. The first subset contains all the
solids in the selection set. The second subset contains the first selected region and all subsequent coplanar
regions. The third subset contains the next region that is not coplanar with the first region and all subsequent
coplanar regions, and so on until all regions belong to a subset.

 Extrude Faces, Move Faces, Offset Faces, Delete Faces, Rotate Faces, Taper Faces,
Color Faces, Copy Faces, Color Edges, Copy Edges, Imprint, Clean, Separate,
Shell, Check

Edits faces and edges of 3D solid objects.

With SOLIDEDIT, you can edit solid objects by extruding, moving, rotating, offsetting, tapering, copying,
coloring, separating, shelling, cleaning, checking, or deleting faces and edges.
You select solid objects by using one of the following selection methods: boundary sets (selecting an
internal point on a face of a solid selects the face), crossing polygons, crossing windows, fences, and
individual selection of faces or edges.
Syntax:
Command: solidedit
Solids editing automatic checking: SOLIDCHECK=current

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 Enter a solids editing option [Face/Edge/Body/Undo/eXit] <eXit>: Enter an option or
press ENTER

Enter a face editing option

[Extrude/Move/Rotate/Offset/Tapeer/Delete/Copy/coLor/Undo/eXit] <eXit>:

Enter an edge editing option

[Copy/coLo/Undo/eXit] <eXit>:

Enter a body editing option

[Imprint/separate solids/Shell/Offset/cLean/Check/Undo/eXit] <eXit>:

EXPLODE
Breaks a compound object into its component objects. A compound object comprises more than
one AutoCAD object. For example, a block is a compound object.
Syntax:
Command: explode

Select objects: Use an object selection method and press ENTER when you finish

The color, linetype, and lineweight of any exploded object might change. Other results differ
depending on the type of compound object you're exploding. See the following list of objects that
can be exploded and the results for each.

THE WINDOW TOOLBAR

CLOSE
Closes the current drawing.
Syntax:
Command: close

CLOSE ALL
Closes all currently open drawings.
Syntax:
Command: closeall

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 Closes all open drawings. A message box is displayed for each unsaved drawing, in which you can save any
changes to the drawing before closing it.

CASCADE, TILE HORIZONTALLY, TILE VERTICALLY, ARRANGE ICONS

Arranges windows and icons.
SYSWINDOWS is equivalent to the standard Window menu options in Windows applications. It is intended for use
with external applications that share the AutoCAD window.

Syntax:
Command: syswindows
Enter an option [Cascade/tile Horizontal/tile Vertical/Arrange icons]: Enter an option

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