CAD Management - Shortcuts and Solutions (Hot Tip Harry AutoCAD Tutorial) Page 1 of 3

Shortcuts and Solutions (Hot Tip Harry AutoCAD Tutorial)

Harry's top tip helps you manage xref block layers.

May 1, 2008
By: Bill Kramer

Harry peered into the window with a smile on his face. As

he slipped in the envelope with this month's top tips, he GET THE CODE
said, "I've got some great shortcuts and a few solutions Download code for this and all articles.
for those pesky xrefs." And with that, he was gone - off Look for MAY08.EXE or MAY08.ZIP in
searching for more tips to make AutoCAD work better. Get the Code. Downloads are free and
Let's take a look at this month's eclectic collection. are provided "as is" without warranty or
support.
Tip 2285: Automatic XLines Tips are tested using AutoCAD 2008, unless
Automatic XLines by Jon Jonas simplifies the creation of otherwise noted. By submitting code to
Cadalyst, you grant Cadalyst the right to print
a horizontal or vertical construction line (xline) at selected and distribute your code in print, digitally and
points. Load the LISP code and type XHH at the by other means. Cadalyst and individual
Command prompt to create a horizontal construction line authors retain all rights to the code, and it is
at a selected point. You can use XVV in the same way to not to be used for commercial purposes.
create a vertical construction line. This nifty little tip Important note: Be sure your submission
makes horizontal and vertical construction lines a breeze. contains all elements required for it to run
Nice job, Jon! independently in AutoCAD. Tips that are
missing functions or other necessary elements
will not be considered.
Tip 2286: Reset Path for Xref Blocks
Reset Path for Xref Blocks comes to us from frequent Join the Hot Tip Harry Hot Code Contest
Calling all tip writers! The Hot Tip Harry Hot
contributor Leonid Nemirovsky. This routine solves a Code Contest is under way for 2008.
relatively common problem for those who use externally
referenced blocks - path changes. When you encounter a Share your hot tips and tricks and you could
win an official Cadalyst t-shirt, $100 monthly
problem with lost xref blocks, copy all the external files cash prize, and a chance to win a trip to
into one folder that is part of the AutoCAD search path. Autodesk University 2008 in Las Vegas!
Then load the LISP code and type XrefRel at the
E-mail those tips and tricks to
Command prompt. The rest is automatic, as the routine [email protected].
ripples down the blocks table and looks for externally
referenced blocks. When found, it rebinds them to the For More AutoCAD Tips More Often: Check
out Cadalyst's free Tips & Tools Weekly e-
drawing using the new folder location. It's a very useful newsletter. View the archives and subscribe
routine when accepting drawings from outside sources. today!
Harry's Code Class Free E-Newsletter:
Tip 2287: Convert Text to Standard Notes Learn from the master himself. "Hot Tip Harry"
Ravi Prakash sent in the Convert Text to Standard Notes author Bill Kramer offers monthly lessons in
utility, which includes LISP code for a series of simple customization programming for AutoCAD.
functions that change existing text objects into standard View the archives and subscribe today!
drawing notes. Some simple fabrication notes are
provided as examples in the code, and they can be
adjusted to your own needs (see the SetQ assignments at the beginning of the code). The basic
operation is to load the code and then type N1 (or N2, N3, . . . ) for the various notes. (Six are
supplied in the tip.) When the command functions run, they ask you to select an existing text object
in the drawing. The text data is then updated from the standard note text for the given N function and
variable assignment. This tip is simple yet useful. Thanks for sharing, Ravi!

Tip 2288: DIMLFAC Quick Setting

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DIMLFAC Quick Setting, submitted by Matt Sibum, is a very fast way to set the DIMLFAC system
variable (linear dimension scale factor) when using nonassociative dimensions in a viewport. After
loading the LISP code, type DF at the Command line. The macro prompts you to select a viewport,
from which it grabs the height of the viewport in both paper space and model space units. The model
space height is divided by the paper space height to produce a new scale factor for linear
dimensioning in the viewport. This quick utility can be a significant time saver when dimensioning
detail views.

Tip 2289: Layer Creator

Layer Creator from Timothy Spangler is a comprehensive application for managing a variable layer
standards set. This utility lets you select from a library of predefined layer tables (maintained as
ASCII text files) to quickly set up the layers, linetypes, and similar relationships in a drawing.
Included is a TXT file that describes how to set up or edit any of the layer files. To use this utility,
place the files in a path searched by AutoCAD and load the LISP code. Type LC at the AutoCAD
Command prompt to launch the dialog box and select the layer setup you need. Nice programming!

Tip 2290: Tangent Arc Generators

Submitted by Rogelio Bravo, Tangent Arc Generators is a small set of utilities for generating arcs
tangent to other objects. The tip includes four LISP files and one DCL file. Copy these files into a
folder searched by AutoCAD and then load the ARCTOD.LSP file. Type Arctod at the AutoCAD
Command line to activate the dialog box, where you can select from the arc generator options.
Bravo, Bravo!

Tip 2291: Xref Block Layer Cleanup

This month's top tip, Xref Block Layer Cleanup from Michael Kolomiyets, is a reactor-
based solution for handling layers from xref blocks. This routine runs behind the
scenes after it is loaded through the use of reactors. The goal is to add the letters
"xref-" plus the block name to the start of all layers created through the inclusion of an
externally referenced block. When the xref block is removed from the drawing, all the
layers containing the letters "xref-" plus the block name at the beginning are removed
from the drawing. This very elegant solution helps keep your layers straight and demonstrates the
raw power of reactors in Visual LISP. Great job, Michael. This utility is a great example of reactor-
based programming that is useful too!

Got some code you want to share? Harry is always looking for new AutoCAD tricks and tips to
share. The global programmer community depends on your support. Until next month, keep on
programmin'.

Join the Hot Tip Harry Challenge

Harry needs your tips! Do you have an original routine written in VBA, Visual LISP, or even
ObjectARX for AutoCAD customization? Send it in, with all the source code, to [email protected].
Your tip may be needed by others now, so don't delay!

Subscribe to Harry's Code Class

Cadalyst's Hot Tip Harry helps programmers and programmer wannabes learn the ins and outs of
AutoCAD customization in his monthly e-newsletter, Harry's Code Class. Subscribe to Harry's Code
Class today and start building your programming expertise.

Hot Tip Harry Discussion Forums

Harry is standing by online to aid AutoCAD users and programmers. Cadalyst's Hot Tip Harry --
Help! Discussion Forum offers assistance with AutoCAD programming and customization problems.
Hot Tip Harry -- Requests Discussion Forum can help you locate a specific LISP or VBA routine for
AutoCAD. Participation in Cadalyst Discussion Forums requires registration, but it's free.

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AutoCAD Users: Check out Cadalyst Tips & Tricks Tuesdays

All it takes is a minute or two, and you could be off to more productive use of AutoCAD. Cadalyst
announces Tips & Tricks Tuesdays with worldwide AutoCAD Technical Evangelist Lynn Allen. Each
Tuesday, Lynn and Cadalyst bring a new, super-quick tip to the Cadalyst Video Gallery. Subscribe
to Tips & Tricks Tuesdays and receive an e-mail notification every time a new tip goes live in the
Cadalyst Video Gallery.

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