Autocad Tips

Problems Joining Lines and Polylines?

2012-07-10T08:54:00.002-07:00

Have you ever encountered lines and polylines you couldn't join? You've been wondering why the heck aren't these lines joining when they are visibly connected. If you haven't got a clue, check out the properties of these lines or polylines using the Properties Dialog Box. Left click on one line first and once selected, type PROP then hit the Enter key. The Properties Dialog Box will appear and this box gives you all the information of the selected line. For this topic, we are primarily concerned about the Z values (start Z and end Z) of the line or the Elevation value if it's a polyline. If any of these items are not equal to 0 then there's you're problem. These need to be 0 to be able to join the other lines or polylines. It's easy. Change those to 0 by clicking on the number beside Elevation and/or all the Z values. Now go back and try to join them. Voila! Now the z values or elevations are not necessarily always 0. There are some instances where they are below or above 0. Just make sure that when joining lines, arcs or polylines, they have to be at the same levels. Enjoy!

Sheet Set Manager

2012-07-09T23:25:00.002-07:00

Have you ever used Autocad's Sheet Set Manager? If you haven't, try it. You might like it. For those who have, aren't you glad you did? Does it make life easier in managing your documents? I'm sure it does and surely you can't work without it. Read on some of my older posts in Augi.com. Below are the links. Enjoy! Don't forget to add comments.

1. Sheet Set Manager Part 1
2. Sheet Set Manager Part 2
3. Sheet Set Manager Part 3

Creating Outlines with Ease

2012-07-05T12:56:00.002-07:00

Creating outlines in Autocad is very tedious if done manually meaning tracing over to create a perimeter polyline. Here's a way to create one instantly using BPOLY.

1. Below is a sample isometric drawing. To create an outline traditionally you would trace over a polyline. Instead, we will use BPOLY to create the outline.

2. But before we execute the BPOLY command, create a rectangle around the drawing (see image below). It can also be a polyline of any shape as long as it's a closed polyline enclosing the drawing.

3. Now at the command prompt, type BPOLY and press Enter. The Boundary Creation Dialog Box will appear. Click on the Icon beside Pick Points. It'll prompt you to pick a point where you want to create the polyline. Click anywhere between the rectangle and the drawing then press Enter.

4. On the command line it should say Boundary created 1 polyline. The outline is now created as seen on the image below.

5. You can now delete the rectangle and have the drawing with the new outline created.

Lock and Unlock All Layers

2012-07-03T17:35:00.003-07:00

Lock and Unlock All Layers

Here's a few simple keyboard strokes to accomplish this task.
1. On the command prompt, type -LA and press the Enter key.
2. It'll prompt you to enter an option, type LO and press the Enter key.
3. It'll ask for names of layers to lock, type * and press the Enter key. * selects all the layers.
4. It'll prompt again for another option, just press the Enter key again to finish.

That's it. Isn't that easy and fast?
To Unlock All Layers, just do the same steps and replace -LO with -UN.

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This is all to assist the AEC industry and make use of Autocad wholesome and meaningful.

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