Heidi Hewett's Blog

Good Question: Selection Preview

Today’s good question comes from Ellie. She asked how to disable the selection preview effects. When selection preview is enabled objects are automatically highlighted (thickened and/or dashed) as you pass the cursor over them. This functionality can be helpful in many cases. But sometimes it can get overwhelming… especially in drawings that contain a lot of hatching, text, tables, xrefs, or groups. When you pass the cursor over a hatch, for example, you can get a flickering effect as the cursor moves across the many lines and spaces.

Fortunately, AutoCAD provides you with a significant amount of control over the selection preview behavior. In the Options dialog box, choose the Selection tab. You can enable selection preview when a command is active and/or when no command is active. Or you can disable it completely by turning off both options. When using selection preview, you can further control its behavior by accessing the Visual Effects Settings. In the Visual Effects Settings dialog box you can specify how the highlighted objects should appear, thickened and/or dashed lines, and you can access the Advanced Options to control the behavior for specific object types. If you like the concept of selection preview but are bothered by the flicker effect, try excluding all of these object types.

Thanks to Ellie for the good question!

Good Question: Drawing Path in Title Bar

Today’s good question comes from Wayne. He asked how to display the entire path and file name of the current drawing in the AutoCAD title bar.

The drawing file name is, by default, displayed in the title bar of the AutoCAD application window.

If the drawing window is not maximized, the drawing file names are also displayed in the title bars of the drawing windows.

You can change the display to include the full path of the drawing file using the Options dialog box.
1) Right-click in the drawing area and select Options.
2) Select the Open and Save tab.
3) Enable the option to Display Full Path in Title.

The full path is displayed with the drawing file name whether in the AutoCAD application window or the drawing window.

It’s a quick fix but that little option can be tough to spot in the busy Options dialog box! Thanks to Wayne for the good question!

Good Question: AutoCAD 2008 SDI mode

Today’s good question comes from James. He asked why multiple sessions of AutoCAD 2008 are launched when opening drawings from Explorer. You would expect this behavior if the SDI variable is set to 1 (Single Document Interface) but when it’s set to 0 (as it is by default) you expect multiple drawings to open in a single session of AutoCAD. This was a problem with AutoCAD 2008 but it was fixed in the AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1. You can download the service pack from the Autodesk Website.

Thanks to James for his good question! By the way, this problem does not exist in AutoCAD 2009.

Good Question: Block Attribute Position

Today’s good question comes from Henk. He asked what would prevent him from being able to view and select attribute grips within a block insertion.

In AutoCAD 2006, as part of the dynamic block functionality, the new Lock Position property was added to block attributes. It’s enabled by default because if you define a dynamic block and want the attribute's position to be included in an action's selection set, it must be locked. An additional benefit of locking the position, especially with dynamic blocks, is that the attribute grips are not displayed when the block insertion is selected. This helps simplify the appearance of selected blocks making it easier to see the dynamic block grips without being overwhelmed by attribute grips.

The Lock Position property is turned on by default in the Attribute Definition dialog box. If you turn it off, you’ll be able to see and move block attributes within the block insertions. Note in AutoCAD 2006 and 2007, the Lock Position option is in the lower left corner of the dialog box.

If you’ve already defined an attribute definition with Lock Position enabled, you can change it using the Properties window. To update blocks that have already been inserted in the drawing, you’ll need to use ATTSYNC.

Thanks to Henk for the good question!

Good Question: Action Macros and VBA

Today’s good questions come from Paul. He is interested in combining the power of VBA with the ease of Action Macros in AutoCAD 2009.

Q: Do you know of any way to convert an Action Macro into VBA format?
A: No. The ACTM is a binary/undocumented format.

Q: Alternatively, is there a line I could insert in my VBA project to call the ACTION?
A: Each Action Recorder Macro is a standalone AutoCAD command. So you can pass the name of the macro to the "SendCommand" automation API in your VBA routine to call it.

Thanks to Paul for the good questions and to Ravi (and the AutoCAD development team) for the answers!

Good Question: Scale List Cleanup Utility

We’ve received many inquiries regarding a problem that was introduced in AutoCAD 2008, which causes excess scales in the drawing scale list. The problem was fixed in the AutoCAD 2008 service pack, but it did not fix drawings that were previously affected. Fortunately, the AutoCAD development team has released a utility to help you clean up the affected drawings.

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Description of Problem
When a file contains excess scales, performance may be negatively affected. Eventually, the file may become unusable. To use the file, some scales must be removed. This utility repairs affected files by removing excess scales.

NOTE: Nested external references (xrefs) may produce excess scales. To correct this problem, install AutoCAD 2008 Service Pack 1 or corresponding service packs for AutoCAD-based products. The Scale List Cleanup Utility repairs files affected before the necessary service pack was installed.

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Affected Products
AutoCAD® 2008-based products, including DWG TrueView™ 2008
AutoCAD 2009-based products, including DWG TrueView 2009

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Installation Instructions
To install the Scale List Cleanup Utility
You must have administrative privileges on your Microsoft® Windows® operating system to complete installation.

1. Based on your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit), download the appropriate self-extracting executable file.

2. Select a folder.

3. Extract files to the selected folder.

4. Navigate to the folder and copy CleanupScales.exe, CleanupScalesRes.dll, and CleanupScales.html to the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.

NOTE: To run this utility you must launch CleanupScales.exe from the installation directory of your AutoCAD-based product.

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Repair Affected Files
To repair affected files

1. Close all affected files. Open affected files will not be repaired.

2. Launch the Scale List Cleanup Utility from the installation folder of your AutoCAD-based product.

3. Under Files to Clean, select affected files.

4. If desired, select Maintain Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects.

   NOTE: This option allows you to maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects when they are viewed in AutoCAD 2007 or earlier releases and corresponds to the SAVEFIDELITY system variable. Annotative objects may have multiple scale representations. When you select this option, annotative objects are decomposed and scale representations are saved (in an anonymous block) to separate layers, which are named based on their original layer and appended with a number.

5. Under New Scale List, in the drop-down list, select a scale list template.

   NOTE: Each scale list template contains a different scale list. When you run this utility, unused scales are deleted from files and the scale list from the selected template is applied.

6. If desired, change the scale list threshold.

   NOTE: The scale list threshold determines the minimum number of scales a file must contain in order to be repaired. The default scale list threshold is 50. Files that contain fewer scales than the scale list threshold will not be repaired. To change the scale list threshold, on the New scale list panel, enter a number in the Scale List Threshold field.

7. Click OK. Repaired files are saved in the same format last saved in.

Good Question… and Answer: Prompting to save new drawings.

After posting my response to the Good Question: Automatically Disabling Layer Evaluation, I received an email from R.K. McSwain…with a good question and answer! He mentioned that, after implementing acaddoc.lsp functionality, users sometimes ask him why AutoCAD prompts them to save their new drawing even if they haven’t made any changes.

The answer to that good question, as R.K. pointed out, is that AutoCAD has made changes, automatically. When you use acaddoc.lsp (as described in my previous post) the code in that file automatically runs when you open (or create) a drawing. It may not be obvious to you, but if you immediately try to close a new drawing without saving it, AutoCAD will prompt you to save changes.

Thanks to R.K. McSwain for anticipating the questions and providing the answer!

Good Question: Automatically Disabling Layer Notification

Today’s good question comes from Alex. He was happy to learn about the ability to disable Layer Evaluation. However, even after implementing the procedure I described in my previous post, Alex was still receiving the Unreconciled New Layers notification.

Oops… my bad. When I was testing the procedure for my Layer Evaluation post, I was using drawings that had no existing unreconciled layers. So, turning off layer evaluation was enough. However, as Alex discovered, if you open a drawing with existing unreconciled layers, the layer notification still displays. To disable layer notification, you’ll need to add the following line of code to the acaddoc.lsp file:

(setvar "LAYERNOTIFY" 0)

For more information about acaddoc.lsp and layer evaluation, view my previous post.

Even after you open a drawing with this code in the acaddoc.lsp file, the layer notification bubble may still appear. However, after you save and reopen the drawing, it should be gone... for good... Or, at least until you reenable LAYEREVAL and LAYERNOTIFY.

Good Question: Automatically Disabling Layer Evaluation

Today’s good question comes from Tony. He asked if there is a way to automatically disable the layer reconciliation functionality.

The layer reconciliation functionality, introduced in AutoCAD 2008, can be extremely helpful in “reminding” users to conform to layer standards. However, if you work in a single-user environment and don’t share drawings with consultants or others that require consistent layer standards, layer evaluation may cause unnecessary work. You can disable layer evaluation by setting the LAYEREVAL variable to 0. However, since this variable is stored in the drawing, you have to disable it for each drawing.

Fortunately, you can automate this process by adding a simple line of code to the acaddoc.lsp file, which automatically runs each time a drawing is loaded. The acaddoc.lsp file is not included in a default install of AutoCAD so I’ll step you through the process of creating it. If you’re already using an acaddoc.lsp file, you can simply add the new code.

Since the LAYEREVAL variable must be set per drawing, you’ll need to add the appropriate LiSP code to acaddoc.lsp file.

Using a text editor, create the acaddoc.lsp file.

1. Launch a text editor and enter the following code:
   (setvar "LAYEREVAL" 0)
2. Choose Save As.
3. Specify a folder location to store the acaddoc.lsp file. A typical location would be under Documents and Settings for the local user but it can be in any location that makes sense.
4. Specify plain text (TXT) as the file type.
5. Enter acaddoc.lsp for the file name and choose Save.

In AutoCAD, ensure the location where you stored the acaddoc.lsp file is in the AutoCAD Support Path.

1. Right-click in the AutoCAD window and choose Options.
2. Select the Files tab.
3. Expand the Support File Search Path. Be default, AutoCAD lists several locations for the search path including the support folder under the local user. If you create the acaddoc.lsp file in a location that is already in the search path, you don’t need to change anything in the Options dialog box. If you store the acaddoc.lsp file in any location that is not currently on the search path, such as C:/My Custom AutoCAD Files, you must add that location to the list of search paths.
4. Select Support File Search Path and choose Add.
5. Choose Browse and navigate to the folder containing your acaddoc.lsp file.
6. Choose OK to close the dialog boxes.

Now when you open a drawing in AutoCAD, the acaddoc.lsp file automatically loads, setting the LAYEREVAL variable to 0. You can add similar LiSP code to the acaddoc.lsp file to set other variables.

Good Question: Zoom transitions

Today’s good question comes from Don. He asked how to change the zoom behavior in AutoCAD so that it immediately displays the new zoom area instead of “flying” into it.

The “flying” zoom was added to AutoCAD in AutoCAD 2006. It helps you visually maintain your orientation within a drawing as you zoom. However, it can sometimes slow you down because it takes time as it transitions from the original view to the new view. You can control the behavior of these flying zooms, officially called View Transitions, using the VTOPTIONS command, which displays the View Transitions dialog box. Specify the transition speed and performance or disable view transitions completely.

Thanks to Don for the good question!

Good question: Object visibility when dragging

Today’s good question comes from Todd. He asked how to control the visibility of objects as they are dragged during a Move- or Copy-type of operation.

By default AutoCAD displays geometry as you drag. However, you can change this behavior using the DRAGMODE command.  It has three modes:

OFF (0) - Ignores all drag requests including those within menu items.
ON (1) - Allows dragging but you must enter the word drag within the operation if you want to see the geometry drag.
AUTO (2) - Enables automatic dragging for any operation that supports it. This is the default mode.

Thanks to Todd for the good question and to Lynn Allen for refreshing my memory regarding the answer!

Good Question: Single vs. Multiple Layouts

Today’s good question comes from Francois. He asked about the benefits of using a single layout versus multiple layouts in a drawing file.

The ability to include multiple sheet layouts in a single drawing file was first introduced in AutoCAD 2000. At the time, multiple layouts were considered the best way to organize your drawings because you could create more sheet layouts with fewer DWG files. However, it didn’t take long for people to realize that including multiple layouts in a DWG file meant that only one person at a time could edit those sheets.

During the past few years, users in many industries have returned to a standard of one layout per DWG. Many users in the civil industry, however, still prefer to use multiple layouts because they often design large site plans and using multiple layouts enables them to easily spread the design across multiple sheets. For example, a large utility plan might require four different sheets to be plotted at a legible scale.

The key to using multiple layouts is to attach design geometry as external references. For example, if you are working on a floor plan or manufactured part, don’t draw all the geometry in model space and then create multiple layouts within the same drawing because only one person can work on that drawing at a time. If you create the geometry in model space, using separate drawings as appropriate (ie. floor plan, electrical plan, hvac plan), you can attach those files to a new “sheet” drawing as xrefs. One person can work on the layout file, including multiple layouts in a single drawing, while other people edit the design files (floor plan, electrical plan, hvac plan, etc).

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to using single versus multiple layouts per drawing. If the layouts take advantage of xref files either method can work just fine. If the layouts themselves (paper space) include a lot of information such as general notes, tables, etc. it might make more sense to use a single layout per DWG to ensure easier editing for multiple users.

Good Question: Camera icons

Today's good question comes from Ketan. He asked how he can hide the camera icons that are automatically displayed when he creates cameras/views in AutoCAD 2007 (and 2008).

When you create named views using the CAMERA or VIEW commands in AutoCAD 2007 and 2008, AutoCAD automatically places a camera icon to represent the viewpoint location of each named view. If you have a lot of named views, your drawing can seem cluttered with camera icons.

You can toggle off the camera icons using the CAMERADISPLAY system variable. It is also accessible from a button on the Navigation panel of the Dashboard.

 

Good Question: Multiline Attributes

Today’s good question comes from Tim. He asked what happens when you take a multiline attribute from AutoCAD 2008 and open it in AutoCAD 2007.

When you create a multiline attribute in AutoCAD 2008 and then open the drawing in an earlier release of AutoCAD, AutoCAD automatically converts the multiline attribute to traditional attributes based on the wrapping of the mtext object. For example, if the multiline attribute in AutoCAD 2008 includes 3 lines of text, it will be displayed as three individual attributes when opened in an earlier release; automatically maintaining the visual fidelity.

The following images show how the attribute editor looks in AutoCAD 2008 versus AutoCAD 2007. Notice that AutoCAD 2007 automatically increments the attribute names.

Good Question: Dynamic block tool tips

Today’s good question comes from Doug. He asked if it is possible to display the parameter values as you drag the cursor between predefined sizes (tick marks) on a dynamic block.

What a great suggestion… and it sure seems familiar! You might expect to find such a control in the block properties. However, this is really a function of Dynamic Input. Dynamic Input controls the information displayed at the cursor. You can turn it on with the DYN toggle on the status bar and if you right-click on the DYN toggle, you can access the Dynamic Input tab in the Drafting Settings dialog box.

One of the options on the Dynamic Input tab is for Dimension Input. When this option is enabled, AutoCAD displays dimensional values at the cursor.

Although the Dimension Input option is not a property of dynamic blocks, it does produce the desired effect.

Good Question: Layout names and fields

Today’s Good Question comes from Tannar. He asked if there is a way to extract the layout name from a drawing to use in a field. His company has drawings with multiple layout tabs, which they name by sheet number. Tannar would like to automate the process of numbering the sheets in the titleblock by reading them directly from the layout names.

I couldn’t think of a quick solution for Tannar, but it seemed like a great idea and one that might be easy with a little programming. I often receive questions like this, especially for sheet set functionality. Even if the core AutoCAD software doesn’t include the specific option you are looking for, most AutoCAD tools, including sheet sets, provide a programming interface that enables you (or a qualified consultant) to create the desired behavior. I, unfortunately, am not a qualified programming consultant (the height of my programming knowledge was using Fortran and Pascal in the ‘80s!) There are, however, many highly skilled developers that can do almost anything with the AutoCAD API (Application Programming Interface). I frequently refer readers to Lee Ambrosius at hyperpics.com (especially for sheet set development). He is an authorized Autodesk developer and author with a tremendous amount of experience at customizing AutoCAD. Lee was kind enough to offer a response to Tannar’s question… and it doesn’t even require programming!

You can use the system variable field and the CTAB system variable to achieve a field with the current layouts name in it.  Both Publish and Plotting accept this method and works great for this reason.

To create the field:

1. Display the Field dialog box.
2. Select Other from the Field Category drop-down list.
3. Select SystemVariable from the Field Name list.
4. Select ctab from the System Variable list.
5. Optionally, select formatting for the value from the Format list.
   
6. Click OK.
7. Rename the layout and regen the drawing.  Both the layout tab and the field should be in sync.
8. Create a new layout and regen the layout and the new layout name will be displayed in the field.

Thanks to Tannar for his Good Question and to Lee for his wonderfully simple solution! To learn more about the many valuable services Lee can offer, check out these resources:

Lee Ambrosius, co-author of: AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies
HyperPics LLC, hyperpics.com
Beyond the UI, hyperpics.blogs.com
Online Forums, hyperpics.com/csforums/

AutoCAD Insider Good Question!

As you might imagine, I get many emails with questions about using AutoCAD. While I can’t respond to every email, I know that many of my individual responses would be helpful to other readers as well. So, taking the idea from a local news station, I’ve decided to try answering some “Good Questions” online.

My first question comes from Tyler. He asked if there is a way to prevent the Sheet Set Manager from automatically opening every time you open a drawing that belongs to the sheet set.

There are two variables that can help you control this SSM behavior:

• SSMAUTOOPEN Controls the display behavior of the Sheet Set Manager when a drawing associated with a sheet is opened.
• SSMLOCATE Controls whether the sheet set associated with a drawing is located and opened when the drawing is opened.

(Thanks to my coworker, Jon, for refreshing my memory about these variables!)