Automate annotation in AutoCAD 2008

A new feature of AutoCAD 2008 is the ability to automate the sizing of annotation, such as text and dimensions, in viewports with varying scales.

The following objects can be annotative, meaning that they can size automatically:

• Text (single-line text)
• Mtext (multi-line text)
• Dimensions
• Multileaders (which are new for AutoCAD 2008)
• Tolerances (in frames)
• Hatches
• Blocks
• Block attributes

Note that objects that use styles -- text, dimensions, and multileaders -- require an annotative style.

For more info, see http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/AutoCAD_tips_automate_annotation_2008.html

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AutoCAD Tips - updating

1. Using keyboard as much as you can.
If you only use mouse, you just use one hand, if you use keyboard, you can use two hands. So check the ACAD.PGP and get familiar to those alias of command. Also you can edit it to your favorite letters. A simple way to find the file "acad.pgp" is to search in windows explore.

2. Using up-arrow and down-arrow
In addition to being able to repeat a command by simply pressing return or the space bar, you can scroll through your previous commands by using the up-arrow and down-arrow keys, thus eliminating the need to re-type long commands and system variables.


3. Using Fillet to join lines to polyline
When you fillet a polyline to a line, the result is a polyline.

4. Align hatch patterns
With AutoCAD 2006, it's easier than ever before to align the hatch pattern of multiple hatches to use one common hatch origin:
- When creating the first hatch entity, choose "Specify origin" in the BHATCH dialog, and click to select the new origin. Activate the "Store as default origin" checkbox before committing the BHATCH command with OK.
- When creating succeeding hatch entities, specify "use current origin". This way, the succeeding hatch entities will share the same hatch origin with the first hatch entity.

5. using mouse to zoom in and zoom out.
If you have a wheel mouse, you can use the mid wheel to zoom in and zoom out. The location of your cursor determines what part of your drawing remains stationary.

6. Using Find and replace to change text.
If you want to change lots of same text. Try find and replace.

7. Using filter to select quickly.
Try using filter when you need to select objects with same character such as dimension, arc, red line, etc. Type filter and to see what you will get. You will love it.

8. Finding the area of hatch entities
AutoCAD 2006 helps you to calculate the area of hatch entities; the Property Palette has a new field "Area". You can even select multiple hatch entities and see their cumulative area
displayed in the Property Palette. Of course, hatch islands and overlapping and intersecting areas are considered when calculating the area. This especially holds true for the cumulative area of multiple selected hatch entities; for example, a hatch entity that's fully contained within another hatch entity will not increase the "cumulative area" property when adding it to a selection that already contains the "outer" hatch.

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6 tips to draw CAD faster

1. First is the most important. Spend some time to set properly. It worth to think before you leap. Well pre-organized drawing will save you lots of time.
2. Try to use keyboard instead of clicking icons. For doing so, you can edit your alias files for your preference. How to do it? click here. It also let you look like a real professional.
3. Get familiar to the updates your version provided. Those updates are usually for other users feedbacks. In order to sell a new version, they have to put some cool features. Am I right?
4. Share the tips with others. We both benefit from each other.
5. Read "help" as much as you can. You will find it is the most important resource you have. And you and your company have already paid for it.
6. Enjoy it.

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