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Cad Tips
Autocad 2007
Dealing with Overridden Dimensions in AutoCAD
Someone sends you a drawing file with many dimensions on it. You naively believe that the dimension values reflect the actual size of the drawing. After spending some time in the drawing you realize that this is definitely not the case - the text values have in fact been overridden! It's clear that when the CAD operator saw the actual dimension value they realized it was wrong and (insert shudder here) they overrode the value. This really gets on my tits. I just can't understand anybody's reason for doing this. There's no way to tell it was a Dumb Dumb Draffy by looking at the drawing...so where do you turn?
Enter another one of my favourite Express Tools - DIMREASSOC Located in the Express Tool menu under Dimension=>Reset Dim Text Value this Express Tool will find those pesky overridden text values for you and reset them to their actual value. Express is on the very top toolbar third from right.
Here's how it works.
Command: DIMREASSOC
Select dimension objects with non-associative text.
(select any/all of the
dimensions in the drawing and AutoCAD will highlight the offenders)
Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 16 found
Select objects:
16 objects modified.
Dealing with a drawing where the lines are not all 2D
Some supposedly 2D drawings that have been generated from 3D modelling programs still "Z" values to some of the lines. This means one can't use extend, chamfer etc. Use "FLATTEN". It's on the same "Express" toolbar. Most times you have to run it twice to get the job properly done.
Another two very useful "express" commands are "change text case" and "convert text to mtext" ie multi line text.
To put text under a dimension line
Double click on dimension. Go to text then to text over and type in "<>\P(text required)"
To find "I" value of a SHAPE
Convert the 2D shape to region. Type in region and pick shape. Set the origin point "0, 0," at the centre of the shape or if it's an irregular shape some place on the outside line of shape. Type in "list" and pick the region. Note the "x" and "y" distances from the 0, 0,. Set the origin to this point and do a list again and there's your "I" value in mm4. If it's symmetrical no need to adjust the 0, 0, point. VERY VERY USEFUL
Always set pslt scale to "0" and "lt" scale to around 5 for an average size of stairs. If memory serves one increases the "lt" scale for bigger dashes on a hidden line.
When a crash occurs
Do a search for the exact file name you were working on (It'll be in a temp. file somewhere). Move the .SV$ or .BAK file with the correct properties ( DATE TIME AND SIZE) into the folder the drawing was in. Open a drawing. Go to top left file drop down menu- drawing utilities, drawing recovery manager. Right click in the mouse and click on expand. Open the file that you want to recover and save as the next issue.
Divide
PDMODE gives options as to what the dividing point will look like. PDSIZE gives allows one to change the size of this. A very useful function for equally spacing shapes. View the list of shapes available. Set to 0 for a point. Type in pdmode enter can reset it.
To radius the ends of two parallel lines
Simply click the radius icon. Then click the ends of the line you want to radius. Great for doing diagramatics.
After sending a plot to printer the following message appears "Printer driver for HP designjets printers in windows NT has encountered a problem and needs to close"
This happens I am told because the path and file name are too long. First of all reduce the file name ie to just one letter. If this doesn't work move the file to the "C" drive and print from there.
Send a Fax directly from CAD 2007
Go to printer and highlight fax. Pick A4 and orientate paper correctly. Window area you require to send. Press print in print dialog box. Type in fax number and de-tick header. And that's it.
Viewports disappear
Type in maxactvp the enter. Increase number. One can go up to about 64 depending on memory of machine.
Change path of "x" refs.
Click on insert then external references highlight drawing file in box. go to detail box below. found at. go to right hand side. click on to click on *** to browse go to new folder and open drawing file.
Plotting
I was using somebody a drawing from another company and when i went to print it only the .stb plot styles would show up in the option box. I use .ctb (colour dependant) styles. This option must go with the drawing. Type in "convertpstyles" to change.