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The Tutorials section provides over 100 original tutorials for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and other design applications such as Photoshop and Bryce. Michael’s Corner is a monthly article that brings you the best up-to-date AutoCAD tips and tricks. The Forums are a lively bulletin board where AutoCAD users can ask questions and get answers. The Download area provides free AutoCAD blocks, free AutoLISP routines and free digital images.

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Michael’s Corner - February/March 2014

There He Is, Out Standing in His Field

Here in the UK, we're obsessed with the weather; our national pastime is talking about it. Usually, it's just a case of making conversation but not at the moment. We've just had the wettest January since records began, parts of southern England are under water and there seems to be no end in sight.

Fortunately, there's nothing wet about this month's Corner. Michael demonstrates a number of ways to keep you DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself). Need to run a script on a regular basis? Keep it simple and do so with a single click. Want to know how to write a script to avoid repetitive tasks? Michael's got that covered too. Do you find yourself repeating drawing setup tasks? Why not use ACADDOC.LSP? Yep, Michael gets seriously efficient this month.

In addition to all of this, there's also some neat tips and tricks for beginners (or anyone who has ever wondered what the Layer Previous command does).

And finally, I can't end this month's introduction without mentioning Michael Beall's fantastic achievement at Autodesk University in December. Many congratulations to him on receiving the AU Speaker award for the Hands-on Lab category. Once again proving that here at CADTutor, we only provide you with the best there is. Watch out for the next Corner at the beginning of April, when we hope the rain will have stopped.

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Tip of the Day

Moving vertically in 3D

Moving objects vertically always used to be a bit of a chore with AutoCAD, usually involving some relative coordinate entry for the Z direction or maybe the .XY filter. Fortunately, AutoCAD 2007 introduced a new command that makes moving objects vertically a snap.

You'll find the 3D Move button on the Dashboard or Modify3D Operations3D Move from the pull-down menu.

As with the normal Move command, you're first prompted to select objects. Once a selection is made, the cursor changes to the move grip tool. Now, pick any point on the base plane to fix the move grip tool at that elevation. Next, hover your cursor over the blue axis handle (Z axis) until it changes to a gold colour and left-click. This has the effect of constraining movement in the z direction. All you need do now is enter the distance you want the object to be moved or use the mouse to pick a distance.

Today's tip is by David Watson

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