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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

Dashboard's hidden depths

Did you know that there's more to the Dashboard than is apparent on the surface? When I first started working with it, I thought, "wouldn't it be great if all the 2D drawing tools were on there as well". Fortunately, they are. All you need to know is how to get at them.

Simply right-click on any part of the body of the Dashboard (not the vertical title bar) and select "Control panels" from the menu and then click "2D Draw control panel". You should see that the Draw and Modify toolbars are added as a new panel to the top of the dashboard.

Now you can keep your work area cleaner when using the 3D Modeling Workspace.

Today's tip is by David Watson

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