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Michael’s Corner

Michael BeallMichael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

October - One-derful!!!

It's a God-thing.

I had no idea that 14 years ago I would be given the opportunity to make an impact on the professional lives of so many. Only God knew what was ahead, and hopefully, the contributions I have made through Michael's Corner have equipped many of you to be more productive and a bit more savvy using AutoCAD. And apart from all the AutoCAD bashing that is going on, I'm sure it has a long life ahead.

So, in an effort to keep the AutoCAD fires burning, here's what I have for my final installment…

…A reminder on how to customize your hot keys
…Three Power Tools — one for Zoom, one for editing, and one for Layers
…Two Odd Spots — one for Layers and one for Hatching
…Buried text treasure
…And how to Search 14 years of the Archives

As for what's ahead for me, I will continue to present a variety of AutoCAD sessions — Fundamentals, Intermediate, Customizing, Updates, and 2D & 3D. I will also keep training CAP Designer, 20-20 Worksheet, Visual Impression (those three from 20-20 Technologies, Inc.), and some Revit Fundamentals. Next year I'm looking forward to being very involved in training CET (from Configura, Inc.) when Herman Miller joins the growing number of manufacturers embracing this software that is being touted as the ‘Future of Space Planning’. Personally, I'm looking forward to spending a bit more time with Donna, my lovely bride of 30 years. When this posts, we'll probably be within days of going on our 30th Anniversary vacation to the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson; Ee-Hah! We had such a good time when we went for our 20th, we figured we'd do it again!

Ah, and I'm hoping to have The AutoCAD Workbench, Final Edition out before snow flies.

And with that, Mike drop! …so to speak.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This month's articles

Change F1 to ESC
Smoother Zoom
Stretch with Extension
Lock Layers with a Crossing Window
Layer Columns & Hatch Background Color
Text Frame on Mtext

From the Vault

Originally published May 2011

Blend Curves

Blend CurvesSome of the most useful new features in AutoCAD 2012 are those that didn't make the headlines. Blend Curves is one such tool that slipped under the radar but it solves a problem that is very difficult to resolve manually. Curiously, this little gem is hidden under the Fillet tool on the Modify panel, so even if you're already using AutoCAD 2012, it's possible that you've missed it.

Essentially, Blend Curves creates a spline that is tangential to any 2 existing curves (Arcs, Splines or Polyline arc segments).

How to join 2 arcs with Blend Curves

  1. Draw two arcs similar to the ones shown below.

    Two Arcs

  2. On the Home tab of the Ribbon, click the Fillet flyout in the Modify panel and select Blend Curves.

  3. Follow the prompt and select the two ends of the arcs that you want to join. The result should be similar to the illustration below.

    Blended curves

  4. The default setting for the spline gives a good result but if you need to tweak the form of the spline, just pick it to select it and edit the spline by stretching the vertices until you have it just the way you want it.

    Editing the spline

Blend Curves is a great productivity tool that you may only use occasionally but it's so efficient at what it does that it's worthy of its place on the Modify panel.

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