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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 2007

Pushbutton Mtext for Model or Paper Space

Mtext palette buttonsAs you know, I just love palettes. You also know it can be pretty aggravating to launch the Mtext command then have to change the Height because you're now in Paper Space and the last place you added text was Model Space.

The key player in this process is the variable TEXTSIZE with which you can specify a text height before you run either Mtext or Dtext. So, if we can automate the setting of that variable, then launch the Mtext command, we're good to go!

Instructions to Add an Automated Mtext button to the Palette

  1. Open the Draw toolbar as well as the Tool Palette window (CTRL + 3).
  2. To open the Customize window, right-click on the title bar of the tool palette window (or between items on the palette if it's docked), then click Customize Palettes. In A2005 and A2006, you click "Customize". When the Customize dialog box is open, you can drag a button from any toolbar and drop it onto your palette to make a copy of that command.
Drag the button to your palette
  1. Drag the Mtext button from the Draw and drop it onto your palette.
  2. Close the Customize dialog box; it served its purpose.
  3. On the palette, right-click on the Multiline Text button, then click Properties.
  4. Let's say you want the text in Paper space to be 1/8″ high. Change the Command String to read as follows:

^C^CTEXTSIZE;0.125;_mtext

Here's what it means:

^C^C Cancel; effectively hitting the Esc key a couple times before it launches the macro.
Textsize The name of the system variable that stores the text height the next time you use a text command.
; The semi-colon means "press Enter".
0.125 Given in decimal so it will be recognized in drawings with either Architectural and Decimal units.
_mtext The underscore means to use the English-language version of the command; you can leave it out.
  1. In the Properties dialog box, change the name to Mtext in PSpace or something similar, then click OK.
  2. On the palette, right-click on your edited Mtext button, then click Copy.
  3. Right-click between items on the palette and click Paste.
  4. Edit the Command String and change the Height for adding Mtext in Model space.

Bonus Points - Create a layer on which you want the Mtext to be placed, then go back into the Properties dialog box for each of those Mtext buttons on the palette and make the necessary edits to the Layer property and set the Color to ByLayer.

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