Michael’s Corner

Michael'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…

From the Vault

Originally published January 2012

Autodesk Exchange Apps for AutoCAD

One of the more fun seminars at Autodesk University last year presented some Apps that are available through Autodesk Exchange, a little-known community that can be launched within AutoCAD 2012.

There are dozens of applications available through Exchange, some of which have a fee, but there are several that are Free. You will need to have an AutoCAD Exchange account (typically the account used when installing AutoCAD).

Note: After installing a downloaded app, your workspace will need to be refreshed. That said, it would be a really good idea to save your workspace prior to the following procedure.

How to Find the Clipboard Manager App from Autodesk Exchange

1. From within AutoCAD 2012, click the "X" (Exchange link) on the title bar.

2. When Autodesk Exchange opens, click the Apps link.

3. Use Search and enter "Clipboard".

   Clipboard Manager description:
   The Clipboard Manager plug-in can be used with AutoCAD to manage multiple clipboard entries, storing and renaming them for later use. It's great for moving different sets of content between various open drawings or for creating repeated copies of geometry without using blocks. This plug-in was first published as an ADN Plug-in of the Month: http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/ADN_plugins.

4. Click the link to go to the Download site. You also have a link to the Help information, too.

5. After signing in to your Autodesk Exchange account, you will then get the Terms of Use/End User License Agreement screen. Check the boxes to "Agree", then click Install | Free.

6. After the download, you will probably need to refresh your workspace.

7. Now click on the Plug-ins tab of the Ribbon to display your recent acquisition!

Note: Curiously, the Apps link is only available if you launch Exchange from the icon on the title bar of AutoCAD 2012.

Some of the other apps that I made a note about during that seminar include: Zoom All Layouts, Offset In Xref, Order By Layer (for arranging your display), Block Masker (creates a Wipeout object the shape of the block), Quick Note, and Minesweeper (seriously).

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