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.
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This month…
May - Memorable May
One of the reasons I enjoy writing this column each month is that I get to learn about features that I had always wanted to look into but never had the time. The Layer Translator has been around for several versions and is something that those of you receiving drawings from outside sources may appreciate. My customers have - once again - come up with questions that brought me to the two legacy variables as well the variable to enable AutoCAD to remember the folders from which you open drawings. And, of course, there's another tool palette button idea for you, too.
I hope these insights bump your productivity a bit today so you can have a few more minutes with your family or favorite activity.
This month's articles
Layer Translator
Custom Button #7: Dimensions on a Button
Legacy Settings
Rememberfolders
From the Vault
Following-Up
This month's Odd Spot is dedicated to follow-up emails I have received regarding previous articles. Curiously, two of the three are compliments of the users at University of Kentucky. Thank you Paul and Larry!
DYN Follow-Up: Let's say you want to create a numerically accurate rectangle, i.e., you know the dimensions of that rectangle. Here's how the DYN feature can make help you in making that rectangle without using the @ sign (which we have grown to know and love), and without using the Distance option of the Rectangle command.
- Pick the start point of the rectangle and you see the dynamic interface information next to your cursor.
- Type the horizontal (X) value for the rectangle, then enter a comma to toggle into the next edit field for the Y value. You will notice that the X value has been locked.
- Type the Y value in the edit field, then press Enter. Done!
DTEXTED Follow-Up: This one actually supports my contention that it may be more to your advantage to have the variable DTEXTED set to <1>. Back in May 2003, I covered the five unique character sets you could use to Overline, Underline text, as well as add the degree, plus/minus, and diameter signs.
With the DTEXTED variable set to <0>, when you double-click on the text, you get a frameless text editor. When you precede the text with %%O or %%U, the effect is immediately applied. If you double-click on the text, you don't see the special character set (%%O or %%U).
Solution: Add the %%O or %%U to the front of the text, to effectively "toggle off" the Underline/Overline setting.
Euro Sign Follow-Up: My friend Tracy Lincoln reminded me about another method of getting the Euro sign in Mtext.
"You can also get to it from the MTEXT Editor. Right-Click in the Editor, then click Symbol
Other to open the Windows Character Map. In most of the character sets (fonts), you will find the Euro symbol. Click on the symbol, then click Select, then Copy. Return to your MTEXT Editor, then right-click, Paste."
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