AutoCAD FAQ

Workspace

1. How do I automatically load variables?
   Automatic loading of variables is achieved using the acaddoc.lsp file. AutoCad reads this file every time a drawing is opened. Find this file by typing on the command line: (findfile "acaddoc.lsp") . If the file exists, the path to it will be returned. Open the file using a suitable text editor ...
   
   
2. My Command Line has disappeared
   If the Command Line at the bottom of the AutoCAD drawing edit window has disappeared, it can be restored by one of the following methods: Press Ctrl+9 Type COMMANDLINE (the text will not be displayed on screen) Go Tools Command LineConversely, if the Command Line is not required, the above co ...
   
   
3. How do I re-assign the F1 key to the CANCEL command ?
   Open the "Custom User Interface" dialogue window by typing CUI on the command line, or go to ToolsCustomiseInterface. Select "Keyboard Shortcuts" under the "Customizations in All CUI Files" section at the top left hand corner of the dialogue window. In the "Shortcuts" section at the top right ...
   
   
4. How do I assign commands to my keyboard letters?
   This is known as "keyboard shortcuts" or "command alias", and can be created or changed in two different ways. If Express tools are installed, a Command Alias Editor can be found under the Tools section. (or type ALIASEDIT on the command line). This will enable the command aliases to be created ...
   
   
5. How do I stop tick marks appearing when I select something?
   Tickmarks that appear with each mouse click are called 'marker blips', the use of which is controlled via either the command Blipmode or the variable BLIPMODE. For more information about command vs. variable see How to change variables. 'Marker blips' can be cleared from the screen with command ...
   
   
6. Trouble changing object colours, linetypes and layers
   First, check that the layer is not locked or frozen, and if it is not: Check the PICKFIRST variable is set to 1. The settings are: 0 - Select objects after a command is issued. 1 - Select objects before or after a command is issued. Alternatively, select the object and go to its properties dia ...
   
   
7. The dialog box isn't showing up in AutoCAD
   If the dialog box does not show up for commands such as SAVEAS, IMPORT or OPEN, check the setting of the FILEDIA system variable. The settings are: 0 - Dialog boxes WILL NOT show. 1 - Dialog boxes WILL show. When FILEDIA is set to 0, AutoCAD reverts to the command line version of commands such ...
   
   
8. My PICKFIRST variable keeps resetting to 0
   The PICKFIRST variable controls whether objects may be selected before, or before and after a command is invoked. This affects all commands requiring objects to be selected: MOVE, COPY etc. The settings for PICKFIRST are: 0 - Turns OFF PICKFIRST. Select objects after a command is invoked. 1 - ...
   
   
9. Lost crosshair box
   The box that displays in the center of the crosshair is controlled by three variables. Variable 1 - Pickbox The variable PICKBOX controls the size of the box when there is no command active. This can be set to a number between 0 and 50. This variable can also be set by going to the menu ToolsOp ...
   
   
10. I don't see the outline of an object when I move / copy it
    The ability to see the outline of an object when moved/copied (i.e when it is being dragged) is controlled by the system variable DRAGMODE or the command _DRAGMODE. There are two ways of setting this control. Either one will work: 1. _DRAGMODE This is the command version. To change it type _DRA ...
    
    
11. Icons on my custom toolbar are not showing up
    The custom toolbar looks like this: This happens because the search path for the images are no longer defined in AutoCAD. The first step is to locate the images via Windows Explorer. They are most likely saved under a similar path to this: C:\Documents and Settings\[user profile name]\Applicat ...
    
    
12. Drawing template won't open
    Drawing templates (.dwt files) can only be saved as the version in which they were created. It is not possible to save them to a lower version, as can be done with .dwg files. To create a lower version template file from a higher version of AutoCad, the file needs to be saved as a .dwg file in ...
    
    
13. Adding symbols to text in AutoCAD.
    There are two main ways of inserting a symbol into text 1. Type a code for the required symbol within the line of text, see the table below (for DTEXT and MTEXT). 2. Use the pull down menu in the text editing window and insert the symbol. This is accessed either via the arrow bu ...