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 November 2007

Custom Button #2: Revcloud from an Object

Last month we covered how to make a button on the palette that gave you a perfect revision cloud every time.

This month we're going to copy that button and add something to it so you can select an existing object - such as a rectangle, circle, or polyline - and turn that object into a revision cloud. I'm going to build on what we did in last month's article, so click here to go to the October 2007 article so you can catch up.

When converting an object to a revision cloud, you use the Object option of the Revcloud command and it goes like this…

Minimum arc length: 2′-0″ Maximum arc length: 6′-0″ Style: Calligraphy
Specify start point or [Arc length/Object/Style] <Object>: O
Select object: [Select the object to convert; note the backslash in the macro, below]
Reverse direction [Yes/No] <No>: [Press Enter for the default option]
Revision cloud finished.

Instructions to Automate the Object Option of Revcloud

1. Open the palette containing your revision cloud button. [See October 2007]
2. Right click on Revcloud button, then click Copy. Right-click just below the Revcloud button, then click Paste.
3. Right-click the new Revcloud button, then click Properties.
4. Change the Name to Revcloud - Object, then edit the Command String to read as follows (the additions for this month are in red):

^C^CREVCLOUD;A;24;72;S;C;O;\;

Here's what the additional characters mean:

; Presses Enter; it's easier to discern a semi-colon than a space when pressing Enter in a macro.

O The Object option of the Revcloud command. Yes, it's the default and you could have used a semi-colon to accept the default, but it's always a good habit to put the letter of the option being invoked, even if it's the default.

\ Backslash; Pause for user response.

Note: Whenever your command sequence requires that the user respond to the current prompt (as in the case of the process of converting an object to a Revcloud where you need to select the object), you must accommodate for that action but putting a backslash in the macro.

Next month: Automating UCS Align & UCS World

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