CADTutor: The best free help for AutoCAD on the web
Michael's Corner RSS Feed

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 January 2006

Blank Button on the A2006 Tool Palette

The Customize dialog box is now exclusively palette-specific; there's no tab for "Commands" as there was in A2005. So… here's a quick look at how to get a blank button onto a palette in AutoCAD 2006. Once you have one, you can copy it all you want after that.

What We Know About the A2006 Interface Features
  1. You can't drag anything out of the CUI [Customize User Interface].
  2. The CUI does not display palette information.
  3. The Customize dialog box in A2006 is for palette operations only.
  4. If the Customize dialog box is open, you can drag stuff between toolbars & palettes…

…Ergo/Therefore/So…

  1. You can drag a blank custom button from a toolbar onto a palette !
Instructions to Make a Custom Button
  1. Open the CUI. Under Command List, click New to create a new Command x in the list.
  1. Under Properties, enter a name (like BlankButton), then press [ENTER].
  2. Now drag BlankButton out of the Command List area and release it on the toolbar you created. This copies the button to the toolbar.
  3. Click OK to apply the additional button to the toolbar. Close the CUI. (The "smiley face" is no longer; now it's a mystery cloud. Fine, whatever.)
Instructions to Copy the Custom Button to the Tool Palette
  1. Open the Tool Palette, then right click on the title bar and click Customize to open the (now palette-specific) Customize dialog box. You can move the dialog box off someplace as you only need it to be open, not within reach.
  1. Drag the BlankButton tool from the toolbar onto the palette. Now you can close the Customize dialog box. You're Done!

Cool Things to Add to a BlankButton [A2005 & A2006]…

To add a macro to your blank button, right-click on the blank button on the tool palette, then choose Properties.

^C^COSMODE;8193 - A macro to set the OSNAP to Endpoint and Parallel.

^C^CUCS; OB ;\PLAN;; - A macro to set the UCS to the selected line.

^C^CLAYOUT;T;"Drive:/Path/Filename.dwt" - Select a Layout in the dialog box.

Note: If you are new to palettes, you may want to review my palette-related articles in March 2004, November 2004, December 2004, June 2005, and August 2005.

Top of page

Local Navigation

Options

Sponsored Links

The Basics

Accessibility statement

Valid XHTML 1.0!Valid CSS!Creative Commons Licence