Michael’s Corner

Michael Beall 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…

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 October 2010

Follow-up to Updating Blocks From a Tool Palette

My Readers Rock! (…but then, you knew that)

I knew I was going to get some emails from folks when I published last month's coverage on updating a block definition in a drawing, if the block on the tool palette had been changed in its Source drawing. In the setup, the Widget block in the Source drawing is now different than all the widget blocks placed in a drawing.

Here's the statement I made that caused me to pause as I was writing that article, but I stated it, nonetheless (the word ‘only’ is what I need to refine):

"AutoCAD can only compare block definitions and prompt you regarding the redefinition of the block if you are inserting a .DWG with the same name as an existing block definition."

Design Center Alexandre (an online friend from Cirque du Soleil) wrote in with this timely suggestion that I never thought of checking: Use DesignCenter!

So in an effort to pass along the very best option for the task at hand, here's the more efficient method of solving the dilemma presented last month.

How to Use DesignCenter to Update the Definition of a Palette Block in a Drawing

Open the drawing containing Widget blocks which display the old definition. In the figure, you see three instances (references) of the Widget block.
Open Design Center (Ctrl + 2) or Insert tabContent panelDesign Center.
Note: The Basics section of Michael's Corner from June-October 2005 covered various components of Design Center.
In Design Center, on the left had side where you see the folders, navigate to the Source file for your tool palette blocks.
Expand the drawing node, then click the Blocks node to display the blocks in that drawing (amongst which is my Widget block for this scenario… with a new definition).
In Design Center, right-click on the Widget block to display the shortcut menu shown here.
Click Redefine only and all the Widget blocks in your drawing are updated!