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 February 2006

Wipeout

A Wipeout object is a glorified 3D face; a 2D solid. Curiously, when you select a wipeout object and open the Properties window, it's listed as a Raster image (the reason will be forthcoming). The Wipeout command used to be in the Express Tools, but beginning with A2005, they moved it (more like buried it) to the Draw menu. It has no presence on the Draw toolbar, just in the menu. To see the power of this feature, I'm going to open the A2004/A2005 Sample drawing called 8th Floor Furniture. It is a furniture drawing containing an Xref as the base plan.

Instructions to Create a Wipeout Object

1. Create a polyline (on the desired layer) around what you want to "cover" with the wipeout object. You will need to use the Close option of the Pline command for the wipeout to work.
2. Launch the Wipeout routine, then press [Enter] to accept the <Polyline> option.
3. Select the existing polyline.
4. When prompted to "Erase polyline?", enter Y (the wipeout object has its own Frame).
5. Don't panic. You have effectively converted the polyline to an opaque wipeout object "covering" the objects.

Wipeout Options

"Specify First Point" - If you didn't draw a polyline first, the default procedure for the Wipeout command is to specify points for the wipeout object. The shape is closed by default, you just pick the points.

Frames - This is why a wipeout is technically considered to be a raster image: you can toggle the wipeout frame on and off with the Frames option or the Tframes variable… which also works on raster images.

Instructions to Bring a Block or Xref Above the Wipeout

1. To turn Off the wipeout frame, launch the Wipeout command, then enter F from Frame, then OFF.  Alternatively, you could type TFRAMES.
2. From the Tools menu, click Draw OrderBring to Front, then select the Block or Xref to bring above the wipeout.

Cool Wipeout Features

Select objects below the wipeout - With no command current, window the area where the wipeout has been created. You will see the objects (along with the grips) covered by the wipeout.

Adjust the wipeout shape with grips - Turn on the wipeout frame, then click the wipeout frame to display the grips. Take a grip and reposition it to another location. Move the entire wipeout to another area of the drawing to get the feel for how the wipeout works.

Odd Spot October 2005 Follow-up

Q: Robert Thornberry just emailed me regarding the "Inches Only Dimensions" article I had in the October Odd Spot. He noted that although the inches suffix I recommended… "… is great for non-angular dimensions, what about angular dimensions which will now display the inches suffix after the degree sign of the angle? Good catch!

A: The only solution I know that would be effective on an ongoing basis would be to create a new dimension style for angular dimensions. This could be done by starting with the Inches Only dimension style, then either making a New one or by using the Override button, then renaming the <style override> item after making the necessary edits. In either case, you will have a separate dimension style that can be selected from the shortcut menu of a selected dimension or from the dimension style list of the Dimension or Styles toolbars. Needless to say, this new dimension style would be great to have in the template.

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