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 February 2011

Hatch Selected Objects from the Hatch Tab

The Hatch button on the Draw panelWhen creating a hatch with AutoCAD 2011, the Quick Preview feature is pretty nice, especially if you want to hatch an area (see Michael's Corner, April 2010 for an overview on the A2011 Hatch command).

When you click the Hatch command, however, the default prompt is to pick an internal point. In this brief review, I want to steer you to the feature that enables you select an object for the hatch.

How to Hatch an Object

  1. Set the desired layer to be current, then zoom to the object to be hatched.

    Note: The object to be hatched must be entirely visible within the drawing area. If AutoCAD doesn't 'see' all of it, the preview feature won't work.

  2. Click Hatch on the Draw panel (Home tab).

  3. Select Bounday ObjectsOn the Boundaries panel, click Select Boundary Objects, and you are prompted to select the objects to hatch.

  4. Immediately after selecting the object (or each object, if you have more than one to hatch), the current hatch pattern is applied in preview.

  5. When you're finished selecting objects, press [Enter] to complete the command.

Insights

Boundary hatchHere are a couple other things that will enhance your use of the Hatch command.

Boundary command

The Boundary command - located on the expanded Draw panel of the Ribbon - (Michael's Corner, September 2005) enables you to pick a point within a closed area and have a polyline automatically created around the perimeter.

User-Defined hatch

You may want to review how to configure the hatch for a User Defined pattern as shown here (12″ spacing, 45 degree rotation, Double).

Top of page

Local Navigation

Options

Sponsored Links

The Basics

Accessibility statement

Valid XHTML 1.0!Valid CSS!Creative Commons Licence