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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 October 2013

Split Views in Model Space

Selecting viewport configurationBack in TILEMODE <1> days (that would be pre-AutoCAD 200x for those of you just beginning with AutoCAD in this century), the splitting of Model space was commonplace for both 2D and 3D applications.

Power Tip: Yes, the TILEMODE variable is still around, so if you want to create a macro to flip over to a Layout, there's your answer!

Although I have written about this already—in December 2007 in a 3D application on a Layout, then a few years ago, in March 2009 (after I had just returned from training Chevron in Angola, West Africa)—I thought it was worth repeating.

In my recent training for the furniture manufacturer, inscape, I used the Viewport feature in Model space edit a 3D block. A recent addition to AutoCAD is the panel called Model Viewports.

How to Setup a Split Screen in Model Space

  1. Open a drawing containing 3D objects and position your eyeball/view as necessary.

  2. On the View tab, click the Viewport Configuration dropdown to display the available arrangements.

  3. Click Three: Left.

  4. Notice each view has its own Viewport Controls (covered in January 2012), so you can set a view for each viewport.

    Front view

  5. It's particularly helpful to see the edit occur in all views at the same time, too.

    Objects seen in different views

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