It took me a long time to realize the joy of using the Control and Shift keys when dealing with Windows. Apparently, it's taken me just a bit longer to realize all that the SHIFT key can do in AutoCAD.
1. SHIFT + LEFT mouse button: Will remove objects from your selection set, if you're selecting objects before issuing the command. ie, Select objects and then invoke COPY. 2. SHIFT + RIGHT mouse button: Brings up the OSNAP menu during many commands, as long as you have the RIGHT click option set up correctly in OPTIONS > USER PREFERNCES. 3. As we mentioned in an earlier post, if you want to FILLET or CHAMFER with a 0 distance, and not have to reset your radius or distance, you can: Pick your first line. Hold down the SHIFT key and pick the second line. This will fillet (or chamfer) with zero radius without changing the preset fillet radius. 4. You can also hold down the SHIFT key while using TRIM or EXTEND and it will perform the opposite command. Select TRIM and choose the line to trim back to. Trim several lines. Hold down the SHIFT key and pick a line and they will EXTEND to the trim line. 5. SHIFT + WHEEL/MIDDLE mouse button will start a 3D Orbit around your model as you move your mouse.
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When I first started in AutoCAD, there was only DText. One line of text at a time, and none of it tied together. Years ago, MText was introduced and now user could write multiple strings of texts (paragraphs) and it would be one entity. Once in a while, you'll have notes, call outs or titles that lay right on top of lines in a drawing. Much like we just showed in dimensioning, it's nice to not break lines, but still have a nice looking drawing. Using the same example as last week, you can see that we have a moment connection end plate, and this note is also directly 'on top' of the foundation footing. But since this text is MText, we can tell AutoCAD to hide items beneath it. Start by selecting the text and opening the Properties Box. Under the TEXT header, you will see a call out for BACKGROUND MASK Select the '...' next to BACKGROUND MASK to open another Option Box. Check the box next to USE BACKGROUND MASK. You may need to set an Border Offset Factor. Generally, I choose a number between 1.25 and 1.5 Make sure you check USE DRAWING BACKGROUND COLOR. Select OK to close out the Background Mask Option box.
You can grab a GRIP to elongate, or shorten the text box if desired. |
AuthorAutoCAD Tips provided each Wednesday. Archives
March 2016
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