Twenty tutorials on how to customize AutoCAD, including menus, toolbars, AutoLISP,
hatch patterns, scripts, and linetypes.
Now available as an e-book.
This page list free tutorials for learning how to use AutoCAD better -- commands and
customization.
More than two dozen tutorials on how to use commands and features new to AutoCAD
and LT:
Twenty tutorials on how to customize AutoCAD, including menus, toolbars, AutoLISP,
hatch patterns, scripts, and linetypes.
Now available as an e-book.
Lists of CAD-related books, other CAD newsletters, as well as a small selection of books
and newsletters that have nothing to do with CAD.
Hint: Use your browser's Find command to search for a command or topic.
These tutorials are posted at the Autodesk
Press Web site, and are authored by Ralph
Grabowski. Each tutorial
includes:
There is often a new tutorial each month. Many of these tutorials also apply to AutoCAD LT.
Using the AdCenter command to share drawing content, including linetypes, text styles,
and blocks.
The Array command got a dialog-box interface in AutoCAD 2000. Here's how to use it.
The Change command is command-line oriented, yet is more efficient at some changes
than dialog boxes.
Direct distance entry lets you show direction with the mouse, while tracking lets you move
the cursor mid-command.
Not well documented in AutoCAD is the ability to hatch an area by dragging the pattern
into it.
The Find command is useful for searching for (and changing) text.
Groups are a more sophisticated version of blocks (aka cells or symbols).
Saving and restoting layer states makes it easier to toggle groups of layers on and off.
Add thickness to any object in AutoCAD; overcomes the hairline problem in high resolution
output. .
Take the properties of an object and apply them to another object.
A more practical version of the old @ and < coordinate modifiers.
The Purge command also got a dialog-box interface in AutoCAD 2000. And here's how to
use it.
Drawing leaders (call-outs) with a dialog box full of options.
Saves the current screen image to file in BMP, TIFF, or Targe format.
How to attach other drawings to the current drawing.
Sending a drawing via email means you need to include all support files as well.
The dialog box for opening an AutoCAD drawing does far, far more than just select the
filename.
AutoCAD includes a "wizard" that helps you publish one or more drawings to a Web page.
AutoCAD 2002 Tutorials
Compare the styles in one drawing with the styles in a reference drawing to ensure
consistency.
Enhanced commands for editing attributes (not found in LT).
Make dimensions associate with geometry.
While in paper space, you can dimension objects located in model space.
... more tutorials to come in future months.
How to customize many areas of AutoCAD, including menus, toolbars, AutoLISP, Diesel,
and linetypes. With the exception of AutoLISP, these tutorials also apply to AutoCAD LT.
NEW! Tailoring AutoCAD available for
purchase as an e-book, with expanded coverage of
customization and fully
updated for AutoCAD 2002. Click here for more information.
1. Introduction to AutoCAD Customization
A description of the many ways in which AutoCAD can be customized -- to reflect the way
you work.
How to modify the buttons you see on the toolbars, and the macros (command sequences)
they activate.
3. Advanced Toolbar Customization
Applicable to AutoCAD R11, R12, LT R1, and LT R2 only.
4-6. Introduction to AutoLISP Programming
4: Adding two numbers; and remembering the result.
5: Math functions; geometric functions; conditional functions; and string and conversion
functions.
6: External command functions; GetXXX and selection set functions; object manipulation
functions; and advanced AutoLISP functions.
7. Tips in Using AutoLISP
Click
link above for Web page.
8-11. Writing a Simple AutoLISP Program
8: The plan of attack.
9: Sprucing up the code.
10: Using the car, cdr, rtos, and strcat functions.
11: Saving data to a file.
12-14. Custom Hatch Patterns
12: Creating a hatch pattern.
13: Coding the .pat file; tips on creating pattern codes.
14: Creating a slide from a hatch pattern.
15-16. Custom Linetypes
15: Introduction to linetypes; and creating simple (1D) linetypes.
16: Testing the linetype; and creating complex (2D) linetypes.
17-18. DIESEL Macro Language
17: Introduction to Diesel (direct interactively evaluated string expression language) for
customizing the status line and performing simple programming chores, particularly in LT.
18: Using Diesel in menus and in AutoLISP.
19. How to Write a Script File.
Click
link above for Web page.
20. Miscellaneous Tips
Click
link at left for Web page.
Copyright 2002 by upFront.eZine Publishing, Ltd.