Tips & Tricks Update

Update to last issue's topic of Excel conversions

After the last newsletter went out, I got an email from Bill Schindler with Najarian Associates.  He found the tip to be very helpful, but lacking in one aspect.  My formulas do not account for negative numbers.

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Q & A

Q.  Why do I see modelspace text outside the limits of my viewports?

A.  If the style of the problematic text uses a TrueType font, then this is a documented AutoCAD bug.

This 'leaky' viewport problem with TrueType fonts is not consistent.  It may happen in one drawing but not another.  It may not even happen consistently within the same drawing every time you open it.

The only sure way to avoid this problem is to use standard AutoCAD fonts (.SHX).

Tips & Tricks

Problem:  Layer names aren't alphabetized any more.

Solution:  In order to conserve memory and reduce processing time, AutoCAD restricts the number of items (layers, blocks, etc) in a list that will be sorted.  Once the number of items in a list exceeds this threshold, sorting is no longer performed reliably.  This threshold may be set in the Preferences dialog, or by changing the 'MAXSORT' sysvar.  Default is 200.  Try bumping it to 500 - it is unlikely that you'll have lists longer than that.  (Be careful though - setting this unnecessarily high increases processing time.)

Problem:  I get a 'Hatch spacing too dense' error when trying to hatch.

Solution:  AutoCAD restricts the number of segments allowed in a hatch pattern in order to keep the file size down and to avoid system performance troubles.  If you find you need to exceed this number of segments, it is easy to increase the threshold.  The number is stored in the Windows registry.  To see the current setting, type (getenv "MaxHatch") at the command prompt.  (Note:  This setting is case sensitive)  Most likely, it will return 10,000, the AutoCAD default.  To increase it to 100,000 type (setenv "MaxHatch" "100000").  As above, do not raise this any more than necessary.  Safeguards like this can be a good thing!

Problem:  AutoCAD will not create a large array.

Solution:  AutoCAD restricts the number of copies made in an array.  If the number of rows multiplied by the number of columns exceeds this value (10,000 by default), the array will fail.  If you find you need to create a larger array, it is easy to increase the threshold.  The number is stored in the Windows registry.  To see the current setting, type (getenv "MaxArray") at the command prompt.  (Note:  This setting is case sensitive)  To increase it to 60,000 type (setenv "MaxHatch" "60000").

TIP:  Did you know that you can specify the last point with the at ('@') sign?  For instance, to copy an object exactly on top of itself, there is no need to OSNAP to the same endpoint twice.  When asked for the first point, click any old place - OSNAPs not required.  When asked for the second point, simply type @.

TIP:  Are you familiar with "joystick panning"?  No this is not a joke.  The only way to fully understand this is to try it, so go ahead - don't be afraid.  While holding down the <ctrl> key, use the middle button on your Intellimouse-compatible device.  AutoCAD will continually pan until you let go of the mouse button.  This is great for reviewing a drawing or finding an area quickly.  The direction of travel is determined by the direction you drag the mouse, and the speed is controlled by the distance from the initial point.  Like I said, you have to try it to understand!

TIP:  Do you ever struggle to visualize your drawing in 3D?  This is a slick way to check for misplaced contours or to see all those topo shots in a real-world perspective.  Open up a drawing that has some 3D content.  (Try a topo with elevated contours.)  Select as many objects as you would like to view, then right-click your mouse and select 'Object Viewer...' from the context menu.  A new window will open showing just those objects.  Initially, the Orbit tool is active.  Click and drag the orbit tool anywhere inside the circle and watch the drawing move dynamically!  (This tool may take some getting used to.)  Clicking inside one of the four smaller circles then dragging restricts your view rotation to one axis.  Clicking outside the large circle then dragging rotates the view.  There are lots of other options worth playing with.  You can zoom, pan, and set AutoCAD's viewpoint to match the view you come up with.  You can also copy the view to the Windows clipboard or save it as a bitmap.  If you have any solids, regions, or faces, you can shade the view.  And you can switch it into perspective mode for an even more realistic view.

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