Image frames

Here's a nifty tip I've stumbled across during my continuous exploration of Autocad: IMAGEFRAME=2

I've skipped from 2005 straight to 2008, so I don't know if this is in '06 or '07, BUT ... it's a great tip in '08.

The IMAGEFRAME system variable, or IMF (my pgp shortcut), used to only have two settings: "On" and "Off". Well now it has three ... but they're numbered (0, 1, 2)

0 = Off

1 = On and plots the frame

and now the zinger:

2 = On and DOESN'T plot the frame

I LOVE this! Now I can easily move images if I need to without having to take the extra step(s) of finding out whether the frame is on, turning it on and then turning it off again so it doesn't plot (if you remember that step BEFORE plotting, that is).

So remember: IMAGEFRAME = 2, and just leave it alone.

Merry Christmas!
John

The TEXTTOFRONT command

This command is basically DRAW ORDER for text. And the beauty is that it works for ALL text at the same time PLUS it has an option for dimensions as well! No more hunting. :)

Give it a try.

*Added tip: Change your pgp file to make this command TTF.

Customizing your pgp file

Let's say that this is what your AutoCAD screen looks like:


Here's mine:

As you can see, I only have a few toobars that I use, which gives me a lot more screen space. This is because I use my keyboard rather than toolbar buttons (a habit I suggest everyone adopts). But to make that habit more practical, I've customized my pgp file to get maximum efficiency with minimal effort.

For example, LAYWALK is now LAW. TXT2MTXT is now T2. JUSTIFYTEXT is now JT. etc, etc you get the point.

Why do this, you might ask? For one thing, it's easier to spell JUSTIFYTEXT wrong than JT. For another thing, it's a lot faster, and if you do this continually, your time will add up, to be sure.

Here's how:

Type in your desired shortkey in AutoCAD to make sure that key sequence is not in use.

Open up your pgp file.

Save as a backup (acad.pgp.old or some other easy to remember title)

*Scroll down to USER DEFINED COMMAND ALIASES (at bottom). This is important so you do not confuse your personal user commands with acad native commands. And, as the pgp file says, if there is already a shortkey for that command that you may have overlooked, this will take precedence, since the last command is found and used. Also, as you add more, it is easier to find the bottom than the middle :)
Now ... to the next step.

Type in your desired shortkey (JT,) be sure to add the comma.

Add a set of spaces, and then type *JUSTIFYTEXT (with the *). It should look like this:

There ya have it. You have now customized your pgp file.

Now, this is the step many people forget. In CAD, type REINIT. In the popup, select 'pgp file' and click OK.

You have now successfully integrated your new pgp file into AutoCAD.

Test it to see if it worked.

Enjoy the time you saved and buy yourself a pop :)