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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 August 2013

Edit the AutoCorrect Listing

Edit AutoCorrect ListIf you're an AutoCAD ‘Keyboard Artist’, you may have identified those commands/variables that you frequently mistype at the Command line.

Not to be confused with Spellcheck for text objects—Dtext and Mtext—there's an AutoCorrect .PGP file where you can add your corrections. And it's identical to the manner in which you would add a command alias (covered over 7 years ago in February 2006… and it hasn't changed one bit).

How to Edit the AutoCorrect .PGP File

  1. On the Manage tabCustomization panel, expand the ‘Edit’ button, then click Edit AutoCorrect List to open the Notepad file for the .PGP.

  2. Similar to creating an alias in the ACAD.PGP file, use the following comma and asterisk syntax for your correction where your mistake is first, then the correction:

    PICKFRIST,	*PICKFIRST

  3. That .PGP file is read when AutoCAD launches, but since you, essentially, went behind its back to make your edit, type REINIT to open the Re-Initialization dialog box.

    Re-initialization

  4. Check the box for PGP File, then click OK.

  5. Now enter your mistake and—if your AutoComplete is enabled—you will see the correction in parentheses!

    AutoCorrected result

Yes, you could simply put everything you ever type into the ACAD.PGP file, but it's nice to have a backup.

And now I'm thinking this may just have to be a Gold Star Tip in my Autodesk University seminar, AC1495-L—Click My Ride: Customizing Autodesk® AutoCAD® for How You Work.

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