Michael’s Corner

Michael Beall Michael'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 December 2009

SUPERHATCH [Express Tools]

Superhatch with block It is not easy to create your own custom hatch, so when the SUPERHATCH feature came out years ago - I think it originally showed up in the Bonus Tools - I was quite pleased. The big plus is that you can "hatch" an area with something as simple as a block. Here's how…

Instructions to Create and Add a Custom Hatch with SUPERHATCH

On the desired layer, create a 12″ x 12″ rectangle (if you are not familiar with the Rectangle command, see this month's Basics).
Within the square, use the Polyline command and create any shape you want.
Use the Block command and select the Polyline only when you "Select Object", and specify the lower left corner of the rectangle as the Pick Point.
Now create any closed shape. This will be the area within which you will be adding the hatch, (so it should be significantly larger than your 12 x 12 block).
From the Express Tools menu/tab, click Draw Super Hatch to open the Superhatch dialog box, then click the Block button.
With Specify Parameters on Screen checked, click OK.
Just to get familiar with the process, pick a point in the lower left corner of your closed shape, then press [Enter] for the default values of the X and Y Scale factor <1> and the Rotation <0>.
Press [Enter] for <Yes> when prompted "Is the placement of this BLOCK acceptable". You will then see the following prompt:

Select a window around the block to define column and row tile distances. Current rectangle modes: Width=0'-0 1/4" Specify block [Extents] First corner <magenta rectang>:

If you press [Enter], the end result of the Superhatch process will array the block corner to corner, per the illustration below left.
To provide a gap between the placement of each of your hatch blocks (as shown in the illustration above right), pick two points - beginning with the lower left corner of the magenta rectangle - making a rectangle a bit larger than the default, as shown here.
After picking the second corner, press [Enter] and you will see the following prompt:

Specify an option [Advanced options] <Internal point>:
Pick a point within the closed shape you created in step 4, then press [Enter] to complete the command.