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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 April 2004

Variable Width Polylines

Wide polylines are great for emphasis in your graphic communication. The lineweight feature (LWT on the status bar) is fine, but when you need numerically accurate values for the width of a line (that won't change when you zoom the drawing), wide polylines are the answer.

In this review, we'll take a look at how to create a tapered polyline for use as an arrowhead. The example is for a directional arrow in a floor plan to indicate means of egress

  1. Begin the Polyline command [alias: PL], and specify the start point.
  2. Enter W for the Width option, and then enter 0 as the starting width value.

Note: The variable PLINEWID retains the most recent setting for the width of a polyline. When working on an existing drawing, the initial width for the polyline command may have a value other than 0.

  1. For the ending width of the polyline, enter 36.
  2. Turn on Ortho, and as you move your cursor, you will see the arrowhead develop. Pick a point to create the first segment of the tapered polyline.
  3. The beginning width of the next segment uses the ending width of the previous segment. Since the Polyline option string is available at each point specified, you can change the width for each segment. Enter W and then change the value for the beginning width to 20.
  4. When prompted for the ending width, press ENTER to accept the default value 20.
  5. Continue to place points for the polyline with the constant width of 20.

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