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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 2006

Observations regarding blocks in AutoCAD 2007

  1. Wonderful as they may be (and truly are), not every block needs to be a dynamic block.
  2. Double-click an attributed block and the Enhanced Attribute Editor comes up… but I want the old Ddatte.
  3. Double-click a non-attributed block and the Edit Block Definition dialog box comes up… but I was expecting Refedit.
  4. Indeed, I can access those alternative block editing features from the shortcut menu after selecting the block in question, then right-clicking… but you can now customize the right-click responses in AutoCAD 2007!
Instructions to Change the Double-Click Action in A2007
  1. Open the CUI, then expand the Partial CUI Files node, then expand Custom to see the node for Double Click Actions. The one thing I have learned in customizing the CUI is to do so under the Partial CUI Files.
  2. Right-click on the Double Click Actions node and select New Double Click Action and name it. I named mine Block_Refedit for this example.
  3. Under Properties, in the Advanced area, for the Refedit command to properly be assigned to this double-click, you need to enter the Object Name as BLOCKREF.
  1. To assign the Refedit command to this double-click item, under the Commands List, drag and drop the item Edit Reference In Place up to the Block_Refedit item.
  2. Click OK to apply the new setting and close the CUI. Then check it out!

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