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 March 2012

OSMODE on the QAT

It's been 8 years since I covered this, and I encountered a need for it last month, so let's take a quick look at adding yet another button to the Quick Access Toolbar.

Why is it that all the crazy things in AutoCAD happen when you're in a hurry?? You go to snap to something, and for some reason your Osnap is Off. Wouldn't it be cool if you could just hit a button and have the Osnap settings just the way you want 'em? The variable OSMODE contains a bitcode that represents the current collection of object snaps you have turned on.

This exercise shows you how to identify the OSMODE value for your favorite settings, then make a button to retrieve that value.

How to Add a Custom Osnap Button to the QAT

On the Status bar, right-click OSNAP, then click Settings to open the Drafting Settings dialog box on the Object Snap tab.
Check the boxes for your favorite(s), then click OK. I'm just going to set it to Node.
At the command line, type OSMODE, then press [Enter] to see the value for the snaps you selected. The OSMODE value is derived from the current setting of snaps on the Drafting Settings tab. For Node snap only, the value is <8>.

Gold Star Tip: To find how the OSMODE variable is calculated, go to Express Tools tabTools panelSystem Variable Editor. Scroll down the list and click OSMODE to see the bitcode used to calculate the value.
Open the CUI. Under Command List, click Create a New Command to create Commandx.
Click your new 'Commandx' to open the Properties panel on the right side of the CUI.
Add the values similar to those shown in this figure for Name, some type of Description, and Command Display Name. Your button will now be alphabetized in the Command list.
Edit the Command String field to read as follows (notice the apostrophe at the beginning)

'OSMODE;8;

The apostrophe runs the OSMODE command transparently. Since you usually discover that the Osnap is off when you're in the middle of a command, this button will set the Osnap while the command is still running.
At this point, click Apply to apply your edits to your new command.
To add your new button to the Quick Access Toolbar, drag it from the Command list and release it where you want it up on the Quick Access Toolbar. You should be good to go!