CADTutor: The best free help for AutoCAD on the web
Michael's Corner RSS Feed

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 2004

UCS Icon and Its Properties

One of the first things to remember is that the only setting for the UCS icon that is constant across all drawings are those that are set in the UCS Icon dialog box which is accessed via the Properties option. All other options are per drawing. In the UCS Icon dialog box you can specify the icon graphic, its width size and color. You also have an option for the color in Model and Paper space.

[ON/OFF/Noorigin/ORigin/Properties]

Other things to consider with the UCS icon:

  1. To force the UCS icon down into the lower left corner, use the Noorigin option.
  2. If you don't work in a vacuum, remember that any drawing you open, whether it originates from within your company or not, may have a unique UCS position.
  3. When you reposition the UCS Origin (as in Step 3 of the lead article this month), remember that the icon will not anchor to the origin unless the UCSICON option of ORigin has been specified. (Or set via the lengthy process from the View menu).

Note: If the UCS icon does not anchor to the UCS origin, it is probably because the graphic of the icon itself cannot be completely displayed based upon the position of the UCS origin within the display. Pan your drawing and the icon will probably re-appear on the Origin.

Top of page

Local Navigation

Options

Sponsored Links

The Basics

Accessibility statement

Valid XHTML 1.0!Valid CSS!Creative Commons Licence