I am often asked if there is a way to keep your attribute values when you Explode an AutoCAD block. Unfortunately, the short answer there is no, at least if you are using the EXPLODE command. However, if you use the BURST command instead it does just what you are looking for. The BURST command […]
Keep your AutoCAD Attribute Values with the Burst Command Read More »
The Lasso selection in AutoCAD allows you to create an irregularly shaped window or crossing selection set. Instead of picking two points for a rectangular window (from left to right) or a crossing selection (from right to left), you just press and drag to use the Lasso. The Lasso going from left to right is
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You are most likely familiar with the OFFSET command in AutoCAD and have probably used it thousands of times or more. It is a great way to create parallel copies of an object. But when you need a true buffer this may not be the best solution. This is where the OFFSETGAPTYPE system variable comes to
Offsets or True Buffers in AutoCAD Read More »
PDF files are commonly used to share information. If a PDF file was created with vector data and you want more than just an underlay, give the PDF Import command a try. The PDF Import command is located at Ribbon: Insert >> Import >> PDF Import. Next the Import PDF dialog box is displayed. This dialog
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The Layer Walk command in AutoCAD allows you to select one or more layers from a list and immediately isolate them so only the objects on the selected layer or layers are displayed. It can be found in the Layers panel on the Home tab of the ribbon or by typing LAYWALK at the command
Take a Walk with your Layers Read More »
The Status Bar is something we all use often in Civil 3D, but probably take for granted. Other than the change from using text to icons a few years back you might not think about it much as you use it day to day to change settings and toggle features like object snaps on and
Get more out of the Civil 3D Status Bar Read More »
You can copy objects out of an xref or block and into your drawing using the NCOPY command. Just type NCOPY at the command line. Then select the objects you would like to copy from the xref or block. Next pick a base point and a destination point just like the regular COPY command. This
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CADapult Software Solutions will be involved in several events around the US that you will want to check out if they are in your area. Autodesk University This last November was my 13th consecutive year teaching at AU. This year I taught three classes and assisted in several others. Many of the AU classes are
CADapult Training Events for the First Half of 2019 Read More »
Civil 3D has long been able to drape (or project) feature lines onto a surface. This is a valuable grading tool and a great way to apply elevations to complex feature lines by creating a surface with the correct slopes using more simplified geometry. For example, a parking may need a 1% slope, but the
Feature Lines Linked to a Surface Read More »
You can right-click on an object in Civil 3D and pick Select Similar to select all the objects in a drawing with shared, or similar, properties. It’s not obvious, however, there are two different versions of the Select Similar command in Civil 3D. If you watch the command line closely you will notice that the
Select Similar in Civil 3D Read More »
Cadapult Software Solutions offers a wide variety of books written by people who have a lot of experience installing and managing network versions of Autodesk software.