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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 January 2009

Custom Button #11: Restore a Layer State

For those of you following my Custom Button parade and wondering what happened to #10, technically, the main article in October 2008 - Select Object for a Hatch on a Button - was number 10.

Every time I train folks on the practical application of layer states, they really get excited (see Michael's Corner, February 2007 for a quick review on creating layer states). Since my contract furniture customers are frequently interested in restoring a layer state of a "Panel Plan", let's take a look how that would work on a button. You may want to make a couple layer states first, then check it out.

Instructions to Add the Layer States Manager Tool to a Palette

  1. Open the Layers toolbar and also open the Tool Palette window. (A2009 users that only use the Ribbon may want to open the CUI and get the icon from there.)
  2. Right-click on the title bar of the Tool Palette title bar (or in between icons on the palette) and click Customize Palettes to open the Customize dialog box.
  3. Move the Customize dialog box aside, it's simply the key to get in the "door" for the process of copying a button to the palette.
Drag the Layer States button
  1. Click and drag the Layer States button from the Layers toolbar and drop it onto your palette. Now you can Close the Customize dialog box; it has served its purpose.
  2. Right-click on the new Layer States button on the palette, then click Properties to open the Tool Properties dialog box.
  3. First, you may want to change the name of the button.
  4. Edit the Command String to read as follows, substituting a valid layer state name in the quotes where I have "Panel_Plan":

^C^C-LA;A;R;"PANEL_PLAN";;;

^C^C Cancel; essentially hits the ESC key
-LA Launches the command line version of the Layer command
; The semi-colon means press <Enter>
A The Layer StAte option of the Layer command
R The Restore option
  1. After editing the Command String, click OK to close the dialog box.

To test your button, you may want to turn some layers On/Off or restore a different layer state, then try it.

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