Become an AutoCAD Power User #1

Here's a few tips and tricks for AutoCAD users:

• What the heck does this icon represent?
  This icon is usually found in the options dialog box and it is used to indicate that a setting is drawing specific. For example, "Retain changes to Xref layers".



• Items in (Parenthesis) help define the command such as:
  
  "Select up slope part in plan (Pipe or Structure):" which means you can select either a Pipe or a Structure for this command.



• When a command has different options, the options will be appear in brackets with capital letters for the hot key such as:
  
  "Specify next point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:" which means you only have to type A and press enter to change to Arc mode while drawing a pline.



• When you see a value or command in , that is the default value that will be used if you just press enter. For example:
  
  "Specify view twist angle <0.00>:" Pressing enter at this prompt will default to the value of 0.00.



• Holding shift with ortho OFF, will result in a temporary ortho ON state. Holding shift with ortho ON, will result in a temporary ortho OFF sate.



• Learn those default aliases for common commands such as:
  
  • a (arc)
  • c (circle)
  • co (copy)
  • l (line)
  • li (list)
  • m (move)
  • mt (mtext)
  • op (options)
  • rea (regenall)
  • ro (rotate)
  • pe (pedit)
  • pl (polyline)
  • rec (rectangle)
  • spl (spline)