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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 May 2006

Transfer Named Express Tool Layer States Between Drawings

TE: Layers ToolbarThe Express Tools have a checkered past, but that Layer Manager feature in the pre-A2007 software is just one of those features that I can't be without. But what if you have set up a dozen layer states in drawing A, and now you need to get those layer states into drawing B?

Instructions to Transfer Named Express Tool Layer States Between Drawings
  1. Open any drawing containing named layer states saved in the Express Tools Layer Manager.
  2. Open another drawing requiring those layer states that currently doesn't have any.
  3. Go to WindowTile Vertically so you see both the drawings.
  4. Click once on any object in the drawing containing the named layer states.
  5. Position your cursor on a highlighted line of the selected object (NOT on a grip), and drag it into the other drawing.
  6. Open the Express Tools Layer Manager to see all the named layer states.  Delete the transferred object if necessary.

Is that cool or what!! Yes, you could use the Export button in that dialog to create a .LAY file, but if you need 'em quicker than that, there's your trick!

Note: That whole dragging from one drawing to another drawing to get the layer state trick does not work if you have named layer states created using the Layer States Manager in the Layer Properties Manager.

A2007 Sidebar: You need to type LMAN to get the old Express Tool Layer Manager dialog box in A2007. It's not even mentioned in the Help files!

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