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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 September 2006

Clipping an XREF

XCLIPMany of my customers will Xref the base architectural plan, then add the furniture; wonderful idea. One of my customers in San Diego reminded me of the Xclip feature and showed me how they were using it, so I thought I'd pass it along. The following procedure requires that you have an Xref (Attached or Overlaid, it doesn't matter), and some other objects that are not part of the Xref. In the example, I am using the drawing from the A2005 Sample folder, 8th Floor Furniture.DWG, if you want to follow along.

Xref

Instructions to Use XCLIP

  1. First, I would recommend using the Copy command and copy the Xref and objects you will be including in the selection.
  2. Type XCLIP or, from the Reference toolbar, click Clip Xref.
  3. When prompted to select objects, use a crossing window and select the area with the Xref and the objects to be included in the procedure, then press Enter.
  4. Press Enter for the default option for <New>, then use either the Polygonal or the default of <Rectangular>.
Xref clipped
  1. Draw the rectangle (or polygonal shape if you used that option) around the area containing the objects and the Xref that you want to KEEP. The area of the Xref you do not include will be "clipped" and essentially disappear
  2. After creating the rectangle (or pressing Enter if you're using Polygonal), the Xref not included in the clipping procedure is no longer visible!

Of course the Xref is still there, but AutoCAD has used the concept of clipping planes (usually encountered in 3D applications; see Michael's Corner March 2006 to accomplish the desired result.

Other Stuff You Should Know

  1. Set the variable XCLIPFRAMES to <1> to see the edge of the clipping frame.  It is NOT editable; I tried.
  2. To turn Off the clipping frame and see the Xref in its entirety, launch the XCLIP command again, select the objects, then use the OFF option. This retains the integrity of the clipping frame so you can turn it ON again.
  3. Use the Delete option of the XCLIP command to get rid of the clipping frame and start again.
  4. If you select the previously selected/clipped area and use the <New> option again, you will be prompted to delete the old clipping boundary.
  5. You can copy the result of the Xclip procedure, too (as shown in the two Concept plans)!

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