AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies (2006)

262 Customizing AutoCAD LT

example of a script file that creates a layer called Bolt, creates a hexagon with a radius of 1” at the coordinates 5,5, and then performs zoom extents:

-layer m bolt c 5

polygon 6 5,5 1 zoom e

For more information on creating and using script files, see Chapter 4 of Book IX.

Linetype and hatch patterns

AutoCAD LT comes out of the box with a variety of linetypes and hatch patterns that are used for architectural and mechanical drawings. Although quite a few patterns are available, chances are you might need others that don’t come with the program. Linetype and hatch patterns are stored in ASCII or plain-text files and can be created or modified with the use of a text editor like Notepad. The CENTER linetype definition is shown here:

*CENTER,Center ____ _ ____ _ ____ _ ____ _ ____ _ ____

A,1.25,-.25,.25,-.25

For more information on creating custom linetypes and hatch patterns, see Chapter 4 of Book IX.

Blocks and DesignCenter

Blocks are one of the most powerful features in AutoCAD LT. Blocks allow you to create and define geometry once, and reuse it in as many drawings as you need. The DesignCenter palette (see Figure 2-1) allows you to access and place blocks in a drawing, as well as access other named objects in previously created drawings and add them to your current drawing. For more information on creating and using blocks, see Chapters 1 and 2 of Book VI, and for information on DesignCenter, see Chapter 3 of Book VI.

Customizing AutoCAD LT 263

264 Object Enabler Technology

Diesel

Diesel is an interesting form of customization in AutoCAD LT. It allows you to display values in the status bar area, and it can be used to create conditional statements for commands when customizing the user interface with the CUI editor. AutoCAD LT uses Diesel in several of its own command macros to determine the current state before running a specific command. As an example, when you use the shortcut key CTRL+0, which toggles Clean Screen on and off, AutoCAD LT looks to see what the current state of Clean Screen is, on or off, and executes the correct command to change the current state. For more information on using Diesel with the status bar or menu customization, see Chapter 2 of Book IX.

Command aliases

Command aliases are frequently used to quickly execute a command from the command line. Instead of typing in the command’s full name, you can type in a few letters to start it instead. Many of the popular commands have command aliases assigned to them right out of the box, but you can create or modify command aliases in the ACADLT.PGP file using a text editor such as Notepad. For more information on creating and modifying command aliases, see Chapter 1 of Book IX.

Desktop icons

Desktop icons are great for starting an application, but they offer so much more capability than that. AutoCAD LT allows you to use command line switches for changing the behavior of AutoCAD LT when it is started from a desktop icon. For more information on modifying a desktop icon with command line switches, see Chapter 1 of Book IX.

Object Enabler Technology

Object enablers have been around since AutoCAD R14, but were first supported in AutoCAD LT with AutoCAD 2000i. Object enablers allow you to view custom objects that are not part of the product by default. Often, you hear about object enablers when you work with drawings that are created in some of the AutoCAD-based vertical products such as Autodesk Building Systems (ABS) or Architectural Desktop (ADT). An object enabler is a series of files that AutoCAD LT loads on demand when it detects the use of custom objects; this allows for the objects to be displayed in their original form and be plotted correctly.

AutoCAD LT ships with a couple of the commonly used object enablers, but some need to be obtained and installed separately from Autodesk or a

266 Companion Products from Autodesk

Companion Products from Autodesk

Autodesk creates a huge portfolio of applications for the design community. Many of these applications are designed to be integrated solutions with other applications it sells. AutoCAD LT is no different, and the drawing files it creates can be used in other applications that Autodesk offers. Autodesk also offers many software packages that help to improve productivity. Most of these require the use of AutoCAD and not AutoCAD LT.

Autodesk Symbols 2000

Autodesk Symbols 2000 is a library of blocks that are ready to use in your drawings. The library contains blocks that are useful whether you do architectural, mechanical, or electrical drawings. More than 12,000 symbols are available for use through DesignCenter after the symbols have been installed. By using a precreated symbol library, you can save yourself a lot of time creating each symbol from scratch. To find out more information about Autodesk Symbols 2000, visit the Autodesk Web site at www.autodesk.com/symbols.

Autodesk VIZ 2007

Autodesk VIZ 2007 is a program that allows you to create complex 3D objects, apply materials to them, add lights, and then generate a rendered image or an animation. You can use the objects that you create in your 2D drawings from AutoCAD LT in Autodesk VIZ to create a 3D model for visualization purposes. If having the ability to create renderings and animations is important for your business, and you don’t need the ability to create or use custom add-ons for AutoCAD, you might think about buying AutoCAD LT and Autodesk VIZ instead of a single copy of AutoCAD. Autodesk VIZ allows you to create stunning visual effects and photo-realistic renderings. Autodesk VIZ 2007 retails for about $1,900. To find out more information about Autodesk VIZ 2007, visit the Autodesk Web site at www.autodesk.com/viz.

Third-Party Custom Solutions

Although Autodesk’s portfolio of applications is very large, one of the company’s keys to success has been its large development community that builds even more applications on or around Autodesk products. Most of the applications that are developed by third-party developers are created to run on top of AutoCAD or one of the AutoCAD-based vertical products and not AutoCAD LT. Some companies create applications that run outside of AutoCAD LT that allow you to view .DWG and .DWF files online through Java-

based applications, or to access block libraries. Many of these types of applications can be found using your Web browser and search engine.

268 Third-Party Custom Solutions

around, you can find a reasonably-priced version. You can find viewers in all shapes and sizes: from desktop and server applications to even palmtop or PDA applications.

Table 2-2 lists some of the different viewers on the market that are available from third-party developers.

270 Using AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD in the Same Office

The final piece of the puzzle is training, which is covered in the next section.

Training

Properly trained drafters help to ensure the creation of quality drawings. AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT by themselves are not enough to create a good drawing; it also takes time and a disciplined drafter committed to following company CAD standards. Training not only helps to ensure quality drawings, but it can also make sure that drawings are communicated properly to internal departments and external vendors. Training can be done by an external company or an internal member of the drafting department. You should not assume that everyone knows and understands the company’s CAD standards, or how to communicate designs with internal or external resources.

Communication

Communication is important in every aspect of the drafting process: from getting the idea of the client on to a drawing to making sure the vendors have the right information that they need to make a proper bid on the project. Properly communicating company CAD standards is vital to making a mixed office run smoothly because a process that works on AutoCAD might not necessarily work on AutoCAD LT. Because AutoCAD LT lacks some of the features of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT should be used as the basis for any company CAD standards. In the same way, those who use AutoCAD LT need to communicate what is not working for them back to those creating drawings with AutoCAD. A communication breakdown sometimes occurs when AutoCAD users don’t realize that a certain function isn’t supported by AutoCAD LT and users of AutoCAD LT don’t report the problem.

Environment

Although AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are very similar, they are slightly different in the interfaces and commands that they offer. Just because someone knows AutoCAD fairly well, don’t automatically assume that they will be proficient on AutoCAD LT. Some features that they routinely use in AutoCAD might not be available in AutoCAD LT, which can lead to some frustration by the user.

Customization

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT share some commonalities when it comes to customization. To make sure upgrading and supporting the two programs is as easy as possible, place all custom files in networked locations so they can be shared between the two programs. Files like scripts, custom linetypes, and hatch pattern files are easily shareable between the two programs because they are not productor release-specific, whereas CUI files, standard linetype, and hatch pattern files are specific to each program. Blocks and drawing templates are program neutral, so you can safely create blocks and drawing templates that can be shared between both programs.