Cool Things for the AutoCAD User to try.


Have you ever wanted to know where the file was that you are working on is located? What drive it was on? Well, the way most people do it is with a SAVEAS command and then using the pull-down directory tree and scroll up to see where the file was located. This always seemed a bit strange to me, too much work. Now, there are a few other ways to do it. You could try to remember what the system variable is that remembers that info for you or you could scroll through all the system variables using the SETVAR command till you found it. Admittedly, you could create a hotkey using the SETVAR and DWGPREFIX variable to tell you on command where it is located, but I always thought there could be a better way.

I was recently shown something that was kind of cool, but had little real world value to me. However, within a few minutes I had thought up some nifty uses for this techie trick. What you do is use that extra space in the status line to tell you info about the drawing. It already tells you whether you are in Paper Space or Model Space, if the Ortho is on or off, what the status is of your Snaps and Grid, etc. But what if you could display info here about other things that might be important. Well, now you can, and it's easy to do it. First, find your favorite System Variable. It can be either a static or dynamic variable. All you do is use the command MODEMACRO, press return then type the $(getvar,SYSTEM VARIABLE) where SYSTEM VARIABLE is the name of the variable you want displayed. For example, you want to show the current location and name of the file you are working on. Type This: MODEMACRO [RETURN] $(getvar,dwgprefix)$(getvar,dwgname) [RETURN]. It's all done. You now have that information in your Status Line. When you exit ACAD it forgets the setting, so you will need to add the following line to your ACAD.LSP file for continued usage, otherwise you will need to type it in each time you open or start a new drawing:

(Command "MODEMACRO" "$(getvar,dwgprefix)$(getvar,dwgname)")

Have fun with this one! (note that it is better to have the above line of code in a single line, not two as some browsers might split it)

Next tip is for people who find themselves switching modes often.

The copyright of the article Cool Things for the AutoCAD User to try. in AutoCAD Design is owned by Jonathan Jonas. Permission to republish Cool Things for the AutoCAD User to try. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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