CADTutor: The best free help for AutoCAD on the web
Michael's Corner RSS Feed

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

Palette Groups

Palette Groups

Tool palettes continue to improve with each version of AutoCAD. But with the arrival of A2007 we need to take a look at some palette management, specifically Palette Groups. By default, A2007 has 30(!) tool palettes, many of which are related to the new materials that come along with the 3D updates.

If you want to make your own palette, it gets a bit overshadowed by all the ones that are already there. So in an effort not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, let's look at how to keep the default palettes, but effectively suppress them in case we need them later. The ability to create tool palette groups is available in all palette-based versions; specifically A2004-A2007.

Instructions to Organize Your Palettes into Groups
  1. Open the Tool Palette window and create a new palette, CT_May06, just so you have one left over after grouping the default palettes.
  2. Right-click on the title bar of the Tool Palette window and click Customize.

Note: In A2007 the menu item reads "Customize Palettes".

  1. Right-click in the open area on the right under the Palette Groups side of the Customize dialog box, then click New Group.
Palette Groups
  1. Name the group(s). In A2007, I set up a few that were specific to their content as shown in the figure. Before you finish, create a group for your personal palettes, too.
  2. To add a palette to the group, drag it from the list of palettes on the left and release it just below the group's folder as shown.

Tip: You can arrange the position of the palettes and group folders by dragging them to other locations in the listing.

  1. Drag the CT_May06 palette into your personal group. In this illustration, I made a group called CADTutor Palettes.
Palette Groups
  1. After creating the groups and adding the palettes, click Close.
  2. Right-click on the title bar of the Tool Palette window to see the list of palette groups. The All Palettes item is checked.
  3. Click your personal palette group to close the other palettes and display only your group of palettes!

That should help immensely with your AutoCAD Spring cleaning!

Top of page

Local Navigation

Sponsored Links

Accessibility statement

Valid XHTML 1.0!Valid CSS!Creative Commons Licence