Autodesk AUTOCAD 2006 Reference Manual

AutoCAD

®

Command Reference

2006

February 2005

Copyright © 2005 Autodesk, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose.

AUTODESK, INC., MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE MATERIALS, AND MAKES
SUCH MATERIALS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN "AS-IS" BASIS.

IN NO EVENT SHALL AUTODESK, INC., BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL, COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF THESE MATERIALS. THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE
LIABILITY TO AUTODESK, INC., REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE
MATERIALS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

Autodesk, Inc., reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This publication describes the state of this product at the time
of its publication, and may not reflect the product at all times in the future.

Autodesk Trademarks

The following are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries: 3D Studio, 3D Studio MAX, 3D Studio
VIZ, 3ds max, ActiveShapes, ActiveShapes (logo), Actrix, ADI, AEC-X, ATC, AUGI, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Autodesk, Autodesk Envision,
Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Map, Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Streamline, Autodesk WalkThrough, Autodesk World, AutoLISP,
AutoSketch, backdraft, Biped, bringing information down to earth, Buzzsaw, CAD Overlay, Character Studio, Cinepak, Cinepak (logo),
cleaner, Codec Central, combustion, Design Your World, Design Your World (logo), EditDV, Education by Design, gmax, Heidi, HOOPS,
Hyperwire, i-drop, IntroDV, lustre, Mechanical Desktop, ObjectARX, Physique, Powered with Autodesk Technology (logo), ProjectPoint,
RadioRay, Reactor, Revit, VISION*, Visual, Visual Construction, Visual Drainage, Visual Hydro, Visual Landscape, Visual Roads, Visual
Survey, Visual Toolbox, Visual Tugboat, Visual LISP, Volo, WHIP!, and WHIP! (logo).

The following are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries: AutoCAD Learning Assistance, AutoCAD LT Learning
Assistance, AutoCAD Simulator, AutoCAD SQL Extension, AutoCAD SQL Interface, AutoSnap, AutoTrack, Built with ObjectARX (logo),
burn, Buzzsaw.com, CAiCE, Cinestream, Civil 3D, cleaner central, ClearScale, Colour Warper, Content Explorer, Dancing Baby (image),
DesignCenter, Design Doctor, Designer's Toolkit, DesignKids, DesignProf, DesignServer, Design Web Format, DWF, DWFit, DWG
Linking, DXF, Extending the Design Team, GDX Driver, gmax (logo), gmax ready (logo),Heads-up Design, jobnet, mass, ObjectDBX,
onscreen onair online, Plasma, PolarSnap, Productstream, Real-time Roto, Render Queue, Visual Bridge, Visual Syllabus, and Where
Design Connects.

Autodesk Canada Co. Trademarks

The following are registered trademarks of Autodesk Canada Co. in the USA and/or Canada, and/or other countries: discreet, fire, flame,
flint, flint RT, frost, glass, inferno, MountStone, riot, river, smoke, sparks, stone, stream, vapour, wire.

The following are trademarks of Autodesk Canada Co., in the USA, Canada, and/or other countries: backburner, Multi-Master Editing.

Third-Party Trademarks

All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Third-Party Software Program Credits

ACIS Copyright © 1989-2001 Spatial Corp. Portions Copyright © 2002 Autodesk, Inc.
Copyright © 1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Flash ® is a registered trademark of Macromedia, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

International CorrectSpell™ Spelling Correction System © 1995 by Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products, N.V. All rights reserved.
InstallShield™ 3.0. Copyright © 1997 InstallShield Software Corporation. All rights reserved.
PANTONE ® Colors displayed in the software application or in the user documentation may not match PANTONE-identified standards. Consult

current PANTONE Color Publications for accurate color.
PANTONE ® and other Pantone, Inc. trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc. © Pantone, Inc., 2002
Pantone, Inc. is the copyright owner of color data and/or software which are licensed to Autodesk, Inc., to distribute for use only in combination

with certain Autodesk software products. PANTONE Color Data and/or Software shall not be copied onto another disk or into memory unless
as part of the execution of this Autodesk software product.

Portions Copyright © 1991-1996 Arthur D. Applegate. All rights reserved.
Portions of this software are based on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
RAL DESIGN © RAL, Sankt Augustin, 2002
RAL CLASSIC © RAL, Sankt Augustin, 2002
Representation of the RAL Colors is done with the approval of RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. (RAL German

Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification, re. Assoc.), D-53757 Sankt Augustin."
Typefaces from the Bitstream ® typeface library copyright 1992.
Typefaces from Payne Loving Trust © 1996. All rights reserved.

GOVERNMENT USE

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR 12.212 (Commercial Computer Software­Restricted Rights) and DFAR 227.7202 (Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software), as applicable.

12345678910

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction....................................................................1

Using AutoCAD Documentation.............................................................1

Using This Reference................................................................................1

Executing Commands......................................................................1

References to Other Sections............................................................5

Typographical Conventions....................................................................5

Chapter 2 3D.....................................................................................7

3DARRAY................................................................................................18

3DCLIP...................................................................................................20

Adjust Clipping Planes Window....................................................20

3DCONFIG.............................................................................................22

3DCORBIT..............................................................................................28

3DDISTANCE.........................................................................................28

3DDWFPUBLISH ...................................................................................29

3D DWF Publish Dialog Box..........................................................29

3DFACE..................................................................................................30

3DMESH.................................................................................................32

3DORBIT................................................................................................33

3D Orbit Cursor Icons....................................................................34

3DOrbit Shortcut Menu.................................................................35

3DORBITCTR..........................................................................................38

3DPAN....................................................................................................38

3DPOLY..................................................................................................39

3DSIN.....................................................................................................40

3D Studio File Import Options Dialog Box....................................40

3DSOUT..................................................................................................43

3D Studio File Export Options Dialog Box....................................43

3DSWIVEL..............................................................................................45

3DZOOM................................................................................................46

Chapter 3 ABOUT...........................................................................47

ACISIN....................................................................................................47

ACISOUT................................................................................................47

ADCCLOSE.............................................................................................47

ADCENTER.............................................................................................48

DesignCenter Window...................................................................48

i

Search Dialog Box...........................................................................54

ADCNAVIGATE......................................................................................57

ALIGN.....................................................................................................57

AMECONVERT.......................................................................................59

APERTURE..............................................................................................60

APPLOAD...............................................................................................61

Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box..........................................61

Startup Suite Dialog Box.................................................................63

ARC.........................................................................................................64

ARCHIVE................................................................................................69

Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box......................................................69

Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box..................................................73

Archive - Set Password Dialog Box.................................................76

ARCHIVE Command Line..............................................................76

AREA.......................................................................................................77

ARRAY....................................................................................................80

Array Dialog Box............................................................................80

ARRAY Command Line..................................................................86

ARX........................................................................................................88

ASSIST.....................................................................................................89

Info Palette Shortcut Menu............................................................90

ASSISTCLOSE..........................................................................................90

ATTACHURL..........................................................................................91

ATTDEF...................................................................................................91

Attribute Definition Dialog Box.....................................................91

ATTDEF Command Line................................................................94

ATTDISP.................................................................................................96

ATTEDIT.................................................................................................97

Edit Attributes Dialog Box..............................................................98

ATTEDIT Command Line...............................................................99

ATTEXT................................................................................................104

Attribute Extraction Dialog Box...................................................105

ATTEXT Command Line..............................................................106

ATTREDEF............................................................................................107

ATTSYNC..............................................................................................107

AUDIT...................................................................................................108

Chapter 4 BACKGROUND............................................................109

Background Dialog Box........................................................................109

Adjust Background Bitmap Placement Dialog Box..............................112

BACTION..............................................................................................113

BACTIONSET........................................................................................120

BACTIONTOOL....................................................................................121

BASE.....................................................................................................127

BASSOCIATE.........................................................................................128

BATTMAN............................................................................................128

ii | Contents

Block Attribute Manager..............................................................128

Edit Attribute Dialog Box.............................................................130

Settings Dialog Box......................................................................133

BATTORDER.........................................................................................134

Attribute Order Dialog Box..........................................................134

BAUTHORPALETTE..............................................................................135

BAUTHORPALETTECLOSE...................................................................136

BCLOSE................................................................................................136

BCYCLEORDER....................................................................................136

Insertion Cycling Order Dialog Box.............................................137

BEDIT...................................................................................................137

Edit Block Definition Dialog Box.................................................138

Block Editor..................................................................................139

BEDIT Command Line.................................................................149

BGRIPSET.............................................................................................150

BHATCH...............................................................................................150

BLIPMODE...........................................................................................150

BLOCK..................................................................................................151

Block Definition Dialog Box........................................................151

BLOCK Command Line................................................................154

BLOCKICON........................................................................................156

BLOOKUPTABLE..................................................................................156

Property Lookup Table Dialog Box..............................................157

Add Parameter Properties Dialog Box..........................................158

BMPOUT...............................................................................................159

BOUNDARY..........................................................................................160

Boundary Creation Dialog Box....................................................160

BOUNDARY Command Line.......................................................161

BOX......................................................................................................162

BPARAMETER.......................................................................................165

BREAK...................................................................................................179

BROWSER.............................................................................................181

BSAVE...................................................................................................181

BSAVEAS...............................................................................................182

Save Block As Dialog Box.............................................................182

BVHIDE................................................................................................183

BVSHOW..............................................................................................183

BVSTATE...............................................................................................184

Visibility States Dialog Box..........................................................184

..........................................................................................................?

BVSTATE Command Line............................................................186

Chapter 5 CAL...............................................................................189

Understand Syntax of Expressions......................................................189

Format Feet and Inches........................................................................190

Format Angles......................................................................................191

Contents | iii

Use Points and Vectors........................................................................191

Use AutoLISP Variables........................................................................193

Use System Variables in Calculations..................................................193

Convert Units of Measurement...........................................................194

Use Standard Numeric Functions........................................................194

Calculate a Vector from Two Points....................................................195

Calculate the Length of a Vector.........................................................196

Obtain a Point by Cursor.....................................................................197

Obtain the Last-Specified Point...........................................................197

Use Snap Modes in Arithmetic Expressions.........................................197

Convert Points Between UCS and WCS..............................................198

Calculate a Point on a Line..................................................................199

Rotate a Point About an Axis...............................................................200

Obtain an Intersection Point...............................................................201

Calculate a Distance.............................................................................201

Obtain a Radius....................................................................................203

Obtain an Angle...................................................................................203

Calculate a Normal Vector...................................................................205

Use Shortcut Functions........................................................................206

CAMERA...............................................................................................207

CHAMFER.............................................................................................208

CHANGE..............................................................................................212

CHECKSTANDARDS.............................................................................217

Check Standards Dialog Box........................................................217

CHPROP...............................................................................................218

CIRCLE.................................................................................................221

CLEANSCREENON...............................................................................223

CLEANSCREENOFF..............................................................................224

CLOSE...................................................................................................224

CLOSEALL............................................................................................224

COLOR.................................................................................................224

Select Color Dialog Box................................................................225

Index Color Tab (Select Color Dialog Box)..........................225

True Color Tab (Select Color Dialog Box)............................226

Color Books Tab (Select Color Dialog Box)..........................228

COLOR Command Line...............................................................229

COMMANDLINE..................................................................................230

COMMANDLINEHIDE.........................................................................230

COMPILE..............................................................................................230

CONE....................................................................................................231

CONVERT.............................................................................................235

CONVERTCTB......................................................................................236

CONVERTPSTYLES...............................................................................237

COPY....................................................................................................238

COPYBASE............................................................................................239

COPYCLIP............................................................................................239

iv | Contents

COPYHIST............................................................................................240

COPYLINK............................................................................................240

CUI.......................................................................................................240

Customize User Interface Dialog Box..........................................240

Transfer Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog Box)...........241

Customize Tab (Customize User Interface Dialog

Box)....................................................................................242

Button Editor Dialog Box.............................................................245

Display Filters Dialog Box............................................................247

Find and Replace Dialog Box.......................................................247

Find Tab (Find and Replace Dialog Box)..............................247

Replace Tab (Find and Replace Dialog Box).........................248

CUIEXPORT.........................................................................................250

CUIIMPORT.........................................................................................250

CUILOAD.............................................................................................250

CUIUNLOAD........................................................................................250

CUSTOMIZE.........................................................................................251

Customize Dialog Box..................................................................251

CUTCLIP..............................................................................................252

CYLINDER............................................................................................252

Chapter 6 DBCCLOSE...................................................................257

DBCONNECT.......................................................................................257

dbConnect Manager.....................................................................258

Data View Window......................................................................264

Query Editor.................................................................................275

Quick Query Tab (Query Editor)..........................................275

Range Query Tab (Query Editor)..........................................277

Query Builder Tab (Query Editor)........................................278

SQL Query Tab (Query Editor).............................................281

Column Values Dialog Box..........................................................284

Configure a Data Source Dialog Box............................................284

Data View and Query Options Dialog Box..................................284

Export Links Dialog Box...............................................................287

Export Query Set Dialog Box........................................................288

Export Template Set Dialog Box..................................................288

Find Dialog Box............................................................................288

Format Dialog Box........................................................................289

Import Query Set Dialog Box.......................................................290

Import Template Set Dialog Box..................................................290

Label Template Dialog Box..........................................................291

Label Template Properties Dialog Box.........................................293

Link Conversion Dialog Box........................................................294

Link Manager................................................................................296

Link Select Dialog Box..................................................................297

Link Template Dialog Box............................................................300

Contents | v

Link Template Properties Dialog Box...........................................302

New Label Template Dialog Box..................................................302

New Link Template Dialog Box...................................................303

New Query Dialog Box.................................................................304

Replace Dialog Box.......................................................................305

Select a Database Object Dialog Box............................................306

Select Data Object Dialog Box......................................................306

Sort Dialog Box.............................................................................307

Synchronize Dialog Box...............................................................307

DBLCLKEDIT........................................................................................309

DBLIST..................................................................................................309

DDEDIT................................................................................................310

Edit Text Dialog Box.....................................................................310

Edit Attribute Definition Dialog Box...........................................311

DDPTYPE..............................................................................................311

Point Style Dialog Box..................................................................312

DDVPOINT...........................................................................................313

Viewpoint Presets Dialog Box......................................................313

DELAY..................................................................................................314

DETACHURL........................................................................................314

DIM and DIM1.....................................................................................315

DIMALIGNED.......................................................................................316

DIMANGULAR.....................................................................................319

DIMARC...............................................................................................323

DIMBASELINE......................................................................................325

DIMCENTER.........................................................................................326

DIMCONTINUE...................................................................................327

DIMDIAMETER....................................................................................329

DIMDISASSOCIATE..............................................................................330

DIMEDIT..............................................................................................330

DIMJOGGED........................................................................................333

DIMLINEAR..........................................................................................335

DIMORDINATE....................................................................................339

DIMOVERRIDE.....................................................................................341

DIMRADIUS.........................................................................................342

DIMREASSOCIATE...............................................................................343

DIMREGEN...........................................................................................345

DIMSTYLE............................................................................................345

Dimension Style Manager............................................................346

Create New Dimension Style Dialog Box.....................................348

New, Modify, and Override Dimension Style Dialog

Boxes..........................................................................................349

Compare Dimension Styles Dialog Box.......................................376

DIMSTYLE Command Line..........................................................377

DIMTEDIT............................................................................................380

DIST......................................................................................................382

vi | Contents

DIVIDE.................................................................................................382

DONUT.................................................................................................384

DRAGMODE.........................................................................................385

DRAWINGRECOVERY.........................................................................385

Drawing Recovery Manager.........................................................385

DRAWINGRECOVERYHIDE.................................................................387

DRAWORDER.......................................................................................387

DSETTINGS..........................................................................................388

Drafting Settings Dialog Box........................................................389

Pointer Input Settings Dialog Box................................................400

Dimension Input Settings Dialog Box.........................................401

Tooltip Appearance Dialog Box...................................................402

DSVIEWER............................................................................................403

Aerial View Window.....................................................................404

DVIEW..................................................................................................406

DWGPROPS..........................................................................................416

Drawing Properties Dialog Box....................................................417

Add Custom Property Dialog Box................................................423

DXBIN..................................................................................................423

Chapter 7 EATTEDIT....................................................................425

Enhanced Attribute Editor...................................................................425

EATTEXT..............................................................................................427

Attribute Extraction Wizard.........................................................428

Attribute Extraction - Additional Settings Dialog Box.................432

Filter Dialog Box...........................................................................433

EDGE....................................................................................................434

EDGESURF............................................................................................435

ELEV.....................................................................................................436

ELLIPSE.................................................................................................437

ERASE...................................................................................................441

ETRANSMIT..........................................................................................442

Create Transmittal Dialog Box.....................................................442

Transmittal Setups Dialog Box.....................................................446

Import Transmittal Setups Dialog Box.........................................447

Modify Transmittal Setup Dialog Box..........................................448

Transmittal - Set Password Dialog Box.........................................452

ETRANSMIT Command Line........................................................453

EXPLODE.............................................................................................454

EXPORT................................................................................................456

EXTEND...............................................................................................456

EXTRUDE.............................................................................................460

Chapter 8 FIELD............................................................................463

Field Dialog Box...................................................................................463

Field Format Dialog Box.......................................................................467

Contents | vii

FILL.......................................................................................................468

FILLET...................................................................................................469

FILTER..................................................................................................473

Object Selection Filters Dialog Box..............................................474

FIND.....................................................................................................476

Find and Replace Dialog Box.......................................................477

Find and Replace Options Dialog Box.........................................479

FOG......................................................................................................480

Fog/Depth Cue Dialog Box..........................................................480

Chapter 9 GOTOURL....................................................................483

GRADIENT...........................................................................................483

GRAPHSCR...........................................................................................483

GRID.....................................................................................................483

GROUP.................................................................................................485

Object Grouping Dialog Box........................................................485

Order Group Dialog Box..............................................................489

GROUP Command Line...............................................................490

Chapter 10 HATCH.........................................................................493

Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box...........................................................493

Hatch Tab (Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box)...............................497

Gradient Tab (Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box)..........................501

More Options (Hatch and Gradient Dialog Box).........................502

Hatch Pattern Palette Dialog Box........................................................506

HATCH Command Line.......................................................................507

HATCHEDIT.........................................................................................514

Hatch Edit Dialog Box..................................................................514

HATCHEDIT Command Line.......................................................516

HELP.....................................................................................................519

HIDE.....................................................................................................519

HLSETTINGS........................................................................................520

Hidden Line Settings Dialog Box.................................................521

HYPERLINK..........................................................................................523

Insert Hyperlink Dialog Box.........................................................523

Edit Hyperlink Dialog Box...........................................................527

Select Place in Document Dialog Box..........................................527

HYPERLINK Command Line........................................................528

HYPERLINKOPTIONS...........................................................................529

Chapter 11 ID..................................................................................531

IMAGE..................................................................................................531

Image Manager.............................................................................531

IMAGE Command Line................................................................535

IMAGEADJUST.....................................................................................537

viii | Contents

Image Adjust Dialog Box..............................................................537

IMAGEADJUST Command Line...................................................539

IMAGEATTACH....................................................................................539

Image Dialog Box.........................................................................540

IMAGECLIP..........................................................................................543

IMAGEFRAME......................................................................................544

IMAGEQUALITY..................................................................................545

IMPORT................................................................................................545

INSERT..................................................................................................546

Insert Dialog Box..........................................................................546

INSERT Command Line...............................................................549

INSERTOBJ...........................................................................................553

Insert Object Dialog Box..............................................................554

INTERFERE...........................................................................................555

INTERSECT...........................................................................................557

ISOPLANE.............................................................................................558

Chapter 12 JOIN..............................................................................561

JPGOUT................................................................................................562

JUSTIFYTEXT........................................................................................562

Chapter 13 LAYER..........................................................................565

Layer Properties Manager.....................................................................565

Layer Filter Properties Dialog Box........................................................574

Layer Filter Examples...................................................................576

Layer States Manager............................................................................578

New Layer State to Save Dialog Box....................................................580

Select Linetype Dialog Box..................................................................580

Lineweight Dialog Box.........................................................................581

LAYER Command Line........................................................................582

LAYERP.................................................................................................587

LAYERPMODE......................................................................................588

LAYOUT...............................................................................................588

LAYOUTWIZARD.................................................................................590

Layout Wizard..............................................................................590

LAYTRANS............................................................................................591

Layer Translator............................................................................591

Settings Dialog Box......................................................................593

Edit/New Layer Dialog Box..........................................................594

LEADER................................................................................................594

LENGTHEN..........................................................................................598

LIGHT...................................................................................................601

Lights Dialog Box.........................................................................601

New or Modify Point Light Dialog Box.......................................603

New or Modify Distant Light Dialog Box....................................606

New or Modify Spotlight Dialog Box...........................................608

Contents | ix

North Location Dialog Box..........................................................610

Shadow Options Dialog Box........................................................611

Sun Angle Calculator Dialog Box.................................................612

Geographic Location Dialog Box.................................................614

LIMITS..................................................................................................615

LINE......................................................................................................615

LINETYPE.............................................................................................617

Linetype Manager.........................................................................617

Load or Reload Linetypes Dialog Box..........................................620

LINETYPE Command Line...........................................................621

LIST.......................................................................................................623

LOAD....................................................................................................623

LOGFILEOFF.........................................................................................624

LOGFILEON.........................................................................................624

LSEDIT..................................................................................................624

Landscape Edit Dialog Box...........................................................625

LSLIB.....................................................................................................626

Landscape Library Dialog Box......................................................626

Landscape Library Edit Dialog Box..............................................627

LSNEW..................................................................................................629

Landscape New Dialog Box..........................................................629

LTSCALE...............................................................................................631

LWEIGHT.............................................................................................632

Lineweight Settings Dialog Box...................................................632

LWEIGHT Command Line...........................................................634

Chapter 14 MARKUP......................................................................637

Markup Set Manager............................................................................637

MARKUPCLOSE....................................................................................643

MASSPROP...........................................................................................643

MATCHCELL........................................................................................646

MATCHPROP.......................................................................................646

Property Settings Dialog Box........................................................647

MATLIB................................................................................................649

Materials Library Dialog Box........................................................649

Reconcile Imported Material Names Dialog Box.........................651

Reconcile Exported Material Names Dialog Box..........................652

MEASURE.............................................................................................653

MENU...................................................................................................655

MENULOAD.........................................................................................655

Load/Unload Customizations Dialog Box...................................655

MENULOAD Command Line.......................................................656

MENUUNLOAD...................................................................................656

MINSERT..............................................................................................656

MIRROR................................................................................................663

MIRROR3D...........................................................................................664

x | Contents

MLEDIT................................................................................................667

Multiline Edit Tools Dialog Box...................................................667

MLEDIT Command Line..............................................................677

MLINE..................................................................................................678

MLSTYLE..............................................................................................681

Multiline Style Dialog Box...........................................................681

Create New Multiline Style Dialog Box........................................683

New, Modify Multiline Style Dialog Boxes..................................684

Load Multiline Styles Dialog Box.................................................688

MODEL.................................................................................................689

MOVE...................................................................................................689

MREDO.................................................................................................690

MSLIDE.................................................................................................691

MSPACE................................................................................................691

MTEDIT................................................................................................691

MTEXT.................................................................................................692

In-Place Text Editor .....................................................................692

Indents and Tabs Dialog Box.......................................................702

Background Mask Dialog Box......................................................702

Replace Dialog Box.......................................................................703

Stack Properties Dialog Box..........................................................704

AutoStack Properties Dialog Box..................................................706

MTEXT Command Line...............................................................707

Symbols and Special Characters...................................................711

MULTIPLE............................................................................................713

MVIEW.................................................................................................713

MVSETUP.............................................................................................718

MVSETUP on the Model Tab........................................................719

MVSETUP on a Layout Tab..........................................................719

Chapter 15 NETLOAD.....................................................................727

NEW.....................................................................................................727

Create New Drawing Dialog Box..................................................727

Quick Setup Wizard......................................................................730

Advanced Setup Wizard...............................................................732

NEW Command Line...................................................................734

NEWSHEETSET.....................................................................................734

Chapter 16 OFFSET.........................................................................737

OLELINKS.............................................................................................739

Links Dialog Box..........................................................................739

Convert Dialog Box......................................................................740

Change Icon Dialog Box..............................................................741

OLESCALE............................................................................................742

OLE Text Size Dialog Box.............................................................743

OOPS....................................................................................................743

Contents | xi

OPEN....................................................................................................744

Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes...........................................745

Buzzsaw Location Shortcuts Dialog Box......................................749

Log In to Buzzsaw Dialog Box......................................................750

Create a Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Box.........................751

Edit a Buzzsaw Location Shortcut Dialog Box.............................751

Select a Buzzsaw Location Dialog Box.........................................752

Find Dialog Box............................................................................752

Add/Modify FTP Locations Dialog Box........................................755

Partial Open Dialog Box...............................................................756

OPEN Command Line..................................................................759

OPENDWFMARKUP.............................................................................759

OPENSHEETSET....................................................................................760

OPTIONS..............................................................................................760

Options Dialog Box......................................................................760

Files Tab (Options Dialog Box).............................................762

Display Tab (Options Dialog Box)........................................767

Open and Save Tab (Options Dialog Box)............................771

Plot and Publish Tab (Options Dialog Box).........................776

System Tab (Options Dialog Box)........................................780

User Preferences Tab (Options Dialog Box)..........................783

Drafting Tab (Options Dialog Box)......................................786

Selection Tab (Options Dialog Box).....................................789

Profiles Tab (Options Dialog Box)........................................793

Alternate Font Dialog Box............................................................795

Color Options Dialog Box............................................................796

Command Line Window Font Dialog Box..................................798

Thumbnail Preview Settings Dialog Box......................................799

Plot Style Table Settings Dialog Box............................................800

3D Graphics System Configuration Dialog Box..........................802

Right-Click Customization Dialog Box........................................802

Field Update Settings Dialog Box.................................................804

Visual Effect Settings Dialog Box.................................................805

Advanced Preview Options Dialog Box.......................................806

Add Profile Dialog Box.................................................................807

Change Profile Dialog Box...........................................................808

Transparency Dialog Box.............................................................808

ORTHO.................................................................................................808

OSNAP..................................................................................................809

Chapter 17 PAGESETUP.................................................................811

Page Setup Manager.............................................................................811

New Page Setup Dialog Box.................................................................815

Page Setup Dialog Box..........................................................................816

Changes to a Printer Configuration File Dialog Box (Page

Setup).................................................................................................824

xii | Contents

Import Page Setups Dialog Box............................................................824

PAN.......................................................................................................825

Panning in Real Time...................................................................826

PAN Command Line....................................................................827

Pan Shortcut Menu.......................................................................827

PARTIALOAD.......................................................................................828

Partial Load Dialog Box................................................................828

PARTIALOAD Command Line.....................................................831

PARTIALOPEN......................................................................................833

PASTEASHYPERLINK............................................................................835

PASTEBLOCK........................................................................................835

PASTECLIP............................................................................................835

PASTEORIG..........................................................................................836

PASTESPEC...........................................................................................836

Paste Special Dialog Box...............................................................837

PCINWIZARD.......................................................................................838

PEDIT....................................................................................................838

PFACE...................................................................................................854

PLAN.....................................................................................................855

PLINE....................................................................................................857

PLOT.....................................................................................................863

Plot Dialog Box.............................................................................864

Add Page Setup Dialog Box..........................................................875

Changes to a Printer Configuration File Dialog Box (Plot).........875

Plot Job Progress Dialog Box........................................................876

Update PC3 File with New Printer Dialog Box............................876

PLOT Command Line..................................................................878

PLOTSTAMP.........................................................................................882

Plot Stamp Dialog Box.................................................................882

User Defined Fields Dialog Box....................................................884

Advanced Options Dialog Box.....................................................884

PLOTSTAMP Command Line.......................................................887

PLOTSTYLE...........................................................................................889

Current Plot Style Dialog Box......................................................890

Select Plot Style Dialog Box..........................................................891

PLOTSTYLE Command Line........................................................892

PLOTTERMANAGER.............................................................................892

Add-a-Plotter Wizard....................................................................893

Plotter Configuration Editor........................................................893

General Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor).........................894

Ports Tab (Plotter Configuration Editor)..............................896

Device and Document Settings Tab (Plotter

Configuration Editor)........................................................897

Configure LPT Port Dialog Box....................................................906

Settings for COM Port Dialog Box...............................................906

Advanced Settings for COM Port Dialog Box..............................907

Contents | xiii

PNGOUT..............................................................................................908

POINT...................................................................................................909

POLYGON............................................................................................910

PREVIEW..............................................................................................912

PROPERTIES.........................................................................................914

Properties Palette..........................................................................915

General Properties of Objects.......................................................917

Cell Border Properties Dialog Box................................................919

Add Distance or Angle Value Dialog Box.....................................920

PROPERTIESCLOSE..............................................................................920

PSETUPIN.............................................................................................920

PSETUPIN Command Line...........................................................921

PSPACE.................................................................................................921

PUBLISH...............................................................................................921

Publish Dialog Box.......................................................................922

Publish Options Dialog Box.........................................................926

Publish Block Template Dialog Box (Publish)..............................929

Block Template Options Dialog Box (Publish).............................930

Changes to a Printer Configuration File Dialog Box

(Publish).....................................................................................930

DWF Password Dialog Box...........................................................931

Confirm DWF Password Dialog Box............................................931

Publish Job Progress Dialog Box...................................................931

PUBLISH Command Line.............................................................932

PUBLISHTOWEB..................................................................................932

Publish to Web Wizard................................................................933

PURGE..................................................................................................933

Purge Dialog Box..........................................................................933

PURGE Command Line................................................................935

Chapter 18 QCCLOSE.....................................................................937

QDIM....................................................................................................937

QLEADER..............................................................................................938

Leader Settings Dialog Box...........................................................940

QNEW..................................................................................................944

QSAVE..................................................................................................945

QSELECT..............................................................................................945

Quick Select Dialog Box...............................................................946

QTEXT..................................................................................................948

QUICKCALC........................................................................................948

QuickCalc Calculator...................................................................949

Variable Definition Dialog Box....................................................955

Category Definition Dialog Box...................................................956

QUIT.....................................................................................................956

Chapter 19 RAY...............................................................................957

xiv | Contents

RECOVER.............................................................................................957

RECTANG.............................................................................................958

REDEFINE.............................................................................................960

REDO....................................................................................................960

REDRAW...............................................................................................961

REDRAWALL........................................................................................961

REFCLOSE.............................................................................................962

REFEDIT................................................................................................963

Reference Edit Dialog Box............................................................963

REFEDIT Command Line.............................................................966

REFSET..................................................................................................967

REGEN..................................................................................................968

REGENALL............................................................................................968

REGENAUTO........................................................................................969

REGION................................................................................................970

REINIT..................................................................................................970

Re-initialization Dialog Box.........................................................970

RENAME...............................................................................................971

Rename Dialog Box......................................................................971

RENAME Command Line.............................................................972

RENDER................................................................................................973

Render Dialog Box........................................................................973

Render Window............................................................................976

Windows Render Options Dialog Box.........................................978

RENDSCR.............................................................................................980

REPLAY.................................................................................................980

Image Specifications Dialog Box..................................................981

RESETBLOCK........................................................................................982

RESUME................................................................................................982

REVCLOUD..........................................................................................983

REVOLVE..............................................................................................984

REVSURF...............................................................................................986

RMAT....................................................................................................989

Materials Dialog Box....................................................................989

New or Modify Standard Material Dialog Box.............................991

Adjust Material Bitmap Placement Dialog Box............................995

New or Modify Granite Material Dialog Box...............................997

New or Modify Marble Material Dialog Box................................999

New or Modify Wood Material Dialog Box...............................1001

Attach by AutoCAD Color Index Dialog Box............................1002

Attach by Layer Dialog Box........................................................1003

ROTATE..............................................................................................1004

ROTATE3D.........................................................................................1005

RPREF.................................................................................................1010

Rendering Preferences Dialog Box.............................................1010

Render Options Dialog Box........................................................1014

Contents | xv

Photo Real Render Options Dialog Box.....................................1015

Photo Raytrace Render Options Dialog Box..............................1018

File Output Configuration Dialog Box.......................................1021

RSCRIPT..............................................................................................1022

RULESURF..........................................................................................1023

Chapter 20 SAVE...........................................................................1025

SAVEAS...............................................................................................1025

Save to Earlier Versions..............................................................1026

Template Description Dialog Box..............................................1026

Saveas Options Dialog Box.........................................................1027

SAVEAS Command Line.............................................................1029

SAVEIMG............................................................................................1029

Save Image Dialog Box...............................................................1030

TGA Options Dialog Box............................................................1032

TIFF Options Dialog Box............................................................1032

SCALE.................................................................................................1033

SCALELISTEDIT..................................................................................1033

Edit Scale List Dialog Box...........................................................1034

Add Scale Dialog Box..................................................................1035

Edit Scale Dialog Box..................................................................1036

SCALELISTEDIT Command Line................................................1037

SCALETEXT........................................................................................1037

SCENE.................................................................................................1039

Scenes Dialog Box.......................................................................1039

New Scene Dialog Box................................................................1039

Modify Scene Dialog Box...........................................................1040

SCRIPT................................................................................................1041

SECTION............................................................................................1042

SECURITYOPTIONS...........................................................................1045

Security Options Dialog Box......................................................1045

Confirm Password Dialog Box...................................................1047

Advanced Options Dialog Box...................................................1047

SELECT...............................................................................................1048

SETIDROPHANDLER..........................................................................1052

Set Default i-drop Content Type Dialog Box.............................1052

i-drop Options Dialog Box.........................................................1053

SETUV.................................................................................................1053

Mapping Dialog Box...................................................................1053

Adjust Planar Coordinates Dialog Box.......................................1055

Adjust Cylindrical Coordinates Dialog Box...............................1057

Adjust Spherical Coordinates Dialog Box..................................1058

Adjust UVW Coordinates Dialog Box........................................1060

Adjust Object Bitmap Placement Dialog Box............................1061

SETVAR...............................................................................................1063

SHADEMODE.....................................................................................1064

xvi | Contents

SHAPE.................................................................................................1065

SHEETSET...........................................................................................1066

Sheet Set Manager......................................................................1066

Sheet List Tab......................................................................1067

View List Tab......................................................................1070

Resource Drawings Tab.......................................................1072

Subset Properties Dialog Box......................................................1073

Select Layout as Sheet Template Dialog Box..............................1075

New Sheet Dialog Box................................................................1075

Rename & Renumber Sheet Dialog Box.....................................1077

Rename & Renumber View Dialog Box.....................................1078

Import Layouts as Sheets Dialog Box.........................................1078

Insert Sheet List Table Dialog Box..............................................1079

Sheet Set Properties Dialog Box..................................................1081

Sheet Set Custom Properties Dialog Box....................................1082

Add Custom Property Dialog Box..............................................1083

Resource Drawing Locations Dialog Box...................................1083

Sheet Properties Dialog Box.......................................................1084

New Sheet Selection Dialog Box................................................1085

Sheet Selections Dialog Box.......................................................1086

View Category Dialog Box.........................................................1087

List of Blocks Dialog Box............................................................1087

Select Block Dialog Box..............................................................1088

SHEETSETHIDE..................................................................................1089

SHELL.................................................................................................1090

SHOWMAT.........................................................................................1090

SIGVALIDATE.....................................................................................1090

Validate Digital Signatures Dialog Box......................................1091

Digital Signature Contents Dialog Box......................................1092

SKETCH..............................................................................................1094

SLICE..................................................................................................1095

SNAP...................................................................................................1100

SOLDRAW..........................................................................................1103

SOLID.................................................................................................1104

SOLIDEDIT.........................................................................................1105

SOLPROF............................................................................................1120

SOLVIEW............................................................................................1123

SPACETRANS......................................................................................1130

SPELL..................................................................................................1130

Check Spelling Dialog Box.........................................................1131

Change Dictionaries Dialog Box................................................1132

SPHERE...............................................................................................1134

SPLINE................................................................................................1134

SPLINEDIT..........................................................................................1137

STANDARDS.......................................................................................1144

Configure Standards Dialog Box................................................1145

Contents | xvii

CAD Standards Settings Dialog Box...........................................1147

STATS..................................................................................................1148

Statistics Dialog Box...................................................................1148

STATUS...............................................................................................1150

STLOUT..............................................................................................1152

STRETCH............................................................................................1153

STYLE..................................................................................................1154

Text Style Dialog Box.................................................................1154

STYLE Command Line...............................................................1158

STYLESMANAGER..............................................................................1159

Add-a-Plot-Style-Table Wizard...................................................1159

Plot Style Table Editor................................................................1160

General Tab (Plot Style Table Editor).................................1161

Table View and Form View Tabs (Plot Style Table

Editor)..............................................................................1162

Edit Lineweights Dialog Box......................................................1166

SUBTRACT..........................................................................................1167

SYSWINDOWS...................................................................................1168

Chapter 21 TABLE.........................................................................1171

Insert Table Dialog Box......................................................................1171

TABLE Command Line.......................................................................1173

TABLEDIT...........................................................................................1175

TABLEEXPORT...................................................................................1175

TABLESTYLE.......................................................................................1175

Table Style Dialog Box................................................................1176

Create New Table Style Dialog Box............................................1177

New and Modify Table Style Dialog Boxes................................1177

TABLET...............................................................................................1181

TABSURF.............................................................................................1185

TASKBAR............................................................................................1187

TEXT...................................................................................................1187

Text Shortcut Menu...................................................................1193

Special Unicode Characters........................................................1193

Control Codes and Special Characters.......................................1194

TEXT and the TEXTEVAL System Variable................................1195

TEXTSCR............................................................................................1195

TEXTTOFRONT..................................................................................1196

TIFOUT...............................................................................................1196

TIME...................................................................................................1197

TINSERT..............................................................................................1198

Insert a Block in a Table Cell Dialog Box...................................1198

TOLERANCE.......................................................................................1199

Geometric Tolerance Dialog Box...............................................1199

Symbol Dialog Box.....................................................................1202

Material Condition Dialog Box..................................................1204

xviii | Contents

TOOLBAR...........................................................................................1204

TOOLBAR Command Line.........................................................1204

TOOLPALETTES..................................................................................1206

View Options Dialog Box...........................................................1209

Tool Properties Dialog Box.........................................................1209

Add Actions Dialog Box.............................................................1211

TOOLPALETTESCLOSE......................................................................1212

TORUS................................................................................................1212

TRACE................................................................................................1213

TRANSPARENCY................................................................................1214

TRAYSETTINGS..................................................................................1214

Tray Settings Dialog Box............................................................1215

TREESTAT...........................................................................................1215

TRIM...................................................................................................1216

Chapter 22 U.................................................................................1221

UCS.....................................................................................................1221

UCSICON...........................................................................................1229

UCS Icon Dialog Box..................................................................1231

UCSMAN............................................................................................1232

UCS Dialog Box..........................................................................1233

Orthographic UCS Depth Dialog Box........................................1238

UCS Details Dialog Box..............................................................1238

UNDEFINE..........................................................................................1239

UNDO.................................................................................................1240

UNION...............................................................................................1242

UNITS.................................................................................................1243

Drawing Units Dialog Box.........................................................1243

Direction Control Dialog Box....................................................1245

UNITS Command Line...............................................................1247

UPDATEFIELD....................................................................................1248

UPDATETHUMBSNOW......................................................................1248

Chapter 23 VBAIDE......................................................................1249

VBALOAD...........................................................................................1249

AutoCAD Macro Virus Protection Dialog Box...........................1249

VBAMAN............................................................................................1250

VBA Manager..............................................................................1251

VBARUN.............................................................................................1253

Macros Dialog Box......................................................................1253

Select Project Dialog Box............................................................1255

VBA Options Dialog Box............................................................1255

VBARUN Command Line...........................................................1256

VBASTMT...........................................................................................1257

VBAUNLOAD.....................................................................................1257

VIEW..................................................................................................1257

Contents | xix

View Dialog Box.........................................................................1258

New View Dialog Box.................................................................1261

View Details Dialog Box.............................................................1262

VIEW Command Line................................................................1264

VIEWPLOTDETAILS...........................................................................1266

Plot and Publish Details Dialog Box..........................................1266

Plot and Publish Status Bar Icon Shortcut Menu.......................1268

VIEWRES............................................................................................1269

VLISP..................................................................................................1270

VPCLIP...............................................................................................1270

VPLAYER............................................................................................1271

VPMAX...............................................................................................1273

VPMIN................................................................................................1273

VPOINT..............................................................................................1273

VPORTS..............................................................................................1275

Viewports Dialog Box.................................................................1275

VPORTS Command Line............................................................1279

VPORTS Command Line - Model Space Viewports...........1279

VPORTS Command Line - Layout Viewports.....................1281

VSLIDE...............................................................................................1283

VTOPTIONS........................................................................................1284

View Transitions Dialog Box......................................................1284

Chapter 24 WBLOCK....................................................................1287

Write Block Dialog Box......................................................................1287

WBLOCK Command Line..................................................................1289

WEDGE...............................................................................................1290

WHOHAS............................................................................................1293

WIPEOUT...........................................................................................1294

WMFIN...............................................................................................1295

WMFOPTS..........................................................................................1299

WMF In Options Dialog Box......................................................1299

WMFOUT...........................................................................................1300

WORKSPACE......................................................................................1300

WSSETTINGS......................................................................................1301

Workspace Settings Dialog Box..................................................1301

WSSAVE..............................................................................................1302

Save Workspace Dialog Box.......................................................1302

Chapter 25 XATTACH..................................................................1305

External Reference Dialog Box...........................................................1305

XBIND................................................................................................1308

Xbind Dialog Box.......................................................................1309

XBIND Command Line..............................................................1310

XCLIP.................................................................................................1310

XLINE.................................................................................................1312

xx | Contents

XOPEN...............................................................................................1315

XPLODE.............................................................................................1315

XREF...................................................................................................1317

Xref Manager..............................................................................1318

Bind Xrefs Dialog Box................................................................1321

XREF Command Line.................................................................1322

Chapter 26 ZOOM.........................................................................1325

Zoom Shortcut Menu.........................................................................1329

Chapter 27 Coordinate Filters (Command Modifier).................1331

Direct Distance Entry (Command Modifier).....................................1331

FROM (Command Modifier)..............................................................1331

MTP (Command Modifier)................................................................1332

TRACKING (Command Modifier)......................................................1332

Object Snaps (Command Modifier)...................................................1333

Selection Modes (Command Modifier)..............................................1333

Chapter 28 ACADLSPASDOC.......................................................1335

ACADPREFIX .....................................................................................1336

ACADVER...........................................................................................1336

ACISOUTVER.....................................................................................1336

ADCSTATE..........................................................................................1336

AFLAGS...............................................................................................1336

ANGBASE...........................................................................................1337

ANGDIR..............................................................................................1337

APBOX................................................................................................1337

APERTURE..........................................................................................1337

AREA...................................................................................................1338

ASSISTSTATE......................................................................................1338

ATTDIA...............................................................................................1338

ATTMODE..........................................................................................1338

ATTREQ..............................................................................................1339

AUDITCTL..........................................................................................1339

AUNITS...............................................................................................1339

AUPREC..............................................................................................1339

AUTOSNAP.........................................................................................1340

BACKGROUNDPLOT.........................................................................1340

BACKZ................................................................................................1341

BACTIONCOLOR...............................................................................1341

BDEPENDENCYHIGHLIGHT.............................................................1341

BGRIPOBJCOLOR...............................................................................1342

BGRIPOBJSIZE....................................................................................1342

BINDTYPE..........................................................................................1342

BLIPMODE.........................................................................................1342

Contents | xxi

Introduction

The Command Reference, a comprehensive guide to AutoCAD® commands,
lists all AutoCAD commands in alphabetical order.

In addition to the command listings, the Command Reference covers several
topics in the appendixes: command aliases, system variables, dimension
variables, utilities, standard libraries, graphical database objects, and Unicode
fonts.

The index for the Command Reference is at the end of Volume II.

Using AutoCAD Documentation

In addition to this Command Reference, several other resources are available to
help you learn and use AutoCAD. The complete documentation set for
AutoCAD is online. You can access it from the Help menu.

NOTE For the latest documentation corrections and additions, refer to the Readme
file.

Using This Reference

The Command Reference provides detailed information on all commands,
command options, and system variables. The explanations reflect the default
AutoCAD system variable settings and the default prototype drawing. If you
change system variable settings, the prompts on your screen might differ from
what you see here. For example, the setting of the FILEDIA system variable
governs whether you work in a dialog box or on the command line when you
use certain commands. See appendix B, “System Variables”.

Executing Commands

The process of executing a command begins by starting the command, using
one of several methods. For some commands, such as REGEN, no further
action is required. For other commands, you must respond by providing
additional information or actions in order to complete the command.

Using AutoCAD Documentation | 1

As you work with commands, note that right-clicking in the drawing area
either acts as ENTER or displays a shortcut menu. You can control this
behavior in the Options dialog box or with the SHORTCUTMENU system
variable.

Starting Commands

You can start a command by doing one of the following:

■ Select the command from a menu, toolbar, status bar, or shortcut menu.

■ Enter the command name or command alias at the Command prompt and

press ENTER or SPACEBAR .

In this Command Reference, near the beginning of each command description
is a command access section, listing the specific ways you can start that
command. For example, following is the command access section for the PAN
command:

Standard toolbar:

View menu: Pan ➤ Realtime

Shortcut menu: With no objects selected, right-click in the drawing area, and
choose Pan.

Command line: pan (or 'pan for transparent use)

The availability of certain shortcut menus depends on the current setting of
the SHORTCUTMENU system variable. The instructions in the command
access sections assume that you have made the indicated menu available.

You can exit a command at any time by pressing ESC .

Using Transparent Commands

In many cases, you can start a command while using another command. The
command you start is called a transparent command. For example, to turn
on the grid while drawing a line, you can start the GRID command
transparently by preceding the command with an apostrophe. Two right angle
brackets (>>) precede prompts for transparent commands.

Command: line
Specify first point: 'grid
>>Specify grid spacing(X) or [ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect] <current>: on
Resuming LINE command
Specify first point:

2 | Chapter 1

In the Command Reference, the command access sections identify commands
that you can use transparently.

Suppressing Dialog Boxes

Many commands provide both command line and dialog box interfaces. In
most cases, when both a command line and dialog box interface are available,
the command line version is preceded with a hyphen character. For example,
the command line version of GROUP is -GROUP.

You can also control the display of file dialog boxes through the FILEDIA
system variable. See appendix B, “System Variables”.

Responding to Prompts

If a command does not immediately execute, AutoCAD either displays a dialog
box or displays prompts on the command line requesting more information.
Command line prompts are structured as follows:

Command: commandname
Current settings: Setting1 Setting2 Setting3
Instructional text [Option1/oPtion2/opTion3/...] <default option or value>:

The optional current value line displays the current settings for the command
or for system variables related to the command. The succeeding prompts
identify the type of input required to complete the command and, when
applicable, list the available options in straight brackets and a default option
or value in angle brackets. In some cases, AutoCAD determines default options
and values based on the option or value that you last specified, or based on
the settings of certain system variables.

Typically, the first word of a prompt indicates the type of action you can take.
Most command line prompts begin with the wordenter, select, or specify. These
words indicate how you can respond to the prompt.

Terminology in command line prompts

You can...If the prompt starts with...

Select

Specify

Select objects on the screen using your pointing
device.

Enter text on the command line.Enter

Use your pointing device or enter text on the
command line to select a point location on the
screen.

Using This Reference | 3

Selecting Options on the Command Line

To select one of the options contained within the straight brackets, you can
enter the entire option name or only the capitalized letters, and then press
ENTER or SPACEBAR . To select the default option enclosed in angle brackets
(<>), if available, press ENTER or SPACEBAR .

You can also choose command options from a shortcut menu by right-clicking
in the drawing area while the command is active. The options available on
the command line appear in the shortcut menu. For information about how
to enable or disable this shortcut menu, see “Shortcut Menus” in the User’s
Guide.

Entering Data on the Command Line

Some prompts ask you to enter data, rather than (or as an alternative to)
choosing an option. To do so, enter the text on the command line and press
ENTER or SPACEBAR . However, be aware that when the command line
prompt requests an object name, SPACEBAR inserts a space on the command
line rather than acting as ENTER . This allows for the support of extended
symbol names.

Just as default command options are often provided, prompts may include
default values, enclosed in angle brackets (<>), when data is requested. For
example, the POLYGON command displays the following prompt, suggesting
4 as the number of sides for your polygon:

Command: polygon
Enter number of sides <4>:

To accept the default value, press ENTER or SPACEBAR .

Using Wild-Card Characters on the Command Line

When the prompt directions ask for a name list, such as a block name, variable
name, named view, and so on, you can use wild-card characters to specify
names. See the table in “Filter and Sort the List of Layers” in the User’s Guide.

Repeating Commands

If no command is active, you can repeat the previous command by pressing
ENTER or SPACEBAR or by right-clicking in the drawing area and choosing
the Repeat Command Name option from the shortcut menu.

Accessing Recently Used Commands

You can access the six most recently used commands from a shortcut menu
by right-clicking in the command window and choosing Recent Commands.

4 | Chapter 1

References to Other Sections

At the end of most command descriptions, you’ll find a section called “See
Also.” This section includes references to chapters in other AutoCAD guides
and other AutoCAD commands and system variables related to the current
command.

Typographical Conventions

To orient you to AutoCAD features as they appear on the screen, specific terms
are set in typefaces that distinguish them from the body text. Throughout
AutoCAD documentation, the following conventions are used.

Typographical conventions

ExampleText element

ADCENTER, DBCONNECT, SAVEAutoCAD commands
DIMBLK, DWGNAME, LTSCALEAutoCAD system variables
DASHDOT, STANDARDAutoCAD named-objects, such as linetypes and styles

Select object to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]:Prompts

Select objects: Use an object selection methodInstructions after prompt sequences

acad.exe, Readme file, .dwg file extensionFile names and file name extensions
Sample folder, c:\autocad 2002\supportFolder or directory names

At the Command prompt, enter shape.Text you enter

ASCII files

CTRL , F10 , ESC , ENTERKeys you press on the keyboard

CTRL + CKeys you press simultaneously on the keyboard

The variable pi is preset to a value of pi ***POP1AutoLISP variable names, sample code, and text in

command ads_command( )AutoLISP and DIESEL function names

The string and mode argumentsFormal arguments specified in function definitions

Typographical Conventions | 5

6

3D

width

length

height

angle

Creates three-dimensional polygon mesh objects in common geometric shapes that can
be hidden, shaded, or rendered

Draw menu: Surfaces ➤ 3D Surfaces

Command line: 3d

Enter an option
[Box/Cone/Dish/Dome/Mesh/Pyramid/Sphere/Torus/Wedge]:

Box

Creates a 3D box polygon mesh.

Specify corner point of box:
Specify length of box: Specify a distance
Specify width of box or [Cube]: Specify a distance or enter c

Width

Specifies the width of the box. Enter a distance or specify a point relative to
the corner point of the box.

Specify height of box: Specify a distance
Specify rotation angle of box about the Z axis or [Reference]: Specify an angle or

enter r

| 7

Rotation Angle

length

Rotates the box about the first corner specified. If you enter 0, the box
remains orthogonal to the current X and Y axes.

Reference

Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an angle you
specify. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box.

Specify the reference angle <0>: Specify a point, enter an angle, or press ENTER

You can define a reference angle by specifying two points or an angle from
the X axis on the XY plane. For example, you can rotate the box to align
two specified points on the box with a point on another object. After
defining a reference angle, specify a point for the reference angle to align
with. The box then rotates around the first corner relative to the angle of
rotation specified for the reference angle.

If you enter 0 as a reference angle, the new angle alone determines the
rotation of the box.

Specify the new angle: Specify a point or enter an angle

To specify the new angle of rotation, specify a point relative to the base
point. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box. The box
rotates by the angle between the reference angle and the new angle. If you
want to align the box with another object, specify two points on the target
object to define the new angle of rotation for the box.

If the reference angle of rotation is 0, the box rotates the angular distance
entered relative to the first corner of the box.

Cube

Creates a cube using the length for the width and height of the box.

Specify rotation angle of box about the Z axis or [Reference]: Specify an angle or
enter r

Rotation Angle

Rotates the cube about the first corner of the box. If you enter 0, the box
remains orthogonal to the current X and Y axes.

8 | Chapter 2

Reference

1

Aligns the box with other objects in the drawing or relative to an angle you
specify. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box.

Specify the reference angle <0>: Specify a point, enter an angle, or press ENTER

You can define a reference angle by specifying two points or an angle from
the X axis on the XY plane. For example, you can rotate the box to align
two specified points on the box with a point on another object. After
defining a reference angle, specify a point for the reference angle to align
with. The box then rotates around the first corner relative to the angle of
rotation specified for the reference angle.

If you enter 0 as a reference angle, the new angle alone determines the
rotation of the box.

Specify the new angle: Specify a point or enter an angle

To specify the new angle of rotation, specify a point relative to the base
point. The base point for the rotation is the first corner of the box. The box
rotates the angular distance between the reference angle and the new angle.
If you want to align the box with another object, specify two points on the
target object to define the new angle of rotation for the box.

If the reference angle of rotation is 0, the box rotates the angular distance
entered relative to the first corner point of the box.

Cone

Creates a cone-shaped polygon mesh.

Specify center point for base of cone: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius for base of cone or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

Radius for Base

Defines the base of the cone by its radius.

Specify radius for top of cone or [Diameter] <0>: Specify a distance, enter d , or
press ENTER

| 9

base radius

height

top radius

Radius for Top

base diameter

height

top diameter

Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces a cone. A
value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.

Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than
1 or press ENTER

Diameter for Top

Defines the top of the cone by its diameter. A value of 0 produces a cone.
A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.

Specify diameter for top of cone <0>: Specify a distance or press ENTER
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than
1 or press ENTER

Diameter for Base

Defines the base of the cone by its diameter.

Specify diameter for base of cone: Specify a distance
Specify radius for top of cone or [Diameter] <0>: Specify a distance, enter d , or
press ENTER

10 | Chapter 2

Radius for Top

Defines the top of the cone by its radius. A value of 0 produces a cone. A
value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.

Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than
1 or press ENTER

Diameter for Top

Defines the top of the cone by its diameter. A value of 0 produces a cone.
A value greater than 0 produces a truncated cone.

Specify diameter for top of cone <0>: Specify a distance
Specify height of cone: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments for surface of cone <16>: Enter a value greater than
1 or press ENTER

Dish

Creates the lower half of a spherical polygon mesh.

Specify center point of dish: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of dish or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

Radius

Defines the dish by its radius.

Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dish <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dish <8>: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the dish by its diameter.

Specify diameter of dish: Specify a distance
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dish <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dish <8>: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER

| 11

diameter

radius

1

Dome

1

radius

diameter

Creates the upper half of a spherical polygon mesh.

Specify center point of dome: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of dome or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

Radius

Defines the dome by its radius.

Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dome: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dome <8>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the dome by its diameter.

Specify diameter of dome: Specify a distance
Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of dome <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of dome <8>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Mesh

Creates a planar mesh whose M and N sizes determine the number of lines
drawn in each direction along the mesh. The M and N directions are similar
to the X and Y axes of an XY plane.

12 | Chapter 2

Specify first corner point of mesh: Specify a point (1)

M=6

N=8

1

2

3

4

5

4

3

2

1

apex point

Specify second corner point of mesh: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point of mesh: Specify a point (3)
Specify fourth corner point of mesh: Specify a point (4)
Enter mesh size in the M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Enter mesh size in the N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256

Pyramid

Creates a pyramid or a tetrahedron.

Specify first corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (1)
Specify second corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point for base of pyramid: Specify a point (3)
Specify fourth corner point for base of pyramid or [Tetrahedron]: Specify a point

(4) or enter t

Fourth Corner Point

Defines the fourth corner point of the base of a pyramid.

Specify apex point of pyramid or [Ridge/Top]: Specify a point (5) or enter an option

The Z value of the point specified determines the height for the pyramid’s
apex, top, or ridge line.

Apex Point

Defines the top of the pyramid as a point (apex).

| 13

Ridge

2

1

ridge points

Defines the top of the pyramid as a ridge line. The two endpoints must lie
in the same direction as the base points to prevent a self-intersecting
wireframe.

Specify first ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (1)
Specify second ridge end point of pyramid: Specify a point (2)

Top

Defines the top of the pyramid as a rectangle. If the top points cross, they
create a self-intersecting polygon mesh.

Specify first corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify second corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify third corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point
Specify fourth corner point for top of pyramid: Specify a point

14 | Chapter 2

Tetrahedron

Creates a tetrahedral polygon mesh.

Specify apex point of tetrahedron or [Top]: Specify a point or enter t

Apex Point

Defines the top of the tetrahedron as a point (apex).

Top

Defines the top of the tetrahedron as a triangle. If the top points cross, they
create a self-intersecting polygon mesh.

Specify first corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (1)
Specify second corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (2)
Specify third corner point for top of tetrahedron: Specify a point (3)

2

3

1

top points

Sphere

1

radius

Creates a spherical polygon mesh.

Specify center point of sphere: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of sphere or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

Radius

Defines the sphere by its radius.

Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the sphere by its diameter.

Specify diameter of sphere: Specify a distance

| 15

Enter number of longitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value

diameter

torus radius

1

tube radius

torus radius

greater than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of latitudinal segments for surface of sphere <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Torus

Creates a toroidal polygon mesh that is parallel to the XY plane of the current
UCS.

Specify center point of torus: Specify a point (1)
Specify radius of torus or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

The radius of the torus is measured from its center point to its outside edge,
not to the center of the tube.

Radius

Defines the torus by its radius.

Specify radius of tube or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

The radius of the tube of the torus is measured from the center of the tube to
the outside edge of the tube.

16 | Chapter 2

Radius

torus diameter

tube diameter

Defines the tube by its radius.

Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the tube by its diameter.

Specify diameter of tube: Specify a distance
Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the torus by its diameter.

Specify diameter of torus: Specify a distance
Specify radius of tube or [Diameter]: Specify a distance or enter d

The radius of the tube of the torus is measured from the center of the tube to
the outside edge of the tube.

Radius

Defines the tube by its radius.

Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater
than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Diameter

Defines the tube by its diameter.

Specify diameter of tube: Specify a distance

| 17

Enter number of segments around tube circumference <16>: Enter a value greater

1

width

length

height

object
selected

than 1 or press ENTER
Enter number of segments around torus circumference <16>: Enter a value
greater than 1 or press ENTER

Wedge

Creates a right-angle, wedge-shaped polygon mesh with a sloped face tapering
along the X axis.

Specify corner point of wedge: Specify a point (1)
Specify length of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify width of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify height of wedge: Specify a distance
Specify rotation angle of wedge about the Z axis: Specify an angle

The base point for the rotation is the corner point of the wedge. If you enter
0, the wedge remains orthogonal to the current UCS plane.

3DARRAY

Creates a three-dimensional array

Modify menu: 3D Operation ➤ 3D Array

Command line: 3darray

Select objects: Use an object selection method

The entire selection set is treated as a single element in the array.

Enter type of array [Rectangular Array/Polar Array] <R>: Enter an option or press
ENTER

18 | Chapter 2

levels

rows

columns

Rectangular Array

Copies objects in a matrix of rows (X axis), columns (Y axis), and levels (Z
axis). An array must have at least two rows or two columns or two levels.

Enter the number of rows (—) <1>: Enter a positive value or press ENTER
Enter the number of columns ( | | | ) <1>: Enter a positive value or press ENTER
Enter the number of levels ( . . . ) <1>: Enter a positive value or press ENTER

Specifying one row requires that more than one column be specified, and
vice versa. Specifying one level creates a two-dimensional array.

If you specify more than one row, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify the distance between rows (—): Specify a distance

If you specify more than one column, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify the distance between columns ( | | | ): Specify a distance

If you specify more than one level, the following prompt is displayed:

Specify the distance between levels ( . . . ): Specify a distance

Positive values generate the array along the positive X, Y, and Z axes.
Negative values generate the array along the negative X, Y, and Z axes.

Polar Array

Copies objects about an axis of rotation.

Enter the number of items in the array: Enter a positive value
Specify the angle to fill (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: Specify an angle or press ENTER

The specified angle determines how far the objects are arrayed about the
axis of rotation. A positive number produces a counterclockwise array
rotation. A negative number produces a clockwise array rotation.

Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] <Y>: Enter y or n , or press ENTER

Entering y or pressing ENTER rotates each array element.

Specify center point of array: Specify a point (1)
Specify second point on axis of rotation: Specify a point (2)

| 19

objects not rotated

objects rotated

3DCLIP

Starts the interactive 3D view and opens the Adjust Clipping Planes window

3D Orbit toolbar:

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

and choose More ➤ Adjust Clipping Planes.

Command line: 3dclip

The Adjust Clipping Planes Window is displayed.

Adjust Clipping Planes Window

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

and choose More ➤ Adjust Clipping Planes.

Command line: 3dclip

Sets clipping planes for the display in 3D Orbit view. Use the Adjust Clipping
Planes toolbar, or right-click in the Adjust Clipping Planes window and select
an option from the Adjust Clipping Planes Shortcut Menu.

Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the window to see the
effect of the clipping planes. As you rotate the view, different portions of the
objects are clipped as they pass in and out of the clipping planes.

To turn clipping planes off, right-click in the drawing area or the Adjust
Clipping Planes window, and check or clear Front Clipping On and Back
Clipping On.

20 | Chapter 2

Adjust Clipping Planes Shortcut Menu

To choose any of the following options, right-click in the Adjust Clipping
Planes window.

Adjust Front Clipping

Adjusts only the front clipping plane. The line near the bottom of the
window adjusts the front clipping plane. If a check mark is displayed next
to Front Clipping On, you can see the clipping in the 3D Orbit view as you
move the line up or down.

Adjust Back Clipping

Adjusts only the back clipping plane. The line near the top of the window
adjusts the back clipping plane. If a check mark is displayed next to Back
Clipping On, you can see the clipping in the 3D Orbit view as you move
the line up or down.

Create Slice

Causes the back and front clipping planes to move together, which shows
you a “slice” of the objects in the 3D Orbit view. Adjust the front and back

Adjust Clipping Planes Window | 21

clipping planes, and then choose Create Slice. You can then move the front
and back clipping planes as one unit.

Pan

Displays the pan cursor, a hand cursor that you can use to pan the clipping
plane. Hold down the pick button and drag the cursor in any direction. The
pan cursor stays active until you click another button.

Zoom

Displays the zoom cursor, a magnifying-glass cursor that you can use to
enlarge or reduce the clipping plane. To enlarge the image, hold down the
pick button and drag the cursor toward the top of Adjust Clipping Planes
window. To reduce the image, hold down the pick button and drag the
cursor toward the bottom of the window.

Front Clipping On

Turns the front clipping plane on or off. A check mark indicates that the
front clipping plane is on, and you can see the results of moving the line
that adjusts the front clipping plane. Choose this option again to turn the
front clipping plane off and remove the check mark.

Back Clipping On

Turns the back clipping plane on or off. A check mark indicates that the
back clipping plane is on, and you can see the results of moving the line
that adjusts the back clipping plane. Choose this option again to turn the
back clipping plane off and remove the check mark.

Reset

Resets the the window and clipping plane to the extents of the drawing.

3DCONFIG

22 | Chapter 2

Provides a command-line interface to the 3D graphics system’s configuration settings

If you enter 3dconfig at the Command prompt, the following prompt is
displayed on the command line:

Enter option: [Adaptive Degradation/Dynamic Tesselation/Render
Options/Geometry/Acceleration/Exit] <Adaptive degradation>: Enter the

configuration you want to change or press ENTER to change adaptive degradation
settings.

You will stay in the 3DCONFIG command until you enter eXit or press ESC.

Adaptive Degradation

Specifies the display options to which the view can degrade to maintain the
speed of the view manipulation. For example, if a large drawing is currently
Gouraud shaded, you can select Wireframe to allow the drawing to degrade
to a wireframe representation of the view.

You can turn on one or more than one of the available options. If more than
one option is turned on, the display changes to the most detailed option first
and then degrades until it reaches the least detailed option.

Configure: Adaptive Degradation
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want adaptive degradation turned

on or off

If Adaptive Degradation is turned on, you can specify the type. If no type is
specified, then no degradation will occur.

Current display options: Wireframe Bounding Box
Enter option [Flat shaded/Wireframe/Bounding box/Maintain speed fps/eXit] <Flat
shaded>: Specify the type of adaptive degradation you want to use
Configure: Flat shaded
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <OFF>: Specify whether you want flat-shaded display turned

on or off

Configure: Wireframe
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <OFF>: Specify whether you want wireframe display turned

on or off

Configure: Bounding box
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <OFF>: S pecify whether you want bounding box display

turned on or off

Configure: Maintain speed fps
Enter speed <5>: Enter a value between 1 and 60 to adjust the frame rate

Flat Shaded

Specifies that the display can change to flat shaded.

Adjust Clipping Planes Window | 23

Wireframe

Specifies that the display can change to wireframe. This uses less of the
system resources and allows the drawing to move at a faster speed.

Bounding Box

Specifies that the display can change to a bounding box. A box is displayed
in place of each object in your view. This choice requires the least amount
of system resources.

Maintain Speed FPS

Specifies the display speed in frames per second. The drawing degrades to
maintain the specified speed.

Dynamic Tesselation

Sets the options that determine the smoothness of the objects in a drawing.
Objects are drawn using many short lines (or triangles when drawing spheres).
These lines are called tessellation lines. Objects in your drawing appear smoother
when you use more tessellation lines.

Configure: Dynamic tessellation
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want dynamic tessellation turned

on or off

If Dynamic Tessellation is turned on, you can specify the number of surface
tessellations, curve tessellations, or tessellations to cache.

Configure: Dynamic tessellation
Enter option [Surface tessellation/Curve tessellation/Tessellations to cache/eXit]
<Surface tessellations>: Specify the type of dynamic tessellation you want to use
Configure: Surface tessellation
Enter tolerance <88>: Enter a value between 0 and 100
Configure: Curve tessellation
Enter tolerance <88>: Enter a value between 0 and 100
Configure: Tessellations to cache
Enter number of tessellations to cache <3>: Enter a value between 1 and 10

Surface Tessellation

Determines the amount of detail for surfaces in your drawing. The lower
numbers provide less detail; the higher numbers provide more detail but
use more tessellation lines and more memory.

Curve Tessellation

Determines the amount of detail for curves in your drawing. The lower
numbers provide less detail; the higher numbers provide more detail but
use more tessellation lines and more memory.

24 | Chapter 2

Number of Tessellations to Cache

Configures your system according to memory and performance
requirements. A cache is a special memory subsystem that stores frequently
accessed information. The 3D cache always stores at least one tessellation.

When the number of tessellations to cache is set to 1, the tessellation for
all viewports is the same and may cause some objects in the drawing to be
regenerated as you zoom in and out.

Setting the number of tessellations to cache to 2 or more is useful when
you have more than one viewport with different views. Increasing the
number requires more memory.

Render Options

Makes settings available for enhancing the display of lights, materials, textures,
and transparency in 3D views. This includes objects in the 3D Orbit view and
objects shaded using the SHADEMODE command.

Configure: Render options
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want to turn on render options
Configure: Render options
Enter option [Lights/Materials/Backgrounds/eXit] <Lights>: Specify whether you

want to configure lights, materials, or backgrounds

Configure: Lights
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want lights turned on or off
Configure: Materials
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want materials turned on or off
Configure: Backgrounds
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want backgrounds turned on or

off

If Render Options is turned on, you can specify if you want lights, materials,
and backgrounds turned on or off.

Lights

In 3D views, illuminates objects and attached materials by lights that were
defined with the LIGHT command. If this option is not selected, or if the
LIGHT command has not been used for the drawing, then the default
lighting for 3D views is used.

Materials

In 3D views, displays materials for objects that have materials that were
attached using the RMAT command. If the object has no attached material,
the default global material is used. If this option is not selected, or if the
RMAT command has not been used in the drawing, then no materials are
displayed.

Adjust Clipping Planes Window | 25

Backgrounds

Specifies that backgrounds will be displayed in 3D views while navigating
and editing.

Configure: Textures
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want textures turned on or off
Configure: Transparency
Enter mode [Low/Medium/High] <Low>: Select a transparency level

If Materials is turned on, you can also configure textures and transparency.

Enable Textures

In 3D views, shows textures attached to objects using the RMAT and SETUV
commands. Materials must also be turned on for textures to be visible.

Transparency

Adjusts the transparency quality to improve image quality, but at the
expense of redraw time. At the low-quality setting, a screen-door effect
achieves transparency without sacrificing speed. At the medium-quality
setting, blending improves image quality. At the high-quality setting,
blending and extra processing produce an image free of visual artifacts, but
at the cost of drawing speed. Materials must also be turned on for
transparency to be visible.

Geometry

Determines how to display isolines in 3D and whether to display back faces
in 3D.

Configure: Geometry
Enter option [Isolines on top/Discard backfaces] <Isolines on top>: Specify an

option to configure

Configure: Isolines on top
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want isolines on top
Configure: Discard backfaces
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want back faces to be discarded

Isolines on Top

Displays isolines for front and back faces in all shade modes except Hidden.
Isolines for the back faces are displayed on top of the shading for the objects
in 3D. Turning this option off hides the isolines for the back faces.

Discard Back Faces

Discards back faces when drawing objects. You cannot see the effect of
discarding back faces on some objects, such as spheres, because you cannot

26 | Chapter 2

see the back face even when it is present. The effect of discarding back faces
is visible on objects such as those that don’t have a top. Discarding back
faces enhances performance.

Acceleration

Specifies whether you want to use software or hardware acceleration in 3D.

Configure: Acceleration
Enter option [Hardware/Software/eXit] <Hardware>: Specify whether you want to

configure hardware or software

Configure: Hardware
Enter option [Driver name/Geometry acceleration/Antialias lines/eXit] <Driver
name>: Specify an option to configure
Available drivers: wopengl8.hdi
Enter driver name <wopengl8.hdi>: Enter a driver name
Configure: Geometry acceleration
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want geometry acceleration

turned on or off

Configure: Antialias lines
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: Specify whether you want anti-alias lines turned on

or off

If you select Hardware, you can also specify whether geometry acceleration
and anti-alias lines are turned on or off.

Hardware

Specifies hardware acceleration. Select to use the hardware graphics card to
perform most of the drawing tasks in 3D. This speeds up the drawing time.

When you select Hardware, the default driver is set to the wopengl8.hdi
driver that is included with the program.

If you select the Driver Name option, you can select a driver from a list of
available hardware-accelerated drivers found in the Drv directory. If you
want to use a hardware driver from another vendor, it must be supported
by the Heidi® Graphics System.

Software

Specifies software acceleration. Select to use the software graphics system
to perform all of the drawing tasks in 3D.

Geometry Acceleration

Specifies whether to use geometry acceleration. Geometry acceleration must
be supported by your graphics card. See your vendor documentation for
information on your graphics card.

Adjust Clipping Planes Window | 27

Using geometry acceleration makes more efficient use of the graphics card.
With this option turned on, you are drawing in single precision. Use this
option only if you know that your drawing is within the single-precision
limit.

Anti-alias Lines

Specifies using anti-aliasing lines. Lines appear smoother and less gradient.

Exit

Exits the 3DCONFIG command.

3DCORBIT

Starts the interactive 3D view and enables you to set the objects in the 3D view into
continuous motion

3D Orbit toolbar:

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

and choose More ➤ Continuous Orbit.

Command line: 3dcorbit

3DCORBIT changes the cursor to a sphere with two continuous lines encircling
it. Click in the drawing area and drag the pointing device in any direction to
start the objects moving in the direction that you’re dragging. Release the
button on the pointing device and the objects continue their orbit in the
direction that you specified. The speed of the cursor movement determines
the speed at which the objects spin.

You can change the direction of the continuous orbit by clicking and dragging
again. You can also change the display of the continuous orbit by right-clicking
in the drawing area and choosing an option from the shortcut menu. For

example, you can choose Visual Aids ➤ Grid to add a grid to the view without

exiting Continuous Orbit.

3DDISTANCE

Starts the interactive 3D view and makes objects appear closer or farther away

3D Orbit toolbar:

28 | Chapter 2

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

and choose More ➤ Adjust Distance.

Command line: 3ddistance

3DDISTANCE changes the cursor to a line with one arrow pointing up and
one pointing down. Click and drag the cursor vertically toward the top of the
screen to move the camera closer to the objects, making them appear larger.
Click and drag the cursor vertically toward the bottom of the screen to move
the camera away from the objects, making them appear smaller.

Unlike 3DZOOM, 3DDISTANCE does not exaggerate the perspective with
which you view the objects or make them appear distorted

3DDWFPUBLISH

Creates 3D DWF files of your three-dimensional models

Command line: 3ddwfpublish

The “3D DWF Publish Dialog Box” on page 29 is displayed.

NOTE You must have the 3D DWF Publishing feature installed to access the
3DDWFPUBLISH command.

3D DWF Publish Dialog Box

Command line: 3ddwfpublish

Specifies a three-dimensional model that you can publish as a Design Web
Format™ (DWF™ ) file. 3D DWF Publishing, a technology preview in
AutoCAD® 2006, is by default, installed in all network installations and an
optional feature in stand-alone installations.

DWF File Name

Stores the name of the 3D DWF file that you are publishing. The DWF file
inherits the name and directory location of the current DWG file. You can
enter another name, or use the [...] button to navigate to a new location.

3D DWF Publish Dialog Box | 29

Objects to Publish

Specifies whether all model space objects or selected model space objects are
published to the DWF file.

All Model Space Objects

All model space objects are published to the 3D DWF file.

Group by Xref Hierarchy

Arranges objects by xref hierarchy in the viewer. If unchecked, xrefs are
listed in the viewer like any other objects.

Layer

Groups individual objects for viewing by layer.

Object Type

Groups individual objects for viewing by object type (for example, by block,
line, circle.).

Select Model Space Objects

You are prompted to create a selection set of model space objects, which
are published to the 3D DWF file after you click OK.

3D DWF Organization

Specifies how to group objects in the DWF file for viewing in Autodesk® DWF
Viewer.

™

Group Individual Objects By

Specifies how to group individual objects in the DWF file for viewing in
Autodesk DWF Viewer.

3DFACE

Creates a three-sided or four-sided surface anywhere in 3D space

Surfaces toolbar:

Draw menu: Surfaces ➤ 3D Face

Command line: 3dface

30 | Chapter 2

Specify First Point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (1) or enter i

invisible edges

visible edges

First Point

Defines the start point for the 3D surface. After entering the first point,
enter the remaining points in a natural clockwise or counterclockwise order
to create a normal 3D face. If you locate all four points on the same plane,
a planar face is created that is similar to a region object. When you shade
or render the object, planar faces are filled.

Invisible

Controls which edges of a 3D face are visible, allowing for accurate modeling
of objects with holes. Entering i or invisible before the first point of an
edge makes the edge invisible.

The invisible specification must precede any object snap modes, XYZ filters,
or coordinate input for that edge. You can create a 3D face in which all
edges are invisible. Such a face is a phantom; it does not appear in wireframe
presentations but can hide material in line drawings. 3D faces do appear in
shaded renderings.

You can combine 3D faces to model complex 3D surfaces.

Specify second point or [Invisible]: Specify a point (2) or enter i
Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: Specify a point (3), enter i, or press ENTER
Specify fourth point or [Invisible] <create three-sided face>: Specify a point (4),
enter i , or press ENTER

The Third Point and Fourth Point prompts are repeated until you press ENTER
. Specify points 5 and 6 at these repeating prompts. When you finish entering
points, press ENTER .

3D DWF Publish Dialog Box | 31

6

5

4

3

2

1

3DMESH

M

N

Creates a free-form polygon mesh

Surfaces toolbar:

Draw menu: Surfaces ➤ 3D mesh

Command line: 3dmesh

Enter size of mesh in M direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256
Enter size of mesh in N direction: Enter a value between 2 and 256

NOTE 3DMESH is designed primarily for programmers. Other users should use
the 3D command.

A polygon mesh is defined by a matrix, the size of which is determined by M
and N size values. M times N equals the number of vertices that you must
specify.

Specify location for vertex (0, 0): Enter a 2D or 3D coordinate

The location of each vertex in the mesh is defined by m and n, the row and
column indices of the vertex. Defining vertices begins with vertex (0,0). You

32 | Chapter 2

must supply the coordinate locations for each vertex in row m before specifying

open mesh

closed mesh

vertices in row m + 1.

Vertices may be any distance from each other. The M and N orientation of a
mesh depends on the position of its vertices.

3DMESH polygon meshes are always open in both M and N directions. You
can close a mesh with PEDIT.

3DORBIT

Controls the interactive viewing of objects in 3D

View menu: 3D Orbit

Command line: 3dorbit, 3do

3DORBIT activates a 3D Orbit view in the current viewport. If the user
coordinate system (UCS) icon is on, a shaded 3D UCS icon representing the
current UCS appears in the 3D Orbit view. You can view your entire drawing
or select one or more objects before starting the command.

The 3D Orbit view displays an arcball, which is a circle divided into four
quadrants by smaller circles. When 3DORBIT is active, the target of the view
stays stationary and the camera location, or point of view, moves around the
target. The center of the arcball, not the center of the objects you’re viewing,
is the target point.

NOTE You cannot edit objects while the 3DORBIT command is active.

Moving your cursor over different parts of the arcball changes the 3D Orbit
Cursor Icons, indicating the direction in which the view rotates.

3D DWF Publish Dialog Box | 33

While the command is active, you can access additional 3DORBIT options
from a shortcut menu by right-clicking in the drawing area, or choosing
buttons on the 3D Orbit toolbar. See “3DOrbit Shortcut Menu” on page 35.

3D Orbit Cursor Icons

View rotation is determined by the placement and appearance of the cursor
as follows:

Circular Arrow

When you move the cursor outside the arcball, it becomes a circular arrow.
Clicking outside the arcball and dragging the cursor around the arcball
causes the view to move around an axis that extends through the center of
the arcball, perpendicular to the screen. This is called a roll.

If you drag the cursor into the arcball it changes to a sphere encircled by
two lines and the view moves freely. If you move the cursor back outside
the arcball, you revert to a roll.

Horizontal Ellipse

When you move the cursor over one of the small circles on the left or right
side of the arcball, it becomes a horizontal ellipse. Clicking and dragging
from either of these points rotates the view around the vertical or Y axis
through the middle of the arcball.

Sphere Encircled by Two Lines

When you move the cursor inside the arcball, it changes to a small sphere
encircled by two lines. If you click and drag in the drawing area you can
move freely around the objects. It works as if your cursor were grabbing a
sphere surrounding the objects and dragging it around the target point.
You can drag horizontally, vertically, and diagonally using this method.

Vertical Ellipse

34 | Chapter 2

When you move the cursor over one of the small circles on the top or
bottom of the arcball, it becomes a vertical ellipse. Clicking and dragging
from either of these points rotates the view around the horizontal or X axis
through the middle of the arcball.

3DOrbit Shortcut Menu

When the 3DORBIT command is active, you can change the view using one
or more of the options on the 3D Orbit shortcut menu. To access the 3D Orbit
shortcut menu, right-click in the 3D Orbit view.

Pan

Moves objects in the view horizontally and vertically. See 3DPAN.

Zoom

Simulates the effect of a camera’s zoom lens. See 3DZOOM.

Orbit

Returns the view to Orbit mode after use of the other menu commands, such
as Zoom, Pan, or Continuous Orbit.

More

Accesses one of the following view options:

Adjust Clipping Planes

Opens the Adjust Clipping Planes window. See 3DCLIP.

Adjust Distance

Simulates the effect of moving the camera closer to the object or farther
away. See 3DDISTANCE.

Back Clipping On

Turns the back clipping plane on or off. A check mark in front of this option
indicates that the back clipping plane is on and you can see the results of
moving the line that adjusts the back clipping plane. See 3DCLIP.

3DOrbit Shortcut Menu | 35

Compass

Draws a 3D sphere within the arcball composed of three lines representing
the X, Y, and Z axes.

Continuous Orbit

Changes the cursor to a sphere with two continuous lines encircling it and
enables you to set the objects into continuous motion. See 3DCORBIT.

Flat Shaded

Shades the objects in the 3D Orbit view between the polygon faces. This
gives the objects a faceted, less smooth appearance.

Flat Shaded, Edges On

Combines the Flat Shaded and Wireframe options. The objects are flat
shaded with the wireframe showing.

Front Clipping On

Turns the front clipping plane on or off. A check mark in front of this option
indicates that the front clipping plane is on and you can see the results of
moving the line that adjusts the front clipping plane. See 3DCLIP.

Gouraud Shaded

Shades the objects in the 3D Orbit view and smooths the edges between
polygon faces. This gives the objects a smoother, more realistic appearance.

Gouraud Shaded, Edges On

Combines the Gouraud Shaded and Wireframe options. The objects are
Gouraud Shaded with the wireframe showing.

Grid

Displays a two-dimensional array of lines similar to graph paper. This grid
is oriented along the X and Y axes.

Before starting 3DORBIT, you can use the GRID command to set system
variables that control the grid display. The number of major grid lines
corresponds to the value you set using the Grid Spacing option of the GRID
command, which is stored in the GRIDUNIT system variable. Ten horizontal
lines and ten vertical lines are drawn between the major lines.

Hidden

Displays the objects in the 3D Orbit view as wireframes with the lines
representing the back faces hidden.

36 | Chapter 2

Orbit Maintains Z

Keeps the Z axis in its current orientation when dragging horizontally within
the arcball circle, or when dragging from the small circles on the left or
right side of the arcball. When using 3D Orbit, use this option to keep the
object from tumbling end-over-end. This option is useful for changing the
view of such drawings as buildings, cars, and maps. This setting is saved
with the user profile.

Orbit Uses AutoTarget

Keeps the target point on the objects you are viewing rather than on the
center of the viewport. This feature is turned on by default.

Parallel

Displays objects so that two parallel lines in a drawing never converge at a
single point. The shapes in your drawing always remain the same and do
not appear distorted when they are closer.

Perspective

Displays objects in perspective so that all parallel lines converge at one
point. Objects appear to recede into the distance, and parts of the objects
appear larger and closer to you. The shapes are somewhat distorted when
the object is very close. This view correlates more closely to what your eye
sees.

Swivel Camera

Changes the cursor to an arched arrow and simulates the effect of turning
the camera. See 3DSWIVEL.

UCS Icon

Displays a shaded 3D UCS icon. Each axis is labeled X, Y, or Z. The X axis
is red, the Y axis is green, and the Z axis is blue.

Wireframe

Displays the objects in the 3D Orbit view using lines and curves to represent
boundaries.

Zoom Extents

Centers the view and sizes it to display all objects.

Zoom Window

Changes the cursor to a window icon so you can select a specific area that
you want the zoom to focus on. When the cursor changes, click and drag

3DOrbit Shortcut Menu | 37

the cursor to draw a window around the area you want to select. When you
release the pick button, the drawing is zoomed in and focused on the area
you selected.

Projection

Provides the projection options. A check mark displayed in front of an option
indicates that the option is selected.

Shading Modes

Provides methods for shading objects.

Visual Aids

Provides aids to visualizing the objects.

Reset View

Resets the view back to the view that was current when you first started
3DORBIT.

Preset Views

Displays a list of predefined views such as Top, Bottom, and SW Isometric.
Choose a view from the list to change the current view of your model.

3DORBITCTR

Sets the center of rotation in 3D Orbit view

Command line: 3dorbitctr

Starts 3D Orbit view and uses a center of rotation that you specify with your
pointing device. If you specify a point outside the current view, 3DORBITCTR
ignores the specified point and uses the default center of rotation.

3DORBITCTR overrides the AutoTarget feature of the 3DORBIT command.

3DPAN

Starts the interactive 3D view and enables you to drag the view horizontally and vertically

3D Orbit toolbar:

38 | Chapter 2

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

previous

point

new point

after Undo

before Undo

and choose Pan.

Command line: 3dpan

3DPAN changes the cursor to a hand cursor. When you click and drag the
cursor, the view moves in the direction that you drag. You can drag the view
vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

You can view your entire drawing, or select one or more objects before entering
3DPAN. Viewing the entire drawing may degrade video performance.

3DPOLY

Creates a polyline of line segments in 3D space

Draw menu: 3D Polyline

Command line: 3dpoly

Specify start point of polyline: Specify a point (1)
Specify Endpoint of Line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: Specify a point or enter an option

Endpoint of Line

Draws a straight line from the previous point to the specified new point.
The prompt is repeated until you press ENTER to end the command.

Undo

Deletes the last line created. You can continue drawing from the previous
point.

3DOrbit Shortcut Menu | 39

Close

closing

segment

Draws a closing line from the endpoint back to the first point, and then
ends the command. To be closed, a 3D polyline must contain at least two
lines.

3DSIN

Imports a 3D Studio (3DS) file

Insert menu: 3D Studio

Command line: 3dsin

The 3D Studio File Import dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes)
is displayed. After you choose a file to import, the 3D Studio File Import
Options Dialog Box is displayed.

3D Studio File Import Options Dialog Box

Insert menu: 3D Studio

Command line: 3dsin

Lists available and selected 3D objects, saves 3D objects to layers, and handles
objects that use multiple materials.

40 | Chapter 2

Available Objects

Displays the names of all objects in the 3D Studio® (3DS) file. You can select
up to 70 objects.

Add

Adds the objects currently selected in the Available Objects list to the
Selected Objects list.

Add All

Adds all of the objects in the Available Objects list to the Selected Objects
list.

Assign First Material

Assigns the first material assigned to each multiple-material object to the
entire object. See the 3D Studio documentation for an explanation of how
the first-assigned material is determined.

By Material

Creates a layer for each material in the 3D Studio file and places objects to
which that material is attached on that layer. The name of the layer is the
same as the name of the material.

By Object

Creates a layer for each object in the 3D Studio file and places the object
on that layer. The name of the layer is the same as the name of the object.

3D Studio File Import Options Dialog Box | 41

By Object Color

Creates a layer for each object color in the 3D Studio file. Each 3D Studio
object is placed on the layer corresponding to its color. The name of the
layer is COLOR nn, where nn is the 3D Studio color index. If the 3D Studio
file contains objects with no color, these objects are placed on a layer called
COLORNONE.

Object Name and Type

Displays the type and assigned name of each object.

Object Name and Type

Displays the type and assigned name of each object.

Remove

Removes objects selected in the Selected Objects list and returns them to
the Available Objects list.

Remove All

Removes all objects from the Selected Objects list and returns them to the
Available Objects list.

Select a Material

Assigns one of the materials that was assigned to the object in the 3D Studio
file to the entire object. Select the material from the list below this option,
or choose NONE to revert to the AutoCAD default material.

Single Layer

Creates a single layer called AVLAYER and places all objects on that layer.

Split Object by Materials

Splits the object into multiple objects, one for each material. This preserves
the material assignments that were made in the 3D Studio file. It also
increases the complexity of the drawing geometry.

Selected Objects

Displays the selected 3D Studio objects to import.

Save to Layers

Controls how 3D Studio objects are assigned to layers in the drawing.

42 | Chapter 2

Multiple Material Objects

3D Studio assigns materials by face, element, or object. AutoCAD assigns
materials by object only. When AutoCAD encounters a 3D Studio object
assigned multiple materials, AutoCAD must find a way to handle the
assignment.

Always Prompt

Displays the Material Assignment Alert dialog box for each object with multiple
materials. The dialog box displays the name of the object. The options you
select determine how 3DSIN handles the assignment. The options are as
follows:

Split by Material

Splits all objects with multiple materials into multiple objects, one for each
material. This preserves the material assignments that were made in the 3D
Studio file. It also increases the complexity of the drawing geometry.

Assign First Material

Assigns the first material assigned to each multiple-material object to the entire
object. See the 3D Studio documentation for an explanation of how the
first-assigned material is determined.

Don’t Assign a Material

Assigns no material to each multiple-material object. This option loses all
material assignment information but preserves the 3D Studio geometry. The
object reverts to the AutoCAD default material.

3DSOUT

Exports to a 3D Studio (3DS) file

Command line: 3dsout

Select objects: Use an object selection method

The 3D Studio Output File dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes)
is displayed. After you enter a name for the new file, the 3D Studio File Export
Options Dialog Box is displayed.

3D Studio File Export Options Dialog Box

Command line: 3dsout

3D Studio File Export Options Dialog Box | 43

Defines the source of 3D objects, converts blocks into 3D objects, and performs
smoothing and welding during the export process.

NOTE 3DSOUT cannot convert a selection set containing more than 65,535
vertices. If necessary, simplify the geometry using the Auto-Welding option (see
the Welding option).

Derive 3D Studio Objects From

Specifies how to group AutoCAD objects into 3D Studio objects.

Auto-Smoothing

Creates 3D Studio smoothing groups. If this option is cleared, no smoothing
is assigned to new 3D Studio objects.

Auto-Welding

Welds vertices. If this option is cleared, vertices remain unchanged upon
export.

AutoCAD Color Index (ACI)

Creates an object from the objects that share an ACI number. The name of
the new object is based on the color.

AutoCAD Object Type

Creates an object from all AutoCAD objects of the same type. The name of
the object is based on the AutoCAD object type.

44 | Chapter 2

Degrees

Specifies the threshold angle for smoothing. If the angle between two face
normals is greater than this value, the face normals are not smoothed.

Layer

Creates an object from the objects on each AutoCAD drawing layer. The
name of the new object is based on the layer name.

Override (Each Block Is One Object)

Overrides the current Derive setting and converts each block into a single
3D Studio object.

Threshold

Specifies a distance in WCS coordinates of the drawing. If the distance
between two vertices is less than or equal to this value, the vertices are
welded into a single vertex. The default value is 0.001. You can enter any
positive value up to eight characters in length. The decimal point can be
in any location.

AutoCAD Blocks

Splits a block into its components and converts them to 3D Studio objects
according to the mode set under Derive 3D Studio Objects From.

Smoothing

Assigns 3D Studio smoothing groups based on the controls set in this area.

Welding

Simplifies the geometry and improves rendering time by welding congruent
or nearby vertices into a single vertex.

3DSWIVEL

Starts the interactive 3D view and simulates the effect of turning the camera

3D Orbit toolbar:

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,

and choose More ➤ Swivel Camera.

3D Studio File Export Options Dialog Box | 45

Command line: 3dswivel

3DSWIVEL changes the cursor to an arched arrow and simulates the effect of
turning a camera on a tripod. This command changes the target of the view.
For example, if you were pointing a camera at an object and then turned the
camera to the right, the object would move to the left in your viewing area.
Or, if you pointed the camera up, the objects would move down in your
viewing area. Swivel simulates this motion by using the cursor as the camera’s
viewfinder.

3DZOOM

Starts the interactive 3D view so you can zoom in and out on the view

3D Orbit toolbar:

Shortcut menu: Start the 3DORBIT command, right-click in the drawing area,
and choose Zoom.

Command line: 3dzoom

3DZOOM simulates the effect of a camera’s zoom lens. It makes objects appear
closer and farther away but does not change the position of the camera.
Zooming in magnifies the image. This also exaggerates the perspective with
which you view the objects if you’re using perspective projection. It may
slightly distort the shape of some objects.

Zoom changes the cursor to a magnifying glass with plus (+) and minus (–)
signs. Clicking and dragging the cursor vertically toward the top of the screen
zooms in on the image, making the objects appear larger or closer. Clicking
and dragging the cursor vertically toward the bottom of the screen zooms out
and makes the object appear smaller or farther away.

46 | Chapter 2

ABOUT

Displays information about AutoCAD

Help menu: About

Command line: about (or 'about for transparent use)

Copyright information and product information is displayed. Product
information includes the version number and service pack, serial number,
license type and expiration date, and the text of the license agreement. You
can save the product information as a text file.

ACISIN

Imports an ACIS file and creates a body object, solid, or region in the drawing

Insert menu: ACIS File

Command line: acisin

The Select ACIS File dialog box is displayed. Select the file to import in the
File Name list. The SAT (ASCII) ACIS file is imported into the drawing.

ACISOUT

Exports a body object, solid, or region to an ACIS file

Command line: acisout

NOTE When exchanging SAT files to earlier versions of AutoCAD, you need to set

the ACISOUTVER system variable to the ACIS version used for that release. For
example, to export SAT files to AutoCAD Release 14, set ACISOUTVER to 16.

Select objects: Use an object selection method

Selected objects that are not solids or regions are ignored, and the Create ACIS
File dialog box is displayed. Enter the name of the file you want to create. The
selected objects are exported to an ASCII file.

ADCCLOSE

Closes DesignCenter

Command line: adcclose

| 47

Closes the DesignCenter™ window.

ADCENTER

Manages and inserts content such as blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns

Standard toolbar:

Tools menu: DesignCenter

Command line: adcenter

DesignCenter Windowis displayed.

DesignCenter Window

Tools menu: DesignCenter

Command line: adcenter

Browses, finds, and previews content, and inserts content, which includes
blocks, hatches, and external references (xrefs).

Use the buttons in the toolbar at the top of DesignCenter for display and
access options.

When you click the Folders tab or the Open Drawings tab, the following two
panes are displayed from which you can manage drawing content:

■ “Content Area (DesignCenter)” on page 49

■ “Tree View (DesignCenter)” on page 53

48 | Chapter 3

Content Area (DesignCenter)

Displays the content of the "container" currently selected in the tree view. A
container is a network, computer, disk, folder, file, or web address (URL)
containing information accessible by DesignCenter. Depending on the
container selected in tree view, the content area typically displays the
following:

■ Folders containing drawings or other files

■ Drawings

■ Named objects contained in drawings (named objects include blocks, xrefs,

layouts, layers, dimension styles, and text styles)

■ Images or icons representing blocks or hatch patterns

■ Web-based content

■ Custom content developed by third-party applications

From the content area, you can insert blocks or hatch patterns or attach
external references in a drawing by dragging, by double-clicking, or by
right-clicking and choosing Insert Block, Attach Xref, or Copy. You can drag
or right-click to add other content to drawings, such as layers, dimension

DesignCenter Window | 49

styles, and layouts. You can drag blocks and hatches from DesignCenter to
tool palettes.

NOTE You can access relevant content area and tree view options on a shortcut
menu by right-clicking in the tree view or the content area.

Load

Displays the Load dialog box (a Standard File Selection Dialog Boxes). Use
Load to navigate to files on local and network drives or on the Web, and then
to select content to load in the content area.

Back

Returns to the most recent location in the history list.

Forward

Returns to the next later location in the history list.

Up

Displays the contents of the container one level above the current container.

Stop (DC Online tab)

Stops the current transfer.

Reload (DC Online tab)

Reloads the current page.

50 | Chapter 3

Search

Displays the Search Dialog Box, where you can specify search criteria to locate
drawings, blocks, and nongraphical objects within drawings.

Search also displays custom content saved on your desktop.

Favorites

Displays the contents of the Favorites folder in the content area. The Favorites
folder contains shortcuts to items you access often. You can add items to
Favorites either by right-clicking the content area or right-clicking an item in
the tree view, and then clicking Add to Favorites. To delete an item from
Favorites, use the Organize Favorites option on the shortcut menu and then
use the Refresh option on the shortcut menu.

NOTE The DesignCenter folder is automatically added to Favorites. This folder
contains drawings with discipline-specific blocks that you can insert in drawings.

Home

Returns DesignCenter to your home folder. On installation, the home folder
is set to ...\Sample\DesignCenter. Change the home folder using the shortcut
menu in the tree view.

Tree View Toggle

Displays and hides the tree view. Hide the tree view if you need more space
in your drawing area. When the tree view is hidden, you can use the content
area to navigate to containers and to load content.

The Tree View Toggle button is not available while you're using the History
list in the tree view.

Preview

DesignCenter Window | 51

Displays and hides a preview of the selected item in a pane below the content
area. If there is no preview image saved with the selected item, the Preview
area is empty.

Description

Displays and hides a text description of the selected item in a pane below the
content area. If a preview image is also displayed, the description is displayed
below it. If there is no description saved with the selected item, the Description
area is empty.

Views

Provides different display formats for the content that is loaded in the content
area. You can select a view from the Views list or click the Views button
repeatedly to cycle through the display formats. The default view varies for
the type of content currently loaded in the content area.

Large Icon

Displays the names of the loaded content in large icon format.

Small Icon

Displays the names of the loaded content in small icon format.

List View

Displays the names of the loaded content in a list.

Detail View

Displays additional information about the loaded content. You can sort the
items by name, size, type, and other properties, depending on the type of
content that is loaded in the content area.

52 | Chapter 3

Refresh (Shortcut Menu Only)

Refreshes the display in the content area to reflect any changes you have
made. Right-click the content area background and click Refresh on the
shortcut menu.

Tree View (DesignCenter)

Displays the hierarchy of files and folders on your computer and network
drives, a list of open drawings, custom content, and a history of the last
locations you accessed. Select an item in the tree view to display its contents
in the content area.

NOTE In the sample\designcenter folder are drawings containing discipline-specific
blocks that you can insert in drawings. These drawings are called symbol library
drawings.

Use the buttons in the toolbar at the top of DesignCenter to access tree view
options.

Folders

Displays the hierarchy of files and folders on your computer and network
drives, including My Computer and Network Neighborhood.

You can use ADCNAVIGATE to navigate to a specific file name, directory
location, or network path in the DesignCenter tree view. See ADCNAVIGATE.

Open Drawings

Displays all drawings open in the current work session, including drawings
that are minimized.

History

Displays a list of the files that you opened most recently in DesignCenter.
With the history displayed, right-click a file to display information about
the file or to delete the file from the History list.

DC Online

Accesses the DesignCenter Online web page. When you establish a web
connection, two panes are viewed on the Welcome page. The left side
displays folders containing symbol libraries, manufacturer sites, and
additional content libraries. When a symbol is selected, it is displayed on
the right side and can be downloaded into your drawing.

DesignCenter Window | 53

Search Dialog Box

Tools menu: DesignCenter

Command line: adcenter

Searches for content such as drawings, hatch patterns, and blocks.

All Files

Finds all the files that match the criteria you specify on other tabs, regardless
of creation date or date modified. This is the default setting.

Between

Searches for files created or modified between the dates you specify.

Browse

Displays a tree view in the Browse for Folder dialog box, in which you can
specify the drives and folders to search.

Containing

Specifies the type of text in a drawing that you want to search for. For
example, you can search for text contained within a block attribute, such
as a manufacturer's catalog number.

54 | Chapter 3

Containing Text

Specifies the text you want to search for.

During the Previous Day(s)

Searches for files created or modified within the number of days you specify.

During the Previous Month(s)

Searches for files created or modified within the number of months you
specify.

Find All Files Created or Modified

Finds files created or modified during a specific time period. The search
locates files that match the criteria you specify on this and other tabs.

In

Specifies a search path name. To enter multiple paths, separate them with
semicolons. Use Browse to select a path from a tree view list.

In the Field(s)

Specifies the property fields to search. For drawings, all fields other than
File Name are derived from the information entered in the Drawing
Properties dialog box (DWGPROPS).

This option is available on the Drawings tab and the Custom Content tab.

NOTE Custom content developed by third-party applications may not provide
fields for searches using the Search dialog box.

Look For

Specifies the type of content to search for. The content type you specify
determines which tabs are displayed in the Search dialog box and the search
fields it provides. The Date Modified and Advanced tabs are displayed only
when the Drawings option is selected in Look For.

New Search

Clears the Search For the Word(s) box and places the cursor in the box.

Search for the Name

Specifies the name of the drawing, block, layer, xref, or other content type
that you want to find.

This option is available on all tabs except Drawings and Custom Content.

Search Dialog Box | 55

Search for the Word(s)

Specifies the text string to look for in the field you specify. Use the asterisk
and question mark wild-card characters to broaden your search.

■ * (Asterisk): Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search

string.

■ ? (Question mark): Matches any single character; for example, ?BC matches

ABC, 3BC, and so on.

This option is available on the Drawings tab and, when available, the
Custom Content tab.

Search Now

Starts the search based on criteria you specify.

Search Results Panel

Displays the results of the search in resizable columns at the bottom of the
window. Double-click an item to load it into DesignCenter.

Search Subfolders

Includes subfolders in the search path.

Size Is

Specifies a minimum or maximum file size. Select At Least or At Most, and
enter a value in KB.

Stop

Stops the search and displays the accumulated results in the Search Results
panel.

Search Tabs (Search Dialog Box)

Display search fields relevant to the type of content specified in the Look For
list. The name of the tab reflects the content type. You can use wild-card
characters to extend or limit your search patterns.

Date Modified Tab (Search Dialog Box)

Finds content that was created or modified during a certain time period.

Advanced Tab (Search Dialog Box)

Finds content within drawings; this tab is available only when you select
Drawings in Look For.

56 | Chapter 3

ADCNAVIGATE

Loads a specified DesignCenter drawing file, folder, or network path

Command line: adcnavigate

Enter pathname <current>:

The path or drawing file name you specify is loaded in the tree view of the
DesignCenter Folders tab.

At the prompt, you can enter a path in any of the following formats:

■ Folder path: c:\project files\electrical

■ Folder path and a file name: c:\project files\electrical\circuit2.dwg

■ UNC (universal naming convention) network path: \\server1\campus_project

DesignCenter is displayed, with the Folder tab active, and the path or drawing
file that you specified is loaded.

ADCNAVIGATE supports remote domains or workgroups if you have the target
domain or workgroup mapped to a drive letter.

ALIGN

Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D

Modify menu: 3D Operation ➤ Align

Command line: align

Select objects: Select the objects to align and press ENTER

ALIGN Using One Pair of Points

Specify first source point: Specify a point (1)
Specify first destination point: Specify a point (2)
Specify second source point: Press ENTER

When you select only one source point and destination point pair, the
selected objects move in 2D or 3D from the source point (1) to the
destination point (2).

Search Dialog Box | 57

2

1

result

two points specified

ALIGN Using Two Pairs of Points

objects selected

four points specified

result

4

1

2

3

Specify first source point: Specify a point (1)
Specify first destination point: Specify a point (2)
Specify second source point: Specify a point (3)
Specify second destination point: Specify a point (4)
Specify third source point: Press ENTER
Scale objects based on alignment points [Yes/No] <No>: Enter y or press ENTER

When you select two point pairs, you can move, rotate, and scale the selected
objects in 2D or 3D to align with other objects.

The first set of source and destination points defines the base point for the
alignment (1, 2). The second set of points defines the angle of rotation (3,

4).

After you enter the second set of points, you are prompted to scale the
object. The distance between the first and second destination points (2, 4)
is used as the reference length to which the object is scaled. Scaling is
available only when you are aligning objects using two point pairs.

58 | Chapter 3

NOTE If you use two source and destination points to perform a 3D alignment

6

5

4

3

2

1

result

six points specified

objects selected

on nonperpendicular working planes, you get unpredictable results.

ALIGN Using Three Pairs of Points

Specify first source point: Specify a point (1)
Specify first destination point: Specify a point (2)
Specify second source point: Specify a point (3)
Specify second destination point: Specify a point (4)
Specify third source point: Specify a point (5)
Specify third destination point: Specify a point (6)

When you select three point pairs, you can move and rotate the selected
objects in 3D to align with other objects.

The selected objects move from the source point (1) to the destination point
(2).

The selected object is rotated (1 and 3) so that it aligns with the destination
object (2 and 4).

The selected object is then rotated again (3 and 5) so that it aligns with the
destination object (4 and 6).

AMECONVERT

Converts AME solid models to AutoCAD solid objects

Command line: ameconvert

Select objects: Use an object selection method

The objects you select must be Advanced Modeling Extension (AME) Release
2 or 2.1 regions or solids. All other objects are ignored.

Search Dialog Box | 59

Because of increased accuracy in the new solid modeler, AME models may

target box target box

look slightly different after conversion. This difference is noticeable where
the previous version of the solid modeler identified the surfaces of two different
shapes as so close as to be considered in the same plane. The new solid
modeler’s finer tolerance may interpret these surfaces as being slightly offset.
This phenomenon is most apparent with aligned features such as fillets,
chamfers, and through-holes.

Holes might become blind holes when the new modeler, with its much finer
approximation capability, interprets what was once a through-hole as being
slightly less wide than the solid. Typically, the length of the remaining solid
material is the difference between the tolerance of the previous modeler and
that of the new modeler.

Likewise, updated fillets or chamfers can occasionally be placed slightly below
the surface, creating a hole through the solid, leaving the original shape
unaltered. Also, drawing fillets or chamfers slightly above the original surface
creates an uneven transition between the solid and the fillet or chamfer.

APERTURE

Controls the size of the object snap target box

Command line: aperture (or 'aperture for transparent use)

Object snap target height (1–50 pixels) <current>: Enter a value (1–50) or press
ENTER

60 | Chapter 3

Object snap applies only to objects inside or crossing the object snap target
box. The APBOX system variable controls whether the object snap target box
is displayed. The number of pixels you enter using APERTURE controls the
size of the object snap box. The higher the number, the larger the target box.
You can also change this setting in the Options dialog box, Drafting tab.

APERTURE controls the object snap target box, not the pickbox displayed at
the Select Objects prompt. The object selection pickbox is controlled by the
PICKBOX system variable.

APPLOAD

Loads and unloads applications and defines which applications to load at startup

Tools menu: Load Application

Command line: appload

The Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box.

Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box

Tools menu: Load Application

Command line: appload

Loads and unloads applications and specifies applications to be loaded at
startup.

Load/Unload Applications Dialog Box | 61

The options at the top of this dialog box are derived from the Standard File
Selection Dialog Boxes. Following are descriptions of the additional options
provided by the Load/Unload Applications dialog box:

Add to History

Adds any applications that you load to the history list.

You may prefer to clear this option when loading applications with the
AutoCAD web browser, because these applications are unavailable once the
cache for the application’s temporary location is emptied.

Contents

Displays the Startup Suite Dialog Box. You can also add files to the Startup
Suite by clicking the Startup Suite icon or by right-clicking an application
on the History List tab and clicking Add to Startup Suite on the shortcut
menu.

History List

Displays an alphabetical list (by file name) of applications that you
previously loaded with Add To History selected. You can drag files into this
list from the files list, or from any application with dragging capabilities,
such as Windows Explorer. If Add To History is not selected when you drag
files into this list, the dragged files are loaded but not added to the history
list.

You can load and remove applications from this list, but to unload
applications, you must use the Loaded Applications tab. See the Load,
Unload, and Remove options.

Load

Loads or reloads the applications that are currently selected either in the
files list or on the History List tab. Load is unavailable until you select a file
that you can load. ObjectARX, VBA, and DBX applications are loaded
immediately, but LSP, VLX, and FAS applications are queued and then
loaded when you close the Load/Unload Applications dialog box.

If you select a file that is already loaded, Load reloads the application when
applicable. You cannot reload ObjectARX applications. In this case, you
must first unload the ObjectARX application and then load it again. The
Load option is also available from a shortcut menu by right-clicking a file
on the History List tab.

Loaded Applications

Displays an alphabetical list (by file name) of currently loaded applications.
LISP routines are displayed in this list only if you loaded them in the

62 | Chapter 3

Load/Unload Applications dialog box. You can drag files into this list from
the files list or from any application with dragging capabilities, such as
Microsoft® Windows® Explorer.

If you use the AutoCAD web browser to load an application, the web browser
downloads the application to a temporary location on your machine. This
is the location from which AutoCAD loads the application, as displayed in
this list.

You can also unload certain applications from this list. See the Unload
option for details. Files that you cannot unload are not available for
selection.

Startup Suite

Contains a list of applications that are loaded each time you start AutoCAD.
You can drag application files from the files list, or from any application
with dragging capabilities such as Windows Explorer, into the Startup Suite
area to add them to the Startup Suite.

You cannot add applications that you load with the AutoCAD web browser
to the Startup Suite.

Status Line

Displays messages that indicate the status of loading and unloading
operations.

Unload/Remove

Unloads the selected applications or removes them from the History List.
Unload is available only when a file is selected on the Loaded Applications
tab. Remove is available only when you select a file on the History List tab.

LISP applications cannot be unloaded, nor can ObjectARX applications that
are not registered for unloading.

Note that Remove does not unload the selected application. The Remove
option is also available from a shortcut menu by right-clicking an application
on the History List tab.

Startup Suite Dialog Box

Tools menu: Load Application

Command line: appload

Adds and removes application files from the Startup Suite. These are the
applications that are loaded each time you start AutoCAD.

Startup Suite Dialog Box | 63

ARC

Creates an arc

Add

Displays the Add File to Startup Suite dialog box. You can use this dialog
box to select files to add to the startup suite.

List of Applications

Displays an alphabetical list (by file name) of the application files to load
at startup.

Remove

Removes selected files from the Startup Suite.

Draw toolbar:

Draw menu: Arc

Command line: arc

Specify Start Point of arc or [Center]: Specify a point, enter ce , or press ENTER to
Tangent to Last Line, Arc, or Polyline

Start Point

Specifies the starting point of the arc.

64 | Chapter 3

NOTE If you press ENTER without specifying a point, the endpoint of the last

1

2

3

1

2

3

drawn line or arc is used and you are immediately prompted to specify the endpoint
of the new arc. This creates an arc tangent to the last drawn line, arc, or polyline.

Specify second point of arc or [CEnter/End]:

Second Point

Draws an arc using three specified points on the arc’s circumference. The first
point is the start point (1). The third point is the endpoint (3). The second
point (2) is a point on the circumference of the arc.

Specify end point of arc: Specify a point (3)

You can specify a three-point arc either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Center

Specifies the center of the circle of which the arc is a part.

Specify center point of arc:
Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:

End Point

Using the center point (2), draws an arc counterclockwise from the start
point (1) to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the
center point through the third point (3).

The arc does not necessarily pass through this third point, as shown in the
illustration.

Angle

Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) using a center point
(2) with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc
is drawn.

Specify included angle: Specify an angle

Startup Suite Dialog Box | 65

included

angle

1

2

Chord Length

length of chord

1

2

imaginary ray

1

2

3

Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line
between the start point and endpoint.

If the chord length is positive, the minor arc is drawn counterclockwise
from the start point. If the chord length is negative, the major arc is drawn
counterclockwise.

Specify length of chord: Specify a length

End

Specifies the endpoint of the arc.

Specify end point of arc:
Specify center point of arc or [Angle/Direction/Radius]:

Center Point

Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to an endpoint that
falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the center point (3) through the
second point specified (2).

66 | Chapter 3

Angle

Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to an endpoint (2),
with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is
drawn.

Specify included angle: Enter an angle in degrees or specify an angle by moving

angle

1

2

direction

2

1

radius

1

2

the pointing device counterclockwise

Direction

Begins the arc tangent to a specified direction. It creates any arc, major or
minor, clockwise or counterclockwise, beginning with the start point (1),
and ending at an endpoint (2). The direction is determined from the start
point.

Specify tangent direction for the start point of arc:

Radius

Draws the minor arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to the
endpoint (2). If the radius is negative, the major arc is drawn.

Specify radius of arc:

Center

Specifies the center of the circle of which the arc is a part.

Specify center point of arc:
Specify start point of arc:
Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:

End Point

Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (2) to an endpoint that
falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the center point (1) through a specified
point (3).

Startup Suite Dialog Box | 67

1

2

3

Angle

included

angle

1

2

length of chord

1

2

1

Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (2) using a center point
(1) with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc
is drawn.

Specify included angle:

Chord Length

Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line
between the start point and endpoint.

If the chord length is positive, the minor arc is drawn counterclockwise
from the start point. If the chord length is negative, the major arc is drawn
counterclockwise.

Specify length of chord:

68 | Chapter 3

Tangent to Last Line, Arc, or Polyline

Draws an arc tangent to the last line, arc, or polyline drawn when you press
ENTER at the first prompt.

Specify end point of arc: Specify a point (1)

ARCHIVE

Packages the current sheet set files to be archived

Command line: archive

The Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box is displayed.

If you enter -archive at the Command prompt, ARCHIVE displays ARCHIVE
Command Line.

Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box

Command line: archive

Packages the files associated with the current sheet set so that they can be
archived.

The Sheets tab lists the sheets to be included in the archive package in sheet
order and according to subset organization. The Files Tree tab lists the files to
be included in the package in a hierarchical tree format. The Files Table tab
displays the files to be included in the package in a table format.

All files to be included in the archive package are indicated by a check mark
next to the file name. To remove a file from the archive package, select the
check box. Right-click in the file display area to display a shortcut menu, from
which you can clear all check marks or apply check marks to all files.

NOTE Make sure that the files to be archived are not currently open in any
application.

Sheets Tab

Lists the sheets to be included in the archive package in sheet order and
according to subset organization. A sheet set must be open in the Sheet Set
Manager. Archive can be selected from the shortcut menu displayed when
the top-level sheet set node is right-clicked, or archive can be entered on the
command line.

Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box | 69

Files Tree Tab

Lists the files to be included in the archive package in a hierarchical tree
format. By default, all files associated with the current drawing (such as related
xrefs, plot styles, and fonts) are listed. You can add files to the archive package
or remove existing files. Related files that are referenced by URLs are not
included in the archive package.

Included

Reports the number of files included in the package and the size of the
package.

Included

Reports the number of files included in the package and the size of the
package.

Save As

Opens a File Save dialog box, in which you can specify a location in which
to save a report file. Note that a report file is automatically included with
all archive packages that you generate; by choosing Save As, you can save
an additional copy of a report file for reference purposes.

70 | Chapter 3

Files Table Tab

Displays the files to be included in the archive package in a table format. By
default, all files associated with the current drawing (such as related xrefs, plot
styles, and fonts) are listed. You can add files to the archive package or remove
existing files. Related files that are referenced by URLs are not included in the
archive package.

Archive a Sheet Set Dialog Box | 71

Add a File

Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can select an
additional file to include in the archive package. This button is available on
both the Files Tree tab and the Files Table tab.

Enter Notes to Be Included with This Archive

Provides a space where you can enter notes related to the archive package.
The notes are included in the archive report. You can specify a template of
default notes to be included with all your archive packages by creating an
ASCII text file called archive.txt. This file must be saved to a location specified
by the Support File Search Path option on the Files Tab (Options Dialog Box)
in the Options dialog box.

View Report

Displays report information that is included with the archive package. Includes
any archive notes that you entered. If you have created a text file of default
notes, the notes are also included in the report.

Modify Archive Setup

Displays the Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box, in which you can specify
options for the archive package.

72 | Chapter 3

Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box

Command line: archive

Archive Package Type

Specifies the type of archive package created.

Browse

Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to
specify a source root folder.

Folder

Creates an archive package of uncompressed files in a new or existing folder.

Include Fonts

Includes any associated font files (TXT and SHX) with the archive package.

Include Sheet Set Data and Files

Includes the sheet set data (DST) file, label block drawing files, callout block
drawing files, and drawing template (DWT) files with the archive package.

Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box | 73

Increment File Name if Necessary

Uses a logical default file name. If the file name already exists, a number is
added to the end. This number is incremented each time a new archive
package is saved.

Keep Files and Folders As Is

Preserves the folder structure of all files in the archive package. This option
is not available if you’re saving an archive package to an Internet location.

Overwrite if Necessary

Uses a logical default file name. If the file name already exists, the existing
file is automatically overwritten.

Place All Files in One Folder

All files are installed to a single, specified target folder when the archive
package is created.

Prompt for a File Name

Displays a standard file selection dialog box where you can enter the name
of the archive package.

Prompt for Password

Opens the Archive - Set Password Dialog Box, where you can specify a
password for your archive package.

Self-Extracting Executable

Creates an archive package of files as a compressed, self-extracting executable
file. Double-clicking the resulting EXE file decompresses the archive package
and restores the files.

Set Default Plotter to ‘None’

Changes the printer/plotter setting in the archive package to None.

Source Root Folder

Defines the source root folder for relative paths of drawing-dependent files,
such as xrefs. This option determines the source root folder for the Use
Organized Folder Structure option.

The source root folder also contains the sheet set data (DST) file when a
sheet set is archived.

74 | Chapter 3

Use Organized Folder Structure

Duplicates the folder structure for the files being transmitted. The root
folder is the top-level folder within a hierarchical folder tree.

The following considerations apply:

■ Relative paths remain unchanged. Relative paths outside the source root

folder retain up to one level of the folder path above them, and are placed
in the root folder.

■ Absolute paths within the root folder tree are converted to relative paths.

Absolute paths retain up to one level of the folder path above them, and
are placed in the root folder.

■ Absolute paths outside the root folder tree are converted to No Path and

are moved to the root folder or to a folder within the root folder tree.

■ A Fonts folder is created, if necessary.

■ A PlotCfgs folder is created, if necessary.

■ A SheetSets folder is created to hold all support files for sheet sets, if

necessary. The sheet set data (DST) file, however, is placed in the root
folder.

This option is not available if you’re saving an archive package to an Internet
location.

Zip

Creates an archive package of files as a compressed ZIP file. To restore the
files, you need a decompression utility such as the shareware application
PKZIP or WinZip.

File Format

Specifies the file format to which all drawings included in the archive package
will be converted. You can select a drawing file format from the drop-down
list.

Archive File Folder

Specifies the location in which the archive package is created. Lists the last
nine locations in which archive packages were created. To specify a new
location, click Browse and navigate to the location you want.

If this field is left blank, the archive file is created in the folder containing the
sheet set data (DST) file.

Modify Archive Setup Dialog Box | 75

Browse

Opens a standard file selection dialog box, in which you can navigate to a
location where you create the archive package.

Archive File Name

Specifies the method for naming the archive package. Displays the default file
name for the archive package. This option is not available if the archive
package type is set to Folder.

Archive Options

Provides options for the archive.

Archive - Set Password Dialog Box

Command line: archive

Password for Compressed Archive Package

Provides a space for an optional password for the archive package. When
others attempt to open the archive package, they must provide this password
to access the files. Password protection cannot be applied to folder archive
packages.

Password Confirmation

Provides a space to confirm the password that you entered in the Password
field. If the two passwords do not match, you are prompted to reenter them.

ARCHIVE Command Line

If you enter -archive at the Command prompt, ARCHIVE displays prompts
on the command line.

76 | Chapter 3