I. Strictly follow the drawing principles
In the drawing work, in order to significantly improve the speed and efficiency of drawing, users must follow a series of scientific and reasonable drawing principles.
1. Standardize the steps of drawing
Drawing should be carried out in an orderly manner according to specific steps. First, set the drawing format. This is like choosing a canvas of the right size for painting. Only when the drawing format is properly set can subsequent drawing be carried out in a suitable space. Next, set the units and precision. Specify the measurement units and the degree of accuracy to be used in the drawing. This is like setting a standard for a measuring tool to ensure the accuracy of the drawing. Then, create several layers. Layers are like transparent sheets of paper stacked on top of each other. Different types of graphic elements can be placed on different layers for easy management and editing. After that, set the object styles, including color, line type, etc., to make the graphics clearer and more beautiful. Finally, start drawing. Following these steps can make the drawing process well - organized.
2. Adhere to a 1:1 drawing scale
Always use a 1:1 scale during the drawing process. Just like building a physical model, construct it according to the actual dimensions. When it is necessary to change the size of the drawing, there is no need to perform scaling operations during the drawing stage. Different printing scales can be set in the paper space during printing. This not only ensures the accuracy of the drawing but also allows for flexible adjustment of the output size.
3. Reasonably set the properties of layers and graphic elements
It is very important to set different layers, colors and line widths for different types of primitive objects. Layers are like classification folders, and different primitive objects are stored in different folders. Moreover, the color, line type and line width of primitive objects should all be controlled by the layer (BYLAYER), which facilitates unified management and modification. Once the attributes of a certain type of primitive need to be adjusted, you only need to operate on the corresponding layer.
4. Use the grid snap function
In cases where precise drawing is required, the grid snap function can be used. The grid snap is like adding a precise grid positioning system to the drawing. Setting the grid snap spacing to an appropriate value can make the drawing process more precise, just like using a ruler to assist in drawing, ensuring that the dimensions of the graphic are accurate.
5. Draw the drawing frame and the graphics separately
Do not draw the drawing frame and the graphic in the same drawing. The drawing frame is like a photo frame, and the graphic is like a photo. You should insert the drawing frame as a block in the layout (LAYOUT) and then print the drawing. The advantage of doing this is that it is convenient to adjust and manage the drawing frame and the graphic separately, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of drawing output.
6. Standardize the naming of named objects
For named objects such as views, layers, blocks, linetypes, text styles, and printing styles, when naming them, it is not only necessary to be concise but also to follow certain rules. This is like attaching clear labels to items and arranging them according to certain rules, which facilitates future searching and use and prevents getting lost among numerous objects.
7. Use graphic template files
Some common settings, such as layer, annotation style, text style, grid snap, etc., can be set in a graphic template file (i.e., save it as a *.DWF file). This is like creating a standard drawing template. When drawing a new drawing in the future, you can click "Use template" in the New Drawing wizard to open it and start drawing, which greatly saves the time for repeated settings.
II. Precisely select appropriate commands
1. Generate a straight line or a line segment
LINE command: In AutoCAD, the LINE, XLINE, RAY, PLINE, and MLINE commands can all be used to generate straight lines or line segments. However, the LINE command has the highest usage frequency and is the most flexible. It is like a free brush that can draw straight lines at will according to the user's needs and is suitable for various straight - line drawing scenarios.
XLINE and RAY commands: To ensure the corresponding relationship of "equal length, equal width, and equal height" among the three views of an object, the XLINE and RAY commands should be selected to draw several auxiliary lines. These auxiliary lines are like the scaffolding in building construction, providing accurate references for subsequent drawing. Then, use the TRIM command to cut off the redundant parts to make the graphic more concise and clear.
PLINE command: If you want to quickly generate a closed filled boundary or construct a region, you should choose the PLINE command. The line segments generated by PLINE can also be edited using the PEDIT command, just like delicately carving a work of art to make them more in line with the design requirements.
MLINE command: When multiple parallel line segments need to be generated at once and each line segment may use different colors and line types, you can choose the MLINE command. It is like an efficient cable arranger that can quickly generate multiple parallel line segments to meet diverse drawing needs.
2. Annotation text
TEXT (DTEXT) command: When using text annotations, if the text in the annotation has the same format and the annotation is short, select the TEXT (DTEXT) command. It's like a simple sticky note that can quickly add short text annotations.
MTEXT command: When you need to write a large paragraph of text and the text in the paragraph may have different formats, such as font, text height, color, special symbols, molecular formulas, etc., you should use the MTEXT command. It is like a powerful text editor that can meet various complex text annotation requirements.
3. Copy graphics or characteristics
COPY command: In the same graphic file, if you want to copy a graphic only once, you should select the COPY command. It is like a simple photocopier that can quickly copy a single graphic.
The MULTIPLE option of the COPY command and related commands: In the same graphic file, if you want to copy a certain graphic multiple times at will, you should select the MULTIPLE (repeat) option of the COPY command; alternatively, use the COPYCLIP (ordinary copy) or COPYBASE (copy after specifying the base point) command to copy the required graphic to the clipboard, and then use the PASTECLIP (ordinary paste) or PASTEBLOCK (paste in the form of a block) command to paste it to multiple specified locations. These commands are like an efficient copy-paste toolset that can meet different copying needs.
ARRAY command: In the same graphic file, if the copied graphics are arranged according to a certain rule, such as forming several rows and columns, or being evenly distributed along a certain circle (arc), the ARRAY command should be selected. It is like an intelligent arrangement machine that can quickly generate regular graphic arrays.
OFFSET command: In the same graphic file, if you want to generate multiple lines that are parallel to each other with equal or unequal intervals, or generate a series of concentric ellipses (arcs), circles (arcs), etc., you should select the OFFSET command. It is like a parallel copier that can quickly generate parallel graphic elements.
BLOCK, INSERT, and MINSERT commands: In the same graphic file, if the number of copies needed is quite large, in order to reduce the file size or facilitate unified modification in the future, the specified graphic should be defined as a block using the BLOCK command, and then the INSERT or MINSERT command can be selected to insert the block. This is like making the graphic into a standard module, which is convenient for batch use and management.
Copying graphics between multiple documents: There are two ways to copy graphics between multiple graphic documents.First, use command operations. First, use the COPYCLIP or COPYBASE command in the opened source file to copy the graphic to the clipboard. Then, use one of PASTECLIP, PASTEBLOCK, or PASTEORIG in the opened destination file to copy the graphic to the specified location. This is equivalent to selecting the corresponding option in the shortcut menu.Second, directly drag the selected graphic with the mouse. However, note that dragging within the same graphic file only moves the graphic, while dragging between two graphic documents copies the graphic. When dragging, the mouse pointer must point to the line of the selected graphic rather than the grip point of the line. At the same time, there is a difference between dragging with the left - mouse button and dragging with the right - mouse button. Dragging with the left - mouse button is a direct drag, while dragging with the right - mouse button will pop up a shortcut menu, and you can select different ways to copy according to the options provided in the menu.
MATCHPROP command: To copy graphic properties between multiple graphic documents, you should select the MATCHPROP command (which needs to be used in conjunction with the PAINTPROP command). It is like a porter for graphic properties, capable of quickly copying the properties of one graphic to another.
III. Make full use of the Express Tools
The so - called Express Tools is actually a practical tool library carefully designed for users and provided free of charge along with AutoCAD 2000. This tool library is like a treasure chest full of treasures. Most of the tools in it come from the Bonus tools of AutoCAD R14, while the rest have been discarded or improved, and some new tools have been added. The Express Tools expand the functions of AutoCAD in many aspects such as layer management, object selection, input/output of dimensioning styles, and graphic editing and modification. Moreover, they can be easily integrated into the menus and toolbars of AutoCAD 2000, are convenient and fast to use, and can significantly improve the efficiency of drawing work.
There are two methods to install the Express Tools. One is to select "Full" installation when installing AutoCAD 2000, so that the Express Tools can be installed together. The other is to select the "User" installation with the option of "Express Tools". If it was not installed in this way at the beginning, you should reinstall AutoCAD 2000 in the "Add" mode and select the "Express Tools" to be added.
2. Install the Express tool
By default, AutoCAD 2000 does not load the Express Tools into memory when starting up, aiming to shorten its startup time. When you use the Express Tools for the first time, the tool library will be automatically loaded. However, you can also force the loading with the EXPRESS TOOLS command at the beginning. On the premise that the Express Tools have been correctly installed, if the "Express" menu does not appear on the screen, you can use the EXPRESS MENU command to display the menu.
3. Display the "Express" toolbar
The following are the specific steps to display the "Express" toolbar on the screen:
- First, in the drop-down menu, select View
- Then, in the drop-down combo box named "Menu Group", select "FlashGet", just like selecting the FlashGet tool category from numerous tool categories.
- Then, select the required option in the combo box named "Toolbars". For options preceded by "X", their toolbars will be displayed on the screen. This is like selecting the tools you need from a display cabinet and showing them.
- Finally, click the "Close" button to exit the dialog box and complete the toolbar settings.
IV. Flexibly open or close visual elements
The complexity of the graphics will affect the speed at which AutoCAD executes commands and refreshes the screen. Flexibly turning on or off some visual elements (such as fills, wide lines, text, marker points, highlighted selections, etc.) can effectively enhance the performance of AutoCAD.
1. Turn off the solid fill mode
If FILL is set to OFF, the solid fill mode is turned off. At this time, newly drawn traces, polylines with width, filled polygons, etc., will only display an outline and will not be output during printing. The effect of the fill mode on existing graphics can be shown using the REGEN command. In addition, besides controlling the fill mode, the system variable FILLMODE also controls the display of all hatching lines. Turning off the fill mode is like slimming down the graphics, reducing unnecessary display content and improving the running speed of the software.
2. Turn off the wide line display
Wide lines increase the line width. Wide lines are output at their actual values when printed, but are displayed at a pixel scale in model space. When using AutoCAD for drawing, you can turn off the display of wide lines through the LWT button on the status bar or by selecting the "Wide Lines" option from the "Format" menu and using the "Wide Line Settings" dialog box to optimize the display performance. The system variable LWDISPLAY also controls the display of wide lines in the current drawing. Turning off the display of wide lines is like removing some overly thick lines from the drawing, making the drawing display more concise and smooth.
III. Related settings and impacts of enabling the pop - up text mode
When we set QTEXT to ON, it's like enabling a special "invisibility mode" for the text in the drawing, which means turning on the quick display text mode. In this mode, when we add new text to the drawing, this text will not be fully displayed as it normally would. Instead, the specific content is hidden, and only a border is shown. This way of display is like dressing the text in an "invisibility cloak", showing only the general outline. Moreover, when performing a print output operation, the same display rule applies, and the printed result is also just the border of the text.
For the existing text in the drawing, the impact of this setting may not be immediately apparent. However, we can use the REGEN command to make this impact visible. Additionally, the system variable QTEXTMODE also plays a crucial role in controlling whether the text is displayed. When there is a large amount of text in the drawing, enabling the quick display text mode has a very significant impact on system performance. This is because the display and processing of a large amount of text will consume system resources, while hiding the text and only displaying the borders greatly reduces the system's processing burden, just like relieving the "heavy burden" on the system and allowing it to run more easily and efficiently.
IV. Disable the display of prohibited markers to improve performance
In the AutoCAD drawing area, when we select graphic objects or locate a point, some temporary marks will appear. These marks are called indicator points. They are like "little assistants" during the drawing process and can serve as reference points to help us perform drawing operations more accurately. However, these indicator points only exist temporarily in the drawing area and will not appear on the printed drawing.
If we want to prohibit the display of marker points, we can set BLIPMODE to OFF. This operation is like turning off the display switch of these "little assistants". Although they still play a silent reference role during the drawing process, they will no longer be displayed. The advantage of doing this is that it can enhance the performance of AutoCAD. Since the display of marker points also requires the system to allocate certain resources, after prohibiting their display, the system can allocate this part of the resources to other more important drawing operations, thereby improving the overall operating efficiency.
V. Cancel the highlighted selection to optimize performance
By default, AutoCAD uses the "highlighting" method to indicate the graphic that is currently being selected. This highlighted display is like putting a "special hat" on the selected graphic, allowing us to clearly know which graphic is currently selected. However, this highlighted display method also consumes a certain amount of system resources.
We can cancel the highlighted selection by changing the value of the system variable HIGHLIGHT from 1 to 0. This operation is like taking off the special hat of the graphics. Although we can no longer visually see the selected graphics through the highlighting effect, it can enhance the performance of AutoCAD. The system no longer needs to allocate resources for the highlighting effect, so it can invest more resources in the drawing and processing of graphics, improving the running speed and stability of the software.
VI. Settings for Saving the Automatic Regeneration Time of Graphics
During the use of AutoCAD, the automatic regeneration of graphics is a time-consuming operation. However, we can save this part of time through some settings. Setting the value of the system variable REGENMODE to 0 or setting REGENAUTO to OFF can achieve this goal.
When the value of REGENMODE is set to 0, it is equivalent to adjusting the graphic regeneration mode and reducing unnecessary automatic regeneration operations. Setting REGENAUTO to OFF means turning off the automatic graphic regeneration function. In this way, the system will not perform graphic regeneration at unnecessary times, thus saving a lot of time and enabling us to work more efficiently in graphic drawing.
V. Clean up useless objects in the graphics in a timely manner
In a graphic file, there are often some useless objects such as unused layers, blocks, text styles, dimension styles, and linetypes. These useless objects are like "garbage" in the graphic file. They not only increase the file size, just like constantly stuffing useless things into a box and making the box more and more bulky; but also reduce the performance of AutoCAD and slow down the software operation.
To clean up these useless objects, users can use the PURGE command in a timely manner. However, since graphic objects often appear in a nested situation, just like one box inside another, layer upon layer, users often need to use the PURGE command several times in succession to clean up the useless objects completely. Each time the PURGE command is used, it is like conducting a "general cleaning" of the graphic file, gradually removing the "garbage" inside, making the graphic file more concise and the software run more smoothly.
VI. Improve operation efficiency by using command aliases and accelerator keys
AutoCAD defines aliases and accelerator keys for some commonly used commands or menu items. This is like setting up shortcuts for these commonly used operations. Using command aliases and accelerator keys can significantly save the time for accessing commands.
Command aliases are defined in the acad.pgp file. We can open and edit this file with any text editor, just like opening a treasure chest filled with secret codes, and add, delete, or change command aliases inside. The aliases defined in this way can be used when we re-enter AutoCAD. In the latest software version, users don't even have to exit AutoCAD and can use the Express Tools to redefine command aliases. However, if using this method, we need to execute the REINIT command to reinitialize the software before using the newly defined aliases for the first time, just like readjusting the state of the software to make the newly defined aliases take effect smoothly.
The command accelerator keys are defined in the acad.mnu file. If users want to add, delete, or change the command accelerator keys, they can only edit and modify the acad.mnu file using a text editor. After the modified *.mnu file is loaded and compiled with the MENU command, the newly defined command accelerator keys can be used. This is like making a "modification" to the command accelerator keys. Only after the "debugging" of loading and compiling can the new accelerator keys function properly and help us use commands more quickly.
Tags: CAD