1. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Sacramento City College
Engineering Design Technology
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

2. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Objectives
Identify and manage AutoCAD file and system settings.
Assign colors and fonts to the text and graphics windows.
Control AutoCAD system variables.
Set options that control display quality and AutoCAD performance
Control shortcut menus
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

3. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
OSNAP
The Options dialog box
All changes take place after clicking Apply or OK.
Settings that are stored within the drawing file have the AutoCAD drawing icon next to them.
Settings without the icon affect all AutoCAD drawing sessions.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

4. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

5. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Variables
System variables
Store values that control AutoCAD functions.
Can be changed by:
Typing the name of the variable at the Command: prompt.
Specifying a value
Many variables are changed dynamically by choices made in a dialog box.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

6. Managing AutoCAD File and Folder Paths
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

7. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File and Folder Paths
Options dialog box - Files Tab
Some files reside on a network drive.
Other files reside locally and are specifically created for a particular AutoCAD user.
Locations can be specified.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

8. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

9. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File and Folder Paths
Paths
For support and driver files
Text fonts
Menus
AutoLISP files
Object ARX files
Blocks
Linetypes and
Hatch Patterns
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

10. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

11. Support File Search Path
Search paths are searched sequentially.
\support
\fonts
\help
\express
\support\color
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

12. Support File Search Path
Folders can be added to this list
Suppose you create a folder named Blocks
All of your blocks could be stored there.
Adding a file
Click ADD button
Click Browse button
Path
C:\Blocks
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

13. Support File Search Path
Add… button
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

14. Support File Search Path
Browse Button:
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

15. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Other File Settings
Device drivers
Are specifications for peripherals that work with AutoCAD
Plotters
Digitizer tablets
Other hardware
By default are stored in the \DRV folder
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

16. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Device Driver Path
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

17. Working Support File Search Path
Lists the active support paths AutoCAD is using.
Are only listed for reference; they cannot be changed.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

18. Project Files Search Path
Options dialog box – Project Files
List folder locations for project folders.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

19. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Customization Files
Options dialog box – Customization Files
Specifies the names of the main and enterprise customization files.
Specifies the location of custom icon files.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

20. Help and Misc File Names
Options dialog box – Help/Misc Files
Specifies which files are used for the help file and default Internet location.
Also specifies the location of the configuration file
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

21. Text Editor, Dictionary, Font Files
Options dialog box – Text Editor/Dictionary
Specifies which files are used for the text editor application
Main and custom dictionaries
Alternative font file
Location of font mapping file.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

22. Print File, Spooler, Prolog Section Names
Options dialog box – Print/Spooler Files
Sets the file names for
the plot file for legacy plotting scripts
The print spool executable file
The PostScript prolog section name.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

23. Printer Support File Path
Options dialog box – Printer Support File Path
Specifies the print spool file path
The printer configuration search path
The printer description file search path
The plot style table search path.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

24. Automatic Save File Location
Options dialog box – Automatic Save File Location
Specifies path where the autosave (.sv$) file is stored.
An autosave file is only created if the Automatic save option is checked in the Open and Save tab of the Options dialog box.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

25. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Color Book Location
Options dialog box – Color Book Location
Specifies paths for Color Book files that can be used when specifying colors in the Select Color dialog box.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

26. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Data Sources Location
Options dialog box – Data Sources Location
Specifies the path for database source (.udl) files
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

27. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Template Settings
Options dialog box – Template Settings
Specifies the default location for drawing and sheet set template files and the file names for the defaults.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

28. Tool Palettes File Locations
Options dialog box – Tool Palettes
Specifies the path for tool palette support files.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

29. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Log File Location
Options dialog box – Help/Misc Files
Specifies the path for the AutoCAD log file.
A log file is only created if the Maintain a log file option is checked in the Open and Save tab of the Options dialog box.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

30. Action Recorder Settings
Options dialog box – Action Recorder
Specifies search and storage paths for the action recorder macro (.actm) files.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

31. Plot and Publish Log File Locations
Options dialog box – Plot/Publish Log Files
Specifies the path for the log file for “plot and publish” operations.
A log file is only created if the Automatically save plot and publish log check box in the Plot and Publish tab of the Options dialog box is checked.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

32. Temporary Drawing File Location
Options dialog box – Temporary Drawing File
Specifies the folder where AutoCAD stores temporary drawing files.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

33. Temporary External Reference File Location
Options dialog box – Temporary Xref File
Specifies the location where temporary external reference files are placed.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

34. Texture Maps Search Path
Options dialog box – Texture Map Search Path
Specifies the folder where AutoCAD stores texture map files for rendering.
3D applications
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

35. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Web File Search Path
Options dialog box – Web File Search Path
Specifies the folders to search for files associated with photometric weblight lighting.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

36. Customizing the Graphics Window
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

37. Customizing Graphics Window
Tools > Options > Display Tab
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

38. Customizing Graphics Window
Window Elements
Controls the color scheme
Color scheme controls the outline color of the ribbon and status bar.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

39. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

40. Customizing Graphics Window
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

41. Customizing Graphics Window
On/Off choices
Scroll bars on/off
Drawing status bar on/off
Large/small buttons for toolbars
Resizing ribbon icons
Showing tooltips
Showing shortcut keys
Extended commands in tooltips
Showing roll-over tooltips.
Cross-hair size
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

42. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

43. Customizing Graphics Window
Colors
Select a context
Context is one of the environments or modes that is set current when a new drawing is started based on the acad3D.dwt template.
Context: list
Names of all contexts.
Model Space
Layout Space
Block Editor
Command line
Plot preview
3D parallel projection / 3D perspective projection
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

44. Customizing Graphics Window
Interface elements
An item that is visible in a given context.
Uniform background
Crosshairs
Viewport control
Grid major lines
Grid minor lines
Autotract vector
2d Autosnap marker
3d Autosnap marker
Dynamic dimension lines
Drafting tool tip
Drafting tool tip background
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

45. Customizing Graphics Window
Restore current element
Resets to default color
Restore current context
Resets all elements to default colors
Restore all contexts
Resets all elements in all contexts to defaults.
Restore classic colors
Traditional black background in 2D model space
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

46. Customizing Graphics Window
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

47. Customizing Graphics Window
Changing Fonts
Font used in the Command: prompt window
Has NO effect on the drawing text.
Default is Courier New 10 point.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

48. Customizing Graphics Window
Layout Display Settings
Affects layout space
Display Layout and Model Tabs
Display printable area
Display paper background
Display paper shadow
Show Page Setup Manager for new layouts
Create viewport in new layouts.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

49. Display Resolution/Performance
Arc and circle smoothness
Segments in a polyline curve
Rendered object smoothness
Display performance
Pan and Zoom with raster and OLE
Highlight raster image frame only
Apply solid fill
Show text boundary frame only
Draw true silhouettes for solids and surfaces
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

50. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File Saving Options
Default Settings for Saving Files
AutoCAD 2010, 2011, 2012 files are all compatible
Maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects
Determines how drawings with individual objects greater than 256 MB are handled.
Previous versions could not have objects larger than 256 MB.
If save drawing to a legacy format (2009 or earlier), will have compatibility with large drawing objects (> 256 MB)
Checking this option maintans compatibility with earlier versions by telling AutoCAD to check for large objects.
If large objects exist, an alert will be generated requiring resolution of this issue before drawing can be saved.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

51. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File Saving Options
Maintain drawing size compatibility
Variable - LARGEOBJECTSUPPORT.
Thumbnails Preview Settings dialog box
Save a thumbnail box
If checked thumbnail will be generated.
Use View when drawing last saved
Bases thumbnail on the last zoom when saved.
Use Home View
Bases thumbnail on the view defined as the home view.
Set current View as Home
Sets home view to the current view.
Reset Home to default
Resets home view to default setting
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

52. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File Saving Options
Generate Sheet, Sheet View and Model View Thumbnails
Thumbnail Preview Settings
When checked, thumbnails are based on one of three choices.
Middle position – (default setting) thumbnails are updated when they are accessed
Left Position – thumbnails must be manually updated
Right position – thumbnails are updated when drawing is saved.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

53. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File Saving Options
Variable – UPDATETHUMBNAIL settings:
0 – The Generate sheet, Sheet View, and Model View Thumbnails check box is unchecked.
7 – The check box is checked and the slider is in the left-hand position
15 – The check box is checked and the slider is in the middle position.
23 – The check box is checked and the slider is in the right hand position
Maximum size in pixels slider:
Controls size of thumbnails
0 = 64, 1 = 128, 2 = 256 pixels
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

54. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Autosave Settings
When working in AutoCAD, data loss can occur if power outage occurs.
Automatic save check box
If checked, AutoCAD automatically creates a backup file at the specified time interval.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

55. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Autosave Settings
Minutes between saves edit box
Sets the time between automatic saves
Does not overwrite the source drawing file with incremental saves.
Saves temporary files instead, which have extension .sv$
Temporary files can be renamed to .dwg and opened.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

56. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Autosave Settings
Time interval value
Set to the maximum amount of work you are willing to redo.
If set too long, will lose a lot of work
If set too soon, computer will constantly be unavailable because of file saves.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

57. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Autosave Settings
Backup Files
Can automatically be created when current drawing is saved.
Has a .bak extension
Backup is not overwritten when a different drawing is opened or saved.
Create backup copy with each save
When checked, backup file is created
Good idea to have this option enabled.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

58. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
CRC Validation
CRC – cyclic redundancy check
Verifies that the number of data bits sent is the same as the number received.
Useful when drawing files are being corrupted, and a hardware or software problem is suspected.
Check is performed every time data are read into the drawing.
Ensures all data are correctly received.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

59. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Log Files
Log files
Record of command actions
Can be used for
Finding the source of drawing errors that produce the incorrect results.
By a CAD manager to determine the need for staff training or customization of a system.
Evaluating potential employees for CAD competence.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

60. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Log Files
Maintain a log file check box.
File requires a name
Extension: .log
Variables
LOGFILEON
LOGFILEOFF
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

61. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Security Settings
Can be used to apply a password and digital signature to the drawing.
Display digital signature information
When checked, shows this information when opening a drawing that has a digital signature.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

62. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
File Opening Settings
File Open Area – Number of recently-used files
Controls the number of drawing files listed in the File pull-down menu.
0 to 9 files
Display full path in title
Controls whether the entire drawing file path or just the file name is displayed in the title bar of the AutoCAD window.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

63. Application Menu Settings
Controls the number of drawing files displayed in the Recent Documents entry in the application menu.
Range: 0-50
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

64. External Reference Settings
External References Area
Demand load Xrefs:
Affects system performance
Affects the ability of another user to edit a drawing currently referenced into another drawing.
Enabled
Disabled
Enabled with Copy
Variable: XLOADCTL Ex
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

65. External Reference Settings
Retain changes to Xref layers option
If checked, xref layer settings are saved with the drawing file.
Allow other users to Refedit current drawing
Controls whether or not the drawing can be edited in-place when it is referenced by another drawing.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

66. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
System Settings - Options for
Pointing device
Graphics settings
General system options
dbConnect and
Web-based help
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

67. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for default Pointing device
Usually the mouse
Could be a digitizer tablet
Layout Regen Options
Controls what is regenerated and when it is regenerated when working with layout tabs.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

68. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for dbConnect
Store Links index in drawing file
When checked, the database index is saved within the drawing file.
This makes the link selection operation quicker, but increases the drawing file size.
Open tables in read-only mode
Determines whether tables are opened in read-only mode.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

69. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for General system options
Control general system function
Hidden meesages Settings
When checked, the Hidden Message Settings dialog box is displayed.
All messages hidden by the user when picking the “do not show again” option in a message box are available in this dialog box.
Allows you to re-enable display of the “do not show again” messages even though they have been disabled by previous users.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

70. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for General system options
Display OLE Text Size Dialog
When inserting an OLE object, the OLE Text Size dialog box is displayed.
Beep on error in user input
Specifies whether AutoCAD alerts you of incorrect user input with an audible beep.
Default setting is off
Load acad.lsp with every drawing
Turns the persistent AuoLISP feature on/off
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

71. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for General system options
Allow long symbol names
If checked, symbol names can be 255 characters.
If unchecked, symbol names can only be 31 characters.
Access online content (including Help)
Determines how assistance is obtained with Help Command.
If checked, a web browser is opened, and online help from the Autodesk’s website will be displayed.
If unchecked, local help file is used
Default browser can be selected.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

72. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
System Settings
Options for General system options
Balloon notifications
Button opens the InfoCenter Settings dialog box.
Enable balloon notification for these sources
If checked, balloon notifications are enabled.
Live update channel
Software updates enable on/off
Did you know
Messages and tips enabled on/off
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

73. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
AutoCAD allows users to optimize the way they work in the program.
Double-click editing
Shortcut menu functions
Insertion units
Hyperlink icon display
Working with fields
Coordinate data entry
Associative dimensions
Undo/redo control
Block editor settings
Default lineweight settings and
Scale list settings
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

74. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Double-click editing
Opens the most appropriate editing tool for that object type.
Often is the Properties palette.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

75. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Double-click editing
Opens the most appropriate editing tool for that object type.
Often is the Properties palette.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

76. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Short-cut menus
Displayed by right-clicking
Are context sensitive.
The options available in the shortcut menu are determined by the active command, cursor location or selected object.
If off
Right-click is like [Enter]
Generally not recommended
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

77. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Right-click Customization
Turn on time-sensitive right-click.
Quick click = [Enter]
Long click = [shortcut menu]
Duration of long click is set in milliseconds.
Default
No objects are selected, and no command is active
Repeat Last Command
Activates the last command issued.
Shortcut Menu
Displays the shortcut menu
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

78. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Edit Mode
An object is selected, but no command is active
Repeat Last Command
Activates the last command issued.
Shortcut Menu
Displays the shortcut menu
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

79. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Command Mode
A command mode is active
Enter option
[right-click] = [Enter]
Shortcut Menu: always enabled
Always displayed
Shortcut Menu: enabled when command options are present
The shortcut menu is only displayed when command options are available on the command line.
If no commands are active, a right-click is the same as pressing [Enter]
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

80. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
User Preferences
Insertion Scale
Unit values can be set for objects when they are inserted into drawings.
Either Unitless objects dragged from the Design Center OR
Inserted objects using the i-drop method.
Source content units:
Specifies the units for objects being inserted into the drawing.
Target drawing units:
Determines the units in the current drawing.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

81. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Hyperlinks
User Preferences Tab - Hyperlink area
Controls whether or not the hyperlink cursor and tooltip are displayed when the cursor is over a hyperlink.
Display hyperlink cursor, tooltip, and shortcut menu
If enabled, the hyperlink icon appears next to the crosshairs when over a hyperlink object.
Tooltip is displayed.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

82. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Fields
Field
Is a special type of text object that displays a specific property value, setting or characteristic.
Can display
Information related to a specific object
General drawing properties
Information related to the current user or computer.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

83. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Fields
User-preferences – Fields
Can control whether or not a field is displayed with a non-plotting background
Display background of fields
When checked, the field background is displayed light gray.
Field Update Settings dialog box
Can set when fields are automatically updated.
Open
Save
Plot
eTransmit
Regen
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

84. Coordinate Data Priority
User Preferences – Priority for Coordinate Data Entry
Controls how AutoCAD responds to input of coordinate data.
Three options
Running object snap
Object snaps always override coordinate entry
Keyboard entry
Coordinate entry always overrides object snaps
Keyboard entry except scripts
Coordinate entry will override object snaps except object snaps contained within scripts
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

85. Associative Dimensioning
By default, all dimensions are associative
The dimension value automatically changes when a dimension’s defpoints are moved.
This option can be turned off
User Preferences – Associative Dimensioning
When unchecked, dimensions do not have associativity.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

86. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Undo/Redo
User Preferences – Undo/Redo
Control how multiple consecutive zooms and pans are handled within the UNDO and REDO commands.
Combine zoom and pan commands
When checked back-to-back zooms and pans are considered a single operation for undo and redo purposes.
When unchecked, each zoom and pan are separate events when using UNDO and REDO.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

87. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Undo/Redo
User Preferences – Undo/Redo
Combine layer property change
When checked, all changes made in the Layer Properties Manager palette are considered one operation.
When unchecked, all changes made in the Layer Properties Manager palette are considered as separate events when using UNDO and REDO.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

88. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Block Editor Settings
User Preferences - Lineweight Settings
Can set default lineweight.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

89. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Block Editor Settings
User Preferences - Edit Scale List
Controls list of scales that appear in various dialog boxes.
Used with viewports, page setups and plot scaling.
Custom scales can be added / removed.
You may want to remove scales from the list that are never used in your work.
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment

90. Customizing the AutoCAD Environment
Block Editor Settings
User Preferences - Block Editor Settings
Lineweight Settings and
Edit Scale List
Customizing the AutoCAD Environment