====== Autocad Notes ======

===== avoid dialog boxes for commands =====
Use a hyphen before the command:<code>
-array (instead of just array)
</code>

===== rotate a view in paperspace (layout) =====
Use the MVSETUP command and its options "Align viewports", "Rotate view".

As an alternative, you can use the DVIEW command with the Twist option. Or you can rotate an UCS about the Z axis and - if you don't have UCSFOLLOW set to 1 - set the _Plan view.

You can also use the Express Tool ALIGNSPACE. 


===== rotate a model space view (rotated North) =====
North will be at an angle, but text, dimensions, and ortho snapped lines will be up/down, left/right.  World coordinates will remain unchanged, but view coordinates will be moved and rotated.

  - Make a line from the desired view origin point to some distance on a desired x axis
  - Make a line from the desired view origin point to some distance on a desired y axis
  - type "ucs"
  - type "n"
  - type "3"
  - using the lines from steps 1 and 2, click on the desired view origin point
  - using the lines from steps 1 and 2, click on a point on the desired positive x axis
  - using the lines from steps 1 and 2, click on a point on the desired positive y axis (the ucs icon should move and rotate)
  - type "ddvpoint"
  - click "Relative to UCS", then click OK (the view should rotate)


===== prevent UCS from changing when selecting another view =====
View toolbar -> Named Views -> Orthographic and Isometric Views -> (uncheck) Restore orthographic UCS with View

===== delete key doesn't remove objects, but erase command will; double click doesn't bring up properties =====
  * set the PICKFIRST system variable to 1 (just type pickfirst, then 1)
  * http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=2878330&linkID=2475323


===== Architectural Fonts =====
  * Graphite
  * Tekton
  * Blueprint
  * City Blueprint
  * Country Blueprint
  * (variant of Helvetica)
  * Intergraph Architectural Font
  * Technical

===== Changing Menus =====
  * use the "menuload" command (switch between menus or create your own from available drop down menus, including Express Tools)