MycadHELPER is the evolution of MycadKEYS that started as a collection of alias driven lisp routines designed to start commands and grew into smart commands designed to reduce keystrokes followed by an efficient layer-naming standard and automated management and naming program. Ultimately this lead to a professional drafting tool for coincident-overlay-drafting that improves efficiency and accuracy in drawing. This all the outcome of 40 years of intensive use of AutoCAD as a technically oriented Architect. An important byproduct is that using MycadHELPER aids in learning AutoCAD commands and their work-flow.
The most obvious aspect of MycadHELPER is its clean-screen and keyboard-only input of commands supported by a custom carefully designed system of command aliases.
MycadKEYS and the Commandline.
AutoCAD’s major benefit that distinguishes it from other programs is its Command line. However this is often ignored in favor of more and more varieties of clumsy graphical menus. There are said to be eight different menu systems in AutoCAD yet the only complete one is the Command line. After many menu iterations Autodesk has finally acknowledged that the Command line is the fastest and most transparent way of controlling AutoCAD. The latest incarnation, the so-called “smart” command on-screen interface, has become yet another unnecessary distraction.
First Step
The first step in adjusting to MycadHELPER is to use the MycadKEYS aliases at the Commandline.
Command Work-Flow
In addition to aliases the KEY to MycadHELPER (let’s just call it ‘HELPER) is the ability to eliminate the persistent need to keep confirming user options with the <enter> key and typing the full name of point OSNAPs e.g. END <enter> instead of just E (for “END”) allowing the custom function to supply and confirm the required OSNAP point.
MycadLAYERS and WorkZONES
Layers and WorkZONES must be the two most important aspects of professional drafting.
‘HELPER provides an automated Layer Naming Standard and system that not only makes Layer creation and Management much easier but also sets up Layers to a user optional system for job specific use that results in automated creation and management of defined production drawings. MycadHELPER calls these layer collections WorkZONES that define production drawings such as plans or cross-sections level by level and trade by trade.
Drawing Aids.
MycadHELPER provides a range of drawing tools such as:
- Object Snapping. Required by most drawing commands OSNAPS are greatly enhanced; providing twenty points about double that of AutoCAD. Only a single character is needed and <enter> is NOT required.
- Object Selection. Required by most editing commands is much faster and provides twenty ways of selecting objects. De-selecting objects is also more fluid since it can be done with the right mouse button rather than pressing the shift key. Only a single character is needed. <enter> is NOT required.
- Data-picks. Extraction of data properties such as layer-name, color and line-type, text strings, block names. polyline widths and more, using a mouse pick rather than Listing an object then typing long keyboard entries.
- Status-line. Iprovements to the status line provide current layer-name and name length setting, Workzone, Dimscale, linetype-scale and full drawing path.
- Dimension and Text styles. To suit chosen professions are created automatically on start-up.
- Auto-save. An optional addition to AutoCAD’s automatic save provides an extra backup facility that creates two alternating permanent back-up files.
- Automatic graphic standards. Customizable to office preferences.
- Multiple default options and user pre-sets.
- Multiple object editing.
- Enhanced TEXT comman.
- Enhanced DIM comman.
First let’s get the terminology right.
Alias. An AutoCAD short version of a command name e.g. PL for PLINE. (Autocad) has same effect as typing the full command name on the Commandline. Needs an <enter> to execute.
Shortcut. (keyboard) A combination of keys such as Ctrl+chr when pressed together either at the command prompt or mid-command inputs a command string to the commandline e.g. Ctrl+E might issue the command “END <enter>” .
Function Key. Such as F8 that switches the drawing environment between orthographic or non-orthographic drawing.
Generic Autocad command. A standard command supplied by the program.
Custom command. An add-on custom command supplied by third-party software add-on such as MycadHELPER may have a long name or Alias.
Lisp function. A command or sub-function that can only be executed by entering a lisp expression at the command prompt. MycadKEYS provides 900 of these.
Graphic menu systems are fundamentally flawed. Can you imagine playing a piano using only a mouse to select keys? The Keys to MYCADKEYS success are a substantial reduction in required keystrokes plus the use of ten fingers instead of one mouse. (Think of the pianist playing with one finger)
A truly “complete” list of all AutoCAD commands would be overwhelming and not very useful in practice. What you actually need is a complete list of important commands—the ones professionals use daily. Here’s a well-organized, practical master list:
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