AutoCAD’s major fault.
AutoCAD’s major benefit that distinguishes it from other programs is its Command line. However this has been 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. Unfortunately their latest incarnation, their so-called “smart” command on-screen interface, has become yet another unnecessary distraction. The other thing that Autodesk has overlooked is providing an intelligent and complete command Alias (keyboard short-cuts) system.
MycadHELPER is the outcome of 40 years of intensive user of AutoCAD as a technically oriented Architect. The building blocks of ‘HELPER began shortly after the introduction of Autolisp (I believe that was in AutoCAD release 2) when I began to realise that the Commadline was the BEST means of driving AutoCAD. Menus were quickly discarded. Command names were comitted tomemory. Certainly menus were a good source of learning commands but they actually slowed down input rather than speeded it up. Strange thing to say but as menus became more sophisticated the process of hunting for a command actually slowed Command input DOWN. Furthermore clicking on a menu icon tended to supress learning of the command.
The real improvement came when the concept of ALIASES emerged. Do you rember the use of PGP files? The introduction of AutoLISP opened new doors allowing not only the creation of short ALIASES for every Command but also the creation of NEW custom commands. Well perhaps not new commands but smarter and extended use of existing commands by automation and combination.
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 allowing the custom function to supply and confirm the required OSNAP point. AND MUCH MUCH MORE.
Additionaly ‘HELPER provides an automated Layer Naming 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 WORKZONES in the data model such as plans or cross sections to display target production drawings. WorkZONE commands work during editing and/or plotting. Layers and WORKZONES must be the two most important aspects of professional drafting.
Many ‘HELPER tools are of a common nature and support the majority of ‘HELPER commands by providing inbuilt assistance such as:
- Single-key responses eliminating the need for multi-character responses and the usual obligatory following <enter> key every time a command response is needed.
- Object Snapping required by most drawing commands is greatly enhanced; providing twenty points about double that of AutoCAD. Only a single character is needed. <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.
Other TOOLS include:
- Status-line improvements 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 command
- Enhanced DIM command
- Additional command confirmation options