Updated
AutoCAD uses several hundred system variables to store and manage the current working environment; for example when the command LAYER is used to set a layer to be current the AutoCAD system variable CLAYER is set to that layer. The value of CLAYER is used as the default layer until changed. CLAYER is also the name of a separate command. Enter the command CLAYER at the command prompt and you will be prompted for a new layer name. Most AutoCAD system variables can be directly controlled by using the variable name as a command word.
AutoCAD system variables can be set either by using the related command e.g. “clayer” (Current Layer) LAYER New or Set will change the current layer or the command CLAYER will set the current layer or by using Autolisp (setvar “clayer” ?)
MycadHELPER uses AutoCAD system variables to control the drawing environment and also maintains its own collection of custom MycadHELPER variables to store settings specific to some MycadHELPER commands. Typical of these is a variable that stores the value of MycadHELPERS’ current layer length i.e.OFF, 5 or 12 characters.
MycadHELPER provides aliases for AutoCAD’s system variables and many of MycadHELPERcommand settings. These are distinguished by prefixing the regular command acronym with an equals sign “S”. (set the vale = to something).
MycadHELPER aliases for generic AutoCAD variables are usually two characters preceded by the “S” e.g. SGM GRIDMODE whereas MycadHELPER versions use single characters e.g. SG. Many MycadHELPER single character commands are customized to cycle through predetermined selected values e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4. Occasionally where an MycadHELPER version is not available the single character shortcut will start AutoCAD’s standard system variable command.
MYCADKEYS provides a global command “S” for setting variables.
Command: S <enter>.
The following prompt is then presented:
Aperture/Dim/Elvn/yField/hicK/|type/%scale/osMode/sNap/Offset/plineWid/pickBoX/Rotn/$tyle/Select/Text/Units/Variables:
Press the relevant capitalized character.
Refer to SYSVARS.XLS for a full list of variables.
MycadHELPER shortcuts for some common variables:
In the list below command names in CAPITALS indicates the generic AutoCAD command.
S MycadHELPER settings
SA MycadHELPER Aperture
SAP AutoCAD APERTURE
SB MycadHELPER Blipmode
SBM AutoCAD BLIPMODE
SP MycadHELPER Pickbox
SPB AutoCAD PICKBOX
SDR Dim Rotation (not yet implemented)
SD% AutoCAD DIMSCALE
SD$ AutoCAD DIMSTYLE
SE AutoCAD ELEVATION
SF Field (refer to MYCADLAYERS)
SFC Color
SFD Dwg-type
SFI view ID
SFL Line-type
SFO Object
SFS Status
SFV View-point
SL Linetype
SK thicKness
STK ThicKness
SN AutoCAD SNAP command
SOM AutoCAD Osmode
SO Offset distance (not yet implemented)
SOD OffsetDist
SR Rotation (error)
SS . . . Select (DDSELECT, pickfirst & pickstyle) (not yet implemented)
S$ AutoCAD STYLE
ST MycadHELPER Text settings
STS AutoCAD TEXTSIZE
ST$ MycadHELPER $tyle
STP Plotted size
STJ Justification
STL Leader
STR Rotation
STS Size
ST$ $tyle
STY laYer
ST.<< pick to copy (error)
ST.>> pick to show (error)
SU Units
SV set AutoCAD or MycadHELPER variables
SVP Personal user variables.???
SVS reload standard MycadHELPER user variables ???
SW AutoCAD PLINEWID
SPW AutoCAD PLINEWID
SCEC CEColor
SCEL CELtype
SL% Lts%cale
SMT MirrText
SON Osnap (avoid using)
SOR ORthomode
SPSL% PSLTSCALE