TLConsulting

Random thoughts and helpful CAD links... - Enjoy!

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Annotate on a Layout (aka: Paperspace) ?

I have to admit, even after using AutoCAD for more years than I care to admit to, I always learn something new (even if it's what not to do!)

Anyway, many of you know me from the Autodesk Online Discussion Groups : http://discussion.autodesk.com as my role as a volunteer facilitator... (or maybe you don't)... but one of the users posted their problem (which I still do not understand why they are doing this, but here goes...)

They stated that they were dimensioning in Paperspace (now known as a Layout) and trying to double-click on the dimension to edit it (which is what I do not understand, but...) they were missing the dimension and then being transported to modelspace (aka: floating modelspace or in the viewport)... I remembered helping someone a long time ago when they were double-clicking on TEXT or MTEXT and it was doing the same thing.

There is a System Variable (undocumented as far as I can tell) called SPACESWITCH. It is only available while on a Layout and when set to 0 (that's zero) it will stop you from being transported into floating modelspace if you miss and object.

The only place I found it listed was a Technical Document:

Unable to enter in to model space of floating viewport
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS74985

and I remembered showing someone this for editing TEXT, MTEXT on their layout (basically doing the opposite of what the technical doc was intended for) or turning a negative into a positive.

- Enjoy

3 Comments:

At 2:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The reason I edit dimension strings is to add comments relavent to the dimension or to disable the dynamic and hard code a dimension.

Examples:
1. sketch not to scale
2. Add M.O. (Masonry Opening)R.O. (Rough Opening) F.V. (Field Verify)
3. or something specific with the building assembly. IE Remove gyp bd from stud this area only including the dimension.

Thus using the dimension for more than merely dimensioning.

Sometimes it would be nice to include blocks or symbols uses for Keynotes into the dimension. Thus keeping all of the information associatively attached.

 
At 9:17 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

wouldn't it be easier, if double clicking doesn't work, to just open a properties window by shortcut or icon?

 
At 8:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We use dimension in every aspect. So removing dimension is not a good idea.
www.dimensioni.net

 

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