AutoCAD: Take your Pick - Window, Crossing and FASTSEL

Let’s look at one of the most basic, yet most common activities in AutoCAD: object selection. Every time a modify command is initiated, AutoCAD asks you to select objects.  There are many ways to create a selection set; we will review some of the most common, and also some not-so common methods of selecting objects in AutoCAD.

Tried and True

The most common object selection tools are: Pick, All, Window, and Crossing.

Pick simply allows you to click the object to select.  

All will select everything in the drawing that is not locked or frozen (INCLUDING objects in OFF layers!). 

Clicking any two points on the screen will define a window selection. If your first point is left of the second point, the selection box will be light blue with a solid border: this is a window selection.

Window selection will select everything completely inside the box.

If your first point is right of the second point, the selection box will be light green with a dashed border: this is a crossing selection. 

Crossing selection will select everything completely inside the box, AND EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES, TOO!

For even more finesse, users can type WP to create a window polygon, or CP to create a crossing polygon. The resulting shape will perform in the same way as the rectangular method: Window will select everything it encloses, Crossing will select everything it encloses, and everything it touches.  

The Power duo: Fence and FASTSEL

Users can also use Fence as a selection method. Fence prompts users to click a series of points on the screen, creating a fence line. Everything the fence line touches is added to the selection set.

Fastsel is an express tool that allows you to select an existing object, and everything the object touches is selected! Type FS (or 'FS to activate it transparently) to invoke.

The drawing variable FSMODE controls the behaviour of fastsel:

When FSMODE is OFF (default), the selection set is the selected object and everything it touches.

When FSMODE is ON, the selection set is the selected object, everything it touches, AND everything those objects touch, too!  Powerful!

Previous, Last, Remove

AutoCAD remembers the last selection set in the session.  P, or Previous, will add the previous selection set to the current selection set.  Last, or L, will add the most recently selected or drawn object to the selection set. R, or Remove option will remove objects from a selection set.  Holding the SHIFT key and selecting will also remove objects.

AutoCAD makes it easy to take your pick!

What's your selection preference or secret?  Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks!

eTRANSMIT on All Frequencies, All Languages

Sending AutoCAD data is more complicated these days, since a dwg file can be connected to other drawings, images, PDF files, spreadsheets, and can contain custom fonts, linetypes, and hatches. Sending a dwg file on its own can leave the end user missing important information that may be contained in external locations.  When someone requests a "CAD file", users need to be diligent that the recipient gets the drawing and all dependencies related to it.  AutoCAD has a command that does this: ETRANSMIT.

Why should I use this?

ETRANSMIT is a powerful command; it gathers a list of all external elements (files, images, spreadsheets, PDFs, materials, CTBs, STBs, etc) and allows users to compile them into a folder or zip file.  It allows users to ensure a drawing file has all of its dependencies included when sending an AutoCAD drawing. ETRANSMIT also creates a text file listing the documents in the transmittal.

How does it work?

The command opens a dialog box displaying a list and table tab of every drawing dependency. Next to every item is a check box for selection of included elements; only checked items are included when the transmittal is created.  Users can fine tune each and every component included. You must save first, since ETRANSMIT can only be invoked immediately after a save is performed. 

OK, what happens after that?

Once the contents are determined, users select the transmittal setup, which can be saved with a custom name.  The transmittal setup determines several settings:

•  Package type (Zip, exe, or set of files)
•  File format (2000, 2004, 2007, 2010)
•  Transmittal save location
•  Pathing options (organized, single folder, or as-is)
• Other options, such as password protection, XREF binding, and fonts/materials inclusion

On the bottom of the Modify Transmittal Setup dialog is a description area, where you can name your setup.  This is the name that appears in the transmittal setup description.

So many choices!

With so many options, here are a few tips:

• Use Zip as the package type: just one file to deal with, and the *.exe file may get stopped by firewalls or email filters. 
• Keep the file format as current as you and your destination's versions allow.
• Uncheck Materials, unless you definitely use them in the drawing files.
• Include fonts, since different versions of AutoCAD use different .SHX libraries.
• Give your setup an intuitive name (Zip - No folder structure preserved, etc.)

There's plenty more features available, too, such as password protecting your transmittal, or binding XREFs.  

Comment and share your settings/tips!

DIMASSOC: Keep Dimensions Dynamic

Dimensions can be both the most convenient or most bothersome aspect of CAD annotations.  Today, lets look at an AutoCAD variable setting that should help DIMinish your anxieties.

Guilty by Association?

First, it is worth noting that dimensions in AutoCAD can be placed as intelligent, dynamic objects that react to changes in your drawing, or can be nothing more than an arrangement of lines and text that gives the appearance of a 'normal' dimension.

The AutoCAD variable that controls the behaviour of dimensions is DIMASSOC.  The value of DIMASSOC at the moment a dimension is created sets the property for the dimension.

DIMASSOC can have a value of either 0, 1, or 2.

DIMASSOC is a drawing variable, which means it's value is set separately in each drawing; it is not stored in any dimension style.

A setting of DIMASSOC of 0 means that created dimensions are exploded to lines, solids and text.  This is rarely a desired output, since it is not dynamic.  DIMASSOC of 1 means that created dims behave as one object, and will update as the positions of the dimension are adjusted, but does not update if the OBJECT it is dimensioning is modified.  DIMASSOC of 2 creates dimensions as single objects that will automatically follow modifications to the object it is dimensioned. 

Let's observe the difference in the following example:

The figure below shows two linear dimensions, each appearing the same as the other.  The dimension above the line has DIMASSOC=1, and the dimension below has DIMASSOC=2.

Both dimensions will update if the dimension grips are picked and the dim is grip edited. 

In the next figure, the bold line has been stretched 25 units to the right.  Note the upper dimension, with DIMASSOC=1 has not changed, but the bottom dimension with DIMASSOC=2 has automatically followed the object.

Setting DIMASSOC 2 makes your drawings and dimensions 'smarter!"

DIM EXTRA:

If you happen to have a dimension that is not associated to the object it describes, you can associate it with the AutoCAD command DIMREASSOCIATE.  This neat command will prompt for dim objects to re-associate, then prompt for the locations on the objects.  AutoCAD will then re-associate the dimensions.  FANTASTIC!

What's your DIMASSOC set at? Share your thoughts and  experiences.