AutoLISP is a great tool for automating many CAD tasks, but for a non-programmer, (like me :)) Action Recorder can be used to automate repetitive tasks of AutoCAD without using LISP at all.

Using Action recorder Some of the repetitive tasks in AutoCAD can be recorded as action macro and it can be recalled whenever needed, let me show you this with an example.

Suppose you need a particular type of array in many drawings and you don’t want to create array manually in each of those drawings then you can record your actions in one of the drawing and simply play that action for all drawings.

Recording Action:

To start recording actions click on record button on action recorder panel, this button will be replaced with stop button and your cursor will now follow a stop icon. Let’s create a circle now with any radius and create a rectangular array with three rows and five columns.

Once you are done with array click on stop button on action recorder panel, an action macro window will pop up enter name and description of this action and click OK to save it. This macro is saved with .actm extension in this path C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015\R20.0\enu\Support\Actions.

Now close your drawing and open a new session of AutoCAD, go to manage tab and action recorder panel you will find a drop down menu with your action listed there. Select that action and click play button just above that menu. You will find that an array with similar configuration will be drawn in no time.

If you want action recorder to prompt you for entering values like coordinates of the center of circle and radius of the circle then you can make the change in action macro. For changing it select the action from the drop down menu and expand the panel you will find an action tree locate the radius value and right click select pause for user input from the contextual menu.

Now your action macro will prompt you to enter the radius of the circle every time you play it, a similar procedure can be followed for a number of rows and columns as well.

Do you have questions related to this tip? Let us know in the comments below.

COPYM command can save time allowing you to perform multiple tasks with a single command, using this express tool you can perform array, divide and measure operations. Let’s start with the Divide option of this command.

DIVIDE:

Type COPYM on the command line and press enter to start this command, select the object which you want to copy and pick a base point at next prompt. Now you have multiple options to choose from as shown in the image below.

Select DIVIDE from the command line, you will get a prompt “select division ending point” pick a point dynamically or enter the distance in the command line, this will create distance within which copies of the object will be placed.

Enter the number of objects in the next prompt and all the copies of the object will get placed within the selected length.

MEASURE:

It is similar to divide but instead of placing a fixed number of objects within a specified length it will place objects at the selected distance and it will keep placing objects till it reaches the end of the line.

The command line will first prompt you to specify total length in which copies of the object needs to be placed then it will prompt you to select the distance between each consecutive objects of the linear array.

Apart from COPYM command, there are also direct methods of making divisions along a geometry like a spline or an arc using DIVIDE and MEASURE command, click on the linked article to learn more.

ARRAY:

This command will create a rectangular array of selected object(s), it has three sub-commands PICK (Dynamic), MEASURE and DIVIDE.

PICK (Dynamic): This option will help you in creating a custom array in which you can directly enter row and column spacing dynamically with the cursor. Type COPYM and press enter to start the command. Select object to copy then select the base point.

Now click on Array (dynamic) from the command line and press enter to accept default value PICK (Dynamic), now specify an angle at which you want to incline your array.

Next, it will prompt you to specify gap between row and column using a rectangle which starts at the base point of the object. Click in drawing area making the rectangle, the length of the rectangle will be taken as column gap and width will be row gap.

You will notice that grid settings will now change and it will show a grid with each block equal to length and width of row and column. Now your cursor will only move at intersection points of the grid and you can keep on clicking to make new objects as shown in the image below.

To exit this command press enter twice.

MEASURE: To select measure type M in command line after selecting Array (dynamic) from COPYM command then press enter and specify angle at which you want to create your array.

Then pick a point dynamically which will create the row and column gap, you will observe that a grid will appear again with row and column distance equal to your selection. Now once again select another point to indicate the array length and width.

You will see that an array will be created within the area you have selected such that each new object is placed at the intersection points of grid lines.

DIVIDE: Here also you will be prompted to select the angle of the array and then another corner for array fill. Dynamically click at a point in the drawing area, this rectangular area from the base point to point of selection will act as the area within which array will be created.

Now in the next prompts, select the number of rows and columns and objects will get fitted within this rectangular region.

Do you have questions related to this tip? Let me know in comments below.

Update: With AutoCAD 2016 and later versions the feature of password protecting AutoCAD files has been disabled because it no longer meets the present security standards. You can open password protected files of older versions using AutoCAD 2016 or any latest version without requiring passwords.

However, you can use some alternative methods for password protecting files like protecting files using Network permissions, Autodesk 360 or other third party tools. In this article, I have explained password protecting files using WinRAR.

Using WinRAR:

Download WinRAR from this page and install it on your PC. Right click on drawing or select multiple drawings then right click and select add to archive from the contextual menu. Archive name and parameters window will pop up, select general tab and click on set password button as shown in the image below.

Choose a password and click on OK to close all open windows. You now have drawings in password protected archives.

Using A360:

You can also share files with users without allowing them to copy or modify it in any way using A360 cloud file sharing. To share the read-only drawings upload it on your A360 account and select the share option as shown in the image below.

From share dialogue box select the options as per your requirement like allowing downloads or password protecting drawing link. You can then share this link with users who can view the drawings using their browsers. The recipient can view the drawings and measure different geometric features from the web browser but can’t modify it.

There are also other methods like encrypting CAD files using third-party encryption software but most of them are paid or available as a trial with limited features.

If you have questions related to this tip let me know in the comments below.

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”yes” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”var(–awb-color4)” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_props=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_origin=”” transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

This article will help you repair AutoCAD file that is corrupted to an extent that it does not even open or if it opens, it either makes your system very slow or crashes it completely.

Also, if your AutoCAD drawing file size has increased unexpectedly or you are constantly getting error messages like “drawing file is not valid” then you can use the methods mentioned in this article to fix the errors.

So, let’s start with the most serious problem which is the file not opening at all.

AutoCAD file does not open:

You can try the following methods to open the file that is not opening normally or not opening at all.

Recover Command

Open a new blank drawing and type RECOVER on the command line and press enter key.

A new “browse” window will open up, locate your file which is not opening and click the Open button.

AutoCAD will perform an audit and the file should now open in the current window, save it as a new DWG file.

Insert file as a block

If the above method does not work then try inserting the corrupted AutoCAD file as a block.

Type INSERT on the command line, press enter, and the Blocks palette will show up.

Click the “Libraries” tab and then click the file navigation icon as shown in the following image.

Locate the corrupted AutoCAD drawing that is not opening and then click the Open button.

If the file opens up in the blocks palette simply drag and drop it from the “libraries” tab to the current drawing.

Clean the AutoCAD drawing you just added and then save it as a new file.

Insert the file as Xref

If none of the methods above worked then try inserting the drawing as an Xref.

Type ATTACH and press enter key, from the browse window that shows up.

Select the DWG file in the file type option and then locate your corrupted AutoCAD file and click the Open button.

Select the default option in the “Attach External Reference” window and click OK.

The drawing should attach as an Xref in the current blank drawing.

Type XREF and then select the attached Xref from the palette, then right-click on it and select the bind option as shown in the following image.

After binding the drawing explode it all using the X command and then save it as a new file.

Remove DWL files

AutoCAD creates some temporary files that are required to work with your drawing and if the software crashes unexpectedly these files are removed which can create problems.

These files are DWL and DWL2 files and they are created in the same folder as your main drawing.

So you can delete these temporary files that might still be present in your folder containing the corrupt file.

To delete these files close AutoCAD completely then go to windows explorer and activate the hidden file view as shown in the following image.

Now go to the folder containing the corrupted AutoCAD drawing and delete the DWL and DWL2 files with the same name.

As an example here my corrupted drawing is named FP but I have FP.dwl and Fp.dwl2 files that I will delete.

Now try opening the files again and see if it works.

Recover using backup files

AutoCAD creates two types of backup files. One is the BAK file which is the simple backup created in the same folder as the main file and it contains the last saved configuration of your drawing.

The second one is the backup created automatically as per AutoCAD’s automatic backup setting which is usually set to 10 minutes and this file is in the temporary folder and its file type is SV$.

If you happen to have a BAK file with the same name as the corrupted file then try renaming the BAK file to DWG.

As an example, if the file name is FP.bak then rename it to FP-1.dwg and then open the file and see if it works.

To restore the backup from the temporary folder type OP then press enter key.

Now go to the files tab and click the + sign next to the “Automatic save file location” and then go to the location shown in the file path.

Locate the file with the same name as your corrupted file with SV$ extension and then rename that file DWG as shown in the previous example of the BAK file.

Try opening this recovered file and see if it works.

Use other software

If AutoCAD is not able to open the file then try opening it in other AutoCAD verticals like AutoCAD electrical, mechanical, architecture or even other software like Fusion 360 or Solidworks that supports DWG files.

You can also try software that is similar to AutoCAD like BricsCAD and Zwcad to open these files.

If the files open in any software then save them as a new DXF or DWG and then try opening these files again in AutoCAD.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”Course CTA” type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”center” flex_justify_content=”center” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”flex-start” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”2%” padding_right=”2%” padding_bottom=”2%” padding_left=”2%” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”10″ border_radius_top_right=”10″ border_radius_bottom_right=”10″ border_radius_bottom_left=”10″ box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”var(–awb-color5)” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_top=”” absolute_right=”” absolute_bottom=”” absolute_left=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_origin=”” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_3″ layout=”2_3″ align_self=”center” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”6%” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”4%” margin_bottom=”4%” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”2%” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”var(–awb-color8)” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

Learn AutoCAD right from scratch to a pro-level with these project-based courses

[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”https://thesourcecad.com/autocad-courses/” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”left” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”var(–awb-color3)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” gradient_start_position=”” gradient_end_position=”” gradient_type=”” radial_direction=”” linear_angle=”180″ accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”flat” bevel_color=”” bevel_color_hover=”” border_top=”” border_right=”” border_bottom=”” border_left=”” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”large” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” fusion_font_family_button_font=”” fusion_font_variant_button_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” stretch=”no” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” hover_transition=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]Check Course Details[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ align_self=”center” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”yes” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_top=”” absolute_right=”” absolute_bottom=”” absolute_left=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_origin=”” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”25502|full” aspect_ratio=”” custom_aspect_ratio=”100″ aspect_ratio_position=”” skip_lazy_load=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” mask=”” custom_mask=”” mask_size=”” mask_custom_size=”” mask_position=”” mask_custom_position=”” mask_repeat=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” hover_type=”none” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” z_index=”” caption_style=”off” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_title=”” caption_text=”” caption_title_tag=”2″ fusion_font_family_caption_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_title_font=”” caption_title_size=”” caption_title_line_height=”” caption_title_letter_spacing=”” caption_title_transform=”” caption_title_color=”” caption_background_color=”” fusion_font_family_caption_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_text_font=”” caption_text_size=”” caption_text_line_height=”” caption_text_letter_spacing=”” caption_text_transform=”” caption_text_color=”” caption_border_color=”” caption_overlay_color=”” caption_margin_top=”” caption_margin_right=”” caption_margin_bottom=”” caption_margin_left=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://thesourcecad.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Courses-new.png[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”yes” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”var(–awb-color4)” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_props=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_origin=”” transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

AutoCAD file opens with errors

If your drawing is opening but still showing errors then you can fix those errors using the suggestions mentioned here.

Perform AUDIT

This command will check for simple errors in the AutoCAD file and it will attempt to fix those errors.

To use this command type AUDIT on the command line and press enter, then select Yes from the command line options or type Yes and press enter.

AutoCAD will automatically look for errors in the file and it will fix those errors.

The number of errors found and repaired will show up on the command line as shown in the image below.

If you want to see the list of errors repaired as an external file then change the value of the AUDITCTL system variable to 1.

An ADT file will be created in the same location where the AutoCAD file is saved and you can open this file using notepad to see the list of all errors.

Use EXPORTTOAUTOCAD

Many DWG files created with other products like Civil 3D and other software contain intelligent AEC objects that are not directly translated to AutoCAD and eventually will show errors when opened in AutoCAD.

Also, some plugins and third-party tools can create smart objects that can down the road create issues in the drawing if not converted properly.

So, using the EXPORTTOAUTOCAD command you can convert all these AEC and other objects into simple AutoCAD format.

To use this tool type -EXPORTTOAUTOCAD (don’t forget to add the dash) and press enter key.

Now press the enter key twice and the file will be exported to the same location as the source file with the ACAD prefix.

Clean your drawing with PURGE

The purge command is now supercharged with several new features that were available in stand-alone plugins.

Essentially you can clean your drawings thoroughly using the purge command from version 2021 onwards.

Type PURGE and press enter key then select all the checkboxes in the “options” panel including “Zero length geometry” and “Orphaned data” and click the “Purge All” button.

Orphaned data includes the “DGN linetypes” which usually bloats up the drawing, so, selecting that option will automatically ensure that DGN linetypes are also purged from your drawing.

You may need to click the Purge All button a few times, as long as it is active, to clean your drawing completely.

Save it as a new file and you should be good to go.

Clean Registered Applications (REGAPPS)

AutoCAD associates extended entity data XData to different objects in the drawing and this data is stored in the XData table.

When the associated data is deleted these linked tables become unreferenced that still remain in the drawing which can negatively impact the performance over time.

To remove the Reg Apps type -PURGE and press enter key (don’t forget to add the dash before the purge command).

Now select Regapps from the command line and press enter key.

On the next prompt “Verify each name to be prompted” select No and press enter and it will clean all the Regapps from your drawings.

Use Write Block

You can use the write block command to export the necessary parts from the drawing leaving all the clutter behind that might be creating the issues.

To use it type WBLOCK and press enter key.

In the “Source” panel of the “Write Block” window select “objects” and then click on the pick point box and select any point in the drawing as a pick point.

Then click the “Select objects” box and select all the objects from the drawing you want to export by making a window selection.

Don’t press CTRL + A to select everything in the drawing instead only select the objects that you want to export manually.

Now in the destination select a path and then click OK to export this drawing.

This should create a new file with only the objects that you need leaving behind all the clutter that might be creating the problem in your drawing.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”Course CTA” type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”center” flex_justify_content=”center” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”flex-start” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”2%” padding_right=”2%” padding_bottom=”2%” padding_left=”2%” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”10″ border_radius_top_right=”10″ border_radius_bottom_right=”10″ border_radius_bottom_left=”10″ box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”var(–awb-color5)” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_top=”” absolute_right=”” absolute_bottom=”” absolute_left=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_origin=”” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_3″ layout=”2_3″ align_self=”center” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”6%” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”4%” margin_bottom=”4%” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”2%” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”var(–awb-color8)” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

Learn AutoCAD right from scratch to a pro-level with these project-based courses

[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”https://thesourcecad.com/autocad-courses/” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”left” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”var(–awb-color3)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”var(–awb-color4)” gradient_start_position=”” gradient_end_position=”” gradient_type=”” radial_direction=”” linear_angle=”180″ accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”flat” bevel_color=”” bevel_color_hover=”” border_top=”” border_right=”” border_bottom=”” border_left=”” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”large” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” fusion_font_family_button_font=”” fusion_font_variant_button_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” stretch=”no” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” hover_transition=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]Check Course Details[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ align_self=”center” content_layout=”column” align_content=”center” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”yes” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ spacing_left_medium=”” spacing_right_medium=”” spacing_left_small=”” spacing_right_small=”” spacing_left=”” spacing_right=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_top=”” absolute_right=”” absolute_bottom=”” absolute_left=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_origin=”” transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”25502|full” aspect_ratio=”” custom_aspect_ratio=”100″ aspect_ratio_position=”” skip_lazy_load=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” mask=”” custom_mask=”” mask_size=”” mask_custom_size=”” mask_position=”” mask_custom_position=”” mask_repeat=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” hover_type=”none” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” z_index=”” caption_style=”off” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_title=”” caption_text=”” caption_title_tag=”2″ fusion_font_family_caption_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_title_font=”” caption_title_size=”” caption_title_line_height=”” caption_title_letter_spacing=”” caption_title_transform=”” caption_title_color=”” caption_background_color=”” fusion_font_family_caption_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_text_font=”” caption_text_size=”” caption_text_line_height=”” caption_text_letter_spacing=”” caption_text_transform=”” caption_text_color=”” caption_border_color=”” caption_overlay_color=”” caption_margin_top=”” caption_margin_right=”” caption_margin_bottom=”” caption_margin_left=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://thesourcecad.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Courses-new.png[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”yes” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”var(–awb-color4)” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” column_tag=”div” link=”” target=”_self” link_description=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index_subgroup=”regular” z_index=”” z_index_hover=”” overflow=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” lazy_load=”avada” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_offset=”” absolute=”off” absolute_props=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hover_element=”self” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ transform_type=”regular” transform_hover_element=”self” transform_scale_x=”1″ transform_scale_y=”1″ transform_translate_x=”0″ transform_translate_y=”0″ transform_rotate=”0″ transform_skew_x=”0″ transform_skew_y=”0″ transform_scale_x_hover=”1″ transform_scale_y_hover=”1″ transform_translate_x_hover=”0″ transform_translate_y_hover=”0″ transform_rotate_hover=”0″ transform_skew_x_hover=”0″ transform_skew_y_hover=”0″ transform_origin=”” transition_duration=”300″ transition_easing=”ease” transition_custom_easing=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

Try these options too

If all the above methods fail to fix the issue with your drawing then you can try the following options.

Make sure the file is on a local drive

If you are accessing your file directly from a network or a cloud drive then copy and paste it on your local drive preferably on C drive like Desktop or Documents folder and then try opening it again.

Also, make sure you are opening a file after unzipping it, so, if you’ve received a file in the zipped package then unzip it in a folder and then try opening that file.

You can also try moving your file to a different PC and try opening it there, make sure in a new PC you copy your file to a local drive like on the Desktop and then open it.

If the problem is in your PC or the installed software then it should work on a different PC.

Try the Drawing repair AutoCAD plugin

Install the Repair plugin from the Autodesk app store and run it on your drawing and see if it works.

Make sure you save the file as a new one so that you can compare it with the original one also it’s better to create a backup rather than overwriting the original file.

Conclusion

All the methods shown above are the steps that you can take to restore a drawing file properly but some files might be irreversibly damaged and for those files, none of the methods shown above will work.

If however, your drawing file is showing an error that is not due to data corruption then you can try AutoCAD’s common troubleshooting tips.

Also, you should ensure that your PC has antivirus software as drawings do get corrupted because of viruses.

So, did these tips fix your problem? let me know in the comments down below.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Datum feature symbol (shown in the image below) is used to specify datum geometries like plane and surface which act as a reference for measuring dimensions.

AutoCAD supports many geometric dimensioning and tolerancing symbols within its feature control frame and you can easily add feature control frames using Tolerance option of AutoCAD dimensions panel but unfortunately, AutoCAD has no direct option of adding a datum feature symbol.

So you have to improvise a little bit to add it to the drawing. In this article, I will show you two simple methods of adding Datum feature symbol in AutoCAD, let’s start with the Multileader option.

Using Multileader:

To create datum feature symbol we need to create a new Multileader style. Type MLS on the command line and press enter. From Multileader style manager window, click on New button then name new style as MULTI and click on continue.

Click on Leader Format tab and locate Arrowhead panel, select Datum triangle filled from Symbol drop down menu as shown in the image below.

Select Leader Structure tab then Click on Maximum leader points radio button of Constraints panel and enter 2. Uncheck Automatically include landing radio button on Landing settings panel, see the image below.

Now go to the Content tab and click on Frame text radio button on text options panel as shown in the image below. Click OK and then click on Close to get out of Multileader style manager window.

Select this multileader style as default and create multileader, it will look like a Datum feature symbol. If you want to familiarize yourself with the multileader command then visit the AutoCAD tutorials page for the related video.

Using Block with Attribute:

In this method, we will make our own Datum feature symbol using Block and attributes. Make a geometry which looks like the identifier symbol, then type ATT on the command line to start attribute definition window.

Enter A in the tag field, in prompt field type “Identifier letter” and leave Default field empty. Set text justification to Middle center and an appropriate height of the text, then click on OK to accept these changes. Click at the center of the rectangle of the datum feature symbol to place the tag.

Now convert this geometry along with attribute definition into a block. Now this block can be used as an identifier symbol wherever required, and each time you add this block it will prompt you to specify identifier letter. You can also rotate this symbol to place on different planes using the Rotate command.

Do you have questions related to this tip? Let me know in the comments below.

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”var(–awb-color4)” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text]

In this article, I will show you the method of adding tolerance using dimension style and I will also show you the method of creating dual dimensioning where a single dimension can be represented in two different units.

The most suitable way of adding tolerances is by the use of feature control frames but you can also add tolerances using dimension styles.

Watch this video to know about adding geometric tolerances using feature control frame. I have also prepared this video to explain this tip in detail but if you prefer the article instead then scroll down to read it.

[/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id=”u8kCohcAmSw” alignment=”center” width=”” height=”” autoplay=”false” api_params=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” /][fusion_text]

Adding Tolerances using dimension style:

Tolerances are applied to Dimension styles and you can create multiple dimension styles for the different type of tolerances.

Let’s assume that we have a drawing as shown in the image below where tolerance limit is ± 0.05 for linear, ± 0.04 for angular and for radial dimension it is 0.04 upper limit and 0.02 lower limit. For this case, we can create a dimension style and then apply individual tolerance values using the property palette of each dimension.

Type D on the command line and press enter. Click on the New button then select a name for your dimension style and click on the Continue button.

Select Tolerances tab and from Method drop-down menu of Tolerance format panel select the Deviation option. Don’t change the Upper and Lower values of tolerance, keep it at its default value of 0 as shown in the image below.

Click OK to close the Dimension style manager window. Now make dimensions on the geometry and you will notice that it will be made with tolerance value of 0 for upper as well as the lower limit.

Select any dimension from drawing area and right click then select properties from the contextual menu. Locate the Tolerances panel and change the upper and lower limit of tolerance from the respective field as shown in the image below.

In a similar way apply the tolerance values using properties palette to other dimensions as well.

The final geometry after applying respective tolerances to the dimensions should look like the image below.

Adding Dual dimensioning:

Dual dimensioning is a method of applying more than one unit to the same dimension. Let’s assume that we want to apply dimensions in inches as well as mm where the inch is the primary unit and mm is secondary.

For this situation, we need to first make a drawing with inches as the primary unit then type D and press enter to open Dimension style manager window.

Select the dimension style which you want to use and click on the Modify button. Select Primary units tab and choose Architectural from Unit format dropdown of Linear dimensions panel. then move to Alternate units tab and click on the Display alternate units radio button.

From the Unit format, drop-down menu select the Decimal and set precision of 0.00. In the multiplier field and enter a value of 25.4, this value is obtained by converting the primary unit to the secondary unit. In our case primary unit is inches and secondary unit is mm and we all know that once inch is equal to 25.4 mm hence the multiplier is also 25.4.

Click OK to accept the changes and close the dimension style manager window. Now apply dimension to your drawing, you will notice that the dimension will be indicated in inches as well as mm as shown in the image below.

Do you have questions related to this tip? let me know in the comments below.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

You can directly import text from TXT and MS Word file in AutoCAD as Mtext using Import text option which is available in Tools panel of Text editor tab. The text formatting will not be retained if it is imported from notepad but the formatting will retain if you import it from RTF (Rich Text Format) file.

In this article, I will explain both the methods, let’s start with importing text from TXT file popularly known as Notepad file.

Importing text from TXT file:

Start MTEXT command and make a text box in the drawing area. A Text Editor tab will appear for as long as MTEXT command is active as shown in the image below. Select Import Text from expanded Tools panel of Text Editor tab, locate TXT file in which your text is saved and click on Open to import it into AutoCAD.

After importing the text you can add formatting using the Text Editor tab in AutoCAD window.

Importing from Word file:

You can import text with its formattings from an MS Word file but the import text option, as shown above, recognizes only TXT and RTF format so you need to convert word file (.DOC) into an RTF file before importing.

To convert a word file into RTF (rich text format) file open it in MS word then select save as option from the File menu and choose Rich Text Format from format drop-down menu in the Save as window as shown in the image below.

Now start MTEXT command again and select Import Text from tools panel of text editor tab. This time, change the format to RTF from the Open window as shown in the image below. Select the RTF file and click on Open, your text will be entered with all its formattings in AutoCAD.

Apart from these methods, you can directly import the table from an excel file as a data link and also as a standalone drawing entity, More details about importing table in AutoCAD can be found in this article.

Do you have questions related to the tip? Let me know in the comments below.

DWG is a native AutoCAD file format but it can be opened with other software’s and online tools as well. When you don’t have access to AutoCAD software and you really need to view the files you can use any of the four methods mentioned in this article to get the work done.

The easiest and most recommended method is using Autodesk Trueview, a free DWG viewer from Autodesk.

Autodesk Trueview

Autodesk Trueview is a free software which can be used to open DWG files and it can also perform some basic measurement task on the drawing. However, you can’t modify your drawing in any way using Trueview.

True view also allows you to convert the version of AutoCAD files to any previous release. This is especially helpful when you are using an old version of AutoCAD and you received drawings in new DWG formats.

You can use Trueview to batch convert multiple drawing file versions and then open those drawings in your AutoCAD software.

To open the drawing simply download the DWG Trueview from here and install it, then open files in it.

Once your files are open you will see a tab similar to the one shown in the image above. You can clearly see that it has Measure panel with common measurement tools and some other tools like visual styles and object snap.

To change the version of DWG files click on DWG Convert icon of Files panel and add files to the files tree as shown in the image below then select the version in which you want to convert it and click on convert button.

By default, the original drawing(s) is overridden by the converted drawing but you can place the converted drawings in a new folder or zip file.

To change drawing conversion settings click on conversion setups button on DWG convert window and select Modify from conversion setups window. From Modify Conversion setup window change the conversion package type to folder or zip and click on OK to close and exit the open windows.

Autodesk 360

You can also view drawings without installing any software right from your browser using Autodesk 360 viewer. Go to A360 site here and create your free account, then click on upload your design icon and select the drawing from local/network drive or cloud accounts like Dropbox, Google drive or Box.

You can also upload a complete folder containing multiple drawing files. Once you upload the files the viewer will take some time to prepare the upload and an email will be sent to you once the files are prepared for viewing.

You can use A360 to view 2D as well as 3D drawings and it can also be used to measure different geometrical features of the drawing. You can also generate a link for users who don’t have A360 account and share the drawing with them and they can also view it in the browser directly.

You can also view the AutoCAD files on a mobile device using A360 mobile app for Android, IOS and windows devices.

Open source CAD applications:

There are also plenty of low cost and lightweight alternatives to AutoCAD that can be used to view the drawing by installing their trial version. The best among these is a free and open source software called LibreCAD.

The software is very small and it installs in a few minutes. You can simply open the DWG files in this software and also make minor drawing modifications in it. The LibreCAD recognizes layers and blocks of the DWG files too. However, I will not recommend using LibreCAD for drawing modification tasks as it crashes a lot and it is also not able to properly handle large file size.

GrabCAD online viewer

This is similar to A360 viewer but with limited features and control over your drawing file. To use the online viewer of GrabCAD you need to register on the website. Once you have your account created you can upload as many drawings as you want and view the drawing in its 3D viewer.

How do you prefer to access DWG files when you don’t have access to AutoCAD? Let us know in the comments below.

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” link_color=”var(–awb-color3)” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”var(–awb-color4)” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” skip_lazy_load=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” pattern_bg=”none” pattern_custom_bg=”” pattern_bg_color=”” pattern_bg_style=”default” pattern_bg_opacity=”100″ pattern_bg_size=”” pattern_bg_blend_mode=”normal” mask_bg=”none” mask_custom_bg=”” mask_bg_color=”” mask_bg_accent_color=”” mask_bg_style=”default” mask_bg_opacity=”100″ mask_bg_transform=”left” mask_bg_blend_mode=”normal” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_toggled=”yes”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

Selecting objects using normal AutoCAD selection techniques is fairly simple, but for very large drawing files the selection may often become a tedious and error-prone task. Selection filter in AutoCAD can ease this process allowing you create selections quickly.

Although you can use “natural” filters like Layers and Quickselect but when you require even more specific tool then Object selection filter can be used which can ease your filtering task to a great extent.

This tip is especially useful if you don’t have LISP routine for creating complex selections, you can create this filter and save it for future use without ever requiring LISP.

To explain this feature I will use a sample drawing containing four layers Layer 0, layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3. Circles of radius 1 and 2 units on different layers and Rectangles on different layers.

You can download the drawing here.

Scenario 1

Making a filter that selects all circles of layer 1 with radius 2 units.

Type FILTER in the command line and press enter, the Object Selection Filters window will appear. Now select Layer from Select Filter drop-down menu.

The Select button, next to drop down menu will get highlighted. Click on the Select button and pick layer 1 from it. Click on Add to List button to add this filter criterion to our filter box, now we need to add other criteria of the radius.

Select circle radius from Select filter drop-down menu. You will notice that drop-down menu next to X gets highlighted and you can select operators from them like greater than, less than equal etc. In this case, we want to select circle with radius equal to 2 hence select Equal operator.

Enter the value of radius ie 2 in the box next to operator drop-down menu and click on add to list button again.

Now click apply then select entire drawing and press enter you will notice that only objects which meet these criteria are selected.

Grouping operator:

At the end of Select Filter drop-down menu you will find grouping operators **begin AND, ** end AND, ** begin OR, **end OR and also some other operators like XOR and NOT these operators are used to make complex selections in AutoCAD objects.

These operators are always used in pairs where each begin operator must end with its equivalent end operator as shown below.

**begin AND

DATA 1

DATA 2

**end AND

In the above example if you use AND operator then the filter will be created if both the criteria of DATA 1 and DATA 2 match, if OR operator is used then the filter will include objects that fall in either of the criteria.

In the next example, I will make another filter using these grouping operators.

Scenario 2

Making a filter that selects all circles on layer 2 with radius two unit and all rectangles of layer 3.

Add the following operators in the same order as listed below using the Select Filter drop-down menu.

**Begin OR

**Begin AND

Layer = Layer 2

Object  = Circle

**End AND

**Begin AND

Object  = Circle

Circle radius    = 2.00

**End AND

**Begin AND

Layer  = Layer 3

Object  = Polyline

**End AND

**End OR

Now in this list of operators, you will notice that it starts and ends with OR operator (marked red) and in between, we have three criteria. All the inner criteria start and end with AND operator.

The first criteria marked with green color will include all the circles on layer 2. The second criteria marked with blue color will include all the circles with radius 2. The third criteria marked with black color will include all rectangles of layer 3 as the only polyline in the geometry is the rectangle.

Final filter will comprise of all these criteria because we have used OR operator to open and close this filter list. All objects meeting any of the three criteria will get selected and our final selection will look like this.

Saving object filters

After making so much effort in creating this filter you would definitely like to save it for future use. To save this filter enter the name in the blank box next to save as in the named filter panel of Object selection filter window and click on Save As, the filter will be saved in the current drawing.

Do you have questions related to this tool? Let me know in the comments below.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

With QuickCalc AutoCAD Calculator command you can measure the length of geometry, its angle and coordinate points like midpoint or centroid. You can perform complex calculations using the scientific calculator and It can also be used to convert units of length, angle, area, and volume.

To start QickCalc calculator (I will call it calculator from now on for sake of simplicity) Right click in the drawing area and select QuickCalc from the contextual menu, you can also use its command equivalent QUICKCALC. This calculator can be launched from contextual menu even if you are in the middle of a command.

In this article, I will explain how you can leverage the features of QuickCalc calculator to make your drawing and calculation task faster and efficient.

I have also prepared this video which explains this tip in detail, but if you prefer the article you can read it by scrolling down.

[fusion_youtube id=”P5kgYQNukJ4″ alignment=”center” width=”” height=”” autoplay=”false” api_params=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=””][/fusion_youtube]

Simple Calculator:

The most obvious use of a calculator tool is to perform calculations and this tool is no exception. When you launch Calculator tool a basic palette will appear with all the buttons of a calculator, you can also expand the calculator palette if it is collapsed as shown in the image below.

On calculator palette, you will find a familiar calculator interface with all related buttons at your disposal. You can use the mouse to enter values in the calculator or you can use Numpad of the keyboard as well.

Scientific Calculator:

Just below the Number Pad tab on calculator palette you will find a Scientific tab, expand it by clicking on the + icon on it. This will open a Scientific calculator for you where you can perform more complex calculations involving sines, cosines or logarithmic values.

Unit conversion:

To convert units expand Units Conversion tab on calculator palette. Select type of unit which you want to convert from Units type field then select unit which you want to convert and in next field enter the unit in which you want it to be converted.

Enter the value in Value to convert field and press tab key, the result will appear in the Converted value field.

Length and Angle:

On the top of QuickCalc window, you will find a bar containing small icons that can be used to extract geometrical information from the drawing like distance, angle, and coordinates. Let’s start with finding the distance between two points.

To check the distance between two points click on next icon which is like a ruler with a dimension line above it. The calculator palette will disappear and now you can select two points. On selecting both the points you will see that calculator palette will appear again with the distance between both points in the result field.

In a similar way as above angle of a line can also be found with respect to the positive side of the X-axis. Select the next tool as shown in the image above to measure the angle of a line with respect to the positive direction of the X-axis.

The calculator will again disappear, specify the base point for the line followed by the second reference point on the line. The angle will appear in the results field. In the image below point 1 was taken as the base point and point 2 was the second reference point on the black line.

Coordinates:

To obtain coordinates of a point click on the get coordinates icon as shown in the image below, calculator palette will temporarily disappear and your cursor will change into a point selection cursor. Click at a point in the drawing area, calculator palette will appear again with values of coordinates of the selected point in the result field.

To determine coordinates of the intersection point of two lines select the next tool which looks like X letter. Again calculator window will disappear and you are prompted to select the first two points, select the points on the first line then second points on the second line. The resultant intersection point will appear in the result field of calculator palette.

Functions or variables:

Using functions you can find many geometric parameters like midpoint and centroid. There are some predefined functions in the calculator tool but you can create your own custom function as well. List of functions can be accessed from Variables tab which is at the end of the calculator palette as shown in the image below.

As an example, you can find the midpoint of a line using mee function. To use it double click on mee from sample variables tree, you will notice that (cur+cur)/2 will appear on result field of the calculator, you can type this function as well in the result field. Press enter and then click on the endpoints of a line. The coordinates of midpoint will appear in the result field of calculator palette.

Using ‘CAL command:

You can also perform calculations directly on the command line without opening the calculator. As an example, if you want to make a circle in such a way that its center lies at a point midway between two existing points and radius is half of the radius of an existing circle then follow these steps.

Start the circle command then type ‘CAL on command prompt (don’t forget to include the Apostrophe) and press enter. Then type (END+END)/2 and press enter again, you will notice that cursor will change into a large pick box. Click at points close to the end point of the line, the center of the circle will snap to the midpoint of the line.

Now again type ‘CAL and press enter, then type Rad/2 and press enter, Click on the existing circle whose radius you want to take for reference. The required circle will be made with the radius equal to half of the radius of circle selected.

If you have questions related to this tip then let me know in the comments below.