how can I become "faster" @ AutoCad???

[1eo]

Greetings,

 

Are there any tutorials / videos / books that would show me some tips / tricks on how to become faster at Auticad?

 

Just by using it often I get quite a speed, but I was thinking... how fast am I compare to others?

 

That's all

 

Regards,

Leonardo

[bokkins]

Try using LISP. it will double or triple ur speed! I pressume your using key shortcuts already. good luck.

 

P.S. (try searching for details of LISP) I also want to learn it. Good Luck to us both!

[Lftofcenter]

I've read books on AutoCAD but they've never helped improve my speed. They just taught the fundamentals on why/how things work -which I guess is important on knowing your way around the program, but this can easily be learned with steady practice.. The most beneficial thing for me was just using the program and 'wiring' my brain to know all the functions so that I don't take too much time in between steps. I consider my self fast in autocad. If you are looking for some type of 'fast measurement' I would say 'fast' is taking only but a couple of seconds in between steps without any interruption time needed to think about how to really go about creating what you want on screen. It should all feels instinctive.

[Msamir]

 

Just by using it often I get quite a speed, but I was thinking... how fast am I compare to others?

 

 

You're on the right track just practice alot and you'll become fast.

[1eo]

Thanks guys, for the fast responce

 

I'm gonna start working in an office next, next monday and they Use Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006.

 

This is the first time for me working on a firm, and I don't want to look too slow compare to my co workers. (All my background was school stuff)

 

Regards,

Leonardo

[1eo]

Try using LISP. it will double or triple ur speed! I pressume your using key shortcuts already. good luck.

 

P.S. (try searching for details of LISP) I also want to learn it. Good Luck to us both!

 

I have no clue what's LISP... I better do a search

 

Leo

[ihabkal]

Thanks guys, for the fast responce

 

I'm gonna start working in an office next, next monday and they Use Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006.

 

This is the first time for me working on a firm, and I don't want to look too slow compare to my co workers. (All my background was school stuff)

 

Regards,

Leonardo

 

don't worry take it easy

1- they know you're new so they'll be patient with you for the first 3 months which is generally training period in most firms

2- your co workers will be people who worked there for a long period of time so they're bored and sick of their jobs and not as productive as a new enthousiastic employee...

[cdos00]

ihab are you serious? I don't know what kind of offices you have worked in but here in California in my Architecture firm NOBODY gets bored. We are all very enthusiastic and excited about EVERY job that comes through our office.

 

In response to the above comments:

Well I wouldn't START with LISP. LISP is an incredibly complicated language to learn, it isn't the "first" place you should go to get faster. The only people that REALLY need to know lisp is the people who maintain the CAD installations. As one of those people I cannot stand it when people bring in their own routines which are not tested and approved by me and muck up our whole system. Additionally, I like to teach the people at my office "vanilla CAD" so they can literally go to any computer in any company and be near if not as efficient as they would be sitting at their own workstation.

 

Now, to my two cents. To learn CAD better all it takes is exposure. If you can get onto the machine EVERY day, do it. even if you are just messing around creating lines and shapes. Often times it isn't the huge breakthrough technique that makes so "super-drafter" it is the little stuff. How you move a line, how you resize a circle...things like that, those make you the most efficient person. Because saving $1000 once is no comparison to saving $100 a day for a couple of years.

 

Remeber, there is always a million different ways to get from point 'A' to point 'B'....the one who gets there the most efficiently is ALWAYS going to win out.

[cdos00]

Oh, and don't worry, your new job SHOULD train you. Every company drafts a different way, they understand you will need a little "ramp-up" time. Just make sure you pay attention.

[ihabkal]

ihab are you serious? I don't know what kind of offices you have worked in but here in California in my Architecture firm NOBODY gets bored. We are all very enthusiastic and excited about EVERY job that comes through our office.

 

 

 

maybe your office is an exception.....I was generally speaking......don't advertise for your office on my expense I know you have a happy working environment you don't need to tell me that. Everyone has his own experience in these things

thanks

[1eo]

ihab are you serious? I don't know what kind of offices you have worked in but here in California in my Architecture firm NOBODY gets bored. We are all very enthusiastic and excited about EVERY job that comes through our office.

 

 

Thanks guys!

 

cdos00, My GF wanted to move to a warm place, so I got a job in Miami . However, I was woundering if arch- Interns get pay enough to survive in California (I hear everything is so expensive over there )

 

Thanks a lot!

Leo

[cdos00]

ihab, I wasn't trying to advertise, I was just letting him know that it isn't always that way. I know a lot of people around the industry that are stressed, angry, overworked....but I can't say I have found anyone that is "bored". If they are maybe they are in the wrong industry. Architecture is an always evolving industry and when you throw technology into the mix it makes it all that much more exciting and complicated. If you are going into this industry to have a "cushy" job you are definitely going into the wrong industry.

 

1eo,

I think florida is about the same as California right now. It really depends on where you are in the state. If you are down south, or near S.F. then it is going to be VERY hard to survive. But living here near the Sacramento area it really isn't that bad. Rent is reasonable ($700-$900 for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, $750-$1250 for a 1-3 bedroom house) wages are decent (usually clear between $1500-$3000 per month). Oh and by the way...it is WARM out here. It was 100 degrees yesterday and it felt every bit of 100! However, If I wasn't living in california, I would be in Florida.

 

Cheers.

[ihabkal]

(usually clear between $1500-$3000 per paycheck). .

 

Cheers.

is that weekly? monthly? biweekly?

thx

[bigroo]

(I hear everything is so expensive over there )/QUOTE]

 

Try living here my friend

 

8 hours a day spent on the program will help immensly. It worked for me.

[Tim Nelson]

Being fast in Autocad is all about the keyboard shorcuts. After you get most of them, you shouldn't even need that many actual toobars on your screen. Using all keyboard commands will make you at least 2x as fast. And if you already have mastered this, then congrats!

 

Other than that, just really think a few steps ahead of yourself so you don't waste any time in between commands. It's kind of like reading. Good readers will always see the words in advance before they actually get to them - that is what makes the reading flow & come together instead of just doing it word by word.

[ihabkal]

Being fast in Autocad is all about the keyboard shorcuts. After you get most of them, you shouldn't even need that many actual toobars on your screen. Using all keyboard commands will make you at least 2x as fast. And if you already have mastered this, then congrats!

 

Other than that, just really think a few steps ahead of yourself so you don't waste any time in between commands. It's kind of like reading. Good readers will always see the words in advance before they actually get to them - that is what makes the reading flow & come together instead of just doing it word by word.

 

 

 

absolutely.....100% agree....

I remember older versions of Autocad for dos we used to program the keyboard letters to match commands...save time and don't use the menus...L for line, TR for trim...after a while your fingers will be on the key you need before the program finishes regenerating a zoom out or a pan... etc.

[cdos00]

ihab,

That is actually a months wages (after taxes and retirement contribution). However we get paid every two weeks.

 

As it pertains to your most recent post, I agree! 100%. Using toolbar menus works for some people but for the most part I think the common thought process is to use the keyboard as much as possible. Another good hint is to learn to "stack" your shortcut commands to the left side of your keyboard (if you are right handed) so that your right hand will be able to stay on the mouse more. We have coined this type of drafting as "two handed drafting" a lot of people have one hand sitting on their lap while the other hand does all the work. extremely inefficient (however I am sure that is fairly obvious.). I agree with everyone on this board that exposure, and the keyboard are what are going to make you the most efficient drafter EVER!!!

 

Cheers guys.

[vizwhiz]

Leo

 

i use a numeric keypad command alias system

 

i am not sure about ADT if The command Aliases work There The same as in vanilla "bare-bones" autocad

 

i Thunk This up all by my lonesome Too

 

but it is Free: Yes, it uses LISP (lost in stupid parentheses)

 

i.e.

 

(defun c:00 () (command ".save" ""))

(defun c:21 () (command ".line"))

 

**

 

(defun c:/1 () (command "-.xref"))

(defun c:/2 () (command "-.xref" "r" "*"))

(defun c:/3 () (command "-.xref" "u" "*"))

(defun c:/ () (c:ai_molc) (princ))

(defun c:// () (c:laycur) (princ))

(defun c:/// () (progn (load "mat-mtc") (c:mtc)) (princ))

(defun c:/0 () (command ".layer" "on" "0" "s" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:/+ () (c:laylck) (princ))

(defun c:/+* () (command ".layer" "lock" "*" "") (princ))

(defun c:/+- () (command ".layer" "lock" "*" "unlock" (getvar "clayer") "") (princ))

(defun c:/- () (c:layulk) (princ))

(defun c:/-* () (command ".layer" "unlock" "*" "") (princ))

(defun c:0/+ () (command ".layer" "lock" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:0/- () (command ".layer" "unlock" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:/0+ () (command ".layer" "lock" "0-*" "") (princ))

(defun c:/0- () (command ".layer" "unlock" "0-*" "") (princ))

(defun c:/+0 () (command ".layer" "lock" "~0-*" "") (princ))

(defun c:/-0 () (command ".layer" "unlock" "~0-*" "") (princ))

(defun c:/* () (c:laymch) (princ))

(defun c:/** () (command "_matchprop") (princ))

(defun c:* () (c:layfrz) (princ))

(defun c:*0 () (command ".layer" "f" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:*0* () (command ".layer" "f" "0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:*0- () (command ".layer" "f" "~0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:*1 () (command ".layer" "f" "1*" "") (princ))

(defun c:*2 () (command ".layer" "f" "2*" "") (princ))

(defun c:*3 () (command ".layer" "f" "3*" "") (princ))

(defun c:- () (c:layoff) (princ))

(defun c:-- () (c:layiso) (princ))

(defun c:-* () (command ".layer" "off" "*" "" "") (princ))

(defun c:-0 () (command ".layer" "off" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:-0* () (command ".layer" "off" "0*" "" "") (princ))

(defun c:-0- () (command ".layer" "off" "~0-*" "" "") (princ))

(defun c:-1 () (command ".layer" "off" "1*" "") (princ))

(defun c:-2 () (command ".layer" "off" "2*" "") (princ))

(defun c:-3 () (command ".layer" "off" "3*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+ () (command ".layer" "on") (princ))

(defun c:+* () (command ".layer" "on" "*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+0 () (command ".layer" "on" "0" "") (princ))

(defun c:+0* () (command ".layer" "on" "0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+0- () (command ".layer" "on" "~0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+1 () (command ".layer" "on" "1*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+2 () (command ".layer" "on" "2*" "") (princ))

(defun c:+3 () (command ".layer" "on" "3*" "")(princ))

(defun c:+3* () (command ".layer" "s" "0" "off" "*" "" "on" "3*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++ () (command ".layer" "thaw") (princ))

(defun c:++* () (command ".layer" "thaw" "*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++0 () (command ".layer" "thaw" "0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++0- () (command ".layer" "thaw" "~0*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++1 () (command ".layer" "thaw" "1*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++2 () (command ".layer" "thaw" "2*" "") (princ))

(defun c:++3 () (command ".layer" "thaw" "3*" "") (princ))

;(defun c:+++ () (progn (load "lyr-plan") (c:lyr-plan)) (princ))

;;;------------------------------------------------------******

(defun c:0 () (command "orthomode" 0) (princ))

(defun c:1 () (command "orthomode" 1) (princ))

(defun c:2 () (progn (command "cmdecho" 1) (command "dist") (getvar "distance")))

(defun c:3 () (progn (command "cmdecho" 1) (command "dist" "nea" pause "per"

pause) (getvar "distance")))

(defun c:4 () (command ".osnap") (princ))

(defun c:5 () (command "'osnap" "") (princ))

(defun c:6 () (command "'osnap" "end,ins,int,mid") (princ))

(defun c:6+ () (command "'osnap" "end,ins,int,mid,per") (princ))

(defun c:7 () (command "'osnap" "nea,per") (princ))

(defun c:7+ () (command "'osnap" "nea,end") (princ))

(defun c:8 () (command "'osnap" "ins,cen") (princ))

(defun c:9 () (command "'osnap" "ins,cen,quad") (princ))

(defun c:00 () (progn (command nil nil nil)(command ".save" "") (princ)))

;(defun c:01 () (progn (load "lyr-lno") (c:lno)) (princ))

(defun c:02 () (command ".qsave") (princ))

(defun c:03 () (progn (prompt "\nwblocking to file: ") (command ".wblock" "~")

(princ)))

(defun c:04+* () (command ".xref" "r" "*"))

(defun c:04-* () (command ".xref" "u" "*"))

(defun c:05 () (command ".xclip" pause "" "s") (princ))

(defun c:05-1 () (command ".xclip" pause "" "n" "y" "s") (princ))

(defun c:06 () (c:re) (princ))

(defun c:07 () (command ".regen") (princ))

(defun c:08 () (command ".regenall") (princ))

(defun c:09 () (command ".redraw") (princ))

(defun c:10 () (command "'pan") (princ))

(defun c:11 () (command ".zoom" "w") (princ))

(defun c:12 () (command ".zoom" ".95x") (princ))

(defun c:13 () (command ".zoom" ".5x") (princ))

(defun c:14 () (command "'zoom" "p") (princ))

(defun c:15 () (command "'zoom" "d") (princ))

(defun c:16 () (command ".zoom" "e") (princ))

(defun c:17 () (command ".zoom" "e" "zoom" ".98x" ".save" "") (princ))

(defun c:18 () (progn (load "vue-vsx") (c:vsx)) (princ))

(defun c:18 () (command "view" "s" pause) (princ))

(defun c:19 () (progn (load "vue-vrx") (c:vrx)) (princ))

(defun c:19 () (command "view" "r" ) (princ))

(defun c:20 () (command ".arc") (princ))

(defun c:21 () (command ".line") (princ))

(defun c:22 () (command ".pline") (princ))

(defun c:23 () (command "rectang") (princ))

(defun c:24 () (command ".polygon") (princ))

(defun c:25 () (command ".insert") (princ))

(defun c:25+ () (command ".insert" "~") (princ))

(defun c:26 () (command ".circle") (princ))

(defun c:28 () (command "block") (princ))

(defun c:28+ () (command "wblock") (princ))

(defun c:29 () (command ".bhatch") (princ))

 

**

 

i have memorized about 2-300 hundred of These by now

all are sorted by function and category 2d plan and 3d solids

 

This is FAST because you can keep your Eyes on The monitor

and keep your right hand on the numeric keypad (i learned to use a mouse left-handed even Tho i am right handed which alllows me to write down contradictory INFO while working)

 

**

 

just an Idea

 

if you are interested i can post The entire file

it probably wont mean a Thing to you at This point

 

but i use This day-in and day-out daily

and because it NOT MENU dependent you can set This up anywhere

 

and Then work in a hurry

 

being FAST is NOT AS IMPORTANT AS BEING ACCURATE

 

Randy

[Tim Nelson]

Wow Randy, I'm going to have to start calling you the White Bearded Wizard of Autocad!

[1eo]

1eo,

I think florida is about the same as California right now. It really depends on where you are in the state. If you are down south, or near S.F. then it is going to be VERY hard to survive. But living here near the Sacramento area it really isn't that bad. Rent is reasonable ($700-$900 for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, $750-$1250 for a 1-3 bedroom house) wages are decent (usually clear between $1500-$3000 per month). Oh and by the way...it is WARM out here. It was 100 degrees yesterday and it felt every bit of 100! However, If I wasn't living in california, I would be in Florida.

 

Cheers.

 

Yeah, they seem about the same

The appartments that I was looking in Miami were around $700-$850 (Ofcourse, everything has to do with "location"...Same room near the beach would be a lot more )

 

leo

[1eo]

Leo

 

i use a numeric keypad command alias system

 

i am not sure about ADT if The command Aliases work There The same as in vanilla "bare-bones" autocad

 

i Thunk This up all by my lonesome Too

 

but it is Free: Yes, it uses LISP (lost in stupid parentheses)

 

i.e.

 

(defun c:00 () (command ".save" ""))

(defun c:21 () (command ".line")).......................

Randy

 

Randy, I have no clue what was all that but I'll look into it

 

are the "keyboard shorcuts" in the manual I usually use the little icons or full words

 

Regards,

Leonardo

[vizwhiz]

(defun c:21 () (command ".line"))

 

swipe The above Text, right click and copy The lisp code into The command line of autocad, hit (if necessary)

 

Then

 

Type in > 21

 

This should put you in The LINE command

 

etc etc, for all The other lines of autolisp code

you can define defun your own autocad commands

or at least use the "alpha" characters and "#" numerals as command aliases

 

There may be a LOT of Remodel work To do in Florida

but i would NEVER LIVE THERE i dont like Hurry-canes

 

Randy

[cdos00]

Leo, what version of AutoCAD are you using? have you installed the Express tools? If you have you should go into the express menu and under tools find: Command Alias Editor. you can add, change, remove aliases (that is what AutoCAD calls Shortcut keys) when you get it the way you want you should export it to a separate file (so you have a backup) because you won't believe how dependant you will become on these command shortcuts. I try to teach everyone that comes into this office to learn the whole command so regardless of what computer they are at they can just type in the whole command to get what they need....Aliases, Buttons, Menus...even lisp routines can change from workstation to workstation....don't depend on any one way of entering commands. and ALWAYS know the 'constant' way of getting it done, full typed words!

 

Hope this helps...

 

An apartment in Miami is CHEAP!!! I would take that price any day. If you go down to Southern California (proximity to the beach) you will pay at least twice what you would pay up here.

[joseph alexander]

http://www.salary.com

[1eo]

(defun c:21 () (command ".line"))

 

right click and copy The above line of lisp code into The command line of autocad

 

Then

 

Type in > 21

 

Randy

wow!!

That's pretty cool I think I could really take adventage of this

 

BTW what does LISP stand for?

 

Thanks!

Leo