I insert Excel files into my model using DATALINK and then insert a table using the 'insert from datalink' option. Generally everything works fine. However, occasionally when re-loading an edited Excel file it will change the text height. Changing the cell formatting options in DATALINK does seem to help. I'm really struggling to find out the reason so I can correct it. Anybody got any ideas why the text height changes ..read more

I was asked by a jurisdiction to plot the plans on top of the existing approved plans. I need the new linework to show up on top of the existing. sheet. The only way possibility I have figured out is to change the transparency of the sheet, but then it plots incredibly light and barely shows up. Screenshot added. Can anyone help?   ..read more

Hello This file contains one text and one line The size of this file is more than 4 megabytes. But it is logical that the size of the file should be less than 100 kilobytes I also used the purge and audit commands, but the problem was not solved  My problem is that if I copy any object from this file, other files will find the same problem. Where is this amount of information in this file? And how to solve this problem? Thank you very much for spending time on this topic size problem.dwg ..read more

I've previously never used custom CTB in any way. I always use layers instead to assign lineweights and distinguishing my objects. I want to learn how to use CTB but first,  Why should I use CTB? IS CTB has more advantage than Layers? If I only use CTB as a way of organizing lineweights, should I stop using layers (just use layers as a organizational tool ..read more

I'm looking for a routine that will allow me to select a block and then prompt me to place a text element with that block name. Anything out there? Or do I need to dive in deep on my own ..read more

Hi,   Recently I've needed to do a lot of trimming of large areas outside of a rectangle polyline cutting edge. Up until now I've been doing it manually, which as you can imagine is very time consuming, however, today I discovered the EXTRIM command!   "Great" I thought, "this should save me some time." but no, it doesn't really save much time at all.   The problem is that many lines or polylines I need trimming end very close beyond the cutting edge and EXTRIM doesn't want to trim these, so I would have to zoom in very close to trim them.   Is there a setting that will all ..read more

Hello,   I am on ACAD 2010.   I use a customized screen menu. I can't work without it.   I did something and the width of the screen menu changed and I can only see half of the displayed text.   No problem I thought. I went to change the width, but while trying to drag the screen menu into the drafting area, I accidentally double clicked the screen menu header. IT DISAPPEARED ! Now I can't get it back !!   I went through the "option" dialog box but the "Display Screen Menu" box has a check mark. I unchecked it . . . clicked "apply" . . . added back the check mark ..read more

Hi,   I'm having some issues with the drawing grid, or perhaps I'm not understanding how it's supposed to work.   I have a floor plan with an angled wing to which I want to insert blocks with the same rotation/angle. I moved and rotated the UCS with the angled wall as reference and when I revert back to world, the grid is not in the same place as before. So the blocks that I inserted on the grid before rotating the UCS, is now offset a bit from the grid.   Why doesn't the grid revert back to the same coordinates? I also had that issue when rotating the UCS if I didn't put it in ..read more

hi   what is the best way to select a dim chain and/or a dim group? when i select "stretch dim group, it selects irrelevant dim objects. When using stretch on dim objects , it moves the reference points along.    Tx ..read more

Hello I have recently upgraded to autocad2012 from 2011, when i was using 2011 i was using a lisp routine called Wiseys steel shapes. this was a popup window so i could pick steel sections and insert into drawing everyone know how much time this can save. the problem is that it doesnt seem to work with 2012 i have it loaded, etc. but when i enter command nothing happens.   can someone help either by figuring it out (i have uploaded the zip file with everything needed) or by suggesting a different lisp that will work for 2012. i need it to be australian shapes.   thanks for your help ..read more