6.0 Managing Properties of Objects 6.1 COLOR Format ► Color… AutoCAD displays the select color dialog box Command: COLOR
You can select any color from the color pallets
6.2 LINETYPE Format ► Linetype… AutoCAD gives you several number of standard line types, which are saved in a library. Normally a line type is a repeating pattern of dashes, dots and blank spaces. Using different line types enables you to show more information for the uses of your drawings. When you invoke the command Line Type Manager dialog box will appear and you can load line types by clicking on Load button. Also you can set each line type current by clicking on Current button of the Line Type Manager dialog box. Command: linetype
6.3 LWEIGHT Format ► Lineweight… Generally line weights add width to your object both in your screen and paper when plotting. Using line weights when you draw objects you can create heavy and thin objects so that you can easily differentiate between each. When you invoke the command Lineweight Settings dialog box will appear. Then you can select which ever the line weight you want. Command: lweight
6.4 LAYER Format ► Layer… One of the very important features of AutoCAD is having the facility of using different layers in your drawing. It helps to draw more several complex drawings in a single drawing using layer properties and it highly save the time and also it give proper understanding for users. For example, you can draw your building structure in several layers, electrical wiring in another several layers, A/C system in any other layers etc. when you refer the drawing, you can refer each individually by disabling other relevant layers. There are several properties of layers, those are explained below. Name:
you can assign a name to each layer to distinguish it from other layers. Name can be up to 31 characters
Color:
You can assign a color to your layer
Line type:
This can be defined as the nature of the line assigned to the layer.
Line weight: This gives width to your object Lock/Unlock: This feature is used to prevent the user from editing objects in the drawing. But these layers are visible in both screen and plot On/Off:
When a layer is off, it is invisible but it functions for certain functions ZOOM, PAN, etc. Layers that are off are not plotted.
Freeze/Thaw: This is similar to On/Off and used when you work with view ports. You can off some layers in some view ports and on those layers in other view ports. Plottable/Non Plottable: When you plot you can prevent Non Plottable layers to plot if these layers are on.
When you invoke the command Layer Properties Manager dialog box will appear. Then you can create layers according to your preferences.
6.5 PROPERTIES Modify ► Properties AutoCAD displays the Properties palette. The Properties palette is the main method for viewing and modifying properties of AutoCAD objects. When you select an object in the drawing area, the object Properties window displays the properties of that object. If you select multiple objects, the Object Properties window displays all the properties they have in common. Double clicking an object also opens the properties palette. The following are eight general properties common to all objects. •
Color
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Layer
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Linetype
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Linetype Scale
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Plot style
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Lineweight
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Hyperlink
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Thickness
The properties that are in grey cannot be modified.
6.6 MATCH PROPERTIES Modify ► Match Properties You can match the properties of one object to one or more objects using this command. Command: matchprop Select source object: Pick the object whose properties to be matched Current active settings: Color Layer Ltype Ltscale Lineweight Thickness PlotStyle Text Dim Hatch Polyline Viewport Table Select destination object(s) or [Settings]: Select the object to which properties are to be copied or press S