Super Slick Keynote System (dwg download)
The Need: Standard keynote methods = duplicated data = longer update times, more memory, and more errors.
The Solution: Dynamic Blocks + Attribute Extraction
Requirements: AutoCAD 2006 or Later
Sweet Features:
1. Keynote Symbols and the Keynote legend are linked, so you never lose
symbol / note syncronization (i.e. no errors due to updates)
2. No more "Unused Note" fillers. Change the keynote number
in plan view, and the legend will automatically reorganize.
3. Dynamic Symbols are super easy to manipulate.
4. Doing stuff with Dynamic Blocks is fun.
Instructions:
1. Import/Insert Block (download) into your drawing. "ATE" (Attribute Edit) Block to set number and note.
2. If for any reason you need to see the notes as you create them, thaw the layer KEYNOTE-ANNO.
3. After creating your notes (in full or in part), run the attribute extraction wizard (Tools | Attribute Extraction).
4. In the first dialog of the Wizard, pick the "Use Template..." option, and load the template "TableTemplate.blk" (included in zip file).
5. Hit NextNextNextEtcEtc all the way to the end of the Wizard, then set the location of the table.
Notes:
1. Table support is still a bit immature in AutoCAD. The recommend practice for this system is to ignore issues such as extremely wide tables, extremely narrow tables, until the end. It only takes a few seconds to stretch the table to an appropriate width, but if you refresh the data (i.e. change a note), it will reset to it's former size.
2. All aspects of table appearence are modifiable via "Format | Table Style...". The Attribute Extraction Template uses the Table Styles named "KEYNOTE".
Using Viewport Scales (video tutorial)
LISP'ies
These are a couple of stream-lining LISP routines for drafting in AutoCAD. All were written by me except rtxt.lsp. Just to note - most of these won't really help you much speed wise, unless you're already a very speedy drafter!
Numbers: great for numbering lots, or
any other sequential data. Has options for modifying existing text objects,
or creating new ones. "NUMBERS" to execute.
Quick Break: AutoCAD's built in break
command requires an annoying number of key-presses and mouse clicks. With
this simplified break command, simply pick the line to break, and pick
the point to break it at. "QB" to execute.
Quick Extend: the need frequently
comes up to extend a construction line some arbitrary distance. Instead
of drawing a line, extending to it, then erasing the line, simply type
this command, draw the temp line, click the line to extend, and the temp
line erases itself. Substantial key-press savings! "QE" to execute.
Quick Trim: Like Quick Extend, only
the temp line is a cutting edge instead of an extend target.
Rotate Text: Probably the most useful of
the bunch - pick a piece of text or mtext, then pick a target line, arc,
circle or polyline and the text will align to the target. "RT"
to execute.