User Interface
The User Interface in AutoCAD 2018
continues to improve the way you
The plethora of interact with AutoCAD.
If for some reason you wish to turn off Youll find the preview pane is increased
the Start tab - simply set STARTMODE in the Select File dialog box (and the
to 0. link to Buzzsaw in the Places list is
removed).
NOTE If you choose to turn the Start
tab back on, youll need to relaunch File Navigation Dialog Box
AutoCAD after setting STARTMODE back Used for operations such as Open, Save,
to 1. and Attach, the File Navigation dialog
box now remembers the previous sort
Dialog Box Enhancements order. So if you last sorted by date, it
will automatically display the files by
The #3 AUGI wish list request has been
date the next time you access it.
granted! Many dialog boxes have an
increased default size and are resizable.
Heres a list of the other improved
That means more information and less
dialog boxes:
scrolling for you (and they even remem-
ber their previously set size!). Lets look
Page Setup Manager, Object Grouping,
at a few:
Layer States Manager, Enhanced
Edit Attributes (ATTEDIT) is increased Attribute Editor, Move/Copy Layout,
Insert is enlarged and resizable with Drawing Properties, Load/Unload
to display 15 attributes at one time
a larger preview imageand it now Applications, Drafting Settings
(compared to 8).
supports AutoComplete! That means (DSETTINGS) and Open VBA Project.
less typing and scrolling to select the
correct block name.
Security Options now trusts any files Drawing Units is updated to include US ToolTip Enhancements Quick Access Toolbar
or folders under Program Files (which Survey Feet in the list of Insertion scale Do you think ToolTips show up too One of my favorite tips is putting the
is under the operating systems UAC units. quickly (or not quickly enough!)? Now Layer Control dropdown list on the Quick
protection). Implicit Trusted paths are you can set the exact number of seconds Access Toolbarand now its part of the
grayed out (before they werent even NOTE US Survey Feet is not supported to delay before displaying rollover tool- Quick Access Toolbar menu for easy
displayed). in previous AutoCAD versions. tips. Customize this on the Display tab access! Be sure to turn it on as its off by
of Options. default.
Improved Graphics
Status Bar Youll also find options to enable balloon The appearance, selection, and
Populate the Status bar with the tools notifications or to configure the System performance of 2D geometry continues
you want by clicking on the three stacked Variable Monitor. to improve in AutoCAD 2018, making
lines (the hamburger menu) in the your visual experience even better!
lower right-hand corner of the editor.
NOTE To experience the performance
If your hardware doesnt support
increase youll need a DirectX
High quality geometry (isnt DirectX
11-capable graphics card and your
11-capable), try using the Smooth line
hardware acceleration turned on!
display for better graphics performance.
Lines with dot linetypes were often Parallel Hatch Lines Rubber-Band Line Color
difficult to see (even when you changed In AutoCAD 2018, closely spaced parallel Do you care about the color of the rubber-band line
the lineweight!). Now you can actually hatch lines have more consistent line that stretches dynamically within the drawing area
see them in AutoCAD 2018! spacing, graphically. when youre moving or copying objects?
Object Selection
NOTE You must turn on the system NOTE If this message starts to bother
variable LTGAPSELECTION to get this you, you can turn it off in Options >
new behavior! System > Hidden Messages Settings
PDF Enhancements
If you choose not to apply lineweight
properties, AutoCAD will use the default
lineweight.
NOTE This tool compares the selection If you arent sure what a particular SHX
SHX Text Recognition
set with the selected SHX fonts found in font looks like, you can select the font
Since Adobes PDF file format doesnt Recognition Settings. and key in some sample text in the Text
recognize SHX text, it doesnt make the TXT2MTXT has been updated from an
Recognition Settings dialog.
round trip back into AutoCAD as text. Use the Settings option to select the Express Tool and now works on Mtext
Not to worry, though, as AutoCAD 2018 possible SHX fonts in the PDF (dont After AutoCAD does the compare, a
has some great tools to work around it! over select!). AutoCAD will compare the message box will display the results.
External References
and Dtext objects. Youll also find that Other PDF Enhancements: External references are a powerful Ever tried to assign a relative path to
its smarter than ever! feature in AutoCAD. AutoCAD 2018 a reference file when the host drawing
Now we get thumbnail previews of PDF
makes it easier than ever to keep them is unnamed (or not saved)? Just not
files in PDFIMPORT and PDFATTACH
Use the Settings option to fine-tune the connected! possibleuntil now! If you select the
results. XREF in the External References palette,
Broken Reference Paths the Saved Path column will display a full
path with an asterisk (*) prefix.
When you attach an XREF, the default
path type is now set to Relative (as
This indicates that a change will take
opposed to Full path). Dont like that?
place when you save the host drawing
Set REFPATHTYPE to 0 for No path, 1 for
and a property in the Details pane also
Relative, and 2 for Full path.
clues you in that it is pending a relative
path.
If you have relative references in the Find and Replace does exactly what Child References
current drawing and you save it to a it sounds like it does: locates all Nested (child) references now display as
different location, AutoCAD will prompt references that use a specified path Orphaned (poor reference) if the parent
you to update the relative paths (lets from the selected referencesand reference is Unloaded or Not Found.
keep everything straight!). replaces them with a new path.
TIP You can even apply the same new Now its perfectly clear when changing
location for other missing references the path type (from absolute to relative
If you right click on a reference file that (fix all!). Now thats a timesaver! or vice versa) from the right-click menu
is not found, you have two new options: (or toolbar menu). The current path type
Select New Path, or Find and Replace. is disabled so theres no confusion!
But they still display in the proper tree
view location to help you figure out
what went wrong!
Annotation
TIP The Open option is now available Less Stressful Syntax
when you right-click on an unloaded We all know the dreaded Number of
reference in the XREF palette so you can missing reference files warning that
quickly open unloaded reference files! makes it sound like our XREFs belong on
a milk carton. AutoCAD has softened the
TIMESAVER If you rename an unloaded
statement for clarity, and now it says
XREF in the External References Palette, Number of reference files that are Not
it doesnt automatically reload (until you Found (so at least it sounds like theres
tell it to!). hope). Annotation is an important part of our Hatch Layer
designscheck out these timesavers! The HPLAYER system variable can be
used to set a default hatch layer. Now
Default Dimension Layer you can specify a non-existing layer and
Stop wasting time! Set a Default dimen- HPLAYER will create the new layer and
sion layer with the DIMLAYER system use it as your default for new hatches
variable, or by selecting the Dim layer and fills.
override.
Associative Centerlines and TIP If you move or scale the CENTERMARKEXE: Determines whether CENTERLTYPE: Specifies the linetype.
Center Marks associated objects, the centerlines and extension lines are created (center
center marks update accordingly! marks). CENTERLAYER: Specifies the layer for
Now its easy to create customized asso-
centerlines and center marks.
ciative centerlines and center marks!
CENTERDISASSOCIATE: Disassociates
centerlines and center marks from their CENTERCROSSSIZE: Used to set the size
Find these powerful tools on the
respective objects. of the central cross (center marks).
Annotate ribbon tab.
Coordination Model
TEXTEDIT Navisworks AutoCAD 2018 has the ability to snap
Want to perform multiple text edits at Did you know you can attach coordina- to precise locations on an attached
one time? Use the new multiple option tion models to a drawing? The Attach coordination model using the 2D
in the TEXTEDIT command and avoid all command and the Xref Manager have endpoint and center object snaps!
those tedious enters! options for Autodesk Navisworks files
(NWD or NWC).
A360
Its all about the cloud, baby! Connect log into A360 or have an AutoCAD based
to your secure A360 account for design product!
view sharing, customization syncing,
project management, and more. TIP You can also find Design Views
under Publish in the Application Menu
A360 Ribbon Tab or use the ONLINEDESIGNSHARE
Youll find some new tools in the A360 command.
tab, as well as the removal of some
NOTE You must be logged into A360 to
obsolete and less frequently used tools.
Design Feed is no longer displayed, but publish design views.
you can still access it with the DESIGN-
FEEDOPEN command.
Selecting the coordination model
displays the contextual ribbon tab with
options to control the display through
fading.
The Share Design View tool uploads your NOTE Closing the browser before the NOTE This link stays valid for 30 days
current drawing to a secure location processing is complete doesnt cancel (and has no log on requirements!).
in the cloud where 2D and 3D views the operation. You can extend a design view for
are extracted along with the property an additional 30 days at any time,
database. You choose to publish and Once in the A360 viewer you can zoom, indefinitely.
display in your browser right away (and pan, measure, display object properties,
wait) or receive a notification when all control layer visibility and more. You can easily access your recent
view processing is complete. uploads from the A360 viewer
TIP In addition to sharing your homepage.
design views, you can post, review, and
TIP Factors that affect the publishing resolve comments.
speed are internet speed, backlogged
queues, and the complexity of the
drawing.
Installing AutoCAD
Infocenter has a new License Manager If you are online using
option so you can view your software the license server and
license info and installed plug-ins, add- you lose your connection
ons, and extensions. to the network at any
time, AutoCAD will give
TIP Here you can also change the you an error message
type of license (stand-alone or network) and a timer that doesnt
or input a new serial number. begin until you dismiss
the message. This should
give you plenty of time to
New License Manager save your work!
Its easier to change between license
types and save your work should your Smooth Migration
network license lose connection with Use the new Migrate
the License Manager. Custom Settings tool
to migrate your custom
No need to input license type and serial settings and files from a
number during the installation process. previous release to Auto-
Now you provide this information CAD 2018.
when you first launch AutoCAD. Choose
between a Serial Number (stand-alone) The sleek and informative
If you select network license, AutoCAD
and a Network License. interface makes it easier
will allow you to check out a license for
to detect and clearly
up to 6 months so you can use it offline.
identify customized
settings for migrating.
3D Printing
Autodesk Desktop App It seems that 3D Printing
The Autodesk desktop app delivers is all around us! AutoCAD
security patches and updates for all 2018 is making it easier
Autodesk products (2015-2018). It is than ever for you to send
subscription aware, and delivers up- your designs to a 3D
dates and learning content for products printer.
under subscription.
Send to 3D
NOTE A shortcut for the Print Service
Autodesk desktop app is Under Publish in the Ap-
installed on your desktop plication menu youll find
and taskbar. the Send to 3D Print Ser-
TIP You can also access the Migrate vice (formerly 3DPrint)
Custom Settings tool from the Windows NOTE Be sure to sign in to your option.
Start menu (but AutoCAD cannot be Autodesk account to get the most value
running). If you change your mind, youll out of the app. Alternately, under Print in
find a Reset Setting to Default option the Application menu, you
there. When any type of update becomes can choose the 3D Print
available, a notification will appear (Print Studio) option (the
The updated summary report offers on the system tray. Simply launch the new 3DPrint command).
more information in an easier-to-read Autodesk desktop app to get more info Both of these tools are
format. on the update, and install it if desired. available on the Output
ribbon tab when using a
3D workspace.
*All plan benefits are not available for all products in all languages and/
or regions. Flexible licensing terms, including previous version rights
and home use, are subject to certain conditions. Free Autodesk software
and/or cloud-based services are subject to acceptance of and compli-
ance with the terms and conditions of the license agreement or terms
of service, as applicable, that accompany such software or cloudbased
services. Access to services requires an Internet connection and is sub-
ject to any geographical restrictions as set forth in the Terms of Service.
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD, DWG, Navisworks, Buzzsaw,
and TrustedDWG are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk,
Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other
countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong
to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time with-
out notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors
that may appear in this document.
2017 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.