PRODUCT FOCUS
AutoCAD 0 = Multifunctional grip options are not available 1 = Multifunctional grip options can be accessed by pressing Ctrl to change grip behavior (Ctrl-cycling) 2 = Multifunctional grip options can be accessed via the grip menu displayed when you hover over a grip 3 = Multifunctional grip options can be accessed with both Ctrl-cycling and the grip menu PICKFIRST: (1) 0 = Off. You can select objects only after you start a command. 1 = On. You can also select objects before you start a command. The PICKFIRST setvar allows you to do noun, verb selection (pick the object first) instead of verb, noun selection (pick the command first). This just means you can select an object before you choose the command. Think about Microsoft Word or Outlook: you don’t pick the Delete key and then select your text or email. I use this functionality whether I am using grips or not— it’s just more flexible. And don’t worry—the old way still works, so you can do whichever is most applicable for the task at hand. GRIPBLOCK: (0) (not used in the macros) Figure 2
0 = Assigns a grip only to the insertion point of the block. There are a few settings to implement and understand when using grips. As with most AutoCAD settings, you can control grips through various methods, including the options dialog and system variables. If you work with someone who refuses to use them, but you share common standards or systems, you can use a button macro to reset them for your use. See Figure 3 for the dialog options and below for the SETVARS to use in macros and scripts along with a sample set of macros.
1 = Assigns grips to objects within the block.
A simple grips macro to turn them on or off: On: ^C^CGRIPS;2;GRIPMULTIFUNCTIONAL;3;PICKFIRST;1; Off: ^C^CGRIPS;0; Below is the detail for each of the system variables used in the macros (suggested setting in parentheses): GRIPS: (2) 0 = Hides grips 1 = Displays grips 2 = Displays additional midpoint grips on polyline segments GRIPMULTIFUNCTIONAL: (3)
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Figure 3
To get to the dialog box shown in Figure 3, type “options” at the command prompt and select the “Selection” tab. In Figure 3, you
July 2013