As we are all aware it is very easy to copy geometry in AutoCAD to create another view etc. What if you wanted to not only copy the geometry but put it on a different Layer or perhaps a new Layer?
Well there is a way:
- Open your drawing in AutoCAD
- Type COPYTOLAYER at the command line
- Now select the geometry you want to Copy, then type N, which will show the Copy to layer dialogue
- Here you can either choose a Layer from the list to Copy the geometry to or type the name of a new Layer. Hit OK to complete, if you have chosen to create a new Layer you will be prompted to create it.
- Now simply click down where you want the new geometry to go.
From time to time you might want to create something more complex than a Solid with a perpendicular Cut feature. A useful, but often overlooked tool in Inventor is the 3D Sketch, which contains some useful features, such as Project to Surface.
This feature allows you to project a 2D Sketch to a Face/Surface, allowing you to place sketches exactly on a face to use as a Sweep path, Split Line, Loft Rail etc. See the steps below to get yourself started with 3D Sketches.
- Create your Model and 2D Sketch geometry
If you have large, complex drawings, with overlapping geometry, you may have difficulties selecting a particular piece of geometry. With the Selection Cycling tool, when you select an object that overlaps other objects, AutoCAD displays a dialogue listing all of the overlapping geometry. Geometry highlights in the workspace as you move up and down the list.
To use Selection Cycling, first of all check you have it enabled on the Status Bar:
Need to draw an object with the same Type and Properties as an existing one?
Use the new Add Selected tool to get the job done in no time. For example, select a existing Polyline > Right Click > pick Add Selected from the flyout menu and AutoCAD is ready to create another Polyline with the same Properties.
