10 Advanced Tips for Using AutoCAD 2018

Tip 1: Use the Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar provides easy access to frequently used commands, saving you time and increasing your productivity. To customize the Quick Access Toolbar, simply click on the drop-down arrow at the end of the toolbar and select the commands you want to add or remove.

Tip 2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve your efficiency when working in AutoCAD. To view and customize the keyboard shortcuts, simply type "OPTIONS" in the command line and select the "Keyboard" tab.

Tip 3: Use the Properties Palette

The Properties palette provides a quick and easy way to view and modify the properties of objects in your drawing. To access the Properties palette, simply type "PROPERTIES" in the command line or click on the Properties button in the toolbar.

Tip 4: Use the Layer Properties Manager

The Layer Properties Manager allows you to organize and manage the layers in your drawing, which can be especially useful when working with complex drawings. To access the Layer Properties Manager, simply type "LAYER" in the command line or click on the Layer Properties button in the toolbar.

Tip 5: Use the DesignCenter

The DesignCenter allows you to quickly access and reuse content such as blocks, layers, and styles from other drawings or files. To access the DesignCenter, simply type "ADCENTER" in the command line or click on the DesignCenter button in the toolbar.

Tip 6: Use the Purge Command

The Purge command allows you to remove unused items such as layers, linetypes, and blocks from your drawing, which can help reduce file size and improve performance. To access the Purge command, simply type "PURGE" in the command line.

Tip 7: Use the Xref Command

The Xref command allows you to attach external references such as other drawings or images to your drawing, which can be especially useful when working with large or complex projects. To access the Xref command, simply type "XREF" in the command line.

Tip 8: Use the Match Properties Command

The Match Properties command allows you to quickly apply the properties of one object to another object, which can be a huge time saver when working with multiple objects. To use the Match Properties command, simply select the object with the desired properties, type "MATCHPROP" in the command line, and then select the object you want to apply the properties to.

Tip 9: Use the Measure Command

The Measure command allows you to quickly measure distances and angles between objects in your drawing, which can be especially useful when working with precise measurements. To access the Measure command, simply type "MEASURE" in the command line.

Tip 10: Use the Layouts Command

The Layouts command allows you to create multiple layouts within a single drawing, which can be useful when working on projects with multiple views or perspectives. To access the Layouts command, simply type "LAYOUT" in the command line or click on the Layouts button in the toolbar.

By using these advanced tips and tricks, you can increase your efficiency and productivity when working with AutoCAD 2018. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you and your projects.