Part 8
Module 39: DesignCenter®
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:
- Describe how DesignCenter can be used to increase drawing productivity,
- Apply the ADCENTER command.
DesignCenter
DesignCenter, Figure 39-1, organizes access to drawings, blocks, layers, and other drawing content. From DesignCenter, you can insert, copy, or drag and drop objects from open drawings, filed drawings, a network, or even the internet into your current drawing. Drag and drop is the process of dragging an object, such as a block, from one drawing and dropping it into another.
Another important feature of DesignCenter is being able to copy and paste or drag and drop layer definitions, dimensioning styles, linetypes, layouts, text styles, and xrefs between drawings. A important feature of DesignCenter is that the drawings being copying from do not have to be open at the time, however, the drawing that the items are pasted into, must be open and the current drawing. DesignCenter can also be used to open drawing files.
AutoCAD Command: ADCENTER
The ADCENTER command is used to open the DesignCenter window.
Shortcut: ADC or CTRL+2
WORKALONG: Using DesignCenter
Step 1
Start a new drawing using the template: 2D Layout English.
Step 2
Save and name the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Workalong 39-1.
Step 3
Open the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1. You now have two drawings open at the same time. To confirm that, click the Windows pull-down. (Figure Step 3)
Step 4
Set the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1 as the current drawing. (Figure Step 4)
Step 5
Enter the PURGE command. In the Purge dialogue box, purge all blocks that can be purged in the current drawing.
Step 6
Enter the ADCENTER command. It will open the DesignCenter window. (Figure Step 6)
Step 7
Enable the Open Drawings tab. It will display the two drawings that are currently open in your AutoCAD session. (Figure Step 7)
Step 8
Click the + sign beside the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1.dwg to expand it as shown in the figure. It will now display the – sign preceding it to display the items in the drawing. (Figure Step 8)
Step 9
Select the item Blocks to highlight it. Along the right side of the window the icons of the blocks that are currently defined in the drawing’s block definition table will display. (Figure Step 9)
Step 10
Expand the window as shown in the figure. Click the Views icon and in the Pull-down list, enable Large Icons. (Figure Step 10)
Step 11
Disable the Description icon and enable the Preview icon. (Figure Step 11A and 11B)
Step 12
Resize the window as shown in the figure. Click the Chair icon and it will display a preview of the Chair block in the lower right corner of the window. (Figure Step 12)
Step 13
Set the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 39-1 as the current drawing.
Step 14
Right click the Chair icon. In the Right-click menu, click Insert Block. When the Insert dialogue box opens, set it as shown in the figure. Click the OK button. (Figure Step 14A and 14B)
Step 15
Using the