Utilizing Command Tools on Palettes in AutoCAD Architecture

Since Autodesk added tool palettes to AutoCAD-based products in the 2004 release, they have been an important feature to the products.  Tool Palettes provide an easily customizable and readily accessible means of utilizing important tools to increase speed and “encourage” company standards.  While Autodesk provides a few tool palettes to get a user started, there are endless possibilities for usages of tool palettes.

In this article, we will look at some methods of adding a Command Tool to an existing palette in AutoCAD Architecture, and modifying the properties of the Command Tool.  A Command Tool allows any command string to be executed, whether that is AutoCAD Architecture related or AutoCAD related.

Turning off Section Markers Based upon View Scales in Revit

When working with large buildings, it is common to have views at 1/16”=1’-0” or larger to enable displaying the entire building in the view.  In these views, it is typical to not have all of the section markers visible since the view could become cluttered with all of the markers that might be applicable to the view.  While it is possible to select each one of the unwanted section markers individually and turn off the element visibility, it is also possible to set the properties of specific section views to hide the section marker for that section view on all views in which it might otherwise be visible.

Revit Architecture 2012 Update 1 Available

Autodesk has released Web Update 1 for Revit® Architecture 2012.  Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available, with separate downloads for each version.  The update is available to users who have purchased a valid license for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012, Autodesk Building Design Suite Ultimate 2012, Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium 2012 or AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2012.

The update is not a full installation, but instead is considered a service pack so the 2012 version must already be installed.