What Is Pickauto in AutoCAD?
In the world of AutoCAD, there are many powerful tools and features that help architects, engineers, and designers create precise and detailed drawings. One such tool is Pickauto. This handy feature allows you to quickly select objects in your drawing using various methods and criteria.
Why Use Pickauto?
Before we dive into the details of how to use Pickauto, let’s understand why it’s such a useful tool. In a complex drawing with multiple objects, selecting specific elements can be time-consuming and tedious. With Pickauto, you can streamline your workflow and save valuable time by automating the selection process.
Now that we know the importance of Pickauto let’s explore how to use it effectively.
Using Pickauto
To activate Pickauto in AutoCAD, simply type ‘PICKAUTO’ in the command line or find it in the toolbar menu. Once activated, you will have access to various selection methods:
- Name: This method allows you to select objects based on their name or object type. For example, if you want to select all circles in your drawing, you can specify ‘CIRCLE’ as the name criteria.
- Layer: With this method, you can select objects based on their layer properties.
You can choose specific layers or even select objects from all layers except for a particular one.
- Color: If you want to select objects based on their color properties, this method comes in handy. You can specify a particular color or even select objects with colors similar to a given color.
- Linetypes: This method allows you to select objects based on their linetype properties. You can choose specific linetypes or even select objects with linetypes similar to a given one.
Once you have selected the desired method, AutoCAD will prompt you for additional criteria depending on your selection. For example, if you choose the ‘Name’ method, AutoCAD will ask for the name of the object or object type you want to select.
Tips for Using Pickauto Efficiently
To make the most out of Pickauto, here are some tips:
- Combine Selection Methods: You can combine multiple selection methods to narrow down your search and find exactly what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to select all red circles on a specific layer, you can use both the ‘Color’ and ‘Layer’ methods together.
- Use Wildcards: When specifying criteria such as names or colors, you can use wildcards (*) to select multiple objects at once.
For example, if you want to select all objects with names starting with ‘A’, you can specify ‘A*’ as the name criteria.
- Save Selection Sets: If you frequently need to select the same group of objects, you can save your selection criteria as a selection set. This allows you to quickly retrieve and apply the same selection in future drawings.
In Conclusion
Pickauto is a powerful tool in AutoCAD that simplifies the process of selecting objects in your drawings. By leveraging its various selection methods and applying some handy tips and tricks, you can significantly improve your productivity and efficiency. So go ahead, give Pickauto a try and experience its time-saving capabilities!