Drawing Command Basics

Consider the following when operating commands in ARCHIBUS Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD or the DWG Editor.

Invoking Commands—The ARCHIBUS Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD or the DWG Editor uses AutoCAD's action-object selection method (choose the command and then the objects you wish to affect). There are several ways to invoke drawing commands:

Choose them from the Ribbon. The ARCHIBUS and Utilities tabs have the commands included in the ARCHIBUS Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD or the DWG Editor. The other tabs have the AutoCAD commands.

Type the full name of the command in the AutoCAD command line that appears at the bottom of the AutoCAD window. For example, typing “LINE” and then the Space key starts the AutoCAD Line command.

Select a task from the CAD Process Navigator. For example, select the Space Planning & Management / Space Inventory & Planning / Room Inventor / Edit Data task to edit the data stored for a room asset symbol. See The CAD Process Navigator.

Canceling Commands—When you are finished with an AutoCAD command, press the ESC key. Note that the instructions in this document do not specifically instruct you to press the ESC key when you are finished with a command.
Repeating Commands—After running a command, you can re-invoke the command by pressing the Space key. You may find this more convenient than returning to the menu or toolbar.
Command Options—As you work with some commands, the command line at the bottom of the screen prompts you to enter values, and select items, points, and angles. For instance, the Draw / Line command prompts you to select first the start point and then the end point of the line.
Default Values—Some command prompts specify a suggested default value in brackets. For instance, the Extension’s Insert Asset command asks you to select the angle at which to place the new asset symbol in the drawing, and displays “0” (zero) degrees as a suggested default. You can either specify a new value, or press Space or Enter to accept the default.
Option Keywords—Some commands present option keywords and their corresponding keystrokes in the command line . For example, when using the Polyline command, you can close the polyline by connecting the current point to the origin point by typing “C” followed by the Space key to call the command’s “Close” option keyword.

Note: The file, \ARCHIBUSxx\SmartClient\Acad\ACAD.PGP, lists a set of command aliases for both Smart Client Extension for AutoCAD and AutoCAD commands. These aliases are designed to improve keyboard typing for common commands. When you use these aliases to execute common commands, the left hand can typically remain on the home keys while the right hand uses the mouse. An example is the alias "moVe" for the AutoCAD MOVE command. See acad.pgp for the list of command aliases.