Macromedia Tips&Tricks

Window resizing

To set Document windows to a standard size:

1	If the size you want is already in the Window Size pop-up menu, skip to step 8.
2	Click in the Design view of the Document window.
3	Choose Edit Sizes from the Window Size pop-up menu (at the bottom of the Document window). (If the pop-up menu doesn't appear when you click it, the insertion point is probably in the Code view; click in the Design view and try again.)
	The Preferences dialog appears, with the Status Bar category selected.
4	Click the blank space below the last value in the Width column.
5	Enter Width and Height values for your standard size. To set only the Width or only the Height, simply leave one field empty.
6	Click in the Description field and enter descriptive text about the size you added.
7	Click OK to save the change and return to the Document window.
8	Immediately after creating a new Document window, choose your standard size from the Window Size pop-up menu.
	The window changes size to make the Design view the size that you specified. (If you're showing both Design view and Code view, the resulting window will be larger than you specified, because the Window Size dimensions apply only to Design view.)

To hide the panels while you create a new window:

1	Press F4 or choose Window > Hide Panels to hide the panels.
2	Create a new Document window.
3	When you've created all the new windows you need, press F4 again (or choose Window > Show Panels) to make the panels appear.

To temporarily allow overlap with panels:

1	Drag a Document window until it overlaps with at least one panel to the right and at least one panel below it.
2	Create new Document windows.
	As long as at least one Document window overlaps panels, new windows are also allowed to overlap panels. If none of your windows overlaps a panel, new windows are created smaller to avoid overlapping panels.

Creating a layout table underneath text

In Layout view, if you're having trouble creating a layout table underneath the final text in the window, stretch your window downward so there's more space under the final text. Layout tables can't be drawn within half an inch or so below the bottom of the text.

Drawing multiple layout cells
In Layout view, by default, the Draw Layout Cell tool becomes inactive after you draw a layout cell. If you want to draw one layout cell after another without having to select Draw Layout Cell each time, hold down the Control key (Windows) or the Command key (Macintosh) as you draw each layout cell.

Debugger shortcuts
If you make a change to the code while debugging, you don't need to close the debugger. Just choose File > Debug in Browser (Alt+F12 in Windows, or Option+F12 on the Macintosh) and Dreamweaver will restart the debugging session using the changed code.

Refreshing the asset palette
To refresh the Assets panel's Site list, click the Refresh Site List button in the Assets panel. However, refreshing the Site list doesn't reflect any changes to the site that you may have made outside of Dreamweaver. To rebuild the site cache and the Site list to show changes made outside of Dreamweaver, Control-click (Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh) the Refresh Site List button.

Adding keyframes to a timeline
To quickly add a keyframe to a timeline, Control-click (Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh) the timeline.

Troubleshooting layer animations
Two tips for troubleshooting layer animations:

	If you change the height of a layer when a keyframe is selected, you may accidentally animate the height of the layer.
	Certain layer animations may have display problems in Internet Explorer 5 on the Macintosh. If you encounter such a problem, resize the layer so that it's taller than its contents.

AUTOCAD Tips&Tricks

Application Interaction

Is there a limit on rows/columns from my OLE spreadsheet?

There is a limit, and that limitation is not necessarily AutoCAD's fault. To see a graphical example of this, select a large range in the spreadsheet, then look at the clipboard viewer. You will find the clipboard viewer in the accessories or system tools section of the Windows start menu. If you don't have this program you will need to use the Add/Remove Programs applet of the Windows Control Panel to add it. It will be in the System Tools section of the Windows Setup tab.

When you look at the clipboard viewer, you should see that the Windows clipboard has limited the data when presented in certain 'flavors'. When you use the ole link, you lose rows and/or columns.

If the link is not required, you may be able to get more of the data into AutoCAD by using the Paste Special option from the menu and choosing an option like 'AutoCAD Objects'.

Shaking the OLE from Excel Graphs

When you paste pie/bar graphs from Excel into AutoCAD, they can exhibit all the problems of a typical OLE insert, including plot rotation, etc. Use this procedure to 'shake off' the OLE.

1. In Excel, copy your graph to the clipboard.
2. In AutoCAD, issue the PASTESPEC command, choose Excel Chart, your only choice at this point.
3. In AutoCAD, right click on the chart and choose CUT.
4. In AutoCAD, issue the PASTESPEC command again, choose AutoCAD entities.
5. Erase the outer border and background solid to reveal a good looking collection of native geometry

Block/Attribute

How do I control the prompt order for attributes?

When building the block definition, the selection order is the key. If you simply window off the geometry there is a good possibility the prompt order will not be as desired. When selecting objects for a block definition, first individually pick the attribute definitions individually in the order you want to be prompted, then select the rest of the geometry.

Importing Block Definitions

If you want to bring in only the definition of a block (such as a symbol on disk), you can use this little known trick. After issuing the insert command and selecting the file, press the ESC key at the first (insertion point) prompt. You will have the definition in the current drawing for latter use.

Construct/Draw

Inserting Drawings, Consider the BASE

When inserting blocks (or entire drawings) from a seperate DWG file, it may not come in 'attached' to the cursor, or in the right place. When preparing a drawing and its geometry to become 'insertable' into another drawing, you must consider its coordinates and then optionally the BASE variable. The preferred method for blocks is to move the geometry from the desired 'anchor' to coordinates of 0,0,0. If you don't want to do that, you should issue the BASE command and pick a point at the anchor.

Another problem scenario to watch out for is when the geometry has been moved to 0,0 and the current drawing had a base other than 0,0. In this case simply issue the BASE command and type in 0,0,0.

Some offset distances are greater than specified?

This can expecially occur when offsetting polylines. As the interior angle decreases, the distance between offset endpoints increases. However in parallel sections the perpendicular distance 'should' always be 100. For example with a 100 unit offset.

• 135° interior angle = 108.35
• 45° interior angle = 261.60

In general a more accurate representation of the offset would be achieved if you filleted the resulting polyline to 100, making most points along the path truly 100 units away, even in the 'bends'.

AutoCAD 2000 addresses this issue, see the OFFSETGAPTYPE system variable.

Why won't AutoCAD create my large array?

AutoCAD sets a default limit of 100,000 segments. If the quantity of rows * columns would exceed that, AutoCAD refuses to create the offset. However you can change the default value to any number from 100 to 10,000,000. To increase the value, enter the following at the command prompt. The example shows increasing the value to 50,000. Note that the name MaxArray is case sensitive and must be entered as shown.

Command: (setenv "MaxArray" "50000")

Relative Coordinates

Frequently in designating points in AutoCAD, you need to specify the relative position of the next point. There are several ways to do this:

Relative Cartesian: You simply specify the X/Y difference as positive or negative values. The following example indicates the next point is 12 units to the right (positive X) and 6 units down (negative Y). (Example)To Point: @12,-6

Relative Polar: You specify the distance and angle to the next point. The following example indicates the next point 15 units away at a 45 degree angle. (Example)To Point: @15<45

Relative Cylindrical: Much like relative polar except you have the ability to designate the amount of rise or drop at the new point. The following example indicates the next point 15 units away at a 45 degree angle, but also is 6 units lower. (Example)To Point: @15<45,-6

Relative Spherical:Much like relative cylindrical except the rise or drop is determined by an angle. The following example indicates the next point 15 horizontal units away at a 45 degree angle in plan view, but also lifts 12 degrees in the XY plane. (Example)To Point: @15<45<12

AutoCAD's Geometry Calculator

People often don't know about AutoCAD's built in geometry calculator. While it lacks in interface appeal it more than makes up for it in capability. Take the ability to snap to a point between to endpoints. Consider this example where a circle is placed halfway between the endpoints of two lines.

Command: CIRCLE
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 'CAL
>> Expression: MEE
>> Select one endpoint for MEE:
>> Select another endpoint for MEE:

The key is when prompted for any point, enter 'CAL and type in the expression. In the case of MEE it knows you want endpoints and you don't have to use an object snap when picking. Also bear in mind that MEE is only one of dozens of expressions available at the prompt. Read your AutoCAD documentation on the Geometry Calculator for more.

How do I enter boundaries in bearing & distance?

First you need to set the appropriate units in the DDUNITS command. Set the angular units to 'Surveyor', then choose the direction button and make sure that 'Angle Direction' = east, 'Rotation' = counter clockwise. Even though you have set to Surveyors Units it won't work right unless set this way.

Then using the LINE or PLINE command you enter the calls as relative polar coordinates.

Command: LINE
Start Point: (Pick One)
Next Point: @123.45Next Point: @234.56

Notice the syntax for the relative polar coordinate. You put the @ sign first, which means relative to the last point. Next comes the distance. Last is the bearing. Its enclosed in the quadrant NE, NW, SE, SW, note the use of letter D to indicate the degrees.

The underutilized AutoCAD MULTIPLE command

When you need to repeat a command several times, consider the MULTIPLE command. At the command prompt type MULTIPLE followed by the command. Take the POINT command for example. Without the multiple prefix you would need to reissue the command before each pick location, now you can repeatedly pick the points until done.

Press ESC to cancel the repeating command.

Display

Why does AutoCAD regen every time I zoom or pan?

You may occasionally receive a drawing from an outside source that causes this problem. Simply type VIEWRES at the command prompt, say YES to fast zooms, and set your circle zoom percent to around 200.

Why won’t my linetypes display?

Sometimes it seems that no matter how you try, you can’t get line types with breaks to show the breaks. First thing to remember is that 3D polylines in AutoCAD cannot display a line type, nor can they have width or contain arcs for that matter. However, most other objects should if things are set right.

First check the value of LTSCALE, this master control variable determines the scaling of the gaps in linetypes. You may find this variable set to 1.0, which would not show breaks on a map. Enter LTSCALE at the command prompt and put in a value that is 50% to 66% of the scale at which you would plot the map. For example, if you would plot the drawing at 1”=50’, you should put in a value between 25-35 for LTSCALE.

If LTSCALE doesn’t set things straight, there is a possibility that your geometry has a CONTINUOUS linetype set to each object, in which case it won’t take on the linetype of the layer on which it is assigned. Simply issue the CHPROP command, select the geometry, type LT for linetype, and enter BYLAYER for the value.

If this still doesn’t display the linetype’s properly, you probably have polylines with vertices that are close together. To correct this use DDMODIFY, select the polyline, and turn on the LTGEN toggle in the dialog.

Why does the Object Properties Toolbar Stop Working?

When you pick objects at the command prompt, they highlight and grips appear. On the object properties toolbar the layer and/or color of the object usually appear so that you can change them. But on some systems this stops working. This is because the noun/verb selection has been turned off. Simply type DDSELECT at the command prompt and turn on the 'Noun/Verb Selection' toggle. The Object properties toolbar will start working again.

Number of Command Lines

When you press F2 and look back at the command history, you may notice that at some point it stops. The default number of lines is set to 400. On R14 you could change it in the preferences dialog. Unfortunately 2000 and higher has regressed. You have to use a to lisp expression setting like MaxHatch.

To check the current number of lines set:

Command: (getenv "CmdHistLines")

To set a new maximum number of lines:

Command: (setenv "CmdHistLines" "1000")

The number you use must be in a range from 25 to 2048!

Restoring a Lost Command Line

Sometimes users get in a hurry or just aren't careful, and can accidentally drag and drop the command line area, losing it in the process. Carefully follow this Registry Edit procedure to get it back.

1. Shut down AutoCAD if it's running.
2. Click on Start, then choose Run.
3. Type REGEDIT and choose OK.
4. On the left pane, double click on "HKEY_CURRENT_USER".
5. Double click on "Software".
6. Double click on "Autodesk".
7. Double click on "AutoCAD".
8. Double click on "R15.0"
9. Double click on "ACAD-###:###".
10. Double click on "Fixed Profile".
11. Double click on "Command Line Windows".
12. On the right pane, double click on "Dock Window Position".
13. Several numbers should be highlighted, simply press "0".
14. Choose OK, then close the Registry Editor.
15. Restart AutoCAD, the command prompt should be back.

Hatches

Why won't AutoCAD create my dense hatch?

AutoCAD sets a default limit of 10000 segments. If the hatch that would be created would exceed that, AutoCAD refuses to create the hatch. However you can change the default value to any number from 100 to 10,000,000. To increase the value, enter the following at the command prompt. The example shows increasing the value to 100,000. Note that the name MaxHatch is case sensitive and must be entered as shown.

Command: (setenv "MaxHatch" "100000")

Images

How can I make working with IMAGES easier?

If you frequently insert images, having to position, scale and rotate them each time, try this simple trick. Begin a new 'empty' drawing. Insert the image, position, scale and rotate it into place. Make any other changes such as contrast, then save the drawing. From now on, simply insert the newly created drawing, not the image. The attached drawing will contain all the settings.

Interface

How can I balance right click behavior?

Starting with AutoCAD 2004, you can find a compromise between the old rightclick=enter, and the new rightclick=menu. A new 'time sensitive right click' gives you the best of both worlds.

When this is turned on, a quick click of the right mouse button is the same as pressing enter. Holding down the right mouse button longer than the specified time yields a context sensitive menu (when appropriate).

1. Command: OPTIONS
2. Choose the 'User Preferences' tab.
3. Turn on 'Shortcut menus in drawing area'.
4. Choose the 'Right-click Customization' button.
5. Turn on 'Time Sensitive Right Click'.
6. Change interval if desired.

Layers

Why isn’t my layer table sorted?

If you begin working with a large number of layers (around 200), you may notice that the layers are not sorted in the layer dialog. Instead they are shown in the order they were created. AutoCAD uses a system variable MAXSORT to control how many layers to sort on layer control as well as how many files to sort on file open. Simply type in MAXSORT at the command prompt and put in a numeric value larger than the default value of 200. This value is stored in the configuration files and won’t need to be reentered in your next drawing.

Don’t Plot That Layer!

A trick in AutoCAD that has been around for the longest time is a layer name that won’t plot regardless of its status. Create a layer in your drawing called DEFPOINTS. Use it to place notes to yourself, construction lines, etc. It also an excellent layer to put paper space viewports into, since the frames don’t plot.

No Xref Layer Filter

If you want your layer dialog to show only layers in the current drawing and exclude all xrefs, create a filter with a name like NOXREF, then put this in for the layer name "~*|*" (without the quotation marks).

Adobe Photoshop Tips&Tricks

Photoshop Natural Looking Colored Pencils

The best way is to select an appropriate brush shape, and begin stroking and hatching in the color just as if you were actually coloring with colored pencils. It's really fun and easy.

Creating a "Light Sabre" in Photoshop

Create the object you wish to make the light sabre. Use the Pen tool to create a simple straight path. This will provide the structure for the "light".

Now, set a soft-edged brush to the appropriate size to be the thickness you need for the sabre.

Now, you'll use the Stroke Path command to paint the sabre. The Stroke Path command allows you to create a paint stroke (using the current settings for your painting tools) that follows any path.

Start a new layer. When you stroke a path, the color values appear on the active layer. Make sure the layer you want is active before beginning.

1. Select the path in the Paths palette (Cmd/click or Ctrl/click).
2. Click the Stroke Path button at the bottom of the Paths palette. Each click of the Stroke Path button builds up the opacity of the stroke and in some cases makes it look thicker.

To stroke a path and specify options:

1. Select the path in the Paths palette.
2. Select the painting or editing tool you want to use to stroke the path.
3. Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Stroke Path button at the bottom of the Paths palette. (Or, Choose Stroke Path from the Paths palette menu.)

There's the sabre.

To create the aura surrounding the sabre, duplicate the layer. Now select the bottom most sabre

Ctrl/click (Mac: Cmd/click) the layer to select the sabre
Choose: Select > Modify > Expand Selection
... and expand it to approximate the amount of aura you desire.

Fill the new, thicker, sabre with the desired aura color.
Click Okay.

Drop the selection and choose: Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur

Adjust the slider until the aura is as you wish.

Photoshop Blends Color to Grayscale

While there are a dozen ways to do this, here's a straight-forward way to accomplish the effect you're looking for.

Open the color image you wish to modify.

Select all and COPY the full image

Now use Mode and reset the color to Grayscale, say "Yes" to removing all color.

The image goes grayscale. Tweak or adjust the black and white until it suits you.

Return to MODE and return the image to RGB

Select the Move tool (Tap: "V") and then PASTE

The original color will return to the file on a new layer.

NOW: open this diagram and follow along

Now generate a Layer Mask by clicking on the Layer Mask button. Make sure its active with a double border (2nd thumbnail added to the orignal color thumbnail in the layers palette.)

Now select the Gradient tool (Tap "G") and observe in the options bar:

a) set the type of gradient to "Foreground to Transparent" by clicking the second pull-down to reveal the gradient thumbnails. F-to-T will be the first icon.)

b) set the style of gradient to Linear in the next row of icons (Actually, you can set to whatever you wish. In our example we set to Linear.)

Tap the letter "D" to return the colors to their default.

Now drag the Gradient tool in the image in the direction you wish.

Presto... color to grayscale.

Undo if it does not suit and try again. In our example we dragged a very short gradient near the center of the image to make a very quick transition. Dragging a longer pull with the Gradient Tool will generate a smoother transition.

Hiding the transparency grid

Hiding the checkerboard pattern in Photoshop 6 through CS

To hide the checkerboard, press Ctrl/K (Mac: Cmd/K) to display the Preferences dialog box.

Then, select Transparency / Gamut from the main pop-up menu

In the Transparency Settings section, select None from the Grid Size pop-up menu and click OK.

Presto: no more checkerboard. Do the reverse to get it back, or change its attributes.

If you're ready to go from blindly following step-by-step instructions to "Aha, I finally GET Photoshop!" this is the place to start.

Replacing Color in Photoshop CS2

In previous versions we would use the "Replace Color" command, but in this new Photoshop, there's a new tool for you to abuse -- the Color Replacement tool.

Using this tool you can make quick color changes in quickly and easily.

Choose the Color Replacement tool from the Toolbox (it's hidden on the Healing Brush tool's flyout menu).

Then, go to the tool options bar and set the Mode pop-up menu to Color, the Sampling pop-up menu to Once, and the Limits pop-up menu to Find Edges.

You'll probably also want to adjust your brush settings if necessary.

Now Alt/click (Mac: [option]-click) on the color you want to replace.

Next click on the Set Foreground Color swatch in the Toolbox and choose a new color to use in your image.

Now, just paint away the old color with the new.

Losing Selections, Saving Selections

All you have to do is either use the QuickMask command, or Save your selections for future use

We've all done it:

... created a selection and deselected it only to discover you need the selection again... or, worse yet, had to start from scratch.

Rather than wasting time reselecting it all over again, just save your selection.

* Make your selection
* While it's still active, choose Select > Save Selection.

In the resulting Save Selection dialog box, name the selection and click OK.

Now, when you need to access that selection, choose Select > Load Selection. In the resulting dialog box, choose your saved selection from the Channel pop-up menu and click OK.

In complicated situations, save the selections at various stages.

Remember you can use QuickMask as a "temporary" selections arena that will not go away simply by clicking elsewhere. You can work on it until the selection is correct, then use the above to save the selection.

Seeing web images from Photoshop

Yes, to review your Web images before you save them (Photoshop 6.x/7.x/CS), you'll be using the Save For Web command, where you can preview how your images will appear on both a PC and a Mac.

First, select File > Save For Web.

In the resulting Save For Web dialog box, you'll see an arrow icon in the top-right corner of the preview area.

Click the arrow, then select the platform in which you want to see your image.

It you don't like it, just cancel out and continue working.

Of course if all that sounds like Greek to you, don't worry. Deke McClelland uses highly effective One-on-One teaching methods and creates a classroom environment that combines written instruction with more than two hours of video training (provided on CD). As host of the "Best of Photoshop" disk that ships with every Photoshop order, he's uniquely qualified to present the material in this dynamic, interactive format. Whatever your skill level, Adobe Photoshop CS2 One on One will soon have you speaking fluent Photoshop CS2.

haaaaaayyyyyyy....:)