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CAD Forums => CAD General => Topic started by: Craig on November 30, 2005, 02:55:33 PM

Title: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Craig on November 30, 2005, 02:55:33 PM
Applies to 2000+

Have you opened multiple drawing files in AutoCAD and want to change between them. The slow way is to look under File and see all the ones you have open or the quick way is by pressing Ctrl then Tab.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: M-dub on November 30, 2005, 02:57:05 PM
This tip applies to many other programs as well.
Word, Excel, most other programs that allow you to work on multiple files at once.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Sdoman on November 30, 2005, 02:59:24 PM
Applies to 2000+

Have you opened multiple drawing files in AutoCAD and want to change between them. The slow way is to look under File and see all the ones you have open or the quick way is by pressing Ctrl then Tab.

Is there a fast way?
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Craig on November 30, 2005, 03:01:10 PM
Nope! Only slow and quick  :lmao: :ugly:
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Bob Wahr on November 30, 2005, 03:06:37 PM
FWIW, said slow way should be to look in the Window menu, not the File menu.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Sdoman on November 30, 2005, 03:11:00 PM
<testominal>

Since the multiple document interface was created, back in AutoCAD 2000, I've been using DocBar to switch between drawings.  It is a floating or dockable toolbar that contains thumbnail previews of opened drawings. 

There's a free version that works on AutoCAD 2k through 2k4.  For A2k5 and newer, there is a enhanced version of DocBar that requires a license for a moderate fee.  We are using were I work and it really pays for itself.  It has really spoiled me and I can't use AutoCAD without it.

</testominal>
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:11:58 PM
you could always try these:

Quote
About acadTabs.arx:

Copyright © 2001 by Vinicius Ferreira Pontes [ vinicius.pontes@uol.com.br ]

Permission to use, copy, and distribute acadTabs.arx
for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted.

acadTabs.arx IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITH ALL FAULTS. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.


Type 'TABS' at command prompt to configure.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 PM
Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Craig on November 30, 2005, 03:20:02 PM
FWIW, said slow way should be to look in the Window menu, not the File menu.
[homer simpson]doh[/homer simpson] I didn't realize I put File menu...Window menu was what I meant. Can't you guys read my mind?

I know, I know...what mind?  :|
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Craig on November 30, 2005, 03:21:27 PM
Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?
Yep
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Sdoman on November 30, 2005, 03:23:21 PM
Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?

Right, like it seems there is always 5 or 6 year lag between user needs and AutoDesk implementing features.

DocBar is the only one I tried that includes a thumbnail preview of the opened drawing.  And the toolbar can be sized so it doesn't take a lot of screen space.

The new version has a cool feature where you can save a list of drawing files as a project.  Then you can open your project and have like 10 drawings opened automatically. Way cool.

Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: jonesy on December 01, 2005, 10:17:57 AM
Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?
I like this tool!
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: M-dub on December 01, 2005, 10:43:56 AM
This is pretty "mickey mouse", but if I find multiple versions of a drawing and want to find the differences, I'll open the two drawings and hold down Ctrl + Tab and it makes it real easy to find the discrepancies.  I know it's unconventional, but it works...and yes, I know there are apps out there that will compare dwgs for me, but....
:)
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Greg B on December 01, 2005, 10:53:26 AM
This is pretty "mickey mouse", but if I find multiple versions of a drawing and want to find the differences, I'll open the two drawings and hold down Ctrl + Tab and it makes it real easy to find the discrepancies.  I know it's unconventional, but it works...and yes, I know there are apps out there that will compare dwgs for me, but....
:)

I do the same thing in DataCAD.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Keith™ on December 01, 2005, 11:09:02 AM
Funny thing is that I have the docbar installed and I still use [ctrl + tab] to change drawings ... (if I only have a couple) ....
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Greg B on December 01, 2005, 11:17:51 AM
Funny thing is that I have the docbar installed and I still use [ctrl + tab] to change drawings ... (if I only have a couple) ....

I would imagine you have on hand on your mouse (computer mouse) and one hand on the left side of your keyboard.  Faster to hit ctrl tab then move over and click a box/button.

It's unconscious.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Keith™ on December 01, 2005, 11:51:03 AM
a very astute observation
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: t-bear on December 02, 2005, 11:28:55 AM
My shift/tab is programmed into the N52....REALLY quick!
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: hudster on December 02, 2005, 11:33:00 AM
I have the docbar v2.0 as well, brilliant piece of kit.

The quickplot all is one of the greatest commands it has. Save and close all is also a good one.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: deegeecees on December 02, 2005, 11:40:06 AM
AutoCAD 2004 = Ctrl+F6
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Swift on December 02, 2005, 01:20:02 PM
Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?

ACADTabs seems to have a bit of a memory leak in MAP 2005.

If I load several drawings and then open the task manager to the Processes tab and then just use the acadtab to switch between the drawings everytime I switch more memory is consumed and is never released. Further more it seems that is consumed memory is proportional to the size of the drawing loaded, or rather the size of a bmp that would represent the drawing.(Just a guess)

Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: nivuahc on December 08, 2005, 02:08:00 PM
Drawing Tabs (http://www.caelink.com/drawing_tabs.htm) for AutoCAD 2002-2005 by CAE-Link.

Just tested out the 2005 version in 2006 and it works great. :)
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: CottageCGirl on December 14, 2005, 03:40:25 PM
Am I missing something?  clicking on window on my top toolbar takes one click and I have all my drawings listed, what could be easier ??(as long as you are mousing)  or is it that you cant tell your dwgs by just their name? :?
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: M-dub on December 14, 2005, 03:42:29 PM
Personal preference, really.  Didn't anyone ever tell you there's more than one way to skin a cat?  ;)
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Greg B on December 14, 2005, 05:03:31 PM
I have that bar hidden so I can have more screen realestate.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Jürg Menzi on December 15, 2005, 02:17:16 AM
To complete the collection of possibilities, visit my homepage -> Free Stuff and search for 'VxScrollDocs'.
I use two arrow buttons in a toolbar to step up/down. Just another way... :-)

Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Gliderider on January 03, 2006, 07:20:22 AM
Try the command "Taskbar" and set it to 1. This puts tabs on the windows taskbar for open drawings, easy to toggle through. I think this came out in 2004 or 2005.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: deegeecees on January 03, 2006, 10:16:03 AM
Just tried it in 2004, and no-go. Musta came out in 2005.
Try the command "Taskbar" and set it to 1. This puts tabs on the windows taskbar for open drawings, easy to toggle through. I think this came out in 2004 or 2005.

Just tried it in 2004, and no-go. Musta came out in 2005.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Jim Yadon on March 05, 2006, 10:35:39 AM
Personal preference, really.  Didn't anyone ever tell you there's more than one way to skin a cat?  ;)

I prefer the [alt] + [w] method and then select the number of the drawing I'm after... it works well if you have less than 7... I think it's 7 drawings open.

*correction* less than 10 drawings.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: jjs on June 26, 2006, 12:31:47 PM
you could always try these:

Quote
About acadTabs.arx:

Copyright © 2001 by Vinicius Ferreira Pontes [ vinicius.pontes@uol.com.br ]

Permission to use, copy, and distribute acadTabs.arx
for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted.

acadTabs.arx IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITH ALL FAULTS. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.


Type 'TABS' at command prompt to configure.


Is there a 2007 version of this? We might be upgrading soon and would like to know
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Maverick® on June 26, 2006, 01:01:58 PM
Is this THE JJS?
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Bob Wahr on June 26, 2006, 01:24:12 PM
The 2004 version works through 2006, haven't tested on 2007 yet.

Good to see you jermerY, we were just talking about you this weekend.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: jjs on July 21, 2006, 10:08:20 AM
All good things i hope 808. Yes mav it is your wingman goose.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Bob Wahr on July 21, 2006, 10:12:29 AM
All good things i hope 808. Yes mav it is your wingman goose.
Surprisingly, yes.  Ben and Danielle were down visiting and Ben and I were talking about the old days.
Title: Re: TIP: Toggle through open drawings
Post by: Slim© on July 21, 2006, 10:17:08 AM
Hey jjs, good to hear from you again.