Author Topic: TIP: Toggle through open drawings (Read 15078 times)

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.

M-dub · « **Reply #1 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.

Sdoman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:59:24 PM »

Quote from: 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.

Is there a fast way?

Craig · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:01:10 PM »

Nope! Only slow and quick

:ugly:

Bob Wahr · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:06:37 PM »

FWIW, said slow way should be to look in the Window menu, not the File menu.

Sdoman · « **Reply #5 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>

nivuahc · « **Reply #6 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.

nivuahc · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 PM »

Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?

Craig · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:20:02 PM »

Quote from: 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.

[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?

Craig · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:21:27 PM »

Quote from: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 PM

Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?

Yep

Sdoman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:23:21 PM »

Quote from: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 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.

jonesy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2005, 10:17:57 AM »

Quote from: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 PM

Makes you wonder why AutoCAD doesn't do this by default, eh?

I like this tool!

M-dub · « **Reply #12 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....

Greg B · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2005, 10:53:26 AM »

Quote from: 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....

I do the same thing in DataCAD.

Keith™ · « **Reply #14 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) ....

Greg B · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2005, 11:17:51 AM »

Quote from: 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) ....

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.

Keith™ · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2005, 11:51:03 AM »

a very astute observation

t-bear · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2005, 11:28:55 AM »

My shift/tab is programmed into the N52....REALLY quick!

hudster · « **Reply #18 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.

deegeecees · « **Reply #19 on:** December 02, 2005, 11:40:06 AM »

AutoCAD 2004 = Ctrl+F6

Swift · « **Reply #20 on:** December 02, 2005, 01:20:02 PM »

Quote from: nivuahc on November 30, 2005, 03:14:19 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)

nivuahc · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2005, 02:08:00 PM »

Drawing Tabs for AutoCAD 2002-2005 by CAE-Link.

Just tested out the 2005 version in 2006 and it works great.

CottageCGirl · « **Reply #22 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?

M-dub · « **Reply #23 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?

Greg B · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2005, 05:03:31 PM »

I have that bar hidden so I can have more screen realestate.

Jürg Menzi · « **Reply #25 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...

Gliderider · « **Reply #26 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.

deegeecees · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2006, 10:16:03 AM »

Just tried it in 2004, and no-go. Musta came out in 2005.

Quote from: 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.

Just tried it in 2004, and no-go. Musta came out in 2005.

Jim Yadon · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2006, 10:35:39 AM »

Quote from: 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?

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.

jjs · « **Reply #29 on:** June 26, 2006, 12:31:47 PM »

Quote from: 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.

Is there a 2007 version of this? We might be upgrading soon and would like to know

Maverick® · « **Reply #30 on:** June 26, 2006, 01:01:58 PM »

Is this THE JJS?

Bob Wahr · « **Reply #31 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.

jjs · « **Reply #32 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:08:20 AM »

All good things i hope 808. Yes mav it is your wingman goose.

Bob Wahr · « **Reply #33 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:12:29 AM »

Quote from: jjs on July 21, 2006, 10:08:20 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.

Slim© · « **Reply #34 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:17:08 AM »

Hey jjs, good to hear from you again.

News:

Author Topic: TIP: Toggle through open drawings (Read 15078 times)

Craig

M-dub

Sdoman

Craig

Bob Wahr

Sdoman

nivuahc

nivuahc

Craig

Craig

Sdoman

M-dub

t-bear

deegeecees

nivuahc

CottageCGirl

M-dub

Gliderider

deegeecees

Jim Yadon

jjs

Bob Wahr

jjs

Bob Wahr