OsnapZ Variable - 3d

OSNAPZ is an AutoCAD variable which determines whether or not Z is included when using object snaps. When the OSNAPZ variable is set to 0(default) Z is picked up with object snaps.

This can be problematic when placing pipe networks in a Civil 3D drawing, since usually you want Z to come from a surface. It also affects 3D Polylines and Feature Line creation.

Setting OSNAPZ to 1 will tell AutoCAD to ignore the elevation of the object you are snapping to. It will use the XY location, but Z will be your active CAD elevation (which 99.999% of the time = 0) or in the case of placing pipe networks - it allows Civil 3D to use the surface for the rim elevation of structures.

Import/Export layer filters in AutoCAD 2009

For some reason Autodesk left out the Layer Filters Import and Export features in the Layer Manager, in AutoCAD 2009.  So here is a way to bring them back when needed.

From support: 

"There is a command called CLASSICLAYER. This command should bring you the older Layer Manager with all of the commands. However, to get this to work correctly, we need to modify the Registry slightly. To add the required Windows Registry: 

1. On the Start menu (Windows), click Run. 

2. In the Run dialog box, enter regedit. Click OK. 

3. Find the following subkey: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7000:409\Applications\AcLayer\Extensions

4. Double-click the ADT String Value. 

5. In the Edit String dialog box, in the Value Data text box, enter AecLayerManagerEx.dll and click OK.

The next time you launch Civil 3D, type CLASSICLAYER. You should now get a new dialog box that has the correct commands. Keep in mind that the “old” civil layer manager will still function as before. You can modify the CUI to add a button or change the Layer Toolbar to launch this Classic Layer Manager instead, although it will not be dockable."

Annotative text disappears

Problem:

I can view annotative text in modelspace, but when I go to paperspace, some viewports show the text but in others it disappears.

Solution:

You'll need to set the ANNOAUTOSCALE system variable. Best settings are probably 1 or 4. (See link below)

Without that, you have to manually add each scale to the annotative object (right-click -> Annotative Object Scale).

Annotative text variables

If you're also having problems deleting annotative text, execute the following commands:

AUDIT

SAVEFIDELITY, set to 0

ANNOALLVISIBLE, set to 1

Why does My Hatch Look Exploded?

In my office, we regularly come across defective AutoCAD hatching that appears to be exploded. Usually Gravel, Concrete, etc. This is because the HPORIGIN variable is set to the World UCS origin-0,0,0. Now, you could set your HPORIGIN location to a point near your project, however, every drawing you open thereafter will continue to use this origin, even if it is thousands of miles away. This could pose a problem in other drawings.

The HPORIGINMODE variable is a bit more drawing-specific. It works as follows:
For new hatches, you’ll want to have your HPORIGINMODE variable set up correctly.
Enter HPORIGINMODE at the command line.
0- Uses the current origin (Default is 0,0,0)
1- Sets the origin at the bottom-left corner of the rectangular hatch boundaries
2- Sets the origin at the bottom-right corner of the rectangular hatch boundaries
3- Sets the origin at the top-right corner of the rectangular hatch boundaries
4- Sets the origin at the top-left corner of the rectangular hatch boundaries
5- Places the origin in the center of the rectangular extents of the hatch boundaries.

Settings 1-4 are good for rectangular hatches such as Brick, Tile, etc. where you might want your hatches to begin at a specific corner of your rectangular boundary.

Setting 5 is good for Concrete, Gravel, etc.

Keep in mind that this Variable also affects all drawings created thereafter.

To keep it even more drawing-specific, open the Hatch Edit dialog box and select the ‘Specified Origin’ radio button in the ‘Hatch Origin’ section.
Select the ‘Click to set new origin’ button, or check the ‘Default To Boundary Extents’ box and select the desired option.

This option can also be used to repair existing ‘Defective Hatches’ as follows:

Double click the existing ‘Defective Hatch’ to open the Hatch Edit dialog box and follow the above steps to set your desired options. Once the hatch is repaired you can use Match properties to correct all like-hatches.

Hope this works for you.