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AutoCAD alone is quite complex and dynamic, with Autodesk producing major versions every year. When the Architecture tools are added into the mix, there is even more information to assimilate.
Here are some basic concepts, some custom routines, and a few handy tips for production modeling in AutoCAD Architecture.
Loding Custom Lisp Routines
Lisp was one of the first programming languages used for customization inside of AutoCAD. Nearly every designer has his or her favorite routines, in this section I explain how to save Lisp routines and get them to load automatically by default.
For some time ADT has shipped with Viz Render, but Autodesk got a lot of feedback that many people found the extra effort and complexity of a separate application a hassle. More recent versions of AutoCAD feature a basic yet effective rendering engine, accessed through the Dashboard.
Sun Studies in Viz Render
Viz Render is a capable rendering program that is actually easier to use than the AutoCAD rendering engine. See for yourself as this tutorial steps you through createing an accurate sun study in Viz Render. ADT2004 and above.
Move & Copy 1 Axis
Move and Copy 1 Axis work like point filters to restrict movement to one or two axes. Similar to "3dMove", these commands are quicker to access and use.
Detail Editing
It's seldom that the 3d model incorporates as much detail as we want to show in structural or architectural details. A common approach is to cut a section for the gross geometry, then add 2d linework to flesh out the details. This routine will work around a set of detail layers ( for heavy, medium, or light lineweights or hidden lines) and let you assign linework to these layers on the fly without disturbing your current layer.
Xref Control
If you are fortuneate enough to receive accurate AutoCAD reference drawings to work from , it's still dangerous to insert them directly in your working drawing. Save them as a separate .dwg to Xref in, then use this routine to toggle them on and off with a keystroke.
Custom Display Configurations
Display representations are a powerful and underutilized tool for display control. It's easy to set up one or several custom configurations to control display in model space or paperspace viewports.
Working with ADT Section-Elevations
The ADT section is a powerful tool for disecting models into 2d drawings. Here are some tips for customizing your output, and some difficulties unique to HSB objects.
AutoScale Dimensioning
To successfully place a standard AutoCAD dimension, the drafter must be aware of the intended scale, the current space (model/paper), and the current layer. These routines look up the current scale ( as displayed on your status lines, or in the "aecdwgsetup" dialog and activate the correct dimstyle and layer.
The Space Navigator from 3dConnexion is a great tool for viewing and navigating 3d models, but there are a couple of tricks to getting one working properly in ADT.