Overview

To be a true AutoCAD wizard, you have to know a few incredibly cool system variables (setvars). Veteran AutoCAD users throw out system variable names right and left just to impress the socks off a new kid on the block. Sometimes it sounds as though they're speaking a foreign CAD language! I'm going to expose you to some of the extra cool system variables so you, too, can cavort with the CAD elders.

Why do the CAD elders hold on to their setvar knowledge? Because they know the importance of unlocking the system variable doors to enhanced productivity. Most of the system variables can be accessed through dialog boxes or alternate commands, but some of them cannot, which means if you don't know what it is or does, you won't be able to take advantage of its power. System variables are also great assets to menu macros (or toolbars). You can't tell a menu macro to pick a checkbox on a dialog box you have to know the name of the system variable.

I won't cover all the system variables, just a few of the more powerful (and popular) setvars that you might use in your everyday CAD life.

Setvars have ugly technical names. Because of this, many users have run from them thinking they're too advanced to understand or use. However, setvars are not difficult, they just look that way. So hold on!

System variables can be saved in a variety of places, and where they're saved...