The AutoCAD Design Center is a drawing management system with several powerful advantages to the user including:

1. the ability to browse and access different drawing sources

2. access drawing content including Xrefs, blocks, hatches and symbol libraries

3. view object definitions (e.g. layers) prior to inserting, attaching or copy and paste into the current drawing

4. search for specific drawing content

5. redefine a block definition

6. create shortcuts to drawings and folders

7. drag drawings, blocks and hatches to a tool palette.

In this chapter we will investigate several of these topics.

Open your A3PAPER standard sheet and cancel any floating toolbars

Menu bar with Tools-Design Center and:

The first time that the Design Center is activated, it may be docked at the side of the drawing screen area but it can be moved and resized by:

1. left-click in the Design Center title bar and hold down the button

2. drag into the drawing area

3. resize to suit.

The Design Center window consists of the following:

1. the Design Center title bar at the left or right depending on position

2. a toolbar with several icon selections

3. four tabs: Folders, Open Drawings, History, DC Online

4. the tree side and hierarchy area on the left

5. the content side with icons on the right

6. an information bar below the tree view and palette

7. an Auto-hide and Properties option.

1. The Design Center window is fully displayed in Figure 31.1(a).

2. if the Auto-hide is selected,...