Short, practical guides to AutoCAD and Civil 3D automation, plus TerraDraft, a set of AutoLISP tools for drafters.https://skillamplifier.com/https://skillamplifier.com/2026/05/29/autocad-mline-problems/https://skillamplifier.com/2026/05/29/autocad-mline-problems/Why the AutoCAD MLINE command frustrates drafters when you need to edit parallel lines, and what to use for cleaner, editable results instead.Fri, 29 May 2026 20:47:53 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tricksmlinemulti linemultiple polylineshttps://skillamplifier.com/2026/05/16/multipline/https://skillamplifier.com/2026/05/16/multipline/MultiPLine is an AutoCAD plug-in that turns one polyline into a set of parallel, editable polylines on your layers, a practical MLINE replacement.Sat, 16 May 2026 15:04:35 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad tricksmlinemulti linehttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/12/03/modify-multiple-grips-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/12/03/modify-multiple-grips-autocad/Select several grips at once with Shift in AutoCAD and Civil 3D and edit them together to speed up repetitive adjustments with better accuracy.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/08/27/centerline-between-polylines-in-autocad-quick-and-easy-tutorial/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/08/27/centerline-between-polylines-in-autocad-quick-and-easy-tutorial/Draw a centerline between two polylines or lines in AutoCAD with the built-in CENTERLINE command, with steps for parallel and nonparallel objects.Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/06/11/renumber-block-attributes/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/06/11/renumber-block-attributes/Renumber keynote block attributes in AutoCAD in seconds with the MNUM LISP. Set a start number and drag a line through the blocks to number them.Tue, 11 Jun 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCAD Blocksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/04/16/automatic-switch-between-layouts-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/04/16/automatic-switch-between-layouts-autocad/Stop AutoCAD from switching layouts when you hover over a tab preview. Turn off the FILETABTHUMBHOVER system variable in a few quick steps.Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/04/02/autocad-text-symbols/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/04/02/autocad-text-symbols/Enhance your AutoCAD drawings by adding symbols to MText objects. Streamline communication and improve clarity with our step by step guide!Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/02/20/autocad-cleanscreen/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/02/20/autocad-cleanscreen/Hide the ribbon and toolbars for a distraction-free AutoCAD workspace with Cleanscreen, and get your interface back if it was toggled by accident.Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/02/06/autocad-ortho-polar-modes/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/02/06/autocad-ortho-polar-modes/Ortho and Polar modes in AutoCAD explained: what each does, how they differ and when to use them for precise, efficient drafting.Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad tricksdrawinghttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/01/23/dynamic-input/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/01/23/dynamic-input/Use Dynamic Input in AutoCAD to type distances and angles right at the cursor, with pointer input, dimension input, prompts and tooltip settings.Tue, 23 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2024/01/09/align-text-along-curve/https://skillamplifier.com/2024/01/09/align-text-along-curve/Place text along a curve in AutoCAD with the Express Tools ARCTEXT command, or use Lee Mac's free Lisp for more control over offset and rotation.Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/12/05/civil3d-expressions-add-constant-to-surface-labels/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/12/05/civil3d-expressions-add-constant-to-surface-labels/Use Civil 3D expressions to add a constant to surface spot elevation labels, such as 0.5 ft from edge of pavement to top of curb.Tue, 05 Dec 2023 09:00:00 GMTCivil 3D TipsAutoCadAutoCad TipsCivil 3dSurface Labelshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/11/21/label-to-crossing-alignments-with-elevations/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/11/21/label-to-crossing-alignments-with-elevations/Label crossing alignments in Civil 3D with profile elevations by editing a Station Offset Fixed Point label style at the intersection of two alignments.Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:00:00 GMTCivil 3D GuidesAutoCad TipsCivil 3dhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/11/07/scale-rotate-using-reference-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/11/07/scale-rotate-using-reference-autocad/Scale and rotate objects accurately in AutoCAD with the Reference option, such as fitting a block to an opening or aligning it to another object.Tue, 07 Nov 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/10/24/autocad-shared-view/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/10/24/autocad-shared-view/Share drawings with colleagues and clients without email attachments. See how AutoCAD Shared View works, how to create one and track feedback.Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/09/19/select-text-by-content-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/09/19/select-text-by-content-autocad/Select AutoCAD text by its content using QSELECT and a wildcard match, for example to pick every text value starting with BP-.Tue, 19 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadAutocad selectautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/08/29/link-table-and-mtext/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/08/29/link-table-and-mtext/Link an AutoCAD table cell to Mtext, Text or MLeader with a Formula field so values update automatically and cut manual errors.Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/07/11/common-xref-mistakes/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/07/11/common-xref-mistakes/Avoid common Xref mistakes in AutoCAD, from skipping file settings to inconsistent title blocks and layouts, and keep external references trouble-free.Tue, 11 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutocad Xrefxrefhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/06/13/draw-3d-autocad-cut-from-box/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/06/13/draw-3d-autocad-cut-from-box/Build 3D products in AutoCAD or BricsCAD by cutting parts from a box, a quick way to sculpt ready-for-assembly parts, by guest author Alexandr Chernyshev.Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/30/coordinate-labels-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/30/coordinate-labels-autocad/Create automatic coordinate labels in AutoCAD using attribute definitions with fields and a block, with no AutoLISP and no Civil 3D required.Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadAutoCAD Blocksautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/16/virtual-lego-builder/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/16/virtual-lego-builder/Build virtual LEGO models with LeoCAD, a free open-source 3D CAD program with a large brick library, as a fun way to practice CAD skills.Tue, 16 May 2023 21:00:00 GMTUncategorizedAutoCadautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/02/avc-plugin-introduction/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/05/02/avc-plugin-introduction/A guest post on the A>V>C> plugins for AutoCAD and BricsCAD: improved fillet, outside loop, slice and drilling commands plus compatibility and licensing.Tue, 02 May 2023 21:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/04/18/coordinate-systems-in-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/04/18/coordinate-systems-in-autocad/A beginner guide to AutoCAD coordinate systems: WCS versus UCS, how to define a custom UCS, return to World, and save or load named UCS.Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/04/04/free-autocad-alternative/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/04/04/free-autocad-alternative/Compare free AutoCAD alternatives such as LibreCAD, QCAD, FreeCAD, SketchUp and BricsCAD Shape, with their strengths, limits and download links.Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/03/21/temporary-base-point-add-multiple/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/03/21/temporary-base-point-add-multiple/Insert AutoCAD blocks with a temporary base point using the INSERT command Basepoint option, and learn how to add multiple base points to a block.Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCAD Blocksautocad tips and tricksautocad tricksblock insertion pointhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/03/07/change-blocks-insertion-point/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/03/07/change-blocks-insertion-point/Change a block's insertion point in AutoCAD without recreating it. Use the Block Editor and MOVE, or a LISP that changes the base point.Tue, 07 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksblock definitionsblock insertion pointBlocks in AutoCADhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/02/21/autocad-blocks/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/02/21/autocad-blocks/AutoCAD blocks explained: why they save time and file size, plus dynamic blocks, Design Center and tool palettes for faster drafting.Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMTAutoCAD GuidesAutoCadAutoCAD Blocksautocad tips and tricksautocad tricksBlocks in AutoCADhttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/02/07/modify-blocks-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/02/07/modify-blocks-autocad/Modify an AutoCAD block definition by exploding and redefining, using the Block Editor, editing in place or inserting a newer version of the block.Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadAutocad block editAutoCAD Blocksautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/01/24/missing-plot-style-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/01/24/missing-plot-style-autocad/Fix a missing plot style error in AutoCAD. Find the causes and try three solutions: restore the CTB or STB file, add a search path or recreate it.Tue, 24 Jan 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2023/01/10/create-custom-linetypes/https://skillamplifier.com/2023/01/10/create-custom-linetypes/Create custom linetypes in AutoCAD, from simple dash and dot patterns to complex linetypes, after a quick review of how AutoCAD linetypes work.Tue, 10 Jan 2023 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/12/20/autocad-shapes/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/12/20/autocad-shapes/What an AutoCAD shape is, how it differs from a block, and how to create an SHX shape file with the Express Tools MKSHAPE command.Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/12/06/autocad-mtext-splits-into-two/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/12/06/autocad-mtext-splits-into-two/Mtext splitting into two in AutoCAD is caused by its column settings. See how to turn columns off or control them with grips.Tue, 06 Dec 2022 21:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/11/22/draw-arc-with-specific-length/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/11/22/draw-arc-with-specific-length/Draw an AutoCAD arc with an exact length using MEASURE and a break, or speed it up with the MESCUT LISP routine.Tue, 22 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/11/08/draw-hexagon-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/11/08/draw-hexagon-autocad/Draw a hexagon, pentagon, octagon or any polygon in AutoCAD with the POLYGON command, using inscribed or circumscribed radius or an edge length.Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/10/25/trim-inside-boundary/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/10/25/trim-inside-boundary/Trim everything inside or outside a boundary in AutoCAD in one operation with the hidden Express Tools EXTRIM command, not available in AutoCAD LT.Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickstrimhttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/10/11/change-elevations-cogo-points-civil3d/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/10/11/change-elevations-cogo-points-civil3d/Raise or lower the elevations of many COGO points at once in Civil 3D, such as adding a constant to a point group, using Edit Points in Prospector.Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMTCivil 3D TipsAutoCad Tipsautocad tips and tricksCivil 3dCOGO PointsCogo points Civil 3delevation pointshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/09/27/measure-distance-angle/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/09/27/measure-distance-angle/Measure the distance and angle between two points in AutoCAD, comparing the slower dimension method with the single DIST command.Tue, 27 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/09/13/autocad-running-out-of-memory/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/09/13/autocad-running-out-of-memory/Fix the AutoCAD running out of memory message with 5 quick solutions, from cleaning temp files to adjusting performance settings and freeing disk space.Tue, 13 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tricksslowhttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/30/autocad-flickers-and-flashes/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/30/autocad-flickers-and-flashes/Stop AutoCAD flickering and the jumping status bar with three fixes: shrink the status bar, dock the layout tabs, or turn off status bar wrapping.Tue, 30 Aug 2022 08:30:06 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadhttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/16/edit-spline-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/16/edit-spline-autocad/Edit a spline in AutoCAD: add or remove vertexes, change degree and weight using multifunctional grips, SPLINEDIT and Properties.Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/02/convert-spline-to-polyline/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/08/02/convert-spline-to-polyline/Convert a spline to a polyline in AutoCAD with three methods, handle multiple splines at once, and turn a spline-fit polyline back into a spline.Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD GuidesAutoCadAutoCAD Polylineautocad splineautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/07/19/draw-spline-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/07/19/draw-spline-autocad/Draw a SPLINE in AutoCAD with the Fit and Control Vertices methods, understand what splines are, and see best practices for working with them.Tue, 19 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD GuidesAutoCadautocad splineautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/07/05/convert-solid-to-hatch-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/07/05/convert-solid-to-hatch-autocad/Convert 2D solids to hatches in AutoCAD with a simple LISP, handy for solids from Civil 3D surface slopes. Hatch boundary polylines are added too.Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/06/14/moment-of-inertia-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/06/14/moment-of-inertia-autocad/Calculate the moment of inertia of a simple or complex section in AutoCAD using a Region, from a simple section to a complex one.Tue, 14 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/31/autocad-spell-check/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/31/autocad-spell-check/Check spelling in AutoCAD with the built-in spell checker. Pick the right English dictionary and catch typos in text before drawings go out.Tue, 31 May 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautocad tips and trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/17/link-tables-in-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/17/link-tables-in-autocad/Link cells between different AutoCAD tables with the Insert Formula Cell option, so numeric values update when the master table changes.Tue, 17 May 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tipsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/03/hatch-from-block/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/05/03/hatch-from-block/Create a custom hatch pattern from a block in AutoCAD using the Express Tools Super Hatch command. Not available in AutoCAD LT.Tue, 03 May 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadhatchhatch autocadhttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/04/19/import-hatch-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/04/19/import-hatch-autocad/Import new hatch patterns in AutoCAD for Windows by adding .PAT files to the support folder so they appear in the custom hatch list.Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadAutoCAD Hatchautocad trickshatchhttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/04/05/dimension-break-line-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/04/05/dimension-break-line-autocad/Add a break line or jog symbol to an AutoCAD dimension with the DIMJOGLINE command to show an object is longer than drawn.Tue, 05 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD TipsAutoCadautoCAD Dimensionsautocad tips and tricksautocad trickshttps://skillamplifier.com/2022/03/22/hatch-area-table-autocad/https://skillamplifier.com/2022/03/22/hatch-area-table-autocad/Build an area table for hatch objects in AutoCAD with DATAEXTRACTION, listing the area of each hatch grouped by layer and color.Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMTAutoCAD Tips