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You are here: Home / AutoCAD / Command line only express tools: Have you used them?

Command line only express tools: Have you used them?

December 19, 2011 by Edwin Prakoso 2 Comments

In this Article...

  • Where can I find the rest of these tools?
  • The hidden tools

We all love AutoCAD express tools, aren’t we?

express tools

AutoCAD express tools has many handy tools, that can speed up your work significantly. They can do things that you can’t do just with default AutoCAD tools.

But do you know there are some tools that we can use… only by activating them using command line?

One popular tool in this category is BCOUNT. Speedy way to count how many blocks in your active drawing. I prefer data extraction, but BCOUNT can give quick result for review.

Where can I find the rest of these tools?

In express tools help, of course. Express tools help is separated with AutoCAD help file. If you are using AutoCAD menu (with or without classic workspace), you can open it from AutoCAD menu: express> help.

express tools help

If you don’t use menu, I don’t know if there an access to open it. At least I can’t find it on express tools tab.

A less elegant way to open it if you don’t use menu is by activating any express tool, then press F1 (at least it works!)

The hidden tools

command line only express tools

Expand categories in contents’ tree. Expand command line only. You will find the tools there.

There are many interesting tools here. Some that you may find it useful are: BSCALE, GATTE and TFRAMES.

GATTE can be very useful if you have many common values in your block attributes, but you prefer not to link your attributes to external excel file. You can change all of them at once using GATTE.

You can use TFRAMES to quickly turn on/off wipeout and image frames.

There’s also SSX, similar to QSELECT but without dialog box.

Well, you may have your own favorite. You can share in comment section what it is!

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Solution Consultant in Datech Solutions, Tech Data Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn. If you want to have my new articles sent to your email inbox, you can subscribe to the newsletter.

Filed Under: AutoCAD Tagged With: autocad tips, express tools

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2 Comments
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TommieR
TommieR
11 years ago

Great tip. Thanks for sharing. I use tframes, flatten, and extrim the most.

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the mini guy
the mini guy
11 years ago

Way cool for us old school typers..

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