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You are here: Home / AutoCAD / Optimize Your Palette Placement

Optimize Your Palette Placement

June 10, 2009 by Edwin Prakoso 4 Comments

In the last several version of AutoCAD, Autodesk has changed many dialog boxes into palettes. Properties dialog box, now become properties palette. XREF, Layer Properties Manager, etc. They are all palettes.

Why Autodesk changing those dialog boxes to palettes? It has to be good reasons for it. With palette, now we can change those properties and applied instantly… on the fly. No need to click apply or OK to see the effect. There might be more reasons for that. And I believe ability to minimize palette is another benefit.

Tool palettes also allows you to quickly customize your tools, so you can use it later. No programming knowledge is required!

Let the palettes open is taking a lot of space. I don’t think that palette are supposed to be close as soon as we finish with it. Some palettes are used regularly. At least, I use properties, layer properties manager, and reference manager palettes a lot. I prefer to keep them open.

 

Palettes can be minimized with auto hide feature. On the upper left of the palette, you will see |<> button. Clicking that will activate auto hide.

auto hide

When you move away your pointer, the palette will be minimized. Only the title bar left. This can save some space in your drawing area.

minimized pallete

Still not enough? Right click over the title bar. Make sure the ‘allow docking’ is active, then choose anchor left (or right, depends on your preference)

anchor option

Your palettes will be docked on the left side of drawing area. If you open more than one palette, it will be arranged automatically.

anchored pallete

Try to hover your mouse pointer over the title bar. The palette will be maximized.

What do you think? Do you prefer this new interface, or you prefer the old dialog boxes? Personally I prefer the old dialog box, load faster. But it has some advantages.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. 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.

Filed Under: AutoCAD

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Marcantonio
Marcantonio
9 years ago

I use a two monitor configuration: one for the drawing area and the bigger one for the palettes (Properties, Insert and Layers)

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coen
coen
12 years ago

out of the top of my head
right-click in the grey verticale area
of the palette

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Storm Satanist Diabl
Storm Satanist Diabl
13 years ago

How do I make pallets to icons, Coen Wilms?

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Coen Wilms
Coen Wilms
14 years ago

of course you can set your pallets as "icons only" so you don't open them constantly by mistake as your pointer goes near the title bar.

Coen

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