AutoCAD 2004 Customization Tutorial: Creating Shapes with
Express Tools
June 16, 2003
Express Tools has made the creation of shapes
very easy. With Express Tools MKSHAPE command you can skip the
hurdle of entering shape codes. If you are not familiar with
shapes read the following tutorial first:
► AutoCAD 2004 Customization:
Using Shapes
If you have not installed Express Tools, start
AutoCAD 2004 setup program. In Install tab click Install
Express Tools [Figure 1]. Follow the wizard to install the
Express Tools. The first time you start AutoCAD the Express menu
and toolbars will be enabled.
Figure 1 -
Click on image to enlarge
1.
Download
R16_express_shapes.dwg. There are 4 set of drawings
available in the file [Figure 2].
Note: If you are using an earlier release of AutoCAD
download
R15_express_shapes.dwg.
Figure 2
2.
Select Express > Tools > Make Shape to invoke MKSHAPE command
[Figure 3].
Figure 3
3. In
MKSHAPE – Select Shape File dialog box select a proper
folder [Figure 4].
Figure 4 -
Click on image to enlarge
4. In
File name text box type "sample".
5.
Click Save.
6. At
the first prompt type "apple" and then press Enter:
Enter the name of
the shape: apple
8
7. To
have a better quality increase the resolution to 256:
Enter resolution
<128>: 256
8
8.
Select the lower Midpoint of the apple as the insertion point:
Specify insertion
base point:
9.
Select all the objects that define the apple.
10.
Press Enter to exit the command.
11.
The shape is now created. To view a report, press F2. The Text
window appears [Figure 5].
Figure 5 -
Click on image to enlarge
Note: The shape file has been compiled
automatically and loaded into the current drawing.
12.
Use the SHAPE command to insert the new shape (i.e. apple).
13.
Invoke the MKSHAPE command again (Express > Tools > Make Shape).
14.
Select the same shape file "sample.shp" then click Save.
15.
Define a new shape called table with similar method to steps 6
through 10.
16.
Invoke the command two times more and define chair and table
respectively.
17.
Start Notepad.
18.
Open "sample.shp". Now you can view the definition of shapes and
make any modifications [Figure 6].
Figure 6
About the Author
Alireza Parsai is the founder of cadpanel.com. He is a
mechanical engineer with more than 12 years experience with
AutoCAD. Alireza is an Autodesk Authorized Author, the AutoCAD
consultant for Al Khawarizmi Institute, a contributing editor
for Augiworld magazine, a writer for CAD Digest, an instructor
for AUGI Training Program, and an elected speaker for Autodesk
University 2002. He has written 7 books in Farsi, 3 booklets in
English, and more than 30 articles for different magazines and
newsletters. You can reach him at
alireza.parsai@cadpanel.com or visit his website
www.cadpanel.com.
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