Autodesk released Update 2 for AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD LT 2010. Note that the patch is for vanilla AutoCAD and LT only. Do not try to apply to AutoCAD-based vertical products such as AutoCAD Mechanical. Download the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit version of this update from the Autodesk Web site. Update 2 incorporates all of Update 1 as well. Be sure to read the readme file before installing. The patch fixes the following instances that can make AutoCAD unstable:

• Stretching multiple dimensions with dimbreaks applied
• Using E-transmit
• Binding an xref
• Using a right-click menu on an xref
• Using SHX fonts
• Double-clicking on hatched areas
• Pasting drawings into Microsoft Word
• Plotting large images to PDF
• Using the Property palette
• Using the Sectionplane command

Other issues addressed by Update 2 include:

• Constrained attribute values may not extract properly based on drawing order.
• DXF error when opening some DXF files
• Drawing files from older releases of AutoCAD may take a while to open.
• Can’t use asterisk (*) symbol on wildcard searches
• Layer groups may not remain deleted when you reopen Layer Manager
• Some linetypes with text don’t display correctly

Whenever there’s a new release of AutoCAD, with new and exotic interface improvements, it’s worth mentioning the quickest route back to the way things were: the AutoCAD Classic workspace. This workspace gets rid of new-ish interface elements such as the ribbon, depending on what version of AutoCAD you’re using. Use one of the following methods to change your workspace:

Select Workspaces from the Tools menu, then AutoCAD Classic.

Caption: Tools / Workspace menu.

Select AutoCAD Classic in the Workspace control (either upper left or lower right of drawing window).

Caption: Workspace control. Note that its location may vary according to your version of AutoCAD.

Type Wscurrent at the command line, then enter AutoCAD Classic when asked to specify a workspace.

Type CUI at the command line, then expand the Workspaces tree under Acad. Select AutoCAD Classic, then right-click and select Set Current from the shortcut menu. Then select Apply. This method lets you see all of the available workspaces.

Should you find that AutoCAD needs further adjustment, be sure to save the final result as a custom workspace. Just select Save Current As from the workspace pull-down menu.

The AutoCAD Express Tool Breakline Symbol lets you break or jog a polyline to indicate a broken dimension or to shorten one of those long radius dimensions. Type Breakline at the command prompt. You will be asked to enter the first point for the breakline or press Enter to view the tool’s options. The options include:

Block: Select a block to use as a custom breakline symbol. See below for more information on creating your own symbols.

Size: Set the size of the breakline symbol

Extension: Extend the polyline beyond the selected start and end points.

Once you pick the first point, you will be prompted for the second point, then for the location for the break symbol (press Enter to use the midpoint). Note that the current setting of the DIMSCALE system variable will control the size of the breakline elements.

Caption: Breakline symbol

To create your own block, draw it in a drawing file. Then place two point objects on the Defpoints layer at the locations where you want your breakline symbol to connect to the polyline.

Caption: Draw two points on the Defpoints layer to indicate where your custom breakline symbol should connect to the polyline.

On occasion, you may enter a perfectly valid AutoCAD command but receive an Unknown command message. This usually happens when a command has been undefined and not redefined. The Undefine command lets you turn commands off. You might do so if you are running an AutoLISP routine that uses a command or variable that has the same name as an AutoCAD command.

Another worthwhile reminder during upgrade season is that AutoCAD keeps a log of what happens during installation. You can consult this record to determine what was installed and to identify any problems that occurred during installation. Launch Windows Explorer and in the Address window type %TEMP%, then press Enter.

Caption: Type %TEMP% in Windows Explorer’s Addres window.

This will bring up all files found in the Windows Temp folder.

Caption: Contents of the Windows Temp file. Look for .log files with Setup or Install in the filename.

Narrow your search by ordering the files by creation date or extension—you are looking for .log files. A further clue to the files you seek is that they will have either “install” or “setup” in the filename.