By default, the Offset command creates the new object on the same layer as the source object. To offset objects to the current layer, start the Offset command from the Modify pull-down menu or type Offset at the command prompt. At the prompt, enter L for Layer, then C for Current. Offset will now create objects on the current layer. To return Offset to its default state, start the command, enter L for layer, then S for Source. If you don’t want to go back and forth, you can make your own little toolbar button to offset to the current layer:

^C^C_offset;l;c;.

To create a corner between two lines, you can use the Fillet command. Set the radius to 0mm, then select both lines. Create a custom button to do this with the following macro:

^C^C_fillet;_r;0;_fillet

An alternative route is to hold down the Shift key when selecting lines. This method works in the Fillet and Chamfer commands. Holding down the Shift key in the Trim lets you Extend lines until you release the Shift key (and vice versa when you’re in the Extend command).

Whenever you xref a drawing into your current drawing, you bring along all layer filters in that xref. The accumulation of layer filters can slow performance. In AutoCAD 2006 and higher, you can take preventive measures to keep those excess layer filters under control. The LAYERFILTERALERT system variable is designed to take action when the number of layer filters in your drawing reaches 100 or more or when the number of filters exceeds the number of layers. What LAYERFILTERALERT does at that point depends on the setting:

0 = Does nothing

1 = Deletes all layer filters

2 = Alerts you and asks if you want to delete all of your layer filters

3 = Alerts you and displays the Delete Layer Filters dialog box so you can pick and choose which ones to delete.
If you want to access the Delete Layer Filters dialog box directly, type Filters at the command prompt. Note that the box will appear with all the layer filters in the right-hand box ready to be deleted. You’ll have to move those you want to keep to safety in the left-hand box.

Caption: Type Filters at the command prompt to summon the Delete Layer Filters dialog box.

Render presets can’t be copied from one drawing to another, but you can include them in drawing templates so that they are available in every new drawing you create. Another option is to start with an existing DWG with your presets, then import drawing geometry as an xref.

To create a new dimension style from an existing dimension, double-click on a dimension in your drawing to open the Properties palette. Click in the window next to any property you want to change and make the change. Scroll down in the Properties palette for additional properties.

Caption: Double-click any dimension to bring up the Property palette, which displays all the properties of the dimension. Note that the text at the bottom explains what each property does.

When you’re done, right-click in the drawing window and select Save as New Style under Dimstyle.

Caption: Right-click anywhere in the drawing window to access Dim Style / Save as New Style.

Give your dimension style a name and select OK.

Caption: Assign a name to your new dimension style..  

Autodesk announced that it has ceased development of Mechanical Desktop. Mechanical Desktop will be the final version of the product, but AutoCAD will provide support to Subscription customers for no less than three years after Mechanical Desktop is removed from the Inventor product line.