Command and System Variable

History
Where to Learn About AutoCAD
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Commands
New Commands

Command Description
3DALIGN Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D.
Provides a command line interface to the 3D graphics system's
-3DCONFIG
configuration settings.
3DDWF Displays the Export 3D DWF dialog box.
Activates fly-through mode and enables you to navigate in any
3DFLY
direction, including off the XY plane.
Controls the interactive viewing of objects in 3D, using an
3DFORBIT
unconstrained orbit.
Displays the move grip tool in a 3D view and moves objects a
3DMOVE
specified distance in a specified direction.
Displays the rotate grip tool in a 3D view and revolves objects
3DROTATE
around a base point.
Interactively changes the view of a 3D drawing so that you
3DWALK
appear to be walking through the model.
AECTOACAD Creates a new DWG file with all AEC objects exploded.
ANIPATH Saves an animation along a path in a 3D model.
Removes the history from 3D solid primitives and composite
BREP
solids.
Moves objects from model space to paper space, or vice versa.
CHSPACE
(integrated Express Tool)
Converts lights created in previous releases to lights in
CONVERTOLDLIGHTS
AutoCAD 2007 format.
 Converts materials created in previous releases to materials in
CONVERTOLDMATERIALS
AutoCAD 2007 format.
CONVTOSOLID Converts polylines and circles with thickness to 3D solids.
CONVTOSURFACE Converts objects to surfaces.
Copies one or more objects to another layer. (integrated
COPYTOLAYER
Express Tool)
Copies one or more objects to another layer. (command line
-COPYTOLAYER
version)
DASHBOARD Opens the Dashboard window.
DASHBOARDCLOSE Closes the Dashboard window.
DISTANTLIGHT Creates a distant light.
DWFADJUST Allows adjustment of a DWF underlay from the command line.
DWFATTACH Attaches a DWF underlay to the current drawing.
Uses clipping boundaries to define a subregion of a DWF
DWFCLIP
underlay.
EXTERNALREFERENCES Displays the External References palette.
EXTERNALREFERENCESCLOSE Closes the External References palette.
Creates a 2D representation of all 3D objects in the current
FLATSHOT
view.
GEOGRAPHICLOCATION Specifies the latitude and longitude of a location.
HELIX Creates a 2D or 3D spiral.
IMPRINT Imprints an edge on a 3D solid.
-INTERFERE Highlights 3D solids that overlap. (command line version)
JOGSECTION Adds a jogged segment to a section object.
Changes the layer of selected objects to the current layer.
LAYCUR
(integrated Express Tool)
Deletes the layer of a selected object and all objects on the
LAYDEL layer, and purges the layer from the drawing. (integrated
Express Tool)
Deletes the layer of a selected object and all objects on the
-LAYDEL layer, and purges the layer from the drawing. (command line
version)
LAYFRZ Freezes the layer of selected objects. (integrated Express Tool)
Isolates the layer of selected objects so that all other layers are
LAYISO
turned off. (integrated Express Tool)
LAYLCK Locks the layer of selected objects. (integrated Express Tool)
Changes the layer of a selected object to match the destination
LAYMCH
layer. (integrated Express Tool)
Changes the layer of a selected object to match the destination
-LAYMCH
layer. (command line version)
Makes the layer of a selected object current. (renamed
LAYMCUR
AI_MOLC)
Merges selected layers onto a destination layer. (integrated
LAYMRG
Express Tool)
-LAYMRG Merges selected layers onto a destination layer. (command line
 version)
Turns off the layer of the selected object. (integrated Express
LAYOFF
Tool)
LAYON Turns on all layers. (integrated Express Tool)
LAYTHW Thaws all layers. (integrated Express Tool)
Unlocks the layer of a selected object. (integrated Express
LAYULK
Tool)
Turns on layers that were turned off with the last LAYISO
LAYUNISO
command. (integrated Express Tool)
Isolates an object's layer to the current viewport. (integrated
LAYVPI
Express Tool)
Dynamically displays layers in a drawing. (integrated Express
LAYWALK
Tool)
LIGHTLIST Opens the Lights in Model window to add and modify lights.
LIGHTLISTCLOSE Closes the Lights in Model window.
LIVESECTION Turns on live sectioning for a selected section object.
Creates a 3D solid or surface by lofting through a set of two or
LOFT
more curves.
MATERIALATTACH Attaches materials to objects by layer.
Displays a material mapper grip tool to adjust the mapping on a
MATERIALMAP
face or an object.
MATERIALS Manages, applies, and modifies materials.
MATERIALSCLOSE Closes the Materials window.
PLANESURF Creates a planar surface.
POINTLIGHT Creates a point light.
POLYSOLID Creates a 3D polysolid.
PRESSPULL Presses or pulls bounded areas.
PYRAMID Creates a 3D solid pyramid.
Selects a specific region (crop window) in an image for
RENDERCROP
rendering.
RENDERENVIRONMENT Provides visual cues for the apparent distance of objects.
Specifies render presets, reusable rendering parameters, for
RENDERPRESETS
rendering an image.
RENDERWIN Displays the Render Window without invoking a render task.
RPREFCLOSE Closes the Advanced Render Settings palette, if it is displayed.
Creates a section object that acts as a cutting plane through a
SECTIONPLANE
3D object.
SPOTLIGHT Creates a spotlight.
SUNPROPERTIES Opens the Sun palette and sets the properties of the sun.
SUNPROPERTIESCLOSE Closes the Sun Properties window.
Creates a 3D solid or surface by sweeping a 2D curve along a
SWEEP
path.
THICKEN Creates a 3D solid by thickening a surface.
Creates and modifies visual styles and applies a visual style to a
VISUALSTYLES
viewport.
 Creates and modifies visual styles and applies a visual style to a
-VISUALSTYLES
viewport. (command line version)
VISUALSTYLESCLOSE Closes the Visual Styles Manager.
VSCURRENT Sets the visual style in the current viewport.
VSSAVE Saves a visual style.
WALKFLYSETTINGS Specifies walk and fly settings.
Creates wireframe geometry by extracting edges from a 3D
XEDGES
solid or surface.

Changed Commands

Command Description
3DCONFIG Provides 3D graphics system configuration settings.
3DORBIT Controls the interactive viewing of objects in 3D.
Starts the interactive 3D view and enables you to drag the view horizontally and
3DPAN
vertically in a perspective view.
3DSWIVEL Changes the target of the view in the direction that you drag.
3DZOOM Zooms in and out in a perspective view.
ALIGN Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D.
BOX Creates a 3D solid box.
Sets a camera and target location to create and save a 3D perspective view of
CAMERA
objects.
CHANGE Changes the properties of existing objects.
CHPROP Changes the properties of an object.
Creates a 3D solid with a circular or elliptical base tapering symmetrically to a
CONE
point or a circular or elliptical planar face.
Manages customized user interface elements such as workspaces, toolbars,
CUI
menus, shortcut menus and keyboard shortcuts.
CYLINDER Creates a three-sided 3D solid with a circular or elliptical base and top.
Sets grid and snap, polar and object snap tracking, object snap modes, and
DSETTINGS
Dynamic Input.
DVIEW Defines parallel projection or perspective views by using a camera and target.
ETRANSMIT Packages a set of files for Internet transmission.
-ETRANSMIT Packages a set of files for Internet transmission. (command line version)
EXPLODE Breaks a compound object into its component objects.
Creates a 3D solid or surface by extruding an object or planar face a specified
EXTRUDE
distance and direction.
Creates a multiline text object with a field that can be updated automatically as
FIELD
the field value changes.
GRID Displays a grid in the current viewport that is not plotted.
HIDE Regenerates a three-dimensional wireframe model with hidden lines suppressed.
HLSETTINGS Changes the display properties of lines in 2D wireframes.
Starts the EXTERNALREFERENCES command allowing for image
IMAGE
management.
-IMAGE Allows access to image options from the command line.
IMAGEADJUST Controls the image display of the brightness, contrast, and fade values of images.
Controls the image display of the brightness, contrast, and fade values of images.
-IMAGEADJUST
(command line version)
IMAGEATTACH Attaches a new image to the current drawing.
IMAGECLIP Uses clipping boundaries to define a subregion of an image object.
IMAGEQUALITY Controls the display quality of images.
INTERFERE Highlights 3D solids that overlap.
JOIN Joins objects to form a single, unbroken object.
LIGHT Creates a light.
LIST Displays database information for selected objects.
MATCHPROP Applies the properties of a selected object to other objects.
MVIEW Creates and controls layout viewports.
OPTIONS Customizes the program settings.
Controls the page layout, plotting device, paper size, and other settings for each
PAGESETUP
new layout.
PLOT Plots a drawing to a plotter, printer, or file.
PUBLISH Publishes drawings to DWF files or plotters.
Removes unused named items, such as block definitions and layers, from the
PURGE
drawing.
Removes unused named items, such as block definitions and layers, from the
-PURGE
drawing. (command line version)
QSELECT Creates a selection set based on filtering criteria.
RECTANG Draws a rectangular polyline.
Saves back or discards changes made during in-place editing of a reference (an
REFCLOSE
xref or a block).
REFEDIT Selects an external reference or block reference for editing.
Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a three-dimensional
RENDER
wireframe or solid model.
REVOLVE Creates a 3D solid or surface by revolving 2D objects about an axis.
Displays the Advanced Render Settings palette for access to advanced rendering
RPREF
settings.
SAVEIMG Saves a rendered image to a file.
SELECT Places selected objects in the Previous selection set.
SHADEMODE Starts the VSCURRENT command.
SHEETSET Opens the Sheet Set Manager.
SLICE Slices a solid with a plane or surface.
SNAP Restricts cursor movement to specified intervals.
SOLIDEDIT Edits faces and edges of 3D solid objects.
SPHERE Creates a 3D solid sphere.
TORUS Creates a 3D donut-shaped solid.
UCS Manages user coordinate systems.
VIEW Saves and restores named views, camera views, layout views, and preset views.
-VPORTS Creates multiple viewports in model space or paper space. (command line
 version)
WBLOCK Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file.
-WBLOCK Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file. (command line version)
WEDGE Creates a five-sided 3D solid with a sloped face tapering along the X axis.
XREF Starts the EXTERNALREFERENCES command.

Removed or Obsolete Commands

Command Description
3DDWFPUBLISH Creates 3D DWF files of three-dimensional models. (replaced by 3DDWF)
3DSOUT Exports to a 3D Studio (3DS) file. (no replacement)
BACKGROUND Sets up the background for your scene. (merged with VIEW)
Provides visual cues for the apparent distance of objects. (replaced by
FOG
RENDERENVIRONMENT)
LSEDIT Edits a landscape object. (no replacement)
LSLIB Maintains libraries of landscape objects. (no replacement)
Adds realistic landscape items, such as trees and bushes, to your drawings. (no
LSNEW
replacement)
Imports and exports materials to and from a library of materials. (replaced by
MATLIB
MATERIALS)
RENDSCR Has no effect except to preserve the integrity of scripts. (no replacement)
REPLAY Displays a BMP, TGA, or TIFF image. (no replacement)
RMAT Manages rendering materials. (replaced by MATERIALS)
SCENE Manages scenes in model space. (no replacement)
SETUV Maps materials onto objects. (replaced by MATERIALMAP)
Lists the material type and attachment method for a selected object. (replaced by
SHOWMAT
LIST)
STATS Displays rendering statistics. (merged with RENDERWIN)

System Variables
New System Variables

System Variable Description

3DDWFPREC Controls the precision of 3D DWF publishing.
Toggle whether camera objects are displayed in the current
CAMERADISPLAY
drawing.
CAMERAHEIGHT Stores the default height for newly created camera objects.
Stores a value that indicates whether the clean screen state is on.
CLEANSCREENSTATE
(read-only)
CMATERIAL Sets the material of new objects.
CSHADOW Sets the shadow display property for a 3D object.
DASHBOARDSTATE Determines whether the Dashboard window is active or not.
DEFAULTLIGHTING Turns default lighting on and off.
DEFAULTLIGHTINGTYPE Specifies the type of default lighting.
DIMARCSYM Controls display of the arc symbol in an arc length dimension.
Sets the total length of the extension lines starting from the
DIMFXL
dimension line toward the dimension origin.
DIMFXLON Controls whether extension lines are set to a fixed length.
Determines the angle of the transverse segment of the dimension
DIMJOGANG
line in a jogged radius dimension.
DIMLTEX1 Sets the linetype of the first extension line.
DIMLTEX2 Sets the linetype of the second extension line.
DIMLTYPE Sets the linetype of the dimension line.
DIMTFILL Controls the background of dimension text.
DIMTFILLCLR Sets the color for the text background in dimensions.
DRAGVS Sets the visual style while creating 3D objects.
DWFFRAME Determines whether the DWF frame is visible and if it will plot.
Determines whether object snapping is enabled for DWFs that are
DWFOSNAP
attached to a DWG.
Determines whether the External References window is inactive,
ERSTATE
active/visible or active/auto-hidden.
GRIDDISPLAY Controls the display behavior and display limits of the grid.
Controls the frequency of major grid lines compared to minor grid
GRIDMAJOR
lines.
GRIDUNIT Specifies the grid spacing (X and Y) for the current viewport.
Controls whether or not grip tools display automatically when
GTAUTO
selecting objects in 3D space.
Controls whether or not the 3DMOVE, 3DROTATE, and
3DSCALE commands start automatically when the MOVE,
GTDEFAULT
ROTATE, and SCALE commands (respectively) are started in a
3D view.
GTLOCATION Sets the default location for grip tools.
IMPLIEDFACE Controls the detection of implied faces.
INTERFERECOLOR Sets the color of interference objects.
INTERFEREOBJVS Sets the visual style for interference objects.
Sets the visual style for the current viewport while using the
INTERFEREVPVS
INTERFERENCE command.
LATITUDE Specifies the latitude of the drawing model.
Specifies the keys for selection cycling and the behavior for CTRL
LEGACYCTRLPICK
+ left-click.
LIGHTGLYPHDISPLAY Controls whether light glyphs are displayed.
LIGHTLISTSTATE Indicates whether the Lights in Model window is open or closed.
Sets the draft angle through the first cross section in a loft
LOFTANG1
operation.
Sets the draft angle through the last cross section in a loft
LOFTANG2
operation.
 Sets the magnitude of draft angle through the first cross section in a
LOFTMAG1
loft operation.
Sets the magnitude of draft angle through the last cross section in a
LOFTMAG2
loft operation.
Controls the normals of a lofted object where it passes through
LOFTNORMALS
cross sections.
LOFTPARAM Controls the shape of lofted solids and surfaces.
LONGITUDE Specifies the longitude of the drawing model.
MATSTATE Indicates whether the Materials window is open or closed.
NORTHDIRECTION Specifies the angle of the Sun from north.
Automatically suppresses object snaps on hatch objects and when
OSOPTIONS
using a dynamic UCS.
Specifies whether the current viewport displays a perspective
PERSPECTIVE
working view.
Sets the default height for a swept solid object created with the
PSOLHEIGHT
POLYSOLID command.
Sets the default width for a swept solid object created with the
PSOLWIDTH
POLYSOLID command.
PUBLISHALLSHEETS Controls how the Publish dialog list is populated.
Stores a value that indicates whether the Advanced Render Settings
RENDERPREFSSTATE
palette is open.
Controls the location of an invisible ground plane used to display
SHADOWPLANELOCATION
shadows.
SHOWHIST Controls the Show History property for solids in a drawing.
Controls the default History property setting for new and existing
SOLIDHIST
objects.
Specifies the step size in current units when users are in Walk
STEPSIZE
mode.
Specifies the number of steps taken per second when users are in
STEPSPERSEC
Walk mode.
SUNPROPERTIESSTATE Indicates whether the Sun Properties window is open or closed.
SUNSTATUS Controls whether the Sun is casting light in the viewport.
TIMEZONE Sets the time zone for a sun study.
UCSDETECT Controls whether dynamic UCS acquisition is active or not.
Controls whether backgrounds are displayed in the current
VSBACKGROUNDS
viewport.
VSCURRENT Stores the name of the visual style applied to the current viewport.
VSEDGECOLOR Sets the color of edges.
Controls the degree to which lines are made to appear as though
VSEDGEJITTER
sketched with a pencil.
Makes lines extend beyond their intersection, for a hand-drawn
VSEDGEOVERHANG
effect.
VSEDGES Controls the types of edges that are displayed in the viewport.
VSEDGESMOOTH Specifies the angle at which crease edges are displayed.
VSFACECOLORMODE Controls how the color of faces is calculated.
VSFACESTYLE Controls how faces are displayed in the current viewport.
Displays the Visual Styles Manager palette allowing you to create
VISUALSTYLES
and modify visual styles, or apply a visual style to a viewport.
VSHALOGAP Sets the halo gap in the visual style applied to the current viewport.
Controls the accuracy of hides and shades in the visual style
VSHIDEPRECISION
applied to the current viewport.
Specifies the color of intersection polylines in the visual style
VSINTERSECTIONCOLOR/P>
applied to the current viewport.
Specifies the display of intersection edges in the visual style
VSINTERSECTIONEDGES
applied to the current viewport.
Controls whether obscured lines are displayed in the current
VSINTERSECTIONLTYPE
viewport and sets their linetype.
VSLIGHTINGQUALITY Sets the lighting quality in the current viewport.
VSMATERIALMODE Controls the display of materials in the current viewport.
VSMONOCOLOR Sets the color for monochrome display of faces.
Specifies the color of obscured lines in the visual style applied to
VSOBSCUREDCOLOR
the current viewport.
VSOBSCUREDEDGES Controls whether obscured (hidden) edges are displayed.
Specifies the linetype of obscured lines in the visual style applied
VSOBSCUREDLTYPE
to the current viewport.
VSOPACITY Controls the transparency of faces in the current viewport.
VSSHADOWS Controls whether a visual style displays shadows.
Controls display of silhouette curves of solid objects in the visual
VSSILHEDGES
style applied to the current viewport.
Specifies the width in pixels for display of silhouette edges in the
VSSILHEDGEWIDTH
current viewport.
Controls the display of specular highlights on faces without
VSSPECULAR
materials in the current viewport.
Stores a value that indicates whether the Visual Styles window is
VSSTATE
open.
Allows users to toggle the behavior of mouse wheel zoom
ZOOMWHEEL
operations.

Changed System Variables

System Variable Description

AUTOSNAP Controls the display of the AutoSnap marker, tooltip, and magnet.
Stores the back clipping plane offset from the target plane for the current
BACKZ
viewport, in drawing units.
DBLCLKEDIT Controls double-click behavior.
Controls whether objects used to create other objects are retained or deleted from
DELOBJ
the drawing database.
DISPSILH Controls display of silhouette curves of solid objects in Wireframe mode.
FRONTZ Stores the front clipping plane offset from the target plane for the current
 viewport.
LENSLENGTH Stores the length of the lens. (read-only)
Controls whether subsequent selections replace the current selection set or add to
PICKADD
it.
POLARMODE Controls settings for polar and object snap tracking.
PROJECTNAME Assigns a project name to the current drawing.
SURFU Sets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the M direction.
SURFV Sets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the N direction.
TRACKPATH Controls the display of polar and object snap tracking alignment paths.

Removed or Obsolete

 None