Surprise egg in AutoCAD: QUICKCALC



Author Orhan Toker
Profession Architect M.Sc.
  Autodesk Authorized Consultant
  Database Specialist
e-mail  

AutoCAD 2006 and newer versions

Hello,

While working with AutoCAD, we generally concentrate on drawing commands and when we have something that needs calculations, we use a separate calculator. However, in AutoCAD, since 2006 version there is a very advanced calculator available for us. And its command is QUICKCALC.

When you call QUICKCALC command, quickcalc window appears in Fig. 1.

Fig.1
Fig. 1 QUICKCALC window.

Even though Autodesk named it QUICKCALC modestly, you should not fall for the name; because it is a very advanced calculator. By using DCL controls, which are available since AutoCAD 12, me and my friend Burutay Kaya in Sayisal Grafik have had many advanced calculator examples. I have even published my calculator example in CAD+, which is one of the leading magazines in Turkey’s CAD market. Anyhow, let’s return back to our time and examine this calculator, which Autodesk has placed into AutoCAD even though it is a little bit late.

Fig.2
Fig. 2 There is even a unit converter in Quickcalc.

QUICKCALC can be opened either from the button with calculator icon from standard toolbar or by writing QUICKCALC in the command line. In the upcoming window, first of all there is a simple calculator and in the upper part, you can see the most commonly used commands.

Fig.3
Fig. 3 General commands of Quickcalc.

In Fig.3 you can see, “Get coordinates”, which is used for getting point data, “Distance between two points” for getting distance data and “Angle of line defined by two point” for getting angle data. Beside these options, you can paste the result that you have calculated to the command line by using “Paste value to command line” and there is a “clear” command for erasing the calculations.Lower part is a simple calculator or it can be converted into an advanced scientific calculator by extending downwards. Other that these, I guess I don’t have to explain how to use the calculator …Also, when you select an entity and open up its properties, QUICKCALC appears beside any value box that requires data input. Indeed, we can really define QUICKCALC as the surprise egg of AutoCAD.

A random post

5 Responses to “Surprise egg in AutoCAD: QUICKCALC

  • 1
    Tony Tripi
    January 19th, 2007 15:24

    Mr. Toker,
    Thanks for the informative tip! Is Quckcalc included in “Autocad LT 2007″ as well?
    I have been thinking about buying it as an alternative to the full version, because of the price. It would be for personal use, rather than commercial. Do you think it’s a good option?
    Thank you,
    Tony

  • 2
    Orhan Toker
    January 22nd, 2007 09:14

    Hi,

    All commands (except 3d drawing and modelling) works in LT as well as AutoCAD 2007. Notice that you can not use pluggins and custom programs in AutoCAD LT also.

    I suggest that download a trial version of AutoCAD LT and see what you can do with it.

    Bye

  • 3
    huseyin
    February 8th, 2007 03:58

    QUICKCALC command is not available in 2004-2005 versions?

  • 4
    Daily Autocad » Blog Archive
    May 17th, 2007 07:39

    […] to support this feature and upgraded it as tool palette together with the new versions. In article Surprise egg in AutoCAD: QUICKCALC written by Orhan Toker, he explains about calculator but he did not mention about the geometrical […]

  • 5
    bogdan
    June 18th, 2007 20:54

    Hello
    maybe you know something about how to use quad spiral and more important is in wich conditions i can make a quad spiral?

Leave a Reply