selection tool crosshair color in paper space

[markrusconi]

Setting up my preferences for autocad lt for mac 2018.  In model space I can change the color in preferences-no problem.  In paperspace I have black crosshairs on black background.  Not so good.  I am looking to make the crosshairs white in paperspace.  Cannot find any controls.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi Mark,

Yes, officially you cannot change color of crosshairs in the Layout in AutoCAD for Mac (full and LT), but you can do this with Terminal command, which will modify AutoCAD preferences file.

For example, this Terminal command will change crosshairs color to white:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2018\ Standalone/R22.0/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 16777215

This one will set crosshair color to default value:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2018\ Standalone/R22.0/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 0

You need to quit AutoCAD before executing these commands.

Which color do you need?

[markrusconi]

That worked, thank you!  I am guessing that Aucad for Mac users are typically now using a white background color and black line thicknesses?  I currently still interact with old school engineers etc. so I try to use a black background and colors for line thickness.  Am I the only one still working this way?  Anyway, thanks again the 'white' example worked perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Hi, maxim_k,

Do you know the Terminal command for AutoCAD 2018 (not LT)? I tried modifying the one you shared for AutoCAD LT but I couldn't make it work. 

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Luis,

In full AutoCAD you can use AutoLISP expression to set crosshair color in Paper space.

To set color to white type the expression (in red) at the command prompt and hit Return:

Command: (setenv "LayoutXhairPickboxEtc" "16777215")
"16777215"      <- AutoCAD will responce

 To revert back to black  color - type expression (in red):

Command: (setenv "LayoutXhairPickboxEtc" "0")
"0"        <- AutoCAD will responce

and hit Return.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much, maxim_k! I think it should be an option in the AutoCAD preferences, but anyway, I still have a lot to learn. Thanks again!

[liyongfamily]

How to change selection tool crosshair color in paper space，will change crosshairs color to gray。Autocad 2019 LT Mac。

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Yong,

Please specify your AutoCAD LT version - it is necessary for the proper preparation of the command for the Terminal, like in this post:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-for-mac-forum/selection-tool-crosshair-color-in-paper-space/m...

And what gray color do you need?

[liyongfamily]

Thank you for your timely reply!  I want to change crosshairs color to gray as below color. How can I deal with it? What is your suggestion?

[maxim_k]

You can set this crosshair color with this Terminal command:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2019\ Standalone/R23.0/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 8421504

To return back to original color:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2019\ Standalone/R23.0/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 0

You need to quit AutoCAD LT before executing these commands.

[liyongfamily]

That worked, thank you!  

[Anonymous]

Hello!

I apologize for the naivety of this question but I'm not familiar with using Terminal command on my Mac. I have it open but not sure how to input the command you list for the solution using AutoCad 2019 LT. Looking to change the crosshair in paperspace to white. Thank you for your help.

[Anonymous]

Nevermind! I copied and pasted the command and it worked. Thank you 

[Anonymous]

Hi Maxim_k

It seems that I cannot change the colour of crosshair in paper space after copying your code to Terminal command. My CAD version is 2020 and I did change the '2019' to '2020', but it still dosen't work. Do you have any suggestion?

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi @Anonymous ,

Assuming you have AutoCAD LT and tried Terminal command from >>>this<<< post,

you can try these commands:

To change crosshair color:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2020\ Standalone/R23.1/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 8421504

To return back to original color:

defaults write ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2020\ Standalone/R23.1/local/HKCU_V1.plist "HKEY_CURRENT_USER.SOFTWARE.AUTODESK.AUTOCAD LT.PROFILES.<<UNNAMED PROFILE>>.DRAWING WINDOW.LAYOUTXHAIRPICKBOXETC" -int 0

You need to quit AutoCAD LT before executing these commands.

Autocad release number for 2020 version is R23.1, but not R23.0 as it was for 2019 version.

[Anonymous]

It WORKS!!! Thank you so much!

[ken6VZHU]

Sorry to be a pain... Trying to edit the pathway for LT 2024 release and does not seem to work. Any help would be much appreaicted!

[maxim_k]

Hi @ken6VZHU ,

I don't have AC LT 2024 for Mac on my Mac, but please try this path for 2024 version:

~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD\ LT\ 2024\ Standalone/R24.3/local/HKCU_V1.plist

[michaelg4VZPL]

I'm looking to change my crosshair/selection in layout to Index color 80, R,G,B 63,255,0 in full version.

[maxim_k]

Hi @michaelg4VZPL ,

---

@michaelg4VZPL wrote:

I'm looking to change my crosshair/selection in layout to Index color 80, R,G,B 63,255,0 in full version.

---

You can use this AutoLISP statement:

(setenv "LayoutXhairPickboxEtc" "65343")

to revert back:

(setenv "LayoutXhairPickboxEtc" "0")