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AutoCAD .BLIPMODE: Non-permanent visual Reference Points

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If you are an AutoCAD user, you might be familiar with the various commands that can help make your work more efficient. One of these commands is the .Blipmode command. It may seem like a small feature, but it can make a big difference in your design process.

 

The .Blipmode command controls the display of small graphic symbols on the screen, such as point objects. When this command is turned on, these symbols are displayed as "blips."

 

To turn on the .Blipmode command, type. .Blipmode at the command prompt and enter "1" or "ON". To turn it off, type .Blipmode and enter "0" or "OFF". It's that easy.

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Now that you know the .Blipmode command, let's look at some tips and tricks to help you use it more efficiently.

 

First, you can adjust the size of the "blips" by changing the value of the "PDMODE" system variable. This variable controls the size of point objects and other small graphic symbols. The default value is 0, corresponding to a "blip" size of 5 pixels. Depending on your needs, you can change this value to make the "blips" bigger or smaller.

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Second, you can change the blip point style by typing "DDPTYPE" into your keyboard and selecting or customizing you symbol.

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Third, you can use the "QSELECT" command to select all point objects in your drawing. This can be useful when you must modify or delete many point objects simultaneously. By using the ".Blipmode" command and turning off the display of "blips," you can more easily see the point objects on the screen and select them using the "QSELECT" command.

Check out my post for more on QSELECT

 

In conclusion, The ".Blipmode" command in AutoCAD is a powerful tool that can be used for various purposes, from confirming the alignment and placement of multiple objects to creating temporary points. By turning on the display of small rectangular "blips," the .Blipmode command makes it easier to see and selects point objects and other small graphic symbols in the drawing. This can be especially helpful when working with complex and detailed projects requiring high accuracy. The ".Blipmode" command can be combined with other AutoCAD commands, such as "OSNAP," to ensure that objects are placed precisely and accurately. Overall, .Blipmode is a versatile tool that can improve the efficiency and accuracy of your AutoCAD workflow.

 

I would like to send a shout-out to my colleague @CGBenner for suggesting this Command

Comments

Awesome tip @kristina.youngblut i didn't know this was a thing 😂 Also thanks to @CGBenner for suggesting. 

 

Cant stop thing about Blippi now though....

 

Blippi.png

I wasnt thinking about Blippi, but now I can't think of anything else. 🤣

Fantastic! Thank you!

@kristina.youngblut @MarkGunnAutodesk @handjonathan @CGBenner @cadfmconsultants @BhaskarMurari @shelby_l_smith @gothitis 

 

Sorry, but for me this "tip" seems to be more confusing than helpful.
First: An activated ".blipmode" does nothing more than drawing on the screen a small marker (+) where a coordinates input was made. Regardless of how the coordinates were entered - picking on the screen, typing absolute or relative coordinates via the keyboard, using osnaps, ...  

 


But: These blips are only and exclusively a visual, non-permanent marker where a coordinate entry was made. They are only a visualized "reminder" of past coordinate inputs for the user. They do not help to draw precisely (that's what osnaps  are for). And with every zoom, pan, redraw, regen they disappear immediately and irretrievably. 


The biggest mistake: PDMODE and PDSIZE (or the DDPTYPE window for both) have nothing to do with the blips generated by activated blipmode. These variables/commands only control the appearance and size of point objects (created with commands as POINT, DIVIDE MEASURE) - not of the blipmode 's blips. 

 

And therefore also the conclusions at the end of the article are wrong ...  😞

 

 

SCNR 

Originally there was no BLIPMODE system variable to turn them off. Enough of us uses complained about them that when the system variable was added they made OFF the default. 

First time I've heard of anyone turning them on since. While still functional BLIPMODE isn't even included in the system variables list online anymore.

Me again:

In the past (the very old days of AutoCAD) we've had two possibilities of working with blipmode:
The command BLIPMODE (1/0 or ON/OFF) and also a system variable BLIPMODE (only 1/0 allowed).
Since ACAD 2012 the access to blipmode seem to be not possible. But the command was not deleted from the built-in commands, it only was "hidden" (as you can do it with each other command too using the UNDEFINE command). To get acces to the BLIPMODE command (without the leading dot) you only need to "reactivate" it using the REDEFINE command. Or you run the .BLIPMODE command as suggested above with a leading dot. The leading dot says nothing more than: always use the original built-in command, whether it has been undefined (and perhaps overwritten) or not.
When you have REDEFINEd the blipmode command, you have also again access to the blipmode using the AutoCAD command SETVAR.
Using the Auto-LISP command (setvar "Blipmode" ...) you have always access to blipmode, regardless if the command is "hidden" or not.

But IMHO the blipmode is not worth all these words. An activated blipmode is not useful for almost anything. All of the above arguments are false.
One of the few situations where blipmode MAY be helpful is shown in the video:
As an example adding a parallel constraint to each 2nd of the given lines.
Without any visual help it is difficult to remember, which lines already were picked and which still must be done. 

 

 


After activating the blipmode you have a good visual help and the job is done much easier. But be aware. If you PAN or ZOOM a little (or run a command which regenerates the drawing) all these markers will disappear. 

 

Only my 2ct

Blips are very helpful in confirming that a selection or snap at a very specific location has been made. I rely on blips to verify exact osnaps and osnap overrides have been made correctly. They easily dissapear with a quick zoom.

@dnicholsonZCTRT same! I love non-permanent objects that allow me to just work, than they go away!