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Customizing the Keyboard
AutoCAD functions can be assigned to keys on the keyboard using the Customize window or by manually modifying a menu file. Many shortcut keys are already assigned to AutoCAD functions. This tip sheet outlines how you can quickly create keyboard shortcuts.

Pfast Holes and Fasteners

Pfast is a simple to use, cost-effective Hole and Fastener add-on for AutoCAD 2000 and later. From a single toolbar you can create drilled holes, clearance holes, countersunk holes, counterbored holes, threaded (tapped) holes, pipe threads and fasteners.

Each hole and fastener is a parametrically defined block, making it easy to move, copy, rotate and otherwise manipulate the object while saving disk space. Fastener assemblies (fastener, nut and washers) are associated using groups, allowing the assemblies to be selected as a unit or individually.

Pfast Holes and Fasteners retain description, size and thread information that can be listed with the PfastList command or for use in leaders with the the PfastLabel command.

Layer, linetype, color and lineweight properties can be assigned by customizing the Pfast.ini file. Many of these properties can also be adjusted after insertion using the various Pfast edit commands.

Use the links below to explore Pfast tools.

Drilled Hole - Creates a specified drilled hole.

Clearance Hole - Creates a specified clearance hole.

Countersunk - Creates a countersunk hole.

Counterbore - Creates a counterbored hole.

Threads - Creates a threaded hole.

Pipe Threads - Creates internal or external pipe threads.

Fasteners - Inserts standard screws, nuts and washers.

Pfast Label - Place automatic note on fastener or hole.

Pfast List - List or identify selected hole or fastener.

Pfast Edit - Edit a hole or fastener using Refedit.

Toggle Center Marks - Toggle marks on and off in holes and fasteners.

Make Object Solid - Change linetype to continuous of object in hole or fastener block.

Make Object Hidden - Change linetype to hidden of object in hole or fastener block.

Change Object Ltscale - Change linetype scale of object in hole or fastener block.

Toggle Group Selection - Turn group selection on and off.

Click on the TRY button on the right to download a Demo version of Pfast. The Demo verion is fully functional, except that the size are limited. Once you've examined the Pfast program, we're confident that you'll want all the sizes available in the retail copy of Pfast.
To order, click order form at the top left of this page, the BUY button at the right. Sorry, Pfast does not work with AutoCAD LT.
Click the HELP button at the right for installation and use instructions.
Pricing: Single License: $29.99US 2-10 Licenses: $25.99US each 11-20 Licenses: $19.99US each 20+ Licenses: $14.99US each

Drilled Hole

Drilled hole - Creates a specified drilled hole. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Measurement System - Unit of measure for current drawing. Adjusts scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and Fraction, Number and Letter holes in a metric drawing.

Type - Type of Drilled hole.

Plan View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Plan View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Drilled Hole. Prompts for location. Prompts for depth if Elevation view is not selected.

Elevation View - Draws Elevation view if checked. Assigns Elevation View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Drilled Hole. Prompts for location and rotation angle. Prompts for depth if not a thru hole.

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Clearance Hole

Clearance Hole - Creates a clearance hole based on a specified thread size. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Measurement System - Unit of measure for current drawing. Adjusts scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and ANSI holes a metric drawing.

Fastener Size - Thread size used to calculate the clearance hole.

Fit - Close or Free fit.

Plan View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Plan View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Clearance Hole. Prompts for location. Prompts for depth if Elevation view is not selected.

Elevation View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Elevation View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Clearance Hole. Prompts for location and rotation angle.

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Countersunk Hole

Countersunk Hole - Creates a Countersunk hole based on a specified head type and thread size. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Measurement System - Unit of measure for current drawing. Adjusts scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and ANSI holes a metric drawing.

Fastener Type and Size - Fastener type and thread size to calculate the countersink and clearance hole.

Plan View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Plan View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Countersunk Hole. Prompts for location.

Elevation View - Draws Elevation view if checked. Assigns Elevation View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Countersunk Hole.
Prompts for location and rotation angle.

Clearance Hole - Actual Clearance Hole diameter.

Head Ht. Depth - Depth of Countersink based on screw head height. For reference only.

CSink Dia. - Diameter of Countersink. Calculated by program. For reference only.

Additional Depth - Added to Head Ht. Depth to determine actual depth of the countersunk hole.

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Counterbore Hole

Counterbore Hole - Creates a Counterbore hole based on a specified thread size. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Measurement System - Unit of measure for current drawing. Adjusts scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and ANSI holes a metric drawing.

Fastener Type and Size - Fastener type, fit and thread size to calculate the counterbore and clearance hole.

Plan View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Plan View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Counterbore Hole. Prompts for location.

Elevation View - Draws Elevation view if checked. Assigns Elevation View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Counterbore Hole.
Prompts for location and rotation angle.

Clearance Hole - Actual Clearance Hole diameter.

Additional C'Bore Depth - Added to Head Ht. Depth to determine actual depth of the countersunk hole.

C'bore Depth (Flush) - Depth of Counterbore.

C'bore Dia. - Diameter of Counterbore.


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Threaded Hole

Threaded Hole - Creates a tapped hole based on a specified thread size. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Measurement System - Unit of measure for current drawing. Adjusts scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and ANSI holes a metric drawing.

Standard - ANSI or Metric.

Fine/Coarse - Fine or Coarse Threads.

Size - Thread size.

Plan View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Plan View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Clearance Hole. Prompts for location. Prompts for depth if Elevation view is not selected.

Elevation View - Draws Plan view if checked. Assigns Elevation View and Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Clearance Hole. Prompts for location and rotation angle.

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Pipe Threads

Pipe Threads - Creates internal or external pipe threads.. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Plan - Draws Plan view if checked. Prompts for location.

Type - Internal or External Threads.

Elevation - Draws Elevation view if checked. Prompts for location and rotation angle.

Nominal Pipe Size - List of available pipe sizes.

Diameter - Diameter of pipe.

Length - Length of thread.

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Fasteners

Fasteners - Inserts standard screws, nuts and washers. Result is an anonymous block that can be modified with the Pfast Edit commands.

Standard and Measurement System - Specifies Ansi or Metric Threads and unit of measure for current drawing.

Thread and Length - List of available thread sizes is dependent on Group and Style. List of available fastener lengths are dependent on Thread Size, Group and Style.

Check Distance - The Check Distance button can be used to select two points indicating the length to be fastened. After Checking the Distance, only Fasteners that exceed the checked length can be selected.

Fastener Groups and Styles - The fasteners are divided in to several Groups, which in turn are organized into Styles.  The Groups & Styles vary between ANSI and Metric.

Fastener Preview - The fastener preview is an approximate picture of the selected fastener and options. A plain, regular washer and hex nut are used for all selections.

ANSI Fastener Groups and Styles

Cap Screws - Slotted Flat Csink, Round Head, Fillister Head, Hexagon Socket Head, Hexagon Flat Csink Hexagon Button Head

Bolts - Hex

Shoulder Screws - Socket Head

Set Screws - Flat Point Socket, Cup Point Socket

Dowel Pins - Flat, Pull

Machine Screws - Round Head, 80-82 Flat Head, 100 Flat Head, 100 Flat Head Close Tol., 80-82 Undercut Csink Flat Head, Hex Washer Head, Slotted Truss Head, Hex Head, Pan Head, Slotted Fillister Head, Slotted Oval Csink Head

Washers - Plain B-Narrow, Plain B-Regular, Plain B-Wide, Helical Spring Lock-Regular, Helical Spring Lock-Heavy, Helical Spring Lock-Extra Duty, Hi-Collar Helical Spring Lock

Nuts - Hex Flat, Hex Flat Jam, Heavy Hex Flat, Heavy Hex Flat Jam, Hex Jam, Heavy Hex, Hex Thick, Hex

Metric Fastener Groups and Styles

Cap Screws - Socket Head, Socket Low Head, Hexagon Flat Csink, Hexagon Button Head

Bolts - Hex Head

Shoulder Screws - Socket Head

Set Screws - Flat Point Socket, Cup Point Socket

Parallel Pins - Flat, Pull

Washers and Nuts - Washers can be placed at the Fasteners head and Nut end. If a Washer is placed at the Nut end, a Nut must be used. These selections will be reflected in the Fastener Preview.

If a Nut and/or Washer is not available for a Fastener size, the text to the right of the drop down will read
Size Unavailable.

A hidden linetype can be assigned to the nut and washer by selecting the appropriate check box. The linetype of the washer under the fastener head is controlled by the Plan View linetype of the fastener.

Fastener Head - Plan View - Draws Plan View of Fastener head if checked. Assigns Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Plan View of Fastener. Prompts for location.

Fastener Body - Elevation View - Draws Elevation View of Fastener body or shaft if checked. Assigns Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Fastener body. Prompts for location and rotation angle.

Fastener Head - Elevation View - Draws Elevation View of Fastener head if checked. Assigns Linetype and Center Mark Settings for Elevation View of Fastener head.

Pfast Label

Fastener/Hole Label - Place automatic note on fastener or hole based on the description, size and thread information stored with the object. The GDT.Shx font file is used for the leader text, incorporating the depth, countersink and counterbore symbols in the note.

To add a label, select the hole or fastener. The selection point will determine the arrow location of the leader. Select addtional points for the leader. Press ENTER when finished.



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Pfast List

List or indentify selected fastener or hole based on the description, size and thread information stored with the object. If a clearance hole is involved, the thread size used to select the clearance hole diameter is displayed.



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Pfast Edit

Sometimes a hole or fastener will need minor changes, like the clearance hole shown here. The bottom portion of the hole needs to be trimmed to the angled edge of the part.






After selecting the PfastEdit command, click the hole or fastener to edit. The hole is temporarily exploded so you can make the necessary modifications.







The Trim command is used to remove the end of the lines. Any command can be used to alter the hole or fastener object.







After completing the changes, select the Save back changes to reference button (circled) or right-click and choose Close REFEDIT Session>Save Reference Edits... from the menu.
The PfastEdit command is complete and the object returned to a block.









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Toggle Center Marks

Toggle center lines and marks on and off in selected holes and fasteners.



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Make Object Solid

Change linetype to continuous of object in hole or fastener block.



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Make Object Hidden

Change linetype to hidden of object in hole or fastener block.



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Change Object Ltscale

Change linetype scale of object in hole or fastener block.

After you are prompted to Select an object:, you will be prompted for a Linetype Scale. Type a new value and press ENTER. You may then select additional objects to apply the same Linetype Scale to.

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Toggle Group

Turn group selection on and off. This allows you to select the fastener, washers and nut in a fastener assembly individually or as a group.



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