Satish Lele
satish.lele@gmail.com

A List of all the AutoCAD System variables and their meanings.

ACADLSPASDOCControls whether AutoCAD loads the acad.lsp file into every drawing or just the first drawing opened in an AutoCAD session.
ACADPREFIXStores the directory path, if any, specified by the ACAD environment variable, with path separators appended if necessary.
ACADVERStores the AutoCAD version number.
ACISOUTVERControls the ACIS version of SAT files created using the ACISOUT command.
AFLAGSSets attribute flags for ATTDEF bit-code.
ANGBASESets the base angle 0 with respect to the current UCS.
ANGDIRSets the positive angle direction from angle 0 with respect to the current UCS.
APBOXTurns the AutoSnap aperture box on or off.
APERTURESets object snap target height, in pixels.
AREAStores the last area computed by AREA, LIST, or DBLIST.
ATTDIAControls whether -INSERT uses a dialog box for attribute value entry.
ATTMODEControls display of attributes.
ATTREQDetermines whether INSERT uses default attribute settings during insertion of blocks.
AUDITCTLControls whether AUDIT creates an audit report (ADT) file.
AUNITSSets units for angles.
AUPRECSets the number of decimal places for angular units.
AUTOSNAPControls AutoSnap marker, tooltip, and magnet.
BACKZStores the back clipping plane offset from the target plane for the current viewport.
BINDTYPEControls how xref names are handled when binding xrefs or editing xrefs in-place.
BLIPMODEControls whether marker blips are visible.
CDATESets calendar date and time.
CECOLORSets the color of new objects.
CELTSCALESets the current object linetype scaling factor.
CELTYPESets the linetype of new objects.
CELWEIGHTSets the lineweight of new objects.
CHAMFERASets the first chamfer distance.
CHAMFERBSets the second chamfer distance.
CHAMFERCSets the chamfer length.
CHAMFERDSets the chamfer angle.
CHAMMODESets the input method by which AutoCAD creates chamfers.
CIRCLERADSets the default circle radius.
CLAYERSets the current layer.
CMDACTIVEStores the bit-code that indicates whether an ordinary command, transparent command, script, or dialog box is active.
CMDECHOControls whether AutoCAD echoes prompts and input during the AutoLISP (command) function.
CMDNAMESDisplays the names of the active and transparent commands.
CMLJUSTSpecifies multiline justification.
CMLSCALEControls the overall width of a multiline.
CMLSTYLESets the multiline style.
COMPASSControls whether the 3D compass is on or off in the current viewport.
COORDSControls when coordinates are updated on the status line.
CPLOTSTYLEControls the current plot style for new objects.
CPROFILEStores the name of the current profile.
CTABReturns the name of the current (model or layout) tab in the drawing. Provides a means for the user to determine which tab is active.
CURSORSIZEDetermines the size of the crosshairs as a percentage of the screen size.
CVPORTSets the identification number of the current viewport.
DATEStores the current date and time.
DBMODIndicates the drawing modification status using bit-code.
DCTCUSTDisplays the path and file name of the current custom spelling dictionary.
DCTMAINDisplays the file name of the current main spelling dictionary.
DEFLPLSTYLESpecifies the default plot style for new layers.
DEFPLSTYLESpecifies the default plot style for new objects.
DELOBJControls whether objects used to create other objects are retained or deleted from the drawing database.
DEMANDLOADSpecifies if and when AutoCAD demand loads a third-party application if a drawing contains custom objects created in that application.
DIASTATStores the exit method of the most recently used dialog box.
DIMADECControls the number of places of precision displayed for angular dimensions.
DIMALTControls the display of alternate units in dimensions.
DIMALTDControls the number of decimal places in alternate units.
DIMALTFControls the multiplier for alternate units.
DIMALTRNDDetermines rounding of alternate units.
DIMALTTDSets the number of decimal places for the tolerance values in the alternate units of a dimension.
DIMALTTZToggles suppression of zeros in tolerance values.
DIMALTUSets the units format for alternate units of all dimension style family members except angular.
DIMALTZControls the suppression of zeros for alternate unit dimension values.
DIMAPOSTSpecifies a text prefix or suffix (or both) to the alternate dimension measurement for all types of dimensions except angular.
DIMASOControls the associativity of dimension objects.
DIMASZControls the size of dimension line and leader line arrowheads.
DIMATFITDetermines how dimension text and arrows are arranged when space is not sufficient to place both within the extension lines.
DIMAUNITSets the units format for angular dimensions.
DIMAZINSuppresses zeros for angular dimensions.
DIMBLKSets the arrowhead block displayed at the ends of dimension lines or leader lines.
DIMBLK1Sets the arrowhead for the first end of the dimension line when DIMSAH is on.
DIMBLK2Sets the arrowhead for the second end of the dimension line when DIMSAH is on.
DIMCENControls drawing of circle or arc center marks and centerlines by DIMCENTER, DIMDIAMETER, and DIMRADIUS.
DIMCLRDAssigns colors to dimension lines, arrowheads, and dimension leader lines.
DIMCLREAssigns colors to dimension extension lines.
DIMCLRTAssigns colors to dimension text.
DIMDECSets the number of decimal places displayed for the primary units of a dimension.
DIMDLESets the distance the dimension line extends beyond the extension line when oblique strokes are drawn instead of arrowheads.
DIMDLIControls the spacing of dimension lines in baseline dimensions.
DIMDSEPSpecifies a single character decimal separator to use when creating dimensions whose unit format is decimal.
DIMEXESpecifies how far to extend the extension line beyond the dimension line.
DIMEXOSpecifies how far extension lines are offset from origin points.
DIMFITObsolete. Replaced by DIMATFIT and DIMTMOVE.
DIMFRACSets the fraction format when DIMLUNIT is set to 4 or 5.
DIMGAPSets the distance around the dimension text when the dimension line breaks to accommodate dimension text.
DIMJUSTControls the horizontal positioning of dimension text.
DIMLDRBLKSpecifies the arrow type for leaders.
DIMLFACSets a scale factor for linear dimension measurements.
DIMLIMGenerates dimension limits as the default text.
DIMLUNITSets units for all dimension types except Angular.
DIMLWDAssigns lineweight to dimension lines.
DIMLWEAssigns lineweight to extension lines.
DIMPOSTSpecifies a text prefix or suffix (or both) to the dimension measurement.
DIMRNDRounds all dimensioning distances to the specified value.
DIMSAHControls the display of dimension line arrowhead blocks.
DIMSCALESets the overall scale factor applied to dimensioning variables that specify sizes, distances, or offsets.
DIMSD1Controls suppression of the first dimension line.
DIMSD2Controls suppression of the second dimension line.
DIMSE1Suppresses display of the first extension line.
DIMSE2Suppresses display of the second extension line.
DIMSHOControls redefinition of dimension objects while dragging.
DIMSOXDSuppresses drawing of dimension lines outside the extension lines.
DIMSTYLEShows the current dimension style.
DIMTADControls the vertical position of text in relation to the dimension line.
DIMTDECSets the number of decimal places to display in tolerance values for the primary units in a dimension.
DIMTFACSets a scale factor used to calculate the height of text for dimension fractions and tolerances.
DIMTIHControls the position of dimension text inside the extension lines for all dimension types except ordinate.
DIMTIXDraws text between extension lines.
DIMTMWhen DIMTOL or DIMLIM is on, sets the minimum (or lower) tolerance limit for dimension text.
DIMTMOVE Sets dimension text movement rules.
DIMTOFLControls whether a dimension line is drawn between the extension lines even when the text is placed outside.
DIMTOHControls the position of dimension text outside the extension lines.
DIMTOLAppends tolerances to dimension text.
DIMTOLJSets the vertical justification for tolerance values relative to the nominal dimension text.
DIMTPWhen DIMTOL or DIMLIM is on, sets the maximum (or upper) tolerance limit for dimension text.
DIMTSZSpecifies the size of oblique strokes drawn instead of arrowheads for linear, radius, and diameter dimensioning.
DIMTVPControls the vertical position of dimension text above or below the dimension line.
DIMTXSTYSpecifies the text style of the dimension.
DIMTXTSpecifies the height of dimension text, unless the current text style has a fixed height.
DIMTZINControls the suppression of zeros in tolerance values.
DIMUNITObsolete. Replaced by DIMLUNIT and DIMFRAC.
DIMUPTControls options for user-positioned text.
DIMZINControls the suppression of zeroes in the primary unit value.
DISPSILHControls display of silhouette curves of solid objects in Wireframe mode.
DISTANCEStores the distance computed by DIST.
DONUTIDSets the default for the inside diameter of a donut.
DONUTODSets the default for the outside diameter of a donut.
DRAGMODEControls the display of objects being dragged.
DRAGP1Sets the regen-drag input sampling rate.
DRAGP2Sets the fast-drag input sampling rate.
DWGCHECKDetermines whether a drawing was last edited by a product other than AutoCAD.
DWGCODEPAGEStores the same value as SYSCODEPAGE (for compatibility reasons).
DWGNAMEStores the drawing name as entered by the user.
DWGPREFIXStores the drive/directory prefix for the drawing.
DWGTITLEDIndicates whether the current drawing has been named.
EDGEMODEControls how TRIM and EXTEND determine cutting and boundary edges.
ELEVATIONStores the current elevation relative to the current UCS for the current viewport in the current space.
EXPERTControls whether certain prompts are issued.
EXPLMODE Controls whether EXPLODE supports non-uniformly scaled (NUS) blocks.
EXTMAXStores the upper-right point of the drawing extents.
EXTMINStores the lower-left point of the drawing extents.
EXTNAMES Sets the parameters for named object names (such as linetypes and layers) stored in symbol tables.
FACETRATIOControls the aspect ratio of faceting for cylindrical and conic ACIS solids.
FACETRESAdjusts the smoothness of shaded and rendered objects and objects with hidden lines removed.
FILEDIASuppresses display of the file dialog boxes.
FILLETRADStores the current fillet radius.
FILLMODESpecifies whether multilines, traces, solids, all hatches (including solid-fill), and wide polylines are filled in.
FONTALTSpecifies the alternate font to be used when the specified font file cannot be located.
FONTMAPSpecifies the font mapping file to be used.
FRONTZStores the front clipping plane offset from the target plane for the current viewport.
FULLOPENIndicates whether the current drawing is partially open.
GRIDMODESpecifies whether the grid is turned on or off.
GRIDUNITSpecifies the grid spacing (X and Y) for the current viewport.
GRIPBLOCKControls the assignment of grips in blocks.
GRIPCOLORControls the color of non-selected grips (drawn as box outlines).
GRIPHOTControls the color of selected grips (drawn as filled boxes).
GRIPSControls the use of selection set grips for the Stretch, Move, Rotate, Scale, and Mirror grip modes.
GRIPSIZESets the size of the grip box in pixels.
HANDLESReports whether object handles can be accessed by applications.
HIDEPRECISIONControls the accuracy of hides and shades.
HIGHLIGHTControls object highlighting; does not affect objects selected with grips.
HPANGSpecifies the hatch pattern angle.
HPBOUNDControls the object type created by BHATCH and BOUNDARY.
HPDOUBLESpecifies hatch pattern doubling for user-defined patterns.
HPNAMESets a default hatch pattern name.
HPSCALESpecifies the hatch pattern scale factor.
HPSPACESpecifies the hatch pattern line spacing for user-defined simple patterns.
HYPERLINKBASESpecifies the path used for all relative hyperlinks in the drawing.
IMAGEHLTControls whether the entire raster image or only the raster image frame is hightlighted.
INDEXCTLControls whether layer and spatial indexes are created and saved in drawing files.
INETLOCATIONStores the Internet location used by BROWSER and the Browse the Web dialog box.
INSBASEStores insertion base point set by BASE.
INSNAMESets a default block name for INSERT.
INSUNITSWhen you drag a block from AutoCAD DesignCenter, specifies a drawing units value.
INSUNITSDEFSOURCESets source content units value.
INSUNITSDEFTARGETSets target drawing units value.
ISAVEBAKImproves the speed of incremental saves, especially for large drawings.
ISAVEPERCENTDetermines the amount of wasted space tolerated in a drawing file.
ISOLINESSpecifies the number of isolines per surface on objects.
LASTANGLEStores the end angle of the last arc entered.
LASTPOINTStores the last point entered.
LASTPROMPTStores the last string echoed to the command line.
LENSLENGTHStores the length of the lens (in millimeters) used in perspective viewing for the current viewport.
LIMCHECKControls the creation of objects outside the drawing limits.
LIMMAXStores the upper-right drawing limits for the current space.
LIMMINStores the lower-left drawing limits for the current space.
LISPINITWhen single-document interface is enabled, specifies whether AutoLISP-defined functions and variables are preserved when you open a new drawing.
LOCALEDisplays the ISO language code of the current AutoCAD version.
LOGFILEMODESpecifies whether the contents of the text window are written to a log file.
LOGFILENAMESpecifies the path and name of the log file.
LOGFILEPATHSpecifies the path for the log files for all drawings in a session.
LOGINNAMEDisplays the user's name as configured or as input when AutoCAD is loaded.
LTSCALESets the global linetype scale factor.
LUNITSSets linear units.
LUPRECSets the number of decimal places displayed for linear units.
LWDEFAULTSets the value for the default lineweight.
LWDISPLAYControls whether the lineweight is displayed in the Model or Layout tab.
LWUNITSControls whether lineweight units are displayed in inches or millimeters.
MAXACTVPSets the maximum number of viewports that can be active at one time in the display.
MAXSORTSets the maximum number of symbol names or block names sorted by listing commands.
MBUTTONPANControls the behavior of the third button or wheel on the pointing device.
MEASUREINITSets the initial drawing units as English or metric.
MEASUREMENTSets drawing units as English or metric for the current drawing only.
MENUCTLControls the page switching of the screen menu.
MENUECHOSets menu echo and prompt control bits.
MENUNAMEStores the menu file name, including the path for the filename.
MIRRTEXTControls how MIRROR reflects text.
MODEMACRODisplays a text string on the status line.
MTEXTEDSets the primary and secondary text editors to use for multiline text objects.
NOMUTTSuppresses the message display (muttering) when it wouldn't normally be suppressed.
OFFSETDISTSets the default offset distance.
OFFSETGAPTYPEControls how to offset polylines when a gap is created as a result of offsetting the individual polyline segments.
OLEHIDEControls the display of OLE objects in AutoCAD.
OLEQUALITYControls the default quality level for embedded OLE objects.
OLESTARTUPControls whether the source application of an embedded OLE object loads when plotting.
ORTHOMODEConstrains cursor movement to the perpendicular.
OSMODESets running object snap modes using bitcodes.
OSNAPCOORDControls whether coordinates entered on the command line override running object snaps.
PAPERUPDATEControls the display of a warning dialog when attempting to print a layout with a paper size different from the paper size specified by the default for the plotter configuration file.
PDMODEControls how point objects are displayed.
PDSIZESets the display size for point objects.
PERIMETERStores the last perimeter value computed by AREA, LIST, or DBLIST.
PFACEVMAXSets the maximum number of vertices per face.
PICKADDControls whether subsequent selections replace the current selection set or add to it.
PICKAUTOControls automatic windowing at the Select Objects prompt.
PICKBOXSets object selection target height.
PICKDRAGControls the method of drawing a selection window.
PICKFIRSTControls whether you select objects before or after you issue a command.
PICKSTYLEControls the use of group selection and associative hatch selection.
PLATFORMIndicates which platform of AutoCAD is in use.
PLINEGENSets how linetype patterns generate around the vertices of a 2D polyline.
PLINETYPESpecifies whether AutoCAD uses optimized 2D polylines.
PLINEWIDStores the default polyline width.
PLOTIDObsolete, has no effect except to preserve the integrity of pre-AutoCAD 2000 scripts and LISP routines.
PLOTROTMODEControls the orientation of plots.
PLOTTERObsolete. Has no effect except to preserve the integrity of pre-AutoCAD 2000 scripts and LISP routines.
PLQUIETControls the display of optional dialog boxes and nonfatal errors for batch plotting and scripts.
POLARADDANGContains user-defined polar angles.
POLARANGSets the polar angle increment.
POLARDIST Sets the snap increment when the SNAPSTYL system variable is set to 1 (polar snap).
POLARMODEControls settings for polar and object snap tracking.
POLYSIDESSets the default number of sides for POLYGON.
POPUPSDisplays the status of the currently configured display driver.
PRODUCTReturns the product name.
PROGRAMReturns the program name.
PROJECTNAMEAssigns a project name to the current drawing.
PROJMODESets the current Projection mode for trimming or extending.
PROXYGRAPHICSSpecifies whether images of proxy objects are saved in the drawing.
PROXYNOTICEDisplays a notice when you open a drawing containing custom objects created by an application that is not present.
PROXYSHOWControls the display of proxy objects in a drawing.
PSLTSCALEControls paper space linetype scaling.
PSPROLOGAssigns a name for a prolog section to be read from the acad.psf file when you are using PSOUT.
PSQUALITYControls the rendering quality of PostScript images.
PSTYLEMODEIndicates whether the current drawing is in a Color-Dependent or Named Plot Style mode.
PSTYLEPOLICYControls whether an object's color property is associated with its plot style.
PSVPSCALESets the view scale factor for all newly created viewports.
PUCSBASEStores the name of the UCS that defines the origin and orientation of orthographic UCS settings in paper space only.
QTEXTMODEControls how text is displayed.
RASTERPREVIEWControls whether BMP preview images are saved with the drawing.
REFEDITNAMEIndicates whether a drawing is in a reference-editing state and stores the reference file name.
REGENMODEControls automatic regeneration of the drawing.
RE-INITReinitializes the digitizer, digitizer port, and acad.pgp file.
RTDISPLAYControls the display of raster images during Realtime ZOOM or PAN.
SAVEFILEStores the current auto-save file name.
SAVEFILEPATHSpecifies the path to the directory for all automatic save files for the AutoCAD session.
SAVENAMEStores the file name and directory path of the current drawing after you save it.
SAVETIMESets the automatic save interval, in minutes.
SCREENBOXESStores the number of boxes in the screen menu area of the drawing area.
SCREENMODEStores a bitcode indicating the graphics/text state of the AutoCAD display.
SCREENSIZEStores current viewport size in pixels (X and Y).
SDIControls whether AutoCAD runs in single- or multiple-document interface.
SHADEDGEControls the shading of edges in rendering.
SHADEDIFSets the ratio of diffuse reflective light to ambient light.
SHORTCUTMENUControls whether Default, Edit, and Command mode shortcut menus are available in the drawing area.
SHPNAMESets a default shape name.
SKETCHINCSets the record increment for SKETCH.
SKPOLYDetermines whether SKETCH generates lines or polylines.
SNAPANGSets snap and grid rotation angle for the current viewport.
SNAPBASESets the snap and grid origin point for the current viewport relative to the current UCS.
SNAPISOPAIRControls the isometric plane for the current viewport.
SNAPMODETurns Snap mode on and off.
SNAPSTYLSets snap style for the current viewport.
SNAPTYPESets the snap style for the current viewport.
SNAPUNITSets the snap spacing for the current viewport.
SOLIDCHECKTurns the solid validation on and off for the current AutoCAD session.
SORTENTSControls the OPTIONS command (from the Selection tab) object sort order operations.
SPLFRAMEControls the display of splines and spline-fit polylines.
SPLINESEGSSets the number of line segments to be generated for each spline-fit polyline.
SPLINETYPESets the type of curve generated by the Spline option of the PEDIT command.
SURFTAB1Sets the number of tabulations to be generated for RULESURF and TABSURF.
SURFTAB2Sets the mesh density in the N direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF.
SURFTYPEControls the type of surface-fitting to be performed by the Smooth option of the PEDIT command.
SURFUSets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the M direction.
SURFVSets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the N direction.
SYSCODEPAGEIndicates the system code page specified in acad.xmf.
TABMODEControls the use of the tablet.
TARGETStores the location of the target point for the current viewport.
TDCREATEStores the local time and date the drawing was created.
TDINDWGStores the total editing time.
TDUCREATEStores the universal time and date the drawing was created.
TDUPDATEStores the local time and date of the last update/save.
TDUSRTIMERStores the user-elapsed timer.
TDUUPDATEStores the universal time and date of the last update/save.
TEMPPREFIXContains the directory name for temporary files.
TEXTEVALControls the method of evaluation for text strings.
TEXTFILLControls the filling of TrueType fonts while plotting, exporting with the PSOUT command, and rendering.
TEXTQLTY Sets the resolution tesselation fineness of text outlines for TrueType fonts while plotting, exporting with the PSOUT command, and rendering.
TEXTSIZESets the default height for new text objects drawn with the current text style.
TEXTSTYLESets the name of the current text style.
THICKNESSSets the current 3D solid thickness.
TILEMODEMakes the Model tab or the last layout tab current.
TOOLTIPSControls the display of tooltips.
TRACEWIDSets the default trace width.
TRACKPATHControls the display of polar and object snap tracking alignment paths.
TREEDEPTHSpecifies the maximum depth, that is, the number of times the tree-structured spatial index can divide into branches.
TREEMAXLimits memory consumption during drawing regeneration by limiting the number of nodes in the spatial index (oct-tree).
TRIMMODEControls whether AutoCAD trims selected edges for chamfers and fillets.
TSPACEFACControls the multiline text line spacing distance measured as a factor of text height.
TSPACETYPEControls the type of line spacing used in multiline text.
TSTACKALIGNControls the vertical alignment of stacked text.
TSTACKSIZEControls the percentage of stacked text fraction height relative to selected text’s current height.
UCSAXISANGStores the default angle when rotating the UCS around one of its axes using the X, Y, or Z options of the UCS command.
UCSBASEStores the name of the UCS that defines the origin and orientation of orthographic UCS settings.
UCSFOLLOWGenerates a plan view whenever you change from one UCS to another.
UCSICONDisplays the UCS icon for the current viewport.
UCSNAMEStores the name of the current coordinate system for the current viewport in the current space.
UCSORGStores the origin point of the current coordinate system for the current viewport in the current space.
UCSORTHO Determines whether the related orthographic UCS setting is restored automatically when an orthographic view is restored.
UCSVIEWDetermines whether the current UCS is saved with a named view.
UCSVPDetermines whether the UCS in active viewports remains fixed or changes to reflect the UCS of the currently active viewport.
UCSXDIRStores the X direction of the current UCS for the current viewport in the current space.
UCSYDIRStores the Y direction of the current UCS for the current viewport in the current space.
UNDOCTLStores a bitcode indicating the state of the Auto and Control options of the UNDO command.
UNDOMARKSStores the number of marks that have been placed in the UNDO control stream by the Mark option.
UNITMODEControls the display format for units.
USERI1–5Stores and retrieves integer values.
USERR1–5Stores and retrieves real numbers.
USERS1–5Stores and retrieves text string data.
VIEWCTRStores the center of view in the current viewport.
VIEWDIRStores the viewing direction in the current viewport.
VIEWMODEControls the View mode for the current viewport using bitcode.
VIEWSIZEStores the height of the view in the current viewport.
VIEWTWISTStores the view twist angle for the current viewport.
VISRETAINControls the visibility, color, linetype, lineweight, and plot styles (if PSTYLEPOLICY is set to 0) of xref-dependent layers and specifies whether nested xref path changes are saved.
VSMAXStores the upper-right corner of the current viewport's virtual screen.
VSMINStores the lower-left corner of the current viewport’s virtual screen.
WHIPARCControls whether the display of circles and arcs is smooth.
WMFBKGNDControls the background of the output Windows metafile resulting from the WMFOUT command, and for the metafile format of objects placed on the Clipboard or dragged and dropped into other applications.
WORLDUCSIndicates whether the UCS is the same as the WCS.
WORLDVIEWDetermines whether input to the 3DORBIT, DVIEW, and VPOINT commands is relative to the WCS (default), the current UCS, or the UCS specified by the UCSBASE system variable.
WRITESTATIndicates whether a drawing file is read-only or can be written to, for developers who need to determine write status through AutoLISP.
XCLIPFRAMEControls the visibility of xref clipping boundaries.
XEDITControls whether the current drawing can be edited in-place when being referenced by another drawing.
XFADECTLControls the fading intensity for references being edited in-place.
XLOADCTLTurns xref demand loading on and off and controls whether it opens the original drawing or a copy.
XLOADPATHCreates a path for storing temporary copies of demand-loaded xref files.
XREFCTLControls whether AutoCAD writes external reference log (XLG) files.
ZOOMFACTORControls the incremental change in zoom with each IntelliMouse wheel action, whether forward or backward.

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