Contents:
Files Tab ---- Display Tab ---- Open and Save Tab ---- Plotting Tab ---- System Tab ---- User Preferences Tab ---- Drafting Tab ---- Selection Tab ---- Profiles Tab

1-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

This tab provides access to all of the paths for the various folders that AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop need to run properly.  When installed all of the default paths will be set to point to folders on the local drive and within the the program folder such as "C:\Program Files\Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3\Support", for example.

For Network installations, many of these paths should be set to folders on the Server to allow for easier management and to consolidate shared resources such as Symbols Libraries.  See Part 2 - Options Dialog Box - Search Paths for more information on this topic.

Note:
When making changes to the various Settings on the Options dialog box, it is often necessary to shut the program down and restart before the changes take effect.

2-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Display screen menu - This feature brings up the old AutoCAD right-hand side menu from the days of DOS.

Text lines in command line window - This basically controls the height of the command window at the bottom of AutoCAD.  You can also just use your mouse and pull it up or push it down for more lines of text.   Three lines is the default and for a good reason so you may want to leave it at this number.

Colors and Fonts buttons - For Fonts... button, you can only change the command line font.  To change the font of the pull-down menus and the dialog boxes, you will have to use Windows settings.  For the Colors... button (illustrated left), you will find options to control the look of both the Model and Layout Tabs. Many R14 and older AutoCAD users immediately turn off the White portion of the Layout Tabs so they can read them in the same way Paper Space looked in the past: with colored vectors over a black background.  Though this may appear as a good solution it misses the point by a mile and prevents users from working in near "plot preview" mode.

Display Layout and Model tabs - If you turn this off and Display scroll bars in drawing window you can reclaim a little bit of "real estate" on your screen but I don't think the loss of the tabs is worth it.

Display Margins - the margins appear on the paper as dashed lines and should be on to help users realize whether or not their titleblocks or other work will actually get printed.  Items outside the margins will not get printed even if the plotter has the capability to plot farther out. 

Display Paper background - this controls the appearance of a sheet of paper and provides an option to shadow the paper.
Display paper shadow - this is a separate option for the Display Paper Background for he dark black shadow used to emphasize the paper in Layout tabs.  This never prints so the choice for on or off is relatively mute.

Show Page Setup dialog for new layouts - this option is also controlled by the Display when creating new layouts checkbox on the Page Setup dialog box.  Having this checked forces users to look at the Page Setup dialog box each time they create a new Layout and pick on its tab.   I think it is a good idea to leave this on.

Create viewport in new layouts - This option can be the bigger pain of all these if you have a far different concept on Viewport configurations than a single centrally located viewport.  Generally this option is not too bad and for those who don't remember how to create Viewports with the Mview command, this may be an essential reminder.

Crosshair size
Crosshair size Scroll Bar - This feature controls the size of the cursor used to draw objects with and the cursor that is seen when no commands are active.  the range is between 5 and 100% where 100% produces the traditional cross hairs that are infinite in length.  In my opinion, the longer the cross hairs, the better because they can be used to line up with other objects and to check for proper alignment between existing objects.

Display resolution
Arc and circle smoothness - VIEWRES - this variable not only affects Arcs, Circles and Polyline arcs but the Solids created from them.  This variable applies to Rendering as well.  This variable does not affect AEC objects or AEC objects created from arcs or circles - see AecFacetDev for AEC object facet control.  

Segments in a polyline curve - SPLINESEGS - this variable affects Polylines only.  It is best observed when using Pedit on Plines and using the Spline option to curve a jagged set of Plines.  The range of values can be between -32767 and 32767.

Rendered object smoothness - FACETRES - this variable affects Solid objects only and works in conjunction with the Viewres variable ( Facetres X Viewres ) to create the smoothness of curved surfaces on Solids.  Though the User Guide claims that this affects the various Shademodes, I have not found that to be the case.  However, it does affect Renderings and Exporting of Solids to other programs.  The default value is 0.5 with a range between 0.01 and 10.0.  Higher numbers increase smoothness.

Contour lines per surface - ISOLINES - this variable affects Solid objects only. The number of isolines helps in visualizing curvature in Wireframe Mode but does not apply to Rendering ( despite what the on-line help suggests ).

Display performance
Pan and zoom with raster image - RTDISPLAY - this variable affects how raster image files, such as Renderings, are seen when Panning or Zooming in AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop.  If you use the wheel on your mouse for Panning or Zooming, this variable does not apply.  On very large images it helps to have this variable unchecked but then you have to wait anyway.

Highlight raster image frame only - IMAGEHLT - this variable is an interesting option that allows you to see the whole raster image area with a cross hatch pattern instead of just the frame.  Make sure HIGHLIGHT is set on ( 1 ) for this to work.   The problem with this option is that it makes it impossible to relate content on the image with any content on the screen so this is not an option I find particularly useful.

True color raster images and rendering - VIEWRES - this variable is very important when Rendering images directly on the screen.   True Color is 32bit and as long as your system is configured to display such a high level of color, you can see it on your screen and better judge the quality before committing to a super high quality File output.  This variable affects Referenced Images as well and does degrade system performance.

Apply solid fill - FILLMODE - this variable controls solid fills of Polylines with Width, Trace lines, objects created with the Solid command , old .shx Fonts that have fills and all Hatch patterns.   When turned off, no fills or hatch patterns will show.  This variable does not affect Rendering but does affect general display performance and is particularly useful on drawings with an enormous amount of hatch patterns.

Show text boundary frame only - QTEXTMODE - this variable turns all text objects into rectangular outlines.  It does improve general performance a lot, but the rectangles do not represent the true outline of the text and can thus be a bit misleading about the position, height and width of text.

Show silhouettes in wireframe - DISPSILH - this variable only affects Solid objects by controlling the wires along the outer edge in 2D Wireframe Shademode and the faceted appearance when the HIDE command has been executed ( not Hide in Shademode ).

Reference Edit fading intensity
Reference Fading Scroll Bar - This is a new feature for controlling how the new Refedit command fades items that are not part of the selection set when editing Blocks or Xref's.  When you Refedit objects, AutoCAD will request which objects are to be edited and then fades all other objects to assist you in only working with those objects in the current selection set.   A higher number, 90 is the maximum, basically makes it impossible to see other objects; i.e., the fade is almost complete.  A low number makes almost impossible to distinguish the objects to be Refedited.

3-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

File Save
Save as: - The save as drop-down list offers several options for automatic conversion to older versions of AutoCAD and for other file formats such as .dxf.  In the early years of AutoCAD 2000, saving back to R14 by default prevented a lot of file exchange problems and may still prove to be a viable solution but with Architectural Desktop, saving down does not convert the files to 2D nor does it do a lot of good for the file integrity since eventually the "round-tripping" effect does appear to deteriorate.  Setting this to anything but the default AutoCAD 2000 is thus not recommended.

Save a thumbnail preview image - though this does add a little weight to a .dwg file, it is well worth the fat; particularly as we move forward with all sorts of tools to help us see our files without directly opening them in the parent application.

Incremental save percentage - ISAVEPERCENT - this system variable can be used to enhance the performance of save time but at the cost of file size.  Though it is not recommended by Autodesk, I tend to reduce this value to 0 for Architectural Desktop files to keep the already bloated file size down to a bare minimum.  A user will notice the effects if they run the Automatic save frequently since it may cause lag time while working.  Autodesk recommends a value of 50.

File Safety Precautions
Automatic save - SAVETIME - this system variable controls the number of minutes between each automatic save.  The time interval is based on active system time and not during sleep mode.  The shorter the intervals in automatic saves the more likely the user will feel the lag time during production work.  I tend to change this value as files get larger and take longer to save.  20 - 30 minutes is probably a good default instead of the 120 that is set by default when installed.

Create backup copy with each save - this option is highly recommended because it offers the easiest way for users to recover from crashes.  To recover, a user simply has to find the filename.bak with explorer and rename the filename.bak to something like "filename2.dwg" and open as a regular .dwg file.

Full-time CRC validation - this system variable can be used to assist when file corruption becomes a recurrent problem.  It will check all new data added to the drawing file to assure integrity.   I have never actually needed this option but here it is.

Maintain a log file - LOGFILEMODE - this system variable offers the activation of a log file during automatic saves with the contents of the command line.  This option is usually only of significant value during file corruption problems and should thus be left unchecked.

File Open
Number of recently-used files to list - This value can now be set to a maximum of 9 files on the File pull-down list.

Display full path in title - I really like this option when working on a large network so I can see where I am supposed to go if I want other files from the same folder or to save to the same folder ( drive e:, f:, g:, h:, ...x: - what drive now???)

Retain changes to Xref layers - VISRETAIN - this is a must for those who bring in drawings as base sheets but want all of the layers and/or linetypes different than the source file.  By checking this option, the layers won't change for an Xref.  Highly Recommend

Allow other users to Refedit current drawing - XEDIT - This option hasn't worked for me anywhere.  Once that Xref is pulled from a server, it's write protected and that's that no matter what you set in AutoCAD.

ObjectARX Applications
Demand load ObjectARX apps - the term objectARX is a little misleading here since times have changed and now many tools in AutoCAD and ADT are Arx Applications.

Disable Load on Demand - if you choose this option, a lot of tools will not work; even simple tools like the Units dialog and the Design Center.  Not Recommended.

Custom Object Detect - if you choose this option, applications are loaded based upon the needs of the objects detected.   This may work to load Object based applications on an as needed basis, but many tools are not triggered in this fashion and thus the results are nearly as bad as the "Disable Load on demand" option.  Not Recommended.

Command Invoke - if you choose this option, applications are only loaded when the command is executed to work with them.  This makes it tough for ADT users but sometimes great for those who are receiving proxies and don't want their enablers to activate ( due to performance degradation ).  For ADT users who may have this option set, they will notice a slow down as soon as they execute an ADT-only command and often errors are reported on various objects.  Not Recommended for ADT users.  Okay to use for AutoCAD as a toggle for disabling Object Enablers from activating.

Object detect and command Invoke - this is the default setting that does it all.  When set, AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop loads and runs as designed but performance degradation may require using the Command Invoke option instead. Highly Recommend for ADT.

Proxy images for custom objects - proxy graphics are unique representations of objects that were created with another "flavor" of AutoCAD that has programs for such things as Civil topographic information or Architectural Walls.  Proxy graphics can be a huge source of frustration because users cannot work with them as native objects.  I some cases attempts at editing only cause system crashes while in other cases, objects may disappear.   By downloading Object Enablers from Autodesk's website significant improvements can be achieved because these enablers provide some of the code required to work with the objects in a native format.  If a user does not have an Object Enabler, the choices are not so good.

Do not show Proxy Graphics -   if you choose to not show the proxies, the will not be a source of frustration but then data may also go unseen or unused.  This can be really bad for drawings received by Civil Engineers using Land Development Desktop.  Not Recommended

Show Proxy Graphics - if you choose to show the proxies, as is the default setting, you will see representations of objects though editing is highly limited.  Recommended.

Show Proxy Bounding Box - if you choose to show only bounding boxes for areas where proxies reside, a user can thus more readily determine which objects are proxies and which are not.  This option may not be so good for a default working mode, unless speed is an issue, but rather as a tool to help determine which objects are proxies.  Rarely Recommended.

4-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Default plot settings for new drawings
Use as default output device - drop-down list of System Printers and any .pc3 printers that you may have created.  For best results, CAD and IT Managers should rely on .pc3 printer and plotter configurations to get the best output with the least amount of confusion from the users.  By creating unique .pc3 files that have been labeled with their purpose, users can quickly select the right configuration without having to make printer configuration settings each time they plot.  A simple example of this concept is two .pc3 files for a standard HP large size DesignJet Plotter: one is called "HP 1050 Color.pc3" and the other is called "HP 1050 BW.pc3" - one is set to produce Color at high quality and the other is set to produce Black and White high production output. To limit redundancy, error and confusion, use the Hide system printers checkbox also on this tab.

Use last successful plot settings - This option will produce an effect similar to what AutoCAD R14 did where the last Plot Settings are recalled for new plots but since Tabs should be properly configured with the Page Setup dialog, this option could actually be counterproductive.

Add or Configure Plotters... - use this button to access the Plotter Window - also accessed from the File pull-down menu via the Plotter Manager... menu option.  You can use this to create .pc3 files.

General plot options
When changing the plot device:
Keep the layout paper size if possible - the better option in my opinion but both options look strange if the paper does change; hence the best option is if you can keep the paper size the same.

Use the plot device paper size - this will happen anyway if, for example, you switch from a 750 c to an 8.5 x 11 LaserJet.

System printer Spool alert - obviously we should know when something is not working properly in AutoCAD and particularly if it has to do with printing, but the error log files can be a pain to remember to delete and there's no option for alert without log files.  I leave this set to the default "Always alert ( and log errors)".

Hide system printers - This option was almost certainly designed specifically for CAD and IT Managers so they could create custom .pc3 files and then hide the standard system printers from the users so they don't accidentally pick a poor configuration.  By creating good .pc3 files that have been named in such a way that describes their function and output type, users should find this an easier approach to plotting.  See also comments under Use as default output device above.

Default plot style behavior for new drawings
Use color dependent plot styles - This is where you get to specify if you want AutoCAD to work in .ctb or .stb mode when creating new drawings.  Remember that .ctb files are Color Tables very similar to .pcp files of the past where color = lineweight.  .stb files are Style Tables where a line behavior has a specific name that can be assigned as a property of an object.  I suggest working in .ctb mode and work on using .stb's in the future - most AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop users are using .ctb's.

If you choose to work with Use named plot styles (.stb), then you will find two new options below the Default plot style table drop-down list.

Default plot style for layer 0 - Layer 0 can be dealt with uniquely since many people work with layer 0 in unique ways due to its affect on such tasks as block making.

Default plot style for objects - all newly created objects can be assigned a line style by default as a property, but I seriously recommend controlling objects via layers.

Default plot style table - This is where you get to specify the default .ctb or .stb file for use with your printers/plotters.   You cannot specify .ctb's if the option above this drop-down list is set to Use named plot styles (.stb's).  If you primarily print in black-n-white, I suggest creating and using a .ctb file that shows your Layouts in black-n-white, even if you actually use numerous other .ctb files: it just makes life easier to see Layouts in black-n-white by default.

Add or Edit Plot Style Tables... - use this button to access the Plot Styles Window - also accessed from the File pull-down menu via the Plot Style Manager... menu option. Within the Plot Style Window, you should find a list of all the .ctb's and .stb's currently available for this installation.  You can use the Add A Plot Style Wizard to create new ones or simply use an existing style, modify it and use the Save As... option to create a new one.  

5-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Current Pointing Device
Options are only available if the system has multiple input devices such as joysticks, mice and/or digitizer tablets.  Current System Pointing Device is usually the best option for Network deployments.

Layout Regen Options
Regen when switching layouts - this option provides no caching for layout tab switching and regenerates the display every time the tabs are selected.  This was how AutoCAD 2000 handled the tabs and may still be a viable option for those with limited resources ( like laptop computers ).

Cache model tab and last layout and Cache model tab an all layouts - are both options to increase the performance of switching between layouts.  The more you cache, the more system resource you give up for other things that you might want them for, such as real-time orbiting or rendering, etc.  The only way to know what's best is to try these options out.  If you don't switch layouts very often, then leave this setting on Regen when switching layouts.

dbConnect Options
No comments at this time - sorry.

General Options
Single-drawing compatibility mode - sets AutoCAD back to the old style where every time you open one file the last one will close.

Display OLE properties dialog - this option can be used to disable the OLE dialogue box when double clicking on OLE objects but I personally have not ever wanted to disable this option.

Show all warning messages - should not be available anyway, as illustrated.  If it is, you probably want it checked to know when something terrible has happened.

Beep on error in user input - to beep or not to beep when you make a mistake?

Load acad.lsp with every drawing - this option doesn't even really make sense to me since my last two releases of AutoCAD install without this legacy file.  Programmers can take advantage of the call to load this file for custom routines and then decide whether or not to load it for every drawing.   If you look in your AutoCAD 2000 Support directory, you'll see acad2000.lsp and acad2000doc.lsp now.  These other .lsp files will still load if this checkbox is unchecked.  Rarely check this option.

Allow long symbol names (EXTNAMES) - this allows blocks, layers, Xrefs and a bunch of other name types to be up to 255 characters in length as opposed to 8 characters ( as in the good old DOS days).  The only reason to deactivate this feature is for offices where backwards compatibility, of this nature, is really important.  Recommend that this box be checked.

Startup: - this drop-down list allows you to choose one of three startup dialogue box options: none, traditional and Today.  The Today startup dialogue box can be a nuisance, especially on slower machines and thus you may find choosing "Show traditional startup dialog" a pleasant solution to a long start in the morning. Recommend "Show traditional startup dialog" option be used.

Live Enabler Options
Check Autodesk Point A for Live Enablers: - the Never, When Autodesk Point A is available in Today and Always options offer.  With the ongoing proliferation of ARX applications in the various flavors of AutoCAD, such as Architectural Desktop and Land Development Desktop, you may already have encountered the dreaded Proxy Objects dialogue box upon opening an e-mailed drawing.  To work with Proxy Objects that come from another Autodesk product, Autodesk now issues OE (Object Enabler) solutions for free on their Point A website.  You can manually solve the problem by downloading enablers yourself or try to have AutoCAD do it via this routine.

6-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Shortcut menus in drawing area - if turned off, the right mouse button will only act as a return or <enter> keystroke.  I don't recommend passing up all of the amazing right-click menu items that are coming from Autodesk so it is better to work with the Right-click Customization... options than to completely bypass new features for the sake of habits.

Right-click Customization...  - This option allows you to control some of the behavior of your right-mouse button.  Basically it provides past users with some flexibility on how much of the new features they want.  Illustrated to the left, I show my current favorite configuration ( red dots ).  It gives me Repeat last Command when none have been asked for, but provides me with a Shortcut Menu if objects have been selected or while I am using a command.  Most older AutoCAD users prefer to have <ENTER> If a command is in progress.

AutoCAD DesignCenter
When Insert Units are not defined, assume:
Source content units - use this setting to set all Blocks to a specific default unit of measure in cases where the Block Insert Units were set to Unitless - see Block command.
Target drawing units - use this setting to convert all Blocks from the Source content units to the target drawing units in cases where the Block Insert Units were set to Unitless - see Block command.

In most cases, you will want to set both unit values the same and either to Inches or Millimeters ( unless you use another metric base unit ).

Display hyperlink tooltip - this option is only available when the Display hyperlink cursor and shortcut menu is checked.  The hyperlink tooltip will show the hyperlink target as a heads-up display.  If you find that checking this does not appear to work, make sure that the Display AutoSnap tooltip option is also checked on the Drafting Tab.

Priority for Coordinate Data Entry
An inappropriate priority setting can drive users crazy, especially if they are not accustomed to the results.
Running object snap - if this box is checked, objects drawn on screen by coordinate entry on the command line will Osnap to the nearest object before accepting the actual typed value.  This is very dangerous because it can cause a lot of inaccuracy.
Keyboard entry - if this box is checked, any keyboard entry typed during object creation or editing will take precedence over other possible options.
Keyboard entry except Scripts - if this box is checked, any keyboard entry typed during object creation or editing will take precedence over other possible options unless there is a script file in progress during the creation and/or editing session.  This is usually the default setting and appears to be the best of the group.

Object Sorting Methods
The various options on the object sorting methods list were designed to provide performance improvements with respect to certain tasks.  Of the whole group, the Object selection is generally the best for working and editing drawings and will make the drawings behave much like AutoCAD R14 did - with respect to selecting existing objects.  When the DrawOrder command has been used, all methods become checked.

Associative Dimensioning
At the time of this writing, associative dimensions still did not recognize Architectural Desktop objects so with respect to ADT, they are of little use.  Generally speaking, even for AutoCAD, I have not found these to be very practical because of how easy it is to disassociate them and how arduous it is to Re-associate disassociated dimensions.  When checked, dimension objects ( excluding leaders unless you have downloaded the patch ) will remember the OSNAP placement on the object where the Extension Lines were extracted from resulting in automatic changes if the objects are lengthened or shortened.  A second aspect of the associative dimensions is the "trans-spatial" feature that allows for this associative feature but through a Viewport on Layout Tabs.  This allows users to dimension over a viewport yet snap to objects within it while acquiring the correct length and maintaining associativity.   Overall, the concept is incredibly but if users are not careful or use Grips for editing the dimensions, the associativity becomes a mixed mess of those that are and those that are not.  Because of this I always turn this feature off but that decision will have to be evaluated in your office by some trial and error efforts.

Lineweight Settings
The Lineweight Settings... button will provide access to the Lineweight Settings dialog box also accessible from the right-click Settings option on the LWT button on the Status bar.   The Lineweight settings are primarily designed for Model Space use to provide a sense of lineweight during normal drafting work and is thus not really for printing purposes ( though it is possible ).  In general, these lineweight settings could easily be ignored.  I tend to only use them when creating screen captures or when attempting to emphasize objects on the screen while another person is looking over my shoulder.

7-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Magnet - the magnet option pulls the cursor into the marker space to assist in more accurate creation and editing.  Always check this option.

Display AutoSnap tooltip - the tooltip provides a head-up display of the OSNAP type currently being displayed.  This option may be good for beginners who don't know the markers icons but generally all this does is add more drain on video resources.  Rarely check this option.

Display AutoSnap aperture box - the aperture comes from a time before markers existed and is basically no longer necessary.   In cases where video performance is very slow, unchecking all of the AutoSnap options except for this option can improve performance ( may be useful on slow laptops ).   If checked, the Aperture Size will need to be set appropriately for use as an OSNAP trapping tool.  Rarely check this option.

AutoSnap marker color drop-down list -  the default color for the AutoSnap markers is yellow and very few seem to change this color.   Yellow reads well against a black background but is one of the worst colors against a White background.  Red, on the other hand, reads well on black Model Space backgrounds and White Layouts so this may be a good alternative color choice.

AutoSnap Marker Size
AutoSnap Marker Size Slider -  this slider control appears to be the only way to set the AutoSnap Marker Size since there is no system variable listed for this setting.  Keep in mind that screen resolution and size often play a dramatic role in what size this box should be and individual users tend to have various preferences for the size.

AutoTrack Settings
Display polar tracking vector - this is the dotted line that you get when you have Polar on.  Turning it off may help speed up graphics but not by much.  I prefer to have it on so I can see my angle and not have to rely on the "heads-up display". Always check this option.

Display full-screen tracking vector - This is a good option to turn off despite what my screen capture shows.  If you turn it off, the OSNAP Tracking lines are actually easier to read because they only project off of the source OSNAP point and not beyond the cursor location.  The only problem is that if users also work with the Extension OSNAP, the two tracking lines will look the same and it is thus difficult to distinguish them (personally, I do not find this a problem but others might ).  Recommend that this box be unchecked.

Display AutoTrack tooltip - This option provides a heads-up display with a distance value relative to where the AutoTracking line has been pulled from.  This is a very useful feature because users can read how far or how close they are to other objects before locating points.  Always check this option.

Alignment Point Acquisition
Automatic - This is the default setting for obvious reasons; if it wasn't Automatic, OTRACK would be obvious when you activated it. Always check this option.

Shift to acquire - This option is actually really cool and I often use it when I get frustrated with OSNAP Tracking.   As you may have noticed, once you activate OTRACK,  those little markers drop off everywhere you hover with an OSNAP causing OTRACK lines to come out from places you may not even want.  Using the Shift to acquire option means that if you want to drop off a marker and have an OTRACK line come out from that point, you will need to hold the Shift Key down while "hovering" over an OSNAP point.  Rarely check this option.

Aperture Size
Aperture Size Slider - The aperture is a relic from the past but may still be useful for those running slower computers with limited video RAM.  To use, Display AutoSnap aperture box must be checked.   The Aperture size should be set to a size large enough to substitute for the AutoSnap Markers so they can be turned off.

8-3 AUTOCAD SETTINGS

Illustrated to the right is the default set of settings which are fairly good. 

Selection Modes
Noun/verb selection - this box controls the order in which objects and actions can be processed.  If unchecked, users cannot select objects first and then execute a command.  Always check this option.

Use Shift to add to selection - this box controls the ability to add objects to a selection set.  If checked, user must hold the shift key down in order to add objects to the selection sets.  Never check this option.

Press and drag - this box controls the way a user has to use the left mouse button in order to get automatic Crossing and Windows for selections.  It is very unusual for users to use this option but some might.  Never check this option.

Implied windowing - this box controls the automatic window function for selecting objects.  If unchecked, users must type in the options for Window, Crossing and so forth when selecting objects.  Always check this option.

Object Grouping - this box controls the grouping feature which many users don't even know exists.  Checking this option will actually alert users to it's use and should thus be checked.  Generally check this option.

Associative Hatch - this box controls the the selection results when users choose to edit hatch patterns.  If checked, selecting the hatch will also select the associated boundary and is thus often considered a very undesirable option.  Rarely check this option.

Pickbox Size
Pick Box Slider - this slider control is often easier to set with the Pickbox system variable; where a simple number can be typed in.  The pick box is used to select objects on the screen for editing.   Screen resolution and size often play a dramatic role in what size this box should be: a range between 3 and 5 is often satisfactory for most users.

Grips
Enable grips - this box controls the grip option and if unchecked, user will not have any grip markers to work with.  Grips offer a way to edit objects quickly from key points on objects and without having to select editing commands. Always check this option.

Enable grips within blocks - this box controls grip markers within Blocks and Xrefs.  If checked, user will find a surprising number of grip markers when they select blocks or Xref's and thus this option is rarely used.  Rarely check this option.

Unselected Grip Color - the default color for cold and warm grips is blue but this color can often be difficult to read on a black background.  Many users have opted for Cyan and this may well be a better color in your office.

Selected Grip Color - the default color for hot grips is Red and should be left this color because it indicates that this grip is currently being edited.

Grip Size
Grip Size Slider - this slider control is often easier to set with the Gripsize system variable; where a simple number can be typed in.  Screen resolution and size often play a dramatic role in what size this box should be: a range between 4 and 6 is often satisfactory for most users.