Datasheet
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CHAPTER 1 GETTING FAMILIAR WITH AUTOCAD
Starting Commands
The third type of item you’ll find on menu bar menus is a command that directly executes an
AutoCAD operation. Let’s try an exercise to explore a typical command.
1. First, turn off the Dynamic Input display by clicking the DYN button in the status bar. It
should look like it is in the off position. You’ll start your exploration of commands with this
feature turned off, as it can be somewhat confusing to the first-time user. You’ll get a chance
to try out the Dynamic Input feature in later chapters, starting with Chapter 2.
2. If the Tool palettes are open, click the X in the upper-right or upper-left corner to close them.
This will give you a clear view of the whole drawing area.
3. Click the Draw option from the menu bar, and then click the Rectangle command. Notice
that the Command window now shows the following prompt:
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:
AutoCAD is asking you to select the first corner for the rectangle, and in brackets, it is offer-
ing a few options that you can take advantage of at this point in the command. Don’t worry
about those options right now. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about command options
in Chapter 2.
4. Click a point roughly in the lower-left corner of the drawing area, as shown in Figure 1.5. Now
as you move your mouse, you’ll see a rectangle follow the cursor with one corner fixed at the
position you just selected. You’ll also see the following prompt in the Command window:
Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]:
5. Click another point anywhere in the upper-right region of the drawing area. A rectangle
appears (see Figure 1.6). You’ll learn more about the different cursor shapes and what they
mean later in this chapter.
Next try deleting the rectangle you just drew.
1. Place the cursor on top of the rectangle, but don’t do anything yet. Notice that as you pass
the cursor over the rectangle, it is highlighted. In a crowded drawing, this highlighting can
help you determine exactly what will be selected should you click the mouse on an object.
2. With the cursor on the rectangle and the rectangle highlighted, click the left mouse button.
The rectangle is selected.
3. Press the Delete key. The rectangle is removed from the drawing.
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