Datasheet

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CHAPTER 1 GETTING FAMILIAR WITH AUTOCAD
Getting to Know the Window Components
The AutoCAD window is made up of several parts that are common to most Windows graphics
programs:
◆
Menu bar
◆
Docked and floating toolbars
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Drawing area
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Command window
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Status bar
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Tool palettes
◆
Properties palette
The Tool palettes and Properties palette may not appear on the screen, but you can easily
retrieve them by clicking buttons on the toolbar at the top of the AutoCAD window. If you don’t
see them, don’t worry. At this point, they aren’t essential for new users. Your AutoCAD window
should look like Figure 1.1, which shows the default configuration for a new AutoCAD installation.
Since AutoCAD is so easily customizable, you may not see exactly the same layout, but the basic
components should be there.
As with typical Windows programs, AutoCAD has a menu bar along the top that contains most
of the common functions you’ll need to work with (see Figure 1.2). Below that are toolbars for quick
access to settings and the more common drawing and editing tools. You also have toolbars to the
right and left of the window. The Draw toolbar at the left contains tools you use to place new objects
in your drawing, and the Modify toolbar at the right contains tools you use to edit objects. These
toolbars provide the same functions as the Draw and Modify menu bar options.
Changing 3D Views to 2D Views and Back
Even though the opening file in AutoCAD's 3D Modeling workspace looks completely different from the
new 2D file you create using the acad.dwt template, they really are basically the same. They just have
different display settings turned on.
You can change the default drawing1.dwg 3D view to a 2D view by doing the following:
1.
Choose View  Visual Styles  2D Wireframe.
2.
Choose View  3D View  Plan View  World UCS
Your 3D view changes to look like a typical 2D drawing. Likewise, you can convert a 2D view into
a 3D one:
1.
Choose View  Visual Styles  Realistic
2.
Choose View  3D Views  SE Isometric
3.
Enter Perspective
↵
1
↵
to turn on the perspective view.
4.
Click the Grid button in the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD Window.
The file that started out with a 2D view now shows your drawing in 3D.
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