Datasheet

Chapter 1 Arranging the AutoCAD User Interface

2. Click the Check for Updates button. Internet Explorer launches and takes you to a page

on the Autodesk website.

3. The page that appears has instructions for downloading and installing the latest Hard-

ware Certification Database. Close AutoCAD, follow the instructions, and restart

AutoCAD. You’ll be notified if a new graphics driver is available and whether it’s fully

compatible with AutoCAD’s new 3D features.

Set Screen Resolution and Color Quality

You should set the screen resolution to the maximum you can see (without squinting —

squinting causes wrinkles). As you increase resolution, everything gets smaller while screen

real estate effectively grows. Use the screen-resolution slider on the Settings tab of the Dis-

play Properties dialog box to adjust the resolution.

Everybody wants more screen real estate (it’s a valuable commodity); but don’t exceed

what your tired eyes can comfortably see, or you’ll have to boost that eyeglass prescription

before you know it (even though Lynn’s husband, an optometrist, appreciates the business).

Boosting resolution is a poor substitute for a larger monitor after all.

I (Scott) have a 22˝ monitor, which is great, and my graphics card supports resolutions

up to 2048 × 1536 pixels, but that’s way more than I can see — and yes, I’m wearing glasses. I

have to compromise and set resolution at a more modest 1600 × 1200 pixels, which is plenty

in my humble opinion.

Make certain that color quality is set to Highest (32 bit). Some older graphics cards sup-

port higher resolutions only at a lower color depth. It may have been acceptable in the old

days to run AutoCAD in 256 colors; but doing

so would be a major faux pas today, now that

AutoCAD has true color (32-bit) support.

If you perceive a flicker at higher resolu-

tions, there is something you can do that

may correct this annoying problem. Click

the Advanced button on the Settings tab

of the Display Properties dialog box. A dialog

box appears that is specific to your monitor.

Click the Monitor tab, and change the screen

refresh rate from the drop-down list. Try the

highest rate, and work your way down the list

if necessary until you eliminate that pesky

flicker.

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