Datasheet

28
Chapter 1 Arranging the AutoCAD User Interface
Autocomplete is another nifty feature that should be popular among the lazy, forget-
ful, and/or dyslexic (which should include just about everyone). This tool comes in handy
when you can’t remember how to spell a specific system variable or command. Autocomplete
works both in dynamic input prompts and on the command line. To use this practically
invisible feature, key in a few letters of a command or system variable you kind-of remember,
and then press the Tab key for a suggested command completion. AutoCAD pages through
all the commands and system variables that start with those characters.
For example, type SP, and then press Tab. Keep pressing Tab, and complete commands
will cycle at the prompt. You’ll see these commands:
a
SPACETRANS
a
SPELL
a
SPHERE
a
SPLANE
a
SPLINE
a
SPLFRAME
…on and on alphabetically ad nauseum. If you’re too hasty in pressing Tab, and you go past
the command you want, press Shift+Tab to go backward. Press Enter to execute the selected
command, and you’re back in business.
Command cycling is another input optimization of note. Press the Up Arrow key to see
the previous command that you used appear at the prompt. This list isn’t alphabetical, like
Autocomplete — these are the commands you really used, not just thought about using.
Press the same key again to see the command before that, and so on. Use the Down
Arrow key to go forward through the cycle. Press Enter to execute, as always.
Where is this feature useful? Let’s say you observe that
you’re going through the same repetitive motions while
drawing. You’re using OFFSET and then FILLET and maybe
TRIM repeatedly. Instead of hunting for the correct tool
button, just press the Up Arrow key for quicker command
access. Anything to save a few microseconds.
The final input optimization to mention is Recent
Input. This is similar to command cycling but is used for
input instead of commands (thus the well-chosen name).
When you’re at an input prompt (for example, when you’re
drawing a line), right-click to access the Recent Input short-
cut submenu; here you’ll find recently used coordinates and
commands with quick reuse potential.
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