Datasheet
Using the Ribbon
New to AutoCAD 2009 is the Ribbon, a consolidated location for nearly all the Auto-
CAD tools in the form of easily recognizable buttons. A set of tabs delineates the dif-
ferent collections of tools by their purposes: creating and editing objects, adding
notes and dimensions, sending the drawing to a printer or plotter, and so on.
Displaying the Ribbon Tools
The Ribbon self-adjusts according to the width of the AutoCAD window. The pan-
els have the most commonly used command as a button, larger than the others,
centered on the left side (see the top of Figure 1.10). When the width is too nar-
row to fully display each panel, the panels will begin to collapse first by replacing
the large buttons with smaller buttons and then by replacing the panels with a
single button bearing the name of the panel. The collapsed panel’s tools are dis-
played by clicking this single button, as shown at the bottom of Figure 1.10.
FIGURE 1.10: The Ribbon fully displaying all panels (top) and with partially and com-
pletely collapsed panels (bottom)
Collapsing, Moving, and Hiding the Ribbon
Available drawing area is always at a premium, and you can regain some
of it by collapsing the Ribbon. When you click the Minimize button to
the right of the Ribbon tabs once, the panels are collapsed vertically and only
show their titles. Clicking it a second time collapses the Ribbon further until
only the tabs show. When the Ribbon is in either of these states, you can expand
any panel or tab by clicking its visible panel or tab name. Clicking the Minimize
button a third time returns the Ribbon to its default state.
Chapter 1 • Getting to Know AutoCAD
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