Datasheet
commands. You can add more or change the existing aliases as you get more
familiar with the program.
In addition to the alias keys, you can use several of the F keys (function keys)
on the top row of the keyboard as two-way or three-way toggles to turn AutoCAD
functions on and off. Although buttons on the screen duplicate these functions
(Snap, Grid, and so on), it’s sometimes faster to use the F keys.
While working in AutoCAD, you’ll need to enter a lot of data, such as dimen-
sions and construction notes; answer questions with “yes” or “no,” and use the
arrow keys. You’ll use the keyboard constantly. It might help to get into the
habit of keeping your left hand on the keyboard and your right hand on the
mouse if you’re right-handed, or the other way around if you’re left-handed.
Using the Mouse
Your mouse most likely has two buttons and a scroll wheel. So far in this chap-
ter, you have used the left mouse button to choose menus, commands, and
options, and you’ve held it down to drag menus, toolbars, and windows. The left
mouse button is the one you’ll be using most often, but you’ll also use the right
mouse button.
While drawing, you’ll use the right mouse button for the following three
operations:
To display a menu containing options relevant to the particular step
you’re in at the moment
To use in combination with the Shift or Ctrl key to display a menu
containing special drawing aids called object snaps
To display a menu of toolbars when the pointer is on any icon of a
toolbar that is currently open
If you have a three-button mouse, the middle button is usually programmed
to display the Object Snap menu, instead of using the right button with the
Shift key. If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can use the wheel in sev-
eral ways to control the view of your drawing. I’ll cover those methods in subse-
quent chapters.
AutoCAD makes extensive use of toolbars and the right-click menu feature.
This makes your mouse an important input tool. The keyboard is necessary for
inputting numeric data and text, and it has hot keys and aliases that can speed
up your work; however, the mouse is the primary tool for selecting options and
controlling toolbars.
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