Datasheet

16 Chapter 1: Getting Familiar with AutoCAD
Starting Commands
Another type of item you’ll find in a menu is a command that directly executes an Auto-
CAD operation. Try this exercise to explore a typical command:
1. Click the Dynamic Input tool in the status bar to turn off Dynamic Input display
mode. When it is off, it is gray. You’ll start your exploration of commands with this
feature turned off so you can get a clear view of your activity. You’ll get a chance to
try the Dynamic Input feature in later chapters, starting with Chapter 2.
2. Click the Rectangle tool in the Draw panel. Notice that
the command line at the bottom of the window now
shows the following prompt:
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]:
AutoCAD is asking you to select the first corner for the rectangle, and also, in brack-
ets, it is offering a few options that you can take advantage of at this point in the
command. Don’t worry about those options right now. You’ll have an opportunity to
learn about command options in Chapter 2.
3. Click a point roughly in the lower-left corner of the drawing area, as shown in
Figure 1.8. Now as you move your cursor, you’ll see a rectangle follow the cursor
with one corner fixed at the position you just selected. You’ll also see the following
prompt in the command line:
Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]:
Figure 1.8
Selecting the first
point of a rectangle
Click here to start the rectangle.
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