Datasheet

CHAPTER 1 Exploring thE AutoCAD AnD AutoCAD lt intErfACE

Working with Multiple Files

You can have multiple documents open at the same time in AutoCAD. This can be especially

helpful if you want to exchange parts of drawings between ﬁles or if you want another ﬁle open

for reference. Try the following exercise to see how multiple documents work in AutoCAD:

1. Click the New tool on the Quick Access toolbar to open the Select Template dialog box.

Note

If you see the Create New Drawing dialog box after step 1, click the Start from Scratch button and

select Imperial; then click OK and AutoCAD will display a default document. You’ll learn more about

the Create New Drawing dialog box in Chapter 3.

2. Make sure acad.dwt is selected, and then click Open.

3. Click the Menu Browser and choose Window  Tile Vertically to get a view of both draw-

ing ﬁles. This option in the Menu Browser acts just like its counterpart in other Windows

programs allowing for multiple-document editing.

Note

When you create a new file in AutoCAD, you’re actually opening a copy of a template file, as you saw

in step 1. A template file is a blank file that is set up for specific drawing types. The acad.dwt file is a

generic template set up for Imperial measurements. Another template file called acadiso.dwt is

a generic template useful for metric measurements. Other templates are set up for specific drawing-

sheet sizes and measurement systems. You’ll learn more about templates in Chapter 6.

Figure 1.17

Erasing a portion

of the clip

Click here.

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