Datasheet

CHAPTER 1 Exploring thE AutoCAD AnD AutoCAD lt intErfACE

Finally, the Dynamic Input display allows you to enter dimensional data of objects as you draw

them. Besides echoing the command-line messages, the Dynamic input display shows temporary

dimensions, coordinates, and angles of objects you’re drawing and editing. As you enter coordinate

or angle values through the keyboard, they appear in the Dynamic Input display. You can easily turn

the Dynamic Input display on or off by clicking on the Dynamic Input tool in the status bar. When the

Dynamic Input display is turned off, your keyboard input appears in the Command window.

Using the Ribbon

The most prominent feature in the AutoCAD window, besides the drawing area, is the Ribbon

(see Figure 1.7). This is where you’ll be selecting tools to draw, edit, or perform other functions.

The Ribbon contains a set of panels representing groups of tools and features. The name of each

Ribbon panel is found in its title bar at the bottom of the panel. Ribbon panels are further organized

by the tabs that appear above them. All of the tools in the Ribbon offer tool tips that provide a short

description to help you understand what each tool icon represents.

If you see only the Ribbon tabs, right-click one of the tabs and choose Minimize  Show Full

Ribbon. If you don’t even see the tabs, press the Esc key twice and type Ribbon↵.

Move the arrow cursor onto one of the Ribbon panel tools and leave it there for a moment;

you’ll see a tool tip appear just below the cursor. Hold the cursor there a bit longer and the tool

tip changes to give you even more information about the tool.

In most cases, you’ll be able to guess what each tool does by looking at its icon. The icon with

an arc in the Draw Ribbon panel, for instance, indicates that the tool draws arcs; the one with

Figure 1.7

A typical tool tip

from a Ribbon

panel tool

Ribbon tabs

Ribbon panels

Ribbon panel

title bars

Tool name

Description/tutorial

Keyboard command equivalent

Context-sensitive help

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