Datasheet

Chapter 1 ✦ Starting to Draw

with all the features of the user interface to get a feel for how they work. (Chapter 3 explains in

more detail how to use commands.)

For this exercise, simply follow the instructions exactly. When you type the X and Y coordi-

nates (shown in bold), type the first number, a comma, and then the second number, with no

spaces between them.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything you’re doing. It all becomes clear as you

progress through this book. If you haven’t read the Preface, now is a good time to go back

and read the part that explains how to follow the exercises.

Follow the prompts shown next. As explained in the Preface, you type what appears in bold.

STEPS: Drawing a Line in Four Ways

1. Start AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

You see a new drawing. (If you are prompted for a template, type or choose

acad.dwt.

acadlt.dwt.)

If your screen has a gray background and a perspective view (the 3D environment), switch to

a 2D environment. First, choose AutoCAD Classic from the drop-down list in the Workspaces

toolbar. Then choose File ➪ New and choose acad.dwt in the Select Template dialog box.

Click Open.

2. From the menu, choose Draw➪ Line.

3. Move your mouse to move the crosshairs cursor around the screen. Notice the

Dynamic Input tooltip that follows the cursor around (like a well-trained dog), as shown

in Figure 1-4. (If you don’t see the Dynamic Input tooltip, click the DYN button on the

status bar.) At the same time, notice the coordinates changing on the left side of the

status bar.

Figure 1-4: When you move the mouse around,

the Dynamic Input bar follows the cursor,

displaying the current coordinates.

4. Anywhere on the screen, stop moving the mouse and click the left mouse button to

pick a point. When you move the mouse again, the Dynamic Input bar changes to

prompt you to specify the next point, and to show you the angle and length of the cur-

sor from the original point you picked, as shown in Figure 1-5.

Figure 1-5: After specifying the first

point of a line, the Dynamic Input

bar prompts you for the next point.

Note

Tip

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