Datasheet
10 Chapter1•GettingtoKnowAutoCAD
The title bar is analogous to the title bar in any Windows program. It contains
the program name (AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT) and the title of the current draw-
ing with its path, provided a drawing other than the default Drawing#.dwg is
open. Below the title bar is the Ribbon, where you’ll find most of the AutoCAD
commands and tools needed to complete any drawing task. You’ll explore the
Ribbon in much more detail shortly; however, its basic concept is that related
tasks are found under the different tabs, which are further segmented into pan-
els containing similar tools.
To the far right of the title bar is the InfoCenter containing the Search,
Autodesk Online Services, Exchange, and Help buttons. You can enter a ques-
tion in the field to the left of the Search button to quickly access information
from a number of locations, including the standard AutoCAD help system,
through the drop-down panel. Autodesk Online Services allows you to sign in
with your Autodesk ID, and access services that integrate with AutoCAD. The
Help button is a direct link to the AutoCAD help system (also accessible by
pressing the F1 key).
As noted earlier, the blank middle section of the screen is called the drawing
area. Notice the movable crosshair cursor (see Figure1.11). The crosshairs on
your cursor might extend completely across the screen. Later in this chapter,
you’ll see how to modify the length of the crosshairs as well as make a few other
changes.
FIGURE 1.11 The crosshair cursor placed near the UCS icon
Notice the little box at the intersection of the two crosshair lines. This is one
of several forms of the AutoCAD cursor, known in this form as the Aperture.
When you move the cursor off the drawing area, it changes to the standard
Windows pointing arrow. As you begin using commands, it will take on other
forms, depending on which step of a command you’re performing.
The title bar and
menu bar at the top
of the AutoCAD LT
screen are identical
to those in AutoCAD,
except that AutoCAD
LT appears in the
title bar rather than
AutoCAD.
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