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 UsingtheKeyboard  35
FIGURE 1.38   The Save Workspace dialog box
  2. Type AutoCAD NER as the name for the workspace and click Save. 
The dialog box closes, and you are returned to your workspace. 
Until you change it or select a different workspace, the AutoCAD 
NER workspace setup will remain as it is now.
When you make changes to a workspace by adding a toolbar or changing the 
background color of the drawing area, you can easily update the current work-
space to accommodate those changes. Follow steps 1 and 2, naming the work-
space again with the same name. You’ll get a warning window telling you that 
a workspace by that name already exists and asking whether you want the new 
arrangement to replace the old one. Click Yes.
Using the Keyboard
The keyboard is an important tool for entering data and commands. If you’re a 
good typist, you can gain speed in working with AutoCAD by learning how to 
enter commands from the keyboard. AutoCAD provides what are called alias 
commands—single keys or key combinations that start any of several frequently 
used commands. A good example of a command alias that ships with AutoCAD 
is the LINE command. Of course you could type LINE at the command line to 
launch the command, but typing the one-character alias L is much quicker and 
easier. You can add more aliases or change the existing ones as you become more 
familiar with the program.
In addition to the alias commands, you can use several of the F keys (function 
keys) on the top row of the keyboard as two-way or three-way toggles to turn 
AutoCAD functions on and off. Although buttons on the screen duplicate these 
functions (Snap, Grid, and so on), it’s sometimes faster to use the F keys.
While working in AutoCAD, you’ll need to enter a lot of data (such as dimen-
sions and construction notes), answer questions with Yes or No, and use the 
arrow keys. You’ll use the keyboard constantly. It might help to get into the habit 
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