Datasheet

Exploring the AutoCAD 2012 for Windows User Interface
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FIGURE 1.8 Using the context menu to open toolbars
The AutoCAD Ribbon
AutoCAD has so many toolbars, palettes, and menus that finding the right tool
for the job can seem like a job in itself. The ribbon was therefore an important
feature that was introduced to AutoCAD. Autodesk adopted Microsoft’s ribbon
standard to organize the ever-increasing number of toolbars in a single special
palette, making tools much easier to find. Let’s now explore various ribbon
modes and identify the user interface elements of each.
1. Choose the 3D Basics workspace from the drop-down menu in the
Quick Access toolbar. The ribbon replaces all the classic menus and
toolbars (see Figure 1.9). Close the tool palettes and the Online float-
ing toolbar.
Tabbed interface Minimize ribbon
Typical panel
FIGURE 1.9 The full ribbon interface
2. Click the Minimize Ribbon button and observe the full ribbon change
to display tabs and panel buttons (see Figure 1.10). Hover the cursor

The ribbon isn’t
shown in the
AutoCAD Classic
workspace.
Certification
Objective