Datasheet

19
Chapter 1: Starting to Draw
Exploring the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar
At the top of the application window is the title bar, and directly beneath the title bar is the Ribbon.
On the left side of the title bar is the Quick Access Toolbar. The Ribbon has tabs, and each tab is
divided into control panels (usually called just panels), which are sections of related commands. I
explain how to work with the Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar in Chapter 3.
Note
The AutoCAD Classic and AutoCAD LT Classic workspaces do not show the Ribbon; instead, you see toolbars,
which are usually docked along the left, top, and right sides of the screen. From the Workspace drop-down list
(just to the left of the Quick Access Toolbar), try switching between the Drafting & Annotation workspace and the
AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT Classic workspace to see which one you prefer. In Appendix A, I explain how to cus-
tomize workspaces.
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On the Home tab, in the Draw panel of the Ribbon, hover the cursor over the leftmost button. You see
a tooltip that says Line, as shown in Figure 1.2. Below the tooltip, a description tells you that this but-
ton creates straight-line segments. If you continue to hover the cursor over the Line button, the
tooltip expands to provide more information about the command.
You use buttons on the Ribbon to execute commands. For example, to draw a line, you click the Line
button on the Draw panel of the Ribbon’s Home tab. You get some practice drawing lines in the exer-
cise that follows. (In the AutoCAD Classic or AutoCAD LT Classic workspace, you would click the Line
button on the Draw toolbar to draw a line.)
FIGURE 1.2
Hovering the cursor over the Line button displays a tooltip that shows the command and a description
of its function.
Note
If you inadvertently start a command that you don’t want to use, press Esc.
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The Quick Access Toolbar contains a few often-used commands that are useful to have available all the
time. Examples are commands to start a new drawing, open an existing drawing, and save a drawing.
Because you can customize the Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar to suit your needs, your screen
may appear somewhat different. (See Chapter 29 for information on customizing the Quick Access
Toolbar, and see Chapter 33 for information on customizing the Ribbon.) Remember that if the cur-
rent workspace is AutoCAD Classic or AutoCAD LT Classic, you won’t see the Ribbon or Quick Access
Toolbar; instead, you’ll see a menu bar at the top and several toolbars.
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