UNIT 1: Introduction To The AutoCAD Interface

Objectives: Assignments/Quizzes/Tests
•Be able to identify, describe and/or apply… UNIT 1 Test
•The key components of AutoCAD interface
•The AutoCAD help and search tools
•The Quick access toolbar
•The Infocenter toolbar
•The AutoCAD ribbon layout
•AutoCAD command line, drawing aides and
Status bar
•The difference between Model and Layout
space
Application Menu

1. Basic applications on left

2. Look at recent documents
NOTE: Select push pin to keep
document in recent list

3. See which files are currently open

4. Search tool
Search Tool
• Will list AutoCAD commands for a
particular tool and show example. By
selecting tool it will take you directly to
AutoCAD and prompt you to enter
data
Quick Access Toolbar
Quick way to access common commands
Right-click on any command to….

Left-click on Arrow or chevron to add or remove

commands to the toolbar
InfoCenter Toolbar
Ribbon………. Interface when accessing the AutoCAD
commands or features. Comprised of three
components.
Tabs

Panels

Commands
Ribbon Display Properties
Left-click once to minimize
ribbon interface to tabs and
panel titles
Left-click again to minimize
ribbon interface to tabs
Left-click again to see full
ribbon interface
NOTE: You can also do the
same thing by right-clicking
on any tab. A menu appears
that will allow individual tabs
and panels to be turned on
or off. In addition to the
above you can “Undock” the
Ribbon Interface and place it
in a new location on the
screen
Ribbon Sticky Panels
By left-clicking and holding the mouse button
down on the panel title you can remove the
panel of commands onto the screen, and place
them were you want, however sticky panels can
NOT be docked. They are designed to allow the
user to have quick access to commands without
returning constantly to the ribbon interface.

To return the panel to the ribbon interface left-

click the arrow in the upper right of the sticky
panel
 Status Bar- Left side contains toggles or drawing aides

Quick Properties
Show/Hide Line Weight
NOTE: Drawing
Dynamic Input
aides can be
Allow/Disallow Dynamic UCS displayed as
Object Snap Tracking “Icons” or “Text.”
To switch right-
Object Snap
click on any of the
Polar Tracking drawing aides and
select or deselect
Ortho Mode “Use Icons.”
Grid Spacing
Snap Mode
Application Status Bar- contains additional tools to control Model &
Paper space

Workspace
Annotation Scale
Switching
Show Motion
Steering Wheels
Zoom
Pan
Quick View Drawings
Quick View Layouts
Model or Paper Space
 Multiple Drawing Windows- Allows working with more then one drawing

Procedure:
NOTE: An alternative method for cycling
1. Open all drawings through open drawings is to…..

2. Select “View Tab” 1. Hold down the Control Key

and press the Tab key to
3. Go to “Windows Panel” go forward

4. Select between Switch, or

Tile Horizontally, Tile 2. The Control Key + Shift Key and
Vertically, and Cascade press the Tab key to go backwards
Mode.
 Model and Layout Tabs
Model Space
There is only one
Were we create actual
geometry or model
All drawings created in “Full
Scale”
Layout Space
Each layout tab represents a
new sheet of paper
You can have multiple
layouts or different drawings
of the geometry or model
You can rename each tab
 Command Line
Considered a “Palette”
Can be moved and docked in other locations
Has been part of AutoCAD since DOS days
Gives hints or clues about what to do next
Can be hidden or closed (Use Control Key + 9 Key to restore)
F2 Key displays “Full Text Window” This shows 400 lines of previous
commands. These commands can not be deleted but can be copied and
pasted into the command line to repeat a procedure