Chapter 1 Introduction to AutoCAD - Goodheart-Willcox

This sample chapter is for review purposes only. Copyright © The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
OPTIONS
LINE
AUTOCOMPLETE
Application Menu
Type
OPTIONS
OP
dynamic input: Area
near the crosshairs
where you can
type commands
(command
names), type or
select command
options, and view
context-oriented
information.
command alias:
Abbreviated
command name
entered at the
keyboard.
Type
LINE
L
Type
AUTOCOMPLETE
AutoCAD Options
The Options dialog box contains AutoCAD system and drawing fi le options.
System options apply to the entire program. Drawing fi le options, identifi ed by the
AutoCAD drawing icon, are fi le-specifi c and do not affect other drawings. Many
system options are available to help confi gure the work environment, such as the background
color of the drawing window. This textbook focuses on the default system
options and references the Options dialog box when applicable.
NOTE
You can also access the Options dialog box by right-clicking when no
command is active and selecting Options….
Accessing Commands
Commands are available by direct access from the ribbon, shortcut menus,
Application Menu, Quick Access toolbar, palettes, status bar, viewport controls, view
cube, and navigation bar. An alternative is to enter the command using dynamic input
or the command line. To activate a command by typing, type the single-word command
name or the command alias and press [Enter] or the space bar, or right-click. You can use
uppercase, lowercase, or a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters. You can only
issue one command at a time.
You can activate any command or option by typing. Each command name and
alias, along with other access techniques available in the Drafting & Annotation workspace,
appear in a graphic in the margin of this textbook. The example displayed in
this margin shows the command name (LINE) and alias (L) you can use to access the
LINE command.
AutoComplete settings are active by default to help locate and access any
AutoCAD command listed in the Customize User Interface (CUIx) fi le. Begin typing
a command name using dynamic input or the command line. Commands that match
the letters you enter appear in a suggestion list as you type. Type additional letters to
narrow the search, with the best-matched command listed fi rst. Figure 1-19A shows
the results of typing a lowercase letter l. The lowercase l auto-appends to an uppercase
L by default. Hover over a command in the suggestion list to display a tooltip and
select the command you want to activate.
Use the AUTOCOMPLETE command to adjust AutoComplete preferences. An easy
way to access AUTOCOMPLETE command settings is to right-click on the dynamic
input suggestion list or on the command line, or pick the Customize button on the
command line and choose from the AutoComplete cascading menu. Figure 1-19B
briefl y describes AutoComplete settings.
NOTE
Deactivate the AutoComplete Auto-Append and Suggestion List
options to turn off AutoComplete. You can also use the ON and OFF
options of the AUTOCOMPLETE command to toggle the tool on and off.
A benefi t of accessing a command using a method other than typing is that you do
not need to memorize command names or aliases. Another advantage is that commands,
options, and drawing activities appear on-screen as you work, using visual icons, tooltips,
40 AutoCAD and Its Applications—Basics
Figure 1-19.
A—Use AutoComplete settings to help access commands when typing. Notice that the
suggestion list displays the command alias and name. B—Options for controlling AutoComplete.
Suggestion list
Selection Result Default
Auto-Append Changes the entry to the preferred format. Selected
Suggestion List Displays a list of recommended commands. Selected
Display Icons Icons appear with command names in the
suggestion list.
Selected
Display System
Variables
Includes system variables in the suggestion list. Selected
Delay Time Specifies the seconds before the suggestion list appears. 0.30 seconds
and prompts. As you work with AutoCAD, you will become familiar with the display
and location of commands. Decide which command selection techniques work best for
you. A combination of command selection methods often proves most effective.
PROFESSIONAL TIP
When typing commands, you must exit the current command before
issuing a new command. In contrast, when you use the ribbon or
other input methods, the current command automatically cancels
when you pick a different command.
NOTE
Even though you may not choose to access commands by typing
command aliases or names, you must still type certain values, as
explained in Chapter 3. For example, you may have to type the diameter
of a circle or radius of an arc.
Reference
Material
Dynamic Input Command Line
A
B
Command Aliases
For a detailed list of command aliases, go to the companion
website, select the Resources tab, and select Command Aliases.
www.g-wlearning.com/CAD
Chapter 1 Introduction to AutoCAD 41