30
AutoCAD and Its Applications—Basics
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Shortcut Menus
AutoCAD uses shortcut menus, also known as cursor menus, right-click menus, or
pop-up menus, to simplify and accelerate command and option access. When you right-
click in the drawing area while a command is not active, the fi rst item in the shortcut menu
is typically an option to repeat the previous command or operation. If you right-click while
a command is active, the shortcut menu contains context-sensitive menu options. See
Figure 1-8. Some menu options have a small arrow to the right of the option name. Hover
over the option to display a cascading menu, also known as a cascading submenu. The
Recent Input
cascading menu shows a list of recently used commands, options, or values,
depending on the shortcut menu. Pick from the list to reuse a function or value.
Controlling Windows
Control the AutoCAD and drawing windows using the same methods you use
to control other windows within the Windows operating system. To minimize, maxi-
mize, restore, or close the AutoCAD window or individual drawing windows, pick the
appropriate button in the upper-right corner of the window. You can also adjust the
AutoCAD window by right-clicking on the title bar and choosing from the standard
window control menu. Window sizing operations are also the same as those for other
windows within the Windows operating system.
Floating and Docking
Several interface items, including the AutoCAD and drawing windows, can fl oat
or dock. Some items, such as the drawing window, have a title bar at the top or side.
You can move and resize fl oating windows in the same manner as other windows.
However, you can only move and resize drawing windows within the AutoCAD
shortcut menu
(cursor menu,
right-click menu,
pop-up menu): A
general or context-
sensitive menu
available by right-
clicking on interface
items or objects.
context-sensitive:
Specific to the active
command or option.
cascading menu
(cascading
submenu): A menu
of options related
to the chosen menu
item.
float: Describes
interface items that
appear within a
frame and that you
can resize or move.
dock: Describes
interface items
set into position
on an edge of the
AutoCAD window
(top, bottom, left, or
right).
Figure 1-7.
A—The basic tooltip that displays when you hover over the
Close
button of the AutoCAD
window. B—The tooltip that displays when you hover over the
Line
button on the
Draw
panel
in the
Home
ribbon tab.
Basic tooltip
showing the
name of a tool
or function
Initial tooltip shown while
hovering over a tool
Tooltip expands as you
continue to hover
A
B