10
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.
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