20
AutoCAD and Its Applications—Basics
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
The AutoComplete feature is active by default to help locate and access AutoCAD
commands. When you type a command name, a suggestion list displaying selectable
entries appears at the command line or next to the dynamic input entry area. You will
learn more about AutoComplete and other AutoCAD input search functions later in
this chapter.
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, and prompts. As you use AutoCAD, you will become familiar
with the display and location of commands. Decide which command selection tech-
niques work best for you. A combination of command selection methods often proves
most effective.
PROFESSIONAL TIP P R OFESSIONAL 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 NOTE
Even though you may not choose to access commands by typing command names or
aliases, 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
www.g-wlearning.com/CAD/
Command Aliases
For a list of common command aliases, go to the companion website, select the
Resources
tab, and select
Command
Aliases.
Dynamic Input
Dynamic input allows you to keep your focus at the crosshairs while you draw.
When dynamic input is on, a temporary input area appears in the drawing window,
below and to the right of the crosshairs by default. See Figure 1-18.
Depending on the command in progress, different information and options
appear in the dynamic input area. For example, Figure 1-19A shows the display after
starting the
RECTANGLE
command. The fi rst portion of the dynamic input area is the
prompt, which reads
Specify first corner point
or. In this case, to draw a rectangle, pick in
the drawing window or enter coordinates to specify the fi rst corner of the rectangle,
or access other options as suggested by the “or” portion of the prompt.
Press the down arrow key to display available command options. See Figure 1-19B.
Select an option using the cursor, or press the down arrow key again to cycle through
the options. Press
[Enter]
to select the highlighted option. You can also select an
option by right-clicking and picking an option from the shortcut menu. The informa-
tion displayed in the dynamic input area changes while you work with a command,
depending on the actions you choose. Figure 1-20 shows the dynamic input display
when the
LINE
command is active.
coordinates:
Numerical values
used to locate a
point in the drawing
area.