42
AutoCAD and Its Applications—Basics
Depending on the command in progress, different information and options
appear in the dynamic input area. For example, Figure 1-20A shows the display after
starting the
RECTANGLE
command. The fi rst portion of the dynamic input area is the fi
prompt, which reads
Specify first corner point
or. In this case, to draw a rectangle, pick in
r r
the drawing window or enter coordinates to specify the fi rst corner of the rectangle, fi
or access other options as suggested by the “or” “ portion of the prompt.
Pick the down arrow key to display available command options. See Figure 1-20B.
Select an option using the cursor, or pick the down arrow key again to cycle through
the options. Press
[Enter]
to select the highlighted option. You can also choose 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 1-21 shows the dynamic input display
when the
LINE
command is active.
coordinates:
Numerical values
used to locate a
point in the drawing
area.
Figure 1-20.
A—The dynamic
input fields that
appear after you
first enter the
RECTANGLE
command. B—Press
the down arrow key
to display command
options. Pick an
option with the
cursor, or use the
up and down arrow
keys to highlight
the desired option
and press [Enter] to
select.
Prompt Options are
available available
Input area
Crosshairs Coordinate
Press the down arrow key on
the keyboard to display options the keyboard to display
or Use the cursor r
wn arrow the up and d ow
t options keys to sele ct
A
B
Figure 1-21.
Dynamic input
fields change while
a command is in
use. In this example,
the coordinates
of the crosshairs
appear first. Once
you select the first
endpoint, AutoCAD
displays the distance
and angle of the
crosshairs relative to
the first endpoint.
Crosshairs
Selecting Next Point
Current X location
of crosshairs
Current Y location
of crosshairs
Prompt
Selecting First Point
point First i
of line
Current
distance
from first
point
Current angle
from 0° fro
A
B