Chapter 1 Introduction to AutoCAD
15
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Drafting & Annotation
workspace is active provide access to 2D drawing commands.
Highlighted, context-sensitive tabs appear when some commands, such as the
HATCH
command, are active or when you work in a unique environment, such as
the
Block
Editor.
A command or option accessible from the ribbon appears in a graphic located
in the margin of this textbook. The graphic identifi es the tab and panel where the
command is located. You may need to expand the panel or pick a fl yout to locate the
command. The example shown in this margin illustrates picking the
Line
button on
the
Draw
panel in the
Home
ribbon tab to access the
LINE
command.
Ribbon Panels
The large tool button of a panel typically signifi es the most often used panel
command. In addition to tool buttons, panels can contain fl youts, drop-down lists, and
other items. Some panels have a solid-fi lled triangle, or down arrow, next to the panel
name. If you see this down arrow, pick the title at the bottom of the panel to display
additional related commands and functions. See Figure 1-13. To show the expanded
list on-screen at all times, select the pushpin button in the lower-left corner of the
expanded panel.
NOTE NOTE
When you pick an option from a ribbon fl yout, the option becomes the new default and
appears in the ribbon. This makes it easier to select the same option the next time you
use the command.
Some panels include a small arrow in the lower-right corner of the panel. Pick
this arrow to access a dialog box or palette associated with the panel. For example,
pick the arrow in the lower-right corner of the
Dimensions
panel in the
Annotate
tab,
as shown in Figure 1-13, to display the
Dimension Style Manager
dialog box used to
format dimensions.
Basic Adjustment
The ribbon appears maximized by default. You can minimize the display to
show only tabs, panel titles, or panel buttons by repeatedly picking the
Minimize
button to the right of the tabs, or by selecting the appropriate option from the
Minimize
fl yout. Picking the
Minimize
button corresponds to the
Cycle through All
fl yout selection. When
Minimize to Tabs
is active, pick a tab to show all panels in the
tab. When
Minimize to Panel Titles
is active, pick a panel title to display the panel.
When
Minimize to Panel Buttons
is active, pick a panel button to display the panel.
Right-click on a portion of the ribbon unoccupied by a panel to access the options
described in Figure 1-14.
LINE
Ribbon
Home
Draw
Line
Figure 1-13.
An expanded panel
provides additional,
related commands
and functions. This
example shows
the expanded list
of dimensioning
commands found
in the
Dimensions
panel in the
Annotate
ribbon tab.
Pick to pin the
expanded list
to the screen
Pick to display
the
Dimension
Style Manager