Introducing AutoCAD 2011 - Introduction to AutoCAD 2011: 2D and 3D Design - page 23

The Ribbon

In the 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace, the Ribbon contains groups
of panels placed at the top of the AutoCAD 2011 window. In Fig. 1.3 on
page 3, there are eight panels - Draw , Modify , Layers , Annotation ,
Block , Properties , Utilities and Clipboard . Other groups of palettes can
be called from the tabs at the top of the Ribbon .

If a small arrow is showing below the panel name, a left-click on the arrow
brings down a fl yout showing additional tool icons in the panel. As an
example Fig. 1.32 shows the fl yout from the Home/Draw panel.

At the right-hand end of the panel titles (the tabs ) are two downward
pointing arrows. A left-click on the right of these two arrows brings down
a menu. A right-click on the same arrow brings down another menu
(Fig. 1.33). Options from these two menus show that the ribbon can

Fig. 1.32 The Home/

Draw panel and its
fl yout

Fig. 1.33 The two menus from the right-hand arrow

appear in the AutoCAD window in a variety of ways. It is worth while
experimenting with the settings of the ribbon - each operator will fi nd the
best for him/herself. The left-hand arrow also varies the ribbon.

Repeated left-clicks on this arrow cause the Ribbon panels to:

1. Minimize to tabs
2. Minimize to panel titles
3. Minimize to panel button
4. The full ribbon.