Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
cases, components of the current message that don't fit in a single line. Right now, the bottom
line displays the message Command (see Figure 1.8, earlier in this chapter). This
prompt
tells you
that AutoCAD is waiting for your instructions. When you click a point in the drawing area, you
see the message Specify opposite corner:. At the same time, the cursor starts to draw a win-
dow selection that disappears when you click another point. The same message appears in the
Dynamic Input display at the cursor.
As a new user, pay special attention to messages displayed in the Command Line palette and
the Dynamic Input display because this is how AutoCAD communicates with you. Besides giving
you messages, the Command Line palette records your activity within AutoCAD. You can use the
scroll bar to the right of the expanded Command Line palette to review previous messages. You
can also resize the palette for a better view using the resizing handle in the lower-right corner of
the palette. And you can close or open the Command Line palette by pressing
-3 or by choosing
To ol is
Palettes
Command Line. (Chapter 2 discusses these components in more detail.)
Now, let's look at AutoCAD's window components in detail.
DO I REALLY NEED THE COMMAND LINE?
The Command Line palette and the Dynamic Input display allow AutoCAD to provide text feedback
on your actions. You can think of these features as a chat window to AutoCAD—as you enter com-
mands, AutoCAD responds with messages. As you become more familiar with AutoCAD, you may
find you don't need to rely on the Command Line palette and Dynamic Input display for feedback. If
you're an experienced Mac user, you might think of the Command Line palette as a kind of terminal
window that lets you get deeper into the inner workings of AutoCAD. Experienced users can take
advantage of the Command Line palette to query the program, create macros, or enter commands
and command options. For new and casual users, however, the Command Line palette and Dynamic
Input display can be helpful in understanding what steps to take as you work.
Getting Familiar with AutoCAD
Now that you've been introduced to the AutoCAD application, you're ready to try using a few
AutoCAD commands. First you'll open a sample file and make a few modifications to it. In the
process, you'll become familiar with some common methods of operation in AutoCAD.
Opening an Existing File
In this exercise, you'll get a chance to see and use a typical Select File dialog box.
Before you start, make sure you have installed the sample iles for this topic from the accom-
panying website. See the introduction for instructions on how to find the sample files.
To start, you'll open an existing file:
1.
Click the red close button in the upper-left corner of the drawing area.
An alert message appears, asking whether you want to save the changes you've made to
the current drawing. Click No.
2.
Choose File
Open to open the Select File dialog box. This is a typical Finder dialog box.
You can preview a drawing before you open it by switching to a column view, thereby
saving time while searching for files (see Figure 1.13).
