The Bottom Line - Mastering AutoCAD for Mac - page 698

Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing
Specify distances with coordinates. One of the most basic skills you need to learn is how
to indicate exact distances through the keyboard. AutoCAD uses a simple annotation system
to indicate distance and direction.
Master It What would you type to indicate a relative distance of 14 units at a 45° angle?
Solution @14<45
Interpret the cursor modes and understand prompts. AutoCAD's cursor changes its shape
depending on the command that is currently active. These different cursor modes can give
you a clue regarding what you should be doing.
Master It Describe the Point Selection cursor and the Object Selection cursor.
Solution The Point Selection cursor is a simple crosshair. The Object Selection cursor is
a small square.
Select objects and edit with grips. Grips are small squares or arrowheads that appear at
key points on the object when they're selected. They offer a powerful way to edit objects.
Master It How do you select multiple grips?
Solution Hold down A while clicking the grips.
Use Dynamic Input. Besides grips, objects display their dimensional properties when
selected. These dimensional properties can be edited to change an object's shape.
Master It How do you turn on Dynamic Input? And once it's on, what key lets you shift
between the different dimensions of an object?
Solution The Dynamic Input button on the AutoCAD status bar turns Dynamic Input
on and off. When an object is selected, you can move between the dimensional properties
by pressing the Tab key.
Get help. AutoCAD's Help window is thorough in its coverage of AutoCAD's features. New
and experienced users alike can often find answers to their questions through the Help win-
dow, so it pays to become familiar with it.
Master It What keyboard key do you press for context-sensitive help?
Solution F u n c t i o n - F 1 .
Display data in the Command Line palette. AutoCAD offers the Command Line palette,
which keeps a running account of the commands you use. This can be helpful in retrieving
input that you've entered when constructing your drawing.
Master It Name a command that displays its results in the Command Line palette.
Solution The List command.
Display the properties of an object. The Properties Inspector palette is one of the most
useful sources for drawing information. Not only does it list the properties of an object, it lets
you change the shape, color, and other properties of objects.
Master It How do you open the Properties Inspector palette for a particular object?
Solution Select the object whose properties you want to view. Right-click the object and
select Properties.