Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Displaying the Properties of an Object
While we're on the subject of displaying information, you'll want to know about the Properties
Inspector palette. In the preceding exercise, you saw how the List command showed some
information regarding the properties of an object, such as the location of an arc's center and end-
points. You can also select an object to display its properties in the Properties Inspector palette.
To see how the Properties Inspector palette works fi rsthand, try the following exercise:
1.
Select the arc in the drawing. The Properties Inspector palette displays a list of the arc's
properties. Don't worry if many of the items in this palette are undecipherable; you'll
learn more about this palette as you work through the early chapters of this topic. For
now, just be aware that you can select an object to display its properties. You can also use
the Properties Inspector palette to modify many of the properties listed (see Figure 2.38).
FIGURE 2.38
The Properties
Inspector palette
2.
Click and drag the scroll bar to the right to see more of the object's properties.
3.
You're fi nished with the door drawing, so choose File
Close from the menu bar.
4.
In the Save Changes dialog box, click the No button. (You've already saved this fi le just as
you want it, so you don't need to save it again.)
You may notice the Essential and All options in the upper-right side of the Properties
Inspector. These two options enable you to choose the level of information displayed in the pal-
ette. The Essential option limits the number of properties displayed to a few of the basic ones
like layer and linetype. The All option displays a complete set of properties.
The Bottom Line
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 sys-
tem to indicate distance and direction.
Master It
What would you type to indicate a relative distance of 14 units at a 45° angle?
