Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're coming from AutoCAD 2008 or earlier, or even if you've been resisting the Rib-
bon in more recent releases, AutoCAD 2012's Ribbon is obviously very different from
what you're used to; it's even a little different from the Ribbon in AutoCAD 2009. Like
many Ribbon panels, the Draw panel has additional tool buttons on a slideout you can
use once or pin so it stays open — refer to Chapter 2 for a refresher on Ribbon panels
and slideouts. Similarly, many of the choices on the AutoCAD Draw menu open sub-
menus containing several variations on each drawing command.
AutoCAD's drawing commands are highly interactive. You need to read and respond to
the prompts in the command window (or at the Dynamic Input tooltip next to the
crosshairs if Dynamic Input mode is turned on). You can also access many of the com-
mand options that you see in command window prompts by pressing the up- and down-
arrow keys to display the options at the Dynamic Input tooltip. You can even right-click
and select command options from the context-specific shortcut menu.
