Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
AutoCAD's Dynamic Input system displays a lot of the information that you
used to have to look down to the command window to see. To use Dynamic Input,
make sure the Dynamic Input button on the status bar is turned on (that is, it
looks highlighted). You can also press the F12 function key to toggle Dynamic In-
put on and off. Don't turn the command window off just yet, though — especially
if you're new to AutoCAD. I recommend that you keep the command window open
and docked at all times.
So what's the best course: to enter drawing commands from the command line, which
you can do in any workspace? Or to choose commands from the Ribbon in the Drafting
& Annotation workspace, or the AutoCAD Classic workspace's menus or toolbars? Well .
. . it all depends:
If you've never used AutoCAD in your life:
Use the Ribbon (that is, the default
Drafting & Annotation workspace) rather than the toolbars and menus of the tradi-
tional AutoCAD Classic workspace. Thanks to Microsoft's clout in the user-inter-
face world, I don't think the Ribbon is going away. I suspect more and more pro-
grams are going to adopt its look, if for no other reason than to avoid looking old-
fashioned.
If you're an experienced AutoCAD user who's been away for a release or two:
Give the Ribbon a decent test drive before you switch to the AutoCAD Classic
workspace. To ease your transition, you can display the classic menu bar above
the Ribbon. Simply click the down arrow at the right end of the Quick Access Tool-
bar and choose Show Menu Bar (see Figure 8-1).
