This document provides an overview of the key components of the AutoCAD interface, including: - The ribbon interface comprised of tabs, panels, and commands. - Additional toolbars like the Quick Access toolbar and InfoCenter toolbar. - Drawing aids on the status bar like snap modes, ortho mode, and object snap. - The differences between model and layout spaces for creating geometry and arranging views. - Using multiple windows to work with multiple drawings simultaneously.

1. UNIT 1: Introduction To The AutoCAD Interface
Objectives:
•Be able to identify, describe and/or apply…
•The key components of AutoCAD interface
•The AutoCAD help and search tools
•The Quick access toolbar
•The Infocenter toolbar
•The AutoCAD ribbon layout
•AutoCAD command line, drawing aides and
Status bar
•The difference between Model and Layout
space
Assignments/Quizzes/Tests
UNIT 1 Test

2. Application Menu
1. Basic applications on left
2. Look at recent documents
NOTE: Select push pin to keep
document in recent list
3. See which files are currently open
4. Search tool

3. Search Tool
• Will list AutoCAD commands for a
particular tool and show example. By
selecting tool it will take you directly to
AutoCAD and prompt you to enter
data

4. Quick Access Toolbar
Quick way to access common commands
Right-click on any command to….
Left-click on Arrow or chevron to add or remove
commands to the toolbar

5. InfoCenter Toolbar

6. Ribbon………. Interface when accessing the AutoCAD
commands or features. Comprised of three
components.
Tabs
Panels
Commands

7. Ribbon Display Properties
Left-click once to minimize
ribbon interface to tabs and
panel titles
Left-click again to minimize
ribbon interface to tabs
Left-click again to see full
ribbon interface
NOTE: You can also do the
same thing by right-clicking
on any tab. A menu appears
that will allow individual tabs
and panels to be turned on
or off. In addition to the
above you can “Undock” the
Ribbon Interface and place it
in a new location on the
screen

8. Ribbon Sticky Panels
By left-clicking and holding the mouse button
down on the panel title you can remove the
panel of commands onto the screen, and place
them were you want, however sticky panels can
NOT be docked. They are designed to allow the
user to have quick access to commands without
returning constantly to the ribbon interface.
To return the panel to the ribbon interface left-
click the arrow in the upper right of the sticky
panel

9. Snap Mode
Grid Spacing
Ortho Mode
Polar Tracking
Object Snap
Object Snap Tracking
Dynamic Input
Allow/Disallow Dynamic UCS
Show/Hide Line Weight
Quick Properties
Status Bar- Left side contains toggles or drawing aides
NOTE: Drawing
aides can be
displayed as
“Icons” or “Text.”
To switch right-
click on any of the
drawing aides and
select or deselect
“Use Icons.”

10. Application Status Bar- contains additional tools to control Model &
Paper space
Model or Paper Space
Quick View Layouts
Quick View Drawings
Zoom
Pan
Show Motion
Annotation Scale
Workspace
Switching
Steering Wheels

11. Multiple Drawing Windows- Allows working with more then one drawing
Procedure:
1. Open all drawings
2. Select “View Tab”
3. Go to “Windows Panel”
4. Select between Switch,
Tile Horizontally, Tile
Vertically, and Cascade
Mode.
NOTE: An alternative method for cycling
through open drawings is to…..
1. Hold down the Control Key
and press the Tab key to
go forward
or
2. The Control Key + Shift Key and
press the Tab key to go backwards

12. Model and Layout Tabs
Model Space
There is only one
Were we create actual
geometry or model
All drawings created in “Full
Scale”
Layout Space
Each layout tab represents a
new sheet of paper
You can have multiple
layouts or different drawings
of the geometry or model
You can rename each tab

13. Command Line
Considered a “Palette”
Can be moved and docked in other locations
Has been part of AutoCAD since DOS days
Gives hints or clues about what to do next
Can be hidden or closed (Use Control Key + 9 Key to restore)
F2 Key displays “Full Text Window” This shows 400 lines of previous
commands. These commands can not be deleted but can be copied and
pasted into the command line to repeat a procedure