Content
User Interface
When we start AutoCAD for the first time, the user interface can actually be quit tough for the beginner.
Below is the screen detail of AutoCAD.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/autocad-screen-_1.png?w=1024)
lets take an overall view of the working screen in AutoCAD, in top of screen there’s file name “Drawing1.dwg” that is title bar as we can see an snap, in that name “.dwg” is the file extension or file format of AutoCAD.
Application button has few same command like quick access tool bar (new, open, save, save as) but there are another command like import, export, publish, print, drawing utilities.
Import, we can convert the pdf file to dwg (AutoCAD).
Export, convert form dwg to pdf or dgn etc.
Publish, we need to make first page setup for pdf with the help of print option and then publish (sort cut key for publish alt+f+u)
A ribbon is horizontal array of panels containing buttons that allow you to access tools (Draw, modify, annotation etc) in AutoCAD.
We can hide or unhide the ribbon when we want the more drawing area with the help of Minimize to panel tab.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/minimize-to-panel-tab-1.png?w=50)
Hide all tool bars in the ribbon.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/minimize-to-panel-tab_1.png?w=501)
Unhide tool bars in the ribbon.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/minimize-to-panel-tab_2.png?w=502)
The AutoCAD User Interface or ‘UI‘ – is Unlocked by default. We can drag out tools from ribbon to drawing area and stick in screen (Toolbars, Palettes, floating ribbon tabs) anywhere we like.
pick the tool>drop in drawing area (with the help of mouse), and do the same for tool back to the ribbon.
The command line is usually located at the bottom of the screen by default, but we can also change the location (pick > drag> drop ) and we can also hide the command line (ctrl+9) for command line recovery type “Commandline” it will back at bottom location.
The status bar displays the drawing tools, and tools that affect your drawing environment.
We can toggle settings such as grid, snap, polar tracking, and object snap. We can also access additional settings for some of these tools by clicking their drop down arrows.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/status-bar.png?w=783)
Note: Not all tools are displayed by default; we can choose what tools to display from the Customization menu, the right-most button on the status bar.
AutoCAD Basic Settings
When we are starting work with AutoCAD, before start work we need to do some basic setting like model/layout, crosshair size, dwg save etc.
So for the setting we need to go option command (short cut key OP) .
Go to Application button > Options.
Display setting we can set the window color, crosshair size.
For AutoCAD window theme.
Option>Display>Window Elements> Color scheme > Dark or light .
Tool bar will be change, now we have to change the drawing area color.
Display > Window Elements > Colors > Context (2D model space) > Interface element(uniform background) >Color.
![](https://lazyhungryminds.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/image-3.png?w=610)
- For Crosshair size
Option>Display>Crosshair size - For Layout/Model
Option>Display>Layout elements
- For Dwg open and save
Saving the drawings as an earlier version allows to sharing the files with other AutoCAD users that are using an older version of AutoCAD.
Option>Open & save >File save > save as
- Object Selection
AutoCAD has two type of object selection
Window Selection
Drag from left to right to select all objects that are entirely enclosed in the selection rectangle.
Crossing Selection
Drag from right to left to select all objects that are crossed by the selection rectangle.
Leave a Reply