Autocad

Lynn Allen’s Tips and Tricks for Using AutoCAD 2011

AutoCAD

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User Interface
The new context sensitive User Interface is more efficient than ever as it often switches automatically based on the objects selected. If you still aren’t ready to use the Ribbon—you can switch back to toolbars and pull-down menus by switching your workspace to AutoCAD Classic.

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Quick Access Toolbar
There are two new additions to the Quick Access Toolbar, the Workspace menu and SAVEAS. You can also move the Quick Access Toolbar below the Ribbon.

Customizing the Ribbon
New enhancements allow you to include Fold panels. As you change the size of your AutoCAD window or add and remove panels from a tab, Fold panels resize horizontally to fill the available space. You can specify a default, maximum and minimum button size for each panel in the CUI. User Interface

Changing the Ribbon
For those of you who would like the Ribbon to take up less room you’ll appreciate the new pull-down menu that was added to the ribbon cycle button. The new Minimize to Panel Buttons option displays large icons for each panel. The panel will expand when you hover over the button.

Drawing Window
AutoCAD 2011 now displays a dark gray background in modelspace (by default). The Display tab in OPTIONS lets you easily modify the color. The grid has now been modified to resemble graph paper (horizontal and vertical gridlines). You’ll see red and green lines extending from the UCS to indicate the X and Y axes when the grid is enabled.

User Interface

Put the Layer drop-down list on the Quick Access Toolbar for speedy access at all times! A simple right click on the layer drop down list allows you to easily add it.

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Object Selection and Creation tools
Navigation
A new Navigation bar replaces the navigation tools that were previously available on the Status bar. This new bar resides on the right side of the screen by default and includes Autodesk SteeringWheels, ViewCube, ShowMotion, Pan, Zoom and Orbit. The