AutoCAD Keyboard and mouse

When users work in AutoCAD system, the main input device is keyboard and mouse, the following describes how to use the keyboard and mouse in AutoCAD.

2.1.1 Using the keyboard

AutoCAD, like previous versions, provides both a graphics window and a text window. You typically display some of its text windows and command lines between the graphics window and the status bar, as shown in Figure 2-1.

In the AutoCAD system to provide users with a number of commands, the user can use the keyboard in the command line prompt "command:" After entering the AutoCAD command, and press ENTER or the space bar confirmation, submitted to the system to perform, which is similar to the previous operation in the DOS system. For example, when you enter command "Help" on the command line and return, the system executes the command to display the Assistance Information window for AutoCAD 2002.

In addition, the user can use the ESC key to cancel the operation, with an up or down arrow that causes the command line to display the previous command line or the next command line.

Some of the commands in the AutoCAD system can be nested in the process of using other commands, which is called "Transparent" execution. Commands that can be executed transparently are called transparent commands, often commands that can change the graphics settings or drawing tools, such as grid, snap, and zoom. If you want to invoke a transparent command when you use another command, you can enter the transparency command at the command line and precede it with a single quotation mark ('). After the transparent command is executed, AutoCAD automatically resumes the command that was originally executed.

In addition, some of the commands in the AutoCAD system are done in the form of dialog boxes, which generally have another form corresponding to the command line. Usually the command-line form of a command is preceded by a hyphen "-", for example, the command line for the "layer" command is "-layer". In general, the dialog form of the command has the same function as the prompt line, but some commands are not, and the specifics of the case are explained separately in later chapters.

Note When you enter a command at the command line, you cannot enter a space bar in the middle of the command because the AutoCAD system equates the command line hollow grid with a carriage return.

Tip If you need to execute the same command more than once, after the first execution of the command, you can repeat it by pressing the ENTER key or the SPACEBAR without having to enter again.

Expert advice in AutoCAD system, if you open a graphics file without executing any commands, press ENTER or the space bar directly, the system will automatically execute the "Help" command.

2.1.2 Use mouse

The mouse is AutoCAD in the most important and most importantly the input device, without the mouse can not operate in AutoCAD. The most basic function of a mouse is to use its left and right two keys, some mouse also has a third key, can also be used in the AutoCAD2002 system. In addition, AutoCAD 2002 also supports 3D, 4D mouse, make full use of its side keys and rollers to achieve more functions, so that users can more arbitrary operation. About the third mouse button and 3D, 4D mouse use in the 3rd chapter of the relevant content.

(1) The left mouse button: The main function of the left mouse button is to select objects and positioning, such as the right mouse click can select menu items in the menu bar, select the toolbar icon button, in the plot area to select graphics objects.

(2) right mouse button: The function of the right mouse button is mainly pop-up shortcut menu, the contents of the shortcut menu will be based on the location of the cursor and the system state changes. For example, clicking directly in the plot area will eject the shortcut menu shown in Figure 2-2, and the right mouse button after selecting a drawing object will eject the shortcut menu shown in Figure 2-3; Right-click in the text window to eject the shortcut menu shown in Figure 2-4. There will also be different shortcut menus in the toolbar, status bar, and so on, which we'll explain in more detail in later chapters.

In addition, another feature that you right-click is equivalent to the return key, which is the right mouse button to determine when the user enters a command at the command line.

Tip from the AutoCAD 2000i, AutoCAD support the left mouse button double-click function, for example, in line, callout and other objects on the double-click will pop up the Properties window, double-click on the Type Object pop-up text Edit dialog box, on the pattern filled object Double-click will pop up " Pattern fill edit (Hatch Edit) dialog box, etc., as detailed in the relevant chapters.