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BeginnerFree AutoCAD course about 15 min

The AutoCAD interface and workspace

Find your way around AutoCAD: where the tools are, how the command line talks to you, and how to set up a clean workspace for 2D drafting.

In this lesson you will

  • Name the main parts of the AutoCAD window
  • Start commands from the ribbon, the command line and shortcuts
  • Read command prompts and choose options
  • Switch workspaces and open the Properties palette

The main parts of the window

  • Ribbon: tabs (Home, Insert, Annotate…) with panels of tools. The Home tab holds most everyday drawing and editing tools.
  • Drawing area: the large space in the middle. In the Model tab this is model space, where you draw full size.
  • Command line: the long bar near the bottom. It shows what AutoCAD is asking for and accepts typed commands and values.
  • Status bar: toggles for drawing aids — grid, snap, ortho, polar tracking, object snaps — plus annotation scale and workspace.
  • Model and Layout tabs: bottom left. Model is where you draw; layouts are the sheets you print.
  • Application menu and Quick Access Toolbar: top left, for new, open, save, plot and undo.
Schematic of a CAD program window: a ribbon of tools across the top, the drawing area in the middle, a command line below it, a status bar at the bottom, and Model and Layout tabs at the bottom left.Ribbon — tabs and panels of toolsDrawing area (model space)view cubeXYCommand:LINE Specify first point:ModelLayout1Status bar: grid · snap · ortho · polar · osnap
Figure: The parts of a typical CAD window. Original KitWren diagram.

The command line is a conversation

Every tool is a command, and every command asks questions. Start LINE and the command line says Specify first point: — you click or type a point. It then asks for the next point, and so on. Read the prompt every time: it tells you what AutoCAD expects.

Options appear in square brackets, like [Undo] or [Close/Undo]. Click an option or type its capital letter(s) and press Enter. Press Enter or Space to finish or repeat the last command, and Esc to cancel.

With Dynamic Input (F12) on, prompts also appear next to the cursor. Keep an eye on both until the prompts become second nature.

Three ways to start a command

AutoCAD's AutoComplete suggests commands as you type. Right-clicking in the drawing area also shows recent commands and useful options.

  1. 1Click a tool on the ribbon (Home › Draw › Line).
  2. 2Type the full command name at the command line — LINE — and press Enter.
  3. 3Type the alias — L — and press Enter. Aliases are the fastest once you know them.

Workspaces and palettes

A workspace is a saved arrangement of ribbon, toolbars and palettes. Drafting & Annotation is the right one for 2D work; choose it from the gear icon on the status bar.

The Properties palette (Ctrl+1 or PROPERTIES) shows and edits everything about selected objects: layer, colour, length, radius, text height. Keep it open while you learn — it explains what you have drawn.

Other palettes you will use: Layer Properties (LAYER), Tool Palettes (Ctrl+3) and External References (XREF).

Selecting objects

Click objects one at a time, or drag a window. The direction matters: left to right (solid blue window) selects only objects completely inside; right to left (dashed green crossing) selects anything the box touches. Hold Shift and click to remove an object from a selection.

Quick reference

Command / toolHow to start itWhat it does
PROPERTIESCtrl+1 or PROpens the Properties palette for selected objects
OPTIONSOPProgram settings: colours, file paths, auto-save
WSCURRENTGear icon on status barSwitches workspace
CancelEscCancels the current command
RepeatEnter or SpaceRepeats the last command

Common mistakes

  • The command line has disappeared.

    Press Ctrl+9 to toggle it back on.

  • Clicking does nothing useful.

    Read the prompt — AutoCAD may be waiting for a point, a distance or an option. Press Esc to start again.

Exercise

Tour your workspace

  1. Open practice-01.dwg and switch to the Drafting & Annotation workspace.
  2. Turn the command line off and on with Ctrl+9.
  3. Start LINE three ways — ribbon, LINE, L — pressing Esc each time.
  4. Draw any shape with LINE, then select it with a window and with a crossing and watch the difference.
  5. Open Properties with Ctrl+1 and find the length of one line.

You should end up with: You can start commands three ways and read an object's properties.

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Lesson quiz

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Where does AutoCAD tell you what it expects next?

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Free, independent learning material written for KitWren. AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. KitWren is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Autodesk. We never provide software downloads, licence keys or cracks — use the official sources.