How Do I View All Drawings in AutoCAD?

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AutoCAD is a powerful software that allows users to create 2D and 3D drawings. With its extensive features, it’s only natural to wonder how to view all drawings in AutoCAD. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to help you easily navigate through your drawings.

Using the Navigation Bar

The navigation bar in AutoCAD provides a quick and efficient way to switch between open drawings. To access the navigation bar, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “View” tab in the top menu.
  2. In the “Windows” panel, click on the “Show” drop-down menu.
  3. Select “Navigation Bar“.

Once you have enabled the navigation bar, it will appear at the top of your workspace with thumbnails of all open drawings. Simply click on a thumbnail to switch to that drawing.

Using the “Switch Windows” Command

If you prefer using commands, AutoCAD provides the “SWITCHWINS” command to quickly switch between open drawings. To use this command:

  1. Type “SWITCHWINS” in the command line and press Enter.
  2. A list of all open drawings will appear in a pop-up window.
  3. Select the desired drawing by clicking on its name or using the arrow keys.
  4. Press Enter to switch to the selected drawing.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you are a fan of keyboard shortcuts, AutoCAD offers a convenient way to view all drawings using “Ctrl + Tab“. Simply press and hold the “Ctrl” key and repeatedly press the “Tab” key to cycle through all open drawings. Release both keys once you reach the desired drawing.

Using the Application Menu

The application menu in AutoCAD also provides access to all open drawings. To use this method:

  1. Click on the “A” icon in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window.
  2. In the drop-down menu, hover over “Switch Windows“. A list of all open drawings will appear.
  3. Select the desired drawing by clicking on its name.

Note: The application menu can be customized, so make sure to look for the “Switch Windows” option if you don’t see it initially.

Closing Thoughts

Now that you know multiple methods to view all drawings in AutoCAD, navigating through your projects will become much easier. Whether you prefer using visual aids like the navigation bar or keyboard shortcuts like “Ctrl + Tab“, AutoCAD offers flexibility to suit your workflow. Experiment with these methods and choose the one that works best for you!