AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in the field of architecture, engineering, and design. It offers a wide range of features and tools to create precise and detailed drawings.
One useful feature that AutoCAD provides is the ability to work with multiple drawing tabs simultaneously. This allows users to easily switch between different drawings and compare them side by side. In this tutorial, we will learn how to show multiple drawing tabs in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Opening Multiple Drawings
To begin, open AutoCAD and create or open the first drawing you want to work with. Once you have the first drawing open, go to the File menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select New. This will open a new instance of AutoCAD with a blank drawing.
Step 2: Arranging Drawing Tabs
Now that you have two instances of AutoCAD open, each with a different drawing, it’s time to arrange the drawing tabs so that they are visible side by side.
In the top-right corner of each instance, you will find a set of three icons. Click on the middle icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles.
This will tile the two instances horizontally, meaning that each instance will take up half of your screen width-wise.
Note:
- If you prefer a different arrangement, such as vertically or cascading windows, you can click on the other icons in this set to choose your preferred layout.
Step 3: Navigating Between Drawing Tabs
Now that you have your drawing tabs arranged side by side, you can easily navigate between them.
To activate a different drawing tab, simply click on its tab at the top of the AutoCAD window. This will bring the selected drawing to the front and make it active.
Note:
- You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Tab to cycle through the open drawing tabs.
Step 4: Adjusting Drawing Tabs
If you find that the default size of the drawing tabs is too small or too large, you can adjust their size to better suit your needs.
To resize a drawing tab, move your cursor to the edge of the tab until it changes into a double-headed arrow. Click and drag to increase or decrease the width of the tab.
Step 5: Closing Drawing Tabs
Once you have finished working with a particular drawing, you may want to close its corresponding tab to declutter your workspace.
To close a drawing tab, simply click on the small cross icon located on its tab. Alternatively, you can right-click on the tab and select Close All But This if you want to close all other drawings except for the selected one.
Note:
- If you accidentally close a drawing tab and want to reopen it, go to the File menu and select New Drawing. This will open a new instance of AutoCAD with a blank drawing where you can then open your desired file again.
By following these simple steps, you can easily show and work with multiple drawing tabs in AutoCAD. This feature is particularly useful when comparing different versions of a design or referencing multiple drawings while working on a complex project.
Experiment with different arrangements and find the one that suits your workflow best. Happy designing!