AutoCAD is a powerful software used for creating 2D and 3D designs. To fully utilize the capabilities of AutoCAD, it is important to understand how to type commands in the software. In this tutorial, we will explore the various ways to enter commands in AutoCAD and make your design workflow more efficient.
Entering Commands
To enter a command in AutoCAD, you can use either the keyboard or the command line. The command line is located at the bottom of the AutoCAD window and displays prompts, messages, and the current command being entered. Let’s look at how to use both methods:
Keyboard Method
The keyboard method allows you to quickly enter commands by typing their names. To start, press the Enter key on your keyboard to activate the command line. Then, simply type the name of the command you want to use and press Enter again.
For example, if you want to draw a line, type “line” and press Enter. AutoCAD will then prompt you for additional information required for that specific command.
Command Line Method
The command line method involves using menus and icons on the screen to select commands. To access this method, click on “Express Tools” in the top menu bar and then select “Command Line”. This will display a separate floating window with a text box where you can type commands.
In this method, you can also use autocomplete functionality by pressing TAB. As you start typing a command name, AutoCAD will suggest matching options. You can then use TAB to cycle through the suggestions and press Enter to select the desired command.
Command Options
AutoCAD commands often have various options that can be specified to modify their behavior. To access these options, you can either type them directly after the command name or use the command line prompts. Let’s take the line command as an example:
- Type “line” and press Enter.
- AutoCAD will prompt you for the first point of the line. Specify it by clicking on a point in the drawing area or by typing coordinates.
- If you want to specify additional options like length or angle, type them after the first point and press Enter.
- You can continue specifying additional points or press Enter twice to exit the command.
Redefining Commands
In addition to using default commands, AutoCAD allows you to redefine existing commands or create custom commands. This can significantly improve your productivity by automating repetitive tasks or creating shortcuts for complex commands.
To redefine a command, use the “Alias Editor”. You can access it by typing “CUI” in the command line and pressing Enter. In the Alias Editor window, you can specify new aliases for existing commands or create new custom commands using macros and scripts.
In Conclusion
In this tutorial, we explored different methods of typing commands in AutoCAD. Whether you prefer using the keyboard or rely on menus, mastering command entry is essential for efficient design workflows.
Remember to make use of the command line prompts and options to customize your commands and increase productivity. Additionally, consider redefining commands to create shortcuts and automate repetitive tasks. With these skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an AutoCAD power user.