AutoCad 2010 Tutorial 1 - Status Bar

This AutoCAD 2010 tutorial has two parts, the initial part will be instructions for the drawing aids and the second part is for the other icons located in the status bar.

The X and Y (and Z) location of the crosshairs is shown in the coordinate area at the bottom left of the application window.

This mode restricts the crosshairs movement to a particular X, Y spacing.

The grid display controls a grids visibility and proportions.

An easy method to draw or move objects up, down or sideways in only 90 degree increments is to use ortho mode.

Pre-set rotation angles in this drawing aid helps decrease the amount of times you enter numbers.

Object snap is a tool locates markers at predetermined locations on objects. While using a command, object snap permits you to select precise points on existing objects.

Using coordinates obtained from two different points, it creates a brand new point that is in line and at specific angles to the references points. It is most effectively used in conjunction with polar tracking and object snaps.

When dynamic USC is turned on it is easier to draw objects on the face of a 3D solid.

Dynamic Input is an active heads up display that mimics the command line. If the command line options are accessible at the cursor, a small down arrow will appear at the end of the cursor prompt. Those options can be made visible by pressing the arrow key on the key board down.

The lineweight assigned to an object can be made visible or not with this tool button. Right clicking the icon and choosing "Settings..." will allow you to change the command options.

The following section of the AutoCAD 2010 Tutorial touches on a few other tools on your status bar.

When turned on, a small properties box appears when you choose an object. It permits you to manage some of the objects properties.

Activates either Model space or Paper space.

The thumbnails for the open drawings are displayed, any drawing can be made active by clicking on its thumbnail.

Quick View Drawings displays all the drawings you have open. You can switch between drawings quickly by selecting the thumbnails.

Panning is usually lumped together with the zoom command, it doesn’t change the size of an object only the location of the window you are viewing your drawing through.

Zooming doesn’t change the size of the objects in your drawing it only changes how the objects are being viewed.

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