Overview

In this chapter, we will investigate the graphics screen and the user-interface. We will also discuss some of the basic AutoCAD terminology.

Starting AutoCAD 2006

1. AutoCAD 2006 is started:

   1. from the Windows 'Start screen' with a double left-click on the AutoCAD 2006 icon

   2. by selecting the windows taskbar sequence:
      Start-Programs-AutoCAD 2006-AutoCAD 2006 (or similar).

2. Both methods will briefly display the AutoCAD 2006 logo and then:

   either	a the actual graphics screen
   or	b the Startup dialogue box.

3. If the Startup dialogue box is displayed, then select Cancel at present. This will allow the user access to the graphics screen. We will discuss the Startup dialogue box later in this chapter.

The graphics screen

Figure 2.1 displays the basic AutoCAD 2006 graphics screen. Your screen may differ slightly, but the general layout will be the same. The numbered items are:

1. The AutoCAD title bar

2. The graphic screen menu bar

3. The Standard toolbar

4. The Layer information toolbar

5. The Properties toolbar

6. The Text Styles toolbar

7. The standard 'windows buttons'

8. The Windows taskbar

9. The Status bar

10. The Layout tabs

11. The Command prompt window area

12. The Co-ordinate system icon

13. The on-screen cursor

14. The Drawing area

15. Scroll bars at right and bottom of drawing area

16. The Object Snap toolbar (floating)

17. The Sheet Set Manager palette

18. The Tool palette

19. The Workspaces toolbar (floating)

20. The Draw toolbar (docked)

21. The Modify toolbar (docked)

22. The Grips/Pickfirst boxes

Figure 2.1: The AutoCAD 2006 graphics screen.