TABLE OF CONTENTS It has only been a year since Autodesk last offered a new version of AutoCAD, so you might think that AutoCAD 2006 contains only minor changes. But there are many significant additions to this latest offering as well as numerous smaller changes. This appendix provides an overview of these additions, as well as new and updated commands.
The most significant adaptations are the dynamic block and Dynamic Input. Dynamic blocks bring a whole new range of capabilities to AutoCAD while Dynamic Input display makes it easier for casual users to get comfortable with AutoCAD.
Dynamic Blocks Dynamic blocks let you grip edit the parts that make up the block. For example, you can create a dynamic block of a dining room table that can be stretched in fixed increments of 5". In addition, such a block can be made to add more chairs automatically as the table increases in size. You can set up the chairs themselves so that you can move them independently of the table (see Chapter 17).
Dynamic Input Display Dynamic Input display offers a "heads up" view of the Command prompt. You no longer have to shift your gaze downward to see what AutoCAD is up to; the Command prompt appears right at the cursor. In addition, Dynamic Input display shows you the dimensions of the object you are drawing in real time. For example, as you draw a line, the line's length and angle are displayed as dimensions. You...
