• AutoCAD

The user interface in AutoCAD

Navigate AutoCAD like a pro with searchable commands, hyper-customizable workspaces, and an expansive toolkit.


00:03

AutoCAD’s user interface provides all the tools you need to work on a drawing.

00:07

By becoming familiar with the interface, you can streamline your workflow.

00:12

To begin, open the Application menu.

00:15

From here, you can create or open drawings and projects, save drawings, export files,

00:22

access the program options, publish or print files, or close drawings and projects.

00:28

Next, notice the Quick Access Toolbar.

00:31

This customizable toolbar contains a set of frequently used commands.

00:36

You can add and remove commands as needed, either from the ribbon or from the toolbar itself.

00:43

If you need assistance locating a command or tool, you can use the Search field.

00:48

To access your user profile, expand the Account drop-down.

00:53

From here, you can review account details, manage licenses, and sign out.

00:60

Expand the Help menu to access AutoCAD’s help content, download offline help or language packs, adjust privacy settings, and more.

01:10

The AutoCAD ribbon provides a compact palette of all the tools necessary to create or modify your drawing.

01:17

Like tools are organized into panels, some of which expand to show more tools.

01:22

By default, it is docked horizontally at the top of the drawing area, and you can customize its placement.

01:28

With AutoCAD’s tabs, you have quick access to your currently open drawings.

01:33

You can also easily create new drawings, open preexisting drawings, and save or close all current drawings.

01:43

Open the Start tab to review a variety of initial actions,

01:48

including opening or creating drawings, access to recent Autodesk Projects, learning options, and announcements.

01:56

Now, open a blank drawing.

01:58

Notice the viewport controls.

02:00

Primarily used for 3D modeling, these controls provide a convenient way of changing views, visual styles, and other settings.

02:11

Next, notice the ViewCube.

02:14

Displayed when you are working in 2D model space or 3D visual style,

02:20

the ViewCube is a navigation tool that lets you adjust the orientation of viewing your drawing.

02:26

The ViewCube can be moved to different locations within the viewport.

02:31

Now, review the navigation bar.

02:33

Here, you can access navigation tools, such as the ViewCube and SteeringWheels.

02:39

The user coordinate system (UCS) establishes the location and orientation of a movable Cartesian coordinate system.

02:48

By default, the UCS icon appears in the lower-left corner of the drawing area for the current model viewport.

02:55

The dockable, resizable Command window accepts commands and system variables.

03:02

It also displays prompts that help you complete a command sequence.

03:07

This includes commands that were initiated at another location such as the ribbon.

03:12

In AutoCAD, a layout is a 2D working environment for creating drawing sheets.

03:18

You can access one or more layouts from the layout tabs.

03:22

Multiple layout tabs can be used to display details of the various components of your model

03:28

at several scales and on different sheet sizes.

03:32

The Status bar displays the cursor location, drawing tools, and tools that affect your drawing environment.

03:38

It provides immediate access to some of the most commonly used drawing tools.

03:42

You can also toggle settings such as grid, snap, polar tracking, and object snap.

03:49

AutoCAD is a robust application that puts the tools you need just a click away.

03:54

And, with customization, you can create the workspace of your dreams.

Video transcript

00:03

AutoCAD’s user interface provides all the tools you need to work on a drawing.

00:07

By becoming familiar with the interface, you can streamline your workflow.

00:12

To begin, open the Application menu.

00:15

From here, you can create or open drawings and projects, save drawings, export files,

00:22

access the program options, publish or print files, or close drawings and projects.

00:28

Next, notice the Quick Access Toolbar.

00:31

This customizable toolbar contains a set of frequently used commands.

00:36

You can add and remove commands as needed, either from the ribbon or from the toolbar itself.

00:43

If you need assistance locating a command or tool, you can use the Search field.

00:48

To access your user profile, expand the Account drop-down.

00:53

From here, you can review account details, manage licenses, and sign out.

00:60

Expand the Help menu to access AutoCAD’s help content, download offline help or language packs, adjust privacy settings, and more.

01:10

The AutoCAD ribbon provides a compact palette of all the tools necessary to create or modify your drawing.

01:17

Like tools are organized into panels, some of which expand to show more tools.

01:22

By default, it is docked horizontally at the top of the drawing area, and you can customize its placement.

01:28

With AutoCAD’s tabs, you have quick access to your currently open drawings.

01:33

You can also easily create new drawings, open preexisting drawings, and save or close all current drawings.

01:43

Open the Start tab to review a variety of initial actions,

01:48

including opening or creating drawings, access to recent Autodesk Projects, learning options, and announcements.

01:56

Now, open a blank drawing.

01:58

Notice the viewport controls.

02:00

Primarily used for 3D modeling, these controls provide a convenient way of changing views, visual styles, and other settings.

02:11

Next, notice the ViewCube.

02:14

Displayed when you are working in 2D model space or 3D visual style,

02:20

the ViewCube is a navigation tool that lets you adjust the orientation of viewing your drawing.

02:26

The ViewCube can be moved to different locations within the viewport.

02:31

Now, review the navigation bar.

02:33

Here, you can access navigation tools, such as the ViewCube and SteeringWheels.

02:39

The user coordinate system (UCS) establishes the location and orientation of a movable Cartesian coordinate system.

02:48

By default, the UCS icon appears in the lower-left corner of the drawing area for the current model viewport.

02:55

The dockable, resizable Command window accepts commands and system variables.

03:02

It also displays prompts that help you complete a command sequence.

03:07

This includes commands that were initiated at another location such as the ribbon.

03:12

In AutoCAD, a layout is a 2D working environment for creating drawing sheets.

03:18

You can access one or more layouts from the layout tabs.

03:22

Multiple layout tabs can be used to display details of the various components of your model

03:28

at several scales and on different sheet sizes.

03:32

The Status bar displays the cursor location, drawing tools, and tools that affect your drawing environment.

03:38

It provides immediate access to some of the most commonly used drawing tools.

03:42

You can also toggle settings such as grid, snap, polar tracking, and object snap.

03:49

AutoCAD is a robust application that puts the tools you need just a click away.

03:54

And, with customization, you can create the workspace of your dreams.

Was this information helpful?