Getting to Know AutoCAD

Getting to Know AutoCAD

Opening a new drawing
Getting familiar with the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Graphics windows
Modifying the display
Displaying and arranging toolbars

Your introduction to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT begins with a tour of the
features of the screens used by the two programs. In this chapter, you will
also learn how to use some tools that help you control the screen’s appearance
and how to find and start commands. For the material covered in this
chapter, the two applications are almost identical in appearance. Therefore, as we
tour AutoCAD, I’ll point out any differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.
In general, LT is a 2D program, so it doesn’t have the 3D features that come with
AutoCAD, such as solids modeling and rendering. The other differences are minor.
As mentioned in this book’s Introduction, when I say “AutoCAD,” I mean both
AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. I’ll also refer to AutoCAD LT as “LT” throughout this
chapter and the rest of the book. Starting up AutoCAD is the first task at

Starting Up AutoCAD

If you installed AutoCAD or LT using the default settings for the location of the program
files, start AutoCAD by choosing Start ➣ All Programs ➣ Autodesk ➣ Auto-
CAD 2006 ➣ AutoCAD 2006. For LT, choose Start ➣ All Programs ➣ Autodesk ➣
AutoCAD LT 2006 ➣ AutoCAD LT 2006. If you customized your installation, find
and click the AutoCAD 2006 or the AutoCAD LT 2006 icon to start the program

The Startup Dialog Box

If AutoCAD or LT opens with the Startup dialog box sitting in front of the Auto-
CAD Graphics window, your screen will look like Figure 1.1. If the Startup dialog
box doesn’t open, read on a little—you’ll see how to display it and then how to
suppress it.
The Startup dialog box has four buttons in the upper-left corner. The first two
buttons let you set up a new drawing and choose an existing drawing to revise or
update. The second two buttons use templates and wizards to initiate advanced
setup routines. The contents of the middle portion of the dialog box depend on
which of the four buttons you choose. By beginning a new drawing, you can get
past this dialog box to the AutoCAD Graphics window.
1. Click the Start From Scratch button, the second button from the left.
2. In the Default Settings section, click the Imperial (Feet And Inches)
radio button.
3. Click OK to close the Startup dialog box. Your monitor displays the
AutoCAD or LT Graphics window, sometimes called the Graphical
User Interface, or GUI.
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