Step 1 - Lesson 1.1

1.1.1 - The AutoCAD Environment

In this lesson you will learn how to:

1. Explore the AutoCAD Enviroment
2. Use the AutoCAD Application Menu
3. Start your first project

After you have installed AutoCAD 2018 proceed with the following steps, on windows, to launch the program:
Select Start > type AutoCAD2018 > select AutoCAD2018
The view of AutoCAD will appear, (Figure 1.1.1.1) offering options to open existing drawings or to create a new drawing.

To create a new drawing click the Start Drawing thumbnail as you can see in the left side of the view under “Get Started” (Figure 1.1.1.1).

This is the default layout of the AutoCAD 2018 program window and is called the Drafting Annotation Workspace'.
At the top of the AutoCAD Application window, that you have opened on your screen, you see the Application menu, ribbon, and other elements to access frequently used
commands and control the operation of the drawing.

The AutoCAD program window is divided in several parts (Fig.1.1.1.2):

• Application menu
• Quick Access toolbar
• Ribbon
• Drawing tabs
• Drawing area
• UCS icon
• Viewport Controls
• View Cube
• Navigation bar
• Command Window
• Model and Layout tabs
• Application status bar
• Drawing status bar

You can organize the AutoCAD Window into any arrangement you want and save it as a workspace. You can save and recall a workspace at any time using the Workspace Switching tool in the Quick Access toolbar (Figure 1.1.1.3).

The default layout of the AutoCAD 2014 program window is called the 'Drafting Annotation Workspace' and appears when you first open AutoCAD. You can change or select another workspace by clicking the Workspace Switching button, at the DrawingStatus bar (Figure 1.1.1.3).

 1.1.2 - Application Menu

Use the AutoCAD Application Menu

At the top left corner of the AutoCAD Application window , click on the Application Menu red button , to open the Application menu drop-down window (Fig. 1.1.2.1).

The Application Menu offers tools to manage your AutCAD files.

Search for Commands

Perform a real-time search for commands on the Quick Access toolbar, in the Application menu, and on the Ribbon. The Search Command field displays at the top of the Application menu (Fig. 1.1.2.1).

Search results can include menu commands, basic tooltips, and command prompt text strings.

In your example if you type in the Search command field the word "circle", will appear the window with all commands you can use for "circle" (Fig.1.1.2.2). You can select one of them and continue drawing the circle.

Access Common Tools

In the Application Menu (Fig.1.1.2.1) you can access common tools or start a file.

• Create, Open or Save a file
• Audit, recover, and purge a file
• Print or Publish a file
• Access the Option dialog box

In the next lessons of this step 1, you will learn:

- Lesson 1.1.2: - Create Object - the basic commands.
- Lesson 1.1.3: - Modify Object - the basic commands.
- Lesson 1.1.4: - Layers - Object Properties.
- Lesson 1.1.5: - Start to Design your first project.