To practice using several features of the mouse (Procedure)

AutoCAD

 
Pointing Device Buttons
Concept Procedure Quick Reference
 
 
 

To practice using several features of the mouse

  1. Move your mouse and notice that the pointer on the screen changes from crosshairs while the pointer is in the drawing area, to an arrow when it's not over the drawing area, and to an I-beam when it's in the text window.
  2. As you continue to move the mouse, notice that the numbers in the coordinate display on the status bar change. These numbers indicate the exact location, or coordinate, of the crosshairs on the screen. Click in the coordinate display to turn it off. Notice that the coordinates are updated only when you click in the drawing area.
  3. Find the Snap button on the status bar and click it with the pick button on your mouse (usually the left button). Notice that the button darkens to indicate that Snap mode has been turned on.
  4. Move the pointer around the screen and observe that it seems to adhere, or "snap," to points at predetermined and equivalent intervals on the screen. You can change the size of these intervals.
  5. Click the Snap button again to turn Snap mode off.
  6. Move the pointer over the Standard toolbar at the top of the drawing area. As you leave the pointer over a button for a few moments, notice a pop-up label, called a tooltip, that identifies the button.
  7. Move the pointer over double bars at the end of a toolbar. Then, as you hold down the pick button, drag the toolbar around the screen to reposition it.
  8. Dock the toolbar by dragging it to a docking location at the top, bottom, or either side of the drawing area. When the outline of the toolbar appears in the docking area, release the pick button.