AutoCAD 2009

Introducing a user interface redesign with a single goal: to increase your productivity.

User Interface

Ribbon - The ribbon interface helps you increase overall drafting productivity by decreasing the number of steps required to reach a command. The ribbon interface presents command options in a concise visual format so you can quickly select commands based on the work you are doing. Moving between applications is now quick and intuitive. The ribbon is both customizable and expandable so that you can optimize it to fit your workstyle and company standards.

Menu Browser - No longer is reviewing and working with several files a tedious and time-consuming process. The new menu browser interface enables you to browse files and examine thumbnail images, and provides detailed information about file size and file creator. Plus, you can organize recently used files by name, date, or title.

Design and Drafting

Action Recorder - The new action recorder helps you save time and increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks without requiring the skill or assistance of a CAD manager. Quickly record a task, add text messages and requests for input, and then quickly select and play back recorded files.

Layer Properties Manager - The new Layer dialog box makes creating and editing layer properties faster and less prone to error. Changes are instantly reflected in the drawing as you make them in the dialog box. The manipulation of the dialog box has been simplified: columns can now be individually resized to avoid truncating the contents or title. Individual columns can be fixed in place so that you can scroll through the rest of the columns. And you can reference a column to a fixed column such as the layer name for easy scrolling.

Visualization

ViewCube - The ViewCube™ feature is an interactive tool for rotating and orienting any solid or surface model in AutoCAD® software. Just select a face, edge, or corner of the cube to bring the model quickly to that predefined orientation. Click and hold the ViewCube to rotate the model in any direction. Since the ViewCube is in a fixed location on the screen, it provides at-a-glance orientation. The ViewCube will be introduced in Autodesk products as a common tool for working with 3D models.

SteeringWheel - The new SteeringWheels™ tool provides quick access to the Pan, Center, and Zoom commands. The SteeringWheels tool is highly customizable so you can add walk-through commands to help create and record a walk-through of your model.

AutoCAD @ Autodesk