What’s new in AutoCAD: drawing and drafting tools

In the previous article, we saw that there are some major changes in AutoCAD interface. In this roundup post, we will see some new AutoCAD key features for drawing and drafting tools. There are so many nice minor enhancements, that I will not cover, and there are some of them can be considered as major enhancements. Some of the features below might be not big changes, but can change the way you work. Many new drafting features were added in AutoCAD 2011. Let’s see them.

Drawing Tools Enhancements

The most significant enhancements in creating AutoCAD drawing is probably creating drawings from 3D. Not many other enhancements for drawing and drafting. Well, what can we expect for a drafting tool?

Create 2D drawings, section and detail views

Autodesk added the ability to create 2D drawing in AutoCAD 2012. And enhanced it further in 2013. Things that AutoCAD users can only imagine in the past, now finally come true.

Read the details about creating 2D drawings from 3D models here.

Array enhancement

Since AutoCAD 2012, creating array is changed significantly. You can create associative array now. It means if you need to change the column distance, you can simply select the array and change the value from ribbon. However, using array in 2012 is very annoying. You must input it graphically.

Creating array is improved in 2013, and I think it works much better. Once you activate array, you will be in edit mode. You can change any value from ribbon before end this command.

Still don’t want to use new array? If you prefer using old array dialog box, you can use ARRAYCLASSIC.

Qselect

QSELECT is not really a new tool. It’s been there years ago, but still not many people using it. QSELECT is a very nice tool to select many objects at once. It enhances the way we can select objects in AutoCAD. AutoCAD does have selection filter before. But QSELECT is very easy to use. You can add or remove objects from selection that match properties we defined. See how to use QSELECT here.

And in this example, you can see how you can select all vertical lines or horizontal lines easily.

Polyline enhancements

In 2011, Autodesk add some new capabilities to edit polylines. Remember how difficult it was when we need to add vertex to a polyline segment? Now it becomes so easy. You can access the polyline editing tool from contextual menu or using grips.

I appreciate what they did to polyline. It’s a very nice enhancement. We can even change a line segment to an arc easily!

Read the details about polyline enhancements here.

Multifunctional grip

Now there are many objects can be modified using grips. We call it multifunctional grip. Polyline probably the nicest, but there are other objects have it. See other objects that can be modified using multi functional grip here.

Again, if you don’t like it, you can turn it of by changing system variable.

Layer and object properties

Layer is the basic feature to manage our drawing. We still use layers just like we did in older version. But there are some capabilities in the later version.

Layer Filter

I don’t know when this feature is added. Layer filter can be really useful when you work with many layers. When you use a standard, it will be easy for us to filter layers by industry/discipline, object types, etc. Further more, you can quickly lock or freeze all layers that are defined in a filter.

See more about layer filter here.

Layer properties per-viewport

Another layer new capability is now we can set different layer properties in different viewport. Now we can use it to plot the same drawing with different lineweight, different layers on/off, etc. While I prefer to manage the drawing with XREF (than turning layer on/off), now it is possible to plot the same drawing in different viewport with different line thickness. Very useful when we work with several scales.

To manage them easily, we can also use layer states (read below).

Layer states

When we work with layers, one of the advantages is we can turn on/off layers so we can focus on a specific object. Sometimes we need to turn off many layers at once, and turn them back on. It can be a tedious task. With layer states, you can record ‘a state’ of layers’ properties. You can record which layers should be on or off, so you can switch between them quickly. More interesting thing about it, is we can record all layer properties. Including linewidth, colors, etc.

See and do an exercise to create different drawing representation here.

More Layer Tools

There are more layer tools that can be really helpful. My favorite is layer walk. And there are many new tools that you can use to change active layers, freeze layers, etc by selecting object graphically. Very useful if you don’t want to open layer manager to turn layer on/off.

See those layer tools here.

Object transparencies

Object transparencies was introduced in AutoCAD 2011. Now we can create transparent objects, which mostly useful for fill. I don’t use it much, but I guess it’s very useful if you work with map or space planning.

See object transparencies demo on AutoCAD exchange here or see Shaan Hurley explaining the details on his blog here.

HIDE AND ISOLATE

In the past, we rely on layers to hide objects. Some brave users delete them and bring them back with OOPS command. Since AutoCAD 2011, now we can hide objects regardless on which layer they are. So it is possible to hide some objects on the same layer. We do need it sometimes, right?

SELECT SIMILAR AND ADD SELECTED

AutoCAD is more graphical than ever. You can quickly select similar objects by selecting an object, right click, then choose select similar from contextual menu. It will select all objects that have similar properties. You can choose which properties that should be considered.

Similar to this tool, now you can quickly to create a new object with the same properties by selecting existing object. Right click, then choose add selected.

See how AutoCAD treat new object’s properties with this tool in Lynn’s blog here.

Parametric Design

Parametric design was introduced in AutoCAD 2010. If you already use vertical products such as Inventor, you must be already familiar with it. It’s good to finally see it in AutoCAD. But the capability is still limited to 2D drafting. This feature allow us to set relationship between geometry and add function to geometry size.

Geometric constraint

Geometric constraints are set to let AutoCAD recognize relationships between objects. We can set objects to be perpendicular or parallel to each other, concentric, etc. This feature is very useful if you want to maintain relationship between objects. If you modify one object, the others will adjust the geometry.

Read about geometric constraint here.

Dimensional constraint

While geometric constraint maintain the relationships between objects, dimensional constraint will keep objects sizes. You can also use formulas to define objects length or distance.

Read about dimensional constraint here.

Usually you need to use both geometric and dimensional constraint. You may want to try this parametric design exercise and see it will be useful for you.

Drafting Tools

Besides of the drawing tools enhancements, Autodesk also adds some new functionality to drafting aids. Some tools provided can guide you to draw more efficiently and easily.

Object snap tracking

I remember in the old days we need to use temporary snap to start drawing away from a referenced point. Now it’s become easier. You can track a point from a reference point graphically.

See the explanation about object snap tracking here.

Polar tracking

In the past, we already familiar with ortho mode. We can quickly draw horizontal and vertical lines because the pointer is locked to X and Y axis. There is one more tool that allows you to lock pointer to more angles, not just 90 deg. You can track and quickly draw lines with 15, 30, 45 deg or other angle you need.

Object selection cycling

This is also a new feature in 2011. In the past, we can cycle between overlapping objects by holding [ctrl] + mouse left click. It was changed to holding [shift] then press [space] consecutively. Now it becomes easier because we can just click on an overlapping object, then select from a list. Just make sure you activate selection cycling in drafting tool.

See the details about object selection cycling in JTB World here.

Do you have other drawing/drafting you consider as important?

I guess that is the roundup, what are the new drawing/drafting tools enhancements in AutoCAD. If you think there are more features that can be considered as important, please share here.

AutoCAD Precise Input: Specifying Point Coordinate

You have learned how to use AutoCAD drawing tools. When you activate an AutoCAD drawing tool, there are two possibilities what AutoCAD will ask you: options or specifying points. Some AutoCAD tools ask your confirmation for settings before asking you for a point. You will need to define points eventually. In this tutorial, we will discuss how we can give precise input when AutoCAD asking us for a point location.

Drawing Object versus AutoCAD Scale

First, let us discuss how we should draw in your AutoCAD drawing, relevant to your scale. We draw our object in real size. If you have 5 feet length object, then draw 5 feet length line. If you have 100 cm length object, then draw it 100 cm length. I have to emphasize this because I found some people don’t work this way. They have 100 cm length object, and because they plan to plot it to 1:100 scale, they draw it 1 cm length. It’s a no-no.

We always draw the objects in their real size in CAD… any CAD applications. We only use scale for plotting purpose. We are drawing in a limitless area. Well, I know this is not true. But most CAD application can handle your design size.

AutoCAD only has 2 units by default: inch (imperial) and mm (metric) for plotting. So we better use that two units to avoid confusion when we plot (later about this). So if you work in metric, and you want to draw 1 m length line, draw it 1000 mm.

So AutoCAD only recognize mm and inch? No. Only for plot purpose. We can use other units like feet, cm, or m, but I recommend you to use inch or mm for the first time.

‘Classic’ versus Dynamic Input

Since AutoCAD 2006 (correct me if I’m wrong) Autodesk introduce ‘dynamic input’ to AutoCAD users. If you’ve just installed AutoCAD, then this feature by default is on. If you or someone turn it off, try to turn it on. Give it a try first. Later, if you don’t like it, you may turn it off. Click the dynamic input button in drafting settings group.

The method in defining coordinate using dynamic input or ‘classic’ input is a bit different. However they have the same concept.

Relative Coordinate

Activate line tool. We will try this basic tool to comprehend how we can talk with AutoCAD about point coordinate.

AutoCAD will ask you for first point. Since we don’t have anything in our drawing yet, just click anywhere to define a start point.

Polar Coordinate

After you place the first point, AutoCAD will show you dynamic input like image below. By default the dynamic input will ask for polar coordinate input.

Drawing description

1. The line length
2. The line angle, relative to positive X axis
3. The tool option

You can simply type the line length, press tab to move to angle field, type the angle value and press [enter].

When you use more complex AutoCAD tool, you probably need to change the tool options. You can press down arrow to see available options. For AutoCAD line tool, there is only ‘undo’ option. This will cancel the last line segment.

The value shown by dynamic input is relative coordinate. It means it shows the distance between your pointer and previous point. So if you want to draw a horizontal 100 length line: after you click the first point, type 100 for length, press [tab] to move to angle field type 0 then [enter]. It will create a line with 100 unit length, and parallel to positive X axis.

What will happen if you type 100 for length, and 180 for angle? Try it!

Hint: You can also define the length and angle by typing distance<angle. For example 100<30.

Cartesian Coordinate

The other common coordinate we use is Cartesian coordinate, by defining X and Y value. We can do this by typing X,Y when dynamic input is asking for next point. After we press comma, then the dynamic input will show you X and Y value like this.

25,50 means 25 units to the right, then 50 units to the top.

If you type positive value, then the next point will be to X/Y positive axis. But if you type negative value, it will be to negative axis FROM your last point. Try it!

Global Coordinate

If you work in land surveying industry, then you will need what we call global coordinate. You may want to precisely draw points or objects from a benchmark point. The intersection point of AutoCAD X and Y axis is the 0,0 coordinate.

Remember: by default positive X axis is to the right, and positive Y to the top.

We can input global coordinate by add prefix hash tag # before typing the XY value. If you add the # prefix, then AutoCAD will ignore the previous point, and measure your point from AutoCAD global 0,0 coordinate. Give it a try!

Using AutoCAD ‘Classic’ Input

All the above input mode is if you have the dynamic input turned on. If you turn it off, then inputting coordinate is slightly different. You will probably see many veteran AutoCAD users still using this way. The main reason people don’t like using dynamic input is because they feel it’s disturbing their view.

If you turn dynamic input off then:

1. When you type X,Y value, you are defining global coordinate.
2. To define relative coordinate you need to add prefix @ before typing X, Y. It will be @X,Y.
3. It also applies to polar coordinate. You have to type @distance<angle for relative coordinate.

It is up to you which one you will use. However, I recommend you to use dynamic input because it is the common way to define coordinate in other CAD applications.

We will have some exercise next.

AutoCAD Precise Input: Drafting Tools

You have learned how to precisely specify points by their coordinates. However, sometimes we need other methods to define points. There are some drafting tools that we can use to help us in specifying points.

AutoCAD Object Snap

Object snap is a tool that you can use to refer for a location from existing objects. For example, a center point of an arc or circle. You can snap to a reference point after you see the snap symbol on that point. Below is an example for midpoint snap.

Object snap is only working when AutoCAD is asking you for a point. You will not see the object snap symbol when AutoCAD is not asking for point.

Object Snap Settings

There are many modes of object snap you can use. Activating all of the object snaps is not a wise decision. You will find difficulties snapping to objects when you have complex drawing. You need to decide which object snaps you commonly use. To activate or deactivate object snaps, you can right click on object snap button, and choose the object snap.

You can also click settings… to open the settings dialog box. You can turn off the object snap (for all modes of snap) or you can check/uncheck a single snap mode.

Hint: You can press F3 to turn on/off object snap.

Overriding Snap Mode

You have decided which object snaps you mostly use. However, you will need to use other snap mode eventually. And sometimes when the drawing become very crowded, you will wish only one snap mode is active. No need to change the object snap settings.

You can simply hold [shift], right click your mouse. AutoCAD will show you snap override context menu. This will ignore your object snap settings temporarily, and use only the snap mode you choose. Remember, you can only use object snap when AutoCAD is asking you for a point!

Polar Tracking

When you draw an object, and your pointer is about parallel to AutoCAD axis, what will happen? It’s getting sticky and the angle show multiplication of 90 degrees. This is the polar tracking. It will track your pointer when at certain angle and snap your pointer. You can type the relative distance without typing the angle. This is very useful when you need to draw parallel lines. Simply move your pointer, snapped to the axis and type the desired distance.

By default, it will track your pointer when it’s at 90 deg, 180 deg, 270 deg, and 360 deg. We can change the incremental value by right clicking the polar tracking button, and choose incremental angle from the list.

Try to take a look in settings dialog for more control.

Object Snap Tracking

Object snap tracking works with object snap. If you turn object snap off, then this tool will not work. This tool will help you to define a point from another point in an object.

In this example, I want to define a circle center 400 units to the right of a rectangle corner. So I activate circle tool, place my pointer above the corner point. Wait for a while until AutoCAD recognize the point, and move your pointer to the right. The dynamic input should say ‘extension:…’. Type the distance and press [enter].

You can use more than one point as reference. In this example, I use object snap tracking to find a rectangle center.

Or to find extended intersection from two lines.

I guess now you have enough knowledge to start drawing with AutoCAD precisely. We will start an exercise on the next tutorial.

What’s new in AutoCAD: the Interface

I had an AutoCAD training class earlier. I get a chance to train some experienced users. I taught them AutoCAD new features. Not only new features in AutoCAD 2011, but also some key features from 2005-2011. They love it.

So I thought it’s a good idea to compile the new features, for you who want to catch up with the new features. This blog has published many AutoCAD tutorials and tips. But I want to make it more scanable.

Many of us don’t get new version each year, for many reasons. If you recently upgrades to latest version and skip several of them, I hope this can help.

So I will write a series of AutoCAD new features. It’s AutoCAD tutorial for AutoCAD users. I will focus on the key features only. I don’t think people will really care to know that now the default background is white or some other minor changes.

Let’s start for the most obvious: the interface. I will not cover many things in details. There were many changes in each year. And many of them are just minor changes. Except for these three: palettes, ribbon, and dynamic input.

Command Line

Command line has a facelift in AutoCAD 2013. But you will only see most of the enhancements when you undock it.

See the command line enhancements here.

AutoCAD Palettes

Many dialog boxes in AutoCAD now become palettes. Some of them may feel annoying. I didn’t really like layer properties palette when I first use it. But it does have benefits: Now we can see the changes instantly. We used to change the properties, then click OK then close layer dialog box to see the changes.

The only thing annoying about palettes is they are can take some screen space. You may want to see how you can optimize the placement here.

Ribbon Interface

Implementing ribbon to AutoCAD probably has the strongest reaction. So many veteran users quickly switch to classic interface without giving ribbon a chance. But I do notice that people who new to AutoCAD, and people who don’t use AutoCAD heavily actually like it.

One thing that I’ve been questioning is why people bother to change it to classic without giving it a try? We, AutoCAD ninjas, most of the time don’t use toolbar anyway. It’s taking too much screen space? Are you sure? We can minimize the ribbon and hide command line, and we can still use command line. We can also tear the ribbon panels like we had floating toolbars in the old days. We can also put frequently used tools on quick access toolbar.

The only reason I can think we should use ribbon interface because of performance issue. It does require more powerful hardware. But if you have latest hardware, it shouldn’t be a big issue.

Ribbon is also getting better and looks neat. In AutoCAD 2010, we have contextual ribbon tab. It means we only see tools we need. See how contextual ribbon tab works in hatch creation and editing.

Dynamic Input

Dynamic input is also avoided by many AutoCAD veterans. I personally like it. I can focus more on my pointer without having to looks at command line repeatedly. But then again, many of us feel it’s obstructive when we work fast. You may already saw some veterans can move the pointer very fast from one location to another.

There are several benefits of using dynamic input. If you feel it’s disturbing you, you may want to try to hide some dynamic input fields.

My point here is, at least give them a try. I will not throw a suggestion ribbon and dynamic input are the best way. But if you don’t even try them, how can you tell the old way is better?

Other Interface Changes

There are some other changes in interface. They don’t change the way you work, but they are more to giving you alternatives.

Tool Palettes

Tool palettes is the easiest way to create a custom tool. You can place your frequently used tools to this palette. It is very simple, just drag and drop. If you need to draw lines with different properties (layers, colors, etc) you can put them here. If you need to add hatches with different patterns or scale, you can drag them to your palettes.

Some resources about tool palettes:

1. See how you can place some objects with their properties to tool palettes here.
2. You can also share the tool palettes with your team by putting it on a shared folder. Because you are sharing it, it would be a good idea to protect your tool palettes too.
3. If you manage your similar blocks within a single file, you can use design center to quickly create tool palettes.

AutoComplete

Are you a heavy command line user? Or you want to learn using it intensively? You will find this feature useful.

AutoComplete will try to suggest you some commands that’re started with characters you typed. So if you’re a command line junkie like Melanie, you’ll love it.

This feature was added in AutoCAD 2012.

In Canvas viewport control

In canvas viewport control is a small enhancement, but I find it quite useful. You now can change visual styles and view from top left of your viewport.

View Cube

View cube is a nice addition for view navigation. This is a default view navigation tool for all Autodesk 3D products. If they don’t have it now, they will. I use it a lot in Revit and Inventor.

It’s very useful when we work in 3D modeling. See Lynn Allen’s post about view cube here for more details.

But if you are working in 2D only, certainly view cube doesn’t bring any benefits. You may consider to turn it off. See how you can hide view cube in AutoCAD.

Steering Wheel

I don’t use steering wheel much. But it is nice to use when I present live walk through demo with walk and up/down tool. I can also use look to view the surroundings.

New STARTUP variable value

In AutoCAD 2012, we have option to load AutoCAD without opening any file. This can load AutoCAD a bit faster, and let us open or create a new file. Set STARTUP variable to 2 to use this behavior.

More New Interface

I select them as ‘key feature’ in new AutoCAD interface. I know there some more, you may consider them as ‘your key feature’. Feel free to share them by writing comments below. And if you are an AutoCAD veteran, which is your favorite new feature? Let’s limit it to interface only in this post.

Modifying AutoCAD Drawing Objects

It’s been a while since I wrote the last AutoCAD tutorial. Let us continue the AutoCAD basic. The last tutorial discuss about how to draw in AutoCAD. Let us refresh our memory how we use the drawing tools. To draw in AutoCAD, we activate the tool, then define the coordinate. You might need to use drafting tools to help you to define the precise position. Modifying object is a bit different. Some tools also require you to input coordinate. But there is one more thing you should learn to modify object: selecting your objects.

There will be time you need to modify your objects. It might because you make a mistake, or because sometimes it’s easier and faster you modify them later. Let us see the tools we can use to modify the objects.

You can find the tools in AutoCAD ribbon, home tab>modify panel. There are many tools you will see here. Most of the tool name are self-explanatory. Like several previous posts, I will not describe each tool. You can always get the tool description by moving your pointer above the tool. Wait a little longer, then you will get more detailed description.

What I want to emphasize here, is how we use AutoCAD modify tools. There are several possibilities of what you will see after activating a modify tool. Most basic modification tools will ask you to select objects to modify. And sometimes the tool will also ask you to define point coordinates. Some other tools will ask you several more options.

Let us try several AutoCAD modify tool.

Copy/Move

Try to activate copy or move tool.

Command: _copy
Select objects: 1 found

Select objects:Current settings:  Copy mode = MultipleSpecify base point or [Displacement/mOde] <Displacement>: Specify second point
or <use first point as displacement>: 700

Specify second point or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:

• After you activate the copy tool, AutoCAD will ask you to select objects you want to modify. There are many ways that you can use to select objects in AutoCAD drawing. The basic way to do it is by clicking each object you want to modify, or create a rectangular selection.
• Next question is the tool option. Of course the option will be different for each tool. Try them or read the documentation for more details.
• The last thing you need to do is defining the reference points to place the duplicate object.

All three question is the common steps you need to go through when you use modify tools.

Scale

Now let us try scale tool.

Command: _scale
Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 1 found

Select objects:
Specify base point:
Specify scale factor or [Copy/Reference]: 2

Scale tool will ask you to select object, define the base point, then the scale factor. Very similar steps with copy, right?

Array

Now array. Array is a little different. Not like most modify tool, it use dialog box.

Rectangular array have several options, and select object button. But it doesn’t require you to define a point. However, polar array does need you to define the center point of array.

Summary

Basically you need to select objects, change some settings, and define points. Not necessarily all of them, but most of the modify tool do. We will do some exercise later. In the mean time, try the modify tools by yourself to get familiar with them.

Noun-verb vs Verb-noun selection

I’m not really sure about this, but I guess the default workflow to modify object in AutoCAD is using verb-noun selection. You activate the tool, then select the objects. However, you can also select your object first, then activate the tool. This is a default workflow in most Windows applications: noun-verb selection.

Using Template and Setting Your Unit

There’s not much in this tutorial. However, I consider this is very important part for the rest of the tutorial.

I found most AutoCAD users never aware about using template. And worse, sometimes they just open existing drawing, erase the drawings, and use the existing styles and objects. Avoid this, since this will make your files corrupted.

What is a template? Template is a starting point of your work. There are some default settings you, your company use. Each industry may have different template, even the drawing come from the same company.

How can use template? When you choose file>new, AutoCAD will ask you to choose your template. When you first time starting AutoCAD, it will use the default imperial template. If you work in metric, create another file and close the first one.

AutoCAD Drawing Unit

When you draw with AutoCAD, AutoCAD doesn’t recognize what unit you are using. It just know you are drawing a 5 unit length line. However, this is useful to set the unit when you work further. Especially when you work with someone else, with different unit.

You can check and change your unit by accessing application menu>drawing utilities>units.

 

If you use metric as template, it’s already use millimeters. Imperial using inch. Keep in mind that AutoCAD use mm and inch only as default unit in plotting. So if you don’t want to have headache figuring what scale to use, stick to mm or inch. You can use other units, but you need to adjust the scale value when plotting.

AutoCAD 2010 Initial Setup

There is a new feature in AutoCAD 2010 that we can use to easily manage our template: initial setup. You probably have set it when the first time running AutoCAD 2010. But if you are not sure, let us define our initial setup.

Click the option button in your ribbon>view tab>windows panel.

This will open options dialog box. Switch to user preferences tab, and click the initial setup.

On the first page, select your industry. Click next.

On the second page, select which tools you want to add to your ribbon.

On third page, you can specify your default template. This is the one AutoCAD will open every time you star AutoCAD. If you already have your template, you can select it. But as we just started here, let us just new default drawing. But use metric/imperial.

Using Template

And how we can create our own template? You can find the detailed tutorial here. You can bookmark it to learn it later. We haven’t touch many area in the tutorial yet. However, I need to emphasize that you have to consider your template (which will affect drawing units) from very early stage.

Using AutoCAD Navigation Tools

The next first thing you should get familiar when first time learning AutoCAD is using navigation tools. You will want to see your drawing closer, move it to see another part of your drawing, see your model from different angle (for 3D), etc.

There are several methods to do it in AutoCAD:

Using Mouse

This is probably the most common way in many applications. You can zoom in/zoom out your drawing by scrolling your scroll button. The drawing will be zoomed in/out about your pointer position.

You can pan by click the mid button, hold it, and move your mouse.

Using Navigation Tools in Ribbon Bar

You can find the navigation tools in view tab, navigate panel. There are pan button, orbit (we will not discuss this until 3D tutorial), and zoom. There are several zoom tools you can use. The tool name should self explain what it’s for. But you might want to try them by yourself. Click the tool you want to use, then use it by hold your left mouse button. [Enter] to end the tool.

Using Steering Wheel

Steering wheel is the navigation tool that stick to your mouse. You can find the navigation tools here, like: zoom, pan, and rewind. If you want to try the navigation tools other than those three, try in 3D model. You can show/hide the steering wheel by pressing [shift]+W. Or click the steering wheel button on the try, right side of your status bar. (see animation below)

Typing in Command Line/Dynamic Input

This is probably the fastest way. You can type Z then [enter] to activate zoom tools. Press [enter] again will activate zoom real time. You have other zoom options if necessary. Refer to previous tutorial how to change the option.

Command: Z
ZOOM
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or
[All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real time>: W
Specify opposite corner:

Play this animation to see how it works. You can play it by right click and choose play from contextual menu.

Try to open sample files to do this exercise. You can find AutoCAD sample files in AutoCAD folder: C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2010\Sample\Sheet Sets