CAD Terms Flashcards
Applications Menu
Menu displayed when you click the application button in the upper-left corner of the application window (large red “A”).
Command Line
Text area reserved for keyboard input, prompts, and messages.
Contextual Menu
A ribbon tab that is displayed only when a certain type of object is selected, or when a certain command is started.
Contextual Popup Menu
A menu accessed by right-clicking on a selected object.
Crosshairs
Type of cursor consisting of two lines that intersect. Specify point location.
pickbox
When prompted to select object, cursor changes to a small square.
crosshair pickbox combo
when command is active.
vertical entry bar
when prompted to enter text.
drawing area
where drawings are displayed and modified.
drawing extents
smallest rectangular area containing all objects in a drawing.
CUI
Customize User Interface Editor - AutoCAD menu. XML-based file like acad.cuix stores customization (menu) data.
Enterprise CUI
CUIx file controlled by a CAD manager.
Main CUI file
defines most of the user interface elements. Standard, toolbars, keyboard accelerators, etc. acad.cuix or acalt.cuix
Partial CUI file
CUI file that is not defined as the main CUI file.
Ribbon
Palette displaying buttons and controls used for both 2D drawing and annotation and 3D modeling, viewing, and rendering.
Ribbon Panel
A set of labeled controls, related to a task.
Ribbon Tab
Contains groups of multiple ribbon panels, each belonging to one workflow.
Floating Ribbon Panel
A ribbon panel that is not attached to the rest of the ribbon or file window.
Limits
The user-defined rectangular boundary of the drawing area covered by grid lines (or dots) when the grid is turned on. (drawing limits)
Model Space
Where you create a geometric model and drawn at full scale.
Paper Space
For creating a finished layout for printing or plotting.
Palette
A user interface element that can be either docked anchored, or floating in the drawing area, dockable windows include the Command Line, Status Bar, and Properties palette.
prompt
message on the command line or in a tooltip that asks for information or requests an action such as specifying a point.
Snap Grid
An invisible grid that locks the cursor into a specified spacing, which can be different in the X and Y directions.
Snap Angle
The angle that the snap grid is rotated.
Tooltip
a small box of text that identifies or explains an object or interface element when the cursor hovers near or over it.
UCS
A movable coordinate system that establishes the XY plane (work plane) and Z-axis direction for drawing and modeling.
UCS Icon
indicates the orientation of the UCS axes.
WCS
Fixed coordinate system that defines the location of all objects and other coordinate systems in a drawing.
Workspace
A named set of menus, toolbars and dockable windows (such as the Properties palette, Design Center, and the Tool palettes window) that are grouped ad organized so that you can work in a custom, task-oriented drawing environment.
File Tab
A tab at the top of the drawing window that corresponds to an open drawing.
Layout Tab
A tab adjacent to the Model Space tab at the bottom of the drawing that provides the 2D environment in which you create layout viewports and place the title blocks for plotting. Multiple layouts can be created for each drawing.
Navigation Bar
Contains navigation tools that are common across multiple Autodesk products. Displayed on the right side of the screen, and below the ViewCube
Pan
To shift the view of a drawing without changing magnification.
ViewCube
A user interface element that displays the current orientation of a model and allows you to interactively rotate the current view or restore a preset view. It is displayed in the upper right corner of the drawing area.
Viewports, Layout
A bounded area that displays a scalable portion of the model space of a drawing that can be moved and resized on a layout.
Viewports, Model
A bounded area that displays some portion of the model space of a drawing that is divided into non-overlapping, tiled sections.
Views
a named and saved graphical representation of a model from a specific location that can be restored later.
Zoom
To reduce or increase the apparent magnification of the drawing area. Allows Extents, All Object, Previous or Window.
