For experienced AutoCAD
users, the command-line interface is a shortcut for creating objects
and specifying properties. AutoCAD Map 3D provides a command interface
near the cursor. This interface is called dynamic input. The older
command line window is hidden by default, but you can display it at
With dynamic input, you
- Launch commands by typing them directly
into the drawing area.
- Respond to command prompts in a tooltip
or tooltip menu near the cursor, instead of on the command line.
- View the location of the crosshairs as
coordinate values in a tooltip.
- Enter coordinate values in the tooltip
when a command prompts for a point, instead of on the command line.
- View distance and angle values when a
command prompts for a second point.
An example of dynamic
the command line hidden, detailed information for some commands
is not visible. To see this information, display the command line
by pressing CTRL+9 on the keyboard.
Keep in mind the following
- Some commands require that you specify
vectors with your cursor. When you finish, press Esc.
- Some commands require that you select
an object. Click the object and press Enter.
- Some commands have multiple input fields.
Press the Tab key to move from one to another.
- When the down arrow icon appears in a prompt, press
the down arrow on your keyboard to see a list of options for that
command. Press the down arrow again to move between options, and
then press Enter to select the highlighted one.
To use dynamic input
- Position your cursor over an empty space
in the map.
- Enter circle and press Enter.
- Respond to the prompts to draw a circle.
- For the center point of the circle, click
somewhere in the map.
- For the radius of the circle, enter 500 and
To turn dynamic input on or off
- On the status bar, click , or press F12.
To turn off dynamic input temporarily
- Hold down the F12 key while you work.
To control dynamic input settings
- Right-click and click Settings.
default, dynamic input is set to relative (not absolute) coordinates. For
example, entering 10,10 and then 20,20 draws a line from 10,10 to 30,30.
If you frequently enter absolute coordinates, you can change this
To hide or show the command line window
To continue this tour
of AutoCAD Map 3D, go to Shortcut Menus