AutoCAD Initial Settings

Actually, AutoCAD can be used immediately without any special settings after installation. However, there are a few things that are usually adjusted to suit the user’s needs or convenience.

Some of these include: selecting the workspace type, setting for work screen background color, setting the crosshair size, and setting the dimension units. Below is an explanation each of these settings:

A. Selecting the workspace type

In the previous article, I mentioned that AutoCAD has several workspaces, namely Drafting & Annotation, 3D Basics, 3D Modeling and AutoCAD Classic.

We can see the difference between each type of workspace in the command composition that displayed in the Ribbon Panel. We can see the difference in the image below.

In general, choose the Drafting & Annotation workspace for 2D drawings, the 3D Basic workspace for basic 3D drawings, and the 3D Modeling workspace for more complex 3D drawings.

If you want a minimalist and lightweight AutoCAD interface, choose the AutoCAD Classic workspace. However, this workspace doesn’t display the commands in the Ribbon Panel.

The easiest way to change the workspace type is via the workspace switching button in the status bar, below the work screen.

Simply click the workspace switching button, then click the name of the workspace you want to use.

Alternatively, you can also change the workspace type by typing the WSSETTING command in the command line and then pressing Enter. The Workspace settings dialog box will appear.

Click the dropdown menu to the right of My Workspace and select the workspace type you want to use. Click OK to save your changes and close the dialog box.

B. Change the work screen background color

We can change the work screen background color to suit our comfort. This can be related to our work environment, whether indoors or outdoors.

To set the background color of the AutoCAD work screen, the method is as follows:

1. Open the Options dialog box. To do this, right-click on the workspace and select Options.
2. Select the Display tab.
3. In the Windows Elements panel, click the “Colors…” button. This will open the “Drawing Windows Controls” dialog box.
4. In the Context box, select the context for which we will set the background color.
5. In the Interface Element box, select Uniform Background.
6. Click the Color dropdown, then select the color we want.
7. Click Apply & Close button for save the changes and to close Drawing Windows Controls dialog box.
8. Last, click OK button to close Options dialog box.

For more details, see the image below:

To return the background to its original color, repeat the steps above until step 5, then click the Restore Current Element > Apply & Close button. Or click Restore All Context to return all contexts to their original colors.

C. Setting the crosshair size

We can adjust the crosshair size to be as long or short as we like. Here’s how:

1. Open the Options dialog box. To do this, right-click on the workspace and select Options.
2. Select Display tab.
3. Change the value in the Crosshair Size box or slide the slide bar to the right or left as needed.
4. Click OK button.

For more details, see the image below:

D. Set drawing dimension units

If we have started drawing using a template that suits our needs as I explained in the previous article, we may no longer need to set the dimension units.

However, if necessary, we can change the dimension units on the AutoCAD workspace. Here’s how:

1. Type -DWGUNIT on the command line and press Enter. A list of drawing units will appear. The number in parentheses on the command line indicates the active dimension unit.
2. Type the number of the drawing unit we want to use, then press Enter several times until the command ends.