Using Context-Sensitive Help

Using Context-Sensitive Help
AutoCAD also provides context-sensitive help to give you information related to the command
you’re currently using. To see how this works, try the following:
1. Close or minimize the Help window, and return to the AutoCAD window.
2. Click the Move tool in the 2D Draw control panel to start the Move command.
3. Press the F1 function key, or choose Help from the menu bar to open the Help window.
A description of the Move command appears in the panel on the right.
4. Click the Help window’s Close button, or minimize the Help window.
5. Press the Esc key to exit the Move command.
Finding Additional Sources of Help
The InfoCenter is the main online source for reference material, but you can also find answers
to your questions through the other options in the Help menu. Here is a brief description
of them:
New Features Workshop The New Features Workshop offers descriptions and tutorials
focused on the new features in AutoCAD 2008. You can update this unique support tool through
the Autodesk website.
Additional Resources Here you’ll find several options to choose from. The Support Knowledge
Base opens your browser to Autodesk’s own knowledge base. This is an excellent source for finding
answers to problems you may encounter while using AutoCAD.
Online Training Resources takes you to the Autodesk Training site, where you’ll find further
information on where to get training and tutorial information.
If you’re a developer, you’ll be interested in the Online Developer Center. This option takes you
to the Autodesk Developer Center website, where you can find more information about getting
started with your own AutoCAD-related application.
If you’re already customizing AutoCAD, the Developer Help option takes you to the Developer
Help section of the AutoCAD Help window. Here, you’ll find specific information about how
to use the customization tools built into AutoCAD.
Finally, if you would like to join an established community of AutoCAD users, the Autodesk
User Group International option takes you to the AUGI website. AUGI offers a wide range of
resources for users of Autodesk products. You can join a forum to discuss issues with other
AutoCAD users. AUGI also offers its own knowledge base.
About This option provides information about the version of AutoCAD you’re using.
Staying Informed with the Communication Center
Another feature that can help you stay informed about the latest news on AutoCAD is the Communication
Center. To the far right of InfoCenter, you’ll see the Communication Center icon.



Click the Communication Center icon to open the Communication Center list.



The Communication Center offers a way to stay informed about the latest software updates and
support issues for AutoCAD. Click the Settings button at the bottom of the Communication Center
list to open the Info Center Settings dialog box.


You may need to minimize the size of some of the panels to get to the Settings button. Here, you
can select your country from the Country/Region drop-down list to ensure that the information is
correct for your country. The Check For New Content option lets you select the frequency at which
the Communication Center checks for new information; you can choose Daily, Weekly, Monthly,
or On Demand. If you want to turn off the balloon message, clear the Enable Balloon Notification
For New Announcements check box at the bottom of the dialog box.
The Communication Center works best if you use an “always on” Internet connection
such as DSL or high-speed cable. If you don’t have such a connection, you can set the Check
For New Content option to On Demand. You can then check for updates when you connect to
the Internet.