About Accessing the QuickCalc Calculator

Use QuickCalc directly as you would with a desktop calculator, or use it transparently within a command or the Properties palette.

There are three ways to work with QuickCalc within the program:

• Directly from a button, or menu, a shortcut menu, or the Command prompt
• Transparently during a command from a shortcut menu or the Command prompt
• Transparently from the Properties palette

Use QuickCalc Directly

When you work directly with QuickCalc, you can perform calculations and unit conversions just as you would with a desktop calculator. You can use the Windows clipboard (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to transfer the results of your calculations.

You can access QuickCalc directly in the following ways:

• On the ribbon, Home tab, Utilities panel, QuickCalc button
• On the menu, Tools, Palettes, choose QuickCalc
• On the Standard toolbar, click the QuickCalc button.
• In the drawing area with no command active, right-click, and choose QuickCalc
• At the Command prompt, enter quickcalc or qc.

Use QuickCalc Transparently Within a Command

During a command, you can access QuickCalc transparently in the following ways:

• Right-click to display the shortcut menu, and choose QuickCalc.
• At a prompt for a value or coordinates, enter 'quickcalc or 'qc.

For example, while creating a line, enter an expression in QuickCalc to the next point prompt, and click the Apply button. The next point of the line uses the results, which might be a distance or coordinates.

Use QuickCalc Transparently from the Properties Palette

When you want to modify properties and apply evaluated expressions to objects in your drawing, you can access QuickCalc transparently from the Properties palette. Use the following method:

• Click any box in the Properties palette that contains a numeric value. Then click the QuickCalc button that appears in the box.
• After calculating a value, transfer the result to the Properties palette by clicking the Apply button.

If the Apply button is grayed out, it means that the specified property cannot be changed directly.