You choose an edit and then select which entities to edit
In most Windows programs, you choose the entities that you want to edit, then choose the commands that you want to apply to to this. This is called Object–Verb selection. CC3’s default selection method is the reverse of this – you choose a command (such as Erase) and then choose the entities to which you wish to apply the edit. This is called Verb–Object selection. Whilst this default can be changed to the Windows norm, we have found that for map-making, Verb-Object is much quicker when you are used to it.
CC3 is command driven rather than tool driver.
What does this mean?
Well, when you select a button or menu item, CC3 acts on your instructions straight away. For example, if you select the Zoom Window button, you will select a rectangle and CC3 will fit it in the window. At this stage, CC3 is ready to for you to select a new command. A typical paint package might show you a zooming cursor ready for you to keep "zooming window" until you "change tools". Whilst tool-driven software has its place, it is not the best way of getting round a CAD drawing.
CC3 repeats commands on a mouse-click
The advantage of tool driven software is that you can quickly repeat the same function over and over again. CC3 can also do this. If you want to use the same command twice or more consecutively, simple press either mouse button or the ENTER key and the last command will be repeated. (If you left-click over a hotspot, however, you will open another map instead) This is called autorepeat.
CC3 maps are drawn using vectors
Unlike paint programs, CC3 stores maps as a list of drawing objects such as polygons, circles, images and lines. This is both faster and more compact. The only disadvantage of vector based maps is that as you add more entities, they slow down. See About CC3's maps for more details
You never need to double click or "drag" the cursor
None of CC3s specialized functions expect you to double-click or "drag". These two actions have been found to cause problems for many users, and Microsoft is re-evaluating their use. This may cause some commands to act in a slightly unfamiliar way. Try a Zoom Window (no dragging) and a Zoom Text (no double clicking) as an example.
You can type commands into CC3
As with most Windows software, you can communicate with CC3 by selecting menu items and buttons with the mouse and left button. However, you also have the option of typing CC3 commands in at the keyboard. These appear at the Command promptThis is also where CC3 sometimes requests information.