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AUTOCAD

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WHAT IS AUTOCAD ?

AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software

application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First

released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal

computers.

AutoCAD is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program used by just about every Engineering and

Design office in the world. Although there are alternative CAD packages, AutoCAD is by far the

most widely used system. Autodesk's AutoCAD is the industry leader in CAD packages. Used by

Civil Engineers, Architects, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Aeronautical Engineers plus

many other disciplines.

There have been several versions of Autocad over the years, with each new version introducing

new and more powerful features than its predecessor


WHAT IS CAD?

Computer aided design is a creative design process that is based on a computer system. It can

be either hardware or software based; however, it is usually a software based program that is

used for design purposes. This design process uses computer technology to assist certain types

of professionals in the design and drawing of technical drawings. Computer aided design is also

referred to as CAD or Computer aided drafting.


Coordinate Display

Status Line

Cursor

Drawing Name

Pull-down Menu Headings

Standard Toolbar Object Properties Toolbar Optional Toolbar

Locations

AUTOCAD WINDOW


Drawing Area

The large area in the center of the screen.

This is where you draw.

The size can be changed at any time.

Model

Switches your drawing between paper

space and model space.


CrossHairs/ Cursor

The movement is controlled by the

movement of the pointing device (mouse).

Use to locate points, make selections and

draw objects.


Command Line

The three lines at the bottom of the screen.

This is where you enter commands and

AutoCAD will prompt you to input

information.

The number of lines visible can be

changed.


Status Bar

Displays your content settings

The settings can be turned on/off by clicking on the word (SNAP, GRID, ORTHO, etc) or by

pressing the function keys associated with each.


2. Introducing Tool Bars

You can see there is a number of different tool bars on the screen.

The main tool bar which is located under the Menu bar. These are the most frequently used tool bars. If you

place your mouse on it and right click, you will get a list of other tool bars that you may want to display (by

scrolling down and clicking on them).

This tool bar offers

different shapes

and objects to

draw. You can

see what they do

by putting your

mouse on each one

and waiting until

a balloon with

description pops up.

This tool bar offers

different ways of

editing your drawing(s).

*Remember the name of the command that pops up in

the help balloon by putting your mouse over each

button.

If you remember the command, you can later type it in

the command line and achieve the same result.


Toolbars

There are many toolbars available in AutoCAD. Go to View > Toolbars from the drop down menu

to see them all. For now make sure that the following toolbars are checked:

Draw - Contains AutoCADs most common drawing tools

Modify - Contains all of the common editing commands such as erase, copy etc.

Object Properties - Contains 'layer' information as well as object colours and line style options.

Standard Toolbar - Contains open & save options as well as zoom & pan options.

Object Snap - AutoCAD's intelligent drawing aid - joins lines at specific points.


CAD Coordinate System

Any point in CAD can be located precisely using X, Y and Z coordinates.

The Cartesian coordinate system has three axes: X, Y, and Z that intersect at the origin (0,0,0).

Coordinate values are always expressed as: (X, Y, Z)

ANGLES in CAD: Coordinates in CAD:


AutoCAD Coordinates System

There is only 3 AutoCAD coordinates system

you should know.

Absolute coordinates

Relative coordinates

Polar coordinates.


Absolute Coordinates

All input points specify in your drawing using standard Cartesian coordinates x and y.

Using absolute coordinate, points entered by typing x,y [Enter]


Relative Coordinates

After first points entered, your next points can be entered by specifying the next

coordinate compare/relative from the first points. The relative coordinate started with

symbol “@” tell AutoCAD it was a relative coordinates. Using relative coordinate, points

entered by typing @x,y [Enter]


Polar Coordinates

Polar coordinates used when you need to draw the next points at specify angle. Polar

coordinates system in AutoCAD specifies distance length at which angle. Using polar

coordinate, points entered by typing @distance<angle [Enter]


Function Keys

F1 HELP

F2 FLIPSCREEN

F3 OSNAP

F4 TABLET

F5 ISOPLANE

F6 COORDINATE DISPLAY

F7 GRID

F8 ORTHO

F9 SNAP

F10 POLAR

F11 OTRACK


Special Function Keys

ESC- Cancels the current command,

menu, or dialog box.

ENTER- Ends a command; or will repeat

the previous command if the command

line is blank

SPACE BAR- Same as the end key

except when entering text.


Coordinate Display (F6)

In the ABSOLUTE mode: Displays the location of the crosshairs/ cursor in reference

to the origin. The first number represents the horizontal (x axis) and the second

number represents the vertical (y axis).

In RELATIVE POLAR mode: displays the distance and angle of the cursor from the

last point entered.


SNAP (F9)

Increment Snap controls the movement of the cursor. If it is off the cursor will move

smoothly. If it is ON, the cursor will jump in an incremental movement. The increment

spacing can be changed, at any time using TOOLS/DRAFTING SETTINGS. The

default spacing is .250


GRID (F7)

The grid is merely a visual “drawing aid”. The default spacing is 1 unit. You may

change the grid spacing at any time using: TOOLS/DRAFTING SETTINGS.

ORTHO (F8)

When ORTHO is ON, the cursor movement is restricted to horizontal or vertical.

When ORTHO is OFF, the cursor is free to move.


POLAR (F10)

POLAR TRACKING creates “alignment paths” at specified angles.

OSNAP (F3)

RUNNING OBJECT SNAP- specific object snaps can be set to stay active until you

turn them off.

OTRACK (F11)

OBJECT SNAP TRACKING creates “alignment paths” at precise positions using

object snap locations.


Important commands which used for making drawings

1.Line – This command is used to draw the line, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write L at

command prompt

LINETYPE – This option is basically used to change the type of line you can change your continuous

line in to center, dashed zigzag and many other types. For this click on the line or any other object you

want to change than select the line type control from properties toolbar as you click on this option all the

line type will show click on the line which you want selected line will change in to that.

LINEWEIGHT – This option is use to change thickness of line this change will show only in Printing not

on computer Click on the line or any other object you want to change than select the line weight Control

from properties toolbar as you click this option all weights will show click on the thickness you want

thickness of selected line will change.

COLORCONTROL – This option is use to change color of any object click on the line or any other

object you want to change than select the color control from properties toolbar as you click this option

all colors will show click on the color you want color of selected object will change.



2.Circle – This command is used to draw the circle, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write C

at command prompt.

3. Polygon – This command is used to draw the figure of three sides or more than three sides, you can

choose the command from your toolbar or write Pol at command prompt.

4.Rectangle – This command is used to draw the rectangle, you can choose the command from your toolbar

or you can write Rec at command prompt

5.Arc – This command is used to draw the arc, you can choose the command directly from your toolbar or

write A at command prompt

6.Xline – This command is used to draw the construction line, you can choose the command from your toolbar

or write XL at command prompt

7. Erase- This command is used to draw erase the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or

can E at command prompt

8. Copy - This command is used to copy the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Cp at command prompt



9. Move- This command is used to move the objects, you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

M at command prompt

10. Mirror-this command is used to mirror the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Mi at command prompt

11. Rotate- this command is used to rotate the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or

write Ro at command prompt

12. Offset- this command is used to offset the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

O at command prompt

13. Array- this command is used to array the objects you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Ar at command prompt

14. Scale- this command is use to scale the drawing you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Sc at command prompt.

15. Stretch- this command is use to stretch the drawing you can choose the command from your toolbar or

write Stretch at command prompt

16. Trim- this command is use to trim the two corners you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Tr at command prompt.



17. Extend- this command is use to extend the line you can choose the command from your toolbar or write

Ex at command prompt.

18. Fillet- this command is use join the two corners with the help of an arc you can choose the command from

your toolbar or write F at command prompt.

19. Chamfer- this command is use to chamfer the two corners you can choose the command from your

toolbar or write Cha at command prompt.

20. Explode - this command is use to explode the single identity pf an object. You can explode hatch,

dimensions and blocks any thing which is in group form choose the command from your toolbar or write

Explode at command prompt.

21. Break - this command is use to break the line or circle between the two points choose the command from

your toolbar or write Br at command prompt.

22. Polyline - this command is use to draw the line composed of one or more connected line segments or

circular arcs treated as a single object. Choose the command from your toolbar or write Pl at command

prompt.



23. Hatch - this command is use to hatch the close figure. Choose the command from your toolbar or write H

at command prompt.

24. Dtext - this command is use to write the text. Write DT at command prompt.

25. Mtext - this command is use to write the multi line text. Choose the command from your toolbar or write

MT at command prompt.

26. Edit text - this command is use to edit the text you can edit or change both kind of text DT and MT, write

Ed at command prompt.

27. Make Block - this command is use to make the block of some single objects you can use these block in

your drawing any time choose the command from your toolbar or write Block at command prompt.

28. Insert Block - This command is use to insert the block in your drawing choose the command from your

toolbar or write Insert at command prompt.



29. Dimension - Now we will study about dimension of the drawing, it is very important that every drawing

should have dimensions so that you can get information about the sizes of drawing. You can choose

dimension from Dimension Toolbar let us study one by one:

Linear dimension-This command is used for the dimensions of straight lines.

Angular dimension- This command is used for the dimensions of angles between two lines or the

angle of arcs and circles.

Radius Dimension - This command is used to give the radius of the circles and arc.

Diameter Dimension - this option is used to give the diameter of the circles and arc.

Centre mark - This command is used to mark the centre of the circles and arc.

Quick leader - This command is used to specify the notes for anything, click on this sign

Dimension style – you can change dimension style of dimensions, you can give more than one style to

your dimensions for this you have to click on Format than choose dimension style or you can just write

Dimstyle at command prompt a box will appear, you can create new styles, sets the current style,

modifies styles, sets overrides on the current style

Current Dim style – it Display the current dimension style. AutoCAD assigns this style to all

dimensions. If you do not change the current style, AutoCAD assigns the default STANDARD style to

dimensions.



30. Layer – This command is very useful. We have do lot of work in one drawing for e.g. if make a plan for the

house than we have to give dimensions, furniture position, electrical lining, plumbing and many more we

cannot each every time erase this work for the printout so we do all the work in layers. For each and every

work make different layer. Choose from format – LAYER or you can write Layer on command prompt a box will

appear with all the layer it have if you want to make the new layer than click the right button of your mouse

many options will appear choose New Layer - a box with cursor will appear change the name according to you

requirement. You can also change the color, line type and line weight of your layer from this box.

On- bulb sign is used to make on off the layer; layer will disappear from the screen.

Freeze- sign is used to freeze the layer; layer will disappear from the screen.

Lock- lock sign is used to lock the layer, if the layer is lock than you cannot do any work in it.

By default 0 layer is current that means all the work you done is saved in this layer but if you want to do

dimensions than make dimension layer and set it current. if you want to make the new layer current

click the right button of your mouse many options will appear choose set current. Now if you do not want

this layer to be shown in printing make it freeze.

(P.S. You can operate you layer from layers toolbar also)



31. There are some more commands which are not so important but you must know about them:

a) Distance – this command is used to measure the distance between the two points. Just write Di at

command prompt

Specify first point- click on the first point of line

Specify second point- click on the second point of line

It will display all the information at command prompt.

b) Revision cloud – This command is used to make the cloud like structure in which you can write your

remarks or can highlight the particular area select the command from toolbar or write revcloud at

command prompt.

Revcloud

Minimum arc length: 0.5000 Maximum arc lengths: 0.5000

Specify start point or [Arc length/Object/Style]: click to draw the revision cloud, when the start and end

lines meet, the following message is displayed on the command line. (Revision cloud finished.)



c) Spline – this command is used to measure draw the curve lines select the command from toolbar or write

spline at command prompt.

Spline




Specify first point or [Object]: Specify a point

Specify next point: Specify a point Enter points until you have defined the spline curve. After you enter two

points, AutoCAD displays the following prompt:

Specify next point or [Close/Fit Tolerance] : Specify a point, line will complete

d) Point – This command is used to make mark the point select the command from toolbar or write Po at

command prompt.

Po

Specify a point: click where you want to locate the point, from point style menu you can select the type of point

you required, for this click on format than on point style a box will appear with all the points just click the

required one.



c) Spline – this command is used to measure draw the curve lines select the command from toolbar or write

spline at command prompt.

Spline




Specify first point or [Object]: Specify a point

Specify next point: Specify a point Enter points until you have defined the spline curve. After you enter two

points, AutoCAD displays the following prompt:

Specify next point or [Close/Fit Tolerance] : Specify a point, line will complete

d) Point – This command is used to make mark the point select the command from toolbar or write Po at

command prompt.

Po

Specify a point: click where you want to locate the point, from point style menu you can select the type of point

you required, for this click on format than on point style a box will appear with all the points just click the

required one.

%%c for diameter sign

%%d for degree sign

edit command is used to edit our dimension



e) Ellipse – This command is used to draw the ellipse choose command from toolbar or write El at command

prompt.

EL

Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center/Isocircle]: Specify a point or enter the value (@distance

Specify other endpoint of axis: Specify a point or enter the value (@distance

Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Specify a distance by entering a value or locating a point

Specify rotation around major axis: Specify a point (3), or enter an angle value between 0 and 89.4

(P.S. you can also draw isocircle when click right button your mouse at Snap button setting box will open now

select the isometric option and you will be able to draw isocircle)

f) Divide – This command is used to divide the line in equal parts write Div at command prompt.

Div

Select object to divide: select he object you want to divide

Enter number of segments: Enter a value; object will divide if you not able to see than change the style of

point.


SHAPE COMMAND DESCRIPTION

BOX BOX Creates a solid box after you provide 2 opposite corners and a height.

SPHERE SPHERE Creates a solid sphere from a center point and radius.

CYLINDER CYLINDER Creates a straight cylinder from a center point, radius and height.

CONE CONE Creates a tapered cone from a center point, radius and height.

WEDGE WEDGE Creates a triangular wedge from 2 opposite points.

TORUS TORUS Creates a torus (donut shape) based on center point, radius and tube

radius.

PYRAMID PYRAMID / PYR Draws a solid object with a polygon (3-32 sides) base that rises to a

central point.

POLYSOLID PSOLID Draws a solid object with width and height as you would draw a polyline.

Primitive Solid

http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_3/3-10.htm









Boolean Operations

COMMAND INPUT DESCRIPTION

UNION

(Boolean) UNION / UNI

Joins two or more solids into creating one based on the total

geometry of all.

SUBTRACT

(Boolean) SUBTRACT / SU

Subtracts one or more solids from another creating a solid

based on the remaining geometry.

INTERSECT

(Boolean) INTERSECT / IN

Creates a single solid from one more solids based on the

intersected geometry.

EXTRUDE FACE SOLIDEDIT Allows you to increase the size of a solid by extruding out one

of its faces.

SLICE SLICE Slices a solid along a cutting plane.

3D ALIGN 3DALIGN Aligns 2 3D Objects in 3D space.
















Shortcut

Draw Modify

Shortcut Command Shortcut Command

L LINE E ERASE

XL CONSTURCTION LINE CO COPY

PL POLYLINE MI MIRROR

POL POLYGON O OFFSET

REC RECTANG AR ARRAY

A ARC M MOVE

C CIRCLE RO ROTATE

REVCLOUD REVCLOUD SC SCALE

SPL SPLINE S STRETCH

EL ELLIPSE TR TRIM

I INSERT BLOCK EX EXTEND

B DEFINE BLOCK BR BREAK, BREAK AT POINT

W WRITE BLOCK J JOIN

H HATCHING CHA CHAMFER

DT TEXT (SINGLE LINE) F FILLET

T MTEXT (MULTILINE) X EXPLODE
















Shortcut

Other Useful Commands 3D Modeling


PE POLY EDIT BOX BOX

OP OPTION SPHERE SPHERE

DI DIST CYL CLYINDER

AREA AREA CONE CONE

MASSPROP MASSPROP WE WEDGE

LTSCALE LINETYPESCALE TOR TORUS

PSLTSCALE PAPER SPACE LT SCALE EXT EXTRUDE

LA LAYER REV REVOLVE

LI LIST 3D 3D SURFACE

Z ZOOM

P PAN
















Shortcut

3D Modify


UNI UNION ROTATE3D ROTATE 3D

SU SUBTRACT MIRROR3D MIRROR3D

IN INTERSECT AL ALIGN

SEC SECTION 3DARRAY 3DARRAY

SL SLICE SOLIDEIDT SOLIDEDIT

INF INTERFERE















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