AutoCAD: Secrets Every User Should Know

Chapter 4 – Applying Graphics Standards

Dimensions

• Anonymous Blocks– Defined by AutoCAD– Names begin with *D– Not listed as blocks

• Don't Explode– Can't redefine– Won't update with edits

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Dimensions

• Associativity

• DIMASO Is the Old Variable

• DIMASSOC Is the New0 All dimension exploded (DON’T)

1 Dimensions are blocks but associated only with defpoints

2 Dimensions associated with geometry, even when in Paper Space

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Dimensions

• Default Dimension Style– Imperial: STANDARD– Metric: ISO-25

• Neither One Meets Standards

• Use a Different Name for Your Dimension Styles

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Dimensions

• Custom Arrow Head– Draw one unit long, pointing right– Create a block with point as

insertion– Select "User Arrow" in style

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Dimension Style Manager

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Lines tab

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Symbols and Arrows tab

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Text tab

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Fit tab

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Primary Units tab

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Alternative Units tab

• Seldom used• Not allowed on military spec

drawings• When used, generally scale 25.4

– Tolerances tab• Use when tolerance applied• Classes of fit

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Child variations

• Radius• Diameter

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Dimension Styles

• Decimal Inch– Child variations

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Dimension Styles

• ASME Metric and ISO– Start with decimal inch– Soft conversions

• 0.04 is approximately 1mm• 0.0625 (1/16") approximately 1.5mm• 0.125 (1/8") approximately 3mm• 0.25 (1/4') approximately 6mm• 0.375 (3/8") approximately 9mm• 0.5 (1/2") approximately 12mm

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Lines tab

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Symbols and Arrows tab

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Text tab (city blueprint, country blueprint,

hand1, or romans

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Fit tab

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Primary Units tab

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Alternate Units tab

• Seldom used

– Tolerances tab• Not Used

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Child variations

• Radius, Diameter, and Linear

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Linear Text tab

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Dimension Styles

• Architectural– Linear Fit tab

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Dimension Styles

• Civil Surveying– Lines tab

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Dimension Styles

• Civil Surveying– Text tab

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Dimension Styles

• Civil Surveying– Using on drawing

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Dimension Styles

• Civil Surveying– Using on drawing

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Dimension Rules

• Common Errors

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Dimension Rules

• Acceptable Application

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Text

• Two types of fonts– Shape fonts SHX

• Vector-based AutoCAD

– TrueType fonts (TTF)• Raster-based Windows

• Letter Height– General: 0.12", 3mm– Titles: 0.24", 6mm

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Text

• Don't Use Name “Standard”

• Acceptable Fonts - Mechanical– NOT txt.shx– Romans.shx

• Acceptable Fonts - Architectural– Romans.shx– Blueprint font

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Linetypes and Weights

• Hidden Line Conventions

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Linetypes and Weights

• Center Lines and Marks– Often incorrect in AutoCAD

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Linetypes and Weights

• Center Lines and Marks– Use DCE for proper marks and

editing without exploding

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Linetypes and Weights

• Circular Center Mark– ARRAY them yourself

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Linetypes and Weights

• Lineweights– Object lines

• Thick (0.4mm - 0.5mm)

– Other lines• Thin (0.2mm - 0.25mm)

– Architectural• May have four to seven lineweights

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AutoCAD Defaults

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Applying Standards

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Template Drawing Location

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Use QNEW

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Contents of Template File

• Layers– Colors, linetypes, lineweights– Layer filters, saved states

• Dimension Style

• Limits and Units

• Text Styles ( not STANDARD)

• General Block Definitions

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Contents of Template File

• Views and Viewports

• Layouts for Each Sheet Size

• Default Plot Styles/Pen Styles

• System Variables (Not Registry)– AUPREC and LUPREC– LTSCALE, PSLTSCALE – MEASUREMENT– And so on

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Layer Naming - Commercial Architecture

• AIA– Discipline– Major group– Minor group– Status– User defined

• Example

A-WALL-DIMS-NEWW

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Layer Naming - Residential Architecture

• Can use AIA

• Might Have Simpler Standard

For Example

FL1-DIM

FL2-DIM

FND-DIM

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Layer Naming General

• Reserve Layer 0 for Defining Blocks

• Use Part-Based Layer Names for Assemblies

• Use Logical Field Names– Easier to manage with wildcards

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Click to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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