EDT 310 - Chapter 3 1
Introduction to Drawings, Introduction to Drawings, Saving DrawingsSaving Drawings
Chapter 3Chapter 3
Sacramento City CollegeEDT 310
EDT 310 - Chapter 3 2
Material to CoverMaterial to Cover Selecting AutoCAD Commands Function Keys Drawing with keyboard coordinates LINE command ID command OSNAP settings LIMITS UNITS SNAP GRID and ORTHO
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Selecting AutoCAD CommandsSelecting AutoCAD Commands
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Selecting AutoCAD CommandsSelecting AutoCAD Commands Commands may be selected in four
ways 1. Executed by picking a toolbar button or
icon
2. Selected from one of the pull-down menus
3. Selected from the digitizer table menu overlay
4. Typed at the keyboard
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Selecting AutoCAD CommandsSelecting AutoCAD Commands Command Line Editing
You can select previously used commands by using the up and down arrow keys
This capability allows for fast, repeated use of the same command. Just hit the “up” arrow to recall the
command.
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KeysKeys
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KeysKeys The [Esc] key Control Keys Function Keys
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KeysKeys The [Esc] key
Cancels a command and returns to the Command: prompt
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KeysKeys Control Keys
Control functions are activated by pressing and holding the [Ctrl] key while pressing a second key.
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KeysKeys Ctrl B - Snap mode (toggle) Ctrl C - Copy Ctrl D - coordinate display on/off toggle Ctrl E - crosshairs in isoplane toggle
(left/right/top) Ctrl G - Grid on/off toggle Ctrl H - same as backspace Ctrl K - PICKADD system variable toggle Ctrl L - Ortho mode toggle Ctrl O - Open
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KeysKeys Ctrl P - Print (Plot) Ctrl R - toggle viewport Ctrl S - Save Ctrl T - Tablet mode toggle Ctrl V - Paste Ctrl X - Cut Ctrl Y - Redo Ctrl Z - Undo
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Drawing AidsDrawing Aids
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Drawing AidsDrawing Aids AutoCAD provides drawing aids that
help prepare the drawing layout, increase speed and efficiency and ensure accuracy. GRID SNAP ORTHO
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The GRIDThe GRID
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The GRIDThe GRID A grid is a predefined spacing of points
which is used to help lay out a drawing
The GRID command places this pattern of dots at any desired spacing. It can be equal or non-equal spacing The grid pattern shows only within the
drawing limits Entering the GRID command provides a
prompt showing the default grid spacing and several other options.
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The GRID Command The GRID Command
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GRID CommandGRID CommandCommand: GRIDGrid spacing (X) or ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect
<0.5…): 0.25
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GRID CommandGRID Command If the grid is too close to display on
the screen, you will get the “Grid too dense to display” message.
The grid spacing may be changed at any time
The grid may be turned on or off.
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GRID CommandGRID Command Methods for turning the grid on or off:
Click the grid button on the status bar or
The [F7] function key or
[Ctrl + [G]
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GRID Command GRID Command Setting a different horizontal/vertical
grid spacing can be done. Select the Aspect option of the GRID
command.
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GRID Command GRID Command Command: GRID Grid spacing (X) or
ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect<current>: A Horizontal spacing (X) <0.5000>: 1 Vertical spacing (Y) <0.5000>: .5
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The SNAP CommandThe SNAP Command
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SNAPSNAP
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SNAPSNAP The cursor crosshairs move freely on
the screen It may be difficult to accurately place a
point It would be desirable to cause the
cursor to move only to an invisible grid.
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SNAPSNAP Snap grid or snap resolution controls
the movement of the cross-hairs to this invisible grid. It is different than the GRID command
The two commands SNAP and GRID are generally used together.
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The SNAP Command The SNAP Command
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The SNAP CommandThe SNAP Command Properly setting the Snap Grid can
greatly increase your drawing speed.
The SNAP command is used to set the invisible snap grid.
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The SNAP CommandThe SNAP Command Command: SNAP Snap spacing or
ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style <current>
Pressing [Enter] accepts the value shown in brackets.
If a different spacing is required, such as 0.25, enter the new value.
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The SNAP CommandThe SNAP Command Command: SNAP Snap spacing or
ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style <current>: 0.25
This sets up snap at 0.25
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Rotating the SNAP GridRotating the SNAP Grid
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Rotating the SNAP GridRotating the SNAP Grid The normal snap grid is horizontal
rows and vertical columns.
The grid can be rotated using the Rotate option of the SNAP command.
Command: SNAPSnap spacing or ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style
<current>: RBasepoint <0.0000,0.000>:(press [Enter], type a
new coordinate value, or pick a new base point.Rotation angle <0>: 25
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Setting the SNAP StyleSetting the SNAP Style The Style option of the SNAP
command allows you to set the snap grid to either a Standard (default) or Isometric pattern.
Command: SNAP Snap spacing or
ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style <current>: S Standard/Isometric <current> S
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Setting Grid Spacing Relative To SNAP SpacingSetting Grid Spacing Relative To SNAP Spacing
The visible grid can be set to be the same as the invisible snap grid.
Choose the Snap option of the GRID command.
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Setting Grid Spacing Relative To SNAP SpacingSetting Grid Spacing Relative To SNAP Spacing
Command: GRID Grid spacing or ON/OFF/Aspect
<current>: 2x
In this case the GRID spacing would be 2x the SNAP setting.
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LimitsLimits
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The AutoCAD Drawing Area The AutoCAD Drawing Area The AutoCAD drawing area is
basically INFINITE in all directions.
Think “outer space”
It is beneficial to “define a drawing area” that represents the size of your project.
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The AutoCAD Drawing Area The AutoCAD Drawing Area LIMITS allow you to define a
reasonable drawing area.
This area can be turned On Off
You can draw outside the area when LIMITS is turned off.
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LimitsLimits LIMITS are the extent of the drawing
area.
If you wanted a 17” x 11” drawing area, you would set the LIMITS to 17, 11. The first number is the horizontal
dimension. The second number is the vertical
dimension.
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LimitsLimits LIMITS can be turned ON or OFF.
To set LIMITS, enter "LIMITS" at the Command: prompt.
AutoCAD restricts you from drawing outside the area defined by the LIMITS.
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LimitsLimits If you wanted an 11” x 8.5” drawing
area, you would set the LIMITS to 11, 8.5. The first number is the horizontal
dimension The second number is the vertical
dimension.
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The “ORTHO” ModeThe “ORTHO” Mode
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The ORTHO ModeThe ORTHO Mode The term ORTHO comes from the
word “orthogonal”, which means at “at right angles”.
The ORTHO mode restricts the cursor movement to the X, Y plane ONLY.
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The ORTHO ModeThe ORTHO Mode Turn ORTHO mode on or off with
The F8 key. The Cntrl L key combination.