9 Tips you Should Know on your Day 1 of Using AutoCAD

1. Object Snap

To get the menu above, you should right click on 1.

Now you are able to configure its settings. I will recommend to start by activating features 2, 3, 4 which are
respectively Midpoint, Quadrant, and Tangent.
A. Midpoint
When you activate this feature, AutoCAD help you start a new object by sticking the first point on the exact
midpoint of a line. Let's use the example of having a square.

In order to draw a line starting from the midpoint of the upper line of the square, I need to
activate Midpoint. Without it, it will surely be impossible to know if my ends are set on the middle on a line.

B. Quadrant
Quadrant allows you to start you next object from the 0, 90, 180, 270 degree edge of a circle.

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Line C has its beginning and its end and the 90 degree edge of a circle, and that was possible because
of the Quadrant feature. Try drawing the figure above (line C, D, E and both circles) before and after
activating Quadrant to grasp the full meaning of this.
C. Tangent

To draw point 1, 2, 3 and 4, You will have to activate Tangent. It simply allows you to stick the endof your line
at a point tangent to a circle.
2. Mouse shortcuts
A. Pan

Click on the scroll wheel and hold, then move your mouse to see what it does; it allows you to move the
views planar to the screen.

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B. Zoom

Scroll up and down to see what it does; This allows you to zoom in and out.
3. Ortho Mode

When this is activated, it pushes AutoCAD to draw only vertical or horizontal lines. With this, you are sure to
be moving on a line, according to the direction you want to go. it is not only important while drawing lines, it
is also important for other manipulations like, copying an object, moving an object from one position to the
other, among others.

4. Setting the right Units

Simply write UNITS using your keyboard and press ENTER. This windows pops up and allows you to specify
and configure the drawing units.
5. Keyboard shortcut
– ESC and ENTER keys

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These two keys helps you to end a command in most cases. Let's say, you have just drawn a line but the
command is still activated allowing you to draw a new line starting from the end of the previous one. Press
the ESC or ENTER key to quit the command if you do not want to draw the new line.

– DELETE key
The DELETE key helps you delete an object; To use it you need to select the object to be deleted before
pressing the DELETE key.

6. Dynamic input

When this is activated it helps you have information about the position of the cursor in the drawing interface.
This also gives you more information, such as angle and length of object.

7. Polar Tracking

You can ask AutoCAD to help you draw with a specific angle. Therefore, this does not require the command
windows. Right click on Polar Tracking (shown on the image above) and specify angles you would like to work
with.
8. Communication with AutoCAD

The Command window helps you communicate with AutoCAD. Each time you use a command, either after a
click on its icon or by typing it in, this area help you know the next step to take and offers you options along
the way. If you are an absolute beginner, you need to learn how to use this window. Follow the AutoCAD
command window tutorial.

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9. Drawing your first line

To draw your first line

 Click on Line (on the image above)

 Specify the first point of your line with a click in the Drawing Windows
 Specify the next point with a second click
 Press ESC

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2D AutoCAD exercises #1.

Drawing your first piece of 2D using AutoCAD. Using LINE command and fixing your settings for a better
user experience. Learning how to use coordinates and using exclusively the command window to draw.
To begin, we will start by trying to draw this simple figure below. Too simple right? The objective here is to
learn how to use the command window in AutoCAD in order to draw without using the mouse. This will help
us have a first glimpse on how this window works.

We have 4 points and we have the coordinate of each of them. So, basically we have each starting point of
our lines and each ending point. AutoCAD draws lines using coordinates. To better explain, we put our figure
in a system of coordinates in the image below in order to improve our understanding. If we consider a
coordinate system formed by X, Y, this is how our exercise will fit in the system.

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To draw this, open a new file in AutoCAD

1. Type “LINE”
2. Specify first point: 5,0
3. Specify next point or [Undo]: 10,0
4. Specify next point or [Undo]: 10,7
5. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 5,5
6. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 5,0
7. Hit the ENTER once more
8. Click on 8 (look at the figure below)

(The part in bold is what AutoCAD is asking you to enter. You will see those same words displayed in the
command windows. You should enter are those coordinates, e.g. 5,0 -> 10,0 -> 10,7 and so on. However,
remember after each step you need to validate your action by pressing the ENTER key on your keyboard)

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 There you go! We are done with creating the figure. You noticed how we are able to draw
without using a mouse. It may be difficult for a newcomer but not impossible.

AutoCAD draws lines from one point to the other and starts the next line where the previous one
ended. In step 7, we disabled the LINE command and at that step you can also press the ESC key instead of
the ENTER key, it will serve the same purpose. Step 8 is just to zoom out completely so you may see what you
have just drawn.

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2D AutoCAD exercises #2.

Learning how to draw straight lines with definite dimensions. Basic concept for daily use while
working with AutoCAD.

Today we have the exercise below where we are given a basic figure to draw. Our figure has 6 points: A, B, C,
D, E and F, and we know the distance of each segment as AB=5, BC= 7, DC= 2.5, DE= 3, EF= 2.5, FA=4.

The coordinate of the starting point is given but is not that important for this exercise. Check 2D AutoCAD
exercises #1 to see its importance.

To draw this figure.

1. Type LINE
2. Specify first point: 5,0
3. Make sure ORTHO is activated, give a right orientation to your line using your mouse, and type 5
4. Orientate your line upward using your mouse and type 7
5. Give the left direction to your line using your mouse and type 2.5
6. Orientate your line downward and type 3
7. Give the left direction to your line and type 2.5
8. Orientate your line downward and type 4
9. Press ESC

If you do not know how to activate the ORTHO mode, you should read the 9 tips on AutoCAD for beginners.
As an example, below is a typical exercise you should be able to perform after following the steps above.

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2D AutoCAD exercises #3.

Learning the use of OSNAP and using skills you gained to design a more complex 2D

On #2, you learned how to draw lines with specific distances. In this exercise, all distances are given but
remember that while drawing a circle in AutoCAD that by default, the software will ask you to enter the
radius of the circle. In this exercise, however, we are given diameters.
Make sure to learn and understand the Day 1 exercise so you will be able to stick your line on the circle at A
and A' the proper way.

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The TANGENT should be activated. Start from the bottom, meaning start the line at the point W' and end it at
A'. While approaching the circle, AutoCAD will help you snap the end of the line on a right tangentially to the
circle.

You should notice the green circle in AutoCAD, as shown below.

Using this technique, you should be able to draw the complete figure below.

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2D AutoCAD exercises #4.

Using some math and drawing lines with specific angles and dimensions. Learning the basic concept of
angles in AutoCAD, and actually using the trick main while.
All dimensions are given.

If the drawing above is confusing, use the following one, where the image to draw is the one in the red color.

If you followed since #1, You should have no problem drawing this. However, the new part in this excercises
consists of the place where you need to draw a line knowing its inclination and its distance. This is shown
below:

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In this figure, we have a line of length 4.6 and this same line is at an angle of 49 degrees with the another line
of length 2.

To achieve this drawing with AutoCAD, you should first draw the line of length 2, which you should know how
to do. Afterwards, start a new line at point A, type @4.6<41 and hit the ENTER key on your keyboard. The
command is defined as 4.6 being the length and 41 being the angle in degrees.
Are you wondering why 41 degrees when it is stated as 49 in the figure? AutoCAD counts angles in
trigonometry form. Therefore, to find the right angle you must do the math, for example, 90 – 49 = 41.

In general, a figure is shown below on how AutoCAD counts angles.

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2D AutoCAD exercises #5.

FILLET command and the use of OSNAP. Learning how to place object. Learning how to use center
points.

Today we will daw a rectangle with rounded corners and 9 circles, all in a way to replicate the figure below.
On #2, we learned how to draw lines with precise directions and dimensions.

Today, we will learn how to use the FILLET command.

Step A
Draw a rectangle of width 11.5 and height 9.6. You should get something like this:

Step B
Give the corners of the rectangle the right shape using the FILLET command.

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1 – Click on FILLET icon
2 – You should be able to read this in the command window:
Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = 0.0000
3 – Select first object or [Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: r
4 – Specify fillet radius <0.0000>: 1.9
5 – Select first object or [Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: Select the first line
6 – Select the second line

If you started from the corner indicated on the image above, the 2 lines you must have selected would be line
1 and 2. Do the same thing for other corners but you will now omit steps 2, 3 and 4. Click on the FILLET icon
and select the lines. You should get this:

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Step C
Click on the RADIUS icon and draw circles.
If you click on the RADIUS command, make sure the Object Snap mode is activated, bring the cursor closer to
where you want to draw the circle, and a point should appear thus allowing you to snap the center of your
circle at the right place. This works because if those rounded corner were circles their center will be at the
same point with those circle we are about to draw.
When the CIRCLE command is activated, if you bring the cursor near that area this is what should happen:

Therefore, I can easily find the center of my circle using this technique.

Step D

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Draw a line from point A to point B. Point A is the center of its specific red line and the same applies for point
B. Now, activate the CIRCLE command and draw the last circle from the center of the line we just drew from
point A to B. Remember to delete this line at the end of this process.

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