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2.

1 Basic Geometrical Shapes

2.1.1 Drawing of Lines

Draw » Line

Line command allows you to create a line where the end points are specified by two-dimensional or
three-dimensional co-ordinates.

Command: _line
Specify first point: Use one of the point fixing methods
Specify next point or [Undo]: Use one of the point fixing methods
Specify next point or [Undo]: Use one of the point fixing methods
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Use one of the point fixing methods
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: Use one of the point fixing methods or
Press  to terminate the command

Undo
You can undo the most recently drawn line segments by entering the key U in specify next point:
Prompt

Close
Close option joints the very last point with the very first point in the series of line segments that you
had drawn using the line command, thus forming a closed shape.

Coordinate systems in AutoCAD

All drawings are superimposed on an invisible grid, or coordinate system, with horizontal X-axis
and a vertical Y-axis.

(5,6)
(8,6)

(2,4) (5,4)

(2,2) (8,2)
Absolute Co-ordinate System (x, y)

To enter an absolute coordinate, specify a point by entering its X and Y values in the format X, Y.
the following sequence of coordinates showing how to draw a triangle using absolute coordinates.

Command: _line
Specify first point: 3, 3 
5,5

Specify next point or [Undo]: 7, 3 


Specify next point or [Undo]: 5, 5  3,3 7,3

Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: c 

Relative Rectangular Co-ordinate System (@x distance, y distance)

Use relative coordinates when you know the position of a point with respect to the previous point.
The relative rectangular coordinate is represented in the following format.

Command: _line
Specify first point: 2, 2 
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 4, 0  @-2,0 @0,4
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0, 4 
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @ -2, 0  @-2,0
@0,-2
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @ 0, -2 
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @ -2, 0  2,2 @4,0

Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: c 

NB: Distance is measured +Ve towards right and up and it is measured –Ve towards left and down

Relative Polar Co-ordinate System (@ distance < angle)

Polar coordinate system uses a distance and an angle with reference to the previous point to locate a
point. Angles measured in anti-clock wise direction.

The relative polar coordinate is represented in the following format:

Command: _line @4<180 @4<90


Specify first point: 2, 3 
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 4< 0 
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 4< 90 
2,3 @4<0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @ 4< 180 
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: c 
2.1.2 Drawing of Circles

Draw » Circle » [options]

You can create circles in several ways. The default method is to specify a center and radius.
AutoCAD also provides 3 more methods to draw circles which are discussed below.

Command: _circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]:
Use one of the points fixing methods or enter an option

Center, Radius / Center, Diameter

This allows drawing a circle based on the center point and radius or diameter.

Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]: Enter radius value or enter D for


diameter option.

3 Points

Command: _circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 3p
Specify first point on circle: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify second point on circle: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify third point on circle: Use one of the points fixing methods

P3

P2
P1
2 Points
Command: _circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 2p
Specify first end point of circle's diameter: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify second end point of circle's diameter: Use one of the points fixing methods

P2

P1

Tangent, Tangent, Radius

Command: _circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: ttr
Specify point on object for first tangent of circle: select an object
Specify point on object for second tangent of circle: select an object
Specify radius of circle <1.0000>: Enter a value

Tangent objects

2.1.3 Drawing of Rectangles

Draw » Rectangle
Command: _rectang
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: Use one of the points
fixing methods
Specify other corner point or [Area/Dimensions/Rotation]: Use one of the points fixing
methods

You can draw rectangles in several methods by invoking options within “[]” brackets. For example
AutoCAD will facilitate to draw chamfered or fillet rectangles.
Normal Rectangle Chamfered Rectangle

Fillet Rectangle Rectangle with line width .2’

2.1.4 Drawing of Arcs

Draw » Arc » [options]

Arc command allows you to create an arc segment. Arcs created by AutoCAD are circular which
form a part of a circle. There are different methods of creating an arc, as illustrated below. The
default method is to specify the circumference with three points.

Command: arc
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify end point of arc: Use one of the points fixing methods

End Point

Arc Direction

Tangent Direction

Start Point

You can draw arc by using various methods and the commands can invoke from menu tool bar as
shown in above.
2.1.5 Drawing of Ellipse

Draw » Ellipse » [options]

AutoCAD helps drawing a perfect ellipse or elliptical curve using this command. There are two
different ways drawing an ellipse:

1. Define the full length of length of one axis and half length of other axis.
2. Define the center point of the ellipse ( the point where to axes intersect with each other) and half
length of other two axes

Command: _ellipse
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify other endpoint of axis: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Use one of the points fixing methods

Command: _ellipse
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: c
Specify center of ellipse: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify endpoint of axis: Use one of the points fixing methods
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: Use one of the points fixing methods
P3 P3

P1 P2 P1 P2
Other Axis Distance Other Axis Distance

Ellipse by axis endpoints Ellipse by axis Centre

2.1.6 Drawing of Polygon


Using Polygon command you can draw geometrical shapes with number of sides varying between 3
and 1024 also it creates a regular polygon.

Command: _polygon
Enter number of sides <4>: Enter a positive integer (3-1024)
Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: Specify a point or enter e
Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle] <I>: Enter I or C
Specify radius of circle: Specify radius of the imaginary circle

Center of

Inscribed in Circle
Specifies the radius of a circle on which all vertices of the polygon lie

Circumscribed about Circle


Specifies the distance from the center of the polygon to the midpoints of the edges of the polygon

When you select Edge option

Defines a polygon by specifying the endpoints of the first edge

Specify first endpoint of edge: Specify a point (1)


Specify second endpoint of edge: Specify a point (2)

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