AUTOCAD NOTES

AutoCAD
INTERFACE:

Manu Bar

Standard Tool bar

Properties Tool Bar

Modify Tool bar

Cursor Drawing Area Draw Tool bar

UCS

Command line

MANU BAR:
Display pull-down menus from the menu bar using one of several methods. You can also specify alternate menus.

DRAWING AREA:
The area in which your drawings are displayed and modified. The size of the drawing area varies, depending on the size of the AutoCAD window and on how many toolbars and other elements are displayed

CURSOR:
A type of cursor consisting of two lines that intersect 1
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UCS:
A user-defined coordinate system that defines the orientation of the X, Y, and Z axes in 3D space. The UCS determines the default placement of geometry in a drawing. See also world coordinate system (WCS).

TOOL BAR:
Part of the interface containing icons that represent commands.

WAYS TO START A DRAWING:

When you start AutoCAD, the Startup dialog box is displayed. The dialog box provides you with four ways to start a drawing. You can 1. 2. 3. 4. Open an existing drawing Start a drawing from scratch Start a drawing based on a template Use wizards to help you set up your drawing

OPEN A DRAWING:
Opens a drawing you select from a list of the four most recently opened drawings. Also, displays the Browse button that you choose to look for another file.

START FROM SCRATCH:

Opens a new drawing based on the measurement system you choose English (inches) or metric (millimeters). 1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Start from Scratch. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Start from Scratch in the Create New Drawing dialog box.) Select English or Metric, and then choose OK.

The drawing opens based on the English (acad.dwt) or metric (acadiso.dwt) template and with the name drawing1.dwg. 3 From the File menu, choose Save As.

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In the Save Drawing As dialog box under File Name, enter a name for the drawing and choose Save.

USE A TEMPLATE:
Opens a new drawing based on a template you select from a list. The list displays template files (.dwt extension) that exist in the drawing template file location as specified in the Options dialog box. Template files store all the settings for a drawing and can also include predefined layers, dimension styles,

In the Startup dialog box, choose Use a Template. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Use a Template in the Create New Drawing dialog box.) Under Select a Template, select a template from the list or choose Browse to select another file. A preview image of the template appears at the right, and a description appears near the bottom of the dialog box.

Choose OK. AutoCAD opens the drawing as drawing. dwg.

USE A WIZARD:
Opens a new drawing that you set up using either the Quick Setup wizard or the Advanced Setup wizard. 1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Use a Wizard. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Use a Wizard in the Create New Drawing dialog box.)

2 Under Select a Wizard, select Quick Setup or Advanced Setup and choose OK. 3 Complete the wizard pages using the Next and Back buttons to move forward and backward.

4 On the last page choose Finish. To turn off display of the Startup dialog box In the Startup dialog box, clear Show Startup Dialog.

TO TURN OFF DISPLAY OF THE STARTUP DIALOG BOX:

In the Startup dialog box, clear Show Startup Dialog.

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TO DISPLAY THE STARTUP DIALOG BOX:

1 2 3 4 1 2 From the Tools menu, choose Options. In the Options dialog box, choose the System tab. Under General Options, select Show Startup Dialog. Choose OK. To display or close toolbars Right-click the background or title bar of any displayed toolbar, such as the Standard or Draw toolbar. From the shortcut menu, select the toolbar you want to display or close. Command line TOOLBAR displays the Toolbars dialog box, in which you can turn toolbars on and off and customize toolbars. See "Modifying Toolbars." You can display multiple toolbars at once, and you can dock or float toolbars. Docked toolbars lock into place along the top, bottom, or sides of the AutoCAD window. Floating toolbars move freely; move them using your pointing device. Floating toolbars can overlap other floating and docked toolbars. You can also hide toolbars until you need them.

TO DOCK OR UNDOCK A TOOLBAR:

1 To dock a toolbar, place your pointer on the background or title bar of the toolbar, then use your pointing device to drag the toolbar to a dock location at the top, bottom, or either side of the drawing window. 2 When the outline of the toolbar appears in the docking area you want, release the pointing device button. 3 To undock a toolbar, drag it outside the docking region. 4 To place a toolbar in a docking region without docking it, hold down CTRL as you drag. To change the shape of a floating toolbar Drag the bottom border of a floating toolbar to create a vertical toolbar. or Drag the side border of a floating toolbar to create a horizontal toolbar. or Drag the border of a floating toolbar to reshape

When you start AutoCAD, the Startup dialog box is displayed. The dialog box provides you with four ways to start a drawing. You can Open an existing drawing 4
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Start a drawing from scratch Start a drawing based on a template Use wizards to help you set up your drawing Open a Drawing: Opens a drawing you select from a list of the four most recently opened drawings. Also, displays the Browse button that you choose to look for another file. Start from Scratch: Opens a new drawing based on the measurement system you chooseEnglish (inches) or metric (millimeters). Use a Template: Opens a new drawing based on a template you select from a list. The list displays template files (.dwt extension) that exist in the drawing template file location as specified in the Options dialog box . Template files store all the settings for a drawing and can also include predefined layers, dimension styles, Use a Wizard: Opens a new drawing that you set up using either the Quick Setup wizard or the Advanced Setup wizard.

Units
Indicates the format in which you enter and in which AutoCAD displays coordinates and measurements. Several formats are available in AutoCAD. Two of them, Engineering and Architectural, have a specific base unit (inches) assigned to them. You can select from other measurement styles that can represent any convenient unit of measurement. Note: You control the precision (the number of decimal places displayed in all measurements) by using the Advanced Setup wizard or the UNITS command. The default precision used by Quick Setup is four (0.0000). Decimal Displays measurements in decimal notation. Engineering Displays measurements in feet and decimal inches. Architectural Displays measurements in feet, inches, and fractional inches. Fractional Displays measurements in mixed-number (integer and fractional) notation. Scientific Displays measurements in scientific notation (numbers expressed in the form of the product of a decimal number between 0 and 10 and a power of 10). 5
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UNITMODE system variable Controls the display format for units. 0 Displays fractional, feet-and-inches, and surveyor's angles as previously set 1 Displays fractional, feet-and-inches, and surveyor's angles in input format

To turn off display of the Startup dialog box In the Startup dialog box, clear Show Startup Dialog. To display the Startup dialog box 1 2 3 4 From the Tools menu, choose Options. In the Options dialog box, choose the System tab. Under General Options, select Show Startup Dialog. Choose OK.

To open a drawing
1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Open a Drawing, and then choose Browse. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose Open.) In the Select File dialog box, select one or more files and choose Open. You can also enter the drawing name under File Name and choose Open, or double-click a file name in the list of files.

To create a new drawing using Start from Scratch 1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Start from Scratch. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Start from Scratch in the Create New Drawing dialog box.) Select English or Metric, and then choose OK. The drawing opens based on the English (acad.dwt) or metric (acadiso.dwt) template and with the name drawing1.dwg. 3 4 From the File menu, choose Save As. In the Save Drawing As dialog box under File Name, enter a name for the drawing and choose Save.

To start a drawing using a template 1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Use a Template. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Use a Template in the Create New Drawing dialog box.) Under Select a Template, select a template from the list or choose Browse to select

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another file. A preview image of the template appears at the right, and a description appears near the bottom of the dialog box. 3 Choose OK. AutoCAD opens the drawing as drawing.dwg. To start a drawing using a wizard 1 In the Startup dialog box, choose Use a Wizard. (If AutoCAD is already started, from the File menu, choose New, and then choose Use a Wizard in the Create New Drawing dialog box.) Under Select a Wizard, select Quick Setup or Advanced Setup and choose OK. Complete the wizard pages using the Next and Back buttons to move forward and backward. On the last page choose Finish.

2 3 4

To turn off display of the Startup dialog box

In the Startup dialog box, clear Show Startup Dialog.

Basic AutoCAD Terminology

Here are some basic terms that you will need to know to begin using AutoCAD. Absolute co-ordinates Acad.dwt A way of inputting points based on AutoCAD's origin. This is the default template that automatically loads whenever you start a drawing session. It can be customized. Dimensions that are associated with specific points will update as that point is moved. AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup your drawing and save it. This is a safeguard in case your file gets corrupted. It is saved with a .BAK extension A pre-drawn image you can insert in your drawing to save time and make your file size smaller. This is your cursor when it is in the drawing space. Your cursor will change depending on where it is in the program. An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large database containing all the information needed to reproduce the objects when the file is opened. Info for layers and linetypes, etc are stored

Associated Dimensioning Backup file

Block

Crosshairs Cursor Database

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in this manner. Dialog box AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes to get information from you. You must know how input the information that it asks for. This is a file that contains preset values for frequently used settings. AKA a prototype drawing. The file extension is DWT. The outer boundaries of the objects you have drawn. This is pattern of dots displayed on the screen to guide you. It can be toggled on and off by pressing the F7 key. Small 'handles' on objects that allow for quick editing. All objects are drawn on a layer. You can group objects (such as electrical) on a single layer and organize your drawing. An optional area used for plotting your drawings. A setting to impose an 'artificial' boundary on your drawing and scale your text and dimensions, etc. All objects are drawn with a particular linetype. Examples would be solid, center, dashed, etc. The drawing space where you 'model' the objects. A generic term used for changing your objects Any item that is in the AutoCAD database. Also known as an entity. The (0,0) point of your current co-ordinate system. This is a drawing mode that allows you to draw only perpendicular lines. It is toggled on and off by pressing the F8 key. This is a method of 'snapping' to certain, precise points on an object. The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for, or saves files. To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it.

Drawing template file

Extents Grid

Grips Layer

Layout Tabs Limits

Linetype

Model space Modify Object

Origin Ortho mode

Osnap - Object Snap

Path Pick

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Plot Polar co-ordinates Property

Also known as print. To make a hard copy of your drawing. A way of inputting points based on distance and angle. Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale, linetype, start point, etc. A way of inputting points based on a starting point. The current group of objects selected for modifying. This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor to precise points laid out in a grid pattern. Toggle with the F9 key. Formatting that defines the look of text, dimensions, etc. The basic drawing unit set for you drawing. For example, you can use inches or millimeters depending on your needs. You can also set the precision you want displayed, such nearest 1/4", 1/2" 1/64", etc. Modifications made to the World Co-ordinate System (WCS) results in a User Co-ordinate System (UCS) A particular area of your drawing. A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more than one viewport visible to see different areas of your drawing at the same time. An easy step-by-step instruction set to help you set-up certain aspects of your drawing. This is the common X-Y co-ordinate system that is the default. If it is modified, it becomes a User co-ordinate System (UCS) To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in) or a larger section (zoom out)

Relative co-ordinates Selection set Snap

Styles Units

User co-ordinate system (UCS) View Viewport

Wizard

World Co-ordinate System (WCS) Zoom

ABSOLUTE COORDINATE SYSTEM Absolute Cartesian coordinate system has three axes: X, Y, and Z. When you enter coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance (in units) and its direction (+ or ) along the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the coordinate system origin (0,0,0) RELATIVE COORDINATE SYSTEM 9
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Relative Cartesian coordinate system has three axes: X, Y, and Z. When you enter coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance (in units) and its direction (+ or ) along the X, Y, and Z axes relative to previous point. POLAR COORDINATE SYSTEM Polar coordinate systems use a distance and an angle to locate a point. When you enter polar coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance from the origin POLAR RELATIVE COORDINATE SYSTEM Polar Relative coordinate systems use a distance and an angle to locate a point. When you enter polar coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance the previous point and its angle along the XY plane of the current coordinate system. DIRECT DISTANCE ENTRY In addition to entering coordinate values to specify points, you can use a method called direct distance entry. You can use this feature during any of the drawing commands. Once you have started the command and specified the first point, you can specify a point by moving the cursor to indicate a direction and then entering the distance from the first point. This is a good way to specify a line length quickly and is especially useful used in conjunction with ortho and polar tracking. You can use direct distance entry to specify points for all commands except those that prompt you to enter a single real value, such as ARRAY, MEASURE, and DIVIDE. When Ortho is on, this method is an efficient way to draw perpendicular lines..

The X,Y co-ordinate system

Everything that you draw in AutoCAD is exact. It will be more accurate than you will ever need it to be. All objects drawn on the screen are placed there based on a simple X,Y co-ordinate system. In AutoCAD this is known as the World Co-ordinate System (WCS). You must understand this to know how to put things where you want them. (3-D work has an added axis, the Z-axis, but this is not covered in this lesson.) Below is a diagram showing you how this system works (place your mouse on the diagram for more info).

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In order to work effectively with AutoCAD, you have to work with this system. Until you are comfortable and familiar with it, learning AutoCAD will be more of a chore. My experience in teaching is that the better a student is with co-ordinates, the better CAD draftsperson they are. Here is how it works: AutoCAD uses points to determine where an object is located. There is an origin where it begins counting from. This point is (0,0). Every object is located in relation to the origin. If you were to draw a line straight out to the right from the origin, this would be considered the positive X-axis. If you were to draw a line straight up, this would be the positive Y-axis. The picture above shows a point located at (9,6). This means that the point is 9 units over in the X-axis and 6 units up in the Y-axis. When you are working with points, X always comes first. The other point shown is (-10,-5). This means that the point is 10 units in the negative X-axis (left) and 5 units in the negative Y-axis (down). A line has two points, a start point and an end point. AutoCAD works with the points to display the line on the screen. Move your cursor over the picture above and you will see line drawn from the absolute points of (-10,-5) to (9,6). Most of the time you will not have an indication of where the origin is. You may need to draw a line from the endpoint of an existing line. To do this you use relative points. These work the same way, but you have to add the @ symbol (shift+2) to tell AutoCAD that this next point is relative from the last point entered. Its a simple system, but mastering it is the key to working with AutoCAD and is explained below.

Angular Measurement
AutoCAD measures angles in a particular way also. Look at the diagram below and then place your mouse on it to see how this is done. 11
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When drawing lines at an angle, you have to begin measuring the angle from 0 degrees, which is at the 3 o'clock position. If you drew a line at 90 degrees, it would go straight up. The example above (when you move your mouse over it) shows a line drawn at +300 degrees, or -60 degrees. You might not always have an obvious reference point for 0 degrees. Look at the example below and place your mouse on the image to find out angle in question.

In this example, you are given information about the lines, but not the angle AutoCAD needs to draw the line from the start point. What you are given though, is (a) the knowledge that 0 is at the 3 o'clock position (b) the knowledge that 180 is at the 9 12
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o'clock position and (c) the angle between 180 and the line you want to draw is 150. With this information, you can figure out what angle you need. Here is a fool-proof way of getting the angle you need: 1.) Start at the 0 position and measure counter-clockwise (+) to 180. 2.) From 180, measure clockwise 150. 3.) Consider that you just went +180-150 and use that as an equation: +180-150=30 4.) Now you can draw your line using polar co-ordinates (discussed below)

Entering Points in AutoCAD

You can enter points directly on the command line using three different systems. The one you use will depend on which is more applicable for the situation. The first assignment will get you used to this. The three systems are as follows: ABSOLUTE CO-ORDINATES - Using this method, you enter the points as they relate to the origin of the WCS. To enter a point just enter in the exact point as X,Y. RELATIVE CO-ORDINATES - This allows you to enter points in relation to the first point you have entered. After you've entered one point, the next would be entered as @X,Y. This means that AutoCAD will draw a line from the first point to another point X units over and Y units up relative to the previous point. POLAR CO-ORDINATES - You would use this system if you know that you want to draw a line a certain distance at a particular angle. You would enter this as @D<A. In this case, D is the distance and A is the angle. Example: @10<90 will draw a line 10 units straight up from the first point. The three ways of entering co-ordinates shown above are the ONLY way AutoCAD accepts input. First decide which style you need to use, and then enter as shown. Remember that X is always before Y (alphabetical). Don't forget the '@' symbol when you are entering relative points. Any typing error or omission will give you results you don't want. If you make a mistake and need to see what you typed, press F2 to bring up the text screen and check your typing. (press F2 to get back to your drawing.) CYLINDERICAL COORDINATES 3D cylindrical coordinates describe a precise location by a distance from the UCS origin in the XY plane, an angle from the X axis in the XY plane, and a Z value. DIST<ANGLE,DIST SPHERICAL COORDINATES 3D spherical coordinates specify a location by a distance from the origin of the current UCS, an angle from the X axis in the XY plane, and an angle from the XY plane DIST<ANGLE<ANGLE User Coordinate System (UCS) 13
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A user-defined coordinate system that defines the orientation of the X, Y, and Z axes in 3D space. The UCS determines the default placement of geometry in a drawing You can relocate and rotate the user coordinate system for convenient coordinate entry, There are two coordinate systems: a fixed system called the world coordinate system (WCS) and a movable system called the user coordinate system (UCS). You can relocate the user coordinate system with methods such as the following:

Move the UCS by defining a new origin point. Align the UCS with an existing object. Rotate the UCS by specifying a new origin point and a point on the new X axis. Rotate the current UCS a specified angle around the Z axis. Revert to the previous UCS. Restore the UCS to be coincident with the WCS.

LAYERS Layers are like transparent overlays, and allow you to organize and group different types of scene information. The objects you create have common properties including color, visibility, renderability, and display. An object can assume these properties from the layer on which you create it On layer drawing is visible , editable and available for plotting Regenerated with the

is it is invisible , not editable and not available for plotting. Regenerated Off layer with the drawing Lock layer is visible , not editable and available for plotting

Unlock layer is visible , editable and available for plotting. Thawed layer is visible , editable and available for plotting. Not Regenerated with the drawing Frozen layer is invisible , not editable and not available for plotting - Not Regenerated with the drawing

NAMED VIEW 14
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A view saved for restoration later. (VIEW) When you save specific views by name, you can restore them for layout and plotting A named view created with the VIEW command consists of a specific magnification, position, and orientation. When you name and save a view, the following settings are saved: Magnification, center point, and view direction View category that you assign to the view (optional) The location of the view (the Model tab or a specific layout tab) Layer visibility in the drawing at the time the view is saved User coordinate system 3D perspective Live section Visual style Background VIEWPORTS
Viewports are areas that display different views of your model. As you work on the Model tab, you can split the drawing area into one or more adjacent rectangular views known as model space viewports. In large or complex drawings, displaying different views reduces the time needed to zoom or pan in a single view. Also, errors you might miss in one view may be apparent in the others.

To subdivide a viewport on the Model tab

1. If you have more than one viewport, click inside the viewport you want to subdivide. 2. Click View menu Viewports and then either 2 Viewports, 3 Viewports, or 4 Viewports to indicate how many model space viewports should be created. 3. At the Next prompt, specify the arrangement of the new viewports

To join two viewports on the Model tab

1. Click View menu Viewports Join. 2. Click within the model space viewport containing the view you want to keep. 3. Click within an adjacent viewport to join it to the first viewport

To restore a single viewport on the Model tab

Click View menu Viewports 1 Viewport.

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AERIAL VIEW In a large drawing, you can pan and zoom quickly in a window that can display the whole drawing.

You can use the Aerial View window to change the view in your current viewport quickly. If you keep the Aerial View window open as you work, you can zoom and pan without interrupting your current command. You can also specify a new view without having to choose a menu option or enter a command

A polyline is a singles object that combine line segments and Arc. . Use polylines if you want to edit all segments at once, although you can also edit them singly. You can set the width of individual segments, make segments taper, and close the polyline. When you draw arc segments, the first point of the arc is the endpoint of the previous segment. You can specify the angle, center point, direction, or radius of the arc. You can also complete the arc by specifying a second point and an endpoint polyline can be edited easily either with the PEDIT command or with grips Multilines are set of parallel lines that you draw with one command. Multilines consist of between 2 and 16 parallel lines, called elements You can specify how far apart thay are, and each line can have its own color and line type. Multilines are ideal for drawing architectural plans where u need to draw an inner and outer wall. To draw a multiline u first define, save and load a multiline style. Polygons are multisided closed figures with equal side length . Acad can draw the polygon on with anything from 3-1024 sided A spline is a smooth curve that is defined by a series of points. AutoCAD uses a particular type of spline known as a nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curve. A NURBS curve produces a smooth curve between control points. Splines are useful for creating irregular-shaped curves, for example, drawing contour lines for geographic information system (GIS) applications or automobile design. Splines can be edited easily either with the SPLINEDIT command or with grips CONSTRUCTION LINE (XL) Or XLINE Creates infinite lines in both directions, which are commonly used as, Projection lines, Reference lines and construction lines.
OPTIONS

[Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Offset]
System Variables

OFFSETDIST stores the current offset value. RAY 16

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Creates infinite line in one direction in 3D space that starts at a point you specify and extends to infinity in only one direction. MULTILINES (ML) Multiple parallel lines having 2 to16 lines called elements.
OPTIONS

[justification/ Scale/ STyle]

Commands

MLINE creates multilines MLEDIT edits multilines.

System Variables

CMLJUST stores the justification of the current multiline CMLSCALE stores the scale of the current multiline. CMLSTYLE stores the name of the current multiline style. To draw a multiline
1 2 3 4 5 From the Draw menu, choose Multiline. At the Command prompt, enter st to select a style. To list available styles, enter the style name or enter ?. To justify the multiline, enter j and choose top, zero, or bottom justification. To change the scale of the multiline, enter s and enter a new scale.

Now draw the multiline. 6 7 8 9 Specify the starting point. Specify the second point. Specify the third point. Specify the fourth point or enter c to close the multiline, or press ENTER.

To create a multiline style

1 2 From the Format menu, choose Multiline Style. In the Multiline Styles dialog box, enter a name and description for the style. Descriptions are optional and can be up to 255 characters, including spaces. 3 4 5 6 To create a multiline style, choose Add. To add elements to the style or to modify existing elements, choose Element Properties. In the Element Properties dialog box, highlight the element in the list, and then make changes to Offset, Color, and Linetype. To add an element, choose Add, and then make changes to Offset, Color, and Linetype. Choose OK. The offset defines the 0,0 origin of the multiline relative to which other elements are drawn. An element does not have to be drawn at the origin. 7 8 To set multiline properties, choose Multiline Properties in the Multiline Styles dialog box. In the Multiline Properties dialog box, make any changes and choose OK.

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Properties include the display of segment joints and the type of start and end caps with their angles and fill color. 9 Choose Save to save the style to an external multiline style file (the default is acad.mln). You can save multiline styles to the same file. If you create more than one multiline style, save the current style before creating a new one or you lose the changes to the first style. You can add up to 16 elements to a multiline style. If you create or modify an element so that it has a negative offset, it appears below the origin in the image tile of the Multiline Styles dialog box. To specify the properties of the entire multiline 1 2 3 4 From the Format menu, choose Multiline Style. In the Multiline Styles dialog box, choose Multiline Properties. In the Multiline Properties dialog box, select Display Joints to display a line at the vertices of the multiline. Under Caps, select a line or an arc for each end of the multiline, and enter an angle. Lines cross the end of the whole multiline, and outer arcs join the ends of the outermost elements. Inner arcs connect pairs of elements, leaving the centerline unconnected if there is an odd number of elements. For example, if there are six elements, inner arcs connect elements 2 and 5 and elements 3 and 4. If there are seven elements, inner arcs connect elements 2 and 6 and elements 3 and 5; element 4 is left unconnected. 5 6 7 8 Under Fill, select On to display a background color. Choose Color. In the Select Color dialog box, select the background fill color and choose OK. In the Multiline Properties dialog box, choose OK to return to the Multiline Styles dialog box. Next, save the multiline style.

To save a multiline style name

1 In the Multiline Styles dialog box under Name, enter a name and a description for the style. Descriptions are optional and may have up to 255 characters, including spaces. 2 3 4 To add the newly created multiline style to the drawing and set it as current, choose Add. To save the style to an external MLN file, choose Save. Choose OK.

POLYLINE ( PL)
A polyline is a connected sequence of line or arc segments created as a single object. Use polylines if you want to edit all segments at once, PEDIT command is used to edit a polyine Command line PLINE OPTIONS [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]

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System Variables

PLINEGEN s controls the linetype pattern display around and the smoothness of the vertices of a 2D polyline. Polylines can be converted into 3d solid using Extrude and revolve command
DELOBJ system variable Controls whether geometry used to create 3D objects is retained or

deleted
To draw a polyline with straight segments 1 2 3 4 From the Draw menu, choose Polyline. Specify the first point of the polyline. Specify the endpoint of each polyline segment. Enter c (Close) to close the polyline, or press ENTER to end the command.

Command line PLINE Related LINE creates single or multiple line segments that are separate objects. MLINE creates multiple parallel lines. In the next example, you draw a polyline line segment, continue with an arc segment, and then draw another line segment in a tangential direction. To draw a line and arc combination polyline First draw the line segment. 1 From the Draw menu, choose Polyline. 2 Specify the start point of the line segment 3 Specify the endpoint of the line segment 4 Enter a to switch to Arc mode. 5 Specify the endpoint of the arc 6 Enter l to return to Line mode. 7 Enter the distance and angle of the line in relation to the endpoint of the arc. You can enter these relative values in the form @distance<angle. 8 Press ENTER to end the polyline.

POLYGON (POL)
Creates an equilateral closed polyline ( having 3 to 1024 equal sides) PEDIT command can use to change its parameters OPTIONS Center of Polygon Edge [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle] System Variables POLYSIDES stores the current number of polygon sides.

To draw an inscribed square

1 2 3 From the Draw menu, choose Polygon. Enter 4 to specify four sides for the polygon. Specify the center point for the polygon

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4 5

Enter i (Inscribed in Circle). Specify the radius

To draw a circumscribed hexagon 1 2 3 4 5 From the Draw menu, choose Polygon. Enter 6 for the number of sides. Specify the center of the polygon Enter c (Circumscribed about Circle). Specify the radius length

RECTANGLE
Draws a rectangular polyline 2 points are needed to define a rectangle OPTIONS [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width] ELEVATION

The default Z value above or below the XY plane of the current user coordinate system, which is used for entering coordinates
THICKNESS

The distance certain objects are extruded to give them a 3D appearance. ARC (A) Draw an arc
OPTIONS)

Specifying Three Points, Specifying Start, Center, End, Specifying Start, Center, Angle, Specifying Start, Center, Length, Start, End, Direction/Radius, Contiguous Arcs and Lines CIRCLE (C)
OPTIONS 3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius, tan tan tan ) There are 6 methods to draw a circle

To draw a circle by specifying a center point and radius

1 2 3 From the Draw menu, choose Circle Center, Radius. Specify the center point. Specify the radius.

To create a circle tangent to existing objects

1 From the Draw menu, choose Circle Tan, Tan, Radius. You are now in Tangent snap mode. 2 3 4 Select the first object to draw the circle tangent to. Select the second object to draw the circle tangent to. Specify the radius of the circle

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SPLINE (SP)
SPLINE fits a smooth curve to a sequence of points within a specified tolerance. AutoCAD uses NURBS (nonuniform rational B-splines) mathematics, which stores and defines a class of curve and surface data. OPTIONS First Point Object System Variables SPLINETYPE

ELLIPSE (EL)
Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc OPTIONS Axis Endpoint Arc Center Isocircle (The Isocircle option is available only when you set the Style option of SNAP to Isometric.)

REGION (REG) Regions are two-dimensional areas you create from closed shapes or loops. Loops can be combinations of lines, polylines, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, and splines U can apply union subtract and intersect commands Regions can be used for

Applying hatching and shading Analyzing properties, such as area, using MASSPROP Extracting design information, such as the centroid

You can create regions out of multiple loops and out of open curves whose endpoints are connected and form loops. You cannot form regions from open objects that intersect to form a closed area: for example, intersecting arcs or self-intersecting curves. You can also create regions using BOUNDARY command

SKETCH Creates a series of freehand line segments SKPOLY System variable Determines whether the SKETCH command generates lines or polylines
To sketch and record freehand lines 1 2 3 At the Command prompt, enter sketch. At the Record Increment prompt, enter the minimum line segment length. Click the start point to put the "pen" down.

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When you move the pointing device, AutoCAD draws temporary freehand line segments of the length you specified. SKETCH doesn't accept coordinate input. During the command, freehand lines are displayed in a different color.

4 5

Click the endpoint to lift the "pen" up so that you can move the cursor around the screen without drawing. Click a new start point to resume drawing from the new cursor position. Enter r at any time to record (save) in the database the line you're drawing and those already drawn. If the pen is down, you can continue drawing after recording. If the pen is up, click to resume drawing. The freehand line starts from wherever the cursor is when you click.

Press ENTER to complete the sketch and record all unrecorded lines.

BLOCK Start the BLOCK command by either typing B or using the pull down menu or the icon. You will see a dialog box that looks like the one shown (some versions of AutoCAD will have a slightly different dialog box (with different options). Enter information the same way though. 1 : The first thing that you want to do is give your block a name. Type COMPUTER in the edit box beside Block Name.( suppose you are going to make a block of computer) 2 : Now you need to select an insertion/base point. Pick the Pick Point button and then pick the midpoint of the bottom line. Make sure that the retain button is selected (this will keep your objects on the screen as individual objects. 3 : Next you want to select the objects for your block. Pick the Select Objects button and then select all the parts of your computer and press <ENTER>. 4 : Now select the drawing units you used to create the original objects in. 5 : This is optional, but you can add a description here. This is good if you are creating specific parts, like maybe a motor and want to add some quick specifications. 6 : Pick the OK Button and the dialog box closes. It will look like nothing happened, but the drawing file now has a "Block Definition" for a Computer in it. Congratulations, you have created your first block. Now that you have created a block, it's time to insert it. Start the Insert command by typing I <ENTER>. You will see this dialog box on the screen:

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By default, all the options you need are pre-selected. Since you only have one block in your drawing, its name is displayed. Make sure that the Insertion Point - Specify On-screen box is checked, and the Explode button is not checked. The Scale - Specify On-screen should not be checked. Then press the OK button. Pick anywhere on your screen and you will see the block appear. To set point style and size
1 2 3 4 From the Format menu, choose Point Style. In the Point Style dialog box, select a point style. Under Point Size, specify a size. Choose OK.

Command line DDPTYPE

EDITING COMMANDS MOVE (M)

OPTIONS

( Require a base point) COPY (CO)

OPTIONS

[Multiple] ( Require a base point) MIRROR (MI) Creates a mirror image copy of objects 23
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OPTIONS

Delete source objects? [Yes/No

System Variables MIRRTEXT controls whether text is reflected with the MIRROR command.

OFFSET (O)
OFFSET creates a new object at a specified distance from an existing object or through a specified point. OPTIONS Specify offset distance or [Through] System Variables OFFSETDIST stores the current offset value. OFFSETGAPTYPE controls how to offset polylines when a gap is created as a result of offsetting individual polyline segments.

ARRAY (AR)
Creates multiple copies of objects in a pattern OPTIONS Rectangular -- Polar

LENGTHEN ( LEN)
LENGTHEN changes the length of objects and the included angle of arcs. LENGTHEN does not affect closed objects. OPTIONS [DElta/Percent/Total/DYnamic]

TRIM (TR)
[Project/Edge/Undo]: Project = for Trimming in 3d space Edge = Extend , No Extend Undo

EXTEND (EX)
Objects that you can extend include arcs, elliptical arcs, lines, open 2D and 3D polylines, and rays.

BREAK Breaks the selected object between two points To break an object 1. Click Modify menu Break. 2. Select the object to break. By default, the point at which you select the object is the first break point. To select a different pair of break points, enter f (First) and specify the first break point. 3. Specify the second break point. 24
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To break an object without creating a gap, enter @0,0 to specify the previous point

DIMENSION STYLE
DIMSTYLE Command opens the dimension style manager

QDIM

Quick Dimension

Creates dimension arrangements, such as baseline, continued, and ordinate dimensions, by selecting multiple objects at one time.

LINEAR (DIMLINEAR) Measures a straight-line distance. Includes options to create horizontal, vertical, or rotated linear dimension. There are three types of linear dimension: Horizontal: Measures a distance between two points parallel to the X axis. Vertical: Measures a distance between two points parallel to the Y axis. Rotated: Measures a distance between two points at a specified orientation in the current UCS.

ALIGNED (DIMALIGNED)
Creates a linear dimension with the dimension line parallel to the extension line origin points. The dimension creates a true-length measurement of the object.

ORDINATE (DIMORDINATE )
Creates a dimension showing a point's X or Y ordinate measured from a given origin point.

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RADIUS (DIMRADIUS)
Measures the radius of circles and arcs.

DIAMETER (DIMDIAMETER)
Measures the diameter of circles and arcs.

ANGLE (DIMANGULAR) Measures angles.

BASELINE (DIMBASELINE) Creates a series of linear, angular, or ordinate dimensions all measured from the same origin.

CONTINUE(DIMCONTINUE)
Creates a series of continued linear, aligned, angular, or ordinate dimensions, each created from the second extension line of the previous or last selected dimension and sharing a common dimension line.

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LEADER(QLEADER)
Creates annotation and a leader line that visually links the text to an object.

Sraight

Spline

TOLERANCE (TOLERANCE)
Creates a geometric tolerance dimension.

CENTRE MARK (DIMCENTER) Creates center marks and centerlines to indicate center points of circles and arcs.
SYSTEM VARIABLE

DIMASSO
Controls the associativity of dimension objects and whether dimensions are exploded

Selection
There 16 options of select command Window/Last/Crossing/BOX/ALL/Fence/WPolygon/CPolygon/Group/Add/Remove/Mul tiple/Previous/Undo/AUto/SIngle/SUbobject/Object

Window
Selects all objects completely inside a rectangle defined by two points. Specifying the corners from left to right creates a window selection. (Specifying the corners from right to left creates a crossing selection.)

Crossing
Selects objects within and crossing an area defined by two points. A crossing selection is displayed as dashed or otherwise highlighted to differentiate it from window selection. Specifying the corners from right to left creates a crossing selection. (Specifying the corners from left to right creates a window selection.)

Last
Selects the most recently created visible object. The object must be in the current space, that is, model space or paper space, and its layer must not be set to frozen or off

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Fence
Selects all objects crossing a selection fence. The Fence method is similar to CPolygon except that that the fence is not closed, and a fence can cross itself. Fence is not affected by the PICKADD system variable. First fence point: Specify a point Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u to undo the last point

WPolygon
Selects objects completely inside a polygon defined by points. The polygon can be any shape but cannot cross or touch itself. The last segment of the polygon is drawn so that it is closed at all times. WPolygon is not affected by the PICKADD system variable. First polygon point: Specify a point Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u to undo the last point

CPolygon
Selects objects within and crossing a polygon defined by specifying points. The polygon can be any shape but cannot cross or touch itself. The last segment of the polygon is drawn so that it is closed at all times. CPolygon is not affected by the PICKADD system variable. First polygon point: Specify a point Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: Specify a point or enter u to undo the last point

Group
Selects all objects within a specified group. Enter group name: Enter a name list

Add
Switches to the Add method: selected objects can be added to the selection set by using any of the object selection methods. Auto and Add are the default methods.

Remove
Switches to the Remove method: objects can be removed from the current selection set using any object selection method. An alternative to Remove mode is to hold down SHIFT while selecting single objects or use the Automatic option. 28
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Multiple
Specifies multiple points without highlighting the objects, thus speeding up the selection process for complex objects. The Multiple method also selects two intersecting objects if the intersection point is specified twice.

UNDO UNDO displays the command or system variable name on the command line to indicate that you have stepped past the point where the command was used.

Options Auto/Control/BEgin/End/Mark/Back]: Number Undoes the specified number of preceding operations. The effect is the same as entering u multiple times, but the drawing is not regenerated at each step. Auto Undoes a menu selection as a single command, reversible by a single U command. UNDO Auto inserts an UNDO Begin at the start of each menu item, if a menu item is not already active, and inserts an UNDO End upon exit from the menu item. (UNDO Auto is not available if the Control option has turned off or limited the UNDO feature. )
Control

Limits or turns off UNDO. Enter an UNDO control option [All/None/One] <All>: Enter an option or press ENTER All - Turns on the full UNDO command. None - Turns off the U and UNDO commands and discards any UNDO command information saved earlier in the editing session. (The Auto, Begin, and Mark options are not available when None or One is in effect.) One - Limits UNDO to a single operation. (The Auto, Begin, and Mark options are not available when None or One is in effect) Begin, End Begin groups a sequence of operations. All subsequent operations become part of the group until End terminates the group. Mark, Back

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Mark places a mark in the undo information. Back undoes all the work done back to this mark. If you undo one operation at a time, AutoCAD informs you when you reach the mark. You can place as many marks as necessary. Back moves back one mark at a time To undo the most recent action
From the Edit menu, choose Undo. Command line UNDO Shortcut menu With no commands active and no objects selected, right-click in the drawing area and choose Undo. Related REDO restores what you have just undone. To undo a specific number of actions 1 2 At the Command prompt, enter undo. On the command line, enter the number of actions to undo. For example, to undo the last ten actions, enter 10. AutoCAD displays the commands or system variable settings that were undone. Use the Mark option of UNDO to mark an action as you work. You can then use the Back option of UNDO to undo all activities that occurred after the marked action. You also can use the Begin and End options of UNDO to undo actions you've defined as a group. To redo the last UNDO action, you can use the REDO command. To redo an action From the Edit menu, choose Redo. Command line REDO

SYSTEM VARIABLES A system variable is a configuration setting that can be changed by the user. Some system variables can not be changed, these are known as read-only variables. Here is an example of each AutoCAD is a complex program and one of its major selling points is that it is highly customizable. Every user will use AutoCAD differently. Some use icons, some use command line prompts. Each drawing is also different. You may have different text heights, or dimension styles from one drawing to the next. To keep track of these different parameters, AutoCAD uses a large number of system variables to do this. You have already used one system variable: LTSCALE. This could have been changed in the Linetype dialog box, but typing LTS is easier and quicker.

To see a complete list of system variables 30

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1. At the Command prompt, enter setvar. 2. At the Variable Name prompt, enter ?. 3. At the Enter Variable(s) to List prompt, press ENTER. To change the setting of a system variable 1. At the Command prompt, enter the system variable name. For example, enter gridmode to change the grid setting. 2. To change the status of GRIDMODE, enter 1 for on or 0 for off. To retain the current value of the system variable, press ENTER.
Some common variables

INQUARY COMMAND About Command Displays information about AutoCAD Distance Command- Determines the distance between two points Area command- Calculates the area and perimeter of objects or of defined areas Specify first corner point or [Object/Add/Subtract]: Specify a point or enter an option First Corner Point Calculates the area and perimeter you define by specifying points. All points must lie in a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current user coordinate system (UCS). Object Calculates the area and perimeter of the selected object. You can calculate the area of circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, polygons, regions, and solids. The centerline of a wide polyline is used to make area and perimeter (or length) calculations. Add Turns on Add mode and keeps a running balance of the total area as you continue to define areas. The Add option calculates the individual areas and perimeters of defined areas and objects as well as the total area of all defined areas and objects. You can use the Subtract option to subtract specified areas from the total area. . Subtract Similar to the Add option, but subtracts areas and perimeters.

List -Command Displays database information for selected objects 31

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Status -Command Displays drawing statistics, modes, and extents

TRUE - FALSE

1.Area command measure length of a line True false 2.Chamfer command rounds the edge of an object True false 3.Select command has 6 options True False 4.We can chamfer corners of a rectangle using Chamfer command True False 5. Spline command creates a parallel multilines True False 6. There are 2 options of rectangle command. True false 7. We can change the color of polygon True false 8. We can make a Multiline style having 18 elements True False 9. The polyline command has two options. True False 10. Construction Line has one infinite end True 32
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False 11. ABOUT command display information about AutoCAD True False 12. SKPOLY variable Determines whether the Sketch command generates lines or polylines True False 13. A Multiline is a connected sequence of line or arc segments True False 14. A Region can be converted in 3D solid True False 15. ALIGN command align only 2D objects to other 2D objects True false 16. Ortho mode constraints cursor movement True False 17. PLINE Creates an infinite line True False 18. Grips offer a whole new way to edit objects True False 19. Distance command measure the distance between two points True false 20. There is only one way for repeating command True false 21. Snap mode constraints cursor movement True False 33
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22. Multiline command Creates multiple lines in series True False 23. Polylines are used as projection lines True
False

Technical drawing
Orthographic Projection A system of showing an object in several views. If the projection lines, in addition to being parallel to each other, are perpendicular (normal) to the plane of projection, the result is an orthographic projection

First angle projection 1. The object is kept in the first quadrant. 2. The object lies between the observer and the plane of projection. 3. In this method, when the views are drawn in their relative positions, planed comes below the elevation.

Third angle projection 1. The object is assumed to be kept in the third quadrant. 2. The plane of projection lies between the observer and the object. 34
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3. In this method, when the vies are drawn in their relative positions, the plan , comes above the elevation.

Pictorial Drawing. Perspective Views

A drawing that looks like a picture.

Perspective Drawing A kind of pictorial drawing that shows objects as they look to the eye.

When we look at the world around us, we see objects in perspective One-Point Perspective view

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Two-Point perspective view

Three point perspective view

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Isometric View A kind of pictoral drawing based on height, width, and depth axes in

Isometric projection is one of the three forms of axonometric projection. In isometric projection the angles between the projection of the axes are equal i.e. 120. It is important to appreciate that it is the angles between the projection of the axes that are being discussed and not the true angles between the axes themselves which is always 90

Left. Aligns snap and grid along 90- and 150-degree axes. Top. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 150-degree axes. Right. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 90-degree axes.

Oblique Drawing (n) A kind of a drawing that shows one face of the object in true shape, but the other faces on a distorted angle.

. To draw it in oblique projection we follow three main rules: 1. Draw the front or side view of the object. 2. All measurements drawn backwards are half the original measurement. 3. 45 degrees is the angle for all lines drawn backwards.
When the receding axis is reduced by one half, the projection is called a There are two types of oblique single-plane projections: CAVALIER and CABINET.

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Cavalier Projection is a form of oblique projection in which the projection lines are presumed to make a 45-degree vertical and a 45-degree horizontal angle with the plane of projection. Cabinet Projection When the receding axis is reduced by one half, the projection is called a Cabinet projection

Cabinet projection receding axis OC reduced by one half its length.) Cavalier projection. Distances along front axis and along receding axis are all true. 38
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Cavalier projection of a cube

Auxiliary View

An additional view, usually of a slanted surface

SECTIONAL VIEWS
Full Section
The sectional view obtained by passing the cutting plane fully through the object is called a full section.

Half Section
If the cutting plane passes halfway through the object, the result is a half section.

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Offset (Sketched) Section

In sectioning through irregular objects, it is often desirable to show several features that do not lie in a straight line, by offsetting or bending the cutting plane. Such a section is called an offset section

Revolved Section

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Revolved Views are a shortcut way to show a section view that shows the internal shape of an object without creating a completely separate section view. The cutting plane passes through the object at the desired location and is revolved, in place, to show the section view. Revolved Section Views are placed on the same page. Revolved Views can be inside the regular view:

Broken Out (Local) Section

It often happens that only a partial section of a view is needed to expose the interior shapes. Such a section, limited by a break line is called a broken-out section.

Conventional Breaks
In order to shorten a view of an elongated object, conventional breaks are recommended.

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