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AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules
®

AutoCAD 2D
Module 18
Grids

Learning Outcomes:
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe the AutoCAD features grid and snap.

2. Describe and apply the commands GRID, SNAP, SNAPBASE, and ORTHO to draw
three views of three dimensional objects.

Using Grids and Snap

Grids are a series of pixels that overlay your drawing in a rectangular shape similar to
overlaying a paper drawing with grid paper. Grids do not plot and are not part of the database.
They are simply a drawing aid. You can change the grid's density or enable or disable it's
display anytime you wish. The horizontal and vertical spacing between the grid pixels can be
different but are equal by default. You can toggle the grid display with the F7 key or with the
status bar.
The size of the rectangle the grid fills is always the size of the drawing limits. If you want the
grid on your drawing to appear larger of smaller, change the size of the limits.
The snap feature works in conjunction with grids. If snap is enabled, the graphic cursor snaps
to grid pixels just like object snap modes. The grid display and the snap density do not have to
be the same density. Therefore, you could snap to pixels between the displayed grid pixels.
The snap can be toggled using the F9 key or with the status bar.

AutoCAD Command: GRID

The GRID command is used to overlay the drawing limits with a series of pixels in either an equal
or unequal horizontal and vertical spacing.

Shortcut: F7

AutoCAD Command: SNAP

The SNAP command is used to enable the snap feature plus it controls the angle, type, and
function of the graphic cursor.

Shortcut: F9

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If you find your cursor jumping around your screen and hard to control,
check the status bar. Some commands will toggle the snap mode without
you knowing it.

Snap is toggled ON here.

Remember you can toggle the snap with F9 or by clicking the status bar.

Snap is toggled OFF here.

System Variable: SNAPBASE

The SNAPBASE command is used to specify the XY coordinates location for the origin of the grid
and snap pixels. This coordinate location is also used by hatch patterns as their origin as you will
see in Module 29.

Ortho Mode
AutoCAD has a feature called ortho mode. When enabled, ortho mode locks the graphic cursor
so it can only move vertical or horizontal. This can affect most commands and some entered
distances. This is a very important feature and used for many applications as you will see as
you as you work your way through the modules. You can toggle the ortho mode with the F8
key or with the status bar.

AutoCAD Command: ORTHO

The ORTHO command is used to lock the graphic cursor to allow it to only move horizontal or
vertical. When enabled, it applies to most commands.

Shortcut: F8

Whenever possible, use the keyboard function keys to toggle features

rather then using the status bar or commands. It is a much faster way to
toggle them plus it will save the wear and tear on your mouse arm. The
function keys that you have learned to this point in the modules are:
F1 - Help
F2 - Text Window
F3 - Autosnap
F6 - Coordinate Location Display (2000-2006)
F7 - Grid
F8 - Ortho
F9 - Snap

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The Drafting Settings dialogue box can be used to set or check the grid,
snap and snapbase settings for your drawing. To access it, use either the
Tools pull-down menu or right-click any item in the status bar (except
Model) and click Settings as shown below.

Using the GRID and SNAP Commands

Step 1 Start a new drawing using the template Module Template A.

Step 2 Save and name

the drawing AutoCAD 2D
Workalong 18-1.

Step 3 Open the Drafting

Setting dialogue box. (See
User Tip above). In the
Snap and Grid tab, set the
X and Y snap and grid
spacings to 0.5 as shown in
Figure Step 3. Check the
other settings and change
them if necessary to match
the figure.

..continued on page 18-4

Figure Step 3

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Using the GRID and SNAP Commands - Continued

Step 4 Press F7. This will enable the grid display and
your drawing should appear similar to Figure Step 4.
(Note how the grid does not fill the drawing. The reason for
this is the grid will always fill the limits of the drawing.)
Step 5 Change the limits of the drawing by entering
the following command.
Command: LIMITS
Reset Model space limits:
Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.0000,0.0000>:
(Leave the lower left corner at 0,0.) Figure Step 4
Specify upper right corner <12.0000,9.0000>: 8.5,11
(Set the upper right corner to X8.5,Y11.)
Command:
(For more information on the LIMITS command, read Module 9. The
grid will now fill the drawing as shown in Figure Step 5.

Step 6 Press F9. This enables

snap mode. Move your cursor
around the drawing and notice how
it will jump from grid to grid. When
snap is enabled, you will only be Figure Step 5
able to draw from snap point to snap
point. Currently the snap spacing and the grid spacing are both
set to 0.5 units.

Step 7 Using the LINE command, draw a 4 unit square as

shown in Figure Step 7. Since the grid and snap are set at 0.5
units, you will have to count 8 spaces between grid points both
Figure Step 7 horizontally and vertically.

..continued on page 18-5

The grid will fill the limits of the

drawing. If you want to change the
size and/or area that the grid covers
on the drawing, simply change the
limits. You can do that using the
LIMITS command. See Module 9.
BEFORE AFTER

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Using the GRID and SNAP Commands - Continued

Step 8 Open the Drafting

Setting dialogue box.
Change the setting of the
snap spacing to 0.25 for
both the X and Y as shown
in Figure Step 8. Click OK
to close the dialogue box.

Figure Step 8
Step 9 Using the LINE
command, draw another square inside the first one.
On this one, snap to the snap points between the grid
rather then the grid points as you did before. See
Figure Step 9.
Step 10 Enter the commands shown below to change
the location of the snapbase.
Command: SNAPBASE
Enter new value for SNAPBASE <0.0000,0.0000>: (end) P1
(Snap to the left end of the line along the bottom of the
titleblock as shown in figure 10A.)
Command: REGEN
(Regen the drawing)
Regenerating model.
Command:
Note how the grid has changed the location of the
pixels. They now originate from the end of the bottom
line of the titleblock which is the current snapbase. Figure Step 9
See Figure Step 10B.

Figure Step 10A

Step 11 Press F7 and F9 to disable both the grid
and snap functions.

Step 12 Save and close the drawing.

Figure Step 10B

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Using Ortho Mode

Step 1 Start a new drawing using the template Module Template A3.
Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 18-2.
Step 3 Figure Step 3A is a 3D solid model of an object and Figure Step 3B is a 3D
wireframe model of the same object. In this
workalong, you will be drawing the front, top and right
side multiviews of this object. Figure Step 3C shows
the 3 multiviews you will be drawing using ortho mode
to assist you.

Figure Step 3A
Object as a Solid Model
Solid Modeling is taught in the
AutoCAD 3D Modules

Figure Step 3B
Object Drawn as a Wireframe Model

...continued on page 18-7

Figure Step 3C

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Using Ortho Mode - Continued

Step 4 Create layers Object,
Hidden and Construction. Note the
color and linetype assigned to
each layer as shown in Figure Step
4.

Author's Comments:
Figure Step 4
When ortho mode is enabled, you
can shortcut coordinate input. You are only required to enter the distance along the axis.
This will save you time and save you some keyboard input.
Step 5 Enable ortho mode by pressing F8. On layer Object, draw the front view by
entering the LINE command shown below.
Command: L
Specify first point: 100,100
(Move the cursor in the positive X direction.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: 40
(Note how you only have to enter the X distance. As long as ortho
mode is enabled, you are not required to enter the @.)
(See Figure Step 5A)

Figure Step 5A

(Move the cursor in the positive Y

direction.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: 20
(See Figure Step 5B)

Figure Step 5B
(Move the cursor in the positive X direction.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: 20
(See Figure Step 5C) Figure Step 5C

(Move the cursor in the negative

Y direction.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: 20
(See Figure Step 5D)

Figure Step 5D
(Move the cursor in the positive X direction.) Figure Step 5E
Specify next point or [Undo]: 40
(See Figure Step 5E)
...continued on page 18-8

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Using Ortho Mode - Continued

Specify next point or [Undo]: @-25,50
(The cursor position is not important when you enter exact
coordinates. Ortho mode will be ignored when both coordinates
are entered. See Figure Step 5F)

(Move the cursor in the negative

X direction.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: 50
(See Figure Step 5G)
Specify next point or Figure Step 5F
[Close/Undo]: C
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Command:
Figure Step 5G

The contour of the front view is complete

as shown in Figure Step 5H

Step 6A Create the top and right side

views using the front view you just drew.
With ortho mode and osnap mode
enabled, draw on layer Construction.
Using the LINE command, draw a
vertical line by snapping the first point to
the end of the bottom line as shown in Figure Step 5H
figure Step 6A.

Figure Step 6A Figure Step 6B

Step 6B Move the cursor in the positive Y direction and with ortho mode enabled, this will
draw a vertical line. Take a guess at the length of the line. See Figure Step 6B.

...continued on page 18-9

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Using Ortho Mode - Continued

Step 6C Repeat the same thing five
more times to draw a vertical line from
each endpoint on the front view. See
Figure Step 6C

Figure Step 6C

Step 6D Draw horizontal lines from

the three endpoints on the front view.
Take a guess at the length of the lines.

Figure Step 6D

Step 7A Draw a 45 degree line starting from

the intersection of the right line and the top
line of the front view as shown in Figure Step
7A. The line should be a least 200 units long.

Figure Step 7A

Step 7B Using ortho mode, draw a

horizontal line as shown in Figure Step 7B.
The distance and length of line is not
important. Try to match the figure as close
Figure Step 7B as you can using Figure Step 7B as a
guide.
...continued on page 18-10

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Using Ortho Mode - Continued

Step 7C Using the OFFSET command, offset the
line you drew in Step 7B, 50 units upwards as
shown in Figure Step 7C.

Figure Step 7C
Step 7D Offset each line in the top view, 17.5 units
toward the center of the view as shown in Figure
Step 7D.
Figure Step 7D

Step 7E From the intersection of the lines in

the top view and where they cross the 45
degree line, use ortho mode to draw vertical
lines as shown in figure 7E.

Figure Step 7E

Step 8A Trim the lines in the top view and right

side view to match the views in Figure Step 8A.

Figure Step 8A

Step 8B Offset the top line of the right side view,

10 units down as shown in figure Step 8B.

...continued on page 18-11

Figure Step 8B

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Using Ortho Mode - Continued

Step 9 Draw a horizontal line from the line
you drew in Step 8C across the front view.

Draw vertical lines from the intersection of the

line you just projected to where they intersect
the inclines lines as shown In Figure Step 9.

Figure Step 9

Step 10 Trim the lines to match Figure

Step 10.

Figure Step 10

Step 11 Change the layer properties

of the lines to complete the multiview
drawing. See Figure Step 11.

Figure Step 11

Step 12 Save and close the drawing.

Completed Drawing

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When you are only given the location for the

endpoints and midpoint of an arc and not the
center or the radius, you can use the 3 point
arc option.

Draw the construction lines as given by the

dimensions.

Using the ARC command:

Command: ARC
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: (end) P1
Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]: (mid) P2
Specify end point of arc: (end) P3
Command:

The Key Principles in Module 18

1. The grid always fills the rectangle or square shape defined by the limits of the drawing.
2. Ortho mode locks the graphic cursor so it can only move along the X and Y axis. An
exact XY coordinate will override ortho mode.
3. The grid display and the snap density do not have to be set to the same size.
4. The grid is toggled with F7.
5. Ortho mode is toggled with F8.
6. Snap mode is toggled with F9.

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Lab Exercise 18-1 Time Allowed: 45 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 18-1 Module Template C Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A
Object Lines Object Red Continuous N/A
Hidden Lines Hidden Blue Hidden N/A
Instructions:
1. Setup the layers using the Layering Scheme shown above.
2. Draw all construction objects on layer Construction.
3. Draw the top, front and right side views of the model below.
4. Add the hidden lines where required..
5. Space the views 2 units apart to enable you to use the key to
check your drawing.
6. Check your drawing with the key.
7. Turn layer Key off and freeze layer Construction.
8. Save and close the drawing.

Completed Drawing

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Construction Technique
The following steps are the construction technique suggested by the author to help you learn
how to construct objects using AutoCAD. It is only the suggested method and if you can
complete the drawing accurately using a different construct technique, that is what is important.
You may want to compare your construction technique with the authors.

Construction Hints
Do your best to complete the lab exercise drawing without using the following hint(s). If you get
stuck and can't complete it on your own, use the following hint(s) to help you.

Hint 1
Draw the arc in the front
view using the User Tip on
page 18-12.

Completed Drawing

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Lab Exercise 18-2 Time Allowed: 45 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 18-2 Module Template C Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A
Object Lines Object Red Continuous N/A
Hidden Lines Hidden Blue Hidden N/A
Instructions:
1. Setup the layers using the Layering Scheme shown above.
2. Draw all construction objects on layer Construction.
3. Draw the top, front and right side views of the model below.
4. Add the hidden lines where required..
5. Space the views 2 units apart to enable you to use the key to
check your drawing.
6. Check your drawing with the key.
7. Turn layer Key off and freeze layer Construction.
8. Save and close the drawing.

Completed Drawing

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Construction Hints
Do your best to complete the lab exercise drawing without using the following hint(s). If you get
stuck and can't complete it on your own, use the following hint(s) to help you.

Completed Drawing

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