Lesson 1-1

INTRODUCTION TO AUTOCAD BASICS

The X,Y coordinate system

Everything that you draw
in AutoCAD is exact. It
will

be

more

accurate

than you will ever need it

to be. We're talking 14
decimal points accurate.
All objects drawn on the
screen are placed there
based on a simple X,Y
coordinate

system.

In

AutoCAD this is known

as the World Coordinate
System (WCS).
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,-4). This means that the point is 10 units in the
negative X-axis (left) and 4 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 (-10,4) 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. myCADsite.com
To
ABSOLUTE

review:
POINTS

are

exact

points

on

the

drawing

space.

RELATIVE POINTS are relative to a POINT on the drawing space.

Angular Measurement

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 (270+30), 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 the angle
in question.

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 in the next lesson will show you these
methods.

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 coordinates shown above are the ONLY way
AutoCAD accepts keyboard 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.)
The AutoCAD Screen

Move your cursor around the image above to find the names of various
areas of the screen.

Application Button - This button displays commands for

printing, saving, drawing utilities and other non-drawing tools.
Quick Access Toolbar - This is for quick access to common
commands like New, Open, Save, Plot
Filename - The name of the current file you are working on.
Search Bar - Search for text in your drawing or search the help
files.
Ribbon - The Ribbon has most of the commands/tools that you
will use while you are working.
Tabs - A series of Tabs make up the Ribbon (Home, Insert,
Manage, etc) and organize the Tools into common groups.
Panels - Contain a group of tools
Tools - These are the icons that start the commands you use to
draw, modify, etc.
Tool Tip - If you hover your mouse over a tool, a tool tip will
appear to give you more information. Hold it longer for more
info.
Drawing Space - These is where you draw your designs.
Command line - When you type a command, you will see it
here. AutoCAD uses this space to 'prompt' you for information.
It will give you a lot of information and tell you where you are in
the command. Watch this line while learning.
Status bar - This allows to see and change different modes of
drawing such as Ortho, Osnaps, Grid, Otrack, etc. You can
right click this area to toggle between icons and text for this
area.
Workspaces

With the introduction of AutoCAD 2009, a new screen layout was

added. The program now allows you to work in different workspaces
depending upon what you are working on. For example, the screen will look
different if you are working on 2D than it will with 3D work. There is also an
option for AutoCAD Classic (which is how the screen looked from Versions

2000-2008). This set of tutorials will deal with the new new workspace.
Since you are a new user, you may as well learn the new interface. If you
want to use the Classic interface, you can use the tutorials for AutoCAD
2008.
For the first 2 levels of tutorials, you will want to be in the 2D Drafting
& Annotation workspace. Set this by clicking in the bottom right of the
AutoCAD screen on the 'gear' icon as shown in the image below. In AutoCAD
2012, this is at the top of the screen.

Icons, Keystrokes and Menus

There are many ways to do things in most Windows programs.

AutoCAD is no exception. Everyone will develop a way that works best for
him or her. In this course, we will primarily be working with the keystroke
commands. The reason for this is because they will work in most AutoCAD
versions (including DOS versions), and in some other CAD programs. The
icons work well, but as you will see, icons can be placed anywhere on the
screen and can be difficult to find quickly. You may be working on another
employee's computer that is set up differently than what you're used to. The
pull-down menus will access almost all commands, but are a slower way of
doing things. Icons in AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2016 are found on the
ribbon, divided into panels - just click on the appropriate tab to open the
panel you need..

Example: If you want to draw a

line, you can do it a few ways:
At the command line type: LINE (or) L and press the ENTER key.
Select the line icon from the DRAW Panel.

Another way is to Right-Click on the drawing space and choose

"Recent Input" from the menu. This will give a list of the most recent
commands

that

you

have

used.

All three approaches will do the same thing: prepare AutoCAD to draw a line
where you tell it.
AutoCAD is a popular program because it can be customized to suit
an individual's needs. The toolbars are a good example of this. You can have
the toolbars you use most often on the screen all the time. You can easily
make them go away so that you have more drawing space. You can also
customize them so you have the most common commands on one toolbar.

For example, the dimensioning toolbar is one that you will not want taking
up space on your screen while drawing, but is very handy when you're
dimensioning your drawing.
To remove the ribbon and have the most drawing space available, click
on the "Clean Screen" icon in the bottom right corner of the screen (or press
CTRL+O [number Zero]). To go back to the standard display, click again on
the same icon.

Basic AutoCAD Terminology

Here are some basic terms that you will want to review before using
AutoCAD. Some terms have links to give you more information (but it is not
necessary to memorize them all now).

Absolute coordinates

way

of

inputting

points

based

on

AutoCAD's origin.
This

Acad.dwt

is

the

default

template

that

automatically loads whenever you start a

drawing session. It can be customized to suit
your needs.

Associated

Dimensions that are associated with specific

Dimensioning

points will update as that point is moved.

AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup

Backup file

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

Block

drawing to save time and make your file size

smaller.

Clean Screen

Crosshairs

A display setting that gives you maximum

drawing space.
This is your cursor when it is in the drawing
space.

Cursor

Your cursor will change depending on what

function it is performing in the program.
An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large
database

Database

containing

all

the

information

needed to reproduce the objects when the file

is opened. Info for layers and linetypes, etc
are stored in this manner.
AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes

Dialog box

to get information from you. You must know

how to input the information that it asks for.
This is a file that contains preset values for

Drawing template file

frequently used settings. AKA a prototype

drawing. The file extension is DWT.

Extents

The outer boundaries of the objects you have

drawn.
This is pattern of dots displayed on the

Grid

screen to guide you. It can be toggled on and

off by pressing the F7 key.

Grips

Small 'handles' on objects that allow for

quick editing.
All objects are drawn on a layer. You can

Layer

group objects (such as electrical) on a single

layer and organize your drawing.

Layout Tabs

A space used for plotting your drawings

(formerly called Paper Space).
A setting to impose an 'artificial' boundary on

Limits (Grid)

your drawing that sets the area of the grid,

and when turned on, limits you to drawing in
the grid area.

Linetype

All objects are drawn with a particular

linetype. Examples would be solid, center,

dashed, etc.

Model space

Modify

Object

Origin

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 coordinate
system.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to

Ortho mode

draw only perpendicular lines. It is toggled

on and off by pressing the F8 key.

Orthographic Projection

Osnap - Object Snap

Pan

Panel

Path

Pick

Plot

Polar coordinates

A standard drawing method that shows 2 or

more views of the same part.
This is a method of 'snapping' to certain,
precise points on an object.
To move around the drawing by dragging the
drawing area around your screen.
A grouping of commands on the ribbon
The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for,
or saves files.
To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it.
Also known as print. To make a hard copy of
your drawing.
A way of inputting points based on distance
and angle.

Property

Any specific characteristic of an object such

as layer, scale, linetype, start point, etc.
The Ribbon runs across the top of the
drawing space and contains panels - each

Ribbon

panel has a group of associated tools. Switch

to different panels by clicking on the tabs at
the top of the ribbon.

Relative coordinates

Section View

Selection set

A way of inputting points based on a starting

point.
A drawing that represents a cross section of a
part or assembly.
The current group of objects selected for
modifying.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to

Snap

snap your cursor to precise points laid out in

a grid pattern. Toggle with the F9 key.

Styles

Formatting that defines the look of text,

dimensions, etc.
The basic drawing unit set for your drawing.
For

Units

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.

User coordinate system

(UCS)

Modifications made to the World Coordinate

System (WCS) result in a User Coordinate
System (UCS)

View

A particular area of your drawing.

Viewport

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

Wizard

World

you set-up certain aspects of your drawing.

Coordinate

System (WCS)

Zoom

This is the common X-Y coordinate system

that is the default. If it is modified, it
becomes a User Coordinate System (UCS)
To view either a smaller section of your
drawing (zoom in) or a larger section (zoom
out)

i http://www.mycadsite.com/tutorials/level_1/introduction-to-AutoCAD-basics-1-1.htm