Introduction to AutoCAD

Introduction to AutoCAD

This modern text addresses advances in technology and introduces students to 2- dimensional
drawing skills and commands using the current release of AutoCAD. It continuously builds on
concepts contains exercises combined with in-text notes, and offers examples that provide the
“how and why” of AutoCAD fundamentals, Projects created using the software will give
students hands-on experience and a thorough understanding of how to use AutoCAD in the 21st
century.

Definition - What does AutoCAD mean?

AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) program used for 2-D and 3-D design and drafting.
AutoCAD is developed and marketed by Autodesk Inc. and was one of the initial CAD programs
that could be executed on personal computers.

Opening AutoCAD 2016

AutoCAD 2016 is designed to work in a Windows operating system. In general to open
AutoCAD 2016 either double-click on the AutoCAD 2016 shortcut on the Windows desktop,
or right-click on the icon, followed by a left-click on Open in the menu which then appears.

AutoCAD window
AutoCAD Window consists of the following components:
  The standard menu bars
 The floating toolbars
 The command line
 The drawing area
 The status bar

Draw toolbar, Modify toolbar and Object Snap toolbar can be added to your AutoCAD window
by selecting the command View from the standard menu bar and choose any toolbar from the
toolbar dialog box.

AutoCAD window will help us in following ways.

 Start a new drawing

 Open a drawing
 Find a drawing
 Save a drawing
 When AutoCAD 2016 in opened a window appears Usually the toolbars are in the
positions as indicated below. In particular the toolbars in most common use are:

Starting AutoCAD
 From the pull-down menu, select the command Open.
  Choose the drive where the drawing is saved.
 Select the drawing you want open from the listed drawing names.

Starting a new drawing

 From the pull-down menu, select the command new.
 Specify the new name of the drawing.
 Click the OK box.

Prototype Drawing

 From the pull-down menu, select the command Open.

 From the template dialog box, select the file you want to use.
 You may choose to erase the contents of the file or modify it. Any
drawing can be used as a template.

Closing a drawing

 You can close a drawing without exiting AutoCAD program, or you can close a drawing
and exiting AutoCAD program.
 From the file menu, select Exit command, this will close the program.
 From the file menu, select New or Open command, this will allow you to continue using
the program.
Saving a drawing

When you type at the command line, or select from the file menu the save command
AutoCAD will display a save dialog box which will allow you to save your drawing
under the current name or choose another name. If the drawing is already named, you can
select the save command from the standard toolbar menu.

To format drawing units

 From the Format menu, choose Units.
 In the Drawing Units dialog box, set the unit values for your drawing. As you change
unit settings, AutoCAD shows examples under Sample Output.
 Under Length, select a unit type and level of precision.
 Under Angle, select an angle type and precision.
 To specify an angle direction, choose Direction, and then select the base angle in the
Direction Control dialog box.
 The angle direction controls the point from which AutoCAD measures angles and the
direction in which they are measured. The default is 0 degrees on the right side of the
figure, measured counterclockwise. If you select Other, you can enter an angle, or
choose Angle to specify an angle using your pointing device.
 Choose OK to exit each dialog box.
UCS (User Coordinate System) Icon

In AutoCAD, there are two coordinate systems: A fixed system called the World
Coordinate System (WCS), and a movable system called the User Coordinate System (UCS). In
the WCS, the X axis is horizontal, the Y axis is vertical, and the Z axis is perpendicular to the
XY plane. The origin is where the X and Y axes intersect (0, 0) in the lower-left corner of the
drawing. You define a UCS in terms of the WCS. Virtually all coordinate entry uses the current
UCS.

Moving the UCS can make it easier to work on particular sections of your drawing. Rotating the
UCS helps you specify points in three -dimensional or rotated views. Snap, Grid, and Ortho
modes all rotate in line with the new UCS.You can relocate the user coordinate system using any
of these methods. Move the UCS by defining a new origin. Align the UCS with an existing
object or with the current viewing direction. Rotate the current UCS around any of its axes.
Restore a saved UCS.

Uses of AutoCAD

In simple words, AutoCAD is a commercial software application used to draft 2 dimensional and
3 dimensional models with the aid of a computer. Although this description provides an all-
encompassing explanation of what AutoCAD is used for, it does not break down its uses into the
specialized units the software is known for.

 As an architectural planning tool

 As an engineering drafting tool
 As a graphic design tool
 In 3d printing
 In the fashion industry.

Advantages of AutoCAD

 Increase in the productivity of the designer

 Improve the quality of the design
 Better communications
 Creating documentation of the designing
 Creating the database for manufacturing
 Saving of design data and drawing.
 AutoCAD Tool Bars, Input Command and Control Method

Understanding the AutoCAD Interface:

The AutoCAD screen is divided into six distinct areas:

 Title bar
 Menu bar
 Toolbars
 Document window or drawing area
 Command window
 Status bar

Top of the window shows the name of the program, AutoCAD 2016. The name of the current
drawing (or “Drawing1,” if the current drawing has not been saved) appears in the title bar of the
document window. Each open drawing has its own document window. If the document window
has been maximized, the name of the current drawing appears in the main AutoCAD window
title bar, enclosed within square brackets. The menu bar, located directly below the title bar,
provides pull-down menus from which you can choose commands. You can also activate
commands by clicking the buttons on the various toolbars. The status bar along the bottom of the
screen shows the coordinates of the screen cursor as well as the current setting of various
AutoCAD program modes.

The command window is one component of AutoCAD that does not have an equivalent in most
other Windows programs. You can start any AutoCAD command by typing the command and
then pressing ENTER. Some of the components always appear in the same location. Others, such
as the toolbars and command window, can be turned off or relocated anywhere on your Windows
desktop. In AutoCAD software screen some of these components can been rearranged. The
document window, or drawing area, occupies most of the screen. This is the area in which you
actually create your drawing. (Remember that you can have more than one drawing open at a
time. Each has its own document window.) Notice that there are two other elements within this
window: an icon with two arrows pointing at 90-degree angles, and an icon that looks like a
small plus sign (+) with a box at its center. These are the User Coordinate System (UCS) icon
and the drawing cursor, respectively.
Crosshairs, Pick box and Cursor
Notice that the drawing cursor moves around the screen as you move the mouse. You use the
cursor for selecting points or objects within the drawing area.

The appearance of the cursor changes depending on which AutoCAD command is currently
active or where you move the cursor within the AutoCAD screen. By default, the cursor appears
as a small plus sign with a box at its center. The point at which the crosshairs meet is the actual
cursor position and corresponds to a specific point within the AutoCAD drawing. The box, called
a pickbox, is used to select objects within the drawing.

Crosshairs

Pickbox

When you activate an AutoCAD command used to create a new object, such as the LINE
command (used to draw lines), the pickbox disappears, leaving just the crosshairs. Move the
cursor to a start position in the drawing area and click to select that point. Then, move the cursor
to a different position corresponding to the end point of the line and click again to select the end
point of the line. The line is drawn.

Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen displays both the current cursor
position and the status of various AutoCAD modes. The cursor position displays as either X, Y,
Z coordinates or, when certain drawing commands are active, as a distance and angle relative to
the last point selected. As you move the cursor, the coordinates update automatically. You can
toggle the automatic coordinate display on and off by clicking within the coordinate display area,
or by pressing the F6 function key.

Pull-Down Menus

Most AutoCAD commands, as well as numerous standard Windows functions, are

available from pull-down menus on the menu bar. These menus are arranged in a hierarchical
fashion. For example, all commands for opening, saving, and printing drawings (which are
standard Windows functions) are available in the File pull-down menu. Commands for drawing
new AutoCAD objects are found in the Draw pull-down menu.

Shortcut Menus

The shortcut menus are special menus that display at the cursor position when you press the
right-mouse button. Shortcut menus are completely context-sensitive
Toolbars

When you start AutoCAD for the first time, the Standard, Object Properties, Draw, and Modify
toolbars are displayed. AutoCAD’s standard menu provides 26 toolbars, each of which contains
a group of related commands. You can have any of these toolbars visible at any time and control
where they are placed on the desktop. All of these toolbars can be customized by adding and
deleting buttons. You can also move and resize the toolbars, and create new toolbars. Toolbars
are probably the easiest and fastest way to start AutoCAD commands
 To Practice the Line and Circle Command using input method and
command control method
Line Command

To access the Line command you can:

 Click on the Line button on the Draw toolbar,

 Click on Draw, and select Line under the Draw Menu,
 Type L (for line) at the Command: prompt
 Prompt: To point: Give the location for the second end of the line.
 Prompt: To point: Either give a location for the end of the next line, attached to
the last endpoint you added, or press Enter to end the line and exit
the Line command.

Press f8 in order to get straight line for example upper line in the diagram given
below. The second line is draw by keeping Ortho mode off.

Construction line

This line is used to draw a line throughout the object, sometimes referred to as center line.

Type in the command window “xl”

 Specify first point

  Specify second or through point and press enter.

Polyline

 The line and poly line command has little difference in their functions
 If we draw an object by using line command every line looks unique, but in polyline
command whole object looks unique not a single line.
 Type in the command window “Pline”
 Specify First point.
 Specify second or end point of line.

Polygon

 Enter number of sides

 Specify center point
 Specify inscribed or circumscribed and enter radius.
Rectangle

 Type “rec ” in the command window

 Specify first corner
 Specify other corner

Arc

Specifying Start, Center, End point you can create an arc using a start point, center, and a
third point that determines the endpoint. The distance between the start point and the center
determines the radius. The endpoint is determined by a line from the center that passes through
the third point.

Type” arc” in the command window

 Specify first point

 Specify second point
 Specify end point

Circle

You can draw circles by specifying one of the options cited below:

 The center and the radius or the diameter of the circle.

 2 points (2P option). The two points are located on the circle.
 3 points (3P option). The three points are located on the circle.
 2 tangents and a radius, (TTR option).
 3tangents, (TTT option).
 Type “c” in command window
 Specify center point
 Specify radius
 If u want to draw a circle with diameter enter d
 Specify diameter
 Ellipse

The first two points of the ellipse determine the location and length of the first axis. The
third point determines the distance between the center of the ellipse and the end point of the
second axis.

The following prompts are displayed.

Axis Endpoint

First step of this practice is to define the first axis by its two endpoints. The angle of the first axis
determines the angle of the ellipse. The first axis can define either the major or the minor axis of
the ellipse.

Distance to Other Axis

 Defines the second axis using the distance from the midpoint of the first axis to the
endpoint of the second axis (3).
Rotation

 Creates the ellipse by appearing to rotate a circle about the first axis.
 Move the crosshairs around the center of the ellipse and click. If you enter a value, the
higher the value, the greater the eccentricity of the ellipse. Entering 0 defines a circular
ellipse.

Ellipse Arc

 The first step for making ellipse arc is to create an elliptical arc.
 The angle of the first axis determines the angle of the elliptical arc. The first axis can
define either the major or the minor axis depending on its size.
 The first two points of the elliptical arc determine the location and length of the first axis.
The third point determines the distance between the center of the elliptical arc and the
endpoint of the second axis. The fourth and fifth points are the start and end angles.

Axis Endpoint

 Defines the start point of the first axis.

Rotation

 Defines the major to minor axis ratio of the ellipse by rotating a circle about the first axis.
 The higher the value from 0 through 89.4 degrees, the greater the ratio of minor to major
axis. Values between 89.4 degrees and 90.6 degrees are invalid because the ellipse would
otherwise appear as a straight line.
 Multiples of these angle values result in a
mirrored effect every 90 degrees..
Hatch

 Specify a point in an area that is enclosed by objects.

 Select objects that enclose an area.
 Specify boundary points using the -HATCH Draw option.
 Drag a hatch pattern into an enclosed area from a tool palette or Design Center.

Gradient

 Start the HATCH command. Depending on the release of AutoCAD, the Hatch and
Gradient dialog box opens with the Gradient tab on top or the Hatch Creation tab opens.
If you see the ribbon, choose Gradient from the Hatch Type drop-down in the Properties
panel.
 Choose your colors
 Region

This command is used to convert line into polyline or to draw boundary on object.

Erase

This command is used to delete any object.

 Type ” er ” in the prompt command window

 Select the object
 Press delete button from keyboard

Copy

Toolbar Modify

Pull-down Modify Copy

 C
Keyboard COPY short-cut
P
The Copy command can be used to create one or more duplicates of any drawing object or
objects which you have previously created. Copy is a very useful and time-saving command
because you can create very complex drawing elements and then simply copy them as many
times as you like.

Command Sequence

Command: COPY
Select objects: (pick object to copy, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: (pick P2 or M for multiple copies)
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: (pick P3)

The multiple option allows you to create additional copies of the selected object(s) by picking as
many new points as you like. To end a multiple copy, just hit the key.

Mirror

Toolbar Modify
Pull-down Modify Mirror
Keyboard MIRROR short-cut MI

The Mirror command allows you to mirror selected objects in your drawing by picking them and
then defining the position of an imaginary mirror line using two points.
  Select objects: (pick object to mirror, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify first point of mirror line: (pick P2)
Specify second point of mirror line: (pick P3)
Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: (for No to keep the original object)

Offset

Toolbar Modify
Pull-down Modify Offset
Keyboard OFFSET short-cut O

Specify offset distance or [Through] <1.0000>: 10 (specify distance)

Select object to offset or <exit>: (select object, P1)
Specify point on side to offset: (pick direction, P2)
Select object to offset or <exit>: (to end or select another object to offset)

Offsetting a line offsetting a circle

Array

Toolbar Modify
Pull-down Modify Array
Keyboard ARRAY short-cut AR

The Array command makes multiple copies of selected objects in a rectangular matrix (columns
and rows) or a polar (circular) pattern. This command has been completely transformed in
AutoCAD 2000i. It is now completely dialogue box driven with the option to see a preview of
the array before it is created. You can also now create rectangular arrays at a user specified
angle. This constitutes a major improvement in usability.

Rectangular array
Polar Array

Move

Keyboard shortcut is” m”

 Select objects: (pick object to move, P1)

 Select objects: (to end selection)
 Specify base point or displacement: (pick P2)
 Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: (pick P3)
 Note that as with the Copy command, the two pick points, P2 and P3 are used only to
indicate the distance and direction of movement.

Rotate

Keyboard ROTATE short-cut RO

  Select objects: (pick object to rotate, P1)
 Select objects: (to end selection)
 Specify base point: (pick base point, P2)
 Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: (pick second point, P3 or enter angle)

Remember, by default, AutoCAD angles start at 3 o'clock and increase in an anti-clockwise

direction. The "ANGDIR" and "ANGBASE" variables remind you of this. If you want to rotate
in a clockwise direction you can enter a negative angle by using a minus sign.

Scale

Keyboard SCALE short-cut SC

The Scale command can be used to change the size of an object or group of objects. You are
prompted for a pick point about which the selection set will be scaled. Scaling can then be
completed by picking a second point (not always easy because it can sometimes be difficult to
precisely control the scaling) or by entering a scale factor at the keyboard.

Trim

Keyboard TRIM short-cut TR

The Trim command can be used to trim a part of an object. In order to trim an object you must
draw a second object which forms the "cutting edge". Cutting edges can be lines, xlines, rays,
polylines, circles, arcs or ellipses. Blocks and text cannot be trimmed or used as cutting edges.

Break

The Break command enables you to break (remove part of) an object by defining two break
points. The Break command can be used with lines, polylines, circles, arcs ellipses, splines,
xlines and rays. When you break an object, you can either select the object using the first break
point and then pick the second break point, or you can select the object and then pick the two
break points.

Chamfer

Keyboard CHAMFER short-cut CHA

The Chamfer command enables you to create a chamfer between any two non-parallel lines as in
the illustration below or any two adjacent polyline segments. Usually, the Chamfer command is
used to set the chamfer distances before drawing the chamfer. Follow the command sequence
below where the chamfer distances are changed to 20 before the chamfer is made.

Before After

 Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method]: D (to set distances)

Specify first chamfer distance <10.0000>: 20 (enter required distance)
Specify second chamfer distance <20.0000>: (first distance value or enter a different
value)
Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method]: (pick P1)
Select second line: (pick P2)
The chamfer is made and the command end.

Fillet

Keyboard FILLET short-cut F

The Fillet command is a very useful tool which allows you to draw an arc between two
intersecting lines or adjacent polyline segments. You first need to use the command to set the
required radius and then a second time to select the two lines

Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim]: R

Specify fillet radius <10.000>: 25, Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim]: (pick P1)
Select second object : (pick P2
Explode

Keyboard EXPLODE

The Explode command is used to "explode" single objects back to their constituent parts. In
other words, the command is used to return blocks, polylines etc. (which may be composed of a
number of component objects) back to their individual component parts. The change has no
visible effect.

Insert Block

This command is used to recall the already saved drawing into AutoCAD window.

Make Block

 Draw the objects that you want in the block.

 Choose Home tab> Block panel> Create to start the BLOCK command. ...
 Type a name in the Name text box. ...
 You need to specify a base point. ...
 In the Objects section, click the Select Objects button. Select the objects and press Enter
to return to the dialog box.
A layer can be thought of as a large piece of clear plastic, as infinitely large as the drawing area
in AutoCAD.

When drawing in AutoCAD, everything is drawn on the default layer which is set current. Only
the objects you are drawing are visible on the layer, the layer itself can never be seen - it is
invisible.

Layers are controlled by the layer properties manager button which is located on the object
properties toolbar:

Each new layer is created by you, the user. Normally, it is acceptable to have a layer for each
different part of a drawing.

Layers

In Auto CAD, we make individual layers…

For things like
Hidden lines
Center lines
Section lines
Break lines
Layers

Layers are a way of managing, tidying and also controlling the visual layout of a drawing.

Layers

A whole section of a drawing can be turned on or off, or simply one aspect can be controlled -
text for example.

This is all done by using layers within Autocad.

Layer property manger:

In Layer Property manager:

Add a New Layer - Press the New button to create a new layer.

Delete a Layer - Press the delete button to delete the selected layer.

Set Current layer - Press the current button to set the selected layer current. All objects drawn
will then be drawn on this current layer.

Show Details - Press the show details button to see more detailed information about the selected
layer.

Each layer also has the following options against it:

Layer property Manager:

Name - Displays the layer name.

On - Controls if the layer is on or off. Select the light bulb to turn the layer off on the
drawing.
Freeze in all VP - Pressing this will freeze the layer in all viewports as well as the current
model view (see lesson 10 to learn about viewports)
Lock - This handy feature locks a layer preventing any content of the layer from being
modified.
Colour - Change this to whichever colour you like. All objects drawn on the layer will
display the chosen colour provided that the objects colour setting in the object properties
toolbar (shown above) is set to 'By Layer'.
Line type - Set the default line type for all objects drawn on the layer. i.e continuous, dashed,
dotted etc.
Line weight - Set the thickness a line appears .Default is no thickness. This option can be
toggled on/off on the display by the LWT button above the command console.
Plot - Select if the layer will be shown when the drawing is plotted (printed).
The current layer, layer colour, line type and line weight can all be controlled outside of the
layer properties manager via the object properties toolbar.