BAHRIA UNIVERSITY KARACHI CAMPUS

Department of Electrical Engineering

AUTOCAD

LAB # 01
Introduction to AutoCAD and XY Co-ordinate System

Objectives
 To understand the concept of Computer Aided Design
 Introduction to AutoCAD
 Understanding XY co-ordinate system
 Different methods of entering points in AutoCAD

AutoCAD
AutoCAD is very powerful designing software which is widely used in Civil, Electrical, and
Mechanical and in many other types of Engineering. Using AutoCAD we can design a very
accurate and exact drawing. 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). You must understand this to know how to
put things where you want them.

AutoCAD Basics

(The AutoCAD Screen)

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You can move your cursor around the image above to find the names of various areas of the
screen.
Some examples are given below
 Application Button - This button displays commands for printing, saving, drawing
utilities and other non-drawing tool.
 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 icon that starts the commands you use to draw, modify, etc.
 Tool Tip - If you move your mouse over a tool, a tool tip will appear to give your 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.
 Status bar - This allows seeing and changing 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.

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 A way of inputting points based on AutoCAD's origin.
coordinates
This is the default template that automatically loads whenever you start a
Acad.dwt drawing session. It can be customized to suit your needs.
Associated Dimensions that are associated with specific points will update as that point is
Dimensioning moved.
AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup your drawing and save it. This is
Backup file
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
Block
file size smaller.
Clean Screen A display setting that gives you maximum drawing space.
Crosshairs This is your cursor when it is in the drawing space.

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 Your cursor will change depending on what function it is performing in the
Cursor
program.
An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large database containing all the
Database information needed to reproduce the objects when the file is opened. Info for
layers and line types, etc is stored in this manner.
AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes to get information from you.
Dialog box
You must know how input the information that it asks for.
Drawing This is a file that contains preset values for frequently used settings. AKA a
template file 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 screen to guide you. It can be toggled on
Grid 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 group objects (such as electrical) on a
Layer 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 your drawing that sets the area of
Limits (Grid) the grid, and when turned on, limits you to drawing in the grid area.
All objects are drawn with a particular line type. Examples would be solid,
Line type
center, dashed, etc.
Model space The drawing space where you 'model' the objects.
Modify A generic term used for changing your objects
Object Any item that is in the AutoCAD database. Also known as an entity.
Origin The (0,0) point of your current coordinate system.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to draw only perpendicular lines. It is
Ortho mode
toggled on and off by pressing the F8 key.
Orthographic A standard drawing method that shows 2 or more views of the same part.
Projection
Osnap - Object This is a method of 'snapping' to certain, precise points on an object.
Snap
Pan To move around drawing by dragging the drawing area around your screen.
Panel A grouping of commands on the ribbon
Path The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for, or saves files.
Pick To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it.
Plot Also known as print. To make a hard copy of your drawing.
Polar coordinates A way of inputting points based on distance and angle.
Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale, linetype, start point,
Property
etc.
The Ribbon runs across the top of the drawing space and contains panel - each
Ribbon panel has a group of associated tool. Switch to different panels by clicking on
the tabs at the top of the ribbon.
Relative A way of inputting points based on a starting point.
coordinates
Section View A drawing that represents a cross section of a part or assembly.
Selection set The current group of objects selected for modifying.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor to precise points
Snap 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 you drawing. For example, you can use inches or
Units 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 Modifications made to the World Coordinate System (WCS) results in a User
system (UCS) Coordinate System (UCS)
View A particular area of your drawing.
A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more than one viewport
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
Wizard drawing.
World This is the common X-Y coordinate system that is the default. If it is modified,
Coordinate it becomes a User coordinate System (UCS)
System (WCS)
To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in) or a larger section
Zoom (zoom out)
The XY co-ordinate System
Two real number lines that are perpendicular to each other and that intersect at their respective
zero points define a rectangular coordinate system, often called the xy-coordinate system or xy-
plane. The horizontal number line is called the x-axis and the vertical number line is called the y-
axis. The point where the two axes intersect is called the origin, denoted by O. The positive half
of the x-axis is to the right of the origin, and the positive half of the y-axis is above the origin.
The two axes divide the plane into four regions called quadrants I, II, III, and IV, as shown in the
figure below.

In order to work effectively with AutoCAD, you have to work with XY co-ordinate system.
Until you are comfortable and familiar with it, learning AutoCAD will be easier for you.
Because while working with AutoCAD you have to take care of line’s slope, angle and distance
from other points and lines. So we can say that XY co-ordinate system is fundamental of
AutoCAD.

How This System Works with AutoCAD

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 (4, 2). This means that the point is 4 units over in the X-axis and 2 units up in
the Y-axis. When you are working with points, X always comes first. The other point shown is (-
4,-2). This means that the point is 4 units in the negative X-axis (left) and 2 units in the negative
Y-axis (down).
AutoCAD measures angles in a particular way also. Look at the diagram below.

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 figure below.

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.

 The knowledge that 0° is at the 3 o'clock position

 The knowledge that 180° is at the 9 o'clock position
 The angle between 180° and the line you want to draw is 150°

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With this information, you can figure out what angle you need. Here is a fool-proof way of
getting the angle you need:

 Start at the 0° position and measure counter-clockwise (+) to 180°.

 From 180°, measure clockwise 150° (-)
 Consider that you just went +180-150 and use that as an equation: +180-150=30
 Now you can draw your line using polar coordinates

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 points 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
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.)

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 LAB EXERCISE
1) Taking (-4,-4) as a reference locate the following points (Absolute Co-ordinates)
(2, 2); (4, 1); (-2, 1); (0,-3); (-3,-1)

2) Take (4, 2) as a reference and locate the following points (Relative Co-ordinates)
@4,0 ; @0,3; @-3,1 ; @3,-1; @ 1,1

3) Take (0,0) as a reference and locate the following points (Polar Co-ordinates)
@3<45 ; @ 4<60 ; @ 1<135 ; @2<225 ; @2<315

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