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    Information Sheet 1

    Uploaded by

    Jake Paras

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Information Sheet 1

    Uploaded by

    Jake Paras
    125 views11 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    125 views11 pages

    Information Sheet 1

    Uploaded by

    Jake Paras

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    You are on page 1of 11

    Information Sheet 1.

    1-1

    Introduction to Cad Software

    Learning Objectives
    After reading this information sheet, you should be able to:

    1. Define what is CAD software and its functions.


    2. Name the Parts/Interface of AutoCAD software.

    What is CAD software


    Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is a type of software that allows
    professionals in various fields, such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, to
    create detailed and precise digital representations of physical objects or structures.
    CAD software plays a crucial role in the design and development process by providing
    tools for creating, editing, and visualizing 2D and 3D models.

    It is important to understand that when we say CAD software, it is not pointing to


    only one software. CAD software comes in different software application in which they
    are designed for specific usage or purpose.

    Some examples of CAD software are AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Rhino,


    Fusion360, and many others. You have to choose the CAD software which is suited to
    the project that you are going to create.

    In this module, since our main objective is to create necessary plans for
    architectural drawings, we are going to use the AutoCAD software.

    What is AutoCAD software


    AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application which is
    widely used in various industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, and
    manufacturing. AutoCAD allows users to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings and
    models of physical objects or structures.
    Starting AutoCAD 2024
    AutoCAD 2024 must be downloaded and installed on your computer. You can
    download the software from the Autodesk website.
    https://www.autodesk.com/products

    Once you have installed Autodesk 2024 in your computer, you can simply search
    and click the AutoCAD 2024 software in the search bar or double click the AutoCAD
    2024 shortcut icon in the desktop.

    After opening AutoCAD 2024, it will show you the Welcome dialog. The welcome
    dialog will display your recent projects in which you can start a new project or may
    open a previously created project.

    In the Welcome dialog, click on the “New” option or you can click the “+”
    button below the ribbon besides the Start tab to create a new project.
    When AutoCAD 2024 is open, a window will appear depending on the
    workspace chosen, by default, the workspace is set to “Drafting and Annotation”.

    You can switch between Workspaces in the “Gear Icon” found in the bottom right
    of the Interface.
    Parts of the AutoCAD Interface

    1. Application menu/button.

    It is present in the upper-left corner of the workspace. To close the application menu,
    we can click anywhere outside the application button or window.

    2. Quick Access Toolbar

    The Quick Access Toolbar is located at the top of the application window at the right
    side of the application menu. It consists of a set of frequently used commands. We can
    add and remove the commands according to the requirements.

    3. Ribbon Panel

    It provides access to the dialog box related to that panel. If the ribbon panel
    disappears, then we need to enter the 'ribbon' on the command line to display the
    ribbon panel on the workspace. The Ribbon is composed of Menu tabs, Groups and
    Commands.

    4. Menu tabs

    The menu tab contains the groups and commands found in the ribbon. Each Mnu tabs
    has different groups, tools and commands.
    5. Command Groups

    The Command Groups contains groups of commands with the same usage or purpose.
    It is found in the Ribbon panel.

    6. Commands

    Commands in AutoCAD refers to an instruction or operation that you give to the


    software to perform a specific task. Commands in AutoCAD are used to create, modify,
    analyze, or annotate objects within a drawing. These commands cover a wide range of
    functionalities, allowing users to accomplish various tasks related to drafting, designing,
    and modeling.

    7. User Coordinate System (UCS)

    The UCS is the active coordinate system that represents the XY plane in 2D and XYZ planes
    in 3D. It acts as the direction in the X, Y, and Z-axis for drawing and modeling. We can
    control the origin and orientation of the UCS to make drawings according to the specific
    points and coordinates. We can also work with drawing aids such as Grid and the ortho
    mode.

    The 2D UCS is shown in the given image:

    The 3D UCS is shown in the given image:


    8. Model Space / Work Space / Drawing Window

    It is defined as the area to create 2D and 3D drawings, models, and objects. We can
    create using different commands according to the requirements.

    9. View Cube

    The View Cube is termed as the navigation tool that is displayed when we are working
    on a 2D or 3D model space. We can switch between the isometric view and the standard
    view of our drawings or model.

    10. Navigation Bar

    The Navigation Bar is used to access the navigation tools. It is a user interface element,
    where we can access both unified (common tools) and product-specific tools (unique
    product tools).

    The navigation bar is shown in the below image:

    11. Model Layout Tab

    A layout is defined as a 2D working environment for creating the drawing sheets.

    The model tab is the screen where we create the 2D and 3D drawings.

    If the model and layout tab is not visible, then follow the steps given below:

    a. We need to click on the AutoCAD option displayed on the top left corner of the

    screen, shown as
    b. Click on the 'Options' button at the bottom. You can use the “Option” command to
    open the Options Window.

    c. Then on the 'display' option on the top, select the option 'Display Layout and Model
    tabs' and then click 'Ok' as shown below:

    12. Command Line Window (shortcut key- ctrl+9)

    The command line window is used to write the commands. We need to press 'Enter' or
    ‘Space’ after typing any command. The AutoCAD also displays the steps after each
    command on the Command line. We need to select the option and press 'Enter' after
    each step.

    13. Status Bar

    The status bar displays the drawing tools that affect the drawing environment. It provides
    quick access to most of the commonly used drawing tools. It includes options such as
    ISODRAFT, ORTHOMODE, AUTOSNAP, OSNAP, WORKSPACE SWITCHING, etc.
    14. View Control

    The View Control is displayed on the top left corner of the viewport. It provides a suitable
    way to change views, visual settings, and styles. It includes options such as top, bottom,
    left, right, etc.

    15. Visual Style Control

    The Visual Style Control is the customized setting that controls the structure view of the
    models or 3D drawings created on the Viewport. The options include 2D Wireframe,
    Realistic, Shaded, Conceptual, Hidden, etc.

    We can also enter the visual styles on the command line to display the options of the
    visual style control.

    After entering the command line, the box will appear displaying clear information with
    figures for each option. It is shown in the below image:
    16. Mouse Cursor

    The cursor used to draw figures, etc. is known as the mouse cursor.

    The cursor in 2D is shown in the given image:

    The cursor in 3D is shown in the given image:

    2D to 3D

    The steps to convert the 2D display of AutoCAD into 3D are listed below:

    o Click on the button on the status bar as shown in the below image:

    o The drop-down list will appear. Select the 3D Modeling or 3D Basics option from
    the drop-down menu as shown in the below image:

    We can select 3D Modeling or 3D basics according to the requirements.


    The 3D modeling will include advance commands to create 3D models.
    The 3D Basics will include basic icons.
    Self-Check 1.1-1
    Instruction: Label the parts of AutoCAD 2024 2D Drafting Annotation Workspace.

    1. ____________________ 9. ____________________
    2. ____________________ 10. ____________________
    3. ____________________ 11. ____________________
    4. ____________________ 12. ____________________
    5. ____________________ 13. ____________________
    6. ____________________ 14. ____________________
    7. ____________________ 15. ____________________
    8. ____________________ 16. ____________________
    Self-Check 1.1-1 Answer Key

    1. Application menu/button 9. View Cube


    2. Quick Access Toolbar 10. Navigation Bar
    3. Ribbon Panel 11. Model Layout Tab
    4. Menu tabs 12. Command Line Window
    5. Command Groups 13. Status Bar
    6. Commands 14. View Control
    7. User Coordinate System (UCS) 15. Visual Style Control
    8. Model Space / Work Space
    / Drawing Window 16. Mouse Cursor

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