05 Introduction To AutoCAD

MEMB113
05 Introduction to AutoCAD
adzly anuar © 2001-2005
Contents
MEMB113 | Dept. of Mechanical Engineering | UNITEN | 2005
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Overview & background

• Starting, interface & file system
• Basic drawing commands
• Basic editing commands
• View command
1
Introduction
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• What is CAD?
• Computer Aided Design and Draughting
(sometimes known as CADD)
• Generally, it is the use of computers in design
and drawing processes
• Traditionally, technical drawing are made using
manual drafting. It is often require a lot of effort
and time consuming particularly for large complex
drawing.
• CAD is being used widely in modern practice. The
ability of computer that enable engineers to
produce, revise, store and transmit original drawings
has made it very important.
• Example of CAD software:
– AutoCAD, PRO/Engineer, IDEAS, UNIGRAPHICS,
CATIA,SolidWorks, etc.
History of CAD
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Charles Barbage (1883) - developed idea for

computer.
• IC Chip Revolution => Micro-Computers and CAD.
• 1st CAD demon by Ivan Sutherland (1963) -
SKETCHPAD.
• A year later IBM produced the first commercial
CAD system.
• Many changes has taken place since then, with
the advancement of powerful computers.
• With these developments, it is now possible to do
all the designs using CAD including two-
dimensional drawings, solid modeling, complex
engineering analysis, production and
manufacturing.
• New technologies are constantly invented which
make this process quicker, more versatile and

more powerful.
2
Advantages of CAD
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Easier Creation and Corrections - Working/detail

drawings may be created more quickly and
makings changes is more efficient than correcting
drawings made by hand.
• Better Visualisation of drawings - Many systems
allow different views of the same object and 3D
pictorial view.
• Database of Drawing Aids - Designs and symbols
can be stored for easy recall and reuse.
• Increased Accuracy - Using the computer, the
drawing can be produced with more accuracy.
• Improved Filing - Drawings can be more
conveniently filed, retrieved and transmitted on
disks and tape.
• Quick Design Analysis
• Simulation and Testing
Computer System & Component

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• A computer system consists of hardware and

software.
• Hardware is various pieces of physical
equipment that comprise a computer system.
• Software is the programs and instructions that
permit the computer to operate. Software can
be divided into two; application programs and
operating system.
• The hardware for a CAD system consists of the
physical devices used to support CAD software.
The hardware system consist of:
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Computer Operating System
• Display Devices
• Input Devices
• Output Devices
3
AutoCAD
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Why use AutoCAD?

• Wide of Use - 20,000 Installation World-wide
• 5 million user world wide
• 2 million student user world wide
• Excellent Intro. To CAD - Cost Effectiveness -
Sufficiently Complex
• Linked to Other Softwares - e.g. ANSYS, 3D-
Studio Max, etc.
• Customized Application using high level
programming language Auto-LISP
AutoCAD
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• How AutoCAD is used?

• Electronic Paper with Drawings and Editing Tools -
Analogous to Manual Drafting
• Valuable and More Efficient in Modifying Drawings.
Object can be moved, copied, rotated, erased,
redrawn, etc. Editing in AutoCAD is faster than in
manual drawing.
• Drawing Layers to Enhance Drawing and Visibility.
AutoCAD provides a set of drawing layer which is
equivalent to the engineering layers on working
drawings.
• Storage/database of Commonly used Object.
Complex objects that are frequently used can be
stored as symbol in the library. This would
increase the productivity in the drafting work.
4
Starting, Interface & File system
Starting with AutoCAD 2002

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• How to start
– Click icon [AutoCAD 2002], or select from START menu
[Start]>Program>MDT 6>AutoCAD2002
5
Starting screens
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• When AutoCAD is started, two windows will be opened

– AutoCAD 2002 and AutoCAD Today
Starting screens
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• AutoCAD Today window – used to open or create new

drawings
Open drawing tab Create new drawing tab Option to Start from Scratch or
from Template or Wizards
Unit
6
AutoCAD main window
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Pull down menu
Icons/Toolbar
UCS Drawing area

(User coordinate
system)
Cursor
Model & layout tab

Command prompt
area
Coordinate status
Creating new drawing

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• To create new drawing:

– Template, Starting from scratch or Wizards
• Usually start from scratch
– In AutoCAD today window: Click on Create
Drawings Tab
– In ‘Select how to begin:’ box, select Start from
Scratch
– Click on Metric
7
Initialising (New Drawing)
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Setting up drawing limit

– To define the drawing area and limit the grid
display
– [menu] > Format > Drawing Limits…
– In command box:
• Setting up drawing unit

– [menu] > Format > Units…
– Drawing Unit Window
Initialising (New Drawing)

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Setting up grid and snap

– Very useful tool, as a guide in drawing Without Grid
• To activate:
– Click on button GRID or SNAP
• To modify the settings

– Right click on button GRID
– Select Settings…
Showing Grid
Changing Grid
and Snap setting
8
Opening and saving
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• To open existing file

– [menu] >File>Open or press
CTRL+O
– Or click Open Icon
• To save drawing
– [menu] >File >Save or press
CTRL+S
– Or click Save Icon
Open Drawing Window Save Drawing Window
Printing
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Can be done from model view or from layout view (paper

space)
• From model view (Make sure in Model Tab)
– [Menu] > File > Plot or CTRL +P or click Plot Icon
Paper size Drawing

Orientation
Scale of
printout/plot
Plot area
Preview
9
Basic editing & drawing commands
Using this guide

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Choosing an item from pull down menu

– [pd menu]
– Example:
• To draw straight line,
• [pd menu] >Design > Line
• Icon & button
– [icon item] or [button item]
– Example:
• To draw straight line click on [icon line]
• Type in command prompt
– command: command type here {enter}
– Example:
• To draw a straight line type in
• Command: line {enter}
• You just have to type in the word line and
press the key Enter (on the keyboard)

• The command is not case sensitive
10
Basic stuff
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Definitions :
– Click
• Press once and release
• Also commonly used to refer to left-click
– Left-click
• Press left-mouse button (LMB) once and release
• Commonly used to pick or choose an item
– Right-click
• Press right-mouse button (RMB) once and release
• Commonly used to access pop-up menu
– Double-click
• Commonly referred to clicking left mouse button twice
– Click-and-drag
• Commonly referred to pressing left mouse button (and not
releasing it) and move the mouse as required

• The left mouse button is released to finish the command
Basic stuff
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• How to draw:
– using mouse, point and click in drawing area
– Type in coordinates in command prompt window
• When using the mouse
– Recommended to use snap and grid as guide
– Set snap and grid spacing accordingly
Mouse Pointer Command ‘line’

Points typed
Line drawn
Type the points here

Grid
11
Drawing straight line
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• 3 methods to execute the command

– By choosing [pd menu] > Draw > Line
– By clicking [icon Line]
– By typing in at command prompt Line command
command: line {enter} or command: L
{enter}
• To draw a straight line
– Using mouse
– Using (typing) coordinate points
Line icon
Drawing straight line

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Using a mouse
– Move the pointer to the desired location as start
point
– Click
– Move the pointer to the second point, Click
– To end the line press Enter
– To continue, move the pointer to 3rd point, Click
– Continue as required
– Use snap and grid as guides 2nd point 3rd point
4th point
Start point End point
12
Drawing straight line …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Using coordinate points, 3 methods:

– Absolute coordinate
– Relative coordinate
– Polar
3rd point (4,4)
Absolute coordinate 2nd point (1,4)
4th point (2,2)
1st point (1,1)

Origin (0,0)
5th point (4,1)
Relative coordinate
Drawing straight line …cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Polar relative coordinate

13
Drawing circle
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
– Use mouse or type in command prompt to specify

point or value – similar to drawing straight line
• To execute circle command
– [pd menu] > Draw > Circle >
– [icon circle]
– At command prompt command: circle
{enter} or command: c {enter}
Pull-down menu Shortcut Icon
Circle command
Command prompt
3.2 Drawing circle …cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Methods to draw circles

– Center and radius
– Center and diameter
– Two points circle
– Three points circle
– Tan, tan, radius
– Tan, tan, tan
Center and radius 1. Center point (2,4)

[pd menu]
2. Radius, 1.5
Command prompt:
Note: mouse can be used to place the center point and the radius of the circle
14
Drawing circle …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Center and diameter

[pd menu] 1. Center point (2,4)
Command prompt: 2. Diameter, 3
2. 2nd point (3.5,4)

Two points
[pd menu]
1. 1st point (0.5,4)

Command prompt:

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
3 points 1. 1st point (2,5.5)

[pd menu]
2. 2nd point (2,2.5)
Command prompt:
3. 3rd point (3.5,4)
3. Radius (1.5)
Tan tan radius 1. 1st object (line)
[pd menu]
2. 2nd object (line)
Command prompt:
15
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Tan tan tan 1. Select 1st line using mouse

[pd menu] 2. Select 2nd line using mouse
3. Select 3rd line using mouse

Command prompt:
Note: these 3 lines must exist on the drawing area before the circle can be drawn
Drawing arc
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
– Use mouse or type in command prompt to specify

point or value – similar to drawing circle
• To execute arc command
– [pd menu] > Draw > Arc >
– [icon arc]
– At command prompt command: arc
{enter} or command: a {enter}
Pull-down menu Shortcut Icon
Arc shortcut icon
Command prompt
16
Drawing arc …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Methods – many ways, most used

– 3 points
– Start, center, end
– Start, center, angle
– Start, end, radius
3 points
[pd menu]
3. 3rd point (2,5)

Command prompt:
2. 2nd point (1,3.5)
1. 1st point (2,2)

Drawing arc …cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Start, center, end

[pd menu]
3. End point (2,5)
2. Center point (2,3.5)
Command prompt: 1. Start point (2,2)
Start, center, angle

[pd menu] 3. Angle (90degree)
2. Center point (2,3.5)

1. Start point (2,2)
Command prompt:
17
Drawing arc …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Start, end, radius

[pd menu] 3. Radius (1.5)
2. End point (3.5,3.5)
1. Start point (2,2)
Command prompt:
Erasing/deleting & copy entity

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Erasing or deleting entity

– using mouse
• (2) click the entity to be erased - the entity will
become dotted with several blue square
• (3) press Delete key
– to delete multiple entities, click all that need to be
deleted and press Delete key
– can also use the command prompt to delete
• command: erase {enter}
(1) (2) (3)
18
...copy entity
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• To copy entity
– can execute command from [pd menu] > Modify > Copy
– type in command prompt command: copy {enter}
• select on entity/entities to be copied
• press Enter key after selecting entity/entities
• select base point
• select position of the entity to be placed
– selecting can be done by mouse or typing the coordinate
of the entity (touching)
(1) (2) (3) (4)

Command prompt:
Moving entity
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Moving entity/entities
– using [pd menu] > Modify > Move
– similar to copy entity
Command prompt:
– using mouse
• select entity - it will become dotted with blue
squares
• click on the blue square in the middle
• move your mouse to the desired location
• click to place the entity on the new location
(1) (2) (3) (4)
19
Scale / Resize
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• To scale or resize entity – increase or reduce

– [pd menu] > Modify > Scale
– Or command: scale {enter}
– (2) Select entities to be scaled, press Enter
– (3) Select (click) base point, mouse can be
used to scale the entities or type in scale
factor at command prompt
Command prompt:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Line types and line thickness

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• The line type need to be loaded before it can be used

– [pd menu] > Format > Linetype…
Line Types
– Linetype Manager
dialog box will be
opened
– initially we only have
one line type which
is continuous
– click on [button
Load]
– another dialog box is
opened Load or
Reload Linetypes
20
Line types...
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
– Choose the types of

lines to be loaded by
clicking it from the
list
– click [button OK]
– the selected line will
be displayed in
Linetype Manager
Line types...
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Line types and line thickness drop down list box
Before loading line types

After loading line types (DASHED)
Line thickness
– Select the
required line
type and line
thickness
– Draw the
line, arc, etc
21
Magnification (Zoom)
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Change the size of view, not size of

object
• Useful to draw small feature, to
view overall size, etc.
• Several options.. Commonly used
Zoom window
– Zoom window
Zoom dynamic
– Zoom all
• Can be accessed from Zoom scale
– [pd menu] > View > Zoom Zoom center
– [icon zoom] Zoom in
– Command: zoom {enter} Zoom out
Zoom realtime Zoom all
Zoom extents
- [pd menu] > View > Zoom > Realtime

- Or click [icon Zoom Realtime]
Magnification (Zoom)…cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Zoom window
– [pd menu] > View > Zoom >Window
– [icon Zoom Window]
– Command: z {enter}
• Use mouse to specify the window (click on one
corner, drag a rectangular window around the
area to be zoom, click on the opposite corner)
After
Before 1stclick and drag

the window
2nd click
22
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Zoom all
– [pd menu] > View > Zoom > All

– [icon Zoom All]
– Command: z {enter}
• Command: a {enter}
Before After
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Zoom realtime
- [pd menu] > View > Zoom > Realtime

Pan realtime
- Or click [icon Zoom Realtime] Zoom realtime
- Cursor icon will change to magnifying
glass Zoom window
- Press LMB, move mouse up to zoom Zoom previous
in,
- Press LMB, move mouse down to
zoom out
- Release LMB for the new view
Pan realtime
- Click [icon Pan Realtime]
- Cursor icon change to ‘hand’
- Press LMB, move mouse to move view of
screen
- Release mouse for the new view
23
Pan … cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• To move the view of the drawing

around the screen - left, right, etc..
• To access command
– [pd menu] > View > Pan >
– [icon pan]
– command: pan {enter} or
– command: p {enter}
• several options:
– most used - realtime
– others - left, right, up, down
• effect of pan similar to moving the scroll
bar (horizontal & vertical)
• REDRAW – refresh display, removing

element such as markers left from
editing commands
• REGEN – refresh display, recalculate
all coordinates
Drawing text
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• 2 types
– Multiline text From pull down menu
– Single line text
Shortcut icon
Text icon
Single line text
• Several ways
– Type in at command prompt
• Command: text {enter}
– [pd menu] > Draw > Text > Single Line Text
– After executing the command
– Click in drawing area or type in coordinates
for start point of the text
– Type in the height of the text
– Type in the rotation, if required
– Type in the text
– Pressing enter to go to the next line

– To end the command, press enter twice
24
Drawing text …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Multiline text
• Several ways
– Type in at command prompt 1st corner
• Command: mtext {enter}
– [pd menu] > Draw > Text > Multiline Text
– [Icon Multiline Text]
• To produce multiline text
– Activate the command Opposite corner
– Click on drawing area to specify the first corner, and click again
to define the area where the text is to be drawn
– Multiline Text Editor window is displayed
– Type in the text in writing area, change its properties if required
– Click OK button to finish
Writing area Font Size Bold Italic Underline Colour Insert symbol
Drawing text …cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
Properties tab Justify Width (box) Rotation
Line spacing tab

Change line spacing
25
Drawing aid: Object snap
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Object snap or OSNAP

– Are functions to aid the drawing process, a very useful tool
– To snap on a geometric point on an object
– Can be turned off or on by clicking OSNAP button on status bar
or press CTRL+F or F3 key
– When turned on, the cursor will jump or snap to the certain
point on an object e.g. mid-point of a line or tangent of a circle
– Includes visual aid – AutoSnap
– Several OSNAP modes available, can activate any number at a
time
Nearest
Endpoint Tangent
Quadrant Node
Midpoint Insert
Center
Intersection Parallel
Extension
Apparent Intersection Perpendicular
Object snap …cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• OSNAP setting
– Right-click OSNAP
button
– ‘Drafting Setting’ dialog
box turns up
– Can be used to turn on
or off object snap
modes
– Symbols indicated by
each mode are shown
in drawing with yellow
marker
26
Object snap …cont
05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• How to use:
– You need to have an object on drawing area
– Then you need to be in a drawing command, e.g.
CIRCLE, LINE, ARC, etc.
– Hover the mouse over the existing object,
• Yellow marker shows up with tool tip
• Indicating what type of geometric point snap can be
done
Endpoint Midpoint Intersection Example of OTRACK
Object snap modes…cont

05 INTRO TO AUTOCAD
• Endpoint
– Snap to endpoint of the nearest entity, e.g. end of a line
• Midpoint
– Snap to the midpoint of an entity, e.g. midpoint of a straight line, or arc
• Center
– Snap to the center of entity such as circle, arc or ellipse
• Node
– Snap to the nearest point (entity)
• Quadrant
– Snap to the quarter position on the circumference of an arc, circle or ellipse
• Intersection
– Snap to the intersection of two entities
• Tangent
– Snap to the tangent of entities such as circle, arc or ellipse
• Nearest
– Snap to the nearest point on an entities
• Perpendicular
– Snap to the point perpendicular to an entity such as straight line
27
End of chapter [05]
28

05 Introduction To AutoCAD

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

05 Introduction To AutoCAD

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MEMB113

• Overview & background

• Charles Barbage (1883) - developed idea for

make this process quicker, more versatile and

• Easier Creation and Corrections - Working/detail

• Simulation and Testing

Computer System & Component

• A computer system consists of hardware and

• Why use AutoCAD?

• How AutoCAD is used?

Starting with AutoCAD 2002

• When AutoCAD is started, two windows will be opened

• AutoCAD Today window – used to open or create new

Pull down menu

UCS Drawing area

Model & layout tab

Creating new drawing

• To create new drawing:

• Setting up drawing limit

• Setting up drawing unit

Initialising (New Drawing)

• Setting up grid and snap

• To modify the settings

• To open existing file

Open Drawing Window Save Drawing Window

• Can be done from model view or from layout view (paper

Paper size Drawing

Using this guide

• Choosing an item from pull down menu

press the key Enter (on the keyboard)

releasing it) and move the mouse as required

Mouse Pointer Command ‘line’

Type the points here

• 3 methods to execute the command

Drawing straight line

Start point End point

• Using coordinate points, 3 methods:

1st point (1,1)

Drawing straight line …cont

Polar relative coordinate

– Use mouse or type in command prompt to specify

Pull-down menu Shortcut Icon

3.2 Drawing circle …cont

• Methods to draw circles

Center and radius 1. Center point (2,4)

Center and diameter

Command prompt: 2. Diameter, 3

2. 2nd point (3.5,4)

1. 1st point (0.5,4)

Drawing circle …cont

3 points 1. 1st point (2,5.5)

3. 3rd point (3.5,4)

Tan tan tan 1. Select 1st line using mouse

3. Select 3rd line using mouse

– Use mouse or type in command prompt to specify

Pull-down menu Shortcut Icon

Arc shortcut icon

• Methods – many ways, most used

3. 3rd point (2,5)

1. 1st point (2,2)

Drawing arc …cont

Start, center, end