Computer Aided Drafting - Handout No. 1

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of CAD history, types of models, AutoCAD user interface elements, and essential navigation commands.

CAD (Computer Aided Drafting)

The process of creating technical drawings with the aid of computer software, ranging from basic 2-D objects to complex 3-D models and animations.

VLSI Design

A field where CAD tools are crucial for the design and simulation of Very Large Scale Integration circuits through automated layouts and schematic capture.

Hardware Description Languages (HDLs)

Languages like VHDL or Verilog used to describe the behavior and structure of electronic systems, integrated with CAD tools for simulation.

Gaspard Monge

The French mathematician who formally introduced the use of orthographic projections in the eighteenth century.

CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)

Software that, when integrated with CAD, streamlines product development by facilitating the manufacturing process.

2-Dimensional CAD (2D CAD)

The pioneer of CAD software developed in the early 1970s that relies on basic geometric shapes like lines, rectangles, and circles.

3-Dimensional CAD (3D CAD)

CAD software introduced in the 1980s that allows for the creation of realistic 3D models which can be viewed and rotated in X, Y, or Z directions.

Wire-frame models

Skeleton-like 3D models created with lines and arcs where all background elements remain visible.

Surface models

3D models created by joining surfaces so that background elements are no longer visible, providing more realism than wire-frames.

Solid models

The most useful CAD models that possess physical properties like weight, volume, and density.

Start Screen

The first user interface displayed within the Application window, organized into pages for creating drawings and learning about AutoCAD.

Drafting & Annotation

The default AutoCAD workspace that utilizes the Ribbon for 2D drawing tasks.

Application Menu

A menu located in the upper-left corner containing tools for opening, saving, printing, and managing drawing files.

Ribbon

The primary launchpad for commands in AutoCAD, divided into tabs, panels, and tools, spanning the width of the window.

InfoCenter

A feature on the far right of the title bar containing Search, Autodesk 360, Autodesk Exchange Apps, and Help buttons.

ViewCube

A navigation tool in the upper-right corner of the drawing area used primarily for navigating 3D drawings with 26 predefined orientations.

UCS Icon

An indicator in the lower-left corner of the drawing area that shows the positive coordinates for the x-, y-, and z-axes.

Command Line

The primary interface for interacting with AutoCAD, displaying action history and seeking user input for commands.

Cue card

A UI element that appears after hovering over a tool for a few seconds, showing the step-by-step implementation of that tool.

Floating panel

A Ribbon panel that has been dragged into the drawing area for constant access regardless of which tab is current.

Ortho Mode

A drawing mode activated by F8 that restricts cursor movement to $90^{\circ}$ intervals: $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, and $270^{\circ}$.

Object Snap (OSNAP)

A tool activated by F3 that helps draw objects based on geometric reference points like endpoints, midpoints, and intersections.

Model Space

The drawing environment where users create and modify objects representing real-world items.

Layout Space (Paper Space)

The environment used to create views of objects for plotting, usually including a title block.

Zoom Extents

A command option that zooms out just far enough to show all objects currently in the drawing.

Command Alias

Single keys or key combinations, such as "L" for LINE, that serve as shortcuts to start frequently used commands.

Option Keyword

Programmer jargon for letters shown in uppercase within square brackets that activate specific command options.

F2 Key

The function key used to display the AutoCAD text window, which provides an enlarged version of the command-line history.