Graphics: AutoCAD

Parts 1, 2, and 3

AutoCAD Startup

To open AutoCAD, click the AutoCAD Icon or navigate through the Start Menu (Windows) > Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 2017 (or other version).

Initial Drawing Name

Drawing1.dwg.
Application Menu (AutoCAD)

Quick Access Toolbar

Located in the top-left corner of the window; it includes the most commonly used tools like New, Open, Save, Undo, Redo, and Plot.

Customizing Quick Access Toolbar

Adaptable for user preferences; right-click the toolbar and select "Customize Quick Access Toolbar…" to modify.

Ribbon

A palette that groups related

Ribbon Tabs

The main categories of the Ribbon (e.g., Home, Insert, Annotate, Layout).

Ribbon Panels

Groups of tools within each Tab (e.g., the Home Tab contains the Draw,
Modify, and Layers panels).

Tool Tips (Basic)

Appears when hovering the cursor over a tool, showing the tool's name and a brief description.

Tool Tips (Extended)

Appears if the cursor hovers slightly longer, showing a graphic display directly from the Help system.

Workspace

A set of menus, toolbars, palettes, and ribbon control panels that are grouped to create a custom, task-oriented drawing environment.

2D Drafting & Annotation

The default display/workspace in AutoCAD for 2D drawing.

Other Workspaces (Modern)

3D Basics and 3D Modeling.

AutoCAD Classic

An older workspace (pre-windows release) no longer available after AutoCAD 2014.

Drawing Area

The main dark space where drawing is performed.

Cursor (Crosshair)

The drawing aid that can be resized using Options / Display tab / Crosshair Size.

Command Line

The "brain" of AutoCAD; it prompts users for information and keeps track of all commands used. Should ALWAYS be reviewed.

Command Line Shortcut

CTRL+9.

Status Bar

Located at the bottom of the application window, displaying Coordinate Values and Drawing Tools/Icons.

Coordinate Display

Shows X-axis (horizontal), Y-axis (vertical), and Z-axis (3D) values of the cursor location.

World Coordinate System (WCS)

The fixed absolute coordinate system with its origin at (0,0,0).

User Coordinate System (UCS) Icon

A user-defined coordinate system, primarily used for 3D Modeling, visible in the lower left corner.

Help (F1)

F1 displays help for the active tooltip, command, palette, or dialog box.

Object Snap (F3)

Turns object snap on and off.

Ortho (F8)

Locks cursor movement to horizontal or vertical.

Polar Tracking (F10)

Guides cursor movement to specified angles.

Dynamic Input (F12)

Displays distances and angles near the cursor and accepts input as you use Tab between fields.

Dynamic Input Tooltip Box

A small box near the cursor that displays prompts, distances, and angles for immediate input.

.dwg

The file extension for an AutoCAD drawing file.

.dwt

The file extension for an AutoCAD template file.

Export

Used to save files, such as exporting to a .pdf.

Recent Documents

A list and icons in the Application Menu that show documents recently opened or currently open within AutoCAD.

InfoCenter

The area in the top right of the application window that includes the Help box (search), Communication, and Favorites.

Selecting a Command (Method 1)

Find the command on the Ribbon (e.g., select the Home Tab, locate the Draw Panel, and click the command, like the Circle tool).

Selecting a Command (Method 2)

Use Dynamic Input (DYN) or the Command Line to type the full command name (circle) or the command alias (c).

Line Object Type

A line can be one segment or a series of connected segments, but each segment is an individual object.

Start Line Command (Ribbon)

Click the Line Button in the Home Tab / Draw Panel on the Ribbon.

Start Line Command (Keyboard)

Type L and press Enter (L ).

Repeat Last Command

Press the Spacebar to quickly repeat the previous command (e.g., the Line command).

Ortho Mode

Toggles cursor movement to be perfectly Horizontal or Vertical.

Toggle Ortho Mode

Click the Ortho button on the Status Bar or press the F8 key.

Temporary Ortho Toggle

Hold down the Shift key to temporarily turn Ortho mode off while drawing.

Closing a Line Sequence (Method 1)

After placing the final segment's endpoint, type c and press Enter (c ) to automatically connect to the first endpoint.

Closing a Line Sequence (Method 2)

Press the right mouse button and choose Close from the shortcut menu.

Selecting Objects (Method 1)

Pick the object by clicking it with the mouse (using the Pick Box).

Selecting Objects (Method 2)

Window selection (left-to-right box).

Selecting Objects (Method 3)

Lasso selection (irregular shape).

Erase Command (Method 1 - Ribbon/Key)

Click the Erase button on the Home Tab / Modify Panel of the Ribbon, or type e and press Enter (e ).

Erase Command (Method 2 - Delete Key)

Select the object(s) to be erased, then hit the Delete key.

Erase Command (Method 3 - Shortcut Menu)

Select the object(s) to be erased, press the right mouse key, and select Erase from the shortcut menu.

Automatic Save

The feature that saves the drawing automatically at set intervals. To set the desired minutes, type Options, select the Open and Save tab, enter the time, and click OK.

Exiting AutoCAD (Method 1)

Click the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the application window.

Exiting AutoCAD (Method 2)

Use the Application Menu and select the Exit AutoCAD button.

Exiting AutoCAD (Method 3)

Type exit and press Enter (exit ).

Exit Prerequisite

Before exiting, it is recommended to Save all Open drawings.

ACADTemplateHelper8.5x11.dwg

An example of a template file mentioned for access in the lesson objectives.

Circle Creation Method 1

Center, Radius. Locate the center point, then move the cursor to the desired size and click OR enter the radius value.

Circle Creation Method 2

Center, Diameter. Locate the center point, then define the diameter.

Circle Creation Method 3

1 Points. Draw a circle by specifying two opposite points on the circle's circumference.

Circle Creation Method 4

2 Points. Draw a circle by specifying three points on the circle's circumference.

Circle Creation Method 5

Tangent, Tangent, Radius (TTR). Draw a circle tangent to two objects, specifying the radius.

Circle Creation Method 6

Tangent, Tangent, Tangent (TTT). Draw a circle tangent to three objects.

Chamfer

An angled corner added to a rectangle.

Chamfer Reset Tip

You must set the chamfer distance back to "0" to draw a standard rectangle without the angled corners.

Fillet

rounded corner added to a rectangle. To create a rectangle with a fillet, enter the rectangle command, type

Fillet Reset Tip

You must set the fillet radius back to "0" to draw a standard rectangle without the rounded corners.

Rectangle Width

Defines the thickness of the lines forming the rectangle. Set by typing

Width Reset Tip

You must set the width back to "0" to draw a standard rectangle with thin lines.

Rectangle Area

Allows creation of a rectangle by specifying the Area and either a Length or Width.

Rectangle Rotation

Defines the angle of the rectangle. Set by typing R and entering the desired angle before placing the second point.

Undo and Redo Command Location

Quick Access Toolbar.

Grid (Feature)

• The rectangular pattern of dots in the drawing area
• The grid is the only aid to help assist in aligning objects and visualizing the distance between them.
• The grid will not plot

Increment Snap (Snap):

• Controls the movement of the cursor - Off, the cursor will move smoothly
  -On, the cursor will move in increments

Change Grid/Snap Settings (Method 1)

DS on the Command Line to open the Drafting Settings dialog box.

Change Grid/Snap Settings (Method 2)

Right Click on the Snap or Grid button on the Status Bar and select Settings.

Layer

A drawing concept like a transparency. Objects, Dimensions, and Text can be placed on separate layers.

Selecting a Layer

Use the drop down arrow in the Ribbon / Home Tab / Layer Panel and highlight the desired layer.

Layer On/Off

If a layer is on, it is visible.

Layer Freeze/Thaw

Frozen Layer is not visible; a Thawed layer is visible.

Layer Lock/Unlock

Locked layers are visible, but cannot be edited.

Plotted Visibility Note

Objects that are not visible (Off or Frozen) cannot be plotted.

Open Layer Properties Manager

Layers Button in the Ribbon / Home Tab / Layers Panel OR type LA on the Command Line.

Delete Layer (Method 1)

Highlight the layer name and select the Delete Layer tool.

Delete Layer (Method 2)

Highlight the layer name, Right click, and select Delete Layer.

Lineweight

Defines how heavy or thin the object line is. It is plotted with the

Lineweight Setting Command

To open the Lineweight Settings box, type lweight on the Command Line.

Lineweight to Layer

To assign a lineweight to a specific layer, open the Layer Properties Manager (LA ), click on the Lineweight column for the layer, scroll, and select the desired weight.

Creating New Layers

Open the Layer Properties Manager (LA ), select the New Layer tool, type the new name, and press .