AutoCAD Classes

Overview of AutoCAD Learning and Instruction Programs

CAD stands for Computer-Aided-Designing Software a product of Autodesk. AutoCAD is used to produce 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) drawings of architectural and engineering works.

Let’s start AutoCAD Classes.

Getting Familiar with AutoCAD window

Before you can start drawing, you need to get familiar with the AutoCAD window. In the following lessons, I will be referring to all the areas described below in image.

1. DRAWING AREA

Location: The large area in the center of the screen.

This is where you will draw. This area represents a piece of paper.

The color of this area can be changed using Tools / Option / Display / Color.

The default color for 2005 is white.

2. CROSSHAIRS / CURSOR

Location: Can be anywhere in the Drawing Area.

The movement of the cursor is controlled by the movement of the pointing device

such as a mouse. You will use the cursor to locate points, make selections and

draw objects. The size can be changed using Tools / Options / Display / Crosshair

Size.

3. COMMAND LINE

Location: The three lines at the bottom of the screen.

This is where you enter commands and AutoCAD will prompt you to input information.

4. COORDINATE DISPLAY (F6)

Location: Lower left corner

In the Absolute mode (coords = 1): displays the location of the crosshairs / cursor

in reference to the Origin. The first number represents the horizontal movement

(Xaxis), the second number represents the vertical movement (Yaxis) and the third

number is the Zaxis which is used for 3D.

In the Relative Polar mode (coords = 2): displays the distance and angle of the

cursor from the last point entered. (Distance<Angle)

5. STATUS BAR

Location: Below the Command Line.

Displays your current settings. These settings can be turned on and off by clicking

on the word (Snap, Grid, Ortho, etc.) or by pressing the function keys, F1, F2, etc.

See button descriptions below.

[SNAP] (F9)

Increment Snap controls the movement of the cursor. If it is off, the cursor will move

smoothly. If it is ON, the cursor will jump in an incremental movement.

The increment spacing can be changed at any time using Tools / Drafting Settings

/ Snap and Grid. The default spacing is .250.

[GRID] (F7)

The grid (dots) is merely a visual "drawing aid". The default spacing is 1 unit.

You may change the grid spacing at any time using: Tools / Drafting Settings /

Snap and Grid.

[ORTHO] (F8)

When Ortho is ON, cursor movement is restricted to horizontal or vertical. When

Ortho is OFF, the cursor moves freely.

[POLAR] (F10)

POLAR TRACKING creates “Alignment Paths” at specified angles.

(More detailed information on page 11-3)

[OSNAP] (F3)

RUNNING OBJECT SNAP (More detailed information on page 4-4)

Specific Object Snaps can be set to stay active until you turn them off.

[OTRACK] (F11)

OBJECT SNAP TRACKING

Creates “Alignment Paths” at precise positions using object snap locations.

[LWT]

LINEWEIGHT. Displays the width assigned to each object. (More information on

page 9-7)

2-6

MODEL

Switches your drawing between paperspace and modelspace.

(More information in Lesson 26)

6. UCS ICON (User Coordinate System)

Locaton: Lower left corner of the screen. The UCS icon indicates the location of the

Origin. The UCS icon appearance can be changed using: View / Display / Icon /

Properties.

7. ORIGIN

The location where the X, Y and Z axes intersect. 0,0,0

(Don’t worry about this now. We will talk more in Lesson 9)