AUTOCAD BASICS

Welcome to the world of CAD - you will be learning the basics of CAD. This course is designed so that the
commands and instructions should work on almost any version of AutoCAD. Let's start at the beginning,
these things you need to know, or the rest of it won't make any sense at all. Make sure you have a very
good understanding of this lesson before continuing. Learn it, live it. Stick to it!
The X,Y coordinate system
Everything that you draw in AutoCAD is exact. It will be more accurate than you will ever need it to be.
We're talking 14 decimal points accurate. All objects drawn on the screen are placed there based on a
simple X,Y coordinate system. In AutoCAD this is known as the World Coordinate System (WCS). You
must understand this to know how to put things where you want them

Here is how it works:

AutoCAD uses points to determine where an object is located. There is an origin where it begins counting
from. This point is (0,0). Every object is located in relation to the origin. If you were to draw a line straight
out to the right from the origin, this would be considered the positive X-axis. If you were to draw a line
straight up, this would be the positive Y-axis. The picture above shows a point located at (9,6). This
means that the point is 9 units over in the X-axis and 6 units up in the Y-axis. When you are working with
points, X always comes first. The other point shown is (-10,-4). This means that the point is 10 units in
the negative X-axis (left) and 4 units in the negative Y-axis (down).
A line has two points, a start point and an end point. AutoCAD works with the points to display the line on
the screen. In the picture above a line is drawn from the absolute points of (-10,-4) to (9,6).
Most of the time you will not have an indication of where the origin is, you may need to draw a line from
the endpoint of an existing line. To do this you use relative points. These work the same way, but you
have to add the @ symbol (shift+2) to tell AutoCAD that this next point is relative from the last point
entered.

To review:
ABSOLUTE POINTS are exact points on the drawing space.
RELATIVE POINTS are relative to an OBJECT on the drawing space.
It's a simple system, but mastering it is the key to working with AutoCAD and is explained in more detail
further below. In order to work effectively with AutoCAD, you have to work with this system. Until you are
comfortable and familiar with it, learning AutoCAD will be more of a chore.
Angular Measurement
AutoCAD measures angles in a particular way also.

When drawing lines at an angle, you have to begin measuring the angle from 0 degrees, which is at the 3
o'clock position. If you drew a line at 90 degrees, it would go straight up. The example above shows a line
drawn at +300 degrees (270+30), or -60 degrees.
You might not always have an obvious reference point for 0 degrees. Look at the example below to find
out the angle in question.

In this example, you are given information about the lines, but not the angle AutoCAD needs to draw the
line from the start point. What you are given though, is (a) the knowledge that 0 is at the 3 o'clock
position (b) the knowledge that 180 is at the 9 o'clock position and (c) the angle between 180 and the
line you want to draw is 150. With this information, you can figure out what angle you need. Here is a
fool-proof way of getting the angle you need:

1.) Start at the 0 position and measure counter-clockwise (+) to 180.

2.) From 180, measure clockwise 150 (-)
3.) Consider that you just went +180-150 and use that as an equation: +180-150=30

4.) Now you can draw your line using polar coordinates.
Entering Points in AutoCAD
You can enter points directly on the command line using three different systems. The one you use will
depend on which is more applicable for the situation. The first assignment will get you used to this. The
three systems are as follows:
ABSOLUTE CO-ORDINATES - Using this method, you enter the points as they relate to the origin of the
WCS. To enter a point just enter in the exact point as X,Y.
RELATIVE CO-ORDINATES - This allows you to enter points in relation to the first point you have
entered. After you've entered one point, the next would be entered as @X,Y. This means that AutoCAD
will draw a line from the first point to another point X units over and Y units up relative to the previous
point.
POLAR CO-ORDINATES - You would use this system if you know that you want to draw a line a certain
distance at a particular angle. You would enter this as @D<A. In this case, D is the distance and A is the
angle. Example: @10<90 will draw a line 10 units straight up from the first point.
The three ways of entering coordinates shown above are the ONLY way AutoCAD accepts keyboard
input. First decide which style you need to use, and then enter as shown. Remember that X is always
before Y (alphabetical). Don't forget the '@' symbol when you are entering relative points. Any typing error
or omission will give you results you don't want. If you make a mistake and need to see what you typed,
press F2 to bring up the text screen and check your typing. (press F2 to get back to your drawing.)

Move your cursor around the image above to find the names of various areas of the screen.

Application Button - This button displays commands for printing, saving, drawing utilities and
other non-drawing tools.

Quick Access Toolbar - This is for quick access to common commands like New, Open, Save,
Plot

Filename - The name of the current file you are working on.

Search Bar - Search for text in your drawing or search the help files.

Ribbon - The Ribbon has most of the commands/tools that you will use while you are working.

Tabs - A series of Tabs make up the Ribbon (Home, Insert, Manage, etc) and organize the Tools
into common groups.

Panels - Contain a group of tools

Tools - These are the icons that start the commands you use to draw, modify, etc.

Tool Tip - If you hover your mouse over a tool, a tool tip will appear to give you more information.
Hold it longer for more info.

Drawing Space - These is where you draw your designs.

Command line - When you type a command, you will see it here. AutoCAD uses this space to
'prompt' you for information. It will give you a lot of information and tell you where you are in the
command. Watch this line while learning.

Status bar - This allows to see and change different modes of drawing such as Ortho, Osnaps,
Grid, Otrack, etc. You can right click this area to toggle between icons and text for this area.

Workspaces
With the introduction of AutoCAD 2009, a new screen layout was added. The program now allows you to
work in different workspaces depending upon what you are working on. For example, the screen will look
different if you are working on 2D than it will with 3D work. There is also an option for AutoCAD Classic
(which is how the screen looked from Versions 2000-2008). For the first 2 levels of tutorials, you will want
to be in the 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace. Set this by clicking in the bottom right of the AutoCAD
screen on the 'gear' icon as shown in the image below. In AutoCAD 2012, this is at the top of the screen.

Icons, Keystrokes and Menus

There are many ways to do things in most Windows programs. AutoCAD is no exception. Everyone will
develop a way that works best for him or her. In this course, we will primarily be working with the
keystroke commands. The reason for this is because they will work in most AutoCAD versions (including
DOS versions), and in some other CAD programs. The icons work well, but as you will see, icons can be
placed anywhere on the screen and can be difficult to find quickly. You may be working on another
employee's computer that is set up differently than what you're used to. The pull-down menus will access
almost all commands, but are a slower way of doing things.
Example: If you want to draw a line, you can do it a few ways:

At the command line type: LINE (or) L and press the ENTER key.

Select the line icon from the DRAW Panel.

Another way is to Right-Click on the drawing space and choose "Recent Input" from the menu.
This will give a list of the most recent commands that you have used.

All three approaches will do the same thing: prepare AutoCAD to draw a line where you tell it.
AutoCAD is a popular program because it can be customized to suit an individual's needs. The toolbars
are a good example of this. You can have the toolbars you use most often on the screen all the time. You
can easily make them go away so that you have more drawing space. You can also customize them so
you have the most common commands on one toolbar. For example, the dimensioning toolbar is one that

you will not want taking up space on your screen while drawing, but is very handy when you're
dimensioning your drawing.
To remove the ribbon and have the most drawing space available, click on the "Clean Screen" icon in the
bottom right corner of the screen (or press CTRL+O [letter O]). To go back to the standard display, click
again on the same icon.

Basic AutoCAD Terminology

Absolute
coordinates

Acad.dwt

Associated
Dimensioning

A way of inputting points based on AutoCAD's origin.

This is the default template that automatically loads whenever you start a drawing
session. It can be customized to suit your needs.

Dimensions that are associated with specific points will update as that point is moved.

Backup file

AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup your drawing and save it. This is a
safeguard in case your file gets corrupted. It is saved with a .BAK extension

Block

A pre-drawn image you can insert in your drawing to save time and make your file size
smaller.

Clean Screen

A display setting that gives you maximum drawing space.

Crosshairs

This is your cursor when it is in the drawing space.

Cursor

Your cursor will change depending on what function it is performing in the program.

Database

An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large database containing all the information
needed to reproduce the objects when the file is opened. Info for layers and linetypes,
etc are stored in this manner.

Dialog box

AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes to get information from you. You must
know how to input the information that it asks for.

Drawing template
file

This is a file that contains preset values for frequently used settings. AKA a prototype
drawing. The file extension is DWT.

Extents

The outer boundaries of the objects you have drawn.

Grid

This is pattern of dots displayed on the screen to guide you. It can be toggled on and
off by pressing the F7 key.

Grips

Small 'handles' on objects that allow for quick editing.

Layer

All objects are drawn on a layer. You can group objects (such as electrical) on a single
layer and organize your drawing.

Layout Tabs

A space used for plotting your drawings (formerly called Paper Space).

Limits (Grid)

A setting to impose an 'artificial' boundary on your drawing that sets the area of the
grid, and when turned on, limits you to drawing in the grid area.

Linetype

All objects are drawn with a particular linetype. Examples would be solid, center,
dashed, etc.

Model space

The drawing space where you 'model' the objects.

Modify

A generic term used for changing your objects

Object

Any item that is in the AutoCAD database. Also known as an entity.

Origin

The (0,0) point of your current coordinate system.

Ortho mode

This is a drawing mode that allows you to draw only perpendicular lines. It is toggled
on and off by pressing the F8 key.

Orthographic
Projection

A standard drawing method that shows 2 or more views of the same part.

Osnap - Object
Snap

This is a method of 'snapping' to certain, precise points on an object.

Pan

To move around the drawing by dragging the drawing area around your screen.

Panel

A grouping of commands on the ribbon

Path

The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for, or saves files.

Pick

To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it.

Plot

Also known as print. To make a hard copy of your drawing.

Polar
coordinates

A way of inputting points based on distance and angle.

Property

Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale, linetype, start point, etc.

Ribbon

The Ribbon runs across the top of the drawing space and contains panels - each panel
has a group of associated tools. Switch to different panels by clicking on the tabs at the
top of the ribbon.

Relative
coordinates

A way of inputting points based on a starting point.

Section View

A drawing that represents a cross section of a part or assembly.

Selection set

The current group of objects selected for modifying.

Snap

This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor to precise points laid out in
a grid pattern. Toggle with the F9 key.

Styles

Formatting that defines the look of text, dimensions, etc.

Units

The basic drawing unit set for your drawing. For example, you can use inches or
millimeters depending on your needs. You can also set the precision you want
displayed, such nearest 1/4", 1/2" 1/64", etc.

User coordinate
system (UCS)

Modifications made to the World Coordinate System (WCS) result in a User

Coordinate System (UCS)

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User coordinate
system (UCS)

Modifications made to the World Coordinate System (WCS) result in a User

Coordinate System (UCS)

View

A particular area of your drawing.

Viewport

A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more than one viewport visible to
see different areas of your drawing at the same time.

Wizard

An easy step-by-step instruction set to help you set-up certain aspects of your
drawing.

World
Coordinate
System (WCS)

This is the common X-Y coordinate system that is the default. If it is modified, it
becomes a User Coordinate System (UCS)

Zoom

To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in) or a larger section (zoom
out)

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