COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING AND

DESIGN MANUAL

By:
Ar. Kenneth V. Tributo
 HISTORY OF AUTOCAD
During 1980’s the CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software only runs on a mainframe computers or,
minicomputers, in which each user’s unit is connected to a graphic computer terminals.

December 1982 Autodesk, Inc. the largest design automation company in the world released the AutoCAD
software. In the same year John Walker, Autodesk founder released Autodesk’s Flagship named AutoCAD.
March 1986 AutoCAD became the most ubiquitous microcomputer design program in the world, utilizing
the functions of polylines and curve fitting. As of 1994 there had been 750 training centers established
across the world for AutoCAD course. Below are the AutoCAD timeline by
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/ACAD_R1.html:

 AutoCAD 1.0 December 1982 (Release 1)

 AutoCAD 1.2 (2) April 1983 (Release 2)
 AutoCAD 1.3 (3) August 1983 (Release 3)
 AutoCAD 1.4 (4) October 1983 (Release 4)
 AutoCAD 2.0 (5) October 1984 (Release 5)
 AutoCAD 2.1 (6) May 1985 (Release 6)
 AutoCAD 2.5 (7) June 1986 (Release 7)
 AutoCAD 2.6 (8) April 1987 (Release 8)
 AutoCAD R9 September 1987 codename White Album (Release 9)
 AutoCAD R10 October 1988 (Release 10)
 AutoCAD R11 October 1990 (Release 11)
 AutoCAD R12 June 1992 (Release 12)
 AutoCAD R13 November 1994 (Release 13)
 AutoCAD R14 February 1997 codename Sedona and PInetop for 14.01 (Release 14)
 AutoCAD 2000 (15) March 1999 codename Tahoe (Release 15)
 AutoCAD 2000i (16) July 2000 codename Banff (Release 16)
 AutoCAD 2002 (17) June 2001 codename Kirkland (Release 17)
 AutoCAD 2004 (18) March 2003 codename Reddeer (Release 18)
 AutoCAD 2005 (19) March 2004 codename Neo (Release 19)
 AutoCAD 2006 (20) March 2005 codename Rio (Release 20)
 AutoCAD 2007 (21) March 2006 codename Postrio (Release 21)
 AutoCAD 2008 (22) March 2007 codename Spago (Release 22)
 AutoCAD 2009 (23) March 2008 codename Raptor (Release 23)
 AutoCAD 2010 (24) March 2009 codename Gator (Release 24)
 AutoCAD 2011 (25) March 2010 codename Hammer (Release 25)
 AutoCAD 2012 March 2011 codename Ironman (Release 26)
 AutoCAD 2013 March 2012 codename Jaws (Release 27)

Development and improvement of this software never stop until this present time and there are many other
manufacturer of this software application such as Microsoft AutoCAD, MicroCAD, ZWCAD, etc.
 Table I-1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
AutoCAD 2013 • Microsoft Windows 7 or XP SP 23
• Processor
o 32-bit XP: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 1.6 GHz or greater with
SSE2 technology
o 32-bit Vista or 7: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or greater
with SSE2 technology
o 64-bit: Athlon 64 or Opteron with SSE2 technology or Xeon or Pentium 4
with EM64T support and SSE2 technology
• 2 GB RAM
• Disk space: 6.0 GB
• 1024 x 768 display resolution with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later

AutoCAD 2012 • Microsoft Windows 7, Vista SP2 or XP SP 23

• Processor
o 32-bit XP: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 1.6 GHz or greater with
SSE2 technology
o 32-bit Vista or 7: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or greater
with SSE2 technology
o 64-bit: Athlon 64 or Opteron with SSE2 technology or Xeon or Pentium 4
with EM64T support and SSE2 technology
• 2 GB RAM
• Disk space
o 32-bit: 2.0 GB
o 64-bit: 2.0 GB
• 1024 x 768 display resolution with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later

AutoCAD 2011 • Microsoft Windows 7, Vista SP1 or XP SP 2

• Processor
o 32-bit XP: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 1.6 GHz or greater with
SSE2 technology
o 32-bit Vista or 7: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or greater
with SSE2 technology
o 64-bit: Athlon 64 or Opteron with SSE2 technology or Xeon or Pentium 4
with EM64T support and SSE2 technology
• 2 GB RAM
• Disk space
o 32-bit: 1.8 GB
o 64-bit: 2.0 GB
• 1024 x 768 display resolution with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later

AutoCAD 2010 • Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 or Windows XP SP 2

• Processor
 o 32-bit XP: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 1.6 GHz or greater with
SSE2 technology
o 32-bit Vista: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or greater with
SSE2 technology
o 64-bit: Athlon 64 or Opteron with SSE2 technology or Xeon or Pentium 4
with EM64T support and SSE2 technology
• 2 GB RAM
• Disk space
o 32-bit: 1 GB
o 64-bit: 1.5 GB
• 1024 x 768 VGA with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later

AutoCAD 2009 • Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows XP SP 2

• Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon, 2.2 GHz or greater or Intel or AMD Dual Core
processor, 1.6 GHz or greater
• 1 GB RAM (Windows XP), 2 GB RAM (Windows Vista)
• 750 MB free disk space
• 1024 x 768 VGA with true color
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (SP1 or later)

AutoCAD 2008 • Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP Home and Professional (SP2), or Windows
2000 Professional (SP3)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (SP1 or later)
• Pentium 4 processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 750 MB free disk space
• 1024 x 768 VGA with true color

Reference: http://www.designmaster.biz/products/AutoCADSystemRequirements.html
 GETTING STARTED

Note: Double click the icon to run the AutoCAD

software.

Figure I-1. AutoCAD Desktop Icon

Startup Window
FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS
1. OPEN a DRAWING
2. START from SCRATCH
3. USE a TEMPLATE
4. USE a WIZARD
Note: Open a drawing is the indication that there is
an existing file to be modify, Start from the scratch
will gives the user a choice to choose between the
metric and imperial measurement system (Imperial
is for feet and inches; Metric is for millimeter). The
Template will show all the listed .dwt extension; and
wizard will help the user to create a based on quick
setup or the advanced setup wizard.

POINTERS: Setting this form using the command

Figure.I-2. Startup Window bar indicates that 0-OFF and 1-ON
Figure I-3. AutoCAD Drawing Editor
Table I-2. Parts and Functions

PARTS FUNCTIONS

It is a representation of Drawing 1 Template. This is the part of the

1. Drawing area
AutoCAD software that handles all of the object to be created

It is the part of the AutoCAD software wherein the user can type the
2. Command line
command to be executed.

It is a basic X-Y-Z (Z Is not visible) axis. In which it could be a Universal

3. UCS icon
Coordinate System or World Coordinate System.

4. Toolbar It contains all icon tools that can be useful on creating a design.

The crosshairs serve as the pointer on giving a direction for every

5. Crosshairs
command specially for the direct distance entry.

6. Ribbon It is a new way of interacting with AutoCad's commands.

This is the part of the AutoCAD wherein the user can turn On or Off the
7. Drawing tools/status bar
tools that could help in creating a certain object.

8.Cascading Drop Down

It is another way to access commands in AutoCad.
Menus

A layout figure area wherein the user can identify the possible output of
9. Model space tab/mode
the object.

Note: There are other areas of AutoCAD environment that the coordinate system appear and because this is a free
scaling system that can also use the annotation tools near the lock and clear screen icon buttons.
 AUTOCAD SCREEN

1. APLLICATION BUTTON -This button displays commands for printing, saving, drawing utilities and other non-
drawing tool.

Figure I-4. Application Button Window

2. QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR- This is for quick access to common commands like New, Open, Save,
Plot.

Figure I-5. Quick Access Toolbar

3. RIBBON - The Ribbon has most of the commands/tools that can be use while working in AutoCAD
Environment.
 Figure.I-6. Ribbon Window

 VERTICAL RIBBON-Has been updated to show the tab names along the side.

Figure I-7. Vertical Ribbon Window

 DASH BOARD PANELS-Converted to new ribbon panels.

Figure I-8. Dash Board Plane Window

 COLOR SELECTION- set layer colors and pick from the AutoCAD.


Figure I-9. Color Section Window

 DIMENSION TOOLS-Command enables to measure the distance, radius, area, or volume of a selected
object or a sequence of points.

Figure I-10. Dimension Tools Window

SHORTCUT KEYS

Table I-3. Keyboard Function Keys

KEYS FUNCTION
F1 Online Help
F2 Switch between Graphics Screen to Text Window Screen
F3 Turn ON/OFF Osnap (Object Snap)
F4 Turn ON/OFF Tablet
F5 Change Isometric Planes
F6 Turn ON/OFF Coordinates
F7 Turn ON/OFF Grids

F8 Turn ON/OFF Ortho mode

F9 Turn ON/OFF Snap
F10 Turn ON/OFF Polar Tracking
F11 Turn ON/OFF Osnap Tracking
F12 Turn ON/OFF Dynamic Input
ESC Terminate the existing command
 Table I-4 Keyboard Control Keys
CONTROL KEYS DESCRIPTIONS
CTR+A Turn ON/OFF Group Selection
CTR+B Turn ON/OFF Snap
CTR+C Copy Object to Windows Clip Board
CTR+D Turn ON/OFF Coordinates
CTR+E Change Isometric Planes
CTR+F Turn ON/OFF Osnap
CTR+G Turn ON/OFF Grids
CTR+J Execute the last command
CTR+K Invoke the hyperlink command
CTR+L Turn ON/OFF Ortho mode
CTR+M Display DBConnect Manager Dialog Box
CTR+N Create a new drawing file
CTR+O Open an existing drawing file
CTR+P Display the plot dialog box
CTR+Q Save the content of the Text Window to a Log File
CTR+R Switch Viewports
CTR+S Save Current drawing
CTR+T Turn ON/OFF Tablet
CTR+U Turn ON/OFF Polar mode
CTR+W Turn ON/OFF Object Snap Tracking
CTR+X Cut a clip on a selected object
CTR+Y Redo
CTR+\- Cancel current command
CTR+[- Cancel current command
CTR+1 Turn ON/OFF Property Dialog Box
CTR+2 Turn ON/OFF Design Center Dialog Box
CTR+6 Turn ON/OFF DBConnect Manager Dialog Box
CTR+0 Turn ON/OFF the Ribbon Plane
CTR+9 Turn ON/OFF the Command Line Window
 Activity No. 1
COORDINATE SYSTEM
Course Code: Program:
Course Title: COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING Date Performed:
Section: Date Submitted:
Name : Instructor:

1. Objective(s):

The activity aims to create an object using different coordinate system. This experiment also provides
students’ knowledge and skills on command manipulation using different coordinate system and input
techniques.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
2.1 Create an electronic drawing template.
2.2 Design an object using different AutoCAD input techniques.

3. Discussion:

Limits – an AutoCAD command that will allow the user to set a limitation of what will be there prescribe
paper reference. As shown in Figure 1.1 after the execution of the command the AutoCAD feedback will
ask the user on what will be the lower left corner and the upper right corner set-up.

Fig. 1.1 Command bar for setting the lower left corner

Units – it is an AutoCAD command that will allow the user to change the length type, precision (number of
decimal point), Angle references and the most important measurement setting. Figure 1.2 shows the actual
drawing units window for user reference.

Fig. 1.2 Drawing Units properties

Grids and Snap Spacing – An AutoCAD command that will set the distance of the grid and snap spacing.
This command is useful in case that the object is having a uniform distance. Figure 1.3 shows the image
that will be seen at the model are and the icon counterpart.

Figure 1.3

Coordinate system – it is an AutoCAD setting on how the user will do their inputs upon creating a certain
object. Table 1-1 shows the different coordinate system that AutoCAD implement.

Table 1-1. AutoCAD Coordinate System

Coordinate Description Command Format

System
Absolute Focuses in x,y values for 2D objects.
x,y (values)
Coordinates
Relative An AutoCAD input focus on the
Coordinate different quadrant signs. This input
technique uses a “@” symbol that will
reset the point of origin after the @x,y (values)
execution. The recent coordinate value
will be the new point of origin upon the
next point of input.
Polar The same as the relative coordinate but
Coordinate with this command the focus of the user
@distance<angle (values)
will be much more for the distance and
angle.

Direct Distance Entry - it is an AutoCAD input technique that mouse direction is needed.

Dynamic Input - it is an AutoCAD input technique that seems to be like the polar coordinate input but the
format of having “<” symbol will be replaced by “TAB” key.

4. Materials and Equipment:

1. Computer
2. CAD Software
5. Procedure:

1. Determine the equivalent values in millimeter using the given formula.

1 = 2.54 ;1 = 10
a. 8 in
b. 11 in
c. 14 in
d. 8.5x11 in
e. 11x17 in
f. 8.5x14 in

2. Write the answer at Table 1-2.

3. Create a new folder at the desktop then rename it as CAD_Activities_<Section>_<Lastname>.
4. Run the AutoCAD software
5. Select Metric as the unit of measurement at the start-up window.
6. Create Figure 1.4

11,9

Figure 1.4 Letter E coordinates

7. Determine the equivalent values and directions at Table 1-3.

8. Save as Activity_1_Lastname.
6. Supplemental Activities:
Create Figure 1-5 and save it as Supplemental_Activity1_Lastname

9. Assessment Rubric:
 Activity No. 2
POLY OBJECT
Course Code: CPE 003 Program:
Course Title: COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING Date Performed:
Section: Date Submitted:
Name : Instructor: Engr. Ronnie M. Dysangco

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to create different poly object figure. This experiment also provides students
knowledge and skills on CAD software command manipulation.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Create a different poly object figure.
2.2 Develop different techniques on creating poly object figures.
3. Discussion:

Polygon is a plane figure that is bounded by a finite chain of straight line segments closing in a loop to for
a close chain. Segments are called as edges or sides, and the point of intersection meets the two edges
are the vertices or corners. Interior of the polygon is its body. A polygon is a 2-dimensional example of
more general polytope in any number of dimensions.

To compute the interior angle of a simple n-gon is ( − 2) radians. To measure of any interior angle of a
2
convex regular n-gon is (1 − ) radians.
)

Table 2-1. Polygon Names

4. Materials and Equipment:

1. Computer
2. CAD Software
5. Procedure:
1. Run the AutoCAD software
2. Select Metric as the unit of measurement at the start-up window.
3. Create Figure 2.1

Figure 2.1 Drawing Plate

4. Eliminate all excess objects.
5. Fill-in Table 2-2.
6. Save as Activity_2_Lastname
7. Create a Poly Object as shown in Figure 2.2

Figure 2-5 Line Connection

8. Fill-in Table 2-3.

9. Save the file.
6. Data and Results:

Table 2-2. Distance Details (mm)

Parts Distance
Paper Size
Upper Right Corner
Lower Left Corner
Column 1 (Name)
Column 2 (Title)
Column 3 (Date)
Drawing Area
Row 1 (Name)
Row 2 (Section)
Date Area

Table 2-3. Polygon

Parts Answer
Command
No. of Sides
Edge
Radius

7. Data Analysis:

8. Supplemental Activities

Create Figure 1-5 and save it as Supplemental_Activity2_Lastname

9. Assessment Rubric:
 Activity No. 3
OBJECT TRACING
Course Code: CPE 003 Program:
Course Title: COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING Date Performed:
Section: Date Submitted:
Name : Instructor: Engr. Ronnie M. Dysangco

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to create an object using different object snap settings. This experiment also provides
students knowledge and skills on adopting different drafting settings for manipulating CAD software
command.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
2.1 Create trusses and cross figure using different object snap settings.
2.2 Determine the equivalent coordinate values of the each given objects.

3. Discussion:
Drafting settings is a useful technique on creating an object. Each created object has its own parts as
shown in Figure 3.1 below.

Figure 3.1 Drafting Setting Window

Using the object snap mode can help the user to automatically select the points of the particular object or
figure they had been doing. The object snap mode can be turned ON/OFF by pressing F# function key or
by using the mouse.

Table 3-1 ZOOM COMMAND

TOOLS DESCRIPTION
ENDpoint Snaps to the closet endpoint of an arc, elliptical arc, line, mline, pollyline
segment, or ray or the closest corner of a trace, solid or 3D face.

MIDpoint Snaps to the midpoint of an arc, ellipse, elliptical arc , line , mline,
polylines segment, solid, spline, or xline.
INTersection Snaps to the intersection of an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line,
mline, polylines, ray, spline, or xline.
EXTension Snaps to the extension point of an object.
APParent Intersection Snaps to the apparent intersection of two object that do not intersect in
3D space but appear to intersect in the drawing display

CENter Snaps to the center of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc, even a line.

NODe Snap to a point of the object.

QUAdrant Snaps to a quadrant point of an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc.
INSertion Snap to the intersection point of an attribute, a block, a shape, or text.

TANgent Snap to the tangent of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc.

NEArest Snaps to the nearest point on an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line,
mline, point, polylines, spline, or xline.,
PERpendicular Snaps to an extension in parallel with an object.
PARallel Snap to an extension in parallel with an object.
NONe Turns off object snap modes
M2P or MTP Mid between two points

Zoom is a magnification tools that can decrease and increase of the object size in the drawing are.

Note : It is just a magnification not figure/object pre-scaling.

 Table 3-2 Zoom Settings

COMMAND NAME SHORTCUT KEY DESCRIPTION

ZOOM WINDOW Z (enter) It magnifies the windowed area

W (enter)
ZOOM DYNAMIC Z (enter) Produces a view window which can
D (enter) be zoomed and panned
ZOOM SCALE Z (enter) It magnifies the drawing based on
S (enter) desired numeric factor

ZOOM CENTER Z (enter) Selecting the point to be displayed

C (enter) at the center while magnification
factor will be the size of the display

ZOOM OBJECT Z (enter) Magnifies the selected object to the

O (enter) extent of the display area
ZOOM IN - Increases magnification to 100%
ZOMM OUT - Decreases the magnification to 50%

ZOOM ALL Z (enter) Shows all the drawing in the entire

A (enter) display
ZOOM EXTENT Z (enter) Shows all the drawing in the entire
E (enter) display is occupied
PAN REALTIME Right click on the drawing Equivalent of scroll buttons and
area and select PAN, right moves the view of the drawing
click to exit when done without magnification effect.
ZOOM REALTIME Z (enter)(enter) Allows zoom-in and out by holding
Or right click on the drawing the mouse
area and select zoom, right
click to exit when done
ZOOM PREVIOUS Z (enter) Display the previous magnification
P (enter)

4. Materials and Equipment:

1. Computer
2. CAD Software