Drafting Aids

Drafting Aids
The drawing aids in the AutoCAD® program are like the triangles,
compasses, and engineering scales of traditional drafting. Drawing aids
are essential modes and methods of entering data that, once mastered,
allow you to create measured drawings with ease. It is recommended that
you learning all of the drawing aids, because they will make you a more
productive draftsperson. Most drawing aids can be toggled on or off from
the application status bar. Additional settings and dialog boxes are
accessible by right-clicking the individual status bar toggles.
 Drafting Aids
Drafting Aids
• Limits
• Layers
• Dimensioning
• Object Snap
• Object Snap Modes
• Zoom
 Drafting Aids
1. Limits:
Drawing limits are used to set the boundaries of the drawing. The
drawing boundaries are usually set to match the size of a sheet of
drawing paper. This means that when the drawing is plotted and a
hard copy is made, it will fit on the drawing paper.
Command: Limits
Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0,0>: Specify a point
Specify upper right corner or <12,9>: Specify a point
Note: Limits has no limit, it can be infinity with respect to paper size
 Drafting Aids
2. Layers:
A layer is like a clear piece of paper that can be laid directly over the
drawing. We can draw on the layer and see through it to the original
drawing. Layers can be made invisible, and information can be
transferred between layers. Layers are used to control the visibility of
objects and to assign properties such as color and linetype. Objects
on a layer normally assume the properties of that layer.

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 Drafting Aids
3. Dimensioning:
Create several types of dimensions and save dimension settings by name.
 Drafting Aids
3. Dimensioning:
Linear Dimensions
Horizontal, vertical, aligned, and radial dimensions can be created
with the DIM command. The type of dimension depends on the object
that is selected and the direction of dimension line.
 Drafting Aids
3. Dimensioning:
Dimension Styles
Dimension styles help establish and enforce drafting standards.
There are many dimension variables that can be set with the
DIMSTYLE command to control virtually every nuance of the
appearance and behavior of dimensions. All these settings are stored
in each dimension style.
The default dimension style is named either Standard (imperial) or
ISO-25 (metric). It is assigned to all dimensions until you set another
style as the current dimension style. The current dimension style
name, Hitchhiker in this case, is displayed in the drop-down list of the
Annotation panel.
 Drafting Aids
3. Dimensioning:
Dimension Styles
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object snap provide a way to specify precise locations on objects
whenever you are prompted for a point within a command. With
running object snap(Osnap) settings, a snap point at an exact
location on an object can be specified. When more than one option is
selected, the selected snap modes are applied to return a point
closest to the center of the aperture box.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Midpoint
Snaps to the midpoint of an arc, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline, polyline,
segment, region, solid, spline or xline.

Object Snap Modes: Center

Snaps to the center of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Node
Snaps to a point object, dimension definition point, or dimension text origin.

Object Snap Modes: Quadrant

Snaps to a quadrant point of an arc, circle, ellipse, or elliptical arc.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Intersection
Snaps to the intersection of an arc, circle, ellipse, line, multiline, polyline, spline,
or xline and other geometrical objects. ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline,
polyline segment, Extended intersections are not available as a running object
snap.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Extension
It causes a temporary extension line or arc to be displayed when the cursor is
passed over the endpoint of objects, so that points can be specified on the
extension.
Object Snap Modes: Insertion
Snaps to the insertion point of an attribute, a block, a shape, or text.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Perpendicular
Snaps to a point perpendicular to the selected geometric object. Deferred
Perpendicular snap mode is automatically turned on when the object you are
drawing requires that more than one perpendicular snap can be completed. An
object such as a line, arc, circle, polyline, ray, xline, multiline, or 3D solid edge as
an object from which to draw a perpendicular line can be used.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Tangent
Snaps to the tangent of an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, polyline arc, or spline.
Deferred Tangent snap mode is automatically turned on when the object that is
being drawn requires and complete more than one tangent snap. It can be used
to draw a line or xline that is tangent to arcs, polyline arcs, or circles. When the
cursor passes over a Deferred Tangent snap point, a marker and an AutoSnap
tooltip are displayed.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Apparent Intersection
Snaps to the visual intersection of two objects that do not intersect in 3D space
but may appear to intersect in the current view.
Object Snap Modes: Nearest
Snaps to the nearest point on an arc, circle, ellipse, elliptical arc, line, multiline,
point, polyline, ray, spline or xline.
Object Snap Modes: Parallel
Constraints a line segment, polyline segment ray or xline to be parallel to
another linear object. The parallel object snap is to be specified, after specifying
the first point of a linear object. Unlike other object snap modes, the cursor must
be moved and hover over another linear object until the angle is acquired. Then,
move the cursor back toward the object that is to be created. When the path of
the object is parallel to the previous linear object, an alignment path is displayed,
which you can use to create the parallel object.
 Drafting Aids
4. Object snap:
Object Snap Modes: Select All
Turns on all running object snap modes.
Object Snap Modes: Clear All
Turns off all running object snap modes.
 Drafting Aids
5. Zoom:
The objects viewed in the drawing area can be zoomed in or out, and moved to
see different portions of the sheet in detail by using the following commands:
The zoom flyout of standard tool bars has nine icons to opt.
a) Zoom window: This command enlarges a rectangular area of a drawing
based on a defined window using the cross hair
b) Zoom all: This command displays the are of the drawing limits or extent
whichever are greater.
c) Zoom dynamic: Pans and zooms using a rectangular view box.
d) Zoom scale: Zooms to change the magnification of a view using a scale factor.
e) Zoom center: Zooms to display a view defined by a center point and a
magnification value or a height.
 Drafting Aids
5. Zoom:
The objects viewed in the drawing area can be zoomed in or out, and moved to
see different portions of the sheet in detail by using the following commands:
The zoom flyout of standard tool bars has nine icons to opt.
f) Zoom Object: Zooms to display one or more selected objects as large as
possible and in the center of the view.
g) Real Time: Zooms interactively to change the magnification of the view.
h) Zoom extends: Zooms to display the maximum extents of all objects.
i) Zoom Previous: Zooms to display the previous view. You can restore up to 10
previous views.
Out of these “Zoom window” and “Zoom all” command are more useful.
Similarly, “Zoom real time”, “Pan real time” and “Zoom previous” commands
are also frequently applied for drafting
Object Selection
 Object Selection
Introduction
Before you start to use the AutoCAD Modify commands, you need to know
something about selecting objects. All of the Modify commands require that
you make one or more object selections. AutoCAD has a whole range of tools
which are designed to help you select just the objects you need. This tutorial is
designed to demonstrate the use of many of the selection options. As with so
many aspects of AutoCAD, developing a good working knowledge of these
options can drastically improve your drawing speed and efficiency.
 Object Selection
Selecting Objects by Picking
Perhaps the most obvious way to select an object in AutoCAD is simply to pick
it. Those of you who have used other graphics based utilities will be familiar
with this concept. Generally all you have to do is place your cursor over an
object, click the mouse button and the object will be selected. In this respect
AutoCAD is no different from any other graphics utility.
When you start a Modify command such as ERASE, two things happen. First, the
cursor changes from the usual crosshairs to the pickbox and second, you will
see the "Select objects" prompt on the command line. Both of these cues are to
let you know that AutoCAD is expecting you to select one or more objects.
Select objects:
 Object Selection
Selecting Objects by Picking
To select an object, place the pickbox over a part of the object and left-click the
mouse. When the object has been picked it is highlighted in a dashed line to
show that it is part of the current selection and the command line reports "1
found". You will now see the "Select objects" prompt on the command line
again. At this point you can continue adding more objects to the current
selection by picking them or you can press or the Space Bar to complete the
selection.
 Object Selection
Selecting Objects by Picking
When you pick one or more objects in response to the "Select objects" prompt,
you are effectively creating a selection set. Selection sets are an important
concept in AutoCAD because they can be used to great effect, especially when
drawings become large or complicated.
 Object Selection
Example - Selecting Objects by Picking
Follow the example below to get an idea how a selection set can be created by picking
objects.
 Object Selection
Example - Selecting Objects by Picking
Follow the example below to get an idea how a selection set can be created by picking
objects.
 Object Selection
Window Selection
The Window option is invoked by typing W in response to the "Select objects"
prompt. Window allows you to define a rectangle using two points in exactly
the same way as the RECTANGLE command. Once the window is defined, all
objects which lie entirely within the window will be selected.
 Object Selection
Crossing Window Selection
The Crossing Window option is invoked by typing C at the "Select objects"
prompt and is a variation of the Window command. The command sequence is
exactly the same but objects are selected which lie entirely within the window
and those which cross the window border.
 Object Selection
The Undo option
It often happens that you inadvertently add objects which you don't want to a
selection set during its compilation. When this occurs in the middle of a
complicated selection it can be pretty annoying. Fortunately AutoCAD allows
you to undo the last selection made during the compilation of a selection set.
All you need do is enter U at the next "Select objects" prompt to remove the
objects previously added.
 Object Selection
Selecting All Objects
The All option is invoked by typing ALL at the "Select objects" prompt. You can
use this option to select all the objects in the current drawing, no picking is
required. Objects on Locked or Frozen layers are not selected but objects on
layers which are simply turned off are selected.
 Object Selection
Fence Selection
The Fence option allows you to draw a multi-segment line, like a Polyline. All
objects which cross the fence will be selected. The Fence option is invoked by
typing F at the "Select objects" prompt.
 Object Selection
Window Polygon Selection
The Window Polygon option, invoked by typing WP is similar to the Window
option except that you can define an irregular polygon shape within which
objects will be selected. As with the Window option, only objects which fall
entirely within the polygon will be selected.
 Object Selection
Object Cycling
When drawings become complicated it is sometimes difficult to select the
particular object you want because it is either very close to or overlies another
object. In such a case it may happen that the other object is selected and not
the one you want. Object cycling is designed to overcome this problem. If you
make a pick whilst holding the Control (Ctrl) key down, AutoCAD will respond
with "<Cycle on>". If you continue to pick, each object near the pick point is
highlighted in rotation. Just keep picking until the object you want is
highlighted, then right-click or , AutoCAD responds "<Cycle off>", the
required object is added to the selection set and you can continue to select
more objects as normal.
 Object Selection
Adding and Removing Objects
AutoCAD provides two methods for adding and removing objects to and from a
selection set. As you know, objects can be added to a selection set simply by picking
them or by using one of the methods outlined above You can remove selected objects
from a selection set just as easily by shift picking. If you hold the Shift key down on the
keyboard while picking a selected object, that object will be deselected (removed from
the current selection set). You can tell when a selected object has been deselected
because it is no longer highlighted. You can remove more than one object at a time by
holding down the Shift key while using implied windowing. However, none of the
other selection options which require keyboard input will work using the shift pick
method.
If you need to remove a more complex selection from the current selection set you
should use the Remove option to switch to Remove mode. If you enter R at the "Select
objects" prompt, AutoCAD will respond:
 Object Selection
Remove objects:
 Object Selection
Adding and Removing Objects
Objects now picked or selected using any of the above methods will be removed from
the current selection set. When you have finished removing objects, you can return to
Add mode by entering A at the "Remove objects" prompt.
You can use any combination of picking, selection options and add/remove modes to
define your selection set Once you are happy that you have selected all the objects
you need, just hit to complete the selection process and to continue with the
current command.
When you feel confident with the basic selection tools, have a look at the Advanced
Selection tutorial to find out how to use AutoCAD's advanced selection tools for
creating complex selection sets.
Modifying Objects
 Modifying Objects
Introduction
AutoCAD drawings are rarely completed simply by drawing lines, circles etc. Most
likely you will need to Modify these basic drawing objects in some way in order to
create the image you need. AutoCAD provides a whole range of modify tools such as
Move, Copy, Rotate and Mirror. As you can see, the command names are easily
understandable. However, the way these commands work is not always obvious. This
tutorial is designed to show you how all of the Modify commands work. If you just
need information quickly, use the QuickFind toolbar below to go straight to the
information you need or select a topic from the contents list above.
 Modifying Objects
Introduction
As is usual with AutoCAD, the Modify tools can be accessed in one of three ways, from
the keyboard, from the pull-down menu and from the toolbar. All of the Modify tools
are available from the Modify pull-down and the Modify toolbar. In each section
below, the toolbar, pull-down and keyboard options are given. The method you
choose is entirely up to you. Ultimately you will use the method that you feel most
comfortable with or the one you find most efficient. AutoCAD allows great flexibility
and there aren't any right or wrong ways of working. That said, it should be pointed
out that the use of toolbars in AutoCAD is almost always quicker than any other
method.
 Modifying Objects
Introduction
The Modify toolbar is usually
displayed by default but if it is not
already displayed, you can display it
using the TOOLBAR command, View
Toolbars… from the pull-down menu.
When the Toolbar dialogue box
(shown above) appears, simply check
the box next to "Modify" in the
toolbars list. Many AutoCAD users
work with the Modify toolbar
permanently docked on their screen
because it gives one-click access to
all of the commands, making the
drawing process much more
efficient.
 Modifying Objects
The Erase Command
The Erase command is one of the
simplest AutoCAD commands and is
one of the most used. The command
erases (deletes) any selected
object(s) from the drawing.
Remember you can always get
deleted objects back by typing U to
undo, from the Standard toolbar
or by using the OOPS command.

If you simply want to erase the last object you created you can type L at the "Select
objects" prompt. The last object will be highlighted and you can then select more objects
or to end the command. See the "Object Selection" tutorial for more information on
selecting objects.
 Modifying Objects
The Copy Command

The Copy command can be used to create one or more duplicates of any drawing
object or objects which you have previously created. Copy is a very useful and time-
saving command because you can create very complex drawing elements and then
simply copy them as many times as you like.
 Modifying Objects
The Copy Command

The multiple option allows you to create additional copies of the selected object(s) by
picking as many new points as you like. To end a multiple copy, just hit the key.
Notice that the "Base point", P2 and the "Second point", P3 do not have to be picked
on or near the object. The two points are simply used to indicate the distance and
direction of the copied object from the original object.
 Modifying Objects
The Mirror Command

The Mirror command allows you to mirror selected objects in your drawing by picking
them and then defining the position of an imaginary mirror line using two points.
 Modifying Objects
The Mirror Command

Notice that in the command sequence above, pressing the key when asked whether
to "Delete source objects?" resulted in a "No" response. This is because "No" is the
default option. AutoCAD always shows the default option within triangular brackets, in
this case "<N>". Many AutoCAD commands offer default options. They are usually the
most commonly used and you need only right-click and select "Enter" from the menu
or press on the keyboard to accept them.
 Modifying Objects
The Offset Command

Offset is probably one of the most useful commands for constructing drawings. The
Offset command creates anew object parallel to or concentric with a selected object.
The new object is drawn at a user defined distance (the offset) from the original and in
a direction chosen by the user with a pick point. You can offset lines, arcs, circles,
ellipses, 2D polylines, xlines, rays and planar splines.
 Modifying Objects
The Offset Command
In the illustration below, a line (cyan) has been offset to the right through a distance
"Offset" by picking a point to the right of the original line. The result is a new line (red)
to the right of the original.

Circles can be offset inside or outside of themselves to create a new circle which is
concentric (has the same center point) with the original circle. In the illustration, a new
circle (red) has been created outside of the original by picking a point outside of the
original circle. The radius of the new circle is the offset distance "Offset" plus the radius
of the original circle.
 Modifying Objects
The Move Command

The Move command works in a similar way to the Copy command except that no copy
is made, the selected object(s) is simply moved from one location to another.
 Modifying Objects
The Move Command

Note that as with the Copy command, the two pick points, P2 and P3 are used only to
indicate the distance and direction of movement.
 Modifying Objects
The Rotate Command

The Rotate command allows an object or objects to be rotated about a point selected
by the user. AutoCAD prompts for a second rotation point or an angle which can be
typed at the keyboard.
 Modifying Objects
The Rotate Command

Remember, by default, AutoCAD angles start at 3 o'clock and increase in an anti-

clockwise direction. The"ANGDIR" and "ANGBASE" variables remind you of this. If you
want to rotate in a clockwise direction you can enter a negative angle by using a minus
sign.
 Modifying Objects
The Scale Command

The Scale command can be used to change the size of an object or group of objects.
You are prompted for a pick point about which the selection set will be scaled. Scaling
can then be completed by picking a second point (not always easy because it can
sometimes be difficult to precisely control the scaling) or by entering a scale factor at
the keyboard. For example a scale factor of 2 will double the size of the objects in the
selection set and a factor of 0.5 will half them.
 Modifying Objects
The Scale Command

In the example shown above, the original tree symbol has been enlarged by
dynamically scaling it using pick points to determine the change in scale. If you want to
scale an object precisely, it is much easier to enter a scale factor using the keyboard.
Note that the position of the new sized tree symbol is determined by the location of
the base point. The basepoint, P2 has been picked to the upper right of the center of
the tree which resulted in the center of the tree shifting to a lower left position.
 Modifying Objects
The Stretch Command

The Stretch command can be used to move one or more vertices of an object whilst
leaving the rest of the object unchanged. In the example below, a rectangle has been
stretched by moving one vertex to create an irregular shape.
 Modifying Objects
The Stretch Command

To select vertices to stretch, you must use a crossing window or polygon. See the
"Object Selection " tutorial for details of these selection methods.
 Modifying Objects
Stretching with Grips
Although the Stretch command can be very useful, it has largely been superseded by
the use of "Grips" whichallow this sort of modification to be made much more
intuitively.

To stretch an object using grips, simply select the object by clicking on it (you can do this
without starting a command). The object becomes highlighted and small square grips appear at
each vertex and various snap points, depending upon the object type. Click a grip to activate it
and click again to reposition it. When you have completed your modifications, use the Escape
key (Esc) at the top left of your keyboard to deselect the object and release grips.
 Modifying Objects
The Lengthen Command

The Lengthen command can often be used instead of either the Trim or Extend
commands. Indeed the end result is exactly the same. The Lengthen command can be
used to either lengthen or shorten Lines, Arcs, open Polylines, elliptical Arcs and open
Splines without the use of cutting or boundary edges.
 Modifying Objects
The Lengthen Command
The command sequence above demonstrates the use of the Dynamic Lengthen option
which is probably the most useful for general purpose drafting. However, the other
options are worth getting to know because they can save lots of time and effort.
The Total option allows you to change the total length of a line to any value that you
specify. The Percent option allows you to change a line length using a percentage. For
example, a value of 50 will result in a line one half the length of the original and a value
of 200 will result in a line twice the length of the original. The Delta option can be used
to extend or reduce the endpoint of a line by a given distance. The endpoint affected
by the change is the one closest to the pick point when the object selection is made.
 Modifying Objects
The Trim Command

The Trim command can be used to trim a part of an object. In order to trim an object
you must draw a second object which forms the "cutting edge". Cutting edges can be
lines, xlines, rays, polylines, circles, arcs or ellipses. Blocks and text cannot be trimmed
or used as cutting edges. The illustration on the right shows the Trim command in
action. The red square and circle have been drawn using the Polygon and Circle
commands respectively .In order to trim these objects, a line has been drawn (cyan in
the illustration), this forms the cutting edge. The Trim command, unlike most other
modify commands requires that two separate object selections are made. The cutting
edges are selected first (there can be one or more) and then the objects to be trimmed
are selected. In the example above, the line is selected first because it forms the
cutting edge and then the square and circle are selected.
 Modifying Objects
The Trim Command

The Trim command is slightly more complicated than many other modify commands.
To get a better understanding of how it works, draw a square, circle and line as
illustrated above and then follow the command sequence below. Don't forget to
watch the AutoCAD command line at each stage of the process.
 Modifying Objects
The Trim Command

Notice that at each trimming step you are given the option to undo the previous trim.
This can be very useful if you inadvertently pick the wrong object.
In the above example, when the objects were trimmed, both pick points were made
to the right of the cutting edge, resulting in the removal of that part of the objects to
the right of the cutting edge. Obviously, the portion of square and circle to the left of
the cutting edge could have been removed by picking to the left of the cutting edge.
 Modifying Objects
The Extend Command

This command extends a line, polyline or arc to meet another drawing object(known as
the boundary edge). In the illustration on the right, two lines (red)are extended to
meet another line(cyan) which forms the boundary edge. This command works in a
similar way to the Trim command, described above. Two selections are made, one for
the boundary edge(s) and one for the object(s) to extend.
 Modifying Objects
The Extend Command
Lines and other objects can be extended in one of two directions. In the illustration on
the right, the red line could be extended either to the right or to the left. You can tell
AutoCAD in which direction to extend by picking a point to the right or left of the
midpoint respectively. AutoCAD does not intuitively know where the boundary edge
lies so you must explicitly indicate the direction of extension by picking either one side
or other of the midpoint.
 Modifying Objects
The Extend Command
Draw the lines as shown in the illustration and follow the command sequence below.

Sometimes you may get the message "Object does not intersect an edge" or "No edge in that direction". If
this happens it means that you are either picking the wrong end of the object or the object you are trying
to extend will not meet the boundary edge. The solution is either to pick near the end you want to extend
or to move the boundary edge so that the extended line will intersect with it.
 Modifying Objects
Using Edgemode
If the line you are trying to extend does not intersect with the boundary line, you can
use the "Edge" option to toggle Edgemode to "Extend" (the default is "No Extend").
When the Extend command is set to Extend Mode, the objects being extended will
extend to an imaginary line through the boundary edge, irrespective of whether the
extended object actually intersects with the boundary edge. This is particularly useful
and can save lots of time.
The illustration on the left shows the result of extending a line (red) to a boundary
edge (cyan) with Edgemode set to "Extend". The same process would have resulted in
an error message if Edgemode had been set to "No Extend". To get a better
understanding of how this works, draw the two lines as shown in the illustration and
try to extend them using the default settings. When you have done that, follow the
command sequence below.
 Modifying Objects
Using Edgemode
 Modifying Objects
Using Edgemode

Notice that the current value of Edgemode is always displayed on the command line
when you start the Extend command. The Edge option can also be used with the Trim
command to enable trimming to cutting edges which do not actually intersect the
object to trim. Edgemode is a system variable, so any change to its value will affect
both the Trim and Extend commands.
 Modifying Objects
The Break Command

The Break command enables you to break (remove part of) an object by defining two
break points. In the illustration below, a corner of a rectangle has been removed. The
Break command can be used with lines, polylines, circles, arcs ellipses, splines, xlines
and rays. When you break an object, you can either select the object using the first
break point and then pick the second break point, or you can select the object and
then pick the two break points.
 Modifying Objects
The Break Command

Sometimes you may want to select the object first and then specify the two break
points. If this is the case, use the "First point" option to specify the first break point. By
default, AutoCAD assumes that the point used to select the object is the first break
point. This is often confusing for new users.
It may sometimes be necessary to break a line into two without removing any part of
it. In this case, simply pick the first and second break points in the same position.
 Modifying Objects
The Chamfer Command

The Chamfer command enables you to create a chamfer between any two non-parallel
lines as in the illustration below or any two adjacent polyline segments. Usually, the
Chamfer command is used to set the chamfer distances before drawing the chamfer.
Follow the command sequence below where the chamfer distances are changed to 20
before the chamfer is made.
 Modifying Objects
The Chamfer Command

Notice from the command sequence that there are a number of options which can be
used to control the way the Chamfer command behaves. The Polyline option can be
used to chamfer all vertexes of a polyline simultaneously. The Distance option allows
you to specify the two chamfer distances. Angle allows the angle between the first line
and the chamfer to be specified. Trim is used to control whether the original lines are
trimmed to the chamfer or remain as they are.
 Modifying Objects
The Fillet Command

The Fillet command is a very useful tool which allows you to draw an arc between two
intersecting lines or adjacent polyline segments. You first need to use the command to
set the required radius and then a second time to select the two lines.
 Modifying Objects
The Fillet Command
The Fillet command can also be used to fillet
arcs and circles. The "Polyline" option also
allows you to fillet all vertices of a polyline with
a single command. It's worth experimenting
with this command, it can save you lots of time
and enables you to construct shapes which
otherwise would be quite difficult.
For example, you can easily create the lozenge
shape shown on the right from a simple
rectangle. Since AutoCAD rectangles are just
closed polylines, you can use the Polyline
option of the Fillet command to fillet all
polyline vertexes simultaneously. Try this for
yourself; draw a rectangle and then follow the
command sequence below.
 Modifying Objects
The Fillet Command

Tip: Make sure that the radius you specify will fit the objects you select, otherwise the
fillet command will not work.
 Modifying Objects
The Explode Command

The Explode command is used to "explode" single objects back to their constituent
parts. In other words, the command is used to return blocks, polylines etc. (which may
be composed of a number of component objects) back to their individual component
parts. The change has no visible effect.
Drawing Exercise
The illustration above shows the
boundary of a development site
and two office buildings. All
dimensions are in meters. Use the
dimensions and co-ordinates to
accurately draw the site boundary
and building footprints (you do not
need to draw the dimensions,
these are for information only).
Think about layers. Perhaps you
should use one layer for the
boundary and one for the
buildings. There are an infinite
number of ways to construct this
drawing; there isn’t a right way or
a wrong way. Use the draw and
modify skills you have already
learned to construct the drawing
in the most logical way.