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INTRODUCTION TO CAD AND AUTOCAD

UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION TO CAD AND AUTOCAD

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INTRODUCTION TO CAD AND AUTOCAD

UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION TO CAD AND AUTOCAD

1.1 Introduction

This module discusses the origin of CAD and the interface of AutoCAD 2019

1.2 Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to

• Understand the origin of CAD
• Create, open and save AutoCAD files
• Identify and customize the principal of the AutoCAD user interface

1.3. Learning Content

1.3.1 Introduction

1.3.1.1 What is CAD?

The letters CAD stand for computer-aided design. Architects, drafters, engineers, and
artists use CAD software to create plans and construction drawings.

Before the age of computers, drawings and blueprints were drafted by hand. CAD is more
efficient because the software records lines as vectors based on mathematical equations.
Portions of a drawing can be twisted, stretched, or moved. The picture as a whole will
automatically adjust.

CAD Software will let the designer:

• Switch between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) views.

• Zoom in and out for close-up and distant views.
• Rotate images to view them from different perspectives.
• Change the scale of images: When one value changes, related values are
automatically adjusted.
• Manipulate the shape of images: Changing one portion of an image automatically
changes the entire picture.

CAD is also known as CADD, which stands for Computer-Aided Design & Drafting:

Popular CAD programs used by architects and engineers include:

• AutoCAD
• TurboCAD
• Vectorworks
• Google Sketch-up
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1.3.1.2 What is AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) software

application for 2D and 3D design and drafting. It was developed and sold by Autodesk,
Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run
on personal computers, notably the IBM PC. At that time, most other CAD programs ran
on mainframe computers or mini-computers which were connected to a graphics
computer terminal for each user.

1.3.1.3 Origin of AutoCAD

AutoCAD was derived from a program called Interact, which was written in a proprietary
language (SPL) and ran on the Marinchip Systems 9900 computer (Marinchip was owned
by Autodesk co-founders John Walker and Dan Drake.)

When Marinchip Software Partners (later to be renamed Autodesk) was formed, they
decided to re-code Interact in C and PL/1 -- C, because it seemed to be the biggest
upcoming language, and PL/1. In the end, the PL/1 version was unsuccessful. The C
version was, at the time, one of the most complex programs in that language to date.
Autodesk even had to work with the compiler developer (Lattice) to fix certain limitations
to get AutoCAD to run

1.3.1.4 Vertical Program

Autodesk has also developed a few vertical programs, for discipline-specific

enhancements.
 AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop)
 AutoCAD Electrical
 AutoCAD Civil 3D
 AutoCAD Map 3D
 AutoCAD Mechanical
 AutoCAD MEP
 AutoCAD P&ID
 AutoCAD Plant 3D
 AutoCAD Structural Detailing

1.3.2 AutoCAD Software (AutoCAD 2019)

1.3.2.1 Create and AutoCAD file

An AutoCAD file can be created by simply running the AutoCAD software. To
run AutoCAD software, double click the AutoCAD symbol on your desktop
(Figure 1.1). The software will automatically direct the user to the Start Drawing
Interface (Figure 1.2)
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Fig. 1.1 AutoCAD 2019 icon

Fig. 1.2 AutoCAD Start-up Interface

Click the Pull down button (see yellow arrow) and select acad.dwt and the
software will create AutoCAD file with the name of Drawing1.dwg

Fig. 1.3. Overall Default Screen View

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1.3.2.2 Save File

An AutoCAD file can be save under the different name according to user
convenient by using command Save or Save As as shown in Fig. 1,4 For the
purpose of this module, the file will be saved with the name
Practice1_your_last_name.dwg (Refer to Fig. 1.5). Before completing the
process, please refer to Section 1.3.2.3.

Fig. 1.4 Save as tool bar of AutoCAD

Fig. 1.5 Save Drawing As Pop-up tool box

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1.3.2.3 File Folder

Creating a file folder is necessary in CAD as users will be generating files that
related to a project. All files must be place in folder to soften the data searching
process. File folder can be created by clicking the new folder command icon
(See Red Arrow) on the Save Drawing As window as shown in Fig. 1.5.

1.3.2.4 Open File

Existing AutoCAD file can be open through the start-up interface (Figure
1.2) or through Open Command Icon at Figure 1.4.

1.3.2.5 Rename a File

Existing AutoCAD file can also be rename according to user convenient.
Renaming of a file can be done by a right-click on the mouse and choose the
rename command as shown in Figure 1.6.

Figure 1.6 Rename Command from Pull-Down Menu

1.3.3. AutoCAD Interface

1.3.3.1 Overall Screen View
Figure 1.7 shows the default screen view of an AutoCAD 2019. This view can
be later customized according to user convenient.
Definition of terms
 Title bar – It contains the program name and the title of the current drawing.
 Menu bar – It contain the drop down menus for Microsoft and AutoCAD.
 Standard Toolbar – It contain 27 command buttons. Several of this button will be
familiar to Windows user; the rest are AutoCAD command.
 Object Properties Toolbar – It contain two command button and five dropdown
list for editing object properties.
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Standard Toolbar Title Bar Menu Bar

r

Object
Draw Modify Properties
Toolbar Toolbar Drawing Toolbar
Area View Cube

User Navigation Bar

Coordinate Crosshair
System Cursor
Object Snap
Setting Status Bar
Command Window Tracking Setting Customization
Model/Layout Tabs

Figure 1.7 Parts of AutoCAD 2019 User Interface

Workspace
Setting
 Object Snap Toolbar – Allow the user to pick specific points on object like
endpoints, midpoints, the center of a circle, etc.
 Crosshair Cursor – It is moved and controlled by the mouse with a little box at the
intersection of the 2 crosshair lines.
 User Coordinate System (UCS) Icon – An icon with double arrow which is used
to indicate the positive direction of x and y coordinates.
 Modify Toolbar – It contains the commands for making changes to objects
already existing in the drawing.
 Draw Toolbar – It holds the commands for putting new objects (like lines or
circles) on the screen.
 Command Window – It is where the user tell the program what to do, and where
the program tells the user what’s going on.
 Navigation bar- is a user interface element where user can access zoom, pan
and orbit command
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 View cube – is a navigation tool that is displayed when the user working in 2D
model space or 3D visual style. With View cube, the user can switch between
standard and isometric views of his/her model.
 Model and Layout Tabs – It contain 3 tabs: a Model and 2 Layout Tabs. These
are used for switching between viewing modes
 Drawing Area – The black middle section of the screen
 Status Bar Customization – It is where the user can customize what is to be
shown at the bottom bar of the AutoCAD Screen.

1.3.3.2 Basic Screen View

For the purpose of this module, the basic screen view will be standardized and the color
in the background of the drawing area can be change using the following steps.

a. Click the icon in the command windows or right click on the mouse
b. Select option in pull down menu. (Fig. 1.8)
c. Choose colors (Fig. 1.9)
d. Choose 2D Model Space, Uniform Background and White (Fig. 1.10)
e. Click Apply and Close. (Fig 1.10)

Fig. 1.8 Tools Pull Down Menu

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Figure 1.9 Option Windows

Figure 1.10 Color Option Window

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1.3.3.3 Customized Screen View

Dynamic Input
Dynamic Input provides a command interface near the cursor to help you keep your focus
in the drafting area. When Dynamic Input is on, tooltips display information near the cursor
that is dynamically updated as the cursor moves. When a command is active, the tooltips
provide a place for user entry.

Turning Dynamic Input ON/OFF

Click the Dynamic Input icon on the status bar or press F12.

Ribbons
The ribbon provides a single, compact placement for operations that are relevant to the
current workspace. It eliminates the need to display multiple toolbars, reducing clutter in
the application window. The ribbon maximizes the area available for work using a single
compact interface.

Cursor and Colors

The Options dialog box controls the size of the crosshair. The allowable range is from 1
to 100 percent of the total screen. At 100% the ends of the crosshair are never visible.
When the size is decreased to 99% or below, the crosshairs have a finite size, and the
crosshairs‟ ends are visible when moved to the edge of the graphics area. The default
size is 5%.

This dialog box also sets the colors for the application interface.
1. Type OPTIONS at the command prompt.
Command: OPTIONS
2. Click the Display tab.
3. Click Light as the color scheme.
4. Drag the slider bar in under Crosshair size to set the cursor size.
5. Click the Colors button under Window Elements to change software interface colors.
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1.3.4 AutoCAD Short Key for Keyboard and Mouse

1. Function Keys
F1 - AutoCAD Help
F5 - Isoplane toggle key
F6 - Coordinates on & off
F7 - Grid on & off
F8 - Ortho on & off
F9 - Snap on & off
F10 - Tablet on & off
F12 - Dynamic Input on & off
ESC - Go back to command prompt
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2. Button function of mouse

Left Click Pick or point
- Specify a point/location/position
- Select objects/command/menus
Right Click Return or enter button
- Repeat previous command
- End repeating prompts
Some point devices such as a mouse have a middle wheel that can be used to
zoom in and out of the drawing window.
1.3.5 AutoCAD Command
AutoCAD Command be inputted by typing the command parameters in the command
window or by clicking a command tool or icon.
1.3.5.1 Typing a Commands
All AutoCAD commands can be typed in at the command line. Many commands also have
one or two letter aliases that can also be typed as shortcuts to the commands.
Command: LINE (Create shapes using Line Command)
Command: L
Many AutoCAD commands require you to press ENTER to complete the command.
Command: (press Enter)
You know you are no longer in an AutoCAD command when you see a blank command
line.
Command:
1.3.5.2 Reissuing the Last Command
The last used AutoCAD command can be re-entered by one of the following three
methods of ENTER. The ENTER key on the keyboard will always act as ENTER, the
SPACEBAR and RIGHT MOUSE will act as enter most of the time (exceptions include
placing TEXT).
• Press the ENTER key on the keyboard or
• Press the Space bar on the keyboard. or
• Click the right mouse button.
1.3.5.3 Canceling a Command
The user cannot enter a new command in the command windows if there is still a pending
status in in the command line. The user must first cancel the previous command by
pressing the ESCAPE (ESC) key on the keyboard.
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1.3.5.4 Undo and Redo

Undo
Reverses the last action.
1. Click the Undo icon.
or
Press CTRL + Z.
or
Type U at the command prompt to undo the last command.
Command: U
Or
TYPE OOPS at the command prompt
Command: OOPS

Redo
Reverses the effects of the UNDO or U command.
1. Click the Redo icon.
or
Type REDO at the command prompt to redo the last undo command. Command: REDO

UNDO has no effect on some commands and system variables, including those that
open, close, or save a window or a drawing, display information, change the graphics
display, regenerate the drawing, or export the drawing in a different format.
REDO must immediately follow the U or UNDO command.

1.4 Activities/Exercises
1.4.1 Activity 1
Open a new AutoCAD and customize the interface by activating the Grid Snap, Polar
Tracking and Object Snap Toolbar. Set the workspace setting into Drafting and
Annotation. Create you Name Initials using line command. Save the file using your
student no, as file name and closed the file. Rename file in Activity 1 as
Act1_your_lastname.dwg.
1.4.2 Activity 2
Open file in Activity I and change the background of the drawing area into black,
crosshair size of 10 and a dark color scheme for window element. Enclose your
name initials with a box using line command. Save file as Act2_your_lastname,dwg.
1.4.3 Activity 3
Create a new folder and named it as Activity_your_lastname (e.g.
Activity_Dela_Cruz) and move file Activity 1 and 2 into the folder.
1.5 References