Introduction to

AutoCAD
 Learning Objectives
 Introduction

 Starting Up AutoCAD

 Drawing Units Setup

 Drawing Area Setup

 Drawing Commands
 Introduction
Learning to use a CAD system is similar to learning a new language. It is necessary to begin with the
basic alphabet and learn how to use it correctly and effectively through practice. This will require
learning some new concepts and skills as well as learning a different vocabulary. Today, the majority
of the Mechanical CAD systems are capable of creating three-dimensional solid models.
Nonetheless, all CAD systems create designs using basic geometric entities and many of the
constructions used in technical designs are based upon two-dimensional planar geometry. The
method and number of operations that are

In order to become effective and efficient in using a CAD system, we must learn to create geometric
entities quickly and accurately. In learning to use a CAD system, lines and circles are the first two,
and perhaps the most important two, geometric entities that one should master the skills of
creating and modifying. Straight lines and circles are used in almost all technical designs.
In examining the different types of planar geometric entities, the importance of lines and circles
becomes obvious. Triangles and polygons are planar figures bounded by straight lines. Ellipses and
splines can be constructed by connecting arcs with different radii. As one gains some experience in
creating lines and circles, similar procedures can be applied to create other geometric entities. In this
chapter, the different ways of creating lines and circles in AutoCAD
 Starting Up AutoCAD

 Select the AutoCAD option on the program menu or select the AutoCAD icon on the desktop.

 Once the program is loaded into memory, the AutoCAD drawing screen will appear.
Starting Up AutoCAD
Starting Up AutoCAD
Starting Up AutoCAD
 Starting Up AutoCAD
Workspaces
We can switch between the workspaces from the menu
browser

1. Click the Workspace switching icon in the lower right

corner of the screen.
2. Click on one of the following workspace options.
The Status Bar is the area below the command line that
shows messages as well as coordinates, modes, and the
current time.
To activate SNAP, GRID, ORTHO, OSNAP, MSPACE, PSPACE,
and TILE, you must double-click on the mode to change.
Right click on the blank area of the status bar to see the
tools to turn off/on.
 Starting Up AutoCAD
Quick Access Toolbar

Quick access to commands QNEW,OPEN, SAVE, PLOT, and

UNDO/REDO.
Right-click the Quick Access toolbar and click Customize
Quick Access Toolbar.
The Customize User Interface dialog opens and displays the
list of commands available. Drag commands you want to
add from the command list pane in the Customize User
Interface dialog box to the Quick Access toolbar. The menu
bar provides quick access to most AutoCAD commands. It is
a good idea to show
These menus, especially when first learning AutoCAD.
Many commands in this training manual are accessed by
these menus.
Info Center
Quickly search for a variety of information sources, access
Pull down Menus
product updates and announcements, and save topics with Info
Center.
 Starting Up AutoCAD
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. The ribbon can be displayed horizontally, vertically, or as a floating palette. The
horizontal ribbon is displayed at the top of the drawing window by default when you create or
open a drawing. You can create your own panels to display on the ribbon; you can also modify
the commands and controls on existing ribbon panels.

If necessary , click on the down arrow in the Quick access bar and
select show menu to display the AutoCAD Menu Bar. The menu bar
provides access to all AutoCAD Commands.
Starting Up AutoCAD

AutoCAD Classic Toolbars

Loading Toolbar
Right Click an icon in any toolbar. This will show
a list of all available toolbars.
 Drawing Units Setup

 Every object we construct in a CAD

system is measured in units. We should
determine the system of units within
the CAD system before creating the first
geometric entities.

 In the menu bar select: Format- Units

AutoCAD menu bar contains multiple
pull down menus, where all of the
AutoCAD commands can be
accessed. Note that many of the menu
items listed in the pull-down menus
can also be accessed trough the quick
access toolbar or ribbon panels

 Click on the length type option to display the different type of length units
available. Confirm the length type is set to Decimal.

 Set the precision to two digits after the decimal point as shown in the above figure.
 Drawing Lines With the Line Command

 The graphics window uses a Cartesian coordinate system. The lower left corner of the screen shows a UCS
(user coordinate system) icon. The icon shows x for horizontal and y for vertical. The z-axis is pointed
toward the user. The UCS is located at the 0,0 or origin point.

 AutoCAD allows you to draw geometry using four methods:

a. Absolute Coordinates:- Use absolute values relative to the origin.
b. Relative Coordinates :- Use coordinates relative to the last point selected.
c. Polar Coordinates :- Use a distance and angle relative to the last point selected.
d. Direct Entry :- Allows the user to set ORTHO on (this is like using a ruler to draw a straight line),
move the mouse in the desired direction, and then enter in the desired distance.
 Drawing Lines With the Line Command
Absolute Coordinates
Start the line command. Draw the objects using the absolute coordinates in the order indicated.
Connect the points using only the keyboard. Turn DYN off and ORTHO on.
Solution
1. Invoke the Line command (l or line).
2. Specify first point:
Type 1,1 at the command line and press [ENTER].
3. Specify next point or [Undo]:
Type 4,1 at the command line and press [ENTER].
4. Specify next point or [Undo]: 1,4 8,4
Type 4,2 at the command line and press [ENTER].
5. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type 8,2 and press [ENTER]. 4,2 8,2
6. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type 8,4 and press [ENTER].
7. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 1,1 4,1
Type 1,4 and press [ENTER].
8. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type 1,1 and press [ENTER].
9. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Press the [ENTER] key to end the command
 Drawing Lines With the Line Command
Relative Coordinates
1. Invoke the Line command (l or line).
2. Specify first point:
Type 1,1 at the command line and press [ENTER].
Notice where the first point of the line is created.
3. Specify next point or [Undo]:
Type @3,0 at the command line and press [ENTER]. @-7,0 @0,2
4. Specify next point or [Undo]:
Type @0,1 at the command line and press [ENTER].
5. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,-3 @0,1 @4,0
Type @4,0 and press [ENTER].
6. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type @0,2 and press [ENTER]. 1,1 @3,0
7. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type @-7,0 and press [ENTER].
8. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Type @0,-3 and press [ENTER].
9. Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Press the [ENTER] key to end the command.
 Creating Circles
1. In the Draw toolbar, click on the little triangle below the circle icon. Note that
the little triangle indicates additional options are available.
2. In the option list, select: [Center, Diameter] Notice the different options
available under the circle submenu:
a. Center, Radius: Draws a circle based on a center point and a radius.
b. Center, Diameter: Draws a circle based on a center point and a diameter.
c. 2 Points: Draws a circle based on two endpoints of the diameter.
d. 3 Points: Draws a circle based on three points on the circumference.
e. TTR–Tangent, Tangent, Radius: Draws a circle with a specified radius
tangent to two objects.
f. TTT–Tangent, Tangent, Tangent: Draws a circle tangent to three
objects.
3. In the command prompt area, the message “Specify center
point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]:” is displayed. AutoCAD expects us to
identify the location of a point or enter an option. We can use
any of the four coordinate entry methods to identify the desired
location. We will enter the world coordinates (2.5,3) as the
center point for the circle Specify center point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 2.5,3 [ENTER]
 Creating Circles
4. In the command prompt area, the message “Specify diameter of circle:” is displayed.
Specify diameter of circle: 2.5[ENTER]

5. Inside the graphics window, right-mouse-click to bring up the popup option menu.

6. Pick Repeat CIRCLE with the left-mouse-button in the popup menu to repeat the last command.
 Arc Command
1. Click the down-arrow icon of the Arc command in the Draw toolbar to display
the different Arc construction options. AutoCAD provides eleven different ways
to create arcs. Note that the different options are used based on the geometry
conditions of the design. The more Commonly used options are the 3-Points
option and the Center-Start End option.

2. Select the Center-Start-End option as shown. This option requires the selection
of the center point, start point and end point location, in that order, of the arc.

3. Move the cursor to the middle of the two horizontal lines and align the cursor
to the two endpoints as shown. Click once with the right-mouse button to
select the location as the center point of the new arc.

4. Move the cursor downward and select the right endpoint of the bottom
horizontal line as the start point of the arc.
 Arc Command

5. Move the cursor to the right endpoint of the top horizontal

line as shown. Pick this point as the endpoint of the new arc.

6. On your own, repeat the above steps and create the other arc
as shown. Note that in most CAD packages, positive
angles are defined as going counterclockwise; therefore
the starting point of the second arc is the endpoint on top.
 Edit Commands
1. Move Command
2. Copy Command
3. Offset Command
4. Extend
5. Trim
6. Mirror
7. Rotate
8. Scale

1. Move Command
Circle Before MOVE Circle After MOVE
1. Choose Modify, Move.
or
Click The Move icon.
or
Type MOVE at the command prompt
Command: MOVE or M
2. Pick Objects to move
Select objects: (select)
3. Pick A point to move from
Base point or displacement: (pick point)
4. Pick A point to move to
Second point of displacement: (pick point
 Edit Commands
2. Copy Command

1. Choose Modify, Copy.

or
Click the Copy icon.
or
Type COPY at the command prompt.
Command: COPY or CP
2. Pick Objects to copy.
Select objects: (select)
3. Pick A point to move from.
Base point or displacement/Multiple: (pick point).
4. Pick A point to copy to.
Second point of displacement: (pick point)
or
Type A point to copy to.
Second point of displacement: @ 1<0
 Edit Commands
3. Offset Command
Offset distance:
1. Choose Modify, Offset.
or
2. Choose The Offset Icon.
or
3. Type OFFSET at the command prompt.
Command: OFFSET or O
4. Type The distance to offset.
Offset distance or <Through point>: (number)
5. Pick The object to offset.
Select object to offset: (select object)
6. Pick A side to offset object to. Side to offset: (pick side)
7. Pick Another object to offset
Select object to offset: (pick side)
or
8. Press Enter to end the command. Offset through point :
1. Type OFFSET at the command prompt
Command: OFFSET
2. Type T to specify a through point
Offset distance or <Through point>: (T)
3. Pick A point to offset through
(HINT: use object Snaps) Select object to offset: (pick)
Through point: (select object)
 Edit Commands
4. Extend

1. Choose Modify, Extend.

or
2. Click the Extend icon.
or
3. Type EXTEND at the command prompt
Command: EXTEND
Select boundary edge(s)...
4. Pick The BOUNDARY edge to extend to
Select objects: (select)
5. Press ENTER to accept the boundary edge
Select objects: (press enter)
6. Pick The objects to extend
<Select object to extend> / Project / Edge
Undo: Select an object, enter an option, or press enter :
(select)
7. Press ENTER when you are done choosing objects
 Edit Commands
5. Trim

The TRIM command allows you to trim objects in a drawing so they end
precisely at a cutting edge defined by one or more other objects in the
drawing.

1. Choose Modify, Trim.

or
2. Click The Trim icon.
3. Type TRIM at the command prompt
Command: TRIM
Select cutting edge(s)...
4. Pick The CUTTING edge to extend to
Select objects: (select)
5. Press ENTER to accept the cutting edge
Select objects: (press enter)
6. Pick Objects to trim
<Select object to trim> / Project / Edge / Undo:
Select an object, enter an option, or press enter
7. Press ENTER when you are done choosing objects
Select object to trim/Undo: (press enter)
 Edit Commands
6. Mirror

1. Choose Modify, Mirror.

or
2. Click The Mirror icon.
or
3. Type MIRROR at the command prompt.
Command: MIRROR
4. Pick Objects to mirror.
Select objects:(select)

5. Pick First point of mirror line: (point)

6. Pick Second point: (point)
7. Type Yes to delete the original objects and
No to keep them. Mirror line
Delete old objects? Y or N
 Edit Commands
7. Rotate

1. Choose Modify, Rotate.

or
2. Click The Rotate icon.
or
3. Type ROTATE at the command prompt
Command : ROTATE

4. Pick Objects to rotate: Select objects:(select)

5. Pick A pivot point to rotate around
Base point: (point)
6. Type A rotation angle<Rotation angle>/Reference:
(number)
or
7. Pick A rotation angle<Rotation angle>/Reference:
(point)
 Edit Commands
8. Scale

1. Choose Modify, Scale.

or
2. Click The Scale icon.
or
3. Type SCALE at the command prompt
Command: SCALE
Select objects: (select objects)
4. Pick A pivot point to scale about Base point: (point)
5. Type A rotation angle<Scale
factor>/Reference:(number)
or
6. Pick A scale factor<Scale factor>/Reference:
(point)

Scale factor/Reference: (points)

 Commands
Chamfer Fillet Copy

Mirror Scale Array

Extend Join Trim

AutoCAD Commands
AutoCAD Commands
 AutoCAD Commands
Hatches & Gradient Fills

Pick Points & Select Objects - These are

AutoCAD's two different methods of
hatching an area. Using Add Pick points,
clicking inside an area (such as a
rectangle) will result in the hatch pattern
being applied to all blank space within
the boundary. Add Select object simply
hatches within a selected object.

Great care must be taken to ensure that

the area to be hatched is closed, and all
line endpoints are meeting each other. If
a small gap is left open, the hatch
command will fail, usually with the error:
Add Pick Points Unable to hatch boundary.

Add Select objects

AutoCAD Commands
 Key Board Shortcuts
F1- Displays Help A - ARC DBA -DIMBASELINE EXP - EXPORT

F2- Text Window on/off AR - ARRAY DDI -DIMDIAMETER EXT - EXTRUDE

F3- Toggles OSNAP B - BLOCK DED -DIMEDIT F - FILLET

F4- Toggles TABMODE BE - BEDIT DI -DIST H - HATCH

F5- Toggles ISOPLANE BH - HATCH DIV -DIVIDE HE - HATCHEDIT

F6- Toggles COORDS BR - BREAK DLI -DIMLINEAR I - INSERT

F7- Toggles GRIDMODE C - CIRCLE DOR -DIMORDINATE IAT - IMAGEATTACH

F8- Toggles ORTHO MODE CHA - CHAMFER DRA -DIMRADIUS IMP - IMPORT

F9- Toggles SNAP MODE COL - COLOR DS -DRAFTING SETTINGS IN - INTERSECT

F10- Toggles POLAR MODE CO - COPY DV -DVIEW BLOCK L - LINE

F11- Toggles OTRACK CP - COPY E -ERASE LA - LAYER

D - DIMSTYLE ED -DDEDIT LE - QLEADER

DAL - DIMALIGNED EL -ELLIPSE LI - LIST

DAN - DIMANGULAR EX -EXTEND

DAR - DIMARC EXIT -QUIT

 Key Board Shortcuts
LO -LAYOUT PU -PURGE TB -TABLE

LS -LIST QC -QUICKVCALC TH -THICKNESS

LT -LINETYPE R -REDRAW TO -TOOLBAR

M -MOVE RE -REGEN TOL -TOLERANCE

MA -MATCHPROP REC -RECTANG TR -TRIM

MI -MIRROR REG -REGION TS -TABLESTYLE

ML -MLINE REN -RENAME UN -UNITS

O -OFFSET REV -REVOLVE UNI -UNION

OP -OPTIONS RO -ROTATE W -WBLOCK

OS -OSNAP S -STREACH X -XPLODE

P -PAN SC -SCALE XR -XREF

PE -PEDIT SU -SUBTRACT Z -ZOOM

PL -PLINE SO -SOLID

PO -POINT SN -SNAP

POL -POLYGON T -MTEXT

THANK YOU