PRESENTED BY :- Dr.

Muhammad Azam

1
 UTILITY
COMMANDS
The utility commands are those commands
which control the basic functions of AutoCAD.
 HELP: Lists all the Auto-CAD commands.
 END: Returns to the main menu and updates (saves) the drawings
file.
 QUIT: Returns to the main menu without updating the drawing
file.
 SAVE: Saves the current drawing and remains in the drawing
editor screen
for further editing.
 LIMITS: Allows changing the upper and lower limits of the drawing area
while working on a drawing.

For example to set the screen for A3 size (420x297),

following steps are to be carried out:
Command: limits
ON/OFF/ lower left corner 0.000, 0.000 or current
: Upper right corner 12.000, 9.000
: 420,297
This will set the drawing screen of A3 size.
GRIDS: It displays a dot grid in the current view port.
Command: grid
Grid spacing (x) or ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect/<current>: specify a
value or enter an option.
Snap- Sets the grid spacing to the current snap interval as set
by the snap command.
Aspect- Sets the grid to a different spacing in x & y.
SNAP: It restricts cursor movement to specified intervals.
Command: snap
Snap spacing or ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style/<current>:
specify a distance, enter an option or press enter.
Spacing- Activates snap mode with the value you specify.
Rotate- Sets the rotation of the snap grid.
Style- format of the snap grid, standard or isometric.
ORTHO: Constrains cursor movement to the
horizontal or vertical.
OSNAP: Allows to select specify points on
an object.
e.g. endpoints, midpoints, intersection etc.
POLAR: Allows cursor movement to the horizontal or
vertical.
DRAW/BASIC COMMANDS OF
AutoCAD
(Drawing Entities)
POINT
Plot a point at the location (8, 6) (8,6)

Command: point
Point: 8, 6 (0,
)
0
LINE
Lines can be drawn by any one of the
following three methods using LINE
command.
(10, 10)

(a) Using Absolute Co-ordinates:

Drawing a line from point (5, 5) to point (10, 10).
Command: Line
From point: 5, 5(select the point by mouse or
Enter the Co-ordinates by keyboard) (5, 5)

To Point: 10, 10
To Point:
 (b) Using Relative Co-ordinates
Draw a line from point (2, 2) to point 5 units
in X-axis and 8 units in Y-axis relative to (7, 10)

first co-ordinate.
Command: Line
From point: 2, 2 (2, 2)

To point: @ 5, 8
To point:

(c) Using Polar Co-ordinates

Draw a line from point (1, 2) to a length of 6 units at (1,

90 degree. )
8

Command: Line
From point: 1,
2 (1, 2)

To point:@6
90 To point:
 PLINE
A polyline is a connected sequence of line and arc segments.
Draw a thick line of width 2 units from (8, 4) to (6, 7) using
pline command.
Command: pline
•Arc/close/Half
From point: 8, width/length/undo/width/ width
•Width:
4
2 Endpoint of line :

•Next point: 6, 7
•Next point:
A box drawn by using pline will act as one object instead of
four discrete lines.
RECTANGLE
Draw a rectangle defined by diagonal points (30,
20)
(10, 10) and (30, 20).
Command: Rectang
First Corner: 10, (10, 10)

10
Second Corner: 30,
CIRCLE

Circle can be drawn by any one of following five

methods using circle command.

(a) Using Centre and Radius:

Draw a circle with centre (6, 6) and radius 5 units.

Command: circle
3P/2P/TTR/ centre point : 6, 6
Diameter/ radius : 5

(b) Using Centre and diameter:

Draw a circle with centre (6, 17) and diameter 10 units.

Command: circle
3p/2p/TTR/ centre point : 6, 17
Diameter/ radius
:D
 (c) Using given three points: (3P)

Draw a circle with using given three points (5, 30),

(7, 26), (10, 25).

Command: circle
3P/2P/TTR/ centre point :3
P First point: (5, 30)
(5, 30
Second point: (7, 26) )
(7, 26
Third point: (10, 25) ) (10, 2
5)

(d) Using given two points: (2P)

Draw a circle with using given two points (7, 35) &
(7, 47).
(7,
47)
Command: circle
3P/2P/TTR/ centre point : 2 P
First point on diameter: (7,
(7,
35) 35)

Second point on diameter: (7,

47)
 (e) Using Tangent, Tangent and Radius
(TTR):
Draw a circle with radius 2 units and two
existing line as tangents.
Line 1
Take:
For line 1: (16, 4) to point (19, 9)
For line 2: (20, 2) to point (21, 7)
Command: circle
3P/2P/TTR/ centre point : TTR Line 2

Enter Tangent spec: line 1 (pick up using

mouse)
Enter Tangent spec: line 2 (pick up using
mouse)
Radius: 2
(“Spec” means specifications)
 ELLIPSE:

ELLIPSE can be drawn by any one of

following two methods using ellipse
command.

(a) Using first axis end points and

other axis distance:

Draw an ellipse using major axis end point

.

(10, 20) (65, 20) and minor axis end

point
(35, 35).
Command: ellipse
<Axis end point 1>/ Centre: 10,
20 Axis end point 2: 65, 20
<Other axis distance>/ Rotation:
(b) Using Centre of ellipse axis, end point
and other axis distance:

Draw an ellipse using with centre (100, 20), major

axis end point (125, 20) and minor axis end point
(100, 35).

Command: ellipse
<Axis end point 1>/ Centre: C
Centre of ellipse: 100, 20
Axis end point 2: 125, 20
<Other axis distance>/
Rotation: 100, 35

Note: Also the ellipse can be drawn by using arc,

Isocircle, rotation & perimeter options
ARC

Arcs are partial circles and can be drawn in eight different methods
using ARC command. Some of them are follows:
(a) Using three given points
Draw an arc using the given three points: (75, 50), (55, 90),
(105,110).
Command: arc
Centre/<Start point>: 75, 50
Centre/end/<Second point>: 55, 90
End point: 105,110
(b) Using Start points, centre and end point (SCE)
Draw an arc using start point (240, 20), centre point (250, 60)
and end point (250,100).
Command: arc
Centre/<Start point>: 240, 20
Centre/end/<Second point>: C
Centre point: 250, 60
Angle/length of
chord/<end point>:
250,100
(c)Using Start points, centre and length of chord
(SCL)
Draw an arc using start point (140, 10), centre point
(100, 10) and chord length 45 units.
Command: arc
Centre/<Start point>: 140, 10
Centre/end/<Second point>: C
Centre point: 100, 10
Angle/length of chord/<end point>: L
Length of chord: 45
(d) Using Start points, end point
and Radius (SER)

Draw an arc using Start points (230,

80), end point
(190, 80) and radius 22 units.
Command: arc
Centre/<Start point>: 230, 80
Centre/end/<end point>: E
End point: 190, 80
Angle/Direction/Radius/
<centre point>: R
Polygon
The polygon command draws regular polygons with
3 to 1024 sides. Any polygon can be drawn by
following three method using polygon commands.
(a) Using radius of given circle in which
polygon is inscribed:
Draw a polygon of eight sides with centre
(50, 50)
inscribed in a circle of radius 40 units.
Command: polygon
Number of sides: 8
Edge/<centre of polygon>: 50, 50
Inscribed in circle/circum-scribed about circle (I/C):
I
Radius of circle: 40
(b) Using radius of given circle in which polygon is
circumscribed:
Draw a polygon of eight sides with centre (140, 50)
circumscribed in a circle of radius 40 units.
Command: polygon
Number of sides:
8
Edge/<centre of
polygon>: 50, 50
Inscribed in circle/circle-scribed about circle (I/C): C
Radius of circle: 40
(C) Using Edge method
Draw a polygon of ten sides using “Edge method”. The first end
point of the edge is (90,100) and Second end of the edge is
(120,100).
Command: polygon
Number of sides: 10
Edge/<centre of polygon>: E
First end point of edge: 90,100
Second end point of edge:
 EDIT COMMANDS AND OTHER ADDITIONAL COMMANDS
These commands are used to edit or modify the drawing.
1) ERASE- This command removes objects from a drawing.
Command: erase
Select objects: click on objects
2)MOVE: This command displaces objects to a specified distance
in a specified direction.
Command: move
Select objects: click on objects
Base point or displacement: specify a base point
Second point or displacement: specify a point
or
3)COPY: - This command is similar to move command, but it
places copies of the related object at the specified displacements.

Command: copy
Select objects: click on objects
<Base point or displacement>/multiple: specify a point for a
single copy or enter m for multiple copies
<Second point of displacement>: specify a point or P
(For placement multiple copies)

4)ROTATE: - This command moves object about a base point.

Command: rotate
Select objects: click on objects
Base point: specify a point
<Rotation angle>/Reference: Specify an angle or enter or specify
a point
5) MIRROR: - This command creates a mirror image of objects.
Command: mirror
Select objects: click on objects
First point of mirror line: Specify a point
Second point: Specify a point
Delete old objects? <N>: Enter Y or N,
or
6) SCALE: This command enlarges or
reduces selected objects
equally in X, Y, Z direction.
Command: Scale
Select objects: click on objects
Base point: specify a point
< Scale factor>/ Reference:
specify a scale or enter R.
Scale factor>1 – Enlarges the objects.
Scale factor<1 – Shrinks the objects.
Reference length<1>: specify a distance or
New length: specify a distance
If the new length is longer than the reference length, the objects are
enlarged.
7)ARRAY: This command creates multiple copies of objects in
pattern.
Command: array
Rectangular or polar array (R/P) <current>: enter an option or
Option:
I)RECTANGULAR: – Creates an array defined by a number of rows
and columns of copies of selected objects.
II)POLAR - Creates an array defined by specifying a center point
about which the selected object is replicated. (Angle: + = CCW. -CW)
8) BREAK: - This command creates part of objects or splits on object
into two.
Command: break
Select objects: click on objects or specify the first break point on an
object
Enter second point (or F for first point): Specify the second break
point or enter F
9)TRIM: - This command trims objects at a cutting edge defined by
other objects.

Command: trim
Select cutting edges: Click on cutting edges (lines)
Select edges: Click on object to be trimmed.
<Select object to trim>/project/ edge/undo: select an object, enter an
option or

10) DIMENSIONING
The dimensions are inserted in the drawing by use of Dim command.
There are various types of dimensions used their AutoCAD.

(I) Linear Dimensions: Horizontal, Vertical, aligned (for

inclined
dimensions), Rotated (for inclined dimensions).
(II) Angular dimensions: For angular dimensioning of objects.
(III) Radial dimensions: For radial dimensioning of arc or circle.
(IV)Diametral dimensions: For diametral dimensioning of
circle.
(V) Ordinate dimensions: For ordinate dimensioning of
objects.
For dimensioning of objects, the first point and second point has to be
specified. The dimension text must be written and then the position
of dimension must be specified.
(I) Linear Dimensioning
Command: Dim
Dim (HOR/VER/ALIGNED/ROT): HOR
First extension line origin: (select corner P using cursor)
Second extension line origin (Text/angle): (select corner Q)
Dimension line location (Text/Angle): (select the position of dim. Line
using cursor)
Dimension text: 8
Dim: Exit
Command: Dim
Dim: ROT
Dimension line
angle <0>:115
(Note- 00 for
horizontal & 900
for vertical
dimensions)
First extension
line origin: (select
(II) Angular dimensioning:
Command: Dim
Dim: Angular
Select First
line: (Pick point
1)
Select Second
line: (Pick point
2)
Dimensions are line location (text/angle): (Pick point 3)
Dimension text: 45
Enter text location: (pick a location for dimension text)
Command: Dim
Dim: Leader
Leader start (specify starting point, A)
(III) Dimetral Dimensioning

Dim: Dia
Select arc or circle: (pick point P)
Dimension text: %%C8 (% % C for symbol)
Enter leader length for text: (pick Q and then R
and press enter)

(IV) Radius Dimensioning

Dim: Radius
Select arc or circles :( pick point P)
Dimension Text: R5
11) Text
This command creates text on the drawing with a variety of character
patterns or fonts. These fonts can be stretched, compressed, oblique,
mirrored or aligned in a vertical column by applying a style to the font.
Command: Text
Justify/style/<start point>: specify a point or enter an option
The start point is the default.
12) Layer
A layer is like an overlay that allows us to separate different types of
information. AutoCAD allows an unlimited number of layers on new drawings
the default layer is 0.
This command creates new layer, selects the current layer, sets the color and
line type for designated layers, turns layers on and off, locks or unlocks layer,
freezes or throws layers and lists defined layers.
Command: layer
?/make/set/new/on/off/color/Ltype/Freeze/Thaw/lock/unlock: enter an
option.
Problem:
Draw the figure of Bracket and Open
Bearing using AutoCAD.
Solution:
To draw Bracket
2.5 2.5
Command: line
From point: 11, 3
To point: @ 47.5<0
To point: @ 2.5, 2.5

10
To point: @ 10<90 17.

10
To point: @ 17.5<180 5

To point: @10<90

2.5

10
To point: @ 17.5<0
To point: @10<90
(11,3) 47.
To point: @ -2.5, 2.5 5
To point: @ 47.5<180
To point: @ -2.5, - 2.5
To point: @30<270 BRACKET
To point: @ 2.5, -2.5
To point:
To draw the Open Bearing
Command: line
From point: 10, 10
To point: @180<0
To point: @20<90 15
To point: @45<180

25
To point: @55<90
To point: @15<180

55
To point: @25<270
To point: 45
Command: arc

20
Centre/<start point>: 130, 60
Centre/end/<second point>: E (10,10) 180

End point: 70, 60

Angle/direction/radius/<centre OPEN BEARING
point>: A
Included Angle:-180
Command: line
From point: 70, 60
To point: @25<90
To point: @15<180
To point: @55<270
To point: @45<180
To point: @20<270
To point:
THANK YOU