Basic Tutorial for AutoCAD
This Tutorial will give you idea about basic introduction about AutoCAD, user guide tutorial for tools, best practices, applications.
This tutorial is the web series for basic AutoCAD so follow up for the next file.
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Step 1: Introduction to AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk. AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Prior to the introduction of AutoCAD, most commercial CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or minicomputers, with each CAD operator (user) working at a separate graphics terminal.
AutoCAD commands and options allow you to draw objects of any size or shape. Use AutoCAD to prepare two-dimensional (2D) drawings, three-dimensional (3D) models, and animations. AutoCAD is a universal CAD software program that applies to any drafting, design, or engineering discipline. For example, use AutoCAD to design and document mechanical parts and assemblies, architectural buildings, civil and structural engineering projects, and electronics.
2D Drawings
2D drawings display object length and width, width and height, or height and length in a fl at (2D) form.2D drawings are the established design and drafting format and are common in all engineering and architectural industries and related disciplines. A complete 2D drawing typically includes dimensions, notes, and symbols that describe view features and information. This practice results in a document used to manufacture or construct a product. 2D drawings are the conventional and often required method of communicating a project.
Languages
AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian, Albanian (also through additional language packs).
Extensions
AutoCAD supports a number of APIs for customization and automation. These include AutoLISP, Visual LISP, VBA, .NET and ObjectARX. ObjectARX is a C++ class library, which was also the base for:
· products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields
· creating products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D
· third-party AutoCAD-based application
Licenses
AutoCAD is licensed for free to students, educators, and educational institutions, with a 36-month renewable license available. The student version of AutoCAD is functionally identical to the full commercial version, with one exception: DWG files created or edited by a student version have an internal bit-flag set (the "educational flag"). When such a DWG file is printed by any version of AutoCAD (commercial or student) older than AutoCAD 2014 SP1, the output includes a plot stamp/banner on all four sides. Objects created in the Student Version cannot be used for commercial use.
Planning Your Work
A drawing plan involves thinking about the entire process or project in which you are involved and determining how to approach it. Your drawing plan focuses on the content you want to present, the objects and symbols you intend to create, and the appropriate use of standards. You may want processes to be automatic or to happen immediately, but if you hurry and do little or no planning, you may become frustrated and waste time while drawing. Take as much time as needed to develop drawing and project goals so that you can proceed with confidence. During your early stages of AutoCAD training, consider creating a planning sheet, especially for your first few assignments. A planning sheet should document the drawing session and all aspects of a drawing. A freehand sketch of the drawing is also a valuable element of the planning process.
The drawing plan and sketch help you establish:
1.Drawing layout: area, number of views, and required free space
2.Drawing settings: units, drawing aids, layers, and styles
3.How and when to perform specific tasks
4.What objects and symbols to draw
5.The best use of AutoCAD and equipment
6.An even workload
Drawing Standards
Most of the industries, schools, and companies establish standards. Drawing standards apply to most settings and procedures, including:
1. File storage, naming, and backup
2.Drawing template, or template, files
3.Units of measurement
4.Layout characteristics
5.Borders and title blocks
6.Symbols
7.Layers
8.Text, dimension, multileader, and table styles
9.Plot styles and plotting
Company or school drawing standards should follow appropriate national industry standards whenever possible. Although standards vary in content, the most important aspect is that standards exist and are understood and used by all CADD personnel. When you follow drawing standards, your drawings are consistent, you become more productive, and the classroom or office functions more efficiently. This material represents mechanical drafting standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This textbook also references International Standards Organization (ISO) mechanical drafting standards and discipline-specific standards when appropriate, including the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS) and American Welding Society (AWS) standards.
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Step 2: Launching AutoCAD
To launch an AutoCAD double click on the autoCAD shortcut in desktop else search for autoCAD in start menu.
Wait for sometime till autoCAD loads itself
Creating a New Drawing
NEW Command
Creates a new drawing file.
1. Choose File, New.
or
2. Press CTRL + N
or
3. Click the New icon.
or
4. Type NEW at the Command prompt.
Command: NEW
5. Choose One of the options for creating a new drawing.
6. Click The OK button.
7. Save the drawing as another name.
Choose your templates based on your requirements
TIP:
New drawings can also be created from Template Files.
Open Existing Drawings
1. Choose File, OPEN.
or
2. Press CTRL + O.
or
3. Click the OPEN icon.
or
4. Type OPEN at the command prompt.
Command: OPEN
5. Press ENTER
6. Double Click the desired directory to find the drawing to open.
7. Click the drawing name to open.
8. Click The OK button.
Quick Save
The QSAVE command is equivalent to clicking Save on the File menu.If the drawing is named, AutoCAD saves the drawing using the file format specified on the Open and Save tab of the Options dialog box and does not request a file name. If the drawing is unnamed, AutoCAD displays the Save Drawing As dialog box (see SAVEAS) and saves the drawing with the filename and format you specify.
1. Press CTRL + S.
or
2. Click the Save icon.
or
3. Type QSAVE at the command prompt,
Command:QSAVE
TIPS:
Drawings can be saved as different versions of AutoCAD
AutoSave settings under Tools, Options
User Interface of AutoCAD
AutoCAD GUI contains ribbon tabs and command prompt to utilise the tools
you have options command using that AutoCAD can be customized as per users comfortability.
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Step 3: Function Keys/Accelerator Keys
FUNCTION KEYS
In AutoCAD each and every function keys as its own functions as per the list mentioned below
We will discuss what are all these options in the upcoming topics in AutoCAD basic tutorials
Accelerator Keys
The list of accelerator keys are given below
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Step 4: Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Buttons
In autoCAD we have plenty of keyboard shortcuts some of that are mentioned below
Q QSAVE / Saves the current drawing.
A ARC / Creates an arc.
Z ZOOM / Increases or decreases the magnification of view in the current viewport.
W WBLOCK / Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file.
S STRETCH / Stretches objects crossed by a selection window or polygon.
X EXPLODE / Breaks a compound object into its component objects.
E ERASE / Removes objects from a drawing.
D DIMSTYLE / Creates and modifies dimension styles.
C CIRCLE / Creates a circle.
R REDRAW / Refreshes the display in the current viewport.
F FILLET / Rounds and fillets the edges of objects.
V VIEW /Saves & restores named views,camera views,layout views,and preset views.
T MTEXT / Creates a multiline text object.
G GROUP / Creates and manages saved sets of objects called groups.
B BLOCK / Creates a block definition from selected objects.
H HATCH / Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch, solid,gradient fill.
J JOIN / Joins similar objects to form a single, unbroken object.
M MOVE / Moves objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
I INSERT / Inserts a block or drawing into the current drawing.
O OFFSET / Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.
L LINE / Creates straight line segments.
P PAN / Adds a parameter with grips to a dynamic block definition.
Shortcuts for Managing Screen
Ctrl+0 (zero) Clean Screen
Ctrl+1 Property Palette
Ctrl+2 Design Center Palette
Ctrl+3 Tool Palette
Ctrl+4 Sheet Set Palette
Ctrl+6 DBConnect Manager
Ctrl+7 Markup Set Manager Palette
Ctrl+8 Quick Calc
Ctrl+9 Command Line
Shortcuts for Managing Drawings
Ctrl+n New Drawing
Ctrl+s Save drawing
Ctrl+o Open drawing
Ctrl+p Plot dialog box
Ctrl+Tab Switch to next
Ctrl+Shift+Tab Switch to previous drawing
Ctrl+Page Up Switch to previous tab in current drawing
Ctrl+Page Down Switch to next tab in current drawing
Ctrl+q Exit
Ctrl+a Select all objects
Shortcuts for Managing Workflow
Ctrl+c Copy object
Ctrl+x Cut object
Ctrl+v Paste object
Ctrl+Shift+c Copy to clipboard with base point
Ctrl+Shift+v Paste data as block
Ctrl+z Undo last action
Ctrl+y Redo last action
Ctrl+[ Cancel current command (or ctrl+\)
ESC Cancel current command
Shortcuts to Toggle General Features
Ctrl+d Toggle coordinate display
Ctrl+g Toggle Grid
Ctrl+e Cycle isometric planes
Ctrl+f Toggle running object snaps
Ctrl+h Toggle Pick Style
Ctrl+Shift+h Toggle Hide palettes
Ctrl+i Toggle Coords
Ctrl+Shift+i Toggle Infer Constraints
