AutoCAD Introductory
Topics covered:
Autocad interface – command prompt, grids/snapping, properties, drawing ribbon, selecting drag right vs. left, saving/autosaving
Topic_01: User Interface
Drawing Ribbon>Tabs>Tools
Command Prompt
Model Space (Viewport)
Paper Space (Scale is 1:1 in Model space)
Modeling Presets (Ortho, Snap, Grid Snap, etc)
Layers/Layer Manager
“View Cube” if applicable (if you’re orientation shifts from top view)
Topic_02: Getting Started
In the command line type Units. A dialog box should appear. Change from “Decimal” to “Architectural.” Click Okay.
Type Line>Specify first point at 0,0. Toggle Ortho to “on”. Specify next point at 0,10.
Hit Enter to complete command or specify next point to continue. (Zoom Extents)
Type Offset>Specify offset distance 1’. Select objects to be Offset (the line we just drew)>Hit Enter. Repeat till you have a total of 10 lines.
Type Circle>Specify center point for circle (on-screen or just type in 0,0)>Specify radius of circle at 2’.
Type Move>Select objects (Circle), Hit Enter>Specify base point (on object)>Move circle over offset lines
Type Copy>Select objects (Circle), Hit Enter>Specify base point (on object)>Move circle to desired location. Toggling Ortho to “off” could give more freedom in moving the object
Type Scale>Select objects (new copied circle)>Specify base point (center of circle)>In command line Type R for Reference. Specify reference length: first one point, then a second (start at center of circle, since we are referencing the radius of the circle)>Specify new length at 1′ for referenced length>Enter
We now will trim the lines intersecting inside of the circles. Type Trim>Select objects, hit Enter>Notice your cursor converts to a small square; Now select only the lines inside the circles. Hit Escape to complete command.
Now Erase the circles either selecting the objects and then right-clicking and selecting “Erase” or also by just hitting the “Delete” button on keyboard (Fn+Delete for Mac).
Type Rectang>Specify first corner point at -15,0. Pay attention to next command prompt: “Specify other corner point or Area, Dimensions, Rotation. Type D for dimensions. Specify “Length” at 10′ and “Width” at 1′ (width is actually height, weird right?), click Enter.
Again Type Copy>Select rectangle, Hit Enter>Specify base point (bottom left corner), Ensuring Ortho is toggled “on” type 1.5′. Hit Enter.
Type Rotate>Select objects to rotate, Hit Enter>Specify base point (bottom left corner). If Ortho is on you should be able to rotate the object in increments of 90 degrees. Hit Enter.
Oh yeah, save yo work! And then save it again, and again…
Topic_03: Importing into Illustrator
Save CAD file down to AutoCAD 2007. File -> Save As -> Select AutoCAD 2007 in the drop down menu.
Open the CAD file as you would an illustrator file in Illustrator. File -> Open -> Select CAD 2007 file
Optional: Importing Images
To import an image type Xref. A dialog box will appear. Click on “pulldown” next to DWG icon and select Attach Image (for JPG) or Attach PDF (for PDF)
Browse through your computer and select desired media. Click Open. A new dialog box appears. Leave “Path Type” as Full, Ensure “Insertion Point” is unchecked, and “Rotation” is set to “0.” Click Okay.
Select Image (notice Ribbon Layout changes to “Image” tab)>Adjust Fade, Contrast, Brightness, or Transparency settings. Hit Escape.
Ready for tracing but manage your layers!
Commands: Default Shortcut
Shortcuts can be activated by hitting the appropriate key, then the space bar, enter or ‘right click’ (if setup through options).
- Snap: F9
- Ortho: F8
- Grid: F7
- Line: L
- Move: M
- Layers: LA
- Erase: E
- Scale: SC
- Zoom: Z
- Extents: E
- Pan: Press and hold middle mouse button
- Distance: DIST
- Offset: O
- Copy: CO
- Nearest Point: NEA
- Undo: Ctrl Z
- Trim: TR
- LTScale: ltscale
- Extend: EX
- Fence: F
- Regenerate: RE
- Array: AR
