Utocadd PDF

AutoCAD 1 - Portico Drawing
Fundamentals of AutoCAD Certificate
AutoCAD 1- Introductory 2D
Copyright Xone Consulting Ltd. 2007
AutoCAD Level One – Assignment Overview
1. Assignment #1 – The Symmetrical Mechanical Plate drawing is not due until the end of
class four. Start this drawing with the ACAD.dwt template file. The drawing should have
all fillets and rounds added with the Fillet command before submitting it for evaluation.
Layouts and dimensions are not required.
2. Assignment # 2 – The Cover Plate and Adjustable link are due at the end of class six.
Start this drawing with the CADD1-B2 template file. Dimensions are not required, but you
should create a single layout with a single viewport. Set the scale for the viewport to full
size or 1:1. Compose the view and lock the display.
3. Assignment #3 – The Crescent Bracket and Cornice Bracket are due at the end of class
eight. Start this drawing with the CADD1-B2 template file. Dimensions are not required,
but you should create a single layout with a single viewport. Set the scale for the viewport
to 3”=1’-0” or 1:4. Compose the view and lock the display.
4. Assignment #4 – The Shaker Bench assignment is due at the end of class ten. Start this
drawing with the CADD1-B2 template file. Dimensions and details are not required but
the titles and notes should be included. Create a single viewport and set the scale to the
1-1/2”=1’-0” or 1:8. Compose the view and lock the display. Make sure you are using
correct layers and lineweights for this assignment. Turn off the layers one at a time to
check your layer integrity.
5. Assignment #5 – The Roof Cresting assignment is due at the end of class twelve. Start
this drawing with the CADD1-B2 template file. Dimensions are not required. Create a
single layout with a single viewport. Set the scale for the viewport to 6”=1’-0” or 1:2.
Compose the view and lock the display. The detail view is not required. Detailing will be
covered in level two.
6. Assignment #6 – The House Elevation assignment is due at the end of the final class.
Start this drawing with the CADD1-C template. This project has several sections,
including drawings for a portico and a window. It is not necessary to submit the project
until the elements have been combined and the entire drawing has been completed.
Create a single layout with a single viewport. Set the scale for the viewport to 1/4”=1’-0”
or 1:48. Compose the view and lock the display.
AutoCAD I
EXERCISE NOTES: CLASS 01
AGENDA:
1. The AutoCAD Classic Workspace
2. The AutoCAD Interface
3. Online Help System
4. File Utilities – Starting and Saving a drawing, Opening a existing drawing, File management
5. Entering, Canceling, and Repeating Commands
6. Basic Draw Commands – Line, Polyline, Polygon, Rectangle, Arc, Circle
7. Undo and Redo
1. Introduction to the AutoCAD Classic Workspace

 AutoCAD 2007 now allows us to select two separate drawing environments saved as
Workspaces, when starting or working on a drawing:
 AutoCAD Classic workspace is the environment we use when

creating and editing a typical 2D drawing or for working on the 2D
layouts of a 3D model. This is the environment that most users are
familiar with from previous releases.
 3D Modeling workspace is a new predefined working environment

that displays primarily 3D related toolbars and command palettes
and starts with a 3D view of the work area instead of the typical plan
view that is used in 2D drawings.
©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 1 of 13

AutoCAD I
2. The AutoCAD Interface
This image shows the default AutoCAD interface with the most critical elements highlighted. The
current drawing name is always displayed in the upper left corner. The pulldown menus,
command toolbars, command window, and cursor menu all provide access to commands.
The layout tabs allow you to switch between drawing and plotting environments, and the scroll
bars provide one of the methods available for navigating your drawing.

AutoCAD I
2. The Online Help System
To access the online help system, use the pulldown menu and select Help or use the F1 key.
AutoCAD Help contains complete information about using AutoCAD. In the Help window, you
use the left pane to locate information. The tabs above the left pane give you several ways for
finding the topics you want to view. The right pane displays the topics you select.
 Find Information in Help - The tabs on the left side of the Help window provide different
methods for finding information. The Contents tab allows you to browse books and
chapters. The Index tab allows you to type in the first few letters of a command and
shows you a list of matching help entries.
 Use Searches - A basic search using the Search tab consists of the word or phrase you
want to find. With the Ask Me tab, you can find information by typing a question phrased
in everyday language.
 The Info Palette – This feature is also known as quick help. It provides a dockable
palette that shows information about the current command. To start the info palette, you
can select it from the pulldown menu. Turn it off and on with CTRL-5.

AutoCAD I
3. File Utilities
 Starting a New Drawing - There are several methods for starting a new drawing. The
methods initially available will depend on the current startup options. If the startup dialog box
is enabled, you can start a drawing From Scratch, with a Setup Wizard, or by using a
template file. When you start a drawing, you specify the type of units to use and other
settings.
o When you use Start from Scratch, you can specify either imperial or metric units for
the new drawing. The setting you select determines default values used for many
system variables controlling text, dimensions, grid, snap, and the default linetype
and hatch pattern file.
 Imperial. Creates a new drawing based on the imperial measurement

system. The drawing uses internal default values, and the default grid
display boundary, called the grid limits, is 12 × 9 inches.
 Metric. Creates a new drawing based on the metric measurement system.

The drawing uses internal default values, and the default grid display
boundary is 429 × 297 millimeters.
o A setup wizard establishes basic drawing settings step by step. You have two wizard
options to help you set up a drawing:
 Quick Setup Wizard. Sets units of measurement, precision of displayed

units, and grid limits.
 Advanced Setup Wizard. Sets units of measurement, precision of

displayed units, and grid limits. Also establishes angle settings such as units
of measurement style, precision, direction, and orientation.
o A drawing template file contains standard settings. Select one of the template files
supplied, or create your own template files. Drawing template files have a .dwt file
extension. If the startup dialog box is disabled, starting a new drawing will take you
directly to the templates folder where you can select from a list of templates, some
containing title blocks conforming to various international standards. If you want to
start a simple drawing with Imperial units, (inches), select the ACAD.dwt template.
If you want to work with Metric units, select the ACADISO.dwt template.

AutoCAD I
 Saving a Drawing - You save drawing files for later use just as you do with other Microsoft
Windows applications. AutoCAD also provides automatic saving, backup files, and other
options for saving.
When you are working on a drawing, you should save it frequently. Saving protects you
from losing work in the event of a power failure or other unexpected event. If you want to
create a new version of a drawing without affecting the original drawing, you can save it
under another name.
The file extension for AutoCAD drawing files is .dwg, and unless you change the default
file format in which drawings are saved, drawings are saved in the latest drawing-file
format. This format is optimized for file compression and for use on a network.
o To save a drawing
1. On the File menu, click Save. (If you previously saved and named the
drawing, AutoCAD saves any changes and redisplays the Command
prompt. If you have never saved the drawing, the Save Drawing As dialog
box is displayed.)
2. In the Save Drawing As dialog box under File Name, enter the new drawing
name; the file extension is not required. Then click Save.
Do you think Saving is important? Save! Save! Save!
 Opening a Drawing - To open an existing AutoCAD drawing, you can use Open on the
File menu to display the Select File dialog box.
You can double-click a drawing in Windows Explorer to launch AutoCAD and open the
drawing. If AutoCAD is already running, the drawing opens in the current session rather
than in a second session.
** Be careful of the latter method. It will sometimes open the drawing file with another
version of software such as Architectural Desktop, Mechanical Desktop, etc. if multiple
versions of Autodesk software are installed on that computer. A safer method is to
always start the desired program first and then double click the file in Windows Explorer
or simply use the file open dialog box to browse to and select the desired file.

AutoCAD I
File Management with Windows Explorer – AutoCAD is excellent at creating drawings but is
not a sophisticated file management tool. It is very helpful to be able to use Windows Explorer
to be able to find and copy your files and organize them into folders.
To open Windows Explorer, right-click on the Windows start menu and choose “Explore”. The
keyboard shortcut, Windows-E also provides quick access to the utility. (Double-clicking the “My
Computer” icon on your desktop is a third method that allows you access file management tools,
but it opens Windows Explorer with the Folders option deselected.)
The image above shows Windows Explorer. It is divided vertically into two panes: a browser and
a contents pane. Use the left pane to find drives and folders, and display their contents, folders
and files, in the right pane.
If you right click on a file in the right pane, you can copy it to the Windows clipboard. When you
right-click over a folder or in an empty area of the contents pane you will see an option to paste
the file from the clipboard.
Another very useful operation to know is how to create a folder: Right-Click in an empty area of
the contents pane and choose New / Folder. Give the folder a descriptive name.

AutoCAD I
4. Entering, Cancelling, and Repeating Commands

 There are several methods for entering commands in AutoCAD:
1. Toolbar Icons – Provide quick access to most of the more commonly used
commands. This is the fastest method to access commands unless you are familiar
with the keyboard shortcuts for commands.
2. Command Line – Typing in commands or command shortcuts at the command line

and hitting the enter key or the space bar is probably the fastest method for
experienced users who are familiar with the command shortcuts. i.e. L for line and C
for circle. Almost all commands can be accessed by typing the first 1, 2, or 3 letters
of the command name. i.e.- C for Circle, CO for Copy, and CHA for Chamfer.
3. Pulldown menus – Provide access to all commands and command options. Useful
for less common commands that are not included on toolbars. It is the slowest
method for finding commands but provides immediate access to sub options. (Such
as a list of the 11 different methods one can use to define an Arc.)
4. Cursor Menu - Shortcut menus give you quick access to commands relevant to
your current activity. You can display different shortcut menus when you right-click
different areas of the screen, including:
 Within the drawing area with one or more objects selected

 Within the drawing area without any objects selected
 Within the drawing area during a command
Shortcut menus typically include options to
 Repeat the last command entered

 Cancel the current command
 Cut and copy to the Clipboard and paste from the Clipboard
 Select a different command option
 Display a dialog box, such as Options or Customize
 Undo the last command entered
 To cancel a command, hit the ESC key in the upper left corner of the keyboard.
 To repeat the last command, hit the space bar on the keyboard or select the repeat
command option from the cursor menu.

AutoCAD I
5. Basic Draw Commands
1. Line – Creates straight line segments. Start the command and then pick points on the
screen to draw segments. To undo a single segment, type U and enter or right-click and
choose “Undo”. To create a closed shape draw 2 or more segments and then type C and
hit enter or right-click and choose “Close”.
2. Polyline – Creates line and arc segments that are end-connected and can be selected
and modified as a single entity.
3. Polygon - Creates an equilateral closed polyline with 3-1024 segments that can be
defined with a radius fitting inside a circle (inscribed) or around a circle (circumscribed).
4. Rectangle – Creates a rectangular polyline that is defined by picking or specifying the

locations of diagonally opposite corners. The rectangle may optionally be created with
chamfered or filleted corners.

AutoCAD I
5. Arc – Creates a curved segment that, with the default method, passes through three
user specified points. Many other methods may be used to draw the arc depending on
the data that is available. Possibilities include the start, centre, and end points, the start,
end and radius of the arc, the start, end and included angle of the arc.
 To access sub options of a command, view the command line while the command is
active and type the capital letters of the options displayed within brackets. Another
method would be to select the specific sub option displayed from the cascading
pulldown menu. Many commands will also display valid sub options in the right-click,
cursor menu.
6. Circle – Creates a circle that can be defined, by default, by picking or specifying a

centre point and a radius for the circle. Other methods include a circle that passes
through 2 or 3 user specified points, or is tangent to 2 or 3 other objects.
7. Revision Cloud – Creates a polyline of sequential arcs to form a cloud shape.
8. Spline – Creates a non uniform rational Bezier Spline (NURBS) curve.
9. Ellipse – Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.
10. Multiline Text – Creates a text object.
6. Undo and Redo

 With AutoCAD, you can undo your recent actions using one of several methods.
 Undo a Single Action - The simplest method of backtracking is to use Undo on the
Standard toolbar or the U command to undo a single action. Many commands
include their own U (undo) option so that you can correct mistakes without leaving
the command. When you are creating lines and polylines, for example, enter u to
undo the last segment.
 Undo Several Actions at Once - You can undo several actions at once with the
Undo list on the Standard toolbar.
 Reverse the Effect of Undo - You can reverse the effect of a single U or UNDO
command by REDO immediately after using U or UNDO. You can also redo several
actions at once with the Redo list on the Standard toolbar.

AutoCAD I
Exercise 1 – File Utilities
 This first exercise can be done without AutoCAD and will simply involve some basic file
utility procedures. An understanding of how to manage your files is an essential skill for a
successful AutoCAD operator.
1. Open Window s Explorer by selecting the Windows key and the letter E at the same time.
You can also open the File explorer by right-clicking on the Start menu and choosing
“Explore”.
2. Create a new folder and name the Folder AutoCAD 1.
3. Double-click the new folder name to open it. Create two new folders inside the AutoCAD 1
folder. Name the new folders Practice and Assignments. This is where you will save your
drawings as you create them.

AutoCAD I
 It is always a good idea to back up your drawing files by saving them or copying them to a
new location. A typical system for storing and transporting files is a “USB Drive” commonly
referred to as a “Jump Drive” or “Flash Drive”. If you are taking this class on campus, you
should obtain one of these drives for transporting your files from home to school. If you are
taking this class online, you can back up your drawing files into a separate folder on your
hard drive and make them part of your regular back up to CD or DVD’s.
1. In the next step, you will copy your new

folders to the windows clipboard and
then paste them to a removable drive.
Start by inserting your removable drive
into an available USB port. Within a few
seconds, Windows will find the new
hardware and display a window with
several options. Choose the Open
Folder option and pick OK.
2. The Explorer window should be similar

to the one shown below right although
the drive letters and options will vary
depending on the programs
that you have installed.
Expand the My Documents
option to display its contents
and then right-click over the
AutoCAD 1 folder. Choose
the copy option,
3. Right-click in the right pane

which should still be
displaying the contents of
your removable drive.
Choose the paste option to
place a copy of the
AutoCAD 1 folder on to your
removable drive.

AutoCAD I
Exercise 2 – Creating and Saving Drawings
 This exercise involves creating and saving several drawings to separate drawing files.
Although it would be possible to create all of the drawings in a single file, the exercise is
meant to reinforce the concepts of file management and saving files. Each time you
complete a drawing exercise, save and close the file. To start the next drawing, start a new
file.
 The first 5 drawings are not dimensioned and are not drawn to scale. They are merely quick
sketches that will serve to familiarize you with some of the most common drawing tools. Do
your best to replicate the drawings while estimating the dimensions. Remember to create
separate files for each drawing.
1. Refer to the attached

samples and reproduce
the drawings as shown.
2. Start a new file for each

drawing. Use the
acad.dwt template to
start the files.
3. After you have started

creating the drawings
you should save them
every 5 or 10 minutes.
Use the shortcut keys or
open the File menu to
access the save
options.

AutoCAD I
4. After you have created all five drawings and saved them to your Practice folder, use the
Open option from the File menu to reopen the first practice drawing.
5. Draw a few new

objects and then
use the Save As
command to save
the file with a new
name. This
method of opening
an existing file,
editing it and
saving it with a
new name is a
very common
practice and a
great time-saver.

AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Drawing Navigation – Zoom and Pan
2. The Coordinate System and Methods of Point Entry
3. Dynamic Input
4. Object Snaps and Drawing Aids
1. Drawing Navigation – Zoom and Pan

 You can magnify the details in your drawing for a closer view or shift the view to a different
part of the drawing. If you save views by name, you can restore them later.
o Pan a View - You can shift the location of your view by using PAN or by using the
window scroll bars. Like panning with a camera, PAN does not change the location or
magnification of objects on your drawing; it changes only the view.
o When you access the PAN command, the cursor changes to a hand cursor. By holding
down the pick button on the pointing device, you lock the cursor to its current location
relative to the viewport coordinate system. The drawing display is moved in the same
direction as the cursor.
o If you have a mouse with 3 buttons and/or a wheel, pressing the middle button will start
the realtime pan command. This command will work even while another command is
active. This is referred to as a transparent command.
o Magnify a View (Zoom) - When you are working with the details in your drawing, you
can zoom in for a closer view. ZOOM does not change the absolute size of objects in the
drawing; it changes only the magnification of the view.
© Xone Consulting Ltd.

2006 Page 1 of 9
AutoCAD I
o The most common method for zooming into an area of your drawing is to define a
rectangular area that you wish to fill the screen. This is known as a ZOOM window.
This option may be selected from the standard toolbar, the zoom toolbar, or by using the
shortcut, “Z” at the command line. Pick two points to define the area to zoom to.
o When you work with minute parts in your drawing, you may need to zoom out frequently
to see an overview of your work. Use ZOOM Previous to return quickly to the prior view.
o ZOOM Extents displays a view with the largest possible magnification that includes all
of the objects in the drawing. This view includes objects on layers that are turned off but
does not include objects on frozen layers.
o ZOOM All displays either the user-defined grid limits or the drawing extents, whichever
view is larger.
2. Coordinates and Coordinate Entry

For precise coordinate input, you can use several coordinate system entry methods. When a
command prompts you for a point, you can use the pointing device to specify a point, or you can
enter a coordinate value on the command line. You can enter two-dimensional coordinates as
either Cartesian (X,Y) or polar coordinates.
Cartesian and Polar Coordinates
 A Cartesian coordinate system has three axes, X, Y, and Z. When you enter coordinate
values, you indicate a point's distance (in units) and its direction (+ or -) along the X, Y, and
Z axes relative to the coordinate system origin (0,0,0).
 In 2D, you specify points on the XY plane, also called the construction plane. The
construction plane is similar to a flat sheet of grid paper. The X value of a Cartesian
coordinate specifies horizontal distance, and the Y value specifies vertical distance. The
origin point (0,0) indicates where the two axes intersect.
 Polar coordinates use a distance and an angle to locate a point. With both Cartesian and
polar coordinates, you can enter absolute coordinates based on the origin (0,0), or relative
coordinates based on the last point specified.
 Another method of entering a relative coordinate is by moving the cursor to specify a

direction and then entering a distance directly. This method is called direct distance entry.

2006 Page 2 of 9
AutoCAD I
 You can enter coordinates in scientific, decimal, engineering, architectural, or fractional

notation. You can enter angles in grads, radians, surveyor's units, or degrees, minutes, and
seconds. You specify the unit style in the Units Control dialog box.
Entering Cartesian Coordinates

1. Absolute Coordinates – This method of coordinate entry is rarely used. Coordinate values
are based on the origin (0,0), where the X and Y axes intersect. Use absolute coordinates when
you know the precise X and Y values of the point. For example, the 3,4 specifies a point 3 units
along the X axis and 4 units along the Y axis from the origin.
In the example shown below the line segment AB would be drawn with the following entries
Command: L (enter)
Specify first point: #2,2 (enter)
Specify next point or [undo] : #5,3 (enter)

2006 Page 3 of 9
AutoCAD I
2. Relative Coordinates – This is a very useful method of coordinate entry, used primarily when
you know the horizontal and vertical distance between two points. Relative coordinates are
based on the last point entered. Use relative coordinates when you know the location of a point
in relation to the previous point. To specify relative coordinates, you no longer need to
precede the coordinate values with an @ sign. For example, 3,4 specifies a point 3 units
along the X axis and 4 units along the Y axis from the last point specified.
Entering positive values will draw an object up and to the right. i.e. 4,6
Entering negative values will draw an object down and to the left. i.e. -3,-5
In the example shown below the RECTANGLE, AB would be drawn with the following entries
Command: REC (enter)

Specify first corner point: 2,2 (enter) (This could be specified by picking a point in any location.)
Specify other corner point or [undo]: 3,2 (enter)

2006 Page 4 of 9
AutoCAD I
3. Polar Coordinates – This is another useful method of coordinate entry, used when you know
the actual distance between two points and the angle formed between the two points and the
positive x-axis. In the example shown below the LINE, AB would be drawn with the following
entries
Command: L (enter)
Specify first point: 3,2 (enter) (This could be specified by picking a point in any location.)
Specify next point or [undo]: 4<60 (enter)
4. Direct Distance Entry – This is the fastest method for entering distances when creating
segments or specifying coordinates that are horizontal or vertical. It is used in conjunction with
the ORTHO or POLAR drawing aids to ensure accuracy. (POLAR settings can extend the use of
this method to incremental angles between the main coordinate axes.)
When prompted to specify a point, check that ORTHO is on, move your cursor in the direction of
the new point and enter the distance at the command line.
Command: L (enter)
Specify first point: Pick a point or specify a coordinate
Specify next point or [undo]: Move cursor in desired direction, type distance (enter)

2006 Page 5 of 9
AutoCAD I
2. Dynamic Input
o Dynamic Input provides a command interface near the cursor
o 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.
Turn Dynamic Input On and Off
Click Dyn on the status bar to turn Dynamic Input on and off. You can turn it off temporarily by
holding down the F12 key. Dynamic Input has three components: pointer input, dimensional
input, and dynamic prompts. Right-click Dyn and click Settings to control what is displayed by
each component when Dynamic Input is on.
Pointer Input
When pointer input is on and a command is active, the location of the crosshairs is displayed as
coordinates in a tooltip near the cursor. You can enter coordinate values in the tooltip instead of
on the command line.
The default for second and subsequent points is relative polar coordinates (relative Cartesian for
RECTANG). There is no need to type the at sign (@). If you want to use absolute coordinates,
use the pound sign (#) prefix. For example, to move an object to the origin, for the second point
prompt, enter #0,0.
Use the pointer input settings to change the default format for coordinates and to control when
pointer input tooltips are displayed.
Dimensional Input
When dimensional input is on, the tooltips display distance and angle values when a command
prompts for a second point. The values in the dimensional tooltips change as you move the
cursor. Press TAB to move to the value you want to change
Note For dimensional input, after you type a value in an input field and press TAB, the field then
displays a lock icon, and the cursor is constrained by the value that you entered.
Dynamic Prompts
When dynamic prompts are on, prompts are displayed in a tooltip near the cursor. You can enter
a response in the tooltip instead of on the command line. Press the DOWN ARROW key to view
and select options. Press the UP ARROW key to display recent input.
2006 Page 6 of 9
AutoCAD I
3. Object Snaps and Drawing Aids
 Object Snaps - constrain point specification to exact locations, such as a midpoint or an

intersection, on existing objects. Using object snaps is a quick way to locate an exact
position on an object without having to know the coordinate or draw construction lines.
For example, you can use an object snap to draw a line to the center of a circle or to the
midpoint of a polyline segment. You can specify an object snap whenever you are
prompted for a point.
There are a variety of ways to turn object

snaps on and off. When prompted for a point,
you can
 Press SHIFT and right click to display the Object Snap shortcut menu
 Click an object snap button on the Object Snap toolbar
 Enter the object snap shortcut on the command line (First three letters i.e.- CEN, PER)
 Click the OSNAP button on the status bar to toggle Running Object Snaps
 If you need to use one or more object snaps repeatedly, you can turn on running object
snaps. Running object snaps remain in effect as you work.
 You can specify one or more running object snaps on the Object Snaps tab in the
Drafting Settings dialog box. Quick access can also be obtained by right-clicking on the
OSNAP button and choosing settings. A good, general set of snaps to leave on all the
time is Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, and Intersection. Add or remove others as required.
Selecting too many at once can be confusing and counter productive as you try to cycle
to the desired snap.

2006 Page 7 of 9
AutoCAD I
 Drawing Aids – Several tools are available that you can use to restrict or lock the
movement of your cursor.
 Grid - The grid is a rectangular pattern of dots that extends over the area you specify as
the grid limits. Using the grid is similar to placing a sheet of grid paper under a drawing.
The grid helps you align objects and visualize the distances between them. The grid is
not plotted. If you zoom in or out of your drawing, you may need to adjust grid spacing to
be more appropriate for the new magnification. Toggle this option with the Status bar or
the F7 function key
 Snap - Snap mode restricts the movement of the crosshairs to intervals that you define.
When Snap mode is on, the cursor seems to adhere, or "snap," to an invisible
rectangular grid. Snap is useful for specifying precise points with the arrow keys or the
pointing device when sketching. Toggle this option with the Status bar or the F9 function
key
 Ortho – Ortho mode restricts cursor movement to horizontal and vertical for
convenience and precision when creating and modifying objects. Ortho works with
commands that require you to specify a second point. You can turn Ortho on and off at
any time during drawing and editing. Toggle this option with the Status bar or the F8
function key
 Polar - When you are creating or modifying objects, you can use polar tracking to
display temporary alignment paths defined by the polar angles you specify.
o If you turn on the 45-degree polar angle increment, AutoCAD displays an

alignment path and tooltip when your cursor crosses the 0 or 45-degree angle.
The alignment path and tooltip disappear when you move the cursor away from
the angle. You can also use polar tracking to track along polar angle increments
of 90, 60, 45, 30, 22.5, 18, 15, 10, and 5 degrees, or you can specify other
angles.
o You can use direct distance entry to specify points for all commands requiring
more than one point. When Ortho mode or polar tracking is on, this method is an
efficient way to draw lines of specified length and direction.

2006 Page 8 of 9
AutoCAD I
Exercise 1 – Coordinate Practice Drawings
 These following drawing exercises will provide you with a valuable introduction to drawing
accurate shapes with the most commonly used draw tools: line and circle.
 Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 2, and recreate the seven practice drawings
shown. Start a new file with the acad.dwt template, for each drawing.
 Save the files as Practice-2a, Practice-2b, etc. in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
 When the drawings are complete, back them up by copying the files to a removable drive.
 Use drawing aids such as Polar or Ortho along with Object Snaps to ensure accuracy.
 Use Polar and Relative coordinates to specify the exact sizes as indicated on the handouts.
o If you know the distance across and the distance up or down:
 Relative Coordinates 4,5 indicates 4 units to the right and 5 units up.
o If you know the length of the line and its rotation angle from the x-axis:
 Polar Coordinates 3<60 indicates a length of 3 units and an angle

of 60 degrees rotated from the horizontal (x) axis.
o If the line is horizontal or vertical:
 Direct Distance Entry Control the direction of the line with your
pointing device and enter the distance.

2006 Page 9 of 9
AutoCAD I
LECTURE NOTES: CLASS 03
AGENDA:
1. Object Selection Methods
2. Construction and Editing I - Erase, Move, Copy, Offset, and Mirror
Object Selection Methods

• Individual Selection - You select an object by clicking it with your pointing device. The
square pickbox cursor must touch some part of the object. For example, you select a
circle by clicking its circumference rather than somewhere in its interior.
• To select an object, place the pickbox over a part of the object and left-click the mouse.
When the object has been picked it is highlighted in a dashed line to show that it is part of
the current selection and the command line reports "1 found". You will now see the
"Select objects" prompt on the command line again. At this point you can continue adding
more objects to the current selection by picking them or you can press enter or the
Space Bar to complete the selection.
• It is difficult to select objects that are close together or lie directly on top of one another.
You can hold down CTRL and click to Cycle through these objects, one after the other,
until the one you want is highlighted. Release the CTRL key and hit enter to select the
highlighted object.
• You can Remove objects from the current selection set by holding down SHIFT and
selecting them again. You can add and remove objects as many times as you need.
• When you have finished selecting objects, hit enter to confirm the selection and continue
with the command. (enter key, space bar, or right-click to confirm)
o Using a Previous Selection - AutoCAD always remembers the last selection set you
defined. This is very useful because you may need to make a number of changes using
different commands to the same group of objects. In order to re-select the last selection
set you can use the Previous option by typing P.
• You can select the Last object created by entering L at the command prompt.
©Xone Consulting Ltd.

2006 Page 1 of 6
AutoCAD I
• Multiple Selection - In response to the Select Objects prompt, you can select many
objects at the same time. For example, you can specify a rectangular area in which all
objects are then selected, or you can specify a selection fence that selects all objects
through which the fence passes.
o Specify a Rectangular Selection Area - You can select objects by specifying

opposite corners to define a rectangular area. After specifying the first corner
point, you can:
• Drag your cursor from left

to right to create an
enclosing window
selection. Only objects
that are entirely within the
rectangular window are
selected.
• ** Objects may be
removed from a
selection set by defining
windows or crossings
with the shift key pressed.
• Drag your cursor from

right to left to create a
crossing selection.
Objects that the
rectangular window
encloses or crosses are
selected.

2006 Page 2 of 6
AutoCAD I
5. Basic Modify Commands

• Erase - You can remove objects from your drawing using several methods, including the
ERASE command, the delete key on your keyboard, and cutting them to the windows
clipboard. ERASE works with all the available selection methods.
• Move - You can move objects without changing their orientation or size. By using
coordinates and object snaps, you can move objects with precision.
To move an object using two points
1. From the Modify menu, choose Move.
2. Select the objects to move.
3. Specify a base point for the move.
4. Specify a second point, the point of displacement.
The objects you selected are moved to a new location determined by the distance and
direction between the first and the second points.
• Copy - You can create duplicates of objects at a specified distance from the original. You
specify the distance and direction by two points, a from point (1) and a to point (2), called the
base point and the second point of displacement, respectively. These points can be located
anywhere within the drawing.
To copy objects a specified distance, you can use the direct distance entry feature
together with Ortho and polar tracking.
The Copy command will automatically create multiple copies of an object. In older
releases it is necessary to use a “multiple” sub option to create multiple copies.

2006 Page 3 of 6
AutoCAD I
• Offset - Offsetting creates a new object whose shape parallels the shape of a selected
object. Offsetting a circle or an arc creates a larger or smaller circle or arc, depending on
which side you specify for the offset.
• A highly effective drawing technique is to offset objects and then trim or extend their ends
• 2D polylines and splines are trimmed automatically when the offset distance is larger than
can otherwise be accommodated.
• You can offset: Lines, Arcs, Circles, Ellipses, 2D polylines, Construction lines, and Splines.
To offset an object by specifying a distance
1. From the Modify toolbar, choose Offset. (type O at the command line)
2. Specify the offset distance. (You can enter a value or use the pointing device.)
3. Select the object to offset.
4. Specify a point on the side where you want to place the new objects.
5. Select another object to offset, or press ENTER to end the command.

2006 Page 4 of 6
AutoCAD I
Mirror - Mirroring creates a mirror image of objects. It is useful for creating symmetrical objects
because you can quickly draw half the object and then mirror it instead of drawing the entire
object.
• You flip objects about an axis called a mirror line to create a mirror image. To specify this
temporary mirror line, you enter two points. You can choose whether to delete or retain the
original objects.
To mirror objects:
1. From the Modify toolbar, choose Mirror. (type MI at the command line)
2. Select the objects to mirror.
3. Specify the first point of the mirror line.
4. Specify the second point.
5. Press Enter to retain the original objects or enter Y to delete them.
• When you mirror text, attributes, and attribute definitions, they are reversed or turned upside
down in the mirror image. To prevent this, set the MIRRTEXT system variable to 0 (off). Text
then has the same alignment and justification as before the mirroring.

2006 Page 5 of 6
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Copy, Offset and Mirror
• In the following drawing exercises, look for repeated elements that you draw once and then
copy to save time completing the drawing.
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 3, and recreate the four practice drawings shown.
Start a new file with the acad.dwt template, for each drawing.
• Save the files as Practice-3a, Practice-3b, etc. in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
• For asymmetrical shapes, first draw the main outline of the object and then draw any interior
features that you can copy.
• If the drawing is symmetrical about any axis, draw one half of the object and then use the
Mirror command to obtain the second half.
• When the drawings are complete, back them up by copying the files to a removable drive.
Assignment Drawing 1 – Copy, Offset and Mirror
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 3, Create the assignment drawing as shown.
• Start the file with the Acad.dwt template file.
• Create the drawing exactly as shown. Note the starting x,y coordinates. You must start the
drawing at these coordinates or use the move command to ensure alignment with these
coordinates before submitting the file for evaluation.
• The drawing is symmetrical, therefore you will only need to draw one half and then use the
mirror command to obtain the second half. First, work on the main shape and add the holes
with rectangles and circles. Note - In class 4 you will learn how to add the rounded corners
with the Fillet command.
• Dimensions are not required. A title block is not required.
• Save the file as CADD1_1_Your Name.dwg in your assignments folder.
• Back up your drawing file as usual.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation.

2006 Page 6 of 6
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Creating and Working with Polylines
2. Construction and Editing II –Trim, Extend, Fillet and Chamfer
Polylines
• Pline command creates two dimensional polyline line and arc segments, as a single object.
• The polygon and rectangle commands create predefined closed polylines.
• Use polylines when you wish to edit all segments at once. Useful for offsets.
• You can specify total widths or half widths for pline segments and have them taper from one
width to another.
• Polyline arc segments are tangentially connected, with the endpoint of one arc becoming the
start pt for the next.
• Polylines become especially useful when used in 3d modeling. Polylines may be converted to
lines and arc with the explode command.
• Pedit – The PEDIT command is used to modify 2d and 3d polylines. (Modify II Toolbar)
Pedit may also be used to convert lines and arcs to polylines. Polylines may be edited by
changing their width, opening or closing them, joining end-connected segments into a single
entity. Polylines may also be converted to spline entities. The edit vertex option allows us to
move, insert, and delete, individual vertices.

2006 Page 1 of 5
AutoCAD I
• Trim and Extend - You can shorten or lengthen objects to meet the edges of other
objects. This means you can create an object such as a line first and then later adjust it to fit
exactly between other objects. If you do not specify a boundary and press ENTER at the
Select Objects prompt, all objects become potential boundaries. This is called implied
selection.
• You can extend objects without leaving the TRIM command. Hold down SHIFT and select the
objects to be extended. This method is also valid for the EXTEND command, where pressing
the SHIFT key will allow you to trim objects.
o Trim Objects - You can trim objects so that they end precisely at boundary edges
defined by other objects. Cutting edges can be lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ellipses,
splines, xlines, regions, blocks, and rays.
o Extend Objects - Extending operates the same way as trimming. You can extend
objects so they end precisely at boundary edges defined by other objects.

2006 Page 2 of 5
AutoCAD I
Fillet - Filleting connects two objects with a smoothly fitted arc of a specified radius. An inside
corner is called a fillet and an outside corner is called a round; you can create both using FILLET
command in AutoCAD.
• Using FILLET is also a convenient method of creating an arc with a specified radius that is
tangent to two selected objects.
• The fillet radius is the radius of the arc that connects filleted objects. Changing the fillet radius
affects subsequent fillets. If you set the fillet radius to 0, filleted objects are trimmed or
extended until they intersect, but no arc is created.
• FILLET can be used to round all corners on a polyline using a single command. If you set a
non-zero fillet radius, AutoCAD inserts fillet arcs at the vertex of each polyline segment that is
long enough to accommodate the fillet radius.
• You can fillet parallel lines, xlines, and rays. AutoCAD ignores the current fillet radius and
creates an arc that is tangent to both parallel objects and located in the plane common to
both objects.

2006 Page 3 of 5
AutoCAD I
Chamfer – Using CHAMFER is a fast way of creating a line between two nonparallel lines. It is
usually used to represent a beveled edge on a corner. CHAMFER can also be used to bevel all
corners of a polyline.
• You can chamfer lines, polylines, xlines, and rays. With the distance method, you specify the
amount that each line should be trimmed or extended. With the angle method, you can also
specify the length of the chamfer and the angle it forms with the first line. You can retain the
chamfered objects as they were before the chamfer, or you can trim or extend them to the
chamfer line.
• The chamfer distance is the amount each object is trimmed or extended to meet the chamfer
line or to intersect the other. If both chamfer distances are 0, chamfering trims or extends the
two objects until they intersect but does not create a chamfer line. The default setting for the
first distance is the last distance specified. Because symmetrical distances are common, the
default setting for the second distance is whatever you chose for the first distance. However,
you can reset the chamfer distances. (Note that when creating an unequal chamfer, the first
edge you pick will use the distance 1 and the second edge uses the distance 2.)
• When you chamfer an entire polyline, each intersection is chamfered. For best results, keep
the first and second chamfer distances equal. When you chamfer an entire polyline,
AutoCAD chamfers only the segments that are long enough to accommodate the chamfer
distance.

2006 Page 4 of 5
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Polylines, Trim & Extend, Fillet & Chamfer
• In the following drawing exercises, you will make extensive use of the Trim and Extend
command to help shape the drawings. Create angled corners with the Chamfer command
and create rounded corners with the Fillet command.
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 4, and recreate the six practice drawings shown.
Start a new file with the acad.dwt template, for each drawing.
• Save the files as Practice-4a, Practice-4b, etc. in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
• For asymmetrical shapes, first draw the main outline of the object and then draw any interior
features that you can copy.
• If the drawing is symmetrical about any axis, draw one half of the object and then use the
Mirror command to obtain the second half.
Assignment Drawing 1 – Fillet, Chamfer and Mirror
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 3, complete the assignment drawing you
started in Class 3. The drawing is due for submission and evaluation at the end of this class.
• Use the fillet command to add all Rounds (outside corners) and Fillets (inside corners)
• If you created the rectangular holes with polylines, (rectangles), use the Polyline option of the
fillet command to round all 4 corners of a rectangle in one step.
• Remember to move the drawing to the specified x,y coordinate location.
• Dimensions are not required. Title block is not required.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation.

2006 Page 5 of 5
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Drawing Setup Procedures
2. Model Space and Paper Space
3. Introduction to Page Setup and Layouts
4. Introduction to Viewports and Viewport Scales
1. Drawing Setup Procedures
• When starting a new drawing, one of the most important issues to consider will be the
system of measurement for default settings. Will you be drawing with Imperial
measurements, (inches, or feet and inches), or will you be drawing with Metric
measurements (typically Millimeters, but very large drawings may use Meters)
• The system of Measurement will control which files AutoCAD uses to for non-continuous
linetypes and hatch patterns, as well as many settings relating to the default drawing
area and dimension styles.
o When starting the drawing from an existing template, you need to choose
template where the system of measurement is already set. The default templates
are ACAD.dwt for Imperial measurement and ACADISO.dwt for Metric
measurement. All of the ANSI templates are also set up for inches and all of the
ISO templates are set up to work in millimeters.
o When starting the drawing “From Scratch” you will be prompted to select either
Imperial or Metric under default settings. (This option requires the Startup Dialog)
o Starting a drawing with a setup Wizard is not advised because no option is
provided for the choosing the default measurement settings.
• Units - The next decision that needs to be made is how you want to be able to specify
UNITS. There are several choices available relating to the precision and style of unit
entry. Metric drawings will typically use Decimal units with a precision of 1 decimal place.
(1.0) Imperial drawings will typically use Decimal units for mechanical style drawings and
Architectural units for architectural drawings. A third option, is Fractional units. The
distinction is shown with the example of Fifteen and a half inches.
o Decimal – 15.50
o Architectural – 1’3-1/2 (The single quote indicates a foot; the inch symbol never
needs to be used. Use a dash between the whole number and the fraction and a
slash between the top and bottom of a fraction. (Dimensions will still be displayed
correctly as 1’-3 1/2”).
o Fractional – 15-1/2

2006 Page 1 of 7
AutoCAD I
• Limits – This setting allows you to define your available work area. Drawing Limits is
used to define the extent of the grid display and to toggle Limits mode which can be used
to define the extent of your drawing. Drawing Limits is most commonly used simply to
control the extent of the Grid. The grid is displayed within a rectangle defined by two pick
points or co-ordinates.
• Drawing Limits can also be used to turn Limits mode on or off. Limits mode can be used
to control where objects can and cannot be drawn. Limits is turned off by default which
means that there is no restriction as to where points can be picked and objects drawn.
• The exact size of your model space drawing limits is not critical, but in a single layout
drawing, it should be set slightly larger than the space required for all of the drawing
views that you will be creating for the plotted sheet. (The sheet size does not matter.)
o Ex. 1) - A single floor plan of a house that measures 60 feet across and 45’ deep.
Consider the space around the plan that you will need when drawing dimensions.
(10 feet on each side?) 60 + 20 = 80’ and 45’+20’ = 65’, therefore set your limits
so the lower left corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at 120’, 90’. (Always
just a bit bigger than you calculate as required space.)
o Ex. 2) – A table that measures 6’ long, by 3’ wide, by 3’ tall. You need a top view,
a front view and a right-side view to be plotted together on a single sheet. The
total space required for the views, the dimensions, and the space between the
views is estimated at 6+3+2+3=14’ horizontally (X), and 11’ vertically (Y). Set the
drawing limits so the lower left a corner is at 0,0 and the upper right corner is at
18’,15’. (If you find you need more or less room as the drawings progress, you
can change the limits as many times as you need.)
• Zoom All – After setting your drawing limits, always do a Zoom All. (Z spacebar A
spacebar at the keyboards is a very fast way to zoom out to the largest of either the
extents of your objects or the drawing limits.)
• Quick Start Summary

1. Start with the right system of measurement; metric or inches.
2. Set Units. (Format menu or UN at the command line)
3. Set Drawing limits. (Format menu or LIMITS at the command line)
4. Zoom all. (Z<A<)
5. Set drawing aids such as running object snaps and polar settings.
6. Set layers, properties and styles. Start drawing. ☺

2006 Page 2 of 7
AutoCAD I
2. Model Space and Paper Space

• AutoCAD allows us to work in two separate environments when creating a drawing.
Model Space is the environment we use when creating and editing the model or
drawing. When we are ready to add a title block and plot the drawing we switch to the
Paper Space environment. Paper Space represents the sheet of paper on which you
arrange the drawing prior to plotting.
• To enable or disable Paper Space, we choose between the Model tabs and the Layout
tabs displayed at the bottom of the drawing editor. Selecting a layout tab will switch us
from Model Space to Paper Space and open the PageSetup dialog box where we can
specify the paper size and default plot settings to apply to that Layout.
• The layout tabs may be hidden and displayed as buttons on the status bar by right-
clicking on a layout tab and choosing Hide Layout Tabs.
• Model views are obtained by creating floating viewports in the sheet of paper, which let
us view the Model geometry. Viewports are created with the viewports toolbar (MVIEW).
Any number of viewports may be created, each of which may have a different scale, a
different view, or even different layers displayed. This allows us to create drawing details
at various scales without having to copy and scale any entities.
• After enabling Paper space and creating our layout, it is still possible to work on the
Model geometry by making one of the floating viewports active. This is referred to as
“Floating Model Space” (as opposed to “Tiled Model Space”) and allows you to view the
layout while working on the model.
• To make a viewport active, select the button, “Paper” on the status bar. This will activate
a floating viewport, making it current. You may also move your cursor over the desired
viewport and double click to make it active. Double clicking on an area outside the
viewport will return you to Paper Space.
• Model geometry (either 2D or 3D), Dimensions, and drawing specific notes such as
Room Names and construction notes are created in Model Space. Layout geometry
(borders and title blocks) and Overall Drawing titles are created in Paper Space.
• It is possible to create multiple layouts in a single drawing. Each new layout can have its
own Page Setup settings allowing you to have multiple sheet sizes in a single drawing.
Different layouts can be used to display different areas of a drawing such as plans and
elevations. (To create a new layout, right-click a layout tab and select the “new” option).

2006 Page 3 of 7
AutoCAD I
3. Layouts and Page Setup

• Choosing a layout tab places you into the Paper Space environment and opens the
Page Setup Manager Dialog box where you can create and modify layout settings.
• With Layout 1 selected, pick modify to access the Page Setup controls.
• The Page Setup dialog allows you to choose and configure a plotter and specify a
Plot Style. The Plot style specifies the colours and lineweight settings that will be
used when you plot the drawing. The ACAD plot style is used to plot a drawing in
colour, and Monochrome is used to plot in black and white.
• It is possible to create your own color based plot style as well, but this approach is
not required if you are using AutoCAD’s lineweight feature which allows you to
specify lineweights in the Layer dialog box.
• Other Layout Settings controls allow you to specify the paper size and units,
drawing orientation, area to plot, Plot scale, and Plot options.
• After completing the Page Setup options and choosing Ok, AutoCAD displays the
sheet of paper on a grey background. The printable area is shown as a dashed line
and AutoCAD will create a single floating viewport that appears as a continuous
rectangle in the centre.

2006 Page 4 of 7
AutoCAD I
4. Viewports and Viewport Scales

• When you are composing a layout, you can consider viewports as objects with a
view into model space that you can move and resize.
• Floating viewports can be overlapping or separated from one another. They can be
created from any closed shape but are traditionally created as rectangles. (This is the
default shape and the only shape possible in older releases.)
• Because floating viewports are Paper Space objects they can only be created and
modified in Paper Space. While you are working on the viewports it is impossible to
edit or work on your drawing. To edit the drawing you have to access Model Space.
• To switch between Model Space and Paper Space, select Paper or Model on the
status bar or double-click over the area you wish to work in. If major editing is
required, you may wish to disable Paper Space by selecting the Model tab.
• You can create a single viewport for each sheet or you can place multiple viewports
on a single layout. Each viewport can have its own scale relative to Paper Space
allowing you to plot a drawing at more than one scale on a single sheet.

2006 Page 5 of 7
AutoCAD I
•
The figure above shows the toolbars and viewport dialog used to create layouts,
floating viewports, and Page Setups. The Properties Palette provides access to
many viewport settings.
• Because Paper Space objects are always created at full size, plotting is usually done
at a scale of 1:1. To set the desired scale for the drawing displayed, we have to set a
ratio of paper space units to model space units for each viewport.
• The ratio is determined by dividing the paper space units by the model space units.
For example, for a quarter scale drawing, the ratio would be one paper space unit to
four model space units, or 1:4. You can change the plot scale of the viewport using
the Properties Palette, the viewports toolbar, or with the Zoom command.
• To set the scale for a viewport, select the viewport and choose the desired scale
from the drop down list of scales on the viewports toolbar or open the properties
window and select “Standard Scale”. The scale will be applied to the selected
viewport.
• After setting the desired view and scale for a viewport, the user should “lock the
viewport display” to ensure zooming does not affect the scale of the viewport.
Locking the viewport can be accomplished by selecting the viewport and right
clicking to display the short cut menu or by choosing the “display locked” setting from
the properties palette.

2006 Page 6 of 7
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Setup and Layouts
• In the following drawing exercises, you will learn how to setup larger drawings that require
more area than the default templates provide. You will need to specify the drawing units,
define the drawing limits, and set a few drawing aids before creating the drawing.
• When the drawing is complete, you will learn how to access the Paper space layouts, create
floating viewports, set the scale for the view, compose the drawing views on the sheet and
finally, lock the display of the viewport.
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 5, and recreate the two practice drawings shown.
Start a new file with the specified metric templates, for each drawing. (CADD1_Iso_A4 and
CADD1_Iso_A3 templates will be supplied by the instructor or can be found in the lesson 5
support folder on your CD.)
• Save the files as Practice-5a and Practice-5b, in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
Assignment Drawing 2 – Setup and Layouts
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 5, Create the assignment drawing as shown.
• Start the file with the CADD1-B2.dwt template file.
• Create the drawings exactly as shown. Set your drawing limits to 16,10 and keep both
drawings inside the limits. (toggle your grid to display the drawing limits)
• After completing the drawing, switch to Layout 1 and create a single viewport. Set the scale
to 1:1, centre the views, and then lock the display.
• Titles and dimensions are not required.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation when it is complete.

2006 Page 7 of 7
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Basic Inquiry Commands – List, Dist, and Area
2. Construction and Editing III – Stretch, Scale, Rotate, Break and Lengthen
Inquiry Commands - The inquiry and calculation commands can provide information
about objects in your drawing and do useful calculations.
• List - AutoCAD lists the object type, object layer, and X,Y,Z position relative to the
current user coordinate system (UCS) and whether the object is in model space or paper
space.
• List reports color, linetype, and lineweight information if these items are not set to
BYLAYER. The thickness of an object is displayed if it is nonzero. Z coordinate
information defines the elevation. If the extrusion direction of the entry differs from the Z
axis (0,0,1) of the current UCS, LIST also reports the extrusion direction in UCS
coordinates. LIST reports additional information related to the specific object selected.
• Dist - To determine the relation between two points, you can display the
• Distance between them

• Angle between the points in the XY plane
• Angle of the points from the XY plane
• Delta, or change in, X, Y, and Z distances between them
•

2006 Page 1 of 6
AutoCAD I
• Area - You can calculate and display the area and perimeter of a sequence of points or
of any of several types of objects. If you need to calculate the combined area of more
than one object, you can keep a running total as you add or subtract one area at a time
from the selection set. You cannot use window selection or crossing selection to select
objects.
• You can measure an arbitrary closed region defined by the points you specify. The points
must lie on a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS.
• You can calculate the enclosed area and perimeter or circumference of circles, ellipses,
polylines, polygons, regions, and AutoCAD 3D solids. The displayed information differs
according to the type of object you select:

2006 Page 2 of 6
AutoCAD I
2. Break and Lengthen
• BREAK is a convenient way to create a gap in an object, resulting in two objects with a
space between them.
• You can create breaks in: Arcs, Circles, Ellipses and elliptical arcs, Lines, Polylines,
Rays, Splines, and Xlines.
• When breaking an object, you can either
o Select the object at the first break point and then specify a second break point
o Select the entire object and then specify two break points
• LENGTHEN allows you to change the included angle of arcs and the length of some
objects. You can change the length of open lines, arcs, open polylines, elliptical arcs, and
open splines. The results are similar to extending and trimming. You can alter length in
several ways:
• Dragging an object endpoint (dynamically)
• Specifying a new length or angle as a percentage of the total length or angle
• Specifying an incremental length or angle measured from an endpoint
• Specifying the object's total absolute length or included angle
• *** Using the Polar mode and the Extension object snap, you can dynamically lengthen
and line segment with grip edits.

2006 Page 3 of 6
AutoCAD I
• Stretch and Scale - You can resize objects to make them longer or shorter in only one
direction or to make them proportionally larger or smaller. You can also stretch certain
objects by moving an endpoint, vertex, or control point.
o Stretch Objects - To stretch an object, you specify a base point and then a point of
displacement. Because stretching moves the endpoints that lie within the crossing
selection window, you must select the object with a crossing selection. To stretch
with greater accuracy, you can combine grip editing with object snaps, grid snaps,
and relative coordinate entry.
o Scale Objects - With scaling you can make an object larger or smaller, but you
cannot alter its proportions. You can scale it by specifying a base point and a length,
which is used as a scale factor based on the current drawing units, or by entering a
scale factor. You can also specify the current length and a new length for the object.

2006 Page 4 of 6
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Setup and Layouts
• In the following drawing exercises, you will learn how to setup larger drawings that require
more area than the default templates provide. You will need to specify the drawing units,
define the drawing limits, and set a few drawing aids before creating the drawing.
• When the drawing is complete, access the Paper space layouts, create a floating viewports,
set the scale for the view, compose the drawing views on the sheet and finally, lock the
display of the viewport.
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 6, and recreate the two practice drawings shown.
Start the first file with the CADD1-A.dwt templates. (Custom templates will be supplied by the
instructor or can be found in the lesson’s support folder on your CD.)
• When the first file is complete, use the SAVEAS command to save the file with a new name
and modify the design as required. This is a very efficient method for reusing existing drawing
information.
• Save the files as Practice-6a and Practice-6b, in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
Assignment Drawing 3 – Setup and Layouts
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 6, create the assignment drawing of the cornice
and crescent brackets as shown. Start the drawing with the CADD1-B2 template
to 3”=1’-0”, centre the views, and then lock the display.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation by the end of class 8

2006 Page 5 of 6
AutoCAD I
Inquiry Exercise #1 – Using List and Dist Commands
1. Open the sample drawing, Caruso Site.dwg. Open the Inquiry toolbar for easy access to
the List, Distance, and Area commands.
2. Using the List command, check the overall depth of the house by listing the properties of
the long line parallel to the north lot line.
3. Using the Dist command, check the overall width of the house.
4. Using the Dist command, check the width of the driveway where it meets the house.
5. Using the Dist command check the width of the driveway at its narrowest point.
6. Using the Dist command check the sideyard setback between the building and the North
lot line.
7. Open the sample drawing, Grovedale Site.dwg. Open the Inquiry toolbar for easy
access to the List, Distance, and Area commands.
8. Using the Dist command, determine the Length and Width of the proposed driveway.
9. Using the Dist command, determine the distance from the front of the verandah to the
front of the building lot.
10. Using the Dist command, determine the sideyard setbacks on both sides of the building.

2006 Page 6 of 6
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Object Properties
2. Layers
3. Colors
4. Linetypes and Linetype Scales
5. Lineweights
1. Object Properties - You can organize objects in your drawing and control how they
are displayed and plotted by changing their properties, which include layer, linetype, color,
lineweight, and plot style.
o Every object you draw has properties. Some properties are general and apply to most
objects; for example, layer, color, linetype, and plot style. Other properties are object-
specific; for example, the properties of a circle include radius and area, and the
properties of a line include length and angle.
o Most general properties can be assigned to an object by layer or can be assigned to an

object directly. Controlling properties by layer is very efficient. Assigning properties at the
object level is rarely required and should be avoided if possible.
o When a property is set to the value BYLAYER, the object is assigned the same value as
the layer on which it is drawn. For example, if a line drawn on Layer 0 is assigned the
color BYLAYER, and Layer0 is assigned the color Red, the line is red.
o When a property is set to a specific value, that value overrides the value set for the layer.
For example, if a line drawn on Layer0 is assigned the color Blue, and Layer 0 is
assigned the color Red, the line is blue. This can be very counter-productive when
attempting to change the appearance of a large number of entities.
o You can display and change the current properties for any object in your drawing in the
following ways:
• Open the Properties palette. The Properties palette lists the current settings for
properties of the selected object or set of objects. You can modify any property that
can be changed by specifying a new value. (fields that are grey cannot be modified)
• View and change the settings in the Layer control on the Layers toolbar and the
Color, Linetype, Lineweight, and Plot Style controls on the Properties toolbar.
• You can copy some or all properties of one object to other objects using Match
Properties. The types of properties that can be copied include, but are not limited to,
colour, layer, linetype, linetype scale, lineweight, plot style, and 3D thickness.

AutoCAD I
2 Layers - Layers are like transparent overlays on which you organize and group different
kinds of drawing information. Layers are used to group information in a drawing by function and
to enforce linetype, colour, and other standards.
• By creating layers, you can associate similar types of objects by assigning them to the same
layer. For example, you can put construction lines, text, dimensions, and title blocks on
separate layers. You can then control:
o Whether objects on a layer are visible in any viewports
o Whether and how objects are plotted
o What color is assigned to all objects on a layer
o What default linetype and lineweight are assigned to all objects on a layer
o Whether objects on a layer can be modified. (lock)
• Every drawing includes a layer named 0. Layer 0 cannot be deleted or renamed. It has two
purposes:
o Ensure that every drawing includes at least one layer
o Provide a special layer that relates to controlling colors in blocks
Control the Visibility of Objects on a Layer

You can make drawing layers invisible either by turning them off or by freezing them. Turning off
or freezing layers is useful if you need an unobstructed view when working in detail on a
particular layer or set of layers or if you don't want to plot details such as reference lines. Whether
you choose to freeze layers or turn them off depends on how you work and on the size of your
drawing.
• On/Off. Objects on turned-off layers are invisible, but they still hide objects when you use
HIDE. When you switch layers on and off, the drawing is not regenerated.
• Freeze/Thaw. Objects on frozen layers are invisible and do not hide other objects.
Thawing one or more layers causes the drawing to be regenerated. Freezing and
thawing layers takes more time than turning layers on and off.

AutoCAD I
Assign a Default Color and Linetype to a Layer
Each layer has associated properties such as color and linetype that are assumed by all objects
on that layer. For example, if the Color control on the Properties toolbar is set to BYLAYER, the
color of new objects is determined by the color setting for the layer in the Layer Properties
Manager.
Control Whether Objects on a Layer Can Be Modified
When a layer is locked, none of the objects on that layer can be modified until you unlock the
layer. Locking layers reduces the possibility of modifying objects accidentally. You can still apply
object snaps to objects on a locked layer and perform other operations that do not modify those
objects.
Creating New Layers
You can create and name a layer for each conceptual grouping (such as walls or dimensions)
and assign common properties to those layers. By grouping objects into layers, you can control
their display and make changes quickly and efficiently.
The number of layers you can create in a drawing and the number of objects you can create per
layer are virtually unlimited. Layers are usually dedicated to each conceptual grouping (such as
walls or dimensions). Layers can have alphanumeric names up to 255 characters long. In many
cases, the layer names you choose are dictated by corporate, industry, or client standards.
The Layer Properties Manager sorts layers alphabetically by name. If you're organizing your own
layer scheme, name layers carefully. By using common prefixes to name layers with related
drawing components, you can use wild-card characters in layer name filters when you need to
find those layers quickly
Setting a Current Layer
As you draw, newly created objects are placed on the current layer. The current layer may be the
default layer (0) or a layer you create and name yourself. You switch from one layer to another by
making a different layer current; any subsequent objects you create are associated with the new
current layer and use its color, linetype, and other properties. You cannot make a layer the
current layer if it is frozen.

AutoCAD I
Deleting Layers
You can remove unused layers from your drawing by deleting the layer from the Layer Properties
Manager. You can delete only unreferenced layers. Referenced layers include layers 0 and
DEFPOINTS, layers containing objects (including objects in block definitions), the current layer,
and xref-dependent layers.
Because everything in your drawing is associated with a layer, it's likely that in the course of
planning and creating a drawing, you'll need to change what you place on a layer or how you
view the layers in combination. You can
o Reassign objects from one layer to another.

o Change the name of a layer.
o Change the default colour, linetype, or other properties of the layer.
Reassigning an object to a different layer is useful if you create an object on the wrong layer or
decide to change your layer organization. Unless the color, linetype, or other properties of the
object have been set explicitly, an object that you reassign to a different layer will acquire the
properties of that layer.
You can change layer properties in the Layer Properties Manager and in the Layer control on the
Layers toolbar. Click the icons to change settings. Layer names and colours can be changed only
in the Layer Properties Manager, not the Layer control.

AutoCAD I
3. Colors - Color helps to group objects visually. You can assign colors to object by layer or
individually. You can change the color of an object by reassigning it to another layer, by changing
the color of the layer the object is on, or by specifying a color for the object explicitly.
o You can assign the color of an object either by layer or by specifying its color explicitly,
independent of layer. Assigning colors by layer makes it easy to identify each layer within
your drawing. Assigning colors explicitly provides additional distinctions between objects
on the same layer. Color may also be used as a way to indicate lineweights for color-
dependent plotting.
o ACI colors are the standard colors used in AutoCAD. Each color is identified by an ACI
number, an integer from 1 through 255. Standard color names are available only for
colors 1 through 7. The colors are assigned as follows: 1 Red, 2 Yellow, 3 Green, 4
Cyan, 5 Blue, 6 Magenta, 7 White/Black.
o True colors use 24-bit color definitions to display over 16 million colours. When
specifying true colors, you can use either an RGB or HSL color model. With the RGB
color model, you can specify the red, green, and blue components of the color; with the
HSL color model, you can specify the hue, saturation, and luminance aspects of the
color.
o All objects are created using the current color, which is displayed in the Color control on
the Properties toolbar. You can also set the current color with the Color control or the
Select Color dialog box.
o If the current color is set to BYLAYER, objects are created with the color assigned to the
current layer. If you do not want the current color to be the color assigned to the current
layer, you can specify a different color.
o If the current color is set to BYBLOCK, objects are created using color 7 (white or black)
until the objects are grouped into a block. When the block is inserted into the drawing, it
acquires the current color setting.
o It is very rare that you should need to assign colours explicitly. Layers provide a
much faster way to manage the colour of a group of objects.

AutoCAD I
4. Linetypes and Linetype Scales - You can use linetypes to distinguish objects
from one another visually and make your drawing easier to read.
o A linetype is a repeating pattern of dashes, dots, and blank spaces displayed in a line or
a curve. You assign linetypes to objects either by layer or by specifying the linetype
explicitly, independent of layers. In addition to choosing a linetype, you can set its scale
to control the size of the dashes and spaces.
o Linetypes can be loaded at the start of a drawing with the Linetype Manager or as they
are required, by selecting the linetype option in the Layer Manager. All objects are
created using the current linetype, which is displayed in the Linetype control on the
Properties toolbar. You can also set the current linetype with the Linetype control. (Not a
good practice.)
o If the current linetype is set to BYLAYER, objects are created with the linetype assigned
to the current layer. If the current linetype is set to BYBLOCK, objects are created using
the CONTINUOUS linetype until the objects are grouped into a block. When the block is
inserted into the drawing, those objects acquire the current linetype setting.
Linetype Scales
The size of the dashes and spaces in a linetype is controlled by the global linetype scale factor,
LTSCALE and the individual linetype scale factor, CELTSCALE. The CELTSCALE value is
multiplied by the LTSCALE value to get the displayed linetype scale. You can easily change
linetype scales in your drawing either individually or globally.
In a single layout drawing set

LTSCALE to the intended plot
scale. i.e. - 1”=1’-0”, set
LTSCALE to 12.
Always leave CELTSCALE at 1.

This should be applied only to
individual segments that are too
small to display the dashes at a
normal scale. Double-click the
object to access its linetype
scale in the properties palette

AutoCAD I
5. Lineweights - You can further differentiate objects in your drawing by controlling their
lineweights both in the drawing display and in plotting.
o Using lineweights, you can create heavy and thin lines to show cuts in sections, depth in
elevations, dimension lines and tick marks, and differences in details. For example, by
assigning varying lineweights to different layers, you can easily differentiate between
new, existing, and demolition construction. Lineweights are not displayed unless the LWT
button on the status bar is selected.
o Lineweights are displayed differently in model space than in a paper space layout.
o In model space, lineweights are displayed in pixels and do not change when zoomed in
or out. Thus, you should not use lineweights to represent the exact width of an object in
model space. For example, if you want to draw an object with a real-world width of 0.5
inches, do not use a lineweight; instead, use a polyline with a width of 0.5 inches to
represent the object.
o In layouts and plot preview, lineweights are displayed in real-world units, and lineweight
display changes with the zoom factor. You can control lineweight plotting and scaling in
your drawing in the Plot dialog box, Plot Settings tab.
o All objects are created using the current lineweight, which is displayed in the Lineweight
control on the Properties toolbar. You can also set the current lineweight with the
Lineweight control.
o If the current lineweight is set to BYLAYER, objects are created with the lineweight
assigned to the current layer.
o If the current lineweight is set to BYBLOCK, objects are created using the default
lineweight setting until the objects are grouped into a block. When the block is inserted
into the drawing, it acquires the current lineweight setting.
o If you do not want the current lineweight to be the lineweight assigned to the current
layer, you can specify a different lineweight explicitly.
o As with all general properties, the lineweight setting is most easily controlled through the
BYLAYER setting. Changing a single value in the layer manager can affect the properties
of hundreds of entities. (Unless they have explicit properties applied.)

AutoCAD I
This graphic depicts a sample set of lineweights for various types of entities in a drawing.
The actual linewidths are being approximated in this image due to the conversion to a raster
image. See attached drawing for a more accurate depiction of the lineweights.

AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Layers, Properties and Layouts
• In the following drawing exercises, you will learn how to setup realistic technical drawings
that require more detailed depictions of lineweights and linetypes. You will organize the
drawing information through the use of Layers.
• When the drawing is complete, access the Paper space layouts, create a floating viewport,
set the scale for the view, compose the drawing views on the sheet and finally, lock the
display of the viewport.
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 7, and recreate the practice drawing of the Idler
Plate as shown. Start the file with the CADD1-B2.dwt templates. (Custom templates will be
supplied by the instructor or can be found in the lesson’s support folder on your CD.)
• Create a new layer called Plate, set it’s colour to Magenta and it’s lineweight to 0.50mm.
• Set the new layer current and draw the plate as shown. Start with circles and construction
lines and then use the fillet command to create tangential arcs between the circles.
• Save the file as Practice-7a in the Practice folder you created in lesson 1.
• When the drawing is complete, back it up by copying the file to a removable drive.
Assignment Drawing 4 – Layers, Properties and Layouts
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 7, complete the assignment drawing of the
Hancock Meeting Room Bench as shown on the Sheet A1.
• Do not draw the detail drawings or the isometric view. They are for your reference only.
to 1 ½” = 1’ – 0”, centre the views, and then lock the display.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation when it is complete. It is due by the
end of Class 10.

AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Text Styles
2. Text Heights
3. Adding Single Line Text (Dtext) and Paragraph Text (Mtext)
1. Text Styles
• All text created in AutoCAD has an associated text style which sets the desired font, size,
angle, orientation, and other default text characteristics. The default style for text is called
“Standard” and usually references a very simple font. (txt.shx or isocp.shx)
• The user can and should define their own text styles to control the appearance of all
annotation they add to the drawing. One of the main advantages of a properly created
named text style is the ability to automatically modify all instances of text associated with
that style. If all of the text in a drawing references the same named style it is difficult to
modify the appearance of a certain group of text (general notes for example) without
modifying all text (dimensions, view names, room tags, etc.)
• Any drawing should have

a minimum of three
uniquely named text styles
to control the appearance
of text in different
locations. Use descriptive
names when creating your
text styles. Ex. – Dim_txt,
Title_txt, Gen_notes are
more appropriate than
Style1, Style2, etc.
• Text styles are created

with the STYLE
command. It is accessed from the Format menu. When you create a text style it is
possible to preset the text height but the user should follow standards when determining
the height. Always preset the height for dimension text to “zero” or you will be unable to
control it through the dimension style.

AutoCAD I
2. Text Heights
• Following appropriate guidelines when determining heights for notes and titles is crucial
to creating a professional looking drawing. Although font selection will have some impact
on text heights, Engineering and Architectural documents should generally adhere to the
following standard sizes for text:
General Notes, Dimensions – Min. 1/16” and Max. 1/8” (3/32” – Std. Arch.)
Room Tags and Small Titles – Min. 1/8” and Max. 3/16” (1/8” – Std. Arch.)
View Names and Large Titles – Min. 3/16” and Max. 3/8” (1/4” – Std. Arch.)
• In a full size drawing these sizes could be specified as shown above but if the drawing is
to be plotted at a scale of 1”=1’-0” or 1/8”=1’-0”, and the text is being added in Model
Space, the desired plotted height must be multiplied by the Scale Factor of the drawing to
determine the actual text heights.
i.e. - Desired note size is 1/8” Drawing Scale is 1/8” = 1’-0” Scale Factor = 96
Actual text height is calculated as (1/8”) x (96) = 12”
i.e. - Desired title size is 3/16” Drawing Scale is ½” = 1’-0” Scale Factor = 24
Actual text height is calculated as (3/16”) x (24) = 4.5”
3. Dynamic Text and Paragraph Text

• There are two commands used to add text to a drawing, DTEXT and MTEXT. The former
is an older command used for creating single line text. The latter is used for long,
complex entries of text, which appear on more than one line and which may require
individual formatting such as BOLD, Italics, or Underlining.
• You may use single-line text (DTEXT) to create one or more lines of text, ending each
line when you press ENTER. Each text line is an independent object that you can
relocate, reformat, or otherwise modify.
• When you create single-line text, you assign a text style and set alignment on the
command line. The text style sets the default characteristics of the text object. The
alignment determines what part of the text character aligns with the insertion point.

AutoCAD I
• The default method for creating text is the MTEXT command. It works more like an actual
word processor than the legacy DTEXT command and many users actually prefer to use
MTEXT for all their text requirements.
• The MTEXT command may be accessed from the DRAW toolbar, the DRAW menu, or
by typing “T” and hitting enter at the command line.
• MTEXT fits within a non-printing text boundary that defines the width of the paragraph. A
paragraph of text is considered a single entity. (There are four or five grips that can be
used to manipulate the properties of the paragraph.)
• Individual words or characters within the paragraph may be formatted. Individual formats
include underline, overline, colour, bold, font, italics, and height.
• Nine attachment options control the justification and spill direction of paragraph text. In
the justification fly out on the cursor menu, you will find these controls.

AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Construction, Layers and Layouts
• In the following drawing exercises, you will continue to work with realistic technical drawings
that require detailed lineweights and linetypes. You will organize the drawing information
through the use of Layers and the required text annotations.
• When the drawing is complete, access the Paper space layouts, create a floating viewport,
set the scale for the view, compose the drawing views on the sheet, and lock the display of
the viewport. The detail views are not required. Create the following layers:
o Object_50 Magenta Continuous .50mm

o Object_25 Blue Continuous .25mm
o Hidden Green Hidden2 .18mm
o Annotation Cyan Continuous .25mm
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 8, and recreate the practice drawing of the Shaker
Step Stool as shown. Start the file with the CADD1-B2.dwt templates. (Custom templates will
be supplied by the instructor or can be found in the lesson’s support folder on your DVD.)
• When the drawing is complete, back it up by copying the file to a removable drive.
Assignment Drawing 5 – Construction and Layouts
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 8, create the assignment drawing of the Roof
Cresting as shown.
to 6” = 1’ - 0”, centre the view, and then lock the display.
• Add the titles as shown. Dimensions are not required.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation when it is complete. It is to be
submitted for evaluation by the end of class 12.
• Submit assignment 3 for evaluation by the end of this class.

AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Grips and Grip Editing
2. Tracking and AutoTracking
3. Revision Clouds
1. Grips and Automatic Editing
• When the Pickfirst system variable is enabled, (Tools / Selection…) it is possible to

select objects first and then specify an action to perform. (Noun/Verb selection process)
This method can reduce the number of steps required to edit objects. (Eliminates
selection confirmation)
• When grips are enabled, (Tools / Grips…) small boxes will appear at strategic points on
entities when you select them without issuing a command. (Location varies with entity)
• Grips allow you to reduce your use of menus and toolbars, allowing you to edit more
quickly in many circumstances.
• To use grips for editing, select a grip to act as the base point for the edit. When you
move your cursor over a grip, it acts like a magnet, snapping to the grip. When you pick a
grip it changes colour (defaults to red) and is referred to as a hot grip.
• To create multiple hot grips (usually for stretch edits); hold down the shift key before
selecting the grips. When you release shift, pick a grip to act as a base point.
• Once a grip becomes hot, it acts as the base points for one of the grip edit modes -
Stretch, move, rotate, scale, or mirror. To cycle through the modes, press the space bar
or right-click on the hot grip to obtain a cursor menu of available edit options.
©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006

Page 1 of 4
AutoCAD I
• The grip cursor menu also provides access to the properties dialog box for the selected
entity, although for general properties the object properties toolbar is still faster.
• To clear grips, hit the escape key.
• It is not necessary to clear grips before starting a new construction or object creation
command if you are using toolbars. As soon as you pick a creation tool icon, AutoCAD
issues a double escape sequence, and the grips are removed.
2. Tracking and AutoTracking
• AutoTrack helps you

draw objects at
specific angles or in
specific relationships
to other objects. When
you turn on AutoTrack,
temporary alignment
paths help you create
objects at precise
positions and angles.
AutoTrack includes
two tracking options:
polar tracking and object snap tracking. You can toggle AutoTrack on and off with the
Polar and Otrack buttons on the status bar. Object snap tracking works in conjunction
with object snaps. You must set an object snap before you can track from an object's
snap point.
• Tracking specifies a series of temporary points, each offset from the previous one. Thus,
you specify a new point location from a series of directions and distances. To determine
the location of each temporary point, you can use direct distance entry. First move the
cursor to specify the direction, and then enter a numeric distance.

Page 2 of 4
AutoCAD I
2. Revision Clouds
• If you review or redline drawings, you can increase your productivity by using the
Revision Cloud feature to highlight your markups. REVCLOUD creates a polyline of
sequential arcs to form a cloud-shaped object. You can select a style for a revision cloud:
Normal or Calligraphy. If you select Calligraphy, the revision cloud looks as if it was
drawn with a calligraphy pen.
• You can create a revision cloud from scratch, or you can convert objects, such as a
circle, ellipse, polyline, or spline, to a revision cloud. When you convert an object to a
revision cloud, the original object is deleted if DELOBJ is set to 1 (the default).
• You can set the minimum and maximum default values for the arc lengths of a revision
cloud. When you draw a revision cloud, you can vary the size of the arcs by using pick
points for the smaller arc segments. You can also edit the individual arc lengths and
chord lengths of a revision cloud by adjusting the pick points.

Page 3 of 4
AutoCAD I
Final Assignment Drawing- Part A – Entrance with Portico
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 9, create the assignment drawing of the
Pedimented Portico and Front Door as shown.
to 1/2” = 1’ - 0”, centre the view, and then lock the display.
• Add the titles as shown. Dimensions are not required. The Detail views are not required.
• Save the file as CADD1_Portico_Your Name.dwg in your assignments folder.
• This drawing will become part of a larger drawing for the final assignment.

Page 4 of 4
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Rectangular Arrays
2. Polar Arrays
3. Point, Divide, and Measure
1. Rectangular Arrays
• You can create copies of objects in a rectangular or polar (circular) pattern called an
array. For rectangular arrays, you control the number of rows and columns and the
distance between each. For polar arrays, you control the number of copies of the object
and whether the copies are rotated. To create many regularly spaced objects, arraying is
faster than copying.

2006 Page 1 of 4
AutoCAD I
2. Polar Arrays
• When you create a polar array, the array is drawn counterclockwise or clockwise,
depending on whether you enter a positive or a negative value for the angle to fill.
• Use the preview option to check the settings for your array before applying. Experiment
with the Rotate items option. In the example above the chair is being rotated as it is
arrayed so it is always facing the centre of the table. If you were arraying the numbers
on a clock face, you would want this option deselected.

2006 Page 2 of 4
AutoCAD I
3. Point, Divide and Measure

• POINT objects are useful as nodes or
reference geometry for object snaps and
relative offsets. You can set the style of
the points and their size relative to the
screen or in absolute units. Changing the
style of points makes it easier to see and
use them.
• To set the size and style for the points,

select Point Style from the Format menu.
• DIVIDE allows you to create points or

insert blocks on an object at a specific
number of equal intervals. This operation
does not actually break an object into
individual objects; it only identifies the location of the divisions so that you can use them
as geometric reference points.
• MEASURE allows you to mark an object at specified intervals. You can mark the
intervals with either points or blocks. The last segment of a measured object may be
shorter than the interval you specify.

2006 Page 3 of 4
AutoCAD I
Assignment Drawing 4 – Hancock Bench
• Referring to the drawing file pages for lesson 7, Complete the assignment drawing as shown.
to 1-1/2” = 1’-0”, centre the view, and then lock the display.
• Titles are required. Dimensions are not required.
• Send a copy of the file to your instructor for evaluation when it is complete. It is due for
evaluation at the end of this class. (Class 10)
Final Assignment Drawing- Part B – Pedimented Window
Pedimented Window as shown. Follow the instructions on the drawing and create the file by
by basing it on the Pedimented front door. The proportions of the pediment and entablature
are identical between the two files. Scale the door’s pediment and entablature to ¾ of its
original size and draw the window below.
to 1” = 1’ – 0”, centre the view, and then lock the display.
• Add the titles as shown. Dimensions are not required.
• Save the file as CADD1_Window_Your Name.dwg in your assignments folder.
• This drawing will become part of a larger drawing for the final assignment.

2006 Page 4 of 4
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Dimension Concepts
2. Dimension Guidelines
3. Dimension Terms and Dimension Creation
1. Dimension Concepts
• Dimensions show the geometric measurements of objects, the distances or angles between
objects, or the x & y co-ordinates of a feature.
• 3 basic types: Linear (horizontal, vertical, and aligned), radial (radius, diameter), and angular
• Dimensions are always drawn on the current layer. (Create a layer “a-anno-dim”)
• Appearance of dimensions are controlled by over 70 different dimension variables.
• All dimensions have a style (default or user defined), which is a named set of dimension
variables. Styles may be saved, restored, deleted, compared, and applied.
• When you create a new style it becomes the “parent style” of a “style family”
• Style families allow for subtle modifications to a base style for different types of dimensions.
(Ex.- An architectural drawing shows linear dimensions with architectural ticks, but radial and
leaders with closed, filled arrowheads)
2. Dimension Guidelines
• Dimensions should not crowd the object being dimensioned. Try to maintain a distance of at
least 3/8” or 10mm between the object and the first dimension line.
• Space dimension strings evenly, providing a minimum of 1/4” or 6mm between strings.
• Dimension lines must not cross extension lines. Dimension the smallest features first.
• Never dimension hidden lines. Never repeat dimensions.
• Always use Object Snaps to ensure accuracy when selecting objects to dimension.
• Radial and diameter dimensions should always read horizontally.
• Circles or holes should be dimensioned as diameters. Arcs and fillets should be dimensioned
as radii.
• Chamfer dimensions may be given as D1 x D2, or D1 x “#” degrees.
• If a dimension is not to scale it should be underlined.
• Dim text should be the same size as the text used for general notes. (1/8” or 3mm max.)
• Try to maintain these size relationships when creating a dimension style:
o Text Height = Arrow Size = Extensions=Origin Offset
o Text/2 = Text offset = Centre Mark
• Model space plots: dimscale = scale factor Multi-scale Paper space plots: dimscale = 0
• NEVER override the default value for dimension text. This will remove the associativity of the
dimension. If the dimension text value is incorrect, the drawing is incorrect. FIX IT!
2006 Page 1 of 5
AutoCAD I
3. Dimension Terms and Dimension Creation

• Dimensions have several distinct elements: dimension text, dimension lines, arrowheads,
and extension lines.
•
Linear dimensions can be horizontal, vertical, or aligned. With aligned dimensions, the
dimension line is parallel to the line (imaginary or real) between the extension line origins.
Baseline (or parallel) and continued (or chain) dimensions are series of consecutive
dimensions that are based on a linear dimension.

2006 Page 2 of 5
AutoCAD I
• Baseline dimensions are multiple dimensions measured from the same baseline. Continued
dimensions are multiple dimensions placed end to end. You must create a linear, aligned, or
angular dimension before you create baseline or continued dimensions. You create baseline
dimensions incrementally from the most recently created dimension in the current session.
• AutoCAD automatically applies a horizontal or vertical dimension according to the

extension line origins that you specify or the location where you select an object;
however, you can override this as
you create the dimension by
specifying that a dimension be
horizontal or vertical.
• When you draw linear

dimensions, you either pick two
extension origin points, or hit
enter to select an object to
dimension, then you pick a point
to place the dimension. Before
placing the dimension, there are
several options available to
modify the dimension value.

2006 Page 3 of 5
AutoCAD I
• A LEADER object is a line or a spline with an arrowhead at one end and a multiline text
object at the other.
• The leader line is associated with the multiline text object, so when the text object is
relocated, the leader line stretches accordingly. Surprisingly, the leader line itself can be
relocated without affecting the text. This makes it easy to modify the where the leader
line attaches to the text.
• When associative dimensioning is turned on and object snaps are used to locate the
leader arrowhead, the leader is associated with the object to which the arrowhead is
attached. If the object is relocated, the arrowhead is relocated, and the leader line
stretches accordingly.
• For straight leaders, set the number of points to 2 and for spline leaders try it at 4.

2006 Page 4 of 5
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Default Mechanical Style Dimensioning
• To practice dimensioning techniques, open the coordinate practice drawings that you created
in classes 2, 3, and 4 and add the dimensions as shown on the drawing handouts.
• Use the Standard dimension style.
• Create a layer for your dimensions using the following settings:
o A-Anno-dim Continuous Yellow 0.13mm lineweight

2006 Page 5 of 5
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Dimension Styles
2. Creating a Parent dimension style
1. Dimension Styles
• You can control the appearance of dimensions by changing settings. For convenience and to
help maintain dimensioning standards, you can store these settings in dimension styles.
• By modifying a dimension style, you can update all existing dimensions created previously
with that dimension style to reflect the new settings.

2006 Page 1 of 11
AutoCAD I
2. Dimension Parent Styles
** To create a simple Mechanical dimension style, modify the Standard style and reduce the
size of the text and arrowheads by 50%. Pick a style for the dimension text that references an
arial font.
To Create a Parent Dimension Style – Architectural
1. D< or Format \ Dimension Style or select Dimension Style icon from toolbar.
2. Pick “New”. Enter a descriptive style name and select “Continue” to open the new
dimension style dialog box.
3. This dialog box has seven tabbed sections. The first five tabs contain all basic settings.
• Under the tab, Lines, set the size and appearance of dimension lines, extension lines,
offsets, and extensions. (*Default sizes for text and arrows are quite large. Set to a
maximum of 1/8” or .125”). Leave the colours and lineweights set to “byblock”.

2006 Page 2 of 11
AutoCAD I
• You can control several aspects of a dimension line. For architectural arrowheads, you
can set the distance by which the dimension line extends beyond the extension lines.
This option, “extend beyond ticks”, is only available with architectural style arrowheads.
You can also specify how far beyond the dimension line the extension line extends. You
can control the distance between the extension line origin and the start of the extension
line. This distance is known as the extension origin offset.
• Other options are rarely used, but include the ability to give elements a specific color,
lineweight, or linetype. You may also suppress various elements or define a fixed length
for your extension lines.
• Under Symbols and Arrows, specify the style and size of arrowhead you wish to use.
There are 20 choices for different styles of arrowheads and you can also define your own
custom arrowhead style.
• For architectural drawings, you would typically choose Architectural Ticks for First and
Second arrowheads, and Closed filled arrowheads for your leaders. For a mechanical
style drawing, Closed filled arrowheads would typically be used in all locations.
• Reduce the size of the arrowheads from the default of 3/16” to 3/32” for architectural
drawings and 1/8” for mechanical style drawings.
• The Centre
marks
section, lets
you choose
the size and
style of
center
marks that
will be
applied to
radial and
diameter
dimensions.

2006 Page 3 of 11
AutoCAD I
• Under Text set the text style, height, and default position for the dimension text.
• Under the text placement and alignment heading, you can choose from several
justification settings that facilitate compliance with international standards, or you can
choose your own location for the text.
• The position of the text relative to the dimension line is referred to as vertical text
placement. Text can be placed above or below or centered within the dimension line. In
the ANSI standards, centered text usually splits the dimension line. In the ISO standards,
it is usually above or outside the dimension line.
• The selections in the image above show the typical settings for text placement in an
architectural dimension style. For mechanical dimensions, set the vertical placement to
centered and the text alignment to Horizontal.
• Create a text style to use for dimensions, but ensure the height is preset to zero inches
in the text style so the height can be specified in the Dimension style. If a height is preset
in the text style, it will be fixed and the Dimension scale option will not affect it.

2006 Page 4 of 11
AutoCAD I
• Under the Fit tab, set the overall scale for the dimension elements, and placement
options for the text and arrows when they are not in the default position.
• Many factors, such as the size of text, text offsets, and arrowheads, influence how
dimension text and arrowheads fit within the extension lines. In general, AutoCAD
automatically applies the best fit, given the available space. If possible, both text and
arrowheads are accommodated between the extension lines, no matter what fit option
you choose. Forcing the text inside extensions and then moving it outside when required
is usually the best option as otherwise, AutoCAD seems to move the text outside even
when there is enough room to display it.
• Under Text Placement, selecting without a leader will allow you to move the text freely
without moving the dimension line or drawing leaders that often conceal the text.
• Under Fine Tuning, selecting Always draw dim line will ensure continuous strings for
Architectural style dimensioning. Place text manually is most useful for Radial and
Diameter child styles.
• The Scale setting should be set to the same value as the Viewport scale for a single
viewport drawing or Scale dimensions to Layout for a multi-scale drawing.

2006 Page 5 of 11
AutoCAD I
• Under Primary Units tab, set the desired unit format, level of precision, and zero
suppression options for both linear and angular dimensions.
• The settings for primary units control the display of the dimension values, including the
unit format, the numeric precision, and the decimal separator style.
• You can round off all dimension values except those for angular dimensions. For
example, if you specify a round-off value of 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest
0.25 unit. If the drawing is constructed accurately, this should not be necessary.
• If you suppress leading zeros in decimal dimensions, 0.500 becomes .500. If you
suppress trailing zeros, 0.500 becomes 0.5. You can suppress both leading and trailing
zeros so that 0.5000 becomes .5 and 0.0000 becomes 0.
• For Architectural dimensions, suppressing only Feet is the best option.
• Larger dimensions will display as 5’ - 0” instead of 5’
• Smaller dimensions will display as 4 1/2”, instead of 0’ – 4 1/2”

2006 Page 6 of 11
AutoCAD I
• The final two tabs offer settings for enabling Alternate Units and Tolerances. Alternate
units will display the dimension value twice. Once, in the primary units, such as feet and
inches, and then again in millimetres, displayed in brackets after the primary value.
• Tolerances are rarely shown on Architectural dimensions. These options are

used more for Mechanical drawings.
• Choose “ok” and then close to finish saving your Parent Dimension Style
2006 Page 7 of 11
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Dimension Styles and Dimensions
• To practice dimensioning techniques and dimension styles, open all of the drawings that you
have created in classes 5-10 and add the dimensions as shown on the drawing handouts.
• Create a named dimension style before drawing your dimensions. Use typical settings for
Mechanical or Architectural style dimensions as shown in the notes for classes 11 and 12.
Assignment Drawing 5 – Roof Cresting
submitted for evaluation by the end of this class. (Class 12)
Final Assignment Drawing 6 – Arrays, Dimensions, and

Advanced Drawing Construction Techniques
Building Elevation as shown.
• Setup - Start a new drawing with the CADD1-C template drawing.
• Set the units to architectural and the limits from 0,0 to 90’,60’
• Create the following layers:
o Wall Magenta Continuous 0.50mm

o Wall Trim Cyan Continuous 0.25mm
o Roof Blue Continuous 0.50mm
o Roof Trim Green Continuous 0.25mm
o Grade #22 Continuous 0.70mm
o Xlines Green Continuous Default *Non-Plotting layer
o Datum Blue Center2 0.25mm
o Dims Yellow Continuous 0.13mm
o Notes Cyan Continuous Default
o Titles Blue Continuous Default
• Outline - Create the main outline of the building. Start by drawing a line on the datum layer
75’ long and then offset it to all of the required vertical locations. (floorlines, rooflines, etc.)
Next, draw a vertical line and start offsetting it to the required horizontal locations such as the
wall edges, roof overhang, etc. Add the arc to create the bell curve roof outline.
• Examine the handout drawing closely to determine where the two lineweights are applied to
the two different layers for the Wall and Roof.

2006 Page 8 of 11
AutoCAD I
• When the main outline is complete, we can start to add doors and windows.
• Portico - Open the Front Door drawing that you completed earlier and select all objects.
Right Click your mouse and choose “Copy with Base Point” from the shortcut menu. Specify
a base point at the midpoint of the lowest horizontal line. This operation places a copy of the
door on the Windows Clipboard. From this virtual clipboard (windows memory), we can
access the door and Paste it into another drawing. Switch back to your final elevation
drawing, Right-click your mouse and choose Paste. The front door will appear on your screen
and when you snap to the midpoint of the lowest horizontal line on the house, it will be copied
into your elevation drawing. Review your layers to see that all four of the portico layers have
been added to the current drawing.
• Repeating the above process, Copy and Paste into the elevation, one copy of the pediment
window, and one copy of each of the brackets from assignment 3.
• Windows - Move the first window into position at the lower left corner of the house. Freeze
the Portico layers to hide the front door and portico. Use the array command to create an
array of 15 windows. (3 rows at 10’ spacing and 5 columns at 9’ spacing). Use the stretch
command to resize the window sizes on the second and third floors from 5’ to 5’6” and 4’6”
respectively. You will need to apply two stretches of 3” each to each row of windows to
ensure the relative spacing of the top and bottom sections of the windows remain consistent.
Erase the window at the centre of the lowest row. Thaw the portico layers.
• To change the pediment on the third floor windows to a segmental arch style, zoom in on one
window and draw a 3 point arc that passes through the outer triangle of the pediment. Offset
the arc with a through point
option to create copies that
intersect the smaller triangles of
the original pediment. Erase the
original lines of the pediments
on the third floor and copy or
array the new pediment to the
remaining windows.
• Cresting – Open the Roof cresting drawing from assignment 5. Select the entire cresting set
of elements and copy them to clipboard, specifying a base point at the lower left corner of the
main, vertical section. Switch to the Elevation drawing and zoom in on the top left corner of
the roof. Right –click your mouse and choose “Paste as Block”. Select a point, 3” in from the
top left corner of the roof. Try selecting one of the lines in the cresting to see that all of the
lines and arcs have been grouped together into a single element. This is known as a “Quick
2006 Page 9 of 11
AutoCAD I
Block”. In the level two course, you will learn to work with block definitions and the powerful
new dynamic blocks that allow us to assign properties and parameters to graphic elements.
• To complete the cresting calculate how many copies you will need to create. The roof is 50
feet or 600 inches long. The cresting is 11.” long. 600 divided by 11. = 54.54, therefore 54
copies are required. 54 times 11 = 594 leaving 6 inches of extra space to divide between the
two ends of the roof. 6/2 = 3”. Starting this distance from the left end of the roof, create an
array with 54 columns at a spacing of 11”
• Brackets – To create the brackets under the roof overhang, we will use a similar process to
the one used for the cresting. I first decided to use a 9 foot spacing for major elements and a
9 inch spacing for the smaller brackets. Using the same methodology that we used to
calculate the spacing for the cresting, I calculated the dimensions shown in the image below.
Try doing the calculations yourself and see if you come up with the same numbers. Some of
the math leads to repeating decimals. These dimensions have been rounded to the nearest
1/8” and may be slightly different than yours. Copy and paste the large brackets into position
and then copy and array with the spacings shown below to complete the decorative
elements. (The continuous line along the bottom edge of the small brackets is another trim
board used in attaching the brackets.)
• To complete the cornice portion (eavestrough) use the dimensions shown below. Draw a
polyline, add two fillets and then draw the last line. Trim and assign layers as required to
duplicate the drawing above.

2006 Page 10 of 11
AutoCAD I
• Completion - Create the decorative wall quoins at the edges of the building by drawing two
rectangles on the wall trim layer and then arraying and mirroring to complete the required
elements.
• Add the grade line with a four vertex polyline. Drag the ends down a bit to create a sloping
grade away from the house on each side.
to 1/4” = 1’ - 0”, centre the view, and then lock the display.
• Add the titles and Dimensions as shown. Create a named Architectural dimension style
before drawing the dimensions.
submitted for evaluation by the end of the last class. (Class 16)

2006 Page 11 of 11
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Modifying Dimensions with Grips
2. Modifying Dimensions with the Properties Palette and Dimension Tools
3. Creating a Dimension Child Style
1. Modifying Dimensions with Grips

• You can modify dimensions with the AutoCAD editing commands and with grip editing.
Grip editing is the quickest and easiest way to modify dimensions.
• To relocate an entire string of dimensions, the STRETCH command might be faster than
selecting a series of multiple grips. Use a narrow crossing selection as shown below.

2006 Page 1 of 4
AutoCAD I
2. Modifying Dimensions with Properties Palette
• The Properties Palette allows you to fine tune the appearance of a selected dimension
or group of dimensions.
• Double click a single dimension or choose Properties from the shortcut menu to access
the variables for a group of dimensions.
• If you want to change the appearance of all, or even a large group of your dimensions,
you should be changing the Dimension Style, not creating overrides.
• In the example shown above, creating an angular child style, would allow us to format
the appearance of all angular dimensions through the Dimension style dialog box. If you
will be creating more than one or two dimensions of a particular sub-type such as Radial
or Angular, create a Child style that contains the modifications.
• The dimension editing tools highlighted in the image above, allow you to edit text,
extension lines, and apply the current style to a group of dimensions. (Update)

2006 Page 2 of 4
AutoCAD I
Creating a Dimension Child Style
-Excerpt from the gbccadd web forum – AutoCAD Tips
Family Planning for Dimensions

If you create Architectural style dimensioning with aligned text, and architectural ticks for arrows,
the dimensions look great when you create typical linear dimensions but if you draw a radial or
diameter dimension, the dimensions will look strange with the tick for an arrow and the text
aligning with the dimension line.
The solution for this problem is to create a Family of dimension styles, with the Parent style set
up to accommodate the typical linear dimension and then child styles for the subtypes such as
radial and diameter that require a different appearance.
To Create a Child Dimension Style:
1. Create a parent style first, assigning all the settings to make your linear dims look
beautiful.
2. Open the Dim Style dialog and pick New
3. DO NOT assign a name for the style or you will be creating a second parent style.
Instead, from the pulldown list at the bottom, where it says "use for", choose the subtype
of dimension you wish to set up. (Radial, Diameter, and maybe Angular)
4. The style name should show as ParentName:ChildSubtype ie. - Arch:Radial
5. Next assign the overrides for the child style to specify how it will differ from the parent
and then pick OK.
The Child Style should appear as a sub-heading under your parent style name.
Now, when you draw different sub types of dimensions, AutoCAD will automatically use the
settings that you specified in the child styles. When you make a change to the Parent style, it will
also affect the child styles, but if you change the Child style, the Parent style is not affected.
There is a hierarchical relationship established where the Parent rules the family. (I wish it was
like that in my house! )

2006 Page 3 of 4
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Dimension Styles and Dimensions
• Refer to the drawing file pages for lesson 13, and recreate the practice drawing shown. Start
a new file with the GBC-C template.
• Add all notes and dimensions as shown on the handout drawing.
• When the drawing is complete, back it up by copying the files to a removable drive.
Final Assignment Drawing
Continue to work on the final drawings. Submit them for

evaluation by the end of the final class. (Class 16)

2006 Page 4 of 4
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Plotting Procedures
Plotting Concepts
• You prepare your drawing for plotting or publishing by specifying page setup settings.
These settings are stored in the drawing file with the layout. Once a layout is established,
you can modify the settings of its page setup or apply a different page setup.
• A layout represents a plotted page. You can create as many layouts as you need. Each
layout is saved on its own layout tab and can be associated with a different page size
and plotter.
• Elements that only appear on a plotted page, such as title blocks and notes, are drawn in
paper space in a layout. The objects in the drawing are created in model space on the
Model tab. To view these objects in the layout, you create layout viewports.
• When you create a layout, you specify a plotter and settings such as page size and plot
orientation. You can control these settings for layouts and for the Model tab using the
Page Setup dialog box. You can name and save page setups for use with other layouts.
• If you don't specify all the settings in the Page Setup dialog box when you create a
layout, you can set up the page just before you plot. Or you can override a page setup at
plot time. You can use the new page setup temporarily for the current plot, or you can
save the new page setup.
• A plot style controls how an object or layer is plotted by determining plotted properties
such as lineweight, color, and fill style. Plot style tables collect groups of plot styles. The
Plot Style Manager is a window that shows all the plot style tables available in AutoCAD.
• There are two plot style types: color-dependent and named. A drawing can only use one
type of plot style table. You can convert a plot style table from one type to the other. You
can also change the type of plot style table a drawing uses once it has been set.
• If you are using Named Plot styles, and wish to plot in black white, set the Plot style
controls for your layers to Style 1 and choose Monochrome STB in the Page Setup or
Plot dialog box.

2006 Page 1 of 3
AutoCAD I
To Plot a Drawing
1. From the File menu, choose Plot. (or Right-click on the Layout tab and pick Plot)
2. In the Plot
dialog box,
under Printer
/ Plotter,
select a
plotter from
the Name
box.
3. Under Paper
Size and
Paper Units,
select a
paper size
from the
Paper Size
box.
4. Under Plot Area, specify the portion of your drawing that you want to plot.
5. Under Plot Scale, select a scale from the Scale box. (Typically 1:1)
3. Under Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments), select a plot style table from the Name box.
This is in the upper right corner. If it is not visible, you need to expand the dialog box by
selecting the more options arrow in the lower right corner. This toggles advanced settings
access. Set the Plot Style to Monochrome if you want to plot in black and white.
4. Under Plot Options, you can turn on plot stamping. Select Settings to specify the plot
stamp settings.
7. Under Drawing Orientation, select an orientation. (If the plot is not centred properly, try
choosing Plot upside-down.
10. Choose Preview. The cursor menu will provide options for zooming, panning, sending the
plot to the printer, or exiting back to the main plot dialog box.

2006 Page 2 of 3
AutoCAD I
Continue to work on the final drawings. Submit them for

evaluation by the end of the final class. (Class 16)

2006 Page 3 of 3
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Xlines and Rays
2. Multilines
1. Xlines and Rays
• You can create construction lines that extend to infinity in one or both directions. The
term construction line usually refers to xlines, which extend to infinity in both directions.
Construction lines that extend to infinity in only one direction are called rays.
• You can use construction lines as references for creating other objects. For example, you
can use construction lines to find the center of a triangle, prepare multiple views of the
same item, or create temporary intersections that you can use for object snaps.
• Construction lines do not change the extents of the drawing; therefore, their infinite
dimensions have no effect on zooming or viewpoints. You can move, rotate, and copy
construction lines just as you move, rotate, and copy other objects. You may want to
create construction lines on a construction line layer that can later be frozen or turned off,
so that the construction lines are not plotted (see "Freezing and Thawing Layers").
2. MLINES
1. Multilines consist of 1-16 parallel lines called elements.
2. Mlinestyles can be defined and saved by specifying the offsets between elements.
3. Elements may be defined with specific properties such as colour and linetype, but all
elements will be on the same layer.
4. Joints at mline vertices may be displayed or hidden and various end-capping

arrangements may be specified. A background fill that will extend across all elements
may also be specified. (Same layer – can’t be isolated)
5. Many standard editing commands won’t work with mlines. (trim, extend, chamfer, fillet,
offset, break, etc.) Use “MLEDIT” to control appearance of intersections or break
openings. (“Explode” command will break mlines into individual line segments)

2006 Page 1 of 3
AutoCAD I
Creating Mline Styles
1. Mlstyle< or Format \ Multiline Style
2. Enter a name for the new style and select add.
3. Choose “ELEMENT PROPERTIES” to add elements.
4. Specify offset for elements and pick “ADD”. Repeat as necessary.
5. Select element and modify colour and/or linetype if necessary.
6. When all elements are set, pick ok.
7. Choose “MULTILINE PROPERTIES” to specify end-capping, joint display and

background fill colour.
8. Choose ok to return to main dialog box, enter a description if desired, and save the new
style.
9. Pick “ok” to set the new style current and return to the drawing editor.
Drawing Multilines
1. ML< or select multiline from draw menu. (The current style and justification will be
indicated as command is invoked.)
2. Draw, close, and undo segments as if you were drawing a normal line. OR
3. ST< to specify a different style than current. OR
4. J< to specify a different justification than current. OR
5. S< to specify a new scale for Multiline.

2006 Page 2 of 3
AutoCAD I
Practice Drawings – Multilines
1. Open your final elevation drawing and zoom in on a window.
2. Explode the innermost rectangle of the window sashes.
3. Use the divide command to create points along the top and left edge. (Maybe 3
horizontal and 3 vertical.)
4. Set your autosnap to Node and Perpendicular
5. Use a standard multiline to draw the muntins from the nodes to the perpendicular snap
on the opposite side.
6. Use Mledit -Open Cross to clean up the muntin intersections.
7. Use copy and/or array to copy the muntins to the remaining windows.

2006 Page 3 of 3
AutoCAD I
AGENDA:
1. Splines
2. Spline Editing
Splines
• A Spline is a smooth curve passing through a given set of points

• AutoCAD creates NURB splines. (Non-Uniform Rational Bezier Spline)
• NURBS are especially useful for creating irregular curves such as contour lines for mapping
or automobile design.
• It is possible to smooth polylines to approximate splines but true NURBS offer several
advantages over smoothed polylines.
• NURBS will fit through a series of control points more accurately than a polyline.
• Splines can be easily edited with grips or with the Splinedit command.
• Splines use less memory than a smoothed polyline.
• One set of control points for a spline can result in many different shapes depending on the fit
tolerance and the start and end tangents of the spline.
• Setting the fit tolerance to greater than zero allows the spline to pass through the control
points within the specified tolerance.

2006 Page 1 of 2
AutoCAD I
Editing Splines
• Grip editing is the easiest method for reshaping a spline.

• The splinedit command provides numerous options for modifying a spline. These include:
Adding or deleting fit data points, opening or closing the spline, changing the fit tolerance of
the spline, or modifying the start and end tangents of the spline. Elevating its order or
modifying the weight of control points may also refine the spline.
Complete the final drawings. Submit them for evaluation by the

end of the final class. (Class 16)

2006 Page 2 of 2

Utocadd PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Utocadd PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AutoCAD 1 - Portico Drawing

Fundamentals of AutoCAD Certificate

1. Introduction to the AutoCAD Classic Workspace

 AutoCAD Classic workspace is the environment we use when

 3D Modeling workspace is a new predefined working environment

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 1 of 13

2. The AutoCAD Interface

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 2 of 13

2. The Online Help System

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 3 of 13

 Imperial. Creates a new drawing based on the imperial measurement

 Metric. Creates a new drawing based on the metric measurement system.

 Quick Setup Wizard. Sets units of measurement, precision of displayed

 Advanced Setup Wizard. Sets units of measurement, precision of

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 4 of 13

Do you think Saving is important? Save! Save! Save!

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 5 of 13

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 6 of 13

4. Entering, Cancelling, and Repeating Commands

2. Command Line – Typing in commands or command shortcuts at the command line

 Within the drawing area with one or more objects selected

Shortcut menus typically include options to

 Repeat the last command entered

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 7 of 13

5. Basic Draw Commands

4. Rectangle – Creates a rectangular polyline that is defined by picking or specifying the

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 8 of 13

6. Circle – Creates a circle that can be defined, by default, by picking or specifying a

7. Revision Cloud – Creates a polyline of sequential arcs to form a cloud shape.

8. Spline – Creates a non uniform rational Bezier Spline (NURBS) curve.

9. Ellipse – Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.

10. Multiline Text – Creates a text object.

6. Undo and Redo

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 9 of 13

Exercise 1 – File Utilities

2. Create a new folder and name the Folder AutoCAD 1.

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 10 of 13

1. In the next step, you will copy your new

2. The Explorer window should be similar

3. Right-click in the right pane

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 11 of 13

Exercise 2 – Creating and Saving Drawings

1. Refer to the attached

2. Start a new file for each

3. After you have started

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 12 of 13

5. Draw a few new

©Xone Consulting Ltd. 2006 Page 13 of 13

1. Drawing Navigation – Zoom and Pan

© Xone Consulting Ltd.

2. Coordinates and Coordinate Entry

Cartesian and Polar Coordinates

 Another method of entering a relative coordinate is by moving the cursor to specify a

© Xone Consulting Ltd.

 You can enter coordinates in scientific, decimal, engineering, architectural, or fractional

Entering Cartesian Coordinates

© Xone Consulting Ltd.

Command: REC (enter)

© Xone Consulting Ltd.

Specify first point: Pick a point or specify a coordinate

© Xone Consulting Ltd.

Turn Dynamic Input On and Off

3. Object Snaps and Drawing Aids

To offset an object by specifying a distance