Basic Tutorial for AutoCAD

This Tutorial will give you idea about basic introduction about AutoCAD, user guide tutorial for tools, best practices, applications.

This tutorial is the web series for basic AutoCAD so follow up for the next file.

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  1. Step 1: Introduction to AutoCAD

    AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk. AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Prior to the introduction of AutoCAD, most commercial CAD programs ran on mainframe computers or minicomputers, with each CAD operator (user) working at a separate graphics terminal.

    AutoCAD commands and options allow you to draw objects of any size or shape. Use AutoCAD to prepare two-dimensional (2D) drawings, three-dimensional (3D) models, and animations. AutoCAD is a universal CAD software program that applies to any drafting, design, or engineering discipline. For example, use AutoCAD to design and document mechanical parts and assemblies, architectural buildings, civil and structural engineering projects, and electronics.

    2D Drawings

    2D drawings display object length and width, width and height, or height and length in a fl at (2D) form.2D drawings are the established design and drafting format and are common in all engineering and architectural industries and related disciplines. A complete 2D drawing typically includes dimensions, notes, and symbols that describe view features and information. This practice results in a document used to manufacture or construct a product. 2D drawings are the conventional and often required method of communicating a project. 


    Languages

    AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are available for EnglishGermanFrenchItalianSpanishKoreanChinese SimplifiedChinese TraditionalBrazilian PortugueseRussianCzechPolish and HungarianAlbanian (also through additional language packs).


    Extensions

    AutoCAD supports a number of APIs for customization and automation. These include AutoLISPVisual LISPVBA.NET and ObjectARX. ObjectARX is a C++ class library, which was also the base for:


    ·       products extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields

    ·       creating products such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D

    ·       third-party AutoCAD-based application

    Licenses

    AutoCAD is licensed for free to students, educators, and educational institutions, with a 36-month renewable license available. The student version of AutoCAD is functionally identical to the full commercial version, with one exception: DWG files created or edited by a student version have an internal bit-flag set (the "educational flag"). When such a DWG file is printed by any version of AutoCAD (commercial or student) older than AutoCAD 2014 SP1, the output includes a plot stamp/banner on all four sides. Objects created in the Student Version cannot be used for commercial use.

    Planning Your Work

    A drawing plan involves thinking about the entire process or project in which you are involved and determining how to approach it. Your drawing plan focuses on the content you want to present, the objects and symbols you intend to create, and the appropriate use of standards. You may want processes to be automatic or to happen immediately, but if you hurry and do little or no planning, you may become frustrated and waste time while drawing. Take as much time as needed to develop drawing and project goals so that you can proceed with confidence. During your early stages of AutoCAD training, consider creating a planning sheet, especially for your first few assignments. A planning sheet should document the drawing session and all aspects of a drawing. A freehand sketch of the drawing is also a valuable element of the planning process.

    The drawing plan and sketch help you establish:

    1.Drawing layout: area, number of views, and required free space

    2.Drawing settings: units, drawing aids, layers, and styles

    3.How and when to perform specific tasks

    4.What objects and symbols to draw

    5.The best use of AutoCAD and equipment

    6.An even workload

    Drawing Standards

    Most of the industries, schools, and companies establish standards. Drawing standards apply to most settings and procedures, including:

    1. File storage, naming, and backup

    2.Drawing template, or template, files

    3.Units of measurement

    4.Layout characteristics

    5.Borders and title blocks

    6.Symbols

    7.Layers

    8.Text, dimension, multileader, and table styles

    9.Plot styles and plotting

    Company or school drawing standards should follow appropriate national industry standards whenever possible. Although standards vary in content, the most important aspect is that standards exist and are understood and used by all CADD personnel. When you follow drawing standards, your drawings are consistent, you become more productive, and the classroom or office functions more efficiently. This material represents mechanical drafting standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This textbook also references International Standards Organization (ISO) mechanical drafting standards and discipline-specific standards when appropriate, including the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS) and American Welding Society (AWS) standards.


  2. Step 2: Launching AutoCAD

    To launch an AutoCAD double click on the autoCAD shortcut in desktop else search for autoCAD in start menu.

    Wait for sometime till autoCAD loads itself


    Creating a New Drawing



    NEW Command

    Creates a new drawing file.

    1. Choose File, New.

    or

    2. Press CTRL + N

    or

    3. Click the New icon.

    or

    4. Type NEW at the Command prompt.

    Command: NEW

    5. Choose One of the options for creating a new drawing.

    6. Click The OK button.

    7. Save the drawing as another name.


    Choose your templates based on your requirements


    TIP:

    New drawings can also be created from Template Files.


    Open Existing Drawings

    1. Choose File, OPEN.

    or

    2. Press CTRL + O.

    or

    3. Click the OPEN icon.

    or

    4. Type OPEN at the command prompt.

    Command: OPEN

    5. Press ENTER

    6. Double Click the desired directory to find the drawing to open.

    7. Click the drawing name to open.

    8. Click The OK button.


    Quick Save

    The QSAVE command is equivalent to clicking Save on the File menu.If the drawing is named, AutoCAD saves the drawing using the file format specified on the Open and Save tab of the Options dialog box and does not request a file name. If the drawing is unnamed, AutoCAD displays the Save Drawing As dialog box (see SAVEAS) and saves the drawing with the filename and format you specify.

    1. Press CTRL + S.

    or

    2. Click the Save icon.

    or

    3. Type QSAVE at the command prompt,

    Command:QSAVE


    TIPS:

    Drawings can be saved as different versions of AutoCAD

    AutoSave settings under Tools, Options


    User Interface of AutoCAD

    AutoCAD GUI contains ribbon tabs and command prompt to utilise the tools

    you have options command using that AutoCAD can be customized as per users comfortability.



  3. Step 3: Function Keys/Accelerator Keys

    FUNCTION KEYS

    In AutoCAD each and every function keys as its own functions as per the list mentioned below

    We will discuss what are all these options in the upcoming topics in AutoCAD basic tutorials


    Accelerator Keys

    The list of accelerator keys are given below







  4. Step 4: Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Buttons

    In autoCAD we have plenty of keyboard shortcuts some of that are mentioned below

    Q QSAVE / Saves the current drawing.

    A ARC / Creates an arc.

    Z ZOOM / Increases or decreases the magnification of view in the current viewport.

    W WBLOCK / Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file.

    S STRETCH / Stretches objects crossed by a selection window or polygon.

    X EXPLODE / Breaks a compound object into its component objects.

    E ERASE / Removes objects from a drawing.

    D DIMSTYLE / Creates and modifies dimension styles. 

    C CIRCLE / Creates a circle.

    R REDRAW / Refreshes the display in the current viewport.

    F FILLET / Rounds and fillets the edges of objects.

    V VIEW /Saves & restores named views,camera views,layout views,and preset views.

    T MTEXT / Creates a multiline text object.

    G GROUP / Creates and manages saved sets of objects called groups.

    B BLOCK / Creates a block definition from selected objects.

    H HATCH / Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch, solid,gradient fill.

    J JOIN / Joins similar objects to form a single, unbroken object.

    M MOVE / Moves objects a specified distance in a specified direction.

    I INSERT / Inserts a block or drawing into the current drawing.

    O OFFSET / Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.

    L LINE / Creates straight line segments.

    P PAN / Adds a parameter with grips to a dynamic block definition.


    Shortcuts for Managing Screen

    Ctrl+0 (zero) Clean Screen

    Ctrl+1 Property Palette

    Ctrl+2 Design Center Palette

    Ctrl+3 Tool Palette

    Ctrl+4 Sheet Set Palette

    Ctrl+6 DBConnect Manager

    Ctrl+7 Markup Set Manager Palette

    Ctrl+8 Quick Calc

    Ctrl+9 Command Line


    Shortcuts for Managing Drawings

    Ctrl+n New Drawing

    Ctrl+s Save drawing

    Ctrl+o Open drawing

    Ctrl+p Plot dialog box

    Ctrl+Tab Switch to next

    Ctrl+Shift+Tab Switch to previous drawing

    Ctrl+Page Up Switch to previous tab in current drawing

    Ctrl+Page Down Switch to next tab in current drawing

    Ctrl+q Exit

    Ctrl+a Select all objects


    Shortcuts for Managing Workflow

    Ctrl+c Copy object

    Ctrl+x Cut object

    Ctrl+v Paste object

    Ctrl+Shift+c Copy to clipboard with base point

    Ctrl+Shift+v Paste data as block

    Ctrl+z Undo last action

    Ctrl+y Redo last action

    Ctrl+[ Cancel current command (or ctrl+\)

    ESC Cancel current command


    Shortcuts to Toggle General Features

    Ctrl+d Toggle coordinate display

    Ctrl+g Toggle Grid

    Ctrl+e Cycle isometric planes

    Ctrl+f Toggle running object snaps

    Ctrl+h Toggle Pick Style

    Ctrl+Shift+h Toggle Hide palettes

    Ctrl+i Toggle Coords

    Ctrl+Shift+i Toggle Infer Constraints




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