2016

AutoCAD

AutoCAD
For All Afghan Engineers
2016

PROFESSIONAL TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

By: Albirony University

Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… X

Chapter (1) Getting Started with AutoCAD .................................................................. 1

Starting AutoCAD ............................................................................................................................. 1
Understanding the AutoCAD Interface ............................................................................................ 1
Selecting Commands……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……2

Correcting Mistakes (|Undo & Redo)……………………………………….…………………………………………………2

Getting Online Help (Assist for Short help) HELP………………………………………………………………………..3

Opening Existing Drawing (OPEN)………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Working with Multiple Drawings………………………………………..………………………………………………………3

Saving Your Work……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Existing from AutoCAD……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Chapter (2) Drawing Basics .............................................................................................. 4

Starting a New Drawing /NEW ......................................................................................................... 4
Using the drawing Wizards .............................................................................................................. 4
Quick Setup Wizard just area and Units ..............................................................................4

Advanced Setup Wizard ......................................................................................................4

Setting Up a Drawing...........................................................................................................6

Setting the Drawing Units ....................................................................................................8

Drafting setting (DS) or SE or from tools menu ..................................................................8

Using the Grid and Snap ......................................................................................................8

Using Ortho Mode, F8 .........................................................................................................9

Using Object Snaps ..............................................................................................................9

Chapter (3) Creating Simple 2-D Objects .................................................................... 14

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

I
 Drawing Lines ....................................................................................................................14

Drawing Circles .................................................................................................................14

Drawing Arcs .....................................................................................................................15

Drawing Ellipse .................................................................................................................16

Creating Points Objects......................................................................................................17

Drawing Construction Lines ..............................................................................................17

Creating Freehand Sketching .............................................................................................17

First Project ........................................................................................................................18

Chapter (3) Creating Simple 2-D Objects .................................................................... 22

Drawing Rectangle.............................................................................................................22

Drawing Polygon ...............................................................................................................22

Drawing Multiline..............................................................................................................23

Drawing Poly line ..............................................................................................................24

Drawing Spline Curve........................................................................................................24

Drawing Donuts: do. ..........................................................................................................25

Creating Solid-Filled Area .................................................................................................25

Creating Region .................................................................................................................26

Creating Region with Boundary Command .......................................................................26

Understanding Boolean Operation (UNI, SU, IN):. ..........................................................26

Chapter (5) Viewing Your Drawings ............................................................................. 28

Redrawing and Regenerating Drawing (R, RWALL, RE, REA) ......................................28

Moving Around Within a Drawing ....................................................................................28

Changing the Magnification of Your Drawing (Zooming) ...............................................28

Using Named Views ..........................................................................................................28

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers
II
 Using Multiple View ports.................................................................................................29

Controlling Visual Elements ..............................................................................................31

Chapter (6) Modifying Objects ...................................................................................... 32

Selecting Objects ...............................................................................................................32

Erasing Objects ..................................................................................................................32

Duplicating Objects ...........................................................................................................33

Rearranging Objects...........................................................................................................34

Resizing Objects ................................................................................................................35

Breaking Objects ...............................................................................................................36

Noun/Verb Syntax: ............................................................................................................36

Chapter (7) Organization Drawing Information .............................................................. 37

Organization Drawing Information ...................................................................................37

Organization Information on Layers ..................................................................................37

Working with Line Type ....................................................................................................38

Applying Drawing Standards ............................................................................................38

Chapter (8) Getting Drawing Information........................................................................ 40

Specifying Measurements and Divisions ...........................................................................40

Calculation Areas ...............................................................................................................41

Calculation Distances and Angles .....................................................................................41

Displaying Information about Your Drawing ....................................................................41

Chapter (9) Editing Complex Objects ............................................................................... 44

Grouping Object.................................................................................................................44

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

III
 Exploding Objects ..............................................................................................................44

Chapter (10) Changing Properties .................................................................................... 46

Changing Object Properties ...............................................................................................46

Using the Properties Windows...........................................................................................46

Matching Objects Properties ..............................................................................................47

Renaming Objects and Elements ......................................................................................48

Removing Unused Items ...................................................................................................48

Chapter (11) Adding Cross Hatching ............................................................................... 49

Adding Hatch Objects ........................................................................................................49

Adding Gradient Objects ..................................................................................................50

Modifying Hatch Objects ..................................................................................................51

Creating Custom Hatch Patterns ........................................................................................51

Chapter (12) Working with Text ....................................................................................... 54

Creating Line Text .............................................................................................................54

Creating Paragraph Text ....................................................................................................54

Inserting of AutoCAD........................................................................................................55

Working with Text Styles ..................................................................................................55

Editing and Changing Text ...............................................................................................56

Finding and Replacing any Kind of Text ...........................................................................56

Chapter (13) Dimensioning Your Drawing ....................................................................... 57

Understanding Dimension Concepts..................................................................................57

Creating Dimensions ..........................................................................................................57

Dimensioning Multiple Objects .........................................................................................58

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

IV
 Editing Dimensions ............................................................................................................58

Creating Leaders ...............................................................................................................58

Understanding Dimension Styles and Variables................................................................59

Managing Dimension Styles ..............................................................................................59

Second Project ..................................................................................................................60

Chapter (14) Working with Blocks, Attributes and External References ....................... 67

Working with Blocks .........................................................................................................67

Editing Blocks Definition .................................................................................................68

Working with Attributes ...................................................................................................69

Working with External Reference ....................................................................................70

Editing References In Place ...............................................................................................71

Chapter (15) Managing Content with AutoCAD Design Center ...................................... 72

Understanding the Design Center Interface .......................................................................72

Using AutoCAD Design Center.........................................................................................72

Chapter (16) Creating Layout to Plot ............................................................................... 74

Using Paper Space and Model Space.................................................................................74

Creating Layout .................................................................................................................75

Working with Layouts .......................................................................................................76

Using Layout Template .....................................................................................................76

Chapter (17) Plotting Your Drawing ................................................................................. 77

Understanding Plotting .....................................................................................................77

Plotting a Drawing ............................................................................................................77

Using Plot Style .................................................................................................................78

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

V
Second Part of AutoCAD 3D (Three-Dimensional) .......................................................... 81

Chapter (18) Drawing in Three Dimension ...................................................................... 81

3D Coordinate Entry .........................................................................................................81

3D Coordinate Entry Formats ............................................................................................82

Absolute Cartesian Coordinates ........................................................................................82

Relative Cartesian Coordinates ..........................................................................................82

The World Coordinate System (WCS) and WCS Icon ......................................................83

User Coordinate System (UCS) and Icon ..........................................................................83

Dynamic UCSs...................................................................................................................84

Viewing Objects in Three Dimensions (View Presets) ....................................................85

3D Navigation Control Panel ............................................................................................86

Types of 3D Models ..........................................................................................................88

Wireframe Models ............................................................................................................88

Surface Models ..................................................................................................................88

Solid Models .....................................................................................................................89

Chapter (19) Editing in Three Dimensions ....................................................................... 90

Rotating in Three Dimensions ..........................................................................................90

Arraying in Three Dimensions...........................................................................................91

Mirroring in Three Dimensions (Mirror3D) ......................................................................93

Aligning Objects in Three Dimensions (3Dalign) .............................................................95

Chapter (20) Editing in Three Dimensional Solids ........................................................... 96

Chamfering Solids ............................................................................................................96

Filleting Solids ..................................................................................................................97

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

VI
 Sectioning Solids ..............................................................................................................98

Chapter (21) Solid Modeling Construction .................................................................... 101

Solid Primitives Commands concept ..............................................................................101

Boolean Operation Commands ........................................................................................102

Solid Primitive Commands ..............................................................................................104

Box ...................................................................................................................................104

Cone .................................................................................................................................104

Cylinder ...........................................................................................................................106

Wedge .............................................................................................................................106

Sphere .............................................................................................................................107

Torus ...............................................................................................................................107

Pyramid ...........................................................................................................................107

Polysolid ..........................................................................................................................108

Extrude ............................................................................................................................108

Revolve ...........................................................................................................................109

Sweep ..............................................................................................................................110

Loft ..................................................................................................................................111

Chapter (22) Creating Three Dimension Images Rendering and Animation ................ 112

Creating 2D drawings from 3D .......................................................................................112

Creating a Rendering with default Settings ....................................................................113

Typical Steps for Using Render ......................................................................................113

Defining a Background ....................................................................................................114

Renderenvironment .........................................................................................................117

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

VII
 Using Sunlight ................................................................................................................118

Using Materials in the Model .........................................................................................118

Materials .........................................................................................................................119

Examples of Rendering Images ......................................................................................120

Third Project ....................................................................................................................124

Appendix ((Complete AutoCAD Variables and Recommended Variable Settings)) .... 125

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

VIII
 Preface
It is the responsibility of every one to transfer what he/she knows to avail
other for his/her understandings, especially for our innocent people who have
been suffered with long-term fights and cruelties and were deprived of learning
knowledge in these periods, so I knew my responsibility to present my
understandings of the few knowledge I had in AutoCAD which is a very important
program in all Engineering fields and now I am happy presenting you this small
gift dear all hard working Afghan Engineers with my love. This small book is
prepared for users that they need computer aid so the AutoCAD itself is not a
program that tells us how to design or give us engineering knowledge but is a
program that helps us to draft our design or our project in this program. As I think
it is false that someone thinks that by learning and drafting in AutoCAD he/she
will become a professional engineer. The AutoCAD facilities are too much, but
the most important factor of its efficiency is time. Time is the most important
factor in a project for every engineer, especially for architects that they are the
key persons in a project since they need to present their projects as soon as
possible. In the past architects were used to lose most of their time presenting a
project, but AutoCAD has changed the way of presenting projects and now
architect can present his/her design within a short period of time.

We live and have born in a country that needs more effort and more
working for having a bright future. As a young person of Afghan society but not
as a student of university my idea is that we must work hard and we must
sacrifice for our homeland to bring a bright future and have a developed country.
Our responsibilities is not only to work hard and make ourselves professional but
also we are responsible of being good person, act by our nice Islam rules, serve
and avail others and give the massage of being good person for them.

Our country really needs for powerful youth people that they should work
honestly for their homeland and their people. In my opinion it is not important that
who we are and what is our profession but something which is too important is
our tenor that we should have the hope that of the time that our country will stand
on its own feet and for this goal we must work very hard.

I am very grateful from my almighty Allah that have gave me everything in

my life, a righteous family with their nice religion, good friends with their nice
morals and he paved the way to gain knowledge from primary educations up to
AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers
IX
my higher educations with all facilities. I thank my almighty great Allah that he
introduced me with righteous friends in Kabul University that I will never forget
their boon in my life. I also specially thank my family that they helped and
encouraged me in achieving my goals. I also thank my grand teachers in Kabul
University that they have really worked hard for us and I specially thank grand
teacher Professor Saraj that helped me for a better learning of AutoCAD.

At the end I have a massage to all our brave people and all Afghan
Engineers that let’s construct our country and let’s start our tour toward a
prosperous future I accept that this tour is difficult but nothing is impossible if we
try.

AutoCAD for all Afghan Engineers

X
 AutoCAD
Chapter (1)
Getting Started with AutoCAD
This chapter takes you on a tour of AutoCAD and provides an overview of the different component of the
AutoCAD screen. It teaches you about AutoCAD`s drawing environment, how to start commands, and
how to open existing drawings. As you will see, AutoCAD provides many different ways to accomplish
the same task. For example, to activate a command, you can select it from a menu or toolbar, or type the
command name at AutoCAD`s command prompt. This chapter we will explain these concepts.
 Starting AutoCAD
 Understanding the AutoCAD interface
 Selecting commands
 Correcting mistakes
 Getting online help
 Opening existing drawings
 Saving your work
 Existing from AutoCAD

Starting AutoCAD.
Understanding the AutoCAD Interface
Title bar Menu bar Standard toolbar Object Properties toolbar Toolbars
Crosshair, Pick box, and curser Status Bar Toolbars Model Tab and Layout Tabm
Command Window Text Window Menu bar

Figure.1-1. AutoCAD Screen

Figure.2-2. AutoCAD Text window
Selecting Commands
Starting Command from Menu
Starting Command from Toolbars (TOOLBAR)
Starting Command from Command line
Using Shortcut Menu for example (rec) for rectangular
Using Pointing Device (Mouse and Digitizer)
Repeating a Command
Correcting Mistakes (|Undo & Redo)
 On the standard toolbar, click Undo.
 From the Edit menu, choose Undo
 At the command line, type U and then press space
 Press CTRL-Z shortcut key
 Right click to display the shortcut menu and choose undo

Figure 1-3. Undo and Redo

Getting Online Help (Assist for Short help) HELP

 On the standard toolbar, click the help button

2 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

  From the help menu, choose AutoCAD Help
 At command line, type help and then press enter
 Press the F1 key

Figure 1-4. help

Opening Existing Drawing (OPEN)

Working with Multiple Drawings
 On menu bar choose window.
 Press CTRL-TAB
 Press CTRL-F6
Saving Your Work
 On standard toolbar, click Save button
 From file menu choose Save
 At command line, type SAVE and then press enter
 Press CTRL-S shortcut key

Existing from AutoCAD

 On the main AutoCAD title bar click close button
 From file choose exit
 At command line, type exit and enter
 Press ALT-F4 shortcut key

Figure 1-5 AutoCAD Exit

Chapter (2)
Drawing Basics
AutoCAD helps you to organize information in your drawings for greater efficiency. For example, you

3 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

can draw objects representing different types of information on various layers, and then use those layers
to control the color display or line type, the lineweight of those objects.
You can create new drawings more quickly by reusing information from your existing drawings. And,
you can maintain standards cross all the drawings you create by using the same drawing sheet layout, text
styles, and symbols.
In this chapter, you will learn how to do the following:
 Start a new drawing
 Use drawing aids, such as grid, snap, and orthogonal setting, as well as polar tracking and polar
snap tracking to draw accurately.

Starting a New Drawing /NEW

Using the drawing Wizards
 Quick setup wizard Sets the unit of measurement and the drawing area.
 Advanced Setup wizard Offering additional control over angle measurement

Figure 2-1 use the drawing wizard

Quick Setup Wizard just area and Units.
 Decimal Decimal units (15.5000
 Engineering Feet and Decimal inches
 Architectural feet inches and fractional inches
 Fractional fractional units
 Scientific Scientific notation

Advanced Setup Wizard

Units.
 Decimal Decimal units (15.5000)
 Engineering Feet and Decimal inches
 Architectural feet inches and fractional inches
 Fractional fractional units
 Scientific Scientific notation

4 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure 2-2 different types of units for AutoCAD

Angle.
 Decimal degree display partial degrees as decimal units (90.5000 degree)
 Deg/Min/Sec display partial degrees as minutes and seconds
 Grads display angles as grads
 Radian display angles as radian
 Surveyor display angles in surveyor unit

Figure 2-3 angle for AutoCAD

5 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure 2-4 angle Measure for AutoCAD

Figure 2-4 Area page for AutoCAD

Setting Up a Drawing
 Setting the Current Layer

Figure 2-5 setting a layer for current drawing

Creating New Layers

 Setting the Current Object Color
 Setting the Current Line Type
 Setting the Current Line Type Scale

6 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 We can control the space of lines for example center line how display
LTS=LTSCALE. OR we can choose it from format menu

 Setting the Current Line Weight

Figure 2-6 layer explain

Figure 2-7 change color or other properties of an object

 Setting the Drawing Units /

For shortcut (UN) or format menu we can choose units

7 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Figure 2-8 setting the unit for a drawing

 Understanding Scale Factors.

It is a good idea to keep your scale factor in mind when setting up a drawing you don’t need to set the scale until you
print the drawing. Draw the actual length of a drawing.
 Setting the Drawing Limits (limits)
Drafting setting (DS) or SE or From tools menu

Using the Grid and Snap

Setting a Reference Grid (from area that we set at beginning )

Figure 2-9 area that we need

Setting Snap Spacing

Using Isometric Snap and Grid

8 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure 2-10 Snap and Grid

 PolarSnap,To use Polar Snap, you must turn on both snap and polar tracking.

Figure 2-11 how to use polar snap

 Using Ortho Mode, F8

 Using Object Snaps

Endpoint

Midpoint

9 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Intersection

Apparent Intersection

Extension

Center

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 Quadrant

Tangent

Perpendicular

Parallel

Insertion

11 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Node

Nearest

None
Setting a One Time Object Snap
Setting a Running Object Snap
Controlling Auto Snap

12 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Using Auto Track

Chapter (3)
Creating Simple 2-D Objects
Every AutoCAD drawings is composed of objects, most of them simple two dimensional objects.
For purpose of organization, this book classifies these 2-D objects into two groups; simple objects and
more complex objects. The simple objects include lines (both finite and infinite), circles, arcs, ellipses,
elliptical arcs points, and rays. In addition, freehand sketches are also classified as simples objects.
This chapter explains how to create simple objects. As with AutoCAD commands, you can start the
drawing command for each of these objects by using any of the following methods:

Drawing Lines
Lines are probably the most commonly used AutoCAD objects. Over 50 percent of typical
drawings consist of lines.

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 Drawing Circles

14 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Drawing Arcs.
 On Draw toolbar or on draw menu ,click
 For shortcut we can type ARC.

Drawing Ellipse.
Geometrically, an ellipse is defined by two axis .the default method an ellipse is to specify the end
points of one axis of the ellipse, and then specify a distance representing half the length of the
second axis .
 Type ellipse (EL) in command line.
 Click on draw toolbar or draw menu.

15 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Drawing Elliptical Arcs.

Creating Points Objects

Changing Points Styles

Drawing Construction Lines

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 Drawing X Lines
Drawing Rays

Creating Freehand Sketching

Erasing Freehand Sketch Lines
Setting the Sketch Method =SKPOLY to select the sketch in (1) is polyline mean to select all sk will
Select but other
State the select just one segment of sketch.

17 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

First Project:
Please draft these Drawings use all options that you studied up to this time? The unit must be in
Millimeter (mm) and Scale must be 1/100. The dimensions are the helping tools don’t draw it in
your drawings.

18 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

19 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
20 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 Chapter (4)

21 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Creating More Complex 2-D Objects
In the last chapter, you learned how to create simple 2-D objects. In this chapter , you`ll learn about
AutoCAD `s more complex 2-D objects, including rectangle, polygons, multiline (mlines), polylines,
splines curves, solids, and regions.
The basic objects covered in the previous chapter had one thing in common: they consisted of individual
objects. Whether straight or curved, each line, arc, or circle exist in the AutoCAD drawings as an
individual line object.
The objects you learn about in this chapter are different. While each of these objects is composed of
multiple segments, all the segments are treated as belonging to a single object. When you draw a
rectangle by using the RECANGLE command, each side of rectangle is created as polylines segments,
but selecting any side of the rectangle for editing causes the entire rectangle to be selected.

Drawing Rectangle

Rectangle by different controls, we have different options for drawing of a rectangle.

Drawing Polygon

Drawing Inscribed Polygon

22 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Drawing Circumscribed Polygon

Drawing Multi lines

You will often need to draw parallel lines. For example, architects use parallel lines to represent walls in
plan view. Although you could draw each individual parallel line object, AutoCAD provides a special
object type specifically for this purpose. This object, called multiline (or mline), consists of 1 to 16
parallel lines (referred to as elements). You draw multilines similar to the way you draw lines:

Drawing Poly line

 Straight-line poly line

23 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

  Poly line Arcs

Drawing Spline Curve

 Spl+method+fit

 Spl+method+CV
 Cvshow & Cvhide
 Splmethod= variable for fit or cv

 SPLINE Command Option

For splines created with the fit point method:
Specify first point or [Method/Degree/Object]:
For splines created with the control vertices method:
Specify first point or [Method/Knots/Object]:
 [Method/Knots/Object]: Knots

24 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 [Method/Degree/Object]:Degree: it is a variable to control the curve as 1= liner spline 2=quadrant spline
and so up to 10.
 Object: first we draw a polyline arc after that we can change it to spline

Drawing Donuts: do

Creating Solid-Filled Area:

From draw menu, choose surface -2D Solid or for shortcut type solid or so

25 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Creating Region:
Regions are two dimensional enclosed from closed shapes called loops. A loop consist of a connected sequence of
arcs, circles, ellipse, elliptical arcs, lines, polylines, solids, splines, and so on…..
On draw menu choose region
Type reg

Creating Region with Boundary Command:

Type BO
From draw menu choose boundary

Understanding Boolean Operation (UNI, SU, IN)

26 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Chapter (5)
Viewing Your Drawings
AutoCAD provides many ways to display and view your drawing. You can also change various display
settings, to speed up the display or printing of drawing.
This chapter explains how to do the following:
Navigate within a drawing by scrolling and panning
Change the magnification of drawing by zooming in and out
Use the aerial view to zoom and pan the drawing
Work with multiple windows or views of a drawing
Controlling the display of elements, to optimize performance when working with large or
complex drawings

27 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Redrawing and Regenerating Drawing (R, RWALL, RE, REA)
From the view menu, choose Redraw
At command line, type R and press space
For all window fresh type REDRAWALL (or RA) and press space
From the view menu, choose Regen
At the command line, type REGEN (or RE) and press enter
From the view menu, choose Regen All
At the command line, type REGENALL or REA and press enter

Moving Around Within a Drawing

Using Scroll Bars
Using The PAN Command
Changing the Magnification of Your Drawing (Zooming)
Zooming in Real time
Using Zoom Window

Displaying the Previous View of a Drawing

Zooming to a Specific Scale (Zoom Scale)

Centering the Zoom Area (Zoom Center)
Displaying the Entire Drawing (Zoom Extend)
(ZOOMFACTOR),(VIEWRES)
Zoomfactor Requires an integer between 3 and 100 after that we zoom in and zoom out the window.
VIEWRES controls the appearance of circles, arcs, splines, and arced polylines using short vectors.

28 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Using Named Views
Saving Named View AND Restoring Named Views

Using Multiple View ports

Dividing the Current View ports into Multiple View ports
Saving and Restoring View port Configurations

29 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 VPORTS is variable for multi viewports 12 standard view ports

Controlling Visual Elements

Turning Fill On and Off

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 Turning Line weight on and Off
Turning Text Display On and Off =
qtextmode text will be in box not shown (1)
but in (0) shown the text

Turning Highlighting On and Off = when we select an object the object will be highlighted but off that

Turning Blips On and Off =blipmode draft of erasing will be appeared when we erase some
Drawing

Chapter (6)
Modifying Objects
Creating objects is only part of the process of creating a CAD drawing, and for complex drawings,

31 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

creating objects can take almost as much time as creating paper drawings. When it comes time to take
changes to a drawing, however, CAD is much more efficient. AutoCAD provides many editing tools to
modify a drawing. You can easily move, rotate, stretch, or change the scale of drawing objects.
When you want to remove an object, you can erase it with a few clicks of mouse. You can also make
multiple copies of any object.
You can modify most objects by using general-purpose editing commands. Most of these commands,
which are covered in this chapter, are located on the Modify toolbar and Modify menu. The more
complex objects that you learned about in Chapter 4 require special commands to modify specific
properties of the objects.

This chapter explains how to do following:

 Select objects by using objects selection methods and grips
 Erase objects from drawing
 Create copies of existing objects
 Rearrange objects by moving or rotating
 Resize objects by stretching, scaling, extending, trimming, or lengthening
 Break objects

Selecting Objects
Object Selection methods (W ,C ,WP ,CP ,F, All ,Last ,P ,R ,Add )

32 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Using Selection Filters

Erasing Objects
Duplicating Objects
Coping objects Within a Drawings
Copying Using Grips

Copying and Pasting Using the Clipboard

Offsetting Parallel Copies

33 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Mirroring Objects

Arraying Objects

Rearranging Objects
Moving Objects
Rotating Objects
Aligning Objects

Resizing Objects
Stretching Objects

34 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Scaling Objects

Extending Objects

Trimming Objects

Lengthening Objects

35 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Breaking Objects

Noun/Verb Syntax:
An object is the noun and a command is the verb. Noun/Verb syntax order means to pick objects (noun)
first, and then use editing commands (verb) second. If you select objects first (at the open command:
prompt) and then immediately choose a modify commands, AutoCAD recognizes the selection set and
passes through the “Select objects;” prompt to the next step in the command.

Chapter (7)
Organization Drawing Information

36 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

As you add objects to your drawings, the drawings can quickly become quite complex. AutoCAD offers
several tools that help you organize the information represented in your drawings, the primary tool being
the use of layers. As you`ve already learned, with careful planning, you can divide your drawings into
different categories of objects-such as walls, doors, and draw each on its own respective layer. Layers
help you to organize drawing information visually are the use of color and linetypes. You are probably
familiar with using different linetypes in manual drafting to convey different types of information.

Organization Information on Layers

Creating and Naming Layers
Setting the Current Layer
Controlling the Layer Visibility
Locking and Unlocking Layers
Setting the Layer Color
Setting the Layer Line Type
Setting the Layer Line weight
Undoing Layer Changes
Applying Layer Filters
Saving Layer State

Working with Line Type

Loading Additional Line Type

37 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Applying Drawing Standards
Defining Standards

Checking for Standards Violation

38 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Result: After our standard check we see the result of that that we define for our standard drawing it
change the color, linetype and another properties of our object that has the same layer name in both files.

Chapter (8)

39 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Getting Drawing Information
As you work on your drawings, AutoCAD is busy storing accurate detailed information about all the
objects in your drawing. You can utilize this information at any time to get details about and existing
drawing and its objects by using the commands that measure distance and calculate areas. You can also
track the amount of time that you spend editing a drawing.
In Chapter 1, you learned how to save the display custom property information such as the title, author,
subject, keywords, and hyperlink addresses---along with your drawings.
This chapter explains how to do the following:
Measure distances along and object
Measure distance and angles
Divide and object into a number of equal segments
Calculate areas
Display information about object in a drawing
Track the a amount of time spent editing a drawing
Display drawing properties

Specifying Measurements and Divisions

Measuring Segments on Objects

Dividing Objects into Segments

Calculation Areas

Calculation Areas Defined by Points

40 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Area = 32291.4558, Perimeter =

733.4620

Calculation the Areas Enclosed by and Object

Calculation Combined Areas

Calculation Distances and Angles

Displaying Information about Your Drawing

Displaying Information about Object (access = Tools menu and inquiry)

41 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Displaying the Drawing Status

Tracking Time Spent of a Drawing

42 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Chapter (9)
Editing Complex Objects
This chapter completes the discussion of geometric editing commands-covering the more complex

43 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

commands used to refine the details of your drawing. Then I discuss grips, which make it easy to move,
mirror, or something like this in this chapter we will learn how to make a group or how we can change on
group to its components.

Grouping Object
Creating Group
Selecting Group
Editing Group

Exploding Objects

Chamfering Objects

Filleting Objects

44 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Note: We can also join to lines by chamfer or fillet for example in fillet if we get the radius of a fillet lines zero so it connect
tow lines with zero radius it means connect tow lines.

Chapter (10)
Changing Properties
Sometimes, rather than actually modifying the physical geometry of objects, you need to change their
appearance. For example, you may discover that an object should be on a different layer or should be
drawn with a different color or linetype.
Rather than erasing and redrawing the objects, you can simply change its properties.
Also, as you have learned in previous chapters, you can assign names to many drawing elements, such as
layers, linetypes, views, and viewport.
This chapter explains how to do following:
Change an object`s properties
Match the properties of selection objects to those of another object
Change an object’s size or position
Rename objects and elements

45 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Remove unused elements

Changing Object Properties

Changing Layers (Change) (CHPROP)

Changing Colors
Changing Line Types
Changing Line Weight

Using the Properties Windows

Using Keyboard Shortcuts in the Properties Window
Changing Properties

46 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Matching Objects Properties
Another powerful way to change the properties associated with one or more objects is to match the properties with
those of another object in the drawing, or inn another open drawing. For example, suppose that you draw a line and
then determine later that, although it is drawn on the proper layer, it should have the same linetype and color of
another object. The match properties tools lets you apply all, or just some, of the properties from a source object to
one or more destination objects.
For match: Type MATCHPROP in command line, after that type S for setting of that.

Renaming Objects and Elements

You often may discover that you need to change the name of a layer or other named element, either to make
managing the element easier or because you made a typographical error when you originally named the element.
From the Format menu, choose Rename
At the command line, type RENAME (or REN) and then press ENTER

47 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Removing Unused Items,
There may be situations in which you create named items such as layers or linetypes that you don`t actually use in
your drawing. Although you can simply leave these items within your drawing they do contribute slightly to the
overall size of the drawing file. More importantly they show up in listings of these named items, making the list
longer. If you wish can remove these items from the drawing.
The PURGE dialog box shown in figure enables you to remove unused items.

Chapter (11)
Adding Cross Hatching
Another common way to convey information in drawing, if fills areas with a solid color or repetitive
pattern of line.
For example, you may need to represent the pattern of brick on the elevation of a building, or a type of
48 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
soil or vegetation on a survey or map. Cross-sectional drawings of mechanical parts or structural
components or also usually filled with a repetitive pattern of an angled lines.
These solid colors and repetitive patterns or called hatch patterns applying hatch BHATCH (Boundary
Hatch) and HATCH commends.
This chapter explains how to do following:
 Specify the appearance of hatch patterns
 Define hatch pattern boundaries
 Control hatch pattern styles
 Modify hatch objects
 Create your own hatch patterns
Adding Hatch Objects
Selecting the Pattern Type
Controlling the Pattern Properties
Defining Hatch Boundaries
Using the Boundary Options
Using the Direct Hatch Option of the HATCH Command

49 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Adding Gradient Objects

50 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure: Project Show how we can use hatch in our Projects
( A Residential House Designed and Drawn by Arch.Naweed Hashemi)
Modifying Hatch Objects
Modifying the Hatch Boundary
Exploding Hatch Objects
Controlling the Visibility of Hatch Objects
Creating Custom Hatch Patterns
Automating Hatch Patterns Creation

51 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure: Project Section Show how we can use hatch in our Projects
( A Residential House Designed and Drawn by Arch.Naweed Hashemi)

Figure: Project Show how we can use hatch in our Projects

(Kabul Engineering Faculty landscape Project )

52 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure 11-1
The use of Hatch in final Project
Hospital Designed By Naweed.H
( we use both Gradient and Hatch
in the same Project to get a nice
View of our Project)

53 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Chapter (12)
Working with Text
Although the graphic elements are usually the most important parts of drawing, drawings generally also
contain lots of text.
Text is used to identify the objects represented by lines, arcs, and circles in your drawing, or to provide
special notations, such as the type of material to be used to manufacture a part or the finish to be applied
to be wall. Rather than being a tedious task, AutoCAD`s text commands make it easy to add text to your
drawings.
This chapter explains how to do the following:
 Create line text
 Create multiline (paragraph ) text
 Control text styles
 Format text
 Edit text
 Insert text from other source
 Check for misspelled words

Creating Line Text

Entering Special Characters
Setting Line Text Justification
Setting Line Text Height

For justification of Single text we have this options.

Creating Paragraph Text

Setting Options on the Command line
Formatting Multi line Text

54 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Inserting of AutoCAD
Importing Text
Dragging and Dropping Text
Cutting and Pasting Text

Working with Text Styles

Choosing the Font and Font Style
Setting the Text Height
Controlling Text Effects

55 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Editing and Changing Text
Editing Single Line Text
Editing Multi Line Text
Modifying Text and Text Properties
Scaling Text
Justification Text
Finding and Replacing any Kind of Text

Chapter (13)
56 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 Dimensioning Your Drawing
Dimensions identify the size of the objects you draw, making accurate, legible dimensions one of the
most important features of those drawings. AutoCAD`s dimensioning tools let you add dimensional
annotations to your drawing. You can quickly add dimensions simply by pointing to objects. You can
also add tolerance symbols, notes, and leaders to your drawing by using the program`s dimensioning
tools.
AutoCAD`s many dimensioning variables let you control the appearance of the dimensions. With
dimension styles, you can save dimension variables settings, so that you can reuse them without having to
re-create them. By creating associative dimensions, dimensions that are tied to the object that they
annotate, if you subsequently modify the size of the object, the dimension update automatically to reflect
the changes, thus saving a lot of time and effort.
This chapter explains how to do the following:
 Create linear, angular, diameter, and radius
 Dimension multiple objects
 Edit dimensions
 Create leaders and annotations
 Use and manage dimension styles and variables
 Add geometric

Understanding Dimension Concepts

Creating Dimensions
Creating Linear Dimension

Creating Angular Dimension

Creating Diameter and Radius Dimension

57 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Dimensioning Multiple Objects

Editing Dimensions
Changing Dimensioned Geometry
Modifying Dimension Text
Changing Dimension Properties

Creating Leaders
Modifying Leaders

58 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Understanding Dimension Styles and Variables
Controlling Dimension Lines and Arrows
Controlling Dimension Text
Controlling the Fit of Dimension Text and Arrowheads
Controlling the Primary Dimension Units Format
Controlling Alternate Dimension Units
Controlling Dimension Tolerances

Managing Dimension Styles

Changing the Dimension Style Assigned to a Dimension
Overriding Dimension Variables
Modifying Dimension Styles
Comparing Dimension Styles

59 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Second Project:
The below drawing is multi-function building, please draw this project use all feature that you studied up
to now: Simple 2D feature, Hatch, Dimension, layers and Text as the same as the drawing.

60 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

61 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
62 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
63 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
64 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
65 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
66 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 Chapter (14)
Working with Blocks, Attributes and External References
One of AutoCAD`s best qualities is its ability to let you get the most mileage from your drawings.
AutoCAD includes several features that help you organize your work so that a single drawing can serve
multiple purposes. You can also create sets of objects that can be easily reproduced and modified. To get
the most out of AutoCAD, you`ll want to be as familiar as possible with these organization feature.
One of the most frequently used featured is the block, which is a collection of objects that behaves like a
single object. Blocks can be duplicated easily, like images from a rubber stamp. And if you need to make
a change to several duplicated blocks, you can change one block, and all the copies of that block update
to reflect the change.
Groups are similar to blocks in that they are collections of objects that behave like a single object. One
difference between blokes and groups is that individual objects within a group are much easier to edit.
Copies of groups do not inherit change from edits made to a group. You can think of the group as a tool
to help you keep similar objects together.
Finally, you can import entire drawings if you want to use parts of a drawing as a background. For
example, for a large project, one drawing might show the entire floor plan, and several others might show
only enlarge portions of that plan. This way, you can get “double duty” from one drawing by using it in
several other drawings. Drawings that are imported this way are called external references, or xrefs for
short.

This chapter covers the following topics:

 Using blocks to organize objects
 Using blocks editor to edit objects in blocks
 Getting multiple uses from drawings using external references

Working with Blocks

Creating Blocks
Inserting Blocks
Exploding Blocks
Editing Block and Description
Redefining Blocks

67 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Editing Blocks Definition

Working with Attributes:

Your drawings do not exist in a vacuum. The objects in your drawing represent a real objects. These objects have
characteristics that you cannot visually represent in a drawing, such as cost, manufacturer, data purchased, and so on.
Using attributes, you can attach such data to blocks. You can then extract the data and import it into a database
program or spread sheet.

68 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Attributes can also be used to place text relative to blocks. A common example is to used attributes for completing
title block information such as the drawing name, drawing number, data, scale, revision number, drafter, and so on. In
this case, your plan is not to extract the data at all-you just use the attributes to help you precisely place the text in
title block.
Creating Attributes (ATT)
Editing Attribute Definition
Attaching Attributes to Blocks
Editing Attributes
Extracting Attributes Information

Working with External Reference

Attaching External References
Overlaying External References
Managing External References
Detaching External References
Unloading and Reloading External References
Binding External References to Drawings
Clipping Blocks and External References
Changing the Path for External References

69 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

With this we can make different drawings with the same External Reference that we change one of them all of that will be
changed.
Note:
1. If you need to temporarily remove an xref from the current drawing, you can right-click the name of the xref in the
Xref Manager palette and then select the Unload option. Right-click the name, and use the Reload option to restore
an xref to the drawing.
2. Nesting Xrefs and Using Overlays:
You can nest xrefs; however, this can create problems with circular references. A circular reference is one in which
the referencing drawing is actually referenced in an xref. To avoid this problem, use the overlay option in the
External Reference dialog box. If you insert an xref as an overlay, AutoCAD ignores any xrefs that might be attached
to the xref you are importing into the current file.
You don`t have to limit the use of the Overlay option to circular references. You can use it whenever you want
AutoCAD to ignore nested xrefs.

Editing References In Place

Editing Blocks and External References

70 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Adding and Removing Objects from the Working Set
Saving Back to Changes to References

Chapter (15)
Managing Content with AutoCAD Design Center
As you start to build a library of drawings, you`ll find that you reuse many components. Most of the time,
you`ll probably be producing similar types of drawings with some variation, so you`ll reuse drawing
components such as layers settings, dimension styles, and layouts.
The AutoCAD DesignCenter helps you keep track of the document you use in your projects. You can
think of DesignCenter as a kind of super Windows Explorer that is focused on AutoCAD files.
DesignCenter lets you keep track of your favorite files and helps you locate files, blocks, and other
drawing components.
Understanding the Design Center Interface
Using the Tree View
Using the Palette

71 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Using AutoCAD Design Center
` Opening Drawings
Finding Content
Adding Content to Drawings

72 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Note: Ctrl+2 and Ctrl+3

Chapter (16)
Creating Layout to Plot
This chapter covers two aspects of printing: preparing your drawing`s final appearance in a layout view

73 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

and printing your drawing. The layout views let you organize your drawing in a precise way and include
standard drawing borders and titles while giving you flexibility in the scale and orientation of your
drawing on printed sheet. Finally, you can get an accurate view of how your drawing will look before you
commit it to paper.
Using Paper Space and Model Space
Switching to Paper Space
Switching to Model Space

Figure 16-1 Shows an Elevation of Split level Residential house Project in model space.

Figure 16-2 Shows an Elevation of Split Level Residential house project in a paper space
Creating Layout
Using the Create Layout Wizard
Using the Page Setup Dialog Box

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75 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
Working with Layouts
Naming and Saving a Page Setup
Importing a Named Page Setup
Using Layout Template
Inserting a Layout from Template
Inserting a Layout from Template
Saving Layout Template
Using PCP and PC2 Setting in a Layout Template

Chapter (17)

76 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Plotting Your Drawing
Most of drawings jobs are not complete until you see the final result on paper. Traditionally, drawings are
plotted on a plotter. However, you can also print a drawing on a regular computer printer. Many printers
and plotters can handle a wide range of drawing sizes and paper types. In this chapter, I explain the
process of preparing a drawing for plotting, including laying it out in paper space. Finally, I explore the
actual process of creating a plot.
Since Release 2000, AutoCAD has used a new term, layout, for paper space. You can have more than one
layout for a drawing-also called multiple paper spaces. You access a layout by clicking one of the layout
tabs at the bottom of the drawing area.

Understanding Plotting
Understanding Layouts
Understanding Plot Style
Understanding Plotter Configuration

Plotting a Drawing
Selecting What to Plot Stamping Each Plot Plotting to a File Controlling Plot Settings
Previewing the Out Put

Using Plot Style

A plot style is an object property, like color, linetype, lineweight, or layer. Just as you can assign a color to an
object and also to a layer, you can assign a plot style to an object as well as to a layer. Because a plot style determines
how an object is plotted, its function is to override the object`s original properties. A plot style is more complex than a
color or a linetype, however, because it contain a set of properties, such as color-related properties, linetype, lineweight,

77 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

and line styles. The use of plot style is completely optional. Without plot styles, objects are simply plotted according to
their properties.

Understanding Plot Style Modes

Creating a Plot Style Table
Attaching Plot Style Tables to Layout
Adding, Renaming and Deleting Plot Styles in a Named Plot Style Table
Editing Plot Styles
Changing the Plot Style Property for Object and Layer

` `

78 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Color: You can specify a color other than the default, which is Object Color. For example, you might want to create
a plot style that plots everything in black or red. To assign a “true color,” see the steps after this list.
Screening: Specifies the amount of ink used for a color. The range is from 0 (no ink; that is, white) to 100 (full
intensity of the color). Some plotters-for example, pen plotters- do not support screening. You could use a 50 percent
screen to de-emphasize certain layers, such as those containing proposed changes.
Dithering: Dithering is a method of using dot patterns to approximate a greater range of colors. Not all plotters
support dithering. Dithering gives the impression of more colors, but can make thin lines and dim colors look unclear.
Grayscale: converts objects to grayscale, if supported by the plotter. You could use grayscale to de-emphasize
certain layers

79 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Pen # and virtual pen #: These settings apply to pen plotters only ( the Virtual pen # setting applies to non-pen
plotters that can simulate pen plotters) and specify which pen to use for the object assigned the plot style.
Adaptive: Choose On to adapt the scale of a linetype to complete the linetype pattern on the objects. Choose Off if
maintaining the proper linetype scale is essential.
Line end style: When you use lineweights, AutoCAD has to determine how to end lines. You can choose from
Butt, Square, Round, and Diamond. The default is Object End Style.
Line join: Specifies how objects with lineweights are joined. The choices are miter, bevel, around, and diamond.
The default is Object Join Style.
Line fill style: You can choose from solid, checkerboard, crosshatch, diamonds, horizontal bars, slant left, slant
right, square dots, and vertical bar. The default is Objet Fill Style.

Result: This Plot style table or Pen Assignment that we have for example (Naweed pen assignments) it is added to all of our
drawings that in future that we will work with AutoCAD.
So each construction company or other organization of Engineering or Architectural Engineering Co. have their own Pen
Assignment that every time and any project that they want they can use it.

Second Part of AutoCAD

3D (Three-Dimensional)
80 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
AutoCAD makes it easy to create 3D shapes of any type, from simple boxes and cones to complex curved
surfaces. Covering all the 3D modeling feature of AutoCAD would require an entire book. This chapter
gives you a taste of what can be done, and I hope you`ll be able to take some of this information and
create your own basic 3D models.
You`ll find a mix of tutorials and command descriptions in this chapter. Tutorials walk you through
features that you`ll use frequently. Other features that are not as important for new users are described
with figures and a less detailed discussion of their use.

Chapter (18)
Drawing in Three Dimension
3D Coordinate Entry
When creating a model in three-dimensional drawing space, the concept of the X and Y coordinate
system, which is used for two-dimensional drawing, must be expanded to include the third dimensional,
Z, which is measured from the origin in direction perpendicular to the plane defined by X and Y.
Remember that two-dimensional CAD system use X and Y coordinate values to define and store the
location of drawing elements such as Lines and Circles.
Likewise, a three-dimensional CAD system keeps a database of X, Y, and Z coordinate values to define
locations and sizes of two- and three- dimensional elements. For example, a line is a two-dimensional
objects, yet the location of its endpoints in three-dimensional spaces must be specified and stored in the
database using X, Y, Z coordinates (Fig.19-1).
The X, Y, Z coordinates are always defined in that order, delineated by commas. The AutoCAD
Coordinate Display (Coords) displays X, Y and Z values.

Fig. 19-1: 3D Coordinates

3D Coordinate Entry Formats
Because construction in three dimensions requires the definition of X, T, and Z, values, the methods of
coordinate entry used for 2D construction must be expanded to include the Z value. The methods of
command entry used for 2D construction are valid for 3D coordinates with the addition of a Z value
specification.
The methods of coordinate entry for 3D construction follow:
81 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 1. Mouse Input PICK
2. Absolute Cartesian Coordinates X,Y,Z
3. Relative Cartesian Coordinates @X , Y , Z
4. Cylindrical Coordinates (Relative) @dist<angle , Z
5. Spherical Coordinate (Relative) @dist<angle<angle
6. Dynamic Input dist, angle or X , Y , Z

Absolute Cartesian Coordinates:

Command: line
Specify first Point: 3 , 4 , 0
Specify next point or (undo): 8 , 2 , 6

Relative Cartesian Coordinates

Command: line
Specify first Point: 3 , 4 , 0
Specify next point or (undo): @5 , -2 , 6

82 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

The World Coordinate System (WCS) and WCS Icon
The World Coordinate System (WCS) is the default coordinate system in AutoCAD for defining the
position of drawing objects in 2D or 3D space. The WCS is always available and cannot be erased or
removed but deactivated temporarily when utilized another coordinate system created by the user (UCS).

User Coordinate System (UCS) and Icon

There are no User Coordinate System that exist as part of the AutoCAD template drawings as they come
“out of the box.” UCSs are created to suit the 3D model when and where they are needed.
Creating geometry is relatively simple when having to deal only with X and Y coordinates, such as in
creating a 2D drawing or when creating simple 3D geometry uniform Z dimensions.
However, 3D models containing complex shapes on planes not parallel with the XY plane are good
candidates for UCSs.

83 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

A User Coordinate System is thought of as a construction plane created to simplify creation of geometry
on a specific plane or surface of the object, such as along an inclined plane, with a surface of the object,
such as long an inclined plane, with the UCS origin typically at a corner or center of the surface see
figure.

Dynamic UCSs
In addition to static UCSs created with the UCS command, you can use temporary coordinate systems
called Dynamic User Coordinate Systems; however, Dynamic User Coordinate Systems operate only
with Solid models.
A Dynamic User Coordinate System, or DUCS, appears automatically only during the creation of
primitive such as a Box, Wedge, or Cylinder, Use the DUCS toggle on the status line to activate the
Dynamic UCS feature.
The best example of that is drawing an object in other faces.

84 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure. With DUCS we can create models in any face that we want.
Ucsicon:

Options of the Ucsicon command are:

ON Turns the Coordinate System icon on.
OFF Turns the Coordinate System icon off.
All Causes the Ucsicon setting to be effective for all viewports.
Noorigin Causes the icon to appear always in the lower-left corner of the screen, not at the origin.
Origin Forces the placement and orientation of the icon to align with the origin of the current
Coordinate system

Viewing Objects in Three Dimensions (View Presets)

Understanding Standards Views and Projections

Setting a Viewing Direction
Displaying Plan View

85 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Figure. 19-7 SE Southeast Isometric and SW Southwest Isometric

Figure. 19-8 NW Northwest Isometric and NE Northeast Isometric

3D Navigation Control Panel

Pan: The cursor changes to a hand cursor when this command is active.

Zoom: This Zoom is identical to the real-time version of the Zoom command used in 2D.

3D Orbit Commands: AutoCAD offers a set of interactive 3D viewing commands, 3Dorbit,

3Dforbit, and 3Dcorbit.

86 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

 Figure. 19-9 By 3Dorbit and 3Dforbit we
can adjust a favorite view for our drawing.
Note: PERSPECTIVE is a variable not a
command for changing our drawing from
Parallel to Perspective view.
A setting of 1 turns on perspective and a
setting of 0 display parallel projection.

Camera
For many 3D view in AutoCAD, the display is determined by location of the observer, known as the
camera, and the target, which is generally in the center of the 3D objects.

87 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada

Name: Assign a name for camera. Or the AutoCAD assign a name such as “Cameral.” This name appear in list of Views
LOcation: Use this option to change the location of the camera. By entering values or PICK a location using Osnaps
Height: This option keeps the camera’s current X, Y location, but changes the Camera Z value for current camera.
Target: Use this option to change the location of target, which determines the direction the camera points.
Lens: You can specify a particular Lens length in mm using this option. Which change amount of perspective
Clipping: You can establish front and Back clipping planes for the camera.

Types of 3D Models
Three basic types of 3D (three dimensional) models created by CAD systems are used to represent actual objects. They are:
1. Wireframe models
2. Surface models
3. Solid models

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Wireframe Models
Wireframe is a good descriptor of this type of modeling. A wireframe model of cube is like a model constructed of 12 coat-
hanger wires. Each wire represents an angle of the actual object. The surfaces of the object are not defined; only the
boundaries of surfaces are represented by edges. No wires exist where edges do not exist. The model is see-through since it
has no surfaces to obscure the back edges.
A wireframe model has complete dimensional information but contain no volume. Examples of wireframe models are shown
in figure.
With AutoCAD a wireframe model is constructed by creating 2D objects in 3D space. The Line, Circle, Arc, and other 2D
draw and Modify commands are used to create the wire but 3D coordinates must be specified.

Surface Models
Surface models provide a better description of an object than a wireframe principally because the surfaces
as well as the edges are defined. A surface model of a cube is like a cardboard box –all the surface and
edges are defined, but there is nothing inside. Therefore, a surface model has volume but no mass.
A surface model provides a better visual representation of an actual 3D object because the front surfaces
obscure the back surfaces and edges from view.
Often wireframe elements are used as framework to build and attach surfaces.
Also Rulesurf, Tabsurf, Edgesurf, Revsurf. And Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, and Loft create Surface.

Figure. 3D surfaces created by Revsurf and Rulesurf

Solid Models
Solid modeling is the most complete and descriptive type of 3D modeling. A solid model is complete
computerize replica of the actual object. A solid model contains the complete surface and edge definition,
as well as description of interior feature of the object.

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If a solid model is cut in half (sectioned), the interior feature become visible. Since a solid model is
“solid,” it can be assigned material characteristics and it considered to have mass. Because solid models
have volume and mass, most solid modeling systems include capability to automatically calculate
volumetric and mass properties.
AutoCAD uses a process known as Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) modeling.
CSG is characterize by its simple and straightforward construction techniques of combing “primitive”
shapes (boxes, cylinders, wedges, etc.) utilizing Boolean operations (Union, Subtract, and Intersect).

Chapter (19)
Editing in Three Dimension
Rotating in Three Dimensions
3Drotate allows you to rotate solids about an axis. You specify the axis to rotate about by using the
3Drotate grip tool. This grip tool display only three possible rotation axes. However, since the grip tool

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can be located anywhere in 3D space and in any orientation using the DUCS feature, virtually any axis
can be specified for the rotation action. The grip tool appears at the “Specify base point” prompt.

Command: 3drotate
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: PICK
Select object: Enter
Specify base point: PICK
Pick a rotation axis: PICK (Select an axis handle to specify the rotation axis)
Specify angle start point: PICK
Specify angle and point: PICK

Arraying in Three Dimensions

Rectangular
With this option of 3Darray, you create a 3D array specifying three dimensions –the number of and
distance between rows (along the Y axis), the number/distance of columns (along the X axis), and the
number/distance of levels (along the Z axis). Technically, the result is an array in a prism configuration
rather than a rectangle.

Command: 3darray or 3A

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Select objects: PICK
Select objects: Enter
Enter the type of array [Rectangular/Polar] <R>: r
Enter the number of rows (---) <1>: (value)
Enter the number of columns (lll) <1>: (value)
Enter the number of levels (---) <1>: (value)
Specify the distance between rows (---): PICK or (Value)
Specify the distance between columns (lll): PICK or (value)
Specify the distance between levels (…): PICK or (value)
Command:

The selection set can be one or more objects. The entire set is treated as one object for arraying. All
values entered must be positive.

Figure.20-2 Illustrate creating a Rectangular 3Darray of a cylinder with 2rows and 7 columns and 2
levels.

Polar
Similar to a polar Array (2D), this option
creates an array of selected objects in a
circular fashion.
The different in the 3D version is that an
array is created an axis of rotation (3D)
rather than a point (2D).
Specification of an axis of rotation requires
two points in 3D.

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Command: 3darray
Select objects: PICK
Select objects: Enter
Enter the type of array [Rectangular/polar] <R>: p
Enter the number of items in the array: (value)
Specify the angle to fill(+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: PICK or (value)
Rotate arrayed objects? [Yes/No] <Y>: y or n
Specify center point of array : PICK or ( coordinates)
Specify second point on axis of rotation : PICK or (coordinates)
Command:

Figure.20-3 A 3Darray is
created to form a series of
Holes from a cylinder.

Mirroring in Three Dimensions (Mirror3D)

Mirror3D operates similar to the 2D version of the command Mirror in that mirrored replicas of selected
objects are created. With mirrored (2D) the selected objects are mirrored about an axis. The axis is
defined by vector lying in the XY plane. With Mirror3D, selected objects are mirrored about a plane.
Mirror3D provides multiple options for specifying the plane to mirrored about:
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Command: mirror3d
Select objects: PICK
Select objects: Enter
Specify first point of mirror plane ( 3 points) or [Object/Last/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3ponit>:
PICK or (option)
3points

Object: Using this option by 2D object like circle arc or Pline which create a 2D XY plane for mirror
By subtract we can the result in here.

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Last
Selecting this option uses the plane that was last used for mirroring.

Zaxis
With this option, the mirror plane is the XY plane prependicular to a Z vector you specify

View
The View option of Rotate3D uses a mirroring plane parallel with the screen and perpendicular to your
line of sight based on your current viewpoint.

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Figure. 20-7 Mirrored objects using by View

Aligning Objects in Three Dimensions (3Dalign)

3Dalign provides a means of aligning one 3D solid with another. 3Dalign is very powerful because it
automatically performs 3D translation and rotation if needed.
All you have to do is selected the points on tow 3D objects that you want to align (connect).

Command: 3dalign
Select objects: PICK
select objects: Enter
Specify source plane and orientation……..
Specify base point or [Copy]: PICK (S1)
Specify second point or [Continue] <C>: PICK (S2)
Specify third point or [Continue] <C>: PICK (S3)
Specify destination plane and orientation …………
Specify first destination point: PICK (D1)
Specify second destination point or [eXit] <X>: PICK (D2)
Specify third destination point or [eXit] <X>: PICK (D3)

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 Chapter (20)
Editing in Three Dimensional Solids
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 Chamfering Solids
Chamfering is a machining operation that bevels a sharp corner. Chamfering chamfers selected edges of
an AutoCAD solid as well as 2D object. Technically, Chamfering (used with a solid) is a Boolean
operation because it creates a wedge primitive and then adds to or subtracts from the selected solid.

Command: chamfer
(TRIM mode) current chamfer Dist1= 0.5 Dist2= 0.5
Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method/mUltiple]: PICK (Select solid at desired edges)
Base surface selection…..
Enter surface selection option [Next/OK (current)] <OK>: N or Enter
Specify base surface chamfer distance <0.5>: value
Specify other surface chamfer distance <0.5>: (value)
Select an edge or [loop]: PICK (select edges to be chamfered)
Select an edge or [loop]: Enter Edges must belong to base face.
Command:

Loop
The loop options chamfer the entire perimeter of the base surface. Simply PICK any edge on the base
surface.

Select and edge or [loop]

Select an edge loop or [Edge]: PICK (select edges to form loop)
Select an edge or [loop]: Enter

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 Filleting Solids
Fillet creates fillets (concave corners) or rounds (convex corners) on selected solids, just as with 2D
objects. Technically, Fillet creates a rounded primitive and automatically performs the Boolean needed to
add or subtract it from the selected solids.

Command: fillet
Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = 0.5
Select first object or [Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: PICK (select desired edge to fillet)
Enter fillet radius <0.5>: (value)
Select an edge or [Chain/Radius]: Enter or PICK (Select additional edges to fillet)
Command:

Chain
The chain option allows you to fillet a series of connecting edges. Select the edges to form the chain (fig).
If the chain is obvious (only one direct path), you can PICK only the ending edges, and AutoCAD will
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find the most direct path ( series of connected edges):

Sectioning Solids
Sectionplane creates a translucent clipping plane that can pass through a solid to reveal the inside features
of the solid. The section plane is actually a section object that can be moved or revolved to dynamically
display the solid`s interior features. The section plane can contain “jogs” to create an offset cutting plane.
The section object is manipulated using grips that appear on the section plane object.

Command: sectionplanes
Specify a face or any point to locate section line or [Draw section/Orthographic]: PICK
Specify through point: PICK

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101 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
Slice: ( after we select the object we specifies the 2 points and after that by clicking any side that side remain and the other
one will be removed or clicking double the both sides remains)

Chapter (21)

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 Solid Modeling Construction
Concepts
A solid is a virtually complete representation of the 3D shape of physical object. Solid modeling differs
from wireframe or surface modeling in two fundamental way: (1) the information is more complete in a
solid model and (2) the method of construction of the model itself is relatively easy.

Solid Model Construction Process

The process used to construct most composite solid models follow four general steps:
1. Construct simple 3D primitive solids such as Box, Cylinder, or Wedge, or create 2D shapes and
convert them to 3D solids by Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, or Loft.
2. Create the primitive in location relative to the associated primitive using UCSs or move, rotate, or
mirror the primitive into the desired location relative to the associated primitives.
3. Use Boolean operations (Union, Subtract, and Intersect) to combine the primitives to form a
composite solid.
4. Make necessary design changes to features of composite solid using a variety of editing tools such
as grips, solidedit, and using surfaces to slice solids

Solid Primitives Commands Concept

Solid primitives are the basic building blocks that make up more complex solid models. The commands
that create 3D primitives “from scratch” are:

Box Create a solid box or cube

Cone Creates a solid cone with a circular or elliptical base
Cylinder Creates a solid cylinder with a circular or elliptical base
Polysolid Creates a series of connected solid segments having a specific height and width
Pyramid Creates a solid right pyramid with any number of sides
Sphere Creates a solid sphere
Torus Creates a solid torus
Wedge Creates a solid wedge

Commands that create solid primitives from existing 2D shapes are:

Extrude Converts a closed 2D object such as a Pline, Circle, Region, or Planar Surface to a solid.
Loft Creates a solid using a series of 2D cross sections (curves or lines) that define the shape
Revolve Converts a closed 2D object such as a Pline, Circle, Region to a solid by revolving (axis)
Sweep Creates a solid by sweeping a closed planner profile along an open or closed 2D or 3D path

Dynamic User Coordinate Systems

As you learned in previous chapter, the UCS command creates a User Coordinate System that is static-
that is, it remains active until you change to another coordinate system. This chapter discusses how to
creates and control Dynamic Coordinate Systems.

A Dynamic User Coordinate System (DUCS) is a temporary USC that appears automatically when you
use a primitive command such as Box, Cylinder, or Pyramid and disappears when you complete the
command. You can use the DUCS button on the Status bar to toggled this feature on or off.
You cannot use the Ucs command to create a Dynamic User Coordinate System.
A DUCS appear only with some primitive solid creation commands, but not with surface or wireframe
models.
Boolean Operation Commands

Once the individual 3D primitive have been created and moved into place, you are ready to put together

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the parts. The primitives can be “assembled” or combined by Boolean operation to create composite
solids.
The Boolean operations found in AutoCAD are listed in this section: Union, Subtract, and Intersect.

Union:

Subtract

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Intersect:

Solid Primitive Commands

This section explains the commands that allow you to create primitives used for construction of
composite solid models. The commands allow you so specify the dimensions and orientation of the
solids.
Once primitives or creating, they are combined with other solids using Boolean operations to form
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composite solids.
Note: if you use a pointing device to PICK points, use OSNAP when possible to PICK points in 3D
space. If you don’t use OSNAP, the selected points are located on the current XY construction plane, so
the true points may not be obvious. It is recommended that you OSNAP or enter values.

Box
The base of the boxes always oriented parallel to the current XY plane (WCS, UCS, or Dynamic UCS).
You can specify dimension of the box by PICKing or by entering values, the box can be defined by
(1)Giving the corners of the base, then height , (2) by locating the center, then the corners and height, or
(3) by giving each of the three dimensions.

Cone
Cone creates a right circular or elliptical solid cone (“right” means the axis forms a right angle with base).
By the default method, you specify the center location, radius, (or diameter), and height. With this option,
the orientation of Cylinder is determined by the current UCS so that the base lies on the XY plane and
height is perpendicular ( in a Z direction). Alternately, at different orientation can be defined by using the
axis endpoint or 3Ppoint option.
Center Point:

3P/2P/Ttr
Elleptical
This option draws a cone with an elliptical base. You specify two axis enpoints to define the elliptical
base.

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Axis endpoint
Invoking the axis endpoint option (after the base has been established) displays the following prompt.

Top radius

Cylinder:
Creates a cylinder with an elliptical or circular base with a center location, diameter, and height you
specify. Default orientation f the cylinder is determined by current UCS, such that the circular plane is
coplanar with XY plane and height is in a Z direction. However, the orientation can be defined otherwise
by the Axis endpoint or 3Point option.

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Wedge
Creating a wedge solid primitive is similar to creating a Box. Note that the prompts are the same, and
therefore the methods for creating a Wedge are identified to those for creating Box.
The difference between a Wedge and a Box with the same dimensions is the Wedge contain half the
volume of the Box-a Wedge is like a Box cut a half diagonally.

Sphere:

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Torus:

Pyramid:

Polysolid

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Extrude: can create surface 3D or Solid 3D depending on 2D object if you extrude open 2D objects
(line, Arc, or open pline) a surface will be create. If you extrude an closed 2D shape such as ( Circle,
Polygon, Rectangle, ellipse, pline, spline, region, it will create Solid.

Path:

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Revolve:

Sweep:

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Alignment on and off

Scale: specify the start and end size as we see the scale of 0.5 in the following figure.

Twist: specify the an angle up to end for the following example we see TWIST=180

Loft: with the Loft command, you can create a new solid or surface by specifying a series of cross

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sections. Similar to Extrude, Revolove, and Sweep the resulting shape (surface or solid) depending on if
the 2D shapes) are “open” (having endpoints) or “closed” (one connected loop). Loft creats a solid when
the cross-section shapes are closed.

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Draft angle: 180 and 120

Chapter (22)
Creating Three Dimension Images
Rendering and Animation
Concept:
As you know, AutoCAD provides the ability to enhance the visualization of a surface or a solid model
using Visual Style. Visual Styles allow you to add color and lighting to enhance the visibility of 3D
objects. However, another AutoCAD feature called Render adds another level of realism to surface and
solid models by giving you control of background, lights, colors, materials, and other effects.

Render involves the use of light sources and the application of Materials for 3D model. You control the
type, intensity, color, shadows, and positioning of lights in 3D space. Render also provides a variety of
materials for attachment to objects or layers and allows you to adjust the properties of the material.

Creating 2D drawings from 3D:

FLATSHOT: make a picture as block from our 3D

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Creating a Rendering with default Settings
Creating a realistic rendering often takes more time that creating the 3D model. Although many
parameters, adjustments, and steps can be used to create a realistic rendering (discussed later), you can
use the Render command to create a rendering without specifying any background, light, or materials.

Typical Steps for Using Render:

1. You must first create or open an existing 3D model. Both surface and solid models can be
rendered.
2. Use any 3D navigation commands (3Dorbit, Zoom, Pan) needed to specify the desired viewing
position. Perspective mode is allowed. If you want to create several renderings from different
viewports, use to save each display to a named view so it can be restored at a later time.

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 3. Set the background for object to be rendered. You can use a solid color or gradient color as the
background. You can specify an image as background.

4. Use light control panel to create one or more lights. Parameters such as light type. Intensity, color,
and location (position in space) can be specified. A light source representing the sun can be
specified by geographic location and time of day. You can specify if the lights cast shadows.

5. Use materials control panel to specify the desired material for object. The material properties such
as color, reflective qualities, mapped images, and other attributes can be adjusted.

6. Specify the desired format and quality for the rendering using Advanced Rendering Settings
palette. Several options are available including the Destination of the Rendering.

7. Use Render command to create the rendering image to the specified destination.

8. Because rendering normally involve a process of continual adjustment to light and material
parameters, any or all of steps 2 through 7 can be repeated to make the desired adjustments don’t
expect to achieve exactly what you want the first time.

9. Once your test renderings approach the results you are looking for, apply the higher rendering
qualities such as reflections and refractions to achieve the highest quality for the final rendering.

10. Use the Render command again to create the final render display or file. Usually, you should
render to the screen until you have just the image you want; then save to a file if desired.

Defining a Background
Once the 3D model is created, you can specified the background you want to appear in the rendering. The
background is defined by background property in the View Manager dialog box. In addition to the
Background properties of the current view, you can use the Render Environment command to add fog
and depth cueing for the rendering.
Solid:

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Gradient:
The gradient background type see the figure, allow you to define the rendered background based on two
or three colors.
The specified colors are blended together to produce the final output.

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Rotation: the rotation edit box allows you to specify a rotation value angle for the gradient pattern.

Image:
Selecting the image background type from the drop down list in the background dialog box allows you to
use an existing image file as the background, see the figure.
Clicking the browse button to select the image file that you want to appear when the 3D models is
rendered. You can select any format of image.

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Renderenvironment:

the Renderenvironment command displays the Render Environment Dialog box. This tool used to create
the perception of depth in a rendering by using a “fog” effect.

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Using Sunlight

Sunlight is a special kind of distance light. Using the Sun Properties Palette and a Geographic Location,
you are able to control the properties of the “sun” and geographic properties of the 3D models such as
northern direction, the current time zone, and longitude and latitude values relative to the 3D model.

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This feature allows you to simulate life-like scenarios of lighting and shadows for your 3D model. For
example, you can use these variables to calculate the effects of the path of the shadow from a skyscraper
during specific periods of the day or year.

Sunproperties:
This Sunproperties command displays the Sun Properties palette. This palette provides complete control
of the settings that affect the simulation of the sun. In general, the basic properties for the sun are similar
to distance light, in that the rays of light are parallel and do not “fall off” as they increase in distance from
the source. However, the geographical properties provides you with the means to achieve life-like
simulations.

Intensity Factor
This value specifies the brightness of the light from the sun;
the greater the factor, the brighter the light.

Shadows
This setting designates if the sun casts shadows (On) and
(Off). Generally, turn shadows Off for test rendering and
ON for final rendering.

Using Materials in the Model

AutoCAD provides materials and allows you to apply them

to the model. AutoCAD materials are used to give and oject
give an object a realistic look by simulating a specific color,
texture, or reflective property of actual materials. Many
supplied materials simulate common real-world materials
such as glass or wood. The materials are visible in the model only when the Realistic Visual Style is used
or when a Render is performed.
Once you have created a named view, assigned a background, and inserted and adjusted lights for the
model, you are ready to create and attach materials to the model. The AutoCAD supplies materials are
available from the Materials Tool Palette group. You can attach them to objects, faces, or layers of the
model. If a material is attached to a layer, every object on the layer assumes the material. Materials can
also be modified of created from scratch to attain particular color and reflective qualities for your need.

Materials

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Examples of Rendering Images:

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123 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
124 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
125 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
126 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
Project 3:
Please draw this 3D drawing with all feature, you can use materials and sun properties and finally please render this project
with best quality. Approximately you can draw this as it look you must use options as you study to make a nearest view
according to this drawing.

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 Appendix
Complete AutoCAD Variables
And Recommended Variable Settings

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Variable Name Definition
(The term "Read Only" after the definition means this variable is set by the
system and cannot be changed but only viewed by the user)

ACADPREFIX Lists the full directory path specified by the ACAD environment variable (Read
Only)

ACADVER Displays the AutoCAD version number (Read Only)

AFLAGS Bit-code for the ATTDEF command settings.

This variable will display the following numbers:
0=no attribute mode selected
1=Invisible selected
2=Constant mode selected
4=Verify mode selected
8=Preset mode selected

ANGBASE Angle measurement 0 direction with respect to the current UCS. This is normally
set to 0 angle by default, i.e. 0 angle is toward the east in the World Coordinate
system. This should not be changed for architectural drawings.

ANGDIR Indicates direction of positive angular direction with respect to the current UCS.
This should not be changed for architectural drawings.
0=counterclockwise (the default).
1=clockwise

APERTURE Object snap target height in pixels. This is set to 10 by default, but should be
changed to 7.

AREA Displays the last area computed by commands AREA, LIST, or DBLIST (Read
Only)

ATTDIA Controls the use of a dialogue box for entry of attribute values.
0=disables dialogue box and simply issues prompts to the command line
1=enables dialogue box to enter attribute values

ATTMODE Controls the attribute display mode.

0=attribute display turned off for all attributes
1=attribute display is normal (visibility is set with attribute)
2=attribute display is turned on for all attributes

ATTREQ Controls request for attribute values during insertion of a block which has been
assigned attributes.
0=does not request values but assumes defaults upon insertion of the block
1=requests values for attribute upon insertion of the block

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AUDITCTL Controls whether an audit report file (*.adt) is created by the AUDIT command
0=disables creation of audit report file
1=enables creation of audit report file

AUNITS Angular units mode

0=decimal degrees
1=degrees/minutes/seconds
2=grads
3=radians
4=surveyor's units

AUPREC Angular units decimal places <whole number>

BACKZ Perpendicular distance from back clipping plane to target plane for the current
viewport. Useful only if the back clipping plane is turned on (can be turned on or
off by VIEWMODE variable). An even more useful dimension would be distance
from back clipping plane to camera, which can be derived only by subtracting
BACKZ distance from the camera to target distance (Read Only)

BLIPMODE Controls display of marker blips

0=off
1=on

CDATE Current calendar date/time in format YYYYMMDD.HHMMSSmsec (Read Only)

CECOLOR Sets current entity color

CELTYPE Sets current entity linetype

CHAMFERA Sets first chamfer distance

CHAMFERB Sets second chamfer distance

CIRCLERAD Sets default circle radius -- to set no default, enter 0

CLAYER Sets current layer

CMDACTIVE Bit-code indicates what type of command is active:

1=ordinary command
2=ordinary and transparent command
4=script active
8=dialogue box active

CMDDIA Controls plot command dialogue box use

0=disables dialogue box for plot command

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 1=enables dialogue box for plot command

CMDECHO Controls display of prompts and input during execution of a lisp function
0=disables display of prompts and input
1=enables display of prompts and input

CMDNAMES Displays the name of the command which is currently active (Read Only)

COORDS Controls appearance of coordinate display on status line

0=coordinate display is updated on pick points only
1=absolute cartesial coordinates of location of cross-hairs is continuously
displayed
2=polar coordinates (distance and angle from last point) is continuously
displayed when distance and angle is requested by a command

CVPORT Sets the identification number of the current viewport

DATE Displays the Julian date/time in format <Julian Date>.<Fraction of Day>

DBMOD Bit-code indicates status of drawing modification (Read Only)

1=entity database modified
2=symbol table modified
4=database variable modified
8=window modified
16=view modified

DIASTAT Displays dialogue box exit status (Read Only)

0=most recent dialogue box exited via "CANCEL"
1=most recent dialogue box exited via "OK"

DIMALT Dimension alternate units -- default is 0

0=off
1=on

DIMALTD Dimension alternate unit decimal places -- default is 2, should be set to 0 for SI
metric units in millimeters

DIMALTF Dimension alternate units scale factor: default is 25.4 which is correct for SI
millimeter metric units as alternate units (inches converted to millimeters)

DIMAPOST Dimension alternate unit text suffix -- default is none which OK for SI metric
units

DIMASO Dimension associative dimensions -- default is 1 which is OK

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 0=disables associative dimensions
1=enables associative dimensions

DIMASZ Dimension arrow size -- default is 0.18, should be set to 0.09

DIMBLK Dimension block to use to replace standard arrow design -- default is none

DIMBLK1 Dimension block at first side of dimension to use to replace standard arrow
design
-- default is none

DIMBLK2 Dimension block at second side of dimension to use to replace standard arrow
design -- default is none

DIMCEN Dimension circle or arc centermark size -- default is 0.09 which is OK

If set to a negative number, center mark passes through circle diameter and
projects beyond circle by the distance equal to this value

DIMCLRD Dimension line color -- default is BYBLOCK

DIMCLRE Dimension extension line color -- default is BYBLOCK

DIMCLRT Dimension text color -- default is BYBLOCK

DIMDLE Dimension line extension -- default is 0.0 which is OK for arrows, but should be
set to 0.09 if using ticks

DIMDLI Dimension line increment: this is the distance which each dimension line is
automatically spaced from the last one when using the "continue" or "baseline"
sub-commands, or when dimension text will not fit within the space between
extension lines (the next dimension in a string will get offset from that one by the
value of this variable) -- default is 0.38, but should be set to 0, unless you intend
to use the "baseline" sub-command (which is rare in architectural drawings)

DIMEXE Dimension extension line extension beyone the dimension line -- default is 0.18,
but should be set to 0.09

DIMEXO Dimension extension line offset: this is the distance from the origin point of the
dimension to the end of the extension line -- default is 0.0625 which is OK

DIMGAP Dimension space between dimension line and text when dimension line is
broken to accommodate the dimension text -- default is 0.09 which is OK, since
this is never used in architectural drawings -- dimension lines should never be
broken for dimension text in architectural drawings

DIMLFAC Dimension scale factor -- default is 1

This would only change if you were inserting a drawing which is dimensioned at
a different scale than 1:1 -- You would set this to the reciprocal of the scale
conversion factor as described in the chapter on "Scale" in this text. For
instance, say you want to insert a detail to be scaled at 1"=1'-0" into a drawing
which will be plotted in model space at 1/4" = 1'-0". The detail drawing would be
inserted at a conversion scale factor of 4, so that it appears 4 times the size of

132 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 the main drawing to be plotted at 1/4"=1'-0". The detail would then be
dimensioned, first setting DIMLFAC to 1/4 (that is the reciprocal of the
conversion factor. Note that none of this complicated process is necessary if
you always plot your drawings in paper space at 1=1 scale, zooming the various
viewports to their respective scales.

DIMLIM Controls the way tolerances are displayed when using tolerances for a
dimension
0=off (default) tolerances are displayed as plus-minus number
1=on tolerances are displayed in high value and low value one above the other
Tolerances and therefore this variable is rarely used for architectural drawings

DIMPOST Dimension text prefix, suffix, or both -- default is none

If you wanted to have the words "Above Finished Floor" appended to the
dimension, while still allowing the dimension as measured by the program to be
used and remain associative, you could set the value of this variable to
<>Above Finished Floor
The two angle brackets together represent the placement of the associative
dimension

DIMRND Dimension rounding value -- default is 0.0, should be set to 0.625, which is
1/16" for architectural drawings

DIMSAH Allows use of separate arrow blocks for each end of the dimension line
0=off (default) -- when set to off, you are not allowed to use two different blocks
for the dimensioning arrows
1=on -- when set to on, you may use two different blocks for each end of the
dimension line, stored as DIMBLK1 and DIMBLK2

DIMSCALE Dimension overall feature scale factor -- default is 1.0 but if you want to plot
your drawing in model space, you should set this variable to the plot scale factor
(e.g. 1/4"=1'-0" plot scale, the plot scale factor is 48), but if you intend to plot in
paper space only, set this variable to 0. It is recommended that you always plot
in paper space, and that this variable should be set to 0.

DIMSE1 Controls drawing of first extension line -- default is 0

0=off -- extension line is drawn
1=on -- extension line is not drawn

DIMSE2 Controls drawing of second extension line -- default is 0

0=off -- extension line is drawn
1=on -- extension line is not drawn

DIMSHO Controls display of update to associative dimension as it is being changed by

stretching
0=off

133 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 1=on (default)

DIMSOXD Suppresses outside dimension lines -- default is 0, should be set to 1

0=off -- (default) if dimension arrows do not fit between extension lines, the
dimension line and arrows will be drawn to the outside of each extension line, --
this is not normally desirable in architectural drawings
1=on -- forces arrows to be drawn toward the inside of extension lines,
regardless of whether they will fit, this is a better appearance for most
architectural drawings

DIMSTYLE Dimension style -- default is *UNNAMED (Read Only) -- you can create as many
styles as you want by setting variables as you wish, and using the DIM<RET>
SAVE<RET>[name] command sequence, with [name] being the name you
assign to the dimension style. To use a style that has already been saved, you
need to restore it by using the DIM<RET>RESTORE<RET>[name] command
sequence

DIMTAD Dimension text above dimension line -- default is 0, should be set to 1

0=off -- dimension text will be places on the dimension line by breaking the
dimension line -- this format is normally used for engineering type drawings, but
is not used for architectural drawings
1=on -- dimensions always placed above the dimension line -- this is the one to
use for architectural drawings

DIMTFAC Sets height of tolerance text with relation to main dimension text height -- default
is 1.0 Recommended value is 0.75 -- no need to be concerned about this
variable, since tolerances are rarely used in architectural drawings.

DIMTIH Sets orientation of dimension text inside extension lines -- default is 1, should be
0
0=off -- dimension text always parallel with dimension line
1=on -- dimension text always horizontal regardless of dimension line
orientation

DIMTIX Sets whether text is always placed between extension lines -- default is 0,
should be 1
0=off -- text will be placed to the right or left side of dimension if it does not fit
between extension lines
1=on -- text will always be placed between extension lines regardless of
whether it will fit -- this is more desirable for architectural drawings. If it becomes
a problem with long dimensions overlapping dimensions, they can always be
moved with the DIM<RET>TEDIT<RET> command sequence

DIMTM Dimension minus tolerance value -- default is 0.0 -- no need to change

DIMTP Dimension plus tolerance value -- default is 0.0 -- no need to change

DIMTOFL Sets dimension line to be drawn inside of extension lines, whether or not text is
drawn outside of extension lines -- default is 0, should be set to 1

134 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 0=off -- will not draw inside dimension line if text is outside of extension lines
1=on -- will force dimension line to always be drawn between extension lines

DIMTOH Sets orientation of dimension text outside extension lines -- default is 1, should
be 0
0=off -- dimension text always parallel with dimension line
1=on -- dimension text always horizontal regardless of dimension line
orientation

DIMTOL Sets tolerance dimensioning -- default is 0, which is OK

0=off -- tolerance dimensioning is not used
1=on -- tolerances set by DIMTM and DIMTP are drawn
Tolerances are rare in architectural drawings, and therefore this variable is not
normally used

DIMTSZ Dimension tick size -- default is 0.0

If set to some value other than 0, dimension will have ticks drawn in place of
arrows -- if ticks are desired, this value should be set to 0.09. Arrows are
recommended.

DIMTVP Sets dimension text vertical position -- default is 0.0

If set to 1.0 it is equivalent to DIMTAD set to 1 (on); if set to -1.0, it will place
dimension text below dimension line

DIMTXT Dimension text size -- default is 0.18, should be set to 0.09

DIMZIN Sets zero display with dimension text -- default is 0, should be set to 3 for
architectural drawings

DISTANCE Last distance computed by DIST command (Read Only)

DONUTID Sets donut inside diameter default -- can be set to 0; is automatically set to ID
size of last donut drawn

DONUTOD Sets donut outside diameter default -- cannot be set to 0; is automatically set to
ID size of last donut drawn

DRAGMODE Controls display of objects when being copies or moved -- default is 2

0=off -- no dragging
1=on if requested
2=auto -- will show dragging if possible

DRAGP1 Regen-drag input sampling rate -- default = 10

DRAGP2 Fast-drag input sampling rate -- default = 25

135 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
DWGCODEPAGE Set to the system code page when new drawing is created. Can be manually set
to any value used by the SYSCODEPAGE variable -- not normally used

DWGNAME Displays full path drive and directory and name you gave to the drawing at the
SAVE or last SAVEAS command. If drawing is not yet named, it has the value of
*UNNAMED (Read Only)

DWGPREFIX Displays full path drive and directory of drawing, but not the name (Read Only)

DWGTITLED Displays whether drawing has been named yet

0=drawing has not yet been named
1=drawing has been named

DWGWRITE Sets read-only toggle

0=allows opening of drawing for reading only
1=allows opening of drawing for reading and writing (default)

ELEVATION Sets current 3d elevation, relative to the current UCS for current space (model
space or paper space)

ERRNO Error code number (Read Only)

EXPERT Sets level of issuance of "Are you sure?" prompts

0=issues all prompts (default)
1= suppresses "About to regen, proceed?" and
"Really want to turn the current layer off?"
2= suppresses preceding prompts and "Block already defined.
Redefine it?"
and "A drawing with this name already exists. Overwrite it?"
3= suppresses preceding prompts and those issued by the
LINETYPE command if you try to load a linetype that is already
loaded or create a new linetype in a file that already defines it.
4= suppresses preceding prompts and those issued by the
"UCS Save" and "VPORTS Save" if the name you supply
already exists
5= suppresses preceding prompts and those issued by the
"DIM SAVE" and "DIM OVERRIDE" commands if the dimension
style name you supply already exists.
Default answer to all suppressed prompts is Y

EXTMAX Upper-right 3d point of drawing extents (Read Only)

EXTMIN Lower-left 3d point of drawing extents (Read Only)

FILEDIA Controls use of dialogue boxes for command input

0= off -- disables file dialogue box use -- can be overridden by
placing a ~ (tilde) preceding the command name
1= on -- use file dialogue boxes if possible

FILLETRAD Sets fillet radius

136 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
FILLMODE Controls display of fill in wide polylines, solids, donuts, arrowheads, and traces
0=fill is turned off, is not visible and will not plot
1=fill is turned on, is visible in views perpendicular to plane of object (plan only)
and will plot

FRONTZ Perpendicular distance from front clipping plane to target plane for the current
viewport. Useful only if the front clipping plane is turned on and "front clip not at
eye bit" is turned on (these can be turned on or off by VIEWMODE variable). An
even more useful dimension would be distance from front clipping plane to
camera, which can be derived only by subtracting FRONTZ distance from the
camera to target distance (Read Only)

GRIDMODE Sets display grid on or off

0=grid display turned off
1=grid display turned on

GRIDUNIT Sets grid spacing for current viewport, X and Y dimensions

GRIPBLOCK Controls assignment of grips in blocks

0=assigns grip to insertion point (default)
1=assigns grips to entities within the block

GRIPCOLOR Sets color of non-selected grips, drawn as a box in outline -- default value is 5
(blue)

GRIPHOT Sets color of selected grips, drawn as a filled box -- default value is 1 (red)

GRIPS Controls use of selection set grips

0=disables grips
1=enables grips for Stretch, Move, Rotate, Scale, and Mirror modes (default)

GRIPSIZE Sets size in pixels of grip box -- default is 3, which is OK

HANDLES Displays Handles setting (Read Only)

0=Handles disabled
1=Handles enabled

HIGHLIGHT Sets object selection highlighting

0=highlighting of selected objects turned off
1=highlighting of selected objects turned on

HPANG Sets default hatch pattern angle

HPDOUBLE Sets whether "U" user-defined hatch patterns will be cross-hatched (doubled)
0=doubling disabled

137 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 1=doubling enabled

HPNAME Sets default hatch pattern name

To set to no default hatch pattern, enter . (that is "dot" or "period")

HPSCALE Sets default hatch pattern scale factor. Must be non-zero.

HPSPACE Sets default hatch pattern line spacing for "U" user-defined hatch patterns. Must
be non-zero

INSBASE Insertion Base point in the current coordinate system coordinates

INSNAME Default Block name for the INSERT command. To set to no default name, enter
a . (period)

LASTANGLE The end angle of the last arc entered (Read Only)

LASTPOINT The coordinates of the last point entered

LENSLENGTH Length of the camera lens in millimeters used in perspective viewing (Read
Only)

LIMCHECK Limits checking for the current space, 1=on, 0=off

LIMMAX Upper right corner of the Limits expressed in World Coordinate system

LIMMIN Lower-left corner of the Limits expressed in World Coordinate system

LOGINNAME Displays the Userâs name as configured (REad Only)

LTSCALE Global Linetype scale factor

LUNITS Drawing Units

1=scientific (do not use)
2=decimal (use for metric drawings)
3=engineering (do not use)
4=architectural (use for most all drawings -- feet and inches)
5=fractional (do not use)

LUPREC Drawing unit number of decimal places or fractional denominator smallest value

MACROTRACE Debugging tool for Diesel language expressions

MAXACTVP Maximum number of viewports to regenerate at one time

MAXSORT Maximum number of symbol or file names to be sorted by listing commands.

Default value = 200. What this means is that, for instance, if there are more than
200 layers, the layer list will not get sorted alphabetically. To allow it to sort,
change the MAXSORT variable to some number greater than the number of
layers.

138 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
MENUCTL Controls the page switching of the Screen menu.
0=Screen menu does not switch pages in response to keyboard command entry
1=Screen menu switches pages in response to keyboard command entry
(default)

MENUECHO Controls display of menu items:

0=all menu items and system prompts are displayed (default)
1=supresses echo of menu items
2=supresses printing of system prompts during menu
4=Disables ^P toggle of menu echoing
8=debugging aid for Diesel language macros

MENUNAME The name of the currently loaded menu (Read Only)

MIRRTEXT 0=text retains its right reading direction when mirrored

1=text will read backwards when mirrored.

MODEMACRO Allows you to display a text string in the status line, such as the name of the
current drawing, time/date stamp, or special modes.

OFFSETDIST Sets the default offset distance. If you enter a negative number, it defaults to the
"Through" mode.

ORTHOMODE 0=Ortho Off

1=Ortho On

OSMODE Sets the Running Mode of OSNAP

0=None
1=Endpoint
2=Midpoint
4=Center
8=Node
16=Quadrant
32=Intersection
64=Insertion
128=Perpendicular
256=Tangent
512=Nearest
1024=Quick
Setting number values can be added to obtain combinations of Running OSNAP
mode, for instance, number 33 could only mean, Endpoint (1) and Intersection
(32) combination

139 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
PDMODE Graphic display of points, for example:
0= normal point
1=no display of point
3=point that looks like an X

PDSIZE Graphic size display of points

PERIMETER Perimeter of Pline, circle, arc, etc., as computed by the AREA or LIST
commands (Read Only)

PFACEMAX Maximum number of vertices per face (Read Only)

PICKADD Controls additive selection of entities

0= Disables PICKADD. The most recently selected entities becomes the object
selection set. You cannot add more just by picking more. To add entities to the
object selection set, hold the <Shift> key down while picking. This mimics the
way most other Windows software works.
1=Enables PICKADD. Each entity that is selected becomes part of the object
selection set. To remove entities from the object selection set, hold the <Shift>
key down while picking (default)

PICKAUTO Controls automatic windowing during object selection.

0=Disables PICKAUTO
1=Allows you to create a selection window or crossing window automatically
while selecting objects, if you did not pick directly on an object (default)

PICKBOX Pickbox (object selection box) size in pixels

PICKDRAG Controls method of creating a selection window

0=You draw the selection window by clicking the mouse at one corner and then
the other corner (default)
1=You draw the selection window by clicking on one corner, holding down the
mouse button, and releasing the mouse button at the other corner. This mimics
the way most other Windows software works.

PICKFIRST Controls the method of entity selection so that you can select objects first, and
then use an edit/inquiry command
0=Disables Pickfirst
1=Enables Pickfirst (default)

PLATFORM Indicates which version of AutoCAD is in use (Read Only)

PLINEGEN Sets linetype pattern generation around the vertices of a 2D polyline.

0=linetype pattern starts and ends at each polyline vertex
1=linetype is generated in a continuous pattern through the polyline vertices.
(does not apply to tapered segments)

140 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
PLINEWID Default polyline width. Can be set to 0, which makes polylines plot at pen width.

PLOTID Default plotter by plotter description set in Config

PLOTTER Default plotter by plotter number set in Config

POLYSIDES Default number of sides for Polygon command. Range is 3 to 1024. Default is 4.

POPUPS 0=display driver does not support dialogue boxes, menu bar, pull-down menus,
and icon menus.
1=display driver supports dialogue boxes, menu bar, pull-down menus, and icon
menus. (Read Only)

PSLTSCALE Controls paper space linetype scale

0=No special linetype scale in paper space
1=Viewport scaling is multiplied times variable LTSCALE to compute linetype
scales in paper space viewports (this setting is recommended)

PSPROLOG Assigns a name for a Prologue section to be read from the ACAD.PSF file when
using the PSOUT command.

PSQUALITY Controls rendering quality of Postscript images.

QTEXTMODE 0=Quicktext mode off (line of text appears and plots as readable words)
1=Quicktext mode on (line of text appears and plots as rectangles)

REGENMODE 0=Regenauto off

1=Regenauto on

RE-INIT Reinitializes the I/O ports, digitizer, display, plotter, and ACAD.PGP file.
1=digitizer port reinitialization
2=plotter port reinitialization
4=digitizer reinitialization
8=display reinitialization
16=ACAD.PGP file reinitialization

SAVEFILE Current AutoSave filename (Read Only)

SAVENAME Filename you save drawing to (Read Only)

SAVETIME Automatic save interval, in minutes. If you do not want to save the drawing
automatically, set SAVETIME to 0. Drawing is automatically saved to file
AUTO.SV$. If your drawing file becomes corrupt for any reason, you can copy
the file AUTO.SV$ to your filename, and you will have saved your file.

SCREENBOXES The number of boxes in the screen menu area of the graphics area. If screen
menu is disabled, SCREENBOXES=0 (Read Only)

141 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
SCREENMODE Bit code indicating the state of the display
0=text screen is displayed
1=graphics mode is displayed
2=dual screen configuration
(Read Only)

SCREENSIZE Current viewport size in pixels, X and Y (Read Only)

SHADEDGE 0=faces shaded, edges not highlighted

1=facxes shaded, edges drawn in background color
2=faces not shaded, edges in entity color
3=faces in entity color, edges in background color

SHADEDIF Ratio of diffuse reflective light to ambient light, in percent of diffuse reflective
light

SHPNAME Default Shape name

SKETCHINC SKETCH command record increment

SKPOLY 0=SKETCH command generates individual lines

1=SKETCH command generates connected polylines

SNAPANG Snap/Grid rotation angle for current viewport

SNAPBASE Snap/grid origin point, in current UCS X and Y coordinates

SNAPISOPAIR Current isometric plane on which you are drawing

0=left
1=top
2=right

SNAPMODE 0=snap off

1=snap on

SNAPSTYL 0=rectangular snap grid

1=isometric snap grid

SNAPUNIT Snap spacing, X and Y dimensions

SORTENTS Controls display of entity sort order operations.

0=Disables SORTENTS
1=Sort for object selection
2=sort for object snap

142 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
 4=sort for redraws
8=sort for MSLIDE slide creation
16=sort for regens
32=sort for plotting
64=sort for PostScript operation
96=sort for plotting and PostScript operation (32+64=96) (default)

SPLFRAME 0= invisible edges of 3DFACEs are not displayed, control

polygon for spline fit polylines is not displayed, and the fit
surface of polygon meshes are displayed, not the defining mesh
armature.
1= invisible edges of 3dFACEs are displayed, control polygon
for spline fit polylines is displayed, only the defining surface of a
mesh is displayed.

SPLINESEGS Number of line segments to be generated for each spline patch

SPLINETYPE Type of spline curve to be drawn by PEDIT SPLINE command.

5=quadratic B-Spline
6=Cubic B-Spline

SURFTAB1 Number of tabulations to be drawn for RULESURF and TABSURF commands,

and mesh density in the M direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF commands.

SURFTAB2 Mesh density in the N direction for the REVSURF and EDGESURF commands.

SURFTYPE Type of surface fitting to be performed by PEDIT SMOOTH command.

5=quadratic B-spline surface
6=cubic B-spline surface
8=Bezier surface

SURFU Surface density in the M direction

SURFV Surface density in the N direction

SYSCODEPAGE System code page specified in the ACAD.XMF file (Read Only)

TABMODE Controls use of the Tablet Mode

0=Disables Tablet Mode
1=Enables Tablet Mode

TARGET Location of the Target Point (where you are looking) (Read Only)

TDCREATE Time and Date of drawing creation (Read Only)

TDINDWG Total editing time (Read Only)

143 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
TDUPDATE Time and Date of last save of drawing (Read Only)

TDUSRTIMER User elapsed timer (Read Only)

TEMPPREFIX Directory for placement of temporary files (*.AC$ files) (Read Only)

TEXTEVAL 0= all responses to prompts for text strings are taken literally
1= text starting with an opening parenthesis "(" or an
exclamation point "!" is evaluated as an AutoLISP expression
(default)

TEXTSIZE Default height for new text entities, unless the current text style has been given
a fixed text height.

TEXTSTYLE Current text style

THICKNESS current entity thickness (vertical distance from the bottom of an entity to its top)

TILEMODE 0= Disables paper space and viewport entities

1= Enables paper space and viewport entities

TRACEWID Trace entity width (Note that Traces are not used very much anymore -- they
have been functionally replaced by Polylines)

TREEDEPTH A 4-digit (maximum) code that specifies the number of times the tree-structured
spatial index may divide into branches. This code number affects the speed in
which AutoCAD searches the database before completing an action.

TREEMAX Limits memory consumption during drawing regeneration by limiting the

maximum number of nodes in the spatial index created with the variable
TREEDEPTH.

UCSFOLLOW 0= change to a new UCS will not change the current view of the
model
1= change to a new UCS will automatically change to a plan
view (X-Y plane) in the new UCS

UCSICON 0= UCSICON is not visible

1= UCSICON is visible
2= UCSICON is located at the origin of the current UCS

UCSNAME Name of the current UCS (Read Only)

UCSORG Origin point of the current UCS, in World Coordinate System X,Y, and Z
coordinates (Read Only)

UCSXDIR X-direction of current UCS (Read Only)

UCSYDIR Y-direction of current UCS (Read Only)

144 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
UNDOCTL Indicates state of UNDO feature
1= UNDO is enabled
2= only one command can be undone
4= Auto-group mode is enabled
8= Undo group is currently active
(Read Only)

UNDOMARKS Number of marks that have been placed in the UNDO control stream by the
UNDOâs command Mark option. (Read Only)

UNITMODE 0= displays fractional, feet and inches, and surveyorâs units as

previously set.
1= displays fractional, feet and inches, and surveyorâs units in
input format

USERI1-5 5 user-created variables for storage and retrieval of integer values

USERR1-5 5 user-created variables for storage and retrieval of Real Numbers

USERS1-5 5 user-created variables for storage and retrieval of text string data

VIEWCTR Center of view in current viewport in X and Y coordinates (Read Only)

VIEWDIR Current viewportâs viewing direction (Read Only)

VIEWMODE 1= perspective view active

2= front clipping on
4= back clipping on
8= UCS Follow mode on
16= Front clip not at eye
(Read Only)

VIEWSIZE Height of view in current viewport in feet and inches (Read Only)

VIEWTWIST View twist (rotation) angle (Read Only)

VISRETAIN 0= current drawing layer visibility, color, and linetype settings do

not take precedence over the XREF drawingsâ layer settings
1= current drawing layer visibility, color, and linetype settings
overrides the XREF drawingsâ layer settings

VSMAX The upper-right corner of the current viewportâs virtual screen (Read Only)

VSMIN The lower-left corner of the current viewportâs virtual screen (Read Only)

WORLDUCS 0= the current UCS is not the World Coordinate System

1= the current UCS is the World Coordinate System
(Read Only)

145 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada
WORLDVIEW 0= when DVIEW or VPOINT commands are used, the
coordinate system is not changed, and DVIEW and VPOINT
command input is relative to the current UCS
1= when DVIEW or VPOINT commands are used, the
coordinate system is automatically changed to the WCS for the
duration of the command (default)

XREFCTL 0= XREF log files are not created

1= XREF log files are created
an XREF log file is a text file with the extension *.XLG which lists all XREFs
used in the current drawing along with their paths.

146 AutoCAD FOR ALL AFGHAN ENGINEERS By: Mir Sebghatullah Sahebzada