LESSON 1 .

INTRODUCTION TO AUTOCAD

Topics covered in this Lesson:

The AutoCad User Interface/AutoCad Basic/Terminology
The X-Y Coordinate System/Angular Measurement/Entering Points in AutoCAD

AutoCAD Basics

The AutoCAD User InterFace

Workspaces
Starting Commands
Terminology

THE AUTOCAD USER INTERFACE

Application Button - This button displays commands for printing, saving, drawing utilities and
other non-drawing tools.

Quick Access Toolbar - This is for quick access to common commands like New, Open, Save, Plot

Filename - The name of the current file you are working on.

Search Bar - Search for text in your drawing or search the help files.

Ribbon - The Ribbon has most of the commands/tools that you will use while you are working.
 Tabs - A series of Tabs make up the Ribbon (Home, Insert, Manage, etc) and organize the Tools
into common groups.

Panels - Contain a group of tools

Tools - These are the icons that start the commands you use to draw, modify, etc.

Tool Tip - If you hover your mouse over a tool, a tool tip will appear to give you more
information. Hold it longer for more info.

Drawing Space - These is where you draw your designs.

Command line - When you type a command, you will see it here. AutoCAD uses this space to
'prompt' you for information. It will give you a lot of information and tell you where you are in
the command.

Status bar - This allows to see and change different modes of drawing such as Ortho, Osnaps,
Grid, Otrack, etc. You can right click this area to toggle between icons and text for this area.

Workspaces

With the introduction of AutoCAD 2009, a new screen layout was added. The program now
allows you to work in different workspaces depending upon what you are working on. For
example, the screen will look different if you are working on 2D than it will with 3D work. There
is also an option for AutoCAD Classic (which is how the screen looked from Versions 2000-
2008).

Icons, Keystrokes and Menus

The icons work well, but as you will see, icons can be placed anywhere on the screen and can
be difficult to find quickly. The pull-down menus will access almost all commands, but are a
slower way of doing things. Icons in AutoCAD 2010 to AutoCAD 2016 are found on the ribbon,
divided into panels - just click on the appropriate tab to open the panel you need..
Example: If you want to draw a line, you can do it a few ways:

At the command line type: LINE (or) L and press the ENTER key.

Select the line icon from the DRAW Panel.

Another way is to Right-Click on the drawing space and choose "Recent Input" from the menu.
This will give a list of the most recent commands that you have used.

All three approaches will do the same thing: prepare AutoCAD to draw a line where you tell it.
AutoCAD is a popular program because it can be customized to suit an individual's needs. The
toolbars are a good example of this. You can have the toolbars you use most often on the
screen all the time. You can easily make them go away so that you have more drawing space.
You can also customize them so you have the most common commands on one toolbar. For
example, the dimensioning toolbar is one that you will not want taking up space on your screen
while drawing, but is very handy when you're dimensioning your drawing.

To remove the ribbon and have the most drawing space

available, click on the "Clean Screen" icon in the bottom right
corner of the screen (or press CTRL+O [number Zero]). To go back
to the standard display, click again on the same icon.

Basic AutoCAD Terminology

Absolute coordinates A way of inputting points based on AutoCAD's origin.

This is the default template that automatically loads
Acad.dwt whenever you start a drawing session. It can be
customized to suit your needs.
Dimensions that are associated with specific points will
Associated Dimensioning
update as that point is moved.
AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup your drawing
Backup file and save it. This is a safeguard in case your file gets
corrupted. It is saved with a .BAK extension
A pre-drawn image you can insert in your drawing to save
Block
time and make your file size smaller.
Clean Screen A display setting that gives you maximum drawing space.
Crosshairs This is your cursor when it is in the drawing space.
Your cursor will change depending on what function it is
Cursor
performing in the program.
An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large database
containing all the information needed to reproduce the
Database
objects when the file is opened. Info for layers and
linetypes, etc are stored in this manner.
AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes to get
Dialog box information from you. You must know how to input the
information that it asks for.
This is a file that contains preset values for frequently
Drawing template file used settings. AKA a prototype drawing. The file extension
is DWT.
Extents The outer boundaries of the objects you have drawn.
This is pattern of dots displayed on the screen to guide
Grid
you. It can be toggled on and off by pressing the F7 key.
Grips Small 'handles' on objects that allow for quick editing.
All objects are drawn on a layer. You can group objects
Layer (such as electrical) on a single layer and organize your
drawing.
A space used for plotting your drawings (formerly called
Layout Tabs
Paper Space).
A setting to impose an 'artificial' boundary on your
Limits (Grid) drawing that sets the area of the grid, and when turned
on, limits you to drawing in the grid area.
All objects are drawn with a particular linetype. Examples
Linetype
would be solid, center, dashed, etc.
Model space The drawing space where you 'model' the objects.
Modify A generic term used for changing your objects
Any item that is in the AutoCAD database. Also known as
Object
an entity.
Origin The (0,0) point of your current coordinate system.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to draw only
Ortho mode perpendicular lines. It is toggled on and off by pressing the
F8 key.
A standard drawing method that shows 2 or more views of
Orthographic Projection
the same part.
This is a method of 'snapping' to certain, precise points on
Osnap - Object Snap
an object.
To move around the drawing by dragging the drawing area
Pan
around your screen.
Panel A grouping of commands on the ribbon
Path The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for, or saves files.
Pick To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it.
Plot Also known as print. To make a hard copy of your drawing.
Polar coordinates A way of inputting points based on distance and angle.
Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale,
Property
linetype, start point, etc.
Ribbon The Ribbon runs across the top of the drawing space and
 contains panels - each panel has a group of associated
tools. Switch to different panels by clicking on the tabs at
the top of the ribbon.
Relative coordinates A way of inputting points based on a starting point.
A drawing that represents a cross section of a part or
Section View
assembly.
Selection set The current group of objects selected for modifying.
This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor
Snap to precise points laid out in a grid pattern. Toggle with the
F9 key.
Styles Formatting that defines the look of text, dimensions, etc.
The basic drawing unit set for your drawing. For example,
you can use inches or millimeters depending on your
Units
needs. You can also set the precision you want displayed,
such nearest 1/4", 1/2" 1/64", etc.
User coordinate system Modifications made to the World Coordinate System
(UCS) (WCS) result in a User Coordinate System (UCS)
View A particular area of your drawing.
A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more
Viewport than one viewport visible to see different areas of your
drawing at the same time.
An easy step-by-step instruction set to help you set-up
Wizard
certain aspects of your drawing.
This is the common X-Y coordinate system that is the
World Coordinate System
default. If it is modified, it becomes a User Coordinate
(WCS)
System (UCS)
To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in)
Zoom
or a larger section (zoom out)
The X,Y coordinate system

All objects drawn on the screen are placed there based on a simple X,Y coordinate system. In
AutoCAD this is known as the World Coordinate System (WCS).

AutoCAD uses points to determine where an object is located. There is an origin where it begins
counting from. This point is (0,0). Every object is located in relation to the origin. If you were to
draw a line straight out to the right from the origin, this would be considered the positive X-
axis. If you were to draw a line straight up, this would be the positive Y-axis. The picture above
shows a point located at (9,6). This means that the point is 9 units over in the X-axis and 6 units
up in the Y-axis. When you are working with points, X always comes first. The other point
shown is (-10,-4). This means that the point is 10 units in the negative X-axis (left) and 4 units in
the negative Y-axis (down).

Angular Measurement

AutoCAD measures angles in a particular way. Look at the diagram below and then place your
mouse on it to see how this is done.
When drawing lines at an angle, you have to begin measuring the angle from 0 degrees, which
is at the 3 o'clock position. If you drew a line at 90 degrees, it would go straight up. The
example above (when you move your mouse over it) shows a line drawn at +300 degrees
(270+30), or -60 degrees.

You might not always have an obvious reference point for 0 degrees. Look at the example
below and place your mouse on the image to find out the angle in question.

In this example, you are given information about the lines, but not the angle AutoCAD needs to
draw the line from the start point. What you are given though, is (a) the knowledge that 0° is at
the 3 o'clock position (b) the knowledge that 180° is at the 9 o'clock position and (c) the angle
between 180° and the line you want to draw is 150°.

Entering Points in AutoCAD

You can enter points directly on the command line using three different systems. The one you
use will depend on which is more applicable for the situation. The three systems are as follows:

ABSOLUTE CO-ORDINATES - Using this method, you enter the points as they relate to the origin
of the WCS. To enter a point just enter in the exact point as X,Y.

RELATIVE CO-ORDINATES - This allows you to enter points in relation to the first point you have
entered. After you've entered one point, the next would be entered as @X,Y. This means that
 AutoCAD will draw a line from the first point to another point X units over and Y units up relative
to the previous point.

POLAR CO-ORDINATES - You would use this system if you know that you want to draw a line a
certain distance at a particular angle. You would enter this as @D<A. In this case, D is the
distance and A is the angle. Example: @10<90 will draw a line 10 units straight up from the first
point.

The three ways of entering coordinates shown above are the ONLY way AutoCAD accepts
keyboard input. First decide which style you need to use, and then enter as shown. Remember
that X is always before Y (alphabetical). Don't forget the '@' symbol when you are entering
relative points. Any typing error or omission will give you results you don't want. If you make a
mistake and need to see what you typed, press F2 to bring up the text screen and check your
typing.