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12 viewsEEE 525 - Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD)
The document is a manual for AutoCAD 2004, detailing its features, usage, and interface for computer-aided design and drafting. It covers the history of AutoCAD, starting from its creation in 1981, and provides instructions on starting the software, issuing commands, and setting up the drawing environment. Additionally, it explains coordinate systems, grid settings, and object snapping to aid in precise drafting.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 viewsEEE 525 - Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD)
The document is a manual for AutoCAD 2004, detailing its features, usage, and interface for computer-aided design and drafting. It covers the history of AutoCAD, starting from its creation in 1981, and provides instructions on starting the software, issuing commands, and setting up the drawing environment. Additionally, it explains coordinate systems, grid settings, and object snapping to aid in precise drafting.
Uploaded by
herbertkeller001Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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gee sae (8)
MANUAL FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING ~~ EEE 525
AUTOMATIC COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING (AutoCAD)
INTRODUCTION
‘Automatic Computer Aided Drafting, AutoCAD was created by Autodesk in 1981, running
tinder DOS. At the time of its creation, it enjoys wide success as @ result ofits open
architecture and being the first CAD to run on a desktop computer (most CAD programmes
then were running under mainframes). By open architecture we mean that it has source code
that can be customized to sut the user and also programmable. AutoCAD supports drawing
in 2D (2 Dimensional) using the x & y coordinates and also 3D (3-Dimensional) using the
x y & 2 coordinates, Since the first release of AuIoCAD, it has been undergoing
modifications and improvements, The improvement could be the addition or removal of
Some features to make it easier to create and edit objects in AutoCAD. These improvements
‘were called releases up till the Release 14 after which they adopted to name the
improvements after the year. ‘The latest as at the time of writing this manual is AutoCAD
2010. However, this manual was written with 2004.
‘AutoCAD is most widely used in Technical/Engineering drawing as follows:
1, Architectural
2. Mechanical 5. Electrical/Electronics
3. Civil Engineers 6 Geographic Information System
4, Multimedia ete.
Starting AutoCAD
‘This manual was written with AutoCAD 2004. To start AutoCAD 2004, either:
1. From the Start menu
Click on Start => All Programs => Autodesk => AutoCAD and then click
AutoCAD 2004
2. From the Desktop
If the icon of AutoCAD 2004 is on the desktop simply double click it to open
AutoCAD 2004.
‘Anambra State Univer, Ul, Page 60 of 110 MANUAL FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING — EEE 525
Sean
Start from Scratch
‘Open Existing Drawin;
‘Wead Descipon
‘Sets the urs, angle, angle measuo, angle tection and aea for you new
dening, Based onthe template acadio dnt
Fig. 1.1 Startup dialog
‘When AutoCAD is started, the start up dialog box displayed in figure 1.1 is displayed. You
are required to make selection(s) before AutoCAD interface will be loaded and displayed.
‘The options are:
1. Open an existing drawing:- This enables you to directly open an existing
drawing without having to load blank AutoCAD interface.
2. Start from scratch: - This is used to load the AutoCAD interface with some
default settings. Here, you chose to either enter distances in imperial (inches and
feet) or Metric (SI units).
3. Use a Template: - This is used to load and start a drawing using a template. A
template is a special file that contains settings and objects (Which may be title
block). Templates are used to avoid recreating settings and objects. Saving a
document started with a template file does not affect the original template file.
4, Use.a Wizard: - This has two options to choose from
a. Advanced set-up
b. Quick set-up
‘The Advanced setup enables you to set Unit type (Decimal, Architectural, Engineering,
Fractional or Scientific), Angle, Angle measure, Angle Direction and the Limits (Area) of the
board.
Anambra State University, Ul. Dana 1 nF 110 MANUAL FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING ~- EEE 525
“The Quick set-up only allows you to set the Units and Limits,
The AutoCAD Screen / Interface
‘Any of the methods used as described above displays the screen shown below:
Dea are oes F-
= .oornme
LEPEC HED BK
‘Draw toolbar
ts
Modify toolbar —— |
Tae 0 LOO NOUN
User Coordinate System
2 _cucsy eon _ PRAWNS F
[0 es fe Tm] ‘
aie
Ex ‘Command Line
feed ‘aie eno ar Foe owe
soc
a
A
Figure 1.2 The AutoCAD 2004 User Interface
“The various parts of the screen and their names have been indicated on the diagram.
‘The Title bar: - At the top of the screen is a blue horizontal bar called the Title bar. The
Title bar contains the version of AutoCAD, the name of the open drawing, the minimize,
maximize and close buttons located at the top-right comer.
‘The Menu bar: - Next to the Title bar is the Menu bar that contains menu commands.
Clicking on a menu displays the associated commands of that menu.
‘Anambra State University, Ul Page 62 of 110 MANUAL FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING — EEE 525
The Standard tool bar: - This is directly below the menu bar and contains command
buttons like New ~ for opening new blank drawing, Open — for opening existing saved
drawings, save — for saving a drawing ete. Placing the mouse pointer over a button displays a
tool tip (descriptive name of the button). The standard tool bar contains buttons that makes it
easy 10 access some commands without having to use the Menu bar.
The objects Properties bar: - This is below the standard tool bar. It contains options for
changing the properties of any selected object(s) in a drawing such as line type, colour,
weight ete.
The menu bars & toolbars are used to create, edit, get information and so on from the
drawing.
‘The drawing area: - This is the black area (in this book itis white) bounded by the bars. Itis
‘within this area that all drawings are made,
‘The UCS: (user coordinate system) icon on the drawing area pointing in the +ve directions
of x & y axis displays the x & y coordinates, is used to set the rotation of the paper with
respect to x,y coordinates and also to keep track of the bearing,
‘The pick box/cross hairs, also inside the drawing area represent the mouse pointer whence
it is within the drawing area, The mouse pointer assumes its normal shape outside the
drawing area.
The pick box is used to pick a poinor objects on the drawing area while the cross hairs is
‘used to obtain the relative position of objects with respect to the mouse pointer.
‘The move tab/Layout tabs:- This is used to select the paper mode. The options or tabs
available are layout or model space. Drawings are normally done in model space while the
layout mode is used mainly for plotting / printing.
The command Line: This is used to enter commands at the key board. Mostly, you use @
combination of the keyboard and mouse to enter commands. Any command typed at the
keyboard or picked with the mouse is displayed on the command line. To see more of the
command line, press F2. Press F2 again to close it,
Anambra State University, Ul. Page 63 of 110 MANUAL FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING —- EEE 525
‘The status bar:- This is the button bar that display the position of the mouse pointer in the
drawing area. It also contains some command tabs for changing drawing settings
Issuing Commands
There are basically two ways of issuing commands to CAD: Using a pointing device (eg
‘mouse, digitizer, light pen) or using the KB.
The mouse: With the mouse you either start a command by picking (clicking) a tool
‘command on the drawing / modify toolbar or select a command from the menu bar. Any of
the above methods displays the name of the command at the command line.
Keyboard:- Alternatively, you can use the Keyboard to enter command directly at the
Command line,
‘The two methods will be used interchangeably throughout this manual.
Specifying / Entering coordinates
There are basically two types of coordinates: The Cartesian & polar coordinates.
‘The Cartesian coordinates: Makes use of the x, & y values withthe x value typed first and
then the y-value separated by comma (,). You ean specify the coordinates either absolutely or
relatively. When you type a line and enter the actual coordinates of the two end points, such
as a line from point 6,4 (x=6, y=4: start point) to 12,10 (x=12, y=10: end point), you are
using the absolute Cartesian coordinate. Absolute coordinates are measured from the origin
(0.0)
To enter points using the relative Cartesian coordinates, use the syntax @x, y. This will draw
a line with the start point @ the location of the last point and the end point @ x, y where x, y
could be any value (+ve or -ve)..
Polar coordinates: - The syntax is ‘distance You can specify your own angles by choosing Additional Angles and then New (then
type the angle).
7. Choose OK.
To set polar tracking angles
1. From the Tools menu, choose Drafting Settings.
2. In the Drafting Settings dialog box, on the Polar Tracking tab, select Polar Tracking,
On.
3. In the Increment Angle lis, select the polar tracking angle.
4, To set additional tracking angles, select Additional Angles. Then click New and enter
the angle value in the text box.
5. Under Polar Angle Measurement, specify whether polar tracking increments are
based on the UCS or relative to the last object you created.
6. Choose OK.
Object Suap
Object Snap enables you to locate specific areas of an object like midpoint, endpoint, centre,
tangent etc. When you specify an object snap, the cursor changes to an object snap target
Anambra State University, Ui. Page 66 of 110 ESIGN DRAFTING — EEE 595
Sex Wea you select an of
(Oe of the target box. ASSCAD Ste spt cg
|-Atthe prompt fora
or Point, hold down ight -click 7
Poot the object sap you wan ‘and ight-lick in the drawing area Then
Move Yucatan,
Buf AutoSnap is on, 7
Your cursor locks onto the locati
“cette ey en
Ruuning Object Snaps
Penns 2S Oe oF more bj snaps epee, you can un oa ing object snaps,
For example, you might set Centre comes he cnt
35 2 running object snap if you need to connect the centres
Of a series of circles with a line. oo
‘To set rumning object snaps
1. Click Tools menu » Drafting Settings.
2 's the Drang Seuings dialog bor, Objet Snap ta, select the object saps you
‘want to use.
3. Click OK.
Setting the Drawing Board / Area.
est ss yor setup your board before dawing on paper mamually, so you set your board in
‘AsS2CAD by deciding onthe following before starting any drawing.
|. Whatis the size/unit of your drawing?
2. What will be the drawing Angle? (Measure/Direction).
3. Whats the size of your paper? (Limit or area).
‘4. What is the scale/scale factor?
IE you tad used the advanced setup wizard when you were satng AutoCAD, you must have
‘axswered the I* three questions.
Limits
Se lovereft ad uppersight boundaries. You cannot impose limits onthe Z dresion
Mea limits checking is turned on (controlled by the On and Off options fom the ft
LIMITS prom) the drawing limits restrict the coordinates you can ener to witha the
Aaambra State University, UL, Page 67 of 110 Tn case you need to ch 7
ange the limits or you di iit
Stps below toset the ‘ou did not set the limits during start up, follow the
1. Type limits on the Command Line
2. At the prompt, Specify ower left comer or [ON/OFF] <0,0000,0.0000>: type the
lower left comer or press ENTER to accept the default of <0,0>
3. Atthe prompt, Specifr upper right comer <420,0000,297.0000>: type 420,297
To see the limits, tum grid on by clicking GRID on the status bar or pressing F7.
Format menu: Drawing Limits
Command line: limits
Setting the drawing units / Angle.
Different disciplines customarily express units differently; therefore you should use the unit
that is appropriate for the type of drawing you are creating.
‘There are five types of units available in AutoCAD 2004:
Table 1.1: Examples of unit types
Unit type [Example | Comment
Decimal [32.5 Number of unit-32, Partial unit in decimal
Engineering “2-85” Feet & inches -28 8 inch, Partial inch in decimal- 5
‘Architectural [“2-81%4" | Feet and inches-2f 8 inch, Partial inch in faction
Fractional [32% ‘Number of unity-32, Partial units in fraction 4
Scientific [3.25E-1 | Exponent 1e-10, Base number 3.25.
‘Anambra State
snbra State University, Ul Page 68 of 110 MANUAL FO!
R COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING —- EEE 525
‘As you can see from the i
avons =: Som he bo the different unit types display a distance differently and this
About objects Avan elec own on the status bar and how AutoCAD lis information
tricaV/electronic engineer, you should always use the decimal unit
To input coordinates, use th -
. » \¢ type of unit if i a
iesiadl saad Seebeeasiaians hee specified. Generally, itis easier to use the
Units
a en drawing, decide ‘what distance one unit will represent, and then create your
s sing bs th it convention, You can set the unit type and precision in the Quick Setup
wir, the Advanced Setup wizard, or the Units Control dialog box. These settings control
= interprets your coordi offset, and distance entries, and how it displays
coordinates and distances. The unit's format for creating and listing objects, measuring
distances, and displaying coordinate locations is separate from the dimension units setting
used in creating dimension values.
To set the drawing units/angle/angle direction,
1. Onthe Format menu choose Units or type Units at the command line,
2, This will display the Units dialog box. Make the solections under Length, angle and
direction
Scale/Scale factor
‘When you draft on paper, you determine the scale before you stat drawing. This scale
compares the size of the drawn abject tothe actual sizeof the objeet the drawing represents.
For example, each quarter inch in an architectural drawing might equal one foot in the floor
plan of a house. The scale you choose must allow the drawing of the object to fit on the
Paper.
In AutoCAD, this process is reversed. You draw with a unit fyPe 08 specify (architectural,
‘decimal, and so on) or wit the default unit type (decimal). Each unit on the sereen represents
‘whatever you want i to be: an inch, @ millimetre, a kilometre, ‘Therefore, if you are drawing a
rotor park, one unit might equal a millimetre. If you are drawing 2 maps cone unit might
‘equal one kilometre.
‘When you prin or plot, you can st different scales for different sections of a drawing. You
vont reed to thik about setting a scale until you're ready to print or plot Your drawing.
[Although you draw all your objects in fll size and then sale down oF YP before plotting, it
is very important to determine the scale and scale factor before you start drawing. This will
vse that text and dimensions@imension text are plowed with ‘normal/proportional size
‘when you seale up or down during plotting,
“Therefore, you should enter in advance the scaled size for:
> Text (if drawn in model space)
> Dimensions (if drawn in model space)
‘Anambra State University, Ul Page 69 of 110 MANUAL FOR
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN / DRAFTING ~ EEE 525
> Non-contiguous line types
> Hatch pattems
> Views (in layout viewports only)
Scali
ing these elements ensure that they ae at the correc size inthe final drawing,
Specify the Scale Factor in Model Space
If you plan to plot your drawing from the Model tab, you should calculate the exact scale
factor by Converting the drawing scale to a ratio of I:n. This ratio compares plotted units to
