AutoCAD/AutoCAD LT 2009 Getting Started - Autodesk

Getting StartedJanuary 2008

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ContentsMake the Transition from Paper to CAD .Draw to Scale . . . . . .Lay Out Your Drawing . . .Organize Drawing InformationEstablish Drafting Standards .Draw Efficiently . . . . .Draw Accurately . . . . .View Your Drawing . . . .Create Dimensions and Text .Modify Your Drawing . . .Chapter 1Introduction.Why You Should Use this Guide .Tutorials and Command Access .Get Additional Information . .Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Work with Commands .Use the Mouse . . . .Cancel a Command . . .Start a Command . . .Undo or Redo Commands .Change Views .Drawing Setup .Zoom to Magnify a View .Pan to Reposition a View .Start a Drawing . . . . . .Plan the Drawing Units and ScaleUnderstand Models and Layouts .Organize Drawings with Layers .Tutorial: Tour a Drawing . . .1. 3. 5. 7. 91113151719. 21. 29. 37. 43.2222233030303438394446485052

Chapter 5Draw Objects.Object Properties Overview .Draw Lines . . . . . .Draw Circles and Arcs . .Chapter 6Precision Drawing .Set Grid and Snap Values . .Draw with Coordinates . . .Snap to Precise Points on ObjectsObject Snap Descriptions . .Specify Angles and Distances .Chapter 7Make Modifications .Chapter 9Add Symbols and Hatches.Add Text to a Drawing.Add Dimensions.Dimensions Overview . . . . .Create Dimensions . . . . . .Use Dimensioning Options . . . .Create and Modify Dimension Styles .Modify Dimensions . . . . . .iv Contents.Create and Modify Text . . . . .Work with Text Styles . . . . .Set Text Size for the Viewport Scaling.Chapter 10.Overview of Blocks . .Insert Blocks . . . .Overview of Hatches . .Insert Hatches or Solid Fills.Select Objects to Edit . . . .Erase, Extend, and Trim ObjectsDuplicate Objects . . . . .Move and Rotate Objects . .Fillet Corners . . . . . .Use Editing Aids . . . . .Analyze Drawings . . . . .Chapter 8. 55. 56. 64. 67. 71. 85. 86. 87. 90. 93. .134.135.138.140.1427274767879

Chapter 11Create Layouts and Plots.Work with Layouts . . . .Choose and Configure PlottersPlot from a Layout . . . . 147. 148. 151. 153Glossary . 159Index . 169.Contents v

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Make the Transition from Paper toCAD

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Draw to ScaleDrawing scale is something you consider when laying out your drawing. You establish scaledifferently in CAD than you do with manual drafting. 5 ; 6 ( 3 *) With AutoCAD andAutoCAD LT, you first decidewhat units of measurementyou will use, and then drawyour model at 1:1 scale. ; 5 ;5 ;Draw the object at 1:1 scale in the units youchoose.With manual drafting, youmust determine the scale of aview before you startdrawing. This scale comparesthe size of the actual object tothe size of the model drawnon paper.For example, when you draw a motor part, thelength of one unit might equal one millimeteror one inch. When you draw a map, one unitmight equal one kilometer or one mile.This drawing of a mechanical carriage usesmillimeters for the length of one unit. Views ofthe part were scaled later to create the layoutfor the printed drawing.5 5 5 5() 5 5 When you lay out and plot your drawing, youcan specify any scale.Draw to Scale 3

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Lay Out Your DrawingOn paper, a layout is constrained by the sheet size you use. In CAD, you are not limited to oneparticular layout or sheet size.When you draft manually, youfirst select a sheet, which usuallyincludes a preprinted border andtitle block. Then you determinethe location for views—plans,elevations, sections, and details.Finally, you start to draw.You create your basic design, ormodel, in a drawing area called modelspace.With AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT,you first draw your design, ormodel, in a working environmentcalled model space. You can thencreate a layout for that model in an environmentcalled paper space.A layout represents a drawing sheet. It typicallycontains a border, title block, dimensions, generalnotes, and one or more views of the modeldisplayed in layout viewports. Layout viewports areareas, similar to picture frames or windows,through which you can see your model. You scalethe views in viewports by zooming in or out.In this drawing of a cottage, layout viewportsdisplay the model in plan and elevation views.When you’re ready to print, you can arrangedifferent views of your model in a layout.Lay Out Your Drawing 5

Organize Drawing InformationIn both manual drafting and CAD, you need a way to organize your drawing content—a method forseparating, sorting, and editing specific drawing data.With manual drafting, you can separateinformation onto individual transparentoverlays. For example, a building plan mightcontain separate overlays for its structural,electrical, and plumbing components.With AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, layers areequivalent to transparent overlays. As withoverlays, you can display, edit, and print layersseparately or in combination.You can name layers to help track content, and lock layers sothey can't be altered. Assigning settings such as color, linetype, orlineweight to layers helps you comply with industry standards.Turn off layers to hide complexdetails as you work.You can also use layers to organize drawing objects for plotting.Assigning a plot style to a layer makes all the objects drawn onthat layer plot in a similar manner.This drawing of a press uses layers to define different linetypesand colors.Display layers when you needto see all components.Organize Drawing Information 7

Establish Drafting StandardsWhether you work as a member of a team or on an individual project, developing standards is arequirement for efficient communication.Manual drafting requires meticulousaccuracy in drawing linetypes,lineweights, text, dimensions, andmore. Standards must be establishedin the beginning and appliedconsistently.With AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, youcan ensure conformity to industry orcompany standards by creating stylesthat you can apply consistently.You can create styles for text, dimensions, andlinetypes. A text style, for example, establishes font andformat characteristics such as height, width, and slant.You can save styles, layers, layouts, title block andborder information, and some command settings indrawing template files. Using drawing templates helpsyou quickly start new drawings that conform tostandards.This drawing of a roadway plan uses styles to maintaindrafting standards for text, dimensioning, andlinetypes.Dimension, text, and linetypestyles can be established in atemplate drawing and used forcreating new drawings.Establish Drafting Standards 9

Draw EfficientlyDraw with less effort and revise with more speed: these are two primary reasons you use CAD. Youare provided with a complete set of drawing and editing tools to help eliminate repetitive, timeconsuming drafting tasks.With manual drafting, you use drawingtools that include pencils, scales,compasses, parallel rules, templates, anderasers. Repetitive drawing and editingtasks must be done manually.You can save drafting time by drawing onehalf of an item and then mirroring it to createthe other half.In AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, you canchoose from a variety of drawing toolsthat create lines, circles, spline curves,and more.You can easily move, copy, offset, rotate, and mirrorobjects. You can also copy objects between opendrawings.In this drawing of a trolley, copying and mirroring wereused to create repeated and symmetrical features.Offsetting was also used to draw parallel lines moreefficiently.Draw Efficiently 11

Draw AccuratelyEngineering and architectural drawings require a high degree of accuracy. With CAD, you draft moreaccurately than with manual methods.With objectsnaps, when youplace your cursorhere you can snap to thecenter pointautomatically.With manual drafting, you mustdraw objects carefully to ensurecorrect size and alignment. Objectsdrawn to scale must be manuallyverified and dimensioned.With AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT,you can use several methods toobtain exact dimensions.The simplest method is to locatepoints by snapping to an interval ona rectangular grid.Another method is to specify exact coordinates.Coordinates specify a drawing location by indicatinga point along an X and Y axis or a distance and anglefrom another point.With object snaps, you can snap to locations onexisting objects, such as an endpoint of an arc, themidpoint of a line, or the center point of a circle.With polar tracking, you can snap to previously setangles and specify distances along those angles.The polar tracking featuredisplays visual guidelines atspecific angles and can snapthe cursor to an angle.In this drawing of a pumping station, object snaps wereused to ensure that lines connected perfectly. Polartracking was used to draw lines at correct angles.Draw Accurately 13