Unit 1 Introduction to Working in AutoCAD

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1 Unit 1 Introduction to Working in AutoCAD Introduction to Working in AutoCAD Unit Structure Introduction The X, Y Co-ordinate System AutoCAD Basics Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the X,Y co-ordinate system Discuss the AutoCAD basics such as AutoCAD screen, workspaces, etc. Understand the Icons, Keystrokes and Menus Discuss the AutoCAD terminology Introduction In this unit we will discuss the basics of CAD. It is intended so that the commands and orders should work on approximately any edition of AutoCAD, even though this edition is intended explicitly for AutoCAD By the end of this unit you will have the ability to build up basic 2D drawings and produce them out to scale. We will initiate at the beginning, these things you require to be familiar with, or the rest of it won't make any logic at all. Ensure you have a very good perceptive of this unit before going further. The X, Y Co-ordinate System The whole lot that you draw in AutoCAD is precise. It will be more precise than you will ever want it to be. We're discussing 14 decimal points correct. All stuff drawn on the screen is located there relying on an uncomplicated X, Y co-ordinate system. In AutoCAD this is called as the World Co-ordinate System (WCS). You must recognize this to identify how to place things where you need them. (3-D work has an additional axis, the Z-axis; however this is not enclosed in this unit.) We have shown below a diagram showing you how this system functions. Punjab Technical University 1

2 CAD Source: ( To work successfully with AutoCAD, you have to function with this system. Learning AutoCAD will be more of a responsibility until you are at ease and well-known with it. How it Works? AutoCAD uses points to find out where an object is positioned. There is a starting point where it initiates counting from. This point is (0, 0). Every point is positioned in link to the starting point. If you were to sketch 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 figure above displays a point situated 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 functioning with points, X always comes first. The other point shown is (-10,-4). This shows that the point is 10 units in the negative X-axis (left) and 4 units in the negative Y-axis (down). A line consists of two points, a start point and an end point. AutoCAD functions with the points to show the line on the screen. Shift your cursor over the figure above and you will see line drawn from the absolute points of (-10,-4) to (9, 6). Most of the time, you will have no idea about the position of origin. You may want to draw a line from the endpoint of an available line. To perform this you use relative points. These functions the same way, but you have to add the Â@Ê symbol (shift+2) to inform AutoCAD that this next point is relative from the last point entered. Thus Absolute Points are precise points on the drawing space. Relative Points are comparative to an OBJECT on the drawing space. ItÊs an easy system, but mastering it is the key to functioning with AutoCAD. Angular Measurement AutoCAD calculates angles in a specific way also. Gaze at the figure below and then put your mouse on it to see how this is done. 2 Self-Instructional Material

3 Introduction to Working in AutoCAD When sketching lines at an angle, you have to start gauging the angle from 0 degrees, which is at the 3 o'clock position. If you sketch a line at 90 degrees, it would appear straight up. The instance above (when you shift your mouse over it) displays a line drawn at +300 degrees (270+30), or -60 degrees. You might not forever have an apparent reference point for 0 degrees. See at the example below and position your mouse on the picture to discover the angle in question. In this instance, you are provided information about the lines, but not the angle AutoCAD desires to sketch the line from the initial point. What you are provided though, is (a) the information that 0 is at the 3 o'clock position (b) the information that 180 is at the 9 o'clock position and (c) the angle among 180 and the line you want to draw is 150. With this information, you can discover what angle you require. Here is an infallible way of receiving the angle you want: 1. Start at the 0 position and measure counter-clockwise (+) to From 180, measure clockwise 150 (-) 3. Consider that you just went and use that as an equation: =30 4. Now you can draw your line using polar co-ordinates. Punjab Technical University 3

4 CAD Entering Points in AutoCAD You can insert points directly on the command line having three different systems. The one you use will rely on which is more appropriate for the condition. The first assignment will get you used to this. The three systems are as below: Absolute coordinates: Using this method; you enter the points as they connect to the origin of the WCS. To insert a point just enter in the correct point as X, Y. Relative coordinates: This permits you to insert points in relation to the first point you have inserted. After you've inserted one point, the next would be inserted Y. This shows that AutoCAD will sketch a line from the first point to another point X units over and Y units up relative to the preceding point. Polar coordinates: You would use this system if you recognize that you want to sketch a line a definite distance at a picky angle. You would enter this Here, D is the distance and A is the angle. will sketch a line 10 units straight up from the first point. The three ways of entering co-ordinates shown above are the only way AutoCAD accepts input. First decide which style you are required to use, and then enter as shown. Remember that X is always before Y (alphabetical). Don't overlook the '@' symbol when you are inserting relative points. Any typing error or oversight will provide you results you don't want. If you make a fault and want to see what you typed, press F2 to carry the text screen and test out your typing. (Press F2 to get back to your drawing.) AutoCAD Basics The AutoCAD Screen Shift your cursor around the image above to locate the names of different areas of the screen. Application Button: This button displays commands for printing, saving, drawing utilities and other non-drawing tool. Quick Access Toolbar: This is for quick access to common commands like New, Open, Save, Plot. 4 Self-Instructional Material

5 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 drift your mouse over a tool, a tool tip will appear to give your more information. Hold it longer for more info. Drawing Space: These are 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 provide you a lot of information and inform you where you are in the command. Status Bar: This permits to see and change different modes of drawing such as Ortho, O-snaps, Grid, O-track, etc. You can right click this area to snap between icons and text for this area. Introduction to Working in AutoCAD Workspaces With the foreword of AutoCAD 2009, a new screen outline was added. The program now permits you to function in dissimilar workspaces relying upon what you are functioning on. For instance, the screen will look dissimilar if you are working on 2D than it will with 3D work. There is also a choice for AutoCAD Classic (which is how the screen looked from Versions ). As you are a new user, you may as well study the new interface. For 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace, set this by clicking in the bottom right of the AutoCAD screen on the 'gear' icon as publicized in the image below. Icons, Keystrokes and Menus There are numerous ways to do things in the majority of Windows programs. AutoCAD is no exemption. Everybody will build up a way that functions best for him or her. Here, we will mainly be functioning with the keystroke commands. The reason for this is since they will work in most AutoCAD editions (together with DOS versions), and in some other CAD programs. The icons work fine, but as you will see, icons can be placed anywhere on the screen and can be difficult to find quickly. You may be functioning on another employee's computer that is set up differently than Punjab Technical University 5

6 CAD what you're used to. The pull-down menus will access approximately all commands, but are a slower way of performing things. Icons in AutoCAD 2010 are found on the ribbon, divided into panels just click on the suitable tab to open the panel you want. 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. All three methods will do the similar thing: prepare AutoCAD to draw a line where you tell it. AutoCAD is a well-liked program since it can be modified to suit an individual's needs. The toolbars are a good example of this. You can have the toolbars you use most frequently on the screen all the time. You can simply make them depart away so that you have more sketching space. You can also modify them so you have the most common commands on one toolbar. For instance, 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 measuring your drawing. To eliminate the ribbon and have the most drawing space available, click on the "Clean Screen" icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. To go back to the standard display, click again on the same icon. Basic AutoCAD Terminology Here are some fundamental terms that you would like to review before using AutoCAD. Absolute co-ordinates Acad.dwt Associated Dimensioning Backup file Block Clean Screen Crosshairs Cursor A way of inputting points based on AutoCAD's origin. This is the default template that automatically loads whenever you start a drawing session. It can be customized to suit your needs. Dimensions that are associated with specific points will update as that point is moved. AutoCAD can be set to automatically backup your drawing 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 time and make your file size smaller. A display setting that gives you maximum drawing space. This is your cursor when it is in the drawing space. Your cursor will change depending on what function it is performing in the program. Contd. 6 Self-Instructional Material

7 Database Dialog box Drawing template file Extents Grid Grips Layer Layout Tabs Limits (Grid) Linetype Model space Modify Object Origin Ortho mode O-snap - Object Snap Pan Panel Path Pick Plot Polar co-ordinates Property Ribbon Relative co-ordinates Selection set Snap Styles Units User co-ordinate system (UCS) An AutoCAD drawing file is actually one large database containing all the information needed to reproduce the objects when the file is opened. Info for layers and line types, etc. is stored in this manner. AutoCAD uses a large number of dialog boxes to get information from you. You must know how input the information that it asks for. This is a file that contains preset values for frequently used settings. AKA a prototype drawing. The file extension is DWT. The outer boundaries of the objects you have drawn. This is pattern of dots displayed on the screen to guide you. It can be toggled on and off by pressing the F7 key. Small 'handles' on objects that allow for quick editing. All objects are drawn on a layer. You can group objects (such as electrical) on a single layer and organize your drawing. A space used for plotting your drawings (formerly called Paper Space). A setting to impose an 'artificial' boundary on your 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 would be solid, center, dashed, etc. The drawing space where you 'model' the objects. A generic term used for changing your objects. Any item that is in the AutoCAD database. Also known as an entity. The (0, 0) point of your current co-ordinate system. This is a drawing mode that allows you to draw only perpendicular lines. It is toggled on and off by pressing the F8 key. This is a method of 'snapping' to certain, precise points on an object. To move around drawing by dragging the drawing area around your screen. A grouping of commands on the ribbon. The specific folder where AutoCAD looks for, or saves files. To select an object by 'left-clicking' on it. Also known as print. To make a hard copy of your drawing. A way of inputting points based on distance and angle. Any specific characteristic of an object such as layer, scale, linetype, start point, etc. The Ribbon runs across the top of the drawing space and contains panel - each panel has a group of associated tool. Switch to different panels by clicking on the tabs at the top of the ribbon. A way of inputting points based on a starting point. The current group of objects selected for modifying. This is a drawing mode that allows you to snap your cursor to precise points laid out in a grid pattern. Toggle with the F9 key. Formatting that defines the look of text, dimensions, etc. The basic drawing unit set for you drawing. For example, you can use inches or millimetres depending on your needs. You can also set the precision you want displayed, such nearest 1/4", 1/2" 1/64", etc. Modifications made to the World Co-ordinate System (WCS) results in a User Co-ordinate System (UCS). Contd. Introduction to Working in AutoCAD Punjab Technical University 7

8 CAD View Viewport Wizard World Co-ordinate System (WCS) Zoom A particular area of your drawing. A separate 'window' on your drawing. You may have more 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 certain aspects of your drawing. This is the common X-Y co-ordinate system that is the default. If it is modified, it becomes a User co-ordinate System (UCS). To view either a smaller section of your drawing (zoom in) or a larger section (zoom out). Student Activity 1. What are workspaces? 2. Define Associated Dimensioning. Summary AutoCAD uses points to find out where an object is positioned. There is a starting point where it initiates counting from. This point is (0, 0). Every point is positioned in link to the starting point. absolute points are precise points on the drawing space. relative points are comparative to an object on the drawing space. With the foreword of AutoCAD 2009, a new screen outline was added. The program now permits you to function in dissimilar workspaces relying upon what you are functioning on. There are numerous ways to do things in the majority of Windows programs. AutoCAD is no exemption. Everybody will build up a way that functions best for him or her. AutoCAD is a well-liked program since it can be modified to suit an individual's needs. The toolbars are a good example of this. You can have the toolbars you use most frequently on the screen all the time. Keywords World Co-ordinate System (WCS): All objects drawn on the screen are placed there based on a simple X, Y co-ordinate system. In AutoCAD this is known as the World Co-ordinate System (WCS). Absolute Coordinates: Using this method, you enter the points as they relate to the origin of the WCS. Relative Coordinates: This allows you to enter points in relation to the first point you have entered. Polar Coordinates: You would use this system if you know that you want to draw a line a certain distance at a particular angle. Icons: Icons in AutoCAD 2010 are found on the ribbon, divided into panels - just click on the appropriate tab to open the panel you need. Review Questions 1. What is X, Y Co-ordinate system? Discuss its working. 2. Write short notes on: (a) Angular measurement (b) AutoCAD screen. 3. Discuss the methods used for entering points in AutoCAD. 8 Self-Instructional Material

9 4. Discuss how Icons, Keystrokes and Menus are used in windows programs. 5. Differentiate among the absolute coordinates, relative coordinates and polar coordinates. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight to the Point - AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd. Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD Frameworks, Springer. Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India. Schoonmaker, EBooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma commercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press. John K. Krouse, What every-engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Introduction to Working in AutoCAD Punjab Technical University 9

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11 Unit 2 Layers Layers Unit Structure Introduction Layer Layer, Text and Dimensioning Tips for Working with Layers Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the layers Discuss the concept of layer, text, and dimensioning Understand the layer states and share layer states Discuss the some guidelines for working with layers Introduction Layers are a means of running, tidying and scheming the visual layout of a drawing. A whole segment of a drawing can be turned on or off, or merely one aspect can be prohibited text for example. This is all completed by using layers inside AutoCAD. The perception of layers is used in other software applications like Paintshop programs. For those not attentive of the concept, we'll begin from the beginning in this unit. In this unit, we will converse the working of layer in AutoCAD. Also we will talk about layer states and some tips regarding layers. Layer When a new AutoCAD drawing is formed, the whole lot which is drawn on the one default layer, named 0. When producing drawings, the layer 0 shouldn't actually be used. New layers should be set up with names consequent to the content enclosed on them. A layer can be considered as a huge piece of clear plastic, as infinitely large as the drawing area in AutoCAD. When sketching in AutoCAD, the whole lot is drawn on the default layer which is set current. Only the objects you are drawing are noticeable on the layer, the layer itself can never be seen it is unseen. Each new layer is formed by you, the user. Usually it is tolerable to have a layer for each different part of a drawing. Layers are very important for organizing AutoCAD drawings, especially for huge architectural and electrical sketching. AutoCAD 2009 has many tools to control layer objects. Layers are used to group alike types of AutoCAD drawing entities. If you have seen an AutoCAD drawing of a bulky building or electrical cable outline of a power plant, then you must have understand that without using layers you cannot even read the drawings. Before going to particulars about layers you should know that every Punjab Technical University 11

12 CAD AutoCAD drawing must includes at least one layer (layer 0) which cannot be deleted. You may create your drawing without any additional layers, but it is always better to create layers whenever required. The layers created for an easy house plan could be as follows: Wall External Wall Internal Doors Windows Fittings Text Dimensions. The separate lines and shapes showing each part of the house would be set on its applicable layer above. Each layer could be allocated its own colour so that everything drawn on that layer appears the same colour. Layers can be used to organize drawings well for instance, in order to observe the drawing more evidently, we may want to eliminate all the text and dimensions from the drawing. We want to keep the information, just eradicate it from view. Deleting it wouldn't be suitable as we would lose all of our work! All we have to do is tell AutoCAD to not exhibit the Text and Dimensions layers by turning off the layers in layer manager. The layers can then be turned back on again every time we select. Source: Figure 2.1: Layers Layers are prohibited by the layer properties manager button on the object properties toolbar. which is situated 12 Self-Instructional Material

13 Layers Figure 2.2: Distinctive Use of Layers From the layer property manager we can: Add a New Layer: Press the New button to create a new layer. Delete a Layer: Press the delete button to delete the selected layer. Set Current layer: Press the current button to set the selected layer current. All objects drawn will then be drawn on this current layer. Show Details: Press the show details button to see more detailed information about the selected layer. Each layer also has the following options against it: Name: Displays the layer name. On: Controls if the layer is on or off. Select the light bulb to turn the layer off on the drawing. Freeze in all VP: Pressing this will freeze the layer in all viewports as well as the current model view. Lock: This handy feature locks a layer preventing any content of the layer from being modified. Colour: Change this to whichever colour you like. All objects drawn on the layer will display the chosen colour provided that the objects colour setting in the object properties toolbar (shown above) is set to 'By Layer'. Punjab Technical University 13

14 CAD Linetype: Set the default linetype for all objects drawn on the layer i.e. continuous, dashed, dotted etc. Line weight: Set the thickness a line appears. Default is no thickness. This option can be toggled on/off on the display by the LWT button above the command console. Plot: Select if the layer will be shown when the drawing is plotted (printed). The current layer, layer colour, linetype and line weight can all be controlled outside of the layer properties manager via the object properties toolbar. That's it for basic layer controls! Get used to using layers as you will be using them frequently particularly when you find you need to start managing large drawing files that contain a lot of information. Getting started with Layers in AutoCAD See the below snap: Type layer in the command line or click on the layer properties icon to get the Layer Properties Manager dialog box as seen at left. Initially you will get only one layer (layer 0). To create an additional layer, click the New Layer icon of the Layer Properties Manager dialog box or alternatively press Alt + N. AutoCAD will name every newly created layer like Layer 1, Layer 2, and so on; you can rename them by double clicking the name. You can use any characters and numbers except < > / \ : ;? * = Â. You will see the following major tabs will be there for each of the layers: 1. Status: This tab displays status of the layer. A green tick mark indicates the current layer. To make any layer current, just double click the respective status icon. Fresh drawing entities you will be created will get the current layer properties. 2. Name: We have already discussed about this tab, this is the name of the layer. 3. On: By toggling the icon under this tab, you will show/hide (on/off) the drawing entities of the layer. 4. Freeze: By toggling this button also you can show/hide (freeze/unfreeze) objects of your desired layers. 14 Self-Instructional Material

15 Difference between Off and Freeze If you switch off any objects it can still hide the objects under it, but if you solidify any objects it will not conceal any other objects under it. Freeze/Unfreeze takes more time than on/off. 1. Lock: This button is the lock/unlock toggle. By locking a layer you can protect the objects of it from editing. 2. Color: Default color of the objects of a layer could be set from here. 3. Linetype: From here, you can set the default linetype of objects of a layer. 4. Line Weight: What the thickness of line you want while plotting is set from here. 5. Plot: By toggling the icon under this tab, you will set whether objects of a layer are printable or not. When you are producing a fresh drawing, plan the layers, and set the needed tabs. Then set current the needed layer and draw the objects. By using layers, AutoCAD drawings become more managed. Layers assist in easily controlling the appearance, visibility, editing, and plotting of the drawing. Layer, Text and Dimensioning Now, it's time to move to the next level. This segment will discuss the text, dimensioning and the concept of layers. Without proportions you can not converse what size your objects are. Is it a real house or a doll house? Text is used to communicate information that is required other than size materials, manufacturing process, part numbers, etc. What you will do is obtain one of your preceding assignments, save it to a new name and then add text and dimensions to it. These are the commands we will discuss. Command Keystroke Icon Location Result Layer Layer / LA Home > Layers Starts the Layer and Linetype property dialog box Text Text Home > Annotate > Single Line Text Creates a single line of text Dimension Dim Many Home > Annotate > Dimension > (pick one) Scale Scale / SC Home > Modify > Scale Dimensions previously drawn objects Proportionately resizes (or scales) objects Using the SAVE AS option, instantly save the under the name. The first thing you desire to do is create three layers. Layers are used to systematize drawings. Visualize a large project for a high-rise tower. The designers would generate layers for the electrical, plumbing, landscape and more. It is essential to control the drawing and turn some layers off and sight only the ones you desire. This is one reason why layers are required. When you move on to use AutoCAD professionally, every drawing you deal with will have layers. You will be producing a layer for the proportions, one for the objects (lines that were drawn) and another for the text. Start the LAYER command (LA). This will bring up the Layer Properties Manager Palette (See Figure 2.3). Layers Punjab Technical University 15

16 CAD Source: here.com/cad/tutorials/level_1/1-8.htm Figure 2.3: Layer Properties Manager Palette Viewing at the Dialog Box, you will observe a lot of information. From left to right, this is what the columns are for (not the whole thing is used in this level). Status Name On Freeze Lock Color Linetype Line weight Plot Style Plot New VP Freeze Description This column has a green check to indicate the current layer (all new objects will be drawn on that layer). Double click here to make the layer current Give the layer a good, descriptive name (but not too long) Turns the visibility of that layer on (visible) or off (invisible) Similar to 'On', but can be used in Viewports (later tutorial) Retain visibility, but disable modifying objects on the locked layer Used to select the color for objects drawn on each layer Used to select the linetype for objects drawn on each layer Used to select the line weight for objects drawn on each layer Plot styles are used to define how objects are plotted - this can be different from the properties described above Set the layer to either plot (on) or not (off) When on, it will freeze the selected layer in new viewports when they (viewports) are created Use this to give a description to your layer system - very important when working with other users. Now you have the dialog box on your screen, click the 'New' button. This will produce a new layer and provide you a chance to name it. Name this layer TEXT. Click on the small box towards the right and choose yellow for the color. Create another layer and call this one DIMS (for dimensions), and make its color red. Lastly, produce a third layer and call it OBJECT and make its color green. You have just created three new layers in your drawing. Highlight the TEXT layer and then press the 'Make Current' button. This makes the TEXT layer current and no matter which you draw will be placed on that layer. Your Dialog box should appear like the one above. If it does, press OK to seal the dialog box. Now that you comprise your layers, choose all your objects and then look for the layer tool panel. There is a drop list there with all of your layer names. With your objects 16 Self-Instructional Material

17 chosen, alter the layer to OBJECT. If all went well, your lines and circles will currently be green and on the object layer. Layers Adding Text Now see what is involved in adding text. TEXT is your current drawing layer now, so what you will be doing is producing some text now type in TEXT on the command line. Look at the command line. Command: TEXT Justify/Style/<Start point>: The first thing AutoCAD needs is an initial point for the text. Type: 0, 0 to position it at the bottom left corner of your drawing. Study that there are other choices you could make, but ignore them for now. Heights <0.2000> : <ENTER>. Next, AutoCAD want to recognize how tall you want your letters to be. For this assignment, you want them to be 1/4" tall. Type 0.25 at the Height prompt. Rotation angles <0> : <ENTER> One more thing before you begin typing in text, tell AutoCAD if you want to have your text rotated. Not this time, so press <ENTER> to accept the default of 0 degrees. Text: (YOUR NAME - ASSIGNMENT) Lastly you can type in what you want to put on the drawing. At the prompt, type your NAME and ASSIGNMENT, then press <ENTER>. You will see that AutoCAD has located your name in the bottom left corner at 1/4" high and in yellow on the 'Text' layer. You don't actually want your name blocked into the corner like that so move it up and over 1/8" (Keep in mind your MOVE command and relative points Now it's time to start dimensioning your drawing. Bring up the Layer dialog box and make DIM your current layer. This is one time when we suggest to use the icons. Dimensioning is A LOT easier this way. If you don't see your proportions toolbar on the screen, right click on one of your toolbar icons and check the Dimension checkbox. You'll see the toolbar come into view. Close the Toolbars dialog box. There are several dissimilar types of dimensions; here are the ones you'll be using in this unit (Each of the dimensioning icons gives you a quick clue as to which type of Punjab Technical University 17

18 CAD dimension it will create.) The image below shows you the standard dimensioning icons. This list below shows you, which dimension types are available on the Dimension tool panel. Here are the ones you'll be using in this unit. Linear: dimensions are used for dimensioning either horizontal or vertical distances. Aligned: dimensions will measure the actual length of an angled line. Radius: dimensions will give you the radius of either arcs or circles. Diameter: dimensions are used on circles. Angular: dimensions will measure the angle between two lines that you pick. Baseline: dimensions are a special type that will automatically stack dimensions along one plane as you pick points. After drawing your objects, you are required to go to the menu at the top of the screen and click on Annotate. This will display the Dimension tool panel together with the text panel and others. The kind of dimension you pick will depend completely upon what information you want to communicate to the person reading the drawing. Look at the sample drawing and pick out the diverse types of dimensions and where they are used. 18 Self-Instructional Material

19 We'll begin with the most general (and easiest): Linear Dimensions. We'll use this kind to add proportions to the rectangle in the bottom left of your drawing. Choose on the icon and then look at the command line. Command: _dim linear State first extension line origin or <select object>: It inquires for either the origin of the first measurement line (a starting point) or you can press <ENTER> to choose a specific line. Turn your OSNAPS on to endpoint only. Pick the top left corner of the rectangle. AutoCAD then asks for the second extension line origin. Pick the top right corner. You'll then see the dimension appear and AutoCAD asks for the Dimension line location. Pick somewhere just above the line where you think it fits well. AutoCAD then displays the length that it found to be the length of the line you just measured. The subsequent lines show what you should have seen on your command line: Specify second extension line origin:<select TOP RIGHT CORNER> Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated] :< PICK ABOVE THE LINE> Dimension text = Now measure the line on the left side using the same method. Now you want to measure the radius of the fillet on the object on top of the first box. Choose the icon for radius dimension. AutoCAD inquires you to choose an arc or circle. Select the arc on the top left corner. Again AutoCAD then needs you to pick the dimension line location. Choose anywhere outside the arc where the dimension fits well. Viewing at the top left object on the sample sheet, observe that there are a few ways to dimension the corners. Begin on the bottom left. Choose the Linear Dimension icon. As an alternative of picking the two endpoints, press <ENTER> and AutoCAD will ask you to choose the object you desire to dimension. Pick on the angled line in the bottom left corner. As you move your cursor around, you'll see that you could position it either to the left or below the line. Choose one or the other and place your dimension. Replicate these steps to add the other dimension. At the top left, you would like to add an Aligned dimension. Choose the icon for this. As with the linear proportions, you can either select the endpoints or press <ENTER> to pick an object. When you're asked to position the dimension, you'll see that you can only move parallel to the line that you chosen. Position the dimension line somewhere outside the object. Now you're going to measure the angle on the bottom right corner of the top box. Choose the Angular dimension icon. Choose the bottom line and then the angled line in the bottom right corner. Position the dimension so that it appears like the one in the sample. Now, itês time to measure the circle. Choose the icon for the Diameter measurement. AutoCAD then wants you to choose the arc or circle. Choose anywhere on the circle. Then you have to position the dimension line somewhere. Select a good mark for it. Measure the 1" line in the circle as shown using a linear dimension. Dimension the top left box of the array as shown using Linear dimensions. Dimension the space (0.75) between the two rows by picking the endpoints of the lines. Dimension the space (0.75) between the columns as shown. Layers Punjab Technical University 19

20 CAD Now, for the tricky part, you want to add baseline dimensions to the column distance dimension you just created. Pick the icon for the baseline dimensions. Look at the command line: You may be asked to select the base dimension. If so, pick on the 0.75 dimension for the column. Then you're asked to specify a second expansion line origin. Choose where P1 shows you on the sample drawing. AutoCAD then will obtain you to keep repeating this process until you press <ENTER> to finish the command. Select near P2 to carry on, and then press <ENTER>. This is what your command line should have looked like: Command: _dim baseline Select base dimension: Specify a second extension line origin or (Undo/<Select>) : <pick P1> Dimension text = 1.50 Specify a second extension line origin or (Undo/<Select>) : <pick P2> <Dimension text = 2.00 Specify a second extension line origin or (Undo/<Select>) : <ENTER> Your drawing should now appear similar to the sample drawing. Ensure to see if you neglected any dimensions. Now you have measured the drawing, save it and print it. Next you would like to copy everything over 12" to the right. Begin the COPY command, and when asked to choose objects, type ALL <ENTER>. Then copy it all 12" to the right. What you would like to do after that is scale the copy of everything to double its obtainable size. Begin the SCALE command. When asked to choose objects, draw a window around the new set of objects and press <ENTER>. When asked for a base point, choose the bottom left corner of the border. Enter 2 for the scale factor. Your command line should appear like this: Command: SC <ENTER> SCALE Select objects: Other corner: 38 found Select objects :< ENTER> Base point :< Pick the Bottom Left Corner> <Scale factor>/reference: 2 <ENTER> Execute a Zoom Extents (type Z <ENTER> E <ENTER>) at the command line. Now that everything is twice as huge, zoom in on your magnitude and you'll see that they have routinely accustomed to the new sizes! This is called associative dimensioning. There are many diverse parameters you can alter to get just the right look for your dimensions and text (use the DDIM command For practice, you can attempt measuring some of your other assignments. Even if your drawing is 100% precise, it is still only as good as the proportions. Some common mistakes when dimensioning are: Not using your Osnaps: If you don't get the exact endpoint of a line, then your dimension is wrong. Snapping to the wrong point: In detailed drawings, this can be easy to do if you aren't paying attention. 20 Self-Instructional Material

21 Incomplete dimensions: If you miss one or two dimensions, you can holdup the project while these numbers are located, new drawings made, delivered, etc. Confusing dimensions: Make sure that your dimensions don't overlie, or aren't too close, or otherwise unclear. Save and Use Layer States Layer states allow you to save configurations of layer properties and states. For instance, you might desire a layer to be red sometimes, and blue at other times. You may require certain layers to be protected, off, or frozen when you're editing one part of the drawing, but not closed, on, or defrosted when you're editing another part. You could waste lots of time adjusting layer properties, but as an alternative, you can use layer states they're much simpler and faster. Create and Restore a Layer State Follow these steps to produce a layer state: 1. Fix all of the layer states and properties in the manner you want them. A good idea is to initially save the default, "normal" condition before saving variations. 2. Open the Layer States Manager dialog box in two ways: (i) Open the Layer Properties Manager and click the Layer States Manager button, or (ii) In AutoCAD 2008, you can open it directly, in the Layers control panel of the Dashboard. Layers Source: Figure 2.4: Layer States Manager Dialog Box 3. Click New and type a name and description for the layer state. Click OK. 4. Click the More Restore Options button to expand the dialog box. (In earlier releases, the options are at the bottom of the dialog box.) Punjab Technical University 21

22 CAD 5. Uncheck any states or properties that you don't want to save. For instance, if you don't save the Color property, the color won't be exaggerated when you re-establish the layer state. Thus, if you alter a layer's color and restore the layer state, the layer will remain the new color. 6. If you want your drawing to precisely match in the manner it looks now, check the Turn off Layers Not Found in Layer State check box in the major section of the dialog box. When you verify this box, any new layers that you produce afterwards are turned off when you restore the layer state. 7. Click Close to save the layer state. You can carry on to display desired states and save them until you have all the layer states that you need. To re-establish a layer state, open the Layer States Manager, select the layer state and click Restore. Sharing Layer States Layer states are accumulated or saved in the drawing. To share them between drawings, you are required to export them. Each layer state has its own LAS file. To sell abroad a layer state, choose it in the Layer States Manager, and select Export. In the Export Layer State dialog box, enter a name, pick a location, and click Save. To trade in a saved layer state, open the Layer States Manager, and click the Import button. (In AutoCAD 2008, select Layer States (*.las) from the Files of Type dropdown list.) Select the LAS file that you want, and click Open. Note: In AutoCAD 2008, you can trade in layer states from drawings, templates, and standards (DWG) files. Select the type of file that you desire from the Files of Type drop-down list, choose the file that you want, and click Open. The Select Layer States dialog box opens, where you can deselect any states that you don't want to trade in. Then click OK. 22 Self-Instructional Material

23 Layers You can save layer states in your templates for utmost ease and to preserve CAD standards. Layer states can be a significant method for scheming how your drawings look and speeding up the sketching and editing procedure. Tips for Working with Layers Everyone functions with layers. Most of the time, you fix up your layers in a template and thatês that. But when you are required to make changes, a few instructions can help make the process simpler. Here are some of them: 1. When you produce a new layer, frequently you want its properties to be similar to that of an existing layer. Choose that layer in the Layer Properties Manager and then click the New Layer button. Your new layer will have the same properties as the chosen layer and you now have to alter only those properties that will be different. 2. Select Home tab> Layers panel> Previous to undo changes you made to layer settings. ItÊs like an UNDO comment for the Layer Properties Manager. This is the LAYERP command. It can go back more than one change, but doesnêt undo new layers youêve created. 3. If youêre used to freezing layers that you donêt want to see, you might want to try just turning them off instead. Turning them back on doesnêt require a regeneration. 4. If you alter the states of your layers a lot (on/off, unlocked/locked, etc.) and/or change their properties (color, linetype, etc.) and then alter them back, save layer states. Select Home tab> Layers panel> Layer States drop-down> Manage Layer States or click the Layer States Manager button in the Layer Properties Manager. You can then restore your layer states in the Layer States Manager dialog box. 5. Confirm the layer commands that were once part of Express Tools but are now in the Layers panel of the Home tab. Some of them are in the extended section, so you have to click the down arrow on the panelês name. Do you have a favourite? 6. You can change more than one layer at a time in the Layer Properties Manager. Choose the layers you want to alter and then click in the row of any of the chosen layers, in the column of the property you want to change. For instance, to change the color of two layers, choose them (press Ctrl and click them), and click the color swatch of either of the selected layers. Punjab Technical University 23

24 CAD 7. Remove layers that you donêt want. The PURGE command has a new feature that helps you figure out why you canêt wash out an item. In the Purge dialog box, choose the View Items You Cannot Purge option. Then choose an item below the list of items, youêll see an explanation. For example, This layer cannot be purged since it is the current layer. Student Activity 1. Define sharing layer state. 2. Define radius dimensions and diameter dimensions. Summary Layers are a means of running, tidying and also scheming the visual layout of a drawing. When a new AutoCAD drawing is formed, the whole lot which is drawn on the one default layer, named 0. When producing drawings, the layer 0 shouldn't actually be used. Layers are used to group alike types of AutoCAD drawing entities. Layers are prohibited by the layer properties manager button which is situated on the object properties toolbar. Layers are used to systematize drawings. Visualize a large project for a high-rise tower. The designers would generate layers for the electrical, plumbing, landscape and more. It is essential to control the drawing and turn some layers off and sight only the ones you desire. This is one reason why layers are required. When you move on to use AutoCAD professionally, every drawing you deal with will have layers. Layer states allow you to save configurations of layer properties and states. For instance, you might desire a layer to be red sometimes, and blue at other times. You may require certain layers to be protected, off, or frozen when you're editing one part of the drawing, but not closed, on, or defrosted when you're editing another part. Layer states are accumulated or saved in the drawing. To share them between drawings, you are required to export them. Each layer state has its own LAS file. To sell abroad a layer state, choose it in the Layer States Manager, and select Export. To trade in a saved layer state, open the Layer States Manager, and click the Import button. Keywords Layers: Layers are a way of managing, tidying and also controlling the visual layout of a drawing. Lock: This handy feature locks a layer preventing any content of the layer from being modified. Linetype: It sets the default linetype for all objects drawn on the layer i.e. continuous, dashed, dotted etc. Line Weight: It sets the thickness a line appears. Default is no thickness. Plot: It selects if the layer will be shown when the drawing is plotted (printed). Status: This tab displays status of the layer. Freeze: By toggling this button also you can show/hide (freeze/unfreeze) objects of your desired layers. Layer States: Layer states let you save configurations of layer properties and states. 24 Self-Instructional Material

25 Review Questions 1. What is layer? Which layers created for a simple house plan? 2. What is layer property manager? Discuss. 3. Discuss how layers are used in AutoCAD. 4. Differentiate between off and freeze in AutoCAD. 5. Discuss the concept of text, dimensioning and layers in AutoCAD. 6. Discuss the process of adding text in AutoCAD. Also list some common mistakes while dimensioning. 7. What is layer state? Discuss the steps used to create and restore a layer state. 8. Discuss some guidelines to be considered while working with layers. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight to the Point - AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD Frameworks, Springer. Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India. Schoonmaker, EBooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma commercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press. John K. Krouse, What every engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Layers Punjab Technical University 25

26 CAD 26 Self-Instructional Material

27 Unit 3 Drawing Insertion Drawing Insertion Unit Structure Introduction Insert a Graphics File into an Existing Visio Drawing INSERT Command Insert to AutoCAD Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the process of inserting a graphics file Discuss the INSERT command Understand the inserting DWG file into AutoCAD drawing Discuss the block insertion settings Introduction In this unit we will discuss the process of inserting drawing such as inserting an AutoCAD drawing, inserting pictures and inserting clip art into an existing vision drawing. Also we will discuss insert command and block insertion settings. Insert a Graphics File into an Existing Visio Drawing You can insert AutoCAD drawings, pictures, and clip art into an existing Visio drawing by using commands on the Insert menu. Insert an AutoCAD Drawing 1. On the Insert menu, click CAD Drawing. 2. Locate the CAD file and click Open. 3. To accept the default CAD. The default CAD drawing settings are intended to make sure best possible results when you insert a CAD drawing. It is best to evade adjusting the default settings unless you have a particular aim in mind. When you insert a drawing in AutoCAD DWG or DXF format, you insert the very last saved spatial sight of the CAD drawing. A CAD drawing may have been saved in model space or paper space drawing settings, click OK. Model space is the main drawing workspace in which CAD drafters produce drawings. Punjab Technical University 27

28 CAD Paper space is a workspace that is equivalent to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can position different views of the drawing. A DWG drawing saved in paper space. The drawing encloses two rectangular viewports. A viewport is a window into the three-dimensional CAD drawing. Each viewport can be fixed to a diverse scale or angle. Insert a Picture from a Graphics File 1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click From File. 2. Locate the folder that contains the picture you want to insert, click the picture file, and then click Open. You can also unlock graphics files from the File menu. On the File menu, click Open. In the Files of type list, click the graphics file format you wish for, and then position the file. Click Open. Most files that you trade in into Visio drawings as graphic images emerge as metafiles (metafile: A file that stores an image as graphical objects lines, circles, polygons) rather than as pixels. Metafiles save an image more precisely than pixels when the image is resized. There are two types of metafiles, standard and enhanced). Though, bitmap files, like.dib,.bmp,.pcx, and so on, remain bitmaps (bitmap: An image stored as a pattern of dots. A scanned photograph or graphic that you create in a paint program is generally located as a bitmap) in the Visio drawing. Inserting an Image Use the IMAGEATTACH command in the command line to start the process of importing an image file. This command is also used in AutoCAD2009 as shown below. A window will emerge out next, browse to the image file you would like to insert. 28 Self-Instructional Material

29 Drawing Insertion After choosing an Image file, an option window will appear as below. Toggle the buttons to state insertion point and scale in CAD (unless the particular coordinates and scale are known). For this instance, No Path for file location is selected from the drop down list. This is because no particular file organization is used and the file is from a jump drive. Usually, a relative path is most useful when copying projects from one computer to another. This will display the selected image as shown below. Punjab Technical University 29

30 CAD Insert Clip Art 1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and then click Clip Art. If Clip Art is not installed on your computer, you are provoked to install it. Click yes, and Microsoft Office Visio starts the installation. You may be provoked to interleave the installation disc. 2. In the Clip Art task pane, in the Search for text box, type a word or phrase that describes the clip art you want, or type in all or some of the file name of the clip art. 3. To narrow your search, do one or both of the following: To limit search results to a particular collection of clip art, in the Search in box, click the arrow and select the collection you want to investigate. To limit search results to a particular type of media file, like clip art, in the Results should be box, click the arrow and choose the check boxes next to the types you want. Click Go. In the Results list, click the clip art to insert it. INSERT Command The insert command permits you to insert the stuffing of a file into another file. To choose the Insert command you can select Block... under the Insert Menu. In the Insert dialogue box: Click on the File... button, which shows the Select Drawing File dialogue box. Position the file you wish to insert through this dialogue box and click on Open to return to the Insert dialogue box. Prompt: Specify insertion point or [Scales/X/Y/Z/Rotate/PScale/PX/PY/PZ/ Protate]: Either place the cursor and click with the LEFT mouse button, use an Osnap, an Absolute Coordinate, a Relative Rectangular Coordinate, or a Relative Polar Coordinate to locate the inserted object's position. Prompt: Enter X scale factor, specify opposite corner, or [Corner/XYZ] <1>: Type a value to scale the inserted object in the X direction or press Enter to keep the block its original size in the X direction. 30 Self-Instructional Material

31 Prompt: Enter Y scale factor <use X scale factor>:): Type a value to scale the inserted object in the Y direction or press Enter to accept same scale factor used for X. Prompt: Specify rotation angle <0>: Type a desired angle or press Enter to accept original angle of the inserted item. If you move your mouse around during numerous Insert command prompts, the size, shape, and angle of the inserted object may alter. AutoCAD's default assortment is a "mouse pick" (a click of the LEFT mouse button in the drawing area), and it is preparing to use that option, which accounts for the changes in the inserted object's look during the command prompts. Insert to AutoCAD You can insert DWG file in SuperLib as a block into AutoCAD drawing. To do this, right click a DWG file and select "Insert to AutoCAD" in context menu. Select AutoCAD Version and Profile If at present AutoCAD is not running, the "Select AutoCAD version and profile" dialog will come into view, as following figure: Drawing Insertion SuperLib will identify DWG file version first and then list all the AutoCAD editions installed in you computer that can accept this dwg file version. For instance, if you are inserting an AutoCAD 2000 version dwg file, AutoCAD R14 and earlier AutoCAD version will not be listed, only AutoCAD 2000 and later edition of AutoCAD can be listed. Choose the AutoCAD version and profile you desire to insert block to, then press "OK" button. Select Open Mode If AutoCAD is running when you insert block to AutoCAD, the "Select open mode" dialog will appear as following figure: Punjab Technical University 31

32 CAD You can insert block to running AutoCAD, or start another AutoCAD and insert block to newly started AutoCAD. Select Running AutoCAD Version If you insert block to at present running AutoCAD and there are two or more AutoCAD editions are running, the "Select AutoCAD version" dialog will emerge as following figure: Choose the AutoCAD version you want to insert block to and click "OK" button. Block Insertion Settings You can alter block insertion settings of a dwg file. To do this, right click a dwg file and select "Properties" in context menu. Choose "Block insertion settings" in "File property" dialog, as following figure: 32 Self-Instructional Material

33 Drawing Insertion Input Scale at Command Line If you choose it, you need enter scale factor in AutoCAD when you would like to insert block into drawing records from AutoCAD. If not, you are required to enter next factors. When you insert block into this drawing records, this default scale factor will be used without any order in AutoCAD. Input Rotation Angle at Command Line If you choose it, you need enter rotate angle in AutoCAD when you desire to insert block into drawing library from AutoCAD. If not, you want to enter next rotate angle. When you insert block into this drawing library, this default rotate angel will be used without any order in AutoCAD. Layer If you don't choose it, the block will be inserted into existing layer. Or else, SuperLib will pop out "Layer" window as following: Select layer and click "OK" button to accept. Punjab Technical University 33

34 CAD Multiple Insert If you choose it, you can multiple insert blocks till you press "Enter" or right mouse click to exit operation. Reference Point If you select it, the base point of the block would counterbalance particular distance relative to the insertion point you pick. If "Fix relative distance" is not chosen, you can input value of offset distance when insert block. If "Fix relative distance" is chosen, you can input X, Y, Z offset value, and these values will be used with no instruction in AutoCAD. Explode If you pick it, the block would be exploded when block insertion. Explode to Attribute Text It is enabled when "Explode" option is chosen. If you choose it, attributes in block would be exploded to their value text. Student Activity Fill in the blanks: 1.. is the primary drawing workspace in which CAD drafters create drawings. 2. A workspace that is analogous to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can arrange different views of the drawing, is called. 3. The. command allows you to insert the contents of a file into another file. 4. If currently AutoCAD is not running, the. dialog will appear. Summary You can insert AutoCAD drawings, pictures, and clip art into an existing Visio drawing by using commands on the Insert menu. The default CAD drawing settings are intended to make sure best possible results when you insert a CAD drawing. When you insert a drawing in AutoCAD DWG or DXF format, you insert the very last saved spatial sight of the CAD drawing. Model space is the main drawing workspace in which CAD drafters produce drawings. Paper space is a workspace that is equivalent to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can position different views of the drawing. The INSERT command permits you to insert the stuffing of a file into another file. To choose the Insert command you can select Block... under the Insert Menu. You can insert DWG file in SuperLib as a block into AutoCAD drawing. To do this, right click a DWG file and select "Insert to AutoCAD" in context menu. You can alter block insertion settings of a dwg file. To do this, right click a dwg file and select "Properties" in context menu. Keywords Model Space: It is the primary drawing workspace in which CAD drafters create drawings. 34 Self-Instructional Material

35 Paper Space: It is a workspace that is analogous to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can arrange different views of the drawing. Insert Command: The INSERT command allows you to insert the contents of a file into another file. Review Questions 1. Discuss the steps used to insert AutoCAD drawings into an existing Visio drawing. 2. Discuss the process of inserting picture from a graphics file. 3. Discuss how to insert a clip art on the insert menu. 4. What is an insert command? How is it used to insert the contents of a file into another file? Discuss. 5. Discuss how a drawing file is inserted into AutoCAD drawing file. 6. Discuss how block insertion settings of a DWG file is modified. 7. Differentiate between model space and paper space. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight to the Point AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD frameworks, Springer. Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India. Schoonmaker, EBooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma commercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press. John K. Krouse, What every engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Drawing Insertion Punjab Technical University 35

36 CAD 36 Self-Instructional Material

37 Unit 4 Object Snap Zooming and Panning Object Snap Zooming and Panning Unit Structure Introduction Object Snaps Snaps in AutoCAD Zooming and Panning Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the concept of object snaps Discuss the object snap tools Understand the concept of zooming and panning Introduction This unit will be a basic coverage on how to budge around in your drawing. With easy drawings, you do not have much need for moving around or zooming in your drawing. The more multifaceted, your drawing is, the more you will be required to master the authority of zooming and panning. Mastering these methods will allow you to be more creative in your drawings and life will be improved. Object Snaps Drawings need very precise connections. Information from sketching may be used in many diverse ways. Fairly accurate ( eyeball ) connections may cause imprecise results or breakdown of extensive uses. Exporting drawing data to machine apparatus is a general process. Machine tools require a sequence of associated lines to compute tool paths. If the lines are not associated, the machine will stop. Accurate Not accurate Punjab Technical University 37

38 CAD AutoCAD offers a number of modifiers (Object Snaps) which promise precise connections. Object snaps may be invoked as the drawing is formed or a sequence of Running Object Snaps may be set. Basic format: Begin a line (you can use an object snap to initiate the line precisely) then end the line (you can add an object snap to end the line accurately). A circle with a 2.00 inch diameter was drawn. The Line command was started then the object snaps Quadrant was summoned. Line qua {point at left side of circle the endpoint The next point was object snap Tangent. Tan Common Object Snaps are: Endpoint Intersection Tangent Center Quadrant Perpendicular Nearest Midpoint Use the first three letters. Some drafters favor to raise each object snap by typing each command as the drawing is produced. Running Object Snaps Pop down Tools Drafting Settings Clasp on the Object Snaps you desire to use. (All on at one time can give confusing results) Learn the icons for each object snap. These emerge as you work Click when you observe the icon to fix the connection F-3 function key turns the running object snaps off/on. 38 Self-Instructional Material

39 Object Snap Zooming and Panning Click OSNAP on the bottom toolbar to turn running object snaps on/off. Dynamic Input may be set from the next tab over. To use Dynamic Input, turn on the DYN button. (See above) Experiment with these obtainable tools. See what you prefer to use as you draw. AutoCAD will organize menus, toolbars and input choices to work as you like to work. After numerous months, designers initiate to modify their workspace. Punjab Technical University 39

40 CAD Adding the Object Snap Toolbar to your Drawing Right-click on any toolbar. Select Object Snap. Picking a reference point (Resetting the temporary 0, 0 point.). Circumstances occur while forming drawings where an object must be drawn in reference to an existing point or intersection. The circle B must be drawn in reference to the junction at A. 1st method: ID the intersection at A. Type ID (identify)... Int and point at the intersection at A. This rearranges the temporary last point 0, 0 to A. Type C (circle) and key to set the center. Key in D and.625 to set the size. 2nd method: Begin the circle command. C (type) from (type) Int and point at A key Key in D and.625 to set the size Newer editions of AutoCAD added the from command to shorten the series of locating one object from another. 3rd method: Use the ÂFromÊ option on the Object Snap Toolbar. Begin the circle command then click the Snap From icon. Select the point at A then key in the Type in the circle diameter 40 Self-Instructional Material

41 Object Snap Tools Object Snap tools exist from the Object Snap toolbar (View - Toolbars to enable). They permit for accurate drawing within AutoCAD. For instance, a rectangle could be drawn from the precise endpoint of an available line by merely selecting the 'Snap to Endpoint' tool, or we could sketch a line from the centre point of a circle using the 'Snap to Center' tool. In many cases, object snap evades the need to draw construction lines, hence making it faster and simpler to create exact, accurate drawings. Object Snap Zooming and Panning Source: ( The first point of the Rectangle above was drawn from the Endpoint of the 45 degree line. The object snap tools can be used at any time a point has to be defined, which is in almost every drawing command used! When we use the snap tools, a yellow marker will emerge when the cursor is close to an appropriate snap point. A single left click of the mouse will automatically choose the marked point. From left to right on the above toolbar screen shot (Note: Dependant on your edition of AutoCAD, some snap settings may not be available). Snap to Endpoint: This will choose the endpoint of any line or polyline segment. Also works on 'closed' objects such as rectangles. Snap to Midpoint: Very handy tool. This will choose the mid-point of any line segment. Snap to Intersection: Selects the exact point at which two lines cross. Snap to Apparent Intersection: Similar to above, though the lines don't have to intersect. This snap needs you to choose a line, then hover the cursor over any other line, the marker will let you select the point where the two lines would intersect if they were comprehensive. Snap to Extension: This snap tool facilitates you to choose a point along the same orientation as an available line, with a handy readout of the angle and location of the point (See screen shot below). Punjab Technical University 41

42 CAD Snap to Center: This handy snap function chooses the ideal centre of an existing circle. Even more inspiring though is that the centurion of an arc or semi-circle can also be chosen. Snap to Quadrant: Snap to the four quadrant points of a circle (Top, bottom, left and right). Snap to Tangent: As it says, snaps to the tangent point of an arc. 42 Self-Instructional Material

43 Snap to Perpendicular: Snaps to the perpendicular point on an object from the original start point. Pretty straightforward, and very useful. Snap to Parallel: Snaps parallel to a specified line. Snap to Insert: Snaps to the insert point of an object, such as an inserted block. Not really that useful. Snap to Node: Snaps to points drawn using the POINT command. Snap to Nearest: Should be called snap to anything! Quite literally will snap to anywhere along any length of any object. Can be useful though while 'sketching' with AutoCAD, or perhaps laying down a few construction lines. Object Snap Settings: Snap settings. Object snap can be clasped to be lastingly on or off via the OSNAP tab located to the bottom of the CAD window above the Windows start menu. On the other hand simply press F3 to toggle. To alter which snap functions are to be used, either right click the OSNAP tab and choose 'settings', or select the object snap settings button from the Object Snap toolbar. Object Snap Zooming and Panning Snaps in AutoCAD Snapping has made life a whole lot easier when drawing. Automatic snaps permit you to sketch an object next to another without having to align it. In this example a box is drawn with a cone in its center: Source: ( Now choose the cone tool and effort to draw a cone in the center of the box, as you can see it, the effort wasnêt successful: Punjab Technical University 43

44 CAD To generate a cone on top of the box in its center, we first remove the cone we just drew and use a 2D line and attach the opposite corners of the box. As you can see, there is a red box around the corner of the box, this indicates a snap. Now we have a box with 2 lines crossing. Now we choose the cone tool and position the cursor over where the 2 lines intersect and an X will show up, this also specifies a snap. Now click and draw a cone, but when resizing the cone, get an unwanted snap. 44 Self-Instructional Material

45 We donêt want to snap this since the results of this snap is unwanted, so right click anywhere (while the cone tool is still in action) and go to snap overrides and click on none. Object Snap Zooming and Panning Now we wonêt have any snaps until next time we finish using this tool, and at the present we can draw the cone in peace. You can erase the two 2D lines but it wonêt create much difference. Here it is in render mode, we know itês not a work of art but itês a start. Note: There are more snaps, just see in the object snap toolbar: The different types of snaps are self-explanatory. Punjab Technical University 45

46 CAD Zooming and Panning One single command will provide you the adaptability to move around your drawing. This is the ZOOM command. Another useful command is PAN. These are both faster than using the scroll bars on the side of the sketching area, unless you have a very short distance to shift your drawing (and can make your scroll bars outdated and thereby create more drawing space). Start the Zoom command by typing Z <ENTER>. When you do this, you will see the following options on the command line: Command: Z <ENTER> ZOOM Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nx or nxp), Or [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real time>: Keep in mind that to invoke any option, just type the capital letter of your choice. (Eg: type: E <ENTER> for "zoom extents". The default is "Real-time" which you invoke by pressing <ENTER>. One by one, here are the choices available to you. These icons are available on the View ribbon under the Navigate Tool Panel. Command Option Zoom Extents Zoom Window Zoom Previous Zoom Real-time Zoom All Icon Description This option will show all the graphics that are contained in the drawing (referred to as the drawing extents) with the largest image probable. This option (also a 'hidden' default) prompts the user to pick two corners of a box on the existing view in order to enlarge that area to fill the display. This option restores the displayed sight prior to the current one. For the idea of this option, up to 10 views are saved so that the last ten views can be recalled. This option includes every time you use the scroll bar, which is one reason to avoid the scroll bars for panning a lot in your drawing. Zoom Real-time give interactive zooming capability. Pressing <ENTER> (after entering zoom) on the command line automatically places you in Real-time mode. Hold the left mouse button down at the midpoint of the drawing and move the cursor vertically to the top (positive direction) of the window to zoom in up to 100% (2 x magnifications). Hold the left mouse button down at the midpoint of the drawing and move the cursor vertically to the bottom (negative direction) of the window to zoom out to100% (.5 x magnifications). You cannot zoom out beyond the extents of the current view. When you discharge the pick button, zooming stops. You can liberate the pick button, move the cursor to another location in the drawing, and then press the choose button again and continue zooming from that location. To exit Real-time Zoom mode, press <ENTER> or (ESC). This option causes AutoCAD to show the whole drawing as far as its drawing limits or drawing extents (whichever is the greater of the two). Contd 46 Self-Instructional Material

47 Zoom Dynamic Zoom Scale Zoom Center Aerial View command: DSVIEWER None This is a very useful ZOOM option once it is understood. It permits very quick movement around the drawing. Once selected, this option redraws the graphics area of the screen and displays two rectangles. The larger box shows the extents of the current drawing. The smaller box shows the current view with an "X" in the middle. This moves with the mouse. This view box should be positioned so that its lower left corner is at the lower left corner of the view required. By pressing the left button on the mouse, the "X" is replaced by an "> " pointing to the right side of the view box. This allows you to change the magnification. As the mouse is moved, the view box shrinks and expands so that the size of the required view can be set. The left mouse button toggles between PAN "X" and ZOOM "> " mode so that fine adjustments can be achieved. When the view required has been selected, press <ENTER> or right click to cause AutoCAD to display it. This is a 'hidden' default choice. You do not have to type "S" to choose this option. It simply requires the entry of a number that represents an enlargement factor. Note that the factor is applied to the complete drawing (as defined by the drawing's limits). Numbers less than 1 will decrease the displayed size of the drawing, while numbers greater than 1 will enlarge it. If "X" is inserted after the number (eg. 0.8x) then the factor is applied to the current view. If "XP" is inserted after the scale factor, then the view is scaled relative to paper space. This is practical for zooming a view within a paper space viewport to a specific scale, for example, "1/48XP" will produce a view of model space at a scale of ¼" = 1' relative to paper space. This option needs two things: a point that is to be the center of the new display and a value to be its new height in drawing units. The available height is the default for the new height to allow for panning across the drawing. If the new height value is followed by "X" (eg. 2x), then it is taken as a magnification factor relative to the current height. If followed by "XP", then it is taken as a scale factor relative to paper space and can be used for scaling the contents of paper space viewports. Aerial View is a zooming tool that shows a view of the drawing in a divide window so that you can quickly move to that area. If you keep the Aerial View window open as you work, you can zoom and pan without choosing a menu option or entering a command. You can alter the view by creating a new view box in the Aerial View window. To zoom in to the drawing, make the view box smaller by left clicking a rectangle. To zoom out of the drawing, make the view box larger. As you zoom in or out of the drawing, a real-time view of the current zoom position is displayed in the graphics area. The screenshot shows how the view box looks. Right click in the box and you can shift the box to where you want to zoom to. Contd Object Snap Zooming and Panning Punjab Technical University 47

48 CAD Zoom Object Zoom In This option asks you to pick an object or objects, then press <ENTER> and the screen will zoom to those objects only. This is great for when you want to work on object. Clicking this icon will zoom in to the drawing by about 50%. This option is only available as an icon and cannot be invoked by the command line. Zoom Out Similar to 'Zoom In' - this icon will zoom out of your drawing and permit you to see about 50% more of your drawing space. Mouse Scroll No Icon If you have a scrolling wheel on your mouse, you can use it to zoom in and out of your drawing. Scroll towards you to zoom out and away from you to zoom in. You have the choice to change the amount of zoom per wheel click with the Zoom factor system variable. Keep in mind that you will zoom in and out using your mouse location as a 'center point'. PAN Panning permits you to rapidly move around the drawing area at the same intensification you currently have set. Type in PAN (or P) <ENTER> and a hand will emerge on the screen. Left click and hold to move around your drawing. Use the Zoom > Extents whenever you want to see all objects. Use the Zoom > Window option to 'close-in' on one area. Use the Zoom > Previous option to return to where you were. We usually use them in combination with each other. Do a zoom extents to see what state the drawing is at, then execute a Zoom Window to get to the area you want to work in, then do a Zoom Extents when you are done in that area. In between, we may need to use a combination of Zoom Window and Zoom Previous. Additionally, using your mouse wheel to zoom can be very fast for moving in and out of an area - practice this method as well. The zoom command can also be invoked visibly. This means that you can begin it up in the middle of a command. For instance, if you are in the trim command and want to see a bit more of your drawing, just type 'Z (note the apostrophe) at the command line and you can then zoom using any of the existing options. Press <ENTER> to get back to your command. Also, right clicking while in the zoom command provide you options. Try this and see which options are available with this. Student Activity 1. Name the commands used for zooming and panning. 2. Define snap to quadrant tool. Summary AutoCAD offers a number of modifiers (Object Snaps) which promise precise connections. Object snaps may be invoked as the drawing is formed or a sequence of Running Object Snaps may be set. Object Snap tools exist from the Object Snap toolbar. They permit for accurate drawing within AutoCAD. For instance, a rectangle could be drawn from the precise endpoint of an available line by merely selecting the 'Snap to Endpoint' tool, or we could sketch a line from the centre point of a circle using the 'Snap to Center' tool. Object snap can be clasped to be lastingly on or off via the OSNAP tab located to the bottom of the CAD window above the Windows start menu. To alter which snap functions are to be used, either right click the OSNAP tab 48 Self-Instructional Material

49 and choose 'settings', or select the object snap settings button from the Object Snap toolbar. Snapping has made life a whole lot easier when drawing. Automatic snaps permit you to sketch an object next to another without having to align it. One single command will provide you the adaptability to move around your drawing. This is the ZOOM command. Another useful command is PAN. Panning permits you to rapidly move around the drawing area at the same intensification you currently have set. Object Snap Zooming and Panning Keywords Snaps: Snaps allow you to draw an object next to another without having to align it. Zoom: Zoom command will give you the versatility to move around your drawing. Pan: Pan Command allows you to quickly move around the drawing area at the same magnification you currently have set. Real-time: Zoom Real-time provides interactive zooming capability. Mouse Scroll: If you have a scrolling wheel on your mouse, you can use it to zoom in and out of your drawing. Review Questions 1. What are object snaps? Name some common object snaps. 2. Discuss the steps for running object snaps. 3. How the Object Snap Toolbar is added to your drawing? 4. What are object snap tools? Discuss some object snap tools available on the object snap toolbar. 5. Discuss the methods used for drawing circle in reference to intersection. 6. What is zooming and panning? How are they used to move around your drawing? 7. Discuss the zooming and panning icons available on the View ribbon under the Navigate Tool Panel. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight to the Point AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD Frameworks, Springer. Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India. Schoonmaker, EBooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma commercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press. John K. Krouse, What every engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons. Punjab Technical University 49

50 CAD 50 Self-Instructional Material

51 Unit 5 Freehand Sketch Freehand Sketch Unit Structure Introduction Freehand Sketch Using Sketching Grids Sketching Arcs and Circles Sketching Techniques Pictorial Sketches ANSI Linetypes Draw Freehand Sketches Commands System Variables Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the concept of freehand sketches Discuss the sketching grids Discuss the sketching arcs and circles Understand the sketching techniques and pictorial sketches Discuss the various commands and system variables used for sketching Introduction Sketching is a very significant practice for technical interaction. Sketches can move ideas, directions and information in a clear, brief form. "Thinking with a pencil" is a practice designers use to convey thoughts and psychological pictures to realism. Freehand sketches are frequently the first sight of new designs. Long before formal drawings are made or computer models are created, a series of thorough sketches are analyzed and accepted. Freehand Sketch SKETCH command can be used to draw freehand sketches. Freehand sketches include many line segments. Each line segment can be a disconnected object or a polyline. You fix the lowest length or augmentation of the segments. Sketching is functional for generating uneven limitations or for tracing with a digitizer. Small line segments permit for superior accuracy, but they can significantly augment the drawing file size. For this cause, use this tool cautiously. Punjab Technical University 51

52 CAD Before sketching, verify the CELTYPE system variable to ensure the current linetype is BYLAYER. If you use a linetype with dots or dashes and fix the sketch line segment shorter than the spaces or dashes, you wonêt see the spaces or dashes. To draw, use the pointing device such as a pen, clicking to place the pen down on the screen to sketch and clicking again to raise it up and stop sketching. Sketching is an individual skill which everybody can improve. Sketching tools comprise: Pencil or lead holder. Leads "H", "F" or "HB" hardness. Eraser pink type preferred or white. Sketching paper can be rectangular grid, isometric grid, vellum overlay, newsprint, etc. Straightedge. Circle and ellipse templates. Plastic triangles. Gadgets like tiny drafting machines, roller parallel tools, etc. 52 Self-Instructional Material

53 Freehand Sketch Designers may use a multiplicity of these tools when many drawings are to be made. As sketches may be required rapidly, it is best to depend only on pencil, paper and eraser. Printed grids or papers with lightly ruled lines are frequently used for drawing. The grids are used to maintain freehand lines straight. Grids may also be used to produce precisely scaled sketches, keeping the sketch in accurate fraction. Grids perform as guides for freehand sketching. They aid in keeping lines straight and in right fraction. Punjab Technical University 53

54 CAD Using Sketching Grids Grids are used to keep features in accurate X Y scale. The rounded corner is measured three units horizontal, three units vertical and a construction point is measured half-way around the arc. Sketches must be very neat and proportional to the real objects. Lines must be very black to scan or fax visibly. Manufacturing and architectural forms are obtainable with many guide line spacing. 1/4 inch forms are general. Sketches of objects may be scaled down (or up) to fit the sheet size. The examples show numerous probable scale factors. Precisely scaled sketches are desirable to express magnitude. This sketch of a small room shown below is drawn to a scale of 1/4" = 1Ê-0". It signifies the room is about 9Ê-6" broad by 11Ê-0" deep. The bookcase is 14" deep and 5Ê broad. Other furnishings are drawn to scale. Scaled sketches are frequently the primary step in functioning out the sizes and proportions for a design. Sketches may be formed anywhere and at any time with a least of tools. Neat sketches express accurate information. Professionals take pleasure in the look and correctness of their sketches. 54 Self-Instructional Material

55 The quality of the work shows the truthfulness of the designer. Freehand Sketch Sketching Arcs and Circles Construction lines and points will perk up the look of freehand circles. It takes only a few seconds to block in horizontal, vertical and 45 degree points shown. These points assist when sketching or drawing the arcs for the circle. The edge of a piece of paper may be used as a gage for calculating points on a circle. Tangent points describe the degree of an arc. Tangent points are situated by sketching a line from the center of the arc or circle vertical to the tangent line. These points show where the arc ends and the straight line starts. Punjab Technical University 55

56 CAD Situating tangent points will perk up the look of sketches. Ellipses may be sketched using four arcs. Draw a small arc at every side and a longer arc across the top and bottom. Sketching Techniques Obstruct in the whole circle even if only a division of the circle will be required. This helps space the object and confirm proportions. Sketch the three circles. Sketch the lines tangent to the circles. 56 Self-Instructional Material

57 Sketch each radius perpendicular to each tangent line. These structures will position points required for darkening-in the final shape. Freehand Sketch The final shape is drawn by pressing down hard on the pencil to produce a smooth black outline. Geometric shapes such as this hexagon depends on first sketching a circle. Sketch the hexagon by means of the circle as an organizing surface. Build tangent lines at about 60 degrees (in this case). Blacken the lines for the last shape. Punjab Technical University 57

58 CAD An octagon has eight sides. Sketch a circle. Sketch horizontal and vertical lines tangent to the circle. Sketch lines from the center of the circle at 45 degrees. (Use the diagonals of the grid boxes.) Sketch lines perpendicular at each diagonal. Blacken-in the octagonal shape. Pictorial Sketches Pictorial sketches are simpler if an isometric sketching grid is used. By following the angles of the guiding principles, the outline of the front, top and side faces may be sketched or drawn. Isometric axes are 30 degrees upward to the left (width), 30 degrees upward to the right (depth) and vertical (height). 58 Self-Instructional Material

59 Freehand Sketch Pictorial sketches display three faces of a three dimensional object. This kind of sketch assists designers and spectators expose three dimensional shapes speedily. Circular shapes emerge as ellipses on pictorial sketches. 4-center ellipses are frequently sketched or drawn. Centres are situated by construction lines. Punjab Technical University 59

60 CAD Pictorial sketch of a counter bored hole. 60 Self-Instructional Material

61 ANSI Linetypes Freehand Sketch Drawing Sizes Copying Large Drawings Drawings may need very large sheet sizes. Standard sizes are labeled: A = 8 1/2 x 11 B = 11 x 17 C = 17 x 22 etc. Punjab Technical University 61

62 CAD Source: Drawings are produced on see-through paper or plastic film. The basis the material is translucent relates to the copy process used to copy drawings. Many drawings are copied using the diazo procedure. This process permits large sheets to be duplicated at relatively low cost. Prints are made by copying through the original. The copy paper is positioned underneath. A bright light shines through from the top. Lines on the original must be very black to avoid light from passing through. In saleable machines a mercury-vapour light is located inside a glass cylinder. The unique and copy paper roll around the cylinder throughout disclosure. Very long drawings may be duplicated this way. Hot ammonia gas is used to build up the dry copy. Draw Freehand Sketches Sketching is useful for producing uneven boundaries or for tracing with a digitizer. As we know, you can use the SKETCH command to draw freehand sketches. Sketching is useful for creating unequal borders or for tracing with a digitizer. 62 Self-Instructional Material

63 Freehand Sketch Erase Freehand Lines You erase freehand lines by means of the Erase choice of the SKETCH command. In Erase mode, wherever the cursor intersects the freehand line, the whole thing from the junction to the end of the line is erased. Once you record freehand lines, you can't alter them or remove them with the Erase option of SKETCH. Use the ERASE command after you terminate sketching. Erasing Freehand Lines 1. With the pen up or down, enter e (Erase). If the pen was down, it moves up. 2. Shift the cursor to the end of the line you drew last and then move it back as far along the line as you want to erase. 3. To end the erasure and go back to the SKETCH Command prompt, enter p. To unbutton the erasure, enter e. If you wish to alter the current viewport when sketching, ensure the pen is up, all lines entered so far have been recorded, and Tablet mode is off. Sketch in Tablet Mode Tablet mode can be used with a digitizer. Sketching in Tablet mode is functional for such things as tracing map outlines from paper directly into a drawing. You can't turn off Tablet mode while sketching. When Tablet mode is on, you can organize the program to plot the paper drawing's coordinate system directly into the world coordinate system. Therefore, there is a direct association among the coordinates where screen crosshairs emerge, the coordinates on the tablet, and the coordinates in the original paper drawing. After configuring the program to match the coordinates of the paper drawing, you may locate that the area exposed on the screen is not the region you want. To evade this problem, use ZOOM to exhibit the entire work area before you start to sketch. With some digitizers you can't choose the menus while Tablet mode is on. Maintain Sketching Accuracy To make sure accuracy on a slow computer, fix the record increment value to a negative value. SKETCH uses this value as if it was positive but checks every point established from the pointer against twice the record increment. If the point is more than two record increments away, your computer beeps as a caution that you should slow down to evade losing accuracy. For instance, if the record augmentation is -1, you should shift the cursor in increments of no more than 2. Using this technique does not slow down the tracing pace. To Sketch and Record Freehand Lines 1. At the command prompt, enter sketch. 2. At the Record Increment prompt, enter the minimum line segment length. Punjab Technical University 63

64 CAD 3. Click the start point to put the pen down. 4. When you shift the pointing device, temporary freehand line segments of the length you specified are drawn. SKETCH doesn't accept coordinate input. During the command, freehand lines are shown in a different color. 5. Click the endpoint to lift the pen up so that you can shift the cursor around the screen without drawing. Click a new start point to recommence drawing from the new cursor location. 6. Enter r at any time to record (save) the line you're drawing in the database and those already drawn. 7. If the pen is down, you can carry on drawing after recording. If the pen is up, click to recommence drawing. The freehand line starts from wherever the cursor is when you click. 8. Press ENTER to complete the sketch and record all unrecorded lines. Commands SKETCH Creates a series of freehand line segments Sketch creates a series of freehand line segments. Command entry: sketch The following information depends on the supposition that Tablet mode is on. Record increment <current>: Specify a distance or press Enter. The record augmentation value defines the length of the line segments. The pointing device must be moved a distance superior than the augmentation value to produce a line. Sketching is confined as a sequence of independent lines. Setting the SKPOLY system variable to a nonzero value generates a polyline for each adjacent sequence of sketched lines rather than multiple line objects. Pen (Pick Button) It elevates and lowers the sketching pen. The pen must be elevated before you can choose menu items with the pointing device. Exit-ENTER (Button 3) It records and reports the numeral temporary lines drawn and ends the command. Quit (Button 4) It discards all temporary lines sketched as the start of SKETCH or the last use of the Record choice, and ends the command. Record (Button 2) It records temporary lines as everlasting and does not alter the pen's position. It reports the number of lines using the following prompt: nnn lines recorded. Erase (Button 5) It erases any part of a temporary line and elevates the pen if it is down. Select end of delete. 64 Self-Instructional Material

65 Connect (Button 6) It lowers the pen to carry on sketch series from the endpoint of the last drawn line or last Erase. Connect: Move to endpoint of line.. (Period) (Button 1) It lowers the pen, draws a straight line from the endpoint of the last drawn line to the pen's current location, and returns the pen to the up position. System Variables SKETCH INC This command sets the record increment for the SKETCH command. Freehand Sketch Type: Saved in: Initial value: Real Drawing (imperial) or (metric) SKPOLY This command determines whether the SKETCH command generates lines or polylines. Type: Saved in: Initial value: 0 Integer Drawing 0 Generates lines 1 Generates polylines Student Activity 1. Define sketch in tablet mode. 2. How is sketching accuracy maintained? Summary Sketching is a very significant practice for technical interaction. Sketches can move ideas, directions and information in a clear, brief form. "SKETCH command can be used to draw freehand sketches. Freehand sketches include many line segments. Each line segment can be a disconnected object or a polyline. You fix the lowest length or augmentation of the segments. Sketching is functional for generating uneven limitations or for tracing with a digitizer. Sketching is an individual skill which everybody can improve. Grids perform as guides for freehand sketching. They aid in keeping lines straight and in right fraction. Grids are used to keep features in accurate X Y scale. Precisely scaled sketches are desirable to express magnitude. Pictorial sketches are simpler if an isometric sketching grid is used. By following the angles of the guiding principles, the outline of the front, top and side faces may be sketched or drawn. Drawings are produced on see-through paper or plastic film. The basis the material is translucent relates to the copy process used to copy drawings. You erase freehand lines by means of the Erase choice of the SKETCH command. In Erase mode, wherever the cursor intersects the freehand line, the whole thing from the junction to Punjab Technical University 65

66 CAD the end of the line is erased.. Sketching in Tablet mode is functional for such things as tracing map outlines from paper directly into a drawing. To make sure accuracy on a slow computer, fix the record increment value to a negative value. Keywords SKETCH: You can use the SKETCH command to draw freehand sketches. Grids: Grids may be used to keep features in correct X Y scale. SKETCHINC: Sets the record increment for the SKETCH command. SKPOLY: Determines whether the SKETCH command generates lines or polylines. Review Questions 1. What are freehand sketches? Define the tools used for sketching. 2. Discuss how sketching is performed in grids. 3. Show the sketching of arcs and circles. 4. Write short notes on: (a) Sketching Techniques (b) Pictorial Sketches. 5. What are various standard sheet sizes available for copying large drawings? Discuss. 6. Discuss the process of creating sketches. 7. Discuss the steps used for erasing freehand lines. 8. Discuss how to sketch and record freehand lines. 9. Discuss the various commands used for freehand sketching. 10. What are system variables? Discuss. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight to the Point AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd. Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD Frameworks, Springer. Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India. Schoonmaker, EBooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma commercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press. John K. Krouse, What every engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker. Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons. 66 Self-Instructional Material

67 Unit 6 Plan and 3D View Drawing Plan and 3D View Drawing Unit Structure Introduction 3-D CAD Terminology Isometric Drawing The 3-D Co-ordinate System 3D Rotation Viewing in 3D Objects Wireframe Drawing Techniques Line Thickness Drawing Techniques Regions and 3D Faces Extruding and Lofting Revolved Objects AutoCAD 3D Modeling: 3D Views Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand 3-D concept and isometric drawing Explain 3D coordinate system and viewing in 3D objects Discuss wireframe and line thickness drawing techniques Discuss extruding and lofting Understand regions and 3D faces Understand AutoCAD 3D modeling Introduction You may have previously seen why CAD has many benefits over manual drafting. One big benefit is that after drawing something, you donêt have to draw it another time. If you by hand draw a house plan, you would have to sketch a front altitude, side altitudes, and perhaps a perspective view. With one 3-D CAD model, you can produce views from any angle either within or outside the house and animations. Later, if your customer desires something tainted, you can then create the changes once. If you're sketching mechanical parts, you can produce virtual prototypes or even produce rapid prototypes. In this way Boeing was able to design and prototype the 777 jetliner. This stage of engineering would be unfeasible without CAD. Your corporation may not do a bundle of 3D work, but it is still a good skill to have and it's also more enjoyable than 2D. Punjab Technical University 67

68 CAD We will discuss the 3D concepts in the following order: Isometric Drawings (not true 3D) Wire-frame (very basic 3D) Surfaces/Regions (primitive 3D) Solid Objects (advanced 3D) You will have a possibility to sketch the same object in diverse ways to observe the differences among the diverse methods. Before entering the electrifying planet of 3-D, you'll have to study some more CAD terminology. This level assumes that you have a good perceptive of 2D commands. 3-D CAD Terminology 2-D A concept of displaying real-world objects on a flat surface showing only height and width. This system uses only the X and Y axes. 3-D A way of displaying real-world object in a more natural way by adding depth to the height and width. This system uses the X Y and Z axes. Boolean operations Complex surface Elevation Extrude Commands that allow you to add, subtract or intersect solid objects in AutoCAD. Generally a curved surface. Examples: car fender, landscape contour. The difference between an object being at zero on the Z-axis and the height that it is above zero. The extrude command raises the shape of a 2D outline into a 3D solid. For example, a circle would be extruded into a cylinder. Face Facet Hidden line removal Isometric Drawing Plan View Primitive Region Rendering Shading Solid Model Surface Model Thickness UCS View Viewport Wire-frame Model Z-Axis The simplest true 3-D surface. A three or four sided polygon that represents a piece (or section) of a 3-D surface. A way of hiding lines that would not be visible if you were viewing the actual object you have drawn in AutoCAD. (Command: HIDE) A simple way of achieving a '3-D' appearance using 2-D drawing methods. Also known as the top view, a plan view looks directly down the WCS Z-axis to the X-Y axis. A basic solid building block. Examples would be boxes, cones, cylinders. A 2-D area consisting of lines, arcs, etc. A complex way of adding photo-realistic qualities to a 3-D model you have created. A quick way of adding color to a 3-D object you have drawn. (Command: SHADE) A 3-D model creating using solid 'building blocks'. This is the most accurate way of representing real-world objects in CAD. A 3-D model defined by surfaces. The surface consists of polygons. (See facets.) A property of lines and other objects that gives them a 3-D like appearance. The user co-ordinate system. This is defined by the person drawing to have easier access to portions of a 3-D model. A particular view of the object you have created. A window into your drawing showing a particular view. You can have several viewports on your screen. Different from the viewports used in plotting. A 3-D shape that is defined by lines and curves. A skeletal representation. Hidden line removal is not possible with this model. The third axis that defines the depth. 68 Self-Instructional Material

69 As computers and software get more complicated, working in 3D turn out to be more well-liked. You have more authority in desktop machine now, than was dreamed of when CAD first emerged. Once you are at ease functioning in 3D, you'll discover that you will infrequently want to sketch in 2D again. Autodesk (the makers of AutoCAD) make other products designed specially for assured disciplines - Architectural Desktop, Map, 3D Studio Max and more. Relying upon your budget and needs, you may need to look into programs like these. Plan and 3D View Drawing Isometric Drawing Using Isometric commands is one of the easiest ways to provide a 3-D representation while using only 2-D commands. This has been the common way of performing things before CAD permitted true 3-D work to be done. Many times an isometric drawing is helps to praise a 3 view orthographic drawing. See the sample below. You can view that it is a very easy drawing. This basic isometric drawing of the object provides a very good idea of what it appears like. If this is all that is required then isometric functions well. Unluckily, as soon as you alter anything such as the block's height, you'll need to redraw all four views. AutoCAD has a command known as ISOPLANE which permits you to simply draw at a 30 degree angle as required for an isometric drawing. You can toggle between the three 'isoplanes' (top, right, left) by means of this command or by pressing the F5 key. Command: ISOPLANE <ENTER> Current isoplane: Right Enter isometric plane setting [Left/Top/Right] <Left>: T <ENTER> Current isoplane: Top By raising this command, AutoCAD is now fixed to sketch on the top isoplane. Your other options would be Left or Right. Your first exercise will be to sketch the object shown above using isometric met hods. Example Start a new sketching using the acad.dwt template Make a layer called OBJECT and provide it a green color. Make this your existing layer. Punjab Technical University 69

70 CAD Type in DDRMODES to bring up the Drawing Aids dialog box. Keep your settings the same as what you see below. Press OK and you'll see that the grid is set up for isometric drawing for the left isoplane in 1/2" increments. Your crosshairs are now angled to display you which isoplane you are at present on and the Grid is laid out in a different way from what you may be used to. Start by sketching the left side of the box using the line command. Avoid the hole at this point. You will desire to use the Direct Distance Entry System for this exercise and ensure that you have Ortho (F8) and Osnaps (F3) turned on. Switch to your right isoplane (F5) and sketch the right side. Switch to your top isoplane (F5) and sketch the top view. Create the angle lines to add the angled surface. Switch back to the left isoplane and begin the ELLISPE command. At the command prompt, press I for isocircle. This will permit you to make an ellipse at the right angle based on the radius of the circle in the orthographic drawing. Use the Osnap to choose the correct center point. Save your drawing in your CAD folder. To measure an isometric drawing, you have to do some things first. Generate a text style known as Left, and give it a 30 o obliquing angle, then make another known as right with a 30 o obliquing angle. Then make a new dimension style that has the text associated with the dimension line. After you have located a dimension, use the DIMEDIT command to alter the obliquing angle of the dimension + or - 30 degrees. 70 Self-Instructional Material

71 You may also require to use the properties to modify the text in the dimension to left or right relying upon the direction of the dimension. Memorize that this is still only 2D. Keep in mind that in some instances, it may be faster and simpler to use this technique rather than the more composite 3-D methods. The 3-D Co-ordinate System By now you should be at ease functioning around the X-Y co-ordinate system. Anyhow, here is a quick review. Viewing from the plan (top) view, this is what you see to work out where is positive X and positive Y. Plan and 3D View Drawing If you look at the same picture, but at a minor angle, you would view the third axis. This new axis is known as the Z-axis. Visualize that the positive Z-axis is coming near you out of the screen. The Z-axis has always been there, prowling in the background, waiting for you. Punjab Technical University 71

72 CAD When you inserted points before, you would enter them in the format: X,Y. By doing this, you allow AutoCAD identify that in these cases, Z was equivalent to zero. Entering 4,3 would be the identical as entering 4,3,0. Now if you sketch a line from the origin (0,0,0) to a point at 4,3,2, you would obtain a line that goes 4 inches to the right, 3 inches up and 2 inches near you. The properties of this line would be like this: Observe that the line is in fact " long. If you have to look at it from the plan view, it would appear exactly like a line drawn from 0,0 to 4,3. Sketch a line from 0,0 to 4,3 and then evaluate the properties. The figures below, shows this line from 4 diverse views to exemplify how things can look dissimilar in 3D. Stare at each one cautiously, and see if it makes logic to you. This is the common view you have viewed when using AutoCAD in 2D. You are looking straight down the Z axis (positive Z is pointing at your). It appears like any other line you have sketched, going from 0,0 to 4,3 but there is a dissimilarity. 72 Self-Instructional Material

73 Plan and 3D View Drawing If you have to look at the line from the front, rather than the top (as shown above) you would be able to observe the elevation of 2 units in the Z axis. This is the identical line as above, only seen from a different angle. Here, you are looking straight down the -Y axis. Just for pleasure here is the similar line but seen from the left. This would be looking down the -X axis. Punjab Technical University 73

74 CAD Lastly, here is the line as seen in 3D space from the Southeast view. This is where viewing 3D objects on a 2D monitor gets complicated. You are required to imagine the Z Axis. The above image shows that you will have to get used to viewing at a 3D world on a 2D monitor. In every image, the black line appears flat, but you have to use your reference points to find out where it actually is. Why is this important to look at before entering the world of 3-D? If you have to only view at a 3-D model from the plan (top) view, you would not be able to view any dissimilarity between the two lines. (Draw them and see for yourself) On a 3-D model, you can effortlessly have many points over top of each other. This would be very hard to work with. You may imagine you're snapping to a specific endpoint, but the actuality of it could be very dissimilar (think of how the top of the wall appears the same as the bottom of the wall if you're viewing straight down it). Luckily, AutoCAD give different viewing choices for 3-D drafting. 3D Rotation Now we will see how AutoCAD measures angles of rotation in 3-D. There is a somewhat an uncomplicated rule for this called "The Right Hand Rule". To understand the positive rotation angle, visualize that you are packaging your right hand around the axis with your thumb pointing to the positive end. The direction that your fingers are wrapped is the positive direction. This relates to all three axes. Figure 6.1: Direction of Positive Rotation The major point of this section is to inform you that objects can trap you in 3D space. Shortcuts don't forever work, you have to be cautious with Osnaps and your drawing can turn into a muddle very rapidly if you're not paying attention. Trust me, I've seen enough students take the easy route and have to start over. Make sure you know the concepts inside and out. Viewing in 3D Objects Viewports AutoCAD has a few methods for you to see an object other than the plan view that you have used for your 2-D drawings. For fast, simple views use the pull-down menu choices. To do this choose View > 3-D Viewpoint > (then choose one of the four bottom isometric options). View at the drawing below to see the differences among four views. When doing basic drawings, it is a good idea to use only one view. This will keep you orientated a lot easier. It is most general to use the Southwest view, as this keeps your positive X and Y axes in a consistent position. There will be era when you may want to view around to the other side of your object. Then you can simply use the other predetermined views to see your model. You can also have more than one sight on your screen at a time. 74 Self-Instructional Material

75 To attain this, use the Tiled Viewports alternative of the View pull-down menu. Then select the New Viewports tab, and choose from several layouts. Any view or viewport pattern can be saved under an exclusive name. Later on you can easily renovate this view when required. Here are the predetermined viewport configurations that you can use in model space. Plan and 3D View Drawing As you can see, you can choose options for 2D or 3D, and alter the view by picking in one of the viewports and choosing a new sight in the drop list. We have concealed the ribbon by clicking the button to right of the ribbon. Here are a few common points about views and viewports: You can have viewports in either model space (tiled) or paper space (floating). They can have different zoom ratios. There is a difference between views and viewports. If you go to a lot of work to get a view you need, save it using the VIEW command. When saving a view, give it a descriptive name. Keep an eye on the UCS icon in the corner of the screen or viewport. The smaller your monitor is, the harder it is to see tiled viewports. When you have more than one viewport, click inside the one you want active. To practice viewing your 3D drawing, open up this trial 3D file of a table and chairs. Change to dissimilar viewport layouts as revealed above. Try some of the dissimilar Isometric views. Relying upon the size of your screen, it may not be practical to use numerous viewports. In the end it is a matter of individual preference that decides what setup you are contented drawing in. Change back to 1 viewport (View > Set Viewports > Single) and switch to the SW Isometric view. Punjab Technical University 75

76 CAD Perspective Views There is one more command called DVIEW (Dynamic View) that provides you more control over the sight of your object. It will also permit you to view a perspective view of your model. This can be a very puzzling method if you don't have a system. What follows is my method to creating perspective views. The source of producing a perspective view is to have a virtual camera and aim. Think of where you would like to 'stand' (the camera) and what direction you want to look at (the target). Here, we want a sight that provides a minor perspective view of the table and chairs. The first thing needed to do is draw a point for the camera position. Draw a line from the centre of the bottom leg 6' in the negative X axis. Now sketch a line 5'6" straight up (@0,0,5'6) - and lastly draw a line to the center of the far end of the table. It should appear like this: Now initiate the view command. You will be inquired to choose objects. You can select everything, or for the reasons of setting points, I would usually just select the line as it makes the command quicker in large drawings. Choose the top line to the center of the table. <ENTER> 76 Self-Instructional Material

77 Choose the POints option by typing in PO <ENTER> Now you have to choose the Target choose the right endpoint of the line (use Osnaps) Next choose the Camera choose the left endpoint of the line. It will appear like the line moved out, but you now viewing straight down it. Press <ENTER> to end the command. Start the DVIEW command again and choose all the objects. In larger sketchings, choose the objects that are farthest to the extents of the drawing (this will save time and let you identify the limits of your view) and any objects that are dangerous to your view. What this means in that if you are using the command on a very huge drawing, the DVIEW command can bog down (slow down) your system to a move slowly. By choosing only the ones on the outside restrictions of your drawing, you will still be able to use the command rapidly and competently. This time, select the Distance option by pressing D <ENTER>. This option efficiently zooms in and out while in a perspective vibrant view. Move the slider at the top until it is just right of the '1x' and then left click with your mouse. Note that slower computers will take longer to redevelop the drawing for you. You can also enter distances by hand on the command line try this out as well. Each 3D model will need different settings to obtain the view you want. Plan and 3D View Drawing While still in the Dview command, type in PA for the Pan choice and move the table and chairs up to some extent in the drawing area so that they are centered. And lastly, type in H for the hide option for a more realistic view and then press <ENTER>. You will observe that certain commands do not function while in a perspective view. For instance, you can not zoom or pan the normal way. We suggest that you don't edit your sketching in this view. To conserve this view that you worked so tough to attain, type in V (for view) and choose the New button and give your vision a name. Now when you want to go back to this view you just type in V again, choose your named view, press the Set Current button and push OK. Punjab Technical University 77

78 CAD If you are using this command on bigger sketchings, such as a home or building, the same procedure is used, but you should produce the camera position to be further away from the objects you desire to view. Practice makes perfect and this command can take some testing and error sometimes to get it just right. In the end, it is a very influential viewing tool. When practicing, save views so you can go back to them if required it will save you a lot of time. Wireframe Drawing Techniques Here, you will be sketching two objects. Foremost, you will sketch the shape from the isometric exercise using the same line command that you have for all time used. Then you will draw a simple chair using the same technique. This exercise is good practice to work on the XYZ co-ordinate system. Wireframe models are the easiest form of true 3D drawings. They can be used for switch to other programs or other simple uses. Still, this is not an ordinary way of sketching in 3D these days. Start a new drawing using the acad.dwt template. Create a layer called OBJECT and give it a green color. Make this your current layer. Using the line command, draw the outline of the front view placing the bottom left corner at 0,0,0 Then draw the circle. Copy the sketch and circle 2" up in the Z-axis. When asked for the base point, choose anywhere on the screen, and copy it relative to the (X,Y,Z) Switch your view to the SW Isometric view. Observe that you have the front and the back drawn now. Using your endpoint Osnap, attach the corners of the object. Your ended drawing should look like this: 78 Self-Instructional Material

79 Plan and 3D View Drawing Choose any line and snap to an endpoint grip. Look at the co-ordinate view on the left of your status bar and see if it makes logic to you. Try this at other points. What you have just done is produced a simple object in 3D drawing space. It has length, depth and height. Get used to viewing at it, and review what you did to create it. Save your drawing under the name wireframe1.dwg. Example Begin a new sketching using the acad.dwt template. Create 3 layers known a SIDES, SEAT, and BACK and give them dissimilar colors. Make back your current layer. Multiple layers make your drawing easier to work with. View at the sketching below. This is the basic chair shape that you will be drawing a few dissimilar ways in this course. Here, you'll be using rectangles. Toggle to your SE Isometric view. Punjab Technical University 79

80 CAD Begin with the back. Make rectangle to identify the plan view of the back of the chair. Copy it 34" in the Z-axis and then attach the corners with vertical lines. Next draw the sides (on the sidesê layer). Use the same technique you used for sketching the back (except copy them up 24") After drawing one side, you can copy or mirror it to create the other side. Conclude up by drawing the seat. This will take a bit of consideration as you have to make it fit among the sides. Start by sketching the rectangle for the seat in the correct location, and then move it up 12" so that it is at the right elevation. After that, copy it up 4" and attach the corners. Save the file as wirefame2.dwg in your CAD folder. Try to get the viewport configuration you see below using tiled viewports You don't need to measurement this drawing, but use the Distance command to confirm that the sizes are accurate. When you are certain that your drawing is correct, save it again for later use. From these simple exercises, you can see that the world of 3D (so far) isn't actually different from 2D. You used the same rectangle, line, copy, move commands that you would drawing in a 2D world. The only dissimilarity is that you added the Z co-ordinate to provide your point 'height'. Again, ensure you are recognizable with what happened in this section before moving on to the next. Redo it if you have to, but get used to the concept of height. Line Thickness Drawing Techniques Here you'll produce the same chair by drawing lines and then providing them thickness. Think of thickness as the height of the line or how tall it is (like a fence in your yard). This is a quick, easy way of achieving some degree of 3-D feel. Once again, memorize that in some cases, simple notions may do the job. This is also a good method for AutoCAD LT users, who don't have the alternative to draw in true 3-D. Begin a new drawing using the acad.dwt template. Create 3 layers known as SIDES, SEAT, BACK and give them different colors. Make back your current layer. 80 Self-Instructional Material

81 Draw rectangles to generate the back, sides and seat on their respective layers (as if you were drawing the top view). Do not worry about height, thickness or anything but the basic sketch of the top view. Choose one of the rectangles, right click and select 'Properties". When asked to choose an object, choose the polyline that will turn into the back of the chair. Leave the palette open for the rest of this exercise. You'll see the Modify Polyline dialog box pop up and it should appear like the one below. Plan and 3D View Drawing Here, there are two significant regions to look at. Ensure that your line is positioned at and elevation of Zero. From there you want to go into the Thickness text box and enter 34. This will provide you a polyline that depends where you draw it and will be 34" thick, meaning that it will expand 34" in the positive Z-axis. (Inflowing a negative number will expand the thickness in the negative Z-axis.) Modify the properties of the sides and give them a thickness of 24". Give the seat a thickness of 4 inches. The seat should be based on Z=0. To move it up to the correct position, enter the move command and provide it a dislocation Punjab Technical University 81

82 CAD View at your drawing in the SW isometric 3-D view and it should appear like the one you drew in the wire-frame exercise. There is one major dissimilarity between the two models. As stated earlier, wire-frame models do not permit you to hide lines that you might not see in the actual world. With your cursor in the SW isometric viewport, enter the command HIDE. You should see that your chair now appears like the one below. We will see that it is now preparing to appear like a chair. It's not an ideal one yet. You can still observe the sides through the seat and the tops of the sides and back are void. Again, think of a fence around your yard. Save the sketch under the name chair_line_thickness.dwg in your CAD file. Till now we have studied two methods to build a 3-D-lsuch as object and still haven't studied any new drawing instructions. These methods use 2D commands to attain 3-D looks. Another benefit of these methods is that they can be used in AutoCAD LT, which doesn't have any true 3-D abilities at all. Regions and 3D Faces In this segment, we will start using true 3-D commands. First we will generate a 2-D area and then extrude it into a 3-D solid. Then you will insert 3-D surfaces to the tops of your preceding drawing (line thickness) to close the back, sides and seat. Start a new sketch with the acad.dwt pattern. Make 3 layers known as SIDES, SEAT, and BACK and provide them dissimilar colors. Sketch the layouts (using rectangles) of the back, sides and seat, but don't insert line breadth. We will begin by producing the area for the back of the chair. Ensure that back is your present layer. (Any area you make will be on the present layer, in spite of which layer the object was on when you chosen it.) Begin the region command by entering REGION (or REG) at the command line. Choose the polyline that will turn out to be the back of the chair and press enter. Your command line should appear like this: Command: REGION Select objects: <SELECT RECTANGLE> 1 found Select objects: 1 loop extracted. If the area wasn't formed, it generally means that you have a space in the shape. Polylines must be clogged to be used for Regions. Replicate this for the other polylines 82 Self-Instructional Material

83 showing the 2 arms and the seat, by providing guarantee that you have the correct layer current. At this position, you have four 2-D regions. The after that step is to extrude them into 3-D solid objects. Make BACK the present layer and begin the EXTRUDE command. Choose the region on the back layer. Gaze at the command line. You will be inquired about few things: Command: EXT EXTRUDE Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects: <SELECT REGION> 1 found Select objects: <ENTER> Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: 34 Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: The first thing that AutoCAD requires is the height of the extrusion. Memorize that if you provide a positive number, it will extrude in the positive Z-axis. If you provide a negative number, it will extrude the area in the negative Z-axis. Then you are asked for the 'Extrusion Taper Angle'. In many cases this will be the default of zero. Press <ENTER> to agree to the default. Note: You can also extrude directly from rectangles, circles and closed polylines, but I wanted to show you the Region command. Extrude the sides and seat. Keep in mind to shift the seat up 12" if you haven't by now. Verify that the model is correct by viewing it in the SW isometric view. Type HIDE (HI) and you should view a solid chair like the one below. Plan and 3D View Drawing Now you can observe how solids are a good means to go in some cases. They will generally give you the most precise way of screening the model. You can also get a lot of information out of a solid. Begin the Mass Properties commands (MASSPROP). Click on one of the solid objects and press <ENTER>.We will see that AutoCAD can provide you a lot of information about it. A lot of these are functional in engineering applications, but the volume is something that may be required in many different cases. Save your drawing below the name: chair_extruded.dwg Punjab Technical University 83

84 CAD New Project Open your chair_line_thickness.dwg drawing and right away save it under a new name: chair_3d_face.dwg Now we will insert 3-D faces to the tops of the back, sides and sides. Start by screening your model in the SW Isometric view. Type hide to see where you want to cap off the extruded lines. Type REGEN or RE to reproduce your screen so that you can see all the corners again. Ensure that BACK is the present layer. Type 3DFACE to start the command. You will be asked to choose some points. Ensure that your endpoint Osnaps is on. When enquired to choose the points, choose them in the order as if you were sketching a rectangle. Do not go from one corner to a conflicting one. After you have chosen the fourth corner, press (enter). Your command line should appear like this: Command: 3DFACE Specify first point or [Invisible]: <1> Specify second point or [Invisible]: <2> Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: <3> Specify fourth point or [Invisible] <create three-sided face>: <4> Specify third point or [Invisible] <exit>: <ENTER> Repeat the command to insert 3-D faces to the top of the sides and the seat. 3D faces are huge for making odd shapes that encompass any four lines (or arcs) that are touching). Enter the HIDE commands to verify that it was done properly. If it all worked, you should view an image that appears alike to the solid model. We will observe that the 3D face covers what would be the opening at the top of the arms and the back. If it was done wrongly, there may be a line running down from the back corner of each portion. Save the file. 84 Self-Instructional Material

85 Now you have produced some true 3-D objects. Take some time to think about how much work was concerned in each method: Wireframe, line thickness and extruding. Think about cases where one might be superior than the other. Evaluate the methods that you have used till now: Extruding and Lofting Plan and 3D View Drawing Extruding The idea of this segment is to look further at the EXTRUDE command. It can be used to generate a 3D solid from a closed 2D shape. Two other methods you can extrude (which you may have seen as choices on the command line) are to shrink the extrusion and the extrude a shape along a path. If you are required to, you can also unite the two choices and extrude along a trail while narrowing the shape (shown below). One example where you can use extruded paths is to show pipes in a drawing. You may not use the tapered path choice often, but at least you identify it's there. Extruding along a Path Sketch a POLYLINE from 0,0 to 120,0 to 120,120 to 240,120 to 240,0 and then press <Enter> to end the command. Do a Zoom > Extents to view the polyline and then zoom out a little more. Your line should appear like this: Subsequently you will put a 24 unit radius on all the corners. The simplest way to do this is using the Polyline choice of the FILLET command. Punjab Technical University 85

86 CAD Command: FILLET Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim/mUltiple]: R Specify fillet radius <0.0000>: 24 Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim/mUltiple]: P Select 2D polyline: <SELECT THE POLYLINE> 3 lines were filleted Now we will extrude a circle along the polyline - or to be more precise, the lane of the polyline. This would be one way of sketching pipes in 3D. For this instance, we will draw a pipeline with a width of 12 units. Next sketch CIRCLE at the bottom right end of polyline. Use a diameter of 12 (radius of 6). After having that, there is a need to rotate it in 3D. To perform this, you will select the circle, choose the axis you want it rotated around and then select the angle. Command: ROTATE3D Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0 Select objects: <SELECT THE CIRCLE> 1 found Select objects: <ENTER> Specify first point on axis or define axis by [Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/ 2points]: X Specify a point on the X axis <0,0,0>: <Select the Bottom Right End of the Polyline Make sure your Osnaps are on for endpoints> Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 90 <ENTER> Your circle should have rotated 90 degrees and now you are looking at the side of it so the circle occurs to be a line as shown in the image below. 86 Self-Instructional Material

87 Now comes the easy part. Subsequently you will EXTRUDE the circle along the path of the polyline. Command: EXT EXTRUDE Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects: <SELECT THE CIRCLE> 1 found Select objects: <ENTER> Specify height of extrusion or [Path]: P Select extrusion path or [Taper angle]: <SELECT THE PLINE> Note: After the Extrude command, the polyline will still be there. If you are required to keep your drawing clean, keep in mind to erase the path if you don't need it any more. To see how it appears, see the object in the SW Isometric view, and use the HIDE command. It should appear like this: Plan and 3D View Drawing This is just one choice available with the Extrude command. Try it on other paths and see how it functions. You will discover that if your circle is too large, it may not be able to be extruded on polylines with stiff corners. You might then observe this error on the command line: Unable to extrude the selected object. Any object that can be extruded can be extruded next to a path. A path can be any open object like lines, arc, polylines, splines, etc. For more practice, attempt to create a cord for your lamp using a Spline as the path. You can also extrude 2 circles along a path (make one circle smaller) and then SUBTRACT the minor diameter extrusion from the larger to generate a void pipe. Extruding with a Taper Extruding along a taper gives you another choice in your 3D toolbox. Here is an example of how it is performed: Draw a RECTANGLE 100 units by 100 units. EXTRUDE the Rectangle 50 units high with a taper angle of 45. Here are the commands required. Command: EXT EXTRUDE Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects to extrude: <SELECT THE RECTANGLE> 1 found Select objects to extrude: <ENTER> Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle] <1.0000>: T Punjab Technical University 87

88 CAD Specify angle of taper for extrusion <0>: 45 Specify height of extrusion or [Direction/Path/Taper angle] <1.0000>: 50 Here is what you should have (a pyramid): Use the 3DORBIT command to outlook it at different angles (Click on the screen, hold the button down and move the cursor around the screen). Try extruding different shapes with various taper angles for more practices. These choices give you a lot of flexibility within one command. You may not use these options very frequently in your everyday drafting, but they're good to know. Lofting Latest in AutoCAD 2007 (and long overdue) is the LOFT command. The loft command is alike to the extrude command, but much more flexible. Instead of extruding a single shape, the loft command permits you to extrude numerous shapes and make one nonstop object. Here's an example of how it functions, we have drawn numerous shapes and aligned them with the same center. Next, they were copied above and below the major circle. The goal is to generate a smooth object from the 7 profiles shown below. 88 Self-Instructional Material

89 Here is a front view of the objects before and after the loft command: Plan and 3D View Drawing The example above is very simple, but think of how we can make complex shapes using this simple command. Using the Loft Command The objective of this exercise is to generate a "twisted Cube" - a cube that appears like the top was twisted 45 o. We will start with a simple one. Sketch a square Copy it in the same place. Rotated the 2nd square 45 o using the midpoints of the square as the base point. Lastly, move the 2nd square up 20 units. You should have something like this from the SW view: From left to right, the original square, the copied and rotated square and the moved 2nd square. Copy the 2 rectangles over (out of the way) to use in one more exercise. Then you will create a lofted object from the 2 rectangles using the defaults. Command: LOFT Select cross-sections in lofting order: <SELECT BOTTOM SQUARE> 1 found Select cross-sections in lofting order: <SELECT TOP SQUARE> 1 found, 2 total Select cross-sections in lofting order: <ENTER, Then Dialog appears> Enter an option [Guides/Path/Cross-sections only] <Cross-sections only>: <PRESS OK IN THE DIALOG> Punjab Technical University 89

90 CAD After hitting OK, you square will be turned into one lofted 3D Solid. Now something doesn't appear quite right to me. We would expect that corners of the squares would be even so that the lofted square looks like a 'twisted cube'. Instead, you can see lines going from the middle of the bottom square to a corner of the top square. Use the HIDE command to view how it appears. It looks a little strange, but you can make out that it has some odd shapes. Take the pair of squares that you copied over previously and draw lines from lower corner to upper corner as shown in the drawing below: Now begin the LOFT command again. This time we will try something different. Choose the squares again as your cross sections, then instead of accepting the default, use the Guides option G. Now choose the four lines which will guide the loft to create a shape that better displays what you want. Command: LOFT Select cross-sections in lofting order: 1 found Select cross-sections in lofting order: 1 found, 2 total 90 Self-Instructional Material

91 Select cross-sections in lofting order: Enter an option [Guides/Path/Cross-sections only] <Cross-sections only>: G Select guide curves: 1 found Select guide curves: 1 found, 2 total Select guide curves: 1 found, 3 total Select guide curves: 1 found, 4 total Select guide curves: <ENTER> Compare the 2 objects, the 2nd one should look more like the goal of a twisted cube. To modify how you view things, use the VISUALSTYLES command to open the Visual Styles Manager palette. This command permits you to rapidly change settings for how you see 3D objects that earlier needed the knowledge of numerous system variables. Use the settings highlighted below and press the "Apply to Current Viewport" button (or double click on any of the colored squares at the top. You should now have a clear view that demonstrated the differences between the first lofted object and the second one that used guides. Plan and 3D View Drawing Try generating your own lofted 3D Solids. Anything that can be extruded can be lofted so any closed shape will work. Try lofting a rectangle to a circle. Try Punjab Technical University 91

92 CAD exploding a lofted object. There are many other choices to this command, but in an effort to be brief and cover the basics, we will not go further into this command. Remember to choose the cross sections in the correct order, add guides to better define the shape. In evaluation, you can see how extruding and lofting are two uncomplicated commands that provide you a lot of power in the 3D world. Get recognizable with extruding, as it is a great way to build things in 3D. Lofting will permit you to create more 'organic' shapes that previous editions of AutoCAD. For practice: Sketch this object. Start with a 3DPolyline (3DPOLY) and then extrude the circle along the path of the polyline. For practice: Copy this drawing that shows the dimensions on the left and an isometric view for reference. Then generate a lofted object (using the default setting) to appear like this. Revolved Objects Below is a sample sketching showing 2 different revolved objects (lamp and lampshade). It will also be your goal in this lesson to duplicate alike objects. Till now we only worked with very basic blocks. Presume that you need to draw something other than a rectangular cube. We did some new shapes in the previous segment while extruding and lofting. AutoCAD provides you two commands for those times when you need to draw cylindrical objects. One (revsurf) will give you a complex model contained of a 3-D surface made up of many facets. The other (revolve) will give you a solid object. The method that you use will once again depend on what you require it for. Take a look at the lamp on this page. This is an example of two different types of objects requiring two types of object construction. The lampshade is an empty object. Essentially it's just a surface. The lamp base is a solid object. The revsurf command was used to create the lampshade, while the revolve command was used to produce the base. It's not the furthermost looking lamp ever, so in this lesson, you'll be designing a lamp base and a lampshade. You'll start by 92 Self-Instructional Material

93 defining half the profile of each object, then revolving them. This will also be good practice for screening your 3-D model. Begin a new drawing using the acad.dwt template. Create 2 layers called SHADE and BASE and give them different colors. Make BASE your current layer. Start the polyline command. Start the profile for your lamp base. Use Ortho mode to draw a backwards "" shape with the vertical line 10 units up and the horizontal lines can be whatever you like (you're the designer now). Plan and 3D View Drawing Next draw a spline to attach the two ends of your polyline using Osnaps. Hint, when ending the spline command, you will be enquired for the start and end vectors select the endpoint just to the right of your ends in the vertical line. Draw a short vertical line as shown in step 3 (make sure Ortho mode is ON). Make SHADE your present layer Draw a short angled line as shown in step 4 (this is the beginning of the shade.) Make BASE your present layer. Begin the REGION command and create a region from the lines that makeup the base. Don't include the vertical line at the top. We have drawn everything you require and will use modifying commands to complete the lesson. First we will make the lampshade. Before you do this, although, we will have to set two of AutoCAD's system variables (SURFTAB1 & SURFTAB2). These variables control how many facets you'll have in your surface. The default is 6, which will provide you a very chunky looking shade (like a hexagon instead of a circle). The number you choose will also influence how fast your computer can display the object as well as how round the shade will appear. The sample on the previous page had the SURFTAB1 variable set to 24 to give the lamp 24 sides. To alter these, type in SURFTAB1 at the command prompt enter 24. AutoCAD will explain you the current setting and provide you a chance to reset it. Set the variable and then set SURFTAB2 enter 2 for this variable. Since the vertical shape is a straight line, you only a setting of 2 (the minimum). Now we are ready to create the lampshade. Begin the REVSURF (Revolve Surface) command. You will be asked to choose the object to revolve. This is the line that displays the lampshade. Then you are asked to choose the axis of revolution. Pick the vertical line that you drew up from the base profile. Accept the defaults of 0 for Punjab Technical University 93

94 CAD the start angle and 360 for the included angle. This will rotate your line a full 360 degrees. Command: REVSURF Current wire frame density: SURFTAB1=24 SURFTAB2=2 Select object to revolve: <pick the lampshade line> Select object that defines the axis of revolution: <pick the vertical line> Specify start angle <0>: <ENTER> Specify included angle (+=ccw, -=cw) <360>: <ENTER> We will see that the lampshade appears like a lampshade now. After that you will create the base. Start the REVOLVE command. You'll be asked to choose objects. Pick the region for the lamp base. After that you're asked to select the axis of rotation. With your endpoint Osnap on, select the top and bottom of the vertical line. Accept the default of <full circle> for the angle of revolution. This will rotate the profile around the vertical line 360 degrees and produce a solid object. Command: REV REVOLVE Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4 Select objects: <SELECT THE REGION> 1 found Select objects: <ENTER> Specify start point for axis of revolution or define axis by [Object/X (axis)/y (axis)] <OBJECT>: <ENTER> Select an object: <SELECT THE VERTICAL LINE ABOVE THE BASE> Specify angle of revolution <360>: <ENTER> Viewing your Lamp Look for the icon in the bottom right of the AutoCAD screen. 94 Self-Instructional Material

95 Use the HIDE (HI) command to observe that you actually have 3D objects and that the shade blocks the top part of the base. If you switch to your SW Isometric view, we will see that the lamp is Âon its side'. To organize it to be sitting on its base, you will have to use the ROTATE3D command. Start the command by typing ROTATE3D and choose the objects that you want to modify and press enter. By accepting to default of 2points, we are going to tell AutoCAD what axis you want the lamp rotated about. Choose the points as shown in the example below. Make sure you have your Osnaps (Quadrant) on. Command: ROTATE3D Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0 Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 2 found Select objects: <ENTER> Specify first point on axis or define axis by [Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/ 2points]: <PICK POINT 1> Specify second point on axis: <PICK POINT 2> Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 90 <ENTER> Plan and 3D View Drawing Source: Save your drawing as cool_3d_lamp.dwg as we will need it later. We will add materials to it and depicting a visualization of it soon. AutoCAD 3D Modeling: 3D Views This segment is a rapid review of different methods for viewing 3D models. 1. Download r16_3d_bed.dwg. 2. Open the file in AutoCAD. The top view of a 3D bed appears [Figure 6.2]. Source: Figure 6.2 Punjab Technical University 95

96 CAD 3. In command line type VPOINT and then press Enter. Type -1,-1,1 as the coordinates of the new view point and then press Enter [Figure 6.3]. Figure In command line type VP and then press Enter. The Viewpoint Presets dialog box appears [Figure 6.4]. Figure Click Set to Plan View. 6. Click OK. The top view of the bed is shown [Figure 6.2]. 7. From View menu select Toolbars. 8. In Toolbars tab select View [Figure 6.5]. 96 Self-Instructional Material

97 Plan and 3D View Drawing Figure Close the dialog box. The View toolbar is now visible [Figure 6.6]. Figure Click the 3rd button to the left. The bottom view of the model is shown. 11. Click Isometric buttons (2nd to 5th buttons to the right) and view the model from different Isometric views. Figure 6.7 shows the North East Isometric view [Figure 6.7]. Figure 6.7 Punjab Technical University 97

98 CAD 12. On View menu click 3D Orbit. The 3D Orbit green arc ball occurs on screen [Figure 6.8]. Figure Drag the mouse within the arcball to rotate the model in 3D space. If you drag the mouse outside the arcball the model will revolve about an axis that is vertical to the monitor. Initiating the dragging from lower and/or upper small circles will rotate the model about the horizontal axis. Lastly if you begin dragging from circles to the sides of the arcball the model will revolve about vertical axis. 14. Create a view similar to Figure 6.9. Figure Self-Instructional Material

99 15. Press Esc to exit the command. 16. Click the first button to the left of the View toolbar. The View dialog box appears [Figure 6.10]. Plan and 3D View Drawing Figure Click New. The New View dialog box appears [Figure 6.11]. Figure In View Name box type, Sample View. 19. On both dialog boxes click OK. 20. In command line type, PLAN. 21. Press Enter twice. The plan view of the model is shown. 22. Click the first button to the left of the View toolbar. 23. On the list of Named Views select, Sample View [Figure 6.12]. Punjab Technical University 99

100 CAD Figure Click Set Current. 25. Close the dialog box. The view of figure 8 is shown. 26. Type PLAN and then press Enter twice. 27. In command line type DV and then press Enter. 28. Select all objects and then press Enter. 29. Type TW and press Enter to select the Twist option. 30. Enter 45 as the twist angle. 31. Press Enter to end the command. The view is set as shown in Figure Figure 6.13 Student Activity 1. Define the following commands: (i) Region (ii) EXT 2. Define top view and front view. 100 Self-Instructional Material

101 Summary 3D is a way of displaying real-world object in a more natural way by adding depth to the height and width. This system uses the X Y and Z axes. Using Isometric commands is one of the easiest ways to provide a 3-D representation while using only 2-D commands. This has been the common way of performing things before CAD permitted true 3-D work to be done. Plan view is also known as the top view, a plan view looks directly down the WCS Z-axis to the X-Y axis.. There is a somewhat an uncomplicated rule for measuring angle of rotation called "The Right Hand Rule. The direction that your fingers are wrapped is the positive direction. This relates to all three axes. Viewport is a window into your drawing showing a particular view. You can have several viewports on your screen. Different from the viewports used in plotting. There is one command called DVIEW (Dynamic View) that provides you more control over the sight of your object. It will also permit you to view a perspective view of your model. Wireframe models are the easiest form of true 3D drawings. They can be used for switch to other programs or other simple uses. In line thickness drawing technique, you'll produce the same chair by drawing lines and then providing them thickness. EXTRUDE command can be used to generate a 3D solid from a closed 2D shape. The loft command is alike to the extrude command, but much more flexible. Instead of extruding a single shape, the loft command permits you to extrude numerous shapes and make one nonstop object. Plan and 3D View Drawing Keywords ISOPLANE: AutoCAD has a command called ISOPLANE which allows you to easily draw at a 30 degree angle as needed for an isometric drawing. Top View: It is the usual view you have seen when using AutoCAD in 2D. Front View: If you were to look at the line from the front, instead of the top, you would be able to notice the elevation of 2 units in the Z axis. Left View: It is viewed from the left. This would be looking down the -X axis. Dview: There is another command called DVIEW (Dynamic View) that gives you more control over the view of your object. EXTRUDE: It can be used to create a 3D solid from a closed 2D shape. LOFT: The loft command allows you to extrude several shapes and make one continuous object. Review Questions 1. What is isometric drawing? How it is used to provide 3D view? Show an example. 2. What is 3D coordinate system? Discuss. 3. What is 3D rotation? Discuss how AutoCAD measures angles of rotation in 3-D. 4. What are viewports? How are they used for viewing in 3D objects? Discuss. 5. What are perspective views? How are they used to see a perspective view of your model? 6. What are various drawing techniques used in 3D drawing? Discuss. 7. What is extruding? How it is used to create a 3D solid from a closed 2D shape? 8. Differentiate between extruding and lofting. Punjab Technical University 101

102 CAD 9. What are revolved objects? Discuss the commands used in it. 10. Discuss AutoCAD 3D modeling with example. Further Readings Dinesh Maidasani, Straight To The Point - AutoCAD 2008, Laxmi Publications, Ltd. Timothy J. Barnes, Electronic CAD frameworks, Springer Groover, CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Pearson Education India SCHOONMAKER, Ebooks Corporation, Marcel Dekker (Firma comercial), The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-aided Design, CRC Press John K. Krouse, What every engineer should know about computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing: the CAD/CAM revolution, M. Dekker Joseph A. Fiorello, CAD for Interiors: Beyond the Basics, John Wiley and Sons 102 Self-Instructional Material

103 Unit 7 Editing and Drawing Editing and Drawing Unit Structure Introduction Editing Drawing Summary Keywords Review Questions Further Readings Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the editing commands such as erase, fillet, move and copy, etc. Understand the AutoCAD drawing such as drawing at an angle, boundary command, etc. Introduction In this unit we will look at more prominent editing and drawing commands. Editing comprise erase, fillet, move and copy. The first of these appears like a trouble-free enough idea. If you draw it, you might wish to erase it. To erase an object, type in the command E and press return. It will now ask you to choose an object to erase. In approximately all editing commands, after you type in the command ACAD will inquire for the objects to be customized. To choose them, just click on the objects needing alteration with the mouse and when you are done picking them press return. In the case of erase, it will straight away erase the objects chosen. In older editions of ACAD if you use the pull down menus you will really be using a slightly customized edition of erase that doesn't provide you the aptitude to pick multiple objects. It simply erases them after every pick. This can add to a great extent to the amount of time spent erasing, plus if you desire to undo your command, you have to undo 20 erase commands rather than 1. Fillet is one of the few editing commands, that donêt allow you choose multiple objects. It will only allow you pick 2 objects that it will either trim or expand until they assemble at a common point. To use this command, just pick any two of the following: Line, Arc, Circle, Pline, Solids' surface edge, or Xlines. You cannot fillet Splines, Meshes, Polygons, etc. You also cannot fillet 2 Plines or 2 circles, but you can fillet a Pline to a line or arc. If you desire to take the fillet command a step ahead you can rather than simply joining them. To do this, after you type in the command and before you pick the objects use the subcommand R for radius then simply type in your radius amount and press return. After pressing, you return, it will kick you back out to the command prompt. Press return again and it will take you back into the fillet command and you will observe if you read the command line area that it now is telling you the existing radius amount for the fillet. Just pick the two objects and ACAD will draw the arc for you. A few things to observe about the Fillet command. In previous editions of ACAD there was a bug if you try to fillet with a radius outside of the limits of the drawing it would sometimes not allow you. Next, if you decide you wish to stop filleting with an arc, redo the process above and for a radius value Punjab Technical University 103

104 CAD type 0 and press return. Some more commands have been discussed in this unit in detail. All AutoCAD drawings are associated to related files. At the very least, all drawings require access to a Customization User Interface (CUI) file. Some drawings also want to access fonts, plug-ins (like Auto LISP and VBA files), Linetypes, and hatch patterns. Drawings may have outwardly referenced drawings (xrefs). Editing Drag and Drop Moving and Copying In AutoCAD 2000, objects can be dragged and dropped, either to move them or copy them. This is the simplest method when you don't require accurate precision about where your objects end up. There are two ways: Choose an object or numerous objects if you desire. With your left mouse button, click and suppress the mouse button anywhere on the object (or any one of the objects). You'll see an arrow cursor. Drag (with the mouse button still pressed down) the object(s) anywhere you want. Liberate the mouse button. To copy objects, press down the Ctrl key as you drag. (You'll notice a little plus sign next to the cursor.) Pick an object or objects. Then, rather than using the left mouse button, right-click the object and drag. When you liberate the mouse button, a shortcut menu emerges and you can select Move Here, Copy Here, and Paste as Block or Cancel. Joining Two Lines into One You can join two lines into one, using the start point of the first line chosen and the end point of the second line chosen to produce the new line. It only creates the new line if the two chosen lines are collinear, that is, at the similar angle. Breaking a Line into Two You can break a line or other object into two objects with no space among them using the BREAK command. Begin the BREAK command, choose the object, use the First point option and select the point where you wish to break the object. At the Specify second break point: prompt and press Enter. You perhaps know means last point picked, so AutoCAD breaks the object at the first point you selected and it becomes two objects. You can't see the different until you attempt to choose one of them. Redefining a Block without Losing your Insertion Point Have you ever had the practice of redefining a block and discovering that the inclusion point is way off? Or possibly the block just appeared to vanish and you couldn't understand where it went! It shows that how you redefine the block makes a difference. After you have bursted and tainted the objects, select Make Block. Rather than selecting the block name from the drop-down list, type it. You will never have the dilemma of the wayward insertion point another time! Note: Other possible explanations for this fact are involuntarily snapping to the wrong object snap when you identify your insertion point and varying units. Setting a System Variable on the Tool Palette You can alter the dimension (the DIMSCALE system variable) or plot scale of a tool that you produced by dragging a block, hatch, or xrefs from a drawing. Thus, right- 104 Self-Instructional Material

105 click on the tool and then select Properties. Click the Auxiliary Scale item. Then click the down arrow that emerges at the right and select either Dim scale or Plot Scale. Click OK. From now on, the item comes into your drawing at the scale youêve set in your drawing. But what if you'd like to alter a different system variable, like LTSCALE? This is done as below: 1. In AutoCAD, right click the tool and select Properties. Select DIMSCALE from the Auxiliary Scale drop-down list. 2. Select Tools>Options and click the Files tab. Go to Tool Palettes File Locations to discover the location of the Tool Palette ATC files. 3. Close AutoCAD and use Windows Explorer to locate the way to the Tool Palette ATC files. 4. Use Notepad to open the ATC file named after your tool palette. 5. Find DIMSCALE allocated to your block and changes it with the system variable that you want to assign, such as LTSCALE. Save the file. 6. Open AutoCAD and confirm your Auxiliary scale value. It should now read the name of the system variable you chose, like LTSCALE. Copy as you Stretch, Move, Rotate, or Scale & Create Multiple Leader Arrows When you edit with grips, you can use the Copy alternative to copy as you edit. For instance, if you are scaling a circle, use the Copy alternative to build concentric circles. If you wish to create a leader that points to more than one object, first build the leader pointing to one object. Then choose the leader arrow. Click the grip at the arrow end to make it "hot." Select the Copy alternative at the Specify stretch point or [Base point/copy/undo/exit]: prompt. State as many new end points as you desire. Each new leader will be attached to the original Mtext at the end of the first leader. Use the exit option to finish the command. Rotate One Object to Match Another Sometimes you are required to rotate an object to match the angle of an available object. Here's one way to achieve that, using the Reference choice of the ROTATE command. In this example, you want to revolve the desk to match the rotation of the end wall. Follow these steps: Editing and Drawing Source: Punjab Technical University 105

106 CAD 1. Begin the ROTATE command and choose the objects that you want to rotate. 2. At the Specify base point: prompt, specify the base point of the object you want to reference to, not the base point of the object you want to revolve. This is point 1 in the above figure. 3. At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, choose the Reference option. 4. At the Specify the reference angle <0>: prompt, pick the point on the object that you want to revolve that communicates to the base point you just stated. This is point 2 in the figure. 5. At the Specify second point: prompt, pick the second point that, mutually with the preceding point, states the angle of the object that you want to revolve. This is point 3 in the figure. Notice the rubber band line from your base point (point 1) linking to your object as you move the cursor, as shown below. 6. At the Specify the new angle: prompt, choose the point on the reference object that, together with its base point, specifies the angle of the reference object. This is point 4 in the first figure. The chosen object rotates to match the angle of your reference object, as you see here. Then move the object to its proper position. There is another way to use the Reference alternative of the ROTATE command and end up with the similar result. Follow these steps: 1. Start the ROTATE command and choose the objects that you want to rotate. 106 Self-Instructional Material

107 2. At the Specify base point: prompt, specify the base point of the object that you want to revolve. In the top image, that would be point At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, select the Reference option. 4. At the Specify the reference angle <0>: prompt, choose the point on the object that you want to rotate that corresponds to the base point you just specified. This is point 2 in the figure. So you're picking point 2 again. 5. At the Specify second point: prompt, select the second point that, together with the earlier point, states the angle of the object that you wish to rotate. This is point 3 in the figure. 6. At the Specify the new angle: prompt, choose the Parallel object snap. (Shift + right-click and choose Parallel) This OSNAP works in an interesting way, something like acquiring a tracking point. Move the cursor over the line you want to align to, in this case the line from points 1 to 4. Then move the cursor around to rotate the desk until you see a dotted extension line. You'll feel the desk "snap" along that line. Then click to complete the ROTATE command. Change Linetype Spacing in Three Ways A non-continuous linetype consists of dots, dashes, and spaces. Sometimes, when you draw a line with such a linetype, the spacing isn't what you want. Either the dots or dashes are too far apart, or they are so close together that the line appears continuous. There are three ways to address this problem: 1. Change the Linetype: Numerous Linetypes come in deviations of short, medium, and long. An example is Dashed, Dashed2, and Dashedx2. Sometimes, all you require to do is change the linetype. 2. Change the Global Linetype Scale: Sometimes the overall scale for Linetypes is wrong. This is very frequent in architectural drawings, which deal with large objects such as houses. To alter the linetype scale, select Format > Linetype in the Linetype Manager, click Show Details if the bottom of the dialog box isn't displayed. You should see a Details section with a Global Scale Factor text box. Altering this value (the LTSCALE system variable) changes every non-continuous linetype in the drawing. The default value is 1.0. Remember: Make the scale larger to get bigger spacing (fewer repetitions of the pattern) Make the scale minor to get shorter spacing Usually, you want to use the same value that you use for other scaled objects. For instance, a typical linetype scale for a house might be 24 or Change the Object Linetype Scale: You can alter the linetype scale for a human being object. Open the Linetype Manager again and alter the value for the Current Object Scale text box (the CELTSCALE system variable). Then sketch the line. Be sure to alter this value back to the default 1 if you don't want the value you just entered to relate to other new objects. To alter the linetype scale for an existing object, choose it and open the Properties palette. Alter the value in the Linetype Scale item. Close an Arc to make a Circle or Ellipse; Connect Splines Beginning with AutoCAD 2006, you can use the JOIN command to unite objects that are collinear, meaning that they're next to the same line. Generally, you use JOIN to join lines or polylines. For instance, you may have broken a line and now you require it whole again. The command fills in gaps, if essential. Editing and Drawing Punjab Technical University 107

108 CAD You can also use the JOIN command to unite arcs that are along the same perimeter or elliptical arcs that are along the same elliptical perimeter. Just choose an arc or elliptical arc and use the close alternative. You can yet join splines, as long as they don't have any gaps. Help says that you can join helixes. Here is the result in a Top view. Even cooler, here it is in Southeast Isometric view. Trim Objects Quickly When you trim objects, the first prompt asks you for a cutting edge. You can press Enter (or right-click, depending on your right-click settings) to state all objects as potential wounding edges. Then you simply choose the division of the object that you wish to trim and AutoCAD automatically trims it at the closest probable cutting edge. So keep in mind: Start the TRIM command Press Enter or right-click any empty area Select the object(s) to trim. Zoom to Objects Frequently, you want to zoom in to observe a specific object. Because AutoCAD 2005, the ZOOM command has had an Object choice that makes this simple, but many people still are not familiar with it. Simply choose the object and select Zoom Object from the Zoom fly out. The view zooms in to exhibit that object as if you'd located a window completely around it. However, this technique is frequently easier than specifying a window, if you're involved in one object. 108 Self-Instructional Material

109 Substitute One Block for Another One of the benefits of blocks is that you can replace one for another. Why would you do that? 1. Your organization switches to a different part 2. You need to create more than one version of a drawing, each with a different part. If you use blocks for this reason, think how much quicker it would be to replace the block instead of removing the existing blocks and reinserting new ones for each case! In order for this to function, you are required a file that includes only the new block that you want to use. If the block's base point isn't at 0, 0 use the BASE command in that sketching and set the base point to the base point you desire to use for the block, perhaps somewhere on the block. Follow these steps: 1. Type -insert on the command line. 2. Type block name=filename, where block name is the name of the current block in your drawing and filename is the name of the file containing the new block you want to use. (If the file isn't in the support file search path, type its path.) Press Enter. 3. At the prompt asking if you want to redefine the block (the current one in the drawing), type y and press Enter. 4. Press Esc to avoid inserting a new copy of the file. The file that you specified replaces all instances of the current block. If you believe that you might need to substitute certain components in your drawing, make blocks out of them so that you can use this method. Keep in mind, however, that you now have a block in your drawing that has the same name as before but is really defined as something dissimilar, based on the file you specified. For instance, you could have a block, circle, that is defined as square. Express Tools has a command, BLOCKREPLACE that you can also use to substitute blocks. Temporarily Override OSNAP, ORTHO, and Other Drafting Settings You're drawing happily along and you desire to draw a line to a point, but you have OSNAP on, so the line keeps on snapping to the nearby endpoint. That's not what you want! So you turn off OSNAP, but for the subsequent line segment, you want it on again. So you turn it on. There's a simpler way; you can use a momentary override. Temporary overrides are keyboard shortcuts that you force down and hold to override a setting like OSNAP, ORTHO, and more. Sometimes they're a little uncomfortable to use (you may feel as if you need an extra finger or two), but they're so functional, you won't mind. Note that the overrides all use Shift and most have two, one for the left Shift key and one for the right key. Most people, having the mouse in their right hand, will use the first set with the left Shift key. But those of you who put your mouse in your left hand need not feel gone out! Here they are. OSNAP on/off: Shift+A; Shift + ' ORTHO on/off: Shift Object snap tracking on/off: Shift+Q; Shift+] Editing and Drawing Punjab Technical University 109

110 CAD OSNAP and object snap tracking on/off: Shift+D; Shift+L (turns them both on or off) Endpoint OSNAP: Shift+E; Shift+P Midpoint OSNAP: Shift+V; Shift+M Center OSNAP: Shift+C; Shift+. There's one more. Rather than working with OSNAP on and snapping it off temporarily, you could work with it off and snap it on. The override above doesn't do that. As an alternative, use Shift+S; Shift+; Quickly Select Objects with Quick Select If selecting objects and using window selections doesn't always work for you, you may require a more complicated option. Quick pick is the next step up. It allows you quickly set up criteria for choosing objects, like the type of object or object properties. You can get to Quick Select in 4 ways: Choose Tools> Quick Select. With no command active, right-click in the drawing area and choose Quick Select from the shortcut menu. Click the Quick Select button in the Properties palette. Enter qselect on the command line. The Quick Select dialog box appears. Here's how you use this dialog box: In the Apply To drop-down list, you can apply the choice to the entire drawing (the default) or to a set of chosen objects. If you use chosen objects, the filter will 110 Self-Instructional Material

111 affect only to those objects. For instance, you could use a window to choose the upper-left corner of a drawing and then apply a filter to that region. To choose objects, click the Select Objects button to the right. In the Object Type drop-down list, select the type of object that you desire to select. You can select only one type of object. This list includes only objects that exist in the drawing. In the Properties box, wish the properties that you would like to find. Again, you can select only one property. In the Operator box, select an operator, like equals, not equals, greater than, etc. The options obtainable depend on the property you chose. For instance, if you select Layer, you don't see the greater than choice. But if you select a circle for the object, and radius for the property, you'll see larger than and less than options. In the Value box, you select the property's value. For instance, if your property is layer, you can select the layer from the list of layers that survive in your drawing. If your property is radius, for instance, you can type a value. In the How to Apply section, you select to comprise the filter in the new selection set (the default, and most common choice), or to exclude the filter, which selects everything apart from objects that fit the filter. At the bottom, you can also verify the Append to Current Selection Set check box. If you already have chosen objects and want to add the objects that fit the filter to that selection, test the check box. When you're completed, click OK and your objects are chosen. If you realize that you need to begin a command first (some commands require that you do this), start the command and use the Previous selection alternative to re-select the objects. Don't forget two Express Tools commands: FASTSELECT creates a selection set of objects that touch an object that you specify. GETSEL creates a selection of objects from object type and layer properties. Lastly, if you need more power, use the FILTER command. It allows you select more than one object and property type, unite multiple filters, and save filters. Copy Objects between Drawings Copying objects from one drawing to another is a regular task. You can use the Windows Clipboard and the drag-and-drop techniques. When working with 2 drawings open, choose Window> Tile vertically (or horizontally) to view both drawings at the same time. Use the Windows Clipboard to Copy Objects between Drawings Most people recognize that they can copy objects in a drawing to the Windows Clipboard and then paste those objects in a new drawing. But there are a couple of tricks to this procedure that can create your work go more rapidly and provide more accurate results. Of course, you can use the common Windows keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+C to copy Ctrl+V to paste. Editing and Drawing Punjab Technical University 111

112 CAD When you use the straightforward copy-and-paste procedure, you don't have much control over the assignment of your object in the second drawing. That's because this process uses the lower-left corner of the extents of the object as the base point, which may not be useful. For instance, here you see this procedure with a circle. As you can see, the base point isn't on the circle, making it tricky to place the circle precisely. So, AutoCAD provides you with 2 special tools for copying and pasting. The first is Copy with Basepoint. Follow these steps: 1. However the cursor over the object and right-click to exhibit the shortcut menu. For multiple objects, select them first, and then right-click. 2. Select Copy with Base Point. This is the COPYBASE command. As you can see in the figure, you can also press Ctrl+Shift+C. 3. At the Specify base point: prompt, use an object snap to specify the base point. 4. Click in the other drawing. 5. Paste, using Ctrl+V, or by clicking Paste on the Standard toolbar. You can also right-click and choose Paste from the shortcut menu. 6. Your cursor is now at the base point you mentioned, so you can precisely place the object. Specify the insertion point you want. Here, the base point was set to the center of the circle. 112 Self-Instructional Material

113 Editing and Drawing The 2nd tool is Paste to Original Coordinates. If you have two drawings that are very comparable, you can use this feature to place the object at the same coordinates as in the original drawing. Just copy the object(s) to the Clipboard, and activate the 2nd drawing. Then, rightclick and select Paste to Original Coordinates. If those coordinates are not in the current display, do a Zoom Extents to observe the pasted object. Use drag-and-drop to copy Objects between Drawings Drag-and-drop doesn't provide you the same control over placement, but it's a rapid way to copy objects. Note that AutoCAD automatically copies objects from drawing to drawing, so that you don't require pressing Ctrl as you drag. To copy, choose the object or objects. Then click the object and hold down the mouse button until you see the drag-and-drop cursor. The only gotcha is that you need to ensure that you don't click on a grip, since that will just make the grip hot. Then drag the cursor to the other drawing and discharge the mouse button to place the object. You'll perhaps need to adjust the placement, using the MOVE command, or by using grip-editing. Write Blocks to save them as Separate Files When you generate a block in a drawing, you should think if it will be useful in other drawings. You can access that block from other drawings using the DesignCenter, but you'll perhaps need to remember where the block was, in order to locate it. As an alternative, many people generate block libraries, putting numerous blocks in a special block library drawing, or putting each block in a detached drawing. As you Punjab Technical University 113

114 CAD name and store these drawings particularly to make them trouble-free to find and identify, the blocks they enclose are easier to find. For instance, you may have a folder named Blocks. And you could name a drawing with a double-hung window block in it Double-Hung Window. That surely helps you to locate it. To save a block in your drawing as a separate file, you use the WBLOCK command. This is called writing (saving) the block. Follow these steps: 1. Choose the block that you want to write. (This saves you from having to find it in the drop-down list of all the blocks in your drawing when you open the Write Block dialog box.) 2. Type wblock on the command line. The Write Block dialog box opens. 3. In the Source section, choose Block. Your selected block appears in the drop-down list. 4. Click the Ellipsis button to navigate to the desired location and enter the desired drawing name in the File Name text box. Click Save. 5. In the Insert Units drop-down list, choose a unit type, if desired. 6. Click OK. Drawing Access Related Files with the Support File Search Path 114 Self-Instructional Material

115 All AutoCAD drawings are associated to linked files. At the very least, all drawings call for access to a customization user interface (CUI) file. Some drawings also want to access fonts, plug-ins (such as Auto LISP and VBA files), Linetypes, and hatch patterns. Drawings may have externally referenced drawings (xrefs). You can make your AutoCAD life simpler by understanding the support file search path and the project files hunt path. If you sometimes get a message that AutoCAD canêt locate a necessary file, you may be able to resolve this problem by functioning with the support file search path. AutoCAD looks for outside files first in the same folder as the current drawing, then in the support file hunt path. If the file is not in either position, youêll get a message that AutoCAD canêt locate the file. Work with the Support File Search Path The support file hunt path is one or more locations where AutoCAD looks for menus, fonts, Linetypes, and hatch patterns. It also looks there for drawings to add (using the INSERT command) and plug-ins. AutoCAD comes with a default support file search path, which varies based on your edition of Windows. To discover it, select Tools> Options this opens the Options dialog box. A shortcut to open the Options dialog box is to right-click in the drawing or command-line area with no objects chosen and select Options. Click the Files tab. Then tick the plus sign along the first item, Support File Search Path, to expand the list. Editing and Drawing The top item is your default position. Your menu, font, linetype, and hatch pattern files are there by default. If you want to create your own menu, font, linetype, and hatch pattern files, creating a folder for them and adding that folder to the support file search path. In this way, you donêt interfere with the default installation of AutoCAD. Also, if you want to uninstall Punjab Technical University 115

116 CAD and reinstall or upgrade AutoCAD, your files are safer (although AutoCAD generally saves these files during an upgrade). To add your own folder, choose the Support File Search Path item, and click the Add button. A new text box opens at the end of the list where you can type in the path, but itês generally easier to click Browse. Then navigate to the folder in the Browse for Folder dialog box, choose it, and click OK. The new path occurs in your list. You can generate several folders for files and insert them to your support file search path. For instance, many people put their Auto LISP and VBA files in a separate folder and include it to the support file search path. Specify the Search Path for xrefs Xrefs is the most functional command from AutoCAD. If you want use the software for work or you want to advance further, you will require knowing how to use the xrefs command. Xrefs command is used to cross reference plans and objects as you would like to minimize repetitions, maximize consistency, save time and increase productivity. Now, let us become more practical here. Let us suppose you have three drawings. We will call them sheet 1, sheet 2 and sheet 3 as shown below. Sheet 1 displays a rectangle. But it could be anything else. The two other sheets have circles, etc., but they both have one thing in general: a rectangle. So rather than drawing that rectangle twice, it would be sensible to draw it once and xrefs it to both drawings. If you copy the drawing you will have to copy it again if you want to make modifications to that rectangle. Let us assume you want to make it larger or want to chamfer the edges. The idea here is to decrease steps and time by sketching anything in general once. And that is when the xrefs comes in handy. The Project Files Search Path item is for xrefs. You can identify a project name for a drawing, using the PROJECTNAME system variable. Then, that drawing will gaze for xrefs in the project files search path connected to that project name. You use this to make sure that the drawing can find the xrefs even if itês moved and therefore isnêt in its original location. Project names are also used for images and DWF underlay. 116 Self-Instructional Material

117 Editing and Drawing To insert a project name in the Options dialog box, click the Project Files Search Path item to enlarge it. If you havenêt used this item before, a new line occurs, called Empty. Click Add. Then a new project appears, called Project1. ItÊs highlighted, so you can rename it. Choose a name thatês easy to type, as youêll have to type it on the command line. To add a location, follow these steps: 1. Click Add. 2. Either type in a path, or click Browse to navigate to it, as previously described. 3. Click OK, and your new path appears in the listing. 4. When youêre done, click OK to close the Options dialog box. The project name you specified is now stored in the Windows Registry. To use a project files search path, enter project name on the command line. At the Enter new value for PROJECTNAME, or, for none < ">: prompt, enter the project name that you specified in the Options dialog box. If you enter a name that you havenêt planned in the Options dialog box, you get the subsequent message: hello not found in the registry. Use the Options dialog Files tab to create the project name and set the project search paths. The next time you open the drawing, AutoCAD will know where to look for the xrefs for that drawing, even if theyêve been moved. Ending the LINE Command Prior to AutoCAD 2000 you could finish the LINE command by right-clicking with your mouse. That was because the right mouse button was programmed to be equal to pressing Enter. Though, in AutoCAD 2000, right-clicking opens up a shortcut menu. One of the options on that menu is Enter which you can tick to end the LINE command, but who wants to take that extra step? You use the LINE command so frequently; at least it should be easy. Here are three very dissimilar approaches to resolving this annoyance: 1. De-activate the shortcut menus. Select Tools>Options and select the User Preferences tab. Then click Right-click Customization. You can then make numerous choices from the dialog box. See the following settings: Default Mode- Repeat Last Command. Edit Mode-Shortcut Menu. Command Mode-Enter. However, this approach gets rid of all your shortcut menus except when you are editing a selected object. Use the shortcut menus for choosing command options. So you may want to try one of the other approaches. Glen Beech suggests checking the Turn on Time-Sensitive Right-Click check box. This makes a quick right-click equivalent to pressing Enter, and a longer right-click displays the shortcut menu. Then keep the other defaults. 2. Produce one line toolbar button. Many of the lines you portray are drawn one line at a time. You can create a toolbar button that automatically ends the LINE command after you draw one line. The menu item will read: ^C^C_line; \\; for more information on tailoring a toolbar. 3. Is your mouse some inches away from your keyboard? Or even at an unusual height? If you can situate it next to the keyboard, you can simply reach over with your thumb and press Enter on the numeric pad to end the LINE command. Use Punjab Technical University 117

118 CAD your left hand to hit the spacebar. Your left hand is liberated and the spacebar is big. If you have a three-button mouse, you can modify its buttons. Then you can use the third button as an Enter button. Easy Hatching As you position your hatch, you can simply switch from selecting points to selecting objects. First identify the hatch in the Hatch and Gradient dialog box (the BHATCH command). Then select either Pick Points or Select Objects to revisit to your drawing. Start placing the hatch. Then to switch methods, right-click to open the shortcut menu Select the option you want. You can also unbutton your last select/pick, change island detection mode, and preview the hatch. Rotating the Crosshairs/Drawing at an Angle If there is a need to build a drawing at an angle, AutoCAD offers numerous options: Use Polar Tracking to Guide you: Right click the POLAR button on the Status bar and select Settings. Set the angles you would like and click OK. For instance, a 45 angle will display tracking guides every 45. Click OK. Now you can use polar tracking and direct distance entry (just type in the distance of a line) to draw. Rotate the crosshairs: To rotate the crosshairs, right-click the SNAP button on the Status bars and selects Settings. Type a value, like 45 for the Angle and click OK. Now your crosshairs are at that angle. Though, you want to use ORTHO to use direct distance entry using this method. More on rotating the crosshairs: Jon Jonas favors using the command prompt, so he defines two commands using Auto LISP: (DEFUN C: SNR () (SETQ PT1 (GETPOINT "\nselect ORIGIN POINT: ")) (SETQ PT2 (GETPOINT "\nselect POINT ALONG ROTATION: ")) (COMMAND "SNAP" "RO" PT1 PT2) 118 Self-Instructional Material

119 (COMMAND "SNAP" "OFF") ) (DEFUN C: SN0 () (COMMAND "SNAP" "RO" "0, 0" "1, 0") (COMMAND "SNAP" "OFF") ) He explains, "SNR sets the snap angle up using 2 points while SN0 (S-N-Zero) resets it back to zero... Simply place it in the acad.lsp file and you are good to go." Nick Louis says to alter your crosshair angle, just type in snapang at the command prompt, and then hit Enter. Now just type the angle you want. Or, type the code below in your acad.lsp file and restock the acad.lsp file. Then just type SA for Snap Angle. (DEFUN C: SA ( ) (COMMAND "snapang")) Create a User Coordinate System (UCS): To revolve the axes by 45, choose Tools>New UCS>Z and type 45. Press Enter. You can use Polar Tracking with this UCS if you aspiration. Typing relative coordinates will be simplified (for 0 instead Jimmy further suggests a quick method to go back to the default axes: type UCS and press enter twice. Andrew Hudson suggests creating your UCS this way. Draw a line at the angle you need, such as 7.6 degrees. Opt Tools > New UCS > Object. At the prompt, pick the line nearest the end that you want to be your new 0, 0 point. Alan Praysman has a custom toolbar button that works as a toggle to rotate the UCS and then restore the WCS. To rotate the UCS, click the button and pick the endpoints of a line to identify the angle. Here's the code: (if (equal (getvar "ucsxdir") (list ))(command "ucs" "new" "z")(command "UCS" "world")); More on creating a UCS: Alan Ball from Auckland, New Zealand submitted: "I find the easiest method is to use the UCS command and type in 3. The command then asks for the 0, 0, 0 point and the X and Y axes. The 3 alternative vanished from the options shown as available with the UCS command a few years back, but is still available to use and is very handy if you don't know the angle...you are working with. Creating Components using Stacked Text Bruce Hodder sent in this tip: "New for AutoCAD 2000i is the capability to create exponential text values with Mtext using the carat (^) character. First, build a text object using the MTEXT command. Type the exponent value and then the carat character (e.g., 2^). With the Multiline Text Editor still open, choose the exponent value and the carat, then right-click. From the shortcut menu, choose Stack. To have additional control over the stacking features, simply select the now stacked text and right-click again. From the shortcut menu, choose Properties. For additional info and fractional stacking techniques, see AutoCAD Help, keyword "stack." (Hint: This stacking technique doesn't effort with text created by the commands TEXT, DTEXT or RTEXT, just MTEXT.) Great tip, Bruce! Toggling the Display of Grips within Blocks By default, when you choose a block, AutoCAD shows only one grip, at the block's base point. Though, what if you want to grip edit the block from some other point in the block. You can do so by representing the grips of all the objects in the block. Jack Foster sent in a great Auto LISP routine that effortlessly toggles among these modes. To use it, type the following at the end of your acad.lsp file (or create the file if it doesn't exist and put it in your AutoCAD's\Support folder). Editing and Drawing Punjab Technical University 119

120 CAD (defun c:gb() (Setvar "gripblock" (abs (1- (getvar "gripblock"))))) This will load automatically when you begin AutoCAD. Then merely type GB to run the routine. Each time you use GB, the routine toggles the GRIPBLOCK system variable setting. Here you see the results of both settings. Jack notes that you can use the same method to toggle other system variables that use 0 and 1 as their two values, such as tile mode. Customize Polar Tracking Angles Polar tracking is a huge way to shorten the creation of lines, since once you find the right angle; all you want to do is to enter the length. You should attempt to banish the entry of coordinates in the x, y format as much as possible, since it's so slow. You can modify the angles that polar tracking uses to suit any requirement. Rightclick the POLAR button on the status bars and selects Settings. On the Polar Tracking tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box, you can alter the increment angle, which is 90 degrees by default. The increment angle means that polar tracking will activate at that angle and every multiple of that angle. You'll also get a bonus of polar tracking at 0 degrees. For instance, you can set the augmentation angle to 15, which means you'll have polar tracking at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 210, 225, 240, 255, 270, 285, 300, 315, 330, and 345. Is that sufficient angles for you? To set the increment angle, choose one of the angles from the Increment Angle dropdown list or simply type in your own angle. If that's not as much as necessary for you, you can insert additional angles. For instance, if you like 15 degrees, but infrequently want to draw at a 10 degree angle, you could add 10 degrees. Check the Additional Angles check box, click the new button, and enter 10 degrees, or everything else that you desire. Then press Enter. Click OK to close the Drafting Settings dialog box. From now on, your lines will be easier to draw. Find the Midpoint between two Points, the Center of a Triangle and Other Unusual Points Use AutoCAD's calculator (initially the CAL command and then the QUICKCALC command) to locate calculated points, like the midpoint between two obtainable points or the center of a triangle. You generally use this command visibly, while drawing a line. Use the Object Snap There's a shortcut to begin a line (or specify any other point) midway among two points. At the prompt for the point, press and hold Shift and right-click. Then choose mid between 2 Points from the shortcut menu of object snaps. 120 Self-Instructional Material

121 Use QUICKCALC to draw a Line between Two Endpoints To initiate a line midway between two points with QUICKCALC, do the following: Turn off OSNAP, so you don't inadvertently snap to an object snap, especially if you're near other objects. Start the LINE command. At the Specify first point: prompt, type ÂQuickCalc (or just 'qc) and press Enter. In the expression box, type (end+end)/2 as you see here, and then press Enter. Editing and Drawing At the >> Select entity for END snap: prompt, use the pick box to pick a point. At the >> Select entity for END snap: prompt, pick a second point. Continue drawing the line. The line starts at the midpoint between the two points you specified. Draw a Line between Two Centres To use circle centres, type (cen+cen)/2 and follow the same procedure. Start a Line at the Center of a Triangle To start a line at the center of a triangle, you use a similar technique: Turn off OSNAP, so you don't inadvertently snap to an object snap, especially if you're near other objects. Start the LINE command. At the Specify first point: prompt, type Âqc and press Enter. Type (end+end+end)/3 in the QuickCalc expression box and press Enter. At the >> Select entity for END snap: prompt, use the pick box to pick a point. At the >> Select entity for END snap: prompt, pick a second point. At the >> Select entity for END snap: prompt, pick a third point. Continue drawing the line. Punjab Technical University 121

122 CAD The line starts at the center of the triangle, as you see here. Find the intersection of two lines based on their 4 endpoints. Let's say you want to start a line at the intersection of two lines, without drawing the two lines. Start the LINE command. At the prompt, type 'qc and press Enter. Type ill (end, end, end, end) in the QuickCalc expression box and press Enter. At the prompts, select the endpoint of the first imaginary line, then its other endpoint. Then select the endpoints of the second line. Continuing drawing the line. If you enlarge the Variables section of the QuickCalc dialog box, you can choose the ille variable to do the similar operation. Draw Minor and Clockwise Arcs When you sketch an arc, the conditions that you provide may define two, instead of one arc one minor (less than 180 degrees) and one major. The ARC command always draws the minor arc by default, in the counter clockwise direction. For instance, if you identify the Start, End, and Radius options, the center can be in two places, which can mean two probable arcs, one minor and one major, as you observe here. 122 Self-Instructional Material

123 To sketch the major arc, enter the radius as a negative number. Both arcs have a radius of 5, but the main arch was drawn by entering -5 as the radius. When you identify an arc using the Angle option, again there are two probable arcs, one drawn counter clockwise and one drawn clockwise. The counter clockwise arc is the default. To draw the arc clockwise, use a negative number for the angle. Here you see two arcs. The one drawn counter clockwise was mentioned with an angle of 160 degrees, but the one drawn clockwise was mentioned with an angle of -200 degrees. Editing and Drawing Dynamic Blocks: The White Papers There have been written three white papers for Autodesk on Dynamic Blocks. Jointly, these three white papers give a thorough overview of the dynamic block feature. Part 1: Dynamic Block Overview and Quick-Start: In this white paper we clarify the concepts behind dynamic blocks and suggest some scenarios for their use. I display some sample dynamic blocks and explicate the steps for creating one. We define the components of dynamic blocks, parameters and actions. Part 2: Inventory of Block Editor, Commands, Parameters, Actions, and Parameter Sets: In this white paper we document dynamic block properties and characteristics. We list dynamic block capabilities and offer a thorough review of the Block Editor, which is the crossing point for creating dynamic blocks. Then we list and explain all the parameters, which are the building blocks of dynamic blocks. We explain how to join actions to parameters. Actions are like editing commands, which manage how you can edit a vibrant block. Part 3: Advanced Features of Dynamic Blocks: In the final white paper, we clarify some of the sophisticated features, best practices, and competence of dynamic blocks. Here are the issues: Naming parameters and actions Selecting objects for actions Specifying stretch frames Cycling through insertions points Changing the direction of an action Keeping objects cantered Stretching a block equally in opposite directions Chaining parameters Using visibility states Using lookup parameters and tables. Punjab Technical University 123

124 CAD Open a Drawing to a Named View When you save and close a drawing, AutoCAD remembers the last exhibited view and opens it to that view. That's suitable for continuing where you left off. But what if other people are also functioning on the drawing and they alter the display? Or if you identify you want to go to another part of the drawing? You can open a drawing to any named view, scheming what you see when you open the drawing. First you save a named view. Here's how: 1. Display the view that you want to be able to display. 2. Choose View > Named Views (in AutoCAD Classic workspace) or View tab> Viewports panel> Named (in 2D Drafting & Annotation workspace in AutoCAD 2009). 3. Click New. 4. Name your view and click OK twice to return to your drawing. 5. Save and exit your drawing. When you are prepared to open the drawing next time, here's what you do to make sure that you see the view you want: 1. Click Open to display the Select File dialog box. 2. Check the Select Initial View check box, as you see here. 3. In the Select Initial View dialog box, select your view and click OK. All done! 124 Self-Instructional Material

125 Flip Objects with Dynamic Blocks You can make dynamic blocks that you can simply flip after you add them. This is enormous for doors which may open from the left or right, or open inward or outward. Dynamic blocks were initiated in AutoCAD Follow these steps to produce a door that flips both ways: Begin with a door block, like this one. You might desire to insert it into a new drawing. You don't want to burst it; when you open it in the Block Editor, you'll have access to all the individual components, as if you had blasted it. That's one of the great features of dynamic blocks; you can work with complex blocks that enclose many components and independently program each component. Editing and Drawing Select Block Editor from the Standard toolbar (the BEDIT command). Here's what you see. Observe that the Block Editor has its own toolbar. It also has its own UCS icon. This is very imperative, since 0, 0 in the Block Editor will be the inclusion point of the block. When you unlock the block in the Block Editor, its incorporation point will be at 0, 0 in the Block Editor, like this: Punjab Technical University 125

126 CAD The first flip action we'll generate will be like reflecting with a vertical mirror line; it will flip the door to the left or right. Unflipped, the door will be as you see it here, which means it, opens from the right to the left. Flipped, the door will open from the left to the right. Click the Parameters tab of the Block Authoring Palettes window and select Flip Parameter. At the Specify base point of reflection line or [Name/Label/Description/Palette]: prompt, select the Label option. This option allows you modify the label. It's imperative to change it, since we'll have two flip parameters when we're done. Enter Flip Left/Right. You can also modify the names for both states (which appear in the Properties palette). So the next thing you see is this prompt: Specify values for items in the flip property dropdown control: Enter flip property value for an Unflipped state <Not flipped>: Enter flip property value for a flipped state <Flipped>. You can leave the defaults (Not flipped and Flipped), but as an alternative, enter Opens at right for the Unflipped state and enter Opens at left for the flipped state. Later, when you choose the block, you can see which state you have in the Properties palette. You can alter these values at any time by choosing the parameter and using the Properties palette. Now the original prompt returns. Specify base point of reflection line or [Name/Label/Description/Palette]: Specify the midpoint of the bottom horizontal line of the door. Specify endpoint of reflection line: Specify any point 90 above the midpoint, to make a vertical flipping line. Specify label location: Place the label above the door. 126 Self-Instructional Material

127 Editing and Drawing Observe the exclamation point. That informs you that you haven't finished the process of flipping the door. That's since most parameters also need a corresponding action. Click the Actions tab of the Block Authoring Palettes window and pick Flip Action. A Flip action always goes with a Flip parameter. At the Select parameter: prompt, choose the parameter you just added. At the Select objects: prompt, select all the objects of the door. In this situation, you can include the parameter, too. At the Specify action location: prompt, position the action, generally near the parameter label. It doesn't demonstrate in your drawing, so it's just for your expediency when editing the block in the Block Editor. You can alter the action's name. Choose it and change the Action Name value in the Property palette to Flip left/right action. We find it helpful to differentiate the parameter label from the action name. Our door now appears like this in the Block Editor. Punjab Technical University 127

128 CAD Click Save Block Definition on the Editor's toolbar (the 2nd button from the left). To attempt it out, click Close Block Editor. If you by now have inserted an illustration of the block in the drawing, you obtain a message about it. Click Yes. To test the block, select Insert Block from the Draw toolbar and select the block. In the Insert dialog box, you should see that yellow lightning icon in the preview box, to show that it's a dynamic block. Ensure that only the Insertion Point Specify On-Screen check box is checked and click OK. Identify the insertion point in your drawing to add the block. To flip it, choose it and you'll see the turquoise flip grip on the block. Tick the grip to flip the door. Click it again to flip it back. When you're pleased, open the Block Editor again, decide the block and click OK. Now you want to add the flip for the other direction. Again, click the Parameters tab and opt Flip Parameter. At the Specify base point of reflection line or [Name/Label/Description/Palette]: prompt, pick the midpoint of the right side of the door the short side. You may have to zoom in to do this. At the Specify endpoint of reflection line: prompt, move the cursor to the left and pick any point 180 from the first point (creating a horizontal mirror line). At the Specify label location: prompt, choose a point to the right of the door, or possibly just beneath it. When you zoom in and out, sometimes the size of the labels gets out of synch. Click the Update Parameter and Action Text Size button on the Editor's toolbar. Choose the parameter. In the Properties palette, alter the label to flip in/out. Click the Actions tab and select Flip Action. At the prompt, choose the parameter you just created. At the prompt to choose objects, pick the door. Not only can you choose this action's parameter, but you can select everything else (which makes it easy). 128 Self-Instructional Material

129 If you want, change the name of the action in the Properties palette. We changed it to flip in/out action. Here's the final dynamic block in the Block Editor. Editing and Drawing Click Save Block Definition and click Close Block Editor. If you get the notice about an obtainable block reference obtainable in the drawing, click yes. Align a Block to Other Objects (2006 and Later) If you'd like to be able to rapidly snap a block associated or perpendicular to another object, a quick, helpful use for dynamic blocks is the Align parameter. The Alignment parameter is easy to create. Make the block and click the Block Editor Button on the Standard toolbar. In the Edit Block Definition dialog box, select the block and click OK. You're now in the Block Editor and the Block Authoring Palettes window appears. Click the Parameters tab and then select the Alignment Parameter tool. At the prompt, state the base point for the arrangement parameter, the point that you want to use to snap the block. When you use this factor, the block will rotate around this point to align with another object. Alignment parameters can be vertical or tangent. To set the alignment type, press Enter or use the Type option. Choose perpendicular if you want to align the block Punjab Technical University 129

130 CAD perpendicular to other objects. Choose tangent if you want to align the block tangent to other objects. Then indicate the direction of the alignment. You can do this by indicating a point. As you move the cursor, you see a rubber band line from the base point. Generally, you possibly want an orthogonal angle, but you can specify any angle that you desire. If you're not sure, try out different options to see their effect. Click the Save Block Definition button in the Block Editor and close the editor. Now insert the block. To align it, select the block and click the alignment grip. Drag the grip near another object and the block snaps to that object. Observe that there is always more than one probable alignment and so you'll have to shift the cursor a little to get the result you desire. Control the Display of Tooltips AutoCAD exhibits tooltips for object snaps, polar tracking, and dynamic tooltip. The object snap and dynamic tooltips can get in each others' way. The Quadrant tooltip, as you move the cursor to some extent, will alternate between saying Quadrant and Specify next point or. 130 Self-Instructional Material

131 Editing and Drawing By altering the TOOLTIPMERGE system variable to 1, you can unite the tooltips and see them together. Sometimes the tooltip delays you from viewing part of the drawing. To momentarily turn off dynamic input, along with its tooltip, press and hold F12. When you liberate F12, dynamic input comes back. This can be smoother than clicking the DYN button off and on, on the status bar. You can manage whether you see the tooltip when a prompt occurs for a point (the default), only when you begin typing a point, or always. Right-click the DYN button, and select Settings, Then click the Settings button in the Pointer Input section. Punjab Technical University 131

132 CAD When you grip edit objects, by default, you see one dynamic input tooltip, showing alter in length, of a line for example. The line was 1 unit and will now be 1-7/16 units, so the modification is 7/16 units. But you have many other tooltip options. For instance, you can show both the change in length and the resulting dimension. The problem with this is that it can be tough to inform which tooltip is giving you which information. 132 Self-Instructional Material

133 Finally, you can show 3 other tooltips: Absolute angle Angle change Arc Radius. Here's what happens when you show all of the tips! Editing and Drawing OK, so that's a little devastating. But here's how to organize what you see: Right-click the DYN button and choose Settings. In the Dimension Input section of the Dynamic Input tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box, select Settings. In the Dynamic Input settings dialog box, select one of the following: Show Two Input Fields at a Time Show the Following Dimension Input Fields Simultaneously, and check the fields that you want to see. Use the Dashboard to Display a Related Tool Palette The Dashboard was established in AutoCAD 2007 for 2D tools and extended in 2008 for 3D tools. Starting with 2008, it is also customizable. The Dashboard has a little-known feature allows you rapidly display a linked tool palette. This tip functions in both AutoCAD 2007 and Punjab Technical University 133

134 CAD Each control panel (section) in the Dashboard has an icon at its upper-left corner. One trait of the icon is that it expands and disintegrates those control panels that are resilient. When you enlarge a control panel, you see extra tools. When you pass the cursor over the control panel, you also see a double-down arrow at the lower-left corner, which completes the same task. Though, clicking the icon does something else; if the Tool Palette window is unlocked, it represents a connected tool palette (a tab of the window), if there is one. For instance, if you click the Annotation Scaling icon, AutoCAD displays the Annotation tab of the Tool Palette window. In cases where there is a tool palette group defined, you'll get the last-used tab of that group. For instance, there is a 3D Make group that has Modelling, Draw, and Modify tabs. When you click the 3D Make control panel, you observe the last of those 3 tabs that you showed. Keep in mind that the Tool Palette window must be release for this method to work. Here's a catalogue of the control panels and which tool palette or group they open: 2D Workspace Layers 2D Draw Annotation Scaling Dimensions Text Multi-leaders Tables 2D Navigate 3D Workspace Layers 3D Make Visual Styles Lights Materials Render 3D Navigate None None Annotation None None Leaders Tables None None Last used tab of 3D Make group Visual Styles Generic Lights Last used tab of Materials group None Cameras The concept of light, material and render is discussed in the following section. 134 Self-Instructional Material

135 Light, Material and Render Light AutoCAD provides 4 different types of light sources. The four different types of lights are Point, Spotlight, Distant and Sun light. Point lights are lights that release light in all directions, and are analogous to a candle or a common household light bulb and as the light moves further away from the source it gets dimmer. A spotlight would be analogous to a flash light as it releases in a particular direction and as the light gets further away from the source it gets dimmer. 1. Point light 2. Spotlight 3. Distant light. Distant lights are lights that release light along a specified vector, but the light does not get dimmer the further away from the source that it gets. A distant light would be analogous to the sun, the angle and direction affects how the light is released. Sunlight is in fact a specific distant light that permits you to control the time and day of the sun, and its position through longitudinal and latitudinal values. All lights can be chosen in the model using the Lights in Model palette or in some cases light with the point and spotlights can be chosen and manipulated directly in the model by means of grips. Editing and Drawing Materials and Rendering One of the more interesting features of functioning in 3-D is that you can visualize what your design will appear like. You have so far used the hide and shade commands to provide you some idea towards how the final piece will appear. The next step is to study about the RENDER command. This command is the most dominant one for viewing your objects. Using render, you are able to add realistic lighting and materials to get the most realistic view of what you're designing. You can render objects that don't have materials applied to them, but it won't appear as realistic as if you have material added. The first two blocks displayed here are instances of the usual wire-frame view before and after the HIDE command. Punjab Technical University 135

136 CAD These two blocks show how the render command can display the object two ways. The block on the left was rendered without a material applied, whereas the one on the right has a white ash material applied. Applying the materials is a quite easy process, getting them to appear exactly the way you want them to can be ability in itself. Once the materials are added, obtaining the lights and shadows to appear realistic is another task that many people prefer to complete in a program other than AutoCAD, even though AutoCAD is getting better at this with each release. Follow these steps to obtain a basic, accurate rendering: Draw the object using solids or surfaces Apply the materials Render the scene. Once your objects are drawn, you have to decide which materials you would like to use. AutoCAD comes with a fundamental materials library that you can utilize to apply to your objects. This may have been an alternative when you installed the program. Here we will discuss how to quickly and easily apply materials to your objects. Begin by drawing a basic cube 20x20x20 - this will be your object for testing materials. Go to the Ribbon and find button for Render (shown below). This will provide you a new set of tools to function with for visualization. Now that you have your object (the cube) and a list of materials, you're prepared to go. Type in RMAT (Render MATerials) and you'll see the materials palette come out. If your materials are installed, you just click through the menu and view preview of each material. This is a great interface. If you click on the preview icon, it will move it to the top active materials section at the top. Now you're ready to go. 136 Self-Instructional Material

137 Editing and Drawing Materials Palette for AutoCAD 2012 Thus now you have your cube and your material. Just click on the cube so that it is highlighted and then choose the material in top "active materials" or one of the preview images. If all went well, then it should appear like nothing happened. However now it is time to render the scene. Basic Rendering There are few methods to render, and here I will suggest this method. Look at the Render Ribbon again and under the "Materials Browser" button, you'll view this: Select the third choice that you see highlighted above and you'll see the material that you chosen rendered onto your screen. Now this is only a fundamental rendering that you would use for previewing your material. You would also use this viewing method for mapping the material. Now we will use the RENDER command to go for more realistic rendering. First fine the Render area of the ribbon and look for the small arrow on the bottom right. Punjab Technical University 137

138 CAD Clicking on this small arrow will open and close your Render Setting Palette which is displayed below. As you can observe there are a lot of choices in this palette, but for now we want to look at the two that are boxed in red. These settings permit you to crop to an area and then render the scene in your viewport. Thus now you can type in the RENDER command, crop to an area in your viewport and press <Enter>. This will render the scene with your selected materials. If all went well, you might have something like the image displayed below. Adding materials isn't needed unless you plan on rendering the scene. Using just the example above, you can get a nice looking presentation done by means of only a few 138 Self-Instructional Material

139 simple steps. Next you would require adding lights, shadows and possibly custom materials. Editing and Drawing Create a Circle with a Width There are a variety of reasons that you might want to generate a circular object with a particular width, like matching cable widths, or presenting cross sections. We have come up with 4 ways to go about this. The right one for you will depend on your requirements. Fit a Polygon An excellent technique uses the POLYGON command and fits it using the PEDIT command. Generate a 4-sided polygon, using the POLYGON command. You can restrict or inscribe it. At the prompt for the radius, enter the radius of the circle that you want. We used a radius of 4. Of course, this creates a square. Initiate the PEDIT command, choose the polygon, and use the Fit option. You have a circle. Then use the breadth option and indicate the width that you desire. (We used 0.25.) The result appears bigger, in this case, but still has the same radius of 4. Use a DONUT The DONUT command is very old, but can provide you the consequence you want, especially if you know (or want to calculate) the inner and outer diameter. Begin the command, and identify the inner and outer diameters. Since we wanted the same result as for the preceding method, we used 8 and Then specify the center. Press Enter to end the command, since you'll be prompted to position other donuts, and you don't want too much sugar at once. Use a Lineweight You can use the CIRCLE command and provide it a Lineweight. This method has a few problems: The object only looks thick; if you alter the circle's properties, it no longer has that Lineweight. Lineweight are scheduled in millimetres by default. (This is since line weights were originally designed for use with carousel pen plotters, and the width of plotter pens is usually calculated in millimetres.) If you're working in inches, this Punjab Technical University 139

140 CAD may make estimations difficult. Though, you can alter that default, using the LINEWEIGHT command. In the Lineweight Settings dialog box that opens, alter the setting to inches. If you turn off the exhibit of Lineweight (the LWT button on the status bar), you lose the thickness. If you want all of your properties to be defined in your layers, you need to create a special layer for your circle. Conversely, this may be easy for you. Just sketch a circle, choose it, and enter the Lineweight in the Properties palette (Ctrl+1). Trim the Circle in Half and use PEDIT If you use a circle and trim it in half, you can then provide the resulting pline arc thickness, mirror it and pedit unite it into a circle. It was also able to use the JOIN command to unite the two circle halves. Use the BOUNDARY Command There is an excellent way to build a circle with thickness, using the BOUNDARY command. Follow these steps: 1. Draw a circle 2. Type boundary on the command line 3. In the Boundary Creation dialog box, check that the Object Type is set to Polyline. 4. Click the Pick Points button and click inside the circle. 5. Press Enter to create a circle polyline. Use the PEDIT command to change the width, as described previously. All the Ways to Open a Drawing There are many ways to unlock a drawing and sometimes you may not think of the fastest way right away. Here's my list: 1. The OPEN command. This is the clear one, of course. Click the Open button on the Standard toolbar. (In 2009, click Open on the Quick Start toolbar.) Or type open on the command line. 2. From the DesignCenter. Press Ctrl+2 to open the DesignCenter. In the left, navigation pane, navigate to the folder containing the drawing and choose it. Then locate the drawing in the Content pane on the right, right-click it, and select Open in Application Window. 3. From the Sheet Set Manager. With a sheet set open in the Sheet Set Manager, on the Sheet List tab, double-click the name of the drawing (or right-click and choose Open). 4. Double-click it in Windows Explorer. As with any Windows file, you can doubleclick it in Windows Explorer to open it in AutoCAD If AutoCAD isn't open, Windows will start it for you. 5. Drag from Windows Explorer to the command line window. This is a littleknown tip. Drag a file from Windows Explorer to the command line window. If you drag to the drawing area as an alternative, you add the file as a block. 6. from a script. Just use OPEN in your script, add a space, and enter the name of the file. Be certain to use the entire path if it isn't in the support file search path. 140 Self-Instructional Material

141 Encircle the file name (and path, if any) in quotation marks if there are spaces in the name. For example: Open "c:\drawings\3a 297.dwg". Editing and Drawing Draw with Tiled Viewports Tiled viewports allow you divide up the drawing area into tiles and exhibit different parts of your drawing in each. The enormous thing about tiled viewports is that you can sketch from one viewport to another without omitting a beat, making them great for large drawings where you want to exchange between working in detail in a small area and working in a larger area. Actually, it's general to use one viewport for a view of the entire viewport, and others for zoomed in details. You can set up a broad variety of configurations of tiled viewports, and position the view though you want in each one, using standard zooming and panning. But no matter how you position them up, they always take up the complete drawing area, unlike floating viewports. Note: Floating viewports are for laying out a drawing in paper space for plotting. Tiled viewports are for drawing and editing. Only one tiled viewport can be dynamic at a time. The crosshairs occurs only in the active viewport. Just click inside a viewport to make it dynamic. Then you can draw or edit there, in the same way you usually do in model space, when you only have one viewport, which is the default. Create Tiled Viewports To select from preset tiled viewport configurations, choose View> Viewports> New Viewports. In AutoCAD 2009 and 2010, go to View tab> Viewports panel> New. This opens the Viewports dialog box. Select one of the choices to see its sample. Note that at the bottom, you can create the following adjustments: Apply to: You can use the default Display choice to apply the configuration to the complete drawing area. On the other hand, you can select Current Viewport from the drop-down list to divide up an existing viewport. In this way, you can create modified configurations. Setup: You can select 2D or 3D. If you choose 3D, AutoCAD produces standard orthogonal views of your model for you. Punjab Technical University 141

142 CAD Change view to: You can select named views that you've saved from this dropdown list. Visual Style: For 3D drawings, you can select a visual style. Use Tiled Viewports After having your viewports, click inside each one and zoom and pan until you have the view that you desire. You work inside a viewport in the same way you would without them. Think of the typical way you work as a single tiled viewport. Let's say that you require drawing a line from the far left of your drawing to the far right. With the configuration shown above, you can zoom in to the left side of your drawing in the lower-left viewport, and zoom in to the right side of your drawing in the lower-right viewport. Then follow these steps: 1. Click in the lower-left viewport and start the LINE command. 2. Specify the start point as needed. 3. At the Specify next point or [Undo]: prompt, click the top viewport and move the cursor to the approximate location of the endpoint at the right side of your drawing. 4. Click the lower-right viewport. Now you see the endpoint of the line. Specify the endpoint and press Enter to end the LINE command. You can use a similar technique for editing as well. Save and Restore Viewport Configurations If you have a custom configuration that you such as, you can save it. Select View> Viewports> New (View tab> Viewports panel> New in 2009/2010), which opens the Viewports dialog box with the Named Viewports tab on top. The current configuration is highlighted, named Active Model Configuration. Enter a name in the New Name text box. The name can be up to 255 characters and can comprise spaces. Click OK. Tp restore a saved pattern, choose View> Viewports> Named Viewports (View tab> Viewports panel> Named (Viewports) in 2009/2010). This releases the same Viewports dialog box, but with the Named Viewports tab on top. Select the configuration you saved, and click OK. Did you identify that you can use saved tiled viewport configurations to make configurations of floating viewports? You use the same Viewports dialog box to generate hanging viewports on a layout and you'll discover your saved viewport configurations on the Named Viewports tab, ready to use in paper space. Remove Tiled Viewport You can eliminate tiled viewports in two ways: Join two viewports: Select View> Viewports> Join (View tab> Viewports panel> Join (Viewports) in 2009 and 2010). At the Select dominant viewport <current viewport>: prompt, click within the viewport you want to maintain (or press Enter to keep the active viewport). Then, at the choose viewport to join: prompt, click inside an adjacent viewport. The resulting vision is the same as the dominant viewport. Return to one viewport: Select View> Viewports> 1 Viewport. (In 2009 and 2010, View tab> Viewports panel> Select a Viewport Configuration/Viewport Configurations drop-down list> Single.) 142 Self-Instructional Material

143 Removing Duplicate and Overlapping Objects Duplicate and overlapping objects misuse ink and mean that your sketching isn't accurate. Though, frequently, they're invisible. The OVERKILL command, part of Express Tools, can assist. This command removes duplicate objects and goes further to unite overlapping lines and arcs. Though, it's not on the menu, toolbar, or ribbon, so you have to type it on the command line. For that cause, many people don't know about it. When you begin the command, the next prompt is Select objects: and you can type all and press Enter to apply the command to the whole drawing. Then press Enter again to end object selection. The Overkill dialog box opens. Editing and Drawing To keep the default settings, just click OK. If there are duplicate or overlapping objects, you'll see a message as below: 1 object(s) deleted. You can identify lots of settings to organize the process. For instance, you can check the Ignore LAYERS check box to erase overlapping lines, even if they are on different layers. The Numeric Fuzz text box identifies how correct two objects must be to be considered duplicates. The default, , deletes approximately exact objects. You can modify this to 0, to delete only objects that are precisely on top of each other. The PLINES check box, on by default, eliminates duplicate line or arc segments within a polyline, or lines and arcs that overlap a polyline. If you uncheck this, the command only removes duplicates of entire polylines. The OVERLAP check box, also on by default, combines objects that partially overlap into one object. The END to END check box unites objects that don't overlie, but are end to end, like two collinear lines with one common endpoint. Click OK to execute the command. Create a Polyline from the Boundary of Existing Objects Sometimes you want to generate a closed polyline from numerous existing objects that donêt congregate end to end. For instance, letês say that you would like to draw a polyline from the within border produced by the rectangle and two circles. The BOUNDARY command is a very easy way to do this. Punjab Technical University 143

144 CAD Begin the BOUNDARY command to release the Boundary Creation dialog box. Observe that the default object type is Polyline. You can also want to create a region. Click the Pick Points button and click inside the closed boundary. Press Enter and youêre completed! Student Activity 1. Define ROTATE command. 2. What is easy hatching? Summary In AutoCAD 2000, objects can be dragged and dropped, either to move them or copy them. This is the simplest method when you don't require accurate precision about where your objects end up. You can break a line or other object into two objects with no space among them using the BREAK command. You can alter the dimension (the DIMSCALE system variable) or plot scale of a tool that you produced by dragging a block, hatch, or xrefs from a drawing. When you edit with grips, you can use the Copy alternative to copy as you edit. For instance, if you are scaling a circle, use the Copy alternative to build concentric circles. Beginning with AutoCAD 2006, you can use the JOIN command to unite objects that are collinear, meaning that they're next to the same line. When you trim objects, the first prompt asks you for a cutting edge. Because AutoCAD 2005, the ZOOM command has had an Object choice that makes this simple, but many people still are not familiar with it. You're drawing happily along and you desire to draw a line to a point, but you have OSNAP on, so the line keeps on snapping to the nearby endpoint. That's not what you want! So you turn off OSNAP, but for the subsequent line segment, you want it on again. So you turn it on. Quick pick allows you quickly set up criteria for choosing objects, like the type of object or object properties. Copying objects from one drawing to another is a regular task. You can use the Windows Clipboard and the drag-and-drop techniques. The support file hunt path is one or more locations where AutoCAD looks for menus, fonts, Linetypes, and hatch patterns. Prior to AutoCAD 2000 you could finish the LINE command by right-clicking with your mouse. As you position your hatch, you can simply switch from selecting points to selecting objects. First identify the hatch in the Hatch and Gradient dialog box (the BHATCH command). Polar tracking is a huge way to shorten the creation of lines, since once you find the right angle; all you want to do is to enter the length. When you sketch an arc, the conditions that you provide 144 Self-Instructional Material

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