Introduction to AutoCAD 2004

Learning Objectives:-

1: Start AutoCAD and start a drawing in AutoCAD.

2: Understand the various components of the initial AutoCAD screen.


3: Invoke AutoCAD commands from the keyboard,menu,toolbar,shortcut menu,screen menu, and digitizer.

4: Understand the functioning of dialog boxes in AutoCAD.


5: Start a new drawing using the QNEW command and the Startup dialog box.


6: Save the work using various file-saving commands.

7: Close a drawing.

8: Open an existing drawing.

9: Understand the concept of Multiple Document Environment.

10: Quit AutoCAD.


11: Use the various options of AutoCAD’s help.


12: Understand the use of Active Assistance, Learning Assistance, and other interactive help topics.


AutoCAD SCREEN COMPONENT:-
The various components of the initial AutoCAD screen are:

• Drawing Area
• Command Window
• Status Bar
• Status Bar Tray Options

• Drawing Area:-

The drawing area covers the major portion of the screen. Here you can draw the various objects and use the various commands. There is a coordinate system icon at the lower left corner of the drawing area. The window also has the standard Windows buttons such as close, minimize, scroll bar, and so on, that have the same functions as for any other standard window.

• Command Window:-

The command window is present at the bottom of the drawing area and has the Command prompt where you can enter the commands. You can change the size of the window by placing the cursor on the top edge and then dragging it. By default the command window displays only three lines.


• Status Bar:-

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the screen. This bar contains some useful information and buttons that will make it easy to change the status of some AutoCAD functions. To change the status, you must choose the buttons that toggle between on and off.

The various options under the Status Bar are:


• Coordinate display
• Snap
• Grid
• Ortho
• Polar
• Osnap
• Otrack
• LWT
• Model



• Coordinate display:-

The Coordinates information is displayed in the left corner of the status bar. You can select this coordinate button to toggle between on and off. The COORDS system variable controls the type of display of the coordinates.

• Snap:-

If Snap Mode is on, the Snap button is displayed as pressed in the status bar; otherwise, it is not displayed. This allows you to move the cursor in fixed increments. You can also use the function key F9 as a toggle key to turn Snap off or on.

• Grid:-

If Grid Display is on, grid lines are displayed on the screen. These lines are used as reference lines in a drawing. The function key F7 can be used to turn the grid display on or off.


• Ortho:-

The Ortho Mode allows you to draw lines at right angles only. If this mode is on, the ORTHO button is pressed in the status bar. You can use the F8 key to turn Ortho on or off.

• Polar:-

If you turn the Polar Tracking on, the movement of the cursor is restricted along a path based on the angle set as the polar angle settings. Choosing the POLAR button in the status bar turns the Polar Tracking on. You can also use the function key, F10.

• Osnap:-

When Object Snap is on, you can use the running object snaps to snap on to a point. If Object Snap is on, the OSNAP button is displayed as pressed in the status bar. You can also use the F3 key to turn the Object Snap on or off.


• Otrack:-

Choosing the OTRACK button, turns Object Snap Tracking on or off.

• LWT:-

Choosing this button in the status bar, allows you to turn on or off the display of lineweights in the drawing. If the LWT button is not pressed, the display of Lineweight is turned off.

• Model:-

The Model button is displayed in the status bar when you are working in the model space to create drawings. You can choose this button to shift to the layouts (paper space) where you can create drawing views. Once you switch to layouts, this button is replaced by the PAPER button. You can choose the PAPER button to shift back to the model space.