User Manual for LibreCad 2.

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Author: Bob Woltz License: Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike (CC BY-SA 3.0

INTRODUCTION TO LIBRECAD
!his is the "ser #anual $or LibreCa%. & have 'ritten this manual usin( the )&SS *rinci*le ()ee* &t Sim*le Stu*i% this manual is %esi(ne% in Cha*ters an% sim*le instructions so that even someone entirel+ ne' to LibreCa% an% CA, in (eneral can learn to use it. !his manual is %esi(ne% $or the user to $ollo' as the user is usin( the *ro(ram in $ront o$ him. So it 'oul% be to the users a%vanta(e to *rint out a co*+ o$ the manual to use to $ollo' the lessons (iven. & ho*e +ou en-o+ +our learnin( e.*erience. !his manual is in /n(lish but *ermission is (iven to $reel+ translate this manual into other lan(ua(es an% $ile $ormats.

OVERVIEW
0o ahea% an% start u* LibreCa% an% take a look at 'hat +ou see on the screen. 1otice across the to* there are 'or%s that +ou click on $or *ull %o'n menus. 0o ahea% no' an% click on each 'or% to see the menus. ,on2t select an+thin( $rom the menus as o$ +et3 'e 'ill e.amine some o$ the selections in as 'e 'ork throu(h the manual. 1otice &cons belo' the 'or%s. 4ut +our cursor over each &con 'ithout clickin( an% the *ro(ram 'ill sho' +ou 'hat the &con %oes. You 'ill also notice &cons on the le$t si%e. #ove +our cursor over these &cons also an% +ou 'ill note in$ormation on these as 'ell. !he to* 5 are %ra'in( &cons3 !he ne.t 6 %ra' te.t an% %imensions3 !he ne.t &con on the le$t %ra's cross hatch an% the one ne.t to it is sna*shot 'hich is non-$unctional in this version3 !he last 7 o*en %i$$erent menus an% $unctions.

1otice the bottom o$ the screen an% +ou 'ill see the comman% line. You can actuall+ %ra' usin( comman%s that +ou t+*e in this area. We 'ill use this in a later lesson to (et +ou $amiliar 'ith the comman% line. 8n the ri(ht si%e +ou 'ill notice areas $or creatin( La+ers an% Blocks. We 'ill also use these in later lessons. !he last area 'e 'ant to look at is the ,ra'in( area or the Workbench as it is sometimes calle%. !his is 'here +ou 'ill %o all o$ +our %ra'in(3 %imensionin(3 etc. You can also chan(e the settin(s o$ the *ro(ram an% %ra'in(s too. We 'ill e.amine this ne.t.

1 CHANGING PROGRAM AND DRAWING SETTING

Let9s take a look at the 4ro(ram settin(s $irst. :irst3 click on e%it at the to* o$ the *a(e. !hen select a**lication *re$erences. 1otice the bo. that *o*s u*. 1otice +ou can chan(e ;uite a bit un%er a**earances. At this *oint 'e are (oin( to use the %e$aults the *ro(ram has set u* $or us. #ake sure ho'ever that the Crosshairs is selecte% !his turns the bi( <e% Crosshairs in the 'ork area on an% o$$. Also make sure that Automaticall+ scale (ri% is selecte% as 'ell. 1o' click the tab 4aths. 1otice 'e can %e$ine $ol%ers $or thin(s like $onts3 hatches3 *art librar+3 tem*lates. We 'ant to create a $ol%er $or our 4art Librar+ an% also !em*lates. :or tem*lates3 t+*e the $ollo'in( C:\Documents and Settings\templates C is the %rive3 = "ser %e$ines this =tem*lates Your tem*lates 'ill be save% to this $ol%er. :or +our 4art Librar+ : C:\ User defines this \library An% no' the 6 ne' $ol%ers are %e$ine%3 an% +our *arts an% tem*lates 'ill be save% there. 1e.t click on the %e$ault tab. We %on2t 'ant to chan(e an+thin( here3 but notice that 'e can chan(e units here $or instance like #illimeters to inches or an+ number o$ units. Also3 it is al'a+s (oo% to have autobacku* on. &$ +ou have a shut%o'n $or an+ reason +ou 'on2t have to start all over a(ain 'hich can be ver+ $rustratin(. When & tau(ht C34 & ALWAYS tol% m+ stu%ents to save their 'ork $re;uentl+ an% & am also tellin( +ou to %o the same. 8k3 no' click ok to close the bo. an% 'e 'ill look at Current %ra'in( *re$erences. /ver+thin( +ou %o here a$$ects the %ra'in( +ou are currentl+ 'orkin( on 81LY. So lets take a look. Click e%it3 then select current %ra'in( *re$erences. 1otice the *o* u* bo.. Click on the 4a*er tab. >ere +ou can chan(e *a*er size an% also *a*er orientation. Click Lan%sca*e an% *ull %o'n the size menu an% scroll to select letter. !his settin( 'ill allo' *rintin( $rom a home com*uter. Also most %ra'in( *ro-ects use a lan%sca*e orientation so that2s 'h+ 'e *ick lan%sca*e. 1o' click on the units tab. >ere +ou can chan(e units like 'e %i% earlier but the choices are onl+ in e$$ect $or this %ra'in(. >ere 'e ma+ 'ant to chan(e the Len(th $rom 7 %ecimal *laces to -ust 6. ,o this b+ clickin( *recision an% selectin( 0.00 $rom the *ull %o'n menu.

1o' click on the 0ri% tab. >ere 'e 'ant to make sure that sho' (ri% is selecte% an% also ortho(onal is selecte%. 1otice +ou can select isometric (ri% too but %on2t %o that no'3 'e 'ill *la+ a little bit 'ith that later on. 1o' click the ,imensions tab. 1otice there is ;uite a bit +ou can chan(e3 but 'e 'ill leave that as is $or no'. 1o' click on the S*lines tab. >ere +ou can chan(e line se(ments but a(ain leave the settin( as is. 1o' click ok to close the bo.. We have no' covere% settin(s chan(es an% 'e also no' have a blank %ra'in( that 'e can save that 'ill automaticall+ loa% these settin(s 'hen 'e 'ant to %o a %ra'in(. 1o' click $ile at the to*3 select save as3 t+*e blank%ra'in(3 an% click save. Con(ratulations3 +ou -ust save% +our $irst %ra'in(.

2 DRAWING LINES IN LIBRECAD

1o' 'e are (oin( to be(in %ra'in( in LibreCa%. We 'ill start 'ith lines. Lines can be an+thin( $rom lines to circles3 rectan(les3 Arcs3 elli*ses3 s*lines3 *ol+lines3 an% even te.t. We can even chan(e the color3 thickness an% *ro*erties o$ the lines. You 'ill learn ho' to %o that in this lesson.

Above +ou see an e.am*le o$ a sim*le *art %ra'in( that a tra%esman mi(ht (et $rom an en(ineer to make. &t contains all the in$ormation nee%e% to make this *art. So no' lets look at %ra'in( lines. 8k3 lets be(in3 ?. Click $ile at the to* o$ the *a(e3 then o*en an% click on the $ile 'e save% earlier calle% blank%ra'in(.%.$. 6. Be$ore 'e (o an+ $urther3 look at the bi( re% crosshairs at the bottom. &t is im*ortant to note that the horizontal line in the crosshair %enotes the @ coor%inate an% the vertical crosshair %enotes the Y coor%inate. !he center *oint o$ the crosshairs %enotes @A03 YA0. "suall+ all %ra'in(s start at 030 so $or the most *art3 the $irst *oint o$ +our $irst line 'ill start there. !he *oints o$ the (ri% are s*ace% ?0 millimeters a*art so3 that means i$ +our crosshair center is 0 then movin( ri(ht o$ that on the @ (horizontal the ne.t *oint is ?0 millimeters ($rom the crosshairs the ne.t *oint is 60 millimeters3 the ne.t 30 millimeters an% so on. #ovin( $rom the crosshair center (0 u*'ar%s on the Y (vertical the ne.t *oint is ?0 millimeters3 then the ne.t *oint is 60 millimeters an% so on. !his 'ill be es*eciall+ im*ortant 'hen 'e %ra' some lines $rom the comman% line on the bottom. &$ all this is har% to remember %on2t 'orr+3 'e 'ill create a hel* la+er later on as a re$erence. 3. Be$ore 'e %ra' an+thin(3 click $ile3 then save as3 then t+*e lines an% save the %ra'in(. What 'e %i% 'as *ut the blank%ra'in( $ile a'a+ an% no' 'e have a

$ile on +our 'orkbench calle% lines. !his is the %ra'in( 'e 'ill use $or *ractice %ra'in( lines. 7. Select sna* $rom the to* menu then select sna* on (ri%. !his 'ill make it much easier to %ra' strait lines. B. Select %ra' then move +our cursor %o'n to lines an% then over to 6 *oints an% select it. We are (oin( to %ra' a line usin( 6 *oints. C. #ove +our cursor over to the re% crosshairs. 1otice the +our cursor is no' a crosshair an% +ou have oran(e re$erence lines $ollo'in( it as +ou move to the re% crosshairs. 1otice also that the re% *oint sna*s $rom *oint to *oint on the (ri% no'. 5. 4ut the crosshairs on +our cursor over the center o$ the re% crosshairs an% le$t click ? time. D. Without clickin( move +our cursor B0 millimeters to the ri(ht (alon( the @ a.is remember that each *oint re*resents ?0 millimeters. When +ou (et there3 *ut the crosshairs over the *oint an% le$t click once3 then ri(ht click 6 times to come out o$ the %ra'in( comman%. You have create% a line. E. Save +our 'ork thus $ar b+ clickin( $ile save or the %isk &con at the to* un%er the menu bar. ?0. We can also %ra' several lines one a$ter the other easil+. ??. Click %ra'3 then lines an% choose 6 *oints. ?6. You 'ill notice that there is a re% *oint 'here +ou le$t o$$ %ra'in( the last line. #ove %o'n an% le$t click on that *oint ? time. ?3. Without clickin( the mouse move +our crosshairs (cursor u* (Y a.is B0 millimeters an% le$t click ? time. ?7. 1o' 'ithout clickin( move +our crosshairs (cursor to the le$t B0 millimeters. Le$t click ? time onl+. ?B. 1o' move +our crosshairs (cursor %o'n B0 millimeters to the bi( re% crosshairs an% le$t click ? time3 then ri(ht click 6 times. You 'ill notice that +ou %re' a s;uare. !his is the 'a+ that +ou can %ra' several lines in se;uence at one time. Re !an"les 8$ course i$ +ou nee% to %ra' s;uares an% rectan(les there is an easier 'a+ to %o it. ?. Click on %ra'3 then line3 then select rectan(le. 6. #ove +our crosshairs (cursor %o'n to an+ *oint to the ri(ht o$ the s;uare +ou %re' an% le$t click ? time. 3. Without clickin( move +our crosshairs (cursor %ia(onall+ %o'n to an+ other *oint an% le$t click ? time3 then ri(ht click 6 times an% notice that +ou have %ra'n a s;uare or rectan(le easier an% in less time. 1o' +ou have another %ra'in( tool in +our arsenal o$ tools. Cir les We 'ill no' %ra' a circle. ?. Click on %ra'3 then circle this time then select center3 *oint. 6. #ove +our crosshairs (cursor into the $irst s;uare 'e %re'. Select an+ one o$ the center *oints an% le$t click ? time.

3. #ove +our crosshairs (cursor to the ri(ht ?0 millimeters (that is the ne.t *oint over an% le$t click ? time then ri(ht click 6 times. You no' have %ra'n a 60 millimeter circle insi%e the s;uare. !his is -ust one o$ the man+ 'a+s 'e can %ra' a circle but the center3 *oint metho% is use% most o$ten. 7. Save +our 'ork at this *oint b+ clickin( $ile3 save or the save &con belo' the to* menu. 1o'3 'e are (onna %o a little teaser usin( the mo%i$+ o*tion. We 'ill 'ork 'ith mo%i$+ at a later time but & 'ante% to tease +ou a little. ?. Select mo%i$+3 move %o'n an% select stretch. 6. &$ +ou notice on the ver+ bottom o$ the screen +ou 'ill see a (reen han% an% +ou 'ill notice it sa+s s*eci$+ $irst corner (this is a *rom*t to hel* +ou . &t 'ill al'a+s sho' +ou 'hat to %o ne.t. Fuite han%+3 an% it is a $eature 'e use% o$ten 'hen learnin( C34 'hen & tau(ht it. Let9s continue no'. 3. Select the to* ri(ht *oint on the secon% rectan(le or s;uare that +ou %re'. 7. #ove +our cursor 'ithout clickin( to the ri(ht to the ne.t *oint an% then move +our cursor %o'n to the bottom *oint that is ?0 millimeters a'a+ $rom +our s;uare or rectan(le. Click ? time. 1otice the *rom*t on the bottom is askin( +ou to choose a re$erence *oint. #ove +our cursor over to the ri(ht e%(e o$ +our rectan(le an% le$t click an+'here on that line. B. !he *rom*t no' asks +ou to select a tar(et *oint. #ove +our cursor to the ri(ht ?0 millimeters (? *oint an% le$t click ? time3 ri(ht click 6 times. 1otice +ou have ma%e ever+thin( lon(er on that on si%e b+ ?0 millimeters. You can also use this metho% to shorten the si%e too. Gust thou(ht &2% thro' that in as a teaser. But no' it is time to save +our 'ork once a(ain so %o it no'. I ons So $ar 'e have use% the menu on to* to %ra' 'ith. Some *eo*le *re$er to use the &cons to %ra'. &$ +ou look on the le$t si%e +ou see 6 columns o$ &cons. When +ou click the &cons a ne' menu 'ith %i$$erent &cons a**ears. Lets see ho' that 'orks. #ove +our cursor over to the le$t an% *lace it over the slante% line &con. You imme%iatel+ see a %i$$erent (rou* o$ &cons a**ear. !hese &cons have to %o 'ith %ra'in( lines. <emember 'hen 'e %re' a line usin( 6 *oints earlier H 'ell3 i$ +ou click the &con that has a slante% line 'ith a (reen *oint on each en%3 +ou 'ill be able to %ra' the same kin% o$ line 'e %i% $rom the menu earlier. Also3 +ou can see an &con that has a rectan(le an% 6 (reen *oints an% this 'ill allo' +ou to %ra' a rectan(le like +ou %i% be$ore. !r+ it no' an% see $or +oursel$. You no' have a choiceI+ou can %ra' 'ith the menu across the to* or use the &cons. ,i$$erent *eo*le have %i$$erent *re$erences. 8ur 'orkbench is *rett+ cluttere% no' so lets %elete some lines. &t is ver+ eas+ to %o this. ?. #ove +our cursor over to the circle +ou %re' an% click on the e%(e ? time. 1otice the circle turns to a re% %otte% line. !his means it has been selecte%. 6. 1o'3 sim*l+ *ush the %elete ke+ on +our ke+boar%. You have %elete% the circle. 8ne thin( to note is i$ +ou %elete a line b+ mistake3 +ou can al'a+s brin( it back b+ clickin( e%it on the menu bar an% clickin( un%o.

3. &$ +ou 'ant to %elete ever+thin( +ou %re'3 then the eas+ 'a+ 'oul% be to select JselectK on the menu bar an% then click on select all. !hen *ress the %elete ke+ on +our com*uter. /ver+thin( is %elete% but3 once a(ain3 i$ +ou ma%e a mistake then select e%it an% then un%o to brin( it back. Mo#in" a line Sometimes it is necessar+ to move a line because 'e nee% it to be in a %i$$erent *lace. Let9s see ho' that is %one. ?. #ove the cursor over to the line +ou 'ant to move an% click on the line ? time to select it. 6. 1o' touch the line 'ith the cursor an% hol% the le$t mouse button %o'n. 3. "se the mouse to move the line to a ne' location an% le$t click the le$t mouse button on time an% then the ri(ht mouse button once. You can see the line has been move%. Click on the line 'ith the le$t mouse button ? time to %eselect it. As +ou can see3 it is ver+ eas+ to %o. !his also 'orks 'ith circles3 elli*ses3 an% all lines. !he one thin( +ou have to remember thou(h is i$ +ou 'ant to move a rectan(le or s;uare +ou nee% to select each si%e $irst. (&$ +ou select onl+ one si%e then onl+ one si%e 'ill be move% . 1o' is a (oo% time to save +our 'ork so (o ahea% an% %o that. C$an"in" Line %ro&er!ies 8k3 'e have %ra'n our %ra'in( an% no' 'e nee% to chan(e some o$ the line *ro*erties. We can %o this throu(h the mo%i$+ menu. We can chan(e line colors3 line thickness3 t+*e o$ line3 an% even chan(e len(th an% location throu(h this menu. Let9s see ho' that 'orks. ?. #ake sure +ou have at least ? line %ra'n on +our 'orkbench. &$ +ou %on2t3 then (o ahea% an% %ra' one. 6. 8nce +ou have this3 (o ahea% an% click on mo%i$+ on the menu bar. 8n the *ull %o'n menu3 select *ro*erties. 3. 0o ahea% an% *lace the crosshair on a line on the 'orkbench an% le$t click ? time. You 'ill see a *o*-u* bo. like the one sho'n belo'.

Let9s take a look at the line bo.. Look at the choices on the le$t color3 'i%th3 an% line t+*e. :or color3 +ou can chan(e the line color o$ the selecte% line b+ clickin( the color menu an% selectin( he color +ou 'ant. 0o ahea% no' an% select the color (reen an% then click ok. 1otice the line on the 'orkbench is no' (reen. You can chan(e the line color as man+ times as +ou 'ish usin( this metho%. Let9s look at line t+*e no'. 4ut the 'hite crosshairs over the line a(ain an% click. 8ur line bo. *o*s into vie' a(ain an% this time 'e 'ant to click the line t+*e an% a *ull %o'n menu 'ill a**ear. 1otice +ou have man+ %i$$erent line t+*es to choose $rom. We 'ill select %ash $rom the *ull %o'n menu an% then click ok. 1otice the line on the 'orkbench is no' a %ash line. &n a %ra'in(3 a %ash line usuall+ %enotes a hi%%en $eature. &$ +ou remember the L-Block %ra'in( earlier +ou see a %ash line on the $ront vie' because base sur$ace is hi%%en $rom vie' in the $ront vie'. Line 'i%th is chan(e% in the same 'a+. You have choices on ho' thick the line shoul% be an% the selection 'orks the same 'a+ as the other t'o. Wh+ %on2t +ou take some time no' an% e.*eriment 'ith line mo%i$ication. !r+ %ra'in( some circles an% rectan(les too an% see ho' line mo%i$ication 'orks $or them as 'ell. When +ou are $inishe%3 (o ahea% an% *ut a'a+ +our line %ra'in( b+ savin( it an% then click close.

3 DIMENSIONING AND TEXT

We have %ra'n our 'ork an% no' 'e nee% to a%% %imensions an% te.t. :irst o$ all3 lets look at %imensionin( a %ra'in(. &t 'oul% also at this *oint select e%it then current %ra'in( *re$erences an% then %imension an% make sure the te.t hei(ht is 6.B an% i$ it is not3 then chan(e it to 6.B an% click ok. Di'ensions !o start 'e nee% to create a %ra'in(. So lets start a ne' one. ?. Click $ile3 then o*en3 an% select blank%ra'in( an% brin( it back out on the 'orkbench. 6. !he $irst thin( +ou are (oin( to %o is click $ile3 then save as an% t+*e %imension an% te.t an% then click save. We no' have a ne' %ra'in( calle% %imensions an% te.t on the 'ork bench. 3. !he $irst thin( 'e nee% to %o is %ra' a sim*le ob-ect to %imension so no' is a (oo% test to see ho' much +ou remember $rom the %ra'in( lesson. 4ick an% s*ot on the 'orkbench an% %ra' a rectan(le. &t can be an+ size or sha*e +ou 'ant. 0o ahea% an% %o this no'. &$ +ou have a *roblem3 re$er back to the %ra'in( section o$ the manual. 7. When +ou have $inishe% (o ahea% an% save +our 'ork b+ clickin( $ile3 save or the save &con on the to*. B. 1o' click %imension $rom the menu bar on to*. You 'ill (et the *ull %o'n menu as sho'n belo'.

Let9s look at the menu a moment. 1otice several o*tions are available to us. !he $irst 7 are $or %imensionin( lines3 the ne.t 6 allo' us to %imension a circle b+ %e$inin( either the ra%ial (ra%ius or %iametric (%iameter o$ a circle. !he ne.t one3 an(ular3 'ill (ive us the an(le in %e(rees o$ an ob-ect. !he last one is lea%er 'hich is use% 'ith te.t in a %ra'in( an% 'e 'ill use that later in %ra'in(. So no' lets continue C. Select horizontal $rom the %imension menu. 5. #ove the crosshairs over either the le$t to* *oint or bottom le$t *oint o$ +our rectan(le an% click ? time.

D. #ove the crosshairs horizontall+ to the ri(ht to the ri(ht e%(e o$ the rectan(le an% click ? time. E. Without clickin( the mouse move the line u* or %o'n a +ou 'ill notice the %imension a**ears. You can no' *lace it 'here +ou 'ant to an% 'hen +ou are satis$ie% le$t click ? time to set it an% then ri(ht click ? time to come out o$ horizontal %imensionin(. ?0. 1otice the &con menu on the le$t si%e no'. You can select a %imension o*tion $rom that menu also no'. (as lon( as +ou onl+ ri(ht click ? time 'hen +ou $inish a %imension the %imension &con menu 'ill be on the le$t . ??. Select vertical $rom the &con menu an% select the u**er le$t *oint o$ the rectan(le an% click ? time. ?6. #ove %o'n an% select the bottom le$t *oint o$ the rectan(le an% click ? time. ?3. Without clickin( move +our mouse to the ri(ht an% the vertical %imension a**ears. #ove it 'here +our 'ant it an% le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click ? time an% no' +ou have %imensione% the rectan(le. &$ +ou %on2t like 'here +ou *ut the %imension3 or +ou nee% to make room3 +ou can move the %imension as $ollo's: ?7. 4ut +our cursor on the %imension line an% click ? time. ?B. 1otice the line turns to a re% %otte% line to sho' its selecte%. 1otice also a blue *oint b+ one o$ the %imension arro's. ?C. !ouch +our cursor to the blue *oint an% hol% %o'n +our le$t mouse button. )ee*in( the button hel% %o'n move +our mouse an% +ou 'ill see the %imension move 'ith the cursor. #ove the %imension 'here +ou 'ant it an% le$t click ? time to set the ne' *osition. &$ +ou are satis$ie% then ri(ht click 6 times to come out o$ the comman% other'ise (rab the blue *oint a(ain an% move it 'here +ou 'ant it. !hen le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click 6 times. ?5. Click on the line ? time to %eselect it. You 'ill notice the line chan(e $rom re% back to 'hite. 1o' lets %ra' a circle. 4ut the circle in an+ available o*en s*ace. A(ain3 i$ +ou have *roblems3 re$er back to %ra'in( a circle 'e covere% earlier. !his is (oo% *ractice $or +ou too. As 'e (o $urther into the manual3 +ou 'ill become more $amiliar 'ith %ra'in( that it 'ill become like secon% nature to +ou. !o ,imension the Circle: ?. Select ,imension an% click <a%ial on the *ull %o'n menu 6. !ouch the e%(e o$ the circle 'ith +our cursor an% click ? time 3. Without clickin( +our mouse3 move it a'a+ $rom the circle. 1otice the %imension a**ears. 1o' move the aroun% the circle an% +ou 'ill see the %imension moves aroun% the circle. 4ick a s*ot +ou 'ant +our %imension an% le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click ? time to come out o$ the comman%. 7. &$ +ou are not ha**+ 'ith 'here the %imension is3 then +ou can move it a(ain b+ clickin( on the %imension an% notice it turns re% to sho' its selecte%. B. !ouch the cursor to the blue *oint on the e%(e o$ the circle an% hol% the le$t button %o'n. 1otice 'hen +ou move the mouse +ou can move the %imension. When +ou have it 'here +ou 'ant it release the le$t button an% click the le$t button ? time. &$ +ou are ha**+ 'ith the *osition ri(ht click ? time to come out o$ the comman% an% le$t click ? time 'ith +our cursor on the %imension to %eselect it an% the %imension 'ill chan(e to its normal 'hite color. C. !ake the o**ortunit+ to save +our 'ork no'.

,imensionin( the %iameter o$ the circle is %one the same 'a+ as the ra%ius. & 'ant +ou to %o that no' b+ +ourselves. A(ain3 this is (oo% *ractice an% kin% o$ sel$-test to check ho' +ou are %oin(. You can use the %imensionin( a circle as kin% o$ (ui%e i$ +ou (et stuck (-ust remember that 'hen it sa+s ra%ius3 to substitute the 'or% %iameter . 0o ahea% an% tr+ it no'. 8ne other *oint & 'ant to make here on %imensions. You can chan(e the color o$ +our %imension i$ nee%e%. You %o this b+ clickin( mo%i$+ on the menu bar on to* an% then clickin( *ro*erties. 4ut the crosshairs over the %imension an% click. A bo. 'ill *o* u* an% it has a *ull %o'n menu un%er color that 'ill %o that $or +ou. Gust click on a color an% then ok an% +ou 'ill see the ne' color on +our %imension. !o chan(e a %imension hei(ht3 then click on e%it on the menu bar an% choose to %ra' *re$erences. Click the %imension tab an% chan(e the hei(ht area b+ t+*in( in a ne' value. !hen +ou click ok an% the %imension size 'ill chan(e. Dra(in" a leader line 1otice that & sai% %ra'. !his is not on the %ra'in( menu itsel$3 but is $oun% on the %imension menu. A lea%er is usuall+ use% to(ether te.t as *art o$ %imensionin( a %ra'in(. &t is a%%in( a note to the %ra'in(. 1ote the e.am*le belo'.

!his is a 'a+ o$ a%%in( a note to a %ra'in( as a 'a+ o$ communicatin( in$ormation about the *articular entit+. A tra%esman 'oul% look at this note an% kno' that there are 7 holes an% the+ are all ?0 mm. ra%ius even i$ the other 3 holes 'ere not %imensione%. Since 'e are usin( %imensionin( an% te.t this time it 'ill *rovi%e a (oo% lea% in to our %iscussion o$ te.t in this cha*ter. Let9s tr+ %ra'in( a lea%er. "se the circle +ou create% in the last e.ercise: ?. Click %imension $rom the menu bar at the to*. !he lea%er is the last o*tion on the *ull %o'n menu so click it. 6. #ove the cursor %o'n to the circle an% click on the to* ri(ht e%(e o$ the circle. 3. Without clickin( move +our cursor %ia(onall+ a'a+ $rom the circle about 60 mm an% le$t click ? time.

7. #ove +our cursor horizontall+ to the ri(ht about ?0mm then le$t click ? time. !his sets the *osition. <i(ht click one time to come out o$ the comman%. 1otice an arro' is no' on the lea%er on the en% that touches the e%(e o$ the circle. B. 1o' save +our %ra'in( b+ clickin( $ile save or the save &con above. !his com*letes the %ra'in( o$ the lea%er. All that is le$t no' is to a%% te.t. Addin" Te)! !o a Dra(in" 1o' 'e 'ill a%% te.t to the %ra'in(. !his a%%s notes an% other im*ortant in$ormation to our %ra'in(. 1otice on the le$t &con #enu there is a lar(e A &con. !his is the te.t &con. Click on this &con no' an% a te.t bo. 'ill o*en like the one belo'.

Let9s take a look at this bo.. 1otice there are man+ o*tions +ou have. Startin( on the to* le$t +ou can choose the :ont. Click the arro' an% +ou can see on the *ull %o'n menu +ou have several $onts. We 'ill *la+ 'ith these o*tions a little later but $or no'3 choose the stan%ar% $ont. !he ne.t o*tion is te.t hei(ht 'hich is ho' bi( the te.t 'ill be. We %on2t 'ant it too bi( or too small so 7 'oul% be a (oo% hei(ht to t+*e in that bo.. So (o ahea% an% %o that. 1e.t %o'n is s*acin( an% the %e$ault s*acin( is (oo% so leave that as is. #ove over to thee ri(ht si%e no' an% click insi%e the te.t bo.. You are (oin( to t+*e 7 *laces an% then click ok on the bottom. !he bo. 'ill close an% +ou notice +ou have

the +ello' re$erence lines an% the 'or%s 7 4laces b+ the crosshairs. "se +our mouse to move the te.t u* b+ the ri(ht en% o$ the lea%er an% le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click ? time to set the te.t. You can move the te.t b+ clickin( the te.t to select it (at this *oint +ou mi(ht 'ant to turn o$$ (ri% sna* b+ clickin( the sna* on (ri% &con on the lo'er to* &con menu . You 'ill notice 'hen +ou clicke% on the te.t3 it turne% re% to sho' it is selecte% an% there is a blue *oint b+ the te.t. 4ut +our cursor on this blue *oint an% hol% %o'n the le$t mouse button an% move the te.t 'here +ou 'ant it an% click the le$t button ? time an% ri(ht click ? time. Your te.t is no' 'here +ou 'ant it. Save +our 'ork a(ain at this time. 1o' lets look at the te.t bo. a(ain. Look at the $ont area an% click $ont an% look at the choices. "suall+ $or %ra'in(s +ou 'ill use either the stan%ar% $ont or the iso $ont but there are man+ more choices. 1otice belo' that the hei(ht o*tion as 'ell. Within the hei(ht bo. +ou can t+*e in an+ size +ou 'ant. !he lo'er the number the smaller the te.t an% the lar(er the number the lar(er the te.t. & am (oin( to leave it to +ou no' to t+*e a 'or% or t'o into the te.t bo.3 select a $ont3 t+*e in a hei(ht click ok an% insert the te.t into the %ra'in( 'here ever +ou have some s*ace. !r+ it several times 'ith %i$$erent $onts an% sizes $or *ractice. 0et a (oo% $eel $or this so +ou 'ill become ver+ $amiliar 'ith it. When +ou are %one3 save +our $ile an% close it to *ut it a'a+.

4 LAYERS
1o' 'e are (oin( to touch on La+ers. !hese are es*eciall+ im*ortant in certain %ra'in(s. & 'ant to *oint out one e.am*le no' an% & am (oin( to (et kin% o$ technical here so *lease bear 'ith me. /n(ineers 'ill un%erstan% 'hat & am sa+in( but this ma+ be more challen(in( to un%erstan% $or others so & am (oin( to tr+ to make it as sim*le as & can. La+ers are es*eciall+ im*ortant in Assembl+ %ra'in(s. An Assembl+ %ra'in( is a %ra'in( sho'in( 6 or more *arts as an assembl+ on a %ra'in(. /ach *art is %ra'n on its o'n la+er an% 'hen all the la+ers are sho'n on the %ra'in( +ou have the com*lete assembl+ in vie'. &n the Automotive in%ustr+3 an Assembl+ %ra'in( ma+ sho' a com*lete car 'ith B0 or more la+ers each la+er sho'in( a %i$$erent *art. 1ot onl+ %o the+ sho' the *arts3 but also ho' the+ $it to(ether in an assembl+. B+ stu%+in( this +ou can $in% an+ mismatches that ma+ occur in assemblin( the vehicle. >avin( been in the Automotive in%ustr+ m+sel$3 & can2t tell +ou ho' man+ times & have looke% at these %ra'in(s an% $oun% (a*s bet'een *arts 'hich 'oul%n2t allo' the *arts to be 'el%e% to(ether or *arts too lon( that 'oul% inter$ere 'ith other *arts. B+ seein( these mistakes be$ore the car (oes into *ro%uction3 it can be correcte% ;uickl+. &$ not $oun% be$ore *ro%uction3 then this causes car recalls that +ou see no' an% then or halts an% %ela+s in *ro%uction o$ the car. So no' 'e are (oin( to 'ork 'ith La+ers. But be$ore 'e %o so3 lets take a look at the La+er bo. area. !his is locate% on the ri(ht si%e o$ the 'ork bench. !he &llustration belo' sho's the La+er bo..

Lookin( at the La+er bo. 'e note some &cons. !he e+eball turns on an% o$$ the La+er2s visibilit+. !he *lus si(n 'hen 'e click it 'ill *ro%uce a ne' La+er an% 'e 'ill look at that in a minute. !he minus si(n 'ill %elete a la+er an% here +ou must be care$ul because it is ver+ *ossible to acci%entall+ %elete the 'ron( la+er so be care$ul. !he last &con on the ri(ht is the mo%i$+ &con an% allo's us to mo%i$+ the attributes o$ the La+er or rename it. Belo' the &cons 'e have the La+er list. >ere all the La+ers in the %ra'in( 'ill be sho'n an% i$ the+ are visible or invisible an% i$ the+ 'ill *rint. :or instance3 a hel* la+er 'ill be sho'n but 'ill not *rint 'hich makes it i%eal $or *uttin( re$erence lines an% *oints $or +our o'n use in 'orkin( on the %ra'in(. We 'ill create a hel* la+er no'. :irst o$ all3 click $ile an% then o*en an% brin( +our blank%ra'in(.%.$ out onto the 'orkbench then (o ahea% an% click on the *lus &con in the la+er bo. no'.

1otice a La+er settin(s bo. *o*s u* like the one above. Click in the la+er name bo. an% %elete noname an% t+*e re$erence. 1e.t check the bo. >el* La+er. &n the %e$ault *en area click color an% then choose re%. What this %oes is make the %e$ault %ra'in( color re% so that all lines an% te.t %ra'n on this la+er 'ill be re%. Leave the rest as is an% click ok. 1otice on +our la+er list +ou have a re$erence La+er no'. 0o ahea% an% save the %ra'in( b+ clickin( $ile an% then save. What 'e have %one is save% this la+er as *art o$ our blank%ra'in(.%.$ so that 'hen 'e use this blank %ra'in( the re$erence la+er 'ill al'a+s be loa%e% 'ith the %ra'in(. 1o' 'e are (oin( to a%% some re$erence te.t to this la+er. ?. Click either %ra'3 te.t or the te.t &con on the le$t &con *anel. 6. !he te.t bo. 'ill o*en. &n the te.t bo. t+*e @. #ake sure it is a ca*ital @. &n the hei(ht bo. t+*e B an% then ok at the bottom. 3. ,ra( the @ %o'n belo' the Bi( <e% Crosshairs an% move it to the le$t about B0mm. 7. Le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click 6 times. !he @ is set in *osition. B. <e*eat ste* ?. &n the te.t bo. t+*e Y. Click ok. C. ,ra( the Y to the le$t o$ the Bi( <e% Crosshairs an% u* B0mm $rom the Crosshairs. 5. Le$t click ? time an% ri(ht click 6 times an% the Y is set in *osition. We are no' (oin( to use the lea%er %ra'in( comman% to %ra' a cou*le o$ arro's. !his 'ill $urther hel* us to %e$ine %irection. We 'ant ever+thin( to look as in the *icture belo'.

!o (et the arro's: ?. Click %ra' on the menu bar an% then lea%er. 6. &n or%er to *lace the arro' *ro*erl+3 'e nee% to le$t click ? time at the 30mm an% move back to 0 an% le$t click ? time to set an% ri(ht click ? time to make the arro' a**ear. ,o this 'ith both @ an% Y coor%inates. 3. You can no' a%% numbers i$ +ou 'ish like & %i% use the te.t bo. like 'e %i% be$ore. !his 'ill com*lete our re$erence la+er $or no'. 7. Click save or the save &con to save the la+er as is. !his re$erence la+er 'ill es*eciall+ hel* us 'hen 'e use the comman% line to %ra' lines. &t 'ill also remin% us o$ the @ an% Y a.is an% 'hich is 'hich.

5 USING THE COMMAND LINE

!here is another 'a+ o$ %ra'in( in LibreCA, an% that is 'ith the comman% line. B+ usin( the comman% line 'e can *lace entities s*eci$icall+ an% accuratel+ in a location in a %ra'in(. We can %ra' lines3 rectan(les3 circles an% more. !he comman% line a**ears on the bottom o$ +our screen in LibreCA, an% looks like the *icture belo'.

1otice there is a bo. ne.t to the 'or% comman%. !his is 'here 'e 'ill t+*e our in$ormation. !o activate the bo. 'e onl+ nee% to click insi%e the comman% bo. an% +ou 'ill see that it turns blue to sho' its activate% an% a'aitin( +ou comman%. Be$ore 'e use this bo. ho'ever 'e nee% to %o 6 thin(s. :irst3 is +ou notice the la+er list3 there are 6 la+ers no'. You notice that one 'ill have a (re+ stri*e thou(h it. !he (re+ stri*e in%icates the active la+er (like in active $or %ra'in( . We nee% to make sure that la+er 0 has the (re+ stri*e. &$ it %oes not3 click on it no' to activate it $or %ra'in(. Also 'hile +ou are in la+er 0 click the e%it icon an% make sure the la+er 0 is not checke% as a hel* la+er. &$ it is uncheck it an% check ok. &$ +ou %on2t %o this3 all the lines +ou %ra' 'ill be in$init+ 'hich means the+ have an in%e$inite len(th. !he secon% thin( 'e nee% to %o is click $ile an% then save as $rom the *ull %o'n menu. We 'ill save this %ra'in( as L-Block. Click save an% 'e 'ill be (oo% to (o 'ith our $irst %ra'in(. We are (oin( to %ra' the L-Block usin( the comman% line. !he L-Block is an actual Automotive $i.ture *art use% in the $i.tures that surroun% a car as it is bein( built. &t is use% as a sto* block in the $i.ture to hol% a *art in correct *osition $or 'el%in(. !o use the comman% line 'e nee% to kno' some thin(s $irst. You notice in the %ra'in( there is an @ a.is 'hich is horizontal %irection an% a Y a.is 'hich is vertical %irection. When +ou use the comman% line +ou are enterin( *oints on the %ra'in(. !he (ri% is a (ui%e $or +ou an% the re% crosshairs re*resent 0 on the %ra'in(I.that is 030 or @A03YA0 so 'hen +ou enter *oints it 'ill al'a+s be @3 Y 'ith the @ al'a+s the $irst %imension. You 'ill un%erstan% this better 'hen 'e actuall+ run throu(h the e.ercise. So no' lets (ive it a tr+: i$ +ou make a mistake click e%it3 un%o $rom the menu bar. ?. Le$t click one time in the comman% line bo.. !he 'or% comman% shoul% turn blue to sho' its active. 6. We have to tell it 'hat 'e are %ra'in( so t+*e line an% *ress the enter ke+ on the ke+*a%. 3. &t shoul% be askin( us no' to enter the $irst *oint so t+*e 030 an% enter on the ke+boar%. 7. 1o' it is askin( us to enter the secon% *oint so t+*e 5030 an% enter on the ke+boar%. You shoul% see a horizontal line a**ear 50mm lon(. !his is the base o$ the L-Block. B. We nee% to enter the ne.t *oint so t+*e 503B0 an% enter on the ke+boar%. You 'ill notice it %re' a vertical line to a *oint at @A50 an% YAB0. !hat is a B0mm line.

C. 1o' t+*e B03B0 an% *ress enter. We have another horizontal line this time 60mm lon(. 5. 1o' t+*e B0360 an% *ress enter. !his %ra's another vertical line $or us 30mm D. 1o' t+*e 0360 an% *ress enter. E. 1o' t+*e 030 to brin( us back to our start *oint to com*lete our %ra'in( o$ the L-Block. You can also t+*e close to %o this as 'ell. ?0. <i(ht click 6 times to come out o$ the comman%. As +ou can see3 'e can be ver+ accurate %ra'in( this 'a+. &$ +ou 'ante% to %ra' a circle +ou sim*l+ 'oul% t+*e circle an% $ollo' the comman% *rom*ts. Same 'ith rectan(le. 0o ahea% an% e.*eriment 'ith those no'. You mi(ht tr+ %ra'in( a B.B ra%ius hole 'ith the center *oint at the ?00350 $or instance. !hat is a ??mm hole 'hich 'oul% be har% to %ra' an+ other 'a+. !ake the o**ortunit+ no' to save +our %ra'in( usin( $ile3 save or clickin( the save &con.

6 PAN AND ZOOM

4an an% zoom are ver+ use$ul tools in LibreCA,. !he zoom tool is invaluable 'hen +ou nee% to move u* close to an entit+ to 'ork on it. !his is es*eciall+ true 'hen the area is ver+ small3 or several lines %ra'n close to(ether. As +ou 'ill see in a moment3 there are several 'a+s to use zoom. 4an allo's +ou to move the %ra'in( u*3 %o'n3 ri(ht3 or le$t. !his is es*eciall+ use$ul i$ +our %ra'in( is lar(e. 4an an% zoom are accom*lishe% usin( the &cons belo'.

Startin( $rom the le$t3 is the zoom in icon. Click on this an% +ou (ra%uall+ zoom in on the %ra'in(. !he ne.t &con is the zoom out icon. Click on this an% +ou (ra%uall+ out on the %ra'in(. !he ne.t &con is autozoom 'hich zooms +ou in $aster. !he ne.t &con is the *revious vie' &con 'hich 'hen clicke% returns +ou to the last vie'. !he ne.t &con is 'in%o' zoom 'hich allo's +ou to *ut a 'in%o' aroun% a certain area an% zooms +ou ri(ht into the area. &t is the $astest 'a+ to zoom in. & *articularl+ love usin( this because & can (et close u* in a small area ver+ $ast3 %o m+ 'ork3 an% click the *revious vie' icon to brin( me back out o$ zoom ;uickl+. !he last &con on the ri(ht is 4an. Click this icon an% *lace +our cursor in the 'ork area an% hol% %o'n the le$t mouse button. You can move the %ra'in( all over the 'ork area an% vie' the %ra'in( area outsi%e the 'ork area as 'ell. You shoul% still have +our L-Block %ra'in( out on +our 'ork bench so take some time no' an% e.*eriment 'ith 4an an% Loom. !o use the zoom 'in%o': ?. Click the zoom 'in%o' icon 6. #ove +our cursor %o'n into the 'ork area. 1otice +ou have the oran(e re$erence lines an% the cursor turns to a ma(ni$+in( (lass. #ove the cursor b+ the area +ou 'ant to zoom an% hol% %o'n the le$t mouse button ,8 18! </L/AS/ !>/ B"!!81 Y/! but move the mouse to create a 'in%o' aroun% the area +ou 'ant to zoom. When +ou have %one that release the le$t mouse button an% +ou 'ill zoom ri(ht into the area. !he smaller the zoom 'in%o' +ou create3 the closer +ou 'ill zoom into the area. 3. When +ou are %one3 click the *revious vie' icon to zoom back out.

7 INFO ICON

8n the &con menu on the le$t +ou 'ill $in% the &n$o &con. 'ith this icon +ou can actuall+ measure an entit+ 'ithout havin( to %imension it. &t is use$ul $or checkin( +our 'ork as +ou %ra' or $or a (eneral check o$ in$ormation o$ an entit+. When +ou click this &con +ou 'ill (et the $ollo'in( &con menu.

!he to* icon on the le$t allo's +ou to measure *oint to *oint. !he to* ri(ht icon lets +ou measure *oint to a line. !he mi%%le le$t icon lets +ou measure an an(le. !he mi%%le ri(ht icon lets +ou measure total len(th o$ entities an% the bottom icon lets +ou measure the area o$ a *ol+(on. !hese icons are sim*le to use as +ou -ust click one *oint or entit+ an% then click the other *oint or entit+ an% the results 'ill be %is*la+e% on the bottom in the comman% in$ormation bo.. Since +ou have the L-Block %ra'in( on +our 'orkbench3 (o ahea% an% take a $e' measurements no'.

8 THE ISOMETRIC GRID

We use &sometrics 'hen 'e 'ant to sho' somethin( in 3,. LibreCA, has an &sometric (ri% settin( to enable us to %o this. & kno' $rom e.*erience that Automotive *arts %ra'in(s usuall+ contain a $ront vie'3 si%e vie'3 an% to* vie' in 6, an% a small 3, isometric vie' o$ the *art to assist in makin( the *art. !he cra$tsman makin( the *art then has a (oo% visual i%ea o$ 'hat the com*lete *art looks like. An &sometric vie' o$ a *art mi(ht look like the e.am*le belo'.

!his is a sim*le L-Bracket. Lookin( at this &sometric vie' +ou (et a ver+ (oo% i%ea o$ ho' the *art shoul% look. What +ou see in this %ra'in( is a metal L-Bracket 'ith a ? mm thickness. &n a 3, CA, *ro(ram +ou 'oul% also be able to sha%e the sur$aces to make them soli% sur$aces an% +ou 'oul% have 3, rotation to look at all an(les at the *art. Since this is a sim*le *art3 an &sometric vie' 'ill su$$ice nicel+ $or us. >o' %o 'e make an &sometric vie'H We 'ill look at this in ste*s as 'e %ra' our $irst &sometric vie'. &n this %ra'in( 'e 'ill also learn some ne' %ra'in( tools like %ra'in( *arallels3 trim an% e.ten%3 creatin( a ra%ius on a *art an% even tools 'e alrea%+ have learne% like 4an an% Loom3 ,imensionin(3 Chan(in( line t+*es an% Basic %ra'in( tools 'e have learne% be$ore. So3 let2s (et starte%: ?. Save an% close an+ %ra'in(s +ou have on +our 'orkbench. 6. Click e%it on the to* menu bar. 8n the %ro* %o'n menu select current %ra'in( *re$erences. 3. &n the bo. that *o*s u* select the (ri% tab on to*. A (ri% o*tions area 'ill a**ear in the bo.. We are onl+ (oin( to chan(e one thin( here. Click the &sometric button an% select ok on the bottom o$ the bo.. You 'ill notice more (ri% *oints have a**eare% on the (ri%. !hat is because 'e no' have a thir% coor%inate 'e 'ill %ra' on. !ake a look at the illustration belo'.

"* until no' 'e have been %ra'in( in the ortho(onal (ri% 'hich is the 6, (ri%. &n the illustration above3 the le$t si%e sho's the @ an% Y coor%inates3 'hich sho' len(th an% hei(ht. &n the &sometric (ri%3 'e still have the @ an% Y coor%inate3 but no' 'e have a L coor%inate 'hich sho's us %e*th or 'i%th no' as 'ell. & (uess +ou coul% sa+ that this is LibreCA,2s intro%uction to 3, %ra'in(. &t is limite%3 but then a(ain3 this is a 6, %ra'in( *ro(ram. !urnin( back to the %ra'in( on +our 'orkbench3 click on $ile on the to* menu an% select save as. You are (oin( to save the %ra'in( as L-Bracket so t+*e that an% click save no'. We 'ill no' %o some %ra'in( so click the line &con on the le$t &con menu an% select line (the icon 'ith the line an% (reen *oints on each en% an% move +our cursor into the 'ork area. !he $irst thin( +ou 'ill notice is that the +ello' re$erence lines no' sho' the Y an% L coor%inates. !his is because 'e are %ra'in( in &sometric mo%e. /ver+thin( 'e learne% about %ra'in( lines still a**lies here e.ce*t $or the &sometric an(le. We are (oin( to %ra' an &sometric rectan(le to start our %ra'in(. 1ormall+ 'e mi(ht use the rectan(le %ra'in( tool $or this but there are certain %ra'in( tools that 'on2t 'ork 'hen %ra'in( on the &sometric (ri% an% the <ectan(le tool is one so 'e have to %ra' the rectan(le 'ith the line usin( 6 *oints %ra'in( tool. When +ou $inish the rectan(le3 it shoul% look like :i(. ? belo'.

Your rectan(le shoul% look like the &llustration above. ,on2t 'orr+ about size as this is an e.ercise to %ra' a basic &sometric %ra'in(. !he im*ortant *art ri(ht no' is the >o' an% not the size. &$ +ou make a mistake3 -ust click e%it an% un%o to correct the mistake. 8nce +ou have a %ra'in( that looks like the above3 then %ra' the bottom o$ the L-Bracket. &t shoul% look like :i(. 6 belo'.

You no' have the basic &sometric L-Bracket that looks like the &llustration above. As +ou can see3 this %oes sho' a 3, ob-ect (sho'in( Len(th3 'i%th3 an% >ei(ht . 1o' that 'e have the basic L-Bracket 'e nee% to make some minor chan(es an% a%% thickness to the *art. &t is a (oo% i%ea to save +our 'ork at this *oint so %o that no'. Line Modifi a!ion &$ +ou look at the L-Bracket +ou 'ill see that *art o$ the lon( line in the back runs behin% or is hi%%en b+ the $ront u*ri(ht *art o$ the L-Bracket. &n other 'or%s3 i$ +ou looke% at the *art in real li$e +ou 'oul% not be able to see *art o$ the back e%(e o$ the L-Bracket. We nee% to chan(e this line to a hi%%en line to sho' that *art o$ the line is not seen. 1ormall+3 this is a sim*le chan(e b+ makin( the 'hole line a hi%%en line but in this case3 onl+ *art o$ the line is hi%%en. &n this case it is a t'o ste* *rocess to achieve this. !he $irst ste* is to chan(e the 'hole line to hi%%en an% the ne.t ste* is to use trim to remove *art o$ the line an% re*lace it 'ith a soli% line. !ake a look back at the &llustration +ou sa' at the be(innin( o$ this cha*ter an% +ou 'ill see 'hat this 'ill look like. !he $irst ste* is the line mo%i$ication: ?. Click mo%i$+ on the to* menu bar. 6. 8n the *ull %o'n menu click *ro*erties. 3. #ove +our cursor crosshair over the back e%(e o$ the *art an% click ? time. !he line 'ill turn re% to sho' it is selecte% an% a line bo. 'ill a**ear like the one sho'n belo'.

Click line t+*e an% all the available line t+*es 'ill be in the *ull %o'n menu. We 'ill select ,ash (small $rom this menu an% then click ok. Your *art shoul% look like the illustration belo'.

As +ou can see the back e%(e is no' a hi%%en line. Usin" Tri' !o chan(e the line 'e nee% to $irst trim the line an% then re%ra' the *art o$ the line trimme% as a soli% line. !his is %one in t'o ste*s. :irst thou(h3 click mo%i$+ a(ain an% the menu 'ill a(ain a**ear.

!his time 'e 'ant to select !rim $rom the mo%i$+ menu. #ove +our cursor back into the 'ork area.

Center +our cursor crosshair over line ? an% click ? time. !he line turns (ra+. &n trim3 the $irst line +ou select is the cuttin( line. 1o' move +ou cursor over an% click on line 6 'here sho'n. !his is the *art o$ the line +ou 'ant to kee*. !he line to the le$t o$ the cuttin( line (ets trimme% a'a+. 1o' ri(ht click 6 times to come out o$ trim. !rim can also be use% to trim a'a+ *arts o$ the line that +ou %on2t nee% an+ more like in intersections3 etc. as 'ell.

!he onl+ thin( no' le$t to %o is click the %ra' on the to* menu an% line $rom the *ull %o'n menu an% re%ra' the soli% line $rom the *oint on the cut line (line ? to the en% *oint o$ the *art. &t shoul% look like the &llustration belo'.

!he basic L-Bracket is no' $inishe%. !ake the o**ortunit+ no' to save +our 'ork. !he ne.t ste* is to a%% thickness to the *art. Crea!in" %arallel lines Because the L-Bracket is a metal *art 'e nee% to a%% *art thickness. We can %ra' this in LibreCA, b+ %ra'in( 4arallel lines. LibreCA, has a tool $or that in the line %ra'in( menu. Look on the le$t si%e &con menu an% select the line icon on the to*.

8nce +ou have selecte% the to* le$t line icon another menu 'ill o*en an% 'e 'ill select the *arallel line icon on the menu. A$ter selectin( the icon3 We nee% to tell LibreCA, the %istance 'ee 'ant bet'een the lines. We %o this in the comman% line. #ove +our cursor %o'n to the comman% line on the bottom an% click le$t click ? time.

&$ +ou look at the comman% line it is askin( +ou to s*eci$+ %istance. Since the L-Bracket thickness is ?mm +ou 'ill t+*e ? on the comman% line an% *ress enter on the com*uter ke+boar%. You have no' set the %istance at ?mm an% it 'ill remain set at ?mm until +ou chan(e it a(ain. #ove +our cursor into the 'ork area an% note the *arallel line 'ill a**ear 'hen +ou move close to a line on the *art. 1otice that i$ +ou move to one si%e o$ the line the *arallel 'ill be sho'n on that si%e. &$ +ou move on the other si%e o$ the line the *arallel 'ill be sho'n on that si%e. !he line 'ill not be %ra'n ho'ever until +ou le$t click the mouse button so *lease kee* that in min%. We are no' (oin( to *lace the $irst line as sho'n belo'.

& have chan(e% the color o$ the *arallel to (reen $or clarit+ in this e.ercise. 0o ahea% an% *lace the line an% le$t click ? time. &$ +ou make a mistake3 click e%it an% then un%o to start over. You 'ill no' %ra' more *arallel lines as sho'n in the illustration belo'.

8nce +ou have $inishe% %ra'in( all o$ the *arallels then ri(ht click the mouse ? time to come out o$ the comman%. We are no' $inishe% a%%in( the *arallel lines 'e nee%. We %o not a%% *arallel lines to the back e%(es because o$ the an(le on 'hich the *art is sho'n 'oul% *lace those lines almost on to* o$ the e.istin( *art e%(es. &t is a (oo% i%ea to save +our 'ork at this *oint so (o ahea% an% %o that no'. Conne !in" !$e orners We no' nee% to connect the corner *oints o$ our *art. Because the lines are so close to(ether 'e nee% to zoom in on the corners. & can2t tell +ou ho' man+ times & have seen *eo*le tr+ to 'ork 'ith lines this close 'ithout zoomin( in closer. !he+ s*en% several minutes tr+in( to select lines an% *oints onl+ to become e.tremel+ $rustrate%. 4lease avoi% this b+ usin( the zoom 'hen 'orkin( this close. We are (oin( to use the 'in%o' zoom this time. !o re$resh +our memor+3 the zoom &cons are sho'n belo'.

!hese &cons as +ou 'ill recall3 are locate% on the to* ri(ht. !he 'in%o' zoom icon is in%icate% b+ the little *ointer un%erneath it. When +ou click this icon move into the 'ork area an% create a 'in%o' as sho'n belo'.

4ut the ma(ni$+in( (lass cursor near the corner an% hol% %o'n the le$t mouse button an% create the bo.. At this *oint 'hen the bo. is %ra'n release the le$t mouse button an% +ou 'ill zoom ri(ht into the area.

We are no' (oin( to %ra' a line bet'een the 6 *oints circle%. We %o this b+ usin( the %ra' line &con or selectin( %ra' then line then bet'een 6 *oints. You 'ill nee% to use trim to remove an+ e.cess lines that run *ast the corners as 'ell. 0o ahea% an% %o that no'. When +ou are $inishe% use the *an icon ($irst icon on the ri(ht lookin( at the zoom icons above an% move to the other to* corner. Len"!$enin" a line When +ou *an over to the other to* corner +ou 'ill notice a %i$$erent situation. 1otice the illustration belo'.

As +ou can see3 the *arallel lines %on2t meet this time. !hat means 'e have to mo%i$+ the line to len(then it. We %o this usin( the mo%i$+ menu.

When 'e click this menu 'e 'ill select Len(then $rom the *ull %o'n menu. 8nce +ou %o that move +our cursor %o'n to the comman% line like 'e %i% $or *arallels. Click on the comman% line an% t+*e 6 (this is ho' lon( 'e 'ant the e.tension to be an% (i!$ou! li *in" the mouse button move it on to the vertical line an% click ? time 'ith the le$t mouse button.

!he result is sho'n above in the illustration. 1o' all that remains in this ste* is to use the trim comman% to trim the e.cess line. &$ the other (reen *arallel is short3 re*eat the *rocess. 1o' 'e nee% to %ra' the corner e%(e line. :or this3 'e 'ill use the %ra' an% line bet'een 6 *oint tool. !here is one more thin( 'e 'ant to %o no' as 'ell. #ove +our cursor u* to the sna* menu an% make sure all the icons sho'n belo' are hi(hli(hte% like in the illustration belo'.

!he $irst t'o icons shoul% alrea%+ be hi(hli(hte% but 'e nee% to hi(hli(ht the thir% icon as 'ell. !his icon is the sna* to en%*oint icon. We nee% to use this so that 'e %o not en% our line on the (ri% *oint 'hich 'ill leave our line short a(ain. 0o ahea% no' an% %ra' +our line. &t shoul% look as in the illustration belo'.

1o' the corner is com*lete. So $ar 'e have %one the to* t'o corners. "sin( the tools 'e have learne%3 move no' to the t'o back corners an% com*lete them. Be$ore +ou %o3 save +our 'ork at this time. Work on the t'o corners circle% belo'.

When +ou are $inishe% save +our 'ork. Crea!in" a radius in a orner /ver+ metal *art nee%s a ra%ius on the ben% line. 8ur *art has a E0 %e(ree ben% on one en%. &$ 'e trie% to ben% this *art 'ithout a ra%ius3 the *art 'oul% break or crack on the ben% line. :or man+ +ears be$ore & tau(ht CA,3 & 'orke% in a metal sho*. & not onl+ 'orke% on makin( *arts like this3 but also *arts in %i$$erent metal t+*es in all %i$$erent thicknesses an% all %i$$erent sha*es (Automotive *arts . &$ a cra$tsman looks at a *art like this in a %ra'in(3 he or she 'oul% automaticall+ *ut a ra%ius in the ben% even i$ it 'asn2t sho'n because the+ kno' the nature o$ the metal. !he metal nee%s to stretch rather than break or crack in the ben%. So no' lets 'ork on the bottom $ront corners. Win%o' zoom in on the $irst corner as sho'n belo'.

1o' lets look at the zoome% in area.

We 'ill use line mo%i$+ a(ain $or this task. Select mo%i$+ $rom the to* menu an% then select <oun%3

#ove +our cursor %o'n to the insi%e vertical line an% le$t click ? time. #ove +our cursor to the other (reen line takin( care that the ra%ius sho'n connects the 6 lines an% le$t click ? time. !he results are sho'n belo'.

1o' le$t click on the vertical 'hite outsi%e line an% then the bottom outsi%e 'hite line. 1o' +ou have $inishe% the corner.

0o ahea% no' an% *an to the other en% an% com*lete the *art. Leave the 'hite line le$t $or a re$erence line. !he com*lete% *art looks like sho'n belo'.

You 'ill note some %i$$erences in 'hat +ou have (hi%%en lines an% the $inishe% *art. 0o ahea% an% make the chan(es in +our *art no'. Save +our 'ork no' be$ore somethin( ha**ens an% +ou nee% to re%ra' it. Di'ensionin" an Iso'e!ri %ar! &n %imensionin( this *art t'o thin(s to remember. ?. Mertical %imensions use the same metho% o$ %imensionin( that 'e use% be$ore. 6. :or %imensions on the an(le 'e nee% to use ali(ne% %imensions. !ake a look at the %imension menu belo':

We are (oin( to select Ali(ne% an% move the cursor into the 'ork area. Start b+ %imensionin( the lo'er $ront line. /ver+thin( 'orks as it %i% be$ore ?. Click on one en% *oint. 6. Click on the o**osite en% *oint. 3. Without clickin(3 move the mouse a'a+ $rom the line an% le$t click one time. 7. #ove to the ne.t line an% re*eat ste*s ?3 63 an% 3. B. When +ou are $inishe% %imensionin( all the an(ular lines then ri(ht click 6 times to come out o$ the comman%.

1o' click Mertical on the %imension *ull %o'n menu an% %imension vertical lines. Your *art shoul% look like the illustration belo'.

Save +our 'ork no'. !his $inishes the Cha*ter on &sometric ,ra'in(.

SELF TEST
We have learne% ;uite a bit so $ar. At this *oint & have inclu%e% a sel$ test. Actuall+3 it is a %ra'in( +ou can %o to *ractice 'hat +ou have learne% so $ar (& (uess this is the teacher *art o$ me sho'in( no' +ou %on2t have to %o the %ra'in(3 but & believe it 'ill hel* to re$resh an% rein$orce in +our min% 'hat has been covere% so $ar. !he choice thou(h is u* to +ou. Let2s look at the 'hole %ra'in( $or a minute.

What +ou see is a small section o$ an Automotive *art. &t is a small section o$ the to* inner si%e inner *anel above the %oor o*enin( in a car. "suall+ +ou never see the inner *anel because it is covere% b+ the roo$ on the outsi%e an% trim on the insi%e. &t is ver+ im*ortant thou(h because the *art is %esi(ne% to *rotect +ou in the event o$ a rollover. What +ou are lookin( at is the $ront3 to*3 an% si%e vie's o$ the *art. !his is normall+ the 'a+ +ou 'oul% see them in a %ra'in( an% m+sel$3 as a cra$tsman3 'oul% be aske% to take a *iece o$ sheet metal an% make the *art. But +ou %o not have to make the *art3 -ust %ra' the %ra'in(. & have %ra'n lar(er vie's belo' $or clarit+.

Above is the :ront vie'.

Above is the si%e vie'.

An% $inall+3 the to* vie'. &$ +ou choose to 'ork on it3 save the %ra'in( as hat section an% later 'e 'ill a%% a title Block to the %ra'in(. !ake +our time an% i$ +ou (et stuck3 (o back in the manual to re$resh +our memor+. &$ +ou 'ant to %ra' each vie' as a se*arate %ra'in( +ou can %o that as 'ell. Also check the %ra'in( because & *ur*osel+ le$t out one thin( to see i$ +ou can catch it (Gust $or $un . Ti!le Blo * /ver+ %ra'in( usuall+ has a title block. !his *rovi%es a *lace on the %ra'in( $or e.tra in$ormation like *art name3 material. !hickness3 scale3 an% also a *art or %ra'in(

number $or $ilin( *ur*oses. You can make the title block as sim*le or com*le. as +ou 'ant. Belo' 'e 'ill %ra' a sim*le title block.

& %re' this usin( the rectan(le %ra' tool. & %re' it 30mm . D0mm an% then use% the line %ra'in( tool to %ivi%e it into 3 *arts. !he title block 'ill (o belo' the re% crosshairs as sho'n above.

As sho'n above3 & also %re' a vertical line as sho'n above.

& then $ille% in the bo.es as sho'n. & use% the %ra'Nte.t tool the label the bo.. & set the te.t hei(ht to 6 $or the small te.t an% $or the lar(e te.t & set the te.t hei(ht to 7. & mi(ht su((est that +ou %ra' the title block on a se*arate la+er on +our blank %ra'in( $ile that +ou save% earlier in the manual. !his is 'hat & %i% an% no' & %on2t nee% to re%ra' the title block ever+ time. &$ +ou create a la+er call it title block so +ou 'ill remember 'hat is on the la+er. You can make the block bi((er to hol% more in$ormation or chan(e the labels in the bo.es to suit +our nee%s. %ro+e !ion Vie( Be$ore 'e leave %ra'in( vie's & 'ant to cover brie$l+ on more t+*e o$ vie' an% that is a *ro-ection vie'. Sometimes our %ra'in( has sur$aces on an(les. A $ront3 to*3 or si%e vie' %oes not allo' us to trul+ %imension it as it reall+ looks an% this is even more true i$ the sur$ace has a $eature like a hole3 slot3 etc. !he onl+ 'a+ 'e can sho' the sur$ace in a true vie' (a vie' *uttin( the an(le% sur$ace E0 %e(rees to the 'ork area . Belo' +ou 'ill see an e.am*le o$ a *ro-ection vie'.

!he to* vie' is no' a true vie' an% allo's us to %imension as the sur$ace reall+ looks. !he vie' is %ra'n E0 %e(rees to the an(le% sur$ace. & kno' man+ o$ +ou are (oin( to sa+ that an &sometric vie' then is not a true vie' an% +ou 'oul% be correct. #an+ %ra'in(s3 at least the ones & have 'orke% 'ith3 have $ront3 si%e3 to*3 an% a small &sometric vie' some'here on the %ra'in(. !he &sometric vie' is never %imensione% but %ra'n to sho' the cra$tsman 'hat the *art is su**ose% to look like. We %imensione% the &sometric vie' in the earlier %ra'in( 'e %i% to %emonstrate ali(ne% %imensions.

1! THE MODIFY ICONS

We are no' (oin( to cover a $e' more mo%i$+ icons that 'ill be use$ul to +ou. !he icon *anel on the le$t is 'hat 'e 'ill be usin(. !he *anel looks like this or i$ it %oesn2t3 ri(ht click +our mouse in the 'ork area or click the (reen arro' above the icon *anel till +ou see the *anel belo'.

!his actuall+ is the main icon *anel. &t is the one +ou start 'ith 'hen +ou start u* LibreCA,. Le$t click the mo%i$+ icon. When +ou %o3 the mo%i$+ icons 'ill a**ear

Let9s look at a $e' more icons. & have %ra'n some illustrations belo' to hel* +ou.

&n e.am*le A3 & %re' a sim*le line. & then clicke% the %ivi%e icon. & then: ?. Clicke% the line & %re'. 6. !he *rom*t on the bottom 'ill ask +ou $or a cut line or *oint. & then move% m+ cursor alon( the line an% clicke% at an+ *oint. & then ri(ht clicke% ? time to come out o$ the comman%. 1o' i$ +ou (o u* an% click the line3 +ou 'ill notice +ou no' have 6 lines. You have cut the line at the *oint +ou in%icate%. /.am*le B sho's the line & %i% an% & colore% one line re% $or clarit+. &n e.am*le C3 & %re' a circle. !hen usin( the concentric icon on the circle %ra' menu & create% another circle ne.t to the ori(inal one & %re'. !his &con 'orks the same 'a+ the *arallel line icon %i%. You sim*l+ click the icon an% move +our to the si%e o$ the circle +ou 'ant the concentric on an% le$t click ? time then ri(ht click ? time to come out o$ the comman%. /.am*le , sho's the results (& use% mo%i$+ *ro*erties to chan(e the line to a %ashe% line . B+ the 'a+3 on a %ra'in( a circle %ra'n this 'a+ 'oul% in%icate a threa%e% hole. &n e.am*le 03 & %re' an arc an% *lace% a line on each si%e usin( concentric. &n e.am*le /3 & %re' a small circle. & then click the mirror icon. & then: ?. Clicke% the circle. 6. & then hit enter on the ke+boar%. !he *rom*t on the bottom tol% me to select the $irst mirror *oint. & selecte% the ri(ht en% o$ the circle. 3. !he *rom*t then tol% me to *ick the secon% mirror *oint so & move% the cursor a'a+ $rom the circle an% %o'n. A mirror ima(e circle a**eare%. 7. When & move% the circle 'here & 'ante% & le$t clicke% ? time to set it in *lace. A bo. *o**e% u* an% & selecte% kee* ori(inal an% clicke% ok. /.am*le : sho's m+ results. You can also %o this 'ith a rectan(le or an+ ob-ect +ou %ra'. Gust make sure the 'hole ob-ect is selecte% be$ore +ou *ress enter on the ke+boar% like it tells +ou in ste* 6.

&n e.am*le >3 & %re' a line an% then & selecte% the rotate icon. !hen ?. Select the line an% then *ress enter on the ke+boar%. 6. !he *rom*t on the bottom 'ill ask +ou to select a rotation *oint. & selecte% the center o$ the line. 3. !he *rom*t then aske% me to choose a re$erence *oint so & clicke% on one en% o$ the line. 7. !he *rom*t no' asks $or a tar(et *oint. #ove +our mouse an% +ou 'ill see the line actuall+ rotate. Le$t click 'here +ou 'ant to *lace it. A bo. 'ill *o* u* an% +ou 'ill have a chance to chan(e an(le3 kee* or %elete the ori(inal line3 or create multi*le co*ies (& %i% that $or $un an% (ot 'hat looke% like an asterisk as a result but in this case & selecte% %elete ori(inal an% (ot the results in e.am*le &. Also notice in e.am*le & +ou can see the rotation *oint & use% is in%icate% b+ the re% *oint. !here is ? more &con & 'ant to (o over an% that is the moveOco*+ icon. & %re' a small rectan(le an% selecte% the icon. !hen: ?. Select all 7 lines o$ the rectan(le an% *ress enter on the ke+boar%. 6. Select a re$erence *oint. & selecte% the lo'er ri(ht *oint on the rectan(le. 3. Select a tar(et *oint. & selecte% a *oint 60mm $rom the re$erence *oint. 7. A$ter +ou click a bo. 'ill *o* u*. You can %elete the ori(inal or kee* the ori(inal3 or make multi*le co*ies. & selecte% multi*le co*ies an% t+*e% 7 $or ho' man+ & 'ante%. B. Click ok on the bottom o$ the bo.. !he result & (ot is sho'n belo'.

!he to* rectan(le is the be$ore an% the bottom is the nice ro' & (ot $rom multi*le co*ies. & %re' the to* rectan(le $irst then co*+ an% move% it ? time %o'n to the bottom an% then use% move an% co*+ a(ain to create the ro'. !hese are some o$ the a%%itional &cons +ou 'ill use most o$ten in +our %ra'in(. !ake some time an% 'ork 'ith them no'.

,elf Tes! 2 Belo' is another %ra'in( $or +ou to 'ork on i$ +ou choose.

!his time 'e have a clam*in( block. A(ain3 i$ +ou (et stuck alon( the 'a+3 re$er back in the manual to re$resh +our memor+. & intentionall+ le$t out a %imension so see i$ +ou can $in% 'here it shoul% be. >int: check the hole. All the %ra'in( 'e have %one so $ar has been about sheet metal *arts. !he %ra'in( tools +ou have learne% so $ar can be a**lie% to all %ra'in(s 'hether the+ be sheet metal3 lan%sca*e %ra'in(3 room la+out3 an% an+ t+*e o$ %ra'in(. So 'hat +ou learn here 'ill ho*e$ull+ be ver+ use$ul.