AutoCAD Tutorial

(introductory level)

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Topics
1. Introduction
1. Working environment

: Drawing area, Menus, Tools bars, Buttons.

2. Interaction: How to execute a command.

2. Create a drawing
3. Preparation:

Format a layer and dimension style.

4. Drawing a shape:

Commands & Tools (i.e. Ortho mode (F8), object snap (F3))

5. Modifying a shape:

Commands

6. Dimensioning: Commands
3. Print a drawing
7. Plotting
PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

1. Working
environment

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Start the program

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Screen
Menu bar
1. Standard
6. Layer

7. Property

Drawing area

5. Dimension
4. Object snap
3. Modify
2. Draw
Command
line
Status line

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Customizing a Background
Menu bar:

1. Click Tool >> Options

Options:
2. Click Display
3. Click Colors

Drawing Window Colors:

4. Click 2D model space
5. Click Uniform background
6. Click Color (select your prefer

color.)

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Commonly used toolbars

1. Standard
2. Draw
3. Modify
4. Object snap

Geometric
construction

5. Dimension
6. Layer
7. Properties

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

1. Standard

1. File (New; Open; Save)

2. Plot
3. Undo (Redo button is placed on the right)
4. Pan
5. Zoom

With a mouse scroll wheel

- Rolling forward to Zoom in
- Rolling backward to Zoom out

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

2. Draw

1. Line

7. Hatching

2. Polyline

8. Multiline text

3. Polygon
4. Rectangle
5. Arc
6. Circle

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

3. Modify

1. Erase

3. Mirror
4. Offset
5. Array

10

11

12

8. Trim

(same as clicking a delete button)

2. Copy selection

9. Extend
10. Break at point
11. Chamfer
12. Round

6. Move
7. Rotate
PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

4. Object snap

1. (Snap to) End point

7. Perpendicular

2. Midpoint

8. Parallel

3. Intersection
4. Center
5. Quadrant
6. Tangent

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

5. Dimension

1. Linear
2. Aligned
3. Radius
4. Diameter
5. Angular
6. Center mark

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

6. Layer

On/
Off

Lock/
Unlock

Layer
name

1. Click Layer property manager

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

7. Properties

Color

Linetype

Lineweight

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Customizing a Toolbar
1. Right click on a toolbar area
2. Select ACAD
3. Click on a listed item to open (or close)
toolbar.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

2. Interaction

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Execute a command
1. Enter a keyword or command in a command line
2. Select from list in menu bar (or right click on
the drawing area to open a short cut menu)
3. Click the button on a toolbar

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Method 1
Key in a keyword in a command line.
Follows a step-by-step option or guidance.
Example : Draw a circle
Executed
command
Option/
Properties

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Method 2
Select a keyword from a list in menu bar.
Follows a step-by-step option or guidance in command line.
Example : Draw a circle
1

The current step that is displayed a command line is

3
PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Method 3
Click the button in a toolbar.
Follows a step-by-step option or guidance in command line.
Example : Draw a circle
Click

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

3. Preparation

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format layer : Create a new layer

Create the layers for
visible line, thin line, hidden line, center line, dimension, hatching and text.
1. Menu bar: Click Format >> Layer
2. Click

, Key in Visible line

3. Click

, Key in Thin line

4. Click

, Key in Hidden line

5. Click

, Key in Center line

6. Click

, Key in Dimension

7. Click

, Key in Hatching

8. Click

, Key in Text

9. Click OK

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format layer : Setting a linetype 1/2

1. Menu bar: Click Format >> Linetype.
2. Click Load, Select CENTER and Click OK.
3. Click Load, Select DASHED and Click OK.
4. Click OK.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format layer : Setting a linetype 2/2

5. Open Layer Properties manager,Click Linetype of a layer Center line.
6. Click CENTER, click OK.
7. Click Linetype of a layer Hidden line
8. Click DASHED, click OK.
9. Click OK.

6
8

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format layer : Setting a lineweight

1. Open Layer Properties manager, Click Lineweight of a layer Visible line
2. Click 0.6 mm, click OK.
3. Click OK.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Answer

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format dimension style 1/5

1. Menu bar: Click Format >> Dimension style
2. Click Modify.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format dimension style 2/5

3. Click tab Line
4. Change Dimension lines and Extension lines to the following format.
3

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format dimension style 3/5

5. Click tab Symbols and Arrows
6. Change Arrowheads to the following format.
5

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format dimension style 4/5

7. Click tab Text
8. Change Text style and Text color to the following format.

7
8

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

Format dimension style 5/5

9. Click tab Primary Units

10. Change Precision and Decimal separator to the following format.

11. Click OK
9

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

4. Drawing a shape

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Notes
Meaning of symbols in AutoCAD command line.
[ ]

is used for option

( ) is used for explanation

< >

is used for default value

Location of a point can be assigned by

mouse click on the drawing area or on a specific point of an object.
key in a cartesian coordinate.
(two numbers separate by a comma, i.e. 50,27 )
key in a polar coordinate
- distance (from a specified beginning point) and
- angle

(CCW from the horizontal axis)

(i.e. @50<60)
PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Line
1

Command: line
Specify first point: 0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: 50,50
Specify next point or [Undo]: press ESC

Command: line
Specify first point: 0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @50<45
Specify next point or [Undo]: press ESC

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Rectangle
1

Command: rectangle
Specify first corner point or
[Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: 15,15
Specify other corner point or
[Area/Dimensions/Rotation]: @100,60

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Polygon
1

Command: polygon
Enter number of sides <4>: 6
Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: 60,60
Enter an option
[Inscribed in circle/
Circumscribed about circle] <I>: c
Specify radius of circle: 15

Sketch it

Command: polygon
Enter number of sides <4>: 6
Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: 60,60
Enter an option
[Inscribed in circle/
Circumscribed about circle] <I>: i
Specify radius of circle: 15

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Circle
1

Command: circle
Specify center point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 50,50
Specify radius of circle or
[Diameter] <10.0000>: 20

Command: circle
Specify center point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 3p
Specify first point on circle: 10,10
Specify second point on circle: 70,70
Specify third point on circle: 50,30

Command: circle
Sketch it
Specify center point for circle or
[3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: Ttr
Specify point on object for first tangent
of circle: [ the 1st line]
Specify point on object for second tangent
of circle:[ the 2nd line]
Specify radius of circle <59.6074>: 40

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Arc
1

Command: arc
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: c
Specify center point of arc: 50,50
Specify start point of arc: @30<0
Specify end point of arc or
[Angle/chord Length]: a
Specify included angle: 120

Command: arc
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: c
Specify center point of arc: 50,50
Specify start point of arc: @30<30
Specify end point of arc or
[Angle/chord Length]: @50<120

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Hatch
Command: hatch
1. Select pattern
2. Set angle and scale.
3. Click button Add: Pick points
4. Click inside the closed area.
5. Right click
6. Click OK

3
1

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Ortho mode on/off

- Press [F8] to turn on or off object snap mode.
- If ortho mode is set on, all lines are drawn only along the x-y directions.

off

on

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Object snap mode on/off

Press [F3] to turn on or off object snap mode.

Status bar

off

on

Right click

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

5. Modifying a shape

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Move
1

Command: move
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Specify base point or [Displacement]
<Displacement>: click on a point B
Specify second point or
<use first point as displacement>: @50,30

Specify second point or

<use first point as displacement>: 50,30

Specify second point or

<use first point as displacement>: @50<30

Sketch it

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Copy selection
1

Command: copy
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: click mouse right button
Specify base point or [Displacement]
<Displacement>: click on a point B
Specify second point or
<use first point as displacement>: @50,30
Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Mirror
1

Command: mirror
Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 4 found
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Specify first point of mirror line: click on a point A
Specify second point of mirror line: click on a point B
Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: n

Sketch it

object

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Offset
1

Command: offset
Specify offset distance or
[Through/Erase/Layer] <Through>: 30
Select object to offset or
[Exit/Undo] <Exit>: click on the object
Specify point on side to offset or
[Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>: click on the drawing area
Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Array
1

Command: array
Array dialog box will appear.
1.Select type of an array Rectangular
2.Input rows, columns, row offset,
column offset, angle of array.
3.Click button Select object.
4. Click on an object.
5. Right click.
6. Click button OK

C
D
E

Sketch it

object

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Array
2

Command: array
Array dialog box will appear.
1.Select type of an array : Polar
2.Input A and B.
3.Click button Select object.
3.1 Click on an object.
3.2. Right click.

4. Click button Center point

4.1 Click on a center point.
4.2 Right click.

5. Select option
Rotate items as copied or not

6. Click button OK
Sketch it

object

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

A
B

Class activity

Rotate
1

Command: rotate
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Specify base point: click on a point A
Specify rotation angle or [Copy/Reference] <0>: 30
Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Rotate
2

Command: rotate
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Specify base point: click on a specific point on the object
Specify rotation angle or [Copy/Reference] <0>: r
Specify the reference angle <196>: click on point C
Specify second point: click on point D
Specify the new angle or [Points] <0>: p
Specify first point: click on a point A
Specify second point: click on a point B
Sketch it

Given

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Trim
1

Command: trim
Current settings: Projection=UCS, Edge=None
Select cutting edges ...
Select objects or <select all>: Click on line AB
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]:
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/eRase/Undo]: (If finished, click
mouse right button)
A
Sketch it

Given

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Extend
1

Command: extend
Current settings: Projection=UCS, Edge=None
Select boundary edges ...
Select objects or <select all>: Click on line CD
Select objects: (If finished, click mouse right button)
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/Undo]: Click on point A.
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/Undo]: (If finished, click mouse
right button)
Sketch it

Sketch it

D
D
C

B
F

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Break at point

Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Sketch it

Class activity

Chamfer
1

Command: chamfer
(TRIM mode) Current chamfer Dist1 = 0.0000, Dist2 = 0.0000
Select first line or
[Undo/Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/mEthod/Multiple]: d
Specify first chamfer distance <0.0000>: 5
Specify second chamfer distance <5.0000>: 5
Select first line or [Undo/Polyline/Distance/
Angle/Trim/mEthod/Multiple]: click on line A
Select second line or shift-select to apply corner: click on line B
Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Class activity

Fillet
1

Command: fillet
Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = 0.0000
Select first object or [Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: r
Specify fillet radius <0.0000>: 5
Select first object or
[Undo/Polyline/Radius/Trim/Multiple]: click on line A
Select second object or shift-select to apply corner: click on line B

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

6. Dimensioning

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Linear
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Specify first extension line origin or
<select object>: Click on point A
Specify second extension line origin: Click on point B
Specify dimension line location or
[Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]: Move
the crosshair to your prefer position
then click.
Sketch it

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Aligned
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Specify first extension line origin or
<select object>: Click on point A
Specify second extension line origin: Click on point B
Specify dimension line location or
[Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]: Move
the crosshair to your prefer position
then click.
Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Angle
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Select arc, circle, line, or <specify vertex>: Click on line AB
Select second line: Click on point AC
Specify dimension arc line location or
[Mtext/Text/Angle]: Move the crosshair to your prefer
position then click.

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Radius
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Select arc or circle: Click on arc AB
Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Move
the crosshair to your prefer position
then click.

Sketch it

A
B

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Diameter
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Select arc or circle: Click on circle
Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle]: Move
the crosshair to your prefer position
then click.

Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Leader
1. Click on the button
2. Follows command line
Specify first leader point, or
[Settings] <Settings>: click on center of a circle
Specify next point: Click for a bend point
Specify next point: Push F8 if ortho mode is off.
<Ortho on>
Click for an end point.
Specify text width <0.0000>: Right click (to skip)
Enter first line of annotation text <Mtext>: Key in a text
Enter next line of annotation text: Right click (to finish)
3. Move the arrowhead to a circumferential line.
Sketch it

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

7. Plotting

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Overall steps
1. Create layout (or paper space)
2. Placement and scaling an object.
3. Edit a title block
4. Plot

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

1. Create layout

1. Go to Menu bar, select

Insert >> layout >> layout from template
2. Select ISO A4 Named Plot Styles
and click Open.
3. Click OK to close insert layout window.
4. Click Tab ISO A4 Title Block (portrait).

2
3
4

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Screen
Demonstration
NOTES
1. To zoom and pan the object,

Printable
frame
(dash line)

double click on viewport area.

Viewport
(To activate a floating model space) frame

2. To return to a paper space

(continuous line)

Object

double click on outside

viewport area.

Template
PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

2. Placement and scaling 1/2

1. Activate a floating model

space.
2. In command line, key in
zoom [press ENTER],
extents [press ENTER].
3. Return to paper space.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

2. Placement and scaling 2/2

1. Go to menu bar, click

Modify >> Properties

2. Click on viewport frame.
3. Go to properties window,
select viewport (1)
4. Select an appropriate scale
with Standard scale or
Custom scale.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

3. Edit a title block

1. Double click on a text in template area.
2. Fill up the attributes.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE

Exercise

4. Plotting
1. Go to menu bar, click
File >> plot
2. Complete the following plot dialogue box.

PREPARED BY BVSR KISHORE