A completely free AutoCAD tutorial series containing approximately 70 video lessons covering AutoCAD 2D as well as 3D topics taught. In the first step of this AutoCAD Tutorial, you will learn how to install the software. Step 2: Basic Orientation. Step 3: 2D Sketches. Step 4: Modeling 3D Objects. Step 5: Mesh & Files in AutoCAD.a few of the AutoCAD basics were upgraded to create a betterHow to save an AutoCAD drawing to a previous or older file format.Don't know where to start with AutoCAD? Check out Scan2CAD's complete guide covering AutoCAD basics you can learn in 1 hour.
AutoCad Basic Tutorial
Launching AutoCad
· Start
· 3D and CAD
· AutoCad
Typing Commands
Typing a Command
All AutoCAD commands can be typed in
at the command line. Many commands also have one or two letter aliases that can
also be typed as shortcuts to the commands.
1. Type the desired command at the command prompt. Command : LINE or
2.
Type the
command’s alias. Command: L
3.
Press ENTER/Space to
end.
4. Type an option at the command prompt.
TIP: Many AutoCAD commands require you to
press ENTER to complete the command. You know you are no longer in an AutoCAD
command when you see a blank command line.
Reissuing the Last Command
The last used AutoCAD command can be re-entered by one of the
following three methods of ENTER. The ENTER key on the keyboard will always act
as ENTER, the SPACEBAR and RIGHT MOUSE will act as enter most of the time
(exceptions include placing TEXT).
1. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard or
2. Press the Space bar on the
keyboard. or
3.
Click
the right mouse button.
Pointing
Device (Mouse)
AutoCAD uses either a mouse or digitizing tablet to select objects
in a drawing.
Left Mouse Button
Used to pick or select objects
1. Click the left mouse button to select an object area in
the drawing.
2. Press ESC twice to deselect an object (or to cancel a command).
Right Mouse Button
Used to enter a command, repeat last command, or access shortcut
menus.
1. Click the right mouse button.
TIPS:
·
SHIFT + the right mouse button brings
up the object snap menus.
·
Various
screen locations for the mouse brings up different menus. menus.
5.2 PAN
Shifts the location of a view.
2.
Choose View, Pan. or
3.
Click the Pan icon. or
4.
Type PAN from the command prompt. Command: PAN or P
TIPS:
·
While
in the PAN command, click with the right mouse button to see the following
menu.
·
Panning can also be done by using the window
scroll bars
5.1 ZOOM
Increases or decreases the apparent
size of objects in the current viewport
1.
Choose View, Zoom. or
2.
Click a Zoom icon. or
3.
Type ZOOM at the command prompt. Command: Zoom or Z
4.
Type One of the following zoom options:
5.
The
following are basic zoom options:
All Places entire drawing
(all visible layers) on display at once. Forces a regeneration.
Extents Displays current
drawing content as large as possible.
Previous Restores previous
view.
Window Designates
rectangular area to be drawn as large as possible.
Number Magnification
relative to ZOOM All display
Number X Magnification
relative to current display (1X)
Center Specifies center
point and new display height.
Dynamic Permits you to pan a
box representing the viewing screen around the entire generated portion of the
drawing and enlarge or shrink it.
TIPS:
-While in the ZOOM command, click with
the right mouse button to see the menu to the right.
2.2 Creating a New Drawing
NEW Command
Creates a new drawing
file.
1.
Choose File, New. or
2.
Press CTRL + N or
3.
Click the New icon. or
4.
Type NEW at the Command prompt. Command: NEW
5.
Choose One of the options for creating a new
drawing.
6.
Click The OK button.
7.
Save the drawing as another name.
TIP:
New drawings can also be created from Template Files.
1.11 Undo and Redo
Reverses the last action.
1.
Choose
Edit, Undo. or
2.
Click
the Undo icon. or
3.
Press
CTRL + Z.
4.
Type
U at the command prompt to undo the
last command. Command: U
Redo
Reverses the effects of a single UNDO or U command.
1.
Choose
Edit, Redo. or
2.
Click
the Redo icon. or
3.
Type
REDO at the command prompt to redo
the last undo command. Command: REDO
TIPS:
·
UNDO has no effect on
some commands and system variables, including those that open, close, or save a
window or a drawing, display information, change the graphics display,
regenerate the drawing, or export the drawing in a different format.
·
REDO
must immediately follow the U or UNDO command.
1.12 Function Keys and Accelerator Keys
2.1 Open Existing
Drawings
1.
Choose File, OPEN. or
2.
Press CTRL + O. or
3.
Click the OPEN icon. or
4.
Type OPEN at the command prompt. Command: OPEN
5.
Press ENTER
6.
Double Click the desired directory to find the drawing to open.
7.
Click the drawing name to open.
8.
Click The OK button.
TIP:
·
Preview
shows a bitmap image of the drawing selected. This image is the view that was
last saved in the drawing. It will not show a preview of drawings saved before
R13 AutoCAD.
Quick Save
The QSAVE command is equivalent to
clicking Save on the File menu. If the drawing is named, AutoCAD saves the
drawing using the file format specified on the Open and Save tab of the Options
dialog box and does not request a file name. If the drawing is unnamed, AutoCAD
displays the Save Drawing As dialog box (see SAVEAS) and saves the drawing with
the file name and format you specify.
1.
Press CTRL + S. or
2.
Click the Save icon. or
3.
Type QSAVE at the command prompt, Command:QSAVE
TIPS:
·
Drawings
can be saved as different versions of AutoCAD (e.g. R13, R14, R 2000, etc.)
AutoSave
settings under Tools, Options…
Useful Commands
7.1 Running Object Snaps
An object snap mode specifies a snap
point at an exact location on an object. OSNAP specifies running object snap
modes, which remain active until you turn them off.
1.
Choose Tools, Drafting Settings... or
2.
Type DDOSNAP at the command prompt Command: DDOSNAP or
3.
Click OSNAP on the Status Bar.
4.
Right Click the Object Snap TAB.
5.
Choose an object snap to turn ON/OFF from the dialog
box.
AutoCAD
2D Tutorial
UNITS Command 8.5
1.
Choose Format, Units... or
2.
Type DDUNITS at the command prompt. Command: DDUNITS or UN
3.
Choose a units and angle setting.
4.
Choose a
precision setting.
3.1 Line Command
Creates single straight line segments
1.
Choose Draw, Line. or
2.
Click the Line icon. or
3.
Type LINE from the command prompt Command: LINE or L
4.
Press ENTER
5.
Pick From point: (point)
6.
Pick Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:(point)
7.
Pick Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:(point)
8.
Press ENTER to end line sequence or
9.
Type U to undo the last segment To point: U (undo) or
1.
Type C to create a closed polygon To point : C (close)
TIPS:
·
You
can continue the previous line or arc by responding to the From point: prompt
with a space or ENTER.
·
Choose
the right mouse button for the line pop-up menu to appear while in the line
command
Pline Command 15.1
A polyline is a connected sequence of
line segments created as a single object. You can create straight line
segments, arc segments, or a combination of the two.
1.
Choose Draw,Polyline. or
2.
Pick the Pline icon.
3.
Type PLINE at the command prompt Command : PLINE or PL
4.
Pick A point on the drawing to start the polyline From point:(select)
5.
Type One of the following options
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>: or
6.
Pick A point to continue drawing
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>: (pick point)
Polyline as one segment
3.4 Orthogonal Lines
Controls lines from being drawn at
various angles to straight lines. When the snap grid is rotated, ortho mode
rotates accordingly.
1.
Press Function Key F8. or
2.
Double Click ORTHO from the Status Bar. or
3. Press
CTRL
+ L.
Rectangle 16.2
1.
Choose Draw, Rectangle. or
2.
Click the Rectangle icon. or
3.
Type Rectang at the command prompt Command: RECTANG
Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width/<First corner>:
4.
Pick first corner.
5. Pick
other
corner or type coordinates (i.e. @4,2).
3.6 Circles
Circle Command
1.
Choose Draw, Circle. or
2.
Click the Circle icon. or
3.
Type CIRCLE at the command prompt. Command: CIRCLE
4.
Type One of the following options: 3P/2P/TTR/<<center
point>>: or
5.
Pick A center point.
6.
Type A radius or diameter. or
7.
Pick A radius or diameter Diameter/<<radius>>:
TIPS:
·
To
create circles that are the same size, press ENTER when asked for the circle
radius.
·
When
selecting a circle with a pickbox, be sure to select the circumference of the
circle.
3.7 Arc Command
1.
Choose Draw, Arc. or
2.
Click the Arc icon. or
3.
Type ARC at the command prompt Command: ARC
4.
Draw One of the arcs.
TIPS:
·
Except
for 3 point arcs, arcs are drawn in a COUNTERCLOCKWISE direction.
·
While
in the arc command, press the right mouse button to select the following
options for arcs:
Spline 16.3
The SPLINE command creates a
particular type of spline known as a nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS)
curve. A NURBS curve produces a smooth curve between control points
·
Choose Draw, Spline. or
·
Click the Spline icon. or
·
Type SPLINE at the command prompt Command: SPLINE
·
Pick A start point for the spline Object / <Enter first
point>: (pick point)
·
Pick Points until youare done drawing splines Enter point:(pick
points)
·
Press Enter or close to complete the spline
·
Pick Starting tangent point for the spline
Enter
start tangent (pick point)
·
Pick Ending tangent point for the spline
Enter end
tangent: (pick point)
Editing
Editing Polylines 15.2
·
Choose Modify, Polyline. or
·
Pick the Pedit icon from the Modify II toolbar.
·
Type PEDIT at the comma nd prompt Command: PEDIT
·
Pick Pick a polyline to edit Select Polyline:(pick)
·
Type One of the following options:Close/Join/ Width/Edit
vertex/FitCurve/Spline/Curve/ Decurve/Undo/eXit
PEDIT options:
·
Close Closes open polyline segments
·
Join Connects polylines, lines, and arcs to existing
polylines.
·
Width Changes the width for all polyline segments.
·
Fit curve Creates curved arc segments around pline
vertices at the direction you specify.
·
Spline Curve Creates a curve through control points on a
polyline.
·
Decurve Straightens curved segments.
·
Edit Vertex Displays
the following Edit Vertex Options:
Move Command 10.1
1.
Choose Modify, Move. or
2.
Click the Move icon. or
3.
Type MOVE at the command prompt Command: MOVE or M
4.
Pick Objects to move Select objects: (select)
5.
Pick A point to move from Base point or displacement: (pick
point)
6.
Pick A point to move to Second point of displacement: (pick
point)
TIP:
To move an object a specified distance,
type a distance at the second point of displacement prompt: @1<0
Copy Command 10.2
1.
Choose Modify, Copy. or
2.
Click the Copy icon. or
3.
Type COPY at the command prompt. Command: COPY or CP
4.
Pick Objects to copy. Select objects: (select)
5.
Pick A point to move from. Base point or
displacement/Multiple: (pick point).
6.
Pick A point to copy to. Second point of displacement: (pick
point) or
7.
Type A point to copy to. Second point of displacement: @
1<0
TIP:
·
To
copy many objects in the same copy command, type M for Multiple at the “Base
point or displacement/Multiple” option.
Offset Command 10.4
Offset Distance
To offset a specified distance:
1.
Choose Modify, Offset. or
2.
Choose the Offset icon. or
3.
Type OFFSET at the command prompt. Command: OFFSET or O
4.
Type The distance to offset. Offset distance or <Through
point>: (number)
5.
Pick The object to offset. Select object to offset: (select
object)
6.
Pick A side to offset object to. Side to offset: (pick side)
7.
Pick Another object to offset Select object to offset: (pick
side) or
8.
Press Enter to end the command.
Explode Command 15.4
1.
Choose Modify,Explode. or
2.
Pick the Explode icon.
3.
Type EXPLODE at the command prompt. Command: EXPLODE or
4. Pick
The
object toexplode. Select objects: (pick)
EXTEND 10.5
1.
Choose Modify, Extend. or
2.
Click the Extend icon. or
3.
Type EXTEND at the command prompt Command: EXTEND
Select boundary edge(s)...
4.
Pick The BOUNDARY edge to extend to Select objects: (select)
5.
Press ENTER to accept the boundary edge Select
objects: (press enter)
6.
Pick The objects to extend <Select object to extend> /
Project /
7.
Edge
/ Undo: Select an object, enter an option, or press enter : (select)
8.
Press ENTER when you are done choosing objects
TIP:
·
Use the object selection option FENCE to
choose multiple objects
Stretch 13.2
1.
Choose Modify, Stretch. or
2.
Click the Stretch icon.
3.
Type STRETC Hat the command prompt. Command : STRETCH Select
objects to stretch by window...
4.
Type C to choose CROSSING window Select objects: C
5.
Pick A first corner to stretch. First corner: (point)
6.
Pick The opposite corner to window the objects to stretch.
Other corner: (point)
7.
Press ENTER to acceptobjects to stretch.
8.
Pick A base point to stretch from Base point: (point)
9.
Pick A point to stretch to New point: (point) or
10.
Type A distance to stretch. New point:@1<0
TIP:
The Stretch command must use a
CROSSING window or a CROSSING POLYGON window.
TRIM 10.6
The TRIM command allows you to trim
objects in a drawing so they end precisely at a cutting edge defined by one or
more other objects in the drawing.
1.
Choose Modify, Trim. or
2.
Click the Trim icon.
3.
Type TRIM at the command prompt Command: TRIM Select
cutting edge(s)...
4.
Pick The CUTTING edge to extend to Select objects: (select)
5.
Press ENTER to accept the cutting edge Select
objects: (press enter)
6.
Pick Objects to trim <Select object to trim> / Project /
Edge / Undo:
Select
an object, enter an option, or press enter
7.
Press ENTER when you are done choosing objects
Select object to trim/Undo: (press enter)
TIP: Hold the SHIFT key to
interactively extend instead of trim.
Break 13.1
·
Choose Modify, Break. or
·
Click the Break icon. or
·
Type BREAK at the command prompt. Command: BREAK
·
Pick Object to break. Select object: (select one object)
·
Pick A second break point. Enter second point : (point)
or
·
Type F to choose a different break point Entersecond
point (or F for first point):(F)
MIRROR 10.7
·
Choose Modify, Mirror. or
·
Click the Mirror icon. or
·
Type MIRROR at the command prompt. Command: MIRROR
·
Pick Objects to mirror. Select objects:(select)
·
Pick First point of mirror line: (point)
·
Pick Second point: (point)
·
Type Yes to delete the original objects and No to keep them.
Delete old objects? Y or N
ROTATE 10.9
·
Choose Modify, Rotate. or
·
Click the Modify icon. or
·
Type ROTATE at the command prompt Command : ROTATE
·
Pick Objects to rotate: Select objects:(select)
·
Pick A pivot point to rotate around Base point: (point)
·
Type A rotation angle<Rotation angle>/Reference: (number)
or
·
Pick A rotation
angle<Rotation angle>/Reference: (point)
SCALE 10.10
·
Choose Modify, Scale. or
·
Click the Scale icon. or
·
Type SCALE at the command prompt Command: SCALE Select
objects: (select objects)
·
Pick A pivot point to scale about Base point: (point)
·
Type A rotation angle<Scale factor>/Reference:(number)
or
·
Pick A scale factor<Scale factor>/Reference: (point)
Scale factor/Reference: (points)
Text Command 11.1
Text
Creates a single-line text object
·
Type TEXT at the command prompt Command: TEXT or
·
Pick the Single Line Text icon from the Text Toolbar.
·
Pick A start point Justify/Style/<Start Point>: (point)
or
·
Type J to change the justification or S to change the text
style.
·
Type A text height Height <default>: (type value or
pick two points)
·
Type A rotation angle Rotation angle <default>: (angle
or point)
·
Type A text string Text: (type text string)
·
Press enter to exit the Text: prompt.
DTEXT (Dynamic Text)
Creates a single-line text object,
showing the text dynamically on the screen as it is entered.
·
Choose Draw, Text, Single Line Text. or
·
Type DTEXT at the command prompt Command : DTEXT
·
Follow the
steps 3-8 from above.
Layers
Introduction to Layers and
Layer Dialog Box12.1
·
Choose Format, Layer. or
·
Type LAYER at the command prompt. Command: LAYER (or LA)
or
·
Pick the layers icon from the Layer Control box on the object
properties toolbar.
Layer Options 12.2
·
Lists
layers, with states, colors and linetypes.
·
Make Creates a new layer and makes it current.
·
Set Sets current layer.
·
New Creates new layers .
·
ON Turns on specified layers.
·
OFF Turns off specified layers.
·
Color Assigns color to specified layers.
·
L type Assigns linetype to specified layers.
·
Freeze Completely ignores layers during
regeneration.
·
Thaw Unfreezes specified layers Ltype.
·
Lock Makes a layer read only preventing entities from being
edited but available visual reference and osnap functions.
·
Unlock Places a layer in read write mode and
available for edits.
·
Plot Turns a Layer On for Plotting
·
No Plot Turns a Layer Off for Plotting
·
L Weight Controls the line weight for each layer
TIP:
Layers can be set using the command
line prompts for layers. To use this type –LAYER or -LA at the command prompt
1. Type Command: -LAYER or
LA
2. Type One of the following
layer options
·
/Make/Set/New/ON/OFF/Color/Ltype/Freeze/Thaw:
Layer Shortcuts 12.3
Changing the Layer of an
Object
1.
Click Once on the object to change.
2.
Select the desired layer from the Layer Control Box
dropdown. AutoCAD will move the object to the new layer.
Colours + Line Weights
Color Command 12.6
1.
Choose Format, Color. or
2.
Type DDCOLOR at the command prompt. Command: DDCOLOR or COL
or
3.
Choose Color on the Object Properties toolbar and
then select a color from the list or select Other to display the Select Color
dialog box.
TIP:
These settings ignore the current
layer settings for color.
By Layer
If you enter bylayer, new objects
assume the color of the layer upon which they are drawn.
By Block
If you enter byblock, AutoCAD draws new objects in the
default color (white or black, depending on your configuration) until they are
grouped into a block. When the block is inserted in the drawing, the objects in
the block inherit the current setting of the COLOR command.
Linetypes 12.7
Loading and Changing
Linetypes
·
Choose Format, Linetype... or
·
Type DDLTYPE at the command prompt. Command:DDLTYPE or LT
·
Choose Load... to see a list of available linetypes.
·
Choose the desired linetype to assign.
·
Click OK.
Lineweights 12.8
Loading and Changing
Lineweights
·
Choose Format, Lineweight... or
·
Type LINEWEIGHT at the command prompt. Command: LINEWEIGHT
or LWEIGHT or
·
Pick a lineweight to make current from the Object Properties
menu.
TIPS:
·
Lineweights
can also be assigned to layers.
·
The
Display Lineweights feature can be turned on/off o n the status bar to show or
not show lineweights in the drawing, thus making regenerations faster.
·
Lineweights
are displayed using a pixel width in proportion to the realworld unit value at
which they plot. If you are using a high-resolution monitor, you can adjust the
lineweight display scale to better display different lineweight widths.
Object Properties 12.9
·
Choose Modify, Properties. or
·
Click the Properties icon. or
·
Type DDCHPROP or DDMODIFY at the command prompt. Command: DDCHPROP
(CH) or DDMODIFY (MO)
·
Pick Objects whose properties you want to change Pick a window
for DDCHPROP, single object for DDMODIFY. Select objects:(select)
·
Press ENTER to accept objects. Select objects:
(press enter)
·
Choose One
of the following properties to change.
Other Useful Functions
BHATCH Command 17.1
1.
Choose Draw, Hatch... or
2.
Click the Hatch icon. or
3.
Type BHATCH at the command prompt Command: BHATCH
Measuring Distances 8.2
1.
Choose Tools, Inquiry, Distance. or
2.
Click the Distance icon from the Inquiry Toolbar. or
3.
Type DIST at the command prompt Command: DIST
4.
Pick The first point to measure from First point: pick
point
5.
Pick The second point to measure to Second point: pick
point
TIP:
Be sure to use Object Snaps with the MEASURE command.
Linear Dimensions 26.1
·
Choose Dimension, Linear. or
·
Click the Linear Dimension command from the
toolbar. Or
·
Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM Dim: HOR
or VER
Aligned Dimensions 26.2
1.
Choose Dimension, Aligned. or
2.
Click the Aligned Dimensioncommand from the
toolbar. Or
3.
Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM Dim: ALIGNED
Radial Dimensions 26.3
1. Choose Dimension, Radius or Diameter. or
2. Click the Radial Dimensions
command from the toolbar. Or
4.
Type DIM at the command prompt. Command: DIM Dim: RADIUS
or DIAMETER
Calculating Areas 8.3
1.
Choose Tools, Inquiry, Area. or
2.
Click the Area icon. or
3.
Type AREA at the command prompt Command: AREA
4.
Pick The first point for area calculation <First
point>/Object/Add/Subtract: pick
5.
Pick Next point: pick
6.
Pick Next point: pick
7.
Press ENTER when you are finished choosing points.
Object Allows user to pick
an object to calculate area (circle or polyline).
Add Adds separate areas
for a total area calculation
Subtract Subtracts areas from
each other.
TIPS:
Be sure to use Object Snaps with the
MEASURE command To subtract an area, you must first be in “add” mode to add the
first area.
Plot Settings
·
Choose the Plot Settings tab.
·
Choose the appropriate paper size based on the
chosen plotter.
·
Choose the paper units (inches or mm).
·
Choose the drawing orientation (Portrait, Landscape,
Upside down).
·
Choose the plotting area.
·
Choose the plot scale.
·
Choose plot to center or specify an x or y offset.
·
Click OK.
1.13 On-Line Help
1.
Choose
Help, AutoCAD Help. or
2.
Click
the Help icon. or
3.
Type
HELP at the command prompt Command: HELP or
4.
Press
Function Key F1
COMMENTS