CHAPTER 2 : CREATING DRAWING

CREAT 2
ING
DRAW
OBJECTIVES

In the end of this chapter, student should know to:

ING a. Explains how to apply draw tools used in CAD

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Before we can work on AutoCAD software, it is important for us to understand the

basics operating of the software. The basic thing that needs to be understood is in terms of
work space, use of tools and software instructions, painting editing methods and
subsequently printing or plotting. Basic operating methods need to be understood to allow us
to work quickly and accurately.

2.2 DIRECT DISTANCE ENTRY.

To enter point you can use a feature called direct distance entry. With direct distance
entry, you can specify a relative coordinate by moving the cursor in the desired direction and
then entering a distance.

a) Absolute Cartesian Coordinate Input ( +X , +Y )

Figure 2.1 : Absolute Cartesian Coordinate Input

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b) Relative Cartesian Coordinate Input (@ +X, +Y)

+Y
(@ +X, +Y)

-X +X

-Y
Figure 2.2 : Relative Cartesian Coordinate Input

Figure 2.3 : Example of Relative Cartesian Coordinate Input

c) Polar Input ( @ length < 0 )

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To enter a polar coordinate, enter a distance and an angle, separated by an angle

bracket (<). For example to specify a point that is at a distance of 2.5 units from the
previous point and an angle of 45 degree, enter @ 2.5 < 45.

900

1800 00

3600

Example 2.4 : Polar Input

2.3 DRAWING UNIT

When you start a brand new project, you will want to set up the unit type for the
drawing.
Choose Drawing Utilities > Units from the Application menu to open the Drawing Units
dialog box. This dialog box lets you set your drawing up for decimal (metric) or imperial
(feet and inch) units.

Figure 2.5 : Drawing Unit

2.4 DRAWING LIMIT

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The drawing limits are really just a guide to help you visualize the area you are working on
and they do not actually limit you in any way. You can draw outside the drawing limits if
you need to and the limits can be reset any time.

There are two features of the drawing limits that you’ll want to know about. If you type Z 
A , your drawing view will change to show the limits of your drawing. In addition, the
drawing grid, described later in this chapter, can be set up to display within the boundary of
the drawing limits. Note that a grid behavior setting must be turned on to limit the grid’s
display to the drawing limits.

Figure 2.6 : Drawing Limit

2.5 DRAWING DIRECTION

When you start to draw in AutoCAD, you will want to know how to specify directions.

By default, you indicate a horizontal direction from left to right as zero degrees. From
bottom to top is ninety degrees as shown in this figure.

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Figure 2.7 : Drawing direction

When you need to specify locations, you use the Cartesian coordinate systems, with X as the
horizontal axis and Y as the vertical.

In a new file, the origin is located in the lower left corner of the drawing.

Figure 2.8 : Example of drawing direction

2.6 DRAWING CURSOR

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As you draw in AutoCAD, you’ll notice that the cursor changes depending on your activity.
When AutoCAD is waiting for a command, you see the standard cursor.
When AutoCAD expects a point location, you’ll see the point selection cursor.
If you need to select an object, such as a line or circle, you’ll see the object selection cursor.

Figure 2.9 : Example of drawing cursor

2.7 DRAWING COMMAND

2.7.1 LINE

Figure 2.10 : Example of line

2.7.2 ARC

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angle
end
direction

start end
start
center
center start

Figure 2.11 : Example of ARC

2.7.3 ERASE

2.7.4 RECTANGLE

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2.7.5 CIRCLE

Circle by Radius Mode Circle by Diameter Mode 3 Point Circle Mode

2 Point Circle mode: Tangent-Tangent-Radius Tangent-Tangent-Radius

Mode - Method # 1 Mode : Method # 2:

Figure 2.12: Examples of circle

2.7.6 ELLIPSE

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An Ellipse is one object. There are three methods of creating Ellipse In AutoCAD.:

 Specify one axis and the end of the second.

 Specify the center and the ends of each axis.

 Create an ellipse arc.

2.7.7 POLYGON

Inscribed Circumscribed

Figure 2.13 : Example of polygon

2.8 DRAWING AIDS

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2.8.1 SNAP

The Snap command is used to set the value for these invisible snap
increments. Snap spacing can be set to any value.

2.8.2 GRID

GRID is visible on the screen, whereas SNAP is invisible.

2.8.3 ORTHO

The Ortho option is used to turn Ortho mode ON or OFF. By selecting

Ortho command, we can draw a line weather horizontal or vertically.

2.8.4 POLAR

Controls coordinate and angle display formats and precision.

2.8.5 SNAP

Specify one or more object snap modes by entering the first three
characters of the name. If you enter more than one name, separate
the names with commas

2.8.6 OTRACK
To turn object snap tracking on and off temporarily, hold down the
F11 key while you work.

2.8.7 DUCS
Allow/Disallow Dynamic UCS

2.8.8 DYN

Turns Dynamic Input features on and off

2.8.9 LWT

Show/Hide Lineweight

Example 1

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Exercise 1

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Example 2:

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Exercise 2:

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