CADRAF 311

AutoCAD is Computer-Aided Design, which is used to design variety of drawings. It provides various kinds of tools with the help of
which different kinds of drawings can be made and viewed

AutoCAD ENVIRONMENT

1. DRAWING AREA - This is where you will draw. This area represents a piece of paper. The color of this area can be changed
using Tools / Option / Display / Color. The default color is white.
2. CROSSHAIR / CURSOR - The movement of the cursor is controlled by the movement of the pointing device such as a
mouse. You will use the cursor to locate points, make selections and draw objects. The size can be changed using Tools /
Options / Display / Crosshair Size.
3. COMMAND LINE -This is where you enter commands and AutoCAD will prompt you to input information.
4. COORDINATE DISPLAY - In the Absolute mode (coords = 1): displays the location of the crosshairs / cursor in reference to
the Origin. The first number represents the horizontal movement (Xaxis), the second number represents the vertical
movement (Yaxis) and the third number is the Zaxis which is used for 3D. In the Relative Polar mode (coords = 2): displays
the distance and angle of the cursor from the last point entered. (Distance<Angle)
5. STATUS BAR - Displays your current settings. These settings can be turned on and off by clicking on the word (Snap, Grid,
Ortho, etc.) or by pressing the function keys, F1, F2, etc. See button descriptions below.
6. UCS ICON (User Coordinate System) - The UCS icon indicates the location of the Origin. The UCS icon appearance can be
changed using: View / Display / Icon / Properties.
7. ORIGIN - The location where the X, Y and Z axes intersect. 0,0,0
8. THE QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR - This toolbar, in the top-left corner of the screen, includes buttons for some of the most
commonly used functions, such as Save and Undo. You can add functions that you use all the time and delete unneeded
buttons by clicking on the down- facing triangle at the right-hand
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= 2D & 3D drawing terminologies =
AutoCAD commands  BLOCK Creates a block definition from objects you select 
BLOCKICON Generates preview images for blocks
3D Commands  created with Release 14 or earlier
3D Creates three-dimensional polygon mesh objects  BMPOUT Saves selected objects to a file in device-
3DARRAY Creates a three-dimensional array  independent bitmap format
3DCLIP Invokes the interactive 3D view and opens the Adjust BOUNDARY Creates a region or a polyline from an
Clipping Planes window enclosed area 
3DCORBIT Invokes the interactive 3D view and enables you to BOX Creates a three-dimensional solid box 
set the objects in the 3D view  into continuous motion  BREAK Erases parts of objects or splits an object in two 
3DDISTANCE Invokes the interactive 3D view and makes objects BROWSER Launches the default Web browser defined in your
appear closer or farther away system’s registry 
3DFACE Creates a three-dimensional face 
3DMESH Creates a free-form polygon mesh  C 
3DORBIT Controls the interactive viewing of objects in 3D  CAL Evaluates mathematical and geometric expressions 
3DPAN Invokes the interactive 3D view and enables you to CAMERA Sets a different camera and target location 
drag the view horizontally and  vertically  CHAMFER Bevels the edges of objects 
3DPOLY Creates a polyline with straight line segments using CHANGE Changes the properties of existing objects 
the CONTINUOUS linetype in  three-dimensional space  CHPROP Changes the color, layer, linetype, linetype scale factor,
3DSIN Imports a 3D Studio (3DS) file  lineweight, thickness, and plot  style of an object 
3DSOUT Exports to a 3D Studio (3DS) file  CIRCLE Creates a circle 
3DSWIVEL Invokes the interactive 3D view and simulates CLOSE Closes the current drawing 
the effect of turning the camera COLOR Defines color for new objects 
3DZOOM Invokes the interactive 3D view so you can zoom COMPILE Compiles shape files and PostScript font files 
in and out on the view  CONE Creates a three-dimensional solid cone 
CONVERT Optimizes 2D polylines and associative hatches
created in AutoCAD Release 13 or  earlier 
A 
COPY Duplicates objects 
ABOUT Displays information about AutoCAD 
COPYBASE Copies objects with a specified base point 
ACISIN Imports an ACIS file 
COPYCLIP Copies objects to the Clipboard 
ACISOUT Exports AutoCAD solid objects to an ACIS file 
COPYHIST Copies the text in the command line history to
ADCCLOSE Closes AutoCAD DesignCenter 
the Clipboard
ADCENTER Manages content 
COPYLINK Copies the current view to the Clipboard for
ADCNAVIGATE Directs the Desktop in AutoCAD DesignCenter
linking to other OLE applications
to the file name, directory  location, or network path you
CUTCLIP Copies objects to the Clipboard and erases the
specify 
objects from the drawing
ALIGN Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D 
CYLINDER Creates a three-dimensional solid cylinder 
AMECONVERT Converts AME solid models to AutoCAD solid objects
APERTURE Controls the size of the object snap target box 
APPLOAD Loads and unloads applications and defines which D 
applications to load at startup DBCCLOSE Closes the dbConnect Manager 
ARC Creates an arc  DBCONNECT Provides an AutoCAD interface to external database
AREA Calculates the area and perimeter of objects or of defined tables
areas  DBLIST Lists database information for each object in the drawing 
ARRAY Creates multiple copies of objects in a pattern  DDEDIT Edits text and attribute definitions 
ARX Loads, unloads, and provides DDPTYPE Specifies the display mode and size of point objects 
information about ObjectARX applications DDVPOINT Sets the three-dimensional viewing direction 
ATTDEF Creates an attribute definition  DELAY Provides a timed pause within a script 
ATTDISP Globally controls attribute visibility  DIM AND DIM1 Accesses Dimensioning mode 
ATTEDIT Changes attribute information  DIMALIGNED Creates an aligned linear dimension
ATTEXT Extracts attribute data  DIMANGULAR Creates an angular dimension 
ATTREDEF Redefines a block and updates associated attributes  DIMBASELINE Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from
AUDIT Evaluates the integrity of a drawing  the baseline of the  previous dimension or a selected dimension 
DIMCENTER Creates the center mark or the centerlines of circles
and arcs
B 
DIMCONTINUE Creates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension
BACKGROUND Sets up the background for your scene
from the second extension line  of the previous dimension or a
BASE Sets the insertion base point for the current drawing 
selected dimension 
BHATCH Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch
DIMDIAMETER Creates diameter dimensions for circles and arcs 
pattern 
DIMEDIT Edits dimensions 
BLIPMODE Controls the display of marker blips 
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DIMLINEAR Creates linear dimensions  I 
DIMORDINATE Creates ordinate point dimensions  ID Displays the coordinate values of a location 
DIMOVERRIDE Overrides dimension system variables  IMAGE Manages images 
DIMRADIUS Creates radial dimensions for circles and arcs  IMAGEADJUST Controls the image display of the brightness,
DIMSTYLE Creates and modifies dimension styles  contrast, and fade values of  images 
DIMTEDIT Moves and rotates dimension text  IMAGEATTACH Attaches a new image to the current drawing 
DIST Measures the distance and angle between two points  IMAGECLIP Creates new clipping boundaries for an image object 
DIVIDE Places evenly spaced point objects or blocks along the IMAGEFRAME Controls whether AutoCAD displays the image
length or perimeter of an object frame or hides it from view
DONUT Draws filled circles and rings  IMAGEQUALITY Controls the display quality of images 
DRAGMODE Controls the way AutoCAD displays dragged objects  IMPORT Imports files in various formats into AutoCAD 
DRAWORDER Changes the display order of images and other INSERT Places a named block or drawing into the current drawing 
objects  INSERTOBJ Inserts a linked or embedded object 
DSETTINGS Specifies settings for Snap mode, grid, INTERFERE Creates a composite 3D solid from the common
and polar and object snap tracking DSVIEWER Opens volume of two or more solids
the Aerial View window  INTERSECT Creates composite solids or regions from the
DVIEW Defines parallel projection or perspective views  intersection of two or more solids or  regions and removes the
DWGPROPS Sets and displays the properties of the current drawing  areas outside of the intersection 
DXBIN Imports specially coded binary files  ISOPLANE Specifies the current isometric plane 

E  L 
EDGE Changes the visibility of three-dimensional face edges  LAYER Manages layers and layer properties 
EDGESURF Creates a three-dimensional polygon mesh  LAYOUT Creates a new layout and renames, copies, saves, or
ELEV Sets elevation and extrusion thickness properties of new deletes an existing layout
objects  LAYOUTWIZARD Starts the Layout wizard, in which you can
ELLIPSE Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc  designate page and plot settings  for a new layout 
ERASE Removes objects from a drawing  LEADER Creates a line that connects annotation to a feature 
EXPLODE Breaks a compound object into its component objects  LENGTHEN Lengthens an object 
EXPORT Saves objects to other file formats  LIGHT Manages lights and lighting effects 
EXPRESSTOOLS Activates the installed AutoCAD Express LIMITS Sets and controls the drawing boundaries and grid display 
Tools if currently unavailable LINE Creates straight line segments 
EXTEND Extends an object to meet another object  LINETYPE Creates, loads, and sets linetypes 
EXTRUDE Creates unique solid primitives by extruding existing two- LIST Displays database information for selected objects 
dimensional objects  LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command 
LOGFILEOFF Closes the log file opened by LOGFILEON 
F  LOGFILEON Writes the text window contents to a file 
FILL Controls the filling of multilines, traces, solids, LSEDIT Edits a landscape object 
all hatches, and wide polylines LSLIB Maintains libraries of landscape objects
FILLET Rounds and fillets the edges of objects  LSNEW Adds realistic landscape items, such as
FILTER Creates reusable filters to select objects based on trees and bushes, to your drawings
properties  LTSCALE Sets the linetype scale factor 
FIND Finds, replaces, selects, or zooms to specified text  LWEIGHT Sets the current lineweight, lineweight display options, and
FOG Provides visual cues for the apparent distance of objects  lineweight units 

G  M 
GRAPHSCR Switches from the text window to the drawing area MASSPROP Calculates and displays the mass properties of regions
GRID Displays a dot grid in the current viewport  or solids
GROUP Creates a named selection set of objects  MATCHPROP Copies the properties from one object to one or more
objects
H  MATLIB Imports and exports materials to and from a library of
HATCH Fills a specified boundary with a pattern  materials
HATCHEDIT Modifies an existing hatch object  MEASURE Places point objects or blocks at measured intervals on
HELP (F1) Displays online help  an object
HIDE Regenerates a three-dimensional model with hidden MENU Loads a menu file 
lines suppressed MENULOAD Loads partial menu files 
HYPERLINK Attaches a hyperlink to a graphical object or MENUUNLOAD Unloads partial menu files 
modifies an existing hyperlink MINSERT Inserts multiple instances of a block in a rectangular array 
HYPERLINKOPTIONS Controls the visibility of the MIRROR Creates a mirror image copy of objects 
hyperlink cursor and the display of  hyperlink tooltips  MIRROR3D Creates a mirror image of objects about a plane 
MLEDIT Edits multiple parallel lines 
MLINE Creates multiple parallel lines 
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MLSTYLE Defines a style for multiple parallel lines  PSETUPIN Imports a user-defined page setup into a new drawing
MODEL Switches from a layout tab to layout 
the Model tab and makes it current PSFILL Fills a two-dimensional polyline outline with a PostScript
MOVE Displaces objects a specified pattern
distance in a specified direction  PSIN Imports a PostScript file 
MSLIDE Creates a slide file of the current viewport in model space, PSOUT Creates an encapsulated PostScript file 
or of all viewports in paper  space  PSPACE Switches from a model space viewport to paper space 
MSPACE Switches from paper space to a model space viewport  PURGE Removes unused named objects, such as blocks or layers,
MTEXT Creates multiline text  from the drawing database 
MULTIPLE Repeats the next command until canceled 
MVIEW Creates floating viewports and Q 
turns on existing floating viewports QDIM Quickly creates a dimension 
MVSETUP Sets up the specifications of QLEADER Quickly creates a leader and leader annotation 
a drawing  QSAVE Quickly saves the current drawing 
QSELECT Quickly creates selection sets based on filtering criteria 
N  QTEXT Controls the display and plotting of text and attribute objects 
NEW Creates a new drawing file  QUIT Exits AutoCAD 

O  R 
OFFSET Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel RAY Creates a semi-infinite line 
curves  RECOVER Repairs a damaged drawing 
OLELINKS Updates, changes, and cancels existing OLE links  RECTANG Draws a rectangular polyline 
OLESCALE Displays the OLE Properties dialog box  REDEFINE Restores AutoCAD internal commands overridden by
OOPS Restores erased objects  UNDEFINE
OPEN Opens an existing drawing file  REDO Reverses the effects of the previous UNDO or U command 
OPTIONS Customizes the AutoCAD settings  REDRAW Refreshes the display in the current viewport 
ORTHO Constrains cursor movement  REDRAWALL Refreshes the display in all viewports
OSNAP ets object snap modes  REFCLOSE Saves back or discards changes made during in-place
editing of a reference (an xref  or a block) 
P  REFEDIT Selects a reference for editing 
PAGESETUP Specifies the layout page, plotting device, paper REFSET Adds or removes objects from a working set during in-
size, and settings for each new  layout  place editing of a reference (an  xref or a block) 
PAN Moves the drawing display in the current viewport  REGEN Regenerates the drawing and refreshes the current viewport 
PARTIALOAD Loads additional geometry into a partially opened REGENALL Regenerates the drawing and refreshes all viewports 
drawing REGENAUTO Controls automatic regeneration of a drawing 
PARTIALOPEN Loads geometry from a selected view or layer into a REGION Creates a region object from a selection set of existing
drawing PASTEBLOCK Pastes a copied block into a new drawing  objects 
PASTECLIP Inserts data from the Clipboard  REINIT Reinitializes the digitizer, digitizer input/output port, and
PASTEORIG Pastes a copied object in a new drawing using the program parameters file
coordinates from the original  drawing  RENAME Changes the names of objects 
PASTESPEC Inserts data from the Clipboard and controls the format RENDER Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a
of the data three-dimensional wireframe  or solid model 
PCINWIZARD Displays a wizard to import PCP and PC2 RENDSCR Redisplays the last rendering created with the RENDER
configuration file plot settings into the  Model tab or current layout  command
PEDIT Edits polylines and three-dimensional polygon meshes  REPLAY Displays a BMP, TGA, or TIFF image 
PFACE Creates a three-dimensional polyface mesh vertex by vertex  RESUME Continues an interrupted script 
PLAN Displays the plan view of a user coordinate system  REVOLVE Creates solids by revolving two-dimensional objects about
PLINE Creates two-dimensional polylines  an axis REVSURF Creates a revolved surface about a selected axis 
PLOT Plots a drawing to a plotting device or file  RMAT Manages rendering materials 
PLOTSTYLE Sets the current plot style for new objects, or the ROTATE Moves objects about a base point 
assigned plot style for selected objects  ROTATE3D Moves objects about a three-dimensional axis 
PLOTTERMANAGER Displays the Plotter Manager, where you can RPREF Sets rendering preferences 
launch the Add-a-Plotter  wizard and the Plotter Configuration Editor  RSCRIPT Creates a script that repeats continuously 
POINT Creates a point object  RULESURF Creates a ruled surface between two curves 
POLYGON Creates an equilateral closed polyline 
PREVIEW Shows how the drawing will look when it is printed or S 
plotted PROPERTIES Controls properties of existing objects  SAVE Saves the drawing under the current file name or a specified
PROPERTIESCLOSE Closes the Properties window  name 
PSDRAG Controls the appearance of a PostScript image as it is SAVEAS Saves an unnamed drawing with a file
dragged into position with PSIN name or renames the current drawing
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SAVEIMG Saves a rendered image to a file  U 
SCALE Enlarges or reduces selected objects U Reverses the most recent operation 
equally in the X, Y, and Z directions UCS Manages user coordinate systems 
SCENE Manages scenes in model space  UCSICON Controls the visibility and placement of the UCS icon 
SCRIPT Executes a sequence of commands from a script  UCSMAN Manages defined user coordinate systems 
SECTION Uses the intersection of a plane and solids to create a UNDEFINE Allows an application-defined command to
region  override an internal AutoCAD  command 
SELECT Places selected objects in the Previous selection set  UNDO Reverses the effect of commands 
SETUV Maps materials onto objects  UNION Creates a composite region or solid by addition 
SETVAR Lists or changes the values of system variables  UNITS Controls coordinate and angle display formats and
SHADEMODE Shades the objects in the current viewport  determines precision 
SHAPE Inserts a shape 
SHELL Accesses operating system commands  V 
SHOWMAT Lists the material type and attachment method for a VBAIDE Displays the Visual Basic Editor 
selected object VBALOAD Loads a global VBA project into the current AutoCAD
SKETCH Creates a series of freehand line segments  session
SLICE Slices a set of solids with a plane  VBAMAN Loads, unloads, saves, creates, embeds, and extracts VBA
SNAP Restricts cursor movement to specified intervals  projects
SOLDRAW Generates profiles and sections in viewports created VBARUN Runs a VBA macro
SOLVIEW SOLID Creates solid-filled polygons  VBASTMT Executes a VBA statement on the AutoCAD command line
SOLIDEDIT Edits faces and edges of 3D solid objects VBAUNLOAD Unloads a global VBA project 
SOLPROF Creates profile images of three-dimensional solids  VIEW Saves and restores named views 
SOLVIEW Creates floating viewports using orthographic projection to VIEWRES Sets the resolution for objects in the current viewport 
lay out multi- and  sectional view drawings of 3D solid and body VLISP Displays the Visual LISP interactive development environment
objects while in a layout  (IDE) VPCLIP Clips viewport objects 
SPELL Checks spelling in a drawing  VPLAYER Sets layer visibility within viewports 
SPHERE Creates a three-dimensional solid sphere  VPOINT Sets the viewing direction for a three-dimensional
SPLINE Creates a quadratic or cubic spline (NURBS) curve  visualization of the drawing
SPLINEDIT Edits a spline object  VPORTS Divides the drawing area into multiple tiled or floating
STATS Displays rendering statistics  viewports
STATUS Displays drawing statistics, modes, and extents  VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport 
STLOUT Stores a solid in an ASCII or binary file 
STRETCH Moves or stretches objects  W 
STYLE Creates or modifies named styles and sets the WBLOCK Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file 
current style for text in your drawing WEDGE Creates a 3D solid with a sloped face tapering along the X
STYLESMANAGER Displays the Plot Style Manager  axis
SUBTRACT Creates a composite region or solid by subtraction  WHOHAS Displays ownership information for opened drawing files 
SYSWINDOWS Arranges windows  WMFIN Imports a Windows metafile< 
WMFOPTS Sets options for WMFIN 
T  WMFOUT Saves objects to a Windows metafile 
TABLET Calibrates, configures, and turns on and off an attached span style=”font-size:180%;”>x 
digitizing tablet
TABSURF Creates a tabulated surface from a path curve and a X
direction vector XATTACH Attaches an external reference to the current drawing 
TEXT Displays text on screen as it is entered  XBIND Binds dependent symbols of an xref to a drawing 
TEXTSCR Opens the AutoCAD text window  XCLIP Defines an xref or block clipping boundary and sets the
TIME Displays the date and time statistics of a drawing  front or back clipping planes XLINE Creates an infinite line 
TOLERANCE Creates geometric tolerances  XPLODE Breaks a compound object into its component objects 
TOOLBAR Displays, hides, and customizes toolbars  XREF Controls external references to drawing files 
TORUS Creates a donut-shaped solid 
TRACE Creates solid lines  Z 
TRANSPARENCY Controls whether background pixels in an ZOOM Increases or decreases the apparent size of objects in the
image are transparent or opaque current viewport
TREESTAT Displays information about the drawing’s current
spatial index
TRIM Trims objects at a cutting edge defined by other objects 
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= DIMENSIONS =
Dimensions - allow exact values to be shown on a drawing which can then be used for construction.
DIMENSIONING OBJECTS: Ribbon Annotate tab > Dimension panel > Dimension drop down
1. Linear [ DIMLIN ] - measures horizontal or vertical distances
2. Aligned [ DIMALI ] - measures the length along an object.
3. Angular [ DIMANG ] - measures an angle between two objects.
4. Arc Length [ DIMARC ] - measures the length of an arc.
5. Radius [ DIMRAD ] - measures the radius of an arc or circle.
6. Diameter [ DIMDIA ] - measures the diameter of an arc or circle.
7. Jogged [ JOG ] - measures the radius of an arc or circle but places the leader line in an alternative place (inferred point)
to the arc or circles centre point. indicates the dimension line doesn’t point to the centre of the circle. This tool can be
used when space is limited or the arc radius is large.
8. Ordinate [ DIMORD ] - used to locate the X or Y coordinate value of a point. Useful for elevations
9. Quick Dimension [ QDIM ] - used for dimensioning multiple elements.
10. Continue [ DIMCONT ] - used to add additional dimensions to a linear, aligned Angular or Arc length dimension.
11. Baseline [ DIMBASE ] - measure the distance from a starting point to multiple other points. only works on an existing
Linear or Aligned dimension
12. Multileader [ MLD ] - creates arrows and text pointing to objects.
ASSOCIATIVE DIMENSION - automatically adjust if the geometry it dimensions is modified.
: Options > User Preferences > Tick/Untick Make new dimensions associative tickbox
* Ticked – dimensions are associated to objects
* Unticked – dimensions not associated to objects
DIMENSION STYLES: [ DDIM ] Ribbon Annotate tab > Dimensions panel > SE arrow > Dimension Style manager dialog box
A. Styles
B. Sub-styles - used where different properties for a specific dimension tool are required
LINES TAB - controls the appearance of the dimension and extension lines.
a. Color - controls the appearance of the dimension and extension lines.
b. Linetype - controls the color of the dimension and extension lines.
1. Linetype ext line 1 – first extension line is placed
2. Linetype ext line 2
C. Lineweight - controls the lineweight
D. Baseline Spacing - space between the text and the dimension line.
E. Suppress Dim Line / Ext Line - allows you to remove the dimension or extension lines so they are not shown. useful when
placing dimension or extension lines over other geometry
F. Extend beyond dim lines - distance the Extension lines extend above and past the Dimension lines
G. Offset from origin - distance from the object being dimensioned to the start of the Extension lines.
H. Fixed length extension lines - length of dimension lines can be fixed to help keep the appearance of dimensions tidy
SYMBOLS AND ARROWS TAB - controls the arrow heads at the end of the Dimension lines and Centre marks.
A. Arrowheads - controls the arrow head type and size of the arrowheads on the end of dimension lines.
B. Center marks - controls the appearance when marking centre points of circles and arcs.
C. Dimension Break - size of the break mark when using Jogged dimensions.
D. Arc Length Symbol - controls the location of the arc length dimension symbol. Proceeding dimension text
E. Radius jog dimension - controls the jog angle on Jogged dimensions.
TEXT TAB - controls the appearance of text.
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A. Text Appearance - controls the style of text used, the colour and the height.
B. Text Placement - controls the location of the text in relation to the Dimension line.
a. Vertical
b. Horizontal
c. View Direction - Controls whether the text is read from left to right or right to left.
C. Text Alignment - controls the rotation of the text: whether it is rotated to the view orientation, whether it aligns with the
dimension being created, or whether it follows ISO standard
FIT OPTIONS - controls how the text and arrows relocate around the extension line if there isn’t enough space.
A. Text Placement - controls where the text is located when it is reposition by the Fit options.
B. Scale for dimension features - controls dimension scale in one of two ways:
a. Manual method : Fit tab > Modify Dimension > Enter “value” in Use Overall scale
b. Annotative method: Fit tab > Modify Dimension > Annotative > Annotation Scale
Annotation Scale: Drafting Settings (bottom of application window)
* Add Scales (Active) - annotative objects will change size when the Annotation Scale drop-down value is
changed
* Annotation Visibility (Activated) - annotation will re-size to display at the current Annotation Scale
PRIMARY UNITS – units used by dimensions
A. Linear Dimensions - unit format of distance dimensions.
B. Measurement scale - scale that the dimension length will be multiplied by to give the final dimension value.
i. must enter Scale Factor
C. Zero Suppression - removes leading and trailing zeros
i. Tick Trailing option
D. Angular Dimensions - controls the unit format of angles.
ALTERNATE UNITS TAB: Alternate units tab > Tick Display alternate units option > Set scale factor from original units in Multiplier for
alt units box
A. Placement section - controls the location of the Alternate Unit in comparison to the original units.
MOVING DIMENSION TEXT - select the dimension to be modified to show the dimension’s Grips. Click the centre Grip over the text.
Move the text to the required location. The dimension line will also move to maintain the alignment between the text and the dimension
line.
* EDITING dimension text : Select dimension > Right click and choose Properties > Text Override >Use <> to display
dimension value (Width = <>) > to change dimension value to default = delete Text Override value.

SOURCE: https://evolve-consultancy.com/product/dimensions-in-autocad/
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= TEXT =
Text - Notes on a drawing are important to convey design information or clarify intent which can’t be portrayed by linework alone
KINDS OF TEXT:

A. Multiline Text [ T ]: Ribbon Annotate tab > Text > Multiline Text
– more control over the appearance ; multiple lines stay grouped together.
- most flexible form of text for formatting
B. Single Line Text [ DT ] - useful for writing out a collection of notes; each return creates a separate entity.
MULTILINE TEXT
*STYLE: Text Editor contextual tab > Style Panel > Multiline text
TWO DEFAULT STYLES:
A. Annotative
B. Standard.
*ANNOTATION SCALE - used to control the size and scale of annotative objects such as text and dimensions.
Annotation Scale: Drafting Settings (bottom of application window)
* Add Scales (Active) - annotative objects will change size when the Annotation Scale drop-down value is
changed
* Annotation Visibility (Activated) - annotation will re-size to display at the current Annotation Scale
*FORMATTING OPTIONS: Text Editor contextual tab > Formatting panel

A.  Creates BOLD text
B.  Creates ITALIC text
C.  Creates UNDERLINED text
D.  Creates overlined text
E.  Changes selected text from lowercase to UPPERCASE
F.  Changes selected text from UPPERCASE to lowercase
G.  Changes the text font
H.  Changes the text colour
I.  Adds a BACKGROUND MASK to text. Background masks can be used to obscure information
behind a text object.

*BACKGROUND MASK: Background Mask button > Background Mask dialog box > Tick Use Background Mask box

A. Border offset factor - width around the text that the background mask will cover; multiplication of text height
B. Fill Color - is the colour of the background mask.
* Use drawing background color (ticked) – color will be ignored and hide geometry

*PARAGRAPH PANEL - has options for Multiline Text to allow custom alignment, spacing and bullet points.

*INSERT PANEL - has options to allow for the addition of Columns, Symbols and Fields.
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*INSERTING COLUMNS: Ribbon Text Editor contextual tab > Insert panel > Columns drop down > Static Columns > Enter number of
columns > Grip below annotation (adjust amount of text)

*INSERTING SYMBOLS - Ribbon Text Editor contextual tab > Insert panel > Symbol drop down > Choose symbol, if not shown,
choose Other > Character Map > Double click symbol > Copy > Paste

*INSERTING FIELDS: Field button > Field dialog box > Select required field
Fields - are text that display information about an AutoCAD object such as a circle or Polyline and can provide information including
area and diameter.
* Field backgrounds don’t print
*SPELL CHECK BUTTON - used to check the spelling of the text currently being inserted.
: Ribbon Annotate tab > Text panel has a Check Spelling tool.
*FIND AND REPLACE - used to find and replace text in your drawing.
: Find and Replace button > Find and replace dialog box
A. Match case - only finds the search string if it matches the same upper or lower case values.
B. Find whole words - only will ignore words with the find string contained within. For example if you entered in the Find
what: box “LED” find whole words would only find LED and not compiLED.
C. Use wildcards - allows the use of the * character within the string to make your search criteria more specific.
D. Match diacritics - uses diacritics, the accents added to letters such as the C in façade.
SINGLE LINE TEXT - much simpler form of text with fewer options
: Ribbon Annotate tab > Text panel, by clicking the drop-down below the Multiline Text button and choosing Single Line.
When you click on the Single Line tool, you will be prompted with:
1. Specify start point of text or [Justify/Style]:
2. You can either click a point on the screen as the insertion point for your text or, choose one of the options in the “[ ]”
brackets.
Justify is the alignment of the text, the command line prompts with the available justification methods:
3. Enter an option [Align/Fit/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC/MR/BL/BC/BR]
TL = Top Left, MC = Middle Centre, BR = Bottom Right etc.
Style is the text style.
4. Once the initial point has been clicked for the insertion point, if the text style doesn’t have a pre-defined height, AutoCAD
will prompt for the size of the text. If the current text style is annotative, the prompt will ask for the paper height. If the style
is not annotative, the prompt will ask for the height for the new text.
5. You will then be prompted for the rotation of the text.
6. Start typing your text. It will be displayed on the screen as it is entered.
TEXT STYLES [ ST ] - pre-defined properties for text.
*SELECTING TEXT STYLES: Annotate Ribbon tab > Text panel, click the Text Style drop-down and choose the required text style.
*DEFINING TEXT STYLES: Ribbon Annotate tab > Text Panel by clicking the Text Styles button > Text Style dialog box
*FONT - controls the font used by the style. ; “txt.shx” font don’t have Bold and Italic
*SIZE - Controls the size of the text.
*EFFECTS - Provides special formatting to create non-standard appearances:
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A. Upside Down places text characters upside down
B. Backwards places text backwards
C. Vertical displays the characters aligned vertically. Vertical is only available if the selected font supports dual orientation.
D. Width Factor adjusts the width of the font as a ratio of the Text Height. 1 is full size.
E. Oblique Angle allows text to be italicised by a specified angle.
*MODIFYING TEXT: Properties > Properties Palette > Adjust as required

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%20separate%20entity.
CADRAF 311
= LAYER =
Layers [ LA ] - collection of properties that can be assigned to different objects including; Name, description, Colour, Linetype and
Lineweight.
: Ribbon Home Tab > Layers panel > Layer Properties Button
Properties associated with Layer:
1. Name - unique name assigned to a layer.
2. On/Off - used to hide the contents of a layer.
3. Freeze/Thaw - used to hide the contents of a layer and remove the objects from your computer’s memory to improve
drawing performance
4. Lock - the content of a layer. You can still draw on a locked layer but you can’t edit what is already drawn on these layers.
5. Controls the Colour of elements drawn on this layer. If you use CTBs these could control the colour and line weight of
your printed drawings. See below the section on CTB and STB.
6. Linetype of elements drawn on this layer.
7. Lightweight of elements drawn on this layer.
8. Plot Style controls the way elements on the layer will print out if STBs are used. See below the section on CTBs and
STBs.
9. The plot controls whether the layer will print or not. Use for construction geometry that you want to see on all drawings but
don’t want to print out.
10. Description of the contents of this layer. This is especially useful if a coding standard is used such as Uniclass to aid in
locating the layers.
Additional Paperspace properties include:
11. VP Freeze controls the appearance of a Layer in the activated viewport.
12. VP Color allows you to override the printed colour of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport. This can be
especially important if using CTBs to get elements to print different values between viewports.
13. VP Linetype overrides the plotted Linetype of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport.
14. VP Lineweight overrides the plotted Lineweight of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport.
15. VP Transparency overrides the plotted transparency of elements drawn on this Layer for the activated viewport.
16. VP Plot Style overrides the style applied to the layer in the activated viewport of a sheet.
* CREATING A NEW LAYER: Layer Properties Manager > New Layer Button
* DRAWING ON A SPECIFIC LAYER: Ribbon Home Tab > Layer panel > Layer drop-down > Select Layer and Properties

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CADRAF 311
= VIEWPORT =
Viewport [ MV ] – “window” created in a Paperspace layout that displays the information generated in the Modelspace to a specified
scale.
: Ribbon View Tab > Viewports panel
* CREATING VIEWPORTS: Rectangular drop down
Viewport Options:
A. Rectangular - Creates a rectangular viewport by specifying the two opposite corners.
B. Polygonal - Creates a polygonal viewport with multiple lines and arc segments.
C. From Object - Creates a viewport from an existing closed polyline, ellipse, spline, region, or circle.
* ACTIVATING VIEWPORTS: Double click inside of viewport to activate
a. Double click - allows the view within the viewport to be adjusted
b. Objects in Modelspace can be selected and modified
c. Zooming in or out in an active viewport will adjust the scale of the viewport.
d. A thick border indicates it has been activated. also see the ViewCube and Navigation Bar inside the viewport.
* VIEWPORT SCALE - controls the scale at which these objects are displayed in the viewport.
: Click Viewport > Application Status Bar > Viewport Scale drop down
* LOCKING VIEWPORTS: Application Status Bar > Lock Viewport > Viewport no longer adjustable
* WORKING IN MODELSPACE FROM PAPERSPACE: Application Status Bar > Maximize Viewport (red border)
Maximizing Viewport - viewport will be enlarged with a red border to indicate it is maximised.
- allows you to zoom in and make changes without affecting the scale or position of the view within the viewport.
Minimizing Viewport - return to Paperspace with the scale and position of the view in the viewport unaffected.
* CONTROLLING LAYERS WITHIN INDIVIDUAL VIEWPORTS: Ribbon Home Tab > Layers panel > Layer properties
Properties available and control individual viewports appearance:
a. VP Freeze controls the appearance of a Layer in the activated viewport.
b. VP Color allows you to override the printed colour of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport.
This can be especially important if using CTBs in order to get elements to print different values between
viewports.
c. VP Linetype overrides the plotted Linetype of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport.
d. VP Lineweight overrides the plotted Lineweight of elements drawn on this layer for the activated viewport.
e. VP Transparency overrides the plotted transparency of elements drawn on this Layer for the activated viewport.
f. VP Plot Style overrides the style applied to the layer in the activated viewport.

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CADRAF 311
= PLOTTING / PRINTING =
: Ribbon Output Tab > Plot Panel > Plot button [ PLOT ] > Page Setup > Select settings > OK
* ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
a. More Options - show full properties
1. Plot in background, with this option un-ticked, the plot progress will display when you click OK. If this is ticked the
progress will be hidden and you will be able to continue working in AutoCAD.’
2. Plot stamp on will place a plot stamp on the drawing. Ticking this option will show a button to configure the plot
stamp. Clicking the button will show the Plot Stamp dialog where you can choose information, including Date and
Time, Drawing name and Plot scale, to be printed on the drawing.
3. Save changes to layout If changes are made to the layout such as changing the printer, the changes will be saved
to the Page Setup.
* PRINT FORMATS
Non – editable formats: [ default AutoCAD ]
1. DWF6 ePlot - creates an Autodesk Drawing Web Format (.DWF) file.
- vector format developed by Autodesk to print non-editable files in a lightweight format.
2. DWG to PDF - creates an Adobe Portable Document Format (.PDF)
- extremely common format used by most industries to issue non-editable files
3. Publish To Web JPG - create a PNG image file.
- Similar to JPG, PNG is a raster format but is un-compressed and designed for exchanging images on the
web.
- This is also not recommended for issuing drawings or using within a printing system that requires CMYK
colours.

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