MAJLIS POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE PURAMANNUR

Department of Automobile Engineering

6058 Advanced CAD Lab
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING
The method of preparing engineering drawings by using computer software is known as
Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) or Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD). This system
provides a clean and comfortable approach to drafting whereby the drawings can be revised at a
faster rate even by adding features of easy duplication and editing with high level of accuracy and
quality. Thus CAD is a valuable tool. Now, CAD is becoming more and more popular in the various
engineering fields such as civil, electrical, mechanical, electronics and Communication, architecture
etc. It is very extensively used in mapping contouring, structural design, panel design, Modeling etc.
In earlier days, mini computers or mainframe computers were used for working with CAD software.
Now PC based CAD software is extensively used for the preparation of drawings. However,
mainframe CAD software’s are even now used for processing jobs that require very high amounts of
CPU power.lt is easier to learn and no previous computer experience is needed and hence it is very
user- friendly and easy to follow the commands prompted.
The use of CAD process provides enhanced graphics capabilities which allow any designer to;
Visualize his ideas; Modify the design very easily; Perform animation; Make design calculations; Use
colors and fonts.
BENEFITS OF CAD
The implementation of CAD system provides a variety of the benefits of the
industries in design and production. They are,
● Improved productivity in drafting,Short preparation time for drafting.
● Reduced manpower requirements, Customer modifications in drawing are easier.
● More efficient operation in drafting, Low wastage in drafting.
● Minimize errors in drawing, Improved accuracy of drawing
● Revisions are possible , Colors can be used to customize the product.
● Hatching all sections with different filling patterns, Hydraulic and pneumatic circuit
diagrams with symbols,Isometric views, Printing can be done to any scale.
● Better design can be drafted.
● 3D modeling simplifies the remodeling process for designers to a large extent. It enables
them to visualize and test modifications in a 3D environment, allowing for quicker
decision-making and reducing the risk of errors.
● One of the most significant benefits of 3D modeling in science education is the ability to
visualize scientific concepts in a more engaging and interactive way. 3D models can be used
to represent complex scientific concepts, such as molecular structures, geological
formations, and astronomical phenomena.
APPLICATIONS OF CAD
CAD is used in various fields as listed below,
Preparing architectural drawings, Interior design and modeling,
Tool and fixture design, Production planning and control,
Preparation of assembly lists and bill of materials,
Computer aided inspection, Preparation of programs for CNC machines,
Circuit lay-out and panel design,Mapping, building drawing,
Communication network,Piping and Instrumentation design
 Automotive industries and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAD
The electronic and mechanical components of a computer constitute its physical structure
and are called the hardware. Hardware components include the Central Processing Unit(CPU), main
memory unit consisting of Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM) and
secondary memory devices and input/output (1/0) devices etc.
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Software’s are the programs or instructions, which are used for the functioning of the
computer as well as for processing Data and solving problems.
Software’s can be broadly classified into two: System software and Application software
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is the programs used for the functioning and administration of the
computer system. The common system software’s are the operating systems, compilers etc.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Applications are developed for specific applications or utilities. The application softwares is
used for preparing pay role of a company, a program for air ticket booking of railway ticket
reservation etc.
SOFTWARE FOR CAD-AutoCAD
Auto CAD is one of the CAD system software introduced in Dec 1982 by Autodesk Ltd in
Sausalito, California of USA. The latest one is AutoCAD 2024 released in 2023. 64-bit Microsoft®
Windows® 11 and Windows 10 version 1809 or above. See Autodesk's Product Support Lifecycle for
support information. Basic: 2.5–2.9 GHz processor (base) ARM Processors are not supported.
DirectX 12 with Feature Level 12_0 is required for Shaded(Fast) and Shaded with edges(Fast)
visual styles.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR Auto CAD 2022
System requirements for AutoCAD 2022 including Specialized Toolsets (Windows)
Operating.

Operating System 64-bit Microsoft® Windows® 10. See

Autodesk's Product Support Lifecycle for
support information.

Processor Basic: 2.5–2.9 GHz processor

Recommended: 3+ GHz processor

Memory Basic: 8 GB Recommended: 16 GB

17” Video Graphics Adapter with high resolution monitor
Keyboard, Mouse , Printer/Plotter
Identifying Different softwares
Popular types of CAD software companies use include SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit,
AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, CATIA, Creo, and Siemens NX.

● SolidWorks. ...
 ● Inventor. ...
● Revit. ...
● AutoCAD. ...
● Civil 3D. ...
● MicroStation. ...
● CATIA. ...
● Creo.
Components of AutoCAD software window:
For starting Auto CAD, double click the Auto CAD icon on the desktop or Auto CAD from
the start menu. Now, Auto CAD drawing editor appears along with a dialog box namely Startup as
shown in Fig.1.1.
In the Startup dialog box, four options are available such as Start from scratch, Open a
drawing, Use a template and Use a wizard.
STUDY OF AUTOCAD WINDOW (drawing editor)
1) DRAWING NAME (Title bar)
2) MENU BAR
Menu bar contains the default AutoCAD menus. Commands can be selected from the menu
bar. Generally a menu bar contains File, View, Format, Tools, Draw, Dimension, Modify, Window and
Help menus,
3) TOOL BAR
a) Floating and b) Docked
STANDARD TOOLBAR
Standard toolbar contains frequently used buttons such as Redraw, Undo, Redo and Zoom as
as well as Microsoft Office standard buttons such as Open, Save, Print, Etc...
OBJECT PROPERTIES TOOLBAR
Sets objective properties such as color, line type, line weight and layer manager
DRAW AND MODIFY TOOLBAR
Draw and modify as well as provide access to common draw and modify commands. This tool
bars are placed on the left side and right side of the window. We can easily move, place, customize
and turn ON and OFF.
4)DRAWING AREA (Graphic Area)
The basic purpose of the drawing area is to provide space to prepare a drawing USER
5) USER CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM (UCS) Icon
UCS icon shows the orientation of the drawing. AutoCAD drawings are superimposed on an
invisible grid on co-ordinate system. Co-ordinate systems are based on XY (2D) and X, Y, Z (3D)
co-ordinates.
6)CROSS HAIR (Cursor)
The AutoCAD drawing area provides cross hairs, which are the two lines at right angles and
the crossing point is the point of selection. There is a selection box associated with cross hairs to
make easy selection of objects. The usual mouse pointer of windows is replaced by cross hairs,
while in the AutoCAD window.
7) Screen Menu
8) Horizontal and Vertical scroll bar
9)COMMAND PROMPT AREA
 The command area allows the entry of various commands for preparing the drawings. It is at
the bottom of the screen. In this area, AutoCAD prompts you for information that is needed to
complete the command. In AutoCAD we can start COMMANDS in one of three ways.
Choose a command from the menu.
Click a button on a toolbar.
Enter the command on command area.
10)STATUS BAR
Status bar displays the cursor co-ordinates in the lower left corner. The status bar also
contains buttons that you can turn ON command drawing aids. This includes Snap (snap mode
ON/OFF), Grid (drawing grid ON/OFF), Polar (polar tracking mode ON/OFF), OSnap (object mode
ON/OFF), LWT (line weight ON/OFF) and Model (model paper space toggle).
Entering commands
There are various facilities for entering commands on the command prompt area. They are:
By using keyboard,
By using screen menu,
By using pull down menu,
By using tool bar,
By using cursor menu and
By using the button menu.
BY USING KEYBOARD
In this case, the keyboard is used for entering the commands on the command prompt area.
For typing commands on the command prompt area, capital or small letters may be used.
BY USING PULL DOWN MENU
Pull down menu is obtained from the menu bar. For example, to get the command LINE, bring
the arrow to the menu bar and click the Draw menu. Click Line from the pull down menu.
BY USING TOOL BAR
In this case, tool bar is used to enter the commands on the command prompt area. For
entering command CIRCLE, bring the arrow to the Draw tool bar. Pick the icon of the command
CIRCLE.
The commonly used tool bars are:
1. Standard tool bar
2. Object properties tool bar
3. Draw tool bar
4. Zoom tool bar
5. Object snap tool bar
6. Modify tool bar
7. Dimension tool bar
UCS ICON
WCS is the short form of the World Co-ordinate System. This system represents X, Y and
Z co-ordinates. X -axis is taken positive towards right, Y-axis is taken positive towards top and Z-
axis is taken positive towards the user. Z-axis is perpendicular to the screen. Actually WCS is the
default coordinate system seen when a new file is opened. UCS is the short form of User
Co-ordinate System and is actually derived from WCS. The layout of UCS is similar to that of the
World Coordinate System. But the origin can be shifted to any required position and Z-axis can be
turned to any direction relative to World Co-ordinate System. In this situation, W mark will
disappear. This also helps to create 3D objects having surfaces tilted to any position. Two styles
are available for the display of UCS icon. They are 2D style and 3D style.
Entity selection
In Auto CAD, any modification can be made only on a selected object. Objects can be
selected individually or as a group.
Based on the available data, there are eleven options for selecting objects. They are:
1. Pick box
2. Window (W)
3. Crossing (C)
4. WPolygon (WP)
5. CPolygon (CP)
6. Fence (F)
7. All
8. Last (L)
9. Previous (P)
10. Cyclic
11. Multiple (M)
Assume that the word, Select objects: appears in the command prompt area, type the letter
shown in bracket and press the enter key. For example, for getting window option type W at the
command prompt area.
PROCEDURES FOR STARTING A NEW DRAWING
OPENING AutoCAD
For starting AutoCAD, double click the Auto CAD icon on the desktop or Autocad from the
start menu. Now, AutoCAD drawing editor appears along with a dialog box namely Startup as shown
in Fig. In the Startup dialog box, four options are available such as Start from scratch, Open a
drawing, Use a template and Use a wizard or Start the AutoCAD program from the start and then
AutoCAD shows a startup window. We can start from a scratch file or a template file of specific
settings. It is very easy to start a drawing with reference to a template file (use acad.dwt as
default template file). We can start a new drawing from File menu > New also.
SETTING AutoCAD INITIAL SCREEN
The initial screen contains a menu bar at the top, status bar at bottom, drawing window, the
command window and several tool bars. To display any tool bar that is missing in the window we can
turn it ON by choosing Tool bars from the View menu. From the Tools menu we can choose ‘Options’
to configure AutoCAD utilities. We can customize the mouse, user interface and so many features
from the option window.
SETTING LIMITS OF A DRAWING
Drawing limits represents the boundaries of the drawing. LIMITS command is used to set
the drawing boundaries.Assume that the word, Command: appears at the command prompt area.
Type LIMITS at the command prompt area using keyboard and press the enter key. Now, the
command prompt area appears as shown below:
Command: LIMITS ↩
Specify lower left corner or (ON/OFF)<0.0000,0.0000>: (Here, specify the coordinates for
the lower left comer)
Specify upper right corner <12.0000,9.0000> (Here, specify the coordinates for the upper
right corner).The default boundary is a rectangle of size 12x9.
SETTING UNITS OF A DRAWING
 Units command is used to set the units of measure, angle measurement, direction and
precision. Assume that the word, Command: appears at the command prompt area. Type UNITS at
the command prompt area by using keyboard and press the enter key. Now, the command prompt
area appears as shown below:
Command: UNITS ↩
Now, a dialog box namely Drawing Units appears on the screen as shown in Fig.F1.5.
There are mainly three options available under this such as Length, Angle and Direction.
DRAFTING SETTINGS
Drafting settings include the commands for initial setting of a drawing. Some of the
drafting settings are snap, arid object snap. polar tracking and ortho modes. Drafting Settings
dialog box is obtained by picking Tools from menu bar and Drafting Settings from the pull down
menu.
Grid
GRID command is used to display a reference grid of dots with any desired spacing. This
visual display provides a sense of the size of the drawing entities and their relationships. Grid
cannot be plotted and it is never considered as a part of the drawing.
Snap
SNAP command is used to lock the movement of cross hair of the pointing device to the
nearest grid point. The snap grid is invisible. Snap mode can be turned on/ off by using the function
key F9 or by clicking the snap button on the status bar.
Object Snap Settings (OSNAP)
Object snap settings are used to pick a geometric point on an object. Pick object snap icon
from Object Snap toolbar. Object snap mode can be turned on/ off by using the function key F3 or
by clicking osnap button on the status bar. There are various options for object snap settings such
as Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Quadrant, Node, Intersection, Perpendicular, Tangent, Nearest,
Insertion, Apparent intersection and parallel. To turn on the object snap modes, bring the arrow to
the checkbox against the required mode provided on the Drafting settings dialog box. and click.
Ortho Command
ORTHO command is used to constrain the movement of the cursor either to horizontal or
vertical direction. Ortho mode can be turned on/ off by using the function key F8 or by clicking the
Ortho button on the status bar.
FUNCTION KEYS
Following are the function keys used in Autocad.
1. F1. Help
2. F2- Text window
3. F3-Object snap ON/OFF
4. F4- Tablet ON/OFF
5. F5- Isoplane ON/OFF
6. F6- Co-ordinates ON/OFF
7. F7-Grid ON/OFF
8. F8- Ortho ON/OFF
9. F9-Snap ON/OFF
10.F10- Polar tracking ON/OFF
11. F11-Object snap tracking ON/OFF
OPEN, SAVE AND QUIT COMMANDS
Opening An Existing Drawing
 Command OPEN is used to open an existing file. For opening a drawing, follow the sequences
shown below,
Command: OPEN ↩
Now, a dialog box namely Select File appears on the screen. Then select the file to be
opened from the dialog box. A drawing can be also opened by picking File from menu bar and Open
from pull-down menu or by picking icon of open, from Standard tool bar
Saving A Drawing
Drawings prepared in Autocad ,have to be saved in a filename for its further use,
modification. For saving a drawing, follow the sequences shown below,
Command: SAVE↩
Now, a dialog box namely Save Drawing As appears on the screen. Then give a filename for
the drawing in the box provided on the dialog box. A drawing can be also saved by picking File from
menu bar and Save or Save as from pull-down menu or by picking icon of the save, from Standard
toolbar.
Exiting A Drawing
Command QUIT is used for exiting from a drawing file in Auto CAD. For quitting a drawing,
follow the sequences shown below,
Command: QUIT↩
A menu bar with mouse may be used for exiting from a drawing file by picking File from
menu bar and Exit from pulldown menu. A tool bar may be used for exiting from a drawing file by
picking an icon of close, shown at the upper right corner of the drawing editor.
CREATING A NEW FILE
A new AutoCAD drawing file can be created in three ways. They are
Type the command. NEW and press the enter key.
Choose the menu item NEW from file menu (press shortcut keys CTRL+N
Clicking by mouse on the icon representing a new file in the standard tool bar.
On the entry of the command New a dialog box named Create New drawing will appear.
Start from scratch button is turned on by clicking on it. Another window named Select Template
will sometimes shows during this procedure. Then choose a template file of AutoCAD (normally
acad.dwt) to start a new drawing. English or Metric is selected depending on the units adopted for
the drawing. Then a new file is created with the name Drawingl.dwg in the corresponding directory.
We can change the file name by saving this file to another name by using Save As command from
file menu to desired directory.
 Auto CAD Commands
DRAWING COMMANDS
1. LINE ↩
The line command is used to draw simple lines either single line or series of lines. There are
four co-ordinate systems used in AutoCAD to relocate a point on the screen. On AUTOCAD 2D
drawing is done by considering the screen on X, Y plane. AutoCAD uses the following ordinates
systems.
Command: LINE or L
2. ARC ↩
This Command is used to create an arc in AutoCAD drawings. From the command line type
ARC or A, and press the center key or from the Draw menu select Arc and select any one method of
arc formation.
Command: ARC or A
3. CIRCLE ↩
This command is used to create a circle in the drawings. From the command line type
CIRCLE or C and press enter key or from Draw menu select Circle and select anyone method of
circle formation.
Command: CIRCLE or C
4. RECTANGLE ↩
This command is used to create a rectangle polygon in the drawings. From the command line
type RECTANGLE or REC and press enter key or from the Draw menu select Rectangle.
Command: RECTANGLE or REC
Specify other corner point [Area/Dimension/Rotation] : Enter an option or Specify other
corner point by mouse click or co-ordinate method [absolute/relative/polar/direct]
5. POLYGON
This command is used to create an equilateral closed polygon in the drawings. From the
Command line type POLYGON or POL and press enter key or from Draw menu select Polygon.
Command: POLYGON or POL
Enter number of sides: Enter a value between 3 and 1024 then press enter
Specify centre of polygon or [Edge]: Specify centre of the polygon by mouse click or Co-ordinate
methods or choose the option Edge to specify the first and second point of the staring edge.
6. ELLIPSE
This command is used to draw an ellipse or elliptical arc in the drawings. From the command
line type ELLIPSE or EL and press enter key or from Draw menu select Ellipse.
Command: ELLIPSE or EL
7. POLYLINE or PLINE
A poly line 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.
Command: PL or PLINE
Edit Polylines
You can choose from several useful options when you want to modify a polyline. The PEDIT
command (enter PE in the Command window) is located on the drop-down list of the Modify panel.
With this command, you can: Join two polylines into a single polyline if they share a common
endpoint .Convert lines and arcs into a polyline—simply enter PEDIT and select the line or arc.
Change the width of a polyline.
9. HATCH
In AutoCAD, a hatch is a single, compound object that covers a specified area with a
pattern of lines, dots, shapes, a solid fill color, or a gradient fill. When you start the HATCH
command, the ribbon temporarily displays the Hatch Creation tab. On this tab, you can choose from
over 70 industry-standard imperial and ISO hatch patterns along with many specialized options.
The simplest procedure is to choose a hatch pattern and scale from the ribbon, and click within any
area that is completely enclosed by objects. You must specify the scale factor for the hatch in
order to control its size and spacing. After you create a hatch, you can move the bounding objects
to adjust the hatch area, or you can delete one or more of the bounding objects to create partially
bounded hatches:Here are some examples of how you can use solid-fill hatches.
This command is used to fill the specified area in the drawing with predefined patterns.
From the command line type BHATCH or Hatch or H and pres center key or from the Draw menu
select Hatch.
Command: BHATCH or Hatch or H
There are three types of hatching styles (Normal, Outer and Ignore). We can specify the
boundary, pattern type, scale factor of hatching elements, angle for hatching pattern and hatching
style from the Hatch dialog box.
10. POINT
This command is used to draw points on the specified area in the drawing. From the
command line type POINT or P0 and press enter key or from the Draw menu select Point.
Command : POINT or P0
11. TEXT or MTEXT
This command to place text objects in the drawing. From the command line type TEXT or
MTEXT or T and press enter key or from Draw menu select Text.
Command: TEXT or MTEXT or T
12. SPLINE
Creates a smooth curve that passes through or near a set of fit points, or that is defined by
the vertices in a control frame. SPLINE creates curves called non uniform rational B-splines
(NURBS), referred to as splines for simplicity. Splines are defined either with fit points, or with
control vertices. By default, fit points coincide with the spline, while control vertices define a
control frame. Control frames provide a convenient method to shape the spline. Each method has its
advantages.
MODIFICATION COMMANDS
Essential Commands of Modify Panel in AutoCAD
1. ERASE
Removes selected objects from a drawing.
Command :E
2. COPY
Copies objects in a specified distance and direction.
Command : Co ↩ or Cp ↩
3. MIRROR
Makes a mirror-image copy of an object or a group of objects.
Command : Mi ↩
4. OFFSET
Creates a new object at a specified distance from an existing object or through a specified
point. Offset can create parallel lines, splines, arcs, splines, and concentric circles.
Command :O ↩
5. ARRAY
Creates multiple copies of objects in a pattern. Use the Rectangular Array option to create
an array of rows and columns of copies of the selected object. Use the Polar Array
option to create an array by copying the selected objects around a center point.
Command : Ar ↩
6. MOVE
Move displaces a single object or a set of objects.
Command :M↩
Menu : Modify > Move
Shortcut menu: Select the objects to move, right-click in the drawing area, and choose
Move. Follow these prompts:
Select objects: Select the objects to be moved and press ↩ when you finish.
Specify base point or displacement: Specify a base point.
Specify second point of displacement: Spec) a point or press ↩
7. ROTATE
Rotate rotates an object or group of objects to a specified angle
Command : Ro ↩
8. SCALE
Scale changes the size of objects in a drawing. You can also scale an object by reference.
Command : Sc ↩
9. STRETCH
Stretch moves vertices of objects while maintaining the continuity of connected lines.
Command :S↩
10. TRIM
Trim shortens an object to meet another object or objects. The objects may be trimmed to
the current UCS plane or along the current view.
Command : Tr ↩
11. EXTEND
Extending an object to meet another object. Objects that can be extended include area,
elliptical arcs, lines, open polylines, and rays. We can extend objects to an
impelled as well as to an actual boundary.
Command : Ex ↩
12. BREAK
Lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ellipses, splines, donuts, and several other object types can be
split into two objects or have one end removed.
Command : Br ↩
13. CHAMFER
A chamfer connects two objects with an angled line. It is usually used to represent a
beveled edge on a corner. We can chamfer lines, polylines, rays, xlines and 3D solids.
14. FILLET
A fillet connects two objects with an arc that is tangent to the objects and has a specified
radius. We can fillet lines, polylines, rays, splines, xlines, arcs, circles, ellipses and elliptical arcs and
3D solids.
Command : Fillet, F ↩
15. Explode
 The EXPLODE command (enter X in the Command window) disassociates a compound object
into its component parts. You can explode objects such as polylines, hatches, and blocks (symbols).
After you explode a compound object, you can modify each resulting individual object.
LINETYPE PROPERTIES
LINETYPE command is used to specify the type of lines such as dotted, dashed etc. For
loading different line types d pick Format from the menu bar and Linetype from the pull down menu.
Now, a dialog box named Linetype Manager appears on the screen. By using this, we can load a
linetype if it is not available in the current list.
There are several properties for a drawing object such as color, line type, layer, thickness,
Etc... We can change the properties of an object through the properties dialog box.
Command : DDCHPROP or CH
Menu : Modify> Properties
We can access properties dialog by simply double clicking on an object. The properties tool bar
helps to change properties of a selected object very quickly
DIMENSIONING
Dimensioning is a process of adding measurements to a drawing. We can set up the
dimensioning style of a drawing from the Dimension style manager. The various options given in the
dimension menu will overcome the difficulties occurred during dimensioning.
Every dimension has its own style associated with either default or assigned. In Auto CAD,
this style covers text style, font, size, position, colour etc. Based on the available data, there are
eleven types of dimensioning commands. They are:
1. Linear dimensioning,
2. Aligned dimensioning,
3. Ordinate dimensioning,
4. Radius dimensioning,
5. Diameter dimensioning,
6. Angular dimensioning,
7. Baseline dimensioning,
8. Continue dimensioning,
9. Leader,
10.Tolerance and
11. Center mark.
information regarding dimension styles, family, geometry, format and annotation etc. F2.31
SETTING DIMENSION STYLE
We can set up the dimension styles that can be used in drawing. The command DIMSTYLE
or the Format menu > Dimension Style will display a window with currently available Dimension style.
We can load or modify the dimension style from this window. The basic elements of a dimension
object like dimension line, arrow head, extension lines, dimension text, primary and secondary units
can set through this procedure.
Command : Dimstyle
Menu : Format> Dimension Style
LAYER COMMAND
Layers are the equivalent of the overlays used in paper-based drafting. Layers are used to
group information by function and to enforce line type, color, and other standards. The Layers are
similar to transparent sheet overlays. As your drawing becomes complex, and as you become an
experienced AutoCad user, you may wish to show different aspects of your drawing on various
layers. For example construction of the drawing in your Layer, text and dimensions in another layer,
hatching in the third and so on.This will help you to edit your work easily. You can draw on each layer
separately and see through all the layers, getting all your drawing work as if it were drawn on one
drawing sheet (layer). You can make any layer either visible or invisible by turning on or off each
layer.
You are always drawing on a layer. It may be the default layer (0) or a layer you create
and name yourself. Each layer has an associated color and line type. You can group drawing
components by assigning similar objects to the same layer. The number of layers you can create in a
drawing and the number of objects you can create per layer are virtually unlimited.
BLOCK COMMAND
A block is a collection of objects you can associate together to form a single object, or
block definition. You can insert, scale, and rotate a block in a drawing. Auto Cad updates all into its
component objects, modifies them, and re-defines the block definition. Auto Cad updates all future
instances of that block based on the block definition. Blocks streamline the drawing process. For
example, you can use blocks to build a standard library of frequently used symbols, components, or
standard parts. You can insert the same block a number of times instead of recreating the drawing
elements each time.
You may revise drawings efficiently by inserting, relocating, and copying blocks as
components rather than individual geometric objects. This helps you to save disc space by storing
all references to the same block as one block definition in the drawing database.
When you insert a block in your drawing, you are creating a block instance. Each time you
insert a block instance, you assign a scale factor and rotation angle to the inserted block. You can
also scale a block instance using different values in any coordinate (X, Y, Z) direction.
“BLOCK” command allows you to create a new block out of entities or blocks already
defined on the screen. The command gives a prompt
Block name (or?): Enter a name or?
Block names can be up to 31 characters in length, and can contain letters,digits, and the special
characters dollar sign($), hyphen(-), and underscore(_). AutoCad converts letters to uppercase. If
you enter the name of an existing block, AutoCad prompts as follows:
Redefine it? <N>: Enter y or n, or press ENTER
By redefining a block, you automatically update all references to that block.
Inserting base point: Specify a point
The point specified is used as the base point for subsequent insertions of the block. Typically, a
base point is the center of the block or its lower left corner. The base point is also the point about
which the block can be rotated during insertion. Entering a 3D point inserts the block at a specific
elevation. Omitting the Z value of the coordinate uses the current elevation.
Select objects: Us an object selection method.
AutoCad defines a block using the objects selected, the insertion base point, and the name provided
and then erases the block from the drawing. You can restore the block by entering the OOPS
command immediately after BLOCK. The insertion base point becomes the origin of the block’s
coordinate system, which is parallel to the UCS in effect at the time the block was defined. When
the block is inserted into a drawing, its coordinate system is aligned parallel to the current UCS.
Thus, you can insert a block at any orientation in space by setting the UCS first.
?—Listing previously Defined Blocks
Block(s) to list <*>: Enter a name list or press ENTER
AutoCad lists the block names in the text window.
INSERTING A BLOCK
You can insert or entire drawings into the current drawing with “DDINSERT” and
“INSERT”. When you insert a block or drawing, you specify the insertion point, scale, and rotation
angle. When you insert an entire drawing into another drawing, AutoCad treats the inserted drawing
like any other block reference. Subsequent insertions reference the block definition (which
contains the geometric description of the block) with different position, scale, and rotation
settings.
If you change the original drawing after inserting it, the changes have no effect on the
inserted block. If you want the inserted block to reflect the changes you made to the original
drawing, you can redefine the block by reinserting the original drawing. This can be done with the
INSERT command by using a <block name>= syntax at the Block name prompt, or with the
DDINSERT command by selecting the original DWG file.
By default, AutoCAD uses the coordinate 0, 0, and 0 as the insertion base point for
inserted drawings. You can change the base point by opening the original drawing and using BASE to
specify a different insertion base point. AutoCad uses the new base point the next time you insert
the drawing.
You can use “INSERT” command to place a previously defined block into a drawing. When
issue INSERT command in the command line, you get,
Block name (or?) : Enter a name, enter?Enter~, or press ENTER
Entering? List the current block definitions in the drawing. Entering a tide (~) displays the select
drawing file dialog box. Preceding the name of the block with an asterisk (*) separates the Block’s
object during insertion. EXPLODE separate the object in a block after the block has been inserted.
Insertion point : indicate the point
X scale factor <1>/corner/xyz : (a number or point)
Y scale factor <default= X) : (a number or point)
Rotation angle <0> : number or point
A Copy of the named block is made with the base point of the block coinciding with the insertion
point and the block is rotated and scaled in the X and Y directions by the specified values. A
negative scale factor produces a mirrored copy of the block. The scale factors can also be specified
by giving a corner point of the window.
 3D MODELLING
Most of the popular CAD systems have the ability to model 3 Dimensions. Spatial image is
drawn in a pictorial projection using X, Y, Z coordinate geometry and it is stored in memory. It can
be reclaimed and redrawn in 3D pictorial projection or in any orthographic projection. Representing
the image of objects in a number of 2D views, i.e. the Front, End, Plan, Auxiliary view. A wire frame
representation is a wire frame without any side surface in between the image of the object wire
frame, as the name indicates the appearance of the frame constructed by the thin wires
representing the edges, projected lines and curves.
IMPORTANCE OF 3 D GEOMETRY:
2 D systems are able to reproduce high quality engineering drawings efficiently and quickly.
They store in their data files a 2D record of the drawing, usually the drawings are of three
dimensional objects and it is lifted to the user to interpret the 3D shape. But nowadays CAD
systems possess the capacity to define objects in 3D.
WIRE FRAME MODELS
The edges of the objects are shown as in lines. The image assures the appearance of a
frame constructed out of wire. Advanced packages today possess automatic hidden line removal
features also.
SOLID MODELING
A surface model is made up of surfaces and it is a more realistic model than a wire frame
model for presentations. But since it is lacking the information about the mass, it is not a true
representation of the actual object in the real world. A solid model on the other hand is a fully
fledged presentation, which consists of an opaque clothing of and you can also perform mass
property analysis on it. It is a mathematically equivalent representation of its physical counterpart.
The following methods may be used to create solid models in AutoCAD.
3D AUTOCAD COMMANDS
In Auto CAD, various solid modeling commands provide an easy method to generate three
dimensional models. Apart from creating basic solids, such as box, cone, cylinder, torus, wedge and
sphere etc., you can additionally create solids from 2-D objects by extruding and revolving them.
More complex solids can be created by adding and subtracting volumes.
1. Box
The box command enables you to create a 3D cube or cuboids.
Command : Box
2. Cone
This command enables you to draw a 3D solid cone.
Command : Cone
3. Cylinder
This command enables you to draw a solid cylinder.
Command : Cylinder
4. Sphere
This command enables you to create a 3D solid sphere with its central axis parallel to the z
axis of the current UCS
 Command : Sphere
5. Torus
This command enables you to create a 3D donut shaped solid.
Command : Torus
6. Wedge
This command enables you to create 3D wedge shaped solid the base is parallel to the z-
axis and the slope face is tapered along the x axis
Command : Wedge.
Extrude
This command enables you to draw solids by extruding a 2D object along a specified path.
You can extrude closed objects such as circles, ellipse, polygons, and closed splines etc. Note that
intersecting or unclosed resections, polylines that self cross do not extrude.
Command : Extrude
Revolve
Closed objects such as circle, ellipse, polygons and splines can be revolved about an axis to
generate a solid.
Command : Revolve

SLICE
This command enables you to create a new solid or a set of solids by slicing an existing solid
with a plane and removing a selected side. You may keep one or both sides of the sliced
solid.
Command : Slice ←
SWEEP
Command : Sweep ←

Creates a 3D solid or 3D surface by sweeping a 2D object or sub object along an open or

closed path.Open-ended objects create 3D surfaces, while objects that enclose an area can be set
to create either 3D solids or 3D surfaces.
PRESSPULL
Dynamically modifies objects by extrusion and offset.Get visual feedback as you move the
cursor after selecting a 2D object, an area formed by a closed boundary or a 3D solid face. The
press or pull behavior responds to the type of object you select to create extrusions and offsets.
In this example, the area between two polylines is pulled to create a 3D solid wall. The command
repeats automatically until you press Esc, Enter, or the spacebar.
LOFT
Creates a 3D solid or surface in the space between several cross sections.
Creates a 3D solid or surface by specifying a series of cross sections. The cross sections define
the shape of the resulting solid or surface. You must specify at least two cross sections.
Loft cross sections can be open or closed, planar or non-planar, and can also be edge subobjects.
Open cross sections create surfaces and closed cross sections create solids or surfaces, depending
on the specified mode.
UCS (User Coordinate System)
UCS is used as a tool for creating and editing 3D drawing. It can also be described as a
customized or user defined coordinate system to create 3D objects. Hence using UCS command you
can change the orientation in which 2D sections are drawn and the direction in which the objects
are extruded.
WCS is the short form of world coordinate system. This system represents the X, Y and Z
coordinate system. X-axis is taken positive towards right, Y-axis is taken positive towards top and
Z-axis is taken positive towards the user. Z-axis is perpendicular to the screen. Actually WCS is
the default coordinate system seen when a new file is opened.UCS is the short form of User
coordinate system and is actually derived from WCS. The layout of UCS is similar to that of WCS.
But the origin can be shifted to any required position and the z-axis can be turned to any direction
relative to WCS. In this situation, the W mark will disappear. This also helps to create 3D objects
having surfaces tilted to any position. Two styles are available for the display of UCS icon. They are
2Dstyle and 3Dstyle.
Command : UCS
Enter an option (New /move/orthographic
/prev/restore/save/del/apply/? /world) <World>:
(Enter or select an option)
Union
This command enables you to combine two or more solids.
Command : Union
Select objects: (Click on the overlapping solids
That you want to combine).
Subtract
This command enables you to subtract a solid from another solid object.
Eg.To produce a hole in a cylinder.
Intersect
This command enables you to create a composite solid that contains volume common to
two or more overlapping solid objects.
Command : Intersect:
Select objects: (Click on the overlapping solids that you want
to derive the intersection).
Viewport
A viewport is a region of the screen used to display a portion of the total image to be
shown. In virtual desktops, the viewport is the visible portion of a 2D area which is larger than the
visualization device.
There are two types of viewports in AutoCAD. Model space viewports and layout space
viewports.
In model space, you can split the drawing area into one or more rectangular areas called
model space viewports. Viewports are areas that display different views of your model. In large or
complex drawings, displaying different views reduces the time needed to zoom or pan in a single
view.
Layout viewports are objects that display views of model space. You create, scale, and place
them in paper space on a layout. On each layout, you can create one or more layout viewports. Each
layout viewport is like a closed circuit TV monitor of a view of the model at a scale and orientation
that you specify.
Create Drawing Views from AutoCAD 3D Models
Create base, orthogonal, and isometric projected views from 3D solids and surfaces in model space.
1. At the bottom right of the drawing area, click the tab corresponding to the layout you intend to
create the base view on.
Tip: If the layout contains a viewport, we recommend that you delete it before you proceed.
2. Click Home tabView panel Base drop-downFrom Model Space.
Entire model space is selected and a preview of the base view appears at the cursor. To create the
base view for selected objects only:
a. Click Drawing View Creation tabSelect panelModel Space Selection.
b. SHIFT-click the objects you don't want to include in the base view.
Tip: If you accidently removed an object that you didn't intend to, click the object. The
object is selected for the base view.
c. Press ENTER to return to the layout.
3. In the Orientation panel of the Drawing View Creation contextual ribbon tab, select the
orientation for the base view.
4. In the Appearance panel, specify the scale and view style.
5. Click in the drawing area to indicate the location to place the base view and press ENTER. A
preview of a projected view appears at the cursor.
Note: You can change the properties of the base view using the ribbon until you press ENTER.
6. Move the preview to the desired location and click. Repeat until all the required projected views
are created.
Note: As you move the preview, the orientation of the projected view changes to reflect its
relationship to the base view.
7. Click Drawing View Creation tabCreate panelOK.
PRINT OR PLOT COMMAND
Printing or plotting of a drawing can be done by using a printer or a plotter. Various input
facilities are available for printing a drawing. Facilities like keyboard, menu bar or toolbar with
mouse are explained below.
Printing A Drawing By Using Keyboard
Assume that the word, Command: appears on the command prompt area. Type PRINT or
PLOT at the command prompt area using the keyboard and press the enter key. Now, the command
prompt area appears as shown below:
Command: PRINT or PLOT
Now, a dialog box namely Plot appears on the screen.
Printing A Drawing by Using Menu Bar with Mouse
Pick File from menu bar and Plot from pull-down menu. Now, a dialog box namely Plot appears
on the screen.
Printing A Drawing by Using Toolbar with Mouse
Pick the icon of Plot, from Standard toolbar. Now, a dialog box namely Plot appears on the
screen.
For printing a drawing, follow the procedure shown below:
1. Pick the Plot Device tab.
2. Select the printer name (say, HP Deskjet) from the combo box against Name under Plotter
configuration.
3. Pick the Plot settings tab.
4. Select the paper size (save A4 - 210x297mm) from the combo box provided against the Paper
size.
5. Pick the drawing orientation option (say, Portrait).
6. Then select the scale 1:1 from the combo box under scale.
7. Pick the Window button under the heading Plot area. Now, cursor and drawing appears on the
screen and command prompt area shows, Specify first corner: (Here, specify the first corner for
the window) Specify opposite corner: (Here, specify the opposite corner for the window)
Now, the dialog box Plot again appears on the screen.
8. Pick the full preview button provided on the bottom left of the dialog box.
9. Now, the paper layout with selected drawing appears on the screen.
10. Then click the right button of the mouse and pick the button menu
11. The dialog box again appears on the screen
12. Click the OK button.
Now, the plotted drawing is obtained from the plotting device.
Plot a drawing in Auto CAD to PDF
● Go to Application menu > Print > Batch Plot.
● Set Publish to: to a desired output (for example, PDF or Plotter named in page
setup).
● Click Add Sheets to add drawings, or Remove Sheets to delete selected drawings.
● Set any necessary options accordingly.
● Click Publish.