3. AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a computer-aided
drafting software program used
for creating blueprints for
buildings, bridges, computer
chips, electrical/electronics
designs, etc.
Though AutoCAD is used mainly
by drafters, but often time the
usage of this program software is
common with engineers,
surveyors and architects.
As its name implies AutoCAD
stands for Automated Computer
Aided Design. A program
developed and owed by
Autodesk incorporation.
4. An Overview
of AutoCAD
• AutoCAD is a computer-aided
drafting software program that
enables the user to create
precise 2- and 3-dimensional
drawings used in construction
and manufacturing.
• People who learn how to use
AutoCAD can create scaled
drawings that are used to
manufacture equipment, plan
infrastructure projects, design
electrical circuitry, and build
homes and commercial
structures.
5. DRAFTERS
• Mechanical drafters prepare plans for
machinery and mechanical devices.
• Architectural drafters draw up plans for
residential and commercial buildings.
• Electrical drafters work with electricians
to prepare diagrams or layouts for wiring
electrical system.
• Electronics drafters also prepare wiring
diagrams for use in the making, installing
and repairing of electronic gadgets.
• Aeronautical drafters create blueprints
used in assembling aircraft and other
related apparatus.
• Civil drafters draw up plans for use in the
design and building of roadways, bridges,
sewer systems and other major projects.
6. AutoCAD System
Requirement
Ensure that your computer
meets the program's system
requirements.
AutoCAD requires the following:
•2 GB RAM
•2 GB of space for installation
•Screen resolution of 1,024 X 768
•Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher
7. AutoCAD
installation
Install the AutoCAD program.
The process is a basic
installation with step-by-step
instructions from the
Installation Wizard. It takes
about 30 minutes to
complete.
After installation the AutoCAD
icon will appear on your
desktop. Double-click the icon
whenever you want to start
the program.
8. AUTOCAD
WORKSPACE
Familiarize yourself with how
to navigate through AutoCAD
workspace.
The workspace in AutoCAD is
divided into 2 distinct areas.
•The drawing area which
covers most of the screen.
•The toolbars which are
anchored above and below
the drawing area.
9. AUTOCAD
MENU
Application button: The large,
red A at the top, left-hand corner
of the screen is the application
button. Use it to print files and to
exit the program.
Quick-access toolbar: This
toolbar sits next to the
application button and contains
common commands like "Save"
and "Open."
10. Ribbon: Located below the quick-
access toolbar, the ribbon is
comprised of a series of tabs (e.g.,
"Home," "Insert," "Annotate,"
"View," etc.) that contain groups of
standard commands and tools.
Status bar: The toolbar across the
bottom of the screen is the status
bar. It mostly consists of control
settings that allow you to monitor
changes in the drawing.
AUTOCAD
MENU
12. BASIC AUTOCAD
NAVIGATING TOOLS
Basic drafting tools.
Here are some basic drafting
tools, you need to familiarize
yourself with, in other to
effectively utilize this
drafting program.
13. GETTING STARTED
WITH AUTOCAD
Create a new drawing; From the quick-
access toolbar, click "File," and then
"New." The new drawing will use 1 of 2
default settings, either imperial or metric.
If you want to use specific settings for a
drawing, select "Templates" under the
Options dialog box. Several Draw a simple
figure. Master simple techniques in
AutoCAD and practice fundamental skills
before moving on to complex drawings.
Start with an exercise like drawing a 4-
inch horizontal line.
Locate the small gear icon at the bottom
of the screen. This is the Workspace icon.
Click it and select "2D Drafting &
Annotation."
14. Click the Home icon on the left
side of the ribbon.
After the whole process of
getting started, click the home
icon to begin your drafting. The
home page is equipped with all
the necessary tools to draft to an
appreciable existence.
AUTOCAD
DRAFTING
16. Select the Line icon from the
drop down menu.
Check the text in the
command/prompt toolbar.
It should show "Command: _
line Specify first point."
USING THE TOOLS
AND COMMANDS
17. Move your mouse inside the
drawing area. A + symbol should
follow the mouse as you move
it.
Click the left mouse button near
the center of the drawing area.
This is the first point of the line.
USING THE TOOLS
AND COMMANDS
18. Look for the text "Specify
next point or [Undo]" in
the command/prompt
area.
Type "@4<0" in the
command/prompt area
and hit enter twice.
USING THE TOOLS
AND COMMANDS
19. Your 4-inch line is complete. In this
example, @ denotes at the first
starting point, 4 represents the unit
of measure, < stands for direction,
and the number after it, in this case,
0, represents the number of
degrees from the horizontal axis.
Experiment with other drawing
options. Learn to draw other shapes
and figures like arcs and rectangles,
and master other important
functions, like erase, change line
types and add colors.
USING THE TOOLS
AND COMMANDS
20. Build on what you've learned. As
you become proficient with
AutoCAD, you'll be able to convert
lines into 2D surfaces, surfaces into
3D solids, add realistic material
representations, and manipulate
light and shadows.
Save your drawing. Go back to the
quick-access toolbar, click
"Options," "Open" and "Save," and
then execute the desired command.
To exit the program entirely, click
the application button, slide your
cursor down to "Exit," and click.
USING THE TOOLS
AND COMMANDS
21. FLY TO THE SUMMIT OF A CHOSEN CAREER USING AUTOCAD
PRESENTED BY EKUNDEBE MICHAEL
