This document provides an introduction to AutoCAD and its basic functions. It describes what CAD, CADD and related acronyms stand for. It outlines the typical elements of a CAD system including computers, input/output devices, software. It then demonstrates how to start a new drawing in AutoCAD, set units and limits, use grids and snapping, and perform basic drawing tasks like creating shapes, lines and text. The document concludes with instructions on zooming and plotting a basic drawing on paper.

1. Presenting
Ahmed Hassan
Civil Engineer
Introduction toIntroduction to
AutoCADAutoCAD©©

2. What are the “C”, “A”, and “D”?
• CAD Stands for One of
– Computer Aided Design
• The More Typical Definition
– Computer Aided Drafting
• Sometimes See CADD or CAE
– Computer Aided Drafting & Design
• Covers Both Bases
– Computer Aided Engineering
• Typically CADD + Numerical-Analysis

3. Elements of a CAD System
• Computer; e.g., DeskTop PC
• Input Devices; e.g., mouse, KeyBd
• OutPut Devices; e.g., Plotter, Printer
• Operating Software; e.g. WindowsXP, Mac
OSX, Unix, Linux
• CAD/CAE Application Software
– e.g., AutoCAD, TurboCAD, ProE, SolidWorks, many
others

4. CAD Software
• Common Basic Elements
– Commands to generate geometry
• Makes Mathematically Accurate Lines, Curves,
Surfaces, Volumes, etc.
– Functions for controlling views
– Modifiers for changing drawing geometry
– Annotation commands for adding text,
dimensions, and notes
• The use of CAD has Revolutionized
Engineering Graphics

5. Starting AutoCAD
• DoubleClick the
AutoCAD Icon
• Autocad 2007
 Should Bring Up the
AutoCAD WorkSpace

6. AutoCAD WorkSpace
Status LineCoOrd Display
Command Line
Cursor
Object
Properties TB
Standard TB
PullDown Menus
Drawing TB
Layer TB
Modify TB
Drawing
Area

7. AutoCAD ToolBars: Move/Size
 ACAD ToolBars Can
Moved and Sized using
the Same Techniques as
with other MSWindows
Applications

8. ReSize CommandLine Box
Resize Using
Double-Bar Cursor
Recommend
Minimum 2-Lines
High

9. ToolBars Described
• AutoCAD ToolBars Behave in the Same Manner as
other Windows-Apps ToolBars
Each Icon is
called a “Tool”
Allowing the Cursor to
“Linger over a Tool
Brings up a Descriptive
“ToolTip”

10. Start a NEW Drawing
• Start a New Drawing
by One of
– PullDown Menus: File
→ New...
• Using the “QNew”
(QuickNew) Tool
• Type “new” in the
Command Line

11. Select Template Dialog-Box
• Appears After the
New File
Command(s)
• A Template is a
Standard format
• For Now Suggest
Using the
acad.dwt
Template
• Click Open to Start
the New Drawing

12. Name & Save Drawing
• Opening a NEW
Drawing Results in a
Default Name of
DrawingN.dwg
 Use File → Save or
The Save-Tool to
Give the Dwg a new
Name
 Naming AutoCAD Files
• NOT Case Sensitive
• Any Combination of
Letters and Numbers
– Also Allowed = $, -, _
• Not Allowed = , /, %, *

13. AutoCAD Drawing Units
• “ACAD” Has Five Unit-
Systems
– Each has Five Formatting
Parameters
• To Adjust the Unit
System Use the
PullDown Menu
– Format → Units...

14. Format Units
• The Drawing Units
Dialog Box
 In ENGR22 We will
Typically Use for
Length Units
• Type → Decimal
• Insertion Scale →
one of
– Inches (in or “)
– Millimeters (mm)
• Precision
– in → 0.00 or 0.000
– mm → 0 or 0.00

15. Format Units cont
• In ENGR22 We will
Typically Use for Angle
Units
– Type → Decimal Degree
– Precision → 0 or 0.0
– CounterClockwise

16. Standard Paper Sheet Sizes
• USA Standards (in)
– A = 8.5x11 (1.29 AR)
– B = 11x17 (1.55 AR)
– C = 17x22 (1.29 AR)
– D = 22x34 (1.55 AR)
– E = 34x44 (1.29 AR)
• Notes
– Nice, Round No.s
– Inconsistent Aspect
Ratios (ARs)
• ISO 216 Paper (mm)
– A4 = 210x297 (1.41 AR)
– A3 = 297x420 (1.41 AR)
– A2 = 420x594 (1.41 AR)
– A1 = 594x841 (1.41 AR)
– A0 = 841x1189 (1.41 AR)
• Notes
– UNround Numbers
– Constant Aspect Ratio = √2

17. Drawing Limits
• In ENGR22 HardCopy
Output will done on “A-
size” (8.5” x 11”) Paper
• ACAD Drawing Limits
set the Boundaries
– The “Limits” Usually Set
to Match the Paper Size
• Example: Set
Drawing Limits
1. Open a New Drawing
using acad.dwt
2. Use the PullDown
Menu: Format →
Drawing Limits...

18. Drawing Limits cont
• Brings up notation in
Command Line
3. Accept the Lower-
Left at <0.0000,
0.000> by hitting
Enter
– Brings the Next
Query into the
Command Line
4. Enter 11, 8.5 and
hit Enter to set the
Upper Right Limit

19. Grid & Snap
• Grid is just a visual aid
for your drawing
• Snap allows you to
specify precise
coordinates when
using the mouse
• They are modified
with the GRID and
SNAP commands
• Neither affect
anything already
drawn
• They can be changed
on-the-fly
• Function keys set GRID
and SNAP
• “modes”: on and off
• F7 - Sets GRID mode
on/off
• F9 - Sets SNAP mode
on/off

20. Grid & Snap
 acadiso.dwt
• Limits (420,297)
 Grid set to 10 mm
 Snap set to 20mm

21. Example → 1st Drawing
1. Fire up AutoCAD
2. Make a new Drawing
using acad.dwt
3. Save the File as
YourName-01.dwg
– e.g.; BMayer-
01.dwg
1. Make a NEW LAYER
Called “Object”
Click

22. 1st Drawing cont
• Pick the GREEN Box
and then click OK
Type “Object”
Click
“Color →
white”

23. 1st Drawing cont
– Set the “Object” Layer
to Current
Double click the
“Status” box
• Set the “Object”
Layer to Current
using Status box
• Click OK
6. Use the drawing
Tools to make
some Shapes &
Lines that Fill a
significant Portion
of the screen
5. Hit the Save tool

24. 1st Drawing cont
Drawing
ToolBar
Save Again

25. 1st Drawing cont
7. Use the Pull Down Menu: Draw
→ Text → Multiline Test...
8. Drag the mouse to
• form an “MTEXT” Box
• Activates the
“Text Formatting” Box
8. In the Format Box Change
the Text Size to 15-25
• Or Whatever fits your dwg

26. 1st Drawing cont
MTEXT
Box
Change to 25

27. 1st Drawing cont
10. Click in Inside the MTEXT Box
and Type Your HW-ID
– Fname Lname
– Date
– Class ID = ENGR22
– HW ID = HW-nn
11.Click OutSide the MTEXT
Box to DeActivate
12.Hit Save, yet again

28. 1st Drawing cont
13. In the Command Line type zoom,
then Hit Enter
14. At the Query Prompt the letter “e”
(for “extents”) Then Hit Enter
 Your Drawing will Zoom in to Fill the Screen

29. 1st Drawing cont
zoom → extents

30. 1st Drawing cont
15. Use the PullDown
Menu:
File → Plot
– Activates the Plot
Dialog Box

31. 1st Drawing cont
• ASK the CAD-Lab
Supervisor about the
PROPER Settings to
Obtain an A-Size
(8.5x11) PrintOut
16. In the Print Dialog Box
click OK
17. Pick up your Copy and
you’re done

32. All Done for Today
Thanks
for Listening